For All You Juniors Out There!

     I remember back in high school, always trying to create the best look and be the most fashionable.  The trouble with high school was/is everyone tends to look a little homogenized.  In my day we were all rolled up like little sausages in the ever popular Juicy terry track suit.  Not the best look for everyone and certainly not a standout style!  High school can be a tough place to define yourself and your style.  Back then it really felt like what you wore mattered.  I have a secret for you young ladies, (take it from me... I won best dressed for my senior superlatives!) be yourself and go with whatever you feel comfortable and fashionable in.  Some might think it's strange and other will love it to death.  I got a sideways glance now and then for sure, but hey, who were they to judge?  Fashion is supposed to be fun, it's supposed to be the thing that sets you apart from all the other kids at school.  Ok, I guess school is not the runway and who you are and what you do should be what sets you apart.  But, they say if you look good, you do good!  So it's never too early to hone your own personal style. 

     Here's something for you to consider - L'Amor by Nanette Lepore sold at JCPenny.  The well known fashion designer has nailed this fabulous collaboration.  She created a fashion forward collection of Junior clothing that has completely blown me away.  If it fit me I would be running to the nearest JCP right now and buying one of everything.  It's such a fun collection, the colors, the prints and the fabric choices give the line the feeling of high fashion apparel.  Her collection ranges from studded shorts and graphic tee's to colorful camouflage baby doll dresses.  Best of all it is ridiculously affordable.  No need to break the piggy bank here!  Now it's your turn - go out and put together a unique outfit that has your own personal stamp on it!

“In order to be irreplaceacle, one must always be different.”
― Coco Chanel

JcPenny, I love your 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

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

Ain't It Ombre!

     What do you all think about this ombre trend that's been going on for a while?  Started off with the hair and slowly moved to nails, clothing and then shoes.  Kinda cool, right?  

     Ombre is a slow fading of colors on a surface.  It can be subtle, harsh, from color to color and so on.    My opinion on ombre's is that they surely are eye catching because it's a little different, interesting to look at and draws your attention to the whole garment or accessory.  On the streets of New York guys are always checking you out.  You have the he-man construction worker that sees you coming from a mile away and waits until you've passed to say, "lookin' fine today baby".  Then you have the buttoned down, corporate, navy suit guy who is drinking you in with his eyes but when he opens his mouth nothing comes out.  An ombre however, even gets the women staring.  It's a hook, a catch, a physically attracting site.

     Will they be the haute of style for ever?  No, probably not.  I mean after all, we humans have short attention spans!  So, they tend to either love it, hate it or embrace it for a certain grace period and then move on to the next new thing.  Try it out, even if it's just to say you did!

   

I'm faded!

Ciao, 

Annie May

Fall 2012 Trend Report: Splashes Of Leather!

     What's more powerful than sleek buttery looking leather on a woman?  Not much.  We've seen the whole leather from head to toe get up and this season designers have decided to take it down a notch, mix up the conservative with the broad-minded.  Below you can see how they have mixed leather with lace, knits sweaters, oversized beaded blazer and you can also see that we aren't just working with your traditional fixed black color.  If you are feeling a tad edgy and you want to add something to your prim and proper outfit, why not grace it with the presence of leather?  

     Leather is always controversial in the ever so competitive world of fashion.  You have your die hard vegans and your genuine leather thirsters.  Due to our fast paced world of technology and fabric development we have pleather, plastic leather.  If I may say so myself, it's quite fabulous and is a true representation of unadulterated leather, when made correctly.  So there you have it.  Everyone can be happy and trendy, no matter what their political views are! 

Etro

Etro

Christian Dior

Balmain

Acne

Acne

3.1 Phillip Lim

   Embrase the hide trend!

Ciao, 

Annie May