Beautiful blue gowns, classy wrap dresses and stunning printed pants make up this excellent Spring 2012 Collection. Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra have been making apparel for well over a decade. This burly looking design duo uses Air Dye technology an eco dying technique for clothing. Air Dye is a fairly recent discovery that uses air to imprint fabrics rather than water.

This particular collection is romantic, sophisticated and mature. Jewel toned solids and prints are sexy in an understated way and oh so feminine. I simply love to see the same colors — see the 2nd and 3rd blue dresses — and prints with different styles. Fortunately Costello and Tagliapietra are coming out with a lower priced line of dresses. This selection of clothes looks good on women of all shapes and sizes. Such glamourous chic clothes!

thank you to: photos: Costello Tagliapietra/ photographer: Yannis Vlamos / (via) Style.com

The first dress in white is simply beautiful don’t you think? I also like the pewter colored dress next to it. Organic by John Patrick Spring and Resort Collection 2012 has several comfortable, relaxed and fashionable selections. Some of my favorites are presented here. Rather than focus solely on trends the designer chooses to present a specific style for the Spring 2012 Collection. The look is a casual American style with a menswear look that says adventure. Colors are neutral combined with olive, ruby, gold and orange. Don’t let the laid back quality fool you, these clothes are polished in an effortless way.

It’s so great that John Patrick has been designing eco-friendly clothing for more than a decade. In addition to recycled neoprene and nylon (for accessories), Patrick also uses reclaimed and recycled fabrics. Pieces are utilitarian and functional with a luxurious feel that will last for many seasons. For the Resort 2012 Collection think sporty but with street flair rather than the desert. Clothes have a functional and “cool” quality that most anyone can wear. Don’t you just love relaxed refinement?

thank you to: photos: Organic by John Patrick / photographer: Filippo Fior / (via Style.com)

Titania is a true talent. Studying at Eindhoven and FIT, she truly focuses on craft, details and design with very stylish results. Minimalism gets a naturalistic, artisan and humanistic touch. One of my favorite things about her apparel this season is that the clothes are versatile and are wearable in many different ways if you use your imagination. Her clothing echoes the forms of the human body and has a cerebral appeal. Think clothing as conceptual art and its relationship to the body but for the fashion market. These clothes are suitable as a staple for creative and open-minded thinkers.

Take a look at her previous collections on her site here. Just like this season, expect to find beautiful colors, swing styles and refined silhouettes. Much future success to Titania!

photos & video: thank you to Ecouterre, Titania Inglis, Eco Fashion Week

While it’s still winter, thoughts of spring and spring fashion in particular come to mind. Amour Vert has a wonderful collection for spring 2012. Each piece is stylish and comfortable yet easy to wear. These are clothes that make you look good and feel good. A few of my favorites include the versatile striped maxi skirt, the pretty blue mini dress, the beautiful rose colored maxi dress and the black mini dress. Which styles are your favorites?

video: thanks to Harold Escotet

How I love Study NY from talented, hardworking and creative designer Tara St. James! It has been my intention for some time to write about this fashion forward line that I have admired since its inception in 2010.

Autumn/Winter 2011 is the fourth season for Study NY. With each collection, Tara St. James consistently proves that fashion can be both ethical, sustainable, organic and well made, creative and stylish. This season’s offerings are my favorite so far and are a mixture of silhouettes from the 1980′s and menswear. Cut outs and flourishes provide a feminine touch. Selections are also edgy yet cozy something that is difficult to accomplish. All Study NY clothing is designed to last and therefore a closet staple.

What I love about Study NY:
Slow Fashion aka community-oriented, environmentally sensitive clothes that are ethically sourced, made and designed to be worn for several seasons/ Winner of the 2011 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Award/ A sincere commitment to developing the ethical fashion community/ Study Hall an intern program that educates future ethical designers while giving them a chance to present their work to the public/ No-waste patternmaking/ Artisan, community-based development and sourcing of materials/ Guilded an agency that is a collaboration with fellow fashion designer Bahar Shahpar offering studio space, consulting and seminars to encourage businesses and designers to participate in sustainable practices.

What’s next for Study NY? Spring 2012 will include a collection for children. A menswear line is also in the works.

videos: thanks to Study NY, Alexandra Roxo, Portable.

Ineke Perfumes in After My Own Heart and Chemical Bonding

Floral Curiosities in Scarlet Larkspur and Briar Rose

Now that the rain has stopped, it’s time to go outside and see the many beautiful flowers still in bloom. Speaking of flowers, I always get excited to find out about botanically based perfumes. Ineke Rühland is one the few classically trained perfumers studying at the prestigious ISIPCA in Versailles with additional work in Grasse and Paris. Following many years of study and apprenticeship, she relocated to San Francisco and launched her own line of perfumes, Ineke Perfumes, in 2006.

Each perfume has been formulated according to a story based on Ineke Rühland’s love of “art, design, literature, fragrance and gardening.” What I truly love is her attention to detail and dedication to her craft which takes many years to master. Both After My Own Heart, part of the “Lilac Soliflore” fragrance family and Gilded Lily of the “Fruity Chypre” fragrance family hold an immediate appeal for me. She recently formed a partnership with retailer Anthropologie for the four collection line of rare botanicals, Floral Curiosities. Key ingredients for perfumes are alcohol, fragrance and purified water. Ineke Perfumes are available at many retailers including Colette and Liberty.

[ thank you to: video: Ineke Rühland, Matt Barkin, Helena Seo Design. photos: Ineke Rühland and Anthropologie ]

Autumn has arrived and with it colder temperatures and rain. H&M is back with their latest in the Conscious Collection. Selections are truly beautiful with pretty lace, bold florals, structured jackets in greys and browns with embellishments. This will be available in stores starting October 6, 2011. More later. Here is a fun video in the meantime.

video: thanks to H&M