Smashing Darling Blog

links to shop:

1. roundhouse designs, $38.00 

2. Elle P Designs, $15.00 

3. Dina Varano, $49.00 

4. Pinkdixie, $30.00 

5. Student SMASH Up, $38.99 

6. Erin Lilies, $38.00 

Indie Fashion’s New Home

By Eva ⋅ November 21, 2007

You won’t ever understand the allure of indie fashions until you buy and wear something distinct, fabulous and hard to find. Then and only then will you get why indie fashion rules the roost. Recently we talked (briefly) with the founders of Smashing Darling.com and realized they are on to something. As an example, their recent look book contained a handful of designers that were new to me yet known by others at Papierdoll and vice versa. What’s the allure behind featuring items from Lara Miller (pictured above and below), Pinar Eris, Laura Dawson and Papusza Couture? To the world outside of our little circle they are largely unknown, but they will be. And you would have had the foresight to know them first.

The folks at Smashing Darling must have done their homework. In many instances indie designers are “indie” for a reason. Some are not yet polished, or have the finish that one would want. The designers featured at the Smashing Darling are a bit different in that regard. The pieces sold are hand picked by the owners and website reflect the fashion sense of the owners. How can you sell something that you don’t believe in? They don’t. Everything they sell reflects their aesthetic to varying degrees. We’ll be interviewing them on Papierdoll soon. Until that time, take a look at their website here.

Go over to papierdoll and leave them a comment!

Here is a bit of the weekly fashion round up from our west coast ‘lover of all things fashion’, Spork

Designer Tips found a unique safety pin necklace from designer Vivienne Westwood that is priced to deplete your bank account.

Fall in love with the Stella McCartney Patent Ring Clutch at Lifestyle Buzz.

Designer Sense focuses on the Christian Louboutin Striped Ankle Boot.

What’s Haute spotlights Jennifer Lopez’s Zagliani “Puffy” Bag.

The Beauty Counter is ready to start holiday shopping early with LUSH bath treats.

Fashionably Cute features Louis Vuitton-inspired kawaii accessories.

Gear up for the holidays with fab mommy-to-be fashions at The Kiddie Fashionista.

Diva In A Carry On found a way to keep your ‘top-half assets’ from falling out for all to see.

Rock-n-roll legend CBGB is re-born thanks to designer John Varvatos. Get the scoop at Pink Rock Candy.

Who loved the Coach Carly Leather Hobo Bag? Designer Planet does. Find out why.

Celebrate the Fendi Baguette’s 10th Anniversary at Señora Cartera.

Save while you shop the latest styles from e-tailer Shop Barbara courtesy of Fashion Fling.

Elite Choice showcases the world’s most expensive sandals.

Style Talk discovered an exquisite interchangeable bracelet/necklace that’s both unique and chic.

So Frugalicious takes the work out of sale shopping with the help of Savvy Circle.

From our Splendicity members, comes some of the best posts of the week.

Zoom right over to Spork Fashion to read the rest.

This weeks interview is with Donna Barnes, owner proprietress of Willow Tree Vintage. I am so lucky to have her and her store as my neighbor in Chester. She has a real passion for vintage with a keen eye on all of it so her quality is impeccable. If one of her pieces has a minor flaw she will always tell you. To be in her store is very magical because you want all the remnants of the past to talk. You want to hear the stories about what parties they went to or what the gossip of the day was. Talking to Donna herself is very special too. I know because I have spent many hours sitting on the wall outside our stores chatting. She is truly an amazing person. She has done so many things and been so many places her stories are fabulous too.

SD: When did your love of vintage clothing begin?
DB: Probably as a young child . I often played in my grandmother’s attic where she actually had trunks filled with antique clothing . I was quite an interesting dresser in high school.

SD: Where and how did you first start your business?
DB: I began in 1993, right after my son was born. I started working part-time in a vintage shop in the next town . it was a favorite place that my
daughter and I would go with our “mad money.”The shop was in a huge Victorian house, and had rooms and rooms of clothing, and hats and trims, and the most fabulous collection of jackets from the 1800’s, and a whole room filled with BALL GOWNS!! Just so much stuff!! The owner was getting elderly and needed help, so I packed up a playpen and some toys and we were off. After about a year, she rented me one of the rooms in the front with my own picture window to decorate, and my collections grew.

SD: Without giving away your secrets, where do you find most of the pieces?
DB: Oh, so many places. Actually there is such a large network of vintage dealers. Having a storefront in downtown Chester has been wonderful
because I get to buy from just regular people that come through the door and have their mothers’ or grandmothers’ things. When I first started, I would scrounge all the second hand shops looking for the really older pieces. Now many of the other antique shop owners that buy house estates will call me and I often buy everything pertaining to clothing and accessories. I can always network with other clothing dealers when I need a really peiod piece or I see that ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS piece that I want to put in my store. I don’t have as much time anymore to go searching, but have lots of fun when I’m on vacation checking out antique shops.

SD: Quality is a big issue, what is your standard? How do you decide which pieces actually make the selling floor in your store?
DB: Pretty high these days. Again, when I started, I took everything-washed everything, did my own repairs. I have always had an eye for the unusual, the most interesting fabrics and designs, but it has to be in really, really good condition to get into the shop. Nobody wants to buy anything with obvious flaws or big repairs. The pieces in my store are all clean and WEARABLE. And heaven forbid my store should smell like somebody’s grandmas attic or basement!

SD: What does your average day entail?
DB: Answering phone calls, doing little repair work on pieces, steaming clothing to put out. I have this “work room ” at home–which is cram filled with materials and clothing racks, and pieces of things, and BOXES of trims, and oh……stuff. Anyway I have been very true to my resolution this year of going through things, and bringing pieces in so other people could also enjoy them, and maybe even buy them, and I could continue buying MORE…….(ha)

SD: Describe your personal style.
DB: Very eclectic, however I see that I really do love more tailored clothing on me. I have always loved the longish riding coat and boots with my beret. maybe that’s kind of boring. I wanted to be a nun when I was in 4th grade because I loved the habit. My family told me to “knock it off’–we weren’t even catholic. I think its the drama of the clothing. However, I do not do ruffles well.

SD: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
DB: I really can’t say that I have any icons. There was never anyone fashion forward in my family-we grew up on the JC Penny catalog. I don’t even have an artistic background. I’m a cultural anthropologist, so I guess you could say my interest in ancient ceremonial pieces influenced me during my tribal period.

SD: Do you have any current fashion obsession?
DB: Yes-I love capes, little hats with black veils-gloves. anything that has beautiful finish or hand sewn detail work.

SD: What advice would you give someone just starting in your field?
DB: Oh-have a good plan , or at least have such a mad passionate love for what you are doing that you are willing to eat pasta 30 different ways and drink lots of cheap wine until you make money enabling someone else to cook for you. . get a good network going, and work together. Be a NICE person. Be honest. Save the drama for your fashions.

SD: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
DB: Not at the moment. I had a really busy fall. Christmas is coming and we’ll have a bit of a whirlwind in the store.. I sell to quite a few stores, and just had some collections go off to London and California.

SD: Where else do you sell your vintage clothing besides Smashing Darling?
DB: No where else at the moment. Just Smashing Darling and at my shop The Willow Tree in downtown Chester,Ct.

SD: Do you have a question or a comment for anyone one Smashing Darling?
DB: Thanks Trish and Julie-I know this would be a great opportunity for me to get some more things up tomorrow–I will try!!!thank-you,thank-you!

We had such a fun day in the NYC yesterday. This time it was with my family. We popped in to see the Christmas show at Radio City. Going into NY is crazy as usual. Up at the crack of dawn, running around like lunatics once there. The city was beautiful. It always is at the holidays. It was a crazy fun day and a great way to get into the holiday spirit. This year the show is helping Radio City celebrate it’s 75th anniversary. They did a great number giving a bit of the history of how it all started. So here is a few of give away questions. What was the name first given to the Rockettes? What year did the music hall almost shut down for good? Last but not least, How many crystals are in the diamond anniversary costumes the Rockettes wear? I will be giving away Student Smash Up VI tees to the first 3 people to answer questions correctly. Only answer one question please. Give someone else a chance to win one. Great way to get some shopping done for the holidays!

One little side note, if anyone is reading this from the show, just want to say the doors should be shut as soon as the show starts. We missed parts of the 3 first acts, including the the 3′d show because people weren’t seated do to late arrival. Punish the people who are late and don’t care that they are inconveniencing someone else. If you shut the doors I’ll bet that you will start to see show goers will make sure they are there on time.

I thought everyone should know the two latest features that we have been feverishly building so Smashing Darling would be ready for this holiday season. When I say ‘we’, I really mean the fab programmer on our team! Anyway, the first is e-gift cards. These new additions to our site make it so easy to support our emerging community during this holiday season. It is paper free, so they are eco-friendly, and the giftee gets to choose from our growing number of designers. Instead of getting that Chia Pet Head from aunt [insert name here], wouldn’t you rather get a gift card that lets you choose? There are 4 beautiful styles, and $25, $50, $100, $200 or $500 cards. Trust me, shopping just got a whole lot easier.

The second great feature is designer stores can now create discounts and give out the code for it. So all you die hard darling fans keep your eyes open because this one is like a treasure hunt. You will have to search your favorite blogs and magazines to see who is giving you the scoop on where the latest sale is, or who is giving the deal of a lifetime. I can tell you that one of our designers got a spot in the Seventeen Gift guide so be on the prowl for that. If In Style is your magazine of choice pay attention you just may see a smashing steal in there too. I won’t say when. You will just have to keep checking.

Winter is upon us, and it’s the time of year to escape the cold

by the glow of a roaring fire and get together with friends and family.

Get your look together and create your own glow this holiday season

with indie fashion from SmashingDarling.com.

links to shop:

1. Dina Varano, $520.00

2. Ouvrez La Porte, $188.00

3. Pantyline Productions, $12.00

4. Michelle Merchant, $24.00

5. Mergirl, $125.00

6. Andrea Valentini, $125.00

I found this badge planted over at DIYthing. Go check out their blog and then go to Pledge Handmade and take the pledge. Get the badge and plant it somewhere to bring awareness to this fabulous cause.

Our very own Smashing Darling designer Punkin NYC is in the running for best women’s clothing store in NYC . Click here , scroll down to find Mark Montano, [It is the 13th store down on the list]. That is the name of her fabulous boutique. It is nestled in the East Village on 9th street between 1st Ave and and Avenue A. Go immediately to cast your vote and show your support for our fellow emerging indie designer.