A. Turen: Classic Rock Revamped

You may feel like you just time traveled back to the 1980's when walking into Ashley Turen's boutique, located on the Lower East side of New York.

Imagine a collection of old metallic jackets, vests, pants, ripped up denim shorts, and an abundance of hot leather mini-skirts.

Now, imagine the collection bespattered in paint, cut up, shredded, ripped, dipped, and incorporating mixed objects into the design.

That is the idea behind the A. Turen line.

Turen has a magical ability to re-construct these vintage styles into one-of-a-kind psychedelic pieces.

By use of only a pair of scissors, a paint brush, and random items like buttons, lace, or antique broaches, Turen is able give these otherwise simple styles an electric intensity without an equal.

For example,  she’s successfully taken concert t-shirts like Bon Jovi and Led Zeppelin (my favorites) and have given them complete rock star makeovers by cutting out their shoulders and adding blots of hot pink paint.

Her use of metallic material makes her collection reminiscent of a watercolor painting.

And her miniskirts? They will have you feeling like one of those badass chicks from the 80's hair band videos.

Each piece within the collection is hand-made by Turen and she specializes in customizing - you can tell her exactly what you want done.

My next trip?

Hauling all of my mom's old 80's clothes up to New York with me and giving them a one-of-a-kind A. Turen makeover!