Designer Spotlight: Sally Tseng

I've just taken notice of Sally Tseng, a Taiwan-born designer who is known for her use of sharp tailoring throughout her innovative, feminine designs. The Marion dress and Dixon blazer, pictured left, are part of Tseng's fall 2008 collection. The masculine-meets-feminine vibe comes across with this satin tuxedo blazer (love the shiny, rounded lapels!) layered over a belted cowl neck dress. And you can really see the impeccable cut of the Olivia blouse, in my favorite fire engine red color, tucked into Tripper jeans, also from the fall 2008 collection. While you can buy select pieces online, you can also try one of the dozens of boutiques that carry Tseng's line.

Designer Spotlight: Nuj Novakhett

As I browsed through the offerings of the Sydney Michelle boutique in Bel Air, I knew I was in love the minute I spotted it--a sailor-inspired navy mini dress with a tiered white hem, which fit perfectly after I tried it on. I had never heard of the designer Nuj Novakhett before, so I resolved to do a little research at home. The Bangkok-based Thai designer debuted her collection in 2006, and continues to create pieces that are undeniably feminine and vintage with a playful edge. I'm a huge fan of her innovative tailoring and subtle details. Already, she's been dubbed by Women's Wear Daily as a "promising talent" and it's easy to see why!

Spring 2007 collection

Fall 2007 collection

Spring/Summer 2008 collection

Designer Spotlight: Iosselliani Jewelry

Iosselliani jewelry has, for a long time, registered on the radar of those in the fashion biz. The creation of Italian designer Paolo Giacomelli, the line is often featured on models in magazine photo shoots, which is how I first took notice of the brand. While the pieces are decidedly delicate, the heads of serpents, dogs, and panthers give the jewelry a tougher edge. Semi-precious gems and metals are blended together to create edgy, ornate pieces of jewelry. The designer is fond of layered necklaces and statement rings. Some of my favorites include the single earring with a catlike head and ruby eyes, the stack of five bracelets including one serpent head, a glittering panther ring, and a tangled necklace starring rubies, garnets, and zircons.

Designer Spotlight: Made in Shoreditch Somewhere headbands

Like so many other viewers, I'm getting anxious waiting for the next season of Gossip Girl to begin. So I started watching reruns of the show and was reminded of how much I had admired Blair Waldorf's headband in one of the episodes--an enormous red bow headband by Valentino that only the Queen Bee herself could pull off! As Valentino's version is probably costly (and unavailable to boot) and I haven't been able to find a decent similar version, I was thrilled when I came upon a label called Made in Shoreditch Somewhere.

The designer, Jennie, originally hails from Brooklyn but now resides in London and creates the most amazing hair accessories, wristcuffs, and brooches. One in particular that caught my eye was a giant bow headband in fuschia pink, the closest to Blair's I've found yet. Browse through her selection of headbands and you'll find unique blends of lace, charms, beading, chains, and other fanciful embellishments that give off a fun, whimsical, rock and roll vibe. The designer handcrafts each piece with a heavy emphasis on quality and detail.

There's no online store just yet, but I'm hoping they sell and ship to the United States somehow because I am definitely a fan!

Designer Spotlight: Biyan

I enjoyed the amazing privilege of attending a Biyan fashion show while visiting Jakarta, Indonesia last month. While relatively unknown in the Western world, designer Biyan Wanaatmadja is the go-to man for Indonesian celebrities and high-profile socialites. His creations--elegant, highly embellished, ethereal pieces--are coveted as much as tickets to his exclusive fashion shows. Throughout the show, I sat on the edge of my seat as a parade of beautiful clothes on beautiful models floated by on the jungle-themed runway.

My favorite piece was an intricately embroidered silk jacket with a mandarin collar in a muted pink shade. Close up, the embroidery was exquisite, trailing around the collar and shoulders for a delicately feminine effect. The show featured clothes heavy on silk, innovative draping, luxurious embellishment, bold jewelry, beading and bright patterns. Even the leather platform wedges worn by the models were each carefully embellished with unique stones and beads. All in all, the show was breathtaking, showcasing the kind of contemporary yet opulent designs most Indonesian socialites favor wearing.

No word yet on how to get your hands on some Biyan if you live outside Indonesia, but hopefully their new website will be up and running and offer international shipping to the USA! Now that would be beyond wonderful!

Designer Spotlight: Thurley

Not very many clothes evoke such an alluring sense of sophistication and femininity, but Thurley certainly takes the cake. Australian designer Helen O'Connor, who studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, founded the label in 2006. Already, her clothes and the rich, unique fabrics she uses to make them are gaining a solid fan base. I'm in love with nearly every piece from her latest collection, which practically oozes with subtle glamor. Each piece is beautifully detailed and timeless, and possesses such strong attention to detail that your eyes are immediately drawn to it.

Baroque Dress in creamy silk with lace detail

Crochet Embellished Camisole with pleat detailing, side buttons, & an intricate crochet front

Lace Trim Dress in a fiery red color with meticulously detailed crochet panels

Designer Spotlight: Tsumori Chisato

I first stumbled upon the designer Tsumori Chisato while shopping at a boutique in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2004. I was enamored as soon as I spotted one top--a sheer, floaty black blouse with cream trim, a braided neckline, and sash tie at the waist--which will never leave my closet. Born in Japan and a graduate of Tokyo's famous Bunka Fashion College (past students include Yohji Yamamoto and Kenzo Takada), Tsumori once worked with Issey Miyake in 1977 before starting her own line. Her clothing is beautiful, quirky, and oftentimes eclectic in her use of embroidery and embellishment.

For her Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection, Tsumori incorporated sea motifs--coral, octopus, shells, even a pretty blue starfish placed strategically on one side of a model's head. The shapes of the brilliantly multicolored clothes coming down the runway were truly unique and so unlike any other designer I've seen. For example, one model worked the Aurora, a gorgeous chiffon bubble dress with stand-up shoulder pleats and oversized sleeves, while another strutted down in a pair of tie-dye pants made to look like a skirt.

Thankfully, several online retailers carry select items from Tsumori Chisato. Two of them, probably the most well stocked I've seen so far, are Shop Zoe and Shop Bird, both offering the latest darling designs from her sea-themed spring collection.

(Credit to Elle.com for photos)