Peppermint June

Attention all you ladies out there who still wish you were a four-year-old again. Not a care in in the world, all dressed up in your bright colored knit dresses and floral stirrup pants. Well now you can vicariously relive your childhood through Peppermint June!

Started by Julia Calgiano (my cousin!) and based in St. Augustine, Florida, Peppermint June is in the beginning stages of production. But so far, the line looks promising. The pieces are colorful, bubbly, and cute. If lollipops and sugarplums could design, these dresses, tees, and accessories would be their masterpieces. And with a name like "I'm no flower child, but I love a good peace rally" for PJ's white eyelet tube dress, how could you not want to channel your inner (flower) child?

Barbi's birthday bash sequin bubble dress


I'll have the lemon sorbet button-up dress


I'm no flower child, but I love a good peace rally white tube dress


Polly's perfect picnic plaid dress


With love, Sailor Sal short-sleeve top

Click here for more information on Peppermint June and where to buy.

D.C. Fashion Week

This winter D.C. will get some much deserved recognition as an international fashion center. The bi-annual week long D.C. Fashion Week began a few years ago and its mission is to put promote economic development for designers, models, producers, and people involved in fashion in D.C., as well as to put D.C. on the map as a top player in the international fashion world.

In such an international city home to world embassies and international corporations, it's strange that D.C. is not known for it's international fashion. The Ukrainian Embassy and the French Embassy will open their doors to special fashion shows documenting international style during D.C. Fashion Week.

In addition, local designers and independent designers (and even Betsy Johnson!) will be featured throughout the week.

D.C. Fashion Week will take place from this February 24 - March 2, 2008. For a complete schedule and designer bios, visit www.dcfashionweek.org.

Mary-Kate Olsen wears stripper shoes

The Fashion Nugget hearts Mary-Kate Olsen because she can wear a plaid throw as a dress and get away with it. This week, she's stealing our hearts yet again in these six inch Giambattista Valli "Victoria" shoes (named after Victoria Beckham). We love the juxtaposition of the hot-pink stripper-esque heels with her very lady-like frock. Work it girl.

If you love MK's style as much as we do, The Fashion Nugget knows where you can purchase an extremely similar style of one of MK's famous pieces -- her Balenciaga black boots.

Victoria's Secret's online store is currently carrying this Sam Edelman strapped bootie quite similar to the Balenciaga model for only $170.

Miu Miu Spring 2008 collection

Miu Miu's Spring 2008 collection borders on the edge of high fashion because of its heavily theatrical influence. But because of its wearability, the collection remains accessible and extremely influential for what the Fashion Nugget deems as progressive style.

Designer Miuccia Prada drew her inspiration for the collection from the idea of "life as theater, and all the clichés of how people represent themselves in the world." Note the harlequin and French maid influences in the printed tunics, tutus, and bloomers. Photo credit: style.com

What do you all think of the Miu Miu Spring 2008 collection? Does Miuccia Prada's message come across in the clothes?

Married to the Mob

Married to the Mob (MOB) is the self-proclaimed "streetwear label designed for women and by women. Streetwear labels for women are few and far between. More and more are have been popping up only in the last couple years, but they are still relatively under the radar. (A great magazine for women's streetwear/urban fashion and pop culture -- and also some really provocative Jane-magazine-[R.I.P.]-with-a-ghetto-twang writing -- is Missbehave Magazine).

This is my favorite MOB t-shirt, hands down:

"My girls rock Balenciaga and smoke mad marijuana" t-shirt, $40

Is it me, or does this hoodie remind you of "Face" from Nick Jr.?

The Mobilicious Pink Zip-Up in Hot Pink, $145

MOB pays homage to Dr. Dre with this t-shirt:

The Ain't Shit t-shirt in Navy, $40

Married to the Mob is available on their website or at karmaloop.com.

DURKL

D.C. brand DURKL Clothing boasts some of the loudest, brightest color combinations out there -- and that's why the Fashion Nugget loves them!


If you're looking for some basic blue jeans, you won't find them at DURKL. You will, however, find bright yellow, teal, and purple jeans! In my opinion, this line embodies the new direction urban fashion is headed. It's bold, bright, and takes chances.

Indian3 t-shirt, $30

Zebra hoody jacket, $119

As of now, their women's selection is a bit sparse. They currently only carry women's t-shirts, but what they do have gets beaucoup props from the Fashion Nugget. (And side note to DURKL: Make a crooked rain hoodie!)

Durklmania t-shirt, $30

DURKL Clothing can be found online and at Palace Five Skateshop on 14th Street in D.C. Photo credit: durkl.com

Benjamin Franklin is the King of Hip-Hop

It's been quite some time, but the Fashion Nugget has been busy writing papers and studying for finals. Our apologies for being so un-fashionably late in letting you know what's up in the fashion world!

Friend/aspiring DJ, Soohan, told me about a unique line called Sould which has turned crewneck sweatshirts into a hot streetwear item. Soohan owns the "Down With the King" crewneck featuring the face of our $100 bill donning a crown and a chain. Who knew Benjamin Franklin could be so hood -- and pull it off?




Sould currently sells t-shirts and crewneck sweatshirts and can be purchased at Pedestrian, 252 South St., Philadelphia. Pedestrian will be making its way to Baltimore in the near future. Check the Sould website for more locations where apparel is sold.