Artsi Ifrach of Art/C.

Artsi Ifrach is a Moroccan/ Israeli designer with a gift for creating on-of-a-kind pieces with bold prints and ethnic flair. He is a self taught designer, and a definite inspiration for anyone with aspirations of  being a designer, regardless of formal training. Under the label Art/C, he's shown in 3 Paris Fashion Weeks. This editorial was shot in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. It's gorgeous to say the least, and I'm most definitely in love with the models and their hair. Powerful and beautiful.

Brands We Like: Angela & Roi [Interview]

                                 

Angela & Roi is a brand with a purpose. Handbag designers Angela and Roi Lee started A&R in order to merge classic, minimalist design style with philanthropy. They encourage you to "donate by color," with $5 from each sale going to one of eleven charities.  For example, a pink item supports breast cancer, red for HIV/ AIDS, and white for lung cancer.

Each handbag is made from high-quality vegan leather and durable fabrics and comes with a 100 day warranty.  Their bags are clean, with sleek designs and definitely look high end (I love it.) You can find all of the lovely bags from A&R at www.angelaroi.com.

Check out our exclusive interview with Chief Fashion Officer and Co-Founder: Angela, of Angela & Roi below:

How did you get started in the fashion industry?

Roi has always been a businessman, he found me and saw a future in the fashion industry with me. He saw my love for fashion, and as he loves me, he found a way to intertwine our passions. Growing up, my mother molded my interest in fashion, she bought me the best quality and most beautifully crafted handbags, and styled my outfits with impeccable taste; she showed me a whole new world. As I grew older, and independent of my parents, I learned the truth behind fashion. It was too expensive for me as a college student to buy these handbags I grew up with; I could no longer afford those high quality bags. I quickly realized no one sold quality bags with classic design for an affordable price. Why can’t luxury be affordable?

Designer Spotlight: Nila Prawirawidjaja.

Top Line (Left-Right):  Bag 1, Bag 2, Bag 3  Middle Line (L-R): Bag 1, Bag 2, Bag 3 

Bottom Line (L-R): Bag 1, Bag 2, Bag 3

This stylish handbag line by Nila Prawirawidjaja  is exactly what you need in your life. A totally affordable line (with prices averaging between 50 and 80 dollars)  that emphasizes seasonal trends and bold colors and embellishments. Nila has two lines, Nila Anthony, and Jesslyn Blake. The Jesslyn Blake line is more bohemian and has noticeably more expensive pieces. I prefer Nila Anthony not only price wise, but style wise.

Nila was born in Indonesia and studied at American Intercontinental University where she got her degree in graphic design. She then moved to Cali with her dad and made her first bag in 2005. I guess the rest is history.

Nila's bags are fun, bold, and eye catching with fun designs and styles. Plus I have one of her bags: a leatherette satchel in a nice green color, and I'm telling you guys: compliments all day long. It's such a good looking bag and it wears extremely well. I bought a Steve Madden bag at a comparable price around the same time and it looks a mess now. Straps wearing down, color rubbing off...all of that. But my Nila Anthony bag literally looks like I just bought it yesterday. With that bag alone, I can vouch for the quality.

So what do you think about Nila's bags?

Head to Nila-Anthony.com for a look at all of their dope bags.
And let me know if you get anything! I'd love to hear about it.

Peace.

Designer Spotlight: Stella Jean.

Please get familiar, because this here is boss shit. Haitian-Italian (yes, she's a sista!) designer Stella Jean is here to blow your minds with perfectly tailored bold African inspired prints for her S/S 2013 collection. She effortless mixes vintage tees, button downs, bold jewelry, funky fedoras, and silk head-wraps.

My favorite look from the collection has got to be the one below with the yellow cardigan and blue and red print A-line skirt. I live for it. And I LOVE the make-up. It's bold, yet refreshing.

Brands We Like: Romance Was Born.

The duo behind Romance Was Born, Anna Plunkett and Luke Sales, have rocked my world. Romance Was Born was launched in 2005, and since then, they have had 7 MBFW runway shows. Their designs are creative, fun, detailed, and very cinematic. I love when a collection tells a great story. Each of their collections are explained so vividly and are so on the money.

It's funny, because before I knew the meaning of their Spring 2012 Collection: Miraculous Mundane, I said to myself "This looks like something from Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory", seeing as though I lowkey love the whimsy of that movie, and low and behind, that was exactly the point. And that's what's fabulous about Romance Was Born. They are able to translate their ideas into clothing...and you can actually get it.

For Summer 2012's  Berserkergang collection, I was in love. It's like the coolest collection ever. All the Marvel superheroes...oy vey, it's just dope. And Marvel Comics proudly supported their collection as they opened MBFW Australia last year.

Check out their 2012 Collections below:

Fall/ Winter 2012: HAPPY CAMPERS

"Taking inspiration from scouts and girl guides , vintage tapestry , Moroccan rag rugs and the west German Scheurich vases known for their rustic shapes and their fiery red and orange lava glazes. Romance Was Born delivers a winter collection for 2012 that captures the fun and freedom of the 70’s with some glam metallic lame elements that give the range a disco edge. Don’t forget your mascara and grab your backpack. This is camping Romance Was Born Style."

Designer Spotlight: Elissa McGowan.

Elissa McGowan is a 23 year old designer from Fashion Design Studio in Australia (formally East Sydney Tech), which has produced some of Australia's top fashion newcomers like Romance Was Born,  Emma Mulholland, and Karla Spetic....all of which are fabulous. (Post on Romance Was Born to come! :))

Elissa Mcgowan is the youngest of six to participate in MBFW Australia's Innovators Show this year. To give us a preview of her digs, Oyster Mag called on Byron Spencer to shoot her debut collection on the streets of Sydeny. Modeled by Dasha.

Her collection is a little bit whimsy, with the sheer fabrics and mermaid-esque sheen. Love the exposed zippers and transparent portions throughout.

Read her interview with Oyster Mag here.