Punch it Up

I try not to look to pop culture too much for fashion inspiration. Celebrities and film should be inspired by the designers and stylists, not the other way around. However, once in a while, there something pops up in the realm of the silver screen that warrents a change in the way we dress. Or at least can teach us a lesson about personal style. If you havent seen the movie Sucker Punch yet, go rent it (on blue ray if you can). Aside from the amazing special affects, the story is really captivating and the acting is good. What really drew my attention during the film (as is usually the case) was the genious of the costume and make-up departments. They did an impecable job creating a solid character for each girl using their clothes and make-up. you could actually see how the way they looked affected the way the actresses carried themselves. I'm not saying you should start dressing like comic book characters everyday but giving your closet a character to play can be a great philosophy for creating a personal style and coherent wardrobe. when you go shopping for the next season, really consider the girl your trying to be. Play around in the mirror with your make-up when you're bored and come up with a basic look you can do for everyday that really plays up your best features and doesn't impose someone you aren't on your face. I truly think the best way to interpret fashion, beauty, or really anything, is to find out exactly how it fits into your own person. Don't start dressing to be someone else. Figure out who you are and dress that person the best you can. Remember, what you wear and how you look should always be and outward projection of who you are on the inside. People judge based on appearance, whether you like it or not. You have to get dressed and put clothes on your body everyday, no matter what. Why not use it as an opportunity to be the best you possible?

Moving On

That's right ladies, I've returned to the bloggosphere. After a long hiatus spent dealing with some personal issues, I've discovered the New Haven public library. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to make it in but whenever I have time during the library's open hours, I will be continuing my quest to beautify America. (If anyone would like to donate funds so i can get a computer of my own and blog to you all the time, that'd be much appreciated.) Given that it's August and summer is officially on it's way out (despite the escalating temperatures here in tropical Connecitcut) I'm going to begin discussing Fall fashion.
A every woman in the inustry will ell you, the best place to begin revamping your wardrobe is Prada. Every season, without fail, Muccia offers the strongest, chicest, most focused collections.Generally, her asthetic offers a feminist point of view using masculine influences and high Italian glamour. For fall, the initial reaction was shock when she showed girls in pink and sequins. The girlish silouettes and doll-like detail didn't make much sense to avid Prada fans at first but when you look more closely, it's probably one of the most clever tricks she's ever played. Muccia has taken all of these traditionally girlish elements and blown them up on 1920's silouettes (which was actually a great time for female emancipation). The huge paiettes and soulders of fur not only reference sequins and glamour but give a look like armor. It's as if she's taken everything we think of as gilish and dainty and made it strong and protective.
As any good business-person in the fashion industry will tell you, accesories are the backbone to every house. Chanel makes 90% of it's profits on bags lone and Prada is no exception to that rule. Shoes are always a huge draw at Prada and this year, she did not disappoint. The most influential colelction fr accessories from Prada was last season when she offered cable knit socks under sex-kittn heels. This year is a continuation of that styling principle. Muccia has given u boots that are made to loo like retro MaryJanes paired with python knee-highs. The affect is very cool, fun, and actually really appropriate for everywhere, everyday, every age.
Now, I'm sure you're asking (as many of you are my mother's teacher friends) how does this apply to the way you should be dressing this fall? Well, I am a firm believer that you should not be thiking about what you're "suppose" to wear and tink more about what you want to wear, or how to apply these trends to your own way of dressing. My sister. for example, is very girly and very preppy. She love the color pink and anything a little sparkly. For her, Iwould suggest taking Muccias advice and pumping up these girlish details into something tht really makes a strong statement. Look for girly coats with ruffles and fur that have huge (or easily replaceable) buttons. You don't need to buy Prada shoes (although i commend you if you do) to accomplish those boots either. Any kind of MaryJanes or heeled oxford would look super chic with a cool python or even a plaid sock. As for day-wear, try to ignore your insticts that drive you to pants and look for girlish dresses. Same idea as the outer-wear, think about girly colors with strong, bold details and eay silouettes. It's super easy to change the buttons on a coat or ad some paiettes to a simple dress. For the low cost of the labor, I'm even open to making these alterations for you if you have older pieces you want to update for today. Here's some pictures from Prada to start you off. Don't forget to ad my blog to your favorites on your smart phone (I have a mobile version now) and happy hunting!!

Bags, Shoes, and Beyond

     I've been asked to write about accessories which is a more daunting task than you would think. Generally, accessories are designed as an extension of the looks that are sent down the runway. When it comes to styling however, the best way to compliment a look is by choosing accessories that kind of work in the opposite direction of the clothes. If you do one look all over, it can look costume-y so it's important to choose accessories that go in some way but never that match too much.
      This season, with all the minimalism that is taking over every artistic industry, it's interesting to see that accessories are actually moving towards a more natural, artisanal place.
     Designers showed a lot of woven pieces that can often look one of a kind, like you bought it at some spring time craft fair. My favorite bag for this season is the Celine tote shown first below. I've followed it with some other really great bags by Christian Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton that also really exemplify this trend. Pair pieces like these with wide linen trousers and tailored cotton blouses for a look that's strong, comfortable, and really chic.

     Statement shoes have become a real necessity in fashion. Alexander McQueen started the trend years ago and since, he's offered 12 inch Armadillo shoes, Nina Ricci gave us glittered heel-less boots, Louis Vuitton showed us huge 70's inspired boots, Balenciaga offered technicolor thigh-high gladiators, and the list goes on and on. This season, the shoes mimicked the bags in their raffia-weaved craftiness and the shapes gave them great sex appeal. These sandals would be fantastic paired with flattering pencil skirts and flowy chiffon tops. Dress them down for weekend with 70' inspired wide legged, high waisted jeans and make your legs look sky high. (D&G, Donna Karan, Prada, Raf Simmons, and D&G respectively)

Spring is in the Air!!

     It is 50 degrees outside!! I could not be more excited that Spring is finally upon us. While the fashion set is quietly scampering across Europe watching what is going to happen next fall, it is time for the rest of the world to begin thinking about the now and what's next for their wardrobes. I've decided to begin a series about how to take all the best (and my favorite) looks from the Spring runways and apply them to your daily lives. I totally understand how difficult it is for most people to read Vogue magazine or Harper's Bazaar and decipher what all the editorial stories mean for them. That is what I am here to do! The perfect starting point? Marc Jacobs.
     But first, a little back story. I'm sure if you are reading this blog, you are at least somewhat aware of the huge hold Marc has on the fashion industry. He is not only the creative director of the French mega-house Louis Vuitton but his namesake label is probably the most influential in NYC. He started his career designing for Perry Ellis but after his grunge collection for their 1991 fall line (which actually became the most memorable and influential collection of the decade) he was fired from the company because they didn't like the controversy of his work. After spending a few years off, he began producing his own label in 1994. After a few unsuccessful seasons, an executive at LVMH, the second larger conglomerate in the industry was looking for fresh young talent to head a few of their labels. After appointing John Galliano at Christian Dior (a partnership that tragically ended last week after Galliano had an antisemitic outburst in a Paris cafe) and Alexander McQueen at Givenchy, Marc Jacobs met with the company and became the designer for Louis Vuitton, producing their first ever ready-to-wear collections. Although the company was hesitant to support Jacobs's namesake label, it was the only way to keep Marc. They funded him season by season, not realizing how quickly his company was growing. I am confident they are thanking their lucky stars he was so adamant in keeping his NYC presence.
Marc has a nack for producing collections based in the past but that feel remarkably modern and wearable. Every season makes a completely different reference than the last and for Spring this year, Marc is feeling for 70's glamour. Large chiffon dresses, colors like the sunset, and references to New York Dolls and early Yves Saint Laurent. His goal was to bring fun back to dressing and he couldn't have been more successful. Hats from Taxi Driver and Rive Gauche peasant dresses. I know my mom, as a petite women, is not going to be excited about the big silhouettes and floor length dresses but there are ways for every women to interpret these trends.

      The best way to find coats and jackets like this one (above left) is to go vintage. Ellen Vintage in NYC stocks a lot of vintage designer clothes at amazingly low prices, a lot of them from sample sales. The place is huge so give yourself time when you visit but its definitely worth the trip. Maxi dresses, on the other hand, are pretty easy to find new. Sometimes it's best to look in the juniors department because they are a little trendier and most stores will only stock more classic looks in women's. obviously, a sheer dress is not really appropriate for bringing your kids to the park but the loose fitting, lightweight fabrics are super comfortable and are a great option for the warmer months. The Marc Jacobs (above right) look is a little extreme but Juicy Couture (above middle) offers a really pretty option that is quite versatile. At $180, it's glamorous enough for an outdoor evening party if you pair it with heels and an up do but is simple and easy enough to be worn with flat sandals and a denim jacket during the day.


 Satin pants are not easy to wear. they are extremely unforgiving and do not really flatter anyone other than the model in this image. However, we can learn from these colors and silhouettes.  Anthropologie.com has a lot of wide leg pants made out of comfortable organic cottons in nice earthy colors. When looking for a hat (which I think is such an easy way to be super chic) Nordtroms generally has a really good selection. You don't have to go quite as big as Marc Jacobs but floppy straw hats are a great way to pump up a flowy dress, linen pants, or even a casual suit. I wouldn't wear one with jeans cause that errs on tacky and isn't as stylish. I promise you though, that this is not the only trend for Spring so if it's not really your style, stay tuned for some more options.

Beauty for Everybody

Given that spring is finally upon us, what with todays almost 50 degree temperatures and optimistic forecast for the rest of the week, I thought it prudent to begin posting about Spring fashion and how to make it work in your everyday lives. Every season we see thousands of looks walk the runways and it can be a daunting task to try to decipher everything that is expected of us. Because the weather is not quite warm enough for chiffon dresses and strappy sandals, today we are going to discuss the beauty trends for Spring 2011. Pat McGrath and her team always offer up a huge selection of looks from dramatic smokey eyes and strong red lips to minimalist beauty with almost nude faces. Here are some of my favorites for this season and my tips on how to accomplish them on your own.

Every Season, Marc Jacobs is probably the biggest trend setter, at least here in the states, so his show is always the perfect jumping off point. For this season, he kicked off the major lean towards 70's glamor that took over just about every fashion week following. For the beauty, a smoldering, smokey eye is the best way to amp up floaty dresses and airy attitude. You'll have to make sure your lids are primed well first. Once they are, the best way to get solid color like this is to use a smaller brush and press the powder onto the lid, rather than brushing it. Don't be afraid to give it more than one layer. If you're stingy with it, it'll look cheap. Buy a pallet with dark, metallic colors like bronze and gunmetal. Use the gold on the lid and the gunmetal in the crease and around the whole eye, even the bottom. Black kohl liner and a few coats of black mascara will finish it off. leaving the face light and natural with a soft pink lip is the way to go so that the eyes can remain the focus. The big hair is definitely a statement and not for the faint of heart but if you think you can handle it, it's actually a great style that wont get ruined by humidity. If you put sponge rollers in your hair the night before, you should be able to use some texturizing products and a good brush (bristles, not plastic) to get this nice big texture. Lacker down the top and sides with some gel, set it all with a good spray, and you're good to go!
Raf Simons always offers graphic minimalism with his collections for Jil Sander (above left) and I absolutely adore it. this graphic pink lip is so easy to do and looks young, chic, and so fresh for spring. I've seen girls try to do bold lips like this in past and where they fail is choosing the right products. A bright gloss is not going to give you the bold statement you are looking for in this. It's really important that you find a good matte lipstick with a matching liner that is sharpenable, not the rolling kind. In order to achieve this nice defined lip, the lip liner is the most crucial step. It gives the strong shape and prevents the lipstick from bleeding out and loosing its definition. It's also best to use a lip brush to fill in the color. That will allow you to put on a comfortable amount without coloring outside the lines. If you're really brave, I'd love to see the bold lip paired with the white eyeliner in Giambatista Valli's show (above right). for this look, you'll need a steady hand a good liquid eyeliner. Clinique makes great gel liners that you'll need an expensive brush to apply but it provides a perfect line and will last all day. For those of you looking to spend a little less, Maybeline makes so nice felt tip marker eyeliners that now come in white and silver, just in time for spring. They're a little more difficult to use but if you're patient and you practice, they get the job done. (I'm also a huge fan of the light pink streaks in her hair.)

 Dior's looks are always a little bolder and only for those of you really looking to get noticed but all the same rules as above apply here as well. a really saturated eyecolor requires stippling and multiple layers. Bold lips need liner and should almost always be matte. While i wouldn't necessarily suggest rocking both everyday, this season really is all about fun. The recession is finally ending and it's time for all of us to start enjoying life again. Whether that includes a fuschia lip, smokey eye, or even pink hair, is really up to you!

Oscar Gold

The Oscars were last night and, as always, the most talked about pieces were in fabric rather than film. We were shown a lot of red (given Valentino's presence on the carpet, the color only seems fitting) and a lot of minimalism. Some of our leading ladies reached new heights with their bold choices and other fell flat.

Cate Blanchett has never had a sour moment on the red carpet but in addition to being my favorite by a long shot last night, this is by far the best she has ever looked. I have a soft spot in my heart for Ricardo Tisci and his work at Givenchy. His past few couture collections have been absolutely breathtaking (if you have a chance, look them up on style.com) and I was beyond excited to see Cate wearing one of my favorite pieces from the Spring show. The color is perfect on her skin tone and hair and I congratulate the stylist who chose this for her because no one could have pulled it off better. The simple hair and lack of jewelry give this beautiful couture gown an understated elegance and a sense of ease that I wouldn't have thought possible. This whole collection was a masterpiece and Cate was my best dressed of the night.





















On the other end of the spectrum, we have Florence Welch. I am sure you will come to learn as I continue this blog I am a major Florence fan and almost always love what she wears. Last night was a rare exception. Before last night, we had only seen her at the VMAs and the Grammy's and for both red carpets, she wore Givenchy Haute Couture and couldn't have looked more stylish. I am not a huge Valentino fan to begin with (I think the house is stuck between ruffles and lace and would do well to drop those things and find ways to carry their girlish philosophy on dressing into the 21st century) and when Florence chose this dreadful piece from their current couture collection, she dropped all the way to worst dressed. Not only do the colors completely wash out her pale skin but they look old. Generally, I like it when designers give clothes a distressed, almost antiqued feel. It helps clothes feel comfortable and wearable instead of precious. However, in a couture collection, we want to see pieces so beautiful we are afraid to touch them. This Valentino dress is yellowed to the point that it looks like something you could purchase at an estate sale and scrap for parts. It did look a little chic on the runway but for Florence's stylist to put it on the red carpet, where she could look so beautiful and glamorous, is a crime punishable by being fired. If there is a job opening, I'd love to submit my resume.

All this being said, I cannot bash Florence's look without offering an alternative. She generally chooses these light, gold and flesh tones that don't always flatter her coloring. She also has a great figure for clothes (tall and thin with just the right amount of curves) and I am a sucker for a red-head.

 Given the opportunity to dress Florence, I would have put her in this gorgeous Reem Acra pre-fall 2011 gown. As I said, she generally wears lighter, fleshier colors, but i think this gunmetal would be stunning on her light skin and her beautifu hair would have given just the right amount of pop. It is much more glamorous than the Valentino which is perfect for the Oscars. This gown would have given her the sophistication i know she is capable of with the rock-star edge that she was lacking last night. With her body, I believe it'd look better on Florence than the model. Hair curled and tosseled, no jewelery, and simple black pumps is all she'd need to make her way back up to the best-dressed lists. Had she wanted to carry a bag, this Alexander McQueen clutch could've add the perfect amount of edge to an elegant and sophisticated gown.

Show Me Your Psycho...

The world's fashion weeks are happening quickly and one of my favorite trends that we are seeing a major number of designers subscribing to is Hitchcockian women. From Kim Novak to Tipi Hedron, catwalks are being drenched in 60's mystery and 40's feminist power.

Suits are a huge change from this years Disco inspired spring collections, chock full of florals and chiffon dresses. I am looking forward to next fall when we will finally again see powerful, sophisticated, smart women. The women in Hitchcock's films are independent and stylish. They all evoke a mysterious sexuality that is always elegant and really entrancing. These looks from Donna Karan and Thomas Mayer at Bottega Venetta are prime examples of the best way to take this Vertigo to the next level. Donna's suit has volume and structure at the same time (not and easy feet) and really shows an amazingly sophisticated sexiness. Thomas Mayer takes the inspiration to a younger, softer client showing a little more color and a little more skin. This light tangerine suit evokes a little Chanel with a touch of deconstruction that brings it to the 21st century. I am praying girls take a cue from him and dress this way next fall.

 Tipi Hedron was a huge style icon in her time and this screenshot from The Birds is a major classic that really made her what everyone still remembers today. Her boxy suits brought real inspiration to other icons like Twiggy and Jackie Onasis. It's always a beautiful moment when designers make reference to this time in fashion when women were strong, fighting for their independence, and making huge change in the world.

Raf Simons at Jil Sander always shows us a strong sense of where fashion is headed with his understated luxury and modern, minimalist aesthetic. His collection for this spring season was a huge moment for Jil Sander when he took couture inspiration and made it look unbelievably easy and casual. He has a nack for creating clothes that are beyond simple but still so luxurious and this pink look from his show just yesterday is iconic of the his house and the Hitchcock trend. The Rear Window briefcase used as a handbag I think is super chic and is such an elegant alternative to the mess of accessories out there right now.


Fashionistas always look to Marc Jacobs set the standard for the rest of the season. New York fashion week happens before anything else and Marc's show is the most sought after ticket in town. He shows something completely different every season because he gets bored easily and the contrast has become his trademark. This look from the show is yet another example of Tipi's influence on the industry. The longer pencil skirt and boxy shirts are so unexpectedly sexy yet elegant. The polka dots add a bit of whimsy that Marc's work always has (He doesn't like to take himself to seriously) and I'm betting we're going to be seeing a lot of them not just on the runways but in departments stores across the country come September.


So whether you're a minimalist or more suited to opulence, Hitchcock's women have given designers inspiration for looks that suit every girl in the world for next fall. I am dying to see how these looks will translate to the streets. the hardest part about working in fashion? Having to wait 6 months to see girls actually wearing the clothes I love so much!