Favorite Fall Fads

As spring is slowly and delicately enveloping the city, I thought I better post my favorite fall trends before I discard them to enjoy the sun, outdoor seating at brunch, and beach filled days. Please bare with me as this could be a lengthy post...

{richard chai love, chloe, margiela}

I'm loving the idea of wide leg pants. Don't get me a wrong, I love my skinny and slim fit jeans, they easily tuck into boots and look equally as fanciful paired with knock out heels. They have been my go to bottoms on many a day. I just find that there is something so endearing and dapper about being tactfully clad in a set of flowing, eloquently tailored, wide leg pants. I'm resurrecting two pair of Lela Rose wide leg pants from my closet this fall and pairing with my newest obsession...clogs.

{proenza schouler, chanel}

I've quickly become obsessed with these onomatopoeic shoes. It started with the Chanel show last spring and then resurfaced when I saw Roxy's pair of eggplant clogs from Rachel Comey. Instant height in a shoe that is sturdy. I rarely slip into a pair of pin thin heels because I shift my weight like a clock pendulum and teeter toter as I walk. I save those show stopping heels for special occasions. Since I walk everywhere and all day, I want something that isn't just comfortable but telling of my style and personality. This is it!!!!! Perfect mate for any pant silhouette and adorable with skirts and dresses. Planning on clogging around in these all spring and summer...and straight into fall, especially with leopard prints.

{balmain, mulberry}

I say this in a very audacious tone, there isn't anything ground breaking about an animal print. They make there rounds every couple of years and then fade back into hibernation for a while. The difference this time around is that the prints are acting as a neutral. Why haven't we done this before?!?! I loved the styling at Mulberry with the looks being head to toe mixed leopard print. To pull this off you have to mix and match the size of the print and keep in mind similar color stories. So smart!!!! And if you give a girl an animal print, there is a good chance she'll ask you for a new fur to go with it!

{michael kors, j mendel}

There is no denying that fur, faux or real, was the biggest trend this season. I couldn't be happier about it! Designers pulled out all the stops to make sure we would be completely covered in furry goodness next time the brutal chill blows through the city. Furs were created in the likes of coats, vests, jackets, muffs, scarves, elaborate head pieces, gloves, even key chains. I was abundantly impressed with the variety that was presented. I'm eager as a beaver (or for a beaver) to acquire some new fluff for the chillier months that are inevitably going to come!

A few other trends I'm looking forward to that received honorable mention::

50's inspired pants... in all materials and colors

{isabel marant}

Over the knee boots are staying around, and in svelte suede.

{e. tahari}

Both of these are a little formal, but I think mermaid silhouettes are going to be revisited, but in a new life as day wear...mark my words!!

{m kors, derek lam}

(all images 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!

Bottoms Up

My current obsession stems from a revisit I took to Balmain's Fall 2007 collection. I was scrolling through the collection and when I stumbled upon the first pair of over exaggerated leg flared pants I shrieked! It was almost like my fashion life flashed before my eyes. Instantly I started seeing bell bottoms everywhere...on style icons I worship, musicians I adore (***cough***Lenny Kravitz***cough***), and even visions of my teen years when they briefly resurfaced on the retail circuit aka Limited Too. I regularly don a pair of slim or skinny fit jeans but so does everyone else! Williamsburg has infiltrated Manhattan! And my boyfriend jeans, like most men, have just lost their appeal lately.

Bell Bottoms are the answer I've been looking for. I quickly jumped up and dug to the bottom of my pants drawer. Right as nervous anxiety began to creep in, I came up with a pair of bell bottom jeans I purchased at Gap last fall. I slipped into the baby blues and sighed with relief. Dark washed, leg lengthening, ass hugging, heels required, extreme flared perfection! I'm now obsessed with this single, lone pair and hoping to update my denim collection with more of this retro silhouette.

Show me some shine and glitz and I melt. Love that the pants look like liquid gun metal or something dangerous like that! Gives off this, don't mess with me, bad ass I'm too cool to be a Harley chick vibe!

This tie dye pair might be the fairest of them all. Effortlessly cool and killer with the sequin top. Exactly how I want to dress everyday for the holidays this year!

So excited for my new, reincorporated second skins! Planning on a wardrobe post tomorrow!

(all images from Style.com)

My Therapists

It's completely evident to anyone that knows me that I have a problem when it comes to fashion. I try to deal with it as best I can but sometimes I have to use the assistance of others to help me get through my debacle. So, I would like to introduce you to those that help me...my therapists Christophe Decarnin and Karl Lagerfield. A perfect example of my schizophrenic style, I'm in infatuated with two designers who's aesthetics couldn't be more different from one another....

I'll begin with Christophe Decarnin from Balmain. While the collection is all the craze right now you can't help but love what Decarnin dreams up every season. His Spring collection is army recruit meets Italian glitterati topped off with caveman couture. I'm pining for one of his military tail coats. After shopping with Victor for one, I think it's my turn at a strong shouldered military jacket dripping in metal epaulettes. And really who does it better than Balmain?! Decarnin understands my "rebellious" hard edge side. The me that doesn't take things too seriously and is always up for anything, who's wardrobe is a little louder intentionally making a statement for attention, but doesn't give it a second thought. Laid back, fearless, gregarious, bold, strong willed, informal... The me that can hold my own amongst the boys, gains respect from my peers, disarming to women...that thrives in my independence while reigning in on my sense of allure and percolating confidence.

And then there is Karl. The man that can dress a woman flawlessly for any event in her life. He has a strong point of view but expresses it in a softer more gentle way. He is just as undoubtedly innovative as he is pristine. His clothes exude Parisian chicness in a blase way. Karl identifies with the lady in me. The one that wants to look pulled together in an effortless way. The lady that is well mannered, likes to softly draw attention to herself with things that are more tailored, buttoned up, classic while still coming across as sensual in an intellectual way. Karl appeals to the OCD me that wants to be sharply dressed, refined, and in control.

Both men understand a woman, her body, how she feels, what she wants, and how she wants to perceived...probably better than most women understand themselves. They have honed in on their niche, strong following, their skills and gifts. They have an imagination and eye that conjures up these couture master pieces. They can direct a mood or feeling with a simple look and transform an attitude and posture in any woman with their clothes. Karl is one of the reasons why I fell in love with fashion and Christophe is the reason I'm continually excited, eager, and inspired by fashion. For me, these two designers are the heart beat to the fashion industry.

(all images from style.com)

Early Bird Shopping At H&M

My sleeping schedule is all sorts of messed up right now. So in my insomniatic state last night I decided to check out the H&M website. I rarely visit the site since shopping is limited. I scanned through their online magazine and fell in love with pretty much the entire fall collection. I attempted to narrow it down to some of my favorites, many of which seem to be inspired by Balmain...one of my favorite collections!

1: Crazy for this dress and the styling. I would love this dress, but I might have to pass this one to Ms. Becky! She would kill this look and I can only imagine the incredible shoes from her closet that she would pair with it. I'm itching for her to wear it with either her Loubitan purple leather ankle booties, or her Loubitan black suede thigh high boots (***hint hint***)

2: I took a break from tweed the last couple of seasons and I'm going to have to incorporate more of it this time around. This is as close to a suit as I get... Tweed jacket with matching retro-ish shorts. LOVE. I want to incorporate denim into this look...Maybe put a denim jacket underneath the tweed, or conjure up some denim trim in the form of cuffs to peek out of the sleeves!

3: All about texture here, and who doesn't long for luxurious velvet every once in a while. The shoulder detail again is exactly what I'm into.

4: Shine Shine Shine Shine On!!! What's cooler or more versatile then a sequin cardigan. Jeans, solid t-shirt, belted...not belted. This lends itself to unlimited options. Dying to pair this with the leggings from look no. 6.

5: The simplest silhouette gets a boost of fabulosity with a bold nondescript pattern. No accessories needed.

6: I don't think I can make it through another Fall/Winter in basic black leggings or tights. I love that these have some kind of detail and interest. Aside from my leather jacket, this can be another key "leather" piece to have for the season. Might have to get a couple pairs of these!

7: I don't think I can put into words what it is that I enjoy most about this dress. I just need to own this ASAP.

8: If I'm honest with myself I could probably DIY these jeans but someone else has already done all that work for me and I want to indulge in their handy work! Usually I'm not one for extremely distressed denim but this is more in line with something I would like. A little contradictory but... :) The top will be something I DIY. Trying to decide if I should use appliques, studs, beads (OH MY) for the shoulder detail.

I can only imagine how incredible the entire H&M showroom is. I'm not quite the early bird when it comes to shopping before I can actually wear but I can't miss out on any of these pieces. So for the next two months they will just have to hang nicely in my closet! And occasionally come out when I need to restyle my closet or want to play dress up!