There's a Hole in my Knee

January 9, 2014, 1:00 am

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My mother would not approve, but to hell with that, i like a good rip in my knee and I'm not going to apologize for that. I am an adult, after all. In fact, this particular pair is so old, the holes keep getting bigger and bigger, which makes these jeans better and better. Took some scissors to them for a little length update and that's the story.

And speaking of history, I also have a long-time love affair with the sneakers I'm wearing: Adidas Gazelles. You see, I had a pair in the early 90s when I was in fifth grade, blue and white ones, as they were the coolest shoes to have. Sadly, they were eventually outgrown (although I'm not quite sure that my feet have actually grown since my childhood, they are ridiculously small) and I moved on to things like Doc Martens. So when this whole sneaker trend resurfaced, there was only one pair on my mind: the Gazelles. My initial plan was to go back to my roots and nab the blues once more -- full circle style. But my heart kind of skipped a beat when I laid eyes on this aubergine pair and the rest is... history, ha!


Details:
Tunic - Zoran (similar)
Denim - Mavi (similar)
Shoes - Adidas
Coat - Club Monaco (similar)
Scarf - All Saints (similar)
Sunnies - Solo Eyewear (similar)
Bag - Bottega Veneta
Click to buy:

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Friday Inspo

January 10, 2014, 1:30 am

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I hope you're staying warm wherever you are because it's been frigidly cold here in the north east. Like, ridiculously so. And when dreadful weather hits, it is SO EASY to get uninspired and sink into a dark hole of depression, which can take a while to crawl out of. So don't let it get to you! Hopefully my mood board below will help you resist falling victim to S.A.D. Enjoy the break you guys xx

[into the gloss, tfs, pinterest, elin kling, domaine]

Ask FOR #4: The Winter Boot Saga

January 12, 2014, 2:00 am

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If you live in a warm climate, more power to you, but you won't really be able to relate to this post, unforch. For the rest of us: help is here! I got a special request from a friend who, like most of us, was at a complete loss when it came to wintertime footwear. You see, footwear becomes über-limited upon extreme weather conditions and this happens to be a very serious predicament for the following reasons:

1. How are you supposed to plan your outfit when you can't consider shoes to be a part of it?
2. How are you supposed to look, let alone FEEL cute and good if your only footwear option is a pair of ginormous galoshes?
3. How does one feel remotely feminine when what's out there is literally anything but?
4. Finding something that is both stylish and weather-conducive is equivalent to looking for a needle in a haystack.
5. It can put you in a style rut faster than you can say winter is here.

For this reason, I've scoured the world wide web to bring you the best of the best of what's out there. It's incredible what you can find when you do a little digging. While your nearest Footlocker might not be ripe with options, you cannot be afraid to look further: chances are, the boots for you are probably not located in your town and you have to be a dedicated excavator to be able to come to a satisfying (even exciting) find -- and yes, it is possible! It's also the best time of year to be shopping for boots because EVERYTHING IS ON SALE.

Now, depending on your geographic location, the degrees of winter will vary (read: hardcoreness of boots). Example: the gal who lives in Minnesota or Canada's Prairies will not have the same needs as the New York City girl, or the ladies nesting on the Northern West Coast. Which is why I've divided the boot loots in three different categories:

1. The City Girl -- for the lady whose humble abode happens to be located in a place that is indeed cold, but the streets and sidewalks she frequents are always clear of snow and slush.

2. Moderate Winter -- for those who need boots to weather the weather (pun intended), but not to an extreme degree.

3. Hardcore Forecast -- you know who you are.

Final words: stay warm!




- Click to buy -
1st row: Gianvito Rossi / Isabel Marant / Modcloth / Pajar
2nd row: Christian Louboutin / Le Chameau / OluKai / Roxy / Timberland
3rd row: Bronx / Anniel / TOMS / J.Crew




- Click to buy -
1st row: Aigle / Ilse Jacobsen Hornbaek / Ilse Jacobsen Hornbaek / Tretorn
2nd row: Burberry / The NorthFace / Pedro Garcia
3rd row: Sperry Topsider for J.Crew / Sorel / Jack Wills




- Click to buy -
1st row: Tecnica / Sorel / Cougar / Ugg Australia
2nd row: Northside / United Nude / Pajar / The NorthFace
3rd row: Moncler / Sorel / LL Bean

Send your fashion queries, style dilemmas, beauty issues my way and chances are, it'll be the topic of my next #AskFOR column!

Pining For Pinstripe

January 14, 2014, 1:00 am

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The topic of dressing for cold weather is getting to be a recurring subject on this blog, but the season is nowhere near over and therefore an ongoing issue. When you're lucky enough to live in a place where winter is not inflicted with snow, you can still wear normal shoes even if you need to bundle up (read: retain your sense of style pride), which is thankfully the case in NYC most of the time. We shot these photos on an extremely cold, windy day but somehow being on the beautiful streets of peaceful Tribeca made up for it.

Moving right along onto a more interesting subject: the pinstripe trend. It became one of the season's biggest must-haves when Stella put it down the runway and admittedly, when Stella says jump, I say how high. There was no way I wasn't partaking in what was to become the pinstripe craze. While the actual stripes I'm sporting are teeny weeny and barely visible, these super cute cropped newsboy shape pants are indeed in the trendy pattern typically reserved for menswear. What are your thoughts on pinstripes?


Photos by Ian Rusiana

Details:
Coat - Joe Fresh (similar)
Pants - Tibi (similar)
Boots - Rag & Bone
Fur collar - Vintage (similar)
Hat - Bailey of Hollywood (similar)
Bag - Bottega Veneta
Sunnies - Ray-Ban
Click to shop:

So Close, Yet So Far

January 16, 2014, 1:00 am

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Have you ever pondered what makes people's aesthetic points of view so different from one another? The thought functionality that sends the message from the eye to the brain is extremely complex, I'm sure of it, but what makes it a positive or negative relay? Certainly, it's a process dependent of a person's environment and a lifetime of what they've been exposed to, but what encompasses diverging opinions? No matter, the world would be a sad, dull place without them, but it remains great food for thought.

I am indeed guilty of going a little deep (perhaps a tad too deep) while ruminating on color pairings. It's a well-known thing to shun certain hue couplings, like the one I'm wearing here: black and navy blue. But why? Because they are too close a match, yet too different from one another? Bullocks. While they are a clash by certain standards, it happens to be my number one favorite color match of all time. There is something so chic and elegant about it, I cannot understand how some people would not be able to appreciate it. Maybe it has something to do with inner wires? Again, too deep...

What are your thoughts on black and navy worn together: yay or nay?


Details:
Top - COS (similar)
Skirt - Balenciaga (similar)
Boots - Pour la Victoire
Thin bracelets - Jenny Bird (similar)& Coordinates Collection
Wide bracelet - Vintage (similar)
Lips - YSL Rouge Volupté #12 in Forbidden Burgundy
Click to shop:

Friday Inspo

January 17, 2014, 1:00 am

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Friday is here, enjoy the weekend!!!

Ps it's my dad's birthday, joyeux anniversaire papa! xx

That is all.

[into the gloss, tfs, elin kling, pinterest]

New Year, New Hair

January 20, 2014, 1:00 am

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Yep, i cut my hair (you're already aware if you follow me on instagram). I've had my lid hovering between my chin and a tad below my shoulders for the past 5 years -- as we learned thanks to my embarrassing timeline diagram -- but I'd gotten so lazy with it these past 12 months that it actually got to a point where it was long. I cannot stand having long hair. With the arrival of the new year, a change needed to happen -- I had to chop it. Voilà.

What's your hair length? Have you ever had some crazy hair moments?


Wearing: H&M sweater (similar) &BaubleBar earrings.

Big White

January 21, 2014, 1:30 am

≫ Next: Camo Feet & Tomboy Jibber-Jabber

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No matter how much of a pain in the derrière winter can prove to be, there is absolutely no denying that it makes one hell of a beautiful tableau. At the end of the day, us Eastcoasters are stuck with the cold weather for a solid chunk of the year, so there comes a point where you just have to lie in your bed. That is precisely why instead of curling up on my sofa, snuggled in my my favorite cozy knit throw with a hot chocolate in hand during this blizzard, Ian and I gathered our courage stuff and made our way to the streets park to capture the true beauty offered by New York City under a white blanket of snow. I've dubbed it The Snow Globe Syndrome (SGS) -- it's Central Park's specialty.

There is little that will keep you as warm as a fur coat would and thanks to my trusty Big White (don't worry, it's vintage), I was nice and toasty, in spite of what my red face might lead you to believe in these photos. I felt a little bit country western in my brocade pants and denim shirt, especially with the spirit of the boots. Throwing a ginormous fur coat over top of that just accentuated the fact that I may have been dressed for a day at the rodeo. Not a vibe I tend to go for, but still totally staying true to myself with the streamlined and unfussy nature of this outfit.


Photos by Ian Rusiana

Details:
Fur coat - Vintage (similar)
Denim shirt - Madewell
Brocade pants - Zara (similar)
Boots - Pour la Victoire
Bag - Vintage (similar)
Knit gloves - Vintage (made by my grandma) (similar)
Sunnies - Ray-Ban
Bangles - Jenny Bird (similar) & Coordinates Collection
ID bracelet - Hysteric Co. (similar)

Click to buy:

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Camo Feet & Tomboy Jibber-Jabber

January 23, 2014, 1:00 am

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I love borrowing from the boys. I blame attribute my tomboy tendencies to growing up sandwiched between two brothers, and consequently was always the furthest thing from a girlie girl. I shunned dresses, was embarrassed to wear makeup until I was about fifteen, preferred friendships with guys and wasn't at all interested in anything remotely feminine. Needless to say, I was a late bloomer. I was nowhere near comfortable with asserting any semblance of femininity throughout my formative years and looking back now, I suspect it had something to do with a lack of females in my age group present in my surroundings. My entourage consisted solely of the opposite sex and all a kid really wants it to just be part of the gang, right?

I was secretly dying to get my fashion on and as I blossomed, things started coming together -- maturity made me embrace the fact that I was in fact a girl and, gasp!, I loved being one. But a tiger never loses its stripes and strong masculine influences will not only always be a part of my sartorial identity, but simply a part of my core. I am endlessly inspired my menswear, I like to play with unisex proportions and pieces, and I can't stand anything with ruffles and bows (on myself -- some ladies are perfect for that kind of stuff). When my husband can't find his shirts, it's usually because I stole them and they are sitting somewhere in my closet.

So it won't exactly come as a shock if I told you that I tend to peruse the mens and boys departments when I engage in a little retail therapy. Exhibit A: the camo Macalister shoes from J.Crew I am wearing yonder. They are a score from the boys (as in kids) collection -- one of the few perks of having hoofs instead of feet. I've always been extremely attracted to this type of shoe and have coveted the Clark's desert boots for years, yet never acted on my lust (so much self-restraint!) and have always opted for the Wallabees instead (I have two pairs). The J.Crew MacAlister falls into this category and when I spotted this camo version in the kid section, I couldn't resist. They are CRAZY GOOD and feel just like pillows on your feet, i highly recommend getting a pair if, like me, you feel comfortable in your masculinity.


Details:
Coat - Joe Fresh (similar)
Jeans - J Brand (similar)
Shoes - J.Crew
Fur scarf - Vintage (similar)
Hat - Gap
Sunnies - Solo Eyewear (similar)
Mitts - H&M (similar)
Click to buy:

Friday Inspo

January 24, 2014, 1:00 am

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Friday Friday Friday!!! Got anything fun planned for the two day break? It's the LAST one of the month, which means only one thing: we are that much closer to springtime. I think that deserves one big giant cheer, don't you? Take in what's below and you'll feel inspired to go on, i guarantee it. Merry weekend loves xx

OS I'm going to be LIVE TWEETING the Grammys red carpet this Sunday! Join me!

[tfs, stop it right now, elin kling, into the gloss]

Public Service Announcement

January 27, 2014, 7:07 am

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Good morning guys, I hope you all had an amazing and relaxing weekend. If we're friends on other various social networks, you're aware that I was not in top shape this past week, which sadly extended into the weekend. At least I don't get sick very often, so it's excusable -- i got my once a year germ infestation, fine. Which leads me to this PSA: I'm sorry that I don't haven't had some content for you in the past few days, as I was pretty much useless, but I am extremely pleased to report that I am feeling much, much better (I'd put myself at 90%) and regular posting should resume tomorrow XX.

In other news, did you guys watch the Grammys last night?? Were you following my peanut gallery on twitter? Tell me whose dress you loved (and hated) click here to see my best dressed!

Sneaker Head

January 28, 2014, 1:00 am

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If anyone would have told me a few years ago that in 2013-2014 I would be head over heels with, um, the opposite of heels, I would have broken out in one of those deep, heavy, cliché evil laughs. Me? In what? Sneakers, you say? You MUST be joking. I was such a shoe snob (and admittedly, my standards are high- I still am) and could never have fathomed sporting sport shoes. In fact, such footwear was so foreign to me that had it miraculously appeared below my knees, I most likely would have exclaimed something along the lines of "THAT FOOT DOES NOT BELONG TO ME!" My idea of casual footwear was a platform instead of a single sole high heel. To the extent that when I did engage in flats-wearing, I was uncomfortable and my calves would end up being sore for a couple of days following the experience.

I full-heartedly admit that I let myself be defined by my shoe choices: I did not feel comfortable, neither physically nor mentally, in anything under a 3.5 inch elevation point (4 being my sweet spot, 5 being a tad too much). When whispers of the sky high heel being placed on the endangered fashion species list were being heard around 2010, I scoffed in mighty abhorrence: "yeah, right." In a way, i was right: even with the kitten heel getting its 15 minutes (Stella being the only one who made me pause to even consider the trend), the high heel is an intrinsic part of fashion and style: it's never going away. But I have come to realize that while the magical thing known to mankind as the epitome of femininity in a shoe will forever be a staple, it might run into some stiff competition through the seasons, where something new comes along and tries to go from understudy to main star. Like, as I just mentioned, the kitten heel a few years back, and more recently: the sneaker. In all shapes, really: the Nike Free Run, the old school Stan Smiths, the skater slip-on and, more recently, the couture version.

Once reserved for the gym and the working woman's commute, the sneaker has seen more reincarnations in the past two years than probably its whole entire existence. But what is it that made me gravitate towards this alien footwear? It had literally been years since my hoofs had been acquainted with the utilitarian shoe, and while initially trainers couldn't have found themselves any further removed from my comfort zone, along the way a shift was felt, very organically, in the the direction of the genre I once shunned. Somehow, somewhere, someway, I didn't question my identity when I slipped them on. I wasn't skeptical about whether or not I could pull them off. They didn't feel awkward or uncomfortable, au contraire. To my surprise, sneakers felt familiar and natural. Suddenly, they were a part of every stylish girl's fashion vocabulary, but to me, it felt like it was all happening on another level. Unlike a trend or a passing fad, my newfound (or as I were later to find out upon introspection, my re-found) connection with athletic shoes were an affair of the past resurfacing.

Last week, we talked about my tomboy ways of yesteryear and the week before that, about my long-time liaison with the very sneakers you see yonder. This type of footwear was already a part of my repertoire (granted a really far, tucked away one) and that is precisely why I was instinctively attracted to the trend and not repulsed by it. Like the skies opening up after a dark storm, it all suddenly made sense to me: they say that fashion is emotional for women, and sure enough, the running shoes were to me a nostalgic call from my youth. It turns out I was just coming full shoe circle.


Photos by Ian Rusiana

Details:
Turtleneck - Splendid
Tuxedo pants - Lanvin (similar)
Coat - Club Monaco (similar)
Beanie - American Apparel (similar)
Sneakers - Adidas
Bracelets - Coordinates Collection& Hysteric Co.(similar)
Leopard print pouch - Vintage (similar)
Click to buy:

Weekendwear

January 30, 2014, 1:00 am

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There's womenswear, menswear, outerwear... I hereby proclaim there should also be weekendwear. Not in a sloppy velour Juicy Couture sweat suit kind of way, but in a casual, tasteful, easy attire manner. Let's make weekendwear official! So as you can tell, my getup below isn't exactly high fashion, far from it. But I've been struggling to get back on the health train (which explains my ghostly grin), it's about -100 degrees (in both Celsius and Fahrenheit at this point) and the primary motivation while getting dressed is layers, layers, layers. I took two pieces that generate a lot of heat: 1) a cashmere button down shirt (disclaimer: I shamelessly stole it from my husband) and 2) an oversized wool grandpa cardigan -- the combo kills two birds with one stone in terms of warmth and adding a little flair. My pompom hat and old school hand-crafted Canadian moccasins do the rest. In fact come to think of it, this getup is kind of SoCal, right? (well, if it were to ever get cold down there...)


Details:
Cashmere button down - Ralph Lauren Purple Label (similar)
Grandpa cardigan - Lanvin (similar)
Denim - Zara (similar)
Moccasins - hand crafter in Canada (similar)
Necklace - Rings & Tings (similar)
Hat - Gap (similar)
Click to buy:

Friday Inspo

January 31, 2014, 1:00 am

≫ Next: Get Your Lace On

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Welcome to the last day of January (yes, already!). Hard to believe, right? Do you guys have anything planned for the weekend? Any Super Bowl extravaganza going on? It's still up in the air for us, but one thing's for sure: while I love partaking in the social (and eating) aspect of a Super Bowl party, I won't be watching for anything other than the ads... Here's a little help image-wise to stay inspired through it all xx

[tfs, elin klin, into the gloss, the blab, refinery 29]

Get Your Lace On

February 3, 2014, 1:00 am

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Simply put, I love high heels. They make you look tall, and they also make you FEEL tall inside. They give you confidence, they change your posture, they make heads turn, they provide their wearer with unabashed sex-appeal, they turn any outfit into money, they transform you both physically and figuratively... Their praises are far too numerous to sing all in one song blog post, but you get the gist. Every season, there is a standout that induces a feeling of thousands of millions of butterflies uncontrollably fluttering in my stomach and I become uncontrollably infatuated. When I fall, I fall hard. For fall/winter, it was the single sole pointy toe stiletto boots and for spring, the lace pump wins the race. I am beyond obsessed with this beautiful, elegant, chic, feminine, edgy piece of footwear -- they are perfect for every single outfit I can dream up and all occasions I can project myself partaking in. Spring cannot come soon enough!



Shop lace pumps:

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Rings & Tings

February 5, 2014, 1:00 am

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I'm not really one of those people who runs to trends and jumps on the bandwagon craze of any given item deemed the latest must-have by editors, street stylers and power bloggers alike. You know, the pieces that provoke style earthquakes thanks to the profuse instagramming, blogging and all around social media-ing. Their fall is usually as fast as their rise. In my younger days, I might have fallen victim to this type of circus, but as an oldie (I know, that's relative), I can't help but sometimes scoff at the hoards of lady followers that flock to the latest requisite piece in a way that isn't unlike devotees obeying orders from their cult leader.

While my tone may have hints of condescension, I assure you that is not my intention. Everyone has their own path to follow and finding your style personality is a journey within itself that isn't meant to always be smooth sailing. Trend frenzies are also the nature of the business I chose to work in. If you don't engage in fashion experimentation, which, yes, at times means following the masses, how are you supposed to find yourself through clothes? How could you possibly figure out what works for you if you don't try out everything first? And then there finally comes a point where we all stop being impressionable and finally trust our gut.

Quite the long preamble to come to following conclusion: it's not necessary to transform your entire wardrobe every season to follow trends. If you feel like you're stuck in some sort of wardrobe rut, or if you're in a financial bind but still in need of an update, or simply just not the trendy experimental type of person, the best way to look modern without overdoing it is with accessories and jewelry. When it comes to my own wardrobe choices, I tend to stick to a uniform of denim, t-shirts and sweaters, with slight variations here and there. But like any girl, I appreciate a good curveball and I certainly enjoy acquiring new stuff, so I'm going to share a little secret with you: the best way to dabble in trends without breaking the bank is by way of bling. The earrings du jour (not the designer option) will make you look on trend but not victim-y. If you're craving a little aesthetic restoration, all you need is to pick up the latest necklace (the budget version) and voilà, you feel like you're the one who should be photographed outside Lincoln Center.

Just when I was yearning for a bit of a tweak, the lovely people at Rings & Tings kindly offered to send me some of their cool, on-trend pieces for me to wear and I instantly felt updated. Their stuff is sick and affordable, I can't even -- plus they ship worldwide. you MUST check them out!


In the photos above I am wearing the Crystal Metallic Spike Earrings and the Minimal Gold Tone Necklace:



In the photos above I am wearing the Vintage Style Spine Ear Cuff:

Friday Inspo

February 7, 2014, 1:00 am

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Fridayyyyy! New York fashion week is in full swing and things here in NYC are a disaster weather-wise, which is sure to make for interesting street fashion portraits of our favorite style stars. Are you following the collections? I always LOVE the fall offerings so I'll be tuning in without a doubt. In any case, whether they leave you inspired or not, I'm certain that my weekly mood board will! xx

[stop it right now, elin kling, tfs, into the gloss, columbine smille, pinterest]

Culotte Case

February 8, 2014, 9:40 pm

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I'm going to state the obvious here and go right ahead as to proclaim this winter to be one of the most horrid in recent memory. This is my fourth one in NYC and it is by leaps and bounds the absolute worst I've experienced thus far. In fact, I feel like this Polar Vortex business is something meteorologists just made up as a way to explain what's going on but I'm sure no one's got a clue as to why the temps reach record lows on the daily or why there's a snowpocalypse nearly every week. But let's not make this blog post solely about the weather, that would be way, way too boring. So before becoming a snooze-fest, let's segue into the real topic at hand: how to not let the enemy (in this case, Mother Nature) ruin your style mojo.

The simple answer, for me, anyway, is two-fold: 1) being able to still slip into normal footwear, as opposed to hardcore galoshes, and 2) incorporating certain unexpected pieces that would normally be reserved for the next season. You see, finding a way to wear the items you're excited to don come spring, whether for the first time or not, is a sure way to, um, add some spring to your step (!). The preacher shall always practice and so here I am in shoes that are not sensible, as well as leg-bearing shorts culottes. I felt good, I felt chic, I felt like i was giving the Polar Vortex the finger.


Details:
Turtleneck - Splendid
Culottes - Tibi (similar)
Boots - Pour la Victoire
Beanie - American Apparel (similar)
Choker - Zara (similar)
Lips - NARS pur matte lispstick in La Paz
Click to shop:

NYFW FW14 - I

February 10, 2014, 9:36 am

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Hiya! Hope everyone had a great weekend. As we all know, the fashion month marathon started last week and now has a heavy foot on the gas pedal. Don't think for a second that I would fail to report for you! I am the first person to understand that keeping up with all the shows can be an overwhelming project that can swallow you whole before you can say Altuzarra, so, fret not, I got you.

The fall collections are always my favorite for a multitude of reasons: the complexity of the garments, the luxe materials, the piling of the layers, the added depth to pretty much everything you see strutting down the catwalk from head to toe . New York fashion week started on Thursday, therefore I am a bit behind in my recaps, but I'll catch you up in no time, promise. Now let's start!

Altuzarra

Can you say exquisite? I mean, he set the bar so high for himself with his ss14 collection and this was yet another home run -- luxurious, elegant, colorful (!), feminine (as always) and sure to work for both the downtown girl and the lady who lunches. It felt like he wanted to add pizzaz to office wear with pops of strategically placed neon integrated in dresses made from grey suit-like fabric, while also exploiting artisanship in stunning embroidered tops and dresses. One more word: Outerwear, outerwear, outerwear (sorry, that's three words)! Start belting your coats, ladies.



Helmut Lang

One of my favorite things about the Helmut label is the knitwear and the way they can make simple pieces look so damn cool. They're consistent like that, over at Helmut. Their streamlined, sharp silhouettes speak to me and the way some of the looks came out layered but not weighed down was enough to keep my membership active at the Helmut Lang house of worship.


Jason Wu

Jason Wu, you saucy minx, you. Your woman was so luxe, sensuous and, dare I say, sensual, she was truly irresistible. Adding a fluidity we had yet to see from the baby-faced Wu, this collection was mysterious and feminine to the core and you couldn't help but want to be that woman, if only for one night.


Prabal Gurung

The first thing I need to discuss about the Prabal collection is the footwear: in spite of them being completely unreasonable for fall/winter, the sandals were i n c r e d i b l e. I need a pair in ways I can't even express. Now that that's out of the way, let's move onto the clothes! The layering, the flow and the proportions were so pleasant to look at. While he's know for his funky juxtapositions and embellishments (hello, Zoe Saldana at the Golden Globes), what he offered this season had a nearly ethnic feel thanks to the deep jewel colors and sari-like wrapping, however telegraphing a sharp city feel. My favorite Prabal collection so far and by far.


Rag & Bone

I'm going to be frank with you: Rag & Bone collections always ignite me more in the store than on the runway. Their catwalk styling is never really my favorite, I always somehow feel like they try too hard to make things look cool, with too many ideas that end up looking messy. That said, I'm sure that when I walk into a Rag & Bone boutique come fall, I'm going to want to leave with one of their pinstripe pieces and wrap myself in one of their checked coats. I have to say that their proportion play with layering felt very fresh and very now.


Tibi

Tibi, Tibi, Tibi. You are tugging at my heartstrings in a way that has me almost losing my balance. It was simple but complex - clean and easy-going, with layering feeling very directional. It was just everything I want to wear and the color palette of neutrals had me gasping for air. Maybe this isn't the type of label that will revolutionize fashion à la Chanel, but I don't care- Amy designs clothes that girls want to wear and that they can actually afford. Talk about effortless chic. I, for one, will definitely be buying into her cocooned vision of a girl.


[all runway images via style.com]

Got any thoughts?! Tell me below!

NYFW FW14 - II

February 11, 2014, 1:00 am

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Onto the second installment of my NYFW coverage (told you I had you, wink!) and so far, what I've observed as the mot d'ordre across the board is layering, outerwear (to-the-knee coats and shearling bombers, more specifically), long & lean silhouettes, midi pencil skirts, muted palettes, clean lines and pops of neon. Shall we proceed?

See part I here

Alexander Wang

Probably one of the most luxe, confident collections we've seen from his namesake label, ever. It felt so polished and grown-up, without having lost so much as an iota of its quintessential cool factor. His penchant for fashion technology (who could forget his glow in the dark effort for spring 2013) was part of the program too, with heat-sensitive outerwear, as well as a battalion of models who looked strong enough to brave any Polar Vortex, and then some. The Wang girl will know no weather woes next year.


Dion Lee

The Australian Designer would still be considered a newbie to NYFW (his 2nd season here) but the mark he's making indicates that he wouldn't mind staying a while. Bursting onto the scene not that long ago with his intricate leather detailing work (having friends like Christine Centenera advocating your work doesn't hurt either), he distanced himself from that this time around, showing his ability to grow. For this collection, he revisited his homeland with references to the Outback (hello, croc sculptural leather!), all the way to jail gear (baggy grey pinstripe, a nod to how the island was colonized). His silhouettes were impressive and his craftsmanship even more so.


Theory

It appears that ever since Olivier Theyskens and Theory officially became one (sans the prefix last name), his girl has grown up and become more polished. Is there anything wrong with that? Not at all, but the clothes he now sends down the runway are more pragmatic than fantasist, more sharp and less urban. Again, nothing wrong with that. I still felt lusty.


Victoria Beckham

One of my favorite collections of the week so far. To me, this was flawless, exquisite in ever way. It was luxurious, it was unpretentious, grown-up yet youthful, über-chic, clean, unfussy, feminine but not that obvious. Whatever fashion dreams Victoria is selling, I'm buying by the boatload.


Yigal Azrouël

Who doesn't love plaid and a soft palette of greys, creams and anthracite? His shapes felt fresh and on-trend, while his geometric prints captured my attention.


3.1 Phillip Lim

A perennial NYFW favorite, Mr. Lim has never failed to induce a lot of feelings of desire in me. For fall 2104, his color palette went from light to dark, first exploring pastels by way of plaids and Miami Vice-esque prints, then progressing into deep cabernets, mysterious navies, without forgetting chic black and white. His recurring statement: trousers à la Katharine Hepburn and oversized easy elegance. Dashes of fur and leather here and there to solidify the cold weather offerings and a few chunky knits for good measure. Can you tell I loved it?

[all images via style.com]