Designers

At the core of every wardrobe should be a strong set of basics. With a basic set of tees, you can create a variety of outfits by adding just simple accessories like belts, jewelry, cardigans, or scarves.

What I find most important with my own basics, is a high-quality, super-soft knit. Usually I fall in love with my solid color tees, and hate having to part with them. For instance, when I stain them, or they start to fall apart after much love and wear.

Casualmere is a perfect way to add these necessities into your closet. Comprised of high-quality viscose made from bamboo, their items feature the highest ecologically sourced bamboo content – typically 100 percent, with some pieces incorporating 5 percent spandex for additional stretch. Their founder, Dennis Fasone, had recently experienced the unbelievably soft hand-feel of viscose made from bamboo, and he knew the rest of the world would also fall in love!

What I love best about this new line, is the amazing prices. It is so rare to find basics with such a high-quality, amazing feel without spending an arm and a leg. Generally I view those types of purchases as a long-term investment, but this makes it so simple to add to your wardrobe without having to spend a lot!

What makes this fashion spotlight even better, is that Casualmere is offering Traveling Fashionista readers an exclusive discount code through December 15, 2010! Use code ‘TF4B’ for 20% off your total order, not including shipping!

I tried their long-sleeve tee as well as their unisex flat knit scarf. As soon as they arrived, I was in love! They are exactly the type of material I go after in my own wardrobe. I tend to be that person walking around the department store feeling everything before I decide to try it on. If it doesn’t feel good, I don’t want it. Casualmere feels amazing.

The long-sleeve tee is a perfect length. It covers just a few inches below my waist band, which is perfect to be worn with either jeans or leggings. It’s got the perfect blend of just tight enough, but with plenty of room and give to not be skin-tight. Which I hate. Their scarf is of average length, and I picked up the off white color, perfect to blend with just about any other color in my wardrobe.

Currently they don’t have a huge product offering, and I am hoping (fingers-crossed) that they develop more of their line. Thankfully they carry short and long-sleeve tees and a few other awesome options, and with that, I am a happy girl.

Here are some of their other items offered; what do you think?!



I definitely suggest picking up a shirt or two for yourself, or even a loved one. It’s perfect this time of year, and you will make some lucky recipient very happy! And with the exclusive promo code, you have no reason not to!

Love, K.

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Fashion Designer Spotlight: Payal Luthra

by Kirsten on November 12, 2010

We all know I have a teensy bit of an obsession with cashmere, and when I was introduced to Payal Luthra‘s line, I just might have died and gone to heaven.

Many of you probably already have some form of a cashmere scarf in your closet, but I doubt you have seen the beautifully tailored cuts, modern embellishments, and cool aesthetics of Payal Luthra’s cashmere line. With an innovative use of angles and folds, Payal blends influences from both her U.S. and Indian background, creating a gorgeous collection that is both minamalist-chic and fashion-forward.

From cowl-neck scarves adorned with tassels to button-chained neckwarmers, Payal only uses the warmest and softest Mongolian cashmere, ensuring neutral designs that are destined to easily become a part of just about any outfit you wear.

I was lucky enough to see her bandit cowl in person and can vouch that it is just as beautiful in person as they appear online. Am I sensing a perfect holiday gift for a loved one? Perhaps even yourself? Yes – I think so!

Here are a few of my favorites from her collection – all equally gorgeous – with unrivaled quality.

Love, K.

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Well, someone has endless amounts of money. The legendary Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel is now designing his own island – Isla Moda – in the United Arab Emirates. Yes, not the hotel on the island, but the island itself. Crazy, I know.

Lagerfeld will be working in collaboration with Miami-based architecture firm Oppenheimer and the Kor Hotel Group to design this 1.2 million square foot island, topped off with some over-the-top buildings. You know, like the cherry on top!

Isla Moda, which Spanish speakers and most romance languages will recognize as meaning Fashion Island, will have 150 residential units (probably condos or townhomes), three luxury hotels, spas, lounges, and PLENTY of chic boutiques. Like any of us are surprised.

Due to be completed by 2014, it is said that Isla Moda is inspired by the floating palaces of India and cruise ships. It sounds like this undertaking will be a traveling fashionista’s dream come true. With every last minute detail designed by Karl himself, I know the fashion world will be expecting a lot!

Here are some of the artist renderings of the new island. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t feeling a bit of the “Biodome” theme going on. (Did I just date myself by remembering that movie?!?)

What do you think of this crazy new project? Are you a fan of what it looks to have in store? Leave your thoughts below!

Love, K.

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Another major designer has put her mark on the luxury hotel scene in designing 20 rooms for Claridge’s Hotel in London. Diane von Furstenberg, “the queen of print” and known for her iconic wrap dress, may not stay longer than three days at a time at any hotel, but her jetsetting ways and life of fashion has aptly prepared her for one of her most unique projects we have seen lately. The first interior design feat for DVF launched this last June, and was very well received for both her and this legendary London landmark.

DVF has long been a frequent visitor of the five-star hotel – over 30 years to be exact – and is one of her all-time favorite hotels when she is not off to more exotic locales such as Vanuatu or Abu Dhabi. And not unlike her own iconic fashion designs, she had her hand in everything – from the paint, to the furniture, to the art – in all the new hotel rooms. Some rooms even carry her own signed personal photos from her travels.

With gorgeous details depicting styles of Italy and the Middle East, as well as colorful Chinese floral patterns and animal prints, the rooms are breathtakingly glamourous and chic, and we would expect no less from the fashion icon.

Claridge’s provides a bit more information:

Breathing new life into a series of rooms, junior suites and the third floor piano suite whilst retaining the very best of the original features, von Furstenberg has created bespoke fabrics and furniture with her iconic prints and bold colours. As an ardent traveller herself she has apporached the project from the guest’s perspective first and as a designer second, with an instinctive understanding of what will satisfy not only men and women but also their families.

Speaking of her care and consideration for the history of such an iconic hotel she said, “I wanted to respect the architecture and the formality of the grand hotel room, but at the same time make it relevant to today’s lifestyle… I don’t want the hotel to change, I just want it to be more of a fantasy.”

The Piano Suite (shown above) in which she collaborated with her long-time friend and interior decorator Olivier Gelbsmann, comes with personal butler service, one or two bedrooms, (each with it’s own marble bathroom), large wardrobes, a marble fireplace and a spacious sitting room with enough space for a bar and a grand piano. With vibrant prints, glasswork from Murano, handcrafted items from Bali, and handcrafted rugs, the room is simply gorgeous.

Her other amazing guestrooms showcase gorgeous handcrafted rugs and luxurious interior décor accents that were handcrafted in Bali. Well equipped with king-sized beds, plasma TV’s, and custom cashmere blankets. The marble bathrooms include Asprey toiletries and plush bathrobes designed by DVF herself!

For those wanting to take their own piece of DVF home with them, the window dressings, inset wall coverings and upholstery are from DVF’s exclusive home line which will be available to consumers in September.

What do you think of her new hotel room design? If money were no object, could you see yourself there?

For more information contact Claridge’s Hotel at +44 (0)20 7107 8862 for room rates and more.

Love, K.

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Best New Designer Hotels Round-up

by Kirsten on July 13, 2010

I am excited to offer you a guest post from the fabulous Isabel over at Travel Intelligence. She was kind enough to offer her expertise in an area we all love, designer hotels! Read below about the best new designer hotels that she thinks we all should know about!

Best New Designer Hotels Round-up… from Luxury Hotel Specialists Travel Intelligence

It’s been a good year for fashion/hotel collaborations. Between Diane Von Furstenberg’s twenty new suites at London’s Claridge’s and the fashionista-dedicated Fashion 26 in New York, we’ve a whole lot of shiny new places to stay to put on our wishlists… and that’s just the start of it. Design houses have got in on the act too, with some super-stylish openings for their own new hotels in the past year. Here’s a few of our favourites…

Hotel Missoni, Edinburgh

Missoni’s first hotel opening just off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile generated much fanfare – and its praises are still being sung ten months on. With black and white decor punctuated with dramatic prints, it’s as smart and jazzy as fans of the label might hope for. Italian restaurant Cucina collaborates Rosita Missoni’s design with chef Giorgio Locatelli’s foodie know-how, and rooms are a well-coordinated mix of Missoni patterns. Best of all – as hotels so often skimp on this area of design – bright bathrooms will make you smile even on the rainiest of Edinburgh mornings.

Future openings: Kuwait, Oman, Brazil, Cape Town.

Armani Hotel DubaiArmani Dubai

Residence in Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, is the first sign Armani’s bling factor is alive and well at its inaugural hotel. Gold and silver interiors are the second. Exercise your spending power with raids on Armani’s three hotel shops, paying special attention to The Galleria’s select edit of clothes and accessories from Armani Prive. Elsewhere, you can dine in style at one of eight restaurants and lounge your days away at Armani/Spa. Rooms are kitted out in Armani Casa furnishing, which you’d be tempted to take away – if only you could fit an oak table in your bag.

Future openings: Milan, Marrakech, Marassi, London, New York, Shanghai, Tokyo.

Maison Moschino, Milan

Moschino brings its tongue-in-cheek style to a 19th-century railway station in the centre of Milan. Here, you can share a bed with a floral-print wolf (in the Little Red Riding Hood room), check in to the Sweet Room to sleep under a cake-and-biscuit ornamented chandelier or luxuriate in a rose-petal appliqué bed (courtesy of the Life is a Bed of Roses room). Fairytale sleeping quarters are matched with artful public areas: lights in the lobby are fashioned like Moschino dresses and seats at Chlandestino Moschino restaurant ‘wear’ Moschino designs. It’s all like a very good fashion dream.

Isabel Clift is a writer and editor for travelintelligence.com, the London-based luxury hotel specialists. Browse their collection of luxury hotels to find a fashion-forward hotel, including their listings for luxury hotels in London.

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Mus Travel FashionFor those that travel the world, whether it be for business or pleasure, a common complaint is finding comfortable and fashionable clothing to not only wear while traveling, but to also pack and bring with you on your trip. Space is scarce, multi-functionality is key, and one still wants to look fashionable and stylish while on the go. This has long been a common complaint among the jet-setting women of the world, and I include myself in that list. Most women want to feel beautiful and comfortable while traveling, but we often have to forsake one for the other. Do you choose to focus on your appearance and forget the comfort? Or do you choose to be comfortable and forget the fashion?

Myriam Ullens, a front-row regular to both Dior and Chanel, and wife to Belgian industrialist, Guy Ullens, is launching Mus, a high-end knitwear line designed for fashionable women on the move. Although Myriam has the means to buy couture, owns a few fashion boutiques, and travels the globe frequently, she still feels there are clothes that she can’t get her hands on, clothes that are imperative to her travel needs of being easy, comfortable, and elegant. For a woman that travels over 300 days a year, she also pours her energies into charity work for disadvantaged children, cancer patients and contemporary art, which culminated with the 2007 opening of the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing, the site of a major Dior retrospective in 2008.

Read all about Ullens’ Mus line for travel fashion after the jump!

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Armani Hotel DubaiGiorgio Armani introduced a new chapter to his life venturing into the hospitality industry with the grand opening of the Armani Hotel in Dubai. Despite the recent economic downturn and debt problems Dubai has been faced with, Giorgio Armani SpA and Emaar Properties continued the hotel development with optimism. This is the first hotel Armani has stamped with his signature name, and plans to expand his empire with multiple other properties and residency developments throughout other major key cities across the globe. Women’s Wear Daily provided a full article on the opening of his hotel, and the pictures are simply beautiful.

“The idea is that you should feel as if you are coming to my home,” said Giorgio Armani.
 
 
Read all about the hotel and see a complete set of pics after the jump!

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Easton – Indonesian Premium Denim Line

by Kirsten on April 12, 2010

Easton Indonesian Denim Those that know me, know I have a huge love of denim, premium denim to be exact, which is why I was excited to receive this new denim line’s lookbook in my inbox. Easton jeans, proudly and ethically made in Indonesia, is introducing three cuts, two for men, and one unisex. I love to feature international brands, especially when they are coming to the US market. It’s a perfect way to bridge what is current in global fashion with my love of faraway places.

view the full lookbook and read all about Easton after the jump

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Free People April Catalog – Morocco

by Kirsten on April 9, 2010

Free People Morocco CatalogFree People, a fresh, bohemian clothing brand that I adore, dropped their April catalog this week, and I think it is gorgeous!! Shot in Morocco, the gateway to Africa, the photos are beautiful. Photography happens to be a favorite hobby of mine, one that I am continuously developing and practicing. Seeing distinct photos such as these, with such rich culture, color, and mysticism, it makes me long for another vacation to a far away place. Nothing compares to that feeling, and photography is a way to capture those moments forever.

Free People’s team stayed in Marrakesh (aka Marrakech, depending on who you ask) while shooting their catalog. Their creative director chose this city ‘because that is where all the action is’. As they wrote on their blog, “In addition to having one of the country’s largest traditional African markets (called a souk), Marrakech is also home to one of the busiest squares in all of Africa, and the world – called Djemaa el Fna. Walk into this square on any day and you’re likely to go into sensory overload: Orange juice stands, acrobats, monkeys, snake charmers, storytellers, musicians, dancers and handmade goods are just some of the things you’ll see.  At night the food stalls take over, filling the air with exotic aromas and creating a massive open-air restaurant full of mingling people.  Exit into the medina, Marrakech’s old city, and lose yourself in a shadowy maze of walls and narrow streets where donkey-driven carts replace automobiles.  The city’s artistic culture and vibrance made it a popular destination for hippies in the 1960s who flocked there in search of inspiration and free expression…and in Marrakech, inspiration is lurking around every corner. This month we are very excited to bring you along on our journey.”

more gorgeous photos and clothing after the jump

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Karl Lagerfeld in New York April 2010There is a simple answer to this question. Why would someone travel with fourteen pieces of luggage? Because they can. “They” in this instance is Karl Lagerfeld, the head of Chanel. The funny part about him traveling with this many pieces of luggage is the fact that this 76-year-old fashion designer is known for his daily uniform of a white shirt, black tie, blazer, jeans or trousers. What in the world can possibly be packed in that many bags? Maybe he changes five times a day? That doesn’t seem right. Shoes? Who knows.

Lagerfeld rarely deviates from his monochrome look. If anything, he accessorizes. Fingerless leather gloves, sunglasses, black stacked heels. As reported by the UK Daily Mail, in 2007 and 2008, Lagerfeld could be seen virtually wearing the same outfit, save for a change in jewelry.

The head honcho of Chanel was seen leaving his New York hotel with stacks upon stacks of luggage. He was in the States working on shooting an advert for the couture house’s Autumn/Winter 2010/11 collection.

Despite rumors, Chanel said they have no plans to replace their long-standing head designer. A spokesperson for Chanel said: ‘KL is Chanel’s creative director and has a long-term contract that is by no means reassessed. ‘His succession is not on the agenda.’

See the original article here. Photo credits by Xposurephotos.com

Karl Lagerfeld Luggage New York

Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel Luggage New York

Love, K.

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