Posts tagged ‘j. mendel’
Classic Updates
Despite my sometimes eccentric taste, I’m all about accumulating the classics, especially when it comes to clothes. But how many simple white button downs can one own without feeling like a boring men’s wardrobe? — Hamish Bowles and Mick Jagger are obviously excluded from that last statement. Designers like Alexander Wang, Maison Martin Margiela, and J.Mendel are constantly taking classic silhouettes and updating them with a modern flare that can be found in everything from a shirt tail to paper shoes.
A lot of today’s trends put emphasis on wearing the most outlandish pieces or layering as much as possible (guilty!) but sometimes all it takes to achieve an interesting outfit is one statement piece that’s simultaneously subtle and classic. A navy blazer is a perfect replacement to the black JP Morgan suit piece and a bright orange lip can work just as many wonders as the red lip everyone can’t seem to get enough of (see for yourself here).
As I start to prep for the inevitable closet Spring cleanse, here are a few classic yet modern pieces that I hope to add to my wardrobe.
- Topshop Premium Tonic Blazer - $190
- Topshop Ditsy Leigh Jean - $80
- Carven Slingback Bow Pumps - $535
- Malene Birger Alexandrie Ostrich Feather Skirt – $545
- La Mer Collections Stingray Watch - $88
- French Connection Sarah Silk Classic Shirt – $148
- Rebecca Taylor Sweetheart Dress - $365
- MAC Lipstick in Morange - $14.50
- Proenza Schouler PS11 – $1,175
- Bijules Nail Ring – $186
- Clu Wool and Satin Tunic – $350
// first photo via tommy ton
Looking Ahead
{ From left to right: Mary Katrantzou, Proenza Schouler, Jason Wu, Altuzarra, Camilla and Marc }
To me, the new year is about looking ahead; thinking about how you want the year to turn out, things you hope to accomplish, and of course the clothes you’re going to wear. Since fashion is always a season ahead, I’ve been sitting on my favorite trends and looks for spring since last September. Suffice it to say, my buns are sore and it’s time I stood up and shared them!
Take the floral prints above. At first all I could think was “flowers? for spring? groundbreaking.” (we all know that Devil Wears Prada quote) but then as I reexamined I realized that these aren’t your average peonies and roses, these are some crazy city chic flowers that are as vibrant as a tropical school of fish!
And while we’re on the vibrant note, let’s discuss the jazzy tinfoil treats below. I’m a big fan of metallics – on my feet, on my body, on my silverware – and I am loooovin the colorful metallic tones from last season’s runway. The holographic iridescent leather trousers from Theyskens’ Theory (second from the right) had me totally transfixed on the runway and ditto goes for the Prabal Gurung dress on the far left. Both have that sleek feminine look while still being entirely unusual and daring.
(Keep reading! More trends and descriptions below!)
{ Prabal Gurung, Suno, Balenciaga, Theyskens Theory, Giles }
Now, I’ve never been one for pastels; they wash me out and have always felt a bit too Easter eggy for me. But oh, these cotton candy hues had me droooooling and it’s not just because I love me some cotton candy. The colors seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jill Stuart, Versace, etc. had a crisper feel that made them sophisticated instead of baby-chick-in-a-basket-cheesy. Though I’ll have to see how they look on my skin tone, I’m looking forward to trying out some mint green and strawberry sorbet hues come springtime.
{ Prada, J. Mendel, Jill Stuart, Versace, 3.1 Phillip Lim }
Give me a tribal print any day of the week and I am as happy as a beaver in a dam. Alexander Wang (far left) went the sportier route while BCBG (far right) took me on an island cruise with resort ready dresses and kaftans. And you gotta love Christopher Bailey for putting all those embellishments and rich tones on the staple Burberry trench coats! As much as I love the signature trench, it’s refreshing to see the switch up, especially with crazy collar and lining ornamentation.
{ Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Burberry Prorsum, Barbara Bui, BCBG Max Azria }
Last, but certainly not least, we have the heavily structured and detailed candy colored dresses that dominated (and I mean dominated) the runways at Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Again, normally something I would shy away from, but hot diggity dog if Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty were getting dressed today this is most certainly what they’d be wearing. Between Marc Jacobs’ broderie anglaise at Louis Vuitton (far left) to the lacey details at Oscar de la Renta (center) to the razor cut outs at Valentino (far right), I’m going to have to give my spring evening attire a complete and utter makeover!
{ Louis Vuitton, Christopher Kane, Oscar de la Renta, Chanel, Valentino }
Can we just go ahead and skip winter?
NYFW Photo Diary Numero Dos
Ok, I take it back, I’m really happy Fashion Week is over. I’m exhausted. I need sleep, and I desperately need to do my laundry cause I’m almost out of underwear…too much information? Deal with it.
Here’s round two of my New York Fashion Week photo experience featuring Rachel Roy, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Marchesa, J.Mendel, and Proenza Schouler. I’m actually pretty excited about the spring collections from what I’ve seen thus far. I love the geometric color-blocking, the all white silhouettes, and the tropical patterns – particularly the ones from Proenza Schouler.
I’m really looking forward to a weekend of absolutely NOTHING. I hope to feel rejuvenated by Monday and I think a massage and a pedicure are most certainly in order this weekend. Have a great weekend and I can’t wait to get back on track with ya’ll now that Fashion Week is over!
Ok…maybe I miss it just a little…
{ Rachel Roy }
{ Alexandre Herchcovitch }
{ Marchesa }
{ J.Mendel }
{ Proenza Schouler }
Fashion Week Diary | Part Three
The last two days of fashion week were a whirlwind of fantastic shows. Tuesday started with the Bibhu Mohapatra presentation which had some incredible gowns and furry bomber jackets that have quickly made their way to the top of my fall must-have list. I was a little frustrated though because the line for Bibhu Mohapatra was so long that I ended up missing Herve Leger, and from what I saw those dresses were to die for. Oh well. After that it was on to Dennis Basso. The collection was undoubtedly beautiful, but it honestly made me a little depressed. I’ve never been a “no fur” person, but literally every look that came down the runway was smothered in fur and it just gave me an icky feeling. Talk about overkill – and yes, that pun was intended.
After Dennis Basso I had a HUGE break, so I chilled out for a bit, did some writing, and sipped on one of the fluffiest cappuccinos I’ve ever had. J.Mendel came next featuring some beautiful beaded gowns in jet blacks and blush pinks. Jacquelyn Jablonski took a bow with Gilles Mendel at the very end which was so sweet because she was surprisingly shy and modest! After that I scooted downtown to catch some of the Halston presentation and the Daniel Vosovic show. I was a bit surprised at how dull Halston was, but I do love a good Grecian inspired dress which there was more than enough of. Daniel Vosovic was a little weird, but in a good way. There were Amish undertones mixed with a bit of S&M…so, yeah, weird..but I liked it! Then it was back uptown for Narciso Rodriguez who as always produces an incredible collection. I loved all the color blocking and obviously seeing one of my favorite models, Ruby Aldridge come down the runway.
The next day kicked off with Yigal Azrouel at 9AM – definitely not easy to get up for but totally worth it once I was there. I pretty much swam in my own puddle of drool after seeing the bright orange peacoat come down the runway – if that’s not the coat of the season then I don’t know what is. I was then faced with quite the schedule dilemma as both Jeremy Scott and Alexandre Herchcovitch were at the same time and I’ve never missed one of their shows since I started working New York Fashion Week. I ended up choosing Alexandre Herchcovitch which I do not regret in the slightest. I loved the sexy grunge feel of the collection which featured heavily structured black silhouettes with neon green accents. After that I had some time to kill so I got one of the best manicures of my life at Trevi Nails and then hung out in the Lincoln Center courtyard catching up on some reading. The weather has been shockingly kind during Fashion Week which I think myself and the rest of the show goers could not be more thankful for. My day finished with the Odd Molly presentation which put a huge smile on my face. The models were placed around the room, casually hanging out, jumping on beds, posing with roses and munching on ruby red apples. The collection had a feminine boho vibe which I think we all know is one of my personal favorites, so suffice it to say it was a perfect way to end my fashion week.
(I obviously didn’t take this photo but this coat is too good not to feature [via style.com])
