Nikki Reed on Her 7 For All Mankind Jewelry Collaboration and Her Biggest Inspiration

I wasn’t able to make the private event at NorthPark this week to celebrate the launch of Mattlin Era by Nikki Reed for 7 For All Mankind, but fortunately, People Newspapers reporter Georgia Fisher got it covered by passing along the assignment to her shadow of the week, high school senior Claire Criss. The duo interviewed the Twilight actress and jewelry designer, and Criss wrote up the following story:

Walk through NorthPark’s 7 For All Mankind, and it is abundantly clear why Nikki Reed’s jewelry was chosen for the store.  Best known for her part as Rosalie in the Twilight saga, Reed has now added jewelry-designer to her chain of talents.  Launching this week in Dallas, Mattlin Era — Reed’s label — is a great addition for all jewelry lovers.  With a unique look and a price point of less than $100, the collection is sure to be a hit.

Reed agreed to lend her name to the five-piece line just a few months ago, and the day her manager called about the opportunity, she put twelve sketches together in a matter of hours. The Starry Knight necklace and matching earrings are inspired by 7 For All Mankind’s Photo Real jeans, which are embellished with Swarovski crystals. The pieces really compliment the jeans, making the collection even more appropriate for the store.

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Can’t Miss: Timo Weiland Personal Appearance and Trunk Show at Piermarini

photography (before crop and filter) courtesy of style.com

We’ve been having a serious love affair with Piermarini boutique and its mix of talented and harder-to-find designers since it first opened in Uptown. Nowadays days, in its Snider Plaza location, the shop is cooler than ever. For example, pop in this Saturday and you’ll be able to meet designer Timo Weiland and peruse his spring 2013 RTW collection. Minimalistic black and white pieces and feminine, mixed pattern dresses mingle with textured separates like skirts and cropped pants in oversized yellow houndstooth, blouses with sheer panels, and a smattering of fun pencil skirts.

Where: Piermarini
When: Saturday, May 11, 3 pm to 6 pm

Mary Katrantzou on the Dallas Museum of Art, Mambo Taxis, and Her Most Dallas-y Dress

photography courtesy of style.com

I love Mary Katrantzou and everything about her fall 2013 collection. The heartbreakingly beautiful photographic prints, the abstract kimono silhouettes, the muted palette, everything. I wasn’t able to pop in and meeting her during her personal appearance at Neiman Marcus downtown last week, but fortunately, stylist Stephanie Quadri, a sometimes contributor for D Magazine, offered up her talents and covered it. Her Q&A with the designer below:

One of my favorite designer’s of the moment, Mary Katrantzou, is in town today for a trunk show and luncheon at Neiman Marcus downtown. I got the chance to visit with the friendly Brit (she’s actually Greek, but has lived in London for 10 years and calls it home), who has been recognized for her bold prints and shapes that make for standout style. –Stephanie Quadri

Stephanie Quadri: What brought you to Dallas?
Mary Katrantzou: We are hosting trunk shows all over –in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Newport Beach, Seattle, New York, and Dallas is our last stop. I flew in yesterday, just in time for a dinner event my friend Nasiba [Adilova] was hosting. I was surprised that people flew in from all over the place to attend–Chicago, Laguna Beach, and New York. We went to The Mansion for a little after party, which was lovely.

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Cynthia Vincent on Inspiration, Favorite Trends, and Her Favorite Place in Dallas

A look from Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent spring 2013 (photography courtesy of Cynthia Vincent)

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent turns ten years old this year, and lucky for us, the super chic designer stopped by Tootsies on Wednesday for a cocktail event, where guests enjoyed a runway show featuring some of her spring designs. After watching the show and sneaking a peek at the upcoming fall collection (spoiler alert: it’s gorgeous), I sat down with Cynthia to chat about ten years of Twelfth Street, spring trends, and of course, Dallas.  –Jessica Mitzner

Me: Looking back on the past ten years, do you have a proudest moment or a favorite thing that has happened?

Vincent: Well, the birth of my daughter, but collection-wise, this year, I was going back and looking through the archives and seeing that the product is still relevant and meaningful, which then prompted me to re-issue some of my best-sellers and most requested pieces. We’re offering them for the 10th anniversary, so that’s been really great, because that means that people love the product, and the product lasts.

Me: Did you have a specific inspiration for your spring collection?

Vincent: Spring was all about the Ivory Coast meets Pueblo tribes–which is a reoccurring theme, mashing up different cultures, different tribes, different ethnicities, and putting them together. So I took a lot of the colors from the Ivory Coast, and I took it very nationalistic. I didn’t want to do flags, but I took the idea of stripes, and then mixed it in with Pueblo etchings and patterning that is associated with that. The interesting thing was that a lot of the colors are similar.

Me: What do you like about being here in Dallas? Do you have any favorite spots?

Vincent: I love it here. This has been the third time that I’ve been here in the last six months, and it’s been great. And do I have a favorite place? Wow. Well, Driftwood has the most amazing meals I’ve ever had.

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Christian Dior Boutique Opens Today in Highland Park Village

Two looks from Dior's spring 2013 RTW collection (photography courtesy of Dior)

In another step toward luxury domination at Highland Park Village, the Christian Dior boutique opens today. The women’s shop will include ready-to-wear collections, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. According to Women’s Wear Daily (pay wall), Pamela Baxter, president of Christian Dior Couture, says, “It will probably end up being in our top five U.S. boutiques.”

I just want to get up close and personal with Raf Simon’s gorgeous iridescent full skirts for spring 2013.

Shredded Silk, Embroidered Vests, and Asymmetrical Hemlines at Cicada Collection

As all the Dallas boutiques are packing in the colors and caftans, Cicada Collection, as usual, is doing its own thing. True to the shop’s aesthetic, the latest collection of Peachoo & Krejberg fits the monochromatic palette and European deconstructed vibe. The line, produced by Indian-Dutch design duo, Peachoo Datwani and Roy Krejberg, features a variety of textures, including linen and shredded silk, and shapes, including both rigid, structured lines and organic, flowing fabrics. I love these twists on classics with their asymmetrical hemlines. Take a look:

Clockwise from top left: cotton linen tunic blouse, $640; white silk voile wrap blouse, $915; hand embroidered vest, $2,900; and embroidered sleeveless wrap dress with leather waist tie, $870 (photography courtesy of Cicada)

Dallas Women are Laid Back Compared to Italian Women

photography courtesy of Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com via style.com

That’s what Italian designer Tommasco Aquilano told me at Neiman Marcus downtown this morning. He and Roberto Rimondi, the other half of Aquilano.Rimondi are in town for a spring 2013 trunk show. You can scope out all of the runway looks here, but you can’t truly experience the collection until you’ve touched and felt the garments. It’s sight sensory overload with all the prints, colors, and fabric finishes, but the handcrafted Italian tailoring is superb. Aquilano and Rimondi are known for mixing textures, and the latest batch takes it up another level. Jacquard meets checkerboard prints, Picasso patterns mingle with Japanese obi belts, geometrical stitching pairs with boxy, super-structured shapes, and everything comes colorblocked and bright. Sounds like a circus? It’s supposed to. The collection was inspired by Venetian masquerades, Pablo Picasso, Frederico Fellini’s  La Strada, and Japanese culture. But back to Dallas women being laid back. According to Aquilano, “Milanese women are straight elegant or straight work. Here, the customer is changing. They think of the piece not all in one way.” (For example, women will take their boxy silk jacket and wear it not only with the satin blue cropped pant and the elaborate, checkered bead and black lacquered diamond skirt, but throw it on with a pair of jeans, too.) So Dallas women = more awesome than Italian women. Okay, that’s not what he said. But on behalf of my fellow Dallasites, I’ll take that as a compliment. And now, a few fun questions for the designing duo:

Runner-up passion?
Aquilano: Cooking
Rimondi: Gardening

Favorite food?
Aquilano: Couldn’t pick one with his love for cooking. Traditional Italian and sushi are on his menu these days, but like fashion, he says the “ingredients” should always be changing.
Rimondi: Bread, desserts, chocolate.

Current book?
Both answered historical biographies top the list. The latest subject on the nightstand: Queen Elizabeth I.

Dream travel destination?
Aquilano: Peru
Rimondi: Egypt

Are You Sitting Down? Good. Look at These McQ by Alexander McQueen Things Soon to Be at Elements.

photography courtesy of Elements, illustrations courtesy of my greed

You’re invited for a little champagne and first dibs on the goods from the McQ by Alexander McQueen trunk show at Elements on Tuesday, November 17. The items (a few of which are pictured above) will be in the store for a few weeks, but quantities are limited–no reordering, no special sizes–so you’ll want to get your hands on the things you want early. According to one of my fav Dallas shop girls, Stephanie “Stevie” Moore, “This will be a great holiday shopping event, whether you want a scarf to give as a gift or a super amazing fabulous cocktail dress for yourself to wear to a party.” I’ll take both. Or, as you can see above, all of it.

What: McQ by Alexander McQueen Trunk Show
Where: Elements
When: Tuesday, November 17, 10 am to 7 pm

Pencil This In: Champagne Reception for The Woods Designers at Forty Five Ten

photography courtesy of Forty Five Ten

If you already know The Woods, you’re probably a fan. If you don’t, you will be. The Aspen-based line of necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and earrings, is a fusion of earthy, organic materials and precious diamonds and gems. Celebs, stylists, and fashion bloggers are big fans, including our own Hanh Merriman, the stylish doll of Life in Travel blog, who’s hosting the upcoming trunk show reception for the line at Forty Five Ten. Head over on Friday or Saturday for a trunk show highlighting the newest pieces in the collection, but definitely aim for Friday from noon to 2 pm, when the champagne reception is taking place and you can say hello to designers (and sisters) Shawn Hecox and Samantha Hitchcock.

Where: Forty Five Ten
When: Friday and Saturday, Friday from noon to 2 pm for reception
RSVP: email here

Hang On To Your Hat: Debut BLKLN Menswear Collection Includes Tanks, Silver Denim, Sequins

Head to any cool fashion event in town, and you’ll probably see Jim Duran. He’s the guy in the head-turning outfit. It could be a perfectly tailored jacket with his slicked back locks, a wildly printed tee, or even a drapy, sheer shirt with an exposed midriff. He’s also sporting some sort of fashion statement, which is why it comes as no surprise he’s decided to launch his own menswear collection. Called BLKLN Clothing (pronounced “black line”), the collection is full of “creatively tailored shirts, trousers and other essential wardrobe staples for me.” That’s according to the press release. Emphasis on “creatively tailored.” During a media sneak peek, I discovered slender lines, a variety of textures, a glam rock-and-roll vibe, and a generous dash of dazzle. Key pieces include shiny silver cargo pocket denim; a vest with black patent, subtle houndstooth print, and a hood; long, low-neck tanks; leggings; slim fit pants; black tees with sequin panels; and even a floor-length tank (/maxi dress). The collection is edgy and androgynous, and I would personally wear most of it. But will Dallas dudes? Duran says the goal is to give Dallas guys an alternative set of fashion-forward threads. Read my Q&A with Jim below and click here to attend the (free) November 13 debut event at DISH and see all 15 looks.

Me: How do you feel men in dallas will react?

Jim: I think the style here in Dallas for men is pretty formulaic and they seem to adopt a uniform. What I did in launching here in Dallas is give an alternative perspective to those fashion forward thinkers. I’m not saying I’m here to change the Dallas fashion scene. I just want to give them a different option.

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Nha Khanh Fall 2012 Now at Stanley Korshak

photography courtesy of Nha Khanh

I’ve stopped working so that I can continue to examine, swoon, and sigh over the fall collection of local designer Nha Khanh. The ladylike-meets-industrial vibe, the sheer sleeves, leather details, tailoring… I just can’t concentrate on anything else.

I bet it’s even more delicious in person, so perhaps I’ll head to Stanley Korshak, where it all lives for the season.

In Love With Lace? Head to V.O.D. This Weekend to Meet Magda Berliner

Stars wearing Magna Berliner. photography: (from left) courtesy of Magda Berlina, Cool Spotters, and Sea of Shoes

Magda Berliner, queen of chrochet fashion designer, is spending her weekend at V.O.D. this week for a two-day trunk show, highlighting her one-of-a-kind, handmade lace designs. You can shop skirts, tops, and dresses that have been made specially for this sale, or consult with Magda on your own custom piece. (!)

Where: V.O.D.
When: Friday, August 24 to Saturday, August 25, 11 am to 6 pm.
RSVP: talk@vodboutique.com.

You Need This Kate Spade Armadillo Bag

Kate Spade Armadillo Bag (photography courtesy of Kate Spade)

D Magazine intern Caitlin Giddens stumbled on this armadilla bag and had to share.

Last year it was a stampede of elephants. This year, it’s attack of the armadillos. Kate Spade introduces her new summer novelty bag, a whimsical wicker armadillo. This bag celebrates the unofficial Texas mascot, and would be perfect for an evening out or beach trip. Adding to the cuteness, the armadillo bag opens to reveal an adorable pattern and features a Kate Spade New York embossed gold charm. So you need one immediately, right? Thought so. You can find your new pet at the Kate Spade in Northpark for $328, but hurry because there’s limited supply. –Caitlin Giddens

Signature Looks in Shades of the Rainbow at Abi Ferrin’s Revolving Door

Abi Ferrin's The Revolving Door

It’s been too long since we last visited Abi Ferrin’s studio and storefront, The Revolving Door. The newly redesigned space feels more like an elegant living room, which is the perfect setting for a private girls’ shopping experience, which you can book by appointment. (Wine allowed.) Abi’s five-way tops and dresses have always been a staple for the designer, and her spring and summer collection is full of the trademark look in sheer fabrics, fun prints, and warm weather hues (like coral and cyan). We also spotted slinky, one-shoulder pants jumpsuits, a sheer hemmed dress in flirty magenta, and beach chic blouses that double as swimsuit cover-ups. Also noteworthy are Abi’s new Freedom Project comfy five-way tops in colorful cottons. Created by Sak Saum for Abi Ferrin, this collection of clothing and accessories is handcrafted by a group of Cambodian women who have overcome abuse and trafficking. I love wearing pieces with a story. To check out the full collections from Abi Ferrin, head in to the store or reserve a private shopping experience.

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Meet Grapevine Designer Ming Wang

Three Ming Wang designs available locally. (photography courtesy of Ming Wang)

With fall in the near future, it’s only right to start thinking about how to transition our wardrobes from one season to the next. With her versatile knitwear, Ming Wang provides the perfect answer. With style and function in mind, the Grapevine based designer caters to women who strive for easy, effortless dressing. Able to take a favorite sundress from summer to autumn with a sweep of one of her signature sweaters, Wang designs clothing that transcends seasons. Her combination of color trends and classic neutrals creates a timeless collection, a mix of luxury statement pieces and refined basics that are made to last a lifetime.

More than anything, Ming Wang is concerned with the comfort of her customers. Her knitwear is made to fit and flatter an array of women, ranging in size from petite XS to 3X. It’s a breath of fresh air among a sea of designers who cater only to an ideal. Breaking away from the crowd, she has made it clear through her annual “I Am Ming Wang” campaign, a celebration of all ages and body types, that the brand embodies the masses, seeking to redefine a woman’s relationship with her closet.

Her most striking pieces are her vibrant outerwear like the perfect tweed jacket or color blocked cardigan. With plenty of options each season, it’s easy to find a piece that works for you. Bonus: you won’t break the bank with the majority of the collection priced under the $300 mark. The Ming Wang line is available in and around Dallas at all Dillards and in select Nordstroms.

Kelly Belter is a shopping intern.