mono.

If you're thinking you've seen this post before, you're partly right. Notice the emphatic "." though. As in "mono - enough said". Or maybe you didn't notice that this post looks just like this previous one. Nevertheless, I have to do a little bit of repeating, because I have just tried on the coolest dress ever. I read last night that trusty ol' Nokomis got in one size small mono Scarf Dress, so I knew I had to sleepily stumble all the way up the avenue after work to feel what this 100% Tyvek business was all about. I had no hopes of trying it on, as according to the size chart on the monoshop site, I'm a mono medium, bordering on a mono large. However, when I got up close and personal with this creation, it seemed that we were meant to be, as it looked plenty big enough for my curves. And it was nothing short of a positively lovely experience having the dress on for a few minutes. While I think it looks great in the photos from the monoshop, this is definitely a piece that needs to be seen in person. First of all, the dress is so light and airy, that it's like you're wearing a cloud. A tear-proof cloud. A very wearable and travel-able tear-proof cloud. And I didn't notice it before, but that black dot you see in the picture below is a snap, so I could pull on the dress without messing my already wind-blown hair. I was already wearing a white tank, and I thought it looked perfect underneath the dress with the snap undone to leave a v-neckline.

And again, while you can kind of see it in the photos (above and below), I didn't realize what the attached 'scarf' really was. Basically, it's a super long piece of Tyvek sewn into the right-ish side of the back hem, which eventually comes to a point (see below left). I could play with this part for ages. The Tyvek is light enough that you can wrap it around like a scarf and have it stand up all structured-like, as it's quite malleable. My favorite though was to wrap it around my waist and tie it to itself to create a belt. A separate belt over top would look quite smashing with it as well (I'm thinking my ArtLab Clinical White Harness No.1 to keep with the white and snap theme). Wrapping it around in coil formation was fun too, and made me feel like I was wearing a Björk swan dress redux. The dress itself also has a very slight bubble shape to it at the bottom, and is amazingly flattering for a dress made of construction material. This would be the absolute perfect summer wedding dress for someone that does not shy away from the avant garde look. I'd imagine walking down the aisle with the scarf trailing behind like a train, and then wrapped around and secured with a knot or belt or pin for dancing on into the night. Alas, as I cannot have a third wedding, I think I would mostly wear it with the skinny grey jeans I had on today.

So many words for one dress, and yet I feel like I haven't explained it adequately. I'm just so shocked that I loved a white dress so much, as I pretty religiously stay away from white things that aren't layering tank tops. In truth, if this dress was grey, I would likely have bought it on the spot. But I must say, especially with the stark contrast with my noir locks, this dress made me look and feel fantastic, and so I might be changing my tune about white...

P.S. Don't forget to take 20% off the price if you're seeing if the Scarf Dress (or any other item in the monoshop) can fit into your budget with these magical symbols: XTRASPECIAL01

Günseli Türkay

I've been running on 3-4 hours of sleep intervals the past few days here, so please forgive me if I am completely incoherent. But, at the risk of assailing your brain with horrendous grammar, I simply had to share these photos with you. These are from Turkish designer Günseli Türkay's newly launched brand of the same name. Günseli has been in the fashion industry for a while, working for the past few years as a fashion designer and brand consultant for larger brands such as Zara and Topshop. Her own brand combines fashion and art, transferring paintings of contemporary artists to the fabrics used in her pieces. That, combined with the gladiator theme of these dresses (who said the gladiator look was so last year?!), makes me a very enthusiastic fan. If you don't happen to be around Istanbul, Lebanon, or London, check out NJAL's The Shop to order one for yourself. Perhaps I could sell a bike to get the Joyce or the Amy for myself...

Amanda deLeon

I have just been floored by an amazing designer. Her name is Amanda deLeon from Wilmington, North Carolina, and her avant garde designs are literally breath-taking. Her newest collection, entitled 'Armored', features an array of different materials in my favorite colour palette (with just a hint of teal and plum), constructed into various architectural shapes and highlighted with chevron cuts and 'gill' detailing. All in one collection, you can find one size drapey pieces, boxy pieces, bubble hem pieces, and severely tailored pieces with or without exaggerated hips, as well as sleeveless, sleeved, or one-sleeved pieces. I couldn't ask for more. Well, except for asking if the one-of-a-kind/limited pieces can be made in my size. Amanda's biggest fan on Etsy is the tattoo queen Kat Von D herself, so I'm thinking you best get yourself an Amanda deLeon piece while you can! Just leave the Armored Vest (below) for me, please.

The Girl Without a Dragon Tattoo

Alexandra Groover 5-hooded hoody + Jessica Darwin mesh top + 

Mandula shorts + complexgeometries megahose 

I was really just wanting to look like Noomi Rapace as Lisbeth from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo today. However, due to laundry constraints, long hair, only one piercing, and, well, no dragon tattoo, this was not possible. I did still manage to throw together a pretty good outfit though, if I do say so myself. This was all about texture and blackness, which in a way is Lisbeth-like. Right?

Now, onto reading those books...and sleeping. The 4am shift this week is going to defeat me.

Black Milk Windows

Eek! If me and leggings got along swimmingly, I would definitely need this pair of Black Milk leggings. Well, 'need' in the very exaggerated and not quite true sense of the word. I absolutely love stained glass windows. Perhaps complexgeometries and Black Milk should team up to create the most perfect pair of leggings ever conceived. Until then, I'll just have to stay happy with the amazing cg long leggings and megahose...

(Photos via Black Milk's fun blog, Too Many Tights!)

Sadotna

Ahh, a fresh cut and colour makes me feel like I've magically gained a healthy dose of je ne sais quoi. It also makes me want to don my very best outfit just because. And as I've let my clothes pile get quite out of order, it would make my life much easier to have one of these outfits by Sadotna sent to me tout de suite so that I wouldn't have to pick out something I already have. Can any of my readers in Melbourne help me out? It'll have to be before tomorrow at noon-ish though, as that is when the magic of my newly done hair will likely dissipate.

mono

Thanks to a stop by Pour Porter's still shiny new shop, I was just reacquainted with Heather Martin's label, mono. Heather's current series is FLIGHT, which is, indeed, "the restoration of lightness & calm". Pieces from this series (with more colours and sizes to come) are available in the gorgeous monoshop, and each item is either handcrafted in the studio or locally produced in Vancouver. I'm awfully tempted to get one of each. Or at least the ethereal Scarf Dress (below), which is made out of layers of Tyvek. Yes, the stuff or 'house wrap' you see in new buildings being constructed. I'm intrigued. 

And, if you're not wanting lightness and calm to be restored just yet, you can get some incredible deals at the super saletime monoshop on Etsy, where you'll find pieces (such as those below) from the previous series. Oh my.

Edit: By the way, if you're checking out an item in the monoshop and you feel like getting 20% off the price, you may want to type in promo code XTRASPECIAL01. Just a suggestion.

Skrink-la-da

I'm not entirely sure what's going on here, but I love this photo (by Ugur Kaplan) from Turkish label/fashion design student, Merve (insert last name here). It reminds me of Macaulay Culkin as Michael Alig in Party Monster. I think I might be thinking about Michael Alig too much after reading this fascinating interview in Interview. Also, I just woke up from a 4 hour nap which I was not aware I needed. Hmm.

mydearthing, S/S 10

Ah, what a perfect day for mydearthing's S/S 10 'Glass' collection to be unveiled. Lauren kindly went to Montauk to model her newest wares this weekend, and these lovely photos (by Tim A. Jones) and the subsequent Etsy listings are the result. I'm sure you'll agree with me that Lauren rather outdid herself this time around, so go ahead and let her know you appreciate it! I recommend the following exercise to prepare for choosing the perfect piece(s) for you: 

First, inhale and look to the left (no, your other left)...

...then exhale and look to the right...

...and now relax.

These delightful pieces are being posted in the mydearthing Etsy shop as we speak, as you can see from my favorites in the sidebar below. I am rather excited about the new colours (or at least new pictures) of the Carly Dress, which has become my go to piece of clothing to throw on for any occasion. And now there's also the Carly Top (below right)! And spring/summer versions of the Way Shrug (below right, worn as scarf with the Carly Top) and the Fold-Up Trench (below left)! And printed Double V tops! Oh yeah, and a whole load of things that I need to get through the summer. Good thing I just got a pay increase, as I have it on good authority that these pieces are certified kick-ass.

Need more mydearthing? Here's Lauren's description of this essential sunny weather collection:

The s/s 2010 Glass Collection is intended to clothe the inner romantic. These are pieces designed to be worn while waiting and longing for your heart's desires - the yearning for which increases the pleasure of acquiring. Each piece is graceful and tender yet memorable. I created soft, versatile silhouettes with delicate detailing such as braids, gathers, curls and knots. Keeping with mydearthing, all garments and accessories are made using organic, surplus, vintage or reclaimed materials.

(Meet me in Montauk.)