Athena Calderone just dropped a new collection with Crate & Barrel and it is SWOON-WORTHY indeed. This gorgeous collection holds 132 items in total, each representing the true essence of EyeSwoon — featuring some items similar to those in Athena’s home. It was difficult, but I narrowed down the top 5 items I love from the Crate & Barrel x Athena Calderone collection below:

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1. L’UNION FLOOR LAMP

A moment of inspiration inspired Athena Calderone to unite a woven shade with a 1950s lamp base purchased at Paris's renowned Les Puces flea market. The result is our L'Union floor lamp—a dramatic, elegant and contemporary solution to brightening up corners or providing a sculptural focal point to any room. We love the sinuous arc of the lamp's tube from the minimalist tripod base and the jaunty dangle of the perfectly tapered rattan shade.

1. L'UNION BLACK METAL ARC FLOOR LAMP WITH RATTAN SHADE

2. RELIC PEDESTAL

The classically inspired Relic pedestal table conjures up images of manor halls filled with artifacts showcased on stately pedestals. The refined woodworking showcases the natural beauty of wood in the cathedral grain of frame panels and the end grain of the crown and foot molding—all enhanced by a weathered driftwood finish. Alone or topped with a vase, prized sculpture or petite lamp, the pedestal table adds vertical interest to a room corner or hallway.

1. RELIC OAK PEDESTAL TABLE

3. REVIVAL PETITE SIDE TABLE

Based on a 1950s side table that Athena Calderone rescued from the trash and restored, the Revival side table mixes materials and textures with off-beat elan. Carved rim detailing animates the post-shaped legs of solid oak. The wood's light ivory ceruse finish harmonizes perfectly with the beige and brown tones of the round travertine top and mini shelf inset in a round stretcher made of hand-forged and hammered steel.

1. REVIVAL PETIT SIDE TABLE

4. RUINS TABLE LAMP

Like an abstract sculpture or the remains of a long-gone structure, our Ruins lamp makes a dramatic play of light and shadow. Made of textured stoneware, the cream base unites two intersecting forms with an open void in between that creates an intriguing balance of positive and negative space. A pleated taper shade in natural linen contrasts with clean lines and crisp pleats. Perched on a console table or sideboard, the eye-catching lamp provides a sculptural focal point to a living room or entryway.

1. RUINS CREAM CERAMIC SCULPTURAL TABLE LAMP WITH PLEATED SHADE

5. Angolare Sectional Sofa

Low, modern and modular, our Angolare sectional collection takes inspiration from 1970s German and Italian furniture design. Comprising an armless chair flanked by corner chairs, the three-piece sectional stays low to the ground with sculptural, cushioned seating that's soft yet supportive. Plush-to-the-touch faux mohair in dusky basil green is luxe looking with surprising durability, while self-welting and button-tufting bring a bit of angularity to the sectional's curved contours in line with Athena's love of juxtaposition.

1. ANGOLARE 3-PIECE SECTIONAL SOFA

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BruceGlen s/s 2023

The Wild Wild West of Colorful Fun

BruceGlen S/S 2023

“In large part inspired by our move to the Wild Wild/WOW WOW West!”

— Via @BruceGlenCollection

BruceGlen S/S 2023

“We are aliens in a strange new land looking for peace. and found a new home” — BruceGlen

Set in New York at the Tribeca 360, the identical twin designers, Bruce Glen, showcased a uniquely colorful approach to their recent move to California. Using the signature BruceGlen color and metallic leathers — this season was a mix of romantic florals and neon prints to capture the desert climate and year-round summer of California. The collection’s western edge was inspired by a thrifted cowboy shirt, from there little details such as a cactus necklace, fridge on jackets, and ruffles sleeves come into play.

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Zimo S/S 2023

Dedicated To Those Who Immigrated Around The World In 1990’s

Zimo S/S 2023

“Exaggerated ruffle hems and Mexican-style patchwork symbolizes a blend of different cultures while Latin-inspired elements embodying stories of Asian immigrants that moved to Mexico.”

— Via Zimo

Zimo S/S 2023

Designer Zimo Yan introduced Dolores Street collection, named after the main street in Chinatown in Mexico, which is inspired by the theme of Asian families immigrating to foreign countries around the world in the 1990s. While settling in their new homes, they made it a point to preserve their culture and often upheld old traditions better than those who never left the Far East. The collection weaves fragments of Eastern influences on Western culture into its collection, thereby showing how these two cultures influenced one another.

“Dolores Street incorporated upcycled jersey cloth and discarded porcelain beads from Chinese elders. In addition, the collection features ample crochet patchwork, inspired by the table cloth typically used by Asian families in the 90s. Exaggerated ruffle hems and Mexican-style patchwork symbolizes a blend of different cultures while Latin-inspired elements embodying stories of Asian immigrants that moved to Mexico. In addition, the collection captures the complex environment in which Asian youth in Western countries grow up. Intertwining expectations from Eastern families and Western friends, influences from two cultures, and the inevitable question of true belonging forges a new identity of individuals finding their place in the world.”

— from ZIMO

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From Tiktok To The Runway

Regency Renaissance Era meets comfort of Selkie

Photo Credit provided by Selkie

Photo Credit provided by Selkie

I pulled out my phone for directions, running off the subway to the Selkie show venue, only to notice a few others dressed in gorgeous gowns walking around me. It’s hard to miss a Selkie outfit — so I put my phone away and followed the crowd. Almost everyone around me was dressed head to toe in Selkie, I gave my little “soooo where are you going?” as we all obviously walked towards 99 Scott in Brooklyn for the show. And let me tell you — never have I ever attended a show where majority of the audience wore the brand. It was unreal. Everyone truly pulled out their favorite dresses just for the occasion and it was phenomenal to see the power of Selkie. There was an electrifying aura of femininity in the air. True to Selkie’s nature of designing with the female gaze in mind, the crowd of puff dresses and voluminous ruffles gave everything and more.

Mind you, this was all before the show had even started.

Attendees dressed in Selkie — via @fashionablykea

Attendees dressed in Selkie — via @ariannabaq

“Never one to blend into a crowd, Kimberley Gordon brings her signature princess gowns, ridiculous ruffles and pretty pastels to the runway once again. ”

— Via Selkie

Attendee @montselewin wearing the newest collection + me

Kimberly Gordon, founder of Selkie, truly set a transcending stage. The Selkie S/S 2023 show somehow managed to combine the industrial-ness of Brooklyn with Selkie girliness. As sheer pink fabric was hung from the windows, light filtered into the concrete box, creating almost a fog, which only added to the whimsicalness of the collection. If you noticed unicorn horns on the models, it’s because Gordon was “inspired by the cult classic story, The Last Unicorn” a movie that depicts an army of unicorns who “unite for an explosion of color as we celebrate the odd girl out”.

“Inspired by cult classic story, The Last Unicorn, Spring 2023 Selkie reimagines the tale with a more is more approach, plucking nostalgic memories from the turn of the millenium and splashing them across an army of extravagant unicorns, who’ve hidden themselves inside these human bodies for too long. Lost lonely rebels unite for an explosion of color as we celebrate the odd girl out.”

— Via Selkie

Selkie was truly born with the puff dress we’ve all seen and love on Tiktok and because the brand is so intrinsically feminine and divine, it is hard to replicate its approach. From ruffles to bows to the colors and patterns, the S/S 2023 collection feels like Selkie in its truest form. The floral patterns and pastel colors, like strawberry milk ruffles, brought extra romance to the collection. In a very regency-era meets comfort core kinda way, even the bags were quite literally pillow-like with royal patterns and a gold chain (also I now need a pillow bag in my life).

The runway show was proof that Selkie is by far one of the most size-inclusive shows this season. The audience loved it, as many around me cheered loudly for their plus-sized stunning gals. I respect Gordon’s dedication to pushing Selkie’s inclusivity aspect, while also being the brand we all seem to need right now. After the recent years of the pandemic lockdown and sweatpants era, trends started to shift towards the sparkly dresses and high heels, but there is something nostalgic Selkie brings to the table — our childhood memories of dress-up.

When did it stop being normal to wear our Disney-like princess dresses in public?

I remember feeling so confident in them and I love how Selkie is (in a way) normalizing that again. There is something fun and beautiful about being confident in a gorgeous puffy dress and feeling unapologetically feminine. I could see it in the audience as everyone sat in their dresses (some with butterflies in their hair); they were unapologetically divine, cheering and clapping for the models, fully involved with the show — it is a true testament to the influence of Selkie’s cult.

Each collection tells a story and presents a dreamy world through its imagery — Selkie