Paul and Joe Sister for Urban Outfitters

Wow, Urban Outfitters is really giving Target a run for their money.

They have been churning out designer collaborations right left and center. Of course, no really big names yet...and one must admit that Urban has always been a collection of different designers, rather than an eponymous label. 

In anycase, I have always been a fan of Paul and Joe, who have recently launched a diffusion line called Paul and Joe Sister....now that diffusion line is further diffused as a limited Urban Outfitters line (can I say 'diffused' or 'line' any more times, I wonder). It's available now on-line. I haven't checked the stores, but you might find some there too. It definitely has the Paul and Joe aesthetic: incorporating a lot of white/black combos in a very tux meets girly kind of way. I think the actual Paul and Joe Sister line looks more innovative than the Urban version...but perhaps its a good intro for us. Get us hooked, so we can buy the more pricey stuff later.

Paul and Joe Sister pic above, Urban Outfitters below...

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Lulu Frost for Urban Outfitters

Image from Lasplash

I first discovered the ever beautiful reclaimed vintage costume jewelry of Lulu Frost last year when I was researching a project of eco-sustainable fashions. Her work was gloriously displayed in Kaight, a Lower East Side boutique dedicated to environmental responsibility.  It was there that I learned that wearing vintage and using vintage materials is the fashion equivalent to recycling. I have been a fan for years of anything rusted or beaten up, held together by tape. I always thought it was my punk rock background, for when I was a starving artist, I actually needed safety pins to hold my clothes together.  But in looking around me, eclectic combinations of jumbles of old decaying metal finds from grandma's closet has become the hottest thing going since skulls (when I went through a similar, 'what, you like them too?' phase).

So yes, like Subversive, Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer is bringing her vintage vision to the masses with a small collection for Urban Outfitters.  As it will only feature 5 different designs, you must understand that it will only allude to the authenticity of a vintage find...but surely will infuse her great taste. And for that alone, it will be well worth checking out. It should hit stores this November. 

All images are from Lulu Frosts collection...watch this space for previews of her capsule collection for Urban.

Images from Kaight

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Erickson Beamon for Urban Outfitters

Sheesh, There are so many  of these guest designers these days....it's almost too much.

What really gets me excited, though, is when designers whom I use in photoshoots decide to do a high-street line. I was beside myself when Jason Giunta of Subversive jewelry did a line for Target. I have used his stuff many times in shoots, seen his jewels literally dripping from a forest of trees in his showroom. I have lusted for his work, only to find the price-point at Barneys some-what prohibitive for one trying to save to buy an apartment. I understand the cost, as the work is carefully hand crafted from one of a kind vintage pieces. I'm just glad to be able to finally partake in his vision, and especially glad that more people have become aware.

So, imagine my delight to see that Erickson Beamon is bringing their work to the masses. I found out yesterday that EB will be releasing a limited edition line for Urban Outfitters.  Like Subversive, their pieces are made with an eclectic array of materials, deftly combining lucite to diamante to pearls to leather...you name it. Nothing I love better than the delicious contrast of textures and colors.  They are real show-pieces, making an outfit into a statement.  Erickson Beamon is a line that is positively overflowing with personality. They have been a long time fav of mine for photoshoots as they always bring a story to the next level. And I'm not the only one who thinks so, as their showroom gets an awful lot of business from mags and stylists. I gotta get in line just to borrow!

Now, whereas the line will be a lot more affordable than an original EB piece, still expect to pay for what you are getting with prices set to range from $170 to $565.

Watch this space for a release date.

SJP rocking EB
EB earrings from my Peter Soronen shoot for Zoozoom (shot by Claudia Goetzelmann)

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Bee 23: Bing Bang for Urban Outfitters

Photo from Bing Bang's current collection

Another designer guest appearance alert!

Last year whilst styling an editorial, I was on the hunt for edgy (especially pyramid studded) jewelry. One of the designers that I discovered to be on the forefront of the punk jewelry revival was Bing Bang, and I became an instant fan.

I love their combination of irreverence with uptown quality. Precious gold pyramid stud earrings and layered chain necklaces (well before everyone else jumped on the bandwagon). I also recall that they had dainty earrings of subversive objects.

To reach a new customer, without compromising the high quality that is associated with their brand, Bing Bang will be starting a lower-priced line called Bee 23 that will be sold at Urban Outfitters this fall.

Whereas I am excited to see what they come up with, I fear they may be a little too late, as there are already so many cheap knock-offs of their style....watch this space!

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