Central St. Martins

I was looking through a list of the Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear shows when I came upon Central St Martins in the listings. The London-located college is one of the most revered and distinguished institutions for art and design, producing an endless list of notable alumni, from which come many of today's greats of the art world. Among the many names are Stella McCartney, John Galliano, Zac Posen, Alexander McQueen, and Phoebe Philo, to name a few. (Not to mention the numerous graduates known today for their music and acting talents.)

I decided to feature the Central St Martins graduation show because the works produced are really quite fascinating. The high level of competition in the school forces its students to create remarkably unique pieces. There is so much talent to be found that designers have to concoct creations that are more like works of art in order to get attention. This is why it is always so intriguing to look at the products of these efforts and why the school produces so many successful designers: because the garments are unlike anything else in the fashion world.

Rejina Pyo's sculptural pieces are like works of art rather than garments. I love the use of such a strong color in this look: a mix between blue and purple that is not quite either shade.

 

I love the way Myrza de Muynck emphasizes contrasting elements in the look on the left to create a successful, unique, and highly wearable outfit. The silhouette is sporty and is common for something one might wear to the gym or over a running outfit, but the print and color are soft and more feminine. The shades of blue together with the way they are assembled in the print reminds me of a pool, which reminds me of vacation in the summertime. This gives off a more relaxed vibe than any old gym suit does.

I love the pearly pink pants in the look on the right: totally unexpected, but so fun and actually something  that can be worn with ease! The detailing on the jacket is really beautiful and quite reminiscent of the look on the left in some ways. It also has a slight Oriental feel to it.

The shapes of Helen Bullock's designs are not the most flattering for the normal women of the world and would garner some strange looks from people on the street, but I love how Bullock plays with combinations of patterns and bright colors. The floral patterns are dainty and feminine, but the bold colors are anything but and even out the outfit. I could easily see this juxtaposition placed on to a more comfortable silhouette, on which it would be extremely fun and wearable.

The looks in Jenny Postle's collection share the same colorful, geometric-style pattern and many of the pieces are made out of a thick, knit material. I love the mixing of materials and the jumbled mess of color and print, yet the slightly off-kilter resemblance makes everything work. The looks have an interesting, vintage-y art-deco feel but have a more sophisticated vibe than the ultra-bright clothes popular in the mid-to-late-20th century. I love this contrast because a lot of the collections in this graduation show have a more modern feel to them, so this collection really sets itself apart from the pack.

Also, I love how this show includes colorful garments for men. Usually menswear is boring and filled with neutrals, but I especially love this jacket by Pietro Franch, which adds an unexpected burst of color.

Many of the collections in the Central St Martins were lacking in color, but every collection was completely different from any other collection in the show. These design students really produce top-notch work with amazing craftsmanship and the designs are truly one-of-a-kind. It's easy to see why Central St Martins gives birth to so many household names in fashion.
Obviously I haven't highlighted all of the collections of the show. (There are over 200 looks in the entire graduation show!) To view the show in its entirety, click here.
All images in this post from style.com, except Jenny Postle images from elle.com

xo

Let's Go Tribal

Having arrived in Florida for a family vacation, I'm in a summer mindset after spending a hot day by the pool. Just thinking about the climate back at home makes me miserable, because I'm just aching for spring to come.
Because I'm caught up in a faux summertime, I wanted to feature an ultra-summery piece of clothing that really caught my eye. This piece is called the Tribal Destiny Romper and is by Alice and Trixie, a brand that features a lot of bright solid colors and colorful prints. I stumbled upon their website because of Lucky magazine, in which they featured an Alice and Trixie sky blue one-shouldered dress. I absolutely love this shade of blue, so naturally I was compelled to check out what more the brand had to offer.

Solid Pamela Dress, featured in the March 2011 issue of Lucky Magazine

The previously-mentioned exploration that occurred led me to discover the Tribal Destiny Romper, characterized by a beautiful tribal print in a color palette reminiscent of that of a sunset. The piece is extremely versatile: it can be worn strapless or as a halter and can take the wearer from day to night effortlessly. 

Images from shopaliceandtrixie.com

I love the beachy, relaxed feel of the romper; I can picture myself wearing this at a casual lunch restaurant by the beach or pool. But with tights, high heels, an elegant evening clutch, and a fancy bracelet this romper instantly becomes suitable for a nice dinner out. I love this aspect of the romper, because in summer or on summer vacation there isn't always much time to change between lounging by the pool and dinner. For a quicker change, one could even wear the romper and a pair of luxe sandals during the day and just add an evening bag and blazer for nighttime.

The romper is 100% silk matte charmeuse and costs $209. You can buy it here.

It is also available in black or the same print can also be found on a tank dress. 

Click here to shop the whole site.

xo

Seeing Stars

Usually stars are used to represent patriotism and are seen as all-American, obviously because of the stars on the American flag.
However, of course the trend-setting, always chic, always fun, always spot-on Miuccia Prada puts a twist on stars with her spring 2011 collection for Miu Miu. I think stars can be quite fun on garments or accessorizes if they are done in just the right way. Often they can appear preppy without meaning to or overly American; not to say that this is always a bad thing, but this is not usually the look that someone wants to achieve.

Photos from nymag.com

I love the way Ms. Prada uses the graphic pop of her punchy stars to add an exciting jolt of fun to her sophisticated silhouettes. Each look has the perfect combination of youthfulness and charming elegance. The color palettes are perfect: the stars add just the right amount of color and I especially love the details of the bright lime green in the look on the top left and the light pink of the intricate neckline in the look on the top right. 

Here are some affordable picks inspired by Miuccia Prada's starry designs:

Yvonne Spore tank - buy at mytheresa.com

Lauren Moshi tank - buy at revolveclothing.com

LaROK t-shirt - buy at bluefly.com

You can also find many more affordable picks at yesstyle.com. I included one, just to give you an idea of the style.

When done right, you can really have a lot of fun with stars. They have a beautiful shape and can be distorted in intriguing ways (as evidenced by Miuccia Prada, especially) and are both iconic and symbolic. 

Changing the subject, I can't wait to start blogging about the Fall 2011 New York fashion shows! That's something you can look forward to as a reader.

xo

Spread the Love

Happy Valentine's Day!
Because today is Valentine's Day, I thought I would do a themed post today to celebrate. Below are some of my favorite picks that are love-themed or follow or a pink and red color scheme. Often it can be difficult to wear (and design, I'm sure) a piece of clothing or accessory that is emblazoned with hearts or has an overall love theme without it looking tacky or immature. However, in the cases where this problem is strategically avoided the effect is fun, chic, and classy. I have a lot of respect for designers who are able to achieve this, because it can be quite tricky. (This kind of relates to my post on sophisticated graphic print t-shirts, where there is a fine line between childish and quirky fun in a youthful way.)

Now without further ado, here are some wonderful Valentine-y wares.

Image from urbanoutfitters.com

I really love this DOE tee. It's cropped in a flattering way and the shape and sleeve length are quite charming. I love the shade of pink that was used because it's a soft enough shade that isn't so in-your-face but it really adds a pop to any outfit. The graphic is wonderful; of course, Keith Haring's images are some of the most iconic and most recognized out there. I've seen this shirt several times in the Urban Outfitters store but for some reason I've never tried it on. (Maybe because my friend was trying it on?)

Anyways, how cute! I'd wear this with a skirt, tights, and oxfords. It's the kind of thing that can go with a lot.

Image from polyvore.com

Max and Chloe's rose gold ring is pretty simple, but there are lots of subtle decorations that make this ring very lovely and interesting. The word "love" in cursive is artfully woven into the band of the ring, so everything is one constant, uninterrupted piece. The gem in the "o" is charming and adds sparkle and intrigue to a plain solid colored piece of jewelry. The word is pretty in-your-face and usually I don't really like when designs are centered around one word, but incorporating it into such a small piece makes for a subtler effect. It's the kind of thing where if you're wearing it and you move your hands around, it's a quick flash of something quite unexpected. You have to say, "Hey, wait a minute!" and look closely to catch those fine details.

This ring is also available in gold and silver.

Image from polyvore.com

This Christian Louboutin shoe really reminds me of Valentine's Day, with its bright red patent leather and the white laces adding a nice contrast to the intense cherry color. It looks quite masculine, but the red is undeniably feminine and the shine adds an unexpected touch to the flat. The shoe is almost like a classic bowling shoe but fancier and lovelier, but it retains that classic feel.

Image from polyvore.com

This Giambattista Valli silk-wool coat has to be one of the cutest coats I've ever seen in my life. The red is a very unusual shade because at first it looks bright red, but then it seems to have a slightly pinkish tone, and then you're really not sure whether or not it's pink, red, or a mixture of both. The tulip shape is sophisticated and edgy but still very feminine. I love the bow at the waistline because it adds decoration to an otherwise plain, solid colored coat and the neutral color is a nice break from the coat's extravagant pinkish-red. I love when designers use bows, because they are often used in classic but still very inventive ways and they are ingeniously amped up in sophistication compared to mainstream apparel.

Of course there are many more things I could post in the above section but I simply don't have time, so below I have briefly posted some things that also stood out for me.

All images from polyvore.com (originally from barneys.com)

From left to right, top to bottom: Lanvin dress, Nina Ricci dress, Parker dress, Miu Miu sandals, Armand Diradourian scarf, Cathy Waterman Ring.

I hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day and I'll try my hardest to post more often than I have been!

xo

Brand I Love: Tibi

Today I was really thinking about the coming spring season and how excited I am for temperatures to rise, so I decided to feature Tibi, a brand I really admire for its ingenious, creative, and colorful patterns. The elegant silhouettes of Tibi apparel are on the mature side for someone who's my age and who is dressing with school (and affordability) in mind, but I absolutely adore the colors and patterns the brand uses.

Tibi began when a woman named Amy Smilovic moved to Hong Kong with her husband and decided she wanted to start a fashion label. She partnered with Octavia Hyland, another American, and together they created a set of unique patterns with textile printers on the Indonesian island of Java. In 2000, Tibi was relocated to Soho in New York City. The flagship store is located on Wooster Street, and I count this as one of the many stores on my list of places to visit sometime (this mental list also includes Opening Ceremony and What Goes Around Comes Around, among others). The collection obviously continues to be inspired by the starting point of brightly-colored patterns, with several new and fascinating prints gracing each season of clothing. And I love how the label has a couple signature silhouettes that are reused each season, modernized by brand new prints. Of course, the solid colored pieces are also trés chic!

In addition, Tibi also offers fantastic swimwear. Although pricey for bathing suits - although after all, this is designer fashion, so what do you expect? - the patterns are phenomenal. There's nothing better than having a swimsuit with a fun print, so of course it makes sense to go to a brand that dreams up some pretty wonderful ones! They also offer beautiful caftans and dresses designed as cover-ups for lounging by the beach or pool.

Last but not least, if you find the above designs compelling but don't want to empty your wallet for one of Tibi's gorgeous creations, they also sell an intelligent array of cute accessorizes that stay true to the brand's aesthetic. I'm currently lusting for one of their keyrings, although I guess the size isn't exactly practical to fit in my school bag.

You can shop their specialty items here.

The above picture is one of three designs Tibi has made to decorate the back of your iPhone 4.

All photos in this post are from tibi.com

Each keyring includes a 100% silk scarf and two cute 24Kt gold plated charms.

For more about Tibi or to shop online, visit their website. The brand's apparel can also often be found at trendy multi-brand boutiques, such as Jessie James and Diana and Jeffries in New York City. The line is also available at Saks and Bloomingdale's.

On another note, right now is a time where I'm quite preoccupied with school and afterschool activities while trying to find the time to read the new March issues of my fashion magazines to inspire some new blog posts. I've been trying to be consistent in posting every other day, but soon I will have more spare time and my hands and hopefully I can begin to blog everyday.
Meanwhile, I'm trying to prepare posts involving my own outfits - styled by yours truly - and some of my favorite articles of clothing and accessories. This is one of my current projects, so hopefully I can show some of that in the near future!

xo

Dreaming of Velvet Skies

Let me start this post by saying that I have a weird attraction to wearing summer clothes during the winter. To those who have that natural instinct to throw on whatever clothes are warmest and pile them on as much as possible, this probably seems extremely strange. However I go by the philosophy that sacrificing uber-cozyness for a confidence-boosting winter outfit is perfectly acceptable and usually preferred. I would rather wear something I feel great in and be a little chilly than pack on the warm sweaters and feel ridiculous. (Funny enough though, as I write this post I am fighting off a cold. Also, see my post on the great winter compromise between warmth and fashion here.)

The above explanation shows why as soon as I discovered velvet shorts I became an instant fan. Generally I can be pretty picky about velvet, because for me I find that cheaper velvets have an unappealing texture. This in the past has caused me to stay away from this material. However, I think that velvet shorts is the most wonderful idea for winter as we slowly and steadily approach the springtime. Shorts are seen as summery and casual, but this is clearly a misconception. The velvet makes the mood more elegant and less everyday and the material seems more relevant to the colder months rather than the warmer months, in part because it is warmer than denim shorts or flimsy silk shorts. They add a sense of glamour to the cozy chic that is common during the wintertime, something that is often much needed in the months where thick knit sweaters and pants or jeans normally reign. Shorts really switch it up and the velvet is an added bonus. Plus, velvet shorts have an extra vintage appeal!

Try wearing a pair of velvet shorts with a neutral oversized sweater, tights, thick knit socks or leg-warmers and heeled booties. Add a scarf for extra warmth and to further the contrast of the winter staples with the unexpected shorts.
If you choose a black pair of shorts, add pops of color with your tights or scarf. My outfit would be a gray beaded sweater, black velvet shorts, forest green tights, and tan oxford heels.

Here are some suggestions:

Winter Kate Saxon Velvet Short ($165)
Click here to buy.

With Hearts In My Eyes Black Velvet Lori Shorts ($140)
Click here to buy.

With Hearts In My Eyes - Black Velvet Lori Shorts

Photo from bonadrag.com

Some more affordable versions are:

ASOS Rich Velvet Shorts ($34.07)

Click here to buy.

dELiAs Red Velvet Short ($19.99)

Click here to buy.

ASOS - Rich Velvet Shorts

Photo from us.asos.com

Currently velvet shorts are just one of those new discoveries that are on my "To Try" list, but maybe someday I'll actually get to incorporate them into my wardrobe. For now, I'll just settle for my pair of rayon floral shorts instead.

xo

Thinking Graphically

Everyone goes through that phase (or at least I did) in the preteen years where graphic t-shirts were the coolest thing on earth. Or the only thing on earth. I remember all those shirts with cute puns, phrases in French (where you didn't have any clue what they meant, but they were still cool because they looked nice and probably sounded pretty when spoken aloud), pretty images of birds and flowers, etc. The uniform was primarily composed of Junk Food and Delia's and Abercrombie, Hollister, and Aeropostale brand names were emblazoned on people's chests everywhere you went.

After this phase ended for me, my wardrobe went on a severe graphic print diet. I had this idea that absolutely any graphic was reminiscent of one of these tees, and I was in a stage where I was trying to mature my clothing style. Gradually, I began to discover the beauty and joy of more sophisticated graphic prints that retained their fun, but in an edgier and more adult manner. (I can thank Urban Outfitters for this moment of enlightenment.)

In honor of this somewhat recent discovery and my attempts to gradually re-introduce graphics to my wardrobe, slowly but surely, I wanted to post about some graphic prints that have inspired me recently.

One of the most sophisticated examples of graphic prints that I've discovered recently is designer Holly Fulton's spring/summer 2011 collection. The shirts, skirts, and dresses are absolutely stunning. I've never seen anything like it. I also love the city and skyscraper inspirations evident in the clothing.

This maxidress intrigued me for obvious reasons. This print is fabulous because it's whimsical without being too immature. It still looks high fashion.

Photos from hollyfulton.com

I really love this look. The shirt is bright and the pattern is great, but the skirt is a real show-stopper. The shape is quite unusual, but the panels with their city skyline print are extraordinary: when you first notice them it makes you go, "Oh wow, that's so funny how that was snuck in there! How cool!" Yet the panels don't distract from the interesting texture and shape.
(Visit the brand's website here.)

A more youthful approach to graphic prints can be found within the designs of Wildfox Couture. I really can't mention graphic t-shirts without bringing up this brand. I'm absolutely obsessed with them because it's like the graphic tee that was so in vogue in the preteen years was given a full-on makeover and amped up ten notches. Wildfox keeps churning out the cutest prints, yet they're all so unusual and different from each other. But there's almost a deeper element to each print, rather than just a picture of a heart or a smiley face on most graphic tees. I also love how Wildfox not only makes great t-shirts, but they also put prints on sweatshirts, sweatpants, dresses, and even ponchos!
If only they had sales more often.

Photos from polyvore.com

You can shop Wildfox Couture on their website, but you can also search through other sites that stock the brand on Shopstyle (which also lists sale prices that you can't find on their official website).

While I'm on this subject, I want to mention the graphic t-shirt I recently ordered (that should come in the mail tomorrow, hopefully). It's a Piperlime collaboration with Mondo Guerra, who was the runner-up of the most recent series of Project Runway. He designed two t-shirts for Piperlime - one for men and one for women, although technically they can both be unisex - that will benefit amFAR, the foundation for AIDS research. It's a really great cause and I'm really excited to get mine.

Photo from piperlime.com

I'm planning to wear mine with a ruffled, subtly heart-printed skirt and maroon tights. (I just bought a bunch of tights and socks in pretty colors that I still need to try out. More on that some other time!)

I hope I've sparked your interest in graphic prints, because sometimes they can be under-appreciated. They're really a lot of fun, and I love to wear them all year round!

xo

The Perfect Coat

One of the least fun aspects about cold weather is that it severely limits your options in terms of clothing. That is, assuming you favor warmth over style. Yet the one element that everyone needs in their winter wardrobe is a warm coat or jacket of some sort. Generally these come in the form of black, brown, or gray puffers, with which the wearer is successfully able to channel the look of a marshmallow.
In my opinion, I think it's possible to be cozy warm (at least to a moderate degree) and chic at the same time. Although I'm saying this with a black cropped puffer jacket hanging in my coat closet at this very moment. Back at the time I (or my mom, rather) bought said jacket, the concern was being warm without wearing some enormous coat down to my knees filled with an excess of down. The jacket has been halfway successful in that I am quite warm in it, as long as I am not outside for an extended period of time, and that its shape is slightly more tailored than normal puffers, making it somewhat flattering on my petite frame (the length does help with this). However, it really feels quite boring. Every time I put on this jacket, that typical "oh, now it's time to put this thing on..." thought runs through my head. Despite the slightly tailored shape, I always feel like a little snowball trudging off to school.

I always figured that this had to change, but now I realize how simple it is.

My inspiration:

Photo from luckymag.com

I first saw this photo in Lucky Magazine's November 2010 issue in their fashion spread "The Clash." Instantly I fell in love with the color combination, the teal-colored bag accessorized with a bold patterned scarf, and, of course, that beautiful plum coat. However, this coat happens to be both Marc by Marc Jacobs and $598.

But I know that somewhere there's a beautiful, colorful coat that is much more attainable. (Hopefully as gorgeous as the one above, or the rich emerald coat I saw on my way home from school yesterday. I wish I could have gotten a picture.)

So please join me on my search for the perfect coat: colorful, age-appropriate, and able to smoothly transition from harsh winters to cool springs.

I'll post a picture when I find the perfect one.

xo