Hasta La Ideas

Hong Kong-based designers create ornamental statement pieces with pompoms and tassels

The husband-and-wife team behind the eco-friendly clothing line Ccchu, Ching Ching and Michael Chu, continue their exploration of what they describe on their Facebook page as “alternative ways of designing” with their recent collection of statement necklaces.

The limited series of unique necklaces combines brightly-colored pompoms with massive tassels for a variety of bold pieces for those looking to make a statement. Their pièce de résistance, however, has to be the front-and-back necklace that fits around the bodice like a delicate harness, held together with a fine steel cable. But one crucial element of Ccchu’s appeal lies in how each of the adventurous strands is still easy to wear, and versatile enough for many different wardrobe styles.

Based in Hong Kong, Ccchu jewelry sells online through London’s Darkroom store for £100-300 (about $171-480).

Vintage-inspired denim with a modern fit falling perfectly between tween and mom jeans

While selvedge still pretty much rules the conversation in terms of men’s jeans, the denim debate for ladies often boils down to rise. From low-riders that create curves but pose muffin top risk, to seemingly-safer high-waisted silhouettes verging dangerously close to mom jeans, a perfect mid-rise looks current and flatters most body types. Entering the denim game this year is Neuw, an Australian label whose “Vintage Revision” take on denim, based on Swedish co-founder Par Lundqvist’s 2,500-piece archive, updates the styles of decades past with cuts for today.

The softness of the denim in the Marilyn Skinny from Neuw’s Black Colour range, which I’ve been wearing for the past month, speaks to the brand’s vintage influences, feeling more like a worn-in standby pair than stiff new jeans. While the denim’s pedigree is important, the right fit remains the foremost concern.

When I first pulled them up to my navel, I expected that dreaded elongated rear, but was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. Neuw’s womenswear designer Phoebe Taylor explains the design details were styled so that “your butt looks the perkiest it ever has. The high-retention denim used to complete this fit holds the wearer in, and as a result, it’s going to be très sexy.”

The advanced approach to fit disguises itself under the line’s decidedly retro-influenced aesthetic. Initially created as a “sharp alternative” to indigo, the Black Colour line expands beyond dark tones with a range of neutrals and bolder hues like red and pink. While candy colors continue as a staple denim look these days, Neuw’s approach incorporates a black weave on the inner layer, instead of the usual white—a method not typically used since the ’50s—to create the perfect patina over time. Another distinguishing detail: Neuw brings premium Japanese and Turkish denim into a more accessible price range, hovering around $150.

Taylor tells us they work to improve upon the timeless style by culling the best details from their extensive vintage stock. “We reminisce about the years of the depression in the 1930s, and ogle the beautiful care that was taken in repairing garments and getting the most out of what was available,” Taylor describes. “We have taken this appreciation on board when creating new styles in this climate. It’s the days of the DIY culture.”

Neuw, in working with the challenges of designing for different body types, while also competing in the over-saturated denim market, earns the rare distinction of bringing a fresh perspective to women’s jeans. The collection sells at their Melbourne flagship, Stockholm Syndrome, and in stores around the world.

Seven waterproof solutions for keeping drier without the bulk

For general inclement weather, we rely on a sharp rain shell, layering it for colder months and tucking it into carry-ons, to see us through a wet day. While it’s a less bulky way to stay dry than expedition-grade wear, those that hit at the waist leave your behind unprotected from soaked bike seats or sitting on wet concrete steps—generally making for an overall soggier experience. The solution comes in the form of the parka-length shell. From those designed specifically for biking to a pink number that looks swiped from a stylish kindergardener, these seven picks will wick away the moisture without sacrificing style.

Outlier

Constantly outdoing themselves, Outlier’s Storm King Parka, a functional garment with a great cut, uses the most technically-advanced fabric available. Supermarine Cotton, along with full sleeve ventilation and invisible pit zips helps keep you dry without the clamminess caused by “breathable” synthetics. Further intuitive design details include a wraparound storm flap on the zipper to protect chins and necks, as well as extra fabric on the front envelope pockets that help keep water out and assist with buttoning. For $650, you get top-of-the-line technology and the same trim fit, clean lines and timeless style found in all Outlier gear.

Salvor Projects

Salvor constructs the Snow Feather Parka with eight-ounce organic cotton twill, finished with a mix of water-resistant base and white pigment. The mixture, applied by hand with a pallet knife, gets into the weave of fabric that’s actually nailed down during the intensive process. Resembling white feathers on the black twill weave-based fabric, the resulting finish is unique to each piece. Each jacket comes made-to-order for $750 from the Salvor Projects Soho store and will also be available soon via the web store.

Athletics Far East Hooded Parka

Produced as part of Nike’s exclusive Athletics Far East collection, the three-layer Hooded Parka has essentially everything you could want in a jacket like this—unsurprisingly, it’s virtually impossible to find. The Gore-Tex shell’s fully-taped seams and laser-cut ventilation holes keep you comfortable while sheltering from the elements. In keeping with the design-minded AFE aesthetic, the details are the real focal points, here including leather accents and hidden zipper grips. We heard a selection of the limited-run parka was last seen at 21 Mercer in NYC, but Hano has it online for £330.

Nau

Waterproof, breathable and lightweight, the street-conscious Rebound Jacket features fully-taped seams and zero flair. Made of 100%-recycled polyester fabric with just enough stretch to keep you comfortable—whether it’s on a brisk walk to work or jogging through a sudden downpour. Get it from Nau online for $340.

Patagonia

The Torrentshell Parka does the trick as an everyday rain jacket. Completely waterproof with a clean, streamlined fit that’ll work with any wardrobe, it packs into its own pocket for ultra-lightweight portability. It’s not hard to see why the Torrentshell has become Patagonia’s best-selling rain jacket. Get it online from the Patagonia online store for a relatively reasonable $150.

Folk

Bold, daring colors don’t often show up in men’s outerwear. The Rainmac, a salmon-pink bright exception, has a removable hood and taped seams; drawstrings lend an adjustable fit. The back vents, a nice touch as well, help out on those unexpectedly warm days. Find the Rainmac for $330, alongside some more subdued designs from Folk clothing, online.

Grundens

The Grundens Parka wins for all-around best design. Heavyweight cotton twill, coated with a specially-formulated PVC coating designed to resist dirt and grime, remains flexible, even in extreme weather conditions. We like the combination of the jacket’s perfectly-toned orange hue and minimalistic silhouette too—often seen sported by stylish seniors in NYC. Available from Erik Schedin, this traditional fisherman parka sells for $215.

Contributions by Graham Hiemstra, Evan Orensten, Josh Rubin and Tim Yu

The English fashion label’s earthquake-inspired Spring 2012 collection

In keeping with their commitment to the ongoing intermingling of fashion and art, British design duo Zowie Broach and Brian Kirkby of Boudicca recently presented their Spring 2012 collection alongside a performance of Mike Figgis’ “Just Tell the Truth.” Continuing to evolve, the label still follows the artistic roots first planted in 1997, when they showed their collections exclusively in galleries.

Boudicca worked with two ballet dancers and a pianist on the event, which showcased fluid, semi-transparent neon leggings and dresses against a backdrop of sketches on canvas.

Broach and her partner, citing inspiration from tectonic motion and massive collisions, focused on the idea that “nothing is solid.” Such abstract notions translate to clothing in bursts of acid green on black, crinkled collars in sophisticated silhouettes and metallic-threaded fabrics showing the wearer’s movement in how they crease. Elegant evening dresses feature soft, black Lurex, and sharply-tailored asymmetry in blouses with only one sleeve and jagged hemlines reflect a “glitch” concept.

Boudicca sells from Barneys New York and online at Project No. 8.

Epistolary-inspired nail art puts a retro-futuristic twist on the traditional manicure

London’s legendary name in nails Mike Pocock created Nail Quills for Illamasqua, an over-the-top answer to nail art. The handmade press-ons seem born from some kind of fashion editorial fusing magic powers with a darkly futuristic vibe, also nodding to a bygone era of handwritten correspondence. While it’s technically an old-time motif, the talon-like shape makes for a fierce way to trick out a manicure for Halloween or any time you need a decadent Goth touch.

Nail Quills come in a set of two—one for each thumb—and are available for £35 via waiting list through Illamasqua online. For a more monstrous take on the concept, check out Pocock’s latest, the Toxic Claw.