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Samo Gledam with Alenka Cindrić

The lovely UK based Croatian designer Alenka Cindrić runs a microlabel called Samo Gledam.

[SN] What is a microlabel?

[Alenka] I have decided to call Samo gledam a microlabel because the term small label already feels established and doesn’t fully represent what Samo Gledam is about. As a really small label you can`t compete with the big, established labels on their own playing field. So you have to make your own and that`s what I am trying to do with Samo gledam as not even a small, but a micro label.

I love fashion but I think so much pressure is put on designers, models and other creatives to move at a ridiculously fast pace and make tons of money. I started Samo Gledam because of the enjoyment I get from designing, and if I was to try and play by the rules of the fashion industry I think the enjoyment would become replaced with stress. So I take my time, don`t do formal collections, design at my own pace, develop new designs and stop making certain designs when it feels right. I am at the moment the only person involved in the label and I make everything by hand and in small amounts.

[SN] Tell us more about you, your background and your work.

My background is in fine art and languages. I have a degree in both. I moved to the UK last year, before that I was living, studying and working in Croatia, (Samo Gledam was started in Croatia in 2012). I wasn’t that involved in fashion design before, I was very much in to socially engaged art, doing video performances and installations, but as I was figuring out what I would like to do for a living, I went to a skill exchange workshop and did crocheting. That gave me a tremendous sense of empowerment. Being able to make your own clothes felt really good.

After that I connected with my roots and my early childhood - my granny was a seamstress and my mother worked as a self-employed dressmaker, so I grew up surrounded by patterns, played with sewing machines and learned to make stuff. I also got very used to wearing clothes that no one else had because my mum made almost everything I wore. I think I am trying to give a bit of that experience to people who buy Samo Gledam - small amounts of stock makes the pieces unique, but at affordable prices.

[SN] What is your design manifesto?

Experimenting with materials and letting the materials inspire the design rather than the other way around is an important aspect of Samo Gledam. For example, for one of the bags, carpet floor tiles were used (amongst other things).

Another important thing for me is that men and women in almost equal proportions have been buying and supporting Samo Gledam. I am not designing with a unisex aesthetic in mind, but Samo Gledam will never have a menswear or womenswear label on it either. This organic gender neutrality of the designs is something I am eager to keep.

[SN] What's interesting in fashion in UK and Croatia right now?

In Croatia, a little breath of fresh air, in my opinion, is the label Dioralop by Andreja Bistricic & Maja Merlic. Another interesting designer whose work I am looking forward to see evolve is Morana Kranjec, who drew attention to herself with her paper origami dresses. Fashion in the UK is at it`s peek at the moment, exciting, bold and vibrant, with all the great university fashion courses, like the ones at Central Saint Martins, London College of Fashion and others. Cristopher Kane is (deservingly) making it big and lending some of his spotlight to the other UK based designers, which is a great thing because I think there are many more interesting young designers to be found here.

[SN] Thank you Alenka! We look forward to continued success of Samo Gledam!

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Naked in Mexico City

In this post we explore the vibrant fashion scene in Mexico City with the lovely Deya Tarno from Naked Boutique

[SN] Why Naked Boutique?

[Deya] My brother and I opened our first retail space in 2006, and its name was Naked Dressing Room. It was a sort of wordplay on getting naked and coming to get dressed at our dressing room. It might have not been understood by some, but it made a lot of sense to us and had fun with the name. Not only that but it was an attractive name that caused an impression / curiosity on our clients.

[SN] What defines the styles that you sell?

[Deya] Contemporary, versatile, relevant, edgy and above all, I'm interested in quality.

[SN] What inspires you?

[Deya] I'm inspired by being a part of something contemporary like e-commerce and that I work in a business where everyday offers something new, and that it never ceases to amaze me. At Naked Boutique we create looks mixing and matching our brands and styles as proposals for clients. I feel inspired when clients wear our suggested styles and then tag us on social media with claims such as "Hey, like Naked Boutique says!" etc.

[SN] Thoughts about fashion in Mexico City? What do people really like to wear? What's an interesting trend?

[Deya] Mexico is having a great moment. The world's eyes are set upon Mexico City as far as contemporary art, fashion, architecture and design. Mexico is a country with a great amount of culture and color and I think that a very relevant aspect of the way creative process is being developed is the assimilation of traditional aspects mixed with new design structures. The usage of artisan methods with Pre-Columbian imagery and icons mixed with a minimalist design has created a very edgy aesthetic, and people are consuming products and designs made in Mexico.

Still Life by Diego Rivera

[SN] Who are your most interesting shoppers? Any stories about shoppers you would like to tell?

[Deya] What happens in Naked Boutique, stays in Naked Boutique. =)! We have all sorts of clients and we love to do personalized work for them. We love getting calls from clients saying "I need a new wardrobe!" or when they need a specific outfit for a special occasion. Do you have any fashion events at the store? Yes! All the time! As you know, Naked Boutique is an online retail concept but we have a physical showroom in the Roma neighborhood inside a concept-store space in a colonial house from the 1800's called Cordoba 25. (México city) Not only does this serve as a showroom, but as a space for hosting brand launches, seasonal presentations, Girl's Night Out! events, etc. The idea is to provide a fun place to shop, hang out, have a drink, and be merry.

[SN] How often do you stock new products?

[Deya] Every week.

[SN] When do you have sales?

[Deya] Every end of season we have a sale, but since we hand pick every single piece and have limited stock, most of the items are gone by season's end.

[SN] Anything else you would like to tell us?

[Deya] Visit our Online Boutique for all your fashion needs or if you happen to be in Mexico City... visit us at our showroom at Córdoba 25 and share the Naked experience with us!

Thank you Deya and we look forward to seeing you at the showroom! Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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This Week's Our Favorite Things

We are starting a weekly set of posts about favorite things. Anna Lee from Brooklyn, NY sent us this story. I remember when my mother acquired these handbags back in the mid-1990's and I have always admired them - I thought they were so strong and glamorous. A few years ago I was going through a particularly rough time in my life and my mom was incredibly kind to pass these down to me as a gift. I was so touched (and impressed by the immaculate condition she kept them in!) I've cherished them ever since and hold them very dear to my heart - I hope to pass them down someday. Wearing the red one always makes me feel a little more bold, the green one a little more polished. They really do give me strength!

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Sicilian Style with Dell'Oglio

Palermo the capital of Sicily has a strong tradition of style and elegance. Dressing well and living well is serious business. 

Easy Summer living on a Palermo Roof Terrace

We talked to Mario Dell'Oglio from Dell’Oglio who graciously gave us insights into Sicilian style and living. The Dell’Oglio family has dressed Sicilian gentlemen, nobility and the upper middle class for over a century. Dell’Oglio also runs three stores in the center of Palermo and recently launched its e-commerce site www.dellogliostore.com. 

Mario is a fourth generation Dell'Oglio. His great-grandfather, Santi Dell'Oglio, opened the first Dell'Oglio store in 1890, an emporium of luxury items and the very best quality fabrics for bespoke shirts.

Palazzo Mazzarino

The next two generations continued to evolve the business in line with Sicilian taste, Palermo's Golden Age and Santi's legacy. In the 1930's Mario's grandfather opened a store on the ground floor of the historic Palazzo Mazzarino, mentioned for its beauty in the infamous novel 'The Leopard'. Having earned a reputation as one of the most elegant boutiques in Italy, Mario's father, Vincenzo Dell'Oglio, inaugurated the historic store in Via Ruggero Settimo in the 1950's, which today represents the Dell'Oglio history and continues to act as a landmark of elegance in Palermo. 

Piazza Ruggero Settimo

[SN] What defines the styles that you sell?

[Mario] Whilst we are inspired by the Dell'Oglio heritage, we are now focused on dressing contemporary men and women. However, even our most international and worldly wise clients always leave the store with not only the best products available on the market, but with a special accent, a touch that distinguishes Sicilian elegance and character. 

[SN] What inspires you?

[Mario] As well as the unique Dell'Oglio family history, we are inspired by Sicily and the innate elegance of Siclians. The Sicilian character has a significant influence on the way Sicilians dress, and their elegance is recognized around the world. For this reason we allow ourselves to be guided by Sicilian know-how, and strive to offer a product mix that reflects the contrasting cultural inlfluences that have developed Sicily itself. Sicilians are natural under any circumstances, and know how to observe and capture beauty. They dress to express what that have to say, and proudly flaunt what they wish to emphasize. 

Valeria Bilello is Sicilian

[SN] Thoughts about fashion in Italy? What do people really like to wear? What's an interesting trend now?

[Mario] In Sicily in particular, whilst women have an important role and sense of style, it is Sicilian men that stand out in terms of their strength of character, pride and personality. Observe a Sicilian gentleman, and you will note that his outfit reveals a characteristic that mirrors his own spirit. Sicilians have inherited their elegance from centuries of different cultures, and 'Sicilianità' is a behaviour in itself.

[SN]Who are your most interesting shoppers? Any stories about shoppers you would like to tell?

[Mario] My grandfather dressed Europe's most refined gentlemen and the bourgeois, including Vincenzo Florio, the founder of the Florio dynasty and the most important industrial family in Palermo. Our customers remain loyal thanks to our highly curated product offering, which includes tailor-made and customised pieces. As well as dressing entire wedding parties (a lively experience in Sicily!), we also often hear from current clients that their grandfather's shopped at the store, and have kept pieces that they still use to this day. 

Vincenzo Florio

[SN]Do you have any fashion events at the store?

[Mario] We frequently organize unique and innovative events, including presentations, trunk shows and exhibitions, in each of our stores.

[SN] How often do you stock new products?

[Mario] We are constantly researching and acquiring new products, and our buyers frequently travel to appointments and shows in the major fashion capitals. As well as working with the most important Italian brands, such as Boglioli, Brioni, Brunello Cucinelli, Dolce e Gabbana, Isaia, Santoni, etc. We also collaborate with local suppliers and tailors within Sicily and Italy, designing and developing our own private label, Dell'Oglio, which includes tailored suits, jackets, shirts, ties, shoes and knitwear. 

[SN] When do you have sales?

[Mario]Sales take place twice a year at the end of each season, however we do offer previews dedicated to our top clients. To stay updated, we recommend registering on the site www.dellogliostore.com and signing up to our newsletters.

Palermo Pier

[SN] Anything else you would like to tell us?

[Mario] Each of our stores, both physical and virtual, are distinctly different from one another and have their own personality. Each one however represents the values that have always distinguished Dell'Oglio - tradition, elegance, exclusivity, reliability, competence and passion. Dell'Oglio represents the Sicilian soul - appreciative of life and uniquely elegant.

Thank you Mario! 

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Dell'Oglio Palermo, Italy

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Sell Your Sole in Seattle

Ah Seattle. The city of grunge, coffee and technology. Some of my favorite things.  

A few blocks from Pike Place a wonderful little consignment shop with a sense of wicked indulgence beckons the visitor to sell their sole. Wait what? Yes, sell your sole. 

Natalia the store owner ushers you in and shows her current favorite, a Balenciaga leather moto jacket. It is buttery soft lambskin leather and has been worn by every celebrity. It's also a collector's piece and extremely coveted. Previously at $2,650, Natalia has it for $1200.00 in mint condition.

We strike an in-depth conversation. I always like to know what drives and inspires people. Natalia says she's inspired by people who are willing to experiment with fashion. People who are open to trying different styles & colors normally outside their wheelhouse. Also, she is inspired by the hunt for beautiful pieces  at a fraction of the retail price that shopping consignment provides. You never know what you're going to find! Fashion and style are a love affair that should be cultivated over time. The fun is in the hunting, gathering, and evolving!

Here's the rest of our conversation.

[SN] What are customers buying and wearing? What are interesting trends?

[Natalia] People are buying a lot of cool sneakers and throwing them in the mix with their outfits. High-end designers are making designer sneakers as well, my favorites are by Golden Goose! It is suddenly chic to be comfortable! Also, there is an obsession around ankle boots, thanks to Rag and Bone & Alexander Wang. Finally, clients are always on the lookout for luxury basics like leather leggings, leather jackets and beautiful dresses! Those items never go out of style!

[SN] Who are your most interesting shoppers? Any stories about shoppers you would like to tell?

[Natalia] I never tell stories about my clients. That's why they trust me:) Although, I have many well-traveled, worldly, compassionate and stylish women that frequent my shop. Each with their own spell-binding history.

[SN] What's unique/different about fashion in Seattle?

[Natalia] I find Seattle style unique because it encompasses so many different elements and is not necessarily based on the current trends or what's in the latest issue of Vogue. In my experience, it's based on comfort, style and the weather!!! Also, style is so individual to each person in this city, so it varies from artsy & quirky to stylish & elegant, and everything in between!

[SN] Do you have any fashion events at the store?

[Natalia] Many! We host a lot of private shopping parties, Girl's Night Out events and fundraising events. These exclusive events always include a professional fashion stylist, champagne, and gourmet bites. In addition, if the event is a fundraiser, we give 10% back to the charity or school!

[SN]  When do you have sales?

[Natalia]  We actually discount our items 10% each month. However, they are already priced 50-70% off the retail price.

Next time you want to satisfy your fashion cravings in Seattle stop by Sell your Sole.

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Zoe Saldana in Barbara Bui moto jacket. Want to pick it up in a store? Stop by Chalk in Evanston, IL.

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Whimsical Mexico City with Sofia Herrera

Mexico City is brimming with creative energy. We talked to Sofia Herrera, one of the young designers who are reinventing style in Mexico City. Born in Texas and raised in Durango, Sofia is taking the city by storm with her whimsy designs. 

[SN] Tell us about yourself. 

I love things that say something, objects that are lucky charms, toys that we can wear.

[SN] Who are you? 

That's a deep question. I'm a gemini woman with leo skin, sensible and aggressive. I love heavy big stuff and the most delicate mini things. I love having secret boxes in my jewelry.

[SN] How long have you been making jewelry?

Two years or so.

[SN] What inspires you?

Life, needs and wants, magic and mythology. Chicano art has always been near and dear to me. 

[SN] Tell us about how you make your jewelry?

First step is imagination. I draw and write sketches of what I want to do. Next, I go downtown to the workshops. I work around experts and ask for their help. After I put my idea on paper, I work drops of wax to make it 3D (in here is wax, fire and dentist tools). Then we make a mold out of plastic to keep the shape and cast it. Finally we melt the silver into the cast, clean the piece. In the end it is plated.

[SN] Tell us about this photo shoot. It is so interesting.

The photographer Alvaro Nates (from Colombia based in Mexico)  asked me to work with him, he loved my pieces! 

Back then I was making different guns like AK-47, a rifle ,a 45 gun and a grenade. The international papi model Arnau Salinas wanted to play as well. Those are my first pieces inspired by Chicano/Mexican/Latino flavor and that is what the photographer projected!

[SN] How do you define your style?

From tiny delicate things on 14K gold, to funny characters to wear such as hopping bunnies, sweet unicorns or the bunnycorn, and strange toys -secrets boxes, like when you open ice cream and are presented with colorful crystals.

[SN] What can you tell us about Mexico City?

Come and see for your self, its so colorful, so mixed up and influenced by trends in the US. What are the trends? Hipsters everywhere, interesting characters in the streets, a few big personalities, and a mix and match of everything around.

[SN] What's interesting that's happening there?

Life gets pretty interesting when you're trying to survive in the concrete jungle, with so many people around. There's a bit of everything Mexican fashion: Carla Fernandez, Lorena Sarabia, etc. In contemporary art apart from the big names such as Gabriel Orozco, Eduardo Sarabia, Damian Ortega .. many musicians trying to make it, and lots of independent creativity in here!

Thank you Sofia!

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Raionul 4

Raionul 4 is a concept store in Bucharest with a beautifully crafted space featuring a distinctive mix of designers. The store has evolved into a major spot for fashion connoisseurs who are looking for understated luxury.

The name Raionul 4 is a subtle ironic nod to the department stores of the Communist era when shops were called ‘Raions’.

The concept behind the store and its pieces is simplicity and function as key features. There is lots of white and lots of light, essential showcasing elements with no superfluous design elements. The design of Raionul 4 store conforms to this concept as well.

The selection of clothes does not always follow the latest trends; Raionul 4 acquires pieces they like and assess as a good fit for the local market. The predominant color of the pieces is black however the team at Raionul 4 is open to each season’s colorful proposals from the designers.

Catwalk styles account for 30% of the stock. The team loves to feature outstanding pieces from every collection as well as more ‘regular’ pieces.

Raionul 4 has sales twice per year (December – January and July- August). New collections are Spring-Summer Collection and Fall-Winter Collection.

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Click on Raionul4 or photo to see what's inside. 

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In Lisbon? Stroll Avenida da Liberdade and step into Stivali

Ana Casal graciously talked to us about Stivali. 

Stivali is a fashion pioneer providing a cozy environment for its customers. The boutique strives to provide the perfect outfit for any occasion. All pieces are personally hand-picked by the two owners.  The goal is to think outside the box and mix a wide selection of pieces to dress an elegant, modern and trendy woman.

Some of Stivali's favorite trends are a match of pieces and brands: more expensive with less expensive, trendy with classic items. For example: Mixing a pair of black Chloé trousers with an MSGM jacket and Valentino shoes.

Stivali puts on events from time to time. A few years ago there was a huge Fashion show at the Ritz Hotel in Lisbon. The boutique also hosted a cocktail event for Diane von Furstenberg when she was in Lisbon.

The pieces in the store are fresh with new ones always coming in. Sales are twice per year; July-August and January-February.

Huge thanks to Ana! Go visit her at Stivali when you're in Lisbon.

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Click on photo or Charlotte Olympia 'Sunkissed Kitty' slipper to see details.

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To see what's inside click on the photo or Stivali Boutique on Avenida de Liberdade in Lisbon.

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Click on photo or Kenzo Solid Bracelet found at WOK Milan for more details.

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Wok Store - Milan, Italy

We talked with the lovely Catherine Viriya of WOK Store, Milan. WOK was founded in 2007 by Federica Zambon and Simona Citarella.

1. Is there a special meaning behind the name WOK? 

Wok is a versatile cooking vessel where everything desired are cooked by mixing with other ingredients and spices, creating a delicious flavor as a result. The main idea is creating a multi-brand store where all the brands could be combined together to create a special mix. For Wok, the ingredients are the brands we choose, and the spices are our taste. 

2. What defines the styles that you sell? 

Our style is eclectic, niche, and special.

3. What inspires you?

What inspires us the most is our love for art of fashion and design. 

4. Thoughts about fashion? 

I like to think more about each and every designer’s emotion, passion, and the effort they put in creating the collection in order to convince us to trust them and purchase their pieces.

5. What do people really like to wear/buy? 

People really like to buy accessories and special edition items. 

6. What's an interesting trend now?

color block 

7. Who are your most interesting shoppers? Any stories about shoppers you would like to tell?

We have a lot of customers who are students and tourists. Since Wok Store is not located in the city center, the most interesting part for us is to see some tourists who really spent times and made efforts to visit us by showing up in our store with a map.

8. Do you have any fashion events at the store?

Of course! We held in-store events every now and then. Our closest upcoming event is collaboration with NABA (a Fine Arts Academy in Milan) for Milan Design Week, followed by a launching event of the first collection of Wok (yes, we’re launching our own brand!), and an event regarding Eastpak Limited Edition Collection on May. 

9. How often do you stock new products?

Mostly we stock new products every six months, but every month there’s always new products to be introduced.

10. When do you have sales?

In the store we have sales on January and July, but our online shop follows the sales based on every country

11. Anything else you would like to tell us? 

We believe that we have to keep learning, and there’s always something to give and take between the brand and us every single day. Wok is a melting pot of ideas, so we are most open to anyone who would like to share their minds with us!

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To see what’s inside click on the photo or Wok Milan

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58M in Paris

This week we are profiling 58M whose style is best described as chic roots & rock and roll. 

58M in Paris was created by a mother and daughter team as a multi-brand shopping option for women and girls for all ages and all occasions. A place to find shoes for working, dancing, travel, gardening, you name it.

The name 58M comes from 58 rue Montmartre, a play on the shop’s location. A more subtle meaning is that M can also double to represent the name of one of its founders. 

The team at 58M is inspired by every woman but also by travel, food and latest in arts. Fashion is not only a pair of shoes or a dress. Clothes  express how people live. In their travels to Tel Aviv, the founders observed young women in military service altering their uniforms with intricate needlework, making them more skinny and sexy. Ladies wear their uniforms with big fat boots. This inspired the founders for their next collection where they mix military boots with sexy dresses or pants.

Parisian fashion as the founders of 58M see it, is about mixing masculine and feminine. Parisian women love to wear flat shoes like the Church’s. You can also find very edgy rock&roll looks, very 80’s looks, women wearing creepers, or pointy toed high shoes like BLONDIE…

58M has sales in January and June with new arrivals in the store almost every week.