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

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

Andersen & Lauth (Reykjavik, Iceland)

As mentioned in a previous post, Reykjavik surprised me with its huge selection of indie and local designers who's boutiques were mostly situated on the main shopping artery of Laugavegur. And the most wonderful thing about Icelandic fashion was the variety: from bold and colorful, to quirky and fun, to dark and gothic - you'll find anything to suit your taste. Andersen & Lauth was one of the few labels that had a more traditional approach and a long heritage that stemmed from its history as the first tailoring house in Reykjavik, opened in 1908 by Ludvig Andersen. Over a 100 years later the revamped label (established in 1934) is still going strong, producing beautiful vintage inspired, romantic clothing in the best quality.

From the SS11 (top) and FW11(bottom) lookbooks (images: Andersen & Lauth)

Before I even had the chance to view the clothing up close, I instantly fell in love with the decor of the store, which already gives a strong indication of the collections you'll find there. Even though the boutique was very spacious, with racks only situated against the wall, the interiors felt warm and inviting. The details seemed to have been chosen with great care: large rustic tables, an antique looking sofa, beautiful cabinets and of course the most eye-catching element of all: the fake fireplace with the stag head above it. The garments are made with even more care. Most pieces are handmade and designed in the style and spirit of production methods of the 19th century. While Andersen & Lauth favors the Victorian era, the collections span a variety of periods, with the women's range generally featuring feminine draping, elfin silhouettes and elaborate materials. The menswear has a romantic dandy feel to it, while also incorporating the vibe of Reykjavik's eclectic music scene.

Loved these tree trunks in the window display.

Overview of the store from the entrance.

According to the company manifesto, Andersen & Lauth is a romantic journey through time with a strong belief that all women deserve beautiful things made with love and passion. Browsing through the pieces, this sentiment was evident and I was quite taken with the superior quality and the intricate details. There are basics of course, that include simpler cotton dresses, tailored trousers and fine knits. Among these, you'll also find items from the capsule 'Atelier' collection which is entirely handmade in Andersen & Lauth workshops and utilizes ancient techniques of embroidery or stitching. The official blog provides fascinating insights into the production process. The pieces reflect the company's love for old-fashioned workmanship and in some cases feature more traditional materials, such as vintage lace. But if you fear the clothing my look dated, no worries. The shapes and cuts are modern, timeless and won't leave you looking like your granny.

The boutique as seen from the back. The large wooden table featured basics and smaller items. Pastel shades dominated the racks.

The large wardrobe/cabinet was filled with knickknacks and accessories.

Beautifully embellished and embroidered pieces made by hand, from the 'Atelier' collection.

Most of the looks I sighted were from the SS11 collection, titled 'Poetic Couture', which mirrors the Andersen & Lauth aesthetic perfectly. I'm not really a 'romantic' type when it comes to style, but found myself falling for the pastel colored dresses and the delicate cardigans. The FW11 collection is slightly more up my alley with its chunky knits and dark sequined gowns inspired by the 20s flapper style.

Yes, I could live here. The gorgeous fireplace area (left) and the very spacious changing rooms (right image: Andersen & Lauth).

Select items were hung from walls like works of art (left) and more traditional artwork featuring old images of the shop/atelier and inspiration shots (right).

So many pretty clothes... with more embroidery and lace.

If you happen to be shopping with a guy, definitely head to the menswear store next door, which is filled with very cool suits, coats and jackets - all impeccably tailored of course.

A quick look at the menswear boutique next door (images: Andersen & Lauth).

The pricing is surprisingly decent, considering the handmade quality of the items. If you want a bargain, there's a 'vintage' store down the street which sells past-season collections for a fraction of the price. Yoox also stocks previous collections for a steal. Supposedly Andersen & Lauth is available in over 30 countries, though I couldn't find too many details on their official website, so keep your eyes peeled. Alexa Chung (who's snapped up a few nude colored dresses) and other celebs are already huge fans, so I'm sure the label will be popping up everywhere in the very near future. And if you're ever in Reykjavik, the boutiques are the best place to escape the cold and indulge in a bit of cozy warm retail therapy.

Cool stuff from the FW11 menswear range (images: Andersen & Lauth).

A home decor range is available as well, featuring mainly embroidered cushions and other smaller items (images: Andersen & Lauth).

Address: Laugavegur 7, 101 Reykjavik
Andersen & Lauth Homepage

Impressions of Reykjavik (Iceland)

Tjörnin (lake) and the City Hall in the center of Reykjavik.

Most of my friends thought I was insane when I announced I was flying to Reykjavik, Iceland, considering London has been blessed with beautifully sunny and warm weather as of late. But since the hubby and I had always wanted to visit, we packed up our long forgotten winter gear and headed for the Icelandic capital. Upon arrival we were greeted by snow, dark clouds, rain, sun, hail and a chilling wind - all within a span of an hour. I would soon realize that if I didn't care for the weather at the moment, I'd only need to wait five minutes. Unfortunately it never really got close to warm, but considering summer in Iceland translates to an average of 15°C (59°F), I wasn't really that surprised.

I knew little about Iceland and Reykjavik before my visit, apart from the usual musical references (Björk, Sigur Rós etc.), the aforementioned cold climate and that unpronounceable volcano Eyjafjallajökull, who's eruption grounded all those flights last year. While I expected Reykjavik to be very creative given its famous musicians and its love of design, I was a bit surprised by the relatively monotone architecture. A local guide later informed me that Iceland only started booming around the 50s and after, which is when most of the houses and buildings were constructed. This explains why you won't find a lot of traditional historic architecture as you would in other European cities. By contrast, you will see its history in the volcanic, glacial and mountainous landscape, some of which was used by the Vikings as settlements.

More modern than historic - typical houses in Reykjavik (lower right image:Bjørn Giesenbauer via Wikimedia).

What also stunned me a little was how few people I would see during the day, out on the streets. It never occurred to me that a national population of roughly 320,000 (120,000 live in the capital) in a country slightly smaller than the size of England (with over 51 million inhabitants) would translate into a distinct lack of crowds. It also doesn't help that Reykjavik is such a sprawling city, so most locals will be in their cars - though traffic jams are virtually non-existent. But many cafes and restaurants were buzzing with activity and if there's one thing that had my heart beating faster than the incredible Icelandic scenery, it was the abundance of local independent fashion designers... many of them with their own boutiques on the main street Laugavegur - I counted at least 20 if not more. Stay tuned for upcoming posts on some of them. I was also pleased to see that locals were very stylish and didn't dress like clones. I have a theory this might be due to the lack of high street retail chains, of which only a few can be found in two outlying malls. In addition, I was informed that prior to the financial crisis and recession, Iceland was a very wealthy nation - and it's still very expensive - with a population that loves to splurge on art, design and clothes; something that might explain their sartorial preferences.

Would I visit again? Definitely. But next time, I'm going in summer...

Hallgrímskirkja - the largest church in Iceland.

Nesjavellir Geothermal Power Station. Thanks to the high concentration of volcanoes, Iceland can take advantage of geothermal power - a renewable energy source.

Jewelry containing local lava stones were incredibly popular.

A smaller waterfall in the Golden Circle area around Reykjavik.

Reykjavik's main high street Laugavegur in the old town center. Note the lack of people on a Friday afternoon.

Kerið - volcanic crater lake.

Icelandic Horses (almost as small as ponies) were very amicable and adorable. They kept trying to eat my coat and jeans. I also had major hair envy - look at those manes.

The very active geyser Strokkur.

If you want something local, Icelandic wool is popular. If you want something local that will get a bit more attention - there's always fur (what's up with that scary animal hat?) and fish leather (those are ties and purses).

The rift valley of Þingvellir, which marks the Mid-Atlantic Ridge - the tectonic plate boundary between Eurasia and North America. Geographically, Iceland is actually closer to America (Greenland).

Pretty but man-made. The 'glitter' stems from coins thrown in the water by tourists.

Tasty delights: The famed lobster soup along with seafood (above), Icelandic fish & chips (lower left) and more interesting meat options which I didn't get to try out (right).

Gullfoss waterfall.

Viking boat sculpture along the shore of Reykjavik.

Overview of the Þingvellir National Park - the site of Iceland's first assembly and parliament as chosen by the Viking settlers. The continental drift between North America and Eurasia is visible via the cracks in the landscape, many of which are filled with water.