Fall 2013 Trend: The Monday Blues

No... when I say the Monday blues I'm not referring to your mopey Monday at work, I'm referring to my new favorite color for fall. Although you are probably trying to hang onto summer as long as I am, the truth is fall is coming around the corner. Since I go back to school for my last year in a couple weeks, I really have to think ahead of the game in terms of my fall closet. The February fashion shows were bustling with new ideas and tons that can be easily implemented into your current selections. The outerwear throughout the shows consisted of a lot of shades of blues which I loved, along with a lot of grey and burgundy. However, to start of my list of fall trend posts, here are some of my favorite runway blues: 

Chanel

3.1 Phillip Lim

 Thakoon

Michael Kors

Jil Sander

Lanvin

As you might notice most are in the deeper blue family but a lot of designers did go with a lighter blue such as Rochas, Gucci, Giambattista Valli, and Acne Studios. I love the boxy look with more masculine lines to go with the navy blue family. Just from the pictures you can see the masculine trend and longer hem lines which I love... if all is worn right!

Here are some pieces I found that were inspired by the runway colors and would love to implement into my closet for fall!

1. Fendi 2 Jours Medium Textured-Leather Shopper on Net-A-Porter $2260

2. Blue Animal Mix Tube Skirt on Topshop $45

3. T by Alexander Wang Classic Jersey T-Shirt Dress on Net-A-Porter $95

4. OPI Light My Sapphire Nail Polish $8 (my color on my nails now and I'm OBSESSED)

5. Muse Ankle Boot in Blue on Need Supply Co. $26.99

6. Jacquard Clean Boyfriend Coat on Topshop $150

The Simple Brenton Stripe

For a while now I have been against the horizontal strip. There isn't many girls who like wearing patterns that widen their body shape. However, recently the "Breton" stripe shirt has seen a come back and I have had a change of heart; I may even own one already... 

After seeing it on sailors in the 19th century, Coco Chanel introduced the design in her collection in 1917. Some of fashion's biggest icons have been captured wearing the pattern throughout the decades. It is such a such simple design, yet almost gives yourself an automatic bold statement. So take a look at some of the pictures through the years and then try it for yourself! Pair it with a nice pair of trousers like Coco Chanel (try a tapered pant instead) or simple skinny jeans and flats like Olivia to give it a chic twist to the nautical vibe.

Coco Chanel

Marilyn Monroe

Audrey Hepburn

In more recent years...

Kirsten Dunst

Ashley Olsen

Olivia Palermo

Miranda Kerr

Resort 2013 Begins: Chanel Vacations to Singapore

It's officially summertime for me which means I'm getting back on the blog train! So expect multiple posts per week again. The beginning of the summer is always crazy with fashion parties and events. We had the Met Gala last week with some of the craziest couture I have ever seen! This week the Cannes 66th Annual Film Festival starts leading us into 12 days of great red carpet nights. And of course as the summer begins the Resort lines start to slowly pile in. 

This year to start of the Resort runways, Karl took Chanel on vacation to Singapore. The breadth of the line was just as deep as any other important collection with 80 total looks. The  mood was simple with white concrete walls with a bit of peeling paint, just the way Karl wanted. "It's a bit of Chanel's history and a bit of influence from this part of the world" said Lagerfeld refering to the inspiration of the line. It really is interesting to see which way the fashion world is turning and with each fashion season you see it pointing towards the eastern hemisphere with a lot of Asian influence. Here are some really great looks from the show that allow you to see the variety in the collection:

Paris Spring Couture 2013

Giambattista Valli

Pinched waists and flared hips were a common theme yesterday at the Giambattista Valli show. Beautiful silk and black tulle were a great combination to make an elegant spring couture show. The color palette ranged from simple black and white to bright yellows. Some of my favorite gowns were gorgeous princess gowns with multi-layered tulle to make them large and in charge. Although he played it safe you can definitely count on seeing some of these dresses on the red carpet.

Stephane Rolland 

I have always seen Stephane Rolland as a true artist. Although some of his dresses may not be completely realistic to wear they are absolutely stunning and completely unique. The front row consisted of Kim Kardashian, Carmen Dell'Orefice, Yasmin Le Bon, and Paz Vega. The monochrome color palette added to the sophsticated look Rolland went for. I absolutely love some of these dresses and I really hope to see them on the red carpet soon!

Chanel

A Midsummer Nights Dream was Karl Lagerfelds inspiration. As the models walked through oak trees and pines you could hear birds singing; the theatrics were perfect. Every season I notice Karl Lagerfeld focus in on new fashion trend; this year was the framed shoulders. The structure of the clothes were tailored to perfection. With over 60 looks there was a lot of variety to the collection. The show ended with two identical twins in wedding attire with a young ringer bearer to make a statement about gay marriage which is up to debate in France right now. Overall it was a great show at the Grand Palais!

Elizabeth Olsen Takes on Bullett Magazine

With Elizabeth Olsen's career moving at the speed of lights, it's hard to still call Elizabeth the baby of the Olsen sisters. The movie star just finished up Therese Raquin in Serbia and now is starting production for Very Good Girls with Dakota Fanning. The 23 year old has put her college career on hold at Tisch School of the Arts in New York to pursue her many acting roles in award winning movies. I love watching her grow into her own person and seeing her slowly and surely separate herself from the Olsen twins!

To see the full article by Nick Haramis click here

Here is the fabulous photo shoot, shot by Jeff Bark:

 Balmain dress, Dior ring

 Marchesa dress

 The Row top, Carolina Amato gloves

 Chanel dress, Christian Siriano jacket, Dior bracelet and ring, Nicholas Kirkwood shoes

 Dior dress, David Yurman necklace (worn as bracelet), Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

 Alexander McQueen dress and belt, Giuseppe Zanotti shoes

Chanel dress, Dior jewelry

Chanel Pre-Fall 2012 Ad Campaign

As I opened up the June W Magazine this week I noticed Chanel released the pre-fall 2012 ad campaigns! I love when ad campaigns slowly start seeping out because they are so fun to look over and interpret alongside their brands fashion show. Back in December Karl Lagerfeld premiered the pre-fall collection in Paris at the Grand Palais. The clothes were a clear combination of Bombay and Paris; between the silhouettes and the classic tweed usage it was a great show. 

In this campaign, styled by Carine Roitfeld, They made the apparent connection between Bombay and Paris again making a lovely picture. And of course the beautiful Daria Strokous did a great job at looking fabulous dressed head-to-toe in Chanel.

Resort 2013: Chanel

To put in my own words, I believe Karl Lagerfeld's inspiration was truly to recognize the shift of government in France. You can notice the Marie Antoinette era peaking through the dress with a modern rock and roll twist. The collection premiered in Louis XIV's gardens at six o'clock in the evening with Cara Delevingne taking the lead walk. It really did look like true bliss altogether, and his ending dresses were magnificent. 

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Fall 2012 Ruffle Trend Debate

With fall trends flowing in after February fashion weeks, there are some I can agree with and some I definitely question; like most buys and merchandisers. One trend that was released by Women's Wear Daily were the feathers, rosettes, and ruffles seen on the runway during February. However, I found it interesting how they also released an article degrading the trend on celebrities seen in ruffles. Not to confuse you, they didn't agree or disagree with the runway trend, but I do think its interesting how critics are already critiquing the trend before the season starts. 

So lets take a look at both; here are the trends from the runway from Fall 2012:

Moschino (model Cara Delevingne)

Prabal Gurung 

Tory Burch (model Cara Delevingne)

Critiqued celebrity looks with what the should have worn:

Left: Elizabeth Banks in magenta, rosette accented Marc Jacob Right: Is what they said she should have worn, a drape accented Nina Ricci 

Left: Avid McQueen wearer Florence Welch in a spring 2012 Alexander McQueen Right: Another Alexander McQueen in a more conservative fashion.

Left: Kourtney Kardashian in a vintage, ruffle collared dress (starting to look really pregnant!) Right: A great Chanel look-a-like minus the ruffles

So what do you think? Will the ruffles, rosettes, and feather work for fall or was it just a coincidence on the runway...

Trends for Fall 2012: BIG Coats and Cloaks

      With an exciting fashion February over with its time to start gathering the trends. I always find this so interesting how such an array of collections seem to lean towards the same directions with there own personal touch.  I'm really interested to see how these trends trickle down into the mass market! But here are some pictures off the runway...

CAPES:

Dolce & Gabbana

Givenchy

Gucci

Marni

COATS:

Celine

Chanel

Calvin Klein 

Jil Sander