The Blood of the Beasts

With mutilated bovine and realistic horror, this surrealist 1949 French documentary, Le Sang des Betes, has been described as "poetic" and "breathtaking" by viewers.

A poetic slaughterhouse? I'm confused.

But something must have struck a chord with L.A. based designer, Trang Chau, for she cites it as inspiration for her clothing designs appropriately labeled Le Sang des Betes. Featured in the November issue of Nylon US and the current issue of Nylon Japan Le Sang des Betes' "dramatic and strong lines contrasted with soft basic fabrics" have made quite the impression and are gaining popularity.

Chau tells Nylon "I use simplicity in design to create nuanced concepts and designs. I feel the simplest design can reveal the most interesting and dynamic thoughts." I couldn't agree more with her own explanation. Although she uses basic colors without pattern, the pieces in her fall collection are nothing short of stunning. At times dark but never overdone, Le Sang des Betes takes from its namesake the idea of complicated beauty. Showing that poetry can be found in the most unexpected... even in a *ahem* slaughterhouse.

Check out Les Sang De Betes' fall and spring collection online at our store angelicadebiase.com.

Goddess of the Head Dress: ADB's Exclusive Interview with Jewelery Designer Laura Kranitz

Fearless and free, hair accessory designer Laura Kranitz continues to thrill us with her bold feather pieces. They add instant glamour and a splash of sass to those bold enough to wear them. Lady Kranitz offered us a sneak peek into the mind that makes it all happen with this fun interview.






What did you want to be when you were little? What would you like to be if you weren't a designer?

I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was young. If I was not a designer today, I would most definitely want to be a judge for a chili tasting contest or a marine biologist.

How did you get started in this business?

I have always loved hair accessories. I had dreadlocks when I was younger and use to tie them up into weird shapes and put feathers
and accessories in them. That's kinda where it all started

What goes into the process of designing a headpiece?

I am a very informal designer, I generally don't start off with a specific idea in mind, the whole process in very organic. I get inspired by colors and the materials I have around me.

What is the inspiration for your work?

I am inspired by vintage designers. I love the work of Bes-Ben, Schiaparelli, Paul Poiret, Robert Goossens and vintage YSL. I am also inspired by folk jewelery and accessories.

What's your advice for someone starting their own line or business in the fashion world?

Do something creative every single day, even if you have a day job that doesn't relate to fashion and work very very hard.

What's your favorite animal and why?

My favorite animal is Lola, my lab. But I also think that octopuses are really cool. I know that octopi is the correct terminology, but I hate saying that word so we'll stick with octopuses.

What couldn't you live without?

Coffee, E6000 and the moral support from my family.

When are you happiest?

When I travel, it inspires my work and my life. I am also happiest when spending time with my family and friends.

Where's your favorite place to shop?

Barneys, antique shops and vintage clothing stores. I also love to shop at the different boutiques that carry my work, I have found that they always have a great array of interesting up and coming designers.

All Photos Courtesy of LauraKranitz.com

You can find some of Laura Kranitz's fancy feathers here on the ADB website.

What inspires you?

Have you ever seen a piece of art or design and wonder... What idea did this come from? What does this mean? Why? What inspired this?

Most of the time the internal inquiries remain unanswered. For most of us don't have Versacce on speed dial and can't channel Dali. We can, however, shed some insight on what's behind the designs of one of our fabulous designers.

Jewelry designer, Naye Quiro, has said before that her designs are direct reflections of her life experiences. But, like most great works, at first glance it's not so obvious. It's not until you talk to her, and she's able to tell you her stories that you begin to see that each piece has a history.

You see how a trip to Egypt and walk amongst the pyramids have been immortalized in silver.

Inspiration can come from something as simple as a warm night on the beach or something as complex as the intricate emotions of one living in a war zone. Whatever the case may be, I think it's the inspiration that gives art its meaning and its value. Without it, Picasso's Guernica would just be doodling on canvas. Inspiration is why we create things.

Now, what inspires you?

Peak Behind the Scenes With Naye Quiros

Check out this behind the scenes footage we scored from the Naye Quiros photo shoot. Elegant, beautiful and dare I say... s-e-x-y.

News Flash : Resort, Just In

The resort collections are here, now what?

Get the look with ADB, of course!

The new must haves:


1. sumptuous and richly colored leather bag
Bottega Veneta ruffle bag = $thousands$
Jazmin Chebar ruffle bag @ ADB = $350

2. turquoise accessories

turquoise and leather ring @ ADB

3. leather jackets and vests

Get the look with Cora Groppo @ ADB

Opinion : Agyness; Aggravating or Angelic?

Style.com's blog, Beauty Counter, seems to have a problem with Agyness' ensemble for last night's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund anniversary dinner.

I admire her spunk and the fact that she doesn't care what others think, she just puts it on and feels great (kind of like a little kid playing dress up). Not many people these days can be so detached from the words of others, and that's praiseworthy.

Sometimes I love what she wears, sometimes I hate it. But even when I hate it I still respect her for being creative in a world of so many copies.

What do YOU think of Agyness' style? Does she have "carte blanche," as the author of this blog entry suggests?

photo courtesy of style.com beauty counter blog

Fashion Tip : Peter Som is looking for interns!

Be an insider in fashion week and work for Peter Som's PR team!

Now and Then : Karl Lagerfeld

left: photo courtesy of Vogue; right: photo courtesy of Cathy Horyn's runway.blogs.nytimes.com

Who woulda thought that the Austrian cutie in lederhosen would become a world leader in clothin' (note the attempt at a rhyme)

Yet I can still see the resemblance, which proves that, although you might like to forget the crazy confections you wore as a child, style perseveres.

So Karl went from bowl cut to pony tail, sedate smile to surly frown, but here's what stuck:

- tie with some sort of bolo-type embellishment
- white shirt with prominent collar
- flashy jewelry/metallics (note similarity in shape and style between belt buckle and lederhosen adornment)

Matthew Williamson with Mariano Toledo and Naye Quiros (in English this time!)

An article on Matthew Williamson's recent fashion debut in Buenos Aires with designers Mariano Toledo and Naye Quiros.

Shop online at ADB!

Fashion News Flash : Suit Up(surge), (Wo)men -- the Suit is Back!

We've been dressing down for so long that sometimes I think the American populous has forgotten how to work it at work. That's all about to change...

Hope Lange in "Help Wanted, Female" -- photo courtesy of NYT.com

Syndicated NYT fashion columnist Eric Wilson put suits back in the fashion headlines today with his article, "The Return of the Interview Suit," on the front page of NYT Thursday Styles section.

The article gives tips on how to make the look 21st century worthy and more.

Theory suit -- photo courtesy of NYT.com

Check out ADB's takes on the Suit (Up)surge...
Still have questions? Need help with shoes, accessories, etc.? We'd be happy to help: customercare@angelicadebiase.com

feeling feminine in Fendi

a classic tweed blazer never goes out of style -- Jazmin Chebar

velvet and leather is classic but sumptuous look for winter -- Caro Guichon

brocade detailing spices up a traditional suit -- Kenzo

pink power suit from Milano's one and only -- Gianfranco Ferré

feeling daring? try a glittery Versace number

a bright blazer rocks up any outfit -- Escada

sweet set -- Escada

More Plaid!!!

photo courtesy of nyt.com

Check out this NYTimes slide show on plaid for men. Then learn how to fem it up at angelicadebiase.com or check out our earlier post on plaid.

Love It : Miss Dior Chérie Commercial

photo courtesy of catwalkqueen.com

Sofia Coppola, Dior, and Brigitte Bardot -- can it get any classier?

Last night Sofia Coppola's first TV ad ever debuted during a Gossip Girl ad break.

The ad is playful and fun, especially with Bardot's song "Moi je joue," as the soundtrack. I've used Miss Dior Chérie before, but frankly, now I'm sold (on Dior, if not on the perfume). Dior is on the mind -- now that's some good advertising.

We just got in a classic Dior blazer... very Chérie; I'll let you know when it's on the website.

Birds of a Feather : More Press on Laura Kranitz and New Pieces

New pieces have just arrived from Laura Kranitz!!!

Check out our new headbands, hair clips, bracelets, earrings, and more!

Laura Kranitz at LA Fashion Week: read the article.

photo courtesy of Racked Los Angeles

From Daily Candy, our favorite go to site for up-and-coming designers:

Once In A Lifetime Opportunity -- Vivienne Westwood!

photo courtesy of chaosmultimedia.com

Have you ever wondered what goes in the head of one of the world's most daring and out-there fashion designers?

Well here's your chance... TIME Magazine is giving YOU a chance to ask Viv any questions you may have. Only 10 will be picked -- do you have what it takes to questionnaire this fashion debonair?

Post your questions here.

Exclusive Interview with designer Naye Quiro

You may or may not have heard her name yet, but Naye Quiros (pictured <----- left) is one of the most extraordinary new jewelery designers out there. We were able to talk with her recently, and she dished on what made her decide to start designing as well as where she's hoping to go next. Below is her story, in her own words...

The beginning…
"Born in Mexico City, I lived my first years between Mexico and the USA. While studying Communications, my passion for fashion ignited, and I found myself working in Madrid, Spain for a television broadcast station (Televisa) as a reporter at the fashion catwalks in Milán.

My wandering lifestyle uncovered my passion for the world´s visual insight in its details and accessories. I studied product design at the Marangoni Istituto - Milan. That’s where I began to design contemporary jewelry. I consider my first years as 'the important silhouette' that have outlined my path. "

The present…
“I set out to break the dictatorship of fashion and what it means to wear a jewel. I don´t adapt to society, I want society to adapt to my designs. Who says you can´t wear a sphere sapphire ring (like this one found here) with jeans? Who makes the rules?”

“My refusal to follow trends has provided me strength, and my designs have broken molds. The brand certainly has freedom. I work strategically, every day to set a new fashion movement of my own. From blurring the lines between formal and informal, letting the wearer decide.”

Naye Quiro’s basics are guilty as charged. In fact, her refined elegance of all the stories and cities she has lived in have made her jewels sophisticated, simple, strong, soft, heavy, important. In every jewel she expresses her experiences, her art, her world.

Naye Quiro will undoubtedly continue to inspire, intrigue and fulfill our needs to identify our personality. Her creations are forked and can be found in the fashion world to liberate us from the visual monopoly of our time.

You can buy Naye Quiro's inspiring pieces, like these above, here.

Trend Update : PS1 -- the new IT bag?!

photo courtesy of jakandjil.com

In recession time is it really fair for the men of Proenza Schouler to tempt and taunt us with a new line of handbags? I think not.

If you're one of the lucky few, it doesn't matter -- PS is giving out their new IT BAG, the PS1, to select starlets, complete with their names embossed on a silver plate in the lining of the bag. Jealous yet?

Lazaro and McCollough talk about their new line of bags for Proenza Schouler on Style.com

Is it IT BAG worthy? What even designates something as IT? Let me know your thoughts...