If you fancy a stroll around the Union Square markets in New York before Christmas, check out Urban Cricket. I bumped into these guys the other day and was inspired by their crafty and witty designs. My mits grabbed a Woody Allen-infused illustrated tee sporting the line: ‘What would Woody Do?’. All designs are illustrated and hand screen-printed by Urban Cricket founders, Gloria and Audrey.

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This small boutique of locally (NYC) manufactured and tailored apparel has got the urban outdoorsman look down, and harkens back to a time when even a man of modest means had his clothes tailored to fit. They also have a barber shop in the rear where you can get a straight-razor shave, a simple cut, or have your hangover cured. I’m not quite sure what this last service entails, but props to anyone willing to take on a New York hangover.

With winter fast upon us in New York City, the chill in the air needs to be combated with a cool, and by cool, I mean super warm winter accessory. The Flaneur Cowl is the new thing on the block. Hand-crocheted for local artisan points and made of yummy, warm, snugly wool, this cowl can be worn seven different ways, all the while keeping you nestle-y and stylish in the nippy air.

Hamburger skirts, tank tops in the shape of turquoise elephants, and a pink cupcake tutu bustier? No, I’m not on an acid trip and watching cartoons. I’m describing the work of the most exciting and colorful new label out there: New York Couture. While their range may seem the stuff Harajuku girls and ravers dream of, it’s certainly got me mesmerized, wishing I was coordinated enough to pull off one of these pieces.

Yestadt Millinery is a New York-based custom, handmade hat company that produces some pretty classy headware inspired by vintage looks but designed to suit modern styles. You can get a made-to-measure piece or make a wholesale order – their hats are also available at retailers around Manhattan such as Anthropologie and The Hat Shop.

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Drawing upon both the traditional and the classically abstract ideals of tie design, the Sovereign Beck line of neckwear was created in limited quantity: bias cut and hand stitched in New York City. There are just 75 pieces per design.

I ventured to New York City from my home base in Sydney for the very first time in August 2009. Armed with an electric guitar and a couple of unique jumpsuits designed by my creative studio, View of Courage Studios, I was ready for what the city had to offer. I played a couple of audio visual shows in Brooklyn, under my performer guise, Flutter Lyon, in Bushwick and Williamsburg, that were very well received. Then I felt the need to get these jumpsuits that I had designed, hand-printed and made in Sydney onto some of the new friends I had made during my time there. So I took the Brothers Barragan, Arto and Daniel, on a little adventure through the streets of Williamsburg one afternoon.

Not being official models, I had no idea what they would do in the suits. But they are two cool dudes and they owned the moment and had fun in the backstreets amongst the grit and graffiti. A couple of Daniel’s street tags even feature in a couple of the shots. Then, a couple of days later, I was hanging out with Marjorie Cox and skateboard magazine royalty Sally Vitello, daughter of Fausto Vitello, founder of Thrasher magazine, on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. We decided we should do another photographic project as we hung around the area together. So we did.

Who else can create a sleek feminine look like New York’s husband and wife team, Mike and Chris? The designer duo have developed a cult following with their signature lambskin leather jackets, quirky detailing and exceptional tailoring. The success lies in a melded chic and street fashion that is both laid back and stylishly edged. Shoulder flaps, exposed zippers and angled front pockets all add character to the supple black, lightweight leather. Mike and Chris are the prime example of why underground is always better: even if celebrities like Angelina Jolie, Rachel Bilson, Cameron Diaz and Laura Conrad choose to wear these classy pieces. Hit up Singer 22 or Blueheaven Boutique if you want one.

I don’t know if it’s the name, the relaxed look, or the attitude that just don’t sit too well with authority, but something about New York based label Sophomore has got us reminiscing about the good old days. Their current collection has boys and girls getting back-to-basics. Think jersey sweats and loose tees, mixed with yoke necks, caplet sleeves and tapered waists. And you know what that means? The search for the perfect white tee and the ultimate summer singlet is over. If that’s not enough to get you inspired, pull out your denim, pop on some 1970s vintage Jodie Foster, and get ready to channel some Lower East Side cred.

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New York designer Lauren Kovin’s Spring Summer 09 collection is a combination of dynamic transformations and avant-garde beauty. Equipped with a striking palette of black, white, blue, and coral, her line features eight fluid jersey pieces that can be configured multiple ways, adding a futurist approach to the garments. The collection, primarily comprised of bamboo and sheer viscose jersey, offers up details such as soft gathering, kimono sleeves, and ghostly cascade ties finished with a delicate purl edge. Puffy cording adorned with tonal, wooden beads, features on several of the garments, adding to them an architectural sensibility. With all of its dreamlike appeal, it’s undeniable that Kovin’s collection evokes the sensation of floating into a serene and spacious, sunlit room.

Love it or loathe it, you’ve got to admit that the ruffled blouses and strict pencil skirts on television series Gossip Girl give you a guilt-free reason to watch. 25-year-old former model Abigail Lorick was approached to ghost design the Eleanor Waldorf Collection by using her budding real life label Loricklady. The press surrounding the show has boosted her profile and her new collection featuring all the Upper East Side trimmings is greatly anticipated.

The new range of Alexander Wang for Uniqlo just hit stores this week in New York. This is the perfect collaboration for budget-minded fashionistas, allowing us to wear Alexander Wang at an affordable cost (in the $50-60 range). The line includes classic and simple dresses with Wang’s signature colors, slate grays and black. I’m a big fan of his fabric selection, these light dresses are a girl’s treasure for a New York summer.

Derrick R. Cruz has channeled his talent for creating densely detailed works into the creation of the brand Black Sheep and Prodigal Sons. Fuelled by the New York city art and fashion scene, Cruz’s pieces are timeless but relevant, and beautifully detailed in their imperfections. They combine gold, silver, resin and bronze to create dark but wearable art.

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Born and raised in New York, the boys of Pegleg have been designing their collection out of their downtown apartment since their freshman year of college. Their designs are innovative and casual, with hats, tees, pants, and sweatshirts.

Jules Kim is the designer behind the jewelery label Bijules, which is based out of New York. This entire accessory line including hairrings, using real and synthetic human hair. This collection called Haire allows you to clip on colored pieces and daring do’s without having to commit.

We have some cool t-shirts from New York-based designer Ryan Sullivan available for purchase via the Lost At E Minor online store. Made with buttery soft fitted cotton and poly blend, the shirts are US$50 and are unisex, with a men’s small recommended for women looking for a tighter fit. [see also the Beck sketchel]

No, Dorothy would have never come across these shoes in Oz, but she would have at Odin, a smallish men’s store in New York’s East Village. Who said men’s fashion was boring? These are Yohji Yamamoto’s Honja Hi sneakers, which are a part of his Y-3 line, a collaboration with Addidas. This wasn’t the result of any sort of emotional buying, nor were they purchased out of necessity either. I saw them, I felt the blood rush to my face, and so I bought them — my very own pair of ruby red slippers.

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