THOM KROM (Hannover, Germany) Unisex Tops

Working as a trend scout/cool-hunter for international European fashion brands for a decade, German-born Thom Krom alias Thomas Kromik’s constant travels took him across the world’s fashion metropolises, allowing him to hone a great sensitivity for visual influence. In 2009, he founded his own label Thom Krom with the objective of creating premium basics that combine quality fabrics and understated detailing.

Thom Krom is based in Hannover, Germany and is being sold in over 20 countries worldwide. The pieces stand out for their unique aesthetic of original details, asymmetries, and an interesting “avant-garde shabby” look. Plus, they’re werable both as tops for men, as well as tunics/mini dresses for women :-)

(RRP  €70~€119)

THEO Eyewear, Belgium (Unisex)

Stylish, edgy and fun with highly creative shapes and palette, Theo eyewear from Belgium is unlike anything you've ever seen, or anything you've ever worn.Theo is an anagram for Hoet. Wim Somers and Patrick Hoet, both opticians with their own stores, decided to bring something different to the eyewear table and introduced the first Theo eyewear collection at the Paris tradeshow Silmo in 1989. Offering avant-garde designs, Theo’s popularity quickly went beyond a select group of sophisticates. Today, sold in over 1,400 stores across 50 countries, Theo provides a unique expression of individualism for a global fanbase of self-confident eyewear-users.

Contemporary yet with a big wink to vintage goodness, these fresh, exciting Theo frames outlined in thick plastic are not for the faint-of-heart, but will absolutely brighten your day! They frame broader faces really well, too. Wear these stand-out looks, and you’ll never have to worry about fading into the background :-)

Theo fans are as diverse as they come.

KAREN WALKER Eyewear (Unisex)

From Twilight & New Moon to True Blood, Vampire Dairies, & now Vlad & Dark Shadows, perhaps you've heard that vampires are all the rage these days.
The nocturnal creatures with a hunger for hemoglobin have conquered all forms of pop culture & can currently be found holding court everywhere from bookstores to TV, multiplex screens, even fashion.
As the vampire obsession continues, the cold ones have inspired yet another designer: Karen Walker.
Hugely talented, the Kiwi designer has already blessed the public with her sartorial panache & effortless wit. Now she's presented her 5th season of eyewear collection -- cheerfully & perfectly themed "Celebrate the Sun" -- with a Derek Kettela-shot ad campaign that’s so fun & ingenious, it’s probably left many a designer cursing "Now why didn't I think of that?". (OK, we may be a little biased considering our ongoing obsession with the bloodsuckers hehe, but seriously, don't you think the concept's so bloody cute you can't help but wanna grow fangs just to match up to the campaign?)
Vamp teeth aside, Walker's sunglasses are anything but eerie. Quirky & stylish, with innovative nods to the past, this collection of UV protective gear definitely has something for everyone, from the traditionalist to the trend setter, even the most sun-phobic vampire ;-)

Karen Walker
Although she may not be on a first-name basis with us yet (like Calvin, Marc & Ralph), Karen Walker is one of New Zealand's shiniest exports. Walker started her clothing line with NZ$100 -- material for a T-shirt. Today, the designer (who cites the quirky heroines of The Breakfast Club & Annie Hall as muses) has earned a dedicated worldwide following with her whimsical clothing, eyewear & jewellery line -- oh, & paint colours & other lifestyle products, too.

Karen Walker eyewear enjoys a cult following with artists & personalities such as Alexa Chung, Craig Nicholls, Beth Ditto & Cory Kennedy.


Karen Walker's previous eyewear collection, dubbed "Masters of Disguise", was also wonderfully goofy, with photos of people wearing her shades, along with cheap-looking fright wigs (for the ladies) & ridiculously fake beards/mustaches (for the guys) in order to disguise their identity &, one presumes, avoid the paparazzi. Hi-larious!
This 'undercover detective disguises' take actually inspired the editor of hip New York-based publication Paper Magazine to base an entire issue (themed 'Pretend') around the collection.


This past March, Barbie Millicent Roberts -- yes, the Barbie, who over the past five decades has played muse to more than 70 legends of the international fashion community including Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hermès & Patricia Field -- is the latest in a long line of famous women to be dressed by Karen Walker.
Walker was exclusively commissioned by toy-maker Mattel, in honour of the doll's 50th anniversary this year.

Well, if you're still reading, thanks for reading this super-long post!

A.P.C. New Standard Jeans - Unisex

Known as an unmarketer who makes “insanely ordinary” fashions, French clothier A.P.C. (Atelier de Production et de Création) is really taking off these days with a cult-like following for its denim line. Save for minor tweaks, the label has barely changed these classic, slightly tapered unisex jeans in 2 decades. The New Standard jeans do not carry external tags, although the first button is engraved. Think of these as the ‘French 501’ -– except they're made from harder Japanese selvage (raw) denim. But the jeans will reward you with handsome fading & wear patterns if broken in properly -– for example, if you only cleaned (or rather, dry-cleaned) them after, say, 6 months wear. Although that sounds a bit disgusting, you'll find the jeans moulding to your natural shape. Another interesting care tip recommended by A.P.C.: go swimming in the ocean wearing the jeans, rub the jeans repeatedly with dry sand, rinse the jeans in fresh water, then let dry in the sun. All part of the fun that deepens the jeans’ appeal.

If you are new to A.P.C. denim, try 1 size down to start -- but you can wear them normal, baggy, or with huge cuffs showing, too, of course.