Kid chic by Claude. Top: Navy blue pin stripe Harley back blazer, US$122. Bottom: Navy blue pinstripe capri with chain, $85.

Fast-Forward Fashion

by Yuan-Kwan Chan

Fashion comes around in cycles, but it would be difficult to find these state-of-the-art clothes and accessories in your grandmother’s closet.  Here is a peek at a number of new items for men, women and kids, some of which won’t be available until this fall.  21^st century fashion has never been this much fun.

Maddox, that adorable adopted Cambodian son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, is too young to drive the Harleys that his shirts advertise.  But he certainly looks the part of a piggybacking toddler sharing a possible ride with Dad thanks to a children’s clothing line called Claude.  Designer Anamyn Turowski creates her pieces by weaving recycled vintage fabrics into jackets, pants and other clothing that instantly make kids too cool for school.  www.ynop3.com/claude.html

E.D.E. Studio – the team of Ellen Eichel and her daughter-in-law, Dianne – specialize in handbags, and their hand-painted Meow Baguette is a cute find available in black or white.  Their other hand-painted bags include circus and buffalo motifs.  For more information about the New York-based company, go to www.edestudio.com.

 

E.D.E. Studio's Meow Baguette, $825.	A swimsuit from Ginger's Island Wear (prices vary).

Ginger’s Island Wear (www.gingersislandwear.com) is the perfect line for the beach-loving fashion designer in you who doesn’t want to bother with the sewing.  The Irvine, Calif.-based company invites shoppers to go to its Web site to order custom-made swimwear.  Customers can print out a measuring tape to ensure that every inch you provide is accurate – and the measurements that they request require more TLC than most.  Also, if pictures aren’t worth a thousand words, you can call a toll-free number to request fitting samples.  With more than 100 possible fabrics and a number of styles for men, women, boys and girls, the permutations are seemingly endless.

Traditional examples of reversible clothing are sort of fun when you’re in grade school.  A neon pink windbreaker can turn into a jacket resembling the remnants of a living room curtain in a matter of seconds.  But therein lies the problem: this sort of functionality works for kids, but not for grown adults who are looking for style that function in rain and wind.  Enter a series of vests and jackets by June, a women’s label influenced by the contemporary chic of New York City and the warm tones of old Mexico.  These versatile garments, which can go with blue jeans or dressier wear, feature rabbit fur on one side, satin on the other.  So if a spontaneous fashion statement change beckons, fear not that an out-of-place thread will peek out from underneath.  www.junewear.com

With iPods multiplying and replacing the portable CD player as the musical accompaniment of choice for pedestrians, it’s about time that clothing accommodates these new best friends.  Men now have that option thanks to Kasil and its founder/designer, David Lim, who has made custom wardrobe for John Travolta, among others.  His line of “Victory” denim jeans features back pockets that perfectly hold an iPod, a cell phone or another accessory.  So guys, put away those man purses and pick up a pair of these jeans.  www.kasiljean.com

Kasil's "iPod jeans" run from $192 to $242 a pair.	June's elasticized plucked 2-tone rabbit fur, reversible to contrast satin jacket, $190