Jet Setter

Posh Girl Vintage - South African Designer Abigail Betz

Something about the cooler temperatures makes me wanna go all vintagy. Perhaps, it was the gorgeous brown leather flap handbag a friend of mine was sporting at dinner the other day that used to be her Mom's. Or maybe it was her luxe brown vintage coat to match. Don't know. Just got me itching to find a posh girl vintage look to die for.  That's where South African designer Abigail Betz comes in.

Abigail Betz is one of a bevy of up-and-coming South African designers, beginning to make her mark on the global fashion scene. Her signature look consists of  vintage-inspired, lady-like dresses with incredible detailing.

Her only retail store is in Johannesburg at the Rosebank mall. So if you're heading to the World Cup in June and need a little retail therapy be sure to check out the shop. Also, you can be a fan on her Facebook page - Abigail Betz Couture.

- Denise

Website

Abigail Betz 

 

 

 

 

 

    

Funky Spring Fashions - British designer Luella

This holiday season has been so busy. I haven't had time to keep up with the world of fashion. Now that the holidays are over, I'm ready for Spring and some new stylish inspiration. One fashion designer I've absolutely fallen in love with is Brit Luella Bartley. Her clothes are funky, interesting and classic all at once.

Her designs are characterized by "strange, wonky undertones"...and "queen mum bags." Her Spring 2010 collection is sweet and sexy. Sadly, she's going out of business, collateral damage from a not so wonderful economy. Everything is 60% off on her website. I'm going to check it out and hopefully grab a steal if there's anything left. Her bestsellers include her Rebecca dress and Gisele handbag.

- Denise

Websites

Style.com - Check out her Spring 2010 Collection. It's super cool.

Luella.com

New York Mag - Luella Loses Financial Bakers (Boo Hoo - Makes me sad).

Photos: (Style.com)

 

 

Made in Paris

 

Check out this post by uber-fashion blogger Garance Dore. Reminded me of the time I wore hot pink pants to school after seeing some pink hotness in Vogue. What to do when you're a budding fashionista, not in a fashion capital. Cute!

- Denise

Holiday Style - Dresses by Mel En Stel

 

 

It's time for all those holiday parties. One of my favorite times of the year. But what to wear? In the search for something different, I stumbled upon Belgian designer Ilse Eriksson's label, Mel en Stel. She's based out of New York City and has an understated but edgy style.  You can find her collections at Sunday Dress Shop, her website and other retailers.

I've also been seeing the one-shouldered dresses in all the stores lately.  I hate going to a party and everyone (at least the chicas) have the same style of dress, albeit different colors. Hate it. Hate it. Hate it. But one of the new trends I do like is the LWD. LWD stands for Little White Dress. I love the way actress Freida Pinto rocked the LWD. That may work for New Year's Eve ya know.

What do you fashionistas think? It's time to party.

- Denise

Websites

Mel en Stel - www.melenstel.com

Sunday Brunch Dress - www.sundaybrunchdress.com

Fall's Dance - Repetto's Ballet Shoes

Fall is the perfect time to take advantage of the cooler weather and take in the latest exhibitions at art museums, concerts at the symphony or perhaps ballet performances.  My mother tried unsuccessfully to impart some natural elegance by making me take ballet classes for one or two very long years when I was a child.

Too much discipline for me. But I loved the shoes.  Was muddling around on Rue du Four one Saturday and came across Repetto, a Paris boutique with gorgeous ballet flats.  They make a great update to any Fall wardrobe.  Simple and comfortable. 

What else is in this Fall?  Ruffles are everywhere. Seems the inspiration must be from ballerinas with poufy, ruffly and very pretty clothes this year.  It's also a good time to invest in some classic jackets that'll look good and last forever.

Life is but a dance....

- Denise

Websites

Repetto - www.repetto.com

JCrew - jcrew.com

Photo Credits: Repetto store front by Denise Mpinga. Ballet shoes courtesy of Repetto. Ruffle Blouse and Winnie Jacket by Jcrew.

Techie Girl: Voyager 4 Language Translator

In the global village, English is the language of business. It's easy to get complacent as a native English speaker when it comes to learning other languages.  But I've learned in all my travels, as I'm sure many others have that speaking a bit of the local language goes along way.  It shows in one way or the other that you care that you're a guest in someone's country, and you're open to connecting. 

Not so long ago, I found myself struggling to figure out the right train to get on in Tokyo.  My Japanese friends had written a few handy phrases, but that didn't really help much when people asked additional questions. I came back ready to shop for a translator I could take anywhere.  

If you have an Iphone, there are tons of multi-lingual translators to check out. But so far, I think the "ultimate global interpreter," is the Voyager 4. It's a 14-language talking translator, covering Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Italian, Hebrew, Spanish and more. 

With a built-in recorder, alarm clock and a New Oxford American Dictionary, it's pretty efficient.  You put in the words or phrases. It spits out the foreign language equivalent and shows you how to pronounce the phrases as well as "articulates the translation in a crystal clear voice."

It's a stylish little gadget that also includes a metric and currency converter. I like it.

- Denise

Website

Voyager 4 - Lingo Translators

Tropical Chic - Brazilian fashion designer Adriana Barra

 

For a little tropical chic, artsy eccentricity and a happy vibe, you'll want to check out fashion designer Adriana Barra. Her style, inspired by Brazil's colorful landscape and happy people, is definitely bohemian with a little bit of cheek.  I love her website. She's got a great little travel journal, her collection showcase and fun little things like fortune cookies that pop up with philosophical sayings.

Her Fall dress collection is a bit too loud for me. She really does extravagant prints. However, that extravagance looks awesome with her line of bikinis.  Her accessories are to die for - suitcases, handbags and more.

And on an added note, Rio was named the world's happiest city in a recent Forbes survey. You gotta love Brazil.

- Denise

Websites

Adriana Barra

Forbes' World's Happiest Cities

 

Snuggle Up with Italian Designer Kontatto

A Contatto - it's Italian for "against the skin" and the inspiration for Italian design house Kontatto, whose specialty is knitwear.  Italian street style tends to be tailored and striking. It's great when a designer can maintain that elegance and make easy-to-wear pieces that will just work casually or for more dressy occasions. It's time to snuggle up.

- Denise

Website

Kontatto

 

Marc Jacobs is a Sweet Heart

I know it's way past Valentine's day, but this is sweet and loud. Don't know what I'd wear it with. Marc Jacobs rocks! It's the Love Story series. It does come in more neutral colors. Agh...I'll keep thinking about it this Labor Day weekend. You know how window shopping goes.

-Happy Labor Day!

Website

Marc Jacobs

Laid-back California Style - Designer Candice Held

  

The end of summer is a fun time to go bargain shopping.  One of my favorite LA designers is Candice Held. Candice creates one-of-a-kind vintage dresses. She's having a sale at the Abbot Kinney Flea Market in Venice Beach this Saturday, August 29th, 10:30 to 6:30.

"Fabulous cotton printed sundresses, $5 and $10 vintage scarves and sunshine."

If you can't make it to LA, check out her store online.

- Denise

Website

Candice Held