Isabel Marant Becomes a New Yorker

I'm excited to get word that French designer, Isabel Marant, will be opening a long awaited store in New York. The store will be located at 55 Greene Street (at the corner of Broome). Not only will her store be next door to her husband's--handbag designer Jerome Dreyfuss, but will also carry her lower price lined, Etoile and jewelery. I'm over the moon excited for the indie designer to open her doors in the heart of authentic New York shopping hub.



{all images from style.com}

Fashion Psychoanalysis: Designers~Session 1

As stated previously, I'm working on a project with a fashion website that will currently remain nameless. I'm super excited about the collaboration, but it got me thinking that I need to get back to my fashion roots. The last couple of days I have been looking through old/new fashion shows, established and independent designers, trying to remember why I love and respect the ones I do. Much like taste buds, my appetite for fashion and designers changes frequently. However I do have a handful of designers that has remained consistent throughout the seasons.

Phillip Lim could do no wrong! The women's wear prodigy has inspired and excited the fashion industry with a heavy hand in street elegance. Like many contemporary designers, Lim is about designing and creating garments/looks that are understandable. A huge inspiration to my personal style is Lim's knack for combining dressy elements with casual counterparts (exhibit "A" copper lame pants with a grey sweatshirt). The collections are always injected with an air of romance that is ambitious while remaining prudent.

{both images from style.com}

If Phillip Lim was Barbie, then Proenza Schouler would be her cute, hip, younger sister, Skipper! The Parson alum duo captured my heart seasons ago, and constantly appears on my "What I Want Now" list. They have branded their collection on "real clothes." There are no trick or gimmicks to their designs or aesthetic. They design around versatility and never lack in pizazz or charm. They are edgy without being obnoxious, and sweet without the tooth ache. The collection is perfectly balanced and exquisitely executed. Apparently, two heads are better than one in this design house's case!

{both images from style.com}

Last year I was introduced to Isabel Marant. I stumbled upon images of her Spring 2009 collection and fell in love with the patch work pieces and slouched boots with chains haphazardly wrapped around the ankle...which actually inspired my own DIY boots. Season after season she continued to send awe inspiring garments down the runway. It isn't just her apparel that I long for, Marant has put her best foot forward into footwear. Days after she presented her fall collection in Europe, editors at large were seen walking the courtyard to the next show in her famous footwear.

{elle.com & style.com}

DSquared was one of my first fashion loves! The first time I saw the Caten's collection was during cycle 2 of America's next top model. The brothers design with a sense of humor...gossip magazines, venti Starbucks cups, and cigarettes down the runway is in tune with Santino's "lighten up it's just fashion!" The collection is continually innovative and imaginative, but still retains an element that is polished. The collection always combines an aesthetic that is fun and effortless but understands that women like to get dolled up on occasion too with a dose of sex appeal.

{all images from style.com}

I could look at different collections and shows everyday and find something new to be inspired and moved by. Narrowing down to just a few was extremely difficult, but I had to choose the ones that have a hand in my love for the industry, design, and craft. One last designer that can't go unnamed and needs no explanation is Balmain....enough said and I'm sure you understand why!

"Adult Swim....Adult Bib"

While I was home for Christmas, I spent much of my time perched on the couch embarking on various DIY projects. This might have been the most time consuming of them, but also has tons of sentiment to it.

I turned the house upside down looking for random knick knacks to adorn my bib with. Many of the pieces were items I've had since I was 10 years old (watch face, rose charm), while others were vintage pieces and hand me downs from my mother and great aunt. Clusters of brooches that are simply pinned on so I can wear them with other things and schools of pearls throughout. I had so much fun with this project and intend to make a few more variations.

Nate and me (wearing my new bib) perched on the couch in front of the fire after New Years reading a magazine and editing images.

Wardrobe Diary

Sweater: Lela Rose grey rouched sleeve sweater

Shirt: Marc by Marc white button down

Necklace: DIY bib

Pants: F21 leggings

Hat: F21 knit beanie

Wardrobe Diaries: I Get It From My Momma

I've been tucked away since Thursday evening in a condo in the mountains/rolling hills in Stockholm with 10 of my friends for the New Year. I'll have plenty of wardrobe posts when I get back, but wanted to highlight the look from the lady I love the most.

My mom has done it again. While home for Christmas I mentioned that she should partake in a pair of converse for her casual days. When I took a quick break from sledding yesterday to get warm, I checked my phone and had received this picture. How adorable is she?! I really can't even stand it!

Sweater: Gap pull over

Jeans: Banana Republic boyfriend jeans

Shoes: Grey low top Converse

Scarf: Banana Republic cashmere wrap

Style...It's All in the Family

Tonight my cousin Jimmy and his family came over to hang out, catch up, and celebrate his son Josef's 2nd birthday. I don't remember the last time I was able to spend an entire evening with them...it was such a treat! Jimmy has always been very well dressed, and not much has changed. He walked in with long hair which I haven't seen since his high school days, and the most adorable winter wardrobe that included slim/skinny jeans. I couldn't resist and had to take a quick snap shot of him.

Hat: F21, gift from his daughter's

Scarf: F21

Hoodie: L.L. Bean shearling lined zip up

Shirt: Grey and white stripe Gap thermal

Jeans: Fossil slim fit jeans

Fashion Psychoanalysis

{images from style.com}

I'm working on a collaboration with a fashion website. I don't want to reveal too much of the work in progress but I've realized that I need to do some fashion soul searching/clarification. Over the next few days I'm getting back to my fashion roots! The designers that inspire me the most, attempt to define my personal style, predict future trends I want to test run, hone in on my favorite aspects of fashion, and my favorite pieces in my closet...the ones I would save in the event of a fire...just to get things started. I'm excited to document my analysis and see where my fashion opinion finds its roots. Stay tuned as I sift through all the fashion trends, designers, stores, closets, and jargon.

{images from outsapop.com and style.com}

What Santa Isn't Bringing

All my Christmas shopping is complete and presents are under the tree. So with time to hang out and relax I'm initiating a few more DIY projects.

{people.com}

Who isn't lusting for the Commes de Garcon jackets that walked the fall runway? Tavi proved it's an easy DIY fix and I couldn't agree more. Headed out this weekend in search of a thrifted trench and a fashionable blanket. Can't wait to bundle up in this for the rest of the NY winter.

{the glamourai}

This is the first of many bibs I will be making. I've been turning the house upside down looking for more trinkets and knick knacks to adorn the necklace with. I love how casual you can wear this, but also how dressy it can be worn.

{nylon}

I fell in love with the jeweled tights and socks that showed up on the Miu Miu runway. In the last couple of months I've seen a handful of fashion savvy ladies turning out their own DIY jeweled leg wear and have been determined to make my own. I went for a quick Target run today and purchased a pair of thigh high black cable knit socks and black opaque leggings. I'll be sure to post pictures of my finished projects ASAP.

{style.com}

I've also been looking for new ways to wear some of my old favorites that are critically neglected! A couple months ago I went to lunch with a friend and was introduced to Jenny Kang, an associate market editor at Lucky. I saw this picture of her on the website as the look of the day and think it is absolutely genius and adorable. I have an extremely over sized white Marc by Marc button down I tend to only wear as a bathing suit cover up. Pairing with a sweater and tights is just too cute.

{lucky magazine}

This look I pulled for my friend Nate. He's creative in his work as well as his personal style. I saw this image of Beckham and thought, oh gosh this is so easy and Nate already has the majority of the components. The missing link is the over sized chunky cardigan. Both of us are keeping our eye out for one (or a few)! Love this look though....scruff and all!

{people.com}