Nooworks

My interest in in learning more about all the amazing California indie designers out there has skyrocketed as of late.

Could be the cold weather in NYC; could be the jovial 1970s trends I’ve spotted here and there — Boy by Band of Outsiders’ Spring 2010 RTW collection certainly helped. Whatever it is, there’s just something about labels like San Francisco-based Nooworks that make one feel more relaxed…almost like a bona fide “dude” or whatever they say ’round that way…

Creme Calico Cutie Pie -- $84

Oh, and the prices are very, very nice…

Public Library — the clothing line, not the institution

I’m a sucker for a witty or interesting clothing line name. But when I came across Public Library, all I could think was how frustrating it must be for them to never, ever pop up on the first page of a Google search.

Logistics aside, the California-based design team makes T-shirts, cute ones, that sell at exclusive boutique shops like Harvey Nichols in London and The Big Drop in NYC. Despite this annoying fact, not to mention the even more annoying fact that they outfit super-annoying celebs like Lindsay Lohan and at least two out of five (six? how many are there?) Kardashian’s, I have to give the label a (how annoying is this word) “shout-out” for keeping their prices fairly reasonable.

I want a Belgian coat, dammit.

My mother, who was born in what they call “Old Europe,” doesn’t get my obsession with Belgian and Scandinavian clothing, or what she calls, “weird, trendy, you’ll-get-tired-of-it-next-season” clothing. All my life I’ve been hearing how I’ll tire of clothes that are interesting and daring and should just invest in a camel wool coat and be done with it.

I’m sorry, but if you give me a removable collar, like this one on Mel En Stel’s Wool Tweed Coat, it’s like letting me pretend I’ve a hand in actually dressing myself.

Which, admit it, is a clever trick.

Death by Drone

Let me start off by saying, I’ve lauded the designs of Death by Drone before.

But now I’m going to do it again. Why? Because designers Deborah Kaplan and Tiffany Ang just released their new Fall 2009 collection and it’s called Jacques and the Jewel Thief. Why else? Because their inventive and adorable campaign stars a little black dog, cupcakes, lollipops and cake.

Not good enough? Of course not. Maybe some pics will suffice. Enjoy!

Astridland

I kind of have this thing with capes. I just love them. Believe me, I realize they look preposterous, theatrical and pompous to some, but I can’t help but feel they elevate a casual outfit to something luxurious and memorable.

Astrid Brucker is the mastermind behind Astridland, an Indie label that does for the cape what Carrie Bradshaw did for the entire high heel shoe industry. And when she isn’t pairing capes with amazing, matching itsy bitsy shorts, she’s making Angelina Jolie proud with her collection of slinky, sullen gowns.

Learn more about Astridland or shop her collection.

Quite a few stores are now carrying Astridland…including:

Debut: 298 Mulberry St., New York, NY. (212) 343-2717.
TG-170: 170 Ludlow St., New York, NY. (212) 995-8660.

Khoon Hooi

If one label embodies the concept of “new romantic,” it’s floaty, dreamy, dessert-as-clothing Khoon Hooi, by Malaysian designer Lee Khoon Hooi.

You won’t find a single abrasive item in his collection – he even manages to make black leather motorcycle gloves elegant when paired with a soft red one-shoulder dress. Since his 1999 fashion debut, Khoon Hooi’s looks have effortlessly vacillated between Gallic literary heroine and regal sweetheart next door. But the smart cookie never seems to deviate far from what he knows his customers really want – something pretty.

NYC stores:
Noir et Blank: 19 W. 23rd St., New York, NY. (212) 627-1750.
Big Drop: 174 Spring St., New York, NY. (212) 966-4299. www.bigdropnyc.com.