Spring Wishlist

A Peace Treaty: Sunari

From inception I have genuinely been a fan of the creative work A Peace Treaty duo Farah Malik & Dana Arbib have consistently delivered. I've always admired their decision to create a line that would not only give back but at the same time enlighten people on global issues. Each season the two enlist local artisans from small villages around the world to create handmade accessories that are relative to their respective cultures/homes. As a result of their amazing skill & craftmanship the artisans are paid fair trade wages eight times the local rate. For the past few seasons they have created beautiful scarves made from lush textiles such as cashmere & silk. Sunari which translates to female goldsmith is the debut jewelry collection the duo have launched for S/S 10. The collection consists of twelve 24 karat gold-plated pieces handmade entirely by Kurdish artisans. The intricate carvings on the amulets & talismans are inspired by nomadic tribes from Afghanistan & Turkoman . I would love to own a few of these pieces & keep them as heirlooms, they definitely have a timeless vibe! Be sure to visit the site to view the full collection as well as the beautifully crafted scarves they offer.

Charlotte Taylor Fall 10

I'm enamored with Central St. Martins grad Charlotte Taylor's debut fall 10 collection. Inspired in part by grannies & penguins, the collection is fun & visibly well crafted. In tow with a wealth of diverse knowledge she acquired while working at Luella, Charlotte immersed herself in every aspect of producing a collection from beginning to end. In Oct. 09 she stared a blog that could best be described as "the emerging designers how-to-handbook for startup" chronicling her intense journey in detail with each post giving a firsthand view of the process she continues to endure.

Taylor executed replicating the penguin's shape in some of her silhouettes superbly. And the bright yellow & blue penguin head scarf is surely going to be a hit amongst fashionistas. There is just the right amount of cohesiveness but still a generous variation to choose from. She's essentially created a line that is a mix of timeless shapes with her unique infusions of modernity. Another brilliant approach for Taylors emerging line, is the fact that she took into account making the price-points accessible to everyone. There's no doubt that Ms. Taylor is a well-rounded talent that will continue to successfully progress in the industry. Please visit Charlotte's blog as she continues to chronicle her on going  journey as an emerging designer, even after her debut at London Fashion Week!