Posts tagged ‘spring 2012’
Designer Spotlight: Charlotte Olympia
I’ve decided to add another element to my blog. Meet the “Designer Spotlight” where I plan to showcase designers that put me on an emotional roller coaster with their beautiful creations. First up, Charlotte Olympia. You may know her because you stalk her designs like me, or perhaps you recognize those kitty heels frequently seen in flat form on Alexa Chung, but in the chance that you don’t know who she is or what she makes, allow me to show you a few of my recent favorites.
Along with sky scraper heels that will put you face-to-face with the Jolly Green Giant, she also designs structured clutches that are simultaneously architectural, modern, and elegant. Check out Miss Clear Lucite down yonder ↓ — ain’t she a beaut?! But if a see-through clutch has you fearing that the world will see your Hello Kitty iPhone case or tampons, fear not because it also comes with clothed inserts of snow leopard, denim, and all those other must-have fabrics.
As for the aforementioned sky scraper heels, she’s quite well known for her golden mega platforms, but I’m obsessed with her mix matched booties made of two different animal prints. While I don’t own any Charlotte Olympia - she’s one of those Wish List/Save-up-to-buy designers for me - I’ll have you know that those kitty heels have been high on my list for quite some time, and her Spring 2012 collection (see bottom photo), well, it should come as no surprise that I want leaves on my feet.
// photos via tfs & net-a-porter
Tropicana
After posting about the bold floral and tropical trends to expect this spring, I’ve found myself sifting through the web racks for relevant pieces to update my wardrobe. I’ve never been the “tropical vacation” type of girl (I get antsy after sitting on the beach for too long. So sue me!) but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy a good rainforest hibiscus print! Though Stella McCartney had my back (doesn’t she always?) with her Resort 2011 citrus prints, she’s come back again with more bright tropicali prints for her Resort 2012 collection (which also boasts some serious deck chair wonders) along with other designers and brands (Asos, Topshop, Tory Burch, Hawaiian gift shops).
I just purchased this floral suit from Asos and am getting tingling sensations of joy just from looking at this Mary Katrantzou dress. And since you all know me as being the shop-a-holic type that stops at nothing, I’m obviously going to share all the other floral explosion pieces I’m currently coveting.
- Topshop Hawaiian Floral Bomber - $96
- SUNO Beaded Beach Mini Dress - $660
- Marc by Marc Jacobs Horizon Teal Floral Silk Pants - $430
- Rodarte for Opening Ceremony Floral High Heel Story - $528
- Tory Burch Dalton Printed Blouse - $325
- Asos Fabric Envelope Clutch - $81.81
- Citizens of Humanity Mandy Printed Jeans - $190
- Topshop Floral Lace Pleat Skirt - $76
- Zimmermann Idyllic Taped Shirt - $560
//first photo via
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?
A Week in Review
{ A very Runway Hippie rack of colors at Tory Burch }
This weekend is devoted to Halloween preparation. My friends and I are going pumpkin picking tomorrow morning, carving them tomorrow afternoon, and then spending all of Sunday working on costumes. I take Halloween pretty seriously (in the past few years I’ve been a fox, a cannibal, a unicorn, and a snail) and this is the first year that I’ve been disgustingly unprepared. Shame on me. As of now my two costumes are (yes, I always have two costumes) a fly and Willy Wonka with my friend who’s dressing up as a golden ticket. All this could change on Sunday, but it’s what I’m going with for now.
Here’s a look back at my fairly kerbobbled week which revolved around me stressing about Halloween…
{ Halloween decorations are finally up in my apartment }
{ Ruby Woo slobber }
{ Preview of a project I worked on for Breast Cancer Awareness Month }
{ Candy colored nails }
{ Drop dead gorgeous ’20s inspired pieces at the Tory Burch preview }
.:. r u n w a y .:. a r r a n g e m e n t s .:.
{ Jason Wu }
Even though New York Fashion Week is long over (I think I’ve finally caught up on sleep), I still can’t get some of the collections out of my head. The breathtaking colors at Jason Wu, the surf inspired pieces at Rag & Bone, Theysken’s Theory holographic printed leather pants; to quote Rachel Zoe, “I die.”
One of the biggest trends on the runway this season was big, graphic, floral prints (I mean, have you seen Christopher Kane’s latest masterpiece collection!? Again, I die). I’m not usually one for flowers on clothing, but there’s something about the looks this season that have me craving flowers in all shapes and forms.
My good friend Jessica Stage* recently graduated from the New York Botanical Garden Floral Design program (see her amazing blog here!) and seriously blows me away with each and every one of her incredible arrangements. While reminiscing on Fashion Week, I sent Jess five of my favorite runway looks for her to base some of her artful bouquets off of. As a result I’ve realized that I’d be equally as happy with any of these arrangements sitting on my coffee table as I would with the below Jill Stuart dress hanging in my closet, or at least until the flowers die and then we can talk about the dress…
{ Jill Stuart }
{Rag & Bone }
{ J.Crew }
{ Proenza Schouler }
*Jessica Stage is a New York City based florist specializing in weekly accounts, special occasion deliveries, events and weddings. For booking inquiries please email her here!
