Gael

Gael García Bernal in Flaunt #98

"Right now, let's say, there's going to be less money going around, and less brands, but we're going to realize we didn't need them to begin with. But, at the same time, we're going to realize to have less money is going to lead us to enjoy other things that are there. That means playing a lot, having fun, writing, reading -- things that don't cost money. Experimenting with things, like going with your family somewhere, even to a park. It's little things. We're all going to live it. It's important to rise up and be there for that challenge and enjoy it, to not be scared about it. On the contrary, this is a good time. Of course I am optimistic. I'd be silly if I wasn't."

Pics from TFS, scanned by sedirea

Three Blondes Jewelry

Three Blondes is a jewelry line established in 2008 by Summer Rej and Jennifer Meyers. Both raised in NYC, the girls have created a collection of jewelry and accessories that reflect the city they call home. The pieces mesh Upper East Side delicate beauty with Downtown-style chunky chains and oversized crystals, creating one-of-a-kind pieces that really are like no other jewelry you own! Already featured on VogueTV and The Fashion Spot, Three Blondes is an up-and-coming label that you're going to want to get to know!

A few months ago I was offered the opportunity to check out the gorgeous jewelry and accessories of Three Blondes, as well as interview the designers, Summer and Jen. The lovely ladies sent over "The Independent", a gorgeous black crystal and gold necklace, and "The Gala", black crochet gloves with intricate gold beading (both seen above). They were also kind enough to answer a bunch of questions - read on to learn more about Three Blondes Jewelry!

How did you two meet, and how did you decide to create a line of jewelry together?
We met our freshman year of high school when we attended The Calhoun School in New York. We bonded in English class, sharing notes and study questions, but also chatting over clothes we had just picked up from little boutiques near Calhoun - this was back in 1999, when our closets included Miss Sixty, Buggirl, Steve Madden (we both had multiple pairs of the same shoes!), ANY logo tees by Junk Food, Paul Frank or E.Vil, with some Kate Spade or Prada accessories and brands such as Tocca mixed in. We ultimately became the best of friends. We formed a small t-shirt company (imagine lots of logos and embellishments) while we were in college and realized we worked well as business partners, brainstorm ideas that we both believe in, and listen to each others opinions. We also gained experience working internships and jobs in the fashion and art communities which inspired us to create something of our own which would serve as a creative outlet. We also have tons of fun and laughs working together, which is necessary to counter the hard work and endless hours that go into running a business, especially when you are executing each component on your own, as we are. We realized that there was such room for creativity within the world of jewelry and accessories. Since jewelry and hair accessories have always been wardrobe staples of the utmost importance to each of us, we decided to parlay our efforts in that direction. Years later, we're still the best of friends and are so excited with what's in store with Three Blondes currently and in the future. We hope for big things and have grand plans in mind!

Where do you look to for inspiration in your designs?

Everywhere - living in New York, some of the greatest inspiration comes from individuals walking down the street, store windows, landmarks. Our brand identity centers around the concept that the wearer is a chic, hip woman who is at the forefront of fashion and is a confident individualist in how she presents herself. A 3B necklace or headband is an added element that works with her overall look, compliments and represents her, plus serves as a conversation piece. Many of our pieces were inspired by great female icons of the past - style trendsetters who were not afraid to push the envelope. Many of our friends share that trait, and we even named some of our pieces after friends who inspire us and represent the 3B woman. Inspiration comes from everywhere: film, music, photography, interior design. In fact, we utilize crystals from real chandeliers and hope these pieces offer the same effect as a true chandelier - that extra element that instantly transforms a setting, sets a mood, and adds beautiful luxury and elegance to anything it touches.

What are your favorite pieces that you have created so far?

Within each category, we have a few favs. From our chandelier necklaces, we love love "The Bold" and "The Sparkle." Love our chandelier wrap bracelet, available with assorted ribbons. "The Gala" gloves in black and gold are a major fav since the black/gold color combo is something we've turned to for years. Similarly, "The Little Black Bow" necklace, simple gold wooden beads with a bow-tie closure, goes great with a little cocktail dress but could also be paired with jeans and a blazer. "The Icon" headband in both black and white styles is also versatile as it can be worn as a headband or wrapped around the wrist as a bracelet.

Who have you been most excited to see your jewelry on? And what celebrity would you most like to see in your designs?

We'd love to see our jewelry on those who have developed their own amazing and unique sense of style. The style icons of today who inspire the masses; girls who aren't afraid to go all out and be glamorous, daring, and original. It would be the ultimate compliment to see Alexa Chung, Georgia Jagger, Leighton Meester, Rachel Zoe, Alexandra von Furstenberg, Sienna Miller, Nicole Richie, Mary-Kate or Ashley Olsen wearing a piece from the 3B collections. Of course, we hope to soon see ALL of our friends in NYC decked out in our designs. And you, too!

A huge thanks to Summer and Jen for the opportunity to check out their jewelry and chat with them! If you'd like to shop the designs of Three Blondes Jewelry, they are currently available online at ShopThreeBlondes.com, and at Clyde's Chemists at 926 Madison Ave (@ 74th Street) in NYC!

Isabella Oliver 365

The tagline for Isabella Oliver, "for women who love clothes", could not be more true! Worn by chic celebs like Angelina Jolie and Heidi Klum, the Isabella Oliver 365 collection contains everything a chic woman could want and need in her wardrobe. Silk blouses, body-con pencil skirts, beautiful draping jackets, and slimming dresses are just a few things you'll find in the Autumn/Winter 365 collection. The pieces have been featured in Vogue and Grazia, and are popular due to their flattering cuts and ability to easily transition from day to night. But the 365 collection is not where designers Vanessa and Baukjen started out - the first Isabella Oliver collection was maternity wear, and consisted of chic and flattering tops and dresses for mommies-to-be. But of course the best way to learn about Isabella Oliver is from the designers themselves, so read on to hear the story of Isabella Oliver from Baukjen and Vanessa!

How did you two meet, and what made you decide to co-found Isabella Oliver together?
We met at the pool at Babington House in Somerset. We were both heavily pregnant (Vanessa with Isabella, Baukjen with Oliver) and got talking over Vanessa’s sandals. From the first instance we liked each other and swapped contact details to meet up back in London. In London we met up, and we mentioned that we’d like to have our own business one day but were unsure what in. We discussed the gap in the market for stylish comfortable maternity clothing... and that is where it all started.

Why did you originally decide to focus on maternity fashions?
We wanted designs that worked for the whole 10 months, pieces that were sexy and stylish and could be dressed up or down. We started with a capsule collection of 10 designs, and five years on, 7 of those are still in our top 20.

Explain the concept behind the Isabella Oliver 365 collection, and what made you decide to branch in to womenswear following the maternity collection?
We launched 365 due to having a high customer demand for an Isabella Oliver wardrobe that was not maternity. Women like the dressy pieces, however they want pieces for their lifestyle. So, whether it’s for drinks with friends, a hectic day at work, or running around after their little ones, we believe Isabella Oliver has pieces that will work today, tomorrow and for years to come.

Do you have a favorite piece from the upcoming Autumn/Winter 365 collection?
It’s always difficult having to choose, however one of our favourites has to be The Bustier Dress. It can be worn season to season, year after year, and in a number of ways. We adore the versatility, and love to wear it over a classic turtleneck in the colder months and solo when the weather’s warm or for a party.

Be sure to check out Isabella Oliver 365 and Maternity at the Isabella Oliver website, or follow Isabella Oliver 365 on Twitter and Facebook! And I'll be posting outfit pics of myself in my new Isabella Oliver shirt I won from a recent Facebook contest (yet another reason why you should check out their Facebook and Twitter - great giveaways!).

AprilMarin

AprilMarin was created in 2007 by college friends April Bukofser and Marin Milio. April and Marin wanted to create a clothing line that was both innovative yet full of classic pieces. As fashionable women themselves, these ladies understood the importance of a perfect fit. They researched other womens custom clothing lines and realized that there were no other contemporary clothing designers offering custom-made garments for all. Thus AprilMarin was born.

AprilMarin offers made-to-order dresses, jackets, and suits, specially made using your unique measurements. The pieces are timeless and classic, but with a bit of an edge, so your wardrobe not only will fit your body perfectly but it will be one of a kind! I was lucky enough to talk with April and Marin about their collection, and I learned a lot about these two lovely ladies and AprilMarin designs!

You custom-make every piece that is ordered - why did you decide to go that route instead of the old small/medium/large route?
Our entire clothing concept is custom. We believe that if something is made just for you, then you will look and feel beautiful. Each customer submits her measurements through AprilMarin.com. We provide a detailed measuring guide on our website to help customers through the measuring process. We encourage all women to measure themselves in their underwear as they know their body best. We also give the customer the opportunity to choose her fabric and lining color, because we think that it is important to show your individuality with each piece by choosing your own colors. We currently offer over 30 color options!

Where do you two look for design inspiration?
We design after classic icons like Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O. These icons always wore clean lines, which gave them a simple elegance which is timeless and memorable. Gabrielle “CoCo” Chanel deserves special recognition. Her dedication to style transformed the fashion world, and her classic, simple, and timeless designs give AprilMarin inspiration. A more recent inspirational designer would be Cynthia Steffe. Her use of feminine details and refined lines have inspired us too.

Do you have a favorite piece from your current collection?
The Dylan Jacket because it is so versatile, fun, and can be worn throughout seasons. It’s our best seller! We get so many compliments about it and think it’s a wonderful piece.

Who would you be most excited and honored to see wearing your designs?
We would love to dress Michelle Obama, Jennifer Aniston, and Blake Lively in our classic silhouettes. Their classiness and understated elegance is what AprilMarin is all about, but we are honored to dress the everyday woman as well since our goal is to make woman feel good about themselves in clothing that fits!

Where do you hope to take AprilMarin in the future?
We are in the process of making this phenomenal skirt that everyone will want in their closet. We are so excited about it because it is so different, but at the same time, classy and elegant. Our fall collection is in the process of being photographed and added to our website. We are also working with a manufacturer to mass produce a few items that do not need to be custom fit. This is such an exciting time for us and we are so thankful that we are able to do what we love and make people happy at the same time!

Dana-Maxx

Dana-Maxx Pomerantz has been causing a bit of a stir in the blog-o-sphere lately, with writeups about her collections popping up on Glam.com and USAToday.com, as well as being featured in WWD. Perhaps it's the flirtatious quality of the dresses, or maybe it's the glamorous, timeless feel of the deigns. Whatever it is, Dana-Maxx's collections are in high demand!

Dana-Maxx's designs are ideal for the style-conscious, fashion-forward woman who is looking for high-quality pieces that are feminine, glam, and sophisticated. Much like the designer herself, these clothes are made for women who are strong, sexy, fun, and fearless! I got to chat with Dana-Maxx about her new Fall/Winter collection, titled "Sex, Love, and Heartbreak", what it was like working with Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs, and more! Read on...

How did you break in to the fashion industry?
I studied fashion design in high school and took classes at The Fashion Institute of Technology on the weekends. I went to FIT for college, majoring in fashion design, and during my time there I interned at Betsey Johnson. Soon thereafter I worked at Betsey full time, followed by freelancing at Marc Jacobs, until I began my own company in 2007.

What was it like working with Betsey Johnson and Marc Jacobs?
Interning and working at Betsey Johnson was definitely a dream come true! When I interned there, I was so passionate about learning as much as I could and taking on any task they asked of me. Whether it was getting coffee or redesigning a skirt with Betsey herself, I treated each project as if it were the greatest thing that happened to me. When I worked at Betsey Johnson, I had the amazing privilege of working one-on-one with Betsey herself. I admired how humble and real she was; she treated interns with the same amount of respect as her creative director. I was truly a "Betsey Girl"- as we use to call it; I loved the fun atmosphere and loved working in design! Working at Marc Jacobs was great too! I got to see how differently the company was run from my previous experience. It taught me that there isn't just one way of doing a job well done!

How did you decide you wanted to start your own line?
Ever since I was a little girl I always wanted to be a fashion designer. I use to have a pretend store setup in my bedroom. My customers were my stuffed animals and I would sit and sketch clothing for them and take orders. Who knew that is exactly what I would be doing 20 years later! Fashion was always in my blood- I would sleep it, eat it, and dream it. I could not wait to make that dream a reality one day.

Could you explain a bit about the inspiration behind your Fall/Winter collection "Sex, Love, and Heartbreak"?
The Fall/Winter 2009 collection was inspired by love gained and love lost and the struggles we face in this economy. The collection is moody and a bit edgy. Each collection I create has a definite inspiration and is an extension of me.

Do you have a favorite piece from your Fall/Winter collection?
My favorite piece is probably the Felix Ring Dress because I love party dresses and this is a great take on a classic silhouette with modern detailing. When I was creating the dress, I was thinking that about how much people love to accessorize their clothing. I thought why not create a dress that looks like it has a necklace and a set in belt? It's like 3 pieces in one! The great thing is that the 'necklace' and 'belt' is that they are made from genuine metallic lamb leather, so it gives it a great sparkle and edge.

Are your designs currently sold online?
We have a lot of people asking when they will be able to order clothing on our website. In a month customers will finally be able to purchase their favorite Dana-Maxx styles online! Check out www.dana-maxx.com. Until then, please email orders@dana-maxx.com with your order.

Es Trella

Es Trella is an Australian-based clothing line born out of a collaboration between Sarah King and one of my favorite shoe designers, Tristan Blair. It seems as though the two have read my mind and created the collection of my dreams! Ripe with cutouts, sheer skirts and tops, leather bustiers, fringe jackets, and brightly colored silk pants, it is everything I wish my wardrobe was! But it's not just for the ladies - the duo designed classy jackets, pants, and shirts for the men in your life too!

I was lucky enough to be able to chat with one half of Es Trella, Sarah King, and she let me in on what it's like collaborating with Tristan Blair, where the name Es Trella came from, and more! Read on...

How and why did you choose the name Es Trella?
Es Trella is my grandmother's name and my middle name. Es Trella is the Spanish word for "star". I choose it for good luck - I like the thought of people walking around with what I consider my grandmother's luck on the backs of their necks.

How do you divide up the designing with fellow Es Trella designer Tristan Blair?
Tristan and I design separately but we come together to have our designs approved by one another. We are constantly bouncing ideas off each other, the designs aren't used if one of us isn't happy. We inspire each other... We once locked ourselves away in a room in Bali for 2 weeks with the shutters down to finish a collection.

Where do you find inspiration from for your designs?
Elegant women inspire me.

What type of a person do you have in mind when designing Es Trella clothes?
The girl that is a mystery.

Do you have a favorite piece from your Winter 09 collection?
The leather jacket.

Is Es Trella currently available to buy online?
Yes, Es Trella can be purchased at Beginning Boutique.

Kristinit: The LOVE Campaign

Named by Lucky Magazine as "One to Watch" and featured in OK Magazine, InTouch, Style, and Nylon, LA-based designer Kristina Lenss of Kristinit is finally earning the props she deserves! Kristina studied costume design at the Wimbledon School of Art in London and has an MFA in Costume Design from UCLA. She has created designs for theater productions, operas, films, commercials, ballets, and illustrations, and has exhibited her award winning designs all over the world. Kristina names nature, history, and the innate glamour of women as just a few of the inspirations for her designs.

Kristina's latest project is the LOVE Campaign. The LOVE Campaign "embraces a holistic approach to design, linking playful classicism with social and environmental responsibility". Kristina uses organic fabrics, local manufacturing, and fair trade practices, creating pieces that are beautiful as well as ecologically and socially responsible. In addition, Kristina donates a percentage of each sale to One Percent for the Planet and the Pachamama Alliance.

Kristinit is currently only sold at boutiques in California, Florida, Oregon, and Texas (click here for locations), but Kristina also has an online sample sale site where you can purchase Kristinit pieces at great prices. I was lucky enough to have a chance to chat with Kristina, who explained where the name "Kristinit" came from, what celebrity she has been most excited to see in her designs, and more! Read on...


I love the name of your brand, "Kristinit", where did that come from?

My family is from Latvia even though I was raised in the United States. "Kristinit" (pronounced Kris-tee-neet) is the endearing way of saying "Kristina" in Latvian. In Latvian there is an endearing counterpart to practically every name.

How do you feel your background in costume design helps you design ready-to-wear clothes?

Costume design is a great background for a fashion designer to have. You really get to know the history of fashion and textiles which provides an infinite wealth of inspiration when designing a RTW collection. There are always so many silhouettes and ideas to reference. I love it!

Celebrities such as Eva Mendes, Scarlett Johansson, and Zoe Deshanel have all been spotted in your designs. Who have you been the most excited to see in your designs and why?

I loved that Scarlett Johansson was actually one of my first clients. She bought one of my silk charmeuse peplum jackets with the antique buttons on it. She has that great old Hollywood Glamour thing going on so I was really excited to have her in a Kristinit!

How did you come up with the concept of the LOVE Campaign?

The LOVE campaign came out of the idea to bring a holisitic and postitive message back to fashion. This whole trend of "fast fashion" and people shopping for trendy clothes that are poorly made in countries where people don't get paid well at all for their work is really sad. I wanted to create a collection where the whole process of creating a garment was positive from start to finish.

Do you have a favorite piece from your Fall 2009 collection?

I would have to say that my favorite piece from the Fall collection is the Jerry Dress. It's versatily and can go from day to night with a change of accesories + it's super cute and flattering on all figure types!

Deconstruction Done Right: Mark and Estel

A few years ago, I was utterly obsessed with the brand Mark and Estel. To be completely honest with you all, I was obsessed with the brand mostly because Mary-Kate Olsen was a huge fan. However, years down the line, I am still impressed by Mark and Estel's designs, and they are one of a few brands that are still 100% relevant and worth checking out, especially if you are as into the deconstructed look as I am. I was extremely honored to score an interview with the designers, and so pleased to be able to share it with you all! Read on:

How did you guys meet? What made you decide to start a clothing line?
We got to know each other at first working on some of the same fashion and music projects in LA. We very much enjoyed working together and felt already that we could combine our visions. Estel moved to New York to work for a while, but we kept in touch, remembering our shared ideas. When she moved back we formed our company and band together. (Now as Mark and Estel we work mostly in LA and NY).

Where do you find inspiration from in your designs?
We find inspiration everywhere and anywhere. We look to High Fashion and Street Fashion equally. We get inspired from nature, buildings, cars, anything. A lot of it is also a hybrid of our constant striving to mix comfort and beauty, so some of our designs develop organically. We view Fashion as Art, so we treat each piece and each collection as a work of art.

Mark once said that “art and music and fashion are very much the same thing.” How do you feel the three are related, and what characteristics do they share?
Art, Music, and Fashion come from a place or places of expressing oneself and communicating with those who share your expression. When you are looking at a piece of art or listening to a piece of music, you the viewer or listener are interpreting it in your own way and experiencing in your way thereby communicating with the artist to express yourself. When you are wearing a design you are creating 'a new you' expressing yourself with the help of the designer. All forms of art are related in that they are basically ways of communicating and expressing, like languages that you can infinitely explore to go deeper and wider without any limits.

Who are your favorite designers and/or musicians right now?
There are too many to list favorites, and we don't really have favorites, because we feel there is something to be learned from everyone. We listen to all types of music and enjoy all kinds of fashion. We admire the European classics as well as the avant-garde, and we also admire many other forms like Oriental design.

What inspired you to create a Mark and Estel membership club? Can you explain how the membership works and what benefits members get from joining?
When we first noticed that customers come back to us again and again, we felt so grateful, and we wanted to create a way to give special appreciation to them like they give to us. We wanted to do something huge, something that makes a very very big difference, like 50% off. So we were trying to figure out how we could do that, and we decided on the concept that if they became members and paid a small monthly fee rather than paying full price for every purchase, return customers can save a lot of money.

Do you have a favorite piece or a favorite collection you have created?
Estel goes through phases of wearing certain pieces more often than others, right now it is the Skinny Kimono Short and the Off Shoulder Kimono Short.... As far as collections, we do not have any favorites. We actually are working on cataloging all of our collections to this point, so that customers will be able to purchase any piece from any collection we have done.

Who have you been most excited to see in your designs (celebrity or not)?
Anyone. We get super exited every time we see anyone wearing our designs. It always feels like the first time. It is such a wonderful feeling that we have made something somebody enjoys.

Be sure to check out Mark and Estel's website - I've already found a few pieces that I plan on ordering! And if you join the membership club, the pieces are half off! You can't get a much better deal than that. Happy shopping!

Erika Hendrix - An Urban Romance

Affordable, eco-friendly, and cute? You get all three with Erika Hendrix! Designed by Erika Bates, Erika Hendrix was conceived in 2005 and has undergone a vast transformation since. With humble roots in designing custom-made, one-of-a-kind pieces, Erika Hendrix has now expanded into an established online business based out of Germany, with a bag and jewelry line on the way!

Erika's Spring/Summer 2009 collection is titled An Urban Romance, and you really must experience the lookbook for yourself. Not only are you witness to beautiful designs (made out of 95% sustainable fabrics, too!), but you get to read a narrative by Thom Crowe that compliments the pictures beautifully. It really is one of the most enthralling lookbooks I've ever seen. After viewing the pics and reading the story, you'll want to be an Erika Hendrix girl too!

I was lucky enough to be able to have a quick chat with Erika about her line, the unique concept of her Spring/Summer lookbook, and how she feels fashions differ across the continents... read on!

I read that you originally interned in interior design - how did you make the transition from that to designing clothes, and do you feel that the two forms of creation are similar or different and how?

I have always been creative, and I think interior design and fashion design is the same in different ways if that makes sense. It's both creating something. I just felt like I needed to start something else, so I pick up a sewing machine and started sewing. And it all went from there.

Where do you draw inspiration from in your designs?

I draw my inspiration from everything, everyday life is so inspiring!

I love that your Spring/Summer 2009 lookbook isn't just pictures of models in pretty clothes, but has a story that goes along with it. What inspired you to make your lookbook into a sort of story book?

I wanted something different and I wanted the collection to be more personal, so women can connect with it. To show that clothes are more than just clothes, it’s a part of ones personality.

Do you have a favorite piece that you have designed?

I love all my pieces and wear them everyday. I don’t think I could design something that I wouldn’t wear. But I really looove the cardigans from my new collection, I even made them in more colors afterwards.

How do you feel fashions differ in the United States and Germany, and how are they similar?

I think people in Germany or Europeans in general are very authentic with their style and definitely not afraid to stand out. But there are a lot in the States like that too, so I cant pigeonhole anyone.

Thanks so much for chatting Erika! Be sure to check out Erika's website for more information and pictures, and to shop at the online store!

Interview with Sarah of Rice and Beans Vintage

Rice and Beans Vintage is an independent online store that features vintage and designer goods at incredible prices. Offering items from Chanel, Gucci, Ferragamo, Lanvin, YSL, and more, Rice and Beans Vintage is one of the premier online vintage clothing stores. Just this past weekend there was a private vintage Chanel sale for email subscribers, and if you sign up for their email list you'll be in the know for future sales! I got to talk with the owner of Rice and Beans Vintage, Sarah Korsiak Cellier, and she answered a bunch of questions about what it's like to run a vintage clothing store and more! She also generously offered readers of Breakfast at Saks a 15% off discount code, good for anything on the site! Just enter "BREAKFAST" at checkout. Happy shopping!

What is the significance of the name "Rice and Beans Vintage"?

The name Rice and Beans Vintage actually comes out a nickname that I was given a few years back, Ms. Rice and Beans. Essentially the name Rice and Beans Vintage describes a free spirit, someone who loves to play around with fashion, and has a little bit of sass!

Why did you decide to start an online vintage and designer clothing store?
I've always been passionate about fashion and putting together outfits. I began dealing in vintage 6 years ago. I started on eBay and eventually wanted more so I started Rice and Beans Vintage after the birth of my son. It is definitely my creative outlet. I was going to be an Acupuncturist but decided to deal in Vintage instead and I'm glad I did! Rice and Beans Vintage is a place for hybrid fashionistas, people like me who love to mix current designer pieces with vintage. I hope we have something for everyone.

Where do you find the pieces that you sell in your online store?

Ahh...the question, well I can tell you that I have been amazingly lucky to build such a great collection of vintage and designer pieces. Rice and Beans Vintage is not a consignment store and I handpick each piece you see in stock. That said I do have a few very special pieces that I sell for people, because I just couldn't pass them up!

What criteria do you have when choosing what vintage pieces to buy and sell?

There are a few things I look for when choosing a piece of Vintage or Designer clothing for Rice and Beans Vintage. First, I love fabric, so the material is very important to me. Condition is huge, the piece must be in very good to excellent condition. I also choose pieces that are classic while always paying attention to current and up and coming trends!

What have been your favorite pieces that you have seen come through your store?

Oh, there are so many! I have a soft spot for Vintage Gucci and I still think about a Vintage 70's Gucci Saddle Bag that sold, I think I shed a little tear. I really love every piece at Rice and Beans Vintage.

Do you have any advice as to how a person should go about incorporating vintage clothes into their wardrobe?

Definitely go for it! Incorporating vintage into your wardrobe should be fun. It's really important that you love the piece and that it caught your eye. Take liberties and make it your own. If you are just starting to incorporate vintage and you're not sure how, start with an accessory. Try a fantastic Vintage 70's Platform sandal with a modern dress or add a Vintage Designer handbag to your look. Once you start you'll know what's right for you.

An interview with Nicole LaFave, creative director of omelle shoes

In early February I posted about a shoe brand I had fallen head-over-heels in love with, omelle. So you can imagine my joy/surprise/awe when I received an email from Nicole LaFave, the creative director of omelle, thanking me for the love! I could not let this opportunity pass by without learning as much as possible from Nicole about the brand, from an insiders perspective, and so we have since been emailing back and forth (she is incredibly sweet, btw!). In order to help you all learn more about omelle shoes, Nicole agreed to do a little interview for Breakfast at Saks! Prepare to fall in love with Nicole and omelle!

How did you and Cherise decide that you wanted to design shoes for a living?

I didn't! We both came from different backgrounds... Cherise during her time at the law firm was wearing a lot of suits, and found herself dressing up with fun shoes and handbags that made a statement, since that was the only way she could get creative in the corporate world. I think it was around that time that she really got serious about studying in footwear or wanting to get into the industry.

On my end of things, I never planned to get into shoes. I have always been one of those girls with a lot of shoes, all different types, including vintage shoes that I became really into before moving from Michigan to L.A. I was working as an art director and a graphic designer in Michigan and moved to Los Angeles strictly for the knitwear program at FIDM. I wanted to create my own knitwear. While I was at FIDM I fell in love with being in school again and I felt that the shoe program sounded interesting and that it was another way to apply my design background, since I studied in many areas prior to moving. I gave the application process a shot for the advanced program and wasn't sure if I was accepted if I was even going to do it, but I was accepted, fell in love with the design application assignment and felt it was now or never since I was already back in school for the second time. It just all fell into place and felt like the right thing to do since I loved the process.

I read that the name "omelle" was created by scrambling the letters of your name and your partner Cherise's. Were there any other possible names for your line that came out of this scrambling of letters? Why did you end up picking the name "omelle"?
We went on google and looked for word scrambler programs and scrambled "Cherise Marie Angelle" and "Nicole Michelle LaFave". Yes there were a bunch of names on the list, however we only circled about 3-5 of them, most of which I don't really remember. We picked omelle because it just sounded right and felt good. It was feminine, quirky and sophisticated, which was what our shoes are.

When was it that you first felt that you 'made it' as a designer? Or to put it differently, what has been your proudest moment as a designer?

This is a hard question. I think as a designer, there are always a lot of these moments. I think I would have to say there were some "milestones" overall.

BEFORE FOOTWEAR (me):
-Creating my first online portfolio as a graphic designer + when I first got into knits ages ago for myself.
-Accomplishing my knitwear portfolio at my first degree at FIDM, it was such a difficult process and degree, but I pushed myself so hard at school to finish the impossible.

IN FOOTWEAR (Cherise + myself):
- Writing the omelle business plan with Cherise, one of the hardest things to date that either of us have accomplished! (probably a huge milestone overall for our shoe careers)
- Sharing S/S 2009 with the world! When we were able to show the shoes to retailers, the press + started getting the word out there, I was proud of all our hard work.
- Shipping S/S 2009 to retailers + opening our webstore! This just happened this past year and as a footwear company, probably one of the proudest accomplishments

What is your favorite shoe out of the Spring/Summer '09 collection?

Neither of us can pick! I don't have an all-time favorite because our collection was made to cover a woman's lifestyle needs from day to night. I can tell you that this week I have been really loving my Darby, Avrey and Carol flats and at night I have been wearing Drew and Cecilia out a lot. Cherise switches it up a lot, but I catch her in Dafné a lot this week at work, and she lives in her Cappy's!

Can you give us an idea as to where omelle shoes are headed for Fall/Winter '09-10?

The fall collection is inspired by my favorite things! Knitwear, pockets, envelopes, and we carried over the hex shapes you see in the spring collection. The colors are interesting neutrals again, but a different palette that is darker, deeper and textural. We have some very interesting shoes that involve knit, felt and really amazing leathers and suede.