No Rest For The Wicked!

     Well folks, fashion week is creeping up right around those sewing machine corners.  February 7th-14th is the showing of the Fall 2013 designer collections.  Per usual, Mercedes Benz fashion week will start out with designers like Nicholas K and Kenneth Cole then come to a grand finale with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein.  We have all seen the pre-fall collections, right?  And, designers have been saying that those mini collections are a great indication of what is to come.  It's kinda like taking a sneak peek at some of your presents before Christmas, but when the day actually arrives you are completely surprised by the things you didn't find (great analogy, I know!).  I anticipate that we will be seeing lots of quilted pieces, an array of colored outerwear, and everything inspired by menswear.  How about those leopard spots?  Looks like we will still be seeing them trouncing around the streets.  Oh, those tartan plaids, the Irish in me says yes!  And of course, the black and white trend that has adopted the trickle down theory each and every season, this one just isn't going to fade so, hold on and get ready for the ride.  Here are some of my favorite pre-fall designs and I hope we see more like them next week.  But, we all need that little surprise factor that I know those slaving designers are preparing to show us.

Chloé

Chloé

   

BCBG

BCBG

     

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alice & Olivia

Alice & Olivia

It's almost here, hold your horses!

Ciao, 

Annie

BCBG Max Azria Pre-Fall 2013!

     And they are out, the pre-fall 2013 collections are finished and we are moving our way into the future.  Max and Lubov Azria's pre-fall collection was full of soft romantic fabrics that resemble the twenties, thirties and even bits of the forties.  The Azria's traveled to Istanbul, Turkey this past September and they were taken away by the stunning scenery.  The cobblestone streets, the temples, the famous Hagia Sophia and the beauty of the Turkish capital.  The temples are famous for their stunning mosaic tiles that lavishly decorate the amazing architecture.  You can see how the clothing mirrors the Turkish style through the chiffon sleeve jumpsuits, the palazzo pants, the longer lengthen skirts and the inspired mosaic tile prints.  The fur and leather accents give this romantic look a bit of a modern edge twist, which everyone needs now a days  The soft colors with a hint of bright here and there is a great way to spice things up yet, keep that classy and sophisticated aroma in the air.  I can't believe we are already onto pre-fall 2013.  What a beautiful and elegant start coming from BCBG Max Azria.

What country do you get your inspiration from?

Ciao, 

Annie

A Little Collaboration!

     Ani Sui's Fall/Winter 2012 runway show reveled a two-piece collaboration that combines the legendary Coach Legacy silhouette with the classic Sui bohemian aesthetic.  These limited-edition bags are beyond exquisite with the one hand-crafted details of leather interwoven with contrast stitching and the other having an old Western feel with the whipstitching trim and burnt leather pattern.  It was an unusual collaboration to see Coach and Ani Sui being on different ends of the design spectrum.  But, Ani Sui said herself that the Coach Duffle was such an iconic part of the Coach brand and that she was honored to be able to put her own twist on such a classic design.  Personally, I think it is great when designers decided to do collaborations with one another.  It allows us to see how they put their ideas together and create such wonderful pieces of artwork.  There are so many ideas going on between designers and design houses, check one of them below!

Collaborate with style!

Ciao, 

Annie

Stella McCartney!

     As Paris fashion week came to an end Stella McCartney flooded the runway with an eyelet and sheer heavy collection.  The bright mood was set by the vibrant whites, yell-ange mix, shots of Kelly green and the obvious, black.  This collection consisted of sheer madness...pun intended.  Stella added sheer extensions onto the bottom of some of her garments, that gave it a more dramatic feel.  But why?  Who gives a shit?  She did it and it looks fabulous!

     Continuing the "revealing what's underneath the garments, as if no one knows" trend, eyelet was another fabric choice.  Eyelet extended trousers paired with a full eyelet cap sleeve top was an interesting look.  Don't worry she added slips where necessary.  McCartney didn't embrace the no pants, no tops, less clothing the better Spring 2013 trend.  The fabric choice for this collection gave it such a light and fluffy feel.   Even though layering was a major motif,  I didn't really feel that heavy weighing vibe because the fabric and color choice lightened it up so much.  

     I just have to comment on the last dress seen on the runway, the blue and sheer number.  Although, it looks like blue Smurf hair growing from the models chest and lower part of the body, there is something fabulous about it.   The high neckline along with the bright white outlines and sheer center cutout really screamed.  I don't know what it was screaming, but it was loud and got it's message across.  This is the epitome of a Spring collection, to me.  Truly wonderful!

Sheerly amazing.

Ciao, 

Annie May

The One That Got Away!

     Depressed and laying on the couch, I was scrolling through last weeks fashion shows, crying that they are over and trying to link together the overall Spring 2013 trends.  I was marveling over the belted dresses, altered collars, boucle 'Chanel like' blazers, and then it happened, I came across Nicholas K's catwalk video.
     My instant reaction sounded something like, "Oh shit, this is freaking fabulous!"  When fashion makes you drool on a regular basis it's hard not to react in random outbursts when you see something that literally takes your breath away.
     In our risqué let it all hang out world generally once the weather gets warm the clothes come off, right?  After all, a popular trend for Spring 2013 was short bottoms, hell what am I saying, it was no bottoms.  Hey, let it all hang out, it's trendy!  Multiple designers felt that way but, not Nicholas K.
     Spring = layering.  I mean, it's like nothing I've seen before.  The oversized, crinkled, loose fitting garments flowed off the models like waves in the sea.  Draping silk fabrics over the heads of the models to create hood like coverings...fabulous.  The oversized glasses that would leave Jackie O. in the dust...even more fabulous.  As I was trying to follow the lines and contour of the fabric I got lost in the mix due to the constant curve or cut in the structure of the garment.  It's a-maze-ing.
     Let's not even begin to discuss the warm earth tones that K used.  The camel, rust, milk chocolate and taupe gave off such an effortless vibe.  Simple, easy, straightforward, smooth, I can keep going if you don't get my point!  It's brilliant.  All of it.  I'm not even being bias because I'm infatuated with modern trendy styles.  OK, so I'm being bias...whatever.  It's sick and I that's all I can say.

K-razy!

Ciao, 

Annie May

Designer of the Day: Alex and Ani

   "Alex and Ani's mission is to design products that adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit." says the Alex and Ani team.  Carolyn Rafaelian is the founder and designer of Alex and Ani jewelry who comes from a long line of family jewelers, now living in Rhode Island.  Carolyn believes that in wearing this jewelry you are able to express your thoughts and your spirit through materials.  Alex and Ani makes a wide variety of jewelry, from earrings to mens jewelry.  This company is particularly known for their expandable wire bangles that come in a few different finishing options (shiny gold, matte gold etc.) it is your choice!  Each and every Alex and Ani owner have their own story that they wear on their arm or around their neck, what's your story? Go online to www.alexandani.com and create your own bangle collection!

Be yourself!

Ciao, Annie May

Designer of the Day: Jac Vanek

     This young ruthless designer is full of life as well as extremely artistic ideas.  Jac Vanek is not only a designer but a painter, photographer, writer, movie director and a creator of fashion trends.  She gets most of her inspiration from the 90's grunge era, the armpit of fashion, instead of what she sees on the runway and in magazines.  To me, what makes this brand so interesting and unique is that it is a fusion of her personal artistic expression, along with the consciousness of what is going on during our generation.  

Check it out www.jacvanek.com.

Express yourself!

Ciao, Annie May