Pretty in pink! My apologies for not posting recently; it’s been a busy time. Pink is great for summer. Much thanks to Scottish fashion designer Henrietta Ludgate for her successful adult interpretation of the color pink and her polished, stylish fashions. Add in a few pops of color with accessories or basic black and white for a look that is whimsical and fun yet also mature and sophisticated. You say that pink just isn’t your color. Let’s be truthful, pink takes guts to wear. Okay, other colors are available for some styles and this designer is well known for her bespoke work.

Henrietta Ludgate combines the avant-garde with the practical. Clothing is sourced and produced within Britain. Her influences include: “Fashion as architecture. Elsa Schiaparelli.” Structure. Minimalism. Endeavors also include Workshop, a community shop that focuses on art and installation in addition to fashion. Stockists are global and include: Martha, Beam (Japan), UK Style (Moscow), Yoox.com and a shop on Big Cartel. Her luxury eco-fashion is at once modern and vintage, futuristic and retro with a nod to her Scottish heritage. Her clothes express a self-assured and confidently feminine aesthetic with an edge. Slow fashion plus modern glamor equals Henrietta Ludgate.

images: Henrietta Ludgate

Welcome to May! Can you believe that it’s here so soon? Ready for clothes more suitable for the weather at hand? Want to see my favorite black dress of the season? Marcia Patmos eponymous line M. Patmos is one of my favorite sustainable lines. She was once part of Lutz and Patmos formed more than a decade ago with partner Tina Lutz to address issues around sustainability in the fashion industry. The two are known for their knitwear, have collaborated with West Elm, Leny and Coach among others. They also founded another line Leroy and Perry in 2008. 2010 marked the last line for the two. Patmos, a Rhode Island School of Design graduate, continues to create fashions that last for years, use zero waste where possible, support artisan communities and use eco-friendly materials where possible.

M. Patmos uses organic cotton in some instances. Quality materials are used including silk and cotton and technology is combined with handmade techniques. She is also the 2011 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation winner. Shoes for both collections are from a collaboration between Patmos and Manolo Blahnik. The super stylish footwear is made from leftover tilapia skins, cork and raffia. Everything in the collection is incredibly stylish, functional, polished, sophisticated and comfortable IMHO. What do you think of my favorite black dress of the season below as well as the rest of my favorites from the collections?

Just in case the weather changes to something cooler, the Pre-fall 2012 collection.

thank you to: source Style.com

Hello all. Please check out these wonderful leather-free handbags from Bay Area resident Joe Dienza. NOAH is an acronym for No Animals Harmed. NOAH has been in business since 2008. Each of these handbags is designed to last. Quality materials, classic shapes and noticeable graphics are staples of this line. Which materials are primarily used? Straw, cotton, nylon and wool. What I like is that these bags can be used on a daily basis for work or just to carry around. My favorite is the lasercut Swan Lake handbag that can also be used as a clutch. Which is your favorite?

thank you. images: noah

Who wouldn’t want to wear the clothes that Italy is known for? What about adding eco-friendly to Italy’s fasihon tradition? Sound good? Good, because Federica Martin Wedard continues the Italian tradition of beautiful, stylish, well-made apparel with her sustainable line, Cosi Nero Quasi Blue. Wedard asserts that her line appeals to a “dynamic, refined, tasteful, feminine woman” embodied circa the 1950s. She decided to create Cosi Nero in 2010 after 10 years of fashion industry experience including work with Dolce & Gabbana, Fendi, Tod’s and Derek Lam.

Cosi Neri Quasi Blue combines “elegance, timelessness and craftsmanship with green, avant-garde techniques. All fabrics are natural and include Bio-satin made from organic cotton, organic wool, jersey made from Crabyon combined with Chitosan and mixed silk hemp.” Opposites such as warm and soft, dynamic and ethereal work together effortlessly. As an extra bonus Federica Martin Wedard adds an expressive quality with fine art methods: hand painting and rubbings from leaves and metal plates.

After viewing each of the collections from S/S 2011 to A/W 2012, I certainly wouldn’t mind having most of the pieces. What about you? Find Cosi Nero at Le gallinelle Studio in Rome or Casa di Moda in NYC.

Vogue, Cosi Nero Quasi Blue

Don’t you simply love these two gorgeous dresses from SUNO NY? Max Osterweis along with Erin Beatty formed this socially conscious womenswear line in 2008. Prompted by post-election violence in Kenya — where Osterweis has lived — SUNO NY launched the premier collection in Spring 2009. Osterweis originally used vintage textiles from Kenya to create the first collection. With some production also based in Kenya as well, SUNO NY has expanded its production base to include India, Peru and NYC. Emphasizing a global mindset, local, artisan traditions combine with upscale fashion industry tailoring.

Beautiful prints come in a variety of shapes and cuts. Stripes, plaids and florals predominate. Imagine how difficult it is for me to select my favorites among this season’s collection with so many pretty options. Hope you enjoy these!

Now for a change of pace. Suno’s Resort 2012 collection continues with stripes, plaids, plants and florals. However, Resort 2012 features a more relaxed, playful attitude with vibrant colors mixed with basic white or black.

Read a more personal account on the company here. Even picky shoppers can find something to love. Perhaps it’s clear why SUNO NY has quickly become a well-loved favorite apparel line. That’s all for now.

thank you. images: SUNO NY, Style.com, Fashionising

Here are casual clothes with flair that many guys would want to wear. Find shades of gray, blue and black with worn and textural details. Edun’s menswear line looks good without trying hard. Jackets and shirts add polish and professionalism while cozy sweaters and weathered pants and shorts prevent things from becoming stuffy. All of this works well for the easy going guy who still wants be stylish.

A/W 2012 (below) is a continuation of the same color palette and relaxed features from the S/S 2012 collection.

thank you. source: Edun

It gives me much pleasure to bring you the exquisite, refined perfumes of 2 Note Perfumery. Founded in 2006 by Carolyn Mix and Darcy Doniger, 2 Note makes botanical perfumes, lotions and other skincare products for women, men and babies. Mix and Doniger are musicians who liken their creations to musical compositions. As a reflection of this, perfumes have names such as Sonata, Canto, Nocturne and Minuet.

Perfumery is such a personal and sensual art that requires focus, creativity and sensitivity. Fortunately for us both of these creative ladies have just that. Each botanical is therapeutic grade. Products are handmade in small batches using quality ingredients and packaging. Legato, Encore and Rhapsody have an instant appeal for me. Be sure to visit their Portland store or visit online.

photos & video thank you to: 2 Note Perfumery