I prefer clean and simple bags for many reasons – they tend to be timeless, they are always appropriate, and they allow me to feel put together, even when I know that inside the bag is a jumble of receipts, wrappers, and uncapped pens just waiting to destroy something.
Zara Dramov’s incredible new collection, The Common Knowledge, is all of those things – and more. The bags are made in New York using Italian pebbled leather – and feature a genius canvas removable tasseled pouch, which keeps your bag organized and can be removed and used alone. Yes, please!
Hitha Palepu is the New York based blogger behind Hitha on the Go, my go-to resource for travel stories and reading recommendations. We’ve bonded over our shared love of travel, packing in a carry on, and Veronica Mars, and I was so excited to discover some new American brands via her picks! Rosé candles? Yes, please.
I discovered these rad skull loafers from Mara & Mine a few years ago (via instagram, obviously) and was so excited to meet the founders and see the studio when I was in LA. Mara & Mine was started by Jasmine Yarbrough and Tamie Ingham, Australian friends who live in Los Angeles. Jasmine & Tamie both got their start in fashion – Jasmine as a model and Tamie as a stylist – and their hectic studio jobs led them to search for cute, fashionable, and flat shoes they could wear all day.
They sourced leather for their shoes in the US and were planning to produce in Portugal and Spain (high-wage countries known for shoe-making) when they found a factory right in LA that could create the shoes that they were looking for. The collection is now in it’s fourth season, beloved by all of your favorite celebrities, and includes espadrilles, sandals, and bags – with more amazing options to come this fall. (the slip on sneakers in these photos are seriously incredible)
Shoes are hard to buy online… which was part of the reason I hadn’t invested in a pair of Mara & Mine loafers before visiting the studio. But the loafers are amazing – the materials and detailing are incredibly luxe, and the lambskin lining means the shoes will mold to your feet. And if you aren’t sure about which option to buy, Mara & Mine has recently launched a customization option, so you can create your dream shoes!
Thanks, Jasmine and Tamie, for taking the time to speak with me and show me your studio… and for proving to me that you can look extraordinarily chic while still being comfortable!
WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Travel. Each season is based on where we travel together or where we would like to go. The architecture, the foods, the color, the materials that we see during our trips.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO TRAVEL? WHERE ARE YOU HEADED NEXT?
Harbor Island in the Bahamas – the people are so incredibly friendly, and we loved the local music. Next we are headed to Paris for trade shows.
WHAT GETS YOU THROUGH THE DAY? THROUGH THE WEEK?
Eachother (answered simultaneously!)
Coffee – Tamie. Green Tea – Jasmine.
WHAT WAS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU WHILE YOU WERE SOURCING YOUR LINE?
Finding a great manufacturer, where we could control quality. We love that he hand makes everything.
WHAT ARE YOUR STYLE ESSENTIALS?
A blazer, Mara & Mines, sunglasses, leather pants, and a good tee.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Custom loafers and our fall collection. We’re working on some collaborations, including baby skull slippers we are really excited about! (adorable!)
WHO IS THE MARA & MINE GIRL?
Confident, well-traveled women. Fashion-forward, can be creative. A bit quirky. Like to have fun with fashion but still take it seriously. Also, very confident men who like to make a statement – we’ve heard that our loafers work as great pick-up lines for men! (even Ludacris wears them!)
I stumbled across this incredible wedding a few months ago on insta and was in awe with the bride’s phenomenal style. Turns out, the bride, Christen Ashley Mitchell, designed most of her wedding jewelry and has since launched a capsule collection!
The collection has a minimal, eclectic desert-y vibe and features hand stamped and hammered metals… per the site, current styles are limited edition and new styles will be launched each season, so be sure to stock up…
