Shot by Kimberley Gordan (I Love Wildfox) of Wildfox Couture (another favourite line, as we all know), these behind the scenes shots from Odylyne‘s Fall Lookbook are what my dreams are made of: gentle light and flowing fabrics, natural backdrops and ethereal settings. The styling is simple and effective, capturing the decidedly vintage and bohemian mood of the line and leaving one word in my mind: beautiful.
After coming across these shots, I think you can expect more from Odylyne on the blog, as these have got me hooked, and I think the aesthetic is very closely aligned with that of Bicyclette.
Free People just launched their Vintage Loves line, a collection of specially picked vintage pieces sold on their website. I’ve always been a fan of Free People, not just for the clothes but also their branding and overall image. The style is very bohemian (which I love), and this translates into their scrapbook-like graphics and layered styling, creating an incredibly cohesive brand experience.
I think the addition of a vintage line makes sense for them: a lot of their pieces are vintage-inspired, and so the integration is seamless. And there’s no doubt that the pieces they’ve selected are gorgeous, I’m just a little wary of the high-end prices.
It has, however, got me thinking that perhaps a vintage collection may be in Bicyclette‘s future … hmmm?
Love this little scrapbook-like collage. Will definitely use as inspiration ...
Always a pretty way to display clothing
How perfect is this, with the clothes-pinned roses? I've done something similar in the studio, pinning jewellery to vintage nightgowns
Another good idea. I've had this in my mind for awhile, a display against the chalkboard wall, perfect for displaying a new collection and styling
... and now I want an exposed brick wall in the studio
Product shots on the site from the lace collection. The old book pages ... !
photo cred: free people
A little while back, I had the pleasure of having coffee with Corrine from Biko after a few e-mails back and forth. Not only was it great to be able to talk to a local Toronto entrepreneur who has been through a similar journey as me, but her Fall jewellery line is absolutely gorgeous, incorporating a variety of vintage elements and trinkets, and exploring contradictions within every piece.
… the richness of black velvet against old brass chain, the rawness of copper against silver, bold bad-girl chains mixed with delicate fringes, and sharp spikes and triangle charms strung on rounded hardware. I imagine this collection will be a bit of hot and cold, old and new, rough with girly touches, and of course, classic with a nostalgic twist.
I am beyond excited to start carrying Biko’s Fall line, and thought the perfect way to celebrate would be to share some of my favourite pieces with you.
Luxe basics make me happy. I believe they should be a staple in any closet, but they’re also hard to find. I’m not talking American Apparel, but something with a little more class, a little more edge, a lot more personality, and that little something extra that makes you swoon.
So with that, I am extremely excited to introduce Heather to you, a line of not-so-basic basics that I’ll be carrying for the Fall. In a range of heathered neutrals (white, black, grey), these pieces have the softest touch, most gorgeous drape and are perfectly accented with hints of sequins, silk insets and sheer chiffon. Ah, there’s the swoon. Here’s a few images from the look book and a little teaser of what I bought for the shop …
(you can't tell here, but there's a silk panel in the back. bought in heather white)
(satin insets on the sides. perfect for layering. bought in black)
(favourite piece. not exactly your typical baseball tee. bought in black.)
(removable sequin collar. simply gorgeous. bought in dark heather grey)
Collaborations really excite me. One thing about having your own business and essentially being a one-woman team is missing out on the opportunity to share ideas and skill sets with other team members. Which is why, when I have the chance to work with someone on a new project, I always jump at the chance. Especially someone whose work I’ve secretly been admiring from afar.
With the majority of Bicyclette merchandise now in the studio and the website currently in development, it’s about time to think about product shots and look books. And so, I am pleased to introduce you to Shelby Fenlon, aka Lola Haze, who will be working with Bicyclette as photographer.
Shelby’s aesthetic is very closely aligned to that of Bicyclette, which I think is why I have been so drawn to her work. With a vintage aesthetic, an awe-inspiring ability to capture natural light and ethereal beauty and a tendency towards abstract composition there’s an undeniable and somewhat mysterious allure to each shot.
Here’s a brief sampling, enjoy.
Shelby’s work can be found on Flickr and Tumblr. And hopefully on the blog again!
As we get closer and closer to the warmer weather, all I can think about is bare legs, light layers, bright colours and perky prints. C’mon summer, I know you wanna. Since I can’t indulge myself in actually wearing any outfits that fit this description, instead I opt for online ogling and gathering inspiration.
Meet Lauren Moffatt and her line of cute and quirky, world-traveler ready clothes. I’ve put together a few of my favourites, complete with the names of the pieces, as they’re almost as perfect as the clothes and add to the touristy theme.
As usual, I find that the styling makes all the difference. Look book, photo shoot, product shots … doesn’t matter, if it’s styled well with a clever and consistent theme, it’s automatically taken to another level and captures the attention of the viewer. I love anything that tells a story and sparks my imagination. This Lauren Moffatt line does just that, and through the addition of the oversized bows and flowers, sunglasses, hats and nude wedges, an unexpected consistency becomes evident and all of a sudden we can see ourselves traveling the globe with a wardrobe such as this …
I love prints and embellishment. So when I came across Motel, I was automatically drawn to their bold graphics, intricate detailing and simple shapes. Specializing in dresses with simple silhouettes that hug you in all the right places and play with proportions, they have a cohesive collection that presents pieces that are perfect for layering and adding that ‘je ne sais quoi’ to any outfit. These are statement pieces, not for the timid.
Betsy Dress - Egyptian Head
Cleo Knit
Grace Dress
Holly Dress
Winona Dress - Aztec
Bianca Dress - Leopard
Fran Dress
Grace Dress - Peacock
Zoe Dress - White Rose
Zoe Dress - Wolf
Favourites?
On Saturday (I think?) I mentioned that I would be looking for some input on brands today. So that’s what I’m going to do. I’ve made a few recent business decisions in regard to bicyclette as of late, with the main one being to open a small online store prior to the street front store opening. This will be an opportunity to expand my online presence, connect with potential customers more, and focus more on building the brand image before the doors are open. As a Canadian customer, I often find myself wanting to order from stores and brands online but run in to one huge problem repeatedly: cost of shipping from outside of Canada. Whether everything is laid out from the beginning or you get stuck with an unexpected charge upon delivery, it’s not fun to pay double the price of an item just to have it sent to you. So what I want to do is bring you some lines that are currently hard to find in Canada, and offer them to you without the ridiculous shipping charges.
As mentioned before, I will be attending the trade shows (Magic and Project primarily) in Las Vegas in February, and while there, will both be scoping out brands for the store as well as doing some buying for online.
Here’s a sampling of some that I’ll be looking at:
Wildfox Couture
Free People
Trash & Luxury
Frug
Mink Pink
Jeffrey Campbell
What I want to ask you is what brands would you like to see? Are there certain lines that are difficult to find or obnoxious to order?
This online store will be mostly about learning more about my customer and what they are looking for, so this is your chance to share your input!
Today, I’m going back to the basics, and what better brand to take us there than Velvet. I find that it’s often more fun to shop for the “trend” pieces, if you will, and shy away from the so-called boring basics. The pieces that boast fun prints, shapes and fabrications in a variety of styles, and are considered new and interesting. Something different, unique, that we haven’t really seen before. And yet, basic styles can add just as much to any outfit, and these are the pieces that you will keep in your closet forever and find yourself turning to again and again. The key is finding styles that have something extra to offer, whether it’s an updated shape, an interesting colour or a soft, sheer fabric, what I refer to as luxe basics. Velvet manages to do just that.
From the website:
Velvet by Graham and Spencer is a contemporary t-shirt collection that offers a fresh approach for women that demand more than just novelty from fashion… the result is a collection of soft and sensuous t’s that flatter without sacrificing feminine fit and beauty.
Sounds just about perfect to me. Take a look at these styles from their Fall 2/Holiday 09 collection (the most recent on their website), and you’ll notice that these go way beyond your basic tee.
These are all perfect layering pieces and are far from boring, each with their own detailing. And I can personally vouch for the soft touch of the fabric: trust me, this is something you’re going to want against your skin. Another benefit of playing around with basics is the opportunity to be bold with accessories and have some fun playing with other aspects of your outfit.
Here’s one way that I like to wear my basics, in this case a simple, oversized stripe shirt from H&M that I’ve had for ages: throw on a blazer, some accessories, and boots, et voila! Simple.
Oversized Striped Shirt: H&M / Blazer: Thrifted / Denim: BDG / Rhinestone Necklaces: Random / Beaded Clutch: Vintage / OTK Boots: Heel Boy
What brands do you turn to for basics? And how important are they as part of your daily wardrobe?
I’ve never been a huge heels girl, primarily because I just don’t think they fit into my lifestyle right now (school.. running around the city..) and because I’m already tall, so sometimes they make me feel like I’m towering. Plus, by not having a shoe obsession, I’m able to save money in that area… until Jeffrey Campbell entered my life. The brand does vintage inspired footwear with perfection, and it’s one to watch out for.
I’ve had my eyes on Jeffrey Campbell shoes for awhile now, and when I came across the 99 Zip Wedge, it was love at first sight. Black leather means they go with everything, the wedge heel is extremely comforable, and the sleek shape is simple and gorgeous. I finally got them in the mail on Saturday, and wore them all day and night for a family affair. Yes, it’s true love, and I foresee this being a long relationship.
I apologize for the short post … and I will post full outfit photos with the shoes soon. Trust me, in this last stretch of exams and projects, I’m in no position to be sharing what I’m wearing or looking like!
Leave A Comment