Nov 18, 2013 | Fashion
MURUA is a mass retail brand focusing on feminine details within contemporary trends. With their A/W 2013 collection entitled “Cubic Art,” the brand attempts to combine modern materials, patterns, and techniques into wearable dimensional art. Produced by fashion magazine darling and It-girl Momoko Ogihara and founded in 2006 by the MARK STYLER company (also backers of EMODA – see their latest lookbook here), the brand can be seen throughout popular fashion magazines and is considered the go-to clothing line for young fashionistas in the know.

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Oct 7, 2013 | Fashion
Rirandture (ree-rahn-doh-chur) is a relatively new brand out of Tokyo, the name originating from the idea that a Parisian girl named Lila (or “Ree-rah,” as pronounced in Japanese) has created a line of sophisticated clothing with “couture”-style finishing. (Of course, the word “couture” is used probably with the same seriousness that it is in say, Juicy Couture.) Rirandture is known for its casual but grown-up aesthetic, recently venturing into a more “dressed-up” version of casual style (according to their website). Prices range from $40 for a simple top to around $450 for a wool jacket with peplum detail and mohair collar.

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Sep 23, 2013 | Fashion
EMODA (pronounced eh-moda) was founded in 2010 under MARK STYLER, Inc. (a huge fashion conglomerate housing 15 other Japanese fashion brands). Growing exponentially in only a short time, the brand offers fashion-forward styles ranging from $24 for a basic tee, up to around $170 for a pair of luxe leather boots. In their own words,
We are a trendsetter for all women who enjoys fashion and deliver high-fashion clothing for everyday through our new stylings, matarials, and shapes. Our concept is expressing femininity in women’s strength by adding colors, patterns, and textures in monochromatic themes. Futhermore, we are introducing the fashion with music, art, and culture to create neo fashion form.
Produced by Ena Matsumoto, a darling of fashion magazines in Japan, EMODA has launched an Autumn/Winter Collection playing on textured androgyny and a Victor/Victoria dichotomy.
There is a large closet at home for the chic and stylish couple. Their style has no gender boundary, which is mixture of mode, simple, and casual tastes. They are different unique individuals, “BUDDY COUPLE,” who have perfect chemistry. We introduce its mannish and coquettish, BUDDY-COUPLE-like style that brings out your personality.
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Aug 12, 2013 | Fashion
If Six Was Nine is an amazing, though somewhat underground brand owned by Maniac Corporation. Beloved by Fergie, Lenny Kravitz, and Keith Richards (just to name a few), the brand features entirely handmade pieces with heavy distressing, screenprinting, unusual embellishment, leatherwork, and sublimation dyeing techniques in their clothing. (Price points range from $280 for an extremely simple cover-up to $3400+ for a leather jacket.) They don’t lend any pieces out to magazines for photographing and the parent company does not allow any photos of their boutiques, adding to the whole aura of inaccessibility. And yet, people somehow find their way to the few hidden boutiques that sell this line, in search of the amazing, rock-star-worthy ensembles that the brand puts out.
Besides clothing, if six was nine also creates one-of-a-kind furnishings and home wares with a gothic edge.
I’ve actually written about one place to buy this line, Bedrock Boutique, before here, and I tend to stop by the shop every time I’m in Tokyo. And it’s always like entering a time warp to some dank dungeon, filled with sparkly bones and shredded couture.
Besides the 3 boutiques owned by the Maniac Corporation in Japan, If Six Was Nine is also available at FarFetch.com.
xo
Carly
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Jul 23, 2013 | Fashion
I couldn’t wait to share with all of you the latest lookbook images from the Japanese brand m.soeur. Designed by Kyoto-born Emi Ono, the line is ethereal and lovely, incorporating tea-dyed and hand-made silk flowers and lace into accessories, jewelry, and removable clothing embellishments. Inspired by trees, flowers, and natural elements, the designer also creates custom settings for earrings and rings in twisted brass and silver. (Love their signature floral earcuff! – above left.) Check out m.soeur’s breathtaking creations for 2013 below, and see previous collections on their official website here.
m. soeur is sold in select boutiques throughout Japan, and in France (find the list here), and online at i-Lumine and ZOZOTOWN.
xo
Carly
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