Designer’s Designer: Sara Gates of Cook & Gates Gets Naked (Label)
With highs in the 90s in NYC, today is no day for a motorcycle jacket. Luckily Sara Gates of Cook & Gates (see the awesome totes she made for us here and here!) knows how to get a leather fix, even in this heat. —julia silverman
“I am always searching for new ways to incorporate leather into my wardrobe, especially in the summer! This necklace by Naked Label is the perfect accessory for just that. The charm is actually a piece of crocodile that is cut and just shaped on the edges. It goes with everything, just like your favorite pair of black leather boots.” —sara
Click to see who and what some of our other designers are lovin’ this summer…
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Designer’s Designer: Rachel Albright of Academy Jewelry Thinks her Leah Goren Dress is Purr-fect
When Rachel Albright of Academy Jewelry first spotted Leah Goren’s line on Etsy, she immediately fell for the fun-loving prints—which happen to mesh really well with her light and colorful necklaces. Here, she shares the rest of the story and the dress that witnessed it all. —julia silverman
“I love Leah Goren’s work, so I reached out to her, and we became instant (internet) friends. My absolute favorite thing about my black cat dress is its shape—it’s like a baby dress for grown-ups! Every time I wear it, everyone freaks. Plus, Leah stamped it and sewed it herself for me, so I feel like it’s something really special and handcrafted. I happened to be wearing it when I met Leah for the first time, and she was wearing my jewelry. It was a match made in internet-girl heaven!” —rachel
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Designer’s Designer: Nina Egli of Toujours Toi Family Affairs Gets Sketchy With Her 11:11 Notebook
Before Nina Egli made a name for herself with her lines Toujours Toi and Family Affairs, she was crafting in a tiny apartment with her BFF Jamila. Now Jamila has her own thing going, too: a quirky notebook and wallet line 11:11 that her pal obviously obsesses over. —julia silverman
Left: Nina poses with her fave notebook. Right: A sketch of the Million Miles dress by Toujours Toi Family Affairs.
“When I met Jamila nine years ago through a Craigslist apartment ad, I had no idea I was also meeting one of my best friends. We would both sit in our teeny rooms all day making things, and years later, we’re both still at it. For this 11:11 notebook, Jamila created a whole key decoding the symbols on its cover: The diamond bunnies stand for prosperity, and the mango for love, fertility, and bliss. I carry the notebook with me on all my travels. It’s useful for my sketches, but it’s also a good luck charm that warms my heart.” —nina
For more on what designers our designers are sweating, click here.
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Designer’s Designer: Nana Spears and Naomi Clark of Fort Makers Heart Them Some Morgan Parish
When Naomi Clark and Nana Spears of the design collective Fort Makers fall in love with a great bag or a killer necklace, they are in a unique position: They might just be able to barter, swapping some of their rad, hand-painted scarves (see) or prints. And they’re always looking to get their hands on more pieces from their pal behind the supa-chic line Morgan Parish. —julia silverman
“I traded my friend Ayeisha [Mesinger] of Morgan Parish for the Clarendon Sac by giving her a couple prints from my time in Venice, Italy. It is the best bag I’ve ever owned! I ride my bike a lot, and it’s the perfect tote to sling over my shoulder to shop for groceries.” —naomi
“I bought these Morgan Parish keychains because of the beautiful and rich color palette. I wanted to see a bunch of them in person—and, honestly, I really wanted to touch them—so I bought them for all the ladies in my family and a few close friends. Now I get to look at them all the time!” —nana
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Designer’s Designer: Elizabeth Thompson of Elizabeth Knight Jewelry Keeps Things Breezy With Mara Hoffman
Our designers aren’t just brilliant creators: They’re also huge supporters. So this week, we’re asking handful of them to share their favorite purchases from their up-and-coming peers. Today: Georgia native Elizabeth Thompson, who creates attention-grabbing statement jewelry under the name Elizabeth Knight, shares the summer find that’s kept her cool, despite that heatwave. —julia silverman
“This Mara Hoffman wrap dress is hands down my most favorite purchase of the summer. I fought for this piece at the sample sale and have rarely felt a greater sense of victory. The inspiration—nature, travel, and fantasy—is something we share, and I just love pairing up my jewelry with her clothing. Here I have on the Huipil blue wrap dress with my tube necklace and braided bangles.” —elizabeth
