New Folk / Young Folk
MANILA, Philippines - Pirelli. Thea Porter. Longitude 131°. McQueen. Have we gotten your attention?
This week’s YStyle woman takes us on a style journey across the world, as she embarks on her version of a 9 to 5. These days, work doesn’t just entail the commute from home to HQ ± sometimes it can take you from New York to Australia and back again.
Packed away in her Goyard Bourget trolley is a piece she’s waited over three weeks to have made, a Vita Kin linen dress. A look she’s been plotting in her head for weeks. Maybe she’ll get the chance to wear it on this trip, who knows? We pray — for her sake — that she gets time off her busy work schedule.
The Ukranian label, Vita Kin, celebrates vyshyvanka, the country’s traditional embroidered clothing by adding a ‘70s vibe to every piece. With a cult following on Instagram, her collections are not created according to season but by inspiration. The assembly of sleeves, collars and cuffs are done by hand using age-old methods and her craftsmen in the Kiev atelier undergo a month of training to learn these sewing techniques. The brand used to operate mainly on Instagram but is now available in Net-a-Porter and Matches. Though, as of press time, everything’s sold out.
Get to know this YStyle woman who crosses the globe, whimsically mixing work and play, a dissection of the fabulous modern-day folkloric fashion.
HAT: Eugenia Kim Emanuelle Fedora with feather band
Whether it’s to shade you from the sun or lunching al fresco style, nothing spells folk like this wide-brimmed hat by Eugenie Kim. The accessory is perfect for the girl who’s pushing her third-day hair and wants to cover up any sign of it. The hat is made of velour (rabbit hair) and is trimmed with a dyed turkey feather to add a touch of folk to your everyday attire.
CALENDAR: Pirelli – The Calendar. 50 Years And More
Dating back to 1964, the Pirelli calendar is famous for its limited availability and its feature of supermodels and celebrities — Kate Moss, Penelope Cruz, Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell to name a few — which were shot by esteemed photographers such as Richard Avedon, Patrick Demarchelier, Helmut Newton and Peter Lindbergh.
To celebrate its 50th year, German publisher Taschen gives us full access to its archives and features the unpublished 1963 calendar as well as censored images that were thought to be too racy for the editors at the time.
Everyone wants it but only a few have it. Grab a copy before everyone else does.
MUSE: Thea Porter
Dubbed the woman behind ‘70s boho style, Porter is not as famous a name as Mary Quant or Laura Ashley although her regular customers say otherwise. Her clientele list ranges from Hollywood stars Lauren Bacall and Elizabeth Taylor to rock ‘n’ roll legends The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix.
She first opened her shop in London and offered imported cushions, fabrics and hangings. Porter would cut up her imported kaftans and turn them into cushion covers but soon realized that they were fashionable in their own right. She then started designing her own pieces and caught the attention of the biggest names in the industry. Her aesthetic is deeply rooted in her experiences living in the Middle East as a child and she thrives on opulent designs and luxurious fabrics while embellishing it with metallic embroidery.
Thea Porter’s angle on fashion was always more artistic than some designers. She embodied the ‘70s woman flawlessly and developed an aesthetic that drew on an eclectic mix of culture and fashion.
ACCOMMODATION: Longitude 131°
Let’s face it: camping isn’t exactly everyone’s cup of tea. Sure, the view’s great but the idea of hiking and having to set up your own tent is exhausting. This is where the term “glamping” comes into play.
Located in the northern territory of Australia, Longitude 131° is a unique campsite that overlooks the outback icon and World Heritage-listed wilderness of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The luxury canopy won’t have you worrying about tossing and turning all night as each tent is fully equipped with a king-sized bed, toilet and, most important of all, Wi-Fi. With a minimum stay of three days, the retreat offers immersion around the World Heritage site and even outdoor dining underneath the night sky.
Who can resist staying in a place that’s brewing with culture right at your doorstep? We know we can’t.
BEAUTY: Giambattista Valli fall 2015
Every girl loves a good mascara, especially when it looks this good. Using two different mascaras — a separating, lengthening one followed by a d ramatic, volumizing one — to get the lashes you’ve always dreamed about. Don’t forget to apply a coat of mascara on your bottom lashes to balance out the look. A fresh and simple look for the muse of nonchalance.
BAG: Altuzarra Ghianda Bullrope Hobo Bag
A hobo bag is a staple piece in every boho/folk girl’s closet. This is first line of handbags by Altuzarra that came out in his fall 2015 collection and is perfect for the working woman. This bag will fit your laptop and files but will still get compliments after work hours. The leather fringe bag will carry you through a long week of meetings, vacations and beyond.
SHOES: Valentino fall 2015 Couture
Add an edge to your most coveted piece yet with a pair of lace-up sandals. Never out of fashion, the gladiator sandal is once again in the spotlight and is seen on the runway. Remember, ladies: don’t forget to get a pedicure as soon as you step up your sandal game. Nobody wants to see unkempt toes.
HAIR: Chloe Fall 2015
If there’s anything that easily distinguishes you from being a girl of folk influences then it’s the locks on your head. Lived-in hair is the look that we’re after so the best way to achieve it would be to section your hair, create waves and don’t curl every section. To get better results, go to bed with your waves and you’ll wake up with lived-in hair that’s too good to be true. Comb out tangled strands — let’s be real: nobody wakes up with perfect hair — and apply a bit of hair spray for hold. Voila!
MUSEUM: American Folk Art Museum
Located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the museum is dedicated to folk art and creative expressions of contemporary self-taught artists who never had any formal training from around the world. With over 7,000 artworks dating from the 18th century, the majority of the collection comes almost entirely through gifts. Considered one of New York City’s greatest treasures, it also claims one of the world’s best museum shops. With a range of gift items to choose from, jewelry and soft furnishings have been handcrafted in folk tradition, as well as a selection of catalogs, cards and books.
