More from LYLE & SCOTT (Scotland)

It is difficult to find clothing labels that have managed to sustain itself for 136 years (!) and are still going strong. Lyle & Scott is one such brand.
This Brit heritage stalwart began in Hawick in the Scottish borders way back in 1874, set on creating high quality luxury knitwear, and later, golfwear.
Since then -despite the usual some ups and downs- the brand has successfully withstood the test of time.Today Lyle & Scott is regarded as one of the coolest knitwear labels around, with its "Golden Eagle" insignia widely seen on young professionals, lad-dads, musicians, sports stars and celebrities alike.Those of you who still have not heard about Lyle & Scott would do well to check out their range of accessibly-priced polos -- just restocked in a rainbow selection of colourways and styles (and at incredibly friendly prices)!

BAND OF OUTSIDERS x SPERRY TOP-SIDER Penny Loafer (Limited Edition)

Product reminder!
The limited edition Band of Outsiders for Sperry Top-Sider Penny Loafer is back -- this time in natural cotton canvas upper with gum sole and hand-sewn Tru-Moc construction that lends long-lasting, true moccasin-like comfort.
This updated version of the traditional loafer is very versatile and can be worn from big city streets to the beach resort.

YMC (YOU MUST CREATE) Railroad Shirt

This YMC (You Must Create) Railroad Shirt is pure Americana Gold-Rush revisited. Made from washed out cotton, it has rich details like a narrow placket, small collar, cut-away penny chest pocket and contrast stitching throughout. If you know this London label, you'll know everything they do is quality with a clean post-industrial style that’s just so darn easy to want!
(RRP £115.00)

HALSTON HERITAGE Halter Top

Fab and sexy aside, this halter-style top from Halston Heritage goes with literally anything: wide leg trousers, dress shorts, jeans (dark denim for a date night, or rolled-up loose jeans -and canvas sneakers- for a casual weekend look)…, why, it can even nestle quietly and mischievously under your stuffy black work suit!

HALSTON HERITAGE
Halston -aka Roy Halston Frowick- began his career as a milliner (designing the pillbox hat Jacqueline Kennedy wore to her husband's Presidential inauguration). When he moved to designing women's clothing, Newsweek dubbed him "the premier fashion designer of all America". Halston's most famous designs -fluid, silky, and sassy- were worn by Bianca Jagger, Anjelica Huston, Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth Taylor, Ali McGraw and Babe Paley, setting a style that encapsulated the languid glamour of the jet-set lifestyle that centred on the infamous nightclub Studio 54.In 2008, Halston was resurrected by new owners Tamara Mellon (of Jimmy Choo) and Harvey Weinstein (the film mogul), who also created Halston Heritage, a sister line that dips into Halston archives to rework the ’70s heyday looks into modern pieces fit for today’s stylish femmes.
Halston now has style icon Sarah Jessica Parker at the helm as chief creative officer and company president, instantly catapulting the label back into fashion royalty.

Halston, in his natural habitat, flanked by beautiful people.


The star, the movie, and the dress that came together and kicked in the Halston Heritage buzz.

Etc.

Being a cloud in this day and age isn't as easy as it looks. Some people love you, others just straight up hate you -- even if you’re just a sweet little cloud trying to the right thing :-)
Conor Finnegan’s grad piece from IADT (Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology) in Ireland is, in his words, "about man's misunderstanding and mixed relationship with mother nature".

New from UNITED NUDE footwear

The effect of these candy-colour United Nude lovelies will surely bring you a warm season filled with fun and style!

• United Nude Block Ballet
One part stylish dress shoe and one part architectural conversation piece, the Block Ballet Flat features a bold block that -in lieu of a low heel- provides a gentle lift at the back as well as a wildly innovative silhouette.
Trivia: When these flats are slipped off at, say, a party, the block's perpendicular form allows the shoes to stand cleverly upright on their own :-)
(RRP US$175)


• United Nude Ruby Peep Toe
This cute flatty with peep-toe and small bump heel is made of quality leather and a high density rubber heel. Equally ready to be worn to work, as a quiet surprise with pants or a simple skirt, or to a dance, or with a ball gown :-)
(RRP US$175)


• United Nude No.2 Peep Toe
The cut is elegantly classic, but the dominating upper, made with a United Nude custom designed material, will give a splash of energy that will brighten up any ensemble!
10cm/3.94” heel.
(RRP €125)


UNITED NUDE
United Nude is the architecture-loving shoe design agency founded in 2003 by Dutch architect Rem D. Koolhaas (left) and British shoe designer Galahad JD Clark (right ) -- both of highly respected design family. (Hint: Doesn't the surname tell it all?).
With inspirations that come from the wildest of dreams and sources -from classic furniture masterpiece like the Eames chair to Stealth F-117 fighters- United Nude is the proof in the pudding that great design can, indeed, transcend disciplines.

ELIZABETH AND JAMES Kimono-Sleeve Cropped Blazer

Part cape, part menswear-inspired blazer, this cropped kimono-style jacket delivers the couture-calibre tailoring and details that Elizabeth and James --by the Olsen-powerhouse-twins-- has become known for.
Done in a smooth viscose fabrication, this universally figure-flattering piece moves with your body yet never binds, pulling your look together in an easy, cocoon silhouette that's oh so lovely and chic.
(RRP US$395)

YMC (YOU MUST CREATE) RAGLAN POLO

Classic British style comes to mind when we think of houndstooth, the timeless duo-tone textile pattern. Staying true to that traditional British characteristic, this houndstooth polo with raglan sleeves and cute "Peter Pan" collar -from our favourite lo-fi London label YMC (You Must Create)- nicely ties together the modern man with decades past.
(RRP £65.00)

UNDER.LIGNE by DOO.RI

Korean-American Doo-Ri Chung (of Doo.Ri) must likes dots in her names. For her lower-end line she stuck a dot right in there as well, naming it Under.Ligne. The collection was launched as a way for the designer to revisit the simple jersey pieces that she built her career on. With expert draping, cuts that are body-conscious yet never skin-tight, and a stylish yet always lady-like appeal... yes, it's just a teensy weensy bit Alexander Wang-like, but when it comes to infallible downtown outfits, you can't ever have enough!

DOO.RI
So who is Doo-ri Chung? She’s the one who BEAT Phillip Lim to win the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award in 2006. That same year, she was also awarded Swarvoski’s Emerging Talent. So the lady’s skills as a fashion designer are widely recognised.
The daughter of Korean immigrant parents, Chung grew up inspired by the never-ending stream of clothing that cycled through her parents' dry-cleaning business. After receiving her degree from Parsons School of Design in 1995, Chung worked for Geoffrey Beene for six years, rising to the position of head designer. In 2001, Chung started a studio in the basement of her parents' shop. The business would remain there for the next four years.
Chung is best known for her work with fabric movement and unique draping.

Soft, jersey tops with marbled prints that resemble urban stains from the under.ligne Fall 2010 collection.


The cute and petite Doo-ri Chung previewing her under.ligne Fall 2010 collection.

Etc.

Below, please appreciate what might conceivably be the FINEST collective goal celebration in the history of mankind.

YMC (YOU MUST CREATE) Footwear

YMC (You Must Create) was lauched in the UK in 1995 by Fraser Moss (who manages the design side) and Jimmy Collins (who handles the rest). Since then, the pair has been quietly garnering a legion of loyal fans among London’s -and the world’s- hip young things with their pared-down, gently androgynous styles.
The combination of classic design and quirky edge on these YMC footwear, skillfully made in quality material, feels just-right for a time when consumers are after smart-looking footwear that will outlast a season.

• YMC Weave Deck Shoes
These deck shoes are decidedly good-looking and suitable for a whole range of leisure activities.
(RRP £110)

• YMC Saddle Shoes
Known for a certain timeless aesthetic, saddle shoes are absolute classics that also happen to be very hip again. These preppy/retro-chic, fab and slightly formal cute kicks by YMC would look great -sockless, even- when paired with your slim chinos and seersucker shirt.
(RRP £110)

Saddle shoes have got the trend-setters wrapped around their laces:

BALENCIAGA.SILK Summer Dress

Flit and flutter like a butterfly in this Summer dress from Balenciaga.Silk!
Made of gorgeous textured silk which would suggest your penchant for refinement, this expertly cut dress is kept rather simple save for some silk detailing in front and on the back.
Throw on this chic frock with a sprinkle of gold, silver or black jewellery, and you'll be ready for anything!
(RRP US$710)

BALENCIAGA
The name Balenciaga needs little introduction. Founded by pioneering Spanish couturier Cristóbal Balenciaga, the house represents a fashion legend -- one that, according to the late fashion guru Diana Vreeland, had once caused Audrey Hepburn to "foam at the mouth", but that had languished in ignominy since the founder’s passing in 1972.
It is current helmer Nicolas Ghesquière, young but gifted when he took over in 1997, who has revived the label and brought Balenciaga back to the forefront of fashion with iconic collections season after season that sometimes employ Cristobal’s couture techniques and often pay tribute to the master’s ground-breaking archive.

Described as one of the most intriguing and original designers of his generation, Ghesquière has even just been crowned The Fashion Group International's “Superstar” for 2010, joining the illustrious ranks of past winners including Oscar de laRenta, Donatella Versace and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Nicolas Ghesquière with two of his ubercool campaign gals: Jennifer Connelly and Charlotte Gainsbourg.

PIERO GUIDI (Italy)

The city of Urbino, in north-east Italy, has been a core centre of art and creativity from ancient periods. It is the birthplace of Raphael (the great Italian Renaissance painter), the city of Early Music, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its impressive Ducal Palace and one of the most important collections of Renaissance art. It is also the hometown of Piero Guidi, an Italian sculptor who turned to fashion studies in Rome in the 70s and subsequently founded -what else- Piero Guidi, the label. More than thirty years on, out of a vibrant bottega in Urbino, Guidi continues to draw inspiration from Renaissance artists and thinkers to create his namesake collection.
Today, in Italy alone, Piero Guidi has over 500 retail outlets.

Well-made and delightful are the right words to describe the Piero Guidi “Magic Circus” range of bags and accessories, created in 1986 and now considered a classic.


Deeply passionate about his work, Guidi says that he doesn’t get caught up in the high lifestyle of many designers and prefers to keeps his focus on design instead. “This company is like a racer doing the Tour de France with other racers. We are not watching TV. We are in the race.” (Admirably put, Signor Guidi.)


Hong Kong supermodel Kathy Chow Man Kei and actress Ada Choi love them some Piero Guidis.

New from ELIZABETH AND JAMES

We know, we know. Elizabeth and James has just been mentioned last week. It’s bad form to do repeats so soon :-P. But love them or hate them, designer Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are firmly entrenched in our cultural consciousness. The twins also seem to know exactly what they are doing when it comes to offering customers with the best pieces possible to imitate their unique style.

• Elizabeth and James Cohen Shirt
Masculine meets feminine in this signature Elizabeth and James style. We love the fresh country appeal of the vintage floral print, too. For a weekend look, pair this with jeans, a denim skirt, or capris.
(RRP US$245)


• Elizabeth and James Cap-Sleeve Boyfriend Shirt
A crisp but breezy shirt cut of silk for everyday easy-chic -- whether you're at the office or in the mall.
(RRP US$225)


• Elizabeth and James Mondrian Lace Shorts
These enchanting lace shorts are beautifully tailored with a lace overlay, and -depending on how you style them- may even be red carpet-appropriate!
Wear yours with a sleek blouse and pumps.
(RRP US$225)


• Elizabeth and James Pleated Shorts
With a design this cute, you couldn't possibly rest these shorts!
(RRP US$225)