I don't think I've tried to impress someone as much as I did when I was applying to become a member of Totokaelo (TOH-toh-KYE-oh), an online boutique that also acts as a private online community of similar-minded shoppers.  i.e. if you're not of our Totokaelo ilk, you ain't comin' in.  Actually, that's a bit of a false impression.  It IS only an initial screening process that isn't about being elitist but aims to create a community of like-minded peeps that will be into the labels that Totokaelo stocks, people that will communicate with each other, help each other out to make purchases.  Still, the question that formed most of the selection process of 'What are you into now?' frightened me a little and so I used all of my brain cells to skim off all the things that I was into that ish-made me sound like someone Totokaelo would welcome into their fold.

Now that I'm a member, I've discovered it's not as scary a place as it makes out with it's initial access route.  It IS a highly tasteful e-boutique selling highly tasteful labels that are of the La Garconne/Pollyanna ilk.  Nothing too bright/fanciful here but expect the sort of pieces that would fall into anyone's wardrobe with ease and be worn to death just because of the neutrality of pieces.  The Switzerland of fashion would be a little too bland a comparison to make but they are lux low-key.  Labels include Bi La Li, Comme des Garcons, MM6 by Martin Margiela, Acne, A.P.C., Humanoid, United Bamboo, Why Red, Future Classics and Willow and seems to be quite international in its variety.  Once you are in the Totakaelo fold, the additional deets that you discover about pieces you are interested in are in the comments.  For instance a pair of A.P.C. patent gladiator sandals has attached to it many comments regarding it's sizing, comfort and look.  I realise many, many, MANY online shopping communities exist for this purpose of product discussion but I like the distilled and compact way Totokaelo have done it. 

I have noticed a fair few of these member-only shopping e-sites popping up with varying levels of success but it seems people have taken to Totokaelo positively and has a pretty long list of members...

I'm probably never going to be an active participant such is my inability to keep up with more than one online social network (yes, Facebook is completely lost on me... ) but for those more savvy people who have savvy answers to give to the question of 'What are you into now?', please go right ahead and get onto the Totokaelo train...

My picks from the store which is in the middle of a pretty awesome sale with new pieces arriving...

(Opening Ceremony desert boots, United Bamboo pyramid stud belt, VPL Pieced camisole in grey, Y's by Yohji Yamamoto suspender sweater, Y's by Yohji Yamamoto suspender pants, Le Mont St. Michel silk drape sleeve blouse, Junya Watanabe puff sleeve cardi, Hache print dress, Future Classics double front blouse dress, APC white top, APC black patent gladiator sandals, MM6 Martin Margiela Map Tank, Acne Caine Blouse, Iosseliani rhinestone clip on earrings, Rue white epoxy covered silver ring)