September 30, 2013
Inspirational Monday: Plaid and Florals
pictures from: Style.com | Zara | Free People
This fall is all about the punk rocker vibe. I'm a sucker for anything floral and everything plaid. I love a look that I can pull together without having to buy something new. I gave this look a try by mixing together my favorite plaid top and one of my favorite floral skirts. What I learned about mixing these prints myself is that one of the patterns needs to be darker then the other to balance each other out. The Zara dress (pictured above) works since the florals are bolder then the floral print. While the Saint Laurent look has a darker undertone but the blue of the flowers stand out. I stuff with my smaller print black and white flower skirt to pair with my plaid shirt, so that the look wasn't overwhelming especially for a day time look.
Top: American Eagle | Skirt: Urban Outfitters | Jacket: American Eagle | Shoes: Tibi (sample sale) |
Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs
pictures taken by Brian Cavanaugh
What do you think of this mix print?
September 27, 2013
NYFW Spring 2014: Skingraft from Backstage to Runway
During Fashion Week I had the pleasure of not only attending the Skingraft Spring 2014 show but also going backstage and meeting the designer, Johnny Cota. Cota and his line are based in LA and both have that ultra cool rocker LA vibe. Think lots of leather and black. Even for his Spring 2014 collection, where he found some of his inspiration in Bali, it seemed rather dark.
Lately, I've seen a lot of lines that have this edge to them but something also falls short for me especially in the menswear lines (lot has to do with I'm such a traditional menswear lover). But Cota on the other hand is doing it right. A lot of his inspiration for Spring 2014 was in sportswear, not your typical baseball tees but the the body equipment like umpire shin and knee pads. The menswear line had pieces that I think a lot of LA, New Yorkers, and those guys everywhere who like a little edge would wear, like the blazer with leather arms, printed zip up hoodie, and there were even a few tees that any guy can pull off.
photos courtesy of MAO
As for the womenswear. SWOON. I mean seriously. From the perfect tailoring to the shoes (yes, he does shoes too!) there was really nothing to love. He took his inspiration of sportswear to the womans wear line where it took it to a sexy place, padding on the knees, mesh overlays, and leather cut outs stitched up to look like baseball mits. It's truly important as designer to have an aesthetic but it's also fantastic to find a designer that you can mix and match your own personal style with. There is a lot of different pieces that can totally be worn for your style. I loved the leather top dresses with the sheer maxi bottoms. This is a type of dress that can be rocked our or bohoed with a flower crown.
I need Cota's leather jacket, even if that means selling a kidney and a couple of eggs for one. While I was backstage I got to feel the leather, which was so soft and everything dreams are made of. I've been obsessed with finding a new leather jacket and when I felt this one I just became completely mesmerized by it.
The real first time I ever covered backstage was this season for a friend for Rebecca Minkoff. I had never been so stressed, so sweaty, and just totally overwhelmed. The feeling backstage at Skingraft was a world of difference. It was so calm and quiet. I know Minkoff is crazy well known while Skingraft is just getting kicked off. But I appreciate the less stress that was covering backstage. It was nice to easily move around, interview Cota, and actually get to see the clothes. Try to get anyones attention at Minkoff was a hassle. Anyway peep the backstage shots below!
Lately, I've seen a lot of lines that have this edge to them but something also falls short for me especially in the menswear lines (lot has to do with I'm such a traditional menswear lover). But Cota on the other hand is doing it right. A lot of his inspiration for Spring 2014 was in sportswear, not your typical baseball tees but the the body equipment like umpire shin and knee pads. The menswear line had pieces that I think a lot of LA, New Yorkers, and those guys everywhere who like a little edge would wear, like the blazer with leather arms, printed zip up hoodie, and there were even a few tees that any guy can pull off.
photos courtesy of MAO
As for the womenswear. SWOON. I mean seriously. From the perfect tailoring to the shoes (yes, he does shoes too!) there was really nothing to love. He took his inspiration of sportswear to the womans wear line where it took it to a sexy place, padding on the knees, mesh overlays, and leather cut outs stitched up to look like baseball mits. It's truly important as designer to have an aesthetic but it's also fantastic to find a designer that you can mix and match your own personal style with. There is a lot of different pieces that can totally be worn for your style. I loved the leather top dresses with the sheer maxi bottoms. This is a type of dress that can be rocked our or bohoed with a flower crown.
photos courtesy of MAO
I need Cota's leather jacket, even if that means selling a kidney and a couple of eggs for one. While I was backstage I got to feel the leather, which was so soft and everything dreams are made of. I've been obsessed with finding a new leather jacket and when I felt this one I just became completely mesmerized by it.
The real first time I ever covered backstage was this season for a friend for Rebecca Minkoff. I had never been so stressed, so sweaty, and just totally overwhelmed. The feeling backstage at Skingraft was a world of difference. It was so calm and quiet. I know Minkoff is crazy well known while Skingraft is just getting kicked off. But I appreciate the less stress that was covering backstage. It was nice to easily move around, interview Cota, and actually get to see the clothes. Try to get anyones attention at Minkoff was a hassle. Anyway peep the backstage shots below!
September 25, 2013
Get the Look for Less: Biker Chic
Leather is all the craze this season. If there is one leather piece to add to your wardrobe for the season, it should be a motorcycle style leather jacket. It's a staple piece that will remain timeless. These investment pieces are worth the splurge, but if you don't have it in your budget right now it's okay stores, like Zara, Topshop, and even Nastygal (here) have affordable options. No these might not be top grade leather (or leather at all), but these are great alternative versions for the gal on a budget.
Biker Chic by fashionistany featuring a slim fit motorcycle jacket
AllSaints $630, Zara $119, Topshop $100
AllSaints $630, Zara $119, Topshop $100
These bad boys can toughing up a floral print dress (goes great with the slip dress trend that is happening right now!) or for a lazy weekend look a simple tee, jeans, and boots. I love pairing leather up with prints, especially animal prints. On those fall mornings where I can't manage to get out from underneath my warm blankets and stay in way to late, I go for my favorite basics: animal print tunic, leggings, booties, layered necklaces and lastly my leather jacket. The trick to always looking put together even last minute is to use your accessories. Accessories can really polish off a look.
Jacket: Zara (here) | Shirt: H&M (old, similar here) | Leggings: American Apparel | Shoes: H&M (old, opt for motorchic here) | Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs | Necklaces: Marc by Marc Jacobs and c/o Hugssy.com | Sunglasses: Tobi.com
photos taken by Brian Cavanaugh
This Zara jacket was a early bday present from my parents. I was in search of a leather jacket that wasn't overly expensive and one that I can mix in between my Michael Kors leather jacket. This Zara one has more of a biker rough edge that I have been looking for. This jacket really fills the void in my wardrobe...so sorry in advance that you'll probably see this jacket a number of times this season.
Will you be rocking the leather jacket this season?
September 23, 2013
Inspirational Monday: Falling into Fall
Monki cardigan, $54 / J.Crew white stripes t shirt / J Brand super destroyed skinny jeans / Heel ankle booties, $40 / IIIBeCa leather drawstring handbag / Yves Saint Laurent hat, $890 / Home decor
As a kid, I didn't really care for Fall. I mean I loved Halloween and pumpkin carving and of course Thanksgiving...but it was no summer. Now as I get older I truly appreciate what fall as to offer. There is something about the refreshing cool crisp weather that makes it feel like I have a fresh start. I've come to look forward to pumpkin spiced everything, apple cider, the fall colors, and actually the cooler weather. Being able to just leave the house with a long sleeve shirt and a pair of jeans calls for an easy weekend look. Plus, being able to walk around the city and not sweat is truly pleasant.This weekend the fiance and I were out and about enjoying the beautiful sun on Saturday. We started our day down in SOHO getting some ideas on DIY wedding invites then traveled out to Red Hook to check out an art show he was in. Then later that night we went to one of my favorite street festivals of all time, San Gennaro. We sat outside enjoyed an Italian dinner, some wine, and people watched. It was the perfect way to abide summer adieu.
Shirt: Loft | Jeans: American Eagle | Shoes: Dolce Vita | Hat: Glow Accessories | Bag: c/o Rebecca Minkoff |
Necklace: c/o Ann Taylor
photos taken by Brian Cavanaugh
What do you guys like about fall?
September 18, 2013
Outfit Post: Fashion Week Detox
Shirt: c/o T by Alexander Wang (scored from the Wang Event) | Pants: Billabong | Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell |
Bag: c/o Rebecca Minkoff | Sunglasses: c/o Hugssy.com
photos taken by Brian Cavanaugh
I love fashion week but every time it ends I feel like I need a detox. Real life stops for a week and then once NYFW is over I need to regain my balance. I always just feel out of touch with the real world, my life, and honestly myself. Saturday was me day. Seriously was in desperate need of it. The fiance had to work during the day so I spent my me day by going to my favorite local cafe, taking a walk in my hood, painting my nails, and prepping for a little quiet date night at home. It was nice to actually spend some time with him since we've had company over two weekends in a row then NYFW hit. It felt so good to be lazy and do nothing. Now I'm getting ready for some exciting things ahead which include: my birthday, a trip to Chicago, and my 5th year college reunion.
How was your weekend?
September 16, 2013
Inspirational Monday: NYFW Spring 2014 in Details
5. Skingraft (backstage) \\ 6. Tracy Reese \\ 7. Jenny Packham \\ 8. Ruffian \\ 9. Skingraft \\ 10. Nautica
Another season has come to a close and I have so many pictures, some of which you may have already seen up on Facebook (sorry if some of these might seem familiar). I wanted a place to share some of my favorite pictures that were snapped during NYFW. This actually was the first season where I only had two presentations and the rest were all runway shows. I find it incredibly difficult to snap pictures during runway shows between dodging peoples heads, cameras, and phones you have the models running down the runway. Seriously, I'm surprised I even got one good picture during the Ruffian show. The models were coming down the runway four at a time. Which is a lot to take in for a 9am show. Honestly, it's a shame when they have models speed walking since you can't actual tell what you are seeing and take it in. Either way another season down and so much to still recap on. So don't mind the random NYFW post for awhile, but we are back to regular schedule program ladies and gents!
September 15, 2013
NYFW Spring 2014: SPRING’S ALL A “BLOOM” -- KATIE GALLAGHER SS14
written by Tamara Walker of The Curvy Socialite
If you ask any member of the fashion press or blogosphere
why they love Fashion Week, nine times out of ten they’ll answer that the love
the chance to see the hottest styles and trends for next season. I think Mother
Nature wanted in on the action as well with blazing sunshine and intense
temperatures the day I ventured to the newly opened chic club/lounge, the Raven.
Held in Manhattan’s trendy Meatpacking District, New York
based designer Katie Gallagher introduced her collection for spring 2014
entitled BLOOM. Inspired by the music of German industrial band, Einsturzende
Neubauten and flowers commonly associated with funerals (each look was named
after a type of flower—think names like Black Dahlia, Gardenia and Calla Lily),
Gallagher’s spring collection was based on a simple color palette of soft pink,
ivory and black in fabrications including silk chiffon, lambskin, paper spandex
and other handmade textiles coupled with footwear by Ruthie Davis and leather
jewelry and metal cuffs by Anne Costello Brown.
photos from Style.com
The BLOOM presentation was the ninth collection Katie
Gallagher has shown at New York Fashion Week. She’s become a favorite with
fashionphiles and magazine editors alike because of her amazing attention to
detail and unique sources of inspiration such as music (as with this
collection), film, art, her life and the world around her.
written by Kimberlee Van Der Wall from I Have a Degree in This!
"Fashion Shenzhen" is a chance for the city of China to show off their hottest designers here in New York City. This year featured Ellassay and Deng Hao. Both very different aesthetics.
Ellassay was the most Westernized of the two. The color palette was lots of black and white with hints of limes and blues. Lots of silks and chiffons were used to created structured menswear inspired pieces along with light, flowing sheer layering pieces. I liked the black & white menswear inspired pieces the most since that's my style. I wasn't particularly fond of the pilgrim scarves on the head or the holographic material (reminded me of an 80s prom). I'm sure as the designer grows, they'll learn to edit pieces more or to create a story with their collection.
Deng Hao was definitely unique to many of the shows I've seen thus far at Lincoln Center. They specialize in knits and woven fabrics and it showed. They were so intricate! The designer is inspired by architecture and you can see it in the close attention to details, which you can tell took many man hours to create. Some of the pieces were created by technology and some by hand. While these are pieces I wouldn't wear or found particularly wearable, I could still admire the close attention to detail and the skill. The last dress was a show stopper (pictured below bottom right).
all pictures c/o Company Agenda
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR:
Thanks to Kimberlee for covering not one but TWO shows for me this season. As a "small" blogger I would love to be everywhere at once, but I have yet to find that time turner (yes I just made a Harry Potter reference). With each passing season I begin to wonder if I need to put a fashion week squad together. Might be a new future for NYFW for Fashionista NY Girl.
September 14, 2013
NYFW Spring 2014: Zang Toi's Ballet Babe
photo taken by Kimberlee
On Tuesday evening as the crowd pushed their way through the doors at Lincoln Center, I took my seat for Zang Toi. I picked up the folder which elegantly displayed the Zang Toi logo with the words "Ballet Babe" inscribed. The busyness of Fashion Week quickly fell wayside when the show opened with a male ballet dancer.
The color palette was heavy on the blue. Zoya even created an exclusive nail polish collection featuring a baby blue color in it. There were also navy pieces with pops of pink peeping out. Lots of flowy silk organzas and "ballet bows" floated down the runway.
The show began with non-"Ballet Babe" looks with structured oversized blazers and menswear inspired pieces. These were more of my style rather than the dresses. However, it was interesting to see so much cashmere used for a Spring collection in cardigans, scarves and turtlenecks.
The show concluded with evening gowns that floated down the runway and the models spun to heighten the drama.
photos from WWD.
The pieces moved beautifully and the elegant sounds played helped create a beautiful show that really creates an experience that many fashion shows lack and one must experience by being there in person. There was also lots of diversity on the runway (well... for a typical Fashion Week show), which I appreciated as well as the audience.
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