See-Thru :: 10 Clear Accessories for Summer!

Full-on see-through clothing may be too bold for real-world wear, but a touch of transparency in accessories lets some personality shine through. Click through the slideshow to see ten new crystal-clear finds, from Gucci's clutch and Michael Kors's statement necklace to Steven Alan's sunglasses and Christian Louboutin's ballet flats, plus three New Yorkers with nothing to hide on why they love the trend.

Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff, $129 at DNA Footwear, 133 N. 7th St., Williamsburg.

Topshop, $32 at 478 Broadway.

Michael Kors, $350 at 790 Madison Ave.

Gucci, $1,150 at 725 Fifth Ave.

Christian Louboutin, $595 at 965 Madison Ave.

Swatch, $75 at 1528 Broadway.

Steven Alan Optical, $195 at Steven Alan Home Shop, 158 Franklin St.

Zara, $36 at 666 Fifth Ave.

Ben-Amun, $60 for similar styles at Intermix, 1003 Madison Ave.

Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci, $2,950 at Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 Fifth Ave.

via NYMagazine

A Yes or No Question: First Knuckle Rings

First knuckle rings, or memory rings, may not be a new trend — they've been gaining momentum for a few years now — but, as Rosie Huntington-Whiteley proves in this Instagram shot she posted yesterday, they have staying power. Metaphorical staying power. Not actual staying power — those things slip off all the time. Like, unless you get yours sized exactly, it's actually just on loan to you until it falls off your finger and goes tragically bouncing down a subway grate.

But they're pretty, right? And they can easily be mixed with your everyday jewelry, so they're not too much of a commitment, style-wise. First knuckle rings are also a nice, subtle antidote to those elbow-reaching bracelet stacks (okay, fine, arm parties) that are just starting to fade from street style blog pages, and, you know, actual streets. Plus, wrists full of bangles make it impossible to type, while you can barely feel memory rings.

On the other hand, like all impractical fashion trends (like, say, wearing your coat as a cape), going around with bling on every finger joint might comes across as trying too hard. If you're worried about that sort of thing.

If you're not, Catbird, a lovely jewelry shop in Williamsburg, Brooklyn featuring local designers, has a pretty extensive selection of barely-there memory rings on their website — they've been making them since 2008!

Tell us, what do you think of the look?

article via StyleBistro

Karl Lagerfeld Watches? - Designer Collaborates With Fossil

Chanel Creative Director Karl Lagerfeld holds an interesting position in the fashion industry as being not only the master of haute couture, but also a pioneer in the world of high-low collaborations—Lagerfeld was, famously, one of the first to team up with fast-fashion retailer H&M and he's gone on to work on projects with brands as diverse as Sofitel hotels, Steiff (teddy bears) and Diet Coke. This month, Lagerfeld will release a collection of watches with Fossil.

We got a sneak peek at the Karl Lagerfeld for Fossil collection at the Project trade show in Las Vegas this week—and we were really impressed! The seven watch platforms form a collection that bridges the gap between classic, luxe, and fashion-forward-tough with embellishments such as metallic leathers, pyramid studs (a Lagerfeld signature!), and bold chain bracelets.

Key styles in the series include the "Karl Seven," which highlights Lagerfeld's favorite number (seven); "Karl Zip," which we hear is Lagerfeld's personal favorite in the collection and features an exposed zip in its design; and the "Karl Chain," which is, um, all about the chain bracelet (see below).

The Karl Lagerfeld for Fossil collection will officially launch nationwide on Thursday, February 28th, but if you live near a Bloomingdale's, you're in luck—because the department store will be stocking the Karl Lagerfeld for Fossil collection beginning this Saturday. Priced between $150 and $595, these watches are a more affordable piece of Lagerfeld history you can wear everyday. Visit WatchKarl.com to find out where the watches will be sold near you.

And check out our close-up encounter with the watches at Project Las Vegas, right here:

article via StyleBistro

Illesteva | Hipster Sunglasses

Founded in 2009, illesteva sunglasses consist of a wide range of contemporary and modern shapes, colors and materials like acetate, wood, and buffalo horn. While the brand is New York based, the frames are handmade in France, Italy, and Germany. Each pair includes a designer-stamped hard case and dust bag.

Lily in Blond retailing at $220 USD.

Leonard in Matte Black retailing at $165 USD.

article via WiSHatl

Featured Designer :: PrinzeNaki Eyewear

I had the opportunity to chit-chat with a budding eyewear designer out of LA, and as soon as I heard her plans for her line, we immediately clicked. In the world of "futuristic swagg" and clothing designers making everything a bit more sleek and clean and well, "futuristic" the PrinzeNaki eyewear line stands out. As my readers know, I LOVE a good statement piece whether it be a piece of jewelry or another accesory a statement piece is NEEDED! With these hot designs, the Prinze Naki Eyewea Co. will be sure to leave a statement of their own, and the person who dawns them.

Check out my interview with Ms. Naki herself, and peep more pictures of her outlandishly chic eyewear!!

Interview:

What’s the name of the clothing line??
Well it not really a clothing line is more of and Accessories line but the name is "PrinzeNaki" and prinzeNaki is basically the story of who I was then and who I transition to now.

Who are the main people in this “Group” or are you Solo??
Yes as of right now Im solo no team but very soon I would love to have a good one things can get alittle out of hand at time but I'm definitely learning alot as I go.

What was your inspiration to start a handbag line??
What Inspired me to start my Eyewear line was just testing my creative side in 2010 in my room bored playing with 3D glasses, and was putting random objects around them , it lead to one thing and creations lead to another I started to like my outcome and wanted to do more and I then wanted to start a BOLD trend for everyone who wanted to not only be different be feel different.

That must have been an interesting feeling??
Yes each day I have interesting feeling about me designs, what I wanna do, and what's next for the BOLD collection.

What kind of pieces center around the line?? 
My Pieces are very Goddy, BOLD, Strong, the newer pieces are inspired by a Gladiator/Warrior theme

Who do you collaborate with to come up with design ideas??
No one, everything is from my own creative juices some people will at times give me there input or ideas, but for the most part everything is from me.

Is there a target audience??
Yes and no I make them for everyone BUT you have to be Brave and BOLD to rock my eyewear, when wearing my pieces I want you to feel like no one can stop you almost like a superhero.

Where do you see this line within the next 3 years??
Definitely a well known product, in stores, and manufactured,

Do you have a website?? 
www.prinzenaki.com

Are you planning or in any Fashion Shows?? Or maybe just a showcase?? 
Yes definitely I will be showcasing my new BOLD EXTREME collection in a couple of fashions shows this summer as well as getting ready for my new 2012 editoral shoot. prinze.naki@gmail.com

[VIDEO] JohnDoe Bow Ties Shoot, Behind the Scenes

NEW VIDEO ::

JohnDoe Bow Ties, Fall/Winter Collection Shoot [Behind the Scenes] | See My Styling AT WORK + Meet the Designer & See My OOTD!!

"Forever 21" Is Knocking Off "Made Her Think"

The original $345 "Horizons Necklace" by Made Her Think, and Forever 21's $14.80 "Sparkling Triangles Necklace."

Saying Forever 21 is knocking off a label may be as revelatory as saying the sun rose this morning, but their recent knockoffs of Made Her Think's pieces are particularly blatant. This kind of thing hurts smaller labels like Made Her Think — which has been making various iterations of this necklace for seasons — much more than it does huge ones. [Forever 21, Made Her Think]

Michael by Michael Kors Sunglasses: Medina

THE BASICS
Company: Michael by Michael Kors
Price: $85
Official Site: MichaelKors.com

80 THE ASKMEN TAKE

Michael Kors’ collections are always classically executed. The same goes for his accessories line. This is especially true with these Michael by Michael Kors Sunglasses (Medina model), in which Kors put his own spin on the classic aviator-style sunglasses that have been around for forever. These shades will complement any menswear item from Kors’ collections, but for those who don’t have much of the designer in their closets, these sunglasses will still work with a lot of other options.

The Medina model come in two different colors: black plastic frames with purple lenses or tortoise plastic frames with brown frames. The latter is the harder to style because of the print. For spring 2011, brighter colors will be coming to the forefront, but a warm-weather staple seems to be white. If wearing an all-white look, either style of these shades will work well, and in some cases, it might serve as the splash of color that will round out a look. Another classic staple is denim, which would highlight the tortoise frames. Pairing denim with orange (a leading color for the spring) and the tortoise frames will also work. Our pick: Michael by Michael Kors sunglasses (Medina).



70 UNIQUENESS

These shades aren’t particularly over-the-top. As with Kors’ collections, the special and unique quality is in the details and construction. What makes these sunglasses most unique is the choice that costumers are offered in style. The purple tint on the lenses is faded to the bottom with tonal hardware on the black frame and golden tonal on the tortoise. This adds a small and subtle embellishment to the overall look and feel of the shades. For tortoise, the uniqueness is in the glasses. That probably means that an overall look will need to be minimal. In other words, basic clothing should be worn with these shades. And in spite of the print, the color makes them wearable in any season; the same can be said about the black frames.

90 DURABILITY
Kors’ accessories are executed with durability in mind. These glasses offer 100% UV protection. The arms are covered with circle logo detail. Sometimes too much embellishment can make a product more susceptible to breakage, so the good thing about these shades and their minimalist styling is that not too much care will need to be exercised when handling them -- they are durable on their own.

Uniqlo Italian Leather Belt

THE BASICS
Company: Uniqlo
Price: $19.50
Official Site: Uniqlo.com

82 THE ASKMEN TAKE

If you’re going to drop a fortune on a stylish new pair of men's jeans, you might as well have the fancy belt to match. But who says you need to shell out mountains of cash on a belt that blends quality construction with premium leather? This Uniqlo belt mixes fine Italian leather with quality Japanese craftsmanship -- at an amazingly low price.So go ahead and fork out a few extra dollars on your designer jeans, 'cause you’ll be able to save some scratch on this sturdy brown belt that keeps it classic.

78 UNIQUENESS

Having established a reputation overseas as one of the largest and most successful Japanese clothing retail chains around, Uniqlo keeps pumping out new apparel and accessories for those of us who enjoy bulking up on fresh gear, while keeping our budget in check.Part of the Uniqlo accessories line, the Italian leather belt comes in dark brown, including burned-orange stitching running along the edges, plus a standard style steel buckle. While this belt may not seem like something out of the ordinary, the low price is what makes it stand out from the crowd.The fine Italian leather alone should be enough to peak your interest, even if you aren’t necessarily in the market for a new belt. Having this brown leather accessory in your wardrobe is always a great option, especially when you’re looking to color coordinate your style by matching your belt with a pair of casual (or dressy) brown leather shoes.

85 DURABILITY

It’s a well-known fact that Italian leather is some of the finest, sturdiest material around, usually resulting in a higher price tag. Uniqlo kicks this concept in the pants with an affordable option that will last for years to come. Every guy needs a simple brown belt in his wardrobe, so why not go with an option that looks and acts the part, but is also extra kind to your wallet?This belt will complement just about any style of denim, khakis or dress pants that you choose to roll with, whether donning some fine-looking business attire, or while keeping things casual with a more relaxed look.

Rachel Bilson Totes Chanel in NYC

Rachel Bilson donned a sweet outfit for her visit to the 'Regis and Kelly' show in NYC. The style maven wore a pretty lacy white frock that she accessorized with black leather bag with gold hardware. Brand: Chanel

Featured Designer :: John Doe Bow Ties!!

John Doe Bow Ties

What’s the name of the clothing line??
The name of my clothing line is John Doe Bow Ties and we are a custom bow tie line!


Who are the main people in this “Group” or are you Solo??
I am the creator as well as the designer, so as of right now it is just myself that does all of the creative work. However I do have someone to help with the website and technical side.

What was your inspiration to start a clothing line??
This may sound like a funny story, but I am a business major and we are required to dress in business attire everyday, but wanting to infuse my style into my business clothing I decided to make a bow tie to stand out. The bow tie went over well with everyone, so I decided to create them for others.

That must have been an interesting feeling??
It was, I never intended to have a full line, but many people told me that the bow tie I made was really cute, and they wanted me to make them one.

What kind of pieces center around the line??
Right now John Doe has custom, handmade bow ties with, and we have recently introduced bow tie necklaces. We are also working on some custom hair bows for the ladies.


Who do you collaborate with to come up with design ideas??
I come up with the concepts and bow tie ideas. I find inspiration from everyday things in life then interpret them into my bow ties.

Is there a target audience??
There is no specific audience; I want EVERYONE from young to old to own a John Doe. Dress them up, dress them down, just put their own style and spin with my bow ties!

Where do you see this line within the next 3 years??
Within the next 3 years I see major things from John Doe! I want my bow ties on the necks of the hottest celebrities. I see myself in New York, Paris, Milan and anywhere else that has a fashion week! I believe that you have to dream big to do big!

Do you have a website??
Yes I do have a website; you can visit us at www.JohnDoeBowTies.com ! We have pictures of John Doe’s customers, our photo shoots, and you can also shop online! You can follow us on Twitter at @JohnDoe_BOW and Like our Facebook page: John Doe Bow Ties!

Are you planning or in any Fashion Shows?? Or maybe just a showcase??
I am actually featured in a few fashion shows and photo shoots in the near future! As a matter of fact, John Doe Bow Ties will be featured in fashion shows at Tuskegee State University as well as Albany State University in the next few weeks!