Vicente Wolf











Winning spots on Interior Design magazine's Hall of Fame and being celebrated by both Architectural Digest and Metropolitan Home as among the world's most influential designers, Vincente Wolf creates spaces that are at once grand and inviting. Mixing elements from all over the world, he has designed private spaces for Prince and Princess Von Furstenberg and Clive Davis, as well as commercial spaces such as the Beverly Hill's Luxe Hotel and NYC's L'Impero Restaurant, winning him the 2003 James Beard Foundation Award for outstanding restaurant design.

Despite his long list of successes, Wolf proudly points out that he never graduated from high school. I think this is part of his charm - being unbound by the rigid vision of others is something that really shines through in his spaces. By mixing French chairs with minimalist tables, on the other side of which are richly upholstered comfy couches, all opposite architectural pieces mounted on iron rods, Wolfe creates rooms which are decidedly personal, elegant, and relaxing all in one breath. "My design is a blending. It's not just arranging furniture in a room. It's like a sentence that has a lot of different words, and each word - like chair and table - is individual until you put them all together and you end up with a thought" (Wolf). Placing a long stone bench in the shower, a flat-screen on an easel, turning a side table into a vanity with a sink...these are all striking and inspired pieces that are incredibly easy to live with.

To date, Wolf has published two books: Learning to See (Artisan, 2002) and Crossing Boundaries: A Global Vision of Design (Monacelli Press, 2006), with a third due out by the end of the year.

source: www.vicentewolf.com

Gemma Degara




Gemma Degara, out of Barcelona Spain, puts together wonderfully whimsical collections. Her soft draping and novel shapes give relaxed look that isn't too boxy or look like you simply raided your boyfriends closet for s shirtdress. I like the quiet prints that look more like shadows, the embellished gloves, and tights with seams. Her approach to layering is from the inside out, letting the briefs peep through from under a dress or through stockings. It's a nice little evolution from the shorts over tights look which can come off a little contrived. And of course, as you may have guessed by now, I love love love the black cape!

source: gemmadegara.com

Robert Geller





For those of us a little taken by a certain vampire as of late, enter Robert Geller: the ultimate modern day vampire designer. Winning GQ's Best New Menswear Designer in American award, Geller took inspiration from menswear at the turn of the twentieth century and modernized the look with fabulous fabrics. The result is a nothing short of jaw-dropping, eye-catching, confident, and darkly romantic collection. Geller taps into an edginess that is almost punk, but clothes it in luxurious velvets and wools to create this connoisseur who would duel to the death if the need be. Geller's collection earned him the award because he referenced an emotion rather than just presenting 'an exercise in making clothes.' Here the models aren't just walking because it's their job, but they are living the collection. You can see how each man plays his part not simply because he is a good model, but because there is something of Geller's idea behind it all that resonates with him. Geller's interpretation of the gothic turned romantic man breathes before us in this stellar collection.

Rick Owens








Tailored layering at its best. Soft, textured, and subtle variations in colour work wonders in this collection that would have otherwise been lost in a sea of black. I love the open/close presentation of the pieces - everything is done up to the neck, and then opens up to allow for easy movement. My particular favorite this season is the cape-like silhouette popping up everywhere. Here, Rick Owens offers up a few variations on the shape from the sweater cape to the gold sleeveless sheath and the side-cape. The tailed jackets towards the end were a nice twist on the mens tailed tuxedo.

Imaginative, wearable, and functional pieces are an Owen specialty, and this collection will undoubtedly reel in some new followers.

source: style.com

Hooresenbuhs







Hooresenbuhs, a Santa Monica based jewelery and accessories house, is my current fancy. A business strategy without the penchant to peddle their goods to anyone who will have a look-see wins major points with me. Designer Robert Keith believes more in an organic growth this luxury label. His designs evolve from the beauty of the materials rather than the recognizably of a logo. Forget bling, Hooresenbuhs excels at creating bespoke pieces for people looking for a work of art. Their signature TriLink (three horizontal eych's) represents strength, quality, and continuous opulence.

Named after the Dutch trade ship on wich Keith's ancestors ferried precious stones and metals, Hooresenbuhs continues the tradition 'trading riches for riches, in a lavish quest to shower fortunes on those who seek abundance.'

source: hooresenbuhs.com

William Rast


Johan Lindeberg and Justin Timberlake | Trace Ayala and Marcella Lindeberg





Another denim collection from William Rast, but this time there is no mistaking where they got the inspiration. Riccardo Tisci's Spring 2009 collection was such a hit (they say people almost knocked over a dividing wall to congratulate him backstage) that it was bound to ripple through the fashion world. A season later the William Rast collection gives the haute couture cowboy a little more street cred. Studs, fringe. zippers, and feathers gave the look a more carefree vibe in contrast to Tisci's razor sharp construction. Dirtier and well worn, the design team at William Rast created some great pieces. The silver studded leather jacket, feather-shouldered cape, and the muscle tank with razor shoulders are of the moment, but not obnoxious - a difficult balance to pull off. In spite of all the looks walking down the runway, Johan and Marcella Lindeberg stole the show for me: great interpretations of their collection with just a little polish.





Givenchy Spring 2009

source: style.com

Givenchy




I have to say that I love how sheer combos are popping up everywhere on the runways. These hairy ensembles look like fun to wear, and I could only imagine the fun Riccardo Tisci had inventing them!

source: style.com

Missoni

























This collection just hit the spot for me. Boheian nomad? Why not?? The colours are so soft and inviting - even the blacks are muted. Nothing presented in this show is simply a color, but are all different degrees of hue saturation. The blush pinks, chocolates, taupes, creames, apricots, soft cobalt and cornflower blues... The beautiful silk dresses give such a nice contrast to the wools and cashmeres, and the leaf prints are the perfect development from the summer florals we might not be ready to let go of just yet. Even the shoes were covered in knit patterns or given a little collar of their own! I loved how the floor-length scarves flipped out when the girls walked, giving just the right degree of movement to what could haven been a very heavy and stifling way to layer. This collection is what fall is supposed to be: warm, cozy, and still holding on to summer. Wear the cute slip dress out the night before, and the morning after just layer on a scarf (or two, or three...), your grandpas tweed coat, and some comfy leggings for your morning coffee and dogwalk.

Forget about the harsh blacks that so many designers offer up season after season - Angela Missoni hit all the right notes with this carefree collection.

source: style.com