Designer to Watch

The saddest part of the demise of Domino magazine was that many designers had already been photographed for the April issue which always includes the "10 Designers to Watch." I was so excited for my friend Grant K. Gibson when he confided that he was one of the 10. Needless to say, he was over the moon and spent many hours getting ready for the photo shoot only to find out that those photos would never be published.

But when one door closes, another usually opens and Grant has just had a lovely feature on him published in the San Francisco Chronicle recently, and I'm not just saying that because he gives me a shout out! Grant really is one to watch and I have no doubt that his designs will be featured in many magazines to come, if not on the cover! In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy his blog, check out his new items for sale and follow his advice...

"Design is a process, not a product. You can't force it and you don't want to buy out of desperation. If you take your time and let it come naturally, you'll make less mistakes. It's OK to have holes in your home until you find the right piece, even if it takes years." - Grant K. Gibson

5 Great Online Organic and Natural Beauty Stores (USA and Canada)

Last week we brought you the 10 Best Organic and Natural Online Stores here in the UK, so this week we have crossed the pond to profile 5 great websites to buy all your favourite skincare and cosmetic brands.


Futurenatural
Why We Love Them: Futurenatural acts as your online best friend guiding you towards the best cult natural and organic skincare and cosmetic products. Visit the sleek website or check out their informative blog, Organic Beauty View.
Some Brands They Stock: Deep Steep, Nature Girl, 100% Pure, Suki, Face Boutique, Kimberly Sayer and John Masters Organics.

Saffron Rouge
Why We Love Them: Because you can trust owner Kirstin Binder will only stock the very best organic / biodynamic products. Saffron Rouge also have a boutique just outside of Toronto to visit and a membership club, the ‘Inner Circle’ to join (to stay up to date with the latest products and receive monthly samples).
Some Brands They Stock: Dr Hauschka, Intelligent Nutrients, Nvey Eco, Suki, Dr Alkaitis, Jurlique and Pangea Organics.

Vert
Why We Love Them: Shop online or visit this gorgeous boutique located in Venice, California which is perfect for perusing the lovely brands or trying the expert make up services available. Vert is also available for private hire for special events.
Some Brands They Stock: Jane Iredale, Josie Maran, Jurlique, International Orange and Buddha Nose.

Beautorium
Why We Love Them: Every order receives a fair trade burlap bag and the site is really easy to navigate with a great section for shopping for your specific beauty issue.
Some Brands They Stock: Pangea, Sophyto, Weleda, Logona, Dr Hauschka, Saaf and Trilogy.

Sephora’s Natural and Organic Section
Why We Love Them: Super popular store, Sephora are providing eco alternatives for green girls who want to access natural and organic brands easily.
Some Brands They Stock: Josie Maran, Jurlique, Nvey Eco, Nude Skincare and Juice Beauty.


Image: Jane Iredale In Touch Cream Blush


Have we missed your favourite online organic and natural beauty store? If so, let us know as we want to compile the best beauty list for our Green Lashes and Fashion readers.

Fashion and Design

The award for the most literal pairing of fashion and design came from Bryan Bradley the designer of Tuleh who showed his Fall 2009 collection in the Roubini Casa showroom at the New York Design Center where he is also debuting a new line of rugs. Tuleh is known for beautiful prints and feminine silhouettes and it will be interesting to see how they translate the patterns into rugs beyond those that you can see in the "runway" photos here.

Bradley's inspiration for the fashion this season was the book Them: A Memoir of Parents by Francine du Plessix Gray which tells the story of her parents, Alexander Liberman, an artist who would later head Condé Nast and Tatiana du Plessix, a model and society milliner, and their resourcefulness as Russian émigrés. I have this book on my shelf but haven't had time to read it yet. I hope when I do that it inspires my designs as it did Bryan's fashions!

Photos from Style.com

Georgia's Home on My Mind!

After seeing Georgia Tapert's store, I had no doubt that the home she shares with her fiance would be a chic reflection of her love of travel and her eye for interesting pieces and I wasn't wrong. I also appreciate that she wasn't afraid to mix in a few new pieces from places like West Elm and Crate and Barrel. She kindly offered to share photos and I hope you enjoy them!

The elevator opens up directly into the apartment so created a welcoming vingette with a dresser that her mother grew up with in her home and vintage lamps she found in an antiques shop in New York that are possibly from the 1950's. The painting above is by Michael Ray Charles and the rug was picked up in India.

I love that she floated the sofa from Mitchell Gold in the middle of the room and wish more people would try this set up. The light Belgiun linen upholstery is the perfect neutral back drop for the custom green Belgian linen pillows with chocolate brown velvet borders. The vintage coffee table was found at John Derian while the box on it was brought back from a trip to Vietnam. The metal desk in the back is vintage.

The 1950's end tables with smoked mirror tops were found for a steal at an estate sale and are topped with lamps from Crate and Barrel. The shell lanterns are from a shop in New York that sells Moroccan pieces. I'm going to have to work on finding the name.

The hand painted burlap floor pillows can be found at Georgia Tapert Living and the vintage 1930's leather club chairs belonged to Georgia's fiance. The plantation chair in the corner is from India c. 1850s that was reupholstered in a glazed linen stripe from Rogers & Goffigon. I think I've mentioned them before but Rogers & Goffigon make some of the best fabrics for vintage pieces since none of the colors or fabrics look too new.

The parchment top dining table is part of Carolina George collection available at Georgia Tapert Living and has mahogany bases with nickel banding on bottom. The stools are vintage and the artwork is actually pages from a book of Andy Warhol's early work as an advertising illustrator that she had framed. This is an idea that a lot of designers use since you can get an instant collection of artwork for usually not a lot of money.

The bar cart is vintage and I think my favorite thing in the apartment has to be the 1950's planter that Georgia uses as an ice bucket when they entertain! I think that is such a chic idea and there are more for sale in the store!

Georgia and her fiance painted the back wall of the bedroom a dark gray/blue to create a headboard effect until they could find a bed they liked. This is a great idea for small apartments that might have room for a headboard. The color also sets of the series of works by Duane Michals. The bedside tables are vintage English telephone tables that Georgia lacquered herself in slate color and sitting on them are old lamps from CB2. I think the pièce de résistance is the fabulous bedding from Olatz the fabulous shop owned by Julian Schnabel's wife.

I think Georgia's home is not only a great reflection of her style but great way to live these days. There is that wonderful mix of family antiques, vintage furniture, pieces picked up traveling, things that were painted or repurposed, and new items from big retailers that creates a uniquely personal home. But then again, I didn't expect anything less from the chic and gracious Georgia Tapert!

RetroActif - From Banners to Bags!

How clever are RetroActif to use discarded billboards, PVC art and street pole banners and then transform them into stylish statement bags! Now you can inject some cool graphic designs amongst your other bags and reusable totes (which may look a little subdued next to RetroActif’s bold and fashion forward designs).

Stay chic by doing the black and white thing with the elegant Fashion Tote’s (Martinique), or capture the bright coloured, neon, ‘Pop Art’ look with their range of colourful bags suitable for any occasion.
RetroActif are not only keeping stylish green girls happy with their sophisticated bags but guys and kids are also going to fall for their quirky and fun messenger bags. Corporations can even impress clients by converting their company’s old ad materials into unique promotional bags!

RetroActif accessories are handmade in Florida and they also donate a percentage of their sales to ‘Room to Read’ (an organisation that helps improve education for children in the developing world). Conscientious, cool and cash friendly (prices range from US$15-$69). Just what we love here at Green Lashes and Fashion!

Visit RetroActif online for further information and to locate a stockist near you.
Purchase at Shop Recycle (UK). Green Hobo Bonaire (US$60)

Black and White Fashion Tote, Martinique (US$64)

Red Large Messenger Bag (US$60)

Chic Shop: Georgia Tapert Living

In these tough economic times, I think it's even more important to support smaller boutiques like Georgia Tapert Living. Georgia grew up around design as the daughter of writer Annette Tapert and worked for interior designer including David Easton, Haynes-Roberts and MAC II under Mica Ertegun. After leaving that world, she wanted to open a shop that reflected her love of travel and design and so Georgia Tapert Living was born.

The array of new and vintage merchandise is made up of tabletop pieces, gift items, artwork and furniture which includes pieces from the line she designs with her friend Caroline Cummings called Carolina George. The line was created out of a personal need for double duty dining table that fit New York apartment living while others were based on antique mechanical furniture. My favorite is the school girl desk and the best part is that all the furniture is made in America and can be custom sized and finished. They are currently reworking the line and are hoping to bring the prices down too.

Georgia also has a fabulous apartment full of items that she's collected on her travels and some of the furniture pieces that she has designed. Be sure to check back tomorrow for photos!

Georgia Tapert Living

456 Broome Street

New York, NY 10013

212-334-7969

www.georgiatapertliving.com

Architectural Inspiration

While Derek Lam may have been influence by 20th-century interiors, Carolina Herrera said that she was influenced by 18th-century architectural details. These took shape as belts, bag straps, hair accessories and shoes all fabricated in copper. There was no mood board photo so I don't know exactly where she found this inspiration so I've been wondering if it was in a book, along her world travels or perhaps maybe she took a walk through the new Wrightsman Galleries at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. If anyone has the answer, please let us know!

Photos from Style.com