Mandate of Heaven
Cute, cute, and more cute. These words echo through your mind while watching the Mandate of Heaven Fall 2008 collection, every piece is like a piece of candy. Designer, Carissa Ackerman, did her fall take on adorable, sexy and feminine play suits. Mixing up combinations in a variety of vintage fabrics, silky florals, wools, cotton flannel , silk and velvet. She also has added some feminine lacy touches, alluring backless tops and playful mushroom and animal patch pockets. I adore the cream sari piece with billowing sleeves, fabric covered buttons and matching detachable skirt.
Dramatic pieces, such as a mint silk print short short ballon skirt with puffed sleeves and button up front and sleeves reflect the wonderful sexy dress up quality of the line. Also presenting sophisticated high waisted wide leg pants perfectly paired with gold silk and lace backless blouse. Carissa has also created cozy coats, capes, bias cut dresses, one piece pants ensembles and her sexy denim line for the season.
The Mandate of Heaven’s vintage inspired line stands out as an ultra sexy and delightfully fun with a cute retro feel. Presenting her collection with the live performance of Paige Wood, www.myspace.com/paigewoodmusic, Mandate of Heaven’s fashion shows are always are delight. Cool music, beautiful clothes with cupcakes and champagne!
www.mandateofheavenclothing.com
Photo Credits
Fashion Stylist: Sandra Alice
Photographer: Rebecca Salzman www.rlsimages.com
Make Up: Susan Donoghue
Susan Donoghue is a freelance make up artist who began painting portraits with oil, acrylics and watercolors as a young child. From an early age, she became fascinated with beauty and the powerful responses it could evoke in people. She studied French and music at Clark University, lived in France, and received a master's degree in nutrition from Tufts University.
Susan currently resides on the upper west side of Manhattan, and works primarily in print and video. She specializes in clean, ethereal beauty and portraiture. www.susandonoghue.com
Models: Alicia (left) & Erica (right) from MMG
Contributing designer Credits
Dutchy Handbags
Dutchy was started in 2004 by designer Audree Halasz, a fun-loving San Francisco girl next door. Audree began to develop her fashion and design sense as a young girl in the ’70s, when her parents owned a fashion boutique.
In 2001, after years of costume design, Audree began designing and sewing her own handbags. She was so impressed with the positive feedback she received that she decided to form her own company—dutchy.
Dutchy is named after Audree’s dad. It was his nickname growing up, when to be "in dutch" meant always getting into mischief—something he never ceased to do.
UPDATe:dUTCHY CLOSED IN mARCH 2009. wE WILL KEEP OUR EYES AND EARS OPEN FOR MORE DETAILS
Madison Harding Shoes
Hilary Rosenman and Barri Budin met at Skidmore College while studying art, and quickly discovered a shared enthusiasm for vintage fashion, contemporary design, and art. Following college, both moved to the east village of Manhattan and through their experience in the New York City fashion and art scene, they discovered a lack of accessible, retro inspired footwear, which would answer the needs of downtown city girls like themselves, with discerning tastes and a limited budget. Through their knowledge of production sales and public relations, they can finally deliver these outstanding and innovative products to their eager customers.
Hilary Rosenman – Began her career in fashion by accepting a job at a small NY based fashion and lifestyle magazine as Fashion Market Editor. While there, she gained valuable exposure to the fashion market and acquired the tools needed to seek out, follow and report the latest trends in fashion. Next, she turned to design and production; helping her friend Charlotte Ronson launch the C.Ronson contemporary apparel line. The venture rapidly grew into a large international business and Hilary learned in a relatively short time everything about the apparel business, as well as the shoe category to which the label expanded.
Barri Budin – was interested in fashion and aesthetic expression from a very early age, enrolling in classes at the Fashion institute of Technology in New York City while still in high school. Upon graduating from college, she began working at the Liric group, a multi line, contemporary fashion showroom, working closely in sales, design and public relations. She then received a master’s degree from NYU in art therapy and is consistently active in creating her own art.
The name Madison Harding represents the girl's roots and where they grew up; Hilary on Madison Avenue in New York City and Barri on Harding Drive in New Jersey. The line represents the very essence of the two designers and their current Lower East Side lifestyle. Mixing current trends with a hint of vintage chic.
Charmone Shoes
Charming shoes, in harmony with the earth
Our mission is to create beautiful, luxurious, sexy shoes that are also sustainable and cruelty-free. Every shoe incorporates European design and quality while using only animal-free, eco-friendly materials. We believe no one should sacrifice their style conscious just to serve their social conscience. CharmonÉ is focused on compassionate design:
COMPASSION FOR ANIMALS: This all started when a vegan friend, often clad in the latest, coolest, designer leather shoes, complained that all non-leather shoes were either a) ugly; b) poor quality; and often c) both! It got us thinking- why all the fuss about leather anyway? Isn’t there a way, in this modern age, to get away from using animal skins as the ultimate luxury? Traditionally, non-leather shoes were considered inferior due to poor construction, lack of breathability and generally being harder on the environment. We found a way to eliminate every traditional barrier by using high-quality Italian microfibers that are constructed exactly like leather, making them breathable, lightweight and colorfast. Not to mention water-resistant!
COMPASSION FOR THE PLANET: How can you use synthetic materials and call it eco-friendly? Well, believe it or not, the process of creating microfiber is less polluting to the environment than the process of tanning, factory farming and processing leather. In addition, the materials are free from harmful PVCs, using instead a light polyurethane coating which is gentler on the environment. We also incorporate sustainable practices throughout the production process, from using last boards made from 70% pre-consumer waste to using recycled materials in our boxes, business cards and other printed materials.
COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE: CharmonÉ shoes are made sweatshop-free in Italy and Brazil, ensuring you enjoy quality craftsmanship without contributing to harsh working conditions. In addition to minimizing the impact of manufacturing, CharmonÉ takes it a step further by donating 5% of all profits to charities that support people, animals and the environment. The first charity slated for donation is Women for Women International, a charity that provides women survivors of war, civil strife and other conflicts with the tools and resources they need to move from poverty and crisis to stability and self-sufficiency. We feel incredibly lucky to be doing what we love and hope to help others do the same.
CharmonÉ founders: Jodi Koskella and Lauren Carroll.
Menagerie Design
Beth Beverly is a master artisan and specialist of taxidermy. She creates memorable and collectible hair accessories.
Pieces are available at wilbur vintage in philadelphia. see More HERE
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716 South 4th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147 - Located on Fabric Row
(215) 413-5809
wilburvintage.blogspot.com