the PIPELINE: Style on Tap

• July 28, 2009 1:35 PM
• Shop Talk

Beloved London Boutique Browns Launches A Decadent Designer Discount Site

By Xiyin Tang

Browns, Browns Focus, and Browns Labels For Less are three of my favorite London high-end boutiques—while some would dash to the much larger Harrods for their pick of Balenciaga, I prefer Browns' quieter, more curated selection. Before, Browns' e-com site has flown across the sea YSL rings and Tom Binns cuffs for me, but now us Americans have an even better reason to shop the store's online selection: The launch of their Labels For Less site. Dries, Margiela, McQueen, Lanvin, Marios Schwab, and Louboutin are just a few of the big names up for the pickin' at 70% off prices, and I'm already guiltily eyeing the Balenciaga heels for myself (half off what they used to be)—below, a tiny wishlist of the items I'd purchase had I a magic genie granting shopping wishes at the moment.

Above, clockwise from left: Balenciaga Gladiator Sandal with Studs, $709; House of Holland Rose Print Skirt, $165; Dries van Noten Show Fabric Shoe, $330; Marios Schwab Double Knot Rope Bracelet, $255; Christian Louboutin Deva Shoe Boot, $569; Lanvin T-Shirt Dress, $388.

Read More

• July 27, 2009 10:55 AM
• Shop Talk

New London Pop-Up Mixes Vintage, Live Music, and Obscenely Good Cupcakes

By Erin Donnelly, Photos by Akemi (Kattstudios.com)

There's nothing quite like a good summer fling, and this year we've set our sights on getting up close and personal with London's brand-new Swanfield on Tour temporary pop-up boutique. An East London-originated collective of sorts spearheaded by fashion designers Katherine Pont and Cecilia Hammarborg and cupcake maestro Lily Jones (aka Lily Vanilli), the Swanfield herd has migrated west to the cobblestone streets of the Newburgh Quarter off Carnaby Street. Along with Pont's illustrated Mine label (a favorite of Au Revoir Simone and Natasha Khan), Hammarborg's coats, and Lily Vanilli's obscenely delicious cupcakes (launching August 8th), the boutique will host live music along with rotating art exhibits. The cream-walled space, adorned with antiquey hat boxes and jewelry cases, also stocks indie and vintage wares from Milena, Stansfield menswear, Luladot, and more. And since all good things—and summer flings—must come to an end, Swanfield will move their nest come mid-September. But, ohhhhh, those summer nights. Swanfield Pop-Up Boutique, 3 Lowndes Court, Newburgh Quarter, Carnaby, London W1

Read More

• July 20, 2009 8:35 AM
• Shop Talk

Boerum Hill's Cutest Council Shop Makes More Room for Jewels, Dresses, Vintage Goodies, And More

By Christene Barberich

We originally wrote back in February that a new "itty-bitty" Boerum Hill, Brooklyn boutique had just joined the ranks of Atlantic Avenue's fashionable new shops (Jonathan Adler among them). Well, Council's trifecta of super-cute style—jewelry, antiques, and custom clothing—just got bigger and better. The three owners Miranda (fashion), Pamela (new and vintage jewelry), and Genie (vintage housewares and furniture) took over the rear space and filled it with even more unbelievable finds, among them a sweet little metal typing table, a stack of vintage Lucite bangles, and a black silk mini every cool lady-girl should have in her closet.

Read More

• July 9, 2009 9:26 AM
• Shop Talk
The Goods

Eight Online Vintage Shops That Make Old Treasures New Again

By Christene Barberich

We will say this: The search for great vintage clothing sure ain't what it used to be. And even though we're still extremely happy to go hunting high and low for our own cast-off treasures (a khaki Jil Sander blazer was the score last weekend at the Salvation Army), we will admit that occasionally, we need some assistance. Luckily, the following eight online boutiques show us again and again why shop-clicking for vintage clothing, jewelry, and handbags can be so incredibly addictive.
1. Nasty Gal

A few of us around these parts have a serious Nasty Gal addiction (present company included). Divided between new finds and great old ones, this one-stop shop is a virtual treasure-trove of recession-friendly awesomeness. What We Want: Ikat Crop Top, $64; Batik '80s Fringe Dress, $88.

2. Dulcinée

Dulcinée doesn't mess around: They have gorgeous silk chiffon dresses from the '30s and an amazing selection of great big leather bags that we're sure Chloé would want to copy. But the prices reflect the quality here, so be prepared to spend a little extra—it's worth it. What We Want: Zandra Rhodes Dress, $208; Italian Leather Bag, $448.

Read More

• June 24, 2009 3:34 PM
• Shop Talk

Madewell Teams Up With the Brooklyn Flea For A Cute Roster of One-of-A-Kind Vintage Finds

By Xiyin Tang

One of our favorite beach-ready standbys, Madewell, is quenching our continuous thirst for cute vintage goods with a stellar selection of one-of-a-kind finds from beloved outdoor market, Brooklyn Flea. The select vintage pieces, which include distressed and broken-in army shirts, lace tanks, and faded denim, are only being sold in their New York and Hamptons stores. Luckily for those of us in the city, we can stop by this Thursday night, when they're hosting a party to celebrate. And, of course, to make the experience more authentic, they're serving food from the Flea's best food vendors, like Nunu chocolates and beer from the Brooklyn Brew Shop. Mmm, delicious. Madewell, 486 Broadway, (at Broome Street); 212-226-6954; to attend, please RSVP.

Read More

• June 22, 2009 3:38 PM
• Shop Talk

Just Opened! United Bamboo's New E-Shop Features Music By James Iha, Their Kitsune Collab, and More

By Xiyin Tang

Casual-cool United Bamboo has long been one of our favorite labels, if only we knew how to consistently get our hands on their school-girl-chic dresses and flirty blouses. And with all this rain recently, it wasn't a moment too soon that they opened up an e-commerce store (it's the wave of the future!), so that we can sit in our PJs and pick up striped crew neck sweater dresses or hoodies, all the while listening to music curated by Smashing Pumpkins member James Iha. French illustrator Pier Fichefeux did all the graphic animation, while the label's collab with Kitsune is also up for grabs. And before you hit checkout, be sure to scoop up a silk scarf designed by Bjorn Copeland from Black Dice. Should be enough to keep us busy 'til this monsoon season passes.

Read More