Oh, Betsey!

     If you are a firm believer in rainbow colored candy and couture then I bet Betsey Johnson is one of your designers of choice.  Betsey's Fall 2013 runway collection sported more color than Monet's Water Lilies.  With champagne, cool shades, and fresh kicks lining the runway she was prepared to put on an outrageous show.  For those of you who aren't familiar with her designs, let's just say that they are different, and I use the term loosely.  

     Let's start at the top and work out way down, shall we?  Some might call this a bad hair day, but Moe from the Three Stooges would say it was an average hair day, give or take a little color.  Active wear is totally happening here, maybe Betsey thinks the world will wake up in Fall of 2013 and get fit... who knows?  BJ, wouldn't be my choice of lettering to put across the chest of a woman's tee or down the leg of a sweat pant, but she's not about to change her name now... get your mind out of the gutter!   Lastly, solid colored high top sneakers are clearly the vision Betsey has for the future of your feet.  

     Let's put this all together now.  Betsey's future woman is heading to the gym in her BJ attire, with her 'Moe' cut bobbing in the wind, sporting cool shades and tightening her velcro sneakers, thinking about how she'll reward herself with a big glass of bubbly and she is doing this all while talking on the phone to her three kids about how there isn't enough time in the day.  Good luck to you future Betsey woman!  

Cray!

Ciao, 

Annie

Color At The End Of The Runway!

     Lanvin put construction front and center in this Springs fashion show.  I found myself admiring these garments one by one and trying to solve the mystery of how they were constructed.  Many garments were half of something.  For example, half of the top would be a tank and the other half would be a blazer.  That's what I mean about the construction being a mystery that I, Harriet the spy, have to solve.  Thankfully my technical vision goggles were spot on.  I have to say that some of it was a bit out there in left field, like the one shoulder swim suit that's worn with belted loose fitted pants.  But it's different and different keeps the people intrigued and coming back for more.  

     Viewing the collection, it seemed like a contemporary tailored look was going to exist throughout the show.  But the deeper we went the more exotic it got.  Graphic dresses to glitzy jumpsuits changed the mood of the show and added an edgy look to a softer collection.  I also noticed the accessories were quite over the top but I found myself looking past that and saying that they actually work well with the chic punk mix that's going on.  

     In closing, literally, the show ended with a bang.  We saw black and white for the entire show and then a rainbow bomb went off.  This short lineup of petite satin shift dresses seemed to have such simple construction behind them, but then the surprise panels on the side flashed beads and beautiful embroidery.  These looks are simple and elegant but have such a loud statement due to the shocking color choices.  It was a fantastic show! Lanvin truly never ceases to amaze.

So Lanvin-esque!

Ciao, 

Annie May

And Over In London!

     Meanwhile, over in the land of the Royals they had a tastefully exciting Fashion Week full of cupcakes and fabric.  When viewed together it was a week of whimsical meets luxurious meets fluffy marshmallows.  I found that comparing the garments to food not only made for an entertaining time but also created an amusing way to relate to the clothing structure.  Let's begin with breakfast.

     Mulberry's delicious collection consisted of colors like camel, mint, black and white.  First, let's indulge in the chocolate chip pancake look that we see at the top.  The long oversized coat adorned with small black flowers paired with the ever so popular knee length skirt are two practical pieces that are long-lasting.  Carrying on with the camel on camel look the leather top creates this scrumptious muffin top as it softly drapes over the waistline of the pants.  Londoners like their tea with breakfast and this minty outfit flows agains the body so silky smooth with pleats to create a subtle ripple effect.  I'm loving the solid colored outfits that we are seeing throughout this collection. 

     John Rocha's blasted the runway with a fruit salad collection of colors.  Can we please start with the head wear?  That is no cherry on top, it's more like a puff pastry that has consumed the entire plate, if you get what I'm saying.  More over, the dresses all resemble one another with their frilly bodice and similar fabric choices.  From the apple, to the lemon, to the raspberry is a fresh array of beautiful evening wear.  

     Meadham Kirchhoff fruitfully designed an out of the box and over the top collection, as usual.  From top to bottom, the marshmallow puffed overcoat with azure blue bows trickling down the from made for an unusual and individual look.  The cupcake puff skirt paired with checkered mid-thigh shorts was such a picnic friendly sight to see.  Lastly, to throw a little lemon zest on top, the full body jumper was quite attractive and the whipped cream bows with cherry colored gems put the icing on the cake for Kirchhoff.

Now I'm starving!

Ciao,

Annie May

Fall 2012 Trend Report: The Color Red!

     Fall 2012 trend reports are out and the color crimson red is the new black this season.  The runway showed us crimson dresses, skirts, pants, sweats, tops and more.  The subtler dressers can get in on this trend by mixing in one red garment with a more neutral piece, while the daring among them will sport the crimson look from head to toe.  It is your choice whether you want the pop of crimson or the full blast.  Here are some crimson runway looks that you can make your own.

Follow the crimson trend!

Ciao, 

Annie May

Crazy Kini's

      Talk about cutting edge, Kristin Cavallari is sporting a glass-sharded monokini down the Diesel runway during Miami's swim week.  Diesel got their inspiration from blue SKYY Vodka bottles but they clearly had no intent for this baiting suit to be warn in the water!  Girls got guts!

      Red Carter isn't afraid of a few tan lines.  It wasn't enough to have a five cutout one-piece, they had to add a four circle necklace and a pair of thigh high lace up sandals just to mix it up.  What a crazy catwalk!

Gotta love Mercedes Benz Fashion Week!

Ciao, Annie May