Paris Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
Here we are, the final post from Spring 2013 Fashion Week in New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Today we’ll be looking at some of the best street style from Fashion Month – The ladies really dress to the nines when it comes to being photographed at Paris Fashion Week.
I adore this look from head-to-toe! From the quilted motorcycle jacket to the striking black & white bag to the suede ankle boots. Well done!
This look is so sweet and retro I couldn’t help but love it. The contrasting colored tights and chunky velvet ankle strap sandals are my favorite part!
A dramatic black & white look with a splash of color is a great color scheme to work with and the sleek silhouette of this look is even more striking.
This outfit is all about the tan, double-breasted coat. I love a dramatic outerwear look like this!
A floral jumpsuit is just the thing in the Parisian parks when paired with a tan wrap-around belt and a striking coral Chanel bag.
This is one of the most stunning overcoats that I’ve seen in a while – A stunning color with a fun, eye-catching brooch and a great retro vibe.
So chic & well put together! The bright, collared shirt dress paired with a sleek black leather jacket is a great pairing and suits her perfectly.
Karmen may be Estonian, but she’s got the French je ne sais quoi in spades. This layered black look is striking & eye-catching despite being monochromatic.
Such a stunning, Summery look – The floral maxi looks great paired with the white, cropped leather jacket and that Hermes Birkin bag is swoon-worthy.
One of my favorite Paris Fashion Week street style looks was from blogger Chiara Ferragni – This multi colored lace Chanel dress with nude accessories is chic, flattering, and timeless. She looks stunning!
{Click on the links above to view the original source}
Previous Spring 2013 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 Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, London Fashion Week Spring 2013, London Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013, and Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion.
Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: Onto My Wardrobe’s Fashion Weeks Recap, FabSugar’s Best Paris Fashion Week Street-Style Accessories, and WhoWhatWear’s What They Wore: Paris Fashion Week.
Which street style and front row fashion had you most excited from this season’s Fashion Month – New York, London, Milan, or Paris?
Paris Fashion Week Spring 2013
J’adore Paris!
There is no city quite like Paris and no fashion is quite like Parisian fashion. I adore many cultures and cities and designers, but there’s just something about Paris that you can’t forget.
Valentino:
Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have consistently created lovely collections since taking over from Mr. Valentino himself – Lots of dresses, fabulous splashes of classic Valentino red, and red carpet ready gowns.
Leather, velvet, silk, chiffon, lace, satin, and eyelet all made their way down the runway – Along with the occasion statement coat and jumpsuit. My favorite look was the gold brocade coat-dress that Hanne Gaby Odiele wore down the catwalk – Tres chic!
Chanel:
The Chanel show is always a dramatic, eclectic spectacle and this season was no different with solar panels, turbines, and wind farm-like backdrops.
This collection included everything from hula hoop handbags, stark black & white, youthful polka dots, bright jewel tones, traditional florals, 80’s style fingerless gloves, denim, rompers, suits, wide-brimmed hats, and strappy wedges. I especially liked the chunky pearl bracelets & necklaces, the polka-dotted strapless dress, and the cute Dorothy-inspired blue & white gingham.
Alexander McQueen:
The McQueen show is always something to look forward to with eye-catching, one-of-a-kind makeup, backgrounds, clothing, and accessories. No other designer can come close to the types of shows that Lee McQueen – And now Sarah Burton – Put on.
This season’s collection had an S&M beekeeper type of vibe with safari-style netting covered hats, bustiers, thigh-high stockings, harnesses & corsets, bustles, wide belts, and bee, wasp, and honeycomb prints. Excessive, rich, over-the-top, and utterly stunning.
Miu Miu:
Denim, interesting fabrics & textures, moody prints, and a mixture of silhouettes and lengths all gave the Miu Miu collection a fun but grown-up feel.
I love classic workwear style pieces so this collection was right up my alley. I adored the pencil skirts and sleek sheath dresses, and the retro vibe was to die for with killer furs, boat neck tops, visible pin-up inspired bustiers, leather gloves, slim pocketbooks, and long, demure jackets. J’adore!
Lanvin:
“Deconstructed classicism” was the theme and it came to life in sleek separates and dresses done up in black & white, bold, vibrant jewel tones, and silky neutrals.
The collection was sleek and sexy, the pieces modern and wearable. The embellished prints were quite eye-catching but the sleek pieces in navy, black & white stole the show in my opinion. All of the looks above are amazing – I would wear them anytime, anywhere!
Yves Saint Laurent:
New name – Saint Laurent – retro vibe. The 70’s were back at YSL with leather, suede, fringe, wide-brimmed hats, and maxi lengths all evoking classic Yves.
The details of this collection were what caught my attention – The slim, cropped pants, the white piping on blazers, the patent t-trap heels, oversized bows at the neck, and opera-length gloves. I especially liked the pants looks and shimmering, two-toned caplet was the piece at the top of my Must Have list!
Givenchy:
While the theme may have been the same, Riccardo Tisci’s sedated and minimal interpretation of Catholicism was a far cry from the extravagant opulence of the Fall 2012 Dolce & Gabbana show at Milan Fashion Week.
The pieces may have been stark – Done up in mostly black & white with severe cuts – But they were still dramatic and eye-catching. I adored the black & white frocks, the flattering tunic-vests, the subtle ruffles, and the thick metallic chokers.
Stella McCartney:
The Stella show was bold in both color and silhouette – Her usual oversized, boy-meets-girl style got spiced up with wrap dresses, jumpsuits, and racerback tops.
The suits and the minimalistic pieces are always my favorite – Though the patchwork prints and cheerleader skirts last season proved that she’s got more up her sleeve. The safari-style tops were cute and versatile and the green she showed was right up my alley!
Louis Vuitton:
The LV collection was awash in checkered patterns, bright hues, and in a fun change of pace Mr. Jacobs had all of his models strut their stuff down the runway in pairs.
The mod feeling to the show was modernized by the eye-catching prints. The accessories were cute but minimally applied – Bow adorned headbands, checkered flats, and small patterned daybags. Fun, flirty, and oh-so-wearable. Just what Marc Jacobs does best!
Chloe:
The Chloe collection was primarily black and white with some splashes of burnt orange and fleshy pink throw in for good measure. Very French. Very feminine. Very Sweet.
The silhouettes ranged from oversized and exaggerated to romantic and womanly. While the colors, fabrics, and prints ran the gamut from black & white velvet to salmon stripes to sheer purple ruffles.
Balmain:
The Balmain collection brought to mind the 90’s with power suits, big shoulders, loud prints, thick belts, and plunging necklines. All with a Parisian, Balmain spin on them.
Stripes & checkers, bold yellow, oversized hoop earrings, metallic accessories, midriff baring tops, denim, and oversized blazers all had me checking the models faces to see if Cindy, Linda, Naomi, or Christy were there.
Christian Dior:
Raf’s debut collection for Dior was full of dichotomies – Stark but romantic, minimal but dramatic. He played with colors, prints, lengths, and silhouettes while still presenting a very Dior collection.
The suits and coat-dresses were my favorite, they came in different cuts and lengths, but were utterly chic and utterly timeless. The kinds of pieces that you invest in and wear for the rest of your life.
Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie, The Stylist, & Tom & Lorenzo
Previous Paris Fashion Week Collections: Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012, Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 Part I, Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Part II, and Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion.
Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos: Raf Simons, Hedi Slimane and the Tectonic Shifts of the Paris Fashion Establishment from Business Of Fashion, FabSugar’s Paris Fashion Week Diary, Precious Details from The Man Repeller, and Derek Blasberg’s A Photo Diary From Paris Fashion Week.
Which Paris Fashion Week show was your favorite? Do you like the classic, Paris Fashion Week institutions like Chanel and Valentino best or newer, more modern houses like Chloe and Alexander McQueen?
Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
So far we’ve enjoyed the editors, bloggers, fashion insiders, models, and fabulous fashionistas who graced the streets at New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, and today we’ll turn to the stunning Italian style showcased during Milan Fashion Week. Bold prints, brilliant colors, dramatic silhouettes – Very distinct styles & interpretations of trends, very well done.
Stunning! Such an interesting and creative combination of elements that come together in a beautiful Italian way – The animal print dress works perfectly with the bright tweed jacket and the blue top handle bag.
Taylor Tomasi-Hill is one that I always keep an eye out for. She puts together such fun, visually interesting looks that I can hardly wait to see what she’s wearing. A midi-length dark floral dress would overwhelm some but not only can she pull it off, she can also add a cropped motorcycle jacket and look nonchalant about the whole thing.
Model Dree Hemingway knows the value of an eye-catching accessory. Her slim black leather pants and basic tee are taken to a whole new level with the addition of an oversized cobalt blue clutch.
Stunning Italian Fashion Blogger Chiara Ferragni of Blonde Salad fame looks great here in contrasting brights. The oversized lucite bangles, jaunty hat, and mouth-watering Hermes bag are the perfect finishing touches.
Head-to-toe Prada could be overwhelming but it looks street-ready here with the crisp white shirt underneath and the brilliant orange platform heels.
I love everything about this casual but oh-so-chic look. The army green & black combination, the killer Givenchy handbag, and of course, those loafers!
Mixing & matching prints is one of my favorite looks – When it’s done right. And this outfit? This is a tutorial on how to do it in a flattering, eye-catching way.
A wide-leg, grey, pinstripe jumpsuit? Three concepts that make me break out in hives just thinking about them together, and yet, here it looks downright dapper.
This striking white jumpsuit was caught outside the Etro show. I can’t decide if I love the plaid jacket, tan handbag, or the back-bow on the jumpsuit best!
Russian designer & photographer Ulyanna Sergeenko is quickly becoming a favorite of mine during Fashion Month – Her look is always refined and ladylike, with an emphasis on the DRAMA.
Garance Dore captured the always well-heeled Elisa Nalin in this great look. I love the diamond print on the slim pants as well as the black & white plaid boyfriend blazer paired with a Kelly green top. Tres chic!
Leave it to a blogger to pull of a brightly colored floral & bulldog print shift dress paired with buckle adorned black ankle booties. Brava!
Not sure how to pair various denim pieces together in one look? This model shows us just how it’s done in an oversized chambray button-down shirt and patchwork jeans.
This model looks amazing in Isabel Marant, from the separates she paired together to the booties – Well done!
{Click on the links above to view the original source}
Previous Spring 2013 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 Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, London Fashion Week Spring 2013, London Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion, Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013, and Milan Fashion Week Spring 2013 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion.
Additional reviews, photographs, shows, and videos:
Are you a fan of the dramatic and eye-catching style that the Italians are known for and that were quite prevalent during Milan Fashion Week?
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Whether you’re watching the US Open or America’s Cup, a stylish spectator outfit is a must – US Open 2012 from Net-A-Porter.
Are you starting to prepare your wardrobe for Fall? A great skirt with tights & killer boots is always a fabulous option so check out WhoWhatWear’s suggestions for Fall 2012 – Market Watch: Fall Skirts.
One thing that I always look forward to when Fashion Month rolls around are the Garance Dore and Net-A-Porter Fashion Week video collaborations Pardon My French. She talks to fashion greats, reviews the collections, meets designers, interviews fashion insiders, and just generally gives you a great behind-the-scenes look at all of the Fashion Month madness.
- Pardon My French/Anna Dello Russo Dancing
- Pardon My French/Amanda de Cadenet
- Pardon My French/Lunch at Miss Lily’s
You know how much I adore a versatile piece in my wardrobe – especially when it comes to packing for a trip. Refinery 29 clearly agrees – Oxford Shirt Styling Tips: 1 Oxford Shirt, 3 Easy Ways To Style It.
One of the fun Fall trends this year will be finding pieces that have your favorite artwork translated onto them – Whether you’re a fan of the Renaissance Masters or Graphic novels, there are pieces out there for everyone! This Time Tomorrow – Wearing Your Art On Your Sleeve.
Health/Fitness:
Don’t have time for a run? Not interested in the membership fees at your local gym? Why not head online to find the perfect workout for yourself – Fit Club: The Country’s Best Virtual Workouts.
Are you looking for some healthy meals to feed your family to ensure that they’re getting all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that they need? Here are some great recipes to try:
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The Wannabe Chef’s Grain-Free Muffins
No matter how much time you spend in the kitchen familiarizing yourself with new tools – or re-familiarizing yourself with tools you haven’t used in a while – is an important part of staying on top of things so check out The Blissful Chef’s Cooking Tool of the Month Series.
Medicine and bosu balls are two of my favorite gym toys – If you use them right they can keep your workouts both challenging and fun. Don’t believe me? Check out FitSugar’s Don’t Let the Medicine Ball Intimidate You — 5 Easy Moves!
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! ❤
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Whether you’re a student heading back to school or not, you can take inspiration from the back-to-school trends and pick out some great new glasses for Fall – 7 Geek-Chic Specs That Will Put You Ahead of the Curve.
Need some hippie in your life? Check out these fabulous and stylish ways to style this perfect boho chic piece for Fall 2012 – Street Style: Dsquared2 Gilet Vest.
Getting ready to give up your Summer duds for new Fall 2012 pieces? See what Style.com has to say about what you’ll be living in this Fall and Winter – Fall 2012 Shopping Guide.
This is a really great editorial with some fabulous pictures, showing you boys that you should step it up like hockey player Sean Avery on the fashion and design front – Refinery 29’s Inside Sean Avery’s Slick Soho Loft (And Super-Luxe Wardrobe).
If you’ve been a fan of Garance Dore as long as I have, you were thrilled to hear about her exciting collaboration with Kate Spade. Finally the details are out and Racked has the goods – Garance Dore Gets Sketchy for Kate Spade.
Health & Fitness:
Get inspired by plus-sized model & healthy body image advocate Danika Brysha’s MONDivation – Beating the Odds.
Sometimes there are allergens that will affect your body even when you’re following a healthy lifestyle – Health-Food Ingredients You Might Want to Skip.
Interested in tightening up specific parts of your body with your workouts? Check out Shape Magazine’s Top 10 NEW Exercises for Thighs or Prevention’s Arm Exercises: 3 At-Home Workouts to Tone Arms for some inspiration.
If you’re interested in your personal health you’ve probably heard the phrase “healthy fats” but if you’re still interested in learning more or in getting some additional background on why these are necessary this is the article for you: Healthy Fat – Why You Need To Eat It!
Both my parents and my brother have recently transitioned to a primarily paleo diet and needed some tips on how to get started and what they needed to stock their pantry and fridge with – 10 Healthy Items On The Paleo Diet Shopping List.
Summary Saturday
I’m going to take a page out of the fabulous Fashion On Top‘s book blog and make today’s post a summary of what’s happened over the last week on the blog and the other various social media outlets that I post on.
New Blog Posts:
- MCLV Style: Pleats & Peplums
- 2013 Resort Collections
- Sasha Maks Vintage Jewelry Trunk Show
- Looks of the Week
- Links You’ll Love
- Chanel’s Little Black Jacket
- May Round-Up
Are you subscribed to the blog and receiving an email when a new post is published? If not, click the SUBSCRIBE ME button on the right hand side of the screen.
Instagram:
Food – While I don’t photograph all of my food or even all of the new recipes that I try, sometimes a meal is just too tasty or too fun to pass up a photo-op. Here are a couple shots that passed the test this week.
SERIOUS munching over here! #Shakti #indianfood #vegan #glutenfree
Snacking. #rawrevolution #synergy #healthysnacks
#cantstopeating #vegan #glutenfree
Fashion – When I can remember I’ll snap a picture of my accessories, handbag, or even my outfit for the day. Most of my Instagram updates are my jewelry though, since its the easiest to capture solo.
Wearing a new dress always makes my day! #sanfrancisco @Zara
Hello lover! @ninewest #fashion #sanfrancisco
Time to switch wallets! @CHANEL @Longchamp_US @HenriBendel #Fendi #Goyard @veneta_bottega
Misc – What I’m best at capturing are all of the random things that happen throughout the day. The frustrations that everyone can relate to as well as the little “I love my life” moments. From outing in San Francisco & weekends away to shopping adventures & meals out on the town to my crazy cats & amazing friends, family, and boyfriend.
“@project_zen SO glad that I moved a block from this spa!!! #massage #spoilingmyself
I ❤ crazy busy days & To Do lists! #stayorganized #busyday #ilovemylife
You can follow me on instagram @moicontrelavie.
- Love this – I say yes to manners!!! Ladies First—Still Relevant or Hopelessly Outdated?
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Absolutely MAD for the Jason Wu Resort 2013 collection. Don’t think I can live without this! Jason Wu Resort 2013 Look
- Wise words to start the day. “Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.” – Edna Woolman
- Do you love lingerie? Me too! The Art of Lingerie
- BCBG Summer Sale – My go-to for work dresses and great accessories. Check it out!
- Man Repeller, Rebecca Minkoff & Hilary Rhoda – I’ve officially lost track of how many times I’ve watched this! Call Us, Maybe?
- Check out my Asos Fashion Finder look! Parks & Recreation – You can shop the pieces on Asos.com
- Sex vs Sensuality. Men vs Women. Check out supermodel Anja Rubik for 25 Magazine (Formerly Viva) Anja Rubik: Lets Talk About Sex
- Need more Cannes? Watch the Cannes Film Festival edition of Garance Dore’s Pardon My French or read The French Riviera – The 2012 Cannes Film Festival
- “Life is short…buy the shoes.” Words of wisdom
Lookbook – You can see my Lookbook looks here, you can FAN me to get an email update when I post a new look, or you can HYPE my looks if you like them!
2012 CFDA Awards
The CFDA Awards were held Monday night and there were all sorts of highlights – from gorgeous red carpet dresses to fun announcements to an after party that just wouldn’t quit.
I swear, there was nothing else on my Twitter feed for HOURS.
Breathtaking. Sleek and sexy evening wear at its finest. I love that she didn’t wear a necklace and let the dress’ neckline take center stage. I also adored her strappy heels and cocktail rings. Perfection!
His tuxedo is classic and dapper, while she’s a vision in her eye-catching Eastern inspired dress.
Designer Olivier Theyskens and his gorgeous date Constance looked great together despite their height difference. Her dress is gorgeous, I love embellished 60’s style shift dresses and this one is gorgeous!
This Lela Rose gown is unique and eye-catching. I love that she wore something different and interesting. It suited her really well and she looked beautiful!
Fun, funky & totally unique. Just what I love about Taylor Tomasi Hill. And apparently she picked everything & got ready at the last-minute. How cool is that?
And if you’re a lover of prints and patterns on the red carpet, there were a handful of ladies who impressed and really brought the drama in that department Monday.
What did you think of Dakota’s Eastern-inspired Proenza Schouler dress? I bet it looked like a work of art in person, the attention to detail is pretty astonishing.
Definitely eye-catching! I love high-necks on dresses, I think it adds a sense of drama that a plunging neckline simply cannot.
I love women who dare to wear cocktail-length frocks on a red carpet filled with gowns, I think it’s a great way to make sure everyone is really taking a look at your dress choice. This look is busy busy busy with mixed patterns, an embellished neckline, and two-toned strappy heels, but she makes it work.
Clearly a good time was had by all!
I love to see the serious and intense fashion insiders letting loose and really enjoying themselves at events like this one. It’s a great reminder of how much fun fashion is and what an amazing opportunity these kinds of celebrations can be.
My blogger crush The Man Repeller (left) with designer Rebecca Minkoff and model Hilary Rhoda. Blues are definitely in!
P.S. You should definitely check out The Man Repeller, Rebecca Minkoff, and Hilary Rhoda’s hysterical “Call Me Maybe” music video that they made while getting ready for this event.
So. Funny.
Beautiful designers in their beautiful designs!
Fashion is frequently about the past meeting the present, and here’s the personification of that concept – Fashion icon Lauren Hutton with new designers and CFDA winners Ashley & Mary-Kate Olsen.
Can’t forget our boys! From traditional suits to tuxedos with a twist to white linen, they definitely clean up nice!
Want to check out the list of nominees and winners from this event? Harper’s Bazaar has you covered here.
Or you can see my choice for the best dressed individual of the night in lacy black Marc Jacobs…
Links You’ll Love
Happy Sunday!
I don’t know about you, but I had another amazing weekend. The perfect combination of relaxation, family time, and social events. Before we get to this Sunday’s Links You’ll Love post, I just wanted to say a quick congratulations to my childhood friend Sophie who got married in a beautiful, moving ceremony yesterday.
Fashion:
Interesting news on the supplement front from Natural News – Vitamin D and sun exposure work synergistically to prevent breast cancer.
Here’s this week’s healthy recipe round-up: Kale Salad with Oranges, Almonds and Avocado (the “detox” salad) from Eat, Live Run, 10 Flavor-Packed Tofu Recipes from Shape Magazine, Broccoli White Bean Soupfrom FitSugar, How to Make the Perfect Big-Ass Salad (and the Best Dressing Recipe—Ever) from Fit Bottomed Girls, Healthy Zucchini Breadrecipes from FitSugar readers, Sun-dried Tomato Cheezy Kale Chips from the brilliant OhSheGlows, and 15 Gluten-Free Recipes from Heath.com.
Video time! Check out these two motivation and instructional videos to get you in the mood for healthy eating and working out this Spring .
- Women’s Health – Total Body Transformation
- Healthy Eating with David Kirsch
I think that this is a great idea! I’m always looking for something fun to do with friends that doesn’t revolve around eating or drinking. Yes, I love a cocktail as much as the next workaholic, but with my early mornings a booze-fueled “school night” is never a good idea. Barry’s Bootcamp – Party Fitness: 7 Workouts Better than Happy Hour. From a yoga rave to a Zombie Run, there are some great ideas here to try out.
How do you stay healthy and in shape when you have a hectic schedule and lots of traveling on the horizon? See what Miss Garance Dore has to say about her routines here.
If You Like Stripes & You Know It Clap Your Hands – Clap Clap
As this Spring has progressed I’ve found myself pining over and adding more and more outfits containing striped pieces to my Looks of the Week posts.
I have to make a confession, I love stripes. Love.
Without a doubt, stripes are my favorite pattern. They’re my go-to when basic black is out of the question. I love adding a striped piece or two to an outfit to make it standout or to make it more distinctly me. And luckily, they’re always “in” during this season.
Whether you go nautical, classic, or dramatic and eye-catching, work some stripes into your wardrobe this Spring and Summer.
Dresses & Skirts:
Wearing a striped dress or skirt gives you a great starting place for your outfit, from there you can pile on layers of solids or even other stripes. You can make your look all black & white, you can add some color, you can keep it traditional and demure. The sky is the limit.
I really like how this dress mixes directionally different black & white stripes, it gives the dress an interesting and eye-catching quality that basic stripes wouldn’t have. I also love that she paired a cargo pocket Anorak with a chic work-style dress. It’s a great juxtaposition.
A flowy maxi dress is a relaxed but chic way to stay cool. This particular dress is especially cute since it incorporates the trends of brights and pleats for Spring.
A striped maxi skirt is a great option and I like the business style double-breasted blazer and the white Oxfords she paired with this, it’s a unique one-of-a-kind look.
A knit dress is perfect for warmer weather, as are the flats, sunnies & day clutch she added to her look. Cute & comfortable, what more could a girl ask for?
Jackets & Coats:
I really love striped outerwear, for both men and women. It’s a stylish way to top off an outfit and give it that great final touch, or you could even wear a fabulous striped coat as a dress!
Amazing! I love love love this coat. If you click on source below you can see some other looks that Atlantic-Pacific put together using this gorgeous J.Crew coat. This is the perfect standout piece, everyone should have a great statement coat like this in their repertoire.
This is a great striped jacket & shorts suit, absolutely to die for. And I love that she paired the black & white stripes with red & white polka dot platforms. Great finishing touch!
Truth be told, when I saw this Tinley Road blazer I immediately went online and ordered one for myself. 🙂 Enough said.
I seriously can’t get over these coats, they’re all so cute, so chic. I want one of each please!
Basics:
Adding a single striped piece to your look – for example a basic sweater or a pair of pants – is another great option. For those of you who are pattern-phobic wearing a single striped tank under your jacket or a cute pair of striped short-shorts with your T is going to be easier than wearing stripes head-to-toe. It gives you a chance to ease into it gradually.
This is the perfect type of blouse for summer, the fabric is lightweight and the fit is relaxed. You could easily pair this with shorts, jeans, or even a mini skirt, and stay cool all Summer long.
Seriously chic! I loved these pants from the moment that I saw them. They’re eye-catching and dramatic, but the look is still somehow relaxed and laid-back.
I also raved about Taylor Tomasi-Hill’s personal style here, during Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012.
Such a great, chic look. A basic striped sweated styled with great accessories that make the look anything but basic. The Glamourai doesn’t let the fact that she’s wearing stripes keep her from experimenting with other fabrics, textures, and prints.
This is a great look if you’re more of a tomboy than a girlie-girl. Its well put together and fashionable, without being over the top. You could easily switch out her mini satchel for a messenger bag or cross-body bag too, which would make it even more laid-back.
Brights:
In the mood for something colorful this season? Brightly colored stripes are a great way to add a splash to your outfits. Whether it’s a sweater or a scarf or a bag, fun striped pieces are a good way to make a look wholly your own.
Not only is she rocking that striped sweater like no body’s business, she’s right on trend with her bright red cropped pants. Too cute!
This adorable striped top showcases the versatility of stripes. Stripes & florals? No problem!
You can see more great looks from Miss Jones here, I raved about her fresh new style a few months ago when she was making the red carpet rounds.
I like that she didn’t try to match her jacket to her stripes here – The contrasting colors are bold and fun.
You can even pull stripes in with your accessories – A pice like this amazing neon necklace will add a much-needed shot of color to your looks for Spring.
DIY Neon Tassel NecklaceSource
And if you’re in the City by the Bay with me you’ll probably get a kick out of this piece from Refinery 29 on stripy San Francisco blogger fashion!
6 Girls, 1 Look: S.F.’s Blogger Babes Show Us How To Rock Stripes!
So tell me the truth, are you ready to rock some stripes?
Rain Rain Go Away…
Depending on where you are, you may also be suffering from Spring-itis like I am. This is a condition caused by falling in love with brights, little white dresses, and fun patterns for Spring but being unable to wear them because it WONT STOP RAINING.
I love San Francisco but right now I’m ready for Spring and this city is standing squarely in my way.
So what are the fashion-obsessed to do? Put together some chic but warm and comfy outfits to brave the elements in while we dream about sundresses and shorts of course.
Keeping Covered:
Keeping your head – and belongings – dry in a rainstorm is always priority number one, regardless of whether you’re a fan of hoods and hats or giant, sidewalk-blocking umbrellas.
Hoods up in New York! No reason to let the bad weather get you down, keep things light in pale colors.
Not in the mood for gloomy, dark layers? Try lighter mixing neutrals as you pile on layers to stay warm. Even better? Add a hat!
This model makes a beanie look oh-so-chic. It's all about proportions, her sleek army-green anorak is the perfect choice, while a giant puffy coat would have given the look an overall disheveled feeling.
And if you're just dashing from one place to another, don't worry about matching, just grab a cute hooded coat and throw it on. You don't have to have your outfit 100% coordinated with your outerwear.
I love the retro feel of this type of hat - fun but structured.
As you can see, there are plenty of options for keeping yourself dry. You don’t need to keep your look completely in line from head-to-toe, have some fun with it and mix things up. Dead set on wearing a LBD to cocktails Saturday night? Do it! Grab a chic little cropped jacket and a brightly colored umbrella and show everyone how its done!
Layers are key:
A single layer is never enough when there’s wind blowing, fog so thick you can’t see outside your window, or rain pounding on your head. Wrapping yourself in layers is the best way to stay warm while you’re outside but not die from the heat once you step inside – It gives you the convenience of being able to adjust to various temperatures, a much more pleasant way to spend your day!
Still determined to wear a dress despite the weather? (Ya, me too) Just add on! Tights, blazer, pashmina... Keep going till you're warm!
If you're in a colder climate you may even need to add more layers to stay warm - Take a cue from this gentleman, decked out in head-to-toe Rick Owens. He's ready for anything!
Tights and vests are both small, convenient ways to add a little something between you and the weather. They wont add bulk or give you tons to carry if you take them off, great for one of those days when you're not 100% sure how the weather will turn out.
If you're layering in warmer temperatures you can still wear gorgeous outerwear, you just get to have more fun with what you're layering it over! Take 9 to 5 Chic as an example and pair cute sandals and shorts with a beautiful cape.
A cute oversized coat and a scarf are a great way to finish off a look. You don't have to worry about matching them to your outfit because they're not visible when you're running around outside. Basically you get to pick two outfits! 🙂
There are an unlimited number of ways to layer an outfit and this is a great way to express yourself and tap into your creative impulses. You can add a chic coat, cape, blazer, slicker, or poncho, wear fun tights, scarves & pashminas, gloves, wear a shirt under a dress, pair a sweater with a dress… The choices go on and on.
Boots Boots Boots:
My regulars have probably picked up on this already, but for you MCLV newbies I might as well just confess now – I love me some boots. I talked about the importance of having a couple of pairs of good boots in your closet in my Real Girls Need Real Closets post, recommended some gorgeous Coachella-appropriate boots in my Hippie 2012 Breakdown, I snapped shots of myself in over-the-knee boots in yesterday’s A Week In MCLV Fashion, and even suggested all different types for traveling in my Reader Request: The Chilly Tourist.
Needless to say, being able to stomp around in boots is one of the only redeeming side affects of the rain right now…
If you have lots of walking planned for you day and want to wear flat boots, there are still tons of options. High, low, classic, punky... Can you ever really go wrong with rock n' roll motorcycle boots?
If you want to keep your boots short but give them a bit of a heel (so that you can - say - keep your pants hem out of puddles) this is a great option. Fun and cute, but totally functional.
What I love about this look is her utter nonchalance. Rain or shine, she knows she looks chic as hell and she's ready for anything. Well done!
A pair of riding boots like Gwen's are a great option, they're chic, keep your lower leg warm and dry, and go with almost anything - skirts, dresses, pants... Very versatile!
These Zara boots are really cute, they have a zipper on the inside but faux laces up the front are adorable. The neutral color makes them work really well with Spring and Summer looks, as much as with colder-weather outfits.
A great pair of boots can absolutely make an outfit and during these rainy, miserable days, looking like a million bucks can really improve your outlook! 🙂
If you’re still in the mood for more check out Modelinia’s Splash into April in Style or Refinery 29’s Chic Rain Gear For Chicago’s April Showers.
What’s your stay warm style during this rainy Spring weather?
Looks of the Week
Welcome back! Hopefully if you spent all day Monday missing the weekend like I did – Ode To The Weekend – Tuesday was a little easier to face. Let’s get our week started stylishly with some great looks – I’ve got everything from movie premieres to men’s fashion to blogger street style on the docket for today, so enjoy!
Such a relaxed, chic look. Not only do I love the casual striped top paired with leopard print heels, cropped pants are one of my favorite things about Spring!
Purple & black is a great color combination, it makes this look dramatic while the cut of the dress keeps it demure. How do you feel about the heels with visible socks trend? I think that it's incredibly cute...
The black petal shorts with tights and pale shoes is a very sweet, girly combination, really great for Spring. My favorite part is definitely the silver collar necklace worn visibly over the pale blouse.
The edgy, rock n' roll vibe is what made me stop at this look. I love the studded belt, stacked bracelets and leather extras mixed with the moody fabric of the mini dress. This is a great nighttime look!
Garance Dore captures a look here that's perfect for Spring. I love the un-matching brights, they're eye-catching and fun.
Natalie Portman looked adorable in a chic head-to-toe Christian Dior ensemble. (I'm not jealous, I swear.) Love the demure dress, the classic trench, and the ooh-la-la shoes. Anyone else ready to run away to Paris for Springtime fashion with me?
I love love love shift dresses, but what initially caught my eye here was the gorgeous combination of colors and textures. I just wanted to reach out and touch it! And again with the adorable socks & heels combo...
If you're excited to throw on some brights for Spring but need to work your way up to a more all over look, this is the perfect segue for you. Add a single gorgeous, colorful piece and go with neutrals, black, or another dark hue for the rest of your outfit. Baby steps!
This is a gorgeous, dramatic, eye-catching gown - Just what Zac Posen does best. Sometimes its fun to see the runway version versus the "real life" outcome. Miss Lily looks stunning, as does Hilary Rhoda. Well done ladies!
Who knew layering cable knits could be so chic? The slightly contrasting greys add a depth to this look while the knits have a really great texture. And somehow his popped collar manages to look anything but pretentious.
A white suit can be incredibly chic (so long as you don't spill...) and I especially like the polka dot pussy bow blouse Bruna paired with it. Those T-Straps are pretty killer too!
And last but hardly least…
Neiman Marcus did a great piece recently that featured Chriselle Lim from The Chriselle Factor, LA’s Marie Hindkaer Anderson from Blame It On Fashion, actress Ashley Madekwe of Ring My Bell, Annabelle Fleur from Viva Luxury, Liz Cherkasova of Late Afternoon fame, and Nini Nguyen of Nini’s Style, called Bloggers Wear: Daytime Clutches.
As much as I love red carpet fashion and scoping out what my favorite A-list fashionistas like Diane Kruger and Zoe Saldana are wearing on the street, I also love to see what real people are wearing in their real lives, and bloggers give us some great looks to aspire to. Oh, and I LOVE day clutches.
Have a great rest of the day, back tomorrow with more!
Hippie 2012 Breakdown
Coachella 2012 is days away and it has been the topic de jour online the past few weeks. What should you pack, what should you wear, which shows should you see, where should you stay… Well, with all of this hippie-lovin’ going on I thought I’d share some inspiration and suggestions for those of you lucky enough to be heading to Southern California for the festivities.
Whether you’re shopping for accessories, trying to put together a new and interesting boho inspired look, or trying to style a long weekend’s worth of daily outfits, MCLV’s got you covered for 2012.
Inspiration:
Not sure where to start? Winter Kate’s Spring 2012 lookbook shoot is a great place to get some ideas.
Who’s your favorite hippie to take inspiration from? Do you love old school hippies like musicians Janis Joplin and Aerosmith? Fashion icons like Bianca Jaggar, Ziggy Stardust and Iman? Or modern hippies like Nicole Richie, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Johnny Depp?
{This is such a phenomenal photo I had absolutely had to include it. Flowy vintage maxi, faux fur, felt hat, polka dots AND the Alexander Wang Rocco bag I’m obsessed with? Absolute hippie perfection from Gary Pepper Vintage!}
You can also take inspiration from street style and fashion blogs:
- Garance Dore’s Garance in Coachellaland from 2011
- WhoWhatWear’s Go Buy Now: Our Picks For Music Fests
- Swedish blogger Annawii always has some gorgeous hippielicious looks so stop by for some daily inspiration
- Modelinia’s Stylish Festival Looks For Your Coachella Outfit Inspiration!
- Mama’s A Rolling Stone’s Stop In At ThreadSence On Your Way To Coachella
Clothes & Brands:
Whether you’re in the market for flowy skirts, maxi dresses, draping cardigans, faux fur vests, beautiful embroidery, tie-dye, harem pants or anything else, the brands and stores below can meet your every need.
Some great brands/stores/websites to check out are: Free People, Akiko at Revolve Clothing, Urban Outfitters, Haute Hippie/Haute Hoodie (personally, I’m MAD for this dress – swoon), Of Two Minds can be found at Revolve Clothing, and of course, ShopBop.
Handbags:
Not only are crossbody bags are all the rage this Spring, they’ll keep your hands free AND you can leave your giant, back aching bag at home! Mama’s a Rolling Stone recommends the tooled leather crossbody bag by Free People that’s pictured below.
Zappos carries the Linea Pelle collection filled with fringe-adorned hobos and clutches, Piperlime has crossbody bags galore, and Macy’s has a fun selection of patchwork Fossil bags and boho-style Lucky Brand bags. Or you can also check out Etsy for a collection of one-of-a-kind, handmade, and vintage handbags to fulfill all your needs.
Hats:
Are you a fan of the floppy boho-style hats that fashion insiders and celebrities, including Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Lea Michele, have been sporting since the Fall of 2011?
Me too.
{Top Left: 70’s Floppy Felt Hat – $45 @ Asos.com, Top Right: Camel Felt Hat – $50 @ TopShop, Center: Lauren by Ralph Lauren Floppy Wool Hat – $80 @ Lord & Taylor, Bottom Left: Jessica Simpson Solid Knot Floppy Hat – $30 (sale price) @ Dillard’s & Bottom Right: Staring at Stars Cross-Tie Floppy Felt Hat – $10 (sale price) @ Urban Outfitters}
Mama’s A Rolling Stone tracks the felt hat trend here – Following the likes of Vanessa Hudgens and Jessica Szohr. Or you can check out the always fabulous OnTheRacks, who gives us the perfect California Hippie Chick look here. Her boyfriend even took the pictures in Haight-Ashbury, the San Francisco hippie epicenter – How authentic! 🙂
Accessories:
Vintage and hippie-inspired accessories have always been my favorite part of this type of style, from headbands and feathered earrings to scarves, layered necklaces, and fringe fringe fringe.
If you needa little bit of jewelry inspiration than look no further than The Sartorialist, who captured a gorgeous pair of wrap around fringed earrings on the streets of Paris. You don’t even need to have your ears pierced to rock these bad boys.
Low Luv Jewelry, created by model Erin Wasson, includes pendants, rings, and bracelets. Or you can shop Nicole Richie’s jewelry line, House of Harlow 1960, which is well-known and adored by those who admire the starlet’s personal style. And if you like a certain celebrity’s hippie-inspired style, for example Nicole Richie or Alessandra Ambrosio, you can shop “closets” inspired by them on the website Boutique To You.
Shoes:
Shoes are incredibly important when you’re pulling together a look. The perfect finishing touch. The cherry on top. Whether you want to go a little Western, keep them casual and comfortable, or go for full on glamour, there’s the perfect shoe or boot for EVERY occasion.
{Top left: Caballero Ankle Boots – $330 @ Free People, Center: Braden New Charcoal – $110 (sale price) @ Vince Camuto, Top Right: Slouchy Ankle Boots – $33 @ Forever21, Bottom Left: Hunter Lace-Up Heeled Rain Boot & Fringed Lace-Up Bootie – $340 & $150 @ Neiman Marcus, Right Center: Takohoe Moccasin – $70 @ Steve Madden & Bottom Right: Koolaburra Women’s Kythira Feather Dip Dyed Flat – $125 @ Endless.com}
Since its expected to be warm and there’s lots of standing, walking, and dancing involved in a Coachella weekend choices like sandals, moccasins, and flat boots are both comfortable and fun.
Still not sure what you should pack? See what the writers at FabSugar, Refinery29, Modelinia, and Harper’s Bazaar are bringing for their weekends of fun in the sun.
Need some more? Check out last year’s Hippie Chic and Hippie Love for more options and ideas.
Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012
Well, after a crazy month of fashion we’ve finally arrived – the final week of collections for Fall 2012. After New York, London and Milan you’d think that the fashion world would be too exhausted to muster up much enthusiasm for the Paris shows, but that is never the case. Instead Paris is the culmination of all the weeks of runway shows, the center of the fashion universe, with designers like Karl Lagerfeld, Miuccia Prada and Nicolas Ghesquière and houses like Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton keeping it in the spotlight.
Karl Lagerfeld took nature as his muse and created a dramatic spectacle filled with giant crystal stalagmites and an icy snowscape for a runway. The Chanel Fall 2012 collection was predominately dark with the occasional splash of brilliant green, purple, pink, yellow and blue. What did Uncle Karl give us this season that will soon be all the rage? A new combination of separates – Jacket, skirt AND pants. One version that he showed was wrought in Chanel tweed with purple undertones and had a flared skirt, a boxy high-neck jacket and slim, cropped pants.
He also showed great outerwear – cozy ankle-length dusters, cropped open jackets with big pockets, sleeveless mid-thigh length collared coats worn over a cropped jacket, and of course the traditional tweeds.
The accessories were just as striking as the clothes for this show. Gem encrusted belts, mineral formation-inspired shoes, floral pins, sequined embroidery on sleeves & collars, and jeweled bracelets & purses that looked like they were adorned with roughly cut amethyst and pyrite.
What was one of the first and most striking things that you noticed during the show? The brilliant jeweled eyebrows sported by the models – made by the couture embroidery house Lesage.
The Fall 2012 show for Valentino was beautiful and demure, with dramatic undertones. The collection included lots of leather, lace, native & floral prints, separates with sweet details, long dresses, vivid outerwear & capes, jumpsuits, ankle strap heels, and of course, the always striking Valentino Red.
The show was inspired by folk costumes and that theme was picked up in the knee-length capes, braided updos and provincial prints, but it was the separates, accessories, pale embroidery and dresses that really caught my eye.
Need more Valentino? Check out the runway video or more pictures.
The Chloe collection for Fall 2012 was relaxed but chic, with a certain nonchalance that we’ve come to enjoy from this house over the years. The pieces included wide leg pants, belted & large pocket-adorned dresses, lacy coats & zip-up jackets, chunky sweaters, pencil skirts and shirtdresses in an array of colors – pale peach, blue and pink, antique white, burgundy and midnight blue.
The accessories and details for Chloe were quite sweet – satin, pastel ankle strap heels, dainty belts, lacy edges and muted, girly plaids.
See the video here or look through additional photographs of these lovely clothes here.
While Christian Dior remained at the center of rumors and speculation, Bill Gaytten put together an outstanding runway show full of black and soft colors like dove grey, ballerina pink, and pale, pale lavender. The clothes may not have been innovative and new, but I think most audience members would agree with me that the pieces were incredibly beautiful and wearable. I especially liked the flowy skirts in soft colors paired with ankle strap ballet-inspired heels and mixed with harder fabrics and edgy pieces like leather adorned cropped jackets or boxy tweed coats.
I absolutely fell in love with the separates and the accessories – the bags, jewelry and shoes were unbelievable. I want one of each please. Please?
Ford Models has a great backstage view of the dresses and there are more pictures of these great pieces here.
Natalia Vodianova was the first of many top models on the runway for the smart, fun collection by Stella McCartney. Others included Anja Rubik, Karlie Kloss, Kasia Struss, Lindsey Wixson and the It Girl for the Fall 2012 fashion shows Cara Delevingne – younger sister of Poppy Delevingne.
The models strutted their stuff in black and brilliant blue with a few splashes of pink and grey. The pieces were minimal and sleek in silhouette but with unique additions like color on color embroidery, asymmetrical zippers, high necklines, colorblocking and interesting fabrics. Pants & skirt suits, separates, dresses and divine outerwear were the order of the day.
On my must have list? The velvety embroidered portfolio clutches and oh-so-flattering dresses with the high necks and the flippy, cheerleader-inspired skirts. Perfect with tights, a cropped jacket & heels for Fall.
There’s a runway video or more photos if you’re still in the mood for more Stella.
Pants! Pants! Pants! Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu show was all about pantsuits. The colors ranged from shades of blue, gold, rose, purple, and neutrals, and even included bold stripes and bright retro prints.
The styles were almost as varied as the colors and patterns, there were oversized menswear-inspired cuts (one even modeled by Jacquetta Wheeler!), seventies style all-over prints, mod belted-tunic coats over cropped pants, and even shorts & skirts.
With the suits were seriously cute colorblock-toed boots, bow-adorned Oxfords with thick heels & platforms, low-heeled loafers and an array of top handled bags in a rainbow of colors.
Need more? The Sartorialist has got you covered.
This was Alber Elbaz’s 10 year anniversary and Lanvin was, as always, a dazzling show of color, frivolity and fun. The sexy, body hugging dresses came in every color you could imagine – teal, marigold, cobalt blue, tangerine, purple – and there were prints galore as well. These dresses are for a girl with a good time on her mind. Girls night out. Bachelorette party. Date night. There were dresses for all occasions on this runway.
The middle section of the show was a bit more dramatic, it contained two dozen looks in darker tones with leather, velvet, embroidery, brocade and jeweled details to up the drama. From light and easy to drama drama drama, Lanvin has you covered ladies.
Watch the wonderful runway show here or view more pictures here and here.
The twenty-six piece collection for Celine was bold and architectural, featuring separates, oversized outerwear, a handful of dresses and some great bags and shoes. Lots of crisp white with touches of black leather and dashes of blue, red and pink. Colorful in a minimal and chic way, Phoebe Philo’s specialty.
The wedges and zip up mid-calf boots were incredibly wearable, but it was the clutches that really made my day. From envelope style to large and overstuffed, they were absolutely sumptuous.
Check out Garance Dore‘s video from the runway or more pictures from Fashionologie.
The “beauty in the future” Alexander McQueen show was all about volume and extravagant drama. The show began with dresses that brought to mind explosions of flower petals, paired with futuristic black sunglasses and striking metallic belts that encircled the models and appeared to keep them grounded.
From there the drama only increased, and in Tim Blanks’s words: “The show’s progression from pure white to the grandest possible finale of red and black felt like a journey from innocence to experience.”
Wearable? No. Eye-catching, breathtaking and dramatic? Oh. Yeah.
You can see the runway show here or additional photographs of the collection here and here.
Marc Jacobs’s Louis Vuitton show was by far the most fantastical during Paris Fashion Week Fall 2012. A real steam engine? But of course!
Exaggerated silhouettes, large vintage-style buttons, all-over prints and suits with a skirt & pants worn together may not have been wholly original concepts this season, but you have to hand it to Marc Jacobs to put his own personal spin on these pieces to make them 100% Louis Vuitton. For starters he added oversized, banded Stephen Jones hats to his looks (almost reminiscent of his Marc Jacobs show for New York Fashion Week Fall 2012), shimmery fabrics with block-like patterns, art deco inspired sequined detailing, contrasting collars, and an array of gorgeous shoes and handbags. Oh, and bellhops to carry the bags.
And as always, the accessories and extras for the Louis Vuitton collection were beyond drool worthy. Gorgeous oversized handbags, monogrammed & patterned hat boxes (one of my favorite things of all time), railway trunks, retro doctor’s bags and all the luggage you could want in everything from orange fur to green crocodile to classic LV neutrals. WANT.
The runway show can be watched here or you can see more pictures of this extravaganza here.
The gorgeous Yves Saint Laurent Fall 2012 Ready-To-Wear show was bittersweet as Stefano Pilati announced it was his last collection for the house. The primarily dark hued show was sleek and dramatic. Nipped waists, rubber & latex trims, chain mail pieces & accents, metallic pumps, black leather pants, and shiny, deep crimson nail polish & lipstick all came together to create and sexy, gothic dream.
I really liked the dark florals paired with leather and tougher fabrics with a little edge. I also adored the sexy necklines and low backs in this collection, I think that the back is such a beautiful part of a woman’s body and I wish more designers would create pieces that highlight it this way.
And I saved the best for last… Pilati also showed the jumpsuits & Le Smoking Suits from YSL’s 70s heyday – Classics reworked!
Check out the runway video and more pictures from this collection.
As always Nicolas Ghesquière’s Balenciaga collection was striking and eye-catching. Shiny metallic draping, sheer skirts with bands of shimmery fabric at the bottoms, oversized outerwear in cocoon and balloon silhouettes, slashes of brilliantly colored animal prints, silkscreened t-shirts with bright graphics and great color combinations all made the show quite theatrical.
You can find more pictures here and here, or watch the video here.
Oh Nina… Nina Ricci was dark, dramatic, and a little dishevelled. The clothes had an air of being slightly undone – sleeves long enough to covered the models’ hands, collars and hemlines askew, slits a little too high, exposed tops of thigh-highs. But there was also an air of boudoir comfort in the silks, sheer tops and visible camisole straps. The Nina Ricci woman is nothing if not confident – comfortable whether she’s wearing her slip under a tweed suit or exposing a little skin when her dress strap slips off a shoulder.
I loved the whole feel of this collection, the tousled elegance was beautiful and carefree. Very French. I loved the satin slip dresses in deep amethyst worn with furs and my favorite dress was the pale periwinkle & grey tweed with faux fur collar & sleeves.
And the shoes at Nina Ricci were nothing short of phenomenal. I want them all.
You can see more photographs of these gorgeous clothes here and a runway video here.
See By Chloe, the younger sibling of Chloe, showed a great, wearable collection via the invitation only website Digitalfashionshows.com. The primarily black, white & red looks included chic separates, flowy maxis, peasant dresses, well-tailored jackets and adorable pointy-toed booties in black, cream and tan. My favorite look was a red corduroy suit with a plunging neckline and double-breasted buttons.
You can see more pictures from FabSugar.
Swoon! Roland Mouret’s collection was lustrous and elegant, his show included everything from subtle animal print suits to pastel and muted plaid pantsuits to gorgeous dresses with flattering twisted & draped fabric to beautiful separates and skirts with peplums to a series of lavender-grey lace dresses.
This was a collection for a sexy professional working woman. The clothes ranged from what she’d wear for after-work cocktails with colleagues to running into the office to finish a project on a Saturday to her Board Meeting power suits. I would wear virtually every piece from this collection. Any one want to buy it for me?
You should definitely look at more pictures from this collection.
The collection that Dries van Noten showed in Paris was full of black, white and blue prints – prints that covered everything from coats and dresses to button downs and floor-length gowns. But those weren’t the only prints, he also included Asian inspired gold dragons, geometric patterns in orange and yellow, traditional Japanese graphics, and more conventional stripes and florals for Fall. The show also included great outerwear – coats with larger silhouettes as we’ve been seeing all over the runways these past few weeks, as well as fur-lined Anoraks, and belted knee-length wool jackets
Mr. van Noten is a man known for his attention to detail and that’s especially evident when you get a good look at the intricacies and various components included in his prints, patterns, and color combinations.
See the runway show or more photos here.
Balmain was all about high-low mixing. Elaborate embroidery and intricate details paired with a more relaxed lower half in beautiful velvets and hip-hugging leather. The rock n’ roll mini dresses with dramatic shoulders were present, but this season they appeared in white, covered in crystals or embroidered with flowers. And even the famous Balmain bandleader jacket got a reworked, appearing squarer and more relaxed in the fit with less showy shoulder pads.
FabSugar & The Sartorialist have more pictures or you can watch the runway show.
In the mood for more from the Paris shows? You can view photos & videos from some shows that I didn’t have time to review over here: Rochas, Carven, Gareth Pugh, Mugler, Sonia Rykiel and Isabel Marant.
Want to see what the Parisian designers have done in past seasons? Check out Paris Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Part I, Spring Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Part II and Paris Fashion Week Fall 2011.
*** Please note that I do not advocate the use of fur in fashion and personally make an effort not to wear or carry fur, exotic skins or leather. I believe that in this day in age there are many beautiful alternatives to these products which are cruelty-free and should be utilized instead.
Photographs from Style.com unless otherwise cited.
Looks of the Week
I always give a little sigh of relief when all of the Fashion Weeks are over – There’s a lot to keep up with, a lot going on, lots of photos to try to find and websites to link and models to track down… It’s pretty exhausting even from a distance, I can’t imagine actually being there!
So, to celebrate the end of a month of fashion here’s a Looks of the Week post filled with fabulous, relatable styles that we mere mortals can emulate.
Such a great, easy look. A chic black pantsuit is a great alternative to a cocktail dress. Though most of us aren't running around in Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 2012 pieces. Unfortunately...
Stacy Keibler rocked a stunning blue Asos dress that showed off just a hint of skin. This is a great cocktail frock because the longer hemline offsets the flash of midriff to keep it on the classy side.
This is a great mens coat. I love the contrasting belt, faux fur collar & double-breasted buttons. Not a huge fan of facial hair or short pants on men though...
I'm still in full coat mode and I love that this is a lighter version, more of a "preparing for Spring" type coat than a winter coat.
Late Afternoon has a knack for pairing pieces you might not guess would look phenomenal together. Yellow jeans, a white lace top and a floral midriff baring top? Perfection! Spring anyone?
In the mood for florals to get a jump on Spring? Check out Modelinia’s Model Style File: Flirty Florals.
Does it get more chic than this? Cropped black skinnies, pointy-toed pumps and a black leather motorcycle jacket. Fabulous.
Wow. I mean. Just wow. It can be hard to pull off the menswear inspired suit on the red carpet, and trying to spice it up with a little sexiness can fail. But Miss Evan Rachel Wood knows how to do it right. Love the shoes paired with the Jason Wu suit.
So chic! Taylor Tomasi-Hill looked phenomenal in polka dots, wide leg pants and a great belt in Milan.
This is hardly a typical mini skirt look - I like sequined collar on the bright red blouse and the fun zipper clutch. They both keep it far from boring.
Source Want to try a great polka dot look? Eat, Breath, Fashion has some inspiration & ideas on finding the perfect look. Or you can check out the MCLV Style File on Olivia Palmero‘s polka dot skirt!
Stay tuned this week for summaries from the Fall 2012 Paris Fashion Week shows, the front row looks and a very special Moi Contre La Vie giveaway.
Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012 – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
One of my favorite parts of the Italian shows are the photographs of the Italian men in the streets before and after the collections. Their style is just amazing. Obviously the women do a fantastic job of putting their outfits together as well, I adore female Italian style, it’s just that on average Italian men are much better dressed than – say – American men. But I digress…
Those pants! That bag! Those phones! Yes - Phones with an "s," he has two - yellow & pink.
Model Bonnie Chen knows just how to lighten up as the weather gets warmer, she expertly paired a light, pleated maxi skirt with a striped T.
Giovanna Battaglia looking stunning in a patterned dress and emerald-colored jewel trimmed trench coat. These sorts of beautiful Spring colors were all over Milan, everyone seems hopeful that warmer weather will come soon.
First, LOVE the hair. Mine's virtually the same color these days. Second, the vertical stripes paired with a tucked in sweater is too cute.
Adorable Spring brights with a basic white button down and a classic double-breasted trench. Picture perfect. Love the sunglasses!
The Sartorialist captured Lapo Elkann on the street - I love that he paired a traditional cream double-breasted suit with a grey collared pullover. Great choice.
Who knew forgetting your socks could look so unbelievably chic? P.S. Need that bag!
A newly dark-haired Kasia Struss met the Italian winter with style between her shows. I love the ankle-length Victorian-style coat with burnished buttons mixed with the knee-high boots covered in straps and buttons.
Jeans take a stylish turn with a delicate lace top, faux fur-trimmed thick wool coat and of course a leopard print cross-body bag - it is Milan after all.
While I like that this is a fun, sexy take on the traditional skirt suit, what really caught my eye was the chic combination of the layering of a shorter suit jacket over a longer version and the contrasting belt with great hardware. Unique and eye-catching.
The mixing & matching in these looks is inspired, I really like the chunky tan ankle boots with dark skinnies on the left and the gorgeous platform Oxfords with tights and a little black dress on the right. And of course their glasses were what really stole the scene.
Ready for Spring yet? Florals, pastels, neons and colorblocking were allllll over the streets of Milan.
I love the bold mixing of prints - I feel like it can give a look a whole new depth. It takes a lot fo creativity and fearlessness to put together a look like this one - that works.
Such a chic look! I love the contrasting colored cape and the blue Capri pants paired with those adorably ornate pumps. Plus the sleeves of her brown top are covered in beautiful metallic beads - tres chic!
Model Tanya Dziahileva was all about Chanel on her last day in Milan. Her boots are killer, her coat is too cute (love the sleeves) and I cannot live without that necklace for another moment! Must. Have.
Lily Donaldson looked sweet in a vintage-style cream collared cshirt, cropped pants and cute ankle boots.This is what I picture when I think of British fashion - Sleek, stylish and minimal. (Lily's an English Rose!)
Kangaroo PJs!
Be sure to keep an eye out for Moi Contre La Vie’s Giveaway after my second Paris Fashion Week post!
Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012
While I am dying to attend New York Fashion Week and seeing the Paris shows (and attending the Vogue costume party!) would be a dream come true, there is a special place in my heart for Milan Fashion Week. Not only do I love Italy and Italian fashion, a large part of my personal style was developed when I was 21 and living in Rome so I personal relate.
Shall we start the Milan Fashion Week Fall 2012 coverage off on a funky note? Here we go…
According to designer Christopher Kane and his benefactor Donatella Versace, the Versus show look the original center of punk and grunge as its muse – the area known as Camden in London. The collection composed primarily of dresses came out in deep cranberry, cobalt blue, fuchsia, blue and yellow, all with a little bit of a rock n’ roll. flair to them.
The leather details & mini skirts, lace-up pants, cut outs, sheer panels and over-the-knee boots embraced the edgier side of the collection while there was still something soft in the prints, cocoon coats and babydoll dresses. The Versus girl clearly knows how to have a good time, but also has a sweet side.
Drama Drama Drama. The Versace show was a little bit Marilyn Manson and a little bit Girt With The Dragon Tattoo. Donatella showed everything from a studded black leather dress to a corset covered in a giant blue crystal crucifix to neon yellow halters to vinyl trimmed fish net tights to chain mail and buckle-covered combat boots. All worn with Rooney Mara’s über short, blunt bangs.
Dramatic and eye-catching, that’s for sure. The devil, so to speak, was in the details though. The studded leather bags were gorgeous, up close the embroidered crucifixes almost looked like flowers, the giant belt buckles had a superhero-style V in the center and the chain mail details were extraordinarily intricate and beautifully made.
You can see more pictures here and watch the runway show here.
Moschino was fun, youthful and cute. Bandleader jackets paired with cheerleader skirts and beehives? In bright yellow, red and blue? Only Moschino could pull that off in Milan, that’s for sure. But pull it off Rossella Jardini did.
Her irreverent collection also included black velvet Stetsons, military-style double-breasted thick wool pea coats, adorably retro shift dresses in black & white, fun checks, houndstooth & plaid, and some good old-fashioned gold Italian embroidery.
For more pictures check out Fashionologie.
Per usual the Roberto Cavalli show was all about glitz and glamour. Vibrant animal prints, shimmering sequins, iridescent scales, fur and feathers, embroidery and brocades… All the over-the-top lux that Mr. Cavalli loves. The details of this collection were really breathtaking. The tailoring and hand-stitching and attention to every tiny facet of the clothing and accessories. Truly impressive.
My favorite pieces were the leopard print lace-up booties, purple elbow-length leather gloves, the brushed velvet-looking cropped jackets and the gold sequined peplum cocktail dress.
The unquestionable highlight of this show? Miss Naomi Campbell closed the show!
Leather & lace. The Salvatore Ferragamo collection can be summed up in two words – leather & lace. Massimiliano Giornetti showed gorgeous looks in contrasting fabrics, cuts and moods. Tough, military-inspired belted jackets paired with soft, flowy skirts in chiffon and lace. Gorgeous knee-length coats with brass buttons worn over lacy and sheer tops. Chunky knits with leather skirts and pants.
The jackets and coats were by far my favorite pieces of the collection. The buttons and details on the collars and pockets were divine. You can get a feel from looking at them that the designer does menswear as well.
The Giorgio Armani collection titled “Easy Chic” ran the gamut from sexy grey suits to brightly patterned separates to sherbet colored dresses, all worn with wide-brimmed hats set at a jaunty angle and fingerless gloves in plaid and leopard print. It was a surprisingly youthful and lackadaisical show compared to what we’ve come to expect from Giorgio Armani, but still appealing to his usual sophisticated clientele.
You can see more pictures over at Fashionology.
The dark and ominous collection that Frida Giannini showed for Gucci was sexy and decadent. She used sumptuous fabrics and vibrant colors to highlight the black, olive-green and navy that made up the background pieces. She showed a wide range of pieces – wide leg, flowy pants with a pajama-like feel, dark floral maxi dresses, body-skimming long-sleeved dresses in velvet and brocade, sheer blouses paired with leather pants, embroidered Jodhpurs tucked into knee-high riding boots and dramatic gowns with velvet belts and plunging necklines.
What caught my eye most were the extras. The soft wool capes, glossy patent leather bags, and sexy strappy heels.
You can see a video of the Gucci runway show here and more pictures here, or read The Cut’s thoughts about the dark-hued collection here.
Marni was all about color this season rather than the fun, cheeky prints that Consuelo Castiglioni usually sends down the runways of Milan. But don’t worry, there was still plenty of the lovable quirk Marni is known for. Outerwear, separates and dresses marched out in reds, blues, yellows and black & white, all with a slight retro feel.
I liked the white tights paired with gold-tipped Mary Jane’s, the drop waisted belted coats, I also loved the blunt Vidal Sassoon bangs, too cute.
The Sartorialist has more pictures here and you can see the runway video on Style.com.
Angela Missoni’s Fall 2012 collection for Missoni was all about Mother Nature and the great outdoors. She evoked this theme by pairing the traditional Missoni knits with other fabrics, leathers and furs to create layered looks that appeared to be made from bark and leaves and stone.
The marbling on the knits and the tightly wrapped layers were quite beautiful, at once both traditional Missoni and innovative.
You can see these earthy knits in action here.
The Dolce & Gabbana collection was intricate and sumptuous, filled with dramatic gold detailing, lace accents, sheer panels, tiaras-like lavishly beaded headbands, exaggerated earrings, dark hued Baroque inspired florals, cacoon shaped capes and lace knee-high socks.
Overall the show was dramatic and surprising. The ornate gilding of the clothes created almost a Papal feel while the sheer lace and tiered white dresses were a combination of innocence and understated sexuality with a old-world influence.
You can see all the drama in motion here or see more photos at Fashionology.
Gone was the vintage feel from her Pre-Fall 2012 collection, gone were the whimsical prints and floaty silhouettes from her Spring 2012 ready-To-Wear show. Alberta Ferretti’s Fall 2012 show was more masculine than we traditionally expect from her and more overtly sexy – with sheer blouses, leather body-con dresses and strategically placed translucent panels on gowns.
Alberta Ferretti always delivers beautiful, wearable dresses – my favorites here had layers of paper-thin, textured chiffon – but this season she also gave us gorgeous outerwear. Some in masculine pinstripes, some belted, some with leather collars, some with shearling trim, some hip length and some floor length.
FabSugar has more pictures here or you can see the photos on Black Studded Fashion.
Giorgio Armani called his Fall 2012 Ready-To-Wear collection for Emporio Armani “Little Winter Follies” but I didn’t see many follies. The show was awash in color for fall, in addition to black & white, there were splashes of brilliant coral, bright cobalt blue and luminous purple. Yes, each look was composed of many pieces and the styling was perhaps borderline excessive, but when you took apart the individual pieces there was a lot of sharp, wearable clothing.
I absolutely LOVED the stylish young French lady vibe from the collection, especially the first section full of blacks, whites and greys. The cute little hats, smart but fun blazers with lacy hems or black on black polka dots, chic bags, gloves & tights and comfortable flat shoes were mouth-watering!
Need more Armani in your life? FabSugar and Fashionology have you covered.
The Bottega Veneta show was all about dark elegance. From beautifully tailored coats and skirt suits in black, navy and a somber dark purple to sexy, body skimming dresses in black, cream, lavender and brilliant prints – some had demure capsleeves & boatneck collars while others had dramatic, plunging necklines.
There were plenty of details worth getting a better look at as well – bright crystal embellishments, large retro brooches, stiff looking knee-high riding boots, feathery chiffon boleros, abstract florals and bright plaids, sleek elbow-length leather gloves and ankle boots and strappy pumps over visible socks. Oh, and a collection of handbags that I would KILL for.
You can see more pictures from the Bottega Veneta show here and check out the runway video here.
Fendi was all about mixing the unexpected in interesting and new ways. Black leather with brown wool, navy tights with a midnight black dress, grey snake-skin leggings with a black patent crocodile skirt, contrasting colored spats on ankle boots, skirts composed of pleats and silk or leather, and giant prize-fighter style belts over sleek fabrics.
Want to see these looks in motion? Check out the runway show here or see more pictures at FabSugar or from Garance Dore.
Prada’s Fall 32012 collection was heavy on the outerwear, even the dresses and long, draping tops had a coat-like quality about them. The tailoring and fabrics of this show were divine, the intricacies beautiful and timeless. The sequins, stones, embroidery and embellishments on the clothes gave them almost a vintage-feel while the hair and makeup evoked a futuristic reference.
I really enjoyed the bright retro patterned fabrics and the cropped pantsuits. Very chic. If you’re dying for more, you can watch the runway video or scan more pictures.
The scene at MaxMara was sleek, monochromatic and masculine, and as always the suiting and outerwear was to die for. The show started with olive-green then seamlessly transitioned through black, camel, white and grey. The feel of the collection was a little bit military and a little bit sailor, with stripes, aviator jackets and caps, peacoats and greave-like sock & buckle accoutrement on the legs.
I loved the incredibly soft looking coats, worn open with popped collars, but I was absolutely smitten with the silky, loosely draping pants – in both cropped and full length. They were absolutely stunning!
Fashionology has more pictures or you can watch the show in action and see why I’m dying for a pair – or ten – of those pants.
The last show for Raf Simons at Jil Sander received a standing ovation on Saturday, much deserved adulation for the designer after seven years at the label. The collection was filled to the brim with beautiful coats and dresses, from the palest ballerina whites & pinks to black, navy, bold crimson and shimmery tinfoil silver.
The dresses were classic and body conscious while the coats had a much larger and more dramatic silhouette, mostly without buttons or ties, loosely draping or even held closed by the models. I loved the clean lines and that way color was used to make a statement rather than prints or layering. My absolute favorite part? The two strap heels that look like they were inspired by point shoes.
The whole collection looked like it could have been tailor-made for Audrey Hepburn’s turn as a runway model in Funny Face.
You can see this beautiful runway show here or more photos from FabSugar over here.
In the mood for more from the Italian runways? Check out the top looks from Harper’s Bazaar and Harper’s Bazaar UK, or you can see photos or videos from other shows that I didn’t have time to review: Etro, Emilio Pucci, Just Cavalli & Moschino Cheap & Chic.
Or you can check out just how far all of these Italian designers have come since their last collections: Milan Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Part I, Milan Fashion Week Spring 2012 – Part II and Milan Fashion Week Fall 2011.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Moi Contre La Vie’s Giveaway after Paris Fashion Week!
*** Please note that I do not advocate the use of fur in fashion and personally make an effort not to wear or carry fur, exotic skins or leather. I believe that in this day in age there are many beautiful alternatives to these products which are cruelty-free and should be utilized instead.
Looks of the Week
Pretty! Pretty! Pretty!
Welcome back to Fashion Monday, we’ve got quite a bit to get through this afternoon, believe me. 2012 Oscar after parties, red carpets, movie premieres and good old fashion street style snaps.
Perfect Spring look! I love the mixture of stripes and black & white florals, simple but chic combination that we've been seeing lately.
A brightly striped dress with a pink blazer & combat boots? A surprisingly great combination. Combat boots with a slight feminine twist are all the rage right now.
Another great look from Lookbook.nu - I like the rolled black pants with all of the layers on top, it's a silhouette that can be spiced up in many different ways and is flattering for most people.
Long-time model turned actress Amber Valletta wore a gorgeous, bright coral sheath that accentuated her slim figure. Could have used some standout costume jewelry though...
Its sleek and flattering, and suits her red carpet personality to a T. What more could you ask for from Roons?
Kate knows what suits her and frequently sticks to a mermaid silhouette for her gowns, and while this isn't a huge departure for her, the pale icy blue hue is really stunning.
I really liked Anne Heche's Zac Posen dress - the sleeves, neckline and slightly flared were all great touches. Would have been even better in a vibrant color I bet.
I adore the idea of a suit on the red carpet and this Giorgio Armani version is an inspired choice. I especially like the white piping, it keeps the look from being boring or too business-y.
I love the unexpected when it comes to red carpet fashion. It's always fun when someone has the courage to mix things up, which is just what Kate Beckinsale did with this draping fuchsia Diane Von Furstenberg jumpsuit. Brava!
Zoe proved she's as ready for Spring as I am in this sweet floral frock. Balmain is frequently a little bit punk or rock n' roll so I was surprised that this light & airy dress was one of their creations.
I'm not normally an advocate for bow ties, but I couldn't help but love the satin piping & vest here. Well done.
Sleek and sexy isn't just for the ladies! You've got to love a man in a perfectly tailored suit.
Barney (aka Neal Patrick Harris) and his adorable husband looked elegant and well styled for the Elton John after party.
The most talked about look from the Vanity Fair part was definitely Kate Bosworth's Prabal Gurung Fall 2012 cocktail dress. Absolutely amazing.
As much as I hate peekaboo hemlines I gasped when this photo popped up. Striking & unusual - Zoe's never one to fade into the background. The jeweled neckline & delicate sleeves make the dress appear almost demure despite the sheer layering.
Miss Victoria vamped it up Posh Spice-style in one of her own designs. Tres chic!
I'm a sucker for polka dots and was really struck by Elizabeth Banks's peacock inspired Chadwick Bell gown. All about the drama!
The number of people who can pull off an exposed bra on the red carpet can be counted on one hand. Diane, luckily, is one of them. Wow!
Gorgeous! Can you ever go wrong with a sleek black Gucci gown? I especially like her gold collar and the dramatic belt.
Sleek and stunning. Rosie can really kill in complex, fashion-forward gowns but she's a breath of fresh air in a simple look like this one.
Anna Paquin's Emilio Pucci dress was dramatic and head-turning, I think she chose right by going with a cocktail-length rather than floor-length gown.
There weren't a lot of black gowns on the red carpet last night, lots of jewel tones, pastels and whites, but not much black. Nina Dobrev made a splash in this simple J.Mendel gown, I especially like the cut-outs at the shoulders.
While Karolina Kurkova doesn't need much to stand out, in a sea of gowns her sequin encrusted silver Armani jumpsuit was quite a sight. The red velvet shoes were a brilliant choice.
Links You’ll Love
Health/Fitness:
Need some good reading materials? Here are two healthy & nutrition related pieces to check out: Is Fructose Being Blamed Unfairly For The Obesity Epidemic from Science Daily and Dr. Terry Wahl’s video – Minding Your Mitochondria, about the unparalleled benefits of following a Hunter/Gatherer diet.
How to Fall In Love With Healthy Living from the amazing & hilarious Rachel Wilkerson – her latest article for Shape Magazine.
Interested in probiotics but not sure where to start? Here are a few pieces that you can read to help educate yourself: FitSugar’s The Pros of Probiotics and Choosing Raw’s Probiotics: To Take or Not To Take.
If you’re beginning a new workout regime or interested in really focusing your energy in order to get the best results possible at the gym than the word for you is INTERVAL. Intervals, Tabata & HIIT are the most effective ways to drop weight and build muscle through cardio. Here are some good basics to get you started:
- The Fitnessista – Tabata Training Intervals & Focus On: Tabata Training (scroll below the recipes)
- Erin Stern – Star Jumps
- Interval Training – Tabata Training : The Fastest Way to Fitness & Fat Loss
- Lean Gains– Intermittent Training & Stubborn Body Fat
- Jeanette Jenkins – Fat Blasting 10-Minute Workout
Fashion:
If you haven’t seen Garance Dore’s hysterical Fashion Week diaries they’re a MUST: Pardon My French Part I, Pardon My French Part II & Pardon My French Part III. Gorgeous shots from the shows, backstage and the parties & events, all narrated by . Too cute.
Spring staple to get your hands on? The shirtdress! The Stylist’s latest recurring series is called Lessons For A Modern-Day Lady and their most recent piece is titled: How To Wear A Shirtdress.
Fun boots were all over the runways for Spring, what version are you going to live in? Modelinia has models loving their brown, low heeled ankle boots, FabSugar has the How To on wearing Winter boots with breezy Spring looks, The Stylist shows chic celebrities in Rain Boots or you can try combat boots a la Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. What is the right style for you?
In the mood for some grown up arts & crafts? Check out FabSugar’s DIY: Make A Sequin-Collar Top video, Design Sponge’s DIY Project: Leather Lunch Tote or the great DIY: Beaded Collar Blouse post from Moda, Moda that found when I was working on the Freckles In April 10 Day Style Challenge.
London Fashion Week – Street Style & Front Row Fashion
Happy Saturday! I know that one of the reasons that I enjoy street style blogs and front row pictures during Fashion Week is that it can really get your personal creative juices flowing. Seeing interesting new ways to pair pieces and fun mixing n’ matching can give you a fresh perspective when you look into your own closet.
Alright, ready for some cute looks from the always entertaining LFW? Lots of brights, lots of fun, warm fabrics like tweed, wool and cashmere and lots of fresh patterns and prints. I feel like the looks that people put together for London Fashion Week are a little more fun and irreverent than New York Fashion Week… What do you think?
My absolute favorite look of London Fashion Week was Poppy's adorable blue polka dot pants with great t-strap heels, a cropped blue coat and a chic blouse. J'adore!
Marie Claire fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi was one of many who embraced the new floral pants trend. She kept them as minimal as possible by pairing the bright prints with basic black on top.
FabSugar even made a bold floral leggings look their Look of the Day.Are you brave enough to rock this new trend?
Alexa Chung and Poppy Delevingne wore similar looks in London - A brightly colored print skirt, a solid top and a blocky shaped overcoat - similar building blocks that come out to two distinctly different looks.
The gorgeous Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Kate Bosworth shown front row at Burberry. I like that both of them look warm and comfortable, they didn't try to brave a London winter in summer pieces. P.S. Kate's wearing the Pre-Fall booties that I wanted!!!
Rosie's look was so cute I thought a close up was necessary. I love the colors, fabrics and layering here. Purple cords with a salmon sweater and grey sweater-coat? But somehow it works! Works well!
Garance captured even more fun floral looks on the streets of London and My Dress. My High Heels. My Style. has a full list of all the Burberry arrivals – from Poppy & Clemence to Donna Air and Ellie Wintour.
Rose Byrne's new hairdo almost outshone her adorable Pringle of Scotland dress. Almost.
London Fashion Week It Girl Poppy stays warm with a classic trench over her adorable green pleated skirt, striped top and gorgeous lace-up platform booties straight from the runway.
Seriously cute Burberry look - The patent shoes and bright orange shoulder bag are to die for!
Source, Source, Source, Source & Source
Be sure to keep an eye out for Moi Contre La Vie’s Giveaway after Paris Fashion Week finishes up, trust me, its worth the wait!
London Fashion Week Fall 2012
Welcome to London Fashion Week for Fall 2012!
The first runway show for the “lower end” McQ by Alexander McQueen collection was earthy and dramatic. Across the leaf strewn floor marched models in dark khaki and olive-green, floral, brocade, plaid and leather military-inspired dresses and coats with thick belts and over-the-knee lace up boots.
As interesting as the womenswear was, I couldn’t take my eyes off the menswear. To die for coats and well-tailored suits with a retro feel, paired with great boots, belts, gloves and ties. Just exquisite.
Check out the FabSugar photos and commentary here.
Mulberry was all about oversized winter coats and thick knit sweaters in all sorts of furs and fabrics, which complimented the Fall-colored collection perfectly. The neon orange may have been a bit much for most of us, but the dark florals, Missoni-like zigzag patterns and Autumn-inspired yellows, greens and blues were perfect for Fall.
And as always the handbags are absolutely covetable. Want to see these great looks in motion? You can see the runway show here.
Christopher Kane’s collection took the sinister plot of an 80’s movie as its muse and the end results were dramatic with shiny dark fabrics, twisted leather, deeply colored flowers and metallic, oil-slick patterns. The pants and separates were particularly well done while the leather halter dresses definitely had a sensational nighttime flair.
FabSugar has more photos here and Fashionology weighs in here.
As always the Matthew Williamson show was a free-for-all of prints, colors and textures. Slim trousers appeared in every form from shimmery florals to metallics to pastels, but the highlight was the dresses. The simplicity of the silhouettes – shirt dresses and basic shifts – played against the neon embellishments, brightly colored sequins, metallic blues & greens, sheer panels, peekaboo hemlines and dramatic patterns.
Need more? You can see additional pictures here.
The Erdem show was all about juxtapositions. Florals done in deep, dark colors, black leather tops paired with delicate lace skirts, black rubber mixed with flower prints, sheer lace with conservative cuts… These juxtapositions made a collection that was simultaneously dramatic but fun and girly.
My favorite part? Aside from the prints, which are always divine, I especially enjoyed the tweed pumps and booties – they even came in brightly colored suedes and floral prints.
Want more pictures of this show? You can see them here and check out the runway video at Vogue.com.
The House of Holland showed a fun, Mod-inspired, wildly colorful collection full of very wearable pieces. There were the bright stripes, lace-up platform booties, little caps, zigzag prints, gorgeous houndstooth done in demure wools, shimmery satins and even on tights, colorful bell bottoms and my favorite, the adorable suits and shift dresses.
I absolutely adored Christopher Bailey’s Pre-Fall 2012 show so I had high expectations for his Fall 2012 collection, expectations that I must say were met quite well. This Burberry Prorsum show was just as wearable as the Pre-Fall collection, but with a bit of a country twist. Lots of warm, thick fabrics like wool, cashmere, velvet, corduroy and tweed, paired with lighter, colorful extras and accessories.
Some of the highlights: the blouse & pencil skirt combos, great stripes, amazing tailoring, draping & ruffles, gorgeous outerwear, dramatic pockets, colorful, thin belts, oversized handbags & lace-up booties. For the men Christopher showed amazing double-breasted coats, skinny ties, studded leather gloves, polka dot button-downs and newsboy caps. Too cute!
P.S. The bow belts were back! 🙂
You can also see more beautiful shots from Garance Dore here and from The Sartorialist here.
Alice Temperley described her Fall 2012 show’s theme as “Polished Folk” and the Temperley London collection didn’t disappoint, it was filled with bohemian flares and fun hippie detailing. The ribbon belts, fur hats, suede ankle boots and demure gloves were worn with marbled knits, flowy blouses & brocade A-line skirts, colorful crochet and lace day dresses and velvet & metallic print pantsuits.
A video of the show can be see here or you can see more pictures here.
The knitwear design house, Pringle of Scotland showed a beautiful and eclectic collection that included bold & colorful separates, suiting, outerwear and delicately draping dresses worn with platform Oxford pumps or buckle-adorned combat boots that somehow still managed to be chic.
I especially liked the separates, they were very down to earth, something you could easily imagine pulling out of your closet and mix with other pieces to put together the perfect look.
Curious to see how what looks the London Fashion Week designers put down the runways during their shows last year? Take a trip down memory lane and check out London Fashion Week Spring 2012.
Be sure to keep an eye out for Moi Contre La Vie’s Giveaway after Paris Fashion Week!
*** Please note that I do not advocate the use of fur in fashion and personally make an effort not to wear or carry fur, exotic skins or leather. I believe that in this day in age there are many beautiful alternatives to these products which are cruelty-free and should be utilized instead.
Photos from Style.com unless otherwise cited.
Links You’ll Love
Fashion:
Want to see Darance Dore dance? Thought so.
Not sure how to apply current and upcoming fashions to yourself? Check out Bazaar’s Fabulous At Every Age for some tips on how to style Resort looks for yourself. But keep in mind your personal style and what’s appropriate for you.
Need some Zoe in your life? Frugal Fashionista has a breakdown of Zoe Saldana’s fabulous 2011 looks, Mama’s A Rolling Stone shows off her love of brights here and here and WhoWhatWear featured her fabulous fringe.
Did you enjoy Chanel’s Paris-Bombay Pre-Fall 2012 show that I reviewed here? Then check out the video – Eerily gorgeous is the phrase that comes to mind…
Health & Fitness:
Are you all set to make some huge fitness resolutions for 2012? Perhaps run a race, start using the fitness DVDs you got for Christmas, squeeze in even mini workouts when you’re short on time, taking up yoga to keep yourself calm and relaxed,
30 Things To Start Doing For Yourself from Polish My Crown and take some time to reflect on yourself and how you spend your time like Holly Would If She Could.
Both sides of the meat-eating versus non-meat eating arguments – Dead Cow Walking: The Case Against Born-Again Carnivorism and The Meat Of It. What’s your stance? Do you make your food choices based on moral choices? Nutrition? Health?
Ready to get started on your 2012 fitness regime? Whether you’re a gym-rat, take as many classes as possible or like to workout from home, there’s something for everyone to get into shape this year!
- Fit Bottomed Girls – The 10 Best Intermediate Workout DVDs
- Tone It Up! – Motivation Monday’s 2012 Challenge
- Health.com – 5 Great New Classes To Get You Fit
- Functional Movement Systems – Balanced Body Series: Dead Lifting
- FitSugar – At Home Circuit Training Workout
- Ignite the Fire – 5 tips for training on the road
Looks of the Week
I love it when celebrities wear real clothing! 🙂 Check out Kate Middleton looking adorable in Zara.
Caroline Sieber's dress here is very pretty, but what caught my attention were her shoes! I'm loving this multi ankle strap trend, its chic and fun.
