Recent Splurge

I've been busy preparing for November market and a few weekend trips that have kept me away from my blog for a while, but I'm back! I just couldn't stay away for too long.

In light of the recent opening of the BCBGMAXAZRIA store on 5th avenue and 40th street, I had determined to mark the occasion with a browse through. I hesitated at first thinking it was just another clothing store and I could find better things downtown or online. I did eventually go in. The decor inside was sparse, illuminated by the bright white walls and ceilings. Assorted alibaster skinned manequins were posed multifariously in BCBG garb throughout the store. The sound of uptempo, heavy bassed music resonated all around me, coaxing me into a jubilant, sociable state of mind. I knew it was playing simply to entice me into investing my hard earned money in some fashionable, trendy accoutrement. Ultimately, it worked!

Frankly, it wasn't just the music or the mood I was in that did it. As I browsed I found quite a few items I could see myself wearing. A couple of silk blouses here, a few trousers and dresses there, I tried on several and made my decision based on fit, style, material and price.

I chose a beautiful pewter colored blouse. I'm currently overdosing on grays but I just can't get myself to commit to brighter colors lately, so pewter it was. It's an adorable smock blouse with a pleated scoop neckline, puffy elbow length sleeves with stitched cuffs, a drop shoulder ruffled seam and a button and loop closure on the left side of the hemline. It fits great, I could wear this out to a party, to dinner, for drinks, to work, with slacks, with jeans, with or without a belt, tucked into a slim skirt, with heels or with flats. I could accessorize it with jewelry or wear it without. Maybe I'll wear this to Thanksgiving dinner! The material is viscose rayon/ polymide and is machine washable. It's just so cute!

I paid about $180 for it at retail and that will go a long way. It was a delightful treat for myself and I had to share it.

If you're NOT near a BCBGMAXAZRIA store, you can find it online at:
BCBGMAXAZRIA Pleated Neck Top - - Nordstrom.com - silk top - silk blouse - bcbg Stylehive BM 246913 #:246913
OR
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2943587?Category=&Search=True&SearchType=keywordsearch&keyword=bcbg+in+Women%27s+Apparel&origin=searchresults

Eco-Friendly Fashion

Ok, so there's been alot of concern lately about energy conservation and saving our environment, what with Al Gore's movie "An Inconvernient Truth" scaring most everyone into believing that raw materials like trees and water are not being replenished fast enough to meet our over-consumption. Now LA has banned plastic bags since plastic is not bio-degradable. I personally don't buy into Al Gore's notions of global warming however I still believe that we can do small things on a daily basis or even weekly basis that can alleviate using too much of anything. My office alone goes through copy paper daily like its going out of style. At the end of each week I think to myself, "What a waste!"

I recently purchased a nifty and stylish heavy weight polyester bag by Envirosax at one of my local housewares/gadget stores and I originally bought it because it was attractive and compact. I'm usually drawn to things that are small or that fold up small and fit into my handbag so I can be prepared for almost anything, wherever I am. I carry it around with me in case I have extra things to take home or drop off. Little did I know that it's a re-usable grocery bag, but to me it's more than that because I use it for alot of things- sometimes to carry extra shoes to work, sometimes to carry paperwork, sometimes to carry groceries or other bought items, so upon reading about it on a style network I was delighted to learn that I was being green! I think this product is great because it looks great and it encourages us all to be a little green. Thanks to the Australian based team at Envirosax.

More about it...Lightweight, waterproof, reusable, affordable. This assortment of 5 eco-friendly and super-groovy Envirosax are rolled up in a carrying pouch small enough to stow into a glove box or a handbag. With reinforced seams, each surprisingly large bag holds the equivalent weight of 2 supermarket plastic bags. The "Retro" design is great for guys and gals...so everyone can be Green! Size: 19.5" x 16.5"5 reusable bags in travel pouch; Less than $7 a bag! $7.95 flat rate shipping (no matter how much you buy!) And don't forget to snag some reusable product bags too!

Here's a link to purchase it: http://www.delight.com/Envirosax-Delightfully-Hip-Reusable-Grocery-Bags

School Boy Chic

"You've been a bad, bad boy!", cried the school teacher. The verdict is in....Oxfords rule this fall. Its a bit different from the preppy look we normally associate with the word "oxford" but it definitely gets its influence from it. The look encompasses a little of that rock n' roll look from the 70's with the platfrom and the high heel and a little of the conservative , signature lace up front and patch detail that we've come to know as the oxford look. Bordering on the masculine side but with a femanine silhouette. Here's a picture of Sarah Jessica Parker rockin' this look. To the far left is one by Benetton. In the center is one by Casadei, $655; at Hu's Shoes, 202-342-0202. Consider this a bootie (not quite a shoe, not quite a boot.)

Boots or Shoes? Both!

Shoe update, great look!

Welcome fall with these stylish Marc B booties by Jenny O. It has that victorian inspired lace up front with a modern day muted metallic leather and skinny heel. The laces are leather, front panel is fabric and it has a low back. I think this would go great with opaque burgundy hose or dark brown skinny slacks and knitted bubble sweater. It's an exciting new high heeled pump. Be the first of your friends to wear it.

Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week- Spring 2008

Featured Designer: Karen Walker

So it's that time again. New York Fashion week has sprung upon us with great enthusiasm. Welcomed by Mercedes-Benz. The style buzz is everywhere. It's always fun to see what new-ness our American designers come up with. I liked Karen Walker. Her looks embody an American style with a little twist. Not conservative but wearable. A little flirty, very hip with a touch of edge. Note the hats and headwear, very fadora-like. I'm still seeing the trapeze style dresses and shorts. Nice mixes of solids with patterned fabrics. Casual, stylish, daytime to evening. All good. I'm sold!

OP-ARTment

Have you ever moved into a new apartment or home with so much wall space you couldn't decide what to do with it? YEAH RIGHT! Not likely if you live in a New York city apartment, but let's just pretend for a second, shall we?

A great way to fill up a blank wall is with this powder coated metal open air sculpture. It's basically op art that plays with positive and negative space. It serves as a conversation piece and art. It is a great item for those of you who prefer minimalist style. The white version is great for adding contrast to a dark wall. It also comes in graphite grey. It measures 49" x 27" and costs $179.00. Shop for this and similar items at thisnext or at http://www.wingarthome.com/.

Little Beau Chic

I take a liking to things that are different or a bit unusual so naturally I liked this dress when I saw it. It's a grey asymmetrical dress by Beau Soleil Beau. It features a right side strap with knot where the fabric is gathered to one side. It reaks of style and comfort all at once and it's very playful. Easy color to work with, the fabric moves with you but doesn't cling. Wear it with flats or pumps or even strappy sandals before this summer is gone. You can even cover up a bit with a cropped bolero jacket if its a little chilly in the evening. One thing's for sure, you'll have fun wearing it.

The New Vintage

I love all things vintage, but there comes a time when you have to retire the black leather motorcycle jacket and the red leather Michael Jackson jacket to a far, far region in your closet, simply because it just doesn't play well with the hand me down Vittorio Ricci pumps your stylish aunt once gave you. Ashley Watson is a fashion blessing in disguise. She takes vintage leather jackets and other items and transforms them into new, wearable handbags that you wouldn't hesitate to wear today. It's brilliant really. She leaves in some cool details from the original jacket like the stitching or the pockets and integrates it into the bag as a functional element.

So even though I don't encourage hording your wares all your life, I do encourage creative recycling and this is a great way to do it.

Check it out here: Beklina :: Ashley Watson Bag Purse Tote :: - fair trade - eco fashion - green Stylehive BM 190695 #:190695

The Future Is Now

As part of my job I'm required to attend trend forecasts and utilize our various online trend services to get foresite about what's up & coming and what's hot, often observing a gazillion runway shots in the process.

Sometimes I come out of the forecasts more confused then when I went in because they try to include every facet, color, style, and area of trend in order to satisfy all of their clients which range from ready-to-wear apparel to every category in accessories (handbags, shoes, jewelry, umbrellas, scarves, etc.) You get the picture.

Recently one thing has become clear in all the trend services I've used... RETRO FUTURISM is so in NOW! What the heck is retro-futurism, you ask? Ok, well as wikipedia puts it, it is:

"...an enthusiasm for the depiction of the future produced in the past."

For us lay people, imagine seeing a 20 something year old female dressed like Charlize Theron in the film Aeon Flux listening to Echo and the Bunnymen or better yet, David Bowie a la Ziggy Stardust, on her newly purchased iPhone, while sporting 70's disco ball earrings because she thinks they're "futuristic and cool". You've just witnessed retro-futurism. She wasn't born when Echo, Ziggy or 70's disco balls were cool, but for her, they all embodied a futuristic style. Ok, see where I'm going with this? NO? Let's just say its hip to envelope the futuristic trends of the past and yet dress savvy enough for life on a space station somewhere on the moon.

So while pyramid studs on accessories (think 80's punk rock) and round snake chains (think 70's disco) are NOT new things, there is definitely a new design take on them. It's just a matter of how you wear them and what you wear them with.

Keep your eyes open for more metallic fabrics also, but in pale, heavenly hues as well as bold, futuristic metal components such as mesh, disks, studs and mirrored balls on various clothing and accessories.

Above photos of Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, Wendy Nichol jewelry, assorted runway and magazine shots for fall/winter 2007