The name probably won’t mean much to you, and that’s not surprising, because before becoming an independent stylist, Bérengère Claire, from Lorraine, worked in TV and cinema. She decided to embark on a solo adventure during a year spent in New York.

She created her first collection, drawing inspiration from her surroundings and the eclectic New York style. Her concept is to bring together the two different sides of America, the puritanical and good-thinking on one hand, country and a bit rough and ready on the other. A bit of a risk, but it works quite well!

Checkered patterns are at the heart of her designs, and the new 2008 collection is no exception to the rule. Her logo is a nod to American universities and her roots. Personally, I find the results good and consistent with what seems to be quite a British twist.

It’s available from €125 from Aimecube Paris or direct from her site. Also, if you’re looking for a gift for your loved one, have a look at the dresses and tops, they’re pretty sexy…

So, are checks IN or OUT?

This unusual little velvet and satin jacket is well cut, and what’s more it’s two tone! The brand: Marc Ecko. What do you mean you don’t know it?!! Briefly: Mark Ecko is a brand that mixes the streetwear style we know so well (Ecko Unlimited) with a touch of class. I recommend you visit their site (it has very nice photos) :p

€94 from Amazon.com

Do you like the combination of sky blue and brown? Do you love the “straight outta Hawaii” look? Get a taste of paradise with these board shorts decorated with oversize patterns!

We like:

• The subtle stripes that give it a modern, graphic design edge
• The Velcro® back pocket
• The general quality of Quicksilver clothing

€36.36 on Nordstrom

Next episode in the “choosing trainers for the summer?” series, but this time they’re on sale I’ve just discovered this style from Underground. Anyone for whom the Union Jack means something will love them as much as I do…

€46 on Sarenza

You’ve probably heard of the collaboration between Adidas and Yohji Yamamoto, Vans and Marc Jacobs, or even Le Coq Sportif with Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, well here’s a new one: between Veja and the stylist Christine Phung Based upon Veja Tauá, made of eco leather, this collection is filled with bright, pop-inspired colours, such as these in electric blue.

€99 at Printemps Design, Killiwatch et Palais de Tokyo in Paris (Limited Edition!)

Cardigans are very in vogue at the moment, and you can match the colours to the season. Here’s a mid-season style (blue for spring, brown for autumn) from Peter Werth. If you like this one, why not check out the rest of the range, let me know what you think! Worth noting: some styles are reduced to £9.99!

£29.99 on Stand-Out

Do you need to get rid of some of your old pants? What about these ones? They are very ‘now’: They’re hipsters with a contrasting blue waistband and two stripes that make all the difference! They’re made of cotton and modal (and if anyone happens to know what modal is, I’d be delighted to know!).

€24.00 from Rue des hommes

I am fascinated by boats. I have, however, never even lived close to the sea, and I’ve only been out on the Parisian sight-seeing boats, the bateaux-mouches! (”except this one time when I took a ferry to England” Probably the lure of the unknown. And what’s left of my childhood imagination: all those nights spent sailing the oceans on my 24-mast gallion searching for sunken treasure (”wow, a badge!”). But one day, I’ll climb aboard a real boat. And I’ll probably be wearing a t-shirt as nice as this one! (”Excuse me, can you tell me which is the boat for the island of the Sirens?”)

$32.00 from Sailor Jerry

I would almost be tempted to call Diesel’s Zathan Boot cut style a classic. These work almost as well in a casual jeans-trainers combo as for a dressier look with leather shoes and a shirt.

$200.00 from Neiman Marcus

Stussy is an american brand that was born at the beginning of Eighties in California. This style from the “World Tour” series designed by Haze has recently become available Stussy Store UK too (before it was only available in the US). Haze, from New York, West side of Manhattan, had a significiant part in the emergence of the Hip Hop in culture during the Eighties. Haze was an essential part of the collective of artists that brought graffiti as an art form into the arena of art galleries and media consideration. Pack includes artist biog and special edition bag.

£35.00 from Stussy Store UK