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Editor’s Picks

Mo

Editor’s Picks: Abigail Doan of Ecco*Eco

by Mo on October 28, 2010

We are thrilled to have Abigail Doan pick out a round of Editor’s Picks this week. I don’t remember how I discovered Abigail’s work, but I do remember being spellbound. Her beautiful fabric creations, for me, capture the essence of  the magical landscapes of places I love. We love her words below connecting independent and sustainable fashion, many thanks for playing with us Abigail!

I am a writer, editor, and environmental artist residing in NYC and Europe. My eco-textile and art farming projects are a means to create sustainable solutions and key visual links to the global challenges we collectively face. I am also a mother of twins.

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Abigail Doan, Ecco*Eco

Sustainable style is ‘indie’ by nature. As the informed shopper’s alternative to mass-produced designs, identifying and supporting your favorite indie designer is as much a part of responsible consumerism as in-depth research on the latest eco and ethical fashion collections. Smashing Darling makes this search a whole lot easier by offering a wide range of chic and original designs that are smashingly handpicked and stylishly curated. As some one who divides my year between several locales, I need to craft a wardrobe that is seasonally versatile and easily accessorized. I love some of the following items for the playfulness that they add to existing wardrobe essentials and, of course, their feminine flair.

Ecco-Eco

Mergirl Stretch Crochet Lace Dress:
As a lover of all things lace, crochet, and hand crafted, this ivory-hued ‘crochet lace’ dress from Mergirl seems like a great addition to existing, trans-seasonal wardrobe favorites. Feminine, sophisticated, and totally packable to boot, what’s not to covet about a knit stretch number?

House of Dali One­of­a­Kind Faux Fur Jacket:
I rarely wear anything that even mimics fur, but this one-of-a-kind shoulder jacket that is, of course, fur free and indie fabulous, seems like a great way to add some cruelty-free glamour to a chilly evening out on the town.

Revolt Urbanol Button Clutch:
I love a good clutch, particularly one that is so unique that no one else can claim it if it is left behind on the banquette at a restaurant or bar. This vintage style button clutch from Revolt Urbanol adds a bold splash of artistic glimmer with its hand-painted gold and blue drip graphics.

KRELwear Super Chic Batwing Sweater:
In my opinion, a girl should have at least one knit creation by KRELwear in every closet on the planet. This batwing sweater of 100% pima cotton seems like a soft and sexy way to sport some geeky chic and geometric style with attitude.

Coco Bourgeoisie Talon Scarf:
Felt is definitely all the rage these days, and layered on as a cool weather accessory, this one not only adds ruffled volume to your neckline but some insulating warmth as well.

Dina Varano 14KT Gold Double Chaos Earrings:
I love that indie jewelry designer, Dina Varano, refers to these 14 karat gold wire bundles as ‘nests’, and given their organic nature they appear to be a comforting and chic investment for any girl’s accessory kit.

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Mo

Editor’s Picks: It’s Fall Darling

by Mo on October 19, 2010

Oh Darlings, I wait until the last moment to accept the chill in the air, never wanting to let go of summer. The next stage is the mad scramble to locate my favorite jackets, scarves, hats etc. to keep me warm. There is always a bit of joy finding that favorite scarf or hat I had forgotten about…but still I lust over buying up a few new bits and pieces. Here are a few fall layers you may want to add to your wardrobe from around the site, there’s even a few sale items in the mix — smashing. Share a favorite of your own with us, won’t you?

Fall Darling

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Mo

Editor’s Picks: Christine Mastrangelo, Un-stitched

by Mo on August 27, 2010

Okay, we admit it…it’s easy to make new friends when someone writes such nice things about what we are doing. That’s how we virtually met Christine Mastrangelo who contributed her Editor’s Picks this week. Below she shows us how she would transition into fall, shopping the independent designers on Smashing Darling. In her own words: Un-stitched is curated by a girl named Christine, who’s looking to explore fashion through the eyes of emerging designers, the social networks that connect us and the clothes she chooses to wear. That makes us so happy we practically came Un-stitched. Happy Friday darlings, go soak up another summer weekend, and pray for summer temps and sunny days to last way into fall.

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I take the last days of summer to wear some of my favorite color combinations – gold and green, white and shades of pink, while also dressing for the cooler weather.  Clicking my way through Smashing Darling, I was able to find beautiful pieces for the fall transition without having to let go of the summery colors I love.

Unstitched

KRELwear Bubble Top Sweater Dress:
A long sleeved dress this cozy and sexy is literal perfection for this time of year.  The gold tint of the cotton and cut of the skirt will highlight the tan before it begins to fade.

I love a scarf because of its innate versatility – I would fold this one up and wear it as a headband to help keep my hair tidy from that September wind.
White and Gold Faux Alligator Bag: by Fashion Showcase: This amazing bag would lend elegance to any outfit.  Period.
Floral Scarf Top, also by Fashion Showcase: Lovely colors of summer are hard to let go – I’d pair this top with a long sleeved shirt and jeans.
Every girl needs a sparkly ring – especially for the middle or index fingers.  This uncut diamond ring is gorgeous – and makes waving summer goodbye much less painful.

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Mo

Designer Toolbox: Be Smashing Darling, Collaborate and Innovate

by Mo on August 26, 2010

What’s Going On
Is copyright protection the best thing for the fashion industry and/or fashion designers? Fashion as open source may be the more innovative way for the fashion industry to go. This video, originally posted on TED, is really worth the watch. Johanna Blakely shares with us how fashion is actually more creative and a more thriving industry without copyright protection.

A few other indie reads from this week:
We’d love to know what you think, leave a comment in the Darling blog or email us to share your thoughts or experience.

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Be The Editor
How about styling some of your favorite pieces with those of other Darling designers on Smashing Darling? Fun! Come play with us and be the editor for a week by doing a round of Editor’s Picks in the Darling Blog. Have a favorite blog you read that is covering designers such as your fabulous self? Send them our way darlings, we love to make new friends…
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Building Word of Mouth
You know your favorite customers who love to tell people all about you? What story do they tell about you and your clothing? Do you think you can get them to send us a story our way, about you? C’mon darlings, poke and prod them; we want to hear those stories! You know how to reach us: trishandjulie@smashingdarling.com

We are constantly amazed by the power of word-of-mouth. Be sure to add a link to your Darling boutique on your website and in your newsletters; let your customers know we have a Frequent Shopper Program…and of course be sure to let us know about any press you are getting so we can share the good word. Thanks Darlings!


Bits and Pieces
NYC and the blogosphere is all abuzz with Fashion Week right around the corner, not to mention Fashion’s Night Out. Don’t forget to let us know if you have indie events going on so we can spread the word, no matter where you are.

Also, in case you missed it that one summer day you happened to play hooky…we added vacation mode into your boutique. Just log into your Darling account and you’ll see a new tab where you can set your dates!

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Always * Darling * Forever

For more convo follow us on Twitter.

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Mo

Editor’s Picks: Mallory Whitfield, MissMalaprop

by Mo on August 6, 2010

Finding all the wonderful darlings around the U.S. of A. supporting local designers and their community is so inspiring and happy-making.  Mallory Whitfield has been blogging about her independent and sustainable lifestyle in New Orleans since 2006 – before Smashing Darling was even born!  Get to know the NOLA creative community a bit better by checking out her blog: MissMalaprop. While you are there be sure to check out the images from the recent Worn Again NOLA show. Thanks to Mallory for playing with us, and sharing some of her Darling favorites. Cheers!

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Mallory Whitfield, aka MissMallaprop

My style tends to be about a lot of bright pops of color, balanced out with neutral tones like black or grey, or paired with the simplicity of denim. Browsing around Smashing Darling, I found myself drawn to the same color palette over and over – rich jewel tone fuchsia colors and buttery yellows. For some reason these colors were screaming summer to me, and even though summer will be near its end soon (though not soon enough here in the Deep South where I live!), I think these pieces can easily transition into autumn looks.

Darling Editor's Picks


Take these Orbis earrings by Ensō for instance. These beautiful jewels look like tasty fruit, and would look great with a t-shirt and jeans, but could also add a splash of color to that little black dress.

Need more candy colored inspiration? Check out the Sweet Dreams Pendant Necklace by Deanna Burasco Kansas City.

The Jillian Tank by OrganiK Revolution is made of a soy jersey/organic cotton blend (which I love!) and also works great for day or night. Dress it down with denim or work it with a skirt and blazer.

I recently discovered designer Kristin Hassan, and her Cristina Flow Tank is one of my personal favorites. Flirty and fun and perfect for summer, but throw on a jacket and this look works for fall too.

How to pull all those crazy colors together? Keep it simple everywhere else, and go for accessories like this Cami bag in beige by Mi Mo Handbags.

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Mo

Editor’s Picks: Kristen D’Amour, The Clothing Menu

by Mo on July 9, 2010

Our Editor’s Picks have taken a bit of a break around here, but when we saw Kristen D’Amour posting about indie fashion landing in the WSJ we were inspired to bring them back. Read her blog description below and you’ll understand why we felt an instant bond. If you are blogging/writing/printing about indie fashion and want to play, do be in touch, or send us a heads up on your fave blog about indie fashion. (Comment below or email: mo@smashingdarling.com)

there is more to style and shopping than what you find in the mall.  there are so many independent clothing designers whose heart and passion are in creating clothes.  they have a unique point of view in their designs and often times hand make the stylish clothes and accessories.  the clothing menu is dedicated to bringing awareness to indie fashion designers and giving people an option outside of what is offered in the mall, while providing the latest in fashion trends and tips.

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Kristen D’Amour in Lamixx

My mantra for fashion is: don’t be afraid to mix and match – colors, styles, patterns.  I love discovering new combinations either on other people or in my own wardrobe. (Which is usually discovered by accident, when I’m bored by the clothes I have and start mixing pieces together).  So this outfit, Agency Day, is an outfit I would love to wear to work.  The best thing about it though is that every piece you see here was made by these independent designers listed below.

agency day

MarMaFashions: I like the vintage-inspired touches of this cropped jacket, like the rose pin at the collar.
Love, Anjia: This tunic has an interesting print that adds texture to this outfit, but is also not overpowering.
Asuyeta: Made by one of my favorite indie designers. I like the unique color of the skirt that is actually a really cool print when you look at it closely.
Mi Mo Handbags: I have a weakness for dark brown bags.  I like that this one looks like its worn-in, but is actually new Italian leather.
Julie Seidell Jewelry: It’s classic with its Swarovski Pearls and silver chain, but is unique and modern at the same time.
Anne Maa Designs: This ring is just cool. It reminds me of my days going to the Museum of Science as a child – good memories!

agency day by the clothing menu on Polyvore.com

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Mo

Welcome to # 34: Sparkling Indie Fashion – Holiday Giveaways

by Mo on December 11, 2009

What’s Going On

Tis’ the season Darlings! We are sure you are in a tizzy finishing or starting your holiday lists, shopping, and most of all – celebrating! What better way to be all a-glitter than winning a Darling giveaway! MoDarling is just back from spreading the good Darling word at the SCOPE Art Show in Miami. Shoppers loved hearing about Darling designers, TrishDarling’s DOT shirts were a sell out item and NAIK FUR hats were a total hit! We’re about to pull 5 names out of a smashing hat and award some lucky SCOPE shoppers each a $100 Darling e-gift card. Good things happen to Darling friends!

What’s New

There is a little Darling addiction starting in some lovely spots out there – fabulous. LadyLux shares her Darling picks once a week, and this month she is giving away a $150 Darling shopping spree, go comment and enter yourself to win!

But wait, there’s more. If you are blogging about all the amazing indie designers out there, this one is for you. Bloggers have all of December to enter a post at WHAT Designers.com in their Independent Design BLOG OFF to win some more great ($) Darling prizes! While you are there, vote for your fave little black dress, lots o’ Darlings to vote for there.

Darling Holiday Events

Darling designers have events happening all over the country as well as online. Keep an eye on the blog for events near you.

If you’re in Chicago, check out Mountains of the Moon, at the Sustainable Style Soiree. Say hi to Dina Varano at the RISD Alumni Holiday Sale in Providence, RI. In Dallas? Go meet the STATUS gals at the Holiday Bazaar.

LOTS of sample sales on the site right now, and lookie here at this blog and find a promo code for Darling Coco Bourgeoisie!

Smashing Kudos and tidbits

In early 2010 Smashing Darling will be 3! Yahoooo – we can’t believe it! Fun in the works for that birthday…We love seeing Laura Dawson featured in the London Times Style section – congrats Laura!…Everyone needs a pair of Smashing skivvies – congrats to the winner over at The Demoiselles…We like the way they think at the Linkery in San Diego, love for Darling Tib Nelson and more locals….and a great mini interview of Darling Sacred Heart, chock full of inspiration.
Holiday cheer to all! ~ the Darlings

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trish

Today’s Baby Editor’s Picks by Lil’Grams

by trish on November 17, 2009

Bundle o’ Joy

Bundle o' Joy

Bundle o’ Joy on Polyvore.com

So you brought home your new bundle of joy, and you have spent every waking moment with your beautiful baby girl, taking it all in, not wanting to miss a moment. Or maybe your sister or best friend just had a little one, and you, the favorite auntie can’t get enough of the 10 little toes. And you want to buy every cute outfit, stuffed toy and diaper accessory. Oh boy, things can get overwhelming quickly! Since we love babies and their sleep-deprived parents, we put together this list of our favorite baby items, which are as functional as they are cute. And of course, we threw in some fabulous pieces for the mom-fashionista, so that she feels gorgeous when hanging out with the mini-me fashionista!

Babywearing is a great way for the mom and the baby to bond, so we started our set with a fabulous sling. The Marimekko Samovaari Ring Sling from Bronwen Handcrafted boldly combines fashion and function in a gorgeous black-and-white pattern. The bold pattern and the beautiful rings introduce drama, while the fabric drapes beautifully. Rest assured that your baby will be safe and sound in the sling. It’s made from durable cotton and 5 times reinforced for strength. The Sling Rings are made from aluminum and designed
specifically to be used in baby carriers. They are lightweight, free of welds, strength tested, smoothed, and made of only the strongest and non-toxic materials. To match, we threw in the OiOi Moroccan Sand Hobo Diaper Bag. Now our fashion mama can look fabulous strutting down the street with the baby and all the necessary items.

What about the little fashionista? Smashing Darling has got your little one covered too! It’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with the Missoni Knit Dress from Bronwen Handcrafted. This darling little pink number is made from a missoni knit fabric, made from cotton with bits of wool and rayon as textural accents.

To keep her warm, you can layer a cute onesie under the dress. Mew Baby makes the most adorably onesies. We chose the Piggy Back design in pink on a darling white onesie.

Every girl, no matter how little she is, must have a pair of fabulous shoes. Claudia’s Bowtique has created the Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco Baby Booties, which are fit to be worn by your little princess. Made of silk pistachio green fabric, these darlings are topped with a gold ribbon, a light pink embellished trim, and a small black & white cameo button piece. How smashing is this darling?

Bronwen Handcrafted contributes the third item for our set in the form of The Bib. Cut generously, this bib will ensure that none of the baby’s food ends up on her fabulous outfit. You can even order the little princess’s initials sewn into the bib.

No baby ensemble is complete without a super soft and cuddly baby blanket. We found this amazing Baby Bella Blanket from Sara Bella Maui. This handmade super soft blanket has both, a pink furry side and a pink satin side. It’s perfect for the little princess.

And if your bundle of joy starts to burp, you will always be prepared with the Disco Dot Burp Cloth from Spoiled and Soiled. With pink dots on a chocolate background, you will still feel trendy taking care of your baby’s burping needs.

About Lil’Grams:

Children create cherished memories everywhere and all the time, at home or on the go.  Lil’Grams gives parents peace of mind that those memories will be stored, and that loved ones will get updates the way they want them. An ideal gift for new or expecting parents, Lil’Grams takes the pain out of getting organized and keeping family and friends updated, by creating a living baby book that friends and family can enjoy, no matter the distance!


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trish

Editor’s Picks by Style Darling, LadyLux

by trish on November 12, 2009

Autumn Stroll
Brooklyn Chic Meets Central Park West

As we come into fall, our attention has gone to layers – warm layers; to protect us against chilly breezes as we stroll through Central Park or bustle down the streets of Brooklyn. Autumn in New York is amazing; the tree leaves boast brilliant shades of bright amber and burnt pumpkin. Here’s our perfect outfit, complete with accessories and beauty necessities to accentuate our fall style.

The Clothing

Krelwear Blue Hooded Sweater ($219) – This pima cotton beauty is mutli-season functional; from fall to winter, we can wear it with wide leg pants, leggings or skinny jeans and boots!

Mountains of the Moon “Sophie” Pant ($104) – The Sophie pants are truly LUX – while they are perfect for spring and summer, we can add thick cotton tights underneath them to extend them into fall.

The Accessories

MiMo “Mia” Satchel ($180) – We love structure of this satchel, as well as the rich tan coloring. Every woman must have a medium brown colored tote; it’s one of those staple items.

Sigma Gilady Gold Circle Necklace ($49) – This necklace as an accent piece. Jewelry doesn’t always have to make loud, bold statements. There’s something to be said for subtlety.

Eutectic Small Gold Hoop Earrings ($14) – Keeping with our dainty accessories theme, these delicate hoops go beyond this outfit and pair themselves with about 70% of woman’s wardrobe. We love them and can’t beat the price!

Beauty Essentials

bareMinerals All-Over Face Color ($18-20)  – Let’s face it, unless your lucky enough to call sunny California or Florida your home, a girl doesn’t get much sun during fall. We know that tanning is bad, so what do we do? We fake it of course! The bareMinerals all over face blush gives you a little color “umph” without harsh chemicals or damaging UV rays.

Laura Gellar Lip Heal * Seal Lip Gloss ($18) – A girl gets chapped lips due to blustery winds.  Laura Gellar’s lip treatment does double-duty as a lip conditioner and gloss. Protection and just a bit of shimmer, that’s LUX.

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

Elizabeth Wahler founder ladylux
Founder Elizabeth Wahler

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.

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trish

Editor’s Picks: Style Darling, LadyLux

by trish on September 24, 2009

SmashingDarling4_EW

SmashingDarling4_EW by LadyLUX on Polyvore.com

As Fall draws near, it is time to buckle down and head back into the office or back to school. For our outfit this week, I wanted to select something that is appropriate for the office, but something that can be glammed up with some beautiful accents for after work activities.

The Maddy Blouse from Kate Boggiano was a perfect place to start our office chic outfit. It looks great with just about any pair of pants or jeans, slim or wide, or a pencil skirt for the office. The dramatic ruffle neck and single-button turned-back cuff transform it into an unapologetic showstopper for that special night out. Put a wide colorful belt with it for additional drama, and cars will be stopping in their tracks. Tailored silhouette and slim fit through the hip will surely make any woman feel sexy in any setting.

Because our blouse is the focal item in this set, it needs to be paired with a simple monochromatic bottom. We chose the Crystal Pant by Yana Collection. Made of poly gabardine, this pant is easy to wear and easy to care for. It doesn’t wrinkle, and takes any fashionista from office chic to social butterfly. Flattering for any figure, the pant creates an illusion of an elongated silhouette, ensuring that every woman feels elegant, refined, lean and sexy.

We needed a bag that’s versatile and can be used either at night or during the day, so I chose the Leather Fan Bag by Adolfo Sanchez Boutique. At LadyLUX, we love ‘one of a kind’ pieces, and we were thrilled to find this handbag because of the detail and artistry that goes into making it. “Individual pieces of calf skin are sewed and gathered to look like a fan, then are each hand stitched to the exterior of the handbag,” says the designer.

At LadyLUX, we pay special attention to environmentally and socially sustainable pieces. When we went hunting around for the perfect eco accessory, we just had to add the relaxed glam of the Nuno Felt Periwinkle Scarf from NESchwab. Because there is so much drama around the neckline as it is, we recommend tying the scarf around one of the purse handles for a beautiful style statement. The scarf is a lovely deep periwinkle, accented with deep violet and plum and interwoven with real silk fibers, which makes it perfect for Fall. And best of all, it is handmade and made from organic fibers!

Because our blouse looks best with a wide belt that screams for attention, we chose the Sue Rock Originals Vintage Blue Cinch Belt, a fantastic throwback to that ‘80s style. This is also an accessory you can feel good about wearing, because a portion of every purchase goes to support the lives of domestic violence survivors in transitional housing.

To make the outfit ready for a fabulous night out, we recommend adding some beautiful sparkly jewelry, such as Parisian Earrings from Passementerie. They feature black spinel, cascading tendrils of solid sterling silver, and mystic topaz. Finally, we are rounding out these complex and beautiful earrings with a simple and understated Siren Cuff bracelet from Cynthia Jones.

About LadyLux:
Once upon a time, there was girl named LUX. She believed in humanity, doing good for the sake of good, and all things beautiful in our world. As she grew older and began to take stock of the world around her, her mission in life became clear: be a Change Agent. The tasks associated with being an “Agent” is to use her mind and voice to help fix what is broken in the world and empower the people in it to do the same. Thus was born The Lady LUX Network.

Elizabeth Wahler founder ladylux
Founder Elizabeth Wahler

At LadyLUX, our motto is “Good for the Sake of Good.” We believe in doing good and being good, while looking good. We believe in fashion, life, love, philanthropy, eco-luxury and laughter. We empower women to follow their passions, live authentically, and to honestly know and love themselves. Choosing health and your best self, being good to others and good to the environment is simply living the LUX life. In each outfit we put together, we always include organic and “green” items that were created with the idea of sustainability.

See last week’s LadyLux Editor’s Picks here.



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