Brooklyn-based We-Flashy makes design-driven, reflective streetwear for cyclists and pedestrians who want to be safe without compromising style (think houndstooth, classic textile patterns, and nautical stripes, as opposed to a crossing guard look). The reflective designs are barely visible in the daytime, but light up at night if a car’s headlights catch them.

We-Flashy co-founders Alex Vessels & Mindy Tchieu launched the brand while they were both grad students–and casual cyclists–at NYU’s Interactive Telecommunications Program. As Vessels explains, “We-Flashy was our final project in a wearable technology course. . . Mindy and I are casual cyclists, and we, especially Mindy, were getting frustrated with not being seeing as we were biking through the city and to class.” Tchieu concurs: “I had just started biking around Manhattan more and found the experience very stressful, especially at night, because even with bike lights, it was as if I was invisible!”

After a series of brainstorming sessions and prototypes (which included everything from “an
inflatable, glowing, bike-powered suit” to an blow-up “brain helmet”), the pair landed on the ultra-visible, very wearable reflective line, and We-Flashy was born. A successful Kickstarter campaign encouraged the designers to turn their student project into a full-time business. They now hand-make every piece to order out of their Brooklyn studio, an old storage silo on the Gowanus Canal. “It’s been the site of many parties,” the pair notes. And “it’s an amazingly unique space, circular with interesting acoustics.”

So what’s next for We-Flashy? “We’re very excited about 2012!” Vessels and Tchieu say. “We hope to expand our lineup with new designs, bright summer/neon colors, new retroreflective materials, and maybe even kids sizes (a big request from parents) at some point.”

For more info and to buy, check out We-Flashy.com.

And check out the gallery and video below.

We-Flashy.com – Reflective Clothing for Modern Times from Alex Vessels on Vimeo.

*All images courtesy of We-Flashy

Rennes celebrates craftsmanship and timeless simplicity with gorgeous, must-touch leather goods and accessories (check out the gallery below!). The Boston-based line was launched three years ago by self taught designer Julia Okun, who named the company in honor of Rennes le Château, a village in southern France known its local lore and mystery. Okun drafts, cuts and sews every piece in each collection, inspired by the idea that “making an item by hand creates community.”

Ms. Okun graciously took the time to speak with us earlier this week:

Where did you learn your craft?
I learned to sew at an early age from my Mom and Aunt, but only started working with leather about three years ago. Working with leather is really different than fabric, and I’m completely self-taught. I read a few books and just experimented a lot. I bet if I took a class on leather working today I would learn I’m not doing anything by the book! When I started I had no idea it would turn into a business, so I’ve been really lucky in that regard.

I understand the name comes from a small French town–what’s your connection there?
When I started, I called my line Rennes le Chateau, which is a town/Chateau in the south of France. About a year into making bags I realized that name was way too complicated, so I shortened it to Rennes, which actually is another place in France. As a kid, I was really obsessed with any kind of conspiracy theory, and a lot of the “Da Vinci Code” theories are based around the myths in Rennes le Chateau. For some reason (which I’ve forgotten), it made sense for me to call my line that.

And last, what sort of person do you see yourself designing for, and what do you hope people will get out of your line?
I see myself designing for an independent person who doesn’t want labels or brands all over their clothes. One of the reasons I started making bags was because I couldn’t find one I liked. Most of the people in Boston have Longchamp, Coach, or Louis Vuitton bags, and you can see them coming from a mile away. I don’t want to be defined by the clothes I wear – I want it to be the other way around. For the longest time, I didn’t want to put any labels in my bags but friends and family told me I should, so I finally caved in. At least, I hope, they are discreet and classy! I want people to use what they buy from me for a really long time, so I always try to think of making timeless and trendless pieces.

For more information (and to buy), check out RennesHandmade.com. [Note to last minute holiday shoppers--they make great gifts!!] And to see some of Okun’s musings and sources of inspiration, check out her blog at blog.renneshandmade.com.

All images courtesy Rennes.

In direct defiance of the chillier weather that currently surrounds us, we’re opting for warmer weather dreams–courtesy of L.A.-born, New York-based designer Danielle Ribner’s chic new Loup Spring 2012 collection (gallery below).

Pronounced “Lou”–like the French word “loup,” which means “wolf”–the brand’s name comes from Ribner’s childhood nickname, Lou. Loup began in 2008 as a tennis clothing line, supplying resorts and tennis players with streamlined, midcentury French-influenced clothing “that brought references from the zeitgeist into a game with classic American style.” From there, Ribner developed her current, contemporary women’s label, a marriage of Parisian style ideals and classic, comfortable American sportswear.

Ribner took the time to answer a few questions for ArtSlope earlier this week. . .

How did you get into fashion?
I always had a passion for art, and fashion seemed like the best way to make a career out of it. I attended Parsons School of Design after college and fell in love with the craft, design, and process of creating a clothing line.

Are there any “fashion rules” you yourself live by?
I don’t think there are any fashion rules, but I try to make sure I don’t leave the house in anything that doesn’t feel like the best version of me. I always tell people, if it doesn’t make you feel cool, then don’t buy it.

What sort of woman do you see yourself designing for?
I design for a woman who likes to have whimsy her life, but still feels grounded in the reality of her day. I see her as someone who appreciates the creative world around her, but also wants to function in that world at her very best.

Last, what do you hope women will get out of your line?
I hope when women wear Loup they feel extremely comfortable, inspired, and very much themselves so they can feel confident and motivated in whatever they do. And because it is manufactured with so much care, it can be worn over and over again, getting better each time.

For more information and to buy, visit louponline.com.
All images courtesy of Loup.

Just in time for the warmer weather, Austrian fashion designer Lena Hoschek presents her new 2011 sunglasses collection.

Just like her clothing line, the 2011 eye-wear collection was inspired by Hoschek’s life-long loves: ’40s and ’50s pinups, traditional materials and patterns, and, at the same time, rock n’ roll, tattoos, bad boys and fast cars. According to Hoschek, her designs are made “for all the Sophia Lorens and Marilyns of today.”

To learn more or purchase, visit lenahoschek.com.

*above: Lena Hoschek, portrait by Cherry Muffin Studios.

*Images courtesy of Lena Hoschek

Inspired by the shapes and lines of a classic sailboat, Haiiku‘s Spring/Summer 2011 collection offers hip, pretty twists on very ladylike pieces.

Vancouver-based fashion designer Iris Taborsky-Tasa launched Haiiku in 2005, and has since combined her love of clean lines and vintage in every collection. She places special emphasis on comfort, as well as ethical production and materials; the S/S 2011 line includes silks, cottons, cotton/linens, tencel (made from wood pulp), post-production cotton knit, and upcycled leather. The result? Classically cool pieces you’ll want to wear again and again.

According to Taborsky-Tasa, “I love the billowy nature and movement of the sails – the way they span out and collapse. There is a certain romanticism that surrounds sailing and a long voyage at sea. It was only natural that this would set the tone and overall mood for the collection.”

H a i i k u is available in select boutiques in Canada and the U.S., as well as through its online store. A complete list of retailers can be found at www.haiiku.com.

*All images courtesy of Haiiku.

Rachel Rose‘s one-of-a-kind, artful tees are each painted or dyed by hand. Her sweet, boxy-silhouettes sport colorful inkblots and square prints, inspired by a few of the designer’s favorite painters and good ol’ intuition. The result is effortless-looking – hip and elegant.

Ms. Rose’s made-to-order pieces run $78 and up, and are available at byrachelrose.com and Etsy.

Here’s more from the up-and-coming designer, in her own words…

What’s your background?
I was born in Tucson, AZ, grew up in Tampa, FL, and went to school at Florida State University for fashion design. I moved to NYC about 6 years ago and started working in the fashion industry. I’ve worked in production, technical design, and graphic/print design. My experience with print design led me to take a painting on silk class at FIT. And this is where my love for print and design conceptualized into designing hand-painted collections.

What is the inspiration behind the inkblot and squares collections? Are any particular artists, movements, or modern culture elements that you draw inspiration from? I see Josef Albers in some right away.
For the Square Group, yes, Albers is definitely in there. I am also inspired by Mondrian and Rothko in this collection. But truly, I notice after the fact and in my mind the first inspiration comes from instinct on how the shapes will lay on the body and how the colors will layer together.

The Inkblot collection developed after an experiment of just dripping the paint on a folded piece of silk. When I picked it up, it reminded me of Rorschach tests, also know as inkblot tests.

Are there any elements of sustainability associated with your line?
I find silk to be a very sustainable fabric. It is biodegradable and its production does not lend to soils depleted of their nutrients and heavy pesticide use as with other natural fibers. A facility that produces silk can sustain itself for decades. But my main concern is in the dyeing processes of fabric. The fact that I am a very small business and make very limited quantities serves for less waste in itself. But in the cases of mass production, I would strive to use new methods and technology for dyeing. There is development of waterless dyeing that could be very important to the future of the clothing industry as fresh water supplies run low in the large dyeing regions such as China and India.

**And check out an excerpt from Rachel Rose’s April 1st interview with BreakThru Radio‘s Sew & Tell. To hear the complete April 1st episode, click here.

*All images courtesy of the designer.

Raina Zarfaty, the owner of LA-based Raina Belts, believes the belt should be more than just functional – it should make a statement. So her line ranges from vintage-inspired feminine pieces to boldly glamorous, fashion-forward accessories.

Raina Belts’ collections consistently combine original styles with custom metal hardware and supple leathers. For its latest offering – the 2011 Spring/Summer collection – the major themes are sailing (check out the sail knot belts below), exotic wildlife (snake belt, anyone?), and sophisticated splashes of metal.

*all images courtesy of Raina Belts