Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Vote for this year's most innovative, inspiring, and promising designer or boutique.
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Catherine Holstein Catherine Holstein Designs
Catherine Holstein created her first collection of dresses as a final project at Parsons. The luxurious fabrics enhanced with tailored details like pleating, lining, and trims make the frocks downright perfection. Read More
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Originally published on May 4, 2007
Project Runway
Catherine Holstein Clothing
Your final school projects consisted of a collapsed model bridge, a nonsensical thesis on why marijuana should be legal, and a creme brulee that went up in flames.
Thankfully, Catherine Holstein was more successful. Her first five-piece (she goes for quality, not quantity) collection was a final project at Parsons (and pretty darn near impossible to get your hands on).
And her second is just as dreamy. Each piece is made of rich, luxurious fabrics and chockful of subtle details like pleating, buttons, trim, and lining.
You’ll look angelic in the bib dress, cream crinkled crepe de chine over white linen with white satin buttons. Head to your next adult playdate in a romper with a white crepe de chine top, black silk charmeuse shorts and cummerbund, and black velvet buttons.
The pieces are manufactured in New York, with Holstein herself carefully overseeing every step.
Just the kind of attention to detail you’d expect from an honor roll student.
Available online at deskohan.com. -
Kerry Bonnell Archive Vintage
Formerly a manager of NYC vintage mecca Resurrection, Kerry Bonnell launched her own online shop when she moved to Dallas and discovered the city was full of good finds. Read More
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Originally published on August 7, 2007
Oldies but Goodies
Archive Vintage Online Shop
Rifling through dingy old archives is torture. Unless by “archives,” you mean a drool-worthy selection of vintage clothing. And by “torture,” you mean absolute heaven.
Which is the case if you are perusing the new e-boutique Archive.
The brainchild of Kerry Bonnell, formerly the manager of New York’s famous vintage mecca Resurrection, the online shop was born when she moved to Dallas and discovered that it was a jackpot for classic pieces. The always-growing collection spans from the 1960s to the 1990s.
Standouts include a stretchy aqua Herve Leger dress, a navy YSL high-waisted skirt, and a flirty Ungaro minidress in a jaunty floral print. In the accessories department, there’s an insane Chanel black leather rope belt with gold hardware, a gorgeous Roberta di Camerino button print umbrella, and Gucci leather bracelets.
If the shoe fits, you could be the proud owner of a pair of killer Bruno Magli chestnut-colored flat boots or Norma Kamali black suede gladiator wedges. And the handbag selection features all the cool kids (Chanel, Bottega, and Gucci).
Consider yourself forewarned: Your bank account could suffer some serious setbacks.
But sometimes you gotta go through hell to make it to heaven.
Available online at archivevintage.com. -
Kristen Lombardi Manimals
Kristen Lombardi made her first pair of moccasins by following instructions from a Boy Scout book. Friends fell in love with the adorable fringy kicks, and Manimals was born. Read More
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Originally published on April 25, 2007
Manimal House
Manimal Moccasins
Sung to the tune of Davy Crockett …
Born from a visit to the old Southwest.
Mostly inspired from arts and crafts.
Handmade at an apartment in our state of Mass.
She creates moccasins you’re gonna love to bits.
Kristen, Kristen Lombardi, designer of Manimals.Following instructions from a Boy Scout book.
She whipped up a pair, which now hang on a hook.
Friends went nuts and wanted that look.
She got to work in her third floor nook.
Kristen, Kristen Lombardi, since then she’s had no lulls.Made of suede adorned with buttons and beads.
Choose from many colors, just go and see.
Think you’ll agree they are super jazzy.
The durable leather sole lets you roam outside free.
Kristen, Kristen Lombardi, be glad details she mulls.Head to the website and take your pick.
In no time flat, you’ll have your kicks.
Sneak up on pals and play some tricks.
Just don’t get crazy and do something sick.
Kristen, Kristen Lombardi, designer of Manimals.
Available online at save-the-manimals.com.