Evil Twin SS’12: Black Magic Woman

Bustiers, leather fringe, ripped denim, and maxi skirts, all done in sun-baked, earthy hues like ochre and rust, make up the majority of Evil Twin‘s new S/S ’12 lookbook.  The overall feel can only truly be captured by a weekend at Coachella (or a slightly more gothic Woodstock), but we think the Aussie brand is as close as you can get to a sun-beaten desert without booking a plane ticket to California.

With names like the “Joplin” and “Brown Sugar,” Evil Twin isn’t trying to hide where their inspiration comes from. Think rocker meets hippie meets cowgirl, and anything that would help you get in touch with your wild side. If you need further explanation, we can put it in clearer music terms for you – they’ve dubbed the lookbook “Black Magic Woman,” after the 1968 bluesy rock single from none other than Fleetwood Mac.

Ashley Suarez Wood, Spring Intern.

House of Harlow Spring Shoes: A Ssssstep in the Right Direction

House of Harlow 1960 is definitely the epitome of boho glam in the contemporary fashion world (Nicole Richie is the boss lady after all). This spring the brand introduces a reptilian shoe collection with its signature embellished moccasins to sport on casual days. Everyone knows the chicest leather is an exotic one, so while 5-figure alligator backpacks may not be your jam (ahem, The Row) HoH has you covered with snake embossed pumps. Add some woven details and you’ve got a stylish platform that stands the test of time while remaining especially trendy this spring with a polished pastel hue.

Welcome Ladakh, the Latest Brand From Down Under

Australia has been sending the states plenty of outstanding stuff in recent years: sexy accents, calling BBQs the Bahbie, Vegemite (OK I actually have never tasted it), Summer Heights High… and perpetually fresh fashion. Ladakh is the latest to hop across the Pacific, treading into US territory and they join the ranks of some Karmaloop favorites like Mink Pink and style stalker. Founded in the early 90′s, Ladakh has been doing business in major Australian hubs like Sydney and Brisbane for as long as some of you have been alive, so we know this brand can ride the proverbial wave of style trends. Watch out for its Spring pieces as they trickle onto the site! Already we’ve got a couple unique sweaters including the Native Navaho Poncho, the Nine Til Noon Top, and the Rustech Sweater.

Denimocracy, a Celeb Fave, Hits Karmaloop with Colorful Jeggings

Why does jegging sound like such a dirty word? Given that all premium denim outfitters are offering super soft denim-styled skinnies, I think the stereotype of jean patterned leggings needs to be abolished! The latest crop provides the wide range of motion of leggings and lots of stretch to keep ‘em tight, plus belt loops and pockets…all the good stuff that sets them apart from the ridiculed paper-thin atrocities. If you’ve ever worn a quality hybrid skinny jean you know there is no going back to stiff styles that incur sausage leg syndrome.

With a tagline of “Premium Comfort, for the People by the People”, Denimocracy has won over the hearts of celebs and shoppers alike with their proprietary fit and fabrication — and bonus points! They are made in the good ol’ US of A. If you need proof of the brand’s comfort level, all of the above starlets are wearing them as they work and play (and you know Hollywood loves to dedicate plenty of time to both!). Take a cue from Jessica, Taylor, and Christina, and add a pair of brightly colored jeggings to your spring wardrobe.

Cheap Monday’s S/S 2012 Runway Video

Click here to view the embedded video.

Cheap Monday is starting to trickle in, and per usual, the Swedish brand is offering up some outstandingly comfortable gear for this spring. What we like most about the Spring-Summer 2012 collection is the trendy details (isn’t it always in the details?): bold colorblocked stripes, unusual necklines, and quirky silhouettes. Consistently presenting a high-fashion runway show each season, the brand’s new pieces were presented with nostalgic and romantic sensibilities hinting at the naivety of our parents’ youth. Watch the video above to scope out the whole collection.

Stylist: Naomi Itkes | Make up: Anya de Tobon
Hair: Erika Svedjevik | Set design: Tonie Zetterström | Music: Erik Haal
Casting: Marcus Pettersson | Show Coordinator: Lotta Andersson

P.S. Mark your calendars… A week from today, January 31, Cheap Monday’s Autumn/Winter 2012 show will be streamed live on Style.com at 10 am EST!

Joyrich Spring: Citrus Goodness, Gangsta Edge, and Quirky Details

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The Joyrich Spring 2012 video is full of citrus goodness, gangsta edge, and quirky details. It’s quite the hodgepodge but we definitely dig it. While we start to battle snow, the LA favorite will keep our spirits up as its fun new collection trickles in. Scope out the upcoming pieces in their video with playful fun and pretty people.

Wildfox SS12: Even Cowgirls Get the Blues

Wildfox is a master at creating storyboard lookbooks and while we have fond memories of the Wildfox girls as witches, Marie Antoinettes, and rockstars, this upcoming spring the brand is heading out west for a Cowgirl ditty. While these are some of my fav shots, there are plenty more on the Wildfox blog so I recommend checking out the whole prairie cowgirls-meets-shootout-meets-dark funeral cowgirls plot that eventually turns into modern Americana kitsch (I guess that’s why they have the blues?).