M I K E L

New York is killing me….

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 14:00:03 -0400

New York is killing me….

“I can’t wait for this recession to be over- it’s such a drag. I’m not one...

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 13:57:03 -0400

“I can’t wait for this recession to be over- it’s such a drag. I’m not one of those people who thinks it’s brought us to our higher level of consciousness. I just think it’s a colossal bore. But boon times or bad times, by job is to create desire.”

-Simon Doonan, Creative Director, Barneys New York

“The recent news that over 50 percent of American women...

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:48:46 -0400

“The recent news that over 50 percent of American women are now the breadwinners in their households is exciting. Women are starting businesses faster than men. Many of these breadwinners are entrepreneur”.

"Speak Your Mind"

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 20:39:00 -0400

“Speak Your Mind”

- “The unapologetic impulse nevertheless starts to simmer, and bubble, and sometimes bursts: “I don’t care what you want to be called!” I don’t care if this makes you uncomfortable!” “Just let me be myself!” “Let me talk how I want to talk and do what I want to do!” “I shouldn’t have to apologize for myself!” In this article, author Jeffery Israel examines what he calls the American “unapologetic impulse.” He argues that the growth of “political correctness” and politeness has actually bred resentment among many people. He says that people are tired of watching what we say, carefully choosing our words, and watching our audience. But this begs the question, does going through these uniquely American motions make us any less “ourselves?” Or are we just making the world a more comfortable place to be? What does our choice of words say about us?

“Boy I can see it in your face you’re all over the place. Can...

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:00:15 -0400

“Boy I can see it in your face you’re all over the place. Can you stand up straight for me?”

Need help living out your Eva fantasies? Put on this song by “Kito” and feel powerful, sexy, and ready to fulfill your utmost desires.

Woman to love: Michelle Oka Doner

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 22:49:02 -0400

Michelle Oka Doner is one of our favorite leading ladies. Artist, visionaire, and nature-enthusiast, Doner is as simplistic as she is chic. Known to wear the same dress in different variations of hue, she opts for a refined life of simplicity and comfort. She creates some beautiful pieces that are both complex and thought-provoking, while being the furthest thing from ordinary (something that we over at MIKEL highly admire). I was first introduced to her work when I walked into Saks Fifth Avenue’s fabulously redesigned third-floor in early 2010, with a large lit-up tree sculpture staring me in the face. It’s an interesting juxtaposition of polished with abstract, over-the-top with appropriately sized, and just a little bit perfect.

Are Magazines a Lost Art?

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:24:13 -0400

“Today, if you want to commit something to the printed page, it’s worth thinking twice before making it a glossy fashion magazine.” Thomas Lenthal and Jonathan Wingfield, cofounders of Paradis discuss whether magazines have become tainted, catering to a market that is no longer there. Has digital media made magazines obsolete? We think there is something special about holding those glossy pages in our hands, rather than scrolling through a webpage. But as magazines have tried to keep up the pace with digital media, many argue that they have lost their integrity. What do you think? Are magazines still “fit for print?” Let us know @shopmikel.

In the meanwhile, we will try and do what we do best. Merge the two. Take a little bit of those coveted pages that we hold so tightly in our hands, while integrating it online so that its accessible, organized, and instant. We’ll short the former, and long the latter and meet you somewhere in the middle.

“Maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me.” Sometimes we...

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 07:56:00 -0400

“Maybe, you’re gonna be the one that saves me.”

Sometimes we are in need of an acoustic song to add to our naughty playlists. This cover of Oasis’s original hit by the amazingly talented, Ryan Adams, makes us feel as if we were laying in the back of the pick-up truck with our high school boyfriend.

So go ahead, turn it on and see what happens. You may be inspired to wear our MIKEL high brief panties with our boyfriend tee.

Weighted

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 01:45:33 -0400

As we wrapped up watching the Olympics, we can’t help but be inspired by the perseverance, work ethic, and accomplishments of the incredibly powerful athletes we see on screen. However, it is interesting to note exactly what athletes we are most frequently shown—the fit, slim ones who cause us to push away our desserts in a desire to achieve similar results. Yet, not all athletes, not even great athletes, have the figure that American culture has deemed “ideal.” This brings up the issue of fitness versus figure. As these athletes show, being athletic, strong, and successful doesn’t always mean you have the perfect body. Health, strength, and passion come before striving for the American notion of the perfect figure.

Photo

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 01:14:28 -0400

Interesting enough, we traveled through the realms of the...

Sun, 12 Aug 2012 14:29:05 -0400

Interesting enough, we traveled through the realms of the shi’ar and back in search of that precious little ring called “funding” for our precious little company in luxury lingerie. Lingerie is very fragmented. It’s a market that is controlled by a few major players, where innovation, quality and connectivity online is all over the place, not to mention WOMEN HATE TRYING IT ON. I should know, this all started with my issue of finding proper bras to fit me. My team and I we’re obligated to create something new. We had to do it. We thought, if we don’t help women find better lingerie… damnit, they will be so depressed! And we couldn’t be responsible for women’s depression. We just couldn’t.

Has it been easy? No.

Has it been easier than trying to raise money for adult entertainment? Perhaps.

I was intrigued to see TechCrunch picking this up and I was also compelled to learn more. “Whether you’re into nude Canadian elk-dancing or Honda tailpipe sniffing, our sexual peccadilloes are all unique. That’s why there’s Offbeatr.” That is the first line of the article. Congrats to those guys for having balls and probably being told they are off their rocker every single time they walked into a room full of investors.

In a time when economies are scarce, politics are spinning out...

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 21:19:00 -0400

In a time when economies are scarce, politics are spinning out of control, and it seems like the world is going up in flames, we find ourselves buying more, spending more, and generally being attracted to things that we don’t necessarily need. Why? Because material comforts have always been something that most women gravitate towards; whether it’s splurging on that extra pair of shoes, or now days, online shopping. It seems to us that these extravagant luxurious make women feel better about themselves, and that’s alright. We like to believe that in times like these, we get smarter, sharper, and more sophisticated with our purchases. We’re now the women buying on our iPads, browsing through our mobiles, and stalking any and every fashion blog, style website and editorial that gives us what we want. It’s time to think with your head and get away from buying just because its on sale, and start paying the appropriate price for quality that deserves the investment.

Here at MIKEL, we’re creating those pieces that are coining the term, a necessary investment. With that, we’re creating objects of desire that make you feel like a giddy little school girl the moment you put it on, literally and figuratively. Those feelings and the feelings that will take whatever complicated emotional labyrinth you’re currently swimming in and wash it away until next year. It’s time to throw out the discount and bring in the necessary investment. We promise, we won’t bleed your wallet and if we do, demand a spanking.

For many years, women have been obsessed with finding they own...

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 09:58:44 -0400

For many years, women have been obsessed with finding they own Stanford Blatch, their perfect gay best friend. But why? What makes gay men’s companionship so desirable for so many women? In a new study conducted at the University of Padova, scientist Andrea Camperio Ciani attempts to answer this question and why gay men have continued to exist from the evolutionary perspective. As one of the most controversial topics at the moment, it is important to put politics and opinions aside and educate ourselves about gay people and their issues, rather than taking a side and sticking to it without listening to any new developments. So whatever your opinion is about this issue, this article may provide a bit of new prospective, and is definitely worth reading.

“We should immediately strike the phrase “have it all” from the...

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 13:18:00 -0400

“We should immediately strike the phrase “have it all” from the feminist lexicon and never, ever use it again.” Blogger Rebecca Traister reminds us just how powerful women’s words can be against our cause of advancement and equality. We throw around platitudes like “having it all” without thinking about what having it all means in our own lives. Is a certain set of actions, professions, or accomplishments inherently superior to another set? Does one set mean we “have it all” and another means having nothing or something less than “it all?” We know that having it all for Jade would mean being at the top of her game professionally, but the same accomplishments would not lead to happiness for Eva. What does having it all mean to you? Tell us @shopmikel.

Photo

Tue, 31 Jul 2012 13:38:55 -0400

Sometimes, it’s not about what things cost, but what they’re...

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 12:35:19 -0400

Sometimes, it’s not about what things cost, but what they’re truly worth. Blogger Kristin Wong writes about how sometimes our focus on luxury, our focus on wanting more, can hold us back from finding greatness in the smallest of things. In times like these, it’s important to realize what means the most to us, what makes us tick, and where we find luxury. Whether luxury is found rocking that amazing MIKEL balconette bra to give you a boost of confidence or relaxing with a great book wearing only your MIKEL lacy briefs, we must find what makes our lives enjoyable.

What’s your...

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:04:00 -0400

What’s your fantasy?

“Other than our skin, our brains are the biggest sex organ we have, we are supposed to use them. We are supposed to have an active fantasy life. Sexual fantasies do not make us sluts. Nor do they suggest that we have trouble in our current relationship. Fantasies make us healthy sexual beings.” So, fantasies are not just for men, and we are here to help you live out your wildest fantasies. For some inspiration, check our Eva’s pinterest board at http://pinterest.com/shopmikel/eva/.

The Gorgeous Dior Haute Couture A/W 2012 Installation: Over one...

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 17:14:54 -0400

Queen Anne's Lace

Orchids

The Gorgeous Dior Haute Couture A/W 2012 Installation: Over one million flowers

As if the clothes weren’t enough, the backdrop of the Dior Haute Couture A/W 2012 collection is to die for. Whimsical, intricate, and beautiful, we can just see Lilly being so inspired by the décor and wanting a similar look to appear in her room.

*click on the image to be connected to the article Sara...

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 16:45:00 -0400

*click on the image to be connected to the article

Sara Rotman was tired of the male dominated workplace and just wanted to do her own damn thing. So in 1996, she took a huge risk by launching her own advertising agency. And now, she represents some of fashion’s biggest names including Tory Burch and Vera Wang. Here at MIKEL, we not only respect Rotman’s vision, but also her guts. As we venture into the unknown in our attempt to do our own damn thing, we are reminded of Henry David Thoreau’s words, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” We are living out our dreams, making our lives even better than we could have ever hoped. Yes, following your dreams can cause heartache, tears, and frustration, but seeing your dreams come to life can create unfathomable joy. And sitting here surrounded by beautiful MIKEL pieces and an inspiring team, it’s safe to say we’ve never been happier.

*click on the image to be connected to the article “You can be...

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 00:34:00 -0400

*click on the image to be connected to the article

“You can be happy without having a single creative idea or interest or passion. You can get everything you desire, and still not be happy. So why even focus on finding bliss?” Contemporary philosopher Slavoj Žižek makes us think about the fine line between finding happiness, and accomplishing our goals. Is happiness ever enough? Does being happy translate into being interesting people? But we can’t help but wonder, are happiness and being interesting always mutually exclusive? Here at MIKEL the answer is simply no, we are executing our incredibly interesting vision, and couldn’t be happier doing it. What do you think—can you be both? Tell us what you think on Twitter @shopmikel.