Lesley Taylor is the founder of WHAT designers and a freelance web designer. Her passion for bold, modern, emerging design inspired her to launch the WHAT designers which promotes and sells the work of independent designers. Originally from the UK, Lesley now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and 3 boys. She misses still misses Twiglets, but just can’t do without the California sun.
I know they’re terribly girly, but I just love me some flowers. I especially love just stepping out in the garden and getting some huge rangey rose and plopping it in a vase. Roses aren’t my favorite, I’m more of a gerbera girl – but you can’t argue with roses from your own garden. These independent designers have worked with a floral theme ranging from the vintage looking letterpress coasters of Sarah Parrot, bold modern blooms of Taïr Mercier and abstracted jewelry of Selina Campbell. Each captures that summer spirit, and well, they’re just gosh darn fabulous! Click on the SLIDESHOW to see more flowers!
Casual Friday has gone too far - bring back fancy dress! No, not that kind. Thank goodness these designers have stepped up and designed some drop-dead gorgeous cufflinks. Yes, that does mean they don’t work with a t-shirt – sorry chaps – but how about a shirt once in a while? The good news is that, unlike ties, you can wear a shirt with cufflinks and jeans. Cufflinks can be modern, funny, geeky– sometimes all at the same time. One of my favorite cufflink designers is Groglmann’s Retro Classy Cufflinks. His work is uber geeky and very funny – Lego blocks, Darth Vader helmets and Monopoly pieces. If you want something a little more modern and understated, you just can’t go wrong with the Steward/Stand stud set. Oh, and just in case you forgot….Father’s Day is just around the corner. Cufflinks, I say, cufflinks!
Ever since Frankie said “Relax,” on his infamous t-shirt, I have tried to live a life devoted to fulfilling the prophecy of slogans. And I guess I’m not the only one! I just love the way indie designers have taken words, mixed in bold, modern design, and added twist of humor. You’ll love the charmingly naughty necklaces by Trashy Deluxe, the simply delightful work of Paloma’s Nest, and, for something very tweenish, the rockstar bracelet from Insane Jellyfish. Click SEE SLIDESHOW for 13 great slogan-inspired accessories for all texty tastes.
There’s something about wearing white that makes me feel all summery and Marilyn Monroe-like. You know, a little bit sweet, a little bit saucy. But I didn’t really want to chit-chat about divas from yesteryear. No, I’d like to share my passion for emerging designers. Whether it’s super modern stylings from Cake, the retro-chic vibe of Rose La Biche or art you can wear from
I’m not sure if it was the new prints that I received from artist Dayna Gedney - or a recent trip to the beach, but I am feeling the motion of the ocean all right these days. Living in Northern California means that the beach on a hot sunny day carries with it a 90% chance that you’ll develop hypothermia if you dare to put a toe in the water. Or is it just me? So, let’s get back on track! Ocean life and sea creatures - with that in mind, here’s some work from the best and brightest in the world of independent design.
I was thrilled to tiny bits when Stylehive approached me to be a guest blogger. I spend a lot of time hiving independent design finds – but to included in the Stylehive bloggeratti, well isn’t that just “golden!” So to celebrate, I’ve got some gorgeous golden finds. Now of course, these items aren’t solid gold….we are, after all, talking about independent designers, and in some cases it’s more of a hint of gold. For me, independent design is about creative flair and entrepreneurial spirit. It’s about work that is fabulously designed, beautifully crafted, but also concerned with environmental and social issues. Not in a lecturing way, but rather an “I know I don’t NEED another top, but its organic bamboo and I should really show my support of independent designers” kind of way. If you’re still reading…stop…and check out my SLIDESHOW already!
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