Who says that art isn’t wearable? LA-based design studio Poketo is bringing art into the everyday with innovative, limited-edition accessories and lifestyle goods, like the recycled suit totes pictured above. Find out more about how Poketo was founded (including the story behind the brand’s name), what’s up next for Poketo, and how founders Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung kick back in their free time.

Describe Poketo, Twitter style.
Poketo is an LA-based design studio that creates limited edition artist-lifestyle goods based on the idea of "art for your everyday."

When was Poketo founded?  
Poketo was founded by us, Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung, in 2003.

What’s the story behind the launch?
As a part of the San Francisco art community I (Ted) was a filmmaker and Angie, was a graphic designer.  We were always curating shows for artist friends. The shows were a lot of fun and brought tons of people together. But we noticed a problem. No one could afford to buy the art displayed. For this reason, we came up with an affordable solution to satisfy everyone’s art lust.  Poketo, pronounced "poh-keh-toe" got its name through Angie’s grandmother’s mispronunciation of the word, "pocket." And the name stuck. We created limited-edition artist wallets that were accessible and well designed so that no one would be without a piece of art of their own. Wallets were the perfect items to make. Not only were they extremely functional, but they were carried around and exposed to the public everyday. Having a Poketo wallet was like having a traveling art show with you at all times, and it still is today. The first run of wallets were very successful and sold out immediately. So Poketo made more and more. Each time discovering new artists and creating new products until Poketo evolved into what it is today, an innovator in artist-designed lifestyle wares.

Since our company was founded in 2003, Poketo has had the most amazing opportunities, collaborating with not only international artists, but also with companies like Nike, and major art institutions including the SF MoMA and De Young Museum.  We’ve also had the rewarding experience of working with musicians that we’ve been loyal fans of including Arcade Fire, The Shins, Weezer, The Postal Service, and the Coachella Music Festival, as well as as a benefit fundraiser for non-profit institutions as 826LA and 826 National, founded by the writer Dave Eggers. Everyone who appreciates beautiful art should have the right to incorporate it into their lives through affordable design.  With this conviction, Poketo is continuously invigorated to develop ways of making art accessible to all!

Complete the following sentences:
Spring 2010 fashion is about…
Having fun! Vibrant colors! Sunshine! Being green!

Fall 2010 fashion is about…
Being cozy and warm, experimental, being green!

Where can Omiru readers buy Poketo?
Visit our online store at www.poketo.com.

Fun Fact about Poketo?
We do a mean Karaoke set and are huge foodies!

Last words?
Around Earth Day in April, be on the look out for our newest line of 100% recycled line of bags made from street banners, used leather jackets, couches, and donated clothing!  As the need for ‘green’ becomes a long-lasting trend in everyday living, Poketo is doing its part with these one-of-a-kind artist-designed bags where proceeds go back into the community towards environmental protection, and aiding those in need both domestically and abroad.

We’ve always been a fan of high quality menswear here at Omiru, and we have a new menswear brand to watch: Willie Fung and Patricia Poon’s Loft604. The Toronto based brand combines butter-soft sustainable fabrics (their bamboo knit is simply divine) with classic-with-a-twist designs. We caught up with Willie and Patricia about how they founded Loft604, their design inspirations, and what’s on deck for Fall 2010.

Describe Loft604, Twitter style.
Toronto based, Loft604 is a menswear brand focusing on sustainable fabrics and sophisticated, urban designs.

When was Loft604 founded?
Loft 604 was founded in June 2009, by me (Willie Fung) and my wife Patricia Poon.

What’s the story behind the launch?
For the past 5 years, while I had worked for a sportswear/loungewear company, Patricia and I had a vision to create the next big thing in men’s fashion.  We’d felt that there is a need for a brand with luxurious fabrics and sophisticated details. But really, comfort is the key to our brand.  It’s important to touch and feel our collection by hand to experience the 100% cashmere that feels like butter. This is Canadian craftsmanship: quality over quantity!

Complete the following sentences:
Spring 2010 fashion is about…
Silk cotton shirts that are lightweight - super soft and cool for the summer.  Colours are also a strong theme this season.

Fall 2010 fashion is about…
Heavy cashmere knits are the thing to wear this Fall.

Where can Omiru readers buy Loft604?
Omiru readers can purchase Loft604 from many retail boutiques located in the cities of Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York.

Fun Fact about Loft604?
We love to travel around the world for inspiration from arts and culture. We capture interesting artifacts, landmarks, and historic attractions with our cameras.  We also collect a lot of antique cameras and look for interesting items that can be reused.  

Last words?
We’ve used the Twin Lens Camera as our logo because it is a classic.  We love photography, and we collect a lot of interesting cameras, films, and accessories.  Oh, and the name Loft604 is actually where we live and work - all in one place!

In the meantime, you can purchase Topman clothes online and have them shipped to the US.  Here’s our six favorite pieces from Topman’s UK Fall 2008 collection:

Knitted Grey Toggle Cardigan | $75 (approx) at Topman

Chunky cardigans are in this fall and this is your chance to get a great one.  I love the texture and the toggle detail.  Plus, it’s machine washable, unlike most sweaters.

Perfect for when the leaves change, this scarf adds an instant burst of color to any outfit.  Wear it when the rest of your outfit is muted to make it really stand out.  

Maybe I’ve been watching too many Mad Men reruns, but I am all about monochromatic outfits this year.  This tie is simple and stylish – although, at 3.5 cm, not “skinny,” as the site labels it. One of my favorite ways to wear a solid navy tie is with a medium gray suit and a simple windowpane shirt.

Style tip: For all things ties, be sure to check out Tie Crafters.  They specialize in cleaning ties and can narrow, widen, shorten, elongate, reline and even retip your ties.  They are based out of New York, so unless you live there, you will have to mail your tie to them.  But it’s worth it.  Neiman Marcus in Palo Alto, CA, charges $112 to narrow a tie, but Tie Crafters sets you back just $17.  Not bad.

Topman seems to favor selling “distressed” (or in their words, “creased”) shoes.  I prefer to buy a clean pair and distress them myself through wear.  I love loafers and lace ups that are really worn in.  

I think waistcoats should be worn more often.  Waistcoasts aren’t just for bankers wearing three piece power suits.  I think a great waistcoat can look fantastic with a tie and shirt over jeans.  It’s a great going-out-in-the-city look. If you want some visual inspiration, look no farther than Mr. Simon Spurr, the creator of his eponymous label.  

Style Tip: GAP seems to be following in J. Crew and H&M’s footsteps by hiring a high-end designer to create a line for the label at a lower price point.  Unfortunately, none of the Pierre Hardy for GAP boots are available online yet, but be sure to check back for them.  The quality and design of Pierre Hardy at a lower price point is a great value.

These Italian-designed watches from designer Marco Mavilla are crafted after high-end watches, but sell at more affordable prices—most watches are in the $200 to $400 range—exactly the kind of steal we love here at Omiru.

The magic of these watches is that they resemble high-end luxury watches, but you never get the feeling that they are just cheap knock-offs.  Jazz is to music as ToyWatch is to watches.  Like jazz artists, who take already written pieces and employ tropes to make the music their own, ToyWatch takes classic timepieces and uses new and interesting materials and design elements to make them unique.

Mr. Mavilla designed his first ToyWatch in 2006, and just two years later, they have caught fire, especially among L.A. celebrities.  It could very well be that ToyWatch will be the next Swatch.

Brown Sports Watch | $255 at Barney’s New York

At first glance, this piece, the result of a collaboration between Men’s Vogue and ToyWatch, looks like an expensive luxury watch.  The band is a grosgrain ribbon, and the subtle rose gold finish on the casing is absolutely perfect.  Subtle and refined, you could wear this piece for almost any occasion and it would look great.  I love this watch.  Limited to 200 units; a steal at $255.

This is the quintessential ToyWatch.  The case and bracelet are both made of a clear acrylic.  And at 38mm, the size is just right.  And, while it is not explicitly stated anywhere, this piece was modeled after the classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner; just look at the resemblance!

A piece from ToyWatch’s high-end line, this watch is just beautiful.  The entire thing is ceramic, which gives it a sleek, modern look.  Best of all is its durability: it’s virtually scratchproof. It reminds me of the Chanel J12.

Featuring a black rubber band with stainless steel buckle and a silver dial and bezel, this bold piece is another stunner.  The shape of the case and face make me think of those beautiful Panerai watches.

Nothing says “man watch” like a chunky chronograph.  I like this piece here, with its mother of pearl dial.  It looks similar to a Breitling Navitimer, no?

Style Tip: ToyWatch’s website has a nice little glossary of watch terms that appear frequently throughout the ToyWatch site.  Remember, the informed buyer always makes a better purchase.

Juliana:  I hope people think of good quality, cute designs, and good fit.  

O:  Tell us about your design inspiration.

J: I get my inspiration mostly from materials.  I go shopping for stones, and I get ideas from colors, the stones, and fabrics.  Sure, time periods are interesting, but only as a reference.  I can’t design clothes that look like costume.

O:  You and your mother work together on Le Doux.  What’s it like working with family?

J: Difficult.  We tend to only talk about business.  Don’t get me wrong—we have and always had a good mother-daughter relationship.  But we end up talking about business instead personal stuff, and it’s easy to get frustrated with each other when talking about business.

O:  Le Doux swimsuits are actually made in Brazil.  Why?

J:  In Brazil, we have our own factory.  We did this for quality control. We want to make sure everything is as perfect as can be.  We’ve tried working with manufacturers before, but there was always something wrong.  Either the color was off, or the end product looked like it was low quality.  

O:  What’s your bestselling style?  

J:  Femme Fatale is a big hit.  Flora [pictured above left]  is also doing very well.

J:  I’m a fan of the Flora style.  Flora has volume and is embellished.  But it’s a bit hard to wear.  I also like the simpler styles.  Of those, I think Rose [pictured at right] is very good.  

O:  Your swimsuit designs tend to be fancy and embellished.  Who are you designing them for?  

J:  They’re for people who want to lounge around looking beautiful.  They’re for the style conscious who sit around by the pool or on the beach.  They’re not surfing suits, they’re not sports suits.  

O:  There aren’t a lot of people in that market.

J:  It’s a shame.  The materials we use are expensive, so we need to be at a higher price point.  Sadly, the market at the end of the day is all about price.  For 2008, we’re changing the line a little bit to create a sub-line.  We’ll have plainer suits at a lower price point.   

O: Le Doux combines Brazilian sexiness with California style.  What do you love about LA?

J:  I love the way people are just so stylish in LA.  People are ready for whatever they’re doing.  Brazil’s not that way at all.  I love the city—the weather, the way people socialize, the way that they’re constantly out.  There’s a certain energy there.  

O:  And what do you love about Brazil?

J:  I grew up in Brazil, where there’s a big big beach culture.  People love to have fun.  In Brazil, it’s all about having fun.  It’s different from United States.  There’s a freer spirit there.

O: Having grown up in Brazil, you’re a beach connoisseur.  What’s your favorite beach?

J:  The beach I grew up on.  I love Rio.  But I also love the South of France and Maui.

J:  Clothes that are sexy without revealing too much.  Clothes that are appropriate for one’s body type.  Clothes that aren’t just what everyone else is wearing.  Clothes that are appropriate for you.  

O: Fashion Don’ts:

J:  The 1980s.  The fashion was ugly then, and it’s uglier now.  People are so used to wearing whatever they’re told.

O:  Little known fact about you?

J:  I’m a surfer and a shopaholic.  But these aren’t little known facts.

O:  What can we expect next from Le Doux?

J:  We’ll be doing swimwear for girls in July.  We’re also launching a sleepwear/lingerie line in the next couple of months.

O:  Where can Omiru readers purchase Le Doux swimwear?

J:  We have stores in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Florida, Nevada, and overseas.  We’ll be selling online in a couple of months as well.  

O:  Last Words?

J:  The less fabric a suit has on the back, the smaller the butt looks.  Brazilians used to wearing small suits—now you know why.

Erika: My Catholic upbringing, in particular, has influenced my work very much. I’m inspired by my move from Puerto Rico to New York.  I try to convey this experience through my jewelry, which is a bit rough and edgy, like New York, and a bit light and airy like the Caribbean.

O: What makes your jewelry line unique?

E: It’s spiritual.

E: Sometimes ten minutes. Other times, up to four hours—it depends on the piece.

O: Do you ever experience designer’s block?

E: Yes, I do get designer’s block from time to time. It’s funny, but I actually design best in airplanes.

O: Do you have a team of people working with you?

E: Yes, they’ve been with me since the beginning. And my sister, Bielka Peña-Bevillar, has a strong financial background, so she has helped me out on that part of the business.  With my designer background and her business background, we are building our clientele and expanding the Erika Peña empire!

E: Because we are sold in over 300 boutiques around the globe, celebrities have been exposed to the brand. The boutiques have also been supportive and usually call me when an important celebrity buys a piece. Paris Hilton, Brooke Shields, Paulina Rubio, Jessica Alba, Beyonce, Ashlee Simpson, Fergie and Jennifer Aniston all have worn my pieces.  I have also custom-designed jewelry for celebrities. My goal is for those who wear her jewelry to feel good, and to have a sense of good self.

O: What’s the price point of your collection?

E: My lower end line starts at $60 and goes up to $1200 for the designer line. I want to reach every woman and for everyone to be able to experience the Erika Peña brand.

O: Will you branch out into other accessories?

E: I already have handbags—I love them, you’ll see!

O: Where can we purchase your designs?

E: At my website, Bloomingdales, Harvey Nichols, and Epoca the Shop.

O: Writers often experience writer’s block when they run out of ideas.  Do you ever experience designer’s block?

O: When it comes to handbags, do you think expensive equals good?

M: Really, it depends on your definition of expensive. In terms of the super-pricey high-end designer bags, I assume for the most part, they are of the highest quality and will last for years and years, so in this way, they’re good. Most of them don’t excite me design-wise, though. I don’t even really feel like we’re in the same product category- it’s a different universe. In our world, we really struggle with the balance of trying to keep our prices low enough to be accessible to many women, but at the same time keeping up a high standard of quality. We love to use unusual and unique details (like hand stitching, one of a kind vintage buttons and fabric, etc). Add to that the costs of producing a small line like this locally, it’s difficult. 

M: At the moment, it’s the Boy Peter (pictured left). Lately, I’ve been using this bag almost every day. It’s very functional, the perfect size for me, and I love how it hugs the body.  But I’m hoping it will be de-throned by one of the new spring bags coming out soon!

O: Where can Omiru readers buy your designs?

M: At the moment, the stores that stock our bags are listed on the website.  Online, you can find us at Beklina.com.  It’s also possible to order bags through us.  We promise to get our webshop up and running by the time the spring stuff comes out. In the meantime, send us an email at info at jackandmarjorie dot com. We do sometimes have items in stock that customers can purchase.

Omiru: Tell us the story of you came up with the idea for Freddy&Ma.

Anthony: I had been working as a design consultant and became very interested in the concept of mass customization.  High end products were reaching a saturation point.  Everybody had the latest IT bag, which diminishes the cachet of that style.  I wondered if it was possible to create a line of handbags where every bag was unique so that you might have the IT style, but each would still be unique from everyone else’s.  My sister and I also thought that clients would enjoy participating in the design process as it would allow their handbag to have its own creation story.

O:  You’ve already hit upon one of the Next Big Things in fashion: the idea of customization of luxury goods.  What other ideas do you think will change the industry in the next five to ten years?  

A: A client designs a bag and orders it on our website.  We immediately submit the fabric to the printers to screen the client’s design on the fabric.  Each fabric panel on our bag is individually printed—we do not stock any of the prints we carry!  While the fabric is printing, the leather portions of a bag are sewn together.  Once the fabric arrives, it is combined with the leather portions, and all of the finishing and detail work is completed.  The bag is then put into a slip cover, packed in an F&M box, and shipped to the customer.

O: How do you find the prints for the bags?  

A: We originally placed ads in the NY area to find artists that wanted to submit prints.  But since going live with the site, we’ve received a handful of artist submissions every week.  We have been amazed at how many talented designers have contacted us with GREAT designs that they would like featured on our bags.

A: Very few brands are paying attention to the smaller "after work" bag.  The "hi/lo" concept is also finding its way into the accessory market. [My co-founder] Amy often carries our hobo bag with a Louis Vuitton wallet and $12 credit card organizer from Urban Outfitters that everyone mistakes for Marc Jacobs.  Mixing vintage with designer finds and bargain deals is a trend that continues to gain momentum.

O: On the flip side, which handbag trends are on the way out?  

A: We see a lot of people still hanging on desperately to the bohemian trend which has definitely passed its moment.  Massive amounts of embellishment are also beginning to fade away.  It’s a continuous cycle.  Aside from that, I think that in a market flooded with every imaginable option and influence, women are choosing handbags based on what fits their personal style rather than following set “trends.”

O: What’s your favorite classic handbag?  

A: Why? I love all leather versions of Freddy&Ma silhouettes.  They’re classic without being boring.  In broader terms, every woman should own a Louis Vuitton Speedy in the classic monogram, and a quilted Chanel—the kinds of bags that have been around for so long they truly will never be "out" of style.

O: How about your best fashion tip?

A: Find your style and stick with it.  If you find something you like, have someone remake it for you in lots of colors and fabrics.

O: Current obsession?

A: Even though we run the company together, Amy lives in New York and I live in San Francisco, which though difficult, gives us a nice West coast/East coast cross perspective on things.

O: Best piece of advice you’ve received?

A: Everyone can handle success, but the only people who get the chance are the ones who have learned to handle failure.

O:  Things you’re looking forward to in 2007:  

A: We have a retail line of bags that is launching where stores design the specific bags they are ordering.  We are very excited to start shipping these styles and see our custom bag concept continue to grow.

O:  Last words?

A: Fashion should be about you and your own sense of style.  Don’t ever be afraid to buck the norm and try something different. Trends all start with one person doing what they want to do.

Rosie: Tatty Devine is Eccentric, Eclectic, English and Exciting!
 
O: What are your design influences? How did your art school background affect your aesthetic?

R: I really like the great bear brooch, the satellite necklace (pictured, right) and the red balloon necklace.
 
O: What do you like about London style?

R: That it changes all the time. The mix of new and old. People’s making things themselves and looking individual.

O: What about London style do you wish would just go away?

R: All the people who don’t make things [themselves] and look individual!

O: Current obsessions?

R: Herman Dune, silver leggings, Jarvis Cocker! Oh, and Chanel black nail varnish.

O: 5 Things you like about London:

R: Going to gigs, the George and Dragon (my local!), walking around, the parks, all the people I know and love that live in it.
 
O: 5 people whose wardrobe you’d love to raid:

R: Eley Kishimoto, Bernhard Wilhelm, Antoni and Alison, Vivienne Westwood, and Bernstock Speirs.
 
O: 5 things you always carry in my purse:

R: A notebook, pen, lipstick, mirror, tape measure and compass!
 
O: 5 things you’re feeling for Spring 2007:

R: Lots of colour, nostalgia for growing up in the 1970’s, disco, glitter balls, and fun.
 
O: Fashion Dos:

R: Shop in fancy dress shops! Coloured tights and colour co-ordination. Second hand fashion.

R: Can’t think of any…except maybe thongs, fake orange tans and jeans with special bleach patterns!

R: Tatty Devine has over 1000 designs from past collections for sale in their shops.

O: What can we expect next from Tatty Devine?

R: Opening more shops, expanding the Brick Lane shop, designing other lines.