Interview: Caroline Issa for L.K.Bennett

Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with my love of fashion editor Caroline Issa's style so you can imagine my joy when she announced a collaboration with UK based shoe brand L.K. Bennett. The result is a vibrant and playful capsule collection of shoes and bags featuring Thai inspired embroidery and neon pom-poms! I caught up with Caroline to discuss the collection and her style secrets.

Where are you and what are you doing right now? Sitting at my desk at Tank HQ in Central London - loving it, as have been travelling for the past month and it's great to have some roots for a while!

Tell us about the inspiration behind your collection for L.K.Bennett. I went to the Film on the Rocks inaugural festival curated by Tilda Swinton in Yao Noi, Thailand last March. I picked up an amazing bag in a local market which inspired the collection

How did you come to collaborate with L.K.Bennett? They approached me about creating a capsule collection, and as I had recently been in their stores and was really impressed with the product, the quality and the price point, I decided to work with them on this fun collaboration.

I’m in love with the loafers! Do you have a favourite piece in the collection? I couldn’t possibly choose! The collection is all classic, simple shaped underpinned with fabulous embellishment, the Parrot court and Bamboo slipper have pop poms too, why don’t more shoes have pom poms!

How would you describe your personal style and how does that manifest itself in your designs? It's so clichéd, but my style is classic with a twist - I'll use colour, or texture to standout from a simple outfit - hence what I loved about conveying in my shoe collection was that you could be wearing a simple pair of jeans and white shirt and let your shoes do all the heavy lifting when it came to style and effort. They are a nice conversation starter, and it's always good to have something to talk about :)

What drew you to accessories specifically? My style philosophy has always been about letting your shoes do the talking - so I tend to dress with shoes as the starting point. My love of talking point shoes is well documented!

Talk us through the design process. I had so much fun sketching out the shoes, and working with Kim Saint, L.K.Bennett’s amazing head of production when it came to sampling the shoes and bags - we wanted to get it just right, and agonized over things like the pompoms, the fit, the contrast heel tip in pink, etc. I was 100% involved and the L.K.Bennett team were incredibly supportive and passionate in getting it right on.

Did you design with someone in mind? The L.K.Bennett collaboration was an opportunity that came about from a conversation…I don’t have any formal design training and would never claim to be a shoe designer, but I certainly have a point of view and it came together when I thought about what I’d want to wear come Spring! I did draw the collection myself, but it’s a skill, and let me tell you: I spent hours and hours on my drawings.

What should a good pair of shoes do for someone? They should make you feel fabulous, confident and ready to take on the world!

How would you describe your aesthetic in three words? It’s clichéd I know but- its best described as classic with a twist (am I allowed 4 words?) I love tailoring and effortlessness-I’m not into fussy dressing- so I’ll choose a pieces or outfits that are easy to pull together, like a suit or a dress that only requires a belt to give it a great silhouette.

If you could steal anyone's wardrobe - past or present - whose would it be and why? Diana Vreeland, Gloria Vanderbilt and Elizabeth Taylor's jewels! They were all so fabulous!

What are your 5 wardrobe essentials? Equipment shirts, Paul Smith suits, YSL tuxedo and Prada shoes and my L.K.Bennett collection of course!

Any beauty rituals? Red lipstick – It will salvage any outfit or tired face. At the moment I love Shu Umura Sensual Red.

What’s coming up next for you? Are you planning a collection for autumn/winter 2013?After a fun fashion month of seeing all the fall fashions, working on my new issues of Tank and becauselondon.com

Describe your perfect day. Reading magazines on my balcony on a warm London day with a cup of tea.

For more of Caroline's work, visit Tank and Because.com
To see the collection, visit L.K. Bennett

Video: Prada Candy L'Eau

Is there any better creative combo than Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola and Miuccia Prada? Loving the Nouvelle Vague vibes.

Style Inspiration: Giorgia Tordini

I first came across Italian stylist, creative director and designer Giorgia Tordini’s style such on streetstyle stalwarts Garance Doré and The Sartorialist and have been following her style evolution ever since. A master in mixing high and low and menswear and womenswear elements, Giorgia’s style is classic with a modern twist... the perfect inspiration for everyday dressing.

(Images: A selection from The Sartorialist, Stockholm Streetstyle, Le 21eme, grazia.it)

Interview: Lynne Hiriak, Cardigan

I first discovered Lynne Hiriak's beautiful line of knits Cardigan New York through Caroline (who models for the lookbook) and immediately fell in love with their timeless and cozy aesthetic. Dedicated to the eponymous item, Cardigan was founded by Lynne in 2008 after stints working with high end designers such as Michael Kors and Derek Lam. I caught up with the New York based designer to discuss Bardot, Birkin and and her rumored 200 and counting cardigan collection!

Where are you and what are you doing right now?

I’m in my kitchen working at my new kitchen table, taking my apartment back (after 8 month-oops!) after moving my design studio out of Williamsburg Brooklyn and back into Manhattan. Love the space, hate the commute!

How did you get into design?

I started sketching when I was young. I was obsessed with dancing and ballet, so I used to sketch all the pretty ballerinas in their costumes. Ballet and costume obsession eventually led me to fashion illustration which inevitably let me to Design.  I had private lessons in high school for foundation art (my mom sent me to privates because she was afraid I didn’t have the talent…) , and then I started getting scholarships to Moore College of Art in Philly for high school weekend fashion illustration programs. And there I was hooked!

How would you describe the Cardigan aesthetic in three words?

American in Paris

Who and what influences your designs?

Each season is always quite different, but the common threads of influence are always iconic women such as Brigitte Bardot, Kate Moss, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jane Birkin, etc. I love maritime and beach motifs, so you can always spy an anchor every once in a while, and of course Cardigan is famous for our take on the French Stripe. Classic motifs such as Dots are always in my design vocabulary both at work and at home. If you ever came to my apartment, I’ve got dots and stripes everywhere! I lean towards clean, graphic and classic.  It’s also how I personally dress.

Talk us through the design process.

Each season I have a very large board about 10 feet tall that I create that particular season’s mood on. Sort of like a live Pinterest board. On this board, I pin up clothes, photos, tearsheets, proportions I am feeling and objects of the moment. I then translate that into a collection and of course, start with sweaters first. Recently I’ve added several other categories such as cut and sew knits, and silk wovens, so it’s gotten a bit more busy at the studio lately!

Who is the Cardigan girl?

Everyone can be a Cardigan Girl.  Cardigan first came about as a way that a customer could buy into her favorite item in her closet. Sort of like your favorite white shirt, or your favorite pair of jeans, Cardigan was meant to be democratic..Something for everyone because I intended Cardigan to be everyone’s favorite go to piece. The one  you throw in your bag, wear on the plane, continue to keep wearing even after there are holes in the elbows. Now Cardigan has expanded beyond just cardigans because everyone kept asking me for cute striped pullovers. My mantra is to keep it simple, keep it real, and keep it colorful.

Are you limiting your brand’s vision to knitwear or will you be expanding into other garments?

This spring, I expanded into silk print wovens. It came about because I’ve been obsessed with soft silk pieces for a while now, and I honestly just wanted some cute clothes to wear with my Cardigan. I was getting bored with how I was wearing it (jeans), and I’ve been into breezy clothes lately. I’ve always been a print girl, and love to wear them, so I decided to create pieces that I needed in my wardrobe. I created essential staples of tanks, tees, dresses and shorts. Spring is launching on the website next week www.cardigannewyork.com  and I’m pretty excited to roll out the new goods and get feedback from our loyal customers. (hopefully positive!)

How would you describe your personal style and how does that manifest itself in your designs?

I’m a simple person who loves buying in multiples. I have a very simple wardrobe and I have lots of the same items but just in different colors or patterns. I own multiple pair of denim, have tons of  tuxedo shirts, shorts, indian cotton shirts, striped tees and sweaters, sweatshirts, etc. I’m a big accessories person and I shop in multiples also. I have the same bags in different colors, Fringe wedges (I have like 4 pairs), tons of fringe moccasins, lots of ballet flats, clogs clogs clogs, and  tons of leather sandals from Florence. I get obsessed and love to collect as many versions of the same thing. I am also an avid scarf and jewelry person. I own tons!

If you could steal anyone's wardrobe - past or present - whose would it be and why? 

Past- it would be Chanel’s. But It means that I would have to steal her style too. Because I couldn’t pull off her wardrobe without her essence. Her boy meets chic woman style was so cutting edge then.  She was a real renegade, and she dressed so simply. Present- Kate Moss. Her wardrobe is sublime.

What are your 5 wardrobe essentials?

1) Cardigans. Of course. In every possible way

2)My favorite patchwork denim jeans. It cost more to patch it than the jeans themselves are worth!

3) Fringe moccasins boots from minnetonkamoccasin.com

4) All my merino french terry sweatshirts. Two always travel with me

5) My landsend.com  striped sailor tees.

Any beauty rituals?

Yikes. I’m obsessed with beauty now that I’ve turned over 40. (should have started at 30!). I’m into holistic care, so I have pretty much switched over to all natural products. I use a rose face cream from mountainroseherbs.com that is incredible.  I make all my own body oils and fragrances.  I mix several essential oils and give them as gifts to friends. My ultimate secret which I will share is I have been using  an essential oil elixir for my hair from uncleharrys.com for over 15 years that has become my signature scent! I also am a big fan of Peppermint as a cure all and carry it with me at all times. It relieves migraines and hangovers and  helps keep me focused!

What’s coming up next for you?

My Partners in my business are from Peru so I’ve been doing a lot of traveling there lately. I leave again in another month. It’s been very exciting and very rewarding as Peru is so beautiful and rich with culture. I’ve been working more with artisans and getting more involved with making other product besides sweaters and knits. I’m still trying to figure out what it all means, but I am loving every single experience.  My next trip, I FINALLY get to go to Macchu Picchu and I cannot wait!!

Describe your perfect day

My life is so crazy, I love to keep it simple.

Wake up- (preferably upstate NY at a friends house)

Drink my juices and smoothies for breakfast

Swim and be lazy by the river all day.

Drink ice cold prosecco and have a charcuterie with cheese and arugula platter for lunch

Swim and be lazy again

Barbecue outdoors for dinner which includes a mozzarella, tomato and basil salad

Red wine

Lay on a blanket and watch the stars

For more of Lynne's work, visit her website.

Find of the Week: Frends Layla Headphones

My Frends "Layla" headphones. Comfortable, great sound quality and super chic. I went for the rose gold. What's not to love?

Available from Avenue 32 

Bella Freud Candle

Say hello to my latest obsession... Bella Freud's divine smelling fig leaf and tomato scented candle which recaptures the natural accord of vine leaves, fresh tomato and mediterranean fig. Emblazed with her signature playful slogans, the candles whose scents also include incense wood and oud and snow lily mark the knitwear designer's first foray into beauty. Here's hoping it's not her last!

Available to buy from Space NK and Bella's online shop.

Interview: Anna Singh, Chinti & Parker

What better day than the final day of the London collections to celebrate the best that Britain has to offer? Since its launch in October 2009, London based knitwear brand Chinti and Parker has gone from strength to strength creating ethically produced, desirable knitwear in playful yet classic designs. I caught up with one half of the label Anna Singh to discuss stars, spots and stripes!

Where are you and what are you doing right now?

I’m in London at Chinti and Parker’s offices hopping between private press appointments for an exclusive new collaboration that will launch late summer, and my desk where the to do list gets

progressively longer!

How did you get into design?

A moment of madness!

What drew you to knitwear?

I’ve always been drawn to luxe-casual clothing, and this is something that’s intrinsic to knitwear due to

its natural texture and finish. I also have quite an emotional response to wool/cashmere - they’re very

comforting and can evoke some quite nostalgic feelings.

How would you describe the Chinti & Parker aesthetic in three words?

Easy. Chic. Faithful.

Tell us about the ethical approach to your brand.

Our strapline, Conscious Cloth, underpins our ethical approach. It is essentially a catchall maxim

reminding us to consider where and how we produce our garments (organic, fair trade, made in the

EU where possible) and the effect this has on the environment and local communities. In turn, it is a all

to action for our shoppers to be mindful about what they’re buying, hopefully adopting a buy less, buy

better approach.

Talk us through your latest collection. I love all the stars, spots and stripes!

Thank you - we love them too. The main story for our new collection (spring summer ’13) is vibrant

colour. Bright parrot blue, watermelon pink and spring green have a strong presence, and our key star,

spot and stripe styles have been updated in the new palette. We’ve also introduced rainbow hearts, as

both knitwear and cottons - seriously cute. Other exciting print introductions include a hand drawn

irregular grid print, that comes in both dress, skirt and blouse options. The overall vibe is very fresh

and pretty without being too girly.

Who and what influences your designs?

So many things - a blouse of my grandmother, a vintage upholstery fabric, a t-shirt I’ve owned for

years, but which I’ve been hard pushed to replace it’s cut is so perfect, and the colours of somewhere

I’ve just holidayed. It’s pretty varied, and sometimes quite ephemeral.

Who is the Chinti & Parker girl?

The Chinti and Parker girl is really any style aware girl or woman of our age who has either outgrown

the whims of fast fashion, or who was never really seduced by it in the first place. She gets

understatement, values quality and craftsmanship, and wants to feel confident in what she wears, but

without it wearing her.

How would you describe your personal style and how does that manifest itself in your designs?

Fuss-free, a few stylish details (hopefully) and very versatile.

What are your 5 wardrobe essentials?

-The Long-Sleeved Tee in a neutral colour - I wear these year-round as a base layer

-A statement cashmere sweater such as our new Overlapping Polka Dot sweaters, which you can

throw on over jeans for instant impact.

-A Breton Striped dress in fresh colours - it’s an icon of casual chic, but add an element of surprise by

choosing a fresh new colourway

-Our Cashmere cardi is a classic grandpa style and works brilliantly with everything from jeans and

slacks to cotton dresses, and this season’s styles come with bright contrasting pockets.

-We don’t make them, but a decent pair of flat shoes that work with skirts as well as trousers - my

heel days are few and far between, despite my ambitions otherwise!

Any beauty rituals?

Sleep, though I fail miserably at getting enough.

What's coming up next for you?

We are starting to research for designing AW14.. yikes!

Describe your perfect day?

A weekend day at home, baking with my 2 wonderful boys.

See more of Anna and Rachael's work on their website.