Go: Sarah Flint Trunk Show

What woman doesn't love a great shoe? One that is high quality and beautifully crafted that brings a sense of luxury and empowerment to the wearer. Designer Sarah Flint employs traditional Italian manufacturing methods for uncompromised fit and quality. Her design aesthetic puts taste over trend.

For her Fall/Winter 2013 collection she designed fourteen styles available in a rich palette of black, bark, umber, ox blood, prune, sapphire, and peacock. Each shoe is beautifully handcrafted in Italy, using the highest quality materials including suede, calfskin, cappretto, nappa, and genuine lizard trim.

Prices range from $545 for a flat to $995 for a boot.

Who: Sarah Flint
What: The designer will be hosting a trunk show to showcase and sell her eponymous shoe line to the public. She is already a go-to designer for Heidi Klum.
When: Tuesday, October 22, 2013. 3pm-8pm
Where: Edon Manor in Tribeca. 391 Greenwich St  New York, NY 10013

In the Studio with Friends with Benefits

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend an intimate evening at the home/studio of Clark Sabbat and Lynn Levoy, the designers behind Friends with Benefits.

When I asked about the interesting name, Sabbat shares that the label was created with the intention to collaborate with their friends.  They eventually would like to create a lifestyle brand that also benefits others by donating a percentage of the profits to select charities.  They also liked the other connotation that it is a little sexy because every woman wants to look a little sexy.  I mention the movie with the same title and they groan a little because their name was long existing before the movie ever came into being.

Sabbat states that in some ways he like Rick Owens and Haider Ackermann is a student of Madame Gres.  He loves drape and 90% of the collection is created through draping and working with the fabrics and simplicity. His background in architecture also plays a key in the clean and sculptural lines.  For this reason the designer does not use any buttons in the collection as they are a distraction but instead rely on invisible zipper and snaps as the closures on all pieces.

Red Carpet Green Dress Contest

Thanks to a contest launched 3 years ago by Suzy Amis Cameron – environmental maven and wife of actor James Cameron - you can have the the chance to win a trip to the Oscars and have your dress worn on the red carpet by a yet-to-be-named surprise actress. The challenge is to create an Oscar worthy dress made entirely of sustainable materials.  The selected winner will be paired with an established designer to help you get your dress ready for the occasion.

Pictured here is the winning design from 2 years ago by Jillian Granz that was worn on the red carpet by Suzy Amis Cameron.  Be inspired and happy sketching :)

What: There is a $65 to enter but each designer can enter up to 5 designs.
When: Contest closes January 16, 2012. Winner will be announced on January 20, 2012.
Where: Click here for more info and to enter.

GO: MOVE! at PS1

Who: MOVE!
What: 14 fashion designer are paired up with 14 artists to create a series of collaborative performances and temporary installations. It will take over all 3 floors of MoMA’s PS1. Some of the artist/designer duos include: Tauba Auerbach and Ohne Titel, Kalup Linzy and Diane von Furstenberg, Terence Koh and Italo Zucchelli and Olaf Breuning with Cynthia Rowley.
When: October 30-31, 2010. Sat-Sun noon-6 pm
Where: MoMA PS1, 22-25 Jackson Ave (at 46th Ave), Long Island City. 718-784-2084

For a taste of what to expect check out a peek at Olaf Breuning's collaboration with Cynthia Rowley on a paint-dump project.

Chardonnay with Nicole Miller

I’m not really fazed by celebrities, but designer’s are my rock stars and it is not unusual for me to slightly freak out when I have the opportunity to meet one. Especially if you take into account the tried and true renowned designers who have have quietly built an empire for themselves. Nicole Miller is one such designer that had me slightly starry eyed just a couple weeks ago when I met her at her boutique in Soho for an intimate party.

From a distance I see her with her slick jacket, open toe booties, ginger hair – not at all in a rush but leisurely spending time with each guest at the party. For her personal style, it’s all about New York Black but it’s powerful and all about silhouette.

Lani had met Nicole Miller 30 minutes previously and when I introduce myself, Nicole Miller comments that I must be the one who works in Fashion Design and names my company. My mouth goes dry, my eyes widen and I’m thoroughly impressed by Nicole Miller’s amazing memory. It has thrown me off and all the questions that I had pooling together inside my mind are no longer anywhere to be found. Yikes!She looks great in a perfectly fitted little jacket with a peplum, paired with a pencil skirt. I soon find myself bonding with Nicole Miller over her killer accessories by Thomas Sabo. NM is quick to compliment my DIY headband and my recent Fenton/Fallon purchases!

NM's perfectly manicured fingernails look amazing in an extra glossy shade of olive green become another point of conversation. Turns out it is custom blended by Butter London that was made just for her Spring 2011 show. NM laments that she is using it sparingly because another bottle will not come easy and it will take will be another trip to London if she runs out. So much like myself, I am learning quickly that Nicole Miller is a bit of a nail polish junkie! When I ask about her nails, she jumps to asking me what I think of Matte nail polish and quickly turns her attention towards her toes that are veiled by sheer black pantyhose. She tugs at the nylons through open toe booties so that I can make out hints of matte pewter.

When discussing her recent Spring 2011 show and the contrast from to what I remember her brand to be about while growing up in the 90s from the memories of department stores (great party dresses) . She is frank and refreshingly honest stating that one cannot always have power over what the buyers choose to buy and how vision for her woman has always been about elegance.

I explore the boutique looking carefully at not just the design but the construction, technique and fabrications of the self described Fabric Geek and find myself in admiration of the workmanship and textures.

Bringing me back to earth I always feel so grounded when I have a chance to catch up with one of my fave blogger ladies, lovely Jennine of The Coveted. It was also great meeting other bloggers like Danny of The Mod Man and Virginia of Lovely 20s while sipping Chardonnay. It is just another Wednesday night, but one I won’t be forgetting quickly.

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Project Runway x HP Design Challenge

Have you been keeping up with Project Runway this season?  I honestly haven’t but I’m honestly intrigued when they have the opportunity to combine technology with fashion and for last night’s challenge contestants were able to instantly create one-of-a-kind fabrics by first creating original fabric patterns on HP TouchSmart PCs with Intel processors, drawing from personal stories and family photographs for inspiration.  I had a chance to test this out personally earlier this year and it was not only super fun but intuitive and easy!

Check out the winning design from last night’s challenge by Mondo Guerra, the 32 year old designer from Denver, Colorado.

On a side note, HP is sitting down with some of this season’s designers to discuss their inspiration, design process and how fashion and technology mix together. If you’re interested in asking any of the designers/contestant’s from the show make sure you submit your questions today, October 1, 2010 via TheNextBench.com or via Twitter to @HP_PC to be join in! 

Inside Designer Sketchbooks FW 2010

I honestly don't like to pay too close attention to the news on a daily basis (excluding the fashion & food world) because most of the time it it can be a bit depressing. I do randomly look at daily papers while I commute so I won't be completely clueless about the world.

The other day was just one such morning I was glad I looked! am New York featured some illustrations by various designers that showed a peek of what is to come starting today + some quotes about their inspiration. I love looking at illustration sometimes even more than looking at photos. There is so much feeling and thought with each line and I love how illustrations often reflect something about the designers themselves or their ideal woman.

To note, I love how Erin Fetherson's figure even resembles her! Jill Stuart & Herve Leger look to be sexy with an attitude. Vivienne Tam and Brian Reyes looks similarly sculptural and simplified, I'm interested in seeing the different execution of the real garmnts. The Tibi girls look to be funky and adorable. DKNY appears to be New York glam and cool but her figure looks a little shy and humble too. Pamela Roland and Edition by Georges Chakra look elegant, mysterious and untouchable. Do these sketches speak to you?

Interview: Rich & Skinny Designer Joie Rucker

Previously you might remember me raving about the amazing comfort of Rich & Skinny denim. They are seriously one of the most comfortable pairs of jeans I have ever owned! I can't speak highly enough about the satin waistband and almost no abrasion seaming!!!

So I was super excited when I had the chance to catch up with Joie Rucker, denim designer extraordinaire who is now working with Michael Glaser on the Rich & Skinny line. Between the two of them they have over 50 years of experience working in denim...so serious Cred!!! Her jeans are available for purchase on the Rich & Skinny Website, Revolve Clothing and Nordstrom.com.

Joie tells us about her "secret" denim care trick and what types of jeans work best for curvy women, her design philosophy and what's in work for Fall 2009. Plus we have Fall 2009 preview images from the Rich & Skinny lookbook! Enjoy :)

xoxo

SRC: Hi Joie! We are so glad that you could take the time to do this interview with us. I’ve always been a fan of the high quality, amazing comfort and great fit of your designs!

SRC: Was it a difficult to leave Joie, the namesake company you founded?
Joie Rucker : Yes- it was very difficult and no bueno. However, we all have lessons in life and that was one of mine.
However, Serge Azria, the current owner of Joie Jeans, has done a good job with the brand.
I am happy to see that he has continued the "Joie" vibe and been successful with it.

SRC: Who doesn’t want to look rich and skinny? Is that always in the front ground of your designs?
JR: Whenever I am designing, my primary focus is how my customers will look and feel in the clothes. I want them to feel "rich and skinny"... Another not-so-controversial way of saying it, would be that I want them to feel the luxury of the garments in terms of quality and I want the garment to compliment their shape- no matter what the size or curves.

SRC: I love your philosophy that people should wear the jeans that they feel most comfortable in; it’s not a matter of just following the trends. Do you have any tips for cuts that our readers should buy to flatter their different body types? Ie. curvy, boyish figure, shorter ladies etc?
JR: Yes, I hate seeing "fashion victims" (people that wear something only because of trend).
Trends are great and fun, but not every trend works for every person.
There are general rules of proportion that apply to different body types, i.e.. curvy bodies look better in slightly higher waisted boot cut jeans than in skinnies because the boot leg will balance the hip curve in the eye of the observer.
A higher waist will accentuate the positive curve above the hip.
That said, Curvy women can look good in the right skinny, it all comes down to fit.
Fit in a jean is everything and I pride myself in making fits that can compensate for figure "flaws" and allow more women to wear various style options and still look good.

SRC: Joie, I know that you must love denim more than anyone with a collection of 400 pairs of vintage denim plus denim you wear on an everyday basis! Where do you keep them all?
JR: If I told you and would have to kill you :)!

SRC: Do you remember the moment that you first fell in love with denim?
JR: I first fell in love with denim when I bought and started wearing my shrink-to-fit button fly red tab 501 Levis jeans (this was before "premium" or E). As they started to wear in, each rip, tear and scuff became a memory and the jeans started to take on the feel of being a diary of my life. I know, sounds strange, but the magic and allure of indigo is thousands of years old.

I'm just one of the latest indigo "kooks" and my love affair continues...

SRC: Any denim crimes our readers should be avoid? Or is all fair in love and denim?
JR: All's Fair... except I really hate it when people brag about buying a pair of jeans cheap and I look at the quality of the jean and where they were made and it's not the USA.

People don't realize that when they brag about a good price, there's a reason, either the quality, the treatment of the workers, or the designs are compromised. To a trained eye, you can see them coming down the block, but your average customer won't know the difference until they have owned the jean for a while and it starts falling apart. I try to make jeans that will someday be bought in second hand boutiques, I want our jeans to last...All of our denim is made in Los Angeles.

SRC: What’s the best way to care for your denim? I heard you have a special freezer trick ;)
JR: The best way to keep denim looking great and if you are a denim aficionado, build the best broken-in finish, is not wash them as much as possible.

One way to keep from having to wash is to put the jean in a freezer bag and freeze for a few hours. The freezing process kills any bacteria that can cause odor, however it won't help remove dirt or stains.

If you must wash, cold water with the least amount of detergent is best. Low heat dryer if necessary.

But don't make yourself crazy...nothing is "wrong" with washing when needed...

SRC: Are there any washes or detailing that you think will really take off in 2009? I was personally admiring the neon denim in your Spring 09 lookbook, super fun!
JR: I love the neons too- especially neon pink which we did as a special color for Intermix storeas in NYC.
We also have some amazing "destroyed" finishes that are fun for summer and my favorite wash for Fall is our "Mended Heart" wash in my Skinny Boyfriend fit. Mended heart is a vintage wash and I added small details of iron-on patches over small holes. I love it and think it looks very authentic.

SRC: Aside from denim, what’s your guilty pleasure?
JR: I have sooo many!!! Aside from being a surfer and a read-a-holic... it's Shoes and Lingerie - just like every other girl!

SRC: What are three things you can’t live without?
JR: Things? Ok- My Wayne Rich 9'6" tri-fin (long board), my hanky panky's and my grandmother's cowboy boots! I know, strange combo...

SRC: You just launched your men’s line Rich by Rich and Skinny earlier this year, do you have any plans for future expansion?
JR: I love the men's line and it's still just developing... we have a small fan base building. We have kept the distribution very limited but the need for great fitting, comfortable Men's denim is definitely there. We have some really great fits and finishes and I have been getting really good feedback from all of my guy friends... I am currently focused on expanding Rich and Rich & Skinny, but you never know what the future holds.... I will keep you posted!!!

SRC: Thank you so much Joie for joining us!
JR: Thanks for having me and for helping to get the word out!! You guys rock! Love Joie

Welcome Back Garbo! Interview: Be & D

Garbo Satchel

I recently had an opportunity to catch up with Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain, the co-designers/founders behind the beloved handbag and accessories line Be & D. We got to talk to them about the recent re-launch of the iconic Garbo, what they do on their off days, their love of New York (go Brooklyn!), their sources of inspiration and much more. They are completely adorable and so full of energy about their designs, fashion and life in general. Be even dropped a hint about their upcoming line collaboration with Doo.ri. Can't wait to see more from this dynamic duo!

Sugar Rock Catwalk: Happy 5 year anniversary! How did the partnership begin?
Steve: On a Unicorn ride through the forest, I was on my way to Narnia and Be was heading back home. We decided to stop and get a little creative.
Okay - but really it was really the corner of 14th and 3rd ave - after a fun night out. We were both at a deli getting some late night eats!:)
Be: Well, what Steve said, minus the unicorn but add a BLT sandwich late night.

SRC: What’s the best part of working together?
Steve: The end result and the family feel we have at the office.
We constantly challenge each other to create exciting new products and get better in work and life.
Be: Nothing is ever the same and being challenged to push the envelope. It’s truly a partnership.

SRC: I’ve read that Steve was originally a screen writer; you’ve had quite a change in careers how did you decide to go into hand bags?
Steve:It really was just meeting Be - he taught me how to use my sculpture background as well as my imagination and love of really amazing leathers to create beautiful creations for women. I hadn't understood the relationship between what I was creating for arts sake and what we could turn into wearable art until Be started to show me how.

SRC: Be, you are said to draw inspiration from your Laotian heritage, is there a specific detailing that you’ve incorporated into your designs that is unique to the Laotian aesthetic?
Be: I’m inspired in lots of ways from my heritage. My family has done Lao Silk Weaving for over 100 years. One design element I did was introduce leather weaving into our collection. By doing this, I was able to pull from my past and also add my own twist.

SRC: As male designers, purses and heels wouldn’t be something that you would ordinarily use in your day to day life, how did you know what women would want and incorporate it into your designs?
Steve: Be and I are both really in touch with both our masculine sides and our feminine sides. We feel that a lot of woman can be very feminine - but still have a tough edge and a little bit of a punk or sometimes masculine approach to what they wear. We really like to go into ourselves and look outside at the work around us to marry these tow aesthetics in the best way we can for what we feel is most relevant at the time. We're also both very utilitarian - so we're obsessed with the usefulness of our bags and their weight. Sometimes the feminine sides come out as romantic and other times they come out very glamorous. The masculine side to me feels almost like a tailored punk feel.
Be: I am around lots of woman. Growing, I was inspired by my grandmother, then my mother, then my aunt, then the female friends. All these incredible ladies taught me a lot of a woman’s desire and self confident. I try to understand the balance of these desires and skilled execution of design and craftsmanship.

SRC: You mostly sell in upscale retailers and many celebrities wear your designs, what was the turning point in your success?
Steve: Since Bergdorf Goodman was our first client, the rest of our business organically grew from that type of customer and our aesthetic and the product we were naturally making.
Be: I really cannot recall a turning point. I still feel like it’s still turning!

Garbo Belts

SRC: When you launched your line with the Garbo, what made you feel it was the right time to re-visit it? Also there were slight modifications, was it difficult to change such a best selling design?
Steve: That's exactly why we waited so long!! For a long time we wanted to do it - but we just couldn't get it to click. It’s like a recipe. You need to try it and try it again - and finally we knew exactly what to do - and it all came together - and luckily it was also our 5 year anniversary so it totally made sense.
Be: For me, when we would do Personal Appearances in stores and describing who we were to customers, I kept describing the Garbo as a reference. Then like Steve said, it’s like a recipe, the time was right and it made sense to just make what we are. The Garbo was a powerful bag for us.

SRC: Do you have any favorite spots to draw inspiration from in NYC?
Steve: The streets, Brooklyn for me - as I've lived there in my loft (where Be and I started the business from 6 years ago and shipped Bergdorf from). Parties at friends homes, Concerts (I love live music and it always inspires me), art galleries.......and all the women in our lives who live here. We can also see the NY skyline from Brooklyn, which is enough to move you every day.
Be: In our studio.

SRC: If you had a day off what would be doing?
Steve: Spend it with friends and family. Or maybe just sleeeeeeeep and watch movies. If I had a lot of days off - I would go traveling somewhere I haven't been yet - like India or South East Asia - and start my new screenplay.
Be: Getting lost in New York City.

SRC: Where do you see Be&D heading in the next 5 years?
Steve: We've got a couple more tricks up our sleeve:) Be and I have been talking about what's next. Since we started shoes - that takes a lot of our energy. Something a lot of people don't know about us is that when we first met, we were making clothing together for a brief time - really just 5 or so months - the bags found a home so quickly that it took all our time. Who knows what we'll do as we get more time to create new avenues of style.
Be: Oh no, the 5 year question!! I don’t want to sound rude or clueless, but I got here because I learned to take one day at a time. But the challenge of being a businessman is the challenge to have a crystal ball. I may see Be & D stores or silks in our future, but I don’t even know where I will live after my lease is over!

SRC: Are there any trends should our readers be on the lookout for their next handbag purchase?
Steve: Green - it's a great color and is symbolic for the movement the world is moving in ecologically. Hopefully people will continue to use more and more eco friendly materials and ways of making things. We try harder and harder all the time. The first Garbo's ever and still many of our leathers are vegetable dyed - keeping the products cleaner for the environment. Green is also the color of money here in the US - and everyone love the color of money:)
Be: Fur!! And our Doo.ri for Be & D bags!

SRC: Thank you so much for taking the time to share with us!
Be: You are very welcome! It was a great pleasure! And thank you for making me take the time to talk about our brand. It’s really interesting to pause and take a look at life sometimes. It’s NY Fashion Week now, thank you for reminding me why I love fashion again!! You guys ROCK!