BRANDS // CHASER

I'm currently coveting typographical shirts.

The graphic designer in me just pops out when it comes to these things.

I am all about the clean lines and simple text.

So, I'm a sucker for anything typography-related shirts.

Case in point, I bring you chaser.

Raised on rock and roll, Chaser is a contemporary clothing line dedicated to the evolution of style. Designed in Los Angeles, inspired by icons of generations past, the collection is consistently looking forward. Fit, fabrication, hand-feel and construction all reign supreme. Dressed up or dressed down, Chaser remains the authority on cool. Taking a nod from vintage and a page out of music history, the brand leans toward the direction of European taste-makers tempered with a casual modernity. Always experimenting with yarns and dyes, art meets fashion, for a look that is uniquely Chaser.

xx charisse

{all images via chaser}

BRANDS // CRYWOLF

I'm always looking for unique brands that have a different personality.

Marching to their own tune and combine that with silk screening. And I'm sold. 

As I was perusing through my Instagram the other day - one photo caught my eye.

Coal Miner's Daughter had three tanks hanging on a clothing line. 

And I was mesmerized.

And I just wanted to know more about the brand.

Crywolf is the brainchild of Stephanie Drabik & Rose Chang.

 In short, the Crywolf vision is a mishmash of their strange, fantastic, quirky and whimsical ideas. 

The main concept behind Crywolf is producing limited edition, collectable, wearable and affordable 

pieces of art. All of their designs are based on their drawings which they often collaborate on 

and their clothing is hand-printed by them.

I'm always up for supporting local artists especially when their work is awesome!
Putting my order for the wolf sweatshirt! I'm just mesmerized by this illustration.

Check out their other illustrations! Shop & Support Local! 

xx charisse

{images via coal miner's daughter & crywolf}

BRANDS // MAIYET

Resort 2014 Collection are slowly to roll in 

and I could not tell you how much I'm in love with Maiyet.

xx charisse

{images via style.com}

BRANDS // KLAYA

Happy Holidays. I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas with your loved ones. 

Mine was filled of endless plates of foods, family times and pastries galore. 

----

Klaya is... 

feminine, simple, fluid  and light.

Klaya want to be with all woman everyday with lots of class and be discreet...

It fits in the woman's life because it's a brand she can wear every moment of the day.

I discovered this brand during my shopping escapades at Canon Blanc. A new Parisian boutique that is run by the most adoring Parisian couple carrying all of the brands you would find in Paris. I got a shirt and I can't wait to see what they get in for the next season. Apparently, it's going to be marvelous.

So I'll leave you with this video of their Autumn/Winter 2012-2013 collection.

charisse

BRANDS // GOOD GUYS DON'T WEAR LEATHER

Good Guys Don't Wear Leather is Marion Hanania's own collection that produces shoes without using any animal ingredients. Good Guys cherishes the past but embraces the future. The brand plays with shapes, styles and looks from older times, but continually explores new materials and production methods. The amount of detailing they have on their collection is just mind-blowing. And I think it'll become my go-to shoe brand from now on. Currently though, most of the collection are only for men's as the women's collection is limited but keep an eye out - they promise it'll be available to women soon. 

BRANDS // THE KOOPLES

During my short but sweet time in Paris, being a shopaholic, it was inevitable for me not to window shop at least. So, I was able to see what French fashion is all about. I unconsciously draw inspirations from them without knowing (but that's another topic). Paris doesn't have malls instead they have streets after streets filled with boutiques or department stores that house different brands. I lived in a walking distance from Galeries Lafayette at the Opera and right beside it had Printemps that was introduced to me by Florence. Printemps housed designer brands so it could be compared to Holt Renfrew.

There I discovered The Kooples. It was founded by the Elicha brothers (Alexandre, Laurent & Raphael), who drew their inspiration from Saville Row, which is a street in Mayfair, London, made famous for its bespoke tailoring. The name is derived from a Franglais neologism pronounced Coo-pels with a French accent. What makes this brand different from all the other brands is the philosophy behind it all: that couples frequently borrow each other's clothes: so there is a men's and a women's collection that are supposed to appear interchangeable. The designers purport to create classics with a cool twist, but the result is an unimpressive range of separates, trimmed with token skull details in an attempt to give them an avant-garde edge. So, in essence, at the end of the day, there is a fine line between male and female and that it creates an androgynous feel. Now, that it has made it's way to NYC, hopefully, it'll come over to Canada soon! 

"It's a bit English dandy, a bit rock'n'roll, with a bit of French chic and je ne sais quoi," explains Alexandre, who does most of the talking. "A bit Duke of Edinburgh and a bit Rolling Stones. When we opened in Paris everyone thought it was very English, but in Britain everyone thinks it's very Parisian."

BRANDS // SCOTCH & SODA

Walking through the mall has it perks at times especially stepping foot in the Eaton Centre after a couple of months of absence. New stores have popped up... the most noticeable is Scotch & Soda, an Amsterdam-based fashion brand that has been around since the 80's. But it was in 2001, under new ownership that Scotch & Soda rebranded themselves. Scotch & Soda loves to make great garments that suit every individual. We want people to love their clothes and enjoy wearing them. Scotch & Soda products are of high quality, rich in detail and affordable. 

For me, branding is as important as the collection itself. And Scotch & Soda did just that - they were able to convey a lifestyle in their campaigns that just allows the consumers to picture themselves in the same situation. We will be starting to see more of these lifestyle photography in many look books instead of just photographing the product in front of a white background.