The concealed wedge

The concealed wedge has picked up where the wedge left off as being the new footwear incarnation of form meeting function. The MM6 open-toe wedged bootie is soothingly comfortable, especially important if challenged with uneven cobblestone sidewalks like those of Brussels, but gives the wearer those extra centimeters that so many of us desire. It continues the fluo trend of the last few seasons by mixing statement fluo yellow with sober beige.

Wear with dresses, skirts, skinny pants or cuffed pants from spring through fall.

Shop now: http://www.village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2312&tag=0

XX Trench

As far as wardrobe staples go, we all know about the little black dress. But a well designed trench coat is equally deserving of that status. No matter what you are wearing underneath (sweatpants, PJs, trash bag), the moment you throw on a sharp trench coat you immediately look polished and well put together. It is like a magical cloak.

Shop Surface to Air XX Trench here: http://village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2371&tag=0

Decked out: dramatic multi-strand collar top by Kenzo

This is the kind of statement top one should consider for chic luncheons and dinner parties. While an ensemble might be stunning in full, it is rare that a top alone will continue to rivet your company when seated.

Shop here: http://www.village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2385&tag=0

Surface to Air x Aaron Young

Creative group Surface to Air is notable for its polyvalent fashion collaborations, spanning music, fashion, art, and design.  One of the most recent collaborations is with NY-based artist Aaron Young. Purportedly, the idea took root when founder Jérémie Rozan attended an exhibition by the artist at the Brussels-based satellite of Parisian gallery Almine Rech back in 2009.

(Picture from http://www.alminerech.com/en/past/68/Aaron-YOUNG)

Aaron Young first came to attention for his motorcycle art involving a motorcyclist driving around in an indoor space creating tire marks. This theme in Young’s art was used in the creation of the sunrise print for SS13. Tire marks were superimposed on an image of palm trees, at sunrise, lining the California coastline. The resulting image was then printed on brilliant silk fabric, creating dresses, tops, jacket and pants.

At Village Verve you will find the Aaron Point maxi dress, making us yearn for long summer evenings, and the Y tee for casual cool daytime wear.

Shop Surface to Air now.

Check out how Aaron Young works here: http://hypebeast.com/2009/12/aaron-young-motorcycle-art

Pretty in pink - revisited

Cotton candy pink is not an easy color for a grown woman to pull off, the juvenile Barbie connotation being hard to shake off. But as was demonstrated by Molly Ringwald’s character Andie in the 80’s iconic teen flick Pretty in Pink, the stigmatized color can be reincarnated into counter-cultural cool when worn ironically or subversively.

Enter Maison Martin Margiela. What other label can turn an aesthetic on its head as successfully as the Antwerp-based line formerly headed by the reclusive Margiela? The SS13 collection by the Maison Martin Margiela diffusion line MM6 abounds with pinks: candy pinks, berry pinks, fluo pinks and sherbet. Wedges, leather shopping bag, dresses and tops all beautifully rendered, but always with a Margiela twist.

The strapless petal dress can be worn as a dress or as a maxi skirt. While inarguable feminine and beautiful in its basic incarnation, one can add some urban flavor by combining it with an oversize sweatshirt.

The Margiela DNA is more overtly represented in the cowl neck top/dress in its deconstructed elements: highly visible seams, washed out dyeing effects, and exposed buttons. Wear as a top over slouchy pants and chunky sneakers for a casual street vibe, or as a dress with transparent MM6 boots for an urban chic effect.

Shop MM6 now

Decked out: outfit of the day

Today we are lounging away in Silent by Damir Doma ‘Puya’ sweatpants and ‘Telsa’ basic hoodie, both featuring distressed seams and details. We are combining that with crisp white sneakers and v-neck tee by Maison Martin Margiela 6.

Shop MM6
Shop Silent by Damir Doma

Decked out: outfit of the day

The above Martin Margiela 6 shirt dress is made of a remarkable digital print. Snakes scales transition to tree bark to beads to a flower print (itself on a piece of fabric as is suggested by the adjacent zipper). An optical marvel to get lost in, studying the myriad of details. Structurally, this is a rather sober cut. Wear it on its own as a dress once the temperatures mount, in the meantime combine it with skinny jeans or leggings. Add a touch of pink or lilac to bring out the flower print.

MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela dress http://www.village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2288&tag=0

Surface to Air regular skinny jeans (in store only)

MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela leather shopping bag http://www.village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2296&tag=0

Decked out: outfit of the day

In today’s outfit we are putting together a very easy going “casual cool” combo that can be worn leisurely, while effectively retaining a smart appearance. The MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela sweatshirt is effortless, yet in practice also very comfortable to wear and additionally relaxing in that the back reaches the thigh line. The Surface to Air stretch leather leggings are a chic alternative to skinny jeans or regular leggings. The outer fabric is made of soft nappa lambskin, while the interior fabric contains 5% lycra for a flattering fit. Feminine, sexy, yet not overtly so when combined with the large sweatshirt. For the footwear, either opt for some comfortable sneakers such as the white perforated high tops by MM6, or the open toe wedge booties by Kim Gordon x Surface to Air.

MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela sweatshirt: http://www.village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2305&tag=0

Surface to Air stretch leather leggings: available in store only (Rue du Bailli 49, 1050 Ixelles)

MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela perforated high tops: http://www.village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2311&tag=0

Surface to Air Gordon open toe boots: http://www.village-verve.com/ProductView.aspx?article=2320&tag=0