Vintage Charm

Vintage is all the rage on runway and red carpet alike, but Elizabeth Ngo takes the look a step, or rather a couple centuries, further with her line of singular vintage jewelry.

While many jewelry designers today try to emulate the fashions of the glamorous past, Ngo actually takes buttons from Victorian and Edwardian Europe to build her miniature pieces of art in the form of delicate and distinguished bracelets and rings.

Each piece of Elizabeth Ngo’s antique button jewelry is a unique representation of the extraordinary period of art and history from which the original buttons came. Ranging from finely detailed castings to glass buttons bursting with colour and character, each is set carefully within lustrous sterling silver -- a perfect marriage between vintage and modern design.

Michael Stars: Coffee Run Couture

Michael Stars graced the glossy pages of InStyle’s October issue as the ideal basic for a fashion-forward girl on the go. Worn by Disney diva Vanessa Hudgens, the Michael Stars Supima Tank was paired with a relaxed fleece hoodie and simple gold hoops for a style that’s casual without looking careless. To get Vanessa’s look, check out Michael Stars’ Ribbed Tank in Ivory, Prairie Underground’s Prairie Hoodie in Blue Mood, and Juicy Couture’s Heart Shaped Pave Hoop Earrings in Gold.

So versatile is basics brand Michael Stars, it was featured a second time in the InStyle mag as part of the look composed to reflect the classic “menswear for women” trend that has been so prevalent on both the red carpet and runways worldwide. Using the Michael Stars Supima Cotton Tank as a contrasting core piece, InStyle then added a smart cardigan and a pair of relaxed slacks with a metallic belt as an eye-catching accent.

Pea Coat Paradise

Every era has its fashion classics, yet few have proved as versatile as the pea coat. The pea coat has graced movie screens, catwalks and wardrobes, lending us a luxe respectability. Adapted by designers and adopted by fashion gurus, the women's pea coat has taken many a modern twist since its time in the trenches and is akin to a second skin for the style-conscious.

Nothing dresses up an outfit like a well-chosen coat. It's a statement piece that adds cohesion and personality. This season's coats promise to inject a high degree of elegance, instantly updating any wardrobe with a balance of cutting edge and vintage charm. While the traditional pea coat will always offer dependable stability with its goes-with-everything approach, this season's coats enjoy a little bit more drama in sporting vibrant jewel colors alongside the tried and true (but certainly not tired) hues of black, khaki, and slate.

The up and coming fall styles are also decidedly feminine, with elegant details that draw their inspiration more from 1940s Holly­wood glam than dirty trenches (think Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's). The sexy silhouette is back, complete with ruffles and full skirts. These coats are mature, but far from being conservative, they incorporate modern touches to keep them fresh and whimsical.

Dress it up, tone it down, cinch it at the waist, or wear it to bare a favorite blouse and trousers; the trusted women’s pea coat is what we have consistently relied on to pull an outfit up from the depths of dull despair and into the world of fashionista bliss, making it must-have for any winter wardrobe.

Hobo International Hits UrbanMinx

Already world renowned and celebrated for their decadent leather bags, Hobo International certainly isn’t restricted to top notch totes alone. While finding their niche in the world of handcrafted bags, Hobo has grown into a respected and inherently innovative line dealing in equally mouth-watering belts and wallets. Incorporating imaginative utility and modern styling, Hobo International’s beautiful accessories overflow with purposeful details that blur the lines between fashion, function, and fun.

Unlike most accessory brands, Hobo does not cater to a specific audience. For the professional sophisticate, they offer items like the Famous Belt or Distinctive Belt in Black. For the free spirit, the Lauren Clutch in Bluebell or Reliable Belt in Mulberry.

Recently acquired at UrbanMinx is a collection of finely-crafted Hobo International belts and bags made with the supplest of leather and deep attention to detail and design. We’re proud to offer you the first name in accessories, just a click away.

Blushing Beauty

Based in the metropolitan hub of Montreal, lingerie brand Blush set out in 1999 to create beautiful (and beautifully affordable) lingerie that brings elegance and style within reach of every woman.Today the seductive brand offers the irresistible blend of the sultry sensibility they set out to perfect. From corsets to lace camis, Blush has created a line which captures and enhances every woman’s beauty without the sacrifice of comfort.

UrbanMinx carries the latest of the luxurious Blush Lingerie line. Take a peek at the flirtatious Strapless Corset in Champagne or Black, and match with the dainty ruffled Thong to complete the look of absolute sex appeal.

Fringe Benefits

Spotted in LA sporting an electric-blue pair of Sam Edelman’s Utah Boot, Miley Cyrus stays ahead of the prairie chic trend which dominated the spring/summer runway this year.These super comfy suede beauties are bound to be a hit, featuring long fringe encircling a braided collar and cascading down the sides for a tribal effect that the Sam Edelman brand so strongly moved to emulate in their most recent styles.

Other fans of the Utah boot include Mischa Barton and Audrina Patridge of The Hills. Pick up a pair of your own, in Miley’s Electric Blue hue or the ever-classic Black.

Ask Anton: Petite Predicament

Dear Anton,

I have a petite figure and would like to elongate my look. Do you have any tips to remedy my lack of height?

-Heidi

Dear Heidi,The first thing to look at is posture. The stance you’ll want to take is one with your shoulders back, tush tucked, head high, and tummy in. Maintaining good posture will not only give you a taller and slimmer appearance, it also takes a lot of strain from your spine that could cause health problems later on.

If you still want to add a few extra inches to your frame, pop on out to the mall and find a pair of medium height heels in nude or beige, or any colour to match your skin tone. Anything from a stiletto to a boot (reference Irregular Choice’s Button Up Boot in Beige) in this colour will create one long silhouette, thus creating the illusion of a taller you. Not to mention the hue goes with nearly everything.

Another item to try is the classic slim cut pinstripe pant. Wide leg trousers should be avoided, as should any sort baggy clothes. These will only work to make you look even shorter. A pair like the Cocktail Trouser in Brown from Georgie Pant will lengthen the look of your legs and, as a result, your entire silhouette.

I hope this helps,

Anton

Green Australia

The original Melbourne based design team of love from Australia has expanded worldwide, putting a fresh foot forward and with a new name to boot. Now sporting the moniker ‘Australia Love Collective,’ the brand promises the finest in footwear with globally conscious values.

This year the Australia Love Collective design team has created the best sheepskin boots they’ve ever seen, with luxury finishes, an improved EVA/rubber sole that are both secure and flexible, and a reinforced heel that gracefully flows into contour shaped boots.

Using recycled packaging whenever possible, reclaimed 'Pot Metals' for trims, 'Curbside' soles and environmentally friendly organic finishing for materials bindings and trims, Australia Love Collective’s mission is to look at reducing their carbon footprint, whilst ensuring every step you take makes a statement.

Romance Revived

Romantic ruffles sashayed their way down the catwalk all throughout London Fashion Week’s spring/summer shows. Attendees could be forgiven for thinking they were part of a fairytale story as feminine, floating fabrics passed them by. Most notable were the triple tiered skirts that made an appearance of several of the week’s top designers’ shows.

UrbanMinx is simply loving the structured volume that well placed ruffles can create. They’re great at adding visual volume where you want it. Tiny tiers of ruffles will do wonders to enhance slim hips or a small bust. Whether you wear them outrageously oversized or simply subtle, ruffles will add a flouncy feminine touch to your look.

More's the Better

Volume was the watch word at this year’s spring/summer London Fashion Week line-up. This season layering enters a more sophisticated dimension, mixing patterns on top of patterns. Key players in this runway trend included Charles Anastase with a decidedly romantic use of tulle, ruffles, and sensually soft colours, and fresh-eyed Eley Kishimoto, who brought their singular designs to life with vivid hues and surprisingly cohesive prints.

Not only a wholly functional means to keep the chill, prying fingers of early spring out, layering gives the wearer opportunity to have fun and make a statement with their fashion rather than trying to create interest with a dull, flat plane.

The possibilities are endless, but those in the know relate that the key to successful mastery of this trend is to have a cohesive color throughout each piece so it doesn’t look like you got dressed in the dark.

UrbanMinx Owner Hits London Fashion Week

UrbanMinx owner Melissa Walton jetted off to London last week to take in the fab and glamorous London Fashion Week, where she found inspiration from the latest in Euro designers. Melissa, being a London native herself, has often said that she owes her success in the States to her “London eye,” as she calls it. Her ability to bring that London chic to the West Coast and blend it with lauded US designers was cultivated by the ever-smart Brit lifestyle.

London Fashion Week did not disappoint; the lineup was amazing! Melissa attended catwalk shows by Jasper Conran, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood and up-and-coming designer Erdem. Paul Smith wowed with silks and tartan scarves wrapped about the waist. We’re sure we will be seeing this theme trickling down into the contemporary fashion world for summer ‘09.

Jasper Conran continued the theme of diaphanous silks and chiffons, wrapped up in that signature Jasper fashion – the last word in femininity. Conran dreams up the most stunningly delicate dresses to dance on the female form.

Vivienne Westwood set the stage alight as usual with her theatrical and whimsical collection, full of fun with a touch of anarchy. Metallics were strong in the collection, along with lots of draping; overall draping of fabrics was a strong theme.

Erdem was who Melissa favoured most. Like so many new designers, they have that freshness about them. His silk screen peaches and cream dresses looked almost edible and so available to the mainstream fashionista.

Watch this space for the new London designers to be hitting the UrbanMinx.com collection for Spring 09.

London in Bloom

Following their success earlier this year, florals have been popping up with the tenacity of snow daisies. For spring/summer London Fashion Week '09, models were transmuted into living bouquets. The season itself was the obvious inspiration for this blossoming trend, with designers displaying vibrant illustrations and blurred hothouse motifs in their delightful fashions.

Flower lovers will swathe themselves in large, graphic floral prints, while those allergic to the impact of oversized patterns can opt for a quieter take on the flowery trend by choosing summery dresses and silky scarves in mid-sized prints.

Colour Shock

In contrast to winter's sea of black, neon brights and acid colours burst onto the spring/summer catwalks at London Fashion Week. And the message was clear, the brighter the better.

For her ‘psychedelic Sunday Best’ collection, British designer Luella Bartley intended her clashing purples and oranges to be ‘so bright they hurt your eyes.’ The result – a popping, graphic, hard-edged version of neon that will create maximum impact. Heightening the drama, many silhouettes echoed the crisp, folded lines of origami.

Grecian Glamour

Draping is confined to evening wear no more. It's easy to understand the whopping popularity the trend enjoyed on London Fashion Week’s spring/summer runways this year, being both simple and positively flattering, more about arch glamour than flossy nostalgia. The pleats and ruching that flow easily around the body are a challenge to creator and an extreme pleasure for the wearer; it's all femininity with clean lines. Drapery must have something very special, because, after all, the chiton robe was worn by the Greeks for almost 700 years. So it's hardly surprising the fall of fabric, gently guided, is still seducing present-day designers.