Madewell

It’s Back: The Transport Tote

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

Good news: It’s finally warm enough for those upstate jaunts and coastal road trips you’ve been dreaming about. Even better? The beloved bag you’ll need for all of ’em is now back in stock. Cleanly cut in different shades of buttery leather, it’s bound to look even better as you wear it in. Which is good, considering how many summertime adventures you have ahead.

Get it now before it takes a summer holiday of its own.

Labels We Love: Plomo

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:00:00 -0400

We love tucking our toes into wooden wedges and easy heels all summer long, but finding a versatile sandal for a few days away is no simple task. Enter Plomo®, whose effortless and easygoing flat sandals are perfect for slipping into your carry-on.

Designers Keltse Bilbao and Galia Katz founded the line in 2010 and we’ve been enthralled with their supercomfortable—and superstylish—traditional sandals ever since. Inspired by footwear from the Spanish island of Menorca, these cushy slip-ons come in a trio of faded beachy colors, meaning they will perfectly pair with your lightest summer layers. Slip them on with our breezy Bandana Dress or use them as a laid-back pop of color to your favorite cutoffs. There’s no way vacation can be far when these are near.

Photo

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:14:00 -0400

A Label We Love: Mollusk Surf Shop

Mon, 06 May 2013 16:54:13 -0400

The California surf spirit is alive and well, as evidenced by Mollusk Surf Shop’s San Francisco and Venice Beach shops. Inside you’ll find surfboards (naturally) and coastal-inspired art, as well as the supersoft tees and sweatshirts with sun-washed graphics that we love. We asked the founders of the eight-year-old house of cool, John McCambridge and Johanna St. Clair, to share their secrets for capturing the endless summer.

Above: One of Mollusk’s signature graphics. San Francisco friends can stop by Madewell at 845 Market Street on the evening of May 16th to meet the Mollusk duo and take home one of their limited-edition screen prints (gratis!) while they last.

Where do you find inspiration for the designs of your tees and sweatshirts?

Old movies, travel, European magazines, vintage Brazilian record covers and people watching in Dolores Park.

The California-inspired art on your site is fantastic. Which prints do you find emulate the surf spirit of San Francisco and Venice Beach the most?

We love the work from “It’s All Around You,” the photography of Kanoa Zimmerman and Barrett Gentz. Thomas Campbell’s work is always iconic, and we can’t resist Nat Russell’s silk-screened posters.

Mollusk’s book collection is off the charts. What factors do you keep in mind while curating the shop’s literary mix?

We like photography books, like the ones from Akira Kobayashi and Slim Aarons. We also like books that focus on the handmade, ranging from Pacific Northwest hippie houses to Cuban poster art.

What local spots do you and your clientele typically hit up after a day of surfing?

Our friends Dave Muller and Lana Porcello have the perfect post-surf restaurant around the corner from our San Francisco shop called Outerlands.

In your mind, what are the four quintessential colors of California?

Capitola green, bright khaki, olde yellow and lots of indigo.

What’s on your current soundtrack?

Michael Hurley, Alice Coltrane, Orlandivo, Jonathan Richman, The Left Banke and Little Wings. (Our eight-year-old daughter is singing backup on their new album!) We also enjoy listening to whatever the great Andy Cabic, friend and frontman of Vetiver, is spinning.

Which stores, shops and stops are essential to living a California surf lifestyle?

The Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Amoeba Music, Gjelina and the Bolinas Free Box.

Host Well: A Cinco de Mayo Party

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:15:11 -0400

A celebration of Mexican culture, Cinco de Mayo is one of our favorite holidays, and a true sign that spring has finally sprung. While we’re gearing up for the 5^th, we’ve put together a no-fail five-step guide to throwing the perfect fiesta, featuring ideas from some of our favorite bloggers around. (No pre-made margarita mix here, folks!)

1. The Pretty Piñata:

You’re going to burst through it in ten seconds flat, but a gorgeous paper-machéd piñata is an exciting upgrade on the classic party-store variety. Refinery29’s homemade ombre version is a masterpiece just begging to be filled with multicolored sweets.

2. The Discerning Drink Menu:

Everyone claims to know the perfect margarita recipe, but this one from Flourishing Foodie may actually be the only one you’ll need. And, for friends who will be opting out of alcoholic libations, Smitten Kitchen’s Melon Agua Fresca, made from cantaloupe and honeydew juice, is also a refreshingly sweet treat.

3. The Pared-Down Party Snacks:

These couldn’t-be-easier guacamole and salsa recipes from A Beautiful Mess take a split second to make, leaving more time for, you know, partying.

4. The D.I.Y. Décor:

Buying and hanging banners can be a pain, but all you’ll need for this oh-so-easy play off traditional fiesta bunting from Oh Happy Day is colored tissue paper, twine, scissors and tape.

5. The Gussied-Up Goblets:

We’re all for these swirly tri-colored goblets, made from recycled glass—can’t you see a lime sitting pretty atop the rim?

Notes from Madewell HQ: Weekend Getaway Essentials

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

We look forward to sunny mini-breaks as much as anyone (in fact, we’re counting down the seconds until Memorial Day weekend) so we deemed it the perfect time to ask some stylish ladies here at the office: What’s the one Madewell item you’ll be bringing along for fun in the sun?

Joyce Lee, accessory design whiz

The Turnabout Sandal

“The mini wedge heel makes it supereasy to run around in. Plus, they’ll go with anything I pack.”

Susan Cernek, resident wordsmith

Bamboula Ltd. Beach Bag.

“The woven texture makes it beach-ready indeed, but the dark, unflashy hue means I can wear it once the sun goes down (or away entirely, come fall).”

Alice Bucaille, art director/guru

The Tanksuit in Solid

“It’s simple yet sexy and I like how it dips low in the back. I wear the Two-Tone Chambray Shirt as a cover-up.”

Sun Choe, merchandise maven

Hepcat Shades in Tortoise

“I love the shape and they double as sunnies for my son in a pinch.”

Calling All LA Foodies: You Won’t Want To Miss This Bash

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 16:52:00 -0400

Two of LA’s best chefs (Nancy Silverton of Mozza and Roy Choi of Kogi BBQ) will team up with the big names behind Paris’ top-rated restaurants (Inaki Aizpitarte of Le Chateaubriand, Grégory Marchand of Frenchie) for the first ever Le Grand Fooding Crush Paris-LA 2013, a two-day food festival outside of the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA on April 26^th and 27^th.The tasty spectacular is hosted by Le Fooding, an insider-y culture and culinary guide that chronicles the French foodie scene with a supremely cool, “what-to-know-now” point of view. (Think if Anthony Bourdain edited New York Magazine.) So it’s no wonder they planned this event with the same avant-garde approach they use in their essential restaurant guides.

With commemorative T-shirts designed by Shepard Fairey and French street artist André Saraiva and a portion of proceeds benefitting the LA Food Bank, it’s a soirée with so much more than cross-coastal food.

Tickets range from $50 to $125, and are available here. (A small price to pay for the closest you’ll get to visiting Paris for the night.)

On Our Way to San Jose: 5 Must-See Stops

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 17:35:00 -0400

We just opened our first store in San Jose and so, to mark the occasion, we thought we’d share our five favorite spots in this quaint corner of California. Think Egyptian relics, homemade favorites and grown-up board games.

1. The Worldly Wonder

Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum & Planetarium

This local institution houses the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in western North America. There are real mummies in there. Need we say more?

2. The Textile Shrine

San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles

We’re suckers for interesting fabrics and patterns, so it’s our must-see for a steady stream of unexpected DIY inspiration.

3. The Healthful Pit Stop

The San Jose Tofu Company

This small, under-the-radar shop in Japantown specializes in homemade tofu and unbelievably fresh soy milk. Try their tofu pudding with ginger syrup on a lazy Saturday afternoon.

4. The Big-Time Board Game

Monopoly in the Park

We didn’t believe it at first, but just outside the Children’s Discovery Museum is a life-sized Monopoly board etched right into the concrete. There are even gigantic plush dice, wearable playing pieces and an on-site banker doling out paper money—it puts the board game version to shame.

5. The Coffee Class

Barefoot Coffee

Though coffee culture can be a bit snobbish, this local roastery instead focuses on educating its clientele. Between espresso and drip samplings, cold brew tastings and roasting classes, it’s an aromatic (not to mention tasty) learning experience.

A Label We Love: Skargorn

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 09:58:21 -0400

As Barcelona celebrates Lover’s Day—a sweet holiday that honors romantic writers Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare, who died one day apart in April of 1616—and the season of l’amour falls upon us (you know, the birds and the bees and all), we’re putting the spotlight on one label we adore: SkarGorn™.

As the brainchild of LA-based, Danish-bred denim expert Rikke Korff, SkarGorn is chock-full of fuss-free, carefully thought out items that walk that oh-so-fine line of casual yet sophisticated. Skargorn’s thin skinnies and wear-wherever tanks (including a striped version that’s exclusively ours) are the layering pieces you’ll reach for when sticky summer heat settles in.

Great Dressing, Direct From Tennessee

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:11:00 -0400

Photos by Jessica Comingore.

Along with Sous Style, Tomboy Style and 4th and Bleeker, Pennyweight is currently topping our daily must-read list, as the Nashville-based blogger (aka Elise Joseph) speaks our language completely. Blogger, style guru and curator extraordinaire, she has her finger on the pulse of the best indie music, stylish home goods, new shopping destinations—the works. In other words, if it’s artfully cool, you can bet it’s on her well-rounded radar.

Her impeccable taste is evident in each post, and so we’re especially glad that she’ll be on hand as we open our newest store at The Shops of Saddle Creek. If you’re in the Memphis area tomorrow (4/23), swing by as we celebrate the grand opening with some bubbly, small bites and a curated selection of Pennyweight’s favorite Madewell pieces. And if you’re curious to see which spring pieces earned her seal of approval (we sure were!), you can also get a sneak peek via the almighty Pinterest or right over here.

This could be you. Suit up accordingly.

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:02:00 -0400

This could be you. Suit up accordingly.

Labels We Love: Ace&Jig

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:10:04 -0400

Jenna Wilson and Cary Vaughan, the textile-obsessed team behind Brooklyn-based Ace & Jig™, started their breezy, laid-back label to create summery clothes they could wear through all seasons.

All of their fabrics are custom-designed directly with weavers in India, built around a stripe of some sort (so really, how could we not love them) and constructed into the kind of clothes you want to live in. We asked the design duo—who met as design interns and whose kids are now best friends—to tell us about their ideal warm-weather days, favorite local spots and where they go to hide out in their hood.

DREAM BROOKLYN DAY:

Margaritas and lobster rolls at the Red Hook Lobster Pound in Red Hook; strolling Brooklyn Flea with close friends

FAVORITE SUMMER IN THE CITY ACTIVITIES:

MoMA PS1 Warm Up, the Prospect Park drum circle, Coney Island

WEEKEND GETAWAYS:

Brimfield Antique Market (in Brimfield, Massachusetts) in May, July and September for amazing antiques, collectibles and vintage

SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER DONE BUT ARE DYING TO:

Visit Storm King sculpture park an hour north of the city in the lower Hudson Valley

FAVORITE BAKERY:

Trois Pommes Patisserie in Park Slope

GO-TO LUNCH SPOT:

Mile End in Boerum Hill. (It’s very close to our studio.)

TRUSTED FLORIST:

Boerum Hill’s Opalia Flowers

MUSIC VENUE:

Prospect Park Bandshell

LOCAL BEAUTY PRODUCT:

Saipua handmade peppermint soap, from their shop in Red Hook

SECRET SPOT:

Sycamore Bar & Flowershop in Ditmas Park

A Madewell Girl We Love: Emma Louise

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:00:00 -0400

When the Brisbane-based singer stopped by our store in Austin during SXSW to play a few tracks off her just-released album Vs Head Vs Heart, we were floored. It’s one thing to write music that has celestial qualities to it, but crafting a song that truly sounds like a dream? That’s where Emma Louise excels.

Photo by Chelsea Fullerton of Go Forth Creative

We interrupted Emma’s jam-packed touring schedule to get in her head about stage clothes, favorite tunes and even accidental road trip keepsakes.

How would you describe your sound?

It’s always hard to describe my sound. But, to describe my songs in a fashionable way, they are heartfelt songs wrapped up in detailed power suits or metallic frilled dresses.

Who are your favorite musicians or bands?

I really like Björk, Ane Brun and Massive Attack at the moment. Definitely check out Seekae too—they’re an awesome electronic band that has sweet melodies with perfect sounds.

What do you like to wear onstage?

I am always changing my mind, but at the moment I seem to be wearing tights and jackets. I got a new haircut that makes me feel a bit manly, so I’m kind of manning it up a bit. Girl-man chic.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

A big band cuddle and a few deep breaths. And afterward, I always try to go somewhere quiet to settle down.

Do you collect anything on the road?

Not really. I always seem to collect flight tickets in the bottom of my bag.

What would you be doing if you weren’t traveling the world playing music?

I’d probably work with animals or be a hairdresser or makeup artist. I’m pretty glad I’m doing music, because I didn’t really click with anything else.

Labels We Love: By Zoé™

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 11:00:41 -0400

Leave it to the French to master the art of effortless romantic style, which is why we’re pretty much always on the hunt for hidden fashion gems from the City of Light. Our latest find is By Zoé™, a Parisian line founded in 2005 by a trio of stylish sisters. We chatted with eldest sister Melvina Sebban (she also doubles as head stylist for the brand), to hear first-hand how she and her siblings cultivate that quintessentially French je ne sais quoi that embodies each and every piece in this emerging line.

How did you and both your sisters get involved in fashion?

We grew up in the fashion industry. Our father was a pant maker who specialized in denim, and growing up, we all worked with him. As kids, we would dress our dolls with bits of fabric we found in the factory.

Your designs feel so essentially Parisian. Why do you think that is?

Paris is romantic. We try to translate that into our collections and represent a vision of modern femininity.

What inspires you beyond the local culture?

We’re crazy about music! And we spend a lot of time looking at street style from around the world.

How can one easily master a laid-back French look?

We don’t buy head-to-toe looks from one designer, and we never hesitate to mix different pieces, even pairing fancy luxury goods with perfectly worn-in vintage denim.

Describe By Zoé in 5 words or less.

Cool, urban, feminine and sexy.*

*Editor’s Note: We couldn’t agree more.

Bands To Adore: The Coachella Edition

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400

For those of you who have Coachella on the horizon, it’s major crunch time for putting together a festival look. In addition to our breeziest dresses, cutoff shorts and supersoft linen tees (it does get really hot in the desert), we’ll be piling on the bracelets. (After all, what goes better with the mandatory wristband than an armful of bangles and friendship bracelets?)

Photo by Bryan Derballa

Take a tour through our fresh crop of arm candy and then tune into the ten artists from this year’s lineup who we’re most excited to see—even if we have to experience them vicariously via YouTube footage.

1. Purity Ring
2. Youth Lagoon
3. Beach House
4. Tegan and Sara
5. Rodriquez
6. Grimes
7. Father John Misty
8. Wild Belle
9. DIIV
10. Jessie Ware

Turn It Up: An Interview With La Sera’s Katy Goodman

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 11:33:00 -0400

We’ve been fans of Katy Goodman since we first spotted her bouncing around on stage with Vivian Girls, the all-female peppy punk band she has been the bassist for since 2007. And while she remains a faithful member of VG, we have found ourselves even more smitten with her solo project, La Sera, which brings Goodman’s utterly charming, soft-focus vocals and knack for catchy pop songwriting to the forefront at long last.

Since one of the songs from her 2012 album Sees the Light (the tropical-tinged “Real Boy”) serves as the backdrop for our captivatingly cool Madewell swim video (seriously, it’s like a little mental vacation), we thought there was no better time for a catchup with Goodman to talk songwriting, spring rituals and poolside playlists.

How’d you come up with the name La Sera?

I was on tour in Italy with Vivian Girls while I was trying to come up with the name for my new solo project. We were at a restaurant when I saw a crazy pink tropical drink get sent to a table and I asked the waiter what it was called. He said “la rosa de la sera,” which means “the rose of the evening.” I thought it was a beautiful phrase, so I shortened it into a band name.

Sees the Light is, by all accounts, a breakup album; was there something cathartic about putting all those feelings into song?

Oh definitely, that was the main motivation behind writing the album. After singing all those songs a thousand times, I can safely say I am over that breakup.

Can you tell us a little bit about your songwriting process?

I tend to start off by myself in my bedroom with a guitar. Lately I’ve been experimenting with more unique chords and song structures. On Sees the Light, I generally wrote the music first and lyrics and melody second.

What are your plans this year for La Sera and/or Vivian Girls?

I plan on recording my next La Sera record this spring! I’m very excited. Also, I think Vivian Girls will be doing a few shows here and there…

What’s your favorite springtime ritual?

I live in LA, so it feels like springtime all year round. I would say my favorite daily routine is walking to the coffee shop every morning without my cell phone. It’s only 15 minutes, but it’s the perfect way to start every day. It almost feels like meditation.

Any favorite song that always gets you in the mood for sun-filled days?

Maxine Nightingale’s “Right Back Where We Started From.” It’s an instant mood-lifter.

Cannonball! Check out our poolside packing list.

Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:01:00 -0400

Cannonball! Check out our poolside packing list.

Art Star On The Rise: Michelle Peterson-Albandoz

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 17:44:46 -0400

If you swing by our new Chicago store (and you should—doors just opened at 932 Rush Street on April 3rd) you’ll notice a captivating multipanel wood installation.

The impressive piece is the work of Michelle Peterson-Albandoz, a Chicago-based mixed-media artist and painter we commissioned to build a sculptural screen for our first-ever Windy City store. We’re excited for you to see it, and all of our spring goods. We caught up with the artist to talk about the piece and get her recommendations for must-see art shows in the area.

How long have you lived in Chicago and why did you choose the Windy City?

I moved to Chicago from Puerto Rico in 1989. I chose the city to further my education at the Art Institute of Chicago. I graduated with a BFA in sculpture and painting.

Can you tell us about the installation you built for the new Chicago Madewell store?

It celebrates nature. My hope is that the viewer will celebrate nature and its gifts and become more sensitive to them.

What environmental issues are of greatest concern to you right now?

The sustainability of our forests and protection of our oceans.

How do you communicate this in your work?

By choosing reclaimed materials I relay the concept of sustainability and reveal nature’s beauty. I hope that the grounding visual of the work will inspire people to think about nature’s essential value in their lives.

What are your favorite places to look at art in Chicago? Any must-see current shows?

My favorite spot is the Modern wing of the Art Institute of Chicago. The Chicago History Museum has a great show up of Vivian Maier’s photographs. She wasn’t discovered until after her death and her story is worth knowing.

A Collaborative Effort

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:00:40 -0400

If you haven’t already heard, these are no ordinary beach blankets—in fact, the story behind them is quite extraordinary.

The mission of the Collaborative Group brand is to partner with and provide sustainable employment for artisans in small communities in need around the globe by connecting them with brands looking for unique products. “I founded CG in September 2011 after spending four years working in the developing world and seeing firsthand women who were capable of making beautiful products that people would love, but who were still living under the poverty line and I wanted to change that,” says Kathleen Wright.

Each of the woven beach blankets we are carrying at Madewell is entirely crafted by hand in India’s northern Rajasthan region by skilled artisans—the weaving is done in a number of villages, depending on the design (ikat in Pochampally and Andra Pradesh and stripes in Baksar), and the sewing in a community sewing co-op in Bikaner.

The co-op is particularly unique because it is mixed-gender, employing many local women who traditionally are not permitted to work outside the home or alongside men. So the beauty of each of these Collaborative Group beach blankets goes way beyond the stitch—and that’s something we can definitely get behind.

In Honor of April Fool’s, 5 Of The Smartest Pranks Ever

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 16:04:18 -0400

Did you know one of the earliest records linking the first day of April to purposeful foolishness was in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales? While today the faux holiday is celebrated with silly inter-office emails (among other shenanigans), there was a time when hijinks were taken very seriously. Here, five all-time bests that’ll make you think twice about investing in that whoopee cushion:

1. The Scholarly Stunt

On the last day of classes back in 1994, a group of crafty MIT students placed a flashing police car on top of the school’s tallest building—or so it seemed. The vehicle was, in fact, the shell of a Chevrolet merely painted to resemble the campus’ cop cars, but the legend lives on as one of the university’s best stunts.

2. The TV Trick

On this day in 1957, the BBC aired a faux documentary about Switzerland’s “spaghetti harvest.” How convincing was the piece? Well, a slew of viewers actually phoned in to ask how they could grow their own spaghetti trees.

3. The Gotham Ghosts

In 2010, an NYC improv group surprised a room filled with unsuspecting Public Library patrons when they burst in as Proton pack–wielding Ghostbusters, recreating the movie’s famed literary scene. Sadly, no books flew off the walls, but in the end it didn’t matter—the bookworms gave them a round of applause.

4. The Crazy Clock

College students are master tricksters, apparently, and a savvy few from Louisiana Tech shocked everyone when they reprogrammed the main clock tower’s bell to play “Dueling Banjos” (from the film Deliverance) every hour on the hour. If you’ve ever seen the film, you know this prank was probably very funny and slightly terrifying all at once.

5. The Oldest Trick in the Book

During the Trojan War, in a brilliant scheme fit for modern day, the Greeks pretended to retreat, leaving a large-scale wooden horse in front of the gates of Troy. The structure, which the Trojans mistook for a victory trophy and brought into their city, was—surprise!—actually filled with Greece’s finest soldiers, who snuck out in the early morning hours and opened the gates, letting the entire Greek army in and winning the war. Next-level horseplay, folks.