Fresh Pick of the Week!: Mila and Fire

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When two innovative individuals with paralleled eclectic senses for fashion combine, amazing things can come to life. 24-year-old long time best friends Mila and Fire are a perfect example of what can be accomplished when two people sharing the same passion for fashion collaborate.

            Individualism, style, and sex. Not only is this the motto for their self-named apparel line Mila and Fire, but it is also the look and essence they aim to achieve with their garments. Graduates from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and Virginia Commonwealth University, the ladies studied topics of public relations, fashion and French. They are currently working hard in the nation’s capitol of Washington D.C. as business owners, entrepreneurs, and most importantly TRENDsetters. 

Vintage Black and Gold Sweater $18

Contemporary Sheer Fuchsia Maxi Skirt $39

Reconstructed Sheer Printed Maxi Dress $32

            

         “We have always been lovers of fashion, specifically of electric pieces with a sexy undertone. We’ve always pushed the envelope, with interest in the evolution and recycling of fashion” said the ladies. Both are natives to the Washington D.C. fashion scene.

“We believe that Washingtonians have an impeccable sense of fashion, that is often overshadowed by the business suits of the political world and practical clothing worn by tourists.”

            The Mila and Fire clothing line always ensures that their pieces appeal to a wide array of body types. Many of their garments are reconstructed, adding their own twist or vintage style to items they purchase themselves. “Garments are only as great as they body they are flattering” said the ladies. This is extremely important when trying to appeal to a diverse crowd of customers, like those in Washington D.C. and surrounding metropolitan areas.

             Keeping a close eye on people in the city, their own peers, as well as surrounding environments is what helps Mila and Fire in their creative process. “Our creativity is awakened at the most random times and in the most random forms,” said the ladies. “There is something about watching other young business owners thrive that pushes us to aim for the same high goals.”

Reconstructed Leopard Print Open-back top $25

            “We would love for our brand to help make a name for the D.C. fashion scene,” said the ladies. It is safe to say they have already accomplished getting their brand out there with a strong online presence and a photograph feature if their apparel in the NY Times during Brooklyn’s Afro-Punk Festival. 

            Everyone should stay tuned as the ladies are currently in the process of planning a launch for their collection which will be their own sketches and visions- it will be 100% Mila and Fire. Their spark in the fashion world is only sure to continue growing.

            “We try not set limitations on ourselves so that in the future we can continue to grow and expand Mila and Fire in as many ways as possible”.  

Want more Mila and Fire? 

Website/Shop: milaandfire.com

Blog: http://milaandfire.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MilaandFire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Mila.FireVintage
Tumblr: milaandfire.tumblr.com

Tune into Stained Lips Radio for the day::::::

 ASAP Rocky: Purple Kisses

 XXX,

Ash.

Moody Mondays.

 

(tumblr, ifyouseekstyle)

 

 

Hail to sweater weather!  My mood lately has been super reflective to the chilly nights, warm scarves, and my super hot Chai tea's I've been rushing to get every morning. Don't be fooled I hate the cold weather but I love snuggling up next to my love with tons of blankets (her favorite), a dimly lit room, a cup of tea (my favorite), and a romantic comedy.  I now dedicate my Monday's to my mood.

 

 

 

Stained Lips Radio::::

 

Little Dragon - Thunder Love.

 

 

 

 

 

XXX,

B.

Vamp Life.

Vamp Life. by lipsstained-usa featuring a pencil skirt





I decided to start my inspiration boards again on Polyvore.  I really love this website!  It's like a HUGE corkboard online. HA! Anywho, let me know what you think!  I'll be posting them every week with fresh new ideas and inspiration not only for myself but for you as well!  I decided to dedicate my first board to NYC, Vamp Life.  I'm sure all of you know unless you live in a cave that the city NEVER sleeps.  I thought this look was perfect for an all-nighter type of gal ;)



XXX,
B.



Stained Lips Radio::::


I don't know about you lames but I like to get rachet when getting dressed ;)

2 Chainz- Crack

 

Fresh Pick of the Week!: Elan Renegade Vintage

Courtney Burton, Owner

Do you crave the classic and eccentric look of vintage apparel? Well look no further. 22-year-old DC/Baltimore native Courtney Burton brings you her line Elan Renegade Vintage, which offers an exquisite range of garments and accessories that add a little spunk to the traditional vintage look.

Courtney reconstructs and creates all of the lines apparel, innovatively merging international prints such as African or Moroccan designs but keeping her focus on the clean vintage look of each garment. One of her very first reconstructed pieces was a vintage high low floral dress. “I initially fell in love with this piece in its original form as a maxi dress but as my style evolved I searched for a new design and experimented with my sewing machine and this awesome piece was the final product, for now” she said.

Vintage 80's Color Block Mini Dress $20 

80's Brown Leather Skinny Trousers $40

Vintage 70's Floral Kimono $45

As a DC native and resident, Courtney has definitely allowed the unique metropolitan city to inspire her own personal style and the pieces sold in the Elan Renegade Vintage shop. “Being in an area filled with such sophistication and classic style inspires me to incorporate my own personal style with the professional atmosphere of the city.”

Designer Zac Posen’s creations also play a big role in the look of her line. “His designs are complete insanity and I am obsessed with every collection” she said about his pieces. Posen incorporates classic silhouettes while stile giving a modern, yet unexpected detailing, similar to what Courtney constructs.

          Courtney even finds great inspiration right in her home. Old vintage photos of her mom and aunts are what awakens her creative process most of all.

“Growing up I never considered myself fashionable but my love for style has definitely come from my love of thrifting” said Courtney.  Thrifting is definitely becoming more and more present among independent designers. Customers can be assured walking down the street that the next girl wont be wearing the same blouse or dress, which is a great feeling. “To save money and to pass time my parents were avid thrifters. I’ve inherited that attribute and I hope it continues to fuel my creativity in the future.”

Vintage Purple Suede Belt w/Gold Buckle $35

Antique Gold Photo Frame Necklace $20

Elan Renegade apparel primarily appeals to young professional women who desire unique and intricate pieces which are far from the typical everyday 9-5 look that’s out there. Her pieces are especially for ladies who want to keep it classy with a spunky flair-a sophisticated yet rebellious hipster.  

“The most important consideration when adding to and constructing pieces for my inventory is how unique each item is. Fashions evolve from season to season so creating pieces that are interesting and unique enough to withstand the current trends and continue to remain stylish is essential” said Courtney. This is definitely good to know, pieces that can be work year round are always a plus for any trend-setter.

Along with being the owner of the clothing line, Burton studies public health and is working hard towards her Masters Degree in Applied Sociology at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC).

 

“In the future, I hope to expand the range of the Elan Renegade Vintage shop to incorporate styles that speak to fashionistas with all kinds of style” said Courtney about her line. She plans on establishing a career that will help evolve others’ styles and even transform their look as a fashion stylist. We certainly have something amazing to look forward to from Elan Renegade Vintage!

Be sure to check Elan Renegade Vintage out at: 

Blog: elanrenegadevintage.blogspot.com
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/elanrenegadevintage

Tune into Stained Lips Radio for today::::::::::
Lana Del Ray-Mermaid Motel

XXX,

Ash.

Bloggers We Love: Amanda Shoemaker

 

 

All images found via her blog:  www.oneofeachblog.com

 

 

 

 

Stained Lips Radio:

 

Another obsession of mine!!!!! The Xx loveee them

 

 

The Xx- Angels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXX,

B.

 

Thus Far.

 

 As most of you know, I moved to NYC for the semester to intern full-time at an Italian handbag company FURLA, check them out here! Since moving to the Upper East Side I was able to put alot of New York into perspective.  Before I lived here I was just a tourist, with absolutely NO idea how different each borough, and each neighborhood in that borough was different from each other. I LOVE the diversity and how eclectic it is here in NYC.  Its like nothing I've ever seen before.  There's an illustration on the subway I see almost every morning that I think depicts the culture and diversity exactly how I see it in real life everyday.  The illustration is of a bunch of different people from artists, to singers, poets, clowns, and kids together on a subway.  The illustration unites everyone together as one with one goal on their mind...their dream.

 

 

 

 

XXX,

B.

 

 

 

 

Stained Lips Radio:::

Goapele- Closer

 

 

The Graphic Beast.

 

Images via Stylesight, Tommy Ton, Whitney Port

 

 

 

Stained Lips Radio!!! :::::::::::::::::

 

Dev: Don't Hurt IT

 

                              

Fresh Pick of the Week!: Eyes Like Pearls

            Sexy, manipulative, vulnerable. A dashing collaboration of edge and versatility; complicated yet simple. This is Eyes Like Pearls. 24-year-old Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing (FIDM) Graduate Raisa has entered the fashion arena and has created a brand that will leave a mark. She is the founder of the newly emerged clothing and apparel line Eyes Like Pearls in Los Angeles, CA and designs divine pieces that can be worn year round despite changing weather.

“Complicated Simplicity. The poppy dress is a perfect example of what I mean; it’s a basic design but has an edge with see through stripes and side cleavage” says Raisa about one her pieces. The apparel she creates ideally appeals to the nomadic kind of girl that is always on the go…those who crave and have a passion for art, music, vintage clothing and exclusive finds. And especially ladies who LIVE for fashion, where fashion is their lifestyle.

Mina Moto Spiked Leather Jacket $350

Nicole Maxi Dress $150

                                                                   

Poppy Striped Dress $125

Aubrey Bandeau Top $45

           “She’s very aware of her sexuality. She’s going to give you see through tanks in the day time with no bra, and she will exude sex even in sweats. All around, she’s just dope as f*ck, yet still there’s this vulnerability about her” she says in reference to who her line appeals to most. It seems as though customers of Eyes Like Pearls should not only wear the clothing, but allow it to evoke their inner sex appeal.

         “My ideal clientele would be Zoe Kravitz, Azaelia Banks, Cara Deleving and Rihanna. They're perfect examples of a Pearl” says Raisa. These edgy and beautiful fashionistas also influence Raisa’s designs. “I love a girl that can have dyed or shaved hair, piercings and tattoos but still be very stylish at the same time. I design for those types of girls”.

Raisa takes her work very seriously, and considers every step in constructing pieces as important as the next. Design, stitching and construction are all equally critical when designing. “If there’s a line that is even slightly off, I’ll take the stitching out and redo it. I will not put out anything that I wouldn’t wear personally or be ashamed to take ownership of” she says. She also notes that fabric can make or break a design; therefore the quality and feel are very important. “The wrong fabric can f*ck up your ENTIRE design”.

            

                                 

What is her favorite part about conceptualizing her designs? FINALIZING exactly what they will be. She describes herself as extremely indecisive. “When I get the ‘Yea this is it!’ feeling…this is what a PEARL would wear, in that moment is exactly when I know.”

Pair up some great music with some good ole Mary Jane and Raisa is ready to explore her new levels of creativity…this is what AWAKENS her inner fashion innovator. “I’ll put on Led Zeppelin, Jimmy Hendrix, Modest Mouse, or Frank Ocean, just to name a few. Then I’ll envision what a girl would wear if she were at their concert” she says. Raisa is certainly an artistic soul, one perfect for the fashion world.

Circle Frames Sunglasses $35

For those of you yearning for more from Eyes Like Pearls, be sure to visit their website and feed your inner stylish sex kitten; in a classy way of course ;). Their online boutique offers exclusive handmade reconstructed vintage pieces, shoes and accessories. “Eyes Like Pearls offers a lifestyle and the girls that shop with us will understand we’re giving them what they want at the click of a button! Expect some DOPE sh*t!” says Raisa.

Check ‘em out before they sell out, it’s a must!

Eyes Like Pearls Contact Information:

www.eyeslikepearls.com 

Blog: blog.eyeslikepearls.com 

Email: info@eyeslikepearls.com

Twitter: @EyesLike_Pearls

Instagram: EyesLikePearls

Facebook: Facebook.com/EyesLikePearls

Lookbook.nu: lookbook.nu/raisa88 

Tumblr: eyeslikepearls.tumblr.com

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/pearllikeeyes/

Eyes Like Pearls got you feeling bad ass?

Tune into today's STAINED LIPS RADIO:::::::::::

XXX,

Ash, SLBK