Living For...

If you're a long time Coco Canal reader, than you are fully informed of my unconditional love for DSquared (confidently proclaimed my favorite collection/brand), so whenever I get the opportunity to visit the showroom to preview the latest collection, I react like a kid anxiously awaiting Christmas morning! I calmly pillage the racks, at least three times, examining fabrics, silhouettes and fit, new design details...hoping that the genius and essence of the brand will somehow permeate into my very being.

***SIGH***

I walked away inspired, excited, and with a full memory card of images. When I got home I refreshed my memory (read went back to my happy place), and got to thinking about the pieces I wanted to use for work vs wear. I never thought of my style as being uniform, but I'm starting to notice familiarities (exhibit A below).

{Dsquared jeans & fur pullover:: Margiela sneakers}

Boyfriend jeans + an injection of fur + sneakers.

Yep, this is what I've been all about for..well, unapologetically, quite a while! Seriously though, those jeans with the bottom of a vest sewn onto them with a pocket square. Who could forget those high tops?! And PLEASE for the love of all things holy, do not overlook that fur pullover...Just saying fur pullover gives me a full heart and tear filled eyes! Perfect color combination, proportion, and casualness...you know just throwing on my fur sweatshirt to grab my morning coffee and walk my french bulldog pup!

Baggage Claim::Katherine Kwei...

I've become a bit of a bag lady as of late, so when I received an invitation to preview Katherine Kwei's S/S 2011 collection, I was "right on top of that Rose!" I've heard nothing but incredible things about the brand so my expectations were high.

The collection is a complete knock out...exceeding all my expectations and more! The quality is above and beyond, the colors are spot on, and the detail is intricate. A combination of Uptown preciousness with Downtown versatility.

While at the event, I had the opportunity to try my hand at constructing a traditional Chinese knot. I made it work, but not without some help from the tutorial board!

My knot is now an adorable key chain that hangs from my bag along side a raccoon tail!

Christina from Desmitten and me posing with our favorite Katherine Kwei bags

{photo by Nicky Digital}

I had such a great time catching up with new and old friends, chatting with Katherine about the collection, and succeeding at the DIY project! Katherine, it was such a pleasure to meet you! Thank you so much for the invitation and congratulations on an incredible collection!

SANG A Im-Propp...

Last week I was invited to preview the S/S 2011 collection of SANG A Im-Propp. I've been following the brand for a while so I was more than delighted to get an up close and personal tour of the new bags. The SANG A collection was started with an eye for exotic skin and leather accessories to rave reviews and has seen significant growth and success since its launch in 2006 and continues to develop in innovative and exciting ways.

The intricate and exceptional use of alligator, python, and ostrich skins, amongst others, quickly established Sang A as a designer to watch in the luxury accessories market. To date, the collection is still a combination of intriguing colors, shapes, and textures with an effortless since of style that has become the brand's trademark of the namesake collection.

The Mini Pop:: For obvious reason, this is my favorite bag, as well as the most popular for the brand. This is a working girl on the run dream bag! Mid-size sculpted day bag with pleated bottom and convertible zipper shoulder strap. And just so you get a better idea, the dimensions are W. 19" H. 14". The genius in the bags is that many of them have a laptop pocket and space for days. I'm the worst at bogging down my bags with everything including the kitchen sink and this bag accommodates for the unnecessary items I insist on carrying around. I couldn't keep my eyes off this bag during the preview, not to mention that it's in gold Python. I can't imagine a better bag to tote around from styling gig, to previews, events, and dinner/drinks with friends. It transitions for any part of your day and can be carried year round. LOVE LOVE LOVE. I'm going to to have to hustle a few jobs to be able to afford this deliciousness.

The Rise:: The designer was wearing this during the preview and I just about died. I'll admit it, since my trip to Peru I have been looking for something resembling a fanny pack! This is better than anything I could have imagined. Sculpted double wave belt bag with sash belt...GENIUS!

The Zip Up:: Every now and then I'm able to compact my life into a small bag for a night out dancing with the girls. I've been eyeing this for days now. Everything about the design and structure is stylish, unique, and functional... a quilted spiral-shaped clutch with wrap-around zipper wristlet.

Check out the website to see the full collection and styles available. Also, the collection is available exclusively at specialty retailers worldwide including Neiman Marcus, Kirna Zabete NYC, Lane Crawford in Hong Kong, as well as select boutiques in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The global presence continues to grow, especially through involvement in various international and New York City-based charity organization.

That 70's Show...

A couple weeks ago I was invited by Tory Burch to visit her showroom and preview her S/S 2011 collection. It was everything I love about clothes and fashion and completely inspired by the 70's. The collection housed everything from crochet skirts, bell sleeve maxi dresses, and even a pair of high waist denim flares (you know my obsession with bells and flares)!

This baja is so major! How adorable and juxtaposed would it be paired with these gold lame pants?!

Totally fell for these denim clog/espadrille hybrid. A summer must have!