NYLON Magazine - September 2007 - (Page 94) watch it: “A while back we moonlighted on a little T-shirt line, and it was so cool in the summer seeing girls walk by in our clothing,” says Yoon Chang, one member of the duo behind the recently launched New York clothing line, Whistle & Flute. “It’s such a high to see someone else in something you made.” This past February, Chang and partner Je-Won Hwang left their respective design posts at Cynthia Steffe to finally create the collection that they had dreamed of for the past nine years. “Our friendship developed out of our work,” Chang says, “so that we knew when we started we wouldn’t be killing each other.” But despite its founders’ experience in the industry, Whistle & Flute, named after the words for “Suit” in Cockney rhyming slang, is taking baby steps to ensure its success. To start, this fall the pair presents a mini capsule collection showcasing velvet appliquéd silk blouses, city-ready high-waisted trousers, and the perfect little black dress. NAOMI NEVITT For more information, see whistleflute.com. whistle & flute photographed by james mahon. stylist: charles manning. hair: aaron pursell at bumble and bumble. makeup: tamah krinsky for estée lauder. model: megan l at new york models. top and skirt by whistle & flute, hat by the village scandal, vintage belt by screaming mimi’s. ubiq, courtesy of ubiq. still lifes: chika kobari. WHISTLE & FLUTE YANK MY CHAIN “I’ve been drawn to the design aesthetic of Northern Africa and the Middle East for quite some time,” says Robindira Unsworth, whose ethnic-style Robindira jewelry label branches out this season to include full offerings in men’s and fine jewelry. Leaving behind her peaceful, flowerfilled cottage in Petaluma, CA, each season the journeying designer hones in on one or two far-flung locations to inform her creations. A friend’s over-the-top royal Jordanian wedding, for instance, influenced a group of hammered gold and bold stone pieces. Bangle bracelets, big hoop earrings, and stackable nesting rings encrusted with giant moonstones and rose quartz also feature prominently in Unsworth’s oeuvre. Even better, most pieces come in both gold and silver, which Unsworth herself prefers to combine for “an effortless, casual look that you can garden in.” JENNY FELDMAN For more information, see robindira.com. space invader: ubiq sneaker store, philadelphia There aren’t many stores that convince me to change my buying habits but Ubiq, a recently renovated sneaker emporium in Philadelphia, is responsible for my wearing Nikes again after many years of Chucks, Chucks, and more Chucks. Featuring a jaw-dropping, sleek design—from an entire room dedicated to Vans to an impressive gallery space and glass cases fit for Cinderella’s slippers, but housing colorful kicks instead—Ubiq could convince anyone to expand their sneaker horizons. There’s also a vast collection of streetwear labels such as Stüssy Deluxe, Alife, and of course big brands like Nike. If these fail to impress, Ubiq also carries dead stock from the past 25 years. ANDREA CUSICK 1509 Walnut St, Philadelphia; 215.988.0194. whistleflute.com robindira.com
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