Chic and Untroubled

1. Worst trend of all time?

Shoulder pads, a Rotter family favorite gone wrong.

2. What’s your biggest self-indulgence?

Turbo iced coffee and clothing from APC.

3. Fill in the blank: As a kid, I thought I would grow up to be a broadway star.

At the tiny age of 11, I went to an acting/singing after school extravaganza called “Stars of Tomorrow” for a year. I embarissingly performed the song “Tits and Ass” from A Chorus Line in front of parents and prospective agents, further realizing I need to shut up and grab a pencil. From then on, I became a doodler and a painter.

4. What has been inspiring you lately?

I’ve been really digging the sounds of Anonymous and their magical 1976 album, Inside The Shadow, re-released on Anthology Recordings (http://anthologyrecordings.com/) . I recently came back to studying the drawings of Aubrey Beardsley and of course, Tove Jansson’s Moomin comic strips are so genuine and fun. I’m also obsessed with Criterion Collection dvds and having little post-movie discussions over wine with friends.

5. What are you working on right now?

Right now I’m planning to release limited edition t-shirts for the holidays with my first guest artist, Ron Paolillo, aka Arnold Horshack from the show Welcome Back Kotter. Who knew he drew stoner wizard art so beautifully?! Its the most random collaboration we could have dreamed, but it all works so well.

If you’re interested in purchasing some of the tees (you won’t be able to choose just one!), click here.

Left: Besa Stitch Hobo $429, Right: Anna Switch tote $418

This week, we’re taking a break from streetwear, so we can introduce you all to one of our favorite new accessory designers, Antoinette Lee. Miss Lee offers a very chic and affordable line of clutches, totes, and hobos. Each handbag is crafted in New York with careful detail and workmanship. So, everybody gets a piece of luxury without having to break the bank. How fabulous is that?

1. What’s your biggest self-indulgence?

I would definitely have to say a hot bubble bath!

2. Fill in the blank: As a kid, I thought I would grow up to be a designer, or involved in something creative.

3. What has been inspiring you lately?

Autumn is my favorite season, which has been one of my inspirations for initial ideas of my Fall 2008 line. Also my everyday experiences of life in New York City are always a constant inspiration.

4. What are you working on right now?

Right now I have just debuted my Spring 2008 line, which I love! This season I introduced two new styles, and added special touches to every bag; such as new striped linings. Also each handbag now comes with its very own Antoinette Lee Design’s dustbag. Can’t wait for you to see the line, be sure to keep an eye out for it!

PS: The fifth question has kind of disappeared, so I thought I would end this with a little handbag trivia:

It takes between 18 to 25 hours for artisians to create the super-luxurious Hermes Birkin bag. Also, the Paris workrooms produce only five Birkins per week, which then are supplied world wide.

No wonder those wait lists are so long.

You don’t have to love her. You don’t even have to like her, but you will respect her! Leah’s answer are short and blunt, and we wouldn’t have it any other way. I mean, that is why we love her!

1. Worst trend of all time?
People caring about trends

2. What’s your biggest self-indulgence?
Never taking public transportation

3. Fill in the blank: As a kid, I thought I would grow up to be an actress, fashion designer, photographer for National Geographic, editor of Vogue and mom!_____

4. What has been inspiring you lately?
my daughter

5. What are you working on right now?
A million and one things..

Claw Money takes a quick break from her busy schedule to answer our infamous five questions

1. We’ve heard about your infamous sneaker collection(so jealous). So, we must ask: Nike or Adidas?

NIKE, ADIDAS, TROOP, SPAULDING, TRAX, PRO KEDS, PUMA, CONVERSE- AND A BUNCH MORE I CAN’T REMEMBER!

2. Fill in the blank: As a child, I thought I would grow up to be a _______________________

VETERINARIAN!!! I LOVE ANIMALS!!! MORE THAN PEOPLE, FOR SURE…..

3. Worst trend from the 80s?

I APPRECIATE A FEW ACCENT ITEMS, BUT THE HEAD TO TOE LOOK, GOTZ TO GO…

4. What’s been inspiring you lately

IM OBSESSED WITH THE NEW VUITTON LUXE EYEWEAR COLLECTION AND THE NYC SUBWAY RIDERS!

5. What are you working on right now?

LIKE 900 THINGS! FALL 2008, DOING MORE CUT AND SEW, SWINDLE MAGAZINE, WEDDING CRAP, ADOPTING ANOTHER KITTEN, TV SHOWS AND ANOTHER NIKE LAUNCH!

Simple and sexy is what Hiqee does best, and that’s just fine by me! Their Fall collection will hit stores later this month, and we couldn’t be anymore excited! Don’t sleep on them people, Hiqee is definitely one to watch.

1. It’s Hiqee, and not Haiku. How did you guys come up with such a
original name?
Well Hiqee is a representation of fun and youth. So it was only
natural to associate a word such as Hickey with the line. just the
mention of hickey should take you back to the good ol’ days when you
knew you’d get in trouble if your parents ever caught you with one on
the neck.lol. remember all the different advice your friends would
give to get rid of it quicker. like the cold spoon or combing it out
with a comb.lol.

2. Soulja Boy’s Crank That or Jason Fox’s Aunt Jackie
Soulja boy’s crank all the way baby! gives you the chance to look cute
when you do that little side to side thing.

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Yes, 5 + 1 =6, but we just had to know a little bit more about owner/buyer Dina Selkoe of Karmaloop.

And that sick leather jacket and tee she is wearing are from MadeMe’s Fall collection. They too can be found at Karmaloop!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Let’s see….. I was born in Russia (so I’m probably genetically inclined to be crazy). I have 4 pets- two cats and two dogs (Jasper, Flippy, Vivian and Mr. Serge). I like politics (double nay to Baby Bush Duvalier! Yay to Obama!), international affairs and history, tennis and traveling, collecting books and bags, and consuming wine and music (who doesn’t like the last two?), and I am about to start taking Krav Maga classes (so watch out boys of Karmaloop, you’re about to get your asses served).

2. How did you become a buyer?

I came into the company in a more general, managerial/creative type position- doing editorial stuff and the Lookbook, planning parties, opening the store in Boston, doing some legal stuff, etc., we had a buyer who did both men’s and women’s and it just made sense to separate the two, so I started doing the women’s buying about a year ago.

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