School Post #10: Spring Must-Haves

Spring is here finally. New York City is starting to warm up, which of course gives me an excuse for updating my wardrobe. Not only are bright shades covering the world of retail, but almost every store seems to have a little added sunshine. For that, I am happier as well.
Here is a brief (severely edited) list of my Spring Must Haves:

3'' chino short in lacquer yellow (jcrew) $42.50
straw bow meadow purse (fredflare) $44
floral waterfall top (madewell) $79.99 (orig $110)

hello sunshine straw hat (katespade) $95
lilly pulitzer bathing suit (maybe her abs too)

School Post #9 New Show Format

This week's assignment is supposed to focus on the innovative formats designer's are using today to show their newest designs. It is becoming a trend in the industry today to be the first one to do something different and create a little bit of a buzz. For F/W11 Isaac Mizrahi did just that. In a show he entitled "Cake," Mizrahi put a few of my favorite things on the runway: fashion, dogs, cake and hot waiters. Live poodles accompanied alongside the models, and every few looks he alternated a male model carrying a cake (created by Buddy Valastro, the one and only 'Cake Boss') exclusively designed to compliment his designs. The overall aesthetic of his line was feminine and sweet to go along with the overall theme including dresses that look like cupcakes, and shirts approximate to butter cream
Pink poodles, cake, and updos...brilliant? or just a little odd? I'll let you guys decide with a video below.

School Post #8 Look Books

The J.Crew Fall '11 Look Book is FINALLY here. And finally, we are seeing something new and different produced for the Fall season.. loads of color. Head Designer, Marissa Webb took inspiration from The Great Gatsby as well as Bonnie and Clyde, highlighting rich colors, and new silhouettes such as wide legged pants, cropped sweaters and maxi skirts. I'm especially excited to see the accessory story in the look book featuring stacked bangles, chunky jewelry and great bags (leopard print leather clutch anyone?) What I am interested is how the customer will react to what seems as a drastic change, as J.Crew is becoming quite fashion forward. Overall personal opinion: Bravo, J. Crew...Bravo. I love! Check out a few of my favorite looks below.



images courtesy of Refinery29

monday quote

“let your smile change the world but don’t let the world change your smile.”

- unknown

one of my favorite quotes courtesy of fp blog
thought it could lessen the overall suckiness of this cloudy monday :)
xx

March Favorites

As March comes to an end, we are 25% through 2011 wait..how did this happen?! I am counting down the days until Spring Break (16...) and soon enough my first year at FIT will come to an end and I will be headed off to LONDON for the summer. March marks the end of winter (despite the Nor'easter this weekend, which was some kind of sick April Fool's joke), and the onset of Spring. Here are some of my favorite things from the entire month of March 2011.

Charleston Fashion Week
I took a mini-vacation for myself, as I flew down south to attend CFW, walk for a few shows, soak up the sun, and get rid of my pasty white skin. Despite taking a week out of school, mind you it was midterms week, I got to sweet talking my professors and managed to take them early. The rents flew down as well and it was a great escape for all of us. Folly Beach, Family, Fashion, and plenty of southern cookin'. Good things I tell ya...

Folly Beach taken on my PolaroidBecause who doesn't enjoy a serious self portrait? And a comb over?

Madewell's Spring Roll out
Madewell is where it's at, especially for Spring 2011. I tend to find a reason into buying at something every shift I work, which tends to be a problem considering I work 4 days a week. (I'm working on it OK??) With the new Spring roll out however, Madewell makes it especially hard. I'm not being bias because I work here, these clothes are seriously cute.
Here are the newest additions to my Spring wardrobe

shadow & light shorts in olive grove $98.00

wooly sweatshirt sweater in heather cloud $59.50 (from $75.00)
skinny switchyard cargos in white wash $98.00

Pecan Pralines from Charleston Candy Kitchen
*Drool*
Personally, I would give my left arm for a box of these things. THE BEST.
And it is a real treat to see the production of them right on site.
If any of y'all ever make a trip down to Charleston: leave your diet at the door, and save room in your luggage.
Black Swan
OK, I may be behind on the bandwagon, but I saw the greatly anticipated Black Swan for the first time when it released on DVD on 3/29. This movie...was brilliant. It lived up to everything I thought it would be, I'm just blown away by how good it was. The writing, the directing, the acting, EVERYTHING. I couldn't help but keep thinking how much it would stink to be a professional ballet dancer. As a former competing gymnast, I could relate on the immaculate amount pressure from the sport; a lot of crying, competitiveness, and catty girls. I totally recommend everyone seeing this movie though, truly a masterpiece.

Black Swan Official HD Trailer from postadsgroup on Vimeo.

School Post #7 Trunk Shows

Trunk shows are a great opportunity for designers to create buzz, and get their name out to their target market. In many cases, a trunk show allows the consumer and store personelle to preview of the new merchandise or collection and gives them a chance to purchase or make an order. The first trunk show I attended was for Emma Graham Designs during my one year at the University of South Carolina. Starting in 2010, Emma Graham Designs is founded by Emma Mahon (a USC alumni) and Jackie Graham, in which they specialize in fun and flirty dresses, tops, skirts, and shorts featured in a array of bright colors.

Emma Graham Designs had a campus trunk show tour throughout the South last Spring. Below are some pictures captured from their appearance at USC held at the Chi Omega house.

School Post #6 Fashion Video

YSL F/W11 Paris

Ruby Jean

Ruby was one of the first models I worked with at my internship with Elite Model Management. It was such an inspiration to work with Ruby as she encountered her first New York Fashion Week, and see her grow throughout the past year. I am so proud of her! At what most 16 year old's would not compare, Ruby has been able to stay grounded in the midst of her success. Her most recent accomplishment was walking exclusively for YSL F/W11 in Paris, as she opened the runway and also walked in a second look.Ruby may be new in the game, but is definitely a name to remember and the next face to watch.

Below is Ruby in a video promo for Temt

TEMT AW11 OLC from Christopher Ferguson on Vimeo.

School Post #5 Color Trends

As hard as it is, one of my New Year's resolutions has been to incorporate more color into my wardrobe. So far, I've been failing. However, as Spring approaches, I am definitely going to use the season as a new beginning to breathe some life into my wardrobe under the sea of black, gray and neutrals. The color trends I have been seeing recently (via fashion forecasting sites:my favorites Doneger and Fashion Snoops, the street, and stalking the red carpet) are making it easy.
Below are a few color trends that I am looking forward to..

Red
Seen at the Oscars as a key gown color, red can be also coordinated into ready to wear. Personally, I own one piece of red clothing in my closet (my senior prom dress..). Crazy right? I don't know why I have avoided red my whole life but when wardrobed right it can be sophisticated, classy, and eye catching.

Jennifer Lawrence at 2011 Oscars
Whitney Port

Rachel Bilson

(click through images for sources)

Cosmetic Tones
Ranging from blush pinks, peaches, and foundation hues, all these colors are a great way to subtly transition winter pales into the spring season. Skin tones are an essential neutral, and key color camel is softened with a pinkish tone to create a light, airy, feminine look.

Street Shot from Milan Fashion Week 2011

Top from Topshop

(click through images for sources)

School Post #4 Color Trend on the Street

One color that you can't miss on the streets this winter is camel. Spotted on the streets of New York are coats of miscellaneous fabrics and styles all colored in a buttery, tan camel color. A camel coat is definitely a timeless piece that can be carried throughout the color winter seasons for several years. The camel craze swept the runways of F/W10 in the form of trousers, chunky knits, modern trenches, and pantsuits. A versatile trend, camel can be paired with an array of colors (grays, reds, white, black, greens to name a few). It is important to draw the line between bold and boring and adjust the color trend from a golden hue to beige to flatter one's skin tone.

School Post #3 Fashion Trend from the Street

I spent this weekend down in Charleston, South Carolina, visiting friends, soaking up the sunshine and attending rehearsals and castings for Charleston Fashion Week. The people involved in Charleston Fashion Week are just lovely, and it was more than refreshing to get out of the dreary, dark city of New York and see some color! Looking past a sea of Lilly Pulitzer and Tory Burch, Charleston has an interesting compilation of alternative dressers. Pictured above is a shot of one of the models Caroline (in attendance of a CFW11 rehearsal), sporting one of my favorite hipster glasses look with a pop of neon. Not only does this trend translate down South, but all over New York including the FIT campus. The look of nerdy over sized glasses in proportion to the face of the wearer is surprisingly growing on me. Believe it or not, the huge retro eyeglasses are in vogue and are a great way to add personality and fun to any outfit, so I'm currently looking for a good pair myself. What do y'all think? Would you wear clear glasses that would have gotten you teased for in high school as a hot fashion accessory?

School Post #2 Key Item for Spring 2012

A great key item that I am looking forward to in Spring of 2012 is the wide-legged trouser. With a reference to the 70's era, the wide-legged pant was bound to make a comeback once pants have gone as skinny as they could go with the peak of skinny jeans and jeggings. This is a trend that has been seen popping up on the runway for several seasons and in a handful of retail stores. I will definitely find myself taking the opportunity to invest in a pair, since it will be a trend that will be repeating itself for the next couple of years.

Want to be ahead of the game? Madewell stores are launching a classic 'Widelegger Jean' (pictured right) on February 17th. Click here or visit the flagship store on the corner of Broadway and Broome to score yourself a pair for $125. All you need is a flowey blouse and with a great pair of clogs or platforms to add length in the leg. This look has already proven to be a hit with the celebrities for this coming spring. Kourtney Kardashian was even spotted rocking a pair of 7 for All Mankind Wide-legged trousers, while shopping with Kim.

click on images for sources

School Post #1 Blogs from the Web

This piece of inspiration is a blog created by the lovely Sydney Poulton. The Daybook is a look into Sydney's personal style and real life as a mormon fashion blogger, while her husband Tyson does the occasional post and shoots all her pictures. I follow because I simply just like her clothes and want to know where she shops. THAT, and the great design and photography really attract me. I’m big on aesthetics. It doesn't hurt that she's also just plain funny. Fashion and Funnies, good stuff.