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

The New Neons

Have you had a chance to explore the new neons?

Newport News Linked Watches, $39

These may look like the neons of yore – happy reminders from the 80s, when life was more simple and infused with totally cool Brit-Pop.

Jules Smith Wrapped Up Jellies, $50

But no! These neons so nuevo!

Juicy Couture Neon Necklace, $58

These neons are modern upgrades. Better, hauter, hipper and even more fun.

CC SKYE Neon Screw Bracelet, $79

Grab yourself a better bit of the old.

Tarina Tarantino Tokyo Hardcore Buddha Necklace, $112.70

Disney Couture Bambi Hoop Earrings, $56

beso modern, beso glam, beso neon this spring!

- Staci from HandbagReport.com

Shopping for jewelry should be just as fun as shopping for shoes and handbags.  Aside from seasonal trends, start incorporating jewelry that expresses your individuality and tells a story.  There are more fun and whimsical shapes and designs than ever before!  The great thing about jewelry is that you can never have too much. Take a look in your jewelry box and figure out what’s missing.  Update your collection with items that inspire you.  Below are pieces that remind me of something I love, and also reflect my personal style.

1.  kate spade Coral Reef Pearl Star Ring, $75.00 at Bloomingdales

Kate Spade New York Coral Reef Pearl Star Ring

2.  Wildthings Large Alligator Pin, $136.49 at Amazon

Wildthings Large Alligator Pin

3.  Tarina Tarantino Crystal Pave Heart Necklace, Black, $120 at The Giant Peach

Tarina Tarantino Crystal Pave Heart Necklace

4.  Lauren by Ralph Lauren “L’Hermitage” Textured Snake Earrings with Briolette Drop, $38.00 at Bloomingdales

Lauren by Ralph Lauren "L'Hermitage" Textured Snake Earrings with Briolette Drop

5.  Tory Burch Maggie Cuff, $225.00 at Tory Burch

Tory Burch Maggie Cuff

Nanette Lepore's Divinity Dress

With party season upon us, it is time to start putting together outfits for the different get-togethers and events we have planned.  The holiday season gives us a chance to really dress up and express our style.

This season, I’m loving outfits that are a little bit pretty and a little bit punk.  Leather and lace, studs and ruffles, the juxtaposition of frilly and fierce is what takes an outfit from ordinary to spectacular.

BCBGMAXAZRIA Studded Clutch

This studded clutch from BCBGMAXAZRIA is the perfect complement to a pretty ruffled dress like Nanette Lepore’s Divinity Dress.  This Alexis Bittar Scaled Cuff will give your outfit some extra kick.

A lace dress and leather OTK boots will keep you warm and stylish.  We like Diane von Furstenberg’s Hasina Dress.  The super-short hemline is sure to look good with even the tallest OTK boots (you should always show a little skin).  Wear this outfit with some Han Cholo Spike Earrings for a little extra edge. 

One of the best parts of mixing these two styles is that you can stay true to each other.  Wear your lace dress with strappy sandals for a wedding in the spring or your OTK boots and studded purse with skinny dark jeans and a tank on a Saturday night out.  In this economy, it pays to have clothes that multitask!