Elinda Maier: 2009/11

Oxygen Boutique

Fusing together art and fashion, the mother-daughter team at Oxygen in London are part of the growing retail trend that's part gallery space, part boutique.

Growing up the daughter of a discerning fashion buyer, Joanna Nicola developed an eye for new talent and refined attire at a young age. Her talent is evident in the shop's collection of sleek dresses and stylish ensembles, all currently gathered neatly below photos from fashion photographer Erik Madigan Heck. Having shot the looks for major players such as Lanvin, Rodarte and Helmut Lang, the exhibition of his images blends seamlessly with Oxygen's carefully curated collection of discreet labels and progressive designers like Herve Leger and Brian Reyes.
While the artwork may rotate, one thing remains the same-Oxygen is a place to find classy duds from brilliant designers, many of which Oxygen stocks exclusively in the U.K., like master of soft tailoring, Doo.Ri. Only recently opened, the boutique is already making waves and securing its place as one of London's premier shops.
by Karen Day

Oxygen
38 Eastcastle Street
London W1W 8DS

The Green Depot

The much-anticipated Green Depot finally opened its doors three weeks ago on Manhattan's Bowery. Given the current economic climate (and the grim predictions concerning consumer spending freezes), it seems pretty risky for any new retail venture start up, but environmentally-focused stores/products seem to be one of the few exceptions. Reuters recently reported that despite the despite the recession, four out of five Americans are still buying green-even at sometimes higher costs.

Amongst the usual cleaning supplies, energy-efficient light bulbs and low-VOC paints, we spied some seriously fresh furnishings, especially in the lamps and fixtures department. The Nest Pendant Lamp, made by XY Decor, is a beautiful tangle of shaved maple strips (also available in walnut), while the Florid Pendant Lamp utilizes the same materials for an altogether different effect with the wood strips undulating in and out like delicate ribbons.
by Laura Neilson, Cool Hunting Contributor

The Green Depot
222 Bowery
New York, NY 10012

Droog New York Store

Joining the design elite on Soho's Greene Street, droog opened their multi-story NYC showroom, shop and exhibition space yesterday. Dutch designers Studio Makkink & Bey lent a hand with the interior, a space that blurs the lines between objects, store fittings and architecture with its House of Blue concept, which allows customers the opportunity to purchase parts or fixtures, like a working chimney, and even have it made to fit and function in their own home.

The 5,000 square foot space is the first stateside location for the Amsterdam-based design group, whose only other brick-and-mortar shop is in Tokyo. True to droog ethos, all three offering up a unique shopping experience.

Founded in 1993, droog has helped to launch the careers of many designers as well as shape the way people think about design itself with their innovative products and progressive approaches.

by Karen Day

droog New York
76 Greene Street
New York, NY 10012

Linhardt Design Studio

Tucked between a check cashing service and a vacant lot on First Avenue in New York's East Village is a tiny storefront with funny hours. Sometimes closed at noon and occasionally rocking out past midnight, it's a sure sign that Linhardt isn't your typical jewelry store. Owner Lisa Linhardt is a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to design, with a resume listing photography, graphic design, metalsmithing and more-her liberal approach harmonizes well with the inventive interior executed by duo Wary Meyers.

The shop's wares are all handmade and sustainable, incorporating materials like cork, recycled platinum and gold, the Colombian tagau nut and horn collected after being shed by the animal (pictured below). Lisa designs and crafts most of the jewelry in a workshop behind the shop, but also offers select pieces by national and international designers with a similar mission and aesthetic. Most are fairly under-the-radar, though Spanish jewelry designer Raquel Moreno is also stocked at Bendel.
Ready-to-wear pieces are squarely affordable-knick-knacks start around $40 while the most expensive necklace tops out at $400. Also, Linhardt is a one-stop shop, as Lisa does a brisk business in custom orders for those looking to go the extra mile. Engagement rings designed using ethically-sourced gems are popular.

by Kelswey Keith, Cool Hunting Contributor

linhardt design studio
156 First Avenue
East Village, New York 10009

We Love Magazine Library
Whether you're looking for an out-of-print vintage edition or feel like browsing the pages of the publishing world's fine examples of glossy glory, Tokyo's new We Love Magazine Library has something for every stripe of magazine junkie. The library/exhibit features magazines from around the world, and covers everything from fashion, culture, design, photography, art, architecture-name it, it's there. Feel free to peruse the massive collection of magazines or if you find one that really fits your fancy you can easily subscribe at the subscription and information counter.

by Karen Day

We Love Magazine Library

Through 14 March 2009
B3F Space O at Omotesando Hills
Tokyo, Japan

The miniskirt is a skirt with a hemline well above the knees ( generally 20 cm , or more , above knee level ).

The mini was the defining fashion symbol of "Swinging London" in the 1960s.

The miniskirt's existence in the 1960s is generally credited to the fashion designer Mary Quant , who was inspired by the Mini Cooper automobile, although the French designer André Courrèges is also often cited as its inventor (the French referred to it as la mini-jupe), and there is disagreement as to who invented it first.

Some give the credit to Helen Rose who made some miniskirts for actress  Anne Francis  in the 1956 science fiction movie  Forbidden Planet  .

Recently, Marit Allen, a Vogue "Young Ideas" editor at the time, has stated that "John Bates, in particular, has always been completely unappreciated for his contribution to the innovation and creativity he brought to the London design scene." He bared the midriff, used transparent vinyl and, Marit Allen asserts, was responsible for "the raising of the hemline. It was John Bates, rather than Mary Quant or Courrèges, who was responsible for the miniskirt." 

Bates' costumes and accessories for  Diana Rigg  , as Emma Peel in the ABC TV series, The Avengers, from 1965-7, helped to define "Mod style" . As The Avengers' filmed episodes were made several months before screening, Avengers producer Brian Clemens confirmed in interviews that the miniskirt designed by Bates had to be used as a "gamble", since they did not know if it would catch on in public or be seen as a fashion failure by the time the episodes aired . However, Emma Peel's fashions were accepted by the public and even spawned a line of replicas of her clothes for public sale.

Another, more "immediate" proponent of the miniskirt on television was Cathy McGowan, who introduced the weekly rock music show, Ready Steady Go! (1964-66).