KOOBA Jacinda Shoulder Satchel

Reflecting an equestrian style, Kooba Jacinda's construction reminds one of saddle belts.
The slightly rough, edgy aesthetic is very appealing, courtesy of the unusual cut, a wraparound leather belt, & off-centre pockets.
(Not to mention, the pockets are great for quickly stashing your mobile phone, iPod, & other small necessities.)
Made of glazed leather so fine & supple, we thought we saw our fingertips leave little moons behind...

Purchase-with-Purchase

Don't miss this promotion at wondermomo + Whoop!

MARNI Sleeveless Cotton Dress

For a designer without any formal training, Consuelo Castiglioni has quite a following. Over the last decade & a half, Castiglioni's label Marni (which actually stemmed from her husband's family fur business) has earned a formidable status with fashion connoisseurs & even among other designers. (During the opening of her new boutique in New York's UES last year, top fashion names who showed up included Vera Wang, Rachel Zoe & Thakoon.)
Offbeat, exaggerated, yet elegant & wearable, Marni pieces are known for walking that fine line between fun & intellectual. The Marni woman -- although Marni has also been making menswear since Spring 2002 -- is thought to be someone who's confident, cavalier, & who dresses more for herself than for men, which in turn has the effect of making her even more alluring. Marni loyalists have really helped turned the brand from, in Vogue's words, "a well-kept secret among like-minded aesthetes to a label followed for its own sake."
The light & breezy cotton makes this sleeveless Marni piece with a back-opening cool in more than one way. Layer it up with a coordinating cardigan for work, then wear it alone to that wedding dinner/garden party as the evening warms up.

HELMUT LANG Women's Oversized Shirt

Anything men can wear, women can wear it better (ahem...). This oversized, slouchy, sexy button-down shirt with batwing sleeves from Helmut Lang combines smart menswear-style with soft demi-sheer cotton fabric to create a top that can go straight from the desk to an intimate dinner.
Looks equally fab with a skirt, tights, jeans, or big bold jewellery.

Happy Mother's Day!

To the world you might just be one person, but to one person you might just be the world. Of course we're talking about mothers. Happy Mother's Day, mum/mom/mam/maa/mak. Looooots of love.

Photo: Stacey Pommer

New Parisian Label: LES PETITES

Awaken your inner little girl with this pretty Les Petites floral dress!
Established in Paris in 1992, Les Petites is the baby of Isabelle Benichou, who was "la petite" is her family -- the youngest of seven children. "Each one of us is somebody's petites, affectionately speaking." (See where the brand name is derived from?)
A lively character who especially embraces 'colour' as her motto, Benichou excels at conceiving playful collections which can be mixed-and-matched according to one's personality & mood. Perfect for women at ease with themsleves & in tune with their time, it's no wonder Le Petites is fast becoming a French fravourite, beloved for its ability to work that Parisian magic.

ALICE + OLIVIA Bianca Blouse

Set hearts aflutter with the eye-catching, cute/sexy "Bianca" blouse from Alice + Olivia!
With its ruffled sleeves, open back & soft feminine drape, this sweet top channels your inner butterfly.
Looks real put-together when paired with capris, espadrilles/wedges, & an armful of bangles.

SHERI BODELL Gauntlet Maxi Dress

After two, three seasons in the spotlight, we still can't seem to get enough of the maxi dress & it's back again for SS2009!
This season, "fusion" seems to be the buzzword when it comes to maxi dresses. Take, for instance, this piece by Sheri Bodell. It has a feminine floral print & sexy silhouette, but at the same time gets an offset from dramatic hardware that provides an edgy twist. Both elements are decidedly different from each other, yet both are captivating. So if you happen to be looking for a gorgeous long sundress, check this one out.

NEW ARRIVALS - Wednesday, 6 May

Yippee! New arrivals at wondermomo & Whoop!... just in time for Mum's Day!
Paul & Joe Sister, Theory, Alice + Olivia, Sheri Bodell, Kooba, Helmut Lang men & loads more for both chicks & blokes, available 6 May.
Happy mid-week to ya all :)

New: TATAMI Comfort Shoes

You may have heard about the white-hot collaboration between designer Phillip Lim & Tatami to create a special edition of Navaho-/hippie-style sandals last year. Founded in 1990 by Alex Birkenstock (the second oldest of the three Birkenstock brothers), Tatami shoes & sandals have the advantage of an association with the Birkenstock stable. (Think of it as Birkenstock's fashion-forward "sister".) This means that all the modern, funky designs of Tatami footwear rest on a comfortable footbed offering a myriad of therapeutic benefits. The core of the anatomically-moulded footbed is a cork & latext mixture; layers of quality jute give the footbed its famous stability, while the covering of suede absorbs the foot's moisture, forwards it to the inside of the bed, & thus ensures a healthy foot climate. In Tatamis, you can walk day & -- of course, if you want -- night, in a relaxed manner & at the same time be a trend-setter.
Great for docs, nurses, or just anyone who has to be on their feet all day long!

VANESSA BRUNO Spring Summer 2009

'Bruno', the highly anticipated latest project from Sacha Baron Cohen (& a follow-up to the 2006 smash 'Borat') -- check out the hillarious trailer -- has been making news for months now as the British funnyman works to put the film together. In character as the gay fashionmonger Bruno, Baron Cohen has successfully made splashes across catwalks during the Milan & Paris fashion week. It's a shame his attempt to get into the Vanessa Bruno SS2009 show back in March failed... Bruno crashing Bruno, that would've been a laugh riot :)
Trivia aside, the always elegant Vanessa Bruno presented a Spring Summer collection full of etheric atmosphere. The clothes are fresh & modern-looking, yet at the same time feel so old-school cool, you could practically hear Jane Birkin singing in the background. For those who gets the designer's loose, lightweight structure & esoteric detailing, the dresses (including the dress with semi-sheer pleats, pictured above), in particular, are sure to leave you weak in the knees. Again, bravo Bruno bravo.

Happy Labour Day!

Enjoy your wonderful day off.
...Can't say we're celebrating though -- it's business as usual :)
See ya!

Photo: Sarah McGee

NEW ARRIVALS - Saturday, 1 May

Weekend New Arrivals!
Ladies shoes, TATAMI comfort footwear, more Gram sneakers, polo tops for the guys, undies, plus others.
We stay open on Labour Day!

Susana Monaco Spring 2009 Dresses

These stunning dresses from Susana Monaco are in store! Must be seen to appreciate the details & quality. Until then, we'll just let the beautiful pictures do all the talking.
- Susana Monaco Keyhole Flower Dress
- Susana Monaco Willow Print Tube Dress

ALICE + OLIVIA Lucy Loop Trapeze Mini-Dress

For daytime or evening soirees, you'll definitely stop traffic in this simple yet gorgeous Alice + Olivia stunner in bright sunshine yellow.
A classic style with a playful twist at the hem, this will look especially lovely at a wedding (lots of those the next couple of months...) -- we just know it!

KOOBA Natasha Convertible Tote

A marriage of cuteness & practicality, the best part about Kooba Natasha is of course its two-in-one styling. This bag can be worn as a slimmer shopper, or -- with a twist & a turn of the side clasps -- as a more roomy bucket tote. Minimal hardware adds just enough extra shine.

Rebecca Taylor Cotton Voilet 'Jetset' Dress

The logo, a pair of kissing Siamese cats, hints at the cute-but-with-claws style of New York-based Rebecca Taylor.
The promise of Taylor's collections lie in their ability to apply the designer's fond memories of growing up in a fairytale seaside village in her native New Zealand, where her mother indulged her desire for ethereal ballet costumes. Relocating to NYC with six hundred dollars & a dream,Taylor was able to land a job at Cynthia Rowley, where she stayed for six years, before premiering her own catwalk show in 1999. When actress Sarah Jessica Parker, a fan, rang Taylor personally, the designer reportedly thought the call was a joke. Eventually, Taylor's work would be seen on Parker's show (SATC) as well as numerous celebrity clients.
A sweet, dreamy piece from Taylor's Spring 2009 collection, the 'Jetset' dress in fine cotton voile could be accented with gold-tone accessories, or worn tunic-style, too. Just the daintiest little addition to the summer vacation wardrobe of a fashion kitten. Miaow!

Happy Administrative Professionals' Day

Happy Administrative Professionals' Day to all the super heroines (& heroes) out there who always save the day.

Photo: EW

NEW ARRIVALS - Saturday, 18 Apr

Spring has sprung!
Big new shipment in at wondermomo & Whoop! Saturday, 18 Apr.
Alice + Olivia, Helmut Lang, Patrizia Pepe, Paul & Joe Sister, Theory, Trina Turk, Vanessa Bruno, Kooba, Agnes b. men's shoes, Penguin, All Saints, & loads more.
Have a happy weekend. The weather looks pretty nice, too :)

ALICE + OLIVIA Spring 2009

Stacey Bendet's talent for combining function & feminine frivolity is showing up again in the Alice + Olivia Spring 2009 collection. Featuring a lovely colour palette & slightly 70's-hippie silhouettes modernised by prints, these Alice + Olivia pieces are more than pretty enough for a party, date, or to just lift your spirits whenever the heat, sudden afternoon rain or anything else should get you down :)