Hope’s “Stay Warm in Your Heart” project is the brand’s charity which supports the work of the non-profit organization Stockholms Stadsmission, by contributing 20 Down Parkas to young homeless families. To support the organization in their work to prevent homelessness further, HOPE also donates parts of the profit from the sales of the Down Parka for men and women.

The ambassadors for this long-term project, are backed by artists and actors such as Lykke Li, Ethan Hawk, Alexander Skarsgård, Nina Persson and many others.

We commend Hope for their work and, for lack of a better pun, bringing hope and love to local Swedish families.

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Check out some amazing inspiration imagery from UZI’s lookbook and get a closer look from behind the scenes!

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Maura found this interview with jewelry designer Gia Bahm of Unearthen. Check out some of our favorite highlights below!

What was the catalyst for starting Unearthen? Had you any kind of jewelry-making experience before Unearthen, or did you begin with this venture?

I’ve always had an interest in design and making things. I was working in wardrobe before starting this line, no jewelry experience, so I was coming from a different end of the spectrum. I loved any opportunity I had to make things for my wardrobe work. I always had the most fun when I didn’t have to turn to outside sources to find the costuming element I needed; being able to make it on my own was most satisfying. That feeling is what eventually led me to start my own thing.

What’s your best advice for an artist facing an artistic block?

I’ve been surprised at how important a block can be. I think advice is just to keep making things. You will not be let down with the process and how you get through it.

What’s your process like? Does it begin on paper, or do you “write the piece as you go along”?

I do draw things, but it won’t make sense to anyone else who looks at it. Ultimately I am a hands on person. Things come alive when I get to touch it, build it, and move it around.

Do you remember your first encounter with a piece of jewelry? Do you collect anything yourself?

My first jewelry memories are looking in my mom’s jewelry box and playing with the rings on my grandmother’s fingers. Their jewelry was beyond special and mysterious to me. I collect tons of things — the main theme these days being pebbles and river or ocean rocks, I could wander the waters edge and be endlessly entertained. This may also be genetic tho. Haha.

Read the entire interview HERE

Shop our Unearthen selection HERE

The Commission de Classement Couture Création has awarded haute couture appellation to Maison Martin Margiela this past week, officially welcoming the house into the elite world of French couture. Acceptance into the haute circle is based on a host of criteria, including number of garments shown, the size of the atelier, meeting standards for bespoke and handmade pieces, and showing the requisite two collections per year. Margiela debuted their first couture, or as the house called it, “Artisanal” collection last July (remember those crystal face cages?) to a lofty front row that included Raf Simons. CONGRATULATIONS, MARGIELA!

via style.com

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What better way to celebrate New Years than with a dress designed by Raf Simons’ final collection with Jil Sander? These pieces are sure to be collectors items and a testament to how much Raf Simons will be missed at Jil Sander.

Marvel at images provided by Vogue at this past season’s runway show.

Shop our Jil Sander selection HERE

Margiela wishes you a happy holiday this year with an exclusive short.

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Shop our Margiela selection HERE

In a recent Vogue interview, Jonny Johansson of Acne discusses his untraditional path into fashion and what makes Acne so unique and special. Take a look at some highlights.

How does a collection come together?

I didn’t have a traditional fashion education, so for me it’s been learning, and trial and error. I like current and honest fashion. Working with my life, things that are very close to me at that moment, makes it current for me. That’s why this time [for spring/summer ’12] the source was the family trip I did to Marrakech … I didn’t think I was being inspired, but the colour and the multicultural aspect elevated me into this idea of a young Swedish girl and how she would interpret such a worked-on subject if she were to go there. We didn’t want to do tile prints or only caftans. The caftan is obviously there but we worked this sort of Arab reference within the sports-biker world. It became an interesting mix.

Has the fact that you have no formal training in fashion been a hindrance or a help?

You know, I’ve always been waiting for someone to tap me on the shoulder and say: ‘Hey, it’s time out, it’s over.’ My mother wanted me to go to art school because she saw that I had some sort of creativity. I didn’t, because I was pursuing music, which was important in my family, on my father’s side. But in the end it was about creating, about being able to have an outlet. It doesn’t really matter for me if it’s music, clothing or pictures, it’s about the process. It’s like when we have collaborations; it’s the experience that is interesting, usually much more interesting and more important than the result, to be honest.

So how does your creative mind cross from one thing to another?

The biggest worry is when I have to go to the next meeting, or when I have to break up in the middle of something that’s going on. I don’t like to disappoint people, because sometimes I leave them with half a piece, and that bugs me. But we try to focus and be more precise, smaller rather than growing in different directions. It’s not like we want to do new business. For example, furniture; this is more a thing for me when I have time.

To what do you attribute Acne’s success?

I think people have seen we’re developing the brand, that it’s under construction but it’s going the right way. And I think that there’s something with imperfection that is very humbling. Even though we’ve grown bigger, we would like to stay that way.

Where to next?

I’m starting to know myself, my creativity. And, also, the people I work with, my colleagues, are starting to understand what we’re doing and being part of this journey. That’s why I feel that this [spring] show was just a start in the hope that we can do something interesting for next season, and that this can be a springboard for that.

Read the full interview HERE

Shop our Acne selection HERE

Check out some behind the scenes imagery of designer Ellen Van Dusen, the face behind Dusen Dusen. From sketches and inspiration to her A-DOR-ABLE pup!

Shop our Dusen Dusen selection HERE