Wild Swans (London, UK)

First off, apologies for the long hiatus from Haute World. A combination of my recent trip to Chicago and NYC, as well as a new day job have kept me from posting as frequently as I would have liked and I'm afraid future updates will most likely be sporadic as well. If you do want to catch up with my travels and window shopping adventures, I would suggest also following me on Twitter and/or Instagram, where I still plan to post more regular updates on anything interesting I may find.

One treasure I still really want to share with you all is a boutique I visited right before I left for the States. Thanks to the lovely Dena who organized the event, a few of us got a chance to browse the beautiful Wild Swans (located in Islington) one evening, while sipping champagne and munching some very decadent cupcakes. Founded by Caroline van Luthje, who opened the first Wild Swans store in Chiswick five years ago, the aim was to give shoppers the opportunity to source some of the best Scandinavian brands - something she had missed since moving from her native Denmark to the British capital.

The boutique reflects the calm softness Scandinavian fashion is usually associated with and everything you find here will have been carefully handpicked and lovingly displayed. Brands stocked range from the more famous offerings such as By Malene Birger and Jofama to more independent designers, including Hanne Bloch and Rabens Saloner. As winter is approaching, the racks were appropriately filled with comfy soft knits and leather jackets. Like most of the girls present, I fell in love with a very flattering pair of leather leggings and a few delicate blouses. Just as tempting: the suede ankle boots, chunky scarves and contemporary jewelry from labels such as Bjorg.

As the images will hopefully convey, you'll immediately feel right at home once you enter the boutique space. Being a bit of a fan of unique decor, I appreciated the glass jewelry case, vintage suitcases and storage cabinets to name a few. And if that's not enough - the spacious changing rooms and friendly staff are sure to make you feel like you never want to leave.

Any Londoners or future visitors should definitely drop by, especially if you're looking for a more unique investment piece, rather than yet another throwaway item from the high street. Pricing is fair for what you get and if you're lucky (or time it right), you'll be able to snag something during a sale. If you're not in London - the good news is that a large majority of the items can be purchased via the Wild Swans online store, so head on over if you need to stock up on your winter wardrobe.

All images taken by Dena and yours truly.

Address: 54 Cross St, London N1 2BA
Opening Hrs: Mon-Sat: 10:00-19:00, Sun: 12:00-17:00
Wild Swans Homepage & Online-Shop

Rakel Hafberg (Reykjavik, Iceland)

A few months ago during my Reykjavik trip, I came across a store window that displayed some of the most intriguing exotic leather accessories. I couldn't quite figure out what I was looking at - it definitely wasn't crocodile, ostrich or snakeskin. And the pattern of the material was rather unique as well. Would you be able to guess what the collars and cuffs (below) are made of?

A selection from the current lookbook (source: Rakel Hafberg).

Upon entering the boutique and on closer inspection, I had a sneaking suspicion, which was confirmed by the helpful shop owner who turned out to be the actual designer, Rakel Hafberg: Most of the bags and jewelry are in fact made of chicken leather. And if you thought the cuffs, collars, belts and capes had a unique shape, that's because these items in particular are actually made from the skin of chicken feet. Rakel explained that the idea actually came from her husband, and while she wasn't initially sure about using this particular leather, it seemed like a good option considering chicken skin ends up as discarded waste material. After experimenting with the production, she was pleased enough to use the chicken leather as the main material for most of her accessories, which also include beautiful tote bags.

Bags, jewelry and headpieces - all made of chicken leather.

Intricate collars and chokers made of chicken feet leather.

Most people (including myself) may have considered chicken skin a wonderful thing when served crispy along with its meat on a dinner plate - but the idea of toting it around as an accessory may sound a little creepy. Rakel herself admitted to me that chicken feet leather in particular might not appeal to most... initially. I for one never thought it would be something I'd want to wrap around my neck. Yet surprisingly the pieces bear only a mild resemblance to the original source and everything is beautifully crafted. The bags look like regular exotic skin material with a soft and supple finishing that features a striking design of diagonal panels. Best of all, being deemed as waste, chicken leather is a lot more sustainable than other materials out there.

An entire shelf filled with pieces made of chicken feet leather.

For the squeamish, there's also a range of hairbands made of feathers.

More accessories, along with colorful paintings which are available for sale.

If chicken leather still doesn't strike your fancy, there's plenty more to choose from. Rakel's boutique is a treasure trove of other gems that includes clothing and a large range of other jewelry items. With a colorful backdrop provided by the floral wallpaper, most pieces are either displayed along the walls like pieces of art (along with actual paintings that are for sale) or neatly arranged on shelves. Other favorites included laser-cut butterfly necklaces and beaded baubles made of hand painted tagua nuts. While chicken leather could once again be found on hairbands, there were also a few feathered varieties to choose from.

Some of the clothing on display.

Overview of the quaint boutique and the changing room.

More 'traditional' jewelry made of tagua nuts and laser-cut leather.

I have to admit that I was so distracted by the wonders of chicken leather, I hardly paid attention to the clothing. I remembered seeing a few silk tops and gorgeous slouchy jackets, all of which complemented the statement accessories perfectly. Because Rakel herself oversees the small boutique, you do get a sense that everything is handpicked and individual. The setting is intimate and immediately welcoming. If you ever find yourself in Reykjavik, definitely drop by if you get the chance. A select range can also be purchased online and for any other info, you can always check out Rakel Hafberg's Facebook page or send her an email.

More cuffs, chokers and belts - some also made with fur.

Cute chicken leather clutches and more beaded jewelry.

Another look at some of the items on display, including more handbags and simple slouchy clothes.

Address: Laugavegur 37, 101 Reykjavik

Opening Hrs: Mon-Fri: 10:00-18:00, Sat: 11:00-16:00

Rakel Hafberg Homepage & Online-Shop

Liz Black (London, UK)

During a press day a few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of checking out the collection of recent Central Saint Martins graduate Liz Black. Though I was unfamiliar with Black's collection at first, the structural, eye-catching pieces instantly had my full attention - and I had to agree with the showroom assistants who were certain that she would be the next big designer to emerge from the London fashion scene.

Lady Gaga in a Liz Black Circle Bow Dress.

Only a week or so later, Lady Gaga exited a London hotel, wearing one of Black's designs, so I guess we weren't that far off. And while the Circle Bow Dress is one of the most iconic pieces you'll find in the collection, the majority of what I saw was very wearable - even if you don't have Gaga's flair for drama.

Runway looks from Liz Black's degree collection for Central Saint Martins, 'Arty Society'.

A circle jacket from the 'Arty Society' collection.

Simple in the front, funky at the back - the structural mini dress featuring a Pollock inspired print and cut-out at the back.

Much of Liz Black's AW11/12 'Concentric Thoughts' range builds on her degree collection titled 'Arty Society', which featured geometric and circular shapes inspired by the orphist artist Sonia Delaunay and vivid prints à la Jackson Pollock. While it's best to let the clothing do the talking, I found the following press release description to be quite accurate: "The Liz Black label reflects conceptual creativity and a focus on wearable statement pieces with timeless appeal; a minimalist and elegant aesthetic with an emphasis on structural shapes; impeccably tailored and chic pieces that complement the feminine silhouette for the modern fashionista."

A closer look at the Circle Bow Dress as worn by Lady Gaga. The bow cut-out detail at the collar provides a cute accent.

Simple tailored chic. A modern alternative to the classic blazer.

Cut-out detail top and mini skirt with circular panels.

If you favor the Japanese or Belgian designers (especially Margiela) - and even the simplicity of Celine or Jil Sander, chances are you'll love most of what Liz Black has to offer. The wearer of her clothes is described as being both a daring yet elegant dresser, and while I may not be bold enough to run around in a circular jumpsuit anytime soon, I can definitely see myself in the structural dresses or the tailored coats. The quality was impressive and the attention to detail made every piece unique - whether it was the cut-outs, the sheer elements or the color blocked sleeves.

Another sleek dress - this one comes with a sheer back.

Long shirt with a sheer sleeve.

Structural long sleeved dress.

Printed trousers with panel details at the knee.

Though I'm not aware of any stockists at the moment, I'm certain Liz Black's pieces will be picked up by the more prestigious boutiques and department stores in the near future. For now, if you're interested in any of the pieces, I suggest you head to the official website where you'll find contact details for sales or other enquiries.

A selection of looks from the AW11/12 'Concentric Thoughts' collection.

Kronkron (Reykjavik, Iceland)

I've been meaning to write more about my Icelandic fashion adventures for a while, but somehow got caught up with everything that's been going on in London at the moment. Nevertheless I really want to share a few more cool labels from Reykjavik with you, and unlike the one boutique I already posted about here, the rest of them stray far from the traditional classic designs you often see in most stores around Europe. In fact, if you ever wondered why the likes of Björk seemed a little over the top with regard to their fashion tastes, browsing the local boutiques in the Icelandic capital will make you understand that perhaps they're merely representing local style.

Overview of the store from the entrance (left). A few cute tees on the wall (right).

Kron is a brand that isn't all that uncommon among those who seek individual style. Already available in hip boutiques like London's b Store, the Reykjavik label first started out in 2000 as a small shoe shop that sold a variety of brands including its own products. Borrowing their name from the main Reykjavik supermarket that shut its doors in 1990, the idea behind Kron was to create the city's one-stop place for fashionable footwear. The success of Kron lead to the opening of a second store 'Kronkron' in 2004 which also stocked clothing and a range of accessories in addition to shoes - from the likes of big designers such as Sonia Rykiel and Vivienne Westwood to smaller labels such as KTZ and Wood Wood. The biggest draw however is the house label Kron by Kronkron (confused yet?), which started out as a shoe brand in 1998 and has evolved into a company that designs everything from cute dresses to colorful tights.

A very tempting shoe shelf near the entrance (left) and racks of colorful clothes towards the wall (right).

A closer look at the shoes, which feature cute bows and a chunky heel.

The two people behind both the boutiques and the unique collection of shoes are Hugrún Árnadóttir and Magni Þorsteinsson, who graduated as fashion designer and hair stylist respectively. The fun and colorful shoes are mirrored in the store concept, which according to its owners resembles a confectionery shop, filled with goodies you crave. Upon entering Kronkron, that's definitely the impression you get and that's mostly due to the incredible selection of Kron shoes. For anyone who's unfamiliar with the brand, it's probably best to take a look at some of the photos, though if pressed to find a description, I'd say the shoes portray the ultimate foot candy: fun, colorful, funky, girly and highly addictive - minus the evil calories of course.

Body suits and shorts suspended from giant hangers.

The area near the pillars: feminine dresses and more accessories...

...and shoes of course.

And like little gems, the shoes were displayed on various shelves near the entrance. I can't recall how many styles there were, because I was dazzled by the variety of colors and materials. Trying to distract myself - no easy feat - I decided to take a look at the clothing first and spotted a few familiar brands such as Marc by Marc Jacobs or Acne. Kron's own clothing designs hung near the windows and included adorable dresses with Peter Pan collars and cinched waists that had a distinct retro quality. More dresses were displayed near a large pillar, while other items were suspended from giant faux clothes hangers. I had a quick look at more garments on the racks, but kept returning to look at the shoes or the abundance of accessories on display.

Not just shoes... some of Kron's dresses (left) and tights (right).

More socks and shoes by the window.

For the gents: Boots and brogues.

I should probably also mention that menswear was stocked as well and the selection was fantastic. I was particularly envious of the men's brogues, but considering the ladies have a larger selection of Kron shoes, I can't really complain. Ah yes, the shoes. When I finally did make it to the actual shoe section, I didn't know where to begin. I'll be the first to admit that overly colorful cutesy shoes aren't necessarily my style, but some of the laced ankle boots and wedge sandals did seem to call my name. All designs are conceived in Reykjavik by Árnadóttir/Þorsteinsson and handmade by artisans in Elda, Spain. So while the kooky creations may distract from the workmanship behind these designs, the high-end materials (leather, brushed leather, suede, patent and net) and intricate details will soon make you realize that these beauties are on par, if not superior to some of the luxury goods out there. There were even a few rubber wellies nearby and a stack of CDs, but you'll most likely want to focus on the current season footwear - or better yet, the previous season selection which was on sale. And if you want to take it up a notch, fun socks and tights were available too.

The main shoe area.

An impressive range from the Kron collection... sigh.

And these lovelies were on sale. A shame they weren't in my size.

The great news is that while Kronkron is best viewed in person, the company also has a pretty good online store, which stocks the majority of the labels they sell - but more importantly also offers the Kron line (shoes, clothing and tights). So if you want to inject a bit of fun and whimsy into your wardrobe, yet don't plan on heading to Reykjavik soon, an online browse is highly recommended.

A must in Reykjavik - wellies (left) and some local music (right).

The entrance area as seen from the back (left) and some wall art I spied on my way out (right).

Address: Laugavegi 63B, 101 Reykjavik

Opening Hrs: Mon-Thu: 10:00-18:00, Fri: until 18:30, Sat: 10:00-17:00

Kron Homepage & Kronkron Online-Shop