Our girl crush on Coco Rocha is getting serious…

(Source: storyboard, via glamour)

Nothing excites us quite like an emerging designer (or two), so it’s only natural that we have taken quite a liking to Cushnie et Ochs & their stunning fall collection. Ever-greedy to pick these uber-talented ladies brains, Carly Cushnie and Michelle Ochs were kind enough to answer a few questions for us regarding fashion week, fall trends & how this terrific twosome was born—enjoy!

1. How did you two meet and decide to start this line together?

MO: We met while studying at Parsons.  It wasn’t until we graduated that we decided to do something together but we had always had a very similar aesthetic while so working together came very naturally.

2. Describe the Cushnie et Ochs girl as you envision her…

CC: She is confident sexy and alluring

3. We’re kind of in seasonal limbo at the moment—what are your favorite ways to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall?

MO: This time of year is always so hard, your dying to wear your new fall things but its still warm out. Add leather pieces to your wardrobe like leather shorts, jacket pencil skirt or leggings.  You can still pair these with lightweight blouses or dresses but leather adds a sharp fall look to an outfit. 
CC: If you cant bare the thought diving into the browns greys and blacks of fall try introducing some jewel tones that are still bright but richer for the fall season.  And swap your bright nail polish for warm reds, purples and taupe.

4. Speaking of fall, what trends are your personal faves for the upcoming season?

MO: Metallics and leather
CC: Colored fur and winter white

5. Fashion week is just around the corner—what are your favorite aspects of NYFW?

CC: Its always so much fun to see everyone out about in their fabulous clothes.  The city is at its most vibrant.
MO: Our show is always at the beginning of the week so once our show is over its a great time to enjoy the city and all the festivities

One look at Skaist-Taylor’s debut fall collection and it’s no surprise why we’re smitten. Layered, textured, boho perfection—it’s got Team Zoe’s name written all over it! In an effort to rack the designers’ (Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor) brains of all their cool-girl sartorial knowledge, we scored an extra-special Q&A with the ladies on fall fashion and more—read on & enjoy!



1. Now that August’s in full swing, what are your favorite summertime hotspots/warm-weather activities?

We are complete California girls, and have been sticking close to home working on the next collection to show in September.

2. What movies/places/pop culture references are you most inspired by (both for Skaist-Taylor and in your own personal style aesthetic)?

Intentionally there is not a single thought or inspiration behind the work. It’s a range of looks that we feel are inherently “California Eccentric”, a mantra we live and dress by. It’s Marrakesh romance teamed with Studio 54 decadence – a touch of the 60s and 70s – and colors from every era and universe. These elements are stitched together for a casually glamorous uniform.

3. Looking forward to next season, what pieces are on your must-have list for fall?

We are already wearing it all. Our draped, wool crepe Helena dress has been in heavy rotation, and we both love the Long Goodbye dress in chiffon. Our outerwear is amazing too – there is a silver wool band jacket, trimmed with gold braid and silver fur. Everything is dramatic, but easy to wear, can easily fold into an existing wardrobe. In our world you cannot be fully on glam without comfort.

No one makes looking downright flawless quite as effortless as Olivia Chantecaille—and oh, what a coincidence that she works in beauty! As the Creative Director for Chantecaille, Olivia works overtime to deliver us the lovely products from her eponymous line that we obsess over, time and time again (hello—today’s ZOE Beautiful feature, the Zebra Kabuki Brush!) We asked this makeup maven everything from what products she swears by to what tunes she’s currently streaming—check out her answers below!


Currently dwelling in your makeup bag…?

- Nano Gold Energizing Eye Serum
- Biodynamic Lifting Fluid
- Future Skin in Cream
- Ultra Sun Protection Primer SPF50+++
- Coral Reefs Palette
- Gel Liner Pencil in Jet
- Cheek Crème in Coy
- Faux Cils Longest Lash Mascara
- Luminous Gloss in Lychee
- Rosewater Spray
- Petales Roll-On Perfume
- Clear Eyes drops
- Bottle of Jasmine Essential Oil
- Tweezerman tweezers

(Though it’s clearly your specialty) Ever had a beauty blunder moment from your past that you wish you could take back?

I can remember a time even before high school when I thought that using the same foundation shade year-round was appropriate! Thankfully, I had access to some expert tips along the way.

Let’s talk fashion—what pieces/trends are you loving at the moment?

I can’t get enough of the bright colors and prints out there right now. I am loving Peter Pilotto’s dresses…the cuts are so flattering and the prints, so beautiful!

Favorite spot for a summer vacay?

Our family home in East Hampton has always been one of my favorite places to escape the city. I also love traveling to Capri every year and stay at Punta Tragara

5 songs you’ve got on replay?

- Dancing On My Own- Robyn
- Sabali Vitalic Remix- Amadou + Mariam
- Shake It Out- Florence + The Machine
- Feel So Close- Calvin Harris
- Moment Before Dreaming- The Ananda Project

If you’re not familiar with the jewelry genius that is DANNIJO (check today’s TZR for our patriotic piece-of-choice), allow us to give a short-winded introduction—from collabs with their BFF Leandra (The Man Repeller) to charitable organization Falling Whistles, super sisters’ Danielle & Jodie Snyder cool-girl designs have achieved cult status within a matter of years. No longer just a destination for jewelry (they’ve expanded to phone cases and handbags as well!), DANNIJO effortlessly encompasses everything the modern girl wants in her accessories lineup—fun, fresh, unexpected pieces that catapult a basic outfit to hero status. We recently caught up with the sisters on their holiday plans, warm-weather memories & summer must-haves—read on!



1. You guys are easily considered the “life of the party” in the accessories circle thanks to your fun designs, so in the same regard, you MUST have some killer 4th of July plans lined up—spill!

This is actually the first 4th that Jodie and I are splitting up (tear). We usually spend the weekend out in Montauk and BBQ with friends.  This year I’m either going to Utah for a summit thing—horseback riding, skydiving, off-roading type activities OR I’m going to Napa to relax. Still undecided.  Jodie and her fiance are going to our hometown, Jacksonville, FL. We’ll be sending each other love notes all weekend I’m sure.

2. Any summer food or drink recipes you’re excited to try out at your star-spangled holiday bash?

I recently made this corn situation that I modeled after the corn at La Esquina.  It was a massive hit.  I’m not much of a cook, but I’m really creative and experimental and I LOVE to eat, so my grandma says, theoretically I would make a good cook. She’s been trying to make a lady of me since 1985.  Jodie, on the other hand is a lot more domestic. She makes a killer bloody mary and this shrimp salad thing that I always devour.

3. As sisters, you guys have spent many a summer together—any fun warm-weather memories to share with our Zoe Reporters?

We were just in St Barths to celebrate Jodie’s 30th birthday. We spent most of the day at the beach then headed to town for some shopping and crepes. We ended up doing an early dinner at a restaurant on the water. We went so early that it was dead but we ended up staying all night long til it was packed and everyone was dancing on the tables barefoot.  We were shazaming all the deejay’s songs and making corny dance videos of each other.

4. If you had to pick…favorite DANNIJO piece for summer?

Medine bib, Doma cuff and neon Guilia bracelets stacked.

5. Last by not least, we’re always awestruck by your inventive creations—any particular sources of inspiration you’re really digging right now?

Music Music Music. I’ve always been inspired by music festival culture and rock ‘n’ roll.  Jodie’s always been really into antique shopping and all things old world.  It’s a great mix.  We’re constantly getting inspired by our travels — indigenous creations have a way of rubbing off on us.  And, lastly, all things Africa.

Adore Tabitha Simmons!

womensweardaily:

Chic Speak

Tabitha Simmons, shot for FN in her New York studio amid fall ’12 styles.

Beach season’s rapid descent has set us on a wild-goose chase for the perfect bathing suit. In a timely answer to our poolside prayers, Gabby Sabharwal’s line of super swimwear, giejo, has fallen into our laps and we couldn’t be more pleased. We sat down with bikini buff herself and got the scoop on her line, her life and her summer essentials (of course)!

1. What drew you to design swimwear over any other type of women’s apparel?

The idea to create a swimsuit came about really as something that was initially just for me. I was looking to purchase a new swimsuit for my upcoming vacation with my girlfriends.  We were going to St. Thomas to celebrate my 25th birthday and of course I wanted to look fabulous.  I had always been drawn to the colorful prints of Missoni and the sleek silhouettes of Eres bikinis, but not to the price tags that came with them. The swimsuits available in my price range were so ordinary, and I always knew I could most likely count on seeing another girl wearing the same one.  I thought why not make my own?

2. You were raised in Indiana—do you think you’ve drawn any inspiration from your time spent in the Midwest that’s translated into your collection?

Yes!  While I love to mix and match prints and bold colors, the juxtaposition is pairing them with something very classic, like a stripe or checker.  Consider that my nod to conservatism J

3. Do you design your swimwear with different body types in mind? Do you envision a certain girl for every suit?

I tried to address everything that I felt was missing from the market that my friends and I were looking for, because honestly the giejo girl is me and all of my girlfriends too. We wanted swim that was fashion forward and that would make us stand out on the beach. I was also trying to think of packing - the giejo girl is always on the go and trying to think of ways to simplify her wardrobe without sacrificing style.  
 
Additionally, I wanted to challenge the way bikinis are presented by stores.  Girls today do not wear head-to-toe designer and usually wear a mix of high and low, so why don’t we have that option with our swim? I used to always mix and match the bikinis I had in my closet, but sometimes they didn’t feel quite right together.  With my swim you can take your favorite silhouettes from your collection at home and update them with a few simple styles from giejo to entirely make them your own. This really allows my client to create her own style, another key element to the giego girl.
 
I also wanted to create a collection that was smart for sunbathing and that girls would feel comfortable in. With my suits all of the straps are removable so you can sunbathe easier without having to worry about tying up your top and having anything fall out. The silhouettes I chose were a careful decision based on information I gathered from women in my target market, on top of the fact that I wanted to make something that was missing in today’s swim market.

4. What’s in your beach bag for the upcoming summer season?

Clarins skin care, my Celine sunglasses, “Fifty Shades of Grey” and the rest of the series as I read on, my ipod and magazines.  I love sitting on the beach and ripping the pages out of things I love, feel inspired by and want to buy.  I usually sleep on the beach and wake up for an occasional dip in the ocean, so not too much!

5. In 5 words, what should a bathing suit be to a woman? 

Individual, cool, chic, versatile, global

Anna Dello Russo for Interview Germany March 2012