Wish You Were Here

Here at Refinery29, we have a serious go-to list of tried-and-true fashion sources—those shops and buyers who are always spot on with their merch not to mention the new designers they've got their eye on. Jen Mankins of Bird is one of them, so when she slipped us the news she was heading to Buenos Aires to take in Fashion Week there and scout new lines, we definitely wanted to tag along. Jen delivered the ultimate Buenos Aires postcard—a summery mix of catwalk cruising and off-the-clock sun and fun. Read on for her BA Fashion Week hit list, as well as snaps of her end-of-summer getaway.

"I am totally inspired by the beautiful colors everywhere in this country! There are fresh flower stands on every block, gorgeous huge trees everywhere and they paint their houses every shade under the rainbow."

"The spring 2009 sketchbook from the new line Viva La Vida. The designer spent five years in London attending Central St. Martins, and just recently returned to Argentina to launch her own line. Her prints are amazing!"

Left: "Pablo Ramírez was one of the best shows of the week! It was perfectly styled, slim suits and feminine '40s dresses and everything in black and white. These two would be the coolest couple at any party I can imagine." Right: "Vicki Otero was my other favorite show of the week. Oversized black braided hair accessories complement the collection that is both architectural and romantic."

"I am also obsessed with her woven flat clogs worn with sweet open-toe ankle socks. I must get to the bottom of this styling trick."

Left: "One of my first stops is always Valeria Pesqueira's shop in Palermo Viejo. Her colorful, kind of crazy mix of everything printed or plaid, including the wallpaper in the shop, makes me so happy!" Right: "My next stop is the beautiful new cake and cookie shop Pasteleria. I stocked up on almond cookies and headed to La Rural for the fashion shows. My schedule is packed with shows and designer meetings and I know I will need to keep up my energy."

"Ok, the real reason I come to Buenos Aires is for the Home Hotel in Palermo Hollywood. The best hotel EVER. It was a super sunny winter week, so they heated up the pool for swimming. I love the traditional rugs and vintage furniture mixed with the concrete and wood ceilings. I tried to think of every way I could run my stores in Brooklyn without ever having to leave this apartment. Haven't figured it out yet, but still brainstorming."

"Matias hard at work at the Felix showroom in Palermo Viejo. This collection for men is my favorite blend of preppy/punk. I always stock up on slim button downs, striped tees, and skinny jeans for my husband Nik."

"Inside the Hermanos Estebecorena shop in Palermo Hollywood, with the restored and converted original bakery display cases and counters. Industrial designers at heart, their H-system seamless men's underwear is the best thing to happen since Calvin signed Marky Mark. Brooklyn boys get ready!"

"Catching my breath for a minute between shows and parties in a lounge chair on the terrace."

"Antique chandelier glass from a stall at the San Telmo market."

"A gorgeous antiques shop in San Telmo. Now if I could only figure out how to get this bird cage back to Brooklyn."

"Late-late-night overlooking the Obelisco downtown from my roof terrace. Avenida 9 de Julio, claimed to be the widest street in the world, is relatively quiet at this time of night."

Left: "The 'driveway' at my friend and soap maker Martin Sabater's river house in Tigre. His shop on Gurruchaga is another must-stop in Palermo." Right: "Packing up as the sun sets. Without any electricity we have to head back to the city before night falls."

"Designers and shop owners Valeria Pesqueira and Florencia Fiocca lounge on a a giant bed of vintage Marimekko pillows overlooking the river."

"Having lunch at Martin's river house in Tigre. We built a roaring fire to grill pork tenderloin and wild mushrooms for lunch."

Bird's Jen Mankins does Buenos Aires Fashion Week in style.