With the endless stream of amazing products that flow through the halls of Shopbop, when a single bag ends up on the arms of four, five, and six different women, there is reason to take notice. Enter the Madewell Transport Tote. Simple, yet chic, this tote works in almost every situation. It feels comfortable on the shoulder, and after a few uses has that perfect, aged leather slouch. I have the brown and am already eyeing up the black. Trust me when I say, you need this bag.

--Libby S.

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Traveling is a common passion here at Shopbop, so you can imagine that a lot of our water cooler conversations deal with traveling’s most important issue: what to bring. This month, merchandiser Monica shed some light on the best shoes to take to the live music capitol of the world, Austin, Texas. 

Packing is usually a three step process for me. A week in advance I make a preliminary list, then a few days before I leave, take it all out of my closet and make two piles: necessities and if-there-is-room. Finally, the night before, I stay up late doing the last edit. Turns out that all my planning was in vain, my Sam Edelman booties were the only pair of shoes I wore on my trip to Austin! They went with everything from cutoffs to maxis, and worked with my looks from day to night. I wore them nonstop: vintage shopping on South Congress, at the Rodrigo y Gabriela concert at Stubbs, the winery at Salt Lick, and even to Barton Springs pool! 

--Monica

Shop designer booties.

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Three looks from the Rag & Bone pre-fall 2012 collection.

One-half of Rag & Bone, Marcus Wainwright, told Style.com’s Nicole Phelps, “No themes for pre-fall; it’s just clothes for how our girl really dresses.” The covetable collection is filled with the tailoring we’ve all come to expect from this cool-girl favorite, but the clean lines have been twisted a bit, to feel fresh and forward—very Rag & Bone. In the world of color, it’s a study in bold contrast, primarily reds and blues that are tempered with black, grey, and the occasional cream.

In all, the collection is ultimately what Wainwright describes: wearable pieces that will delight the Rag & Bone girl.

--Amie

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A look from Shopbop’s See by Chloé pre-fall lookbook.

The fashion calendar is a truly unique creature. Spring offerings arrive in the dead of winter, and fall goods start trickling in before summer’s heat fades. In recent years, two more players have come into prominence to add to the seasonal confusion: resort and pre-fall. The resort season, which begins in November, has roots in the ’60s when the jet set was looking for warm-weather wear to don on escapes to luxe locales, but pre-fall, which starts in June and hits its stride in July, is a relatively new phenomenon.

Pre-fall picked up steam about two years ago, and though Michael Kors abhors the name, it has stuck in the minds of editors and the fashion-obsessed. This mini season fills the gap between spring’s super-summery camis and sundresses and fall’s too-cozy-for-September wool coats and boots, and it acts as a subtle source of insight into the label’s main fall collection. This offering is about transition. Think lightweight knits and soft leathers, ankle booties and relaxed silhouettes—pieces that will not only refresh a stale summer wardrobe, but will also live in said wardrobe for years to come.

Check out What’s New for the latest pre-fall arrivals from brands like DVF, Alexander Wang, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and more.

--Amie

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With summer in full swing, we’ve been noticing some inspired takes on airy dressing in the Shopbop offices. Stylist Rachel was spotted wearing a breezy floral midi-skirt, quite expertly matched with a denim-on-denim top, natural leather tote, and chunky platform sandals.

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Gaby Basora’s collaboration with Zoe Cassavetes has been making the rounds for a few weeks now, and everyone at Shopbop HQ is smitten with the short fashion film. In a silent movie featuring Liberty Ross, the Tucker clothing, with its unique prints and airy silhouettes, really steals the scene. Check it out, then shop Tucker by Gaby Basora.

--Amie

We’ve noticed a definite lightening of outfits in the Shopbop offices of late. Airy cotton in soft neutrals has replaced the go-to blacks and greys. Check out stylist Loni (the wise gal behind Ask Shopbop), wearing a cotton blouse with a destroyed denim mini and camel suede sandals.

Find your own warm-weather inspiration in our Summer Shop.

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Inspired by Tibi's effortless pieces and accented with Shopbop accessories, I have created three outfits to ensure a very Tibi summer, all summer long...

1. A Trip to the Farmers Market in: Tibi Sandwashed Camisole  //  Bop Basics Textured Sunhat  //  Zeffira Rita Bangle Set  //  Tibi Stencil Shorts  //  Anya Hindmarch Fruit & Vegetables Tote  //  Matt Bernson Jack Two Tone Strappy Sandals 

2. Brunch with your girlfriends in: Tibi Tahiti Sleeveless Dress  //  Dara Ettinger Felicia Stud Earrings  //  Alexander Wang Diego Bucket Bag  //  Elizabeth and James Sand Leather Pumps

3: A summer wedding in: Tibi Basket Weave Jacket  //  Tibi Hannah V Neck Dress  //  Jennifer Meyer Jewelry 18k Gold Diamond Hoop Earrings  //  Charles Albert Agate Solid Cuff  //  B Brian Atwood Labrea High Heel Sandals  //  Rebecca Minkoff Metallic Ostrich Minaudirie

Thanks for having me, Shopbop! 
xo Liz

Welcome to Find of the Day, a daily discovery straight from What’s New.

What it is: Olivia Wilde for Alternative Message Bag
Why we love it: After visits to earthquake-torn Haiti, Olivia Wilde joined forces with Alternative to design a stylish recreation, of her own well-loved travel bag. Every purchase of this soft canvas bag helps to furnish a classroom for Haitian children, and spread the message against poverty.
Wear it with: Everything! This bag is as much a style statement as it is a social statement and works with just about anything.

Shop the Olivia Wilde for Alternative Message Bag.
Shop cross body bags.

Australian filmmaker and art collector Virginia Rouse launched Push by Pushmataaha with the notion that jewelry is an art form: one that can be worn, hung on a wall, or passed down through generations. She plays with contradictions in her designs, fusing the roughness of raw metals with the femininity of semiprecious stones sourced from all corners of the globe. This dedication to the merging of competing ideas is underlined in the current collection, where skull accents sit next to elegantly earthy turquoise and faceted crystals to build an unexpected, perfectly modern jewelry collection filled with timeless statement pieces.

Shop Push by Pushmataaha jewelry.

--Amie

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Trending at Shopbop HQ right now: denim in decidedly non-blue hues. Stylists Loni and Karina were spotted wearing pale pink and deep rust last week. Karina’s pair kept it clean and let the burnt-orange shade speak for itself, while Loni’s roughed up the pretty pastel with a few rips and tears.

Check out more colored denim and give your own tried-and-true blue jeans a break this summer.

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A fashion industry vet—she’s a stylist and has editing stints at Harper’s Bazaar, Lucky, and InStyle on her résumé—Ariela Suster merged her professional expertise and her family roots to develop Sequence jewelry, a bold collection with an inspiring story. We got the scoop behind Suster’s design vision and working with artisans in her home country of El Salvador.

SHOPBOP: Tell us a bit about why you decided to launch Sequence.
ARIELA SUSTER: I had been working in magazines and would edit and style collections from other designers. I always had a vision that one day I would use my experience to create a brand that would make a difference in people’s lives, especially for people in El Salvador, where I grew up and where my whole family currently lives.

SB: What is the meaning behind the name of your brand?
AS: The word “sequence,” for me, has a very spiritual meaning. I found that it kept coming up: whether it was referring to the sequence of events that led me to take this next step in my life and launch my own brand; to the precise sequence the threads need to be placed in each of the pieces to create the different combination of colors; or to the impact that I aspire this brand to have in positively influencing the sequence of young people’s lives in at-risk communities in El Salvador, changing their path into one filled with positive opportunities.

SB: How did you transition the traditional El Salvador style into something that would play in the American market?
AS: I work very closely with a group of young artisans that is now dedicated to creating Sequence designs. With their artisanal expertise, I wanted to retain a lot of the techniques and traditional shapes of El Salvador, like braids and knots that are used in furniture and in traditional hammocks. I was inspired by those shapes and translated them into pieces that could be worn and would make a statement.

SB: The pieces really do make a statement. What is the inspiration behind the color palette?
AS: The aesthetic and design of the collection showcases the juxtaposition of light and darkness. In the summer collection, we used some dark tones to represent the hardship and violence young people face in El Salvador, and contrasted them with bright neon colors that represent the hope, positive outlook, and happiness of being able to express their creativity and make a difference in their lives and in the lives of others.

Shopbop buyer Jenny travels to the ends of the earth looking for the best new products and brands to show in What’s New. Last month, she flew down to Sydney for Australian Fashion Week and took her favorite Yosi Samra flats with her.

My name is Jenny and I am a Yosi Samra ballet flats addict. But you can’t blame me. Running around global fashion weeks can be exhausting—especially in heels! So, I always stash a pair of ballet flats in my bag and this bright blue pair was the perfect travelling companion for my recent trip to Australian Fashion Week. Not only did these ballet flats make airport security a breeze, they also made several fashionable appearances with me all over town: front row at the tents, shopping in Paddington, and even a quick stop at Bondi Beach (I actually still feel some sand lingering down in the toes!).

--Jenny

Check out more about Jenny’s trip down under in her Postcard from Sydney.

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Three pieces from the new HELMUT collection.

Helmut Lang, known for its deceptively simple designs, has redefined basics as we know them with the launch of HELMUT, a collection of cut-and-sew kinetic jersey and voltage rib pieces. The signature asymmetry plays a vital role in this stripped-down collection of HELMUT tees, tanks, skirts, and dresses, and like the main Helmut Lang collection, the pieces are innovative plays on proportion and line. Each is designed to stand alone or integrate into any wardrobe, and they’re infused with a quiet cool, making a strong statement in an understated way.

Shop HELMUT clothing.

--Amie

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Personal style is incredibly unique, so when a brand like Edith A. Miller is scooped up by all the individually-chic ladies in our studio, there’s reason to take notice. Designed by Jennifer Murray and Nancy Gibson, this collection draws inspiration from a 100-year-old heritage brand to create silhouettes that pay homage to independent American women.

“We are obsessing over Edith A. Miller right now!” says Shopbop stylist Loni. “The bold stripes and colors inject a look with so much. Red or navy stripes feel preppy and nautical, while the black and cream really lend a punky, retro vibe.”

To get in on the trend, pair a striped tee with distressed jeans, or try a soft jumpsuit with a floppy hat. However it’s worn or styled, this USA-made collection will earn an easy place in any wardrobe.

Shop Edith A. Miller.

--Libby S.

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It’s hard to look at Katie Ermilio’s spring 2012 collection and not want to get in touch with your feminine side. Each piece feels as though it stepped out of a more refined time, an aesthetic that is not surprising given tailoring is in Ermilio’s blood: she’s the granddaughter of Grace Kelly’s personal clothier.

Ermilio’s design signature is marked in sharp lines countered with soft drape. For spring, she matched fitted bodices and full skirts, creating a throwback feel that could have walked out of the 1950s, but Ermilio is every bit the modern designer. Peeks of skin and unexpected layers are of-the-moment, perfect for the graceful, contemporary woman.

Wear one of her frocks to the next wedding on your summer agenda. Or, brides-to-be, do your bridesmaids a favor and pick a Katie Ermilio dress for your best girls to wear on your big day.

Shop Katie Ermilio spring 2012.

--Amie

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Launched in Los Angeles in 2004, the Magda Berliner Vintage Collection is rooted in the designer’s fondness for Victorian-era finery. Each piece is hand-assembled using vintage lace, making the dresses and skirts truly one-of-a-kind. We spoke with Magda Berliner about this modern-meets-romantic collection.

SHOPBOP: Tell us about the Magda Berliner Vintage Collection.
MAGDA BERLINER: This segment of my main collection, Magda Berliner, began about eight years ago, and it’s become integral to my identity as a designer. When I launched Magda Berliner in 2001, I promoted using vintage fabrics, and the Vintage Collection is an extension of that ethos, while maintaining the romance and femininity of the brand.

SB: Each dress is hand assembled using vintage lace. What inspired you to take this direction?
MB: Like many, I have a soft spot for Victorian-era cottons, and I had accumulated some edgings—ribbons and bits of vintage lace and crochet. Bored and inspired one evening, I started piecing together the bits on my dress form, and voila! After years of doing this hand assembling, I have an eye for what the garment will become, and I welcome the challenge of building new designs each season.

SB: Can you tell us a little more about how you source the lace you use? Who sews the pieces?
MB: Visiting flea markets and shows for years, I have befriended many collectors and dealers who keep me in steady supply. I have the same seamstress for the ready-to-wear collection sew the vintage pieces as well.

SB: How does your location, Los Angeles, influence your design?
MB: The climate does influence my work. We are quite lucky to have fair weather most of the year, and the lace works well for that lifestyle. I must confess, a little bohemian vibe has rubbed off on me after all this time in the Canyon.

SB: Who is the woman you’re designing for?
MB: She is independent. She knows her own style and wears it well.

Shop Magda Berliner.

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The shows have wrapped and the jet lag has (nearly) subsided. Our team is back from Australia Fashion Week, and with them, they brought plenty of snapshots and Aussie inspiration. Buyers Jenny and Justin share a few of their favorite moments from the week.

Favorite moment on the runway:
JENNY: The We Are Handsome show. Not only were the prints fab, they were blasting Skee-Lo’s “I Wish.”
JUSTIN: Great hyped up energy at the Ellery Show!  Such a cool scene!

Favorite collection:
JENNY: Zimmermann for swim; Talulah for easy summer dresses; and Bec & Bridge for their crisp, white collection.
JUSTIN: Josh Goot was bright, bold, urban, and chic.

Best new find:
JENNY: Designer stick-on nail polish collaborations. Ellery has the coolest print!
JUSTIN: Josh Goot!

Favorite moment off the runway:
JENNY: Pistachio-orange breakfast pastries at the Dion Lee appointment!
JUSTIN: Shopping and having a flat white in Paddington.

Best non-fashion thing you did all week:
JENNY: We snuck off to Bondi Beach for lunch and had the most amazing hummus wraps!
JUSTIN: Eating dinner at Icebergs on my last night.

Chicest street-style spotting:
JENNY: Josh Goot. All the girls in Sydney were wearing the collection.
JUSTIN: Ellery show!

Next time you’re in Sydney, you’ll be sure to:
JENNY: Have dinner at Icebergs!
JUSTIN: Go to the zoo and see a koala bear!

Check out some of our favorite street style shots on Facebook and Pinterest.

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Launched in Spain in 1919 and moved to Paris in 1937, Cristobal Balenciaga’s House of Balenciaga embodied the essence of Parisian elegance, counting some of Europe’s most influential women among its customers before the designer shuttered the label in 1968. Balenciaga was relaunched nearly twenty years later, in 1986, as a ready-to-wear collection, but it wasn’t until Nicolas Ghesquiere took the helm in 1997 that the brand was revitalized to the creative force it once was.

Balenciaga sunglasses retain the brand’s sophisticated and unique spirit, drawing inspiration from design and architecture, modern elements, and a passion for shape and construction. The frames are bold and elegant, an urbane statement in graceful lines.

Shop Balenciaga eyewear.

--Amie

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Drawing on a background in art and styling, Michael Angel launched his eponymous collection in 2007, and he quickly caught the industry’s attention with his innovative use of digital prints. Largely thanks to these prints, Michael Angel clothing is arrestingly atypical at first glance yet grounded in classic cuts, making the collection particularly wearable.

For the spring 2012 season, the designer drew inspiration from his Egyptian roots (his mother is from Cairo), using his digital signature to manipulate a portrait of Cleopatra and the floor plans of the Egyptian pyramids. Just as we'd expect from this designer, the silhouettes are easy and refined, allowing the prints to act as the focal point of the collection.

Shop Michael Angel spring 2012.

--Amie

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