Designer Jesse Kamm and pal Kate Schelter wear Kamm’s spring line

Today’s Listmaker, designer Jesse Kamm, has one of those enviable, Sundance Channel-worthy lifestyles. The L.A.-based designer fashions her cool-girl separates out of hand-printed silks, cruises through Hollywood in a custom bio-diesel Mercedes Benz, and spends half the year in Panama, on an eco-conscious reserve she and her husband recently purchased with actress Alison Lohman and other green-minded pals. Occasionally, much to the good fortune of her Manhattan-bound friends and fans, Kamm wafts into New York to show off her latest line. Unfortunately I missed her most recent visit (thanks a lot, fashion week flu) but managed to extract her well-earned wisdom on why sometimes it’s best to skip the border and head south. Get ready to get jealous:

Top 10 reason to live in Panama (Part time:)

1 Waking up at 7 am to surf for hours with no one else on the water, is a pretty centering way to start your day..

2. $. 50 “Panama” Cerveza’s

3. Hiking around in the jungle you may stumble upon a howler monkey, a crocodile, a boa constrictor, or a blue morpho butterfly….Keeps you on your toes, and reminds you that you are alive.

4. The water is always about 84 degrees, so even on a cloudy day you can sport your new bikini.

5. The humidity keeps your skin beautifully hydrated, and toxins moving out your pores.

6. No cell service keeps a gal in a deep state of relaxation: I highly suggest it!

7. Having fewer amenities to fill up your day, allows your mind the ability to open, and spawns great creativity.

8. Central America produces some of the best coffee in the world……yummmm!

9. There are no fast-food joints or strip-malls.

10. It is beautiful.

*Snaps = Wireimage

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

This being fall/winter ‘08 fashion week, for many, tis’ the season for fur. As a warm-up to his own impossibly chic, cold-weather line, Dennis Basso—aesthete of all things mink, chinchilla, and astrakhan—gives us his list of 5 movies that make fur look glamorous. Because after all, even vegans can agree that fashion icons from Julie Christie to Catherine-Zeta would have been lost without their stoles.

How to Marry a Millionaire: With Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe. Every outfit in that movie was accessorized with some form of fur or fur coat–it really showcased the true glamour of fur.

Imitation of Life: In this film Lana Turner wore furs with most of her outfits, and it was the start of fur being used in a very modern way.

Dr. Zhivago: I think we all have this immediate vision of a woman wrapped up in head-to-toe fur. It is the first thing that enters everyone’s mind when thinking about Dr. Zhivago.

Chicago: Especially the finale of the movie, which showed Renee Zellwegger and Catherine Zeta Jones wrapped in white fox fur. Also, the scene where Catherine entered the court room wearing a silver fox–all those coats were done by me.

The Devil Wears Prada: Meryl Streep’s character sports fur throughout the movie and opens the movie wearing a mink and broadtail coat, also done by me.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Chris Benz at the Sartorialist Party

In the past few months, designer Chris Benz has been sweeping the fashion industry’s popularity contest. And really, what’s not to like? In addition to his fresh aesthetic–one which revolves around a insouciant, youthful sophistication–Benz boasts inimitable personal style, impressive Ebay sleuthing skills, and is the mastermind behind a highly inventive, witty blog. But perhaps the best testament to his Zeitgeist prowess is his Facebook profile which includes a very creative list of of likes and dislikes as well as 285 friends–and counting. Taking cues from the social and modern-minded Mr. Benz, we ask him NOT for his dinner party dream list, but who in history–fact or fiction–would make the best Facebook friends:

1. Carol Channing
2. Jacqueline Bouvier
3. Margot Tenenbaum
4. Jacques de Bascher de Beaumarchais
5. Suri Cruise
6. Carol Burnett
7. Colette
8. Phyllis Diller
9. Martha Plimpton
10. Lord Alfred ‘Bosie’ Douglas

*Snaps= Wireimage 

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Rock’n'Republic’s Michael Ball, Lydia Hearst, and Andrea Bernholtz backstage at the Fall 08 Rock’n'Republic show

Last night was a big night for Rock’n'Republic’s Michael Ball–and the runway show spectacular was only the start of it. After the major sh-arty*, festivities for the denim brand continued at Manhattan’s Oak club (more on that later). Continuing in our tradition of artfully random designer lists, we asked the blue jean guru to share his favorite indigo-colored items. In no particular order (because really, you know if someone threatened to withhold his Red Bull, and he had to get all hierarchical, jeans would certainly top his list) they are:

Noble M 400 (car) - Blue
Ford GT (car) - Blue
Shelby Mustang GT350 SR (car) - Blue
Greg Moore¹s Indy 500 helmet
Adidas Gazelle¹s in Kentucky University Blue
Japon Adidas Track Jacket
Red Bull

Sky
Ocean
Jeans

*Show/party

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Sue Stemp, with a few of her fashionable friends in Paris

Oh to be Sue Stemp: To be known for your stellar wit, endearing charm, fancy friends, and even fancier dresses. (Check out her blog to confirm these superlatives for yourself.) To follow in the footsteps of the savvy designer and her international hot-spot-hopping ways–who, by the way, debuts her fall 2008 collection today–file these addresses away.

Sue Stemp’s Top 10 Places around the World for a Drink…and a Nibble:

1. Mathi’s. When I am in Paris I always visit Mathi’s red velvet bar just off the Champs-Elysées for a cocktail and to hear an old disco classic.

2. The Norwood. An Arts club in a gorgeous nineteenth century mansion on 14th Street in New York. You are bound to run into someone interesting over Plymouth and Hendricks and shrimp toast at the downstairs bar.

3. Mohonk Mountain House. Beautiful massive lodge on a lake in upstate New York. Really, if you want a good fishy nibble you will have to come here during the annual Burns Scottish Weekend for the smoked kippers.

4.Xochimilco. Floating garden and canals built by the Aztecs just south of Mexico City. You hire a boat and passing boats come by selling snacks and drinks and renting mariachis.

5. Villa Xanadu. a massive 1929 mansion built right on the beach in Veradero, Cuba. The beach is beautiful and the beach bars make excellent grilled lobster and mojitos.

6. The Anchor Pub. It’s on the seawall in my hometown of Burnham-on-Crouch. You can get a cup of fresh winkles from the fishmonger right around the corner.

7. Minetta Tavern. I used to live above this onetime speakeasy in Greenwich Village. It’s a great restaurant with an interior that has hardly changed since the 30’s.

8. Pike’s, Ibiza. Every time you motor up the gravel drive of this famous hotel it’s the overture to Wham’s “Tropicana”! You may see Mr. Pike eyeing the ladies as you have a cocktail at the poolside bar.

9. Malabar House, Fort Cochin, Kerala, India. An amazing hotel in a 18th century Dutch house with an great restaurant serving South Indian food.

10. Branford, Connecticut. I come here in the summer with my husband and his family to eat just-caught bass while watching the sun set over Long Island Sound.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Designer Erin Fetherston

California-native-turned-Paris-expat-turned-Manhattan-resident Erin Fetherston has had a busy year. Her Target collection hit (and subsequently flew off the shelves) stores, she and her artistic auteur fiancé Hedi Ferjani relocated to lower Manhattan, and, right this second, she’s finishing up a very impressive fall 2008 collection which will be unveiled tomorrow at the Bryant Park tents.

While others may query her on her inspiration and favorite fairytales, Fetherston can talk the real New York talk; specifically real estate, restaurants, and where a woman of impeccable good taste gets her shopping done.

Here, the talented Miss Fetherston (whose tres chic Paris abode has been featured in many a glossy magazine) points out her top 5 favorite home décor shops:

1. ABC Home; shop with Matt Falcone
2. Degournay for wallpaper
3. Erin Martin; she has a store in St. Helena, C.A. and her style is really cool
4. Maurice Villency in NYC
5. Bleu Nature for eco-decor

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

While some designers only show their affection for the art and music scene at benefit events, Elise Øverland’s connection to those creative circles runs deeper than most. The Norwegian-born New York-base designer has long outfitted her downtown pals and arts section all-stars (including artist Hope Atherton and Elephant’s Diego Garcia) with elegantly rebellious leather, lambskin, and silk threads. While she prepares to unveil her stage-ready fall collection (which she’ll show later this week as one of Ecco Domani’s elite circle of designers), Øverland reveals what sounds like music to her ears. It’s no surprise–considering her classic rock aesthetic–that more than a few hall of famers top her list:

Elise Øverland’s Top 10 Iconic Rock Bands

• Led Zeppelin
• Pink Floyd
• The Doors
• Rolling Stones
• Jimi Hendrix
• David Bowie
• Steven Tyler/ Aerosmith (He’s the most amazing stage performer)
• Elvis
• Os Mutantes (a quite interesting band emerging out of the Brazilian psychedelic 60’s movement)
• White Stripes (one of my favorites as far as newer bands)

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

In honor of this exciting fashion fact (FYI, it’s Lam’s second season designing for les yeux, but his most recent batch of frames are chic enough to rival even the storied Ray Bans–a pretty impressive feat to say the least) , designer Derek Lam shares his top 5 favorite Sunglass-Wearing Style Icons:

…as well as a little sneak peek at his killer shades (approx. $320 each):

Snaps: Jackie O, Lolita, Dylan, Jack Nicholson, Warhol, and shades from the designer himself

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

Sang A Im-Propp

While ready-to-wear designers are hunkered down in their studios preparing for the upcoming fashion week, accessory gurus have some time to bask in the sun—and praise. Today handbag designer Sang A Im-Propp joins the insightful Listmakers crew. The Korea-born, New York-based Propp—who recently scored a Samsung award & grant for her forward-thinking styles, thank you very much—is best known for her sculptural exotic skin bags as well as being one of Manhattan’s best-dressed residents.

With a nod to her artistic inclinations, she lists off her Top 5 Favorite Sculptors. Not familiar with all? Get thee to Artnet or–if in the NYC area–to Cooper Hewitt, where an illuminating exhibition on #3 is currently on view.

Top 5 Sculptors:

1. Ellsworth Kelly
2. Roberto Mora
3. Ingo Maurer
4. Jim Campbell
5. Richard Serra

Art Snap Sources: Maurer, Kelly, Serra, Campbell

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook

With her first online boutique about to debut, Abaeté’s New York-based designer Laura Poretzky hands over her list of her Top 5 Favorite (offline) Places to Shop:

1. Rosa Cha store in Rio. Amazing! Like a candy store of bikinis. Every single color, shape and size (usually very small), you can imagine.

2. Hillary Rush in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect one stop shop for a fabulous evening dress, or the best pair of jeans and t-shirt. (Hillary also happens to be amazing and so much fun.)

3. The Herve Leroux store in saint Germain. The store is the most precious little store, with HeLeger’rve s custom made elastic dresses. You can spend a few bucks, but you’ll keep one of those dresses for years, and there happens to be nothing sexier.

4. The Assouline store in saint Germain. The best book store! I love their Proust questionaire, and their different book sets.

5. Todd Merill in New York for mid Century furniture. You can always find and amazing Parzinger chest, or a strangely beautiful Paul Evans side table.

Love This Story? Buzz It Up Here!

Stumble It! Save to del.icio.us Digg Email Facebook