Help us SHOUT OUT a huge congratulations to one our darling designers, Karelle Levy of Krelwear, she was voted Sweetest Thing for Daily Candy Miami Style! We knew she could do it! Thank you to all who took the time to vote for her! read more…

Bob Bland the owner and designer for Brooklyn Royalty is known for the treatments she likes to use with her fabrics. She doesn’t want the status quo fabric when it comes to producing her line. So when she came across a company that produces fabrics that change color with heat, she jumped at the chance introduce them into the clothing line. It was during her Spring 2009 Collection in a loft not far from the tents in Bryant Park that she introduced them to all of us.

Today she is seeing continued success with the new fabrics. She was included in an article in the Detroit News about the company, Body Faders, that produces the fabric. We think this is fantastic that one of the designers in our Smashing Darling community is receiving the press she deserves. All of us know, it isn’t easy! So join me in saying a huge congratulations to Bob for all her efforts. She is keeping her company young, fresh, on the cutting edge, inviting the press to take notice.

I was also happy to read:

Body Faders began four years ago when Karl Clayton and his wife Lori Monley made the jump from glowing necklaces to color-changing fabrics. Since then, the company has grown from a 2,000-square foot space to a 16,000-square-foot facility with nearly 20 employees.

It is so good to read all this during an economic downturn. Hopefully the US will see more small textile and design companies cropping up over the next few years as bigger companies scale back.

We are putting out a call to all indie/emerging designers. We want to help shout out all the events that will be taking place during the up coming fashion weeks that are happening all across the country. We want to shout out all the local talent that just may very well be in your backyard. Shopping local [indie] fashion is the new brand for 2009. Let’s get the word out. Drop us a line info@smashingdarling.com or leave us a comment on the blog…

or send us a tweet or a DM…

or write on our wall or become a fan.
The possibilities are limitless for ways to contact us. So what are you waiting for grab the event info and get it to us.

We think all of the Darlings are fabulous, but Kimberly Hendrix is the only Hello Fabulous. After many years as a vintage collector, Kimberly Hendrix decided to move her passion for one of a kind couture clothing forward and began not only collecting and reworking vintage pieces, but creating completely original designs while still working with recycled materials. In January 2008 the dedicated line hello, fabulous by k. hendrix was developed and immediately began appearing on fashion forward celebrities like Courtney Love and Juliet Lewis. We are thrilled to learn that we will get to see her present her first fashion show in September 2009 in New York. Take a moment to join her Facebook group, and get to know her a bit better below…

Darlings: When did your love of vintage clothing begin?
Kimberly: I have been vintage obsessed ever since I was old enough to dress myself. I loved looking through photos of my mother growing up in the 50’s and 60’s. My true appreciation for vintage style started as soon as I could drive myself to thrift stores to shop, rather than going to the local mall with my siblings.

Darlings: Where and how did you first start your business?
Kimberly: My vintage business really started by accident. I was working as a store designer for one of those big chain clothing stores and I had collected so many fabulous vintage items over the years. In 2001 a friend suggested that I start my own online business. That business grew and in 2007 I began creating my own clothing influenced by all my vintage pieces.

Darlings: Without giving away your secrets, where do you find most of the pieces?
Kimberly: The most wonderful vintage pieces used to be found almost anywhere, but these days everyone loves vintage and finding that perfect nugget has become very difficult. Most of my pristine vintage pieces come from estates or my own collection. Lately I tend to find pieces that may not be usable as is, but have the potential to be something beautiful with work. I love making something stunning out of something someone has cast off as worthless.

Darlings: With vintage, quality is a big issue, what is your standard? How do you decide which pieces actually make the selling floor in your store?
Kimberly: If I list an item in my vintage store it must be in perfect or close to perfect condition. Always wearable. Anything that falls below that standard goes into my “something to be created” back stock.

Darlings: Do you find a way to rework the pieces that are less than perfect?
Kimberly: Reworked and recycled pieces have really become the staple of my business. I love the earth friendly aspect of these new designs. Sometimes a piece like a beautiful wool coat just needs new silk lining to modernize it. Sometimes the final piece is completely unrecognizable. I do a lot of dying and hand sewing to make each piece into something brand new.

Darlings: What does your average day entail?
Kimberly: My days are very dedicated to my business and my nights are dedicated to my family. I try very hard to get everything on the business side accomplished early on and then focus on sewing as much as possible. It is a very meditative activity for me and it is my favorite part of what I do. Sometimes, like it or not, I am sewing into the wee hours of the night.

Darlings: Describe your personal style.
Kimberly: Typically my personal style is one of contrasts. It is a mix of modern and vintage and a mix of casual and glamour. I love a great pair of jeans with a simple white tank top accented by vintage jewelry and killer boots. I often wear my own beaded pieces during the day to add some sparkle. Being 6 months pregnant doesn’t make it easy, but I am making it work.

Darlings: Who are your fashion icons (past or present)? Do you think they influenced your personal style?
Kimberly: Of course I love modern designers like Marc Jacobs and I am a huge fan of legends such as Vionnet, but I must say I think it is more the people I see everyday that influence my personal style. Anyone who takes a chance and lives outside the box, unafraid to express themselves; It is these people that bring out the best in me as well.

Darlings: Do you have any current fashion obsession?
Kimberly: I always have new fashion obsessions. Right now I am obsessed with skinny jeans and boots because I cannot wear them. Instead I am trying to find anything that can make a pregnant woman still look cool.

Darlings: What advice would you give someone just starting in your field?
Kimberly: Anyone starting their own vintage shop needs to do a lot of research. You need to know what to recognize as quality. Read lots of books on vintage clothing, browse lots of online vintage stores. See what is selling and find what appeals to you. If you truly love vintage it is easy to become a collector, the hard part is letting pieces go.

Darlings: Do you have any events you are getting ready for in the near future?
Kimberly: Believe it or not, thanks to the fabulous Smashing Darling staff, I applied to show my own collection in New York for Nolcha Fashion week and I was selected to showcase in September 2009. I have collaborated with other designers for fashion week before, but this will be my very first show. I am very excited and I know it will be a lot of hard work, especially with a new baby due this April. Luckily I love the pressure.

Darlings: Where else do you sell your vintage pieces besides Smashing Darling?
Kimberly: I do have my own online shop, www.hellofabulous.com. I carry some vintage pieces, but mostly I focus the site on my own line k. hendrix. I just began selling my own collection in various boutiques on the west coast this spring 2009 season.

Darlings: Do you have a question or a comment for anyone on Smashing Darling?
Kimberly: I love every single designer on Smashing Darling. I cruise the boutiques and I am so inspired by each of them. Since the very beginning I have been obsessed with Naik Fur. Her pieces are works of art and I would love every item of hers in my closet.

Amidst the gloom that has descended on Manhattan, a single light remains, burning brightly, bringing hope to the good folks of Gotham, reminding them that glamour, style and good times will never die and that they, the true New Yorkers, will always find a way to party…

These are the Chronicles of Fashion Wars, a monthly party where guests are entertained by live bands and  DJs, where they can drink, dance and declare Fashion War. Rep your favorite designer, design your own look or visit your favorite secret shop. Whatever you do just dress up, be photographed and published live on fashionwars.com, then party while the world votes.

Vote at the party or online at fashionwars.com until Feb. 11th. Winner gets a spread in ZOOZOOM. Goodie bags and prizes courtesy of Rebel Dance, DRU New York and Yestadt Millinery.

THIS IS OUR DREAM

We believe in stories that last, in clothes that communicate identity, and in fashion that shines far beyond this season’s magazines.  We believe in making glamorous dreams real.
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We believe that every person has a story to tell

Our designers each have their story. Pinar Eris moved to the US from Turkey, where self-expression was not encouraged, to celebrate freedom and individuality through wearable art. Lara Miller studied dancers’ movements for her inspiration and sold her designs while she was still in school. Each of our designers’ pieces comes with a unique story that gets handed down to the person who wears them.  We believe that these personal connections and heritage is what makes SmashingDarling the unique destination it has become for designers and customers alike.

We believe in the power to create our own future

At SmashingDarling we are moving forward with the times. We believe technology and the internet are powerful vehicles that help designers connect with customers. What you see online may have been created just the prior week by a designer with an idea.  The short cycle from the designer’s studio to their SmashingDarling boutique lets our customers (if they choose to) set fashion trends that others follow.  One stitch, one seam, one piece at a time, all made right here at home.

We believe in connection and inspiration

Have you ever owned a Chanel or Christian Dior, Calvin Klein or Donna Karen? Have you ever been able to have a conversation with them about their designs or their products? Have you ever been able to email to ask them, ‘what was your inspiration for that dress, collection, or color combination?’  Here at SmashingDarling, we encourage you to start this very dialog with all of your favorite designers on the site.  Connect, inspire, be inspired—dare to be smashing.

We believe in a fashion dialog

Having a great style is about much more than buying the right item or spending more money. It’s about creativity, sophistication, a dialog. It’s about playfulness, about style exploration. In SmashingDarling, we created a place where people can connect with designers one-to-one to start a dialog.  A new fashion take, an enhanced stylish you, a new trend you set–that’s the kind of conversation we’d like to start!

If you do one thing today, please read Local Color: Shopping at Hometown Designers. The article is exactly how we feel here at Smashing Darling. We want to shout it out for anyone and everyone doing the same thing for local designers. The more voices behind this movement the better off we are.

From the article:

“Then there’s the psychological satisfaction of finding good designs in your own neighborhood. The carbon footprint of locally bought designs is smaller than clothes that were designed in Paris, assembled in China and sold in Chicago. And, of course, it’s fun to name-drop a small designer: You sound so in-the-know.”
-Christina Binkley

Let us know if you have written an article, a blog post, tweeted it, or gotten the message about shopping local out there some other way. We want to link to it and SHOUT IT OUT!

Darling designer Erika Viereck creates her line, Black Heart Bunny, printed lovingly by hand in Southern California. She also totally digs Amy Sedaris:

If I hadn’t taken up design, I would be a comedic writer. I really admire funny women. Especially Amy Sedaris. She’s pretty, she bakes, she writes, she’s never afraid of being goofy, and she always makes me laugh! I really want to be her when I grow up!

Hey Amy! Are you out there, we love to introduce you two…!

Shop Erika’s darling boutique, read her blog, follow her on Twitter, and learn more about her in this interview below.

Darlings: How old were you when you started getting involved in fashion design or the fashion world in general?
Erika: I started to hone in on fashion in high school. I realized that fashion could be used as a form of visual communication, and this is especially true among subcultures. In the 60’s “Street Wear” was born as the youth used they way they dressed to distinguish themselves from the generations before them. Punks in the 70’s use it as a way to declare their rebellion as well. Fashion can be a combination of art and function. Fashion for me was not only a fun form self expression but aspects of it also felt very empowering as well.

Darlings: When did you start your own line of clothing?
Erika: In 2005.

Darlings: Where did the name ‘Black Heart Bunny’ come from?
Erika: Naming my line was a lot like writing the shortest poem ever, setting the tone of my line in as few as words as possible and with a splash of alliteration.

Darlings: What influences your work?
Erika: This is a difficult question to answer as it seems every aspect of my life seems to influence my work in one way or another. I enjoy finding beauty in the smallest things like the colors of oxidation on a pipe. However, art is a big source of influence. The beautiful thing about art is that builds upon itself. Like listening to a great song might inspire a painting or even a fashion piece and maybe vice versa.

Darlings: Can you describe your personal style? Does your work reflect that style?
Erika: My wardrobe is a bit eclectic. I enjoy mixing elegant and feminine pieces with something that has a bit of edge, and basics with things that are a bit more fashion forward. I love combining colors in unexpected ways as well. I feel that even the most mundane task can be elevated if you’re wearing something fantastic while doing it.

I definitively incorporate these ideas into my line. I want people to feel comfortable in Black Heart Bunny clothing both on a physical and personal level. There are plenty of casual of clothes out there, but there aren’t many I would feel comfortable wearing. Black Heart Bunny pieces are easy to wear and can be dressed up or down depending on what your needs are.

Darlings: What does your average day entail?
Erika: I devote my days to running Black Heart Bunny and nurturing the line so it will grow.

Darlings: What is your favorite thing to do when you aren’t designing?
Erika: I love being creative in different ways. I am a bit of a foodie so I love finding great places to eat and creating new recipes. I love to create dishes that look as good as they taste. I also really love spending time with people I love.

Darlings: Who is your favorite and/or most influential designer, and why?
Erika: Vivienne Westwood. She is a fashion designer but she was part of a movement, the punk movement of the 70’s. She is a provocative figure, but her enduring success proves her talent as a designer. I truly admire her boldness.

Darlings: How does it feel to see models hit the runway in your work?
Erika: I haven’t actually seen the models on the runway from the audience perspective. I’m usually behind the scenes making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible and even then there are somethings that just can’t be helped. Putting on a fashion show is a lot of hard work. It takes many days of preparation and a strong team to put on a really great one. Usually when its over I’m just relieved I get to go home and rest. I appreciate the experience after its over.

Darlings: Do you have any events that you are getting ready for in the near future?
Erika: Yes! I’m currently working on finishing up pieces for a look book shoot that is scheduled for next month. Trish introduced me to fantastic photographer Kevan Christine and I’m really looking forward to working with her.

Darlings: Tell us about something you LOVE that you want others to know about.
Erika: If you find yourself in the Los Angeles area you should make a point to stop by the Museum of Jurassic Technology.  Not only is it an amazing space, it is a very thought provoking place.

Darlings: Is there anyone in the Smashing Darling community you have a question or comment for?
Erika: I admire they way the ladies of Smashing Darling support their designers. Thank you Darlings!

Watch the video

So let us SUMMON

a new

SPIRIT

of PATRIOTISM

of

TO

and

LOOK

                                           -Barack Obama

What do you PLEDGE?

BK Style Foundation (BKSF) was founded in 2004 as a platform for Brooklyn’s explosive creative talent. BKSF’s mission is to assist emerging, underprivileged designers in honing their talent and growing their business, and to provide a professional forum to showcase their creations along side other emerging designers from around the globe.

In addition to its commitment to design, BK extends its mission to the Brooklyn community as a whole, presenting innovative educational programs to young people interested in developing careers on the creative and business aspects of fashion. Consistent with this mission, BK Style Foundation is developing the Brooklyn Style Base, a design education and resource center for youth in the Brooklyn community, which will house a design library, and style museum, and a productions and manufacturing department. Additionally the BK Annex an educational collaboration with Brooklyn Outreach Centre Network and Fort Greene Fashion Group. The BK Annex will offer design lectures, workshops and seminars. Programs and resources at both the Brooklyn Style Base and the BK Annex will be free of charge to the community at large. read more…

One of our darling designers showing Spring/summer 2009:
Samoy Lenko