D~LuxeList

LD Tuttle {Spring 10 Preview}

Tiffany Tuttle is one of my favorite shoe designers. She's been a busy lady this year. Her Spring/Summer 2010 footwear collaborations with VPL by Victoria Bartlett and Erin Wasson for RVCA debuted at NYC Fashion Week. And, as always, her LD Tuttle collection for Spring 2010 is innovative and inspiring. I've often styled an entire outfit around my beloved Chaconne Sandals, and I could easily do the same with these progressive designs. Here's what designer and company founder Tiffany Tuttle has to say about them:

D~ What inspired this collection? 

T~ "Imagery of ghosts and shades, Marjorie Cameron Parsons Kimmel's drawings and Native American spiritual concepts. I was working with ideas of etherealness and lightness against a contrasting tension of hardness. The feelings of lightness come through in the shredded unlined leather, the tulle and the cutouts in the heels—these uppers are placed on organically scuplted wedges and the metal "pipe" heel. 

D~ What are your faves from this collex?

LNA {Thigh High Lace Leggings}

I've never ever been a fan of tights but these thigh-high lace leggings, from SoCal's own LNA, are a stylish alternative. If you can rock them as is, then you are probably a chic, young thing with killer gams. But I think they would totally work in lieu of tights, or other hosiery, under a little black dress. In fact, there are plenty of options for what to wear them with. Here's what CEO/Designer April Leight has to say about the style:

D~ What inspired this design? 

A~ "Lauren's sister was always wearing black shorts with lace tights underneath and that gave us the idea to make a legging out of it." 

D~ Why do you love them? 

Beirn {Ruthie Watersnake Bag}

 

Exotic skins are often used to create ultra-luxe and highly coveted bags. There's a hefty price tag attached to those bags, often making them unattainable to the masses. New York brand Beirn (a mother and two daughter team) offers the same luxurious look at a price that won't send your account into overdraft. Authentic watersnake skins provide the beautiful texture of Beirn bags. Here's what company founder Rita Overzat has to say about the fabulous Ruthie bag:

D~ What inspired this design? 

Society for Rational Dress {Pleat Cardi + Sample Sale}

I am obsessed with this cardigan. I consider myself a cardi addict and look forward to the cooler days when I can dig into my stash of great layering pieces. I would love to add this cool design to the mix. The color is so perfect, but what really gets me is the clasp closures—so rad. Here's what designer Corinne Grassini has to say about the design:

D~ What inspired this design 

CG~ "The fusion of a soft knit with industrial-style leather and metal hardware." 

D~Why do you love it? 

CG~ "It's a really cozy sweater that defines the Society for Rational Dress aesthetic." 

D~ What do you wear with it? 

CG~ "I usually wear it with either trousers, a high-waisted slim skirt or jeans, and a faded t-shirt."

Purchase in black at BuyDefinition.com

If you follow me on Twitter then you already know the Affordable Luxe part because you got this scoop weeks ago and I sent a little reminder a couple days ago. But here's the info again so you don't miss out: Society for Rational Dress sample sale is Saturday 10/17 from 10am to 6pm, with everything $65+under (shoes, knits, tees, dresses, leather) 255 South Santa Fe Ave #100, LA. Happy Shopping!

Keep Me Tatiana Henley

 

When it comes to chic loungewear, Ali Kay and Anne des Barres of Malibu-based Keep Me are experts. I've been a fan since day one and I can attest to the fact that all of their pieces are instant classics. Here's what Ali has to say about the comfy Tatiana Henley:

D~ What inspired this design? 

AK~ "An old-school nightshirt I had when I was a child, hence the shorter length of the sleeves. But we updated the look with the henley placket and of course the amazing fabric." 

D~ What do you wear with it and wear do you wear it? 

AK~ "I wear it to sleep and then wake up and tuck it right into my jeans or sweats to run out for coffee in the morning!" 

Buy it at SwitchBoutique.com

Sofie Olgaard Basel Jacket

I discovered San Francisco-based, Danish designer Sofie Olgaard last spring when I wrote about her line for CA Apparel News. She made her debut at GenArt's Fresh Faces in 2008—what a way to start! And since then she's been impressing indie fashion fans with subtly progressive, feminine designs. I'm dying to add some of her designs to my wardrobe. The fall collection is fantastic and this coat is a standout. Here's what Sofie has to say about the design:

D~ What inspired this design? 

SO~ "The entire collection was inspired by wartime nurses, and this jacket in particular was inspired by that theme. It has roots in the capes the nurses used to wear." 

D~ Why do you love it? 

SO~ "I love it because it is very wearable and has a presence." 

D~ What do you wear with it? 

SO~ "Both skinny and wide-legged jeans are perfect with it." 

Buy it at StantonJames.com Plus, find affordable luxe deals on previous seasons at SofieOlgaard.com

Rebecca Minkoff Dylan Tee

Obviously, Rebecca Minkoff is a fave here. The bags have been featured time and again, along with her cool, collection-preview videos. Her apparel line is hitting stores and I have my eye on the Dylan t-shirt, which sports a subtle zipper detail and leather piping that makes it better than your basic tee. Here's what Rebecca has to say about the design:

D~ What inspired this style? 

RM~ "The Dylan T was inspired by the allusive sexuality of the folk-rock movement of the 1960s. It's the quintessential understated rocker staple."

D~ Why do you love it? 

RM~ "I love basics with a twist. The Dylan T is as cozy as my favorite old tee, yet the leather detailing and slouchy fit make it ideal for work or play." 

D~ Where do you wear it? 

RM~ Everywhere—All the time! The Dylan T is perfect for day or night. I'll throw it on with the Dylan pants for a casual look or pair it with the leather zipper skirt to dress it up. 

D~ And, of course, I have to ask what bag you carry with it? 

RM~ "Right now, I'm loving the zipper and studded bags, which add to the rocker vibe of all the Dylan apparel. In particular, I've been wearing the Zip MAB a ton lately."

Buy the Rebecca Minkoff Dylan Tee at RevolveClothing.com or RebeccaMinkoffStore.com Available in Royal Purple, White and Black.  

Beryll Accessories

Beryll is an instant temptation for an accessories fiend. It starts with the ultra-cool sunglasses (I'm partial to the Jimmy style), then there's the ruggedly chic Gipsy Bag, and from there you are lured further into the fashion vortex with cuff bracelets, rings, vintage-leather belts and the tough Asphalt Boots. It's an all-around fabulous line sold at some of our favorite shopping haunts: Barney's, Maxfield, Fred Segal, Le Bon Marche, Selfridges and many more, as well as at their appointment-only flagship store in L.A. Here's what Sigmar Berg, designer and founder, has to say about the line:

D~ What sets your sunglasses apart from all the rest? 

"From a design standpoint they are reduced, simple and understated, yet with sophisticated, strong designs. No embellishments, no logo mania in an era of bling. We concentrate on the design, fit and quality. As an architect I think of sunglasses as a structure on the face in relation to dimensions and bone structure. Our shades provide the perfect fit and quality utilizing only the best handcrafted materials."

D~ What were the first pair of sunglasses that you remember having?

SB~ "A pair of aviators from World War II, which I found in my grandfather’s library—I still have them. 

D~ What inspires you?