MCLV Style: Lady of the Night
If you’re a MCLV regular you’ve probably noticed that most of the personal fashion featured on my site is either work-related or geared toward daytime styling – I’m not much of a late night girl these days. My weeks are filled to the brim with stress, deadlines, To Do Lists, and social obligations, so when the weekends roll around I’m much more interested in sleeping in, running errands, and relaxing than I am in partying the night away. Clubbing, dancing, and all-night bar hopping are things of the past it would seem.
But every once in a while there’s a social obligation or outing that requires dressing up and getting off my laptop for a night of fun and frivolity – And I definitely enjoy those evenings!
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Printed Trousers – Zara, Narciso Rodriguez Sequined Top – Kohl’s, Blazer – Aqua via Bloomingdale’s, Clutch – Express, Ankle Strap Heels – Fendi, Skull & Spike Bracelets – Asos.com, Chainlink Bracelet – JewelMint, Star Ring – BCBG, Swarovski Crystal Ring – Gift & Elephant Pendant – Sasha Maks Vintage from her recent Holiday Trunk Show}
{You can view this outfit on both Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out outtakes from this shoot here – Just log into Facebook to view}
That being said, on occasion I relish the opportunity to enjoy a night out on the town – Whether it’s a date night, a girls night out, or just dinner and drinks in the neighborhood – Sometimes it’s fun to get all dressed up and enjoy some cocktails & laughs.
When I get dressed for a night out I like to pair something fun – And maybe new – With my favorite tried and true pieces. This blazer is one of my all time favorites {Aque via Bloomingdale’s} and I’ve come to love this tank for its layering capabilities.
I’m a skirt & dress girl through-and-through but I’m absolutely mad about all of the great pants for Fall and Winter this season. Prints, brocades, plaids, lace & stripes… Are you stocking up on pants this season as well?
Voyage To Marrakech
A big Thank You to The Factory and The Evans Group for the unbelievable trip to Marrakech last week – Who knew that in the streets of SOMA you could escape to the market stalls of exotic Morocco?
Voyage To Marrakech is an evening inspired by Yves Saint Laurent’s glamorous 1970’s lifestyle in Moroco to showcase their Spring 2013 Collection. An illuminated nighttime Marrakech marketplace, with cocktails, food, and music, and live photoshoot presentation, featuring live vignettes inspired by iconic YSL iconic photographs.
Stylish San Franciscans flocked to our own personal Marrakech last week to celebrate The Factory’s new collection inspired by the love affaire that YSL had with Marrakech.
{The looks that evening ran the gamut from ultra modern to vintage inspired to came-straight-from-the-office}
{Cocktails, mannequins sporting Yves Saint Laurent-inspired frocks, friends reuniting, fortune tellers…}
{And the models showed off a phenomenal Spring 2013 collection filled with sleek, shimmering fabrics, vintage patterns & prints, luxurious metallics, faux fur, relaxed silhouettes, and fun accessories}
{I wore a long-sleeved, high-neck vintage shift dress, Zara ankle strap heels, and a fabulous gold necklace from Sasha Maks Vintage}
{Check out more photographs from this event here – Just log into Facebook to view}
This was the fifth event that I’ve had the honor of attending at The Factory, check out my posts on the previous events below:
MCLV Style: Factory Girl
This outfit is an oldie, but a goodie!
Things have been so hectic and non-stop since the beginning of September that I never got a chance to share with you the outfit that I put together for the pre-Fashion Week Fashion Mixer at The Factory in lovely SOMA.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Floral Blazer – Pim + Larkin from Piperlime, Pleated Black Mini – Zara (one of my favorite pieces in my wardrobe, true story), Ankle Booties – Rebecca Minkoff from Shopbop.com, Floral Top – Anthropologie, and Jewelry – All from Sasha Maks Vintage}
{You can view this outfit on both Lookbook.nu and Pose}
{Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view}
Despite the fact that I put this outfit together over a month ago it actually looks pretty Fall-ready with the black accents and these too cute Rebecca Minkoff booties. I love wearing skirts and dresses during the Fall with layers on top and cute tights on the bottom. I’ve got a pair of black & grey skull-print tights that are in my closet begging to be worn!
Do you like printed or colorful blazers? Are you strictly a pants person once the weather turns colder or do you like to wear skirts & dresses in the Fall?
MCLV Style: New York City
New York City BABY!
As I’m sure you picked up, I was beyond excited for this trip – Seeing my best friend, attending IFBCON, and getting the chance to spend some quality time in NYC, a city that I’ve been having a love affaire with for years now.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Embellished Striped Top – Zara, Zipper Detail Shorts – Zara, Ankle Strap Heels – Fendi, Oversized Crocodile Clutch – Express, Silver Art Deco Bracelet – JewelMint, Silver Bow Bracelet – Forever 21, Silver Chainlink Watch – Vintage & Ring – Tiffany’s}
{You can HYPE this look on Lookbook.nu}
Check out more outtakes from this shoot here – just log into Facebook to view
When I was packing for my trip to New York I found myself in a quandary – it was going to be extremely hot and humid but I’m a fairly formal dresser. Luckily for my internal body temperature this was the first Summer that I’ve worn shorts since Junior High, so I packed a few pairs for the trip. But how to style them? Shorts & a tank might be an appropriate bathing suit coverup, but for walking down the streets of New York City? Definitely not!
So with that in mind I paired my exposed zipper shorts from Zara with a striped tee with a rhinestone embellished collar, tons of chunky silver jewelry, ankle strap heels, and an oversized envelope clutch. I was comfortable temperature-wise, but still felt stylish enough to strut my stuff all over Manhattan! 🙂
Interesting in more fashion from my September trip to New York City? Check out these previous posts:
Did you have fun wearing shorts over the Summer? What’s your favorite style of shorts to wear when the weather heats up?
New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
This is the final – finally – post on the Spring 2013 New York Fashion Week collections. During the first three posts we reviewed the NYFW institutions, the affordable “real women” lines, and the newbies to Fashion Week. Today’s post is all about the editors, actresses, bloggers, models, and fashion industry insiders during New York Fashion Week – What they wore to view the collections, running between the shows, and to the parties, store openings & celebration dinners.
{I absolutely adore this look. It’s chic and utterly put together, but still fun and youthful rather than being stiff and boring. Well done Miss Belle!}
{Low-key and casual, perfect for a muggy NYC day and comfortable enough to make it through the day without foot pain, fashion emergencies, or faux pas.}
{Quite the well put together outfit – I love the blouse, it suits her really well, and I’m a sucker for a great day clutch so this studded beauty really caught my eye.}
{So. Cute. I can’t imagine a more adorable or flatteringly age-appropriate little outfit for this young lady.}
{I kind of love Kelly’s look here. I’m not a huge fan of her recent hair color choices, but the bright colorblocking of this frock is lovely and that black & white checkered clutch was a brilliant choice.}
{I love the fresh, colorful prints she picked here, as well as the unique midi length hem. There’s something to be said for mixing & matching, no one else will ever show up in the same outfit!}
{LOVE! It’s fun and one-of-a-kind, totally Brad!}
{Great colors. Fabulous length. Utterly flattering silhouettes. Well done ladies, well done.}
Bloggers:
Bloggers do it better! 🙂 The ladies who represented the blogger contingent in New York City did a fabulous job in brights, florals, prints, and eye-catching accessories.
{Such a gorgeous dress! Dark florals are one of my favorite ways to bridge the Summer-to-Fall gap and this is a great example of how to transition them. And Zara booties never hurt an outfit!}
{One way to make sure that you stand out in a crowd of bloggers, celebrities, and editors is to: (1) Look stunning (2) Wear stand-out hues that suit you to perfection & (3) Pile on the gorgeous statement jewelry}
{Great print & colors – And those double ankle strap heels are killer}
{Liz from Late Afternoon (left) and Laura from OnTheRacks (right) make quite the pretty picture in a fun, colorful array of separates paired with perfectly chosen, eye-catching accessories.}
{Sylish and chic! I love this look but I have NO IDEA how she was wearing a black blazer during NYFW, maybe she took it off after the pictures were taken?}
{This is a great laid back look. I adore the printed pants paired with the leopard print pieces, and the plain white tee paired with the dramatic statement necklace is another great choice.}
{LOVE THIS. It’s wild & crazy & fun – Just what fashion week is supposed to be all about!}
{I always look forward to shots of Karlie – I adore her street style, her runway walk, and how her personality always manages to shine through in a picture. Here’s yet another great example of her personal style from Mr. Newton!}
{How fabulous is this shot? I love her bike, her handbag, her helmet, and her low-key but chic style – Skinnies & a tank – perfect for a humid Summer day in New York.}
{This is a great shot showing models doing something that they do best – Mixing & matching! These ladies are doing a great job of combining interesting and fun pieces to put together unique, fashionable looks.}
And last but hardly least, my favorite look from New York Fashion Week…
{I mean seriously? Can you imagine a more chic and stylish looking woman? She probably made half the women at this show cry and give up on fashion. Head-to-toe this is an amazing look – The red is striking and the gloves & pearls are such chic touches. J’adore!}
{Click on the images above to be taken to the original source}
Previous NYFW Collections: New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part I, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part II, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part III, New York Fashion Week Fall 2012, Pre-Fall 2012 Part I, Part II, Part III, and NYFW Spring 2012 Round-Up.
Addition reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: WhoWhatWear’s What They Wore – NY Fashion Week, Style.com’s Get the Look: Tilda Lindstam, New York Fashion Week Spring 2013: Parties & Front Row from Harper’s BAZAAR & Modelinia’s Top Twitpics from Spring 2013 New York Fashion Week.
Now we’re off to London – See you there! ❤
New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Part I
Every season I’m at a loss as to how I should approach the fashion show reviews. There are so many that I don’t know where to start, how many I should try to review, or how to justify which shows I choose over others. It’s oddly stressful considering I’m sitting in front of my laptop in San Francisco and NOT running around the cobblestone streets of New York City in stilettos with a 50 lbs handbag.
So this season I have come up with a plan of attack. I’m going to publish four separate pieces for New York Fashion Week:
- The NYFW Institutions – i.e. Oscar de la Renta, Diane Von Furstenberg & Carolina Herrera
- The more reasonably priced or secondary designer lines – i.e. J.Crew, MARC by Marc Jacobs & Alice+Olivia
- New up & coming brands that I’m just discovering or which are new to the tents – i.e. Z Spole by Zac Posen, Thakoon Addition & Victoria by Victoria Beckham
- And finally the street style & front row fashion of the NYFW attendees
So without further ado – Welcome to the fabulous runway fashion of the New York Fashion Week Spring 2013 Ready-to-Wear shows:
BCBG Max Azria:
This collection was an interesting juxtaposition of hard against soft. The dresses all had a harness-like construction on the bodice, evoking a tough, bad-girl vibe that contrasted with the softer colors and flowing silhouettes.
Black, white, grey, and coral were the colors de jour and all the looks were paired with a wide ankle strap adorned heel in black or white. The fitted, midi and maxi-length skirts were equipped with high slits in the thin, wispy floral, lace, and paisley prints, making them utterly perfect for hot summer nights.
Peter Som:
This sweet collection was filled with great prints, bright colors and pastels, florals, flowy silhouettes and just a touch of lace. It was structured and well put together, but relaxed and fun – New York City girl meets boho chic.
The prints were chic and I loved the cropped pants – of course – and the hippie vibe throughout. I don’t think that I can say it any better than The Man Repeller: “Peter Som is punk rock tea party infused with tigers and ponies.”
Derek Lam:
I heard the phrase “sporty luxury” to describe Derek Lam and couldn’t get it out of my head – That’s the perfect description for this master of chic sportswear and exquisite tailoring. These clothes were modern and chic, I can easily picture them on streets all over the world.
Interesting fabrics and textures, bold prints, and slouchy silhouettes were the hallmarks here. Knee-length skirts and sheath dresses in brightly colored leather, all-over geometric prints, separates, and the retro-inspired midriff baring tops that were all over the runways in New York all made an appearance.
Calvin Klein:
The collection that Francisco Costa presented may have been primarily black and white but it was a far cry from boring. And a far cry from the slinky pastel numbers favored by Hollywood starlets on the red carpet last season.
These looks were sleek, body conscious, and strikingly sexy with dramatic cuts and a variety of reach-out-and-touch-them fabrics and textures including lace, satin, mesh, and leather. No florals or pastels for the Calvin Klein girl this coming Spring, she’ll be breaking out killer heels and wowing everyone with her confidence and daring.
Ralph Lauren:
The Ralph Lauren show was a combination of make-believe and reality. There were costume-like pieces inspired by Spain and Latin America – fringe, matador jackets, and ponchos – and there were chic, wearable pieces that I’m sure we’ll be seeing soon on the red carpets and sidewalks of Hollywood.
I absolutely loved the flowing, ruffle-adorned maxi dresses and skirts in stripes and bright florals, as well as the vaguely Parisian looking prim A-line skirts paired with fitted jackets, and the double-breasted, oversized suits with dramatic shoulders.
Ole!
Thakoon:
If I had to pick a single word to describe the Spring 2013 collection presented by Thakoon it would be beautiful. The cuts & silhouettes were flattering, the fabric & textures were interesting, and the prints & details were nothing short of divine.
From pretty, colorful, whimsical prints for daytime outings to daring but still utterly chic lace, eyelet, and sheer fabrics for nighttime.
A collection like this one really illustrates the difference between a designer like Thakoon and one like Lee McQueen – While I’d call them both artists the wearability of a collection like this one is unparalleled. I wait with bated breathe for the McQueen shows and gasp at the artistry and showmanship, but I can picture every single piece of this collection in my wardrobe, not something most of us mere mortals can say about McQueen.
Diane Von Furstenberg:
Who knew being a techie could be so darn stylish? DVF went geek chic this season and sent her girls down the runway in brilliant colors, prints, and flowing caftans paired with the brand new Google Glasses.
Glasses aside this collection had a classic DVF feel – Great 70’s styles & prints, flowing silhouettes that would be right at home in Saint Tropez or Marrakech, and eye-catching accessories like oversized earrings, brightly colored sunglasses, and matchy-matchy handbags. The whole collection had a delicious retro vibe that made me nostalgic for the heyday of Miss Diane herself.
Victoria Beckham:
I always look forward to the Victoria Beckham show, I adore her personal style and that chic, timeless style always shows up in her collections. And while I love – and would die to own – all of her sexy, second skin sheath dresses, I was thrilled by the amount of separates and slightly less body conscious pieces that she sent down the runway for Spring.
Everything was still sleek and sexy, with little color or prints per her usual aesthetic, but somewhat more relatable for the non-Hollywood set. I especially liked the A-line skirts and high-necklines, and the black, white, and the brilliant orange color scheme suited the austerity of the designs.
Well done!
Tommy Hilfiger:
Stripes! Stripes! Stripes! But we’re not talking about your basic, boring stripes for Spring, these are chic, retro stripes adorning flowing suits, maxi dresses, and separates in red, white, and navy.
The devil was in the details of this collection – The drama of a double-breasted, oversized suit jacket, delicate chevron prints, bright piping on a two-toned blazer, contrasting denim on denim pockets, thick weave cable knit sweaters, gold rope detailing, and flowy silk shirt-dresses. You’ve got to admit, nothing says All-American quite like Tommy Hilfiger.
Jason Wu:
Jason Wu may be best know for dressing Michelle Obama, but when a runway show starts with Carolyn Murphy strutting her stuff in a black leather mini dress you know the collection is heading in a different direction than usual.
While the primarily black & white collection was filled with leather & lace, his red lipped models also wore some killer separates and pieces with exquisite tailoring. But even the prim looks amped up the sexiness with mesh, sheer panels, studs and animal prints.
Donna Karan:
City girl Donna Karan presented an unusually soft and sweet collection pulling inspiration from the ballet which gave the pieces ethereal undertones that were further emphasized by the pale color palette.
The soft, gauzy looking fabrics, flattering drapping, sweater-sets, and pastel satins were sugary sweet and picture perfect for good-girl actresses like Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Greene, or Nicole Kidman. Among the draping and flowing fabrics were two numbers that caught my eye though – A sharp white sheath dress with a matching cropped jacket and a sexy sheer panelled navy gown perfect for a siren like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley during her next red carpet appearance.
Zac Posen:
Calling all supermodels!
The Zac Posen show was the place to be when the audience was surprised by Naomi Campbell, Angela Lindvall, Karolina Kurkova, and Coco Rocha all hitting the catwalk in his gorgeous, retro-inspired designs.
The dresses were phenomenal – From floral fifties inspired day dresses with sweetheart necklines to second-skin suits with his trademark dramatic bodice cuts, to sleek gowns in satins, florals, and chiffons. I could picture the likes of Eva Mendes and Emma Stone wearing the chic, but prim daydresses, and I guarantee that the rest of these gowns will be all over the red carpets come awards season.
Marc Jacobs:
There’s a reason that no one could stop talking about the Marc Jacobs show – It was amazing. Fabulously retro and evocative of the stylish Warhol girls of the 60’s, without appearing costumy or over the top, the kind of clothes you can really picture yourself wearing.
Loads of stripes – from thick to thin & horizontal to vertical – interesting lengths, cute separates, matching handbags, low-heeled shoes, and chic outerwear. I loved the long jackets with the high collars, the tiny shifts that us non-supermodels would need to wear slim trousers under, and the adorable pointy toed kitten heels.
Michael Kors:
Another show that emphasized stripes and had a Mod feeling to it was Michael Kors, which was brightly colored, bold, and very sporty. While it may not have been innovative, this collection showed piece after piece of very wearable clothing – For both men and women.
Stripes, colorblocking, contrasting collars, flats, wide low-slung belts, matching suits, tank & shift dresses, and separates all made lovely appearances. I may not be able to live without the green tunic & matching shorts set, it’s one of my favorite looks so far from the NYFW collections.
The menswear was fabulous – Full of color, great silhouettes, and classics styles. The men also got the stripes treatment and he showed great suits, white boat shoes, separates in the form of slacks, shorts & sweaters, and killer outerwear.
Carolina Herrera:
This light airy collection was filled with pale hues – from peach and aqua to olive-green and daffodil yellow – All perfectly ready for Spring. There were shorts, midi length skirts, trench coats, maxi dresses, gowns, and some sweet separates.
As gorgeous as CH’s gowns always are, the separates and short coats were what really caught my eye. They were chic and well-tailored, but more approachable than her collections have been in the past. The wide strap heeled sandals worn by all came in every color imaginable and thin belts cinched all of the waists. And interestingly enough, not a piece of jewelry could be seen!
Oscar de la Renta:
What I love about ODLR is his consistency – Each show will inevitably cater to a handful of crowds, from high-powered businesswomen & ladies who lunch to the fashionable young things & “It” girls that compose the celebutant set.
The splashes of colors in this collection were shocking yellow, pink, and teal – An interesting choice that worked surprisingly well. The collection was vibrant and fun with lots of beautiful textures and fabrics, and a great separates that I can imagine a few fashionistas in. Personally I’d be first in line for the thin striped dress paired with the black & white plaid coat and the sequin encrusted retro tunic & slim cropped pants – Tres chic!
Jill Stuart:
I’m always excited for a collection that pulls from Kim Basinger’s Veronica Lake look-a-like character in LA Confidential as it’s inspiration – The old school, golden age of Hollywood was such an extravagant and glamorous period fashion-wise.
You could really see that in the boudoir-feeling of the silks and slinky satins, and in the sequins, lame, and metallic brocades. While this wasn’t a “real woman” collection, there were beautiful dresses, gowns, and a few separates that will cater perfectly to a certain set.
Alexander Wang:
Wow.
Cut outs, netting, mesh, beading, lucite, sheer fabrics, leather, and garments that glowed in the dark when the lights went down. Cool club kids of the world unite! The pieces were minimalist and simultaneously dramatic and eye-catching, a feat few designers can manage.
Architectural and structured, but still fun and irreverent, all of the looks were paired seamlessly with strappy sandal-boot hybrids in black, white, or clear lucite. Definitely not looks for the average woman to wear walking down the street, but something that the cool girls that love Wang dearly can wear for a night out on the town.
{Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie, The Sartorialist, & Tom & Lorenzo}
Previous NYFW Collections: New York Fashion Week Fall 2012, Pre-Fall 2012 Part I, Part II, Part III, and NYFW Spring 2012 Round-Up.
Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: The Man Repeller – NYFW Day I, The Sartorialist – Boy by Band of Outsiders, Tom & Lorenzo’s Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013 Collection, Late Afternoon’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Diary, or check out IFB’s Spring 2013 Pinterest Board.
What’s your favorite collection that I’ve reviewed so far? If you could go to New York City for Fashion Week what would the number one show on your list to see in person be?
Factory Fashion Mixer
Before heading to New York at the beginning of September I was lucky enough to start fashion month out right with a trip to The Factory for a Fashion Mixer with the lovely Sasha of Sasha Maks Vintage.
I was beyond thrilled to wear some more amazing vintage jewelry courtesy of Sasha Maks Vintage – Oversized pearls, thick gem encrusted golden strands, and animal head bangles {see other phenomenal pieces from this shop in the collaboration series Styling 101}.
{Check out the MCLV Style: Factory Girl post for more on this look!}
The evening was fun and festive with a DJ, open bar, photographers, and a group of people ready to enjoy themselves and learn a little something about The Evans Group’s Collection Developement Packages.
My favorite part was, per usual, the oh-so-cool atmosphere of The Factory – I love the exposed brick and being surrounded by racks and racks of gorgeous clothes while I’m socializing.
Such a great start to Fashion Month!
Looks of the Week
This week has gotten off to a unusual start – And since I was so excited to share the Styling 101 – American Girl post, I suppose I’ll just have to make it Looks of the Week Wednesday instead of Monday. But regardless of the which day of the week it is, this is always the perfect way to inspire a week of creativity, fun, and great fashion.
Enjoy!
While this sweet vintage dress is a great find, I have to say that I especially love how this look was styled – Those studded booties, shopper tote, and hat are great choices to make this look one-of-a-kind.
Could this possibly be a great combination of pieces? The retro-silhouetted floral Summer dress is fabulous, those gingham heels are KILLER, and I love the trench and handbag. Well well done!
Wow. Just – WOW. I love that red & white polka dot blouse paired with the fabulous gold accessories and basic cuffed jeans. That spiked necklace is killer!
I love a good black & white look and this one is anything but boring. The skirt is fabulous and one-of-a-kind, and I adore those pointed toed ankle strap pumps. Too cute.
As you’ve probably picked up, I have a great many opinions about a great many things. Many of them things I have no right to have an opinion about whatsoever. Like mens pants. But as far as I’m concerned, these rolled khakis are the perfect pant for Summer. Khakis in lieu of slacks make my eye twitch, but this whole look is fabulous – Love the woven shoes, love the bag, love the simple, clean jewelry choices.
If you said ‘animal print shorts’ I might cringe but these shots are great. It’s a fun, retro look with great detailing and a relaxed overall vibe. Well done!
I love the basics that make up this look, and I love the details. The gold-tipped collar, subtle print on the pants & top, and the color scheme are all great and suit her to a T.
We all know how much I love skulls, so you can imagine that this look immediately caught my attention. But I also love the warm tones mixed with the black, studded, rock n’ roll pieces. Parfait!
I adore a good layering look, especially since we’re heading into Fall and I live in a city known for its temperamental weather. This look has the added bonus of having a killer combination of colors and prints. The flowy white knee-length skirt is the perfect background for the green striped t, leopard print blazer, and adore pink heels.
Love this look as much as I do? Well now you can shop these pieces and put together a similar look for yourself as Summer transitions into Fall and you need to start layering your looks.
{DKNY Pull On Pleated Skirt, Loila Clothing Stripe Zone Top, Lucky Brand Jeans Sweater, Kendra Scott Jacey Pendant Necklace & DV by Dolce Vita Notty Heels}
{Click on images above to visit the original source}
What’s your favorite look of those above? Are you ready to give up your Summer duds for some layering and fabulous outerwear for Fall 2012 and Winter 2013? I have to admit, I’m really starting to get into the mood for cooler weather!
Jewelry Essentials – Pieces Every Woman Should Own
In my Real Girls Need Real Closets and Real Girls Need Real Closets – Accessories Edition I discussed the pieces that are worth putting money into in order to build a complete wardrobe. Today I’d like to focus on what jewelry should make it into your collection in this guest post for Sasha Maks Vintage.
Over the years you’ll invest in new accessories, update your collection, and pick up great pieces on your travels, of both the new and vintage variety. Truth be told, putting together the perfect jewelry collection isn’t something that happens overnight, it’s a long process and while your personal style may evolve over time, the basics of what you should acquire will remain relatively static. With that in mind, here are some tips and suggestions to keep in mind while you’re shopping!
Statement Necklace:
Having a dramatic and eye-catching piece at your neck is a Must. Something that’s versatile and can work as the central focus for your look at a number of events – From casual to dressy to office appropriate.
{Monet Enamel Fan Necklace 1970s – $225}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Nonoo – Letticia Floral Shorts, Jaeger Sleeveless Silk Blouse, Suuna Black Arabella Ladies Sunglasses & COGGLES EXCLUSIVE Lorelei Black & Blue Shoes}
Summer Casual – Inspiration for this look: Olivia Palermo’s fabulous floral shorts look from Verona, Italy photographed in July of 2012. A statement necklace can be the focal point of a basic or monochromatic look, or just another fabulous piece in a fun, vibrant outfit like this one.
Cuff Bracelet:
A cuff or wide bracelet allows you to throw on a single piece of jewelry and call it a day. This acts as an understated but dramatic piece that can complete a look without a lot of effort.
{Silver-tone Wide Ridged Cuff 1970s – $135}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Fluoro Stripe Double Breasted Knit Coat by M Missoni, Black Peep Toe Booties, Diva clutch plain black leather from Boticca, Suuna Black Arabella Ladies Sunglasses, Mixed Chain Collar Necklace & ‘Betty’ thin leather dress}
Punk Princess – Inspiration for this look: Punk and edgy are two ways to go with a thick silver bracelet, so take inspiration from Brooklyn Blonde and try something new & exciting by pairing unexpected pieces. Unique styling, like these peep-toe booties and the sleeveless trench, make a look fresh and unique and 100% you.
Evening Earrings:
Whether you’re wearing a simple suit and attending a work function or a fun Little Black Dress for a cocktail party, you need a pair of killer earrings to punctuate your look.
{Trifari Beaded Ball Drop Earrings 1960s – $165}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Leiby Wide Leg Jumpsuit With Belt, Fatale Natural Shoes, ASOS HARLOT Stiletto Leather Sandals, Lipsy Playsuit With Scallop Edge Hem & Blue, Jade, Noir & Sand Jersey & Silk Jumpsuit}
Retro Luxe – Inspiration for this look: The beautiful & fashionable Liz Cherkasova from Late Afternoon’s fun Summertime look. Depending on the size, style, and color, dangling earrings can easily go from day to-night, the key is to pick the right outfit to complement them.
Cocktail Ring:
A one-of-a-kind cocktail ring is an absolute must have. You need a piece that is fun and flashy, that makes you feel glamorous and acts as a great conversation starter.
{Rhinestone Cocktail-Party Ring 1960s – $95}
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Emerald Sarong Knot Cocktail Dress by Halston Heritage & ASOS HYLA Strappy Heeled Sandals}
Cocktail Fabulous – Inspiration for this look: Katie Holmes’s September 2012 cover for C Magazine, photographed by Matt Jones. A fun ring is very versatile, it’ll work equally well for girls night out, after work drinks, or a cocktail party.
Personality Piece(s):
Whatever your style, whatever your taste, you should have a stand out piece of jewelry in your collection that is 100% YOU. It doesn’t matter what it is, it could be s a fabulous pair of drop earrings, or a handful of stunning bracelets for stacking, or a simple pearl necklace that you inherited from your mother.
{Left: Christian Dior Faux Coral Demi-Parure 1970s – $1250, Top Right: Snake Bangle 1970s – $135 & Bottom Right: Faux Jade Cocktail Ring 1960s – $135}
Me? I’m obsessed with classic gold vintage pieces and animal jewelry like the pieces above. They suit my classic style and act as great finishing touches for my outfits.
{Inspiration Board on ASOS Fashion Finder – Left Outfit: Cream Asymmetrical Tie Blouse by DKNY, Black Leather Exposed Zip Skirt by McQ Alexander McQueen & Reiss Lotta BUCKLE SHOE BOOTS, and Right Outfit: White Poppy Blouse by Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Black Full Flippy Skirt by Halston Heritage & Red Bow Front Patent Pointed Court by Moschino Cheap & Chic}
Black & White Stunner – Inspiration for the look: Donna Karan Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear & Temperley London Pre-Fall 2012. Perfect for a work party or a formal evening, the cut, silhouette, and lengths can be adjusted to suit the appropriateness of a given outing.
All jewelry from Sasha Maks Vintage – Original post on the Sasha Maks Vintage Blog
Looks of the Week
After a relaxing t-shirt & shorts weekend I was looking forward to a fun, fashionable Looks of the Week post to get me back in the fashion mind-set for this week. So enjoy some of the great looks I found and get inspired!
Chic Chic Chic!
I love how from a distance this outfit looks low-key, but the individual pieces are all really beautiful and unique. The animal print ankle strap heels, gorgeous lace shorts (DIY!!!), and two-tone envelope clutch are all the perfect touches.
This is a great combination of pieces. The floral peplum top is really cute & summery, those cropped black pants are totally classic, and I love both the strappy glitter sandals and the Kelly green clutch. Well done!
Summery florals have been all the rage lately and this is a fun, fresh take on that trend. The minty green slim pants and neon yellow heels make the look interesting and keep it from being sugary-sweet.
This is such a classic, fashionable menswear look. Cuffed jeans paired with a plaid shirt is a great, traditional style, and those lace-up boots are totally covetible.
Light & breezy at it’s finest! This bubble-silhouette white midi skirt is a great focal point for this look, while the ankle strap platforms, yellow quilted iPad case, and retro sunglasses add the perfect about of individuality and quirk.
Nothing says “Summer” to me quite like a printed, flowing maxi dress. This color and silhouette couldn’t look better on her, which is the key when finding the right dress. I also like that she chose neutral hued, low-key accessories rather than picking up one of the brighter colors in the dress.
This is such a relax, French look. From the vintage bicycle to the printed pants to the chic blouse with a Peter Pan collar, this is a completely unique photo. Makes me want to rent bikes and ride over the Golden Gate Bridge for a picnic in the Marin Headlands! 🙂
Summer style is really an art. With hot weather making you want to wear nothing but shorts & tanks, coming up with a stylish outfit can be a challenge. White cropped pants are a great alternative to shorts and these bright, sunny extras are the perfect way to keep things interesting.
This is a great look from head-to-toe. Slim cropped pants, a sheer ankle length cover up, and a rouched blazer, all paired with a Balenciaga motorcycle bag and a killer silver collar. Model street style at its finest!
{Click on images above to visit the original source}
Do you wear different styles of clothing during the week than you do on the weekends? Is your vacation style more relaxed than your day-to-day personal style?
Looks of the Week
Let’s start out this week’s Looks of the Week post with a fun Style Stalker piece from WhoWhatWear on Erika Bearman, otherwise known as The Oscar PR Girl. She’s an Oscar de la Renta insider and one of the premier voices in the online fashion community, with killer style, as you can see below.
Tres chic, non?
Very nearly speechless. That coat is PHENOMENAL. And on top of that she paired it with an adorable green handbag and killer blue velvet sandals. Absolute perfection!
So. Cute.
I love everything here – The chic but fun & girly gingham dress, the tan trench, the gorgeous Celine handbag, and the classic gold jewelry.
This tropical print wrap skirt from Zara is fabulous, and I love that she paired it with a simple white tee to keep the look low-key and perfect for Summer.
I love the way that Anna dello Russo styled this chic little Moschino dress – The bangles are gorgeous and those ankle strap nude & gold pumps are pretty darn cute.
If this adorable white mod-inspired dress looks familiar it’s because I featured Alexa Chung in the same piece a few weeks ago – Looks of the Week. Which look do you prefer, Alexa’s red carpet glam take or Anna’s more casual summertime style?
I’m not sure if I can pick just one – I love Alexa’s flamingo clutch ADR’s jewelry is the perfect finishing touch…
I love that the black skirt, wide-brimmed hat, and buckle-adorned boots give this look some edge and a fun, rock n’ roll vibe, keeping the floral button down from turning it in to a sweet, romantic look.
This is such an amazing combination of pieces that only an expert like Be Frassy could put together, I love how it all comes together to create a fun, sassy look.
Cute cute cute. This sleeveless white blouse looks clean and crisp despite the NYC heat, this is definitely a great way to keep cool this Summer.
And why not finish up this Looks of the Week post with a couple of my favorite looks from Comic-Con this past weekend? Don’t mind if I do…
Can you picture anything more adorably perfect for Comic-Con than this 3.1 Phillip Lim top? Cute, funky, and fun. She looks fabulous and appropriate.
It’s a tough job but somebody’s got to dress up as a kick @$$ superhero girl for Comic-Con. Must have? Skin-tight leather pants!
Boondock Saints is one of my all-time favorite movies and since I’ve had a massive crush on Norman Reedus since college I just HAD to include his sexy Comic-Con look here. Swoon.
I absolutely adored this look, the fun colors and youthful silhouette make it a great superhero-esque outfit.
What’s your favorite look here? Are you still living in warm weather clothes?
Click on images above to visit the original source.
Looks of the Week
Raise your hand if you hate the Monday after a short week… Me! Me! {Picture me jumping up & down} Well, there’s nothing like some fabulous Summer fashion to help you cope with a rough day. So here’s a little something to help you take the edge off.
Yes, this is a sundress, but it’s so much more. The darker, moodier florals and the blue platforms take it from basic to fabulous. Well done.
Such a sweet, retro-inspired Summer look. Love the lacy white top & shorts, but the white sunglasses & bow-topped headband stole the show in my opinion.
Can you picture a cuter travel outfit? Chic and put together, but not overly fussy. Love the black & white, killer bag & accessories, and that hat is adorable!
Killer!
So cute! Chic and perfect for summer. Wouldn’t change a thing!
This dress reminds me of the Kate Moss for Mango tuxedo dress that I bought earlier this year.
Fabulous. Head to toe fabulous. Love the colors and the cut & silhouettes of the separates.
These boots are fabulous but I especially love them paired with this patterned sweated and scarf. Great layering.
While I’m definitely a sucker for a Peter Pan collar, I have to admit that the overall sweet retro feel to this look is what really got my attention. Those shorts are too cute!
Check out some fabulous Do It Yourself projects here for a too cute Leather Peter Pan Collar Necklace DIY that you can easily do if you’re feeling crafty this weekend.
This look has a little edge, and after all of the maxi dresses, sundresses, and pleated skirts I’ve been seeing all Summer, this type of look is really appealing. Killer accessories!
This is just the type of look that I like to throw together during the day on weekends, casual but a chic combination of great pieces – love the coat – and accessories. J’adore those shoes!
How was everyone’s weekend? Did you relax after a hectic 4th of July week or continue the celebrating and make it a long holiday weekend?
Sasha Maks Vintage Jewelry Trunk Show
You had me at vintage jewelry…
Amirite?
I’ve mentioned The Factory in the past, I attended an opening last spring where I purchased one of my all time favorite coats, and I also joined them to celebrated the April Howard Capsule Collection this past December.
The setting is great – an airy, brick-walled loft space in SOMA, and this past Thursday it was once again crammed to the rafters with beautiful clothes. And swoon worthy jewelry.
{Oh, there were people there too. I think. I was busy.}
A special trunk show featuring Sasha Maks Vintage jewelry and all designs featured June 24th in Dior: A Life in Pictures. Shop the unique vintage costume jewelry collection that includes the best of 20th century designs by Dior, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Lanvin and a myriad of unsigned statement pieces.
Unfortunately I had been unable to attend the June 24th Christian Dior exhibit so this was a great chance to catch up on a few of the designs that I missed out on earlier. Beautiful clothing, vintage magazines and photographs, and a phenomenal layout.
I walked down to SOMA to photograph the event and browse the trunk show. And what does a girl wear to a trunk show?
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Striped Pocket Sweater – Everyly via the seriously adorable North Beach boutique Annabella’s, Pleated Black Mini – Zara & Studded Peep-Toe Booties – Vince Camuto}
{Black & white + vintage jewelry, of course!}
After admiring the eye-candy and taking pictures, I dove head-first into the gorgeous collection of jewelry. I tried on Chanel charm bracelets, costume jewelry earrings, animal cuffs, giant enamel pendants… And then I was lucky enough to stumble upon a phenomenal tassel adorned lariat necklace designed by Jean Vendome.
It was love at first sight!
I couldn’t wait to take it for a spin so I threw together an outfit on Friday so that I would have an excuse to wear it immediately. I wanted something simple so that the drama of the necklace would be the central part of the look.
{You can shop similar pieces by clicking these hyperlinks: Maxi Dress – BCBGeneration, Nude Sandals – Vintage, Wrap Ring – JewelMint, Gold Wrap Bracelet – Forever 21 & Necklace – Vendome}
You can even check out my new necklace in this Elle Girl Japan editorial below.
Do you like to wear vintage jewelry? What’s your favorite vintage piece that you’ve collected over the years?
Red Carpetness
While I’m dying to start posting the gorgeous looks from the Cannes Film Festival red carpet events, I’m going to try to hold off until the festival comes to an end to make sure that I don’t miss anything. It’s for your own good, I promise! But in the meantime, here are some red carpet looks from off the French Riviera that worth taking a quick look at.
2012 Billboard Music Awards:
The music industry loves its red carpets and the stars usually provide us with some wild and daring looks worth commenting on. Lil’ Kim ring any bells? Surprisingly enough, this year the red carpet looked more like the Oscars with the majority of the looks composed of suits, tuxedos, and floor length gowns with tons of borrowed jewels.
Drama Drama Drama! Does this seem like a Carrie Bradshaw dress to anyone else? It’s dramatic and over the top, but where else would a girl wear dreamy, poofy Oscar de la Renta unless it’s on the red carpet?
Want to see the original? Arizona Muse was a vision during the Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012 Ready-to-Wear runway show in New York City in this dress last seaon. The headband and jewel-encrusted booties are much different from how Carrie styled her version of the dress. Do you prefer the red carpet or the runway version of this gown?
Phenomenal! I love this Elie Saab gown, it’s a flattering and eye-catching color and the bodice keeps it from being too simplistic of a style.
It’s certainly a “Katy Perry dress.” A little bit bubble gum and a little bit prom-y, but can you imagine anyone else in this dress?
These gorgeous striped wonders are the Christian Louboutin ‘Armadillo Bride’ Leather Pumps. I want them. The end.
Fine, these beautiful shoes were worn by Miley Cyrus, but to be honest they were the best part of her outfit. By a long shot.
Jean Paul Gaultier jacket & Jacqui Aiche jewelry
The Wanted was a sight for sore eyes and their looks covered a lot of fashionable ground – Skinny ties, wide ties, three-piece suits, shiny fabric, matte fabric, three button suits, one button suits, bow ties… Well done boys, well done.
Disney Media Networks’ International Upfront Presentation:
Fine, the carpet is purple, but the concept is the same! 🙂 Cocktail-length dresses rather than floor-length gowns were all the rage at this event, which is always a fun twist. Those of us outside the entertainment and fashion industries probably have fewer occasions in our lives to wear gowns so seeing cocktail dresses can provide us with more inspiration for our personal styles!
The back of this Naeem Khan frock is stunning. I really love interesting backs on dresses, I think it adds a little something extra.
While all of these ladies look stunning, I especially love Kerry Washington’s red Michael Kors dress. With all of the skin and plunging necklines and daring hemlines on the red carpet these days, it’s nice to see a beautiful woman in a classic silhouette like this.
The CW Network’s New York 2012 Upfront in NYC:
Yes, this is sort of ridiculous and virtually no one could pull this off… But that being said, she looks pretty amazing. It’s risky and she was fearless enough to give it a try, so I say brava!
This is a pretty striking look for a floral maxi. The color and fit are quite flattering on her and the loose updo is perfect. I think that perhaps a clutch would have been a better choice than this over-the-shoulder bag, what do you think?
“Snow White and the Huntsman” Photocall in Berlin:
Separates are rare on the red carpet because there’s more room for error, but there are no errors here! This Alexander Wang skirt and Rag & Bone top are great together, she looks chic and fashionable. And those shoes are great!
This 10 Crosby Derek Lam dress is a fabulous choice here and chain link belt makes it edgy and gives it a unique twist. Now if only she didn’t look so miserable…
I hope that whet your appetites for the upcoming Cannes posts!
The Factory Presents April Howard
Have you ever seen the bolts of fabric that are used to make the clothes that you love? Or gotten a chance to look through the black & white sketches that become your favorite pieces? Or sorted through the jars of buttons that will be sewn onto your favorite coat? A dear friend has given me the unique opportunity to witness this initial stage of the clothes making process as he works with the talented Jennifer Evans of the The Evans Group.
But, what do you do when the clothes are made? You celebrate of course! And to celebrate The Factory and CODE Salon hosted a cocktail party to show off their new collection in collaboration with April Howard.
Debuting in 2010 during New York Fashion Week at the Lincoln Center, April Howard earned praise from national press including WWD, Seventeen, and The Bristol Observer.
“My organic shapes and details are representative of discarded items, melting plastic, and rubber found around us in these urban wastelands we find ourselves in,” Howard says of her aesthetic.
So what’s a girl who loves fashion to do when she receives an invitation like this one? She gets all dressed up, finds a taxi, and drags her extremely accommodating boyfriend to SOMA for some eye candy.
Oh, and she takes LOTS of pictures.
{I mean… Gorgeous clothes, a chic salon, beautiful models and vino? I’m there!}
The clothes from April Howard’s collection of original pieces under The Factory label were phenomenal {seen above in sketches & photographs} and the young ladies modeling them were stunning. The Factory is on the ground floor and filled to the brim with sewing machines, dressmaking mannequins, and rack upon rack of clothing. While the second floor of the building is occupied by CODE Salon, a cool SOMA loft space that last night was filled with models, make up artists, hairdressers, photographers, patrons, and one hardworking DJ.
Overall it was quite an evening. As a fashion lover I can say that I was not disappointed by my first chance to get up close and personal with the photographing of a collection. A big thank you to The Factory and CODE Salon for including me last night!
{You can see my initial post about The Factory here if you’d like any additional background}
The Factory
No, I’m not talking about Edie Sedgewick and Andy Warhol.
This Factory that I’m talking about is a retail and design space located in the SOMA district of San Francisco {Here’s a brief summary from the website}
The Factory is an unrestricted retail space in San Francisco, featuring collaborations with The Evans Group’s clientele of independent designers, made to keep its seamstresses working year-round. The Factory label is sold in the retail space and throughout the wholesale accounts.
The Factory is recognized locally and nationally, for preserving domestic work, and providing an exception work environment, The Evans Group Inc. is acclaimed for restoring the humanity and quality behind manufacturing clothes, while promoting design and craftsmanship.
In plain words, in addition to selling clothing under an eponymous label, The Factory offers clothing produced by up-and-coming and local designers, tailoring and design services, all the while employing local seamstresses (rather than outsourcing cheap foreign labor).
{Beautiful clothing. Amazing, rustic SOMA space. Talented and enthusiastic employees. Ethical practices.}
{Totally sold!}
{And speaking of sold… Meet the new love of my life! One of a kind and tailored just for me. Sigh. When will it get cold again?}
If you’re a Bay Area resident or visiting San Francisco I highly recommend stopping by The Factory and taking a look at these beautiful clothes. They’re located at 370 4th street (between Harrison and Folsom) behind Pete’s Coffee and across the street from Whole Foods!
Moi Contre La Vie 