Black Crane and Momoko Suzuki

A while ago Totokaelo featured a designer and the designer's home on their blog. I had never heard of the woman, Momo Suzuki, or her line Black Crane, but I loved her house! And her whole look! Her Serge Mouille wall sconce is one of my favorite light fixtures of all time. As are her Charlotte Perriand leather and chrome chairs. You can read about her whole background here on totokaelo's blog but I will sum it up short and sweet. Momo is from Japan, lives in LA and designs beautiful, simple clothes with quality materials in a small color palette and wonderful drape (or at least it seems so from the photos) and everything is made in LA too. And lots of pieces are 100% cotton, something I think is very underrate - washable, better with kids, etc. And simple details like raw edges and seams down the middle.

The prices are great too, even items under $100 (i know, what!) But some things do seem rather basic. Especially when lately I have limited funds with which to invest and really try to use them wisely, i.e. on key, striking pieces that are unique and special...not just a basic tee.

Momo with her Perriand chairs and a Platner table.

The Serge Mouille sconce and Momo Suzuki.

Momo on her cool couch in very cool sandals (more on those another day.)

Her closet. So simple - utterly cool.

That said, I have since seen Black Crane all over the friggin' place -- Mohawk General Store, Myth and Symbol (in Houston), Machus (in Portland), Totokaelo of course, and now even No.6 is carrying her stuff. I have had my eye on the Wide dress. It's sort of like a long t-shirt stretched into a dress with kimono sleeves. I think it would be great when it's worn slightly oversized (not tight) and then there are some jumpers and several different slouchy pants and shorts. And a few great dresses. The tees cross a line into being too flow-y slash boxy. Not sure about them but you be the judge. Below are some highlights:

The Wide dress - oversized

the Balloon jumper

Accordion Dress in navy

Long Strap dress in Aqua

The wide crew top in marble - one of the few prints

the square tee in white

madewell

So on my recent shopping trip to NYC, I scored at J.Crew's less ruffle-y sister brand, Madewell. My bounty included: perfect-fitting tight black ankle jeans, loose cuffed boyfriend jeans, two great striped tops, a cute plaid button-up and these awesome cropped black leggings with a gold zipper detail at the bottom. And my total was amazingly under $500. At Barneys, it wouldn't have even been under the $1000 mark.

Well I have been a little forlorn wearing any of these great items since there is no Madewell store here in Portland and none of the stuff has been available online (with the exception of a smattering at shopbop). ... Until now! what a nice surprise that Madewell's online store has just opened!

Check it out here: Madewell. And don't be put off by the kind of cheesy black&white photos. I think they are still working out the kinks on their image. Trust me, the clothes are good, both the fit and quality, and not a million dollars.

Here are a couple of my scores:

Zip Leggings (only $35!)

skinny black ankle jeans

boyish but sexy plaid shirt

basic black&white striped tee

another striped tee but I bought it in red

And I love these shorts too. Might have to place a "small" summer order.

the universal tri-blend

Normally I prefer 100% cotton when it comes to t-shirts. However the tri-blend from American Apparel - a blend of cotton, polyester and rayon - has the best drape of any t-shirt I've ever worn. The unisex tank is super nice, so are the summer v-necks and the racerback tank (although it is very low).

The colors are all heather. The grey is BY-FAR the best. I think I have four or five versions in the heather grey. The tri-black is great too and so are some of the pop colors as well (indigo, evergreen, coffee).

It works as a great layering piece with any outfit - or more like a great base from which to build upon. And it has such a nice, simple feel to it that it can stand alone as well, making a look complete.