[Pasifika Fashion] Innovative Pasifika Milliner, Lopeti Etu!

Fashion Designer & Milliner, Lopeti Etu

The signature touch to any ensemble is the accessory.  This vital piece can either reward you with rave reviews & approval or forever categorize you as a fashion victim (don’t believe me, just ask Kristen Wiig).  Many of us have a key accessory that we deem as our “go-to” to tell our fashion story.  For many, that final added piece to complete the look is a hat. For this next installment of my series highlighting innovative and ground breaking Pasifika fashion talent, I introduce to you, Lopeti Etu.

Lopeti Etu is an innovative fashion designer and milliner based in New York City who draws inspiration from the world around him. Etu hand blocks all his hats, and creates one of a kind pieces using local suppliers and craftspeople.

After having worked in the fashion industry for many years, Etu took a risk and started his own millinery label in 2010 with business partner, David Balluff. They aspire to bring daring and verve back into the New York millinery world.

Lopeti Etu first became introduced to hats and hatmaking when his grandfather made him a straw hat in his native Tonga for a school dance. Etu recalls that while most children were wearing store-bought hats, his grandfather's hand-woven creation made him happy. 

His millinery designs have appeared on the cover of French Vogue, and in editorial shoots for Elle, Bazaar, O, Glamour and Self. Several of Etu's hats also made an appearance on the first season of Bravo's Work of Art: The Next Great Artist, worn by contestant Nao Bustamante.

*Photo Credit: King Redman 

Check out some of my favorite pieces from Etu's Spring 2011 collection:

[Pasifika Fashion Series] When the Pasifika Culture Meets the Modern Day Fashion World!

"Pacific Couture" designer, Lindah Lepou

This is my first installment of a series of posts highlighting and discussing Pasifika Culture and Fashions.  Living in Chicago and having been involved with the fashion industry in some form or another for the last 10 years, this harsh reality has plaqued me for years: Pasifika Fashion has yet to hit mainstream.  Even after years of revolutionary strides in technology that affects fashion & world culture, there has yet to be a notable recognition of what Pasifika Fashion has contributed to the industry.  So, through my blog and this platform I am going to do my part in bringing more awareness to the monumental and impactful contributions Pasifika Culture has made and continues to make to the fashion world/industry.

Introducing, Lindah Lepou. Renaissance Woman Extraordinaire, Lindah Lepou is a full-time New Zealand artist of Samoan and Palangi (English/Scottish) descent, with a background in Performing Arts, Music, and Fashion. Not only does she work with some of New Zealand’s pioneers in music (Annie Crummer, Hellosailor, etc) as a Singer/Songwriter, Lindah has built a strong body of work that pays homage to her love of French Haute Couture and her own rich New Zealand and Pacific heritage. With this, she is instrumental in bringing pacific fashion out of the stereotypical shadows of grass skirts and aloha shirts, through her innovative use of raw materials and natural fibers (i.e. tapa cloth, flax, etc.) she also expresses in a modern way, under a term she coined herself called, “Pacific Couture”.

Today, she continues to inspire a new generation of designers in New Zealand and in the Pacific, who reference and use her work as a benchmark in New Zealand’s mainstream fashion institutions, while at the same time continues to be sought after by museums around the world.

“Some artists create art for a particular time and place, while I am more interested in creating art that transcends this time and space” Lindah Lepou

*Photo Credit: Lindah Lepou

Check out some of her amazing works of art!

Fellas: Valentine's Day Inspiration to the Rescue!

Every February 14, across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. This year give her something that she will not only undoubtedly love, but will remember the next time you want to have a late-night Guys' Night out with your bros.

Check-out my Top 10 picks that will make any girl swoon:

100 years Necklace by Lulu Frost 

Alexander McQueen Skull Ring

Bramley Necklace by DANNIJO

Great Expectations Cuff by Erickson Beamon

Jose & Maria Barrera pave drop earrings

Lanvin Flower Brooch

Lanvin Heart Drop Earrings

Love Ring by Sydney Evan

Miu Miu Bow Bracelet

Wrist Wring Bling by Jules

P.S. Your Welcome! ;)

Calling all Bloggers, Fashionistas & Fashion Enthusiasts!

Independent Fashion Bloggers (IFB) awarded me 2 VIP tickets to their conference being held on Wednesday, February, 8th in New York City. IFB is an organization that was created to cultivate a community for fashion bloggers to share their experiences and create a resource so that everyone can build a better blog.

Their conference this season will be featuring some of fashion's most innovative and ground breaking fashion bloggers (i.e. Nicolette Mason, Man Repeller, Bryan Boy, etc) as keynote speakers.  As an aspiring fashion blogger trying to blog my way to the front row, if anyone is going to know and/or give the right tips as to what steps to take to get to the coveted front row it would be them.

I'm going to give a lucky reader an opportunity to join me at the conference*.  All you need to do is write me a comment and tell me why you would make the best fashion conference bestie!

I will announce the winner on Sunday, February 5th so get to commenting ;)

*(i.e. 1 VIP ticket for entrance. No airfare, hotel, etc is included. Just the entry into the conference)

Prada is Blazin' in Spring/Summer '12!

This Prada Spring/Summer 2012 campaign is making me swoon! There are definitely pieces that I have my eye on to help me blaze into this Spring/Summer.

Which pieces caught your eye?

Prada Spring/Summer Campaign:

Jason Wu for Target!

Pieces from the Jason Wu for Target Collection

Jason Wu for Target launches this Sunday, February 5th. Jason himself described his goal for his collection, "My goal was not to duplicate anything from my main collection... Instead I designed completely new clothes and accessories that reflect my taste and have a voice of their own."

He definitely accomplished this goal. The clothes are not the lacy and glamorous looks of the runway but rather flirty, playful looks that the average woman could wear to work, brunch or a cocktail party (or that the fashion-savvy high school student could wear to class -- especially those cute penny loafers with socks).

So, what pieces do you have your eye on? Will you be waiting in line this Sunday or shopping online? Just make sure to get your piece for Mar. 6th because the collection will only be available until then!

Target Teaser Commercial:

What piece should be added to my closet?

Recently discovered this edgy chic designer and upon perusing her website I knew instantly that it was love at first sight.  I am right now trying to decide which Monika Chiang piece needs to be added to my closet.  Here are the following 3 pieces that are instant favs of mine:

Jet Spiky Bracelet

Stretch Boot Legging

Athena Gold Cuff Platform

I can't decide, chime in with your thoughts! Or maybe... I should just get all three? ;)