Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Day The Internet Blew Up

With the a lot of the hoopla and excitement settled after yesterday, I have finally gathered my thoughts and here's what I think…
As I'm sure all of you know, the Vogue April cover was released yesterday and Kimye are the chosen ones to grace the cover. The Internet and Twitter world basically blew it's head off and many many people were not happy, most especially the loyal readers who have been reading the magazine for what seemed like years. 
Sarah Michelle Geller also made a statement by tweeting she would be canceling her Vogue subscription.
The issue hasn't even hit the newsstands and Anna Wintour, Editor-In-Chief, already defended her decision with what appears to either be her Editor's Letter that appears in the magazine every month or a well-crafted, last minute rebuttal to all the backlash.
Let's also not forget the fact that both Kanye and Kim were on the cover, a move that looks like PR was smeared all over it and was perhaps what made Anna finally pull the trigger.
And of course, Kimye moved their wedding up from July to May not too long ago, perhaps a  indication of the cover to come.
This actually all brings me back to when JcPenney swapped out their old and loyal customers for new, younger ones. Vogue better hope their new customer can spend some money on clothing.
And than there is my opinion left... 
Well if you look at the picture below, I think it sums it up pretty well. I've collected Vogue magazines for 5+ years, a loyal and avid reader who loved the mix of intellectual articles with fashion from the world's fashion Bible. 
However, with the latest stunt pulled, I believe in continuing that fashion and intellect with another choice. 


Final thoughts: Whether the magazines sells a ba-gillion issues or heads start rolling, Vogue has officially become something else….
And it's up to you to follow or not.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

To Try Or Not To Try

When looking in your closet for something to wear, do you ever notice that the easy way to dress is not always the best. You may immediately go to the pieces that consume your visual psyche every day. That little black dress, the pair of jeans draped over your chair or even that cashmere sweater that has helped you get through this brutal Winter. 
But let's talk about the additions. 
Sure that little black dress would look acceptable to the common eye but why not go a step further? Throw a sweater over top or add a pair of leather leggings underneath. It's these little add-ons that turn the look from unoriginal to something that will turn heads.
Take that sweater and jeans and add a plaid shirt tied at the waist. Pair it with Saint Laurent sneakers.
And then of course the jewelry and accessories. 
MKA made the boho, layering look so intriguing and is accessible to everyone. Drape multiple watches, multiple rings, multiple scarves or even multiple handbags with every outfit. 
Miroslava Duma took two Chanel handbags and wrapped them around her. 
Chanel would always wear multiple pieces of jewelry with her simple jersey outfits. 
Let's face it folks, the add-ons will make or break your outfit.
So I guess the question left to answer is what would your add-ons be?



Left photo by www.fashionoverreason.com
Right photo by www.guestofaguest.com

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

A Few Good Men…I Mean Pieces

Why can't we get it right? I mean, with our wardrobe. There are always those pieces that we will constantly go back to and wear until there are holes every which way. But why does it have to be only a few select pieces? How come we can't have that with every piece?
Is it the fact that there are too many choices out there?
I once bought a American Apparel raglan shirt for probably $30 and I can't get enough of it. It goes with everything, jeans, skirts, I even can wear it over dresses. 
Another piece is my Christian Dior vintage black blazer. This piece is extremely old and even though, it's Dior, it's probably not worth much, but it's beautiful and simple. 
If you're like me, you've probably accumulated a ton of clothing over the years, half of which you only wear for a single season and they get thrown to the back of closet(like myself) or even thrown out. 
Something that I have been trying to do lately is really look for those special pieces. Ones that I know will last years in fabrication and in style. (This really helps in avoiding those pieces that will only last a season.)
Those unique pieces could be gems you find in a vintage store or even something you find on the sale rack. 
And ladies, I'm here to tell you it's ok to buy something without having somewhere to wear it.
I bought the Alexander Wang streamer skirt a few years ago when it came out. Didn't touch it till this past New Years, but hey at least I didn't have to scramble days or hours before trying to answer that inevitable question of what to wear?
OK, I digress.
I guess all I'm trying to say is be patient, be smart and perhaps start looking in your closet. You never know what you could find.


If you're closet looks like this, you may need help as well. 


Monday, March 17, 2014

The Next Size

While I am tiny in size, I can't help but enjoy the feeling of oversized clothing. Constantly getting the comments of "Why don't you wear those pretty little shift dresses?"
Well maybe it's because I don't want to look like the atypical girl or straight out of the Beverly Hills Housewives. 
While I can't necessarily get the next size up in pants(I would not like walking around with my pants around my ankles), I can do that in tops. 
Who wouldn't enjoy a nice, big, cozy sweater paired with a pair of Rag and Bone jeans and some ankle boots? (Pretty much my daily uniform)
All of this must go hand in hand with my preferred men's styling of clothing so let's take it a step further.
Why not try the men's section? If you're hesitant on this idea, try a Uniqlo or American Apparel for men's sizes before you start spending a bunch of money on a what if. 
I've come up with a few other reasons why you should try this.

1. You can breath. While this one seems the least associate with fashion and style, it most certainly is one that could get overlooked. Take a mini vacation from being crammed into either your daily work uniform or perhaps your evening wear.
2. Going against the grain. If the majority of people aren't do this, why not try it? Go against the norm and start a trend yourself.
3. If you accidentally shrink your shirt, it may actually come out normal size. This has actually happened to me and while it was unsalvageable(darn wool) it didn't come out the size for a 2 year old, perhaps it was more of a 7 year old.


Hopefully these reasons are good enough to get you on the same bender as myself. 
Post some comments and let me know what you've bought!





Left photo from www.americanapparel.com
Right photo from www.saksfifthavenue.com

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Designers Vs. Economy

Are designers having a harder time designing in this economy? 
The mystical and magical aspects of the typical runway show went away for awhile when the economy took it's first big hit a few years ago. And maybe not literally a physical aspect disappearing, but the vibes were present. Buyers had to be more conscientious of what they were buying because of possible mark downs down the road. 
From then, they have been gradually working their way back, but as employers have been used to the fact of having less employees with more work, the shopping habits have been going the same way. 
It seems like many people are looking for the lower priced versions of these designer clothing, aka the fast fashion retailers. 
But how do we get those same people back for the real deal?
The fact that the industry is becoming more accessible to Suzy homemaker is a big answer to that question. 


When they started the Fashion Night's Out, which expanded across the U.S and into many other countries, designers, industry professionals and celebrities were on call to promote shopping and bring the fun back into it. 
Vogue came out with The September Issue movie which gave a behind-the-scenes look at the magazine's infamous September issue and in turned made you feel like you were part of that fantasy world.
When Alexander McQueen's Met show opened, over 600,000 people came to see the elaborate embellishments and the well-made clothing that typically only people at the fashion shows see. Hopefully this instilled a quality that people turned to again.
Even just having more PR going into this world such as the fashion news sites and bloggers have helped bring more awareness. 
With the economy showing a difference from those first years, hopefully designers can keep integrating the fantasy world back into their collections and the shoppers will follow.


Friday, March 14, 2014

CFDA Nominees Are Here!!!

The time has come!!!!
CFDA awards are upon us!!!!!!
How many more sentences with exclamations points can I use?!?!

With the CFDA awards on June 2, the list of nominees was finally released. Now what does that actually mean? It means you have 80 days to check out every designer or person on the list below and shop.
In all reality, it means a few more things than just shopping. 
You could use this time to research most recent fashion shows, read bios and really see what these designers have worked so hard to accomplish. 
Don't we do the same thing when we hear the Oscar Nominees? Don't we run out and go see the movie that helped these actors and actresses create a character great enough to get a best actor, actress or film nod?
Many of the designers have been on this list a number of times but a few new ones crept in. Also, the CFDA's did well in incorporating many of the fashion fund contenders such as Public School, Tim Coppens, Todd Snyder and Marc Alary.

See below for entire list and let me know who you want to win
WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Alexander Wang
Joseph Altuzarra for Altuzarra
Marc Jacobs

MENSWEAR DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow for Public School
Marcus Wainwright and David Neville for Rag & Bone
Thom Browne

ACCESSORIES DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Alexander Wang
Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler
Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen for The Row

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR WOMENSWEAR
Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters for Creatures of the Wind
Rosie Assoulin
Wes Gordon

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR MENSWEAR
Tim Coppens
Todd Snyder
Shayne Oliver for Hood by Air

SWAROVSKI AWARD FOR ACCESSORIES
Irene Neuwirth
Jennifer Fisher
Marc Alary

GEOFFREY BEENE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tom Ford

INTERNATIONAL AWARD
Raf Simons

THE MEDIA AWARD IN HONOR OF EUGENIA SHEPPARD
Paul Cavaco

THE FOUNDER’S AWARD IN HONOR OF ELEANOR LAMBERT
Bethann Hardison

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ TRIBUTE
Ruth Finley


Thursday, March 13, 2014

Happy Quarter-Life Crisis Internet!!

With the Internet hitting their quarter life crisis yesterday, I realized two things. My inevitable quarter life is a month away and without the Internet, the fashion industry would not be half of what it is today.
Let's break it down.

Fashion Shows.
Now how are you supposed to plan out your next season wardrobe without looking at pictures over and over again! All joking aside, it does provide a huge opportunity for people who are in the industry who cannot attend the shows. The atmospheric pictures, the up close detailed shots and the 'move it' option on www.style.com to make the it seem like you're sitting front row. Let's not also forget the opportunity to read reviews and educate ourselves with designer inspirations and evolution of it over the years. 

Online Magazines And Fashion Websites.
The reality of the situation is, websites are coming on strong with daily articles and information coming out of it's eyeballs. While I still relish in my monthly Vogue magazine, I can't help but be intrigued to look at their website along with WWD and the New York Times Style section on a daily basis. 

Street Style.
The Sartorialist, Tommy Ton and Phil Oh wouldn't be able to give us the latest and greatest of what Miroslava Duma or Cara Delevingne were wearing to Burberry or Dior. It also feeds our imagination with daily shots of beautiful clothing, shoes and accessories. This group also lends a helping hand to celebrities and the publicity they need to promote their newest movie, show or make up line.

Bloggers.
While I think this one should be the biggest and greatest thing yet(pause for applause) this is probably the newest as well. Ah, the life of a blogger. What else could be more exciting? Except for the fact that many(Leandra Medine and Emily Weiss excluded) need to have full time jobs, along with their blog, in hopes it may turn out to be 1/16th of what the ladies above have done. People have always had opinions and with the way social media has become, it's just become a giant opportunity for many to speak their minds and have someone besides a friend, co-worker, family member or psychologist listen to them.

I guess to sum it all up is Happy Birthday Internet! Looking forward to seeing what you'll produce in the next 1,000,000,000,000 years.



Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Uh Oh, It's Happening…..

Well my friends, the time has come. The tax returns are rolling in, Spring is literally(and finally) in the air and there is a clearance sale at The Outnet.
Now while some of these pieces are not necessarily for Spring, just think of the head start you will be getting on your Fall wardrobe. 
(Of course this only works if your not a trend collector.)
Check out some of the pieces below that I have my eye on.
And, of course, let me know what you've bought!


Haider Ackermann

The Row

Calvin Klein


Thursday, March 6, 2014

The End Is Here

With fashion month over and many people traveling home from Paris, I would imagine a lot of questions are dwelling in people's mind.
How did they think of that?
Why the hell is that trend back?
Or my personal favorite, where can I get those shoes and how soon?
Without the daily inspiration dressing from sites such as www.vogue.com and www.style.com, hopefully we'll all continue our festive fashion moods and not let even the weather inhibit our ideas.
I figured I would dedicate this post to fashion week and include many inspirations to get you through the upcoming weeks.


Acne Studios 
Alexander Wang

Creatures of the Wind

Dries Van Noten

Louis Vuitton

Balenciaga

Celine

Chanel

Christian Dior

Proenza Schouler

Prada

Marc Jacobs

Tom Ford

The Row

Saint Laurent

Rodarte

Rag and Bone 
Public School

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Anyone Hungry For Chanel?

I think Karl finally answered the inevitable question: what does a stylish woman wear to the grocery store?
With the Pre-Fall collection taking place in a country western themed show, a complete 360 took place when a real life grocery store popped up in the middle of Grand Palais. 
The infamous Cara Delevingne opened up the show with no other than a cropped sweatshirt and sweatpants. Both had strategic rips throughout, silver waist jewelry, sneakers and of course a tweed long jacket to keep the audience from thinking they were in the wrong place. 
Similar sweatshirt looks followed with the tweed suits gradually covering more and more and no model went without sneakers or knee high sneaker boots.
The 80's were channeled with the help of a cowl neck sweatshirt, leggings and flowing, colorful fabric tied at the waist. Metallic colors were used on many pieces as well.
The accessories matched the vibe with many models carrying a metal grocery basket with the famous leather and chain detailed wrapped around the handles and bars and included a leather quilted bad smack in the center.
Classics crept in with knotted pearl necklaces that would make Coco herself proud.
Karl never ceases to amaze even the fashion community who is constantly changing themselves.
From a western to the supermarket, what could be next, a circus?
Stay tuned….




All photos from www.style.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Was Our Style Pre-Destined From Our Childhood?

People have different opinions on whether style is innate or acquired but after being told that I hated wearing dresses, stockings, anything girly when I was younger and the fact that I love menswear dressing now, it made me think whether our childhood style affects our adult style.
Back in the day, all of that plus a trip to Bloomingdales would send me running for the hills.
Note: I do like Bloomingdales now so I guess it was more of a tastebud situation.
Anything girly was not for me. No skirts or dresses, just pants were my number one choice, especially in Winter when I was frozen in stockings.
Also, I grew up around two brothers that could have instilled the menswear gene although their version of menswear was the typical 90's sweaters and jeans for teenagers, which no offense to them or anyone else back then, but that my friend was not style.
I remember loving those plaid shirts unbuttoned, a true tomboy look that actually seems trendy now and something I relish in wearing.
Also, the fact that my mother wore dresses and skirts seem to not affect me or want me to wear any of it. I always hear of many woman getting their style from their mothers or grandmothers and I start to feel a little out of the loop. My grandmother was a particularly stylish woman buying her fur coat with the first job she had. And while I followed in her footsteps, it certainly took place in my adult years, not the child ones.
I always believe that style was innate and the ones that acquired it had some influence from a friend, parent or even a stylist. However those facts are not in my favor. Or maybe innate style takes some time to kick in? 
Whatever your particular style may be, take some time to think about where you got it from. An innate instinct that has always followed you or an influence from someone in your life.


http://petalandthornhandmades.blogspot.com

Monday, March 3, 2014

Are We Sick Of Designs By The Time They Hit The Store?

With the runway shows coming to an end and all the beautiful clothing, shoes and accessories we've seen, are we going to feel the same way about it in a few months?
With the reality of the situation being that all of these items need to be sifted through by buyers, ordered, manufactured and shipped to stores, it leaves us six months down the road from actually acquiring any of it. Also, with the current state of the industry being so accessible to the farthest ends of the earth, we can look at these clothes not only in magazines but a hundred times over on any website if we want. Does this in fact make us not want the actual piece when it's the most necessary for the designers and retailers?
When you are constantly looking and studying, whatever your job position is, at these collections, does it limit that newness appeal since you've been looking at the same piece for 6 months and by the time you actually get it, are disappointed and already on to the next thing?
Moda Operandi is a website that you can purchase certain items straight off the runway. With a deposit upfront and the rest paid when it ships, it does offer less anxiety because you aren't chasing it down at every Saks or Bergdorf when the actual season in question hits. On the flip side, maybe this technique is as good as it can get. With the possibility that some of these pieces may never hit other retailers, you are left with an original piece and the anxiety of finding it dissipates the second you hit place order so you aren't searching high and low and seeing it over and over again.
I'm a sucker for the pre-order on many websites. However since my budget and my need for designer duds don't exactly match up, I'm left to stare at the item, put in cart, remove from cart, put in cart, remove from cart for months before I even get it, if I even end up buying it.
Note: this may work for people who can't actually afford these clothes. 
Tamara Mellon is trying to stop this issue by having clothing made in season. Now whether this actually works or not (people will still have to wait for the most trendy or favorite designer pieces for six months), it's a testament to the fact that we may have a real issue on our hands. 
Retailers also fight for exclusive buys to certain pieces to stand out in the crowd of many brick and mortar or web retailers to set themselves apart.
Whatever the case may be, the reality of the situation is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Do we continue to be exposed over and over again for the sake of the designer to get his or her name out there,or do they actually suffer in the long term when overexposure sets in and they're left with nothing more than a bunch of markdowns.
You be the judge…

www.zimbio.com


Sunday, March 2, 2014

Was Balenciaga Thinking Of The Working Woman For Fall 14?

Something that resonated with me while watching the Balenciaga show was the immediate thought of work while watching it and I'll tell you why.
Typically when you see these runway shows with models walking down in beautiful clothing, shoes and handbags, sometimes it doesn't seem realistic for work. If it's a clutch(which it isn't always) many woman can't get away with just that for the workplace. If it's a 5 inch heel (which it isn't always) many woman cannot walk in heels above 2 or 3 inch. And when I saw models at Balenciaga who were walking down with multiple handbags, it finally made sense to me. 
How many woman out there carry multiple handbags to work? A clutch just doesn't do it anymore in a world when everyone is connected 24/7 with their iPhones, iPads, laptops, etc. In the industry I work in, I find myself carrying multiple paperwork, my laptop, my iPad and my iPhone home every night to continue the work load. Even if they aren't carrying home their work, they may be using a tote to carry their lunch as well. 
OK, let's get back to the show and the fun details.
Models walked down with two or three totes at a time. Some had a black fur tote in one hand, while carrying crocodile and leather totes in the other. Beautiful fall type coloring with black, burgundy, orange and blue.
Maybe a new trend has emerged. Or maybe Alex picked it up from Miroslava Duma when she famously had two Chanel bags wrapped around her two years earlier.
Whatever the case is, Alex has always been a trendy designer and he sure hasn't let us down this season.


Runway photos: www.style.com; Miroslava Duma photo: www.guestofaguest.com

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Is Monogramming Coming Full Force?

After scanning through many of the shows over the past couple of weeks, I started to notice a small detail appearing on many models and street style star's clothing, monogramming. Rag and Bone hit the runway with bowling inspired looks and had the likes of Georgia May Jagger and Kate Goodling rocking their own versions. 
Fast forward to the streets and woman are walking around with jackets and embroidered names on the back. 
Monogram seems to always be a consistent force whether it's a simple initial stamped on a handbag or collared shirt or going all out with full names embroidered on clothing. Whatever the case may be, this monogram trend is starting to peak so I guess the only question left to ask is, will you be participating?




















All photos by www.style.com

Friday, February 28, 2014

Three Weeks Till Spring And I'm Buying Snow Boots!

Would any one besides myself buy snow boots at the end of the Winter season? Well ladies, and any gents that may read this, yours truly has just made the purchase. 
With it being the last day of February and Spring in a few weeks, the snow is still falling, I am still cold and this weather continues to be annoying for probably 3/4 of the U.S. 
After scrolling through many a website for that lucky pair, a brand that I've recently heard about, Sorel, kept popping into my head….and onto my google search. With many sizes sold out in styles that I actually liked (don't ever have a small foot if you can help it), I finally came across a pair that suited my budget and my style. Ta-Da!!
Thanks, Bob for the boots! 
Now let's just hope they fit…..





www.bobwards.com

Thursday, February 27, 2014

The Fashion/Cool Girl Stigma - Why Can't You Be Interested In Fashion And Smart?

Anna Wintour said it best when she stated just because you want to wear a beautiful Carolina Herrera dress or a pair of J Brand blue jeans doesn't mean you're a dumb person.
This type of logic is what hinders the fashion industry from growing. Is this why we've resorted to celebrities to pump up and ignite the fire?
Whenever you read a magazine from cover to cover, it doesn't mean your vocabulary or thought process isn't established. In fact, many magazine articles relate back to real world issues, whether they be health or politics.
Whenever you're reading a book on Christian Louboutin or Chanel, you're studying real world history and educating yourself. Just because many of these books are coffee table reads that educate with many pictures as well as words, does not mean that you can't read. 
When your out shopping and choosing to buy a silk top from Saks Fifth Avenue rather than a cotton one from a fast fashion retailer, maybe it's because of the real world factory issues in other countries and/or where the design is truly coming from. 
The industry is lucky to have extremely intelligent people in the form of designers, product development, retailers, manufacturers, editors, etc. I mean who else could have created a multi billion dollar business.
If you go to a fashion school for a merchandising or design degree, you're getting involved in something that everyone partakes in and wears everyday: clothing/shoes/accessories.
Without that, we'd all be walking around in our birthday suits and how ordinary and boring that would be.


Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Hedi Slimane Taking It Back Old School

Back when Hedi Slimane took over for Yves Saint Laurent, I remember much anticipation followed by mixed reviews.
These reviews have ceased to exist after retailers have come out and stated trouble keeping the brand in stock.
Now while I'm expanding my library as well as my wardrobe, I recently bought the Yves Saint Laurent book, Yves Saint Laurent Style Style Style and was interested to find that Hedi is just rejuvenating the past. 
In actuality, the people who were giving the mixed reviews were forgetting about how Yves got his start and the designs that revolutionized the industry.
I'll let the past and present pictures below speak for themselves.









Now since, he's only a few shows into his career at Saint Laurent, stay tuned on some more!



Pictures on left are from Yves Saint Laurent Style Style Style
Pictures on right are from www.style.com