Like of the Week: Klik Klik’s Futuristic Accessories Show Magnets Can Be More Than Just Child’s Play

Klik Klik's Magentic Jewelry

Now how bad ass is this! Imagine if you could design and then recreate your own jewelry in a matter of minutes. Then, when you get sick of it, you can just take it apart and invent something completely brand new! Well, the future has arrived because that is exactly what you can do with new magnetic jewelry kit and collection, titled, Klik Klik, inspired by Brooklyn-based designers, Al Kelly and and Kellar Williams.

The kits come fully equipped with 300 magnets in a variety of shapes to fully let your creative mind take flight. With 28 metal wands, 56 polished cubes and 300 nickel-plated spherical magnets, there’s no limit to what you can create. From delicate chokers to ornate bracelets, necklaces and armbands – everything you need to configure your own show-stopping accessories can be found in this one dynamic kit and the best part is, it’s only $65!

Not only is this a fantastic gift for anyone with an artistic eye and passion for fashion, but the Klik Klik website even has an online gallery where you can see how numerous designs are constructed with step-by-step video instructions on how to recreate these looks on your own.

I can’t say enough awesome things about this cutting edge and innovative collection. If this is the future of fashion, then consider me on board!

Dislike of the Week: The New Face of Sleepwear – Blanket meets Burqa?!

Ooooookay, where to begin, wheeeeeere to begin…

I have to admit I sort of love this commercial only because whoever created this is clearly going on the assumption that people are stupid enough to pay $14.99 for a flap of fabric that hangs over their faces like a burqa in an attempt to get some shut eye.

Then there is the name of this fearless product: The Snazzy Napper. I have yet to meet anyone who could put these two words in the same sentence let alone the same product, so kudos to their branding team, I guess.

The Snazzy Napper

Next, I’d like to discuss the infomercial that introduced all of humanity to this monstrosity that’s claims it’s got your solution to sleep no matter where you might be; the bus, the park, or maybe the waiting room of your dentist’s office while waiting for the pesky teeth cleaning.

Yes siree, we have a real winner when it comes to human intelligence. I think my favorite part in this infomercial might be how this one woman decides to just bust out this fabric, face-cover-up while sitting in what appears to be a waiting room with other normal and civilized-looking people sitting right next to her. What’s even more hilarious is that they just go on about their business and completely ignore the fact that there is a crazy person taking a nap with a sheet over their head. Now THAT’S some acting!

I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that there is a cartoon sheep mid-leap wearing sunglasses emblazoned on the front of this sorry excuse for a blanket or the fact there is a larger size (for $24.99) that resembles a Snuggie for when you REALLY want to make people around you uncomfortable.

Either way, when it comes to the Snazzy Napper, kids, just say NO!

Like of the Week: Adventurous Accessories for those with a Bolder Palette…

Bijules

Our dear editor Carlos brought this super fabulous site to my attention and it’s right on the money when it comes to creativity that’s bold and edgy. This innovative NYC-based jewelry company, Bijules, created by designer, Jules Kim, is a visual feast for the eyes and carries a wide variety of offbeat and eye-catching accessories that are anything but mainstream!

Offering up collections from such lines as Scream and Spirit (featuring precious metals contorted and created to look just like human bones), Disarming Weaponry (which showcases sturdy neck baubles configured to look like machetes and switchblades) and Hairem (a line of earrings created from hand-dyed synthetic hair in a variety of eye-popping shades with names like “En Fuego” or “Cookie Kahn Monster”).

While many of these purchases will run you a good chunk of change, it can’t be denied that this is the ultimate site for those who like and want bold statement pieces that take center stage.

Items from Bijules have been advertised in Elle, NY Mag, and Nylon just to name a few with clients ranging from, Karen O, Shakira, and Santogold.

Dislike of the Week: Hairy Apparel

Hairy Underwear Collection

Okay, if you’re grimacing at the computer screen right now, you’re not alone. This is certainly a “WTF were they thinking?” type of situation.

This interesting apparel comes from Finnish design team, Nutty Tarts, (which on it’s own just sounds unappetizing) and is all about embracing your true hairiness. The ‘Hairy Underwear Collection’ is a unisex line that is sure to raise an eyebrow or two with its screen-printed hair against a bright white backdrop.

I have to say this is so odd it makes me a little bit uncomfortable. You can buy pieces individually or purchase the whole set, which includes “hairy” underwear, undershirt, leggings and even comes with a brown paper bag to wear over your head for those oh-so-terrible  “Bad Hair” and “Bad Face” days. Yup, that’s really how they advertised it on the site.

Then again, if I had to wear any of these items I might opt for the bag over my head too.

Papery Headgear

Like of the Week: Manhattan-based, jewelry boutique, Alibi.

ALIBI boasts a range of exotic baubles

Located in the heart of Nolita, lies a true gem for all you accessory junkies out there.

Alibi, which can be found on Mulberry Street, just a hop, skip and a jump from Prince Street here in Manhattan, is the place to go for unique trinkets and treasures from some of NYC’s local designers.

Store owner and Parson graduate, Johanna Liu, has created the perfect haven for all of your jewelry needs, with items ranging from delicate and feminine to tough and exotic. However, what makes this place so unconventional is the layout of the shop itself.

I had the pleasure of meeting Lui and visiting the boutique itself and let me tell you, it’s absolute heaven from the moment you walk in! The jewelry itself is displayed in glass cases strategically placed about the brightly lit establishment, giving off an almost artsy vibe; almost as if you were viewing fine artifacts in a museum.

It’s fun, fresh and fiercely original. So if you’re in the area, check it out…and if you’re not in the area, make sure you go out of your way to stop in and visit. You won’t be disappointed by this treasure trove.

241 Mulberry Street (between Prince & Spring Street)
New York, NY 10012
(212) 226-7373

Open Weekdays 11am-7pm; Sat 11am-8pm; Sun 12pm-6pm

Dislike of the Week: The Dropped Crotch Trend

Drop Crotch Pants

In case there is anyone out there who has been dying to invest wholeheartedly in the dropped crotch fad, then this post is for you!

While browsing the wonderful world wide web I came across these Pixie Market Jersey drop crotch pants (shown right), which immediately sent me off on a Google hunt that ended in my finding a multitude of sites featuring this odd trend. One, I have to say, that does little for the human form.

Designers are obviously trying to bring this look back again and I have to beg the question…why??? Perhaps it’s the unflattering cut, or the fact that it makes anyone and everyone’s legs look stumpy and just plain unattractive, but I’m just not buying into this unfortunate trend.

For some odd reason this style evokes images of when the white boys in my high school would try (strong emphasis on the word “try”) to rock the “saggy” pants look. Let’s just say, it didn’t work then and I don’t see it working now.
This look only succeeds in making the wearer look as though they are attempting to smuggle a baby watermelon out of a grocery store and little else. Let’s just say that the dropped crotch craze falls short… in more ways than one.

To describe the market to someone who has never been (and is equally as obsessed with the world of fashion, clothes, and all things accessory related), I only have this to say:  Imagine being four again and making a trip to Santa’s workshop…that, my friends is the best way that I can describe my jubilation in a nutshell upon entering this giant smorgasbord of fashion bliss!

This week I focused on just a few of the gifted designers, but I hope to cover much, much more in the future! Check them out!

Tina Wang is a brand new designer on the scene and a recent graduate of F.I.T, but I can easily imagine her fashions walking down the runway and being coveted by all!

Tina hand makes every item of clothing that she sells in her own apartment.  Not only is she talented beyond belief but she is a sweetheart on top of that, when I told her I was doing a piece on up and coming designers she was eager to give me all the info I needed and even pulled out her digital camera and showed me pictures of her friend modeling one of her fabulous creations like we were old friends!

Her styles are flirty and feminine and her choice in fabrics and colors are youthful, fashionable and perfect for almost every occasion. I instantly fell in love with a peachy hued strapless dress that was to die for, and it only took Wang three days to construct from start to finish! Her attention to detail and flair for creating the most flattering of feminine shapes only goes to show how gifted and truly skillful in her designs she is. Check out her work on her website and at Etsy.com!

www.shoptinaw.com

www.shoptinaw.etsy.com

Iris Shiloh is another bright and trendy designer who focuses mainly on accessories, and as we all know, accessories do have the ability to instantly transform any outfit in less than three seconds flat, and with Iris, this is absolutely the case.

Specializing in cute, waist-cinching belts in a bold variety of colors and patterns, this tiny accessory is a great way to amp up a tunic dress or to pair over a blouse and pencil skirt for the office.

She designs each belt herself and the versatile styles and detailing make these the perfect addition when transforming a simple outfit into a stunning outfit. I photographed Iris at the market this weekend wearing an eye-catching black and gold belt, which not only completed her outfit with a natural ease, but added a different element entirely.

You can find Iris and her fabulous belts at the Soho Young Designers Market or e-mail her to purchase at   Shilohiris@gmail.com

Elena Volovelsky crafts elegantly whimsical and delicate pieces of jewelry for her line, Fair Leia.

Made from sterling silver or gold, Elena composes delightfully crafted pieces that can be worn for any occasion and thoughtfully have more to them than meets the eye.

The designer claimed past experience on her amusing and fresh idea of slipping mini hoop earrings and polished silver hair clips on thin chains for the hectic girl on the go. An innovation erected from sheer brilliance and a sure-fire gift for any young woman who has ever wanted to change up their look on the impulse…Fair Leia’s collection just seems to make it possible.

See all her goods on Etsy at www.fairleia.etsy.com!

Tarot Vintage

Unfortunately there were no cards available for Tarot Vintage due to the fact that are still in the process of setting up their brand new website, yet, they were sweet enough to send me a link to their myspace page in order to learn more about their fashion creed.

Tarot Vintage is all about making classic vintage affordable, and in this day and age with the economy the way it is, why shouldn’t people be able to buy great clothes at great prices? The variety and styles Tarot Vintage offers range from summery retro dresses to stylish rompers, and their phenomenal vintage shoe collection alone, was enough to make me stop and salivate.

Prices tend to range from around $50 per garment, and their dazzling collection of vintage shoes goes for about $25 a pair!

These fashions are so fun and unique that you can’t help but want to grab them right off the rack. Check them out on their myspace site for more info: www.myspace.com/tarotvintage, or come visit them weekends at the Young Designers Market.

Please come out and support NYC’s local designers every weekend at the Young Designers Market (www.themarketnyc.com), located on 268 Mulberry Street in New York City.

Follow the loud Rock n’ Roll, wax drippings and scrap metal to a studio in California. There you’ll find Rich Sandomeno of Spragwerks, casting his mark on the fashion industry.

Rich’s fascination with the dark side began during his youth. While friends were playing ball, he found himself exploring dark and damp basements. A collector of sorts, Rich buried his deceased pets only to dig them up. Their bones became treasured troves and he began his lifelong quest for bugs, skulls and monsters…really anything that no one wanted. The post-industrial wasteland of Northern New Jersey created the perfect backdrop for his design aesthetic today.

Endless curiosity about why and how things either work or don’t, cause Rich to seek answers in the world of heavy-duty diesel mechanics. Dissatisfaction eventually set in, and he started to feel as old and as broken as the trucks he had been working on. But his experience with materials proposed a promising opportunity…jewelry.

This mechanic turned jewelry designer has taken torture and mechanics to a whole new level. Form definitely follows function when it comes to the many unique handcrafted pieces, each personally backed with a lifetime warranty. Skull pendants, spike bracelets and brass-knuckle cuff links are just a few of the pieces inspired from his childhood experiences. Favorites also include the textured wedding bands…sure to make any man say, “I do.” After all, marriage is the most celebrated symbol of torture. Till death do us part, right?

Visit Spragwerks and surrender to your deviant desires. Spragwerks can also be purchased at the following locations.

New York City-Trash & Vaudeville and New York Adorned
Los Angeles-Fred Segal, Popkiller, Handmade Gallery, and soon…The Museum of Death
Chicago-Broken Cherry, The Silver Room
San Francisco-Lava 9
Portland-Gilt
www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com
www.myspace.com/spragwerks