Spring 2015: Paris Runway Recap

And just like that Spring 2015 is a wrap.  Paris brought forth a plethora of key trends, many of which were carried over from New York, London and Milan.  There were new interpretations of femininity from eyelets to denim and a sportier point of view where swimwear served as tops paired with pants and skirts.  Décolleté was on full display where many designers sent looks down the runway with low cut tops and dresses.  Here are some of my favorite looks and trends from Paris.  

Beauty Flash:: Ruby Lips at Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2015

 The makeup for spring has been pretty all around, from New York, London and Milan.  One of the best makeup looks to come out of Milan was at the Dolce & Gabbana show.  Ruby lips and flawless skin was accentuated with crimson flowers tucked loosely in the hair.  I typically gravitate towards reds with less purple and more blue undertones, however, I am going to be incorporating this stunning shade into my lipstick repertoire now.  Here are some of my favorites ruby shades right now.  

Milan Spring 2015 - Runway Trends

The Milan shows have come and gone, now the show has moved onto Paris.  But before I start dreaming about the fashion that is yet to emerge, Milan was nothing short of noteworthy.  A few trends from New York and London carried over to Milan, like florals - bright, colorful and over-sized as seen at shows like Marni and Blumarine.  Denim received a high fashion makeover from bejeweled at Dolce & Gabbana to an exaggerated peplum at Giamba (Giambattista Valli's new line, which is stunning as expected).  A key shade was clay -  a muted and earthy tone that created a soft palette at Bottega Veneta and Marni.  

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.  

New York Spring 2015 Beauty Report

I hope that everyone had a great week.  This week couldn't have been any longer and it was a rough one, unfortunately there was a death in my husband's family. It is so hard seeing someone you love going through the pain and loss. 

Spring 2015 beauty was effortless, pretty and oftentimes severe.  Complexions were kissed with bronzer, eyes were washed with a vibrant turquoise blue shadow and perfectly manicured brows perfectly frame the face.  Here is a recap of the beauty trends from New York. You can follow my Spring 2015 Runway Beauty board here.  I hope that everyone has a great weekend!

New York Spring 2015 : Runway Recap

New York fashion week has nearly come and gone but not without a few major trends that will have you eagerly counting down the days until next spring.  Here is a recap of the key trends from New York. Stay tuned for my beauty recap, because the makeup so far has just been pretty.  

Christian Dior Fall 2014 Couture :: Details

When I was a young girl, one of my favorite movies was Cinderella. Not only for the love story, but I loved the dresses – the full skirts and the corseted tops from the 18^th century.  Well, Raf Simons brought this fairytale to life at the Fall 2014 couture Christian Dior show.  Here are some of my favorite details from the show.  

Fall 2014 Couture:: Giambattista Valli

The Fall couture shows are in full swing, one of my favorite seasons since it really evokes the dream that is fashion with exquisite details and silhouettes that push the envelope.  Giambattista Valli presented a floral explosion that included daisies and violets atop floor length chiffon gowns and full dresses comprised of ballerina-esque tulle. His take on the sheath dress carefully curved with the body and undulated from colorful blooms to a sheer finish. Volume was a key theme as well, where dresses carefully ballooned at the hips or dresses with nipped in waists and full skirts. Here is just a glimpse into Giambattista Valli’s beautiful world.

Beauty Flash:: Atelier Versace

You can always count on Donatella Versace to deliver a show with a heavy emphasis on femininity and full-blown glamour.  To flatter the looks sent down the runway, think bold jewel tones and floor length gowns with a slit that sat high up on the thigh, Pat Magrath painted a liquid teal shade across the lids that formed a cat eye reminiscent of Verushkha.  This dramatic look was paired with a glossy nude lip and heavily shaded cheek bones.  While quite dramatic for day, this look could definitely be translated to night.  Here are some beauty picks to achieve this look.  

Mary Katrantzou Resort 2015

If there is one key piece to take away from the resort shows it is bloomers as seen at Mary Katrantzou. This retro short silhouette was perfectly high-wasted, belted and paired with sheer floral tops creating an ultra feminine look. The collection also featured her signature prints with ornate calligraphy lettering paired inside an intricate lattice pattern with floral details.  The collection can be pre-ordered at Moda Operandi.  I cannot wait to see what she brings forth in her spring show.  Stay tuned...

Backstage Beauty:: Dior Resort 2015

The Resort shows are some of my favorites, the name alone makes me incredibly happy.  The shows have kicked off pretty much around the globe from Brooklyn, Dubai to Cannes.  I absolutely adore this look at the Dior Resort 2015 show.  The dramatic cat eye was done in two parts, a winged top lid was paired with a partially winged bottom lid.  Complexions took on a matte look while bold brows and a glossy lip finished the look.  

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.  

Best of Beauty Milan Fall 2014

If there is one key translatable trend from Milan it is the impossibly pretty makeup looks that dominated the majority of the shows. As mentioned in my New York recap, so long is the 'no makeup, makeup look' and it is a warm hello to rosy cheeks, kohl-rimmed eyes, lashes out to there and a velvety smooth complexion.  The focus was on the upper part of the face, where boldly groomed brows provided face-framing impact while extra long lashes, either real or fake, created a soft doe-like effect.  What are your favorite looks from Milan?

{Trend Spotting} Milan Fall 2014

Fashion months is more than half over and the results for fall have been a steady dose of key trends that will take you through next autumn.  Patterns have been a key trend in both New York and London thus far and in Milan, modern plaids were introduced in a large scale incorporating muted colors like gray and brown as seen at Ferragamo and Max Mara, while sharp geometric prints in punchy primary colors delivered a feast for the eyes at Fausto Puglisi, Fendi and Missoni.  On the other spectrum, designers like Gucci and Costume National sent models down the runway wearing tonal palettes in dusty mauve to electric blue.  Florals, as seen in both New York and London were out again in full bloom in Milan where designers like Marni, Dolce & Gabbana and Aqualino.Rimondi created a dreamy garden of rosette and gerbera daisy prints to create utterly feminine looks. Leather, always a staple when the leaves begin to change was in nearly every show, some noteworthy pieces were the buttery leather skirts and blouses at Gucci to the head to to look in fluttery amethyst at Blumarine.   Finally what women doesn't need a power suit to slip on when the time is right? Fall unveiled a hefty dose of  pieces for the powerful women whether chic in black as seen at Versace or a softer edge at Tod's.  What shows were your favorite from Milan? My favorites were Dolce & Gabbana, Luisa Beccaria and Les Compains.  

{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} London Fall 2014

London, while the shortest out of all of the runway season always delivers shows with a vibrant punch.  Of course there are the main-stays like Tom Ford, Burberry Prorsum, Erdem and Matthew Williamson, but there are many other emerging talents that are giving them a run for their money.   A few key trends have emerged and the first being prints - glorious prints that were included in nearly every show from Matthew Williamson where there was a strong astrological influence where dresses and sheer chiffon frocks were dotted with star appliques and shooting star patterns.  Designer Peter Pilotto,  known for his spot-on clashing prints translated his signature motif seamlessly onto jackets, skirts and dresses.  A favorite texture from London was the collage effect that looked like fabric was stitched piece by piece creating statement looks as seen at Jonathan Saunders and Roksanda Ilincic.  Florals typically reserved for spring were adapted in an electric way with tulips lining a simple shift dress at Mother of Pearl and over-exposed versions at Christopher Kane, while Giles incorporated calla lilies which provided a gentler twist to the grungier look that it was styled with.  What have been your favorite looks from London?  

 

{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?

{Designer to Know}:: Irfé Pre-Fall 2014

Storied French fashion house Irfé has resurfaced with a compelling Pre-Fall collection full of skin-tight leather and luxurious textures.  Irfé was started in Paris in 1924 by Princess Irina Yousoupoff and today the lineage has followed suit with Olga Sorokina as the head of design.  She has propelled the house into modern times with a collection that is for the women that likes to dress with a bit of edge. I adore her use of black and white and leather boots that stretch way up the leg.  The beauty at the show was flawless -  porcelain skin was accentuated with a rich maroon lip reminiscent of a portrait painting.    

Beauty Flash: Milan S/S 14

Milan fashion week beauty was just that beautiful. If there is one trend that crosses the pond it is flawless, glowing skin with just a tint of color on the lips. At Dolce & Gabbana the models were just effortlessly pretty - there skin was glowing, like it was lit from with in while lips were tinted mauve and their hair was adorned with a golden coin headband.  Another favorite look was the turquoise blue eyes at Giorgio Armani which paired perfectly with the pastel looks that went down the runway.  Here is my beauty recap for Milan and some ways to help recreate this look.  Continue for more...

Spring/Summer 2014 Fashion Round-up {London}

I always adore the prints and vivid shades and interesting silhouettes that come out of London fashion week and the Spring 2014 shows definitely didn't disappoint.  From the heavily patterned Mary Katrantzou frocks to the pastel shades at Burberry, London definitely made it's mark for the upcoming season.  I also have discovered another favorite pairing, polka dots and lace as seen at Burberry.  Did you catch the London shows? Which did you love?