Coutorture

Happy Earth Day! Check Out Bodkin's Fall 2009 Look Book

coutorture — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:53:05 -0700

In honor of Earth Day we think it's fitting to feature Bodkin's Fall 2009 look book. The contemporary brand, started by Eviana Hartman and Samantha Pleet, use sustainable design practices, organic cottons and wools and natural vegetable dyes in their collections. This year the duo won the inaugural Ecco Domani Sustainable Design Award. You might have seen our photos from their Fall 2009 presentation but here's a peek at their official look book. See the captions below each photo for materials and process details.

Samantha Pleet Fall 2009 Video Look Book

coutorture — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:53:59 -0700

Samantha Pleet - AW09 from Samantha Pleet on Vimeo.

Brooklyn darling Samantha Pleet already has an Urban Outfitters collaboration and an Ecco Domani award for her other contemporary line, Bodkin, under her belt. This season Pleet stuck with her romantic, down-to-earth sensibilities nonetheless. Check out a glimpse at her Fall 2009 offerings, modeled by a cast of creative Brooklynites, in her video look book.

Fashion In 50 Seconds 01/05/09 Ecco Domani Announces Award Winners & More

coutorture — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 06:55:50 -0800

Ecco Domani announced their 2009 Fashion Foundation award winners today. The recipients are Lyn Devon, Matthew Ames, Cushnie et Ochs by Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs, and Ohne Titel by Alex Adams for womenswear, Corpus by Jerrod Cornish & Keith Richardson for menswear, and Monique Pean for jewelry, Eviana Hartman and Samantha Pleet for sustainable design.

WWD talks with Jane Birkin about her cashmere pieces for Lutz & Patmos and her oldest pair of UGG boots. We never thought we'd say this but UGGs are getting a lot of good press these days.

Billion Dollar Babes is jumping on the bandwagon and starting their own sample sale e-commerce site.

It was recently announced that the magazine would go down to two issues per year and now there's a rumor that Men's Vogue will no longer be publishing magazines at all.

Samantha Pleet Pops-Up In Los Angeles

coutorture — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:14:02 -0800

Fall 2008 Look Book, Fall 2008 Rapscallion by Samantha Pleet Look Book, High Waisted Skirt in Black $264.00 @ Revolve Clothing, Spring 2009 Look Book, Rapscallion by Samantha Pleet Print Silk Blouse $78.00 @ Urban Outfitters

This Friday will mark the opening of Samantha Pleet's first free-standing store which will feature Pleet's signature line along with her own curation of accessories lines and treasures from abroad. Pleet's recent collaboration with Urban Outfitters has won her recognition outside of New York (where she has remained a downtown favorite) and so it seems fitting that the designer would mark her spot elsewhere. The pop-up space, designed by architect, designer, and husband to the designer, Patrick (Pleet) McGovern, will feature a cavernous-like atmosphere with "mystical surroundings". Check out Pleet's Fall, Spring, and Urban Outfitters look books right here.

Samantha Pleet Spring 2009

coutorture — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:58:44 -0700

Samantha Pleet (Menswear by Patrick Pleet) Spring 2009, Lookbook photos by Tom Hines.

Interview With May Kwok From Archetype Showroom

coutorture — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 10:33:03 -0800

For our girl porn photo shoot, we've featured a few brands that all have (at least) one thing in common. Namely, all are represented by New York showroom Archetype. Every showroom has it's own personality, cultivated by everything from whom they represent, to the space they occupy, to the state of their toilet and the condition of the their sample closet. As a designer, choosing (or being chosen by) a showroom can play a great deal of importance in your image and success. After all, this is how those precious collections get picked up by buyers or pulled for press.

Archetype, who reps, among others, Corpus, Fremont, Samantha Pleet, The Cast, and Surface to Air is a showroom with a relaxed vibe and a handsome staff. In a space with huge windows and wooden floors sit May Kwok and Steven Rojas, press representatives for Womens and Menswear respectively. The two give off the air of being the cool brother and sister team you used to chill with when you were little. Indeed, while they finish each others sentences, you begin the understand that Archetype is not as disjointed as other operations and that, because of the showroom's history and the personality of the lines they represent, they've a unique strength and purpose.

Archetype, just a few years old, cultivates that appeal by way of their penchant for friendship. Where both Kwok and Rojas have been with the showroom since it's inception (Rojas previously worked with the founder, Audrey Gingras) the showroom also represents brands that have connections outside of Archetype. The Los Angeles based designers of Fremont and Corpus, for instance, have been friends for years. This was, pointedly, the first thing Kwok told us when we asked her about the showroom.

Why is this good? This is good because the press and buyers respond to the cohesion. Simply put, if Corpus is a brand that suits your boutique, chances are Fremont will too. If you're featuring Samantha Pleet in a photo shoot, there's porbably a Jenny Yuen handbag to suit the look. Although other showrooms strive for this sense of lifestyle, Archetype pulls it off earnestly and and successfully.

For more on Archetype, check out our quick interview with May Kwok below, and, to see the Archetype cohesion in action, take a peek at our girl porn photo shoot.

What attitude or personality best describes Archetype and the lines that you represent?
The lines we represent all have a strong connection in the art, cinema, music, and fashion world.

Is this identity ever misunderstood or misrepresented by the press? If so, how do you strive to correct misrepresentations?
No. We are never misunderstood. We make sure each publication, website, client, and fashionista understands what Archetype Showroom is and does!

What are some of the differences between working with the larger publications versus smaller ones or websites?
We are reaching different demographic of people from the uptown fashionista to the downtown fashion icon.

What is your average day at the showroom like?
The showroom has such a great & relaxed environment! I come in, answer emails, work on product/editorial requests and stylist pulls, developing new, creative ways to promote the brands and garnish larger feature pieces. Brainstorm publicity opportunities for the brands. Play with our showroom mascot, Sullivan (The cutest dog ever!) There is always something for me to do.. It never ends.

What is the most stressful part of your job?
I have to admit – I have a love and hate relationship with events. There are so much entailed in producing events and fashion shows… but you know, I'm fine after a few cocktails!

And, your favorite part of your job?
My daily communication with the wonderful people I work with in all the different publications, stylists, the designers and the joy I get when I see them represented in a magazine… Its great! Oh and the free clothes isn't bad either.