Many of us find our most unique fashion pieces at trendy, hidden boutiques.  Trouble is, when life gets busy, we don’t always have time to trek to these places to score the newest items when they first arrive.  I love the idea of being able to shop for all of my favorite boutique items in one place.  Lucky for me, the people at farfetch.com share a similar vision.

I spoke with Marketing Director Paul Brine to find out what farfetch.com has to offer, as well as some of his personal “must-haves” for this year.  Herewith is what Paul had to say:

Q&A:

beso: Tell us about the farfetch.com philosophy and the idea behind the site.

Paul Brine: In 2001, farfetch.com founder José Neves helped open a boutique in London called b Store.  He found that when entering the world of e-commerce, marketing a smaller store wouldn’t be easy.  José came up with the idea of a site that would pull all the boutiques together, because they all had a different voice.  farfetch.com began with just 20 stores.

b: Luxe, Lab, and Cult are three ways to shop farfetch.  Tell us how you came up with the idea for these categories and what treasures we would find in each.

PB: These [categories] were José’s idea.  We had a massive list of over 200 labels, in which some were casual and some avant-garde.  We needed a way to separate them.  Luxe is high-end, well known designers.  Lab is up-and-coming and avant-garde designers.  Cult is more casual, like denim and diffusion lines.

b: Are there any plans to expand farfetch.com to include more than U.S. and European boutiques?

PB: Yes, we are working with Brazilian boutiques right now.  We plan to have these out within the next six months.

b: Your site not only carries exclusive designer fashions, but also lifestyle items.  What are some of your favorite pieces?

PB: I like the Snake and Skull Candle by D.L. & Co. because it’s very gothic.  I also like these prints by a company called Jaguar Shoes, which feature various artists’ work.

D.L. & Co. Skull with Snake Candle

b: What are some of your favorite fashion “must-haves” right now?

PB: For women, Pierre Hardy shoes.  They have these silver metallic wedges with lots of straps.  There are also these brass cuffs made by Givenchy.  For men, Henrik Vibskov sweaters, which are colorful and have big faces on them.  I also like the Opening Ceremony Desert boots.

Pierre Hardy Wedge Bootie Sandal

Givenchy Stud and Brass Cuff

Opening Ceremony Brown Leather Boots

b: What hot men’s accessories are key for summer 2010?

PB: Sunglasses.  The Zanzan Zazou sunglasses are very retro and handmade in France, so they are great quality.

b: Who are some of your favorite designers?

PB: For women, it’s Christopher Kane.  For men, I like Martin Margiela and Robert Geller. 

b: Name the one item you have acquired from farfetch.com that you cannot live without.

PB: I have a shirt by Blaak Homme.  It’s a navy shirt with white polka dots.

b: Who would be your ideal celebrity spokesperson for farfetch?

PB: It’s hard to pin it on just one.  We would love to have Lara Stone.  She is a Dutch model who has a lot of personality.

b: With over 400 designers on the site, can you tell us some of the most popular lines right now?

PB: Right now the top is Alexander McQueen.  Although he has always been a top designer, with his recent death we have seen an increase.  Opening Ceremony is big, too;  we have a lot of their shoes on the site and they sell very well.  Henrik Vibskov’s whole collection is on the site and has become a real cult label.  All of these items are hard to find.

Alexander McQueen Yellow Heart-Shaped Peep Toes

b: What do you think it is about your site that keeps people coming back for more?

PB: The sheer amount of products found here.  You can get lost in there for hours!  We add new items every day, so you can come back next week and find all new things.  Also, we have many exclusive brands that you just can’t find anywhere else.

b: Lastly, we’d like to know — What’s your beso?  My beso is “be so unique.”

PB: I’d say our beso is “be so individual.”

- Dana for beso

Calypso Mabli Dress

Calypso St. Barth was founded in 1992 as a small boutique store, featuring resort wear from some of the most exotic locations across the world. Over the past 16 years, the company has grown from a small collection of high-end shops into an international luxury lifestyle brand. But one thing has remained the same over the years and throughout the changes: Calypso embodies the feel of warm beach breezes, spring rains and hot summer nights somewhere beautiful.

I’ve been a fan of Calypso clothing for several years now. I remember walking past their storefront in Sunset Plaza, and no matter what the weather or the time of day, one look at their window displays, and I felt like I was on the beach in Fiji or Bali or Bora Bora. Few designers are

Calypso Nuna Shirt

able to embody the feeling of spring and summer so wholly, but Calypso St. Barth does the job and then some.

As you prepare to defrost from winter and celebrate spring, can you think of a better way to get into a warm-weather state of mind than with these beautiful caftans and tunics and dresses?

Even better, many of Calypso’s prettiest pieces are currently on sale on

Calypso Senona Dress

beso – just in time to awaken those bright green daffodils in your defrosting spring heart!

Vineyard Vines is equally breezy and beachy, but a bit more laid back. Started in 1998, The Vineyard Vines frame of mind is a little bit preppy with a dash of Nantucket and a dollop of its home base of Martha’s Vineyard mixed in.

Vineyard Vines Sailboat Tie

With sporty collections of ties, cummerbund sets, boxers, college pride wear, mens’ and ladies’ clothes and accessories,Vineyard Vines has your beach lifestyle needs completely covered (even when you are barely covered and ready to swim!), so that everyday will feel like a day on Martha’s Vineyard.

Whether you prefer the elegance of Calypso or the beach/collegiate/golf lifestyle philosophy

Vineyard Vines Jupiter Dress

of Vineyard Vines, here at beso, we’ve got everything you need for spring and summer – and those golden, sunny days are right around the corner, no matter what that groundhog says!

Heat things up right now on beso!

 

 

 

Vineyard Vines Patchwork Madras Cargo Shorts

I was sad to hear about the loss of a great American author, J.D. Salinger.  His writing style was revolutionary to me as a young man.  It was so down to earth; it breathed truth and flowed easier than anything I had ever read up to that point in my life.  Aside from the characters in Stephen King’s The Stand, Holden Caulfield is one of the most vivid and memorable people I have never met, parading through Manhattan with his red hunting cap.

I won’t tell you about his life, his books, his other characters who walked the pages like it was a movie screen.  What I will share with you is a moment in my own life that reflects the deep impact this man had on my life.  When I decided to sing my very first song on a stage in front of strangers as a teenager, I was scared.  I almost left the venue thinking I was wasting everyone’s time.  No joke…I had an orange hunting cap in my car that was bought as a goof years before…and all I could think of was Holden Caulfield…his quest for understanding his role in the world…balancing the idea of becoming the humble man or the noble Catcher in the Rye.

He never does figure it out.  And frankly, I am still not sure either is absolute.  All I know is that I put on my hunting cap, and gave it a shot.

Stormy Kromer Red Hunting Cap

Faux Fur Hazard Trooper Ski Snow Hunting SOS Hat Orange

I thought I’d mix things up a little and do a Get This Look segment on a boy. Specifically a boy named Johnny Depp. Because I love him and we’re going to run away together any day now and he’s “gonna take the squeak out my door” and I really can’t wait.

In the meantime, fellas, note the love that all the girls around you feel for this smokin’ piece of delicious manly-man-ness and maybe bite his style a little. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up taking the squeak outta some doors, yourself…

Let’s start with his shirt. Right now there are two very similar styles – both on sale – on beso:

Striped Shirt by Toscano

Prana Sanderson StripeD Shirt

Add any ol’ black or gray suit vest and a pair of dark-wash jeans, like these:

Diesel Jeans

Live better in Levi's 501s

AND ACCESSORIZE:

This belt from Men’s Warehouse should suit perfectly:

Hand-Stained Black Casual Belt

Add a great watch and a cool brown leather cuff:

Fossil Watch

These cuffs are handmade, from Etsy.com:

Etsy Leather Cuff

Etsy Leather Cuff

Etsy Leather Cuff

Toss on a pair of simple black shoes, like this pair from Doc Marten:

Dr. Martens

And finally, finish the look with a pair of cool, blue aviator sunglasses like these:

Tom Ford Aviators

Oliver Peoples Aviators

Army Universe Style Aviators

There you have it, boys! I’m not guaranteeing that you’ll start stealing enough hearts to make yourself a Public Enemy or some kind of Pirate. Or that you’ll even lead more ladies to Find Neverland.  But you’ll sure look cool, and that will certainly Be Good.

 

The holidays came and went, and all you got was a damn Snuggie. Time to take care of yourself now, Mister. Here are some essentials to kick off the New Year right:

Diesel “On the Road… Again” Laptop Bag: You need something to carry around your new HP 2140 Mini-Note Notebook, and this sophisticated yet laid back look is perfect for the train, plane or sipping your Joe at Starbucks. And though a retail price of $170 isn’t anything to sneeze at, I love the 30% off deal at Zappos.

Jack Georges laptop bag

If you’re looking for something a little more upscale, drop your computer into this sexy, supple Jack Georges laptop bag. The Generations Lite model, this is one that’ll certainly get second glances on your commute.

One of our favorite stores is Etsy, and you have to give them credit: they seem to know what you need, even if you don’t know it yet. The fates say that you’re soon going to be invited to Victorian costume party, but since it’s a little icy out there in January, this custom-made wool cape and cloak is a perfect merger of form and function. People will comment upon your arrival, and potentially your departure. It will also be custom cut for your height, all for $199.

Norko Fur and Wool Hat

The news has been aflurry with news reports of winter storms battering the east and midwest. If you live in one of those areas, then you definitely need a WWII bomber-style wool hat made with rabbit-fur trim of as you trudge your way to the car, to the office, and home during January. Fur Hat World is selling this comfy lined piece for less than $40.

Let’s say you’re not living in the frozen tundra of ice and snow, however. You’re going to want to check out the collection of men’s fedoras at Hats in the Belfry. Now’s your chance to get a little Sinatra going on in your life. Personally, I love the leather lambskin fedora for $98, but I don’t quite have the cachet to pull it off. If you do, let me know how it works out…

Lastly, as you head out into the cold January night, you can’t be without your scarf (or so mom says). We have opined here in the past about the importance of scarves and its impact on dating, but I’ve fallen in love with Ben Sherman style, and this Ben Sherman scarf in a woven plaid is absolutely the perfect complement to any evening outfit, and it’s a steal at $19.98.

Of course, if none of these accessories are quite your style this year, you can always fall back on your Christmas Snuggie present. After all, it seems to have worked for this guy: