NARCISS inspires imaginations at Riga Fashion Week

There can be no more important event in Latvia's fashion industry, or indeed that of the wider Baltic, than the recent Riga Fashion Week, which took place from 29th October until 2nd November. Befittingly enough for a luxury fashion boutique that has previously drawn considerably on Baltic inspirations, NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) was present at the event's most recent running, showcasing its Spring-Summer 2014 collection.

Visitors to Riga Art Space on 1st November discovered a collection espousing so much that has already made the creations of the London fashion designer, Alise Trautmane, such a draw in the British and European fashion world. Once again, the latest collection, which on this occasion is all about the novel "Īkstīte" (Thumbelina) by Gundega Repše, consists of only the most exceptional quality investment pieces, crafted from the finest natural fabrics. The result is yet more of the label's distinctive "humble luxury" and "sophisticated femininity".

However, the showcase - ably supported by luxury shoe brand DelGardi, creative hair stylists PamPam and high organic cosmetics producer ELIER - also flaunted so many of the characteristics that can only emanate from clothing with this underpinning theme.

Repše certainly provided an invaluable template for the newest range of NARCISS women's designer tops and dresses in her comment that "Every woman wants to be a Queen, not a slave. We are however, crowned by men. The diadem is first admired, then removed, and later taken away. To fall is tragic. Clutching at straws – risky. Rags flap in the wind even though they were once the robes of a Queen. But the King crowns the next Queen."

The story that Repše has created, drawing from the motifs of the well-known Thumbelina fairy tale of Hans Christian Andersen, is certainly a striking and unusual one. It centres on the newfound childlike characteristics gained by the romantic flower child, who yearns to melt into an imaginary world, where adult seriousness does not exist and there is no such thing as the impossible. The painful defeats of the flower child Īkstīte provide a fascinating context to the very latest NARCISS silk dresses and designer skirts.

While Īkstīte is inspired by discovering the world and living out a story with no limit to her imagination, she doesn't want to lose herself in the process. This very much informs a NARCISS collection positing that light childlike qualities are as important as feminine maturity within a harmonious woman, and that therefore gives plenty of respect to both.

This manifests in women's designer jackets, tops and skirts with a very visually strong and contemporary feel. The garments sport flora and fauna in their detailing and decoration, in the hands of NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com), their vitality and vibrancy providing a happy ending to the Īkstīte story. With Trautmane having also talked publicly about her experiences of the fashion week at a pre-party at the local Bar.Ber bar, doubtless she will now look forward to the new collection going on sale to the general public this coming spring and summer.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Working those stripes with NARCISS

With stripes having never gone out of fashion, it seems very befitting that they were made such a prominent part of the Spring/Summer 2013 collection of the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) online fashion boutique. Items from the collection, ranging from dresses, skirts and tops to trousers, jackets, coats and more besides, continue to flaunt the ability of the label’s fashions to be something apart from the mere trend du jour.

Indeed, it is in many ways much more universal values and inspirations that have long informed NARCISS’ output, with London fashion designer and the brainchild behind NARCISS, Alise Trautmane, ever keen to emphasise the “humble luxury” and sophisticated femininity that underpin her label’s creations. She customarily appropriates elements from something much broader than the latest seasonal mores in her design of impeccably crafted cocktail dresses and designer skirts, as shown by the Spring/Summer 2013 for which the cue was Baltic mythology.

Those familiar with Alise’s creations know what to expect: nothing less than truly unique investment pieces making use of only high quality natural fabrics, while also benefitting from the highest standards of manufacture. However, there has also long been plenty of scope for surprise, with the current collection finding ever-intriguing new ways to incorporate time-honoured elements of Baltic folklore – such as Austra’s tree – into designs that are nonetheless freshly contemporary.

Similarly, one might imagine that there is a limit to what more can be done with stripes that could possibly entice fashionistas, with vertical stripes, horizontal stripes, thin stripes, thick stripes and even black and white stripes – not to mention those consisting of various more vibrant or natural colours – having all been deployed in the past to effects by turns shocking, stunning or soothing.

Again, however, Alise has shown the many remaining possibilities for stripes when steamed with thematic imagination, technical innovation and a sure sense of what will remain a staple of confident womens’ wardrobes for many seasons to come. Fans of NARCISS’ output are encouraged to ‘stripe their look’ this season by selecting from a host of garments making the most of stripes sometimes horizontal, sometimes vertical, sometimes skinny and sometimes jumbo sized, in tribute to a luxury fashion boutique that truly celebrates women feeling great about themselves in a healthy way.

That could mean selecting a dress like the rose-yellow semi-sheer Auseklite Dress for £420, the £260 yellow and pink semi-sheer Iris Dress or perhaps even the Laima Semi-Sheer Dress, an ivory silk dress with lace aplique, which can now be bought for £428. Alternatively, it could mean opting for the Stella Skirt, a £379 maxi skirt with lace aplique, or even perhaps the edgier styling of the Printed Silk Top with frills, available to purchase for £249.

Such stripes that draw on aspects like the silver leaves, copper roots and gold branches of Austra’s tree are apparent throughout a range also comprising womens designer jackets and coats, and demonstrate NARCISS’ (http://www.shopnarciss.com) sustained sure-footedness in bringing together universal elements to create fashion lines of instant appeal.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

New additions to NARCISS’ dresses range

The spring and summer months bring fresh optimism for many people after a long, hard autumn and winter, and the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) online fashion boutique is certainly making the most of this with a similarly fresh, but also reassuringly timeless, range of dresses.

These dresses, which like the rest of the NARCISS range are presently taking pride of place in international boutiques as well as in the label’s own complete online store, reflect many of the themes that have been dear to the label since its launch by London fashion designer Alise Trautmane. Excellent craftsmanship and high quality natural fabrics have been combined in items of sophisticated femininity that make as much of a stylish statement this spring as they will any spring.

That’s because NARCISS takes seriously its commitment to long-standing principles of encouraging real self-confidence in all women who wear its garments. NARCISS is about a humble luxury that will never go out of fashion, from one spring to the next. This year, the emphasis is very much on certain mythological influences from the Baltic, in particular Austra’s Tree (Tree of the Dawn), the mystical tree that dies when the sun sets, only to come back to life as it rises again each day.

The present NARCISS Spring/Summer 2013 silk dresses collection certainly pays tribute to Austra’s Tree and other folkloric elements, with geometric interpretations of the tree’s gold branches, copper roots and silver leaves being apparent in the intricate embroidery of such pieces as the Alicia Dress, an embellished gold-metallic strapless dress with a 100% viscose lining. Priced at £476, it is a fine complement to such items as the Amber Jacket and Amber Pants that bear similar design cues.

If there is one thing that is also noticeable about the Alicia Dress, and indeed the rest of the cocktail dresses presently taking pride of place in the NARCISS range, it is the symbolic choice of fabrics in the context of the aforementioned mythological themes, with a metallic shine and silver-to-gold print so often prominent.

Also apparent, however, is just how contemporary such time-worn references have been made to feel in Trautmane’s hands. Items like the £384 fuchsia Janne Dress, £476 full pleated Vera Dress and ruffled sleeve Saule Dress, priced at £372, may have clear traditional inspirations, but the designs themselves remain distinctly 2013.

Many of these aforementioned dresses may have no shortage of vibrant colour, but nor does the Spring/Summer 2013 range of NARCISS gloss over the never-ending craze for all things black, with the likes of the £476 Trapezium Dress with pleated hem and £242 Noble Dress all perhaps hinting at the slightly darker, but nonetheless still compelling side of Baltic mythology.

There are many more fine dresses where those came from, and they are all available now from the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) luxury fashion boutique.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

February... truly the month of love

Long-time admirers of the sophisticated and innovative creations of London fashion designer Alise Trautmane know that her NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) fashion label is one of the best ones to which to look for the finest outfit for a date or head-turning night with friends.

St. Valentine's Day may have now passed, but that doesn't mean that enthusiasts of "humble luxury" should cease to update their wardrobes with examples of the timeless fashion that the luxury fashion boutique espouses. From dresses and skirts to tops and trousers and clutch bags, NARCISS fashions far transcend the trend du jour - as is appropriate, given the evergreen nature of love itself.

With its emphasis on women being more self-confident and falling in love with themselves in a rather healthier way than was the case with the handsome young man, Narcissus, of the Ancient Greek myth, NARCISS is about a love that goes far beyond 14th February. Love may die, but it is also continually revived and flourishes, much like the mystical tree of Baltic folklore, Austra's Tree (Tree of the Dawn), that inspired much of NARCISS' Spring/Summer 2013 Collection.

It was as part of the run-up to St. Valentine's Day that NARCISS asked the style star and fashion blogger behind The Fashion Slogger, Deniss Schevelove, for his own recommendations of the most romantic garments from the Spring/Summer 2013 Collection. His suggestions included the Vera Dress, which is full pleated and takes pride of place in NARCISS' wider range of silk dresses. It is a fine complement to the similarly-styled Austra Jacket and Austra Skirt.

Coming second on Schevelove's list was the Nora Silk Blouse, now available from the online fashion boutique for a mere £314, followed by the Madara Jacket, a beautifully embroidered fuchsia jacket that can be bought for £406. Ranking fourth was the perfect chic accessory for svelte fashionistas, the Carmena Tote - a hand-embellished leather tote. While it is 100% leather on the outside, it is 100% silk on the inside and is on sale for £397.

NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) fashions like these continue to do the rounds in the major publications, flaunting just what is possible for fashion-seekers on the lookout for designer skirts and similar garments that keep the romance going long after those last flirtations on the evening of 14th February.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

NARCISS is springing into action for summer 2014

Among its many other principles, the up-and-coming luxury fashion boutique NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) is committed to continual design evolution, never letting up on a creative process that pays as much attention to historic, mythical and natural elements as it does to the trend du jour that predominantly guides so many other labels.

That proactive approach is already making itself felt as the NARCISS team, led by esteemed London fashion designer Alise Trautmane, gets to work on the new Spring-Summer 2014 collection. Admirers of the label's past collections, including its Spring/Summer 2013 range inspired by Baltic mythology, as well as the dark and dramatic Fall/Winter 2014 collection, will be intrigued to discover the themes that inform its next items of sophisticated femininity.

Indeed, the long-standing principles of "humble luxury", the sole use of the highest quality natural fabrics and the most impeccable craftsmanship that have underpinned all of NARCISS' creations so far do at least carry some indication of how the label plans to 'spring into action' in 2014. With the name of the label being derived from the Ancient Greek myth about the handsome young man, Narcissus, who fell in love with his own reflection, its next collection looks set to continue promoting a somewhat healthier female self-confidence.

The boutique has continued to attract no shortage of notice for its existing fine unique investment pieces, ranging from designer skirts to leather clutches and everything in-between, as borne out by their appearance in recent months in such publications as ETC Magazine, Company, The Observer Magazine and the Daily Express. Examples of those NARCISS pieces to have recently drawn the attention of editors include its metallic crochet lace pink pencil skirt with an ethereal silk lining, fuchsia pink jacket with a statement embroidery and royal blue belted fit and flare skirt.

Meanwhile, Stefany Vidzus, the uber-creative person and fashion blogger behind stefanystrange.com, has selected her favourite striped pieces by NARCISS, commenting: "These NARCISS’ items left a great impression on me when I attended the Spring-Summer 2013 catwalk show. I love the different textures of the fabrics and play of sophisticated colours creating WOW-worth effect. The sheer, aquamarine and embroidered stripes add a playful accent overall."

As for what precisely the Spring-Summer 2014 collection has in store with regard to new innovations and catwalk-ready styles for admiring fashionistas, the online fashion boutique is remaining tight-lipped. However, with the fabrics, colours and silhouettes already decided and work now taking place on the initial designs, the new NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) range looks set to combine florals and nature-inspired prints and a wide range of separates into a suitably edgy and feminine whole.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Appearances in leading publications affirm the continued relevance of NARCISS

It may only be a few months since the latest NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) collection – Fall/Winter 2013/2014 – was unveiled as part of April’s Riga fashion week and Tranoi trade show during Paris fashion week, but the outgoing Spring/Summer 2013 range of womens designer tops, jackets, dresses and other fashions is showing no signs of relenting in its relevance through the sunniest months of the year.

As a fashion label that centres its offerings on sophisticated femininity, helping a woman to feel truly self-confident and fall in love with herself in a way quite unlike the sick narcissism and self-obsession of the handsome young man Narcissus of the ancient Greek myth, NARCISS takes great pride in seeing so many of its collections feted in major publications.

In particular, the woman behind the NARCISS brand, London fashion designer Alise Trautmane, is keen to emphasise the “humble luxury” that the label espouses. Ultimately, as much as NARCISS makes use of the highest quality natural fabrics and excellent craftsmanship to the end of genuinely unique investment pieces, they are intended to effortlessly blend in with the rest of the wearer’s wardrobe, rather than merely representing the trend du jour.

This is why it is so gratifying for the label to show such unwavering relevance through the ever-changing years, seasons and whims of the most fickle fashionistas by surfacing in so many significant newspapers, magazines and other publications, whether it is the brand’s cocktail dresses, designer skirts, leather clutches or entirely different product lines that are being showcased.

The publications to have given the creations of the online fashion boutique such coveted approval in just the last few months include UK luxury lifestyle magazine ETC, which featured not only the label’s sheer-striped maxi skirt, but also a dress with a lace applique and a hand-knitted top – all from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection – in the May 2013 issue.

The growing band of admirers of the luxury fashion boutique were also able to see its Jasmine blouse and Stella maxi skirts with a lace applique being flaunted to stunning effect by the gorgeous singer, DJ, model and LFW FROWer Leigh Lezark in the May 2013 issue of Company Magazine in the UK.

Meanwhile, on 14^th April 2013, the royal blue belted fit and flare skirt of NARCISS made an appearance in a wish list compiled by the UK’s The Observer Magazine, making it just one more of the label’s many designer skirts to have attracted press acclaim.

Another UK newspaper taking a keen interest in NARCISS in April was Daily Express, which showed a metallic crochet lace pink pencil skirt with an ethereal silk lining on the 1^st of the month, before a week later, promoting the Baltic mythology inspired fuchsia pink jacket with a statement embroidery.

Such welcome and positive publicity for NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) comes shortly after similar rave reviews from the likes of Women’s Health, Woman & Home, Grove and Idol Magazine in the earlier months of 2013, as the reach of the label’s cocktail dresses, trousers, coats and other fashions continues to expand unabated.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

NARCISS welcomes in the wedding season

As the wedding season gets firmly underway, more and more of the people who want to dazzle down the aisle and make their wedding day the most memorable of their life are searching for the most suitably sensational fashions. As the luxury fashion boutique that prizes making women feel healthily better about their appearance, it's only appropriate that NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) joins in with the spirit, in the best possible way.

It was certainly partly with the intention of bringing brides-to-be that distinctly feminine sophistication that they so crave that the current Spring/Summer 2013 collection of the fashion boutique was conceived. Both more recent and long-time admirers of London fashion designer Alise Trautmane, the woman behind NARCISS, are familiar with the ways in which she intertwines specific predetermined seasonal themes with elements that play to the more universal values of "humble luxury".

When the time comes for wedding guests and bridesmaids to select their cocktail dresses for the latest announced nuptials, the tendency is for them to hunt out desirable and unique investment pieces that benefit from the highest standards of craftsmanship in their manufacture from entirely opulent fabrics. At the same time, they are likely to be intrigued by deep underpinning themes in their chosen clothing, relating to elements of nature, history and mythology.

           

But all the while, without overshadowing the bride, such women simply wish to feel great about their looks and reflect, in their choice of designer skirts and other eye-catching wedding fashion, the celebratory spirit of the big day. Meeting all of these criteria in a fashion label's most recent range may appear a tall order, but Alise does so with aplomb, as can be best evidenced in her boutique's present selection of wonderfully designed dresses.

The current collection ranges from the polished sense of ceremony engendered by the Alicia Dress, an embellished gold-metallic strapless dress available for £476, to the classic, shimmering elegance of the £381 Draped Silk Dress and the striking bold simplicity of the knee-length orange Darta Dress. In-between, there are such attention-grabbing creations as the gorgeously-tailored Diamanté Dress and the playful hand-finished Shannon Dress.

All in all, it's clear that NARCISS has all of the styles at the ready to absolutely capture the atmosphere of enchantment and hope of the wedding season, informed - in the case of the latest Spring/Summer 2013 collection - by such motifs as Austra's Tree, or the Tree of the Dawn, of Baltic mythology. These influences manifest in such forms as metallic shine fabrics, silver-to-gold print and minimal garment shapes, enhanced by edgy details.

Completing the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) offering for wedding attendees is the wider range of inspired special occasion clothing and accessories, encompassing the likes of womens designer jackets and leather clutches, and even a bespoke bridal service for those who feel that choosing their own fashions 'off the shelf' simply won't do.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Why NARCISS designer tops are the perfect choice for spring 2013

Previous pieces on the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) website have detailed the latest fashions from the Spring/Summer 2013 collection of the luxury fashion boutique, encompassing jackets, skirts and accessories. Now, it’s time to consider the merits of the designer tops inspired by Baltic mythology and boasting many of the long-established qualities of the label.

Those qualities include the most impeccable craftsmanship and the finest natural fabrics, all combined in a manner that makes the womens designer tops of NARCISS a year-round, and not merely spring fashion investment. Indeed, there’s never a time of year – or even any year – in which women do not appreciate timeless wardrobe staples exuding an unmistakable sophisticated femininity.

As one would expect from the creations of a fashion label deriving its name from the handsome young man, Narcissus, of the ancient Greek myth, the tops of NARCISS truly make a woman feel good and even fall in love with the person that greets her in the mirror. Unlike the aforementioned legend, however, the emphasis of NARCISS is firmly on a healthy and balanced self-confidence, not sick self-obsession and narcissism.

This universally appealing philosophy is combined for spring 2013 with the influence of mythology and folkloric symbols throughout a range of designer tops that may be the best yet assembled by the London fashion designer behind NARCISS, Alise Trautmane. The Jasmine Silk Blouse, for example, is perceptively crafted solely from the finest silk, and feels distinctly delicate and natural – not unlike the mystical tree in Baltic folklore, Austra’s tree.

It is worth considering this tree further when browsing through the present NARCISS designer tops selection, as many visual elements of these fashions have something to do with its copper roots, gold branches and silver leaves, as well as its tendency to die with the setting of the sun and rise back to life at the start of each day. The likes of the Nora Silk Blouse and Martha Tunic, for example, feature embroidery and other detailing that geometrically references Austra’s tree – otherwise known as Tree of the Dawn.

However, if there’s something that the admirer of the output of this online fashion boutique is likely to notice about the general look of such items as the Printed Silk Top and the Juliette Blouse, now on sale for £249 and £178 respectively, it is that they are also starkly, unapologetically contemporary. The aforementioned folkloric and natural influences, whilst absolutely present, are also not overly imposing, which helps the fashions of the Spring/Summer 2013 collection to transcend the mere ‘trend du jour’ or for that matter, the restrictions of any one theme.

With the present womens designer tops range also including the entrancing White Queen Blouse in 100% silk and the £259 Bishop Blouse combining a silk and elastane main composition with cotton and polyamide sleeves, it’s clear that NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) remains an ideal first port of call for spring fashionistas.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

How NARCISS is bringing new style to the spring skirt

The humble skirt has always been a key means by which women have expressed their sophisticated femininity, which should make it unsurprising that a luxury fashion boutique that is dedicated to precisely that - http://www.shopnarciss.com - should have made it central to its Spring/Summer 2013 collection.

What is even less surprising than that, however, is the grace with which the renowned London fashion designer behind NARCISS, Alise Trautmane, has created a fresh series of skirt designs that fit in with folkloric inspirations as well as the label's wider principles. The entire seasonal collection, in fact, is underpinned by notions of Baltic mythology, and the result is minimalistic skirts with edgy details, combining the finest of the old and new.

NARCISS' designer skirts never wear their influences too heavily, perfectly befitting the label's aim of creating unique investment pieces that effortlessly blend in with the rest of any self-respecting woman's wardrobe - regardless of the prevailing trend de jour. In this season as in all seasons, the skirts of NARCISS are manufactured to the highest standards of craftsmanship, being exclusively made from the finest quality natural fabrics.

That is not to suggest, however, that the present skirts range of the online fashion boutique do not also exude a freshness and lightness that is entirely in keeping with the emerging spring. This is where the collection's overarching theme comes into its own, with Alise having taken a particular cue from Austra's Tree (Tree of the Dawn), a mystical tree in the Baltic folklore that is known for flourishing whenever the sun is in the sky, dying as it sets and being revived each day.

Hints of that inspiration can be seen in geometric form in the intricate embroidery that characterises the present collection, with the recurrent metallic shine and silver-to-gold print of many garments echoing the silver leaves, gold branches and copper roots of Austra's Tree itself. That aesthetic can be appreciated in the likes of the Stella Skirt, a maxi skirt with lace appliqué that can presently be purchased for £379.

It's also evident in a rather different sense in the Lace Pencil Skirt with its zipped back and cotton and polyester composition, complete with a viscose lining. This skirt is now available for £136. Bearing the very name of the central inspiration of the current collection, meanwhile, is the Austra Skirt, which is an old rose silver crochet lace pencil skirt consisting of silk, acetate and metal crochet. It is a counterpart to the similarly-styled Austra Jacket and is priced at £316.

These are just some of an extensive selection of designer skirts, including many mini-skirts that successfully incorporate a seasonal inspiration into genuinely timeless and longer-term wardrobe staples – in which NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) has long prided itself on in its never-ending pursuit for humble luxury. 

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

How NARCISS' accessories complete your spring wardrobe

From the boutiques in which it is represented across the world, in London, Cardiff, Antwerp, Riga, Dubai and beyond, the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) label brings a legion of admirers closer to a certain "humble luxury" that makes sense well beyond the current fashion season. Such a quality is represented through the best-crafted cocktail dresses, designer skirts, tops and more.

Such items go some way to communicating the sophisticated femininity for 21st century lives that has long been dear to the London fashion designer and founder of NARCISS, Alise Trautmane. Since she left behind the corporate world, Alise has been steadfastly making a major impact on the world's catwalks, and it's not just silk dresses and designer tops that have allowed her to do that, but also intelligently-conceived accessories.

The present NARCISS range of accessories has been designed to complement the rest of the label's Spring/Summer 2013 collection, with its chosen thematic emphasis of Baltic mythology and in particular, Austra's Tree (Tree of the Dawn), which flourishes when the sun is out, dies as it sets but comes back to life each day. However, while NARCISS' current accessories take their cue from such folkloric elements, much like the rest of the collection, they are not unduly indebted to it, instead subtly integrating certain references.

On sale in the online fashion boutique right now, for example, are one-off embellished silk headbands, in both black and snow white, priced at £48 each. Also of the one-off nature is the Peppe Shoulder Bag with intrecciato leather detail, which can be purchased for £175. This dark chocolate shoulder bag plays to this season's textural trend with its combination of different leathers, with its chic design and edgy details looking especially good when worn across the body of any discerning fashionista. All in all, it's an item that exudes true laid-back luxe.

Designed along not entirely dissimilar lines are the label's newest hand-embellished leather totes, the Austra Tote and Carmena Tote, which are both available for £397 and combine a 100% leather composition on the outside with 100% silk on the inside. That simply leaves an extensive range of leather clutches to consider, offering a physical durability to match their fashion durability and all being priced at £140 - from the timeless black Textured Clutch to the pleasingly organic Python-Effect Clutch.

With their symbolically chosen natural materials and detailing, together with their satisfyingly minimal silhouettes and high standard of manufacture, it's clear that the latest accessories of the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) luxury fashion boutique are as progressive, yet respectful of the past, as the rest of the present spring collection.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Jump start the spring with NARCISS

With its emphasis on sophisticated, but humble femininity that enables its fashions to fit in well in any wardrobe, the online fashion boutique of luxe brand NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) offers all of the latest silhouettes that one could possibly require to ‘jump start the spring’ – from sharp pant-suits and precision-cut jackets to versatile and chic trousers.

NARCISS styles often hark back to the past, albeit in a progressive rather than sentimental way, that illuminates the minds of today’s generation of fashion-seekers. That is certainly in evidence in the boutique’s feted Spring/Summer 2013 Collection, which draws on Baltic mythology, especially centring on Austra’s Tree, or Tree of the Dawn, which is a mystical tree known for flourishing only when the sun is in the sky.

However, although this tree dies at sunset, it is always ready to spring back to life when the sun rises the following day. This is a more than suitable metaphor for the extensive Spring/Summer 2013 Collection of NARCISS that consists of the perfect cocktail dresses, designer skirts, jackets and other fashion pieces that are ideal for enlivening the wearer’s spring.

The copper roots, gold branches and silver leaves for which Austra’s Tree is known are symbolically represented in the silver-to-gold print, metallic shine fabrics and intricate embroidery adorning the spring creations of London fashion designer Alise Trautmane. Women who are looking to be more self-confident this spring will be delighted by these details, as well as those – such as the edgier touches and minimal garment shape – that mark out the garments as especially contemporary.

From light, chic silk dresses like the Laima Semi-Sheer Dress, which is one of the latest additions to the NARCISS range at £428, to the £406 embellished gold-metallic Amber Jacket, NARCISS offers the perfect selection of sharp spring wardrobe enhancements. Whether a woman wishes to look elegant in such bang-on-Spring-2013 fashions as printed pantsuits, or is seeking the ideal seasonal accessories like leather clutches, NARCISS covers all of the bases with the needs of the most determined fashionistas in mind.

Visit the NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) online store now for more spring inspiration from the luxury fashion boutique that combines opulent design inspiration with sumptuous natural fabrics and the highest standard of craftsmanship.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

NARCISS Fall/Winter 2013/14 pits fairy tale against dark drama

The NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) Spring/Summer 2013 collection was all about Baltic mythology and folklore, interpreted progressively rather than sentimentally. Now, the attentions of the world's most sophisticated fashionistas turn to the preview of the Fall/Winter 2013/14 collection of the renowned online fashion boutique.

The NARCISS Fall/Winter 2013 ready-to-wear collection is sure to reflect more of the "humble luxury" and resistance to the mere latest trend de jour that have become trademarks of the creations of London fashion designer and boutique founder, Alise Trautmane. This time, however, her designs truly play on the conflicts between the concepts of fairy tale and dark drama.

What that means is that one can expect a collection replete with contrasting fabrics, a great level of attention to edgy details, exquisite craftsmanship and the selection of some of the finest natural fabrics across items ranging from womens designer jackets to silk dresses. Many of these features are recurrent across every NARCISS collection to date, but combinations like rough wool, delicate silks and sleek leather, or sheer and lightweight as well as heavy fabrics, are new and distinctive to this collection.

Initial presentations of the collection took place in Paris at the WHO'S NEXT exhibition in January, with further presentations featuring at TRANOI from 1-4 March. It is at such events that many questions are likely to be asked of the legions of NARCISS admirers across the world, based around exploring and fantasising about the pursuit of beauty. Is, for example, the beauty ethereal, pure and fragile or can it also be understated, villainous and dark?

None of this, however, addresses the best feature of all of the most recent offerings of this vaunted luxury fashion boutique: that this timeless glamour is also truly an affordable luxury. Find out more at the NARCISS website: http://www.shopnarciss.com.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Inject some elegance into your wardrobe for less

Luxury fashion boutique NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) has gained a reputation for creating high-end yet affordable pieces which boast an easy elegance and timeless quality but that also tap into key current trends. Now, and for a limited time only, it’s the ideal time to inject some of this luxe elegance into your wardrobe for less, thanks to the NARCISS January sale.

With Spring/Summer season months away yet, our wardrobes still very much reflect a Fall/Winter feel. What’s great about this time of year is that we get to update our winter wardrobes with highly desirable pieces while making great savings. The January sale at NARCISS’ online fashion boutique is one of the first places to hit for the discerning fashion lover, with up to 30% off NARCISS’ Fall/Winter 2012 line.

Let’s look at just a few examples of some of the sought-after items currently on sale* at NARCISS. One of the hottest trends of 2012 was the cape: anyone who was anyone added this armless cocoon of a winter cover-up to their Fall/Winter must-haves. The Pawn Cape created by the London fashion designer behind the NARCISS brand, Alise Trautmane, was predictably a best seller, and now you can snap up this gorgeous on-trend item for a 30% reduction, now available for £387.

NARCISS is particularly known for prominently featuring silk in its collections. The Juliette blouse is a perfect example of how beautifully and creatively Alise uses silk in her designs. Fine, 100% silk is used in the back and flowing sleeves of this minimalistic yet chic off-white blouse, now available at a 30% reduction, making it just £207 in the January sale.

Designer skirts are also included in the NARCISS sale, for instance the gorgeous Matilda Sun Ray skirt is now just £144. Tapping into the skater skirt trend, this design somehow manages to be both flirty and hard-edged, thanks to it’s full and flippy shape and easy movement, as well as its ink-black colour and darkly satin sheen.

This is the perfect time to upscale your wardrobe to include some highly desirable luxury pieces at surprisingly affordable prices. But hurry: high fashion with this level of luxe at these prices are, unsurprisingly, selling fast. Find the boutique at http://www.shopnarciss.com.

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

Inject some elegance into your wardrobe for less

Luxury fashion boutique NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) has gained a reputation for creating high-end yet affordable pieces which boast an easy elegance and timeless quality but that also tap into key current trends. Now, and for a limited time only, it’s the ideal time to inject some of this luxe elegance into your wardrobe for less, thanks to the NARCISS January sale.

With Spring/Summer season months away yet, our wardrobes still very much reflect a Fall/Winter feel. What’s great about this time of year is that we get to update our winter wardrobes with highly desirable pieces while making great savings. The January sale at NARCISS’ online fashion boutique is one of the first places to hit for the discerning fashion lover, with up to 30% off NARCISS’ Fall/Winter 2012 line.

Let’s look at just a few examples of some of the sought-after items currently on sale* at NARCISS. One of the hottest trends of 2012 was the cape: anyone who was anyone added this armless cocoon of a winter cover-up to their Fall/Winter must-haves. The Pawn Cape created by the London fashion designer behind the NARCISS brand, Alise Trautmane, was predictably a best seller, and now you can snap up this gorgeous on-trend item for a 30% reduction, now available for £387.

NARCISS is particularly known for prominently featuring silk in its collections. The Juliette blouse is a perfect example of how beautifully and creatively Alise uses silk in her designs. Fine, 100% silk is used in the back and flowing sleeves of this minimalistic yet chic off-white blouse, now available at a 30% reduction, making it just £207 in the January sale.

Designer skirts are also included in the NARCISS sale, for instance the gorgeous Matilda Sun Ray skirt is now just £144. Tapping into the skater skirt trend, this design somehow manages to be both flirty and hard-edged, thanks to it’s full and flippy shape and easy movement, as well as its ink-black colour and darkly satin sheen.

This is the perfect time to upscale your wardrobe to include some highly desirable luxury pieces at surprisingly affordable prices. But hurry: high fashion with this level of luxe at these prices are, unsurprisingly, selling fast. Find the boutique at http://www.shopnarciss.com.

*subject to availability/size

Editor’s Note: NARCISS (http://www.shopnarciss.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.