Fairy-Tale. Conner Ives SS25

November 16, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

Conner Ives isn’t only a talented designer, but a great storyteller whose fashion fairy-tales make you believe in fantasies and miracles. For his spring-summer 2025 collection, the London-based, American designer took us on a journey from the medieval lords and ladies of Arthurian legend to the invocation of Camelot by Jackie O’ to describe the Kennedy administration. The eclectic patchwork of centuries and eras – medieval England, 1960s Americana, the It girl of today – made for a line-up with truly wonderful clothes (and desirable accessories, like the “hard-bodied bias” bag inspired with a vintage clutch from his mother’s wardrobe or an actual hennin hat). Slinky knit dresses with trumpet skirts were inspired by cotehardies (long-sleeved medieval garments), while jacquard knitwear took its cues from the elaborate motifs found on 17th-century clocked stockings (just the right kind of whimsical chic). There was plenty of fabulous, demi-couture dresses for the loyal coterie of glamorous party girls that surround the designer (think Ivy Getty), from a swishy mauve pink dress hand-painted with polka dots to his final, swan-like bridal look, a silk jersey column dress worn with a dramatic vintage fox-fur collar.

Ives’ eveningwear, even though packed with history and sentiments, never feels like “too much” or too retro (even though the term “vintage” plays an important role in the designer’s brand, noting all the upcyling practices). You can picture both a Carrie Bradshaw and a real, contemporary girl wearing those dresses. And Carrie would definitely style them with one of the season’s most adorable accessory: upcycled fishing lure charms adorned with colorful feathers and tinsel of the kind Ives remembered seeing glitter from his Florida aunt’s bait and tackle box as a child. You really want to read deep into Conner’s fairy-tale.

Here are some of my favorite Conner Ives pieces you can get now…

ED’s SELECTION:

Conner Ives Ruched Stretch-jersey And Silk Mini Dress

Conner Ives Reconstituted Printed Silk-blend Pencil Skirt

Conner Ives Crystal-embellished Recycled Stretch-jersey Maxi Dress

Conner Ives Ano Fringed Macramé-trimmed Embroidered Silk-crepe Halterneck Top

Conner Ives Appliquéd Cotton-blend Midi Skirt

Conner Ives Fluted Checked Cotton-blend Gauze Midi Dress

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Holiday Gift Guide, Vol. III

November 11, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

This holiday season, I will share a number of dream gift guides that might make it easier for you to go (and filter) through the festive season. Get ready for a selection of beautiful items that will spark joy and last for years. The ones that will certainly please one’s senses and deliver heavenly feelings. From globetrotting adventurers to design-forward homebodies and fashion fans with a penchant for glamour – whoever you’re shopping for, this Christmas gift guide featuring timeless classics has the perfect presents to suit all needs this holiday season. Treat your loved ones and yourself with the below choices – and shoppable links!

Dries Van Noten Pink and Tortoiseshell Wide-Tooth Comb

Bottega Veneta Lauren 1980 Maxi Intrecciato Leather Clutch

Erdem Opera Embellished Ribbed Scuba Coat

Saint Laurent Nour Collapsible-heel Crystal-embellished Satin Flats

Carlini Lady in Sequin & Faux Fur Dress Christmas Ornament

Loewe Ivy Small Scented Candle

Holiday mood: Tim Walker.

Gabriela Hearst Demi Bag in Gold, Black & Ivory Crochet

Ben Amoun Cameo Pearly Trio Earrings

“Alfred Hitchcock. The Complete Films” by Taschen

Balenciaga Asymmetric One-Shoulder Velvet Dress

Saint Laurent Suite Satin Block-Heel Mules

Bottega Veneta Jacquard Feather Midi Skirt

Holiday mood: Jeanne Lanvin.

Guest In Residence Striped Knitted Cotton Sweater

Toteme Shearling Hat

Molly Goddard Jess Embellished Layered Tulle Maxi Skirt

Sonia Petroff Pavone Brooch

Dries Van Noten Oversized Brushed Wool-blend Coat

Marc Jacobs Oversized Hourglass Wool Sweater with Brooch

Dries Van Noten Tinsel-embellished Leather Ballet Flats

Holiday mood: Elizaveta Porodina.

Just in case you’ve missed the other Holiday Gift Guides:

Volume I & Volume II.

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Amplified Refinement. Loro Piana SS25

November 9, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

The anonymous creative team behind Loro Piana doesn’t only deliver some of the most exquisitely made tailoring and cashmeres (this spring, blended with linen for extra-lightness and fluidity), but also challenge themselves – and their customers – with dandy-ish, subtly off-kilter styling. Wonderfully simple, silk pleated mini-dress is worn with a chic-looking milk-maid bonnet. An aristocratic cape dress is styled with ribbed socks and suede slippers. Silk scarves are fashioned into ad hoc handbags. Then, a highly impressive embroidered and shaved cashmere jacket in cocoon-shape looks like a very price-y vintage piece. Suede-collared country jacket and a linen-silk herringbone suit were amongst the many fine, equally eclectic and sophisticated items for men. There’s certainly something absolutely dignified about Loro Piana’s take on minimalism, making it stand out in this highly-saturated niche.

Here are some of my favorite Loro Piana pieces, just in time for your festive shopping!

ED’s DISPATCH:

Loro Piana Alpe Di Mera Ripstop-trimmed Cashmere Sweater

Loro Piana Ikeda Ribbed Silk And Cotton-blend Midi Skirt

Loro Piana Spagna Flax Jacket

Loro Piana Calza Noel Jacquard-knit Cashmere Socks

Loro Piana Engadin Hooded Crochet-knit Cashmere Scarf

Loro Piana Floaty Leather-trimmed Macramé Lace Flats

Loro Piana Holiday Noel Fair Isle Cashmere-jacquard Turtleneck Sweater

Collage by Edward Kanarecki.
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Taste. Bottega Veneta Resort 2025

November 2, 2024 | Design & Culture by Ed

Matthieu Blazy brings something growingly rare in fashion today: clothes that spark not just joy, but happiness. His recent collections for Bottega Veneta ooze with unabashed dolce vita; they make you want to live life colorfully and boldly. This is also the case with resort 2025 line-up, which is beautifully eclectic and full of playful idiosyncrasy. “There was no big concept,” Blazy said of this pre-season collection. “It was more about: How can we put things together and when it comes to the individual ingredients, does it make your heart beat?” That might be the exact answer why Bottega – of all the Kering brands – performs so well. It makes the customers’ hearts beat. When I visited the brand’s newly-refurbished store on Avenue Montaigne in Paris last month, I was more than pleased with the actual emotions the brand’s garments and accessories bring, but also with their non-conformity and exquisite craftsmanship. The resort collection captures that perfectly – and feels like a delightful menu of unpretentious, wholesome meals that please all the taste buds. The food affiliation isn’t a co-incidence. “I rewatched a lot of Anthony Bourdain. There are a lot of parallels between the pleasure of cooking and the pleasure of putting things together on the silhouette. What I really wanted to do this season, it was pure pragmatically epicurean. I just took everything I like. It was like in Italy, when the ingredients are good, you don’t need to do too much with it,” Blazy summed up. How that translates to the clothes? Head-to-toe, saturated colors; experimental intrecciato patterns; extremes of full silhouettes; fish-prints (inspired with the late Gaetano Pesce’s art); massive, artisan knitwear. And plenty of individual taste.