New Season Dieppa Restrepo loafers, oxfords and boots are now in store – here is a short film to capture the essence of the collection.
SHOP the collection here
It was late last year when Brenda (gorgeous designer of Benah) and our buyer Giselle talked about creating a larger KODI-like bag in a limited edition leather just for MC. We wanted something luxurious but unexpected and surprising as well as the convenience of size – it had to be an everyday bag. The matte deep ocean blue/navy leather with croc print seemed perfect. It wasn’t until it arrived that we truly appreciated just how charming it is. Gunmetal hardware, a box-like structure and a sweeping ocean blue that you can see in the light. Clutch it, wrap the chain around your wrist or sling over your shoulder.
Last week I met up with ex-Sydneysiders Ryan and Ramon of TOME to firstly view their second collection and then to chat about what lies behind their new New York- based label. These two witty gentlemen give us an insight into their wonderful vision of style, the TOME woman and designers they appreciate.
TOME Q&A
How did you two meet?
We met at university, first year. We were both bad/cool/hilarious, like the Pink Ladies in Grease…
It really came about after years of talking about working together (as far back as college). We really want to create a brand that delivers urban, unfettered, straightforward clothing. There are so many brands out there and so much more novelty and unnecessary items of clothing. We’ve always been aware of the difference in the way men and women shop. Men shop with purpose – if they need a new shirt, they buy a new shirt. Women have been conditioned to shop for distraction. We believe there is a large group of women who do not want distraction but to find what they need, and at the same time, be inspired. This is probably why e-commerce is so prevalent – you can visit your website, click on a category or designer, and get straight to what your looking for. So we make sure our clothes are just as straight forward. A dress should look like a dress, it shouldn’t need to come with instructions on how to wear it!
Who is the TOME girl? Is she more of a Sydney or a New York soul?
I think a combination of the two. We are definitely influenced by all the women in our life, most of these friends are based in Sydney or New York, which is why there are influences from both cities.
What inspired you for your first collection?
For our first collection we looked at the women who’s life and style has always been an inspiration to us. This image by notorious paparazzo Ron Galella of Lauren Hutton (below) dancing the night away at Studio 54 encapsulates so much about what we want the label to mean to the women who will wear it. Lauren Hutton has always exuded a certain nonchalance about her unbelievable, idiosyncratic beauty and style, and about the freedom with which she loves her life. Street Style photographer Amy Arbus took shots of interesting women and men in the 1980’s we were drawn to this as well.
There is a lot of shirting – and a lot of pieces inspired by shirts – in your collections. What draws you to designing shirts?
RL: I have always loved a woman in a man’s shirt. I think it is such a sexy look. So from the outset, we knew shirting was going to be a key part of the collection
RM: A shirt for me is perhaps one of the most urban items of clothing in a collection. We want to make sure each item looks like what it is meant to be, no tricks. A shirt is always unmistakably a shirt, there are always the same elements in that garment to make it what it is; collar, cuffs, button down front. So it becomes an interesting challenge working with these elements and making something fresh and inspiring for our customer.
What can we expect in your second (FW12) collection?
RL: Fall 12 is all about beautiful, contrasting fabrics and silhouettes. Great oversized, masculine outerwear in brushed twills, different shades of khaki, mixed with crisp cotton whites or delicate, ultra feminine dresses cut in Japanese satin. Robust outerwear teamed with delicate, sensual separates. Lots of metallics too – crushed bronze lamé shirts and skirts that look like bon-bon wrappers!
RM: We have pushed things with fabric, using some great metallic finishes, as well as great outerwear cut in techy raincoat material. We’ve also used an incredible ponti with lots of stretch and have a special category of body hugging dress that make everyone look very sexy.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
RL: For FW12 we wanted to look at ‘American Sportswear’ and understand what that means to us being two Australians living in New York.
RM: I had just finished reading the biography of Rudolf Nureyev, it got us thinking about the Soviet Union and cold war years, how Russians would trade iconic American sportswear items on the black market and treat these items as if they were a precious fur coat. For example, a Levis denim jacket would be worn 5 sizes to big and would be the most precious thing in their wardrobe. We thought this idea of elevated American classics was a nice compliment to our own perception of American fashion.
What is the one (or two) thing that you think every woman should have in her wardrobe?
That is the perfect question for us – we honestly don’t believe any item is a must for all women. Too many ‘how to be chic/let’s all look the same’ formulas out there. What we aspire to is having TOME in every woman’s wardrobe, but that each woman would choose what they love and what works for their style.
Where is your eye drawn to when you see a woman walking down the street ?
RL: The crazier the outfit, the more I am mesmerized… and it’s normally the bag ladies on the streets of NYC that have the best style.. so to answer your question.. her shopping trolley??!
RM: (Ha) Hmmm.. I think it would be the attitude that makes me turn my head, when you see a girl strutting down the street and she knows she looks good… so to answer your question – confidence.
Your favourite menswear designer?
RL: As we get older jeans and t-shirts are what we love most but we do appreciate Prada. Miuccia does whatever she wants but pushes fashion forward in the most dramatic way. You know, on runway something can look amazing then when it hits the store it can be very different but Prada is wearable and there is something for everyone. You can buy into crazy or beige and then anything in-between.
RL & RM: Definitely Dries Van Noten we both where a lot of his pieces. Every piece carries sensitivity about the make, who makes each garment and the history of fashion.
RM: Also Comme Des Garcons. CDG can revisit common and recognizable fabrics but reinvent them into fresh pieces while still pushing forward. Not risky or clownish but new.
RL: And then there is Lanvin, we have been really liking Lanvin. It is so precious and delicate certainly not for everyday or maybe for some people but I leave it for an event. It is simply exquisite.
Secret haunt in NYC – favourite spot in Sydney?
RL: I’m all about food – so you’ll find me a Katz’s deli eating a Motazh ball soup, or Al-di-la restaurant in Park slope, eating mountains of the best pasta ragu!
RM: Sydney for me is the beach and when I come in December/January it coincides beautifully with my family and friends holidays – everyone is in a good mood.
RM & RL: We are always around the East Village or Lower East side because of work… so the things that get me out of that neighbor hood are the MOMA, The Neue gallery and Barney’s! New York is a city –there is always something new so it is hard to have a favourite place.
What music are you listening too now?
RL: Madonna! The new album!
RM: Same! I have to – he plays it in the studio all day..
Seen anything amazing, lately?
RL: In New York, Bjork and Sinead O’connor were both performing – both concerts were amazing!
RM: Cindy Sherman exhibition at the MOMA – go if you are in NYC!
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Check out the TOME Fall Film on Style.com
The future is bright for these at-ease gentlemen, already appearing on Style.com, in Harpers Bazaar Australia and Russh Magazine before their first collection even debuted!
TOME’s First Collection, Spring Summer 2012, is available exclusively online at MC for Australia (we are so excited RR!)
First drop of Illesteva Eyewear has arrived from New York – handmade in France and Italy these frames are loved by fashionistas like Kirsten Dunst, Alexa Chung, Chloe Sevigny and Sienna Miller – they have appeared on the runway and in fashion campaigns both photographic and film including Sophomore and Boy by Band of Outsiders.
Styles > Freida, Franklin, Leonard and Evelyn – Our definite pick, the Freida in tortoise worn by Alexa Chung.
Rachel Comey has ‘cleared the air’ as she puts to style.com – the prints and vibrant colour evident in past collections has taken somewhat of a backseat and instead the focus is on treated materials with black, grey and white dominating.
Every look is so well considered and sophisticated that it was difficult to select just these few. Check out the runway presentation featuring Vorhees live!
This March, in Paris, we see this collection up close.
Line&Jo has just arrived instore – This fine jewellery line from Copenhagen is exclusive to My Chameleon in Australia (you might have seen stylish blogger Elin Kling, from Style Kling, wearing their ear pieces, many a time). Lovely Jessie took beautiful photos incorporating these utterly cool and sophisticated jewels. Line&Jo pieces are all sterling silver and coated in a fine metal to give a vintage feel – some with diamonds and others with chains…. rings can be stacked and worn at the top of the finger. Each piece is versatile and glamorous yet uniquely understated.
Curio Noir – Vetyver Bouquet Handcrafted Glass Candle and Line & Jo single earrings (on the glass – left to right) Miss Eagleson (drop spear), Miss Ebbens ( Cuff earring), Miss Erlanger (Diamond a earring with spear drops), Miss Ewell (Single earring – row of stars).
All images taken by Style Blogger Jessie Bush from We The People, at our new studio.
Lovely Jessie Bush of We The People took these beautiful shots at our fresh new studio one sunny afternoon before Christmas. We had lots of fun chatting about style and the way we interpret fashion. Hope you love these…. Part 2 still to come…
