Take Cover

On a rainy day in 2010, Yurika Nakazono and Marie Saeki watched the downpour through a nearby window, wrestling with the prospect of riding their bikes home without the appropriate outerwear. It was in that moment that duo decided to bring the idea of Terra New York to life. The chic raincoat company is defined by its classic styles fashioned out of semi-transparent, smoky-looking recycled TPU–a polyurethane material typically reserved for automotive instrument panels, inflatable rafts, medical devices, and other non-clothing uses.

Prior to that fateful rainy day, Yurika, Terra New York’s creative director, had been considering the concept for quite some time. “As long as it has been raining that I can remember, it has been on my mind,” she explains. “I have been working in fashion in Sweden, France, Japan, and New York, destroying beautiful accessories and clothes in the city rain on my way to meetings and events. I have been looking for the perfect outfit and never found anything to my liking.” Read More

Mociun on Wythe

Terrific designer Caitlin Mociun recently opened her brick and mortar shop on Wythe and North 4th St. in Williamsburg. Alongside her full jewelry line and rolls of original textiles, Caitlin has filled the boutique with an exquisite selection of designers, many of whom are not found in any other New York stores. “A big part of it for me is about how its displayed,” Caitlin explains, “and how that makes people experience the shop and how they relate to the objects in it.”

The elegantly curated space plays host to a selection of jewelry, housewares, and curiosities. Featured designers include SAMMA, David Neale, Andy Lifschutz, Better Late Than Never, Eric Bonnin, Shino Takeda, Arla Bascom, Small Spells, Robert Blue, Lebico, Baggu, Kim Eischler-Messmer, Doug Johnston, Suzanne Sullivan, Futagami, MCMC Fragrances, Saipua, Iacoli & McAllister, Santafe Stoneworks, Alyson Fox, Chen Chen and Kia Williams, and vintage rugs from Morocco.

Read more to check out our gallery from opening day. Read More

The Natural

To many, the idea of “natural beauty” goes hand in hand with a cosmetics-free existence. But Jessa Blades would beg to differ. In fact, the traditional makeup artist turned eco product and lifestyle expert is committed to marrying the two, “helping women look like the best version of themselves using the best and healthiest products available.”

Recently, Terrific was lucky enough to witness the Brooklyn-based artist’s work firsthand, conducting a full day shoot featuring three distinctive makeup looks–all created with organic products. In addition to her obvious talent and enviable long locks, Jessa’s poise and genuine intelligence were undeniable.

“I love empowering women to learn how to care for their skin, inside and out,” she reveals in a follow-up phone call, “and how to use makeup that brings out their natural beauty.” Read More

Ceremony

The detachable collar mavens of Eleven Objects presented their first full Ready To Wear collection for Fall Winter ’12, inspired by the film Amadeus and New Order album covers by Peter Saville. Models  coiffed in 18th century-inspired style sported the collection against an austere gallery backdrop as a string quartet played a mix of Mozart symphonies and “Bizarre Love Triangle.”

In the Eleven Objects tradition, FW12 combined a wonderful mix of colors and materials, including gold leaf, patent leather, shearling, and brocade. “Both Linh Thi and I love interesting textures,” Christine explains. “We loved the mix between traditionally luxe fabrics and more modern fabrics that aren’t usually paired together.”

While the line’s expansion may seem like a large undertaking, the seasoned designers were in familiar territory. “Before Eleven Objects, our experience had been in Ready To Wear and contemporary womenswear. We always had it in the back of our minds to do clothing but it never felt right until this season.” Read More

Bande à Part

On Friday, January 20th, designer Erin Wahed of Bande des Quatres launched Collection II at the Bowery Hotel Terrace. Models clad in the architecturally-inspired bracelets and rings were also equipped with detailed explanations about the pieces they showcased–citing how a particular architect, such as Ando, Eames, or Koolhaas, inspired the look and feel of every design. “With Architects and their works being our inspiration this time around,” Erin explains, “three-dimensionality as well as illusion occupied our psyche while working out the construction constraints of each piece.”

Every item in the collection is custom made in the Bande des Quatres Montreal studio. “When an order comes in, each piece is constructed from raw materials, hand worked, hand finished and shipped. We continue to use similar materials as we used in Collection I Bauhaus: sterling silver, oxidized sterling silver, 18kt yellow gold and assorted gemstones.  When working out the designs for the new collection, our focus was on the wearability, the weight, and the contrasting finishes.” Read More

Old School Shopping

After a nice winter break, it’s time to go back to school. Or at least share some photos from our latest pop-up shop at the Old School. Partnering with Mega Mega Projects, Terrific turned the former Nolita Catholic elementary into a twelve day shopping experience–where the giant classrooms were reimagined as a unique series of stores. The two story market featured designers including Mociun, Baggu, BKLYN Dry Goods, Erin Considine, Shabd, Outlier, Graham Withers, AANDD, The American Vernacular, WE ARE HERE, DLC Brooklyn, H. Fredrikkson, Andy Lifschutz Jewelry, Tirana Jewelry, Titania Inglis, Study NY, BHON, David Neale, Better Late Than Never, ByAMT Studio, Samma, Morris Kitchen, Serum Versus Venom (SVSV), ETWAS Bags, The Keystone Design Union, Complete Techniques, Cavalier, and many more. Not to mention loads of mulled wine from City Grit and a revolving cast of buskers.

We’ll let the image gallery take it from here. Read More