Thursday, August 28, 2014

The New Orleans Boutique Co-Owned by Solange Knowles

As you will read below, the Okpo sisters state that they are in "complete control, and have wiped out the whole fashion ideal of trying to keep up with the Joneses."  I love that....it's so empowering! That sentiment ties in perfectly with their re-purposed space.



Though it opened its doors in April, the only thing the New Orleans boutique Exodus Goods has done to announce its existence until now is hang a colorful wooden sign outside its French Quarter storefront. The sisters Darlene and Lizzy Okpo, along with the co-owner Armina Mussa, have deliberately managed to keep word of their project confined mostly to their cult Instagram following — despite the fact that the store’s fourth partner and creative director is Solange Knowles. Chalk it up to being in New Orleans, where “the pace of life is slower,” Lizzy Okpo explains. “We’ve developed a feeling of building things organically until they’re right.” Now, however, with the launch this week of Exodus Goods’ new e-commerce site, the secret is out.

The Okpo sisters arrived in the South after spending eight years in New York designing their women’s wear line, William Okpo. “With Exodus Goods, we are in complete control and we wiped out the whole fashion ideal of trying to keep up with the Joneses,” Lizzy Okpo says.

The store carries a colorful array of clothing, accessories and lifestyle goods
 from such independent labels as Ace & Jig, Brother Vellies and the sisters’ own line. (Puma’s “Girls of Blaze” sneaker collaboration with Knowles sold out in less than a week.) Also in stock are a host of products made by the foursome’s friends and neighbors in New Orleans, such as Dvra’s papaya-print clutches and Smoke’s natural scented candles. “It’s about us,” Lizzy Okpo says of the partners’ approach to buying. “It’s not about who’s been all over Women’s Wear Daily. We get a beautiful outcome because it’s organic.”

518 Conti Street, New Orleans, La., exodusgoods.us.

T Magazine

Missy Rayder for Paula Mendoza's Spring/Summer 2015 Jewelry Collection

Paula Mendoza is a true artisan. Her finely crafted pieces are absolutely resplendent!




Paula Mendoza’s Opulent Spring–Colombian jewelry designer Paula Mendoza has released images for her spring-summer 2015 collection of opulent creations. The lookbook features none other than top model Missy Rayder who exudes pure elegance in front of Tigre Escobar’s lens for the glamorous snaps. Inspired by the 16th century Spanish castle Aranjuez, Mendoza’s designs offer a timeless appeal as shown by the artisanal details and architectural shapes. (Fashion Gone Rogue)








fashiongonerogue.com

Just for Fun

From bags to sweaters, designers are offering up a crop of playful items which are sure to turn heads.


Kate Spade Hello Tokyo cat chain-strap bag
$298

Kate Spade The Never Ending Love Story clutch
$328

Kate Spade Marry Me book clutch, $328
(katespade.com)

Kate Spade 'Hello Tokyo-Bento Box'
clutch, $348; nordstrom.com
Kate Spade Wedding Belles License plate
clutch, $398; katespade.com

Kate Spade Fancy Footwork "Saxton"
$298

Kate Spade Fancy Footwear "Emanuelle"
$328; (zappos.com)

Kate Spade Hello Shanghai "Cruz", $348
Moschino leather jacket backpack
$2,285; 

Moschino leather jacket bag, $1,995

Moschino Fast-food drink crossbody bag
$895

Moschino Fries crossbody bag, $750
(saksfifthavenue.com)
Coach Intarsia sweater, $695

Charlotte Olympia "Take Me Away" clutch, $1,295

Anya Hindmarch Digestives printed elaphe
and leather clutch, $1,450

House of Holland New Era sequined knitted
bobble hat, $100
Kenzo appliquéd cotton-jersey
sweatshirt, $330

Markus Lupfer British Café sequined
cotton-jersey sweatshirt, $190

Miu Miu Pistol-print patent-leather flats
$325
Charlotte Olympia Whisper embellished crepe
de chine clutch, $1,495

Charlotte Olympia cat-face chelsea boot, $995
(net-a-porter.com)

Kate Spade racer patent d'orsay, $268
Stella McCartney Falabella crossbody bag, $1,250; neimanmarcus.com

Alice + Olivia "Liza" tuxedo flats, $325

Alice + Olivia "Lilith" unicorn flats, $325

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Some Like it Hot!

Whew!!! There's such a dizzying array of boots and booties each fall and winter season, that if we could get our hands on EVERY pair that we love, they would encompass our entire living space! This post is all about those lovely, high-end stilettos (statements of course), which are akin to music to the soul. Enjoy the view!

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alexandre Birman
B. Brian Atwood

Christian Louboutin "Gortik"

Christian Louboutin "So Kate"

Dolce & Gabbana

Giuseppe Zanotti
Giuseppe Zanotti

Giuseppe Zanotti "Patches"

Giuseppe Zanotti

Maison Martin Margiela
Maline Souliers "Savannah"

Michael Kors "Cora"

Michael Kors "Averie"

Narciso Rodriguez "Simone"
Narciso Rodriguez "Sarah"

Oscar de la Renta "Camille"

Oscar de la Renta "Joyce"

Paul Andrew "Shirin"
Saint Laurent "Janis"

Pierre Hardy 

Saint Laurent

Saint Laurent
Sergio Rossi "Atalia"

Sergio Rossi "Pierrot"

Sergio Rossi

Sophia Webster
(neimanmarcus.com)
Gianvito Rossi

Aquazurra "Babe"

Christian Louboutin "Mrs. Boulglione"

Miu Miu
Christian Louboutin "Viennana"

Bottega Veneta "Chrysanthemum"

Rebecca Minkoff "Reed"


Christian Louboutin "Corsita"

Giuseppe Zanotti

Aquazzura "Amazon"

Salvatore Ferragamo
Aquazzura "Bianca"

Manolo Blahnik "Baskegrod"

Alejandro Ingelmo "Odyssey"

Sophia Webster "Tia"
Sophia Webster "Simi"

Oscar de la Renta "Carmen"

Vince "Armon"

Christian Louboutin "Mandolina"
Rene Caovilla

Giuseppe Zanotti

Jimmu Choo "Kara"

Fendi

Giuseppe Zanotti "Coline" (neimanmarcus.com)