We’ve said it before, but we will say it again…it is so great to find people out there supporting indie designers! Precisely the mission of our new friend and blogger Deanne of Dream Sequins. Go check out her blog for designer profiles, interviews with both fashion bloggers as well as brick and mortar indie fashion boutiques (oh! and websites like us, too). Deanne learned a bit more about Smashing Darling recently…but, go find her on Twitter and she will Twitter-view you too! Don’t miss her Darling picks below.
I love that there is something indie and amazing for everyone in a wide range of prices on Smashing Darling! Here are some items that caught my eye recently:
PapuszaCouture – Bluebird Dress
I fell in love with this unique navy and brown dress from PapuszaCouture and I can’t exactly tell you why. It rocks so many different elements: a blend of textures, shapes and colors and it really shouldn’t work; but to my eye, it’s just unique and amazing. The only question is: where would I wear this masterpiece? It’s a little Comme des Garcons meets suburban goth girl. I love it!
Brooklyn Royalty – Stretch Lame Moto Capri
These stretch lame moto capris combine two key trends: the shiny legging and the shorter length nearly biker-short style legging that all the cool kids are layering under short, filmy dresses this summer. Take a page from their book and try a little disco shine under a tunic or even a neutral floral dress to give it some zing!
ZSEGA – Coat Tracy
I picked this coat because it has some really classic elements. When I pick a new coat, I look for workmanship (it has to last more than a season or two!) and interesting, albeit classic, details. This one has interesting design elements. It’s elegant, and I could imagine this in my closet for years as a cool weather staple.
Laura Dawson – Bubble Shorts
I was very anti-shorts for a long time, but now that it seems they are here to stay for women, I’m eyeing these bloomer style shorts that have the ability to make your summer ensemble a little more interesting. I like that these shorts are bloomer style, but not infantilizing as other shorts can be when you add in cutesy details.
Dahl – Bye Bye Birdie – hand-crocheted motif over cotton
This is so classy and simple. I love that it’s a black dress, but it has these hand-made elements in the front. I don’t especially enjoy “crafty” clothing, but the crochet element in the front is pretty cool.
Ashes and Empires – Viviana Cut Out Spats
I looked through the Ashes and Empires accessories offering on Smashing Darling and fell in love with most of their stuff. These turquoise spats add interest to a pair of plain heels. I wish I had a whole closet of these spats in different shapes and colors to sex-ify my shoe wardrobe. A great investment!
Yosifa – Sparkles Scarf
Lately I’ve been into scarves. I used to think they were old-lady bourgeois, but with the right type of print, you can keep them modern and fresh. I love the sparkle print on these scarves. And I’m impressed with the fact that Yosifa does original prints and they are so affordable and unique.
Also read Dream Sequin post: ShopTalk: Smashing Darling
and Future Perfect: Parsons Thesis Collections for inspiration
