First glance at Mellany Sanchez and you may think, okay, bright young woman, tons of potential. After all, she was just tapped by shoe industry hot shot Ronnie Fieg to head up women’s for his recently opened New York store, Kith NYC, starting with a collection of tops and bottoms called White Label for Spring 2013. Spend some time listening to the tale of her come up and you quickly realize she’s already light years past the potential phase. Simply put while most of her classmates were enjoying carefree teen times as high schoolers, she was already chasing down real life opportunities in the fashion industry and juggling not just homework but internships and jobs.

At age 15 she cut her teeth as an intern at Luis Colon’s magazine, Kicks, and all female sneaker store, Laces, and then moved on to jobs and internships at David Z, Rag & Bone, and at J.Crew worked her way up to head merchandiser at the chain’s No.2 Crew Cut store. In addition to Kith, she now handles social media for Oak, and Nike has spotted her, too, recently featuring her in a campaign featuring women’s running gear. We intended to quiz her strictly on the White Label drop, but found her story very easy to listen to. See if you don’t agree:

Q: A few days ago Kith’s White Label dropped its first full launch for men, women and kids. As of now it’s sold to the wall. How long did that take?
Sanchez: It took 90 minutes to sell out. Kith has been making menswear for a while, starting with the Mercer pants. Now it has expanded into women’s and kids. Women were asking for it and Ronnie was listening.

Q: What did the collection include?
Sanchez: The Mercer pants in six colors –black, grey, olive, navy, burgunday and khaki, plus two tops—one all black and the other denim with grey sleeves. The denim is raw Japanese denim with selvidge details.

Q: Ronnie Fieg is a friend to HighSnobette so we know he has a very big personality. How is it working with him?
Sanchez: We both respect each other’s work ethic, and even though we have completely different mind sets we have common goals. We have so many conversations about art and they’re completely different. We’re constantly battling over creative decisions. It’s his company but he appreciates and respects what I like. And I’m confident in what I know, I’m immersed in a lot of worlds, whether it’s discussions about the local bodega to what’s taking place in architecture and the art world.

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Read more on the next page about Sanchez’s opinions on Azealia Banks and female rap artists, when she realized the limits of streetwear and her take on the current battle between old media and fashion bloggers.

All images of Sanchez (wearing the Mercer pants) by Rashid Samuel.

Kith continues to roll full speed ahead, this time with a lookbook promoting its apparel brand White Label, with the first official collection comprised of the much coveted Mercer pants, the Varick crewneck and a range of satin jackets made in collaboration with Ebbets. Items have been sized for men, women and kids, as displayed in a unisex lookbook and all will go on sale tomorrow at Kith brick and mortar plus the brand’s online shop.

While we love the line, we’re also excited about owner/founder Ronnie Fieg’s new business partnership with Mellany Sanchez, who has been tapped to head women’s for the new label. And yep, she’s also featured in the lookbook shown above. We have a q&a coming up next week so you all can become better acquainted with this rising star.

Nike is really starting to have some fun with its Sky High Dunk series, the “New York” style above features a hidden wedge with premium materials, like faux pony hair overlays, plus a patent Swoosh and waxed cotton laces. Take a closer look and you can see “New York” is printed on the tongue. These kicks are available now for $225 at Kith Manhattan (or phone order: 646-648-6285). Hot, hot, hot!

See a couple more images on the next page.

There are many things one can say about Beyonce Knowles. From her undeniable vocals, dance prouesse and southern belle charm, she’s been able to sustain an untouchable star status where many came close on various levels but have not yet surpassed her. And then comes this editorial shot by Terry Richardson  that has  men and women all over twitter saying things like @RonnieFieg :

“That Beyonce cover got me sweating.”

See more pictures on the next page via GQ and read the full interview here.

What we have always loved about fashion is it’s potential to bring joy. We as HighSnobette editors feel so lucky to not only have witnessed many of these special moments but to also have come to know and watch grow many of the artists and designers behind some of our favorite projects. Below in no particular order we share what we regard as some of the best, joy-bringing efforts of 2012:

Designer Melody Ehsani’s star has been on the rise for quite some time now, but her “Queen of the Jungle” necklace (above) in many ways stamped her official arrival. We lost count of the stylish celebrities spotted in this vivacious fun piece.

Leah McSweeney has always been a force of personality. She literally is the MTTM brand, as backed by an intensely loyal supporting staff + fan base. Like many young brands the label went through its stumbles when investors pulled out, but the tenacious McSweeney was able to hold on to the name and this year the label found its own inimitable stride again, as marked by the brand’s “Supreme Bitch” snapback cap, which received the blessing of none other mega-style star Rihanna.

See many more “bests” on the next page. And a very Happy New Year to all. Thank you so much for your support in 2012.

To celebrate the Nets and the Lovely bourough of Brooklyn that is their home adidas launches a capsule collection of premium Nets apparel and accessories at Kith Brooklyn today. The collection features:

A classic 1980s style leather duffle bag designed by adidas Originals,by SCHOTT N.Y.C. and lining created by Brooklyn artist ESPO holds adidas Originals x Brooklyn Nets authentic memorabilia. The kit includes an adidas Originals x Brooklyn Nets crew and tee shirt as well as an inaugural season jacket designed by adidas Originals and manufactured by Portland brand Dehen. The limited edition kit is not available for purchase at any retailer.

Two additional kits can be purchased as auctioned items on eBay. The adidas Originals leather duffle bags will be available for sale exclusively at KITH with limited quantities of 5 at each location, KITH Manhattan and Kith Brooklyn. Retail, $750. All proceeds will be donated to the Hurricane Sandy relief in Brooklyn through the Brooklyn Community Foundation, http://www.brooklyncommunityfoundation.org/.

While Kith proprietor, Ronnie Fieg, is a friend to HS, we sincerely appreciate what he has done for retail at his stores in SoHo and Brooklyn. This a guy that has an eye for merchandise that’s fun and unexpected, like these Italian-made “Star” slippers by Del Toro, which is making its first landing at Kith this week.  Available in stores and online.

Newly released, Ronnie Fieg’s capsule collection for Sebago includes some rad ladies silhouettes for this Summer :

The Spinnaker shoe reinterpreting the classic Dockside style in a two-color upper with crazy horse leather in a sangria red with brown ankle detailing. The Angelique , Sebago’s Beacon boot with a personalized cut out on the ankle for women. The summer boot features dimpled leathers and a kiltie on the front as well as a colorway influenced by leopard prints.

See more on the flip all available here.

Dr. Martens’ Spring 20122 collection offers some looks that lighten as well freshen up the brand. See more at designer and retailer Ronnie Fieg’s site.

Now how in the heck did this Front magazine slip under my radar until now? Apparently it’s a rag dedicated to the streetwear generation and every issue features a hot babe, often decked out in kicks and brands like Supreme, Obey and that ilk.

We’re all for it, seems like a fun mag, but can’t help but deeply feel the irony given that the women’s streetwear movement is pretty much down to its last gasps. So many conversations we at HS have had with women frustrated by the lack of brands capable of creating compelling streetwear product for the ladies. It’s like this gaping chasm that never seems to be filled. And while it’s fun to watch the guys place dress up with gorgeous babes (talking to you, Ronnie Fieg!), darn, we sure do wish for more of a “female gaze” where this genre is concerned. Via Animal (yo Tabatha!)

More images of the smokin’ hot Kitty Lea on the next page.