As all of the above designers, except for Maison Michel, are based in and around Manhattan, it’s pretty obvious that New York is leading the way with intricate head confectionery.

When I first saw Dauphines of New York, I fell in love with the stunning collection of embellished headbands that double up as eye catching necklaces.

Founded by New York writer and former Voguette, Summer Rej, Dauphines of New York has already had a rapturous reception at recent Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel trunk shows and in the US press.

The beautifully-crafted headbands feature an adjustable strap and are made from luxurious materials such as natural Agate, Citrine, Turquoise and Amethyst stones, Swarovski crystals, pearls, metal chains, leather and suede.

One of my favourite designs from the collection is the Rock Goddess Bohemian in Green or Blue Agate…

Dauphines of New York headbands are investment accessories that you’ll want to keep and cherish forever, but they are also an affordable addition to your costume jewellery wardrobe, priced from $70-$225.

Luckily, we won’t have to wait too long to adorn our locks with beautiful stones and crystals, as Dauphines of New York launches at Kabiri, both online and in store in January 2011.

In the meantime, the full collection is available to buy online at www.dauphinesofnewyork.com, which ships internationally.

]]> http://cheriecity.co.uk/2010/12/17/cherie-loves-dauphines-of-new-york/feed/ 0 http://cheriecity.co.uk/2010/03/01/michael-van-der-hams-aw-10-11-liberty-loveliness/ http://cheriecity.co.uk/2010/03/01/michael-van-der-hams-aw-10-11-liberty-loveliness/#comments Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:50:30 +0000 cheriecity http://cheriecity.co.uk/?p=1770 Continue reading →]]> Michael Van Der Ham has been one of the most talked-about designers at London Fashion Week this season (apart from the unanticipated kerfuffle over Hakaan), with almost every editor or blogger worth their salt, gushing over his super feminine, jigsaw dresses.

I had the pleasure of meeting softly spoken Michael at the exhibition and found him as utterly charming as his collections.  Michael told me that the pieces were made using Liberty Art Fabric, vintage material and silks sourced from Italy.

In fact, Michael’s show has been sponsored by Liberty and with the support of Yasmin Sewell, his collection will be stocked there.

Michael’s second show at Fashion East was a flurry of bold pastel dresses created in a palette of fuschia, coral, neon pink navy and grey.  He plays with the idea of decontructing dresses and reworking them with juxtaposing weights and textures, creating a patchwork effect.  One single dress could include a concoction of mohair, silk, sheer jacquards, satin organza and a cluster of Swarovski crystals.

Each garment has a unique feel and has been created using a range of techniques such as curved seams, gathering and draping.  This season, he has also expanded into knitwear, collaborating with CSM classmate and knitwear designer, Morgan Oliver.

The popularity of Michael Van Der Ham’s garments lies in his innate understanding of what women would love to wear.  While the dresses are incredibly pretty, they have a quirky, crafted element and sometimes teeter on the borderline of garish.  But you just have to look at Marc ‘Ugly Betty’ Jacobs’ success to realise that many of us like our fashion with a good dose of granny prints and colour clashing.

Michael Van Der Ham’s jigsaw colour clashing reminds me very much of Erotokritos, whose garmets are usually accentuated with with quilting, knits and sparkly panels.  It also can’t be ignored that Erdem has paved the way for Michael, preparing the fashion world for ‘the new prettiness’ (coined by British Vogue’s Harriet Quick) and helping the revive florals from sartorial siberia.

Even more impressive, Michael Van Der Ham is a one man publicity machine, even handling press enquiries and sample requests on his own.  Michael left The Netherlands to work with avant-garde New York label, As Four, then moved to London to assist Alexander McQueen and Sophia Kokosalaki, before graduating from the Central Saint Martin’s M.A Fashion course.  With the support of Fashion East and Liberty, he is sure to be a ‘one to watch’ in seasons to come.