Daily Gems & other musings — designer

"Effortless elegance," the motto Colombian-born designer Silvia Tcherassi goes by for her eponymous, ready to wear clothing line, is an idea we will always get behind.  Said to be "the pioneer of Latin flair" by Women's Wear Daily, Silvia "...began her career as an interior designer, but the search for new artistic expressions led her into fashion." As soon as we learned more about Silvia, saw her "effortlessly elegant" line AND discovered that she not only creates stunning designs, but she also is the founder and creative director of a successful collection of hotels, we were immediately inspired.  A true #girlboss! Silvia's designs...

Image via eco-age.com Not only does Studio 189 create beautiful, colorfully printed pieces that we want to wear everywhere, but they are a beyond inspiring brand.  We discovered the brand when curating our Diversity in Design Styleboard Series, and immediately went to work to learn more.  Co-founded by Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, Studio 189 "is an artisan produced fashion lifestyle brand and social enterprise that focuses on empowerment, creating jobs and supporting education and skills training.  The brand currently operates a store in Accra (Ghana), an ecommerce site, a manufacturing facility in Accra, and supports various community led projects in Africa and...

We first discovered Elena Velez when we built our Style Board Diversity in Design series, and have been fans ever since.  Her designs speak to us not only because they're the minimal, modern silhouettes that we love, but she also uses repurposed and upcycled materials to make her clothing not only beautiful, but also sustainable.  Elena's designs "play on the ideas of femininity, challenging with the ideas of what can be beautiful by using materials that are deemed for grunt work and transforming them into ethereal garments." A recent Parson's graduate, Elena has already entered the mainstream by dressing celebrities...

Aisha Obuobi founded her clothing line Christie Brown in 2008 in Accra, Ghana.  We first discovered the stunning Spring/Summer 2020 Lookbook when curating our Diversity in Design Style Board series and immediately pinned her perfect metallic silver dress with our favorite Layered Hoops.  We're equally obsessed with the ready-to-wear collection available to shop online, especially the metallic gold Classic Bermuda Shorts, stunning Abstract Neckline Blouse and impeccably draped Metallic Drape Front Skirt. Aisha named the line after her grandmother, a seamstress, and was inspired by watching her "create rich and vibrant garments.  As a little girl she reveled in playing with shreds of African material and...

A true design and social inspiration, Ana María Guiulfo is not only the founder and creative director of her eponymous clothing line, but has also created "Aprendemos Jundos," an organization that works to "improve the education access for disadvantaged children who don't have {the} chance to learn in good condition."  Connection to community is something we've always admired and worked to achieve in our own business, from our own sales and product donations to local and national non profits for causes just like this one. We discovered Ana María's collections when creating our series of Diversity in Design Style Boards, and...