Showing posts with label #playtimenewyork. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #playtimenewyork. Show all posts

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Duck, Duck, Devon's Drawer!


i met Cynthia a few years ago when she was in the early phases of launching Devon's Drawer.
we were introduced through a tremendously talented womenswear designer and mutual friend, Jaga Buyan, based in L.A.

each year, i pop into the booth at Playtime New York kids fashion trade show and am drawn to the range of rich colors, cozy corduroys, warm woolens, and signature peter pan collars i recognize from my own youth.

Cynthia's line is infused with an appreciation for the artisan.  a costume and textiles specialist, she is inspired by fabrics first when building her collection, then by design and detail, her years of travel to India and Asia also reflected in the palettes, patterns and prints introduced each season.

a mother and daughter(s) run company based in Los Angeles and Vancouver, Devon's Drawer has evolved very mindfully.   at the New York show this week, the team took home the coveted One to Watch award bestowed upon a deserving emerging designer by Pirouette blog!

the organic and natural materials, ethical and handwoven fabrics (some recycled) and low impact dyes applied right in downtown Los Angeles make the collection stand out as both sophisticated and sustainable.

and sturdy, too! each new style is test driven by Cynthia's own family and friends, receiving not just the award from the trade but the stamp of approval from the most important critics of all, the kids who wear the clothes!  and if wear and tear does occur, the team simply sends a patch kit to the rescue!

what could be better when buying than to know that these pieces are modern little heirlooms crafted with purpose and passion?

now, go out and play!



the Pirouette One to Watch 'spy glass' award,
designed by Alejandra Salvatore
 of Severina kids.



blue hues and rich rust in the palette...

hand blocked prints
felted wool french knots

quilted cotton, recycled Woolrich wool, 
easy zippers and cozy collars...

the ultimate playsuit in cotton duck...

www.devonsdrawer.com
www.pirouetteblog.com
www.iloveplaytime.com 


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

in the garden

Inspired by Frida Kahlo, Tia Cibani Kids welcomes us into a lush collection.
Art Garden Life is infused with vivid color, pattern and texture.


The botanical and cactus inspired designs celebrate life with tassels, tulle, pom poms, flora and fauna embellishments drawn from both desert and jungle.


photo courtesy Tia Cibani Kids

When not mesmerized by crisp capelets and perfect pleats of almost ceremonial style silk pieces, we are seduced by the softest cashmere color-blocked cardigans, leggings and caps which complement the layered story.






photo courtesy of Instagram @tiacibanikids 

The color palette ranges from the softest, pastel hints of rose, sky, mint and lilac to deeper pigments --coral, green, purple, golden yellow and earth brown -- artfully applied to silhouettes drawn from traditional Mexican clothing and Frida's trademark combinations. 







Surreal? Tia boldly taps the heritage and power of Frida Kahlo and interprets each for today's modern dreamer, who in this artful vision, happens to be a beautiful child...

photo courtesy Instagram @tiacibanikids 

Monday, February 15, 2016

cold outside

at Playtime New York kids show, a F/W '16 trends installation by Julie Malait inspired by the cold!

mineral tones... 
colors of the 'frozen landscape'...
snowy cloaks and marbled prints...
chunky knits...
cool grey, ice blue...
@iloveplaytime, #playtimenewyork
Metropolitan Pavilion

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Ahoy, Nautical Nomad!



On the town today with Tia Cibani and her Spring Summer 2016 Kids' Collection!


The theme: Nautical Nomad

The shapes: Boat necks, Ponchos, Jackets, Sailor Pants, Cardigans, Capelets, Billows...

The fabrics:  Cotton, Gauze, Jersey, Linen, Taffeta, Denim, Poplin, Seersucker, Silk...

The details: Stripes, Eyelet, Patchwork, Plackets, Pleats...

The colors: Red, White, Mediterranean Blue, Saffron Yellow...

The accessories:  Ribbons, Ropes, Beads, Buttons, Knots, Cords...

The cupcakes: Billie's, of course (local city sustenance for metropolitan mates!)











Tia Cibani Kids clothes and cupcakes, Chelsea studio...

for more about Tia's women's and kids' collections:
http://www.refinery29.com/2015/04/85224/tia-cibani-childrens-collection#slide

www.tiacibani.com 

Ahoy, mates!!

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

style soup

Playtime Show is this weekend! Are you ready and set to go?! 

solids, stripes, shine and a pinch of pink floral lace
on Broadway...

Monday, March 2, 2015

ABRAKADABRA, or Gardner and the global Gang...


On Saturday at Playtime New York show, a bold wall mural featuring pink sharks caught my eye.

Seconds later, I was lured as if by magic into the world of Kristin Nystrom and her cast of captivating characters from Gardner and the Gang collection!

Abrakadabra! Real magic, as I quickly learned!





Kristin is a graphic artist by trade, and a Swede living in Singapore!

Her first creation in 2012 was Love Skull (her current logo), with cool heart emblazoned shades, and his friend Helmut, a flamingo with a helmet!



They gained instant popularity but lightening struck!

Rather than repeat her designs based on the same characters, Kristin drew on her years in Pakistan and the Middle East to evolve her characters - a camel and a turbaned urbanite came next!  Then themes revolving on Punk and Hippie culture!

Now, Spring 2015!  Just see for yourself!!



Her successful evolution on line has led Kristin to New York to show her fall 2015 collection to the US audience and to join others in her global fashion gang.... As she puts it:

- I AM TAKING INSPIRATION FROM MY EXPERIENCES FROM LIVING AND TRAVELING ALL OVER THE WORLD AND WANT TO NORMALIZE ALL PEOPLE, ANIMALS AND CULTURES TO OUR CHILDREN. WE ALL LIVE TOGETHER IN THIS WORLD AND WE SHOULD ALL BE FRIENDS... REALLY... ~KRISTIN NYSTROM


We all know better than to feed the sharks but in this case, a little love, and magic, goes a long way....


www.gardnerandthegang.com 

Good luck to my new friend Kristin (and her gang), in New York and in the New Year, wherever their travels may take them!

with special credits to Renata Ferko @curated_by and the photographer Maya Vidulich @pics_missmaya