London Runway Report - Spring 2015

London is quickly becoming one of my favorite cities for fashion.  I adore how emerging designers use color and are not afraid to break the 'rules'.  The Spring shows were just another example of this where British designers like Emilia Wickstead, Michael van der Hamm and Roksanda turned out collections that were dizzily colorful, feminine and just down-right pretty.  One of my favorite trends to emerge from London were the light as air pinks, that were like taking in a breath of fresh air, especially when paired with soft lilacs at Temperley London.  Sheer touches were a dominant theme in New York and are not for the modest, except at shows like Burberry and Issa where sheer fabric overlays were placed over an abstract print.  

I Love This Look:: The Little Black Dress

I hope that everyone had a great weekend! To kick things off for the new week let's talk about the little black dress, an essential piece that is the go to when 'you have nothing to wear' and don't we all have those days?  The key to having a standout LBD is having a detail that is unexpected like lace or perhaps a leather detail and pairing it with heels that are bold and colorful.  Here are some of my favorite picks to help achieve this look. 

The Row Mona Dress (on sale) / Opening Ceremony Manera Keyhole Dress / See by Chloé Embroidered Dress

Proenzo Schouler Woven Patent Heels / Schutz Gabrianna (on sale) / Aquazzura Studded Fringe Sandals 

Loeffler Randall Lock Clutch / Pour La Victoire Nora Crossbody Bag

Image via Stockholm Streetstyle

Resort 2015: Bottega Veneta

 Resort season is upon us, my favorite season after spring.  The season kicked off with Christian Dior pulling an Alexander Wang, by venturing from the lofts of Manhattan to Brooklyn's Navy Yard. Here are some of my favorite looks from Bottega Veneta's presentation where feminine florals complimented column dresses and structured oxford shirts.  You can see the full collection here.  

The Costume Exhibit: Charles James - Beyond Fashion

There is no doubt that the Met Ball embodies pure glamour and prestige - remember when Kim Kardashian wasn't even allowed to attend? Apparently Anna Wintour seems to be singing to a different tune since the April cover of Vogue.  The past two exhibits have been pretty spectacular with Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty and Punk: Chaos to Couture.  This year, the Met Gala is dedicated to courtier Charles James who created one of a kind ball gowns carefully devised in sculptural silhouettes using a scientific and mathematical approach.  The exhibit debuts May 8th and runs through August 10th.  I will definitely be attending (not the Ball, but the exhibition) and will report back.  Meanwhile, you can see the red carpet on Vogue.com May 5th. They are saying we are in for some old-world elegance, and as a lover of vintage and history I cannot wait to see what that entails.  In the meantime here is a snapshot of a few of the looks.  

Anatomy of the Perfect Outfit {London Edition}

Happy Monday everyone! Boy do I feel renewed, just two days of sun and temperatures in the 50's set me right again. I felt like I was a tulip trying to burst through the frozen soil, I badly needed to feel warm sun on my face and luckily that finally happened.  I love New York for many reasons, one being when the weather is showing even the faintest glimpse of spring people are out in full-force, whether running, walking or brunching outside, albeit some people jump the gun wearing shorts and t-shirts when it is definitely not that type of weather yet but each to his own.  Speaking of transitional weather and clothing, I spotted this outfit outside of the London shows and just loved everything about it - the mules, the fuzzy pastel blue coat slung over her shoulders and the graphic mini skirt that pulled it all together.  Anyways only 23 days until the official start of spring, I am excited, can you tell?  I hope that everyone has a wonderful week!

{Fashion Spotlight} Alice + Olivia Fall 2014

Good fashion captures the imagination and transports you. The Alice + Olivia show did just that by debuting their Fall 2014 collection at the McKittrick Hotel, home to the play Sleep No More, on the west side of Chelsea.  Attendees entered the space through two castle-like doors and were led down a dark hallway barely lit by flickering candles.  You twisted and turned until you came across an open space similar to what you would find during the Jazz Age.  A red tinted glow illuminated the other wise dark room and the lively beat of a saxophone and piano fluttered in the background.   Scrolls delicately tied with bows were piled high atop café tables while libations were being served in delicate glasses.  The presentation was aptly called 'Enchanted: The Search for the Golden Monarch' and enchant Stacey Bendet did indeed.  Models were staged throughout the presentation in different fairy tales from Rapunzel to Sleeping Beauty but were dressed in modern form.  Rich brocade textures were interwoven with gold details and ruby red motifs creating for feminine looks, while some had a masculine air about them pairing tweed pants with leopard brogues.  Another winning piece was shift dress suspended by two golden keys that was bedecked with jewels laid by hand the day of which creating a shimmering effect.  Continue for more...

{Trend Spotting} NYFW Fall 2014 (Part I)

New York, New York - how sweet you are.  Fashion month has officially begun starting with a strong presentation of shows in New York.  There have been many trends, new silhouettes and dominating colors making the arrival of another fall season more than welcome.  Dominating the color scheme was a sea of blues varying from opulent cobalt to light and sugary blues making pastels extend past spring.  Another detail was the re-introduction of feathers whether inspired by a colorful peacock seen at Nicole Miller or layer upon layer of wispy feathers at Peter Som.  Last Fall it was all about the coat but next season there are belted varieties seen at Delpozo and Christian Siriano.  During the spring it was all about baring your mid-section, for fall the shoulder have their chance in the spotlight whether in feminine off-the-shoulder silhouettes or a more daring version with a plunging neckline.  What shows have been your favorite so far?

I Love This Look:: Chunky Knits & Skirts

I hope that everyone had a lovely weekend! We are currently still celebrating summer temperatures in October and at times it feels like sweater weather will never come and stay. I am on the fence about it anyways because after the crisp fall temperatures comes icy cold temperatures.  I often like pairing two pieces together that are seemingly opposite like leather and lace for example, another look is chunky sweaters with skirts.  This is another one of my favorite looks spotted during fashion week, where either a slim pencil or flowy skirt offsets the textured sweater.  Here are some of my picks to replicate the looks here.  

NYFW S/S 2014:: Red Valentino

New York fashion week has officially begun! And to start things off, I thought I would begin with one presentation that I look more and more forward to each season, Red Valentino.  I love the feminine and whimsy spirit that this collection has from the delicate flora patterns to the very last bow, which appears as a headband, belt or shoe detail. What shows are you looking the most forward to this season?

It Finally Has Arrived...

Yes, my love for fast-fashion runs deep and I am so excited that as of yesterday, H&M is now offering on-line shopping! All too often I go into a store here in New York and they are out of my size, but I am hoping with a few clicks that will not be a problem.  Here are some of my picks that will definitely transition into fall.  I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

Faux Leather Skirt / Chiffon Blouse / Tortoiseshell Pumps

Floral Dress / White Peplum Top / Denim Shirt

Black & White Cotton Cardigan / Green Parka

Dressed to Impress

It is officially holiday party season! From now until New Years Eve, the social calender can get pretty hectic, which is why it is important to have that special dress that can be used in rotation from your office holiday party to your friend's annual holiday soiree.  This editorial features all of the elements that a party dress should have - a dash of sparkle, a bit of glamour and of course a golden touch.    Do you have your dresses all lined up?

Valentino: Master of Couture

If you are venturing over the pond, make sure that you check out the Valentino: Master of Couture exhibit at the Somerset House in England. There you will find a collection of the couturier's finest pieces that have been worn by the likes of Grace Kelly and Penelope Cruz.  I can't seem to take my eyes off of that first dress, it is just stunning.