Paula Cademartori

An accessories vet reinvents classics in her debut handbag line

Cademartori1.jpg Cademartori2.jpg

Italian-Brazilian accessories designer Paula Cademartori toys with tradition in her signature line of handbags, which bridge classic construction with modern silhouettes and unusual combinations of leather, suede, deerskin and the like.

Cademartori first studied Industrial Design at the Lutheran University of Brazil, then relocated to Italy where she studied fashion management at Milan’s revered business school Bocconi University. Cademartori continued her education at Istituto Marangoni, where she received her Masters in Accessories Design before becoming a junior designer at Versace.

Cademartori6.jpg

Not surprisingly, Cademartori’s talents were first recognized for a shoe she designed for the Vogue Talents Corner, a project she was selected to participate in during September 2009 and landed her on Italian Vogue’s list of 140 Emerging Designers.

Devoted to ageless elegance, each bag features incredibly precise detailing, durable fine leather and custom-crafted metal hardware. The style names recall princesses and archetypal women like fashion editor and idol Anna Dello Russo, who was one of her first fans.

Cademartori3.jpg

In addition to her seasonal collections, Cademartori also has Aristocracy, a made-to-order line featuring high quality crocodile leather and beautiful detailing.


Recession Chic – Ten Things To Invest In Now

imageSometimes we all need a little retail therapy and a few new trendy pieces at a steal, but a smart way to save some money and help you rack up designer pieces is to invest in timeless basics that will never go out of style!


Look for versatile and neutral colors – black, creams and greys – made of high quality materials and construction. Classic shapes and silhouettes will always be flattering and outlast any current trend.


You don’t need to spend a thousand dollars (although that’d be nice) on an investment piece. Just weigh your options … three $60 purses that will never see the light of day again by this time next year, or a buttery leather satchel from your favorite designer that you’ll be toting around when your kid graduates college and still look stylish?


Choosing to invest in key basics may be a splurge now, but will keep money in the bank in the long run! Click on the slideshow to see our ten must-have splurge now, save later items (and they’re all under $350)!

view slideshow

Daily Obsesh – Raffia Woven Bangle

imageHow do we know when something is really a for sure a good find? Well, what if Oprah loves it? That’s usually a sure sign that we’ve stumbled on something that’s a definite must-have and worthy of our obsession.


This bangle gets love from us because it’s everything we need in a piece of daytime jewelry. Made of a smooth woven raffia and of a rich caramel tone, this bangle is the perfect accessory to go with the flared jeans, sheer floral blouses and long flowing maxi-skirts of the spring season.


Playing off the 70’s revival trend, but still a simple and classically natural piece for any style, this woven bangle is extremely versatile and friendly on the wallet too!



Where to BuyBen Amun



Price – $15.00



Who Found ItIdabone was the first to add the ‘Raffia Woven Bangle’ to the Hive.

Barbara Í Gongini Fall/Winter 2011

Otherworldly fashion from Copenhagen’s emerging avant-goth designer

gongini1.jpg gongini2.jpg

Defining her work as “dark avant-garde,” Danish fashion designer Barbara Í Gongini divides her work into two collections, the highly experimental Main Line and the slightly less radical Black Line. Both—continuously produced in collaboration with photographers, filmmakers and musicians—freely blur the boundaries between fashion and art.

gongini3.jpg

The look conjures dark elves and pale fairies but mixes in an urban and unorthodox (almost creepy) mood, which comes to life in her most recent beautiful video. Without any nostalgia, echoes of the ’90s and Japanese fashion designers define these clothes, centered around deconstructed shapes in all shades of black.

gongini5.jpg gongini6.jpg

Starting with square forms, Gongini creates a silhouette where sharp edges and corners disappear thanks to the choice of natural materials such as organic cotton and wool, lamb leather, goat skin and fur. Her attention to in-house production, recycling and fair trade even earned her a nomination for the Danish Fashion Award Committee’s 2010 Ethical Award.


Street Style – Not-So-Basic Blazers

imageBlazers had started out as a chic menswear piece that has been re-vamped and embellished in a million different ways to become staple pieces in every woman’s closet.


And now that Spring is at our doorstep, there’s never been a better time to stray from the basic-black blazer and opt for something different! Try a bright color to match the season, or an embellished blazer that will be the ensemble’s center piece.


Blazers are just enough coverage for the slight breeze that’s still in the air and it’s structured silhouette it always sharp. Blazers match jeans, dresses and leggings and with sequined to leather versions, cropped, studded and distressed, it seems like there’s a blazer for any style out there! Click on the slideshow to see some of our favorite not-so-basic blazers!

view slideshow

Emma Watson Loves Her Burberry Studded Tote

imageEmma Watson and iconic British brand Burberry seem to go together just right, don€™t you think? We€™ve seen her many times carrying a studded black tote by Burberry. It€™s traditional, but with the slightest edge due to the stud detailing.


It’s a design that seems to go with everything, except possibly a dress you€™d wear to the Oscars! Plus, it’s big enough to hold all the stuff we seem to need to carry everywhere we go these days.


If you can’t splurge on a real Burberry, look for a similar style tote with two separate zip compartments and …



Read more by clicking over to our friends at Couture in the City!

Denim Obsesh – Joe’s Jeans Skinny Micro Flares

imageThere’s no doubt that flared and wider leg jeans are in for Spring and while we’re always down for a new denim trend, we’re kinda still loving our skinny leg cuts.


Joe’s Jeans newest silhouette is the perfect mix of skinny plus flare, letting us still rock the slim shape we love, but sill partake in the new flare leg trend!


It comes in a variety of different washes and is available online now! Joe’s Jeans Skinny Micro Flares will hit the stores on March 15th. We’re definitely snatching up a pair of these flattering jeans for ourselves!



Where to BuyJoe’s Jeans



Price – $172.00



Who Found ItIdabone was the first to add the ‘Joe’s Jeans Skinny Micro Flares‘ to the Hive.

Daily Obsesh – River Island Floral Halterneck Jumpsuit

imageThere’s nothing worse than sleeping through your alarm. And as if being late isn’t bad enough … what if you can’t seem to find anything to wear, too?! With every second slowly slipping away, who has time to find the perfect top to match that pair of pants you just grabbed off the floor of your closet?


The ladies of the Hive have a solution! We are stocking our closets with one of Spring’s key pieces – the jumpsuit! We’re loving the River Island Floral Halterneck Jumpsuit from Asos. In a geometric stripes and florals print, this jumpsuit features a blouson bandeau top with halter neck ties and a fluid wide leg silhouette.


Jump(suit) into this, throw on some wedges and a little linen blazer and we guarantee, you’ll be at work before the clock strikes ‘late o€™clock!’



Where to BuyAsos



Price – $80.67



WhoMelimeli was the first to add the River Island Floral Halterneck Jumpsuit to the Hive.

Payday Splurge (Cork Wedges)!

imageCork heels and wedges are the shoes to have for Spring! They’re neutral tone continues the hot trend of leg-elongating nude heels, while it’s lightweight material is perfect for sunny, breezy days!


Whether you’re pairing them with a flirty and floral sundress, or with this seasons trendy flare-leg jeans, cork wedges are going to be a shoe staple in all our closets! Check out our five fave picks at varying price ranges!



MICHAEL Michael Kors – Gala Cork Wedge, $251.02



Enigma – Cork Slingback Sandal, $43.87



Surface to Air – Buckled Leather & Suede Wedge Sandals, $445.00



Bebe – Paulina Cork Sandal, $98.00



Yves Saint Laurent – Off White Canvas Cork Wedges, $556.00

Video Style Steal – Michael Jackson ‘Hollywood Tonight’

imageThe King of Pop has a distinct style that has been emulated repeatedly for years, no matter what the current trends are. With studded leather, fingerless gloves and sequined jackets, Michael Jackson has always had a style that stands out and looks amazing for men or women.


It’s all about the quintessential Michael Jackson style in his latest video, ‘Hollywood Tonight’. We love the storyline, the girls’ amazing dance skills and mostly, how they made the edgy and tuff look that we’re so familiar with into something that we can wear for everday!


Check out the hot new ‘Hollywood Tonight’ video by Michael Jackson then click on the slideshow to see how to get this Video Style Steal for yourself!

view slideshow