Looking Great Rain or Shine

May 30, 2014

Looks from the Burberry Prorsum Resort 2015 collection
When you've found a winning formula, why deviate from it? Christopher Bailey and the design team at Burberry Prorsum have breathed new life into the calf-length pencil skirt, which was once old-fashioned and matronly but is now youthful and sexy. Trench coats, pencil skirts, and day dresses all hit perfectly at mid-shin, but an inventive use of textile, pattern, and dye kept this resort collection fresh.

As spelled out in the book-like illustrations that adorned tops, skirts, and dresses, the theme of the collection seemed to be "Rain or Shine". As the heritage British fashion house, Burberry celebrates all facets of British culture and history, including the country's famed rainy weather. But really, would Burberry have been as successful as a fashion house in England if not for the rain? Their staple is the trench coat, after all, otherwise known as the classic rain coat. 

The resort collection featured plenty of looks for rainy weather, but also plenty of looks for the sunshine. The dip-dye effect made it look as if rain and water had seeped through some of the clothes, and the overall color palette was of earthy tones, further referencing nature and weather as inspiration.

Burberry has perfected their look and their design, so you know these looks are going to be a hit as soon as they arrive in stores.

Meet Your Match

May 28, 2014

The Reformation | ASOS | Alice + Olivia
The matching set is no longer solely for your posh grandmother.

Shrink up the top top make the perfect crop top, pair with a fun skirt (the more skin the top shows, the more conservative the skirt should be) in matching print and material, et voila! You look fun, put-together, and ready to celebrate summer!

Well That's Just Splendid

May 23, 2014

The "Most Loved" Kit from Splendid
Good basics are hard to come by. I value my fancy dresses and bold statement pieces as much as any other true fashionista, but sometimes the most street-style-ready piece cannot beat the simple perfection of a classic base article of clothing.

Consider the T-shirt for example: sure, one with a sassy saying or avant-garde illustration may attract the most attention, but there is something so lovely about slipping on a perfect knit tee and pairing with a classic pair of blue jeans. But when the former style of T-shirt is preferred to the latter amongst the blogger set, a quality basic tee can be hard to come by.

Luckily, the geniuses at Splendid have got you covered! I was absolutely delighted to see that their website features three different T-shirt "kits" that send the top Splendid pieces right to your door.

Personally I am a fan of the "Most Loved" Kit, which features a classic striped scoopneck tee, a long sleeve white shirt, a black tee, and a gray tank top. All the essentials mailed right to your door - it doesn't get much better than that!

I love a good Splendid tee and am in need of some staple pieces, so I may just find myself ordering this kit for myself.

What do you think about Splendid's kits? Are you all for the classic staples, or would you much rather splurge on a trendy tee?

Louis Vuitton Resort 2015

May 21, 2014

Looks from the Louis Vuitton resort 2015 collection in Monaco

Sometimes designers take a season or two to get settled into a new role. For Nicolas Ghesquiere as the recently-appointed head designer of Louis Vuitton that was certainly the case. His debut collection (for Fall 2014) was lovely but conservative, as premiere collections at new fashion houses tend to be. Ghesquiere had big shoes to fill with the departure of Marc Jacobs from the French fashion house, and so he played it safe for his first show. With a successful debut now behind him, Ghesquiere has found his footing at Louis Vuitton and his resort collection is proof of that.

With whimsical coral print motifs, a bold color palette of blues, pinks, yellows, and oranges, and a mix of modern and retro style inspirations, this collection was fun and bold. The coral prints and the show's location in Monaco may suggest that these clothes are meant for a five-star resort vacation on the Med, but these clothes are just as perfect for the city streets.

There were several standout looks from the collection (it was hard to narrow them down for the feature image!) and I cannot wait to see how these looks translate to the red carpet. 

What did you think of the Louis Vuitton resort 2015 collection?

Swept Away with Chanel

May 16, 2014

Runway looks from the Chanel Cruise 2015 Show in Dubai

Karl Lagerfeld is a fan of travel. He is inspired by different cultures and global styles, and he makes a habit of immersing his shows in the particular culture of inspiration. Resort is all about traveling and experiencing adventure, so why not show runway collections in far-off places that inspire the Chanel designer? Last time Lagerfeld sent his clothes and his guests to Dallas for a western-style rodeo romp, but for Cruise 2015, the Chanel gang travelled east to the glamorous land of Dubai for a collection that was heavily inspired by both the enchanting past of the Middle East as well as its contemporary culture.

Islamic crescent moon headpieces were a major motif, and there was an exceptionally kitschy gold quilted purse designed to resemble a gasoline can, reflective of the region's oil industry. The models were draped in luxurious chiffons and sand-hued tunics, sometimes decorated in intricate floral and geometric patterns and other times in the classic tweeds that Chanel is famous for. As usual Lagerfeld has created a seamless blend between the traditions of Chanel and his land of inspiration.

For me the beauty looks were the highlight. Heavily-teased hairstyles were the look, with models sporting beehive-like volume or huge curls. The eye makeup was equally dramatic, with heavy kohl eyes accented with gold foil. Lips were kept simple with a pink-tinged gloss to balance out the heavy eye makeup.

Another inventive collection from the man who is constantly outdoing himself in terms of creativity. There were some misses and this was far from being my favorite Chanel collection from the past few years, but you've got to hand it to Lagerfeld that he always goes all-out for his presentations, and the show in Dubai was outrageous as ever.


Hot Hot Heat

May 14, 2014

No "May Gray" here, the mercury is rising and it is hot, hot, hot! Thank goodness finals have just ended and I am officially on summer vacation time because the heat is unbearable unless the days are spent pool or beach side. 

Swimsuit style is a lot of fun - you can wear bold prints and bright colors and look absolutely amazing with minimum effort! I am absolutely obsessed with Mara Hoffman's eclectic tribal print pieces as well as the classic selections from J. Crew. There are so many great prints, shapes, and colors for swimwear out there right now, there is literally a swimsuit for everyone.

J. Crew Geometric Tiki Bikini

Don't Forget the Extras!




Cover-ups are tricky, but I am a big fan of this Lemlem one with ombre pink stripes. Usually I just go for a knit tank dress or other easy-going shift, or even use a scarf as a sarong for the trek over to the beach.

A leather slip-on sandal is just as comfortable and easy as a flip flop, but the two-tone Joie ones are a slightly more stylish alternative to the usual Rainbow sandals. A carry-all tote that can fit your colorful striped towel, sunscreen, and a good beach read is a must. And of course, sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sunshine and also just because people look 150% more badass when they wear sunglasses.

What's your go-to swimsuit style, and what essentials belong in your beach bag?

Happy Mother's Day!

May 11, 2014

ON ME: Anthropologie Dress | J. Crew Necklace | Kate Spade Purse

In the midst of finals it is so lovely to spend a gorgeous day out in Pasadena with my favorite person in the world and the woman who I'd like to think did an excellent job raising me, my one and only mother! Without her I don't know if I ever would have developed such a keen interest in fashion, and I certainly would never understood the magic of Anthropologie had she not dragged me in as a little girl. 

It was an absolute treasure to see the Pasadena Showcase house - another one of our favorite mother-daughter activities: browsing beautiful houses - and I would recommend checking it out but today was the last day. Nevertheless it was extremely well-done and I now have a strong urge to decorate houses (who knows, back-up career option?) If you are ever out in Pasadena in April-May, I would highly suggest checking out the showcase house. They are always stunning.

Watercolor painting of the 2014 Pasadena Showcase House by Joseph Stoddard

No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn - Dior Cruise 2015

May 9, 2014

Looks from the Dior Cruise 2015 Runway Show (via style.com)

I've been rewatching Gossip Girl on Netflix lately (the perfect alternative to studying for finals, right?) but it already feels somewhat dated. Poor Dan Humphrey had to put up with so much crap for being from the dreaded Brooklyn *gasp* but if only he had stuck around to see how coveted the New York City borough has become. Blair, who once scoffed at the very idea of crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, surely would have been delighted to make the trek if it was for a Christian Dior runway show. 

Some of fashion's brightest young things crossed into Brooklyn for a delightfully vibrant Dior cruise collection at a Navy Yard warehouse, and the clothes radiated both the sophisticated class that Dior is known for and the hip urban edge that a city girl would absolutely adore. 

Light, airy fabrics inspired by silk scarves from the Dior archives meshed perfectly with bold graphic prints and statement-making black lace-up open-toe booties. There are first date looks, board meeting ensembles, and of course resort-worthy frocks, making the collection one for all women to wear and enjoy. 

Hanneli Mustaparta | Allison Williams | Rihanna | Leandra Medine | Marion Cotillard | Adele Exarchopoulos

The front row was just as hip as the Brooklyn setting. Fashion bloggers Hanneli Mustaparta and Leandra Medine (of the Man Repeller) showed up in baby blues. I loved the juxtaposition of the slightly scandalous mesh sweatshirt with the sweet skirt and ladylike pointed pumps from Hanneli.

Allison Williams looked minimalist chic in a Dior tuxedo-inspired jumpsuit and sleek straight hair. She is truly proving herself to be a stunning fashionista.

French ladies Marion Cotillard and Adele Exarchopoulos also attended. Cotillard wore a glimmering Dior maxi shift. It's a cute dress but I think it would have looked even cuter as a mini dress with a swing shape. Exarchopoulos has become a shining star on the red carpet and her look at the Dior show was no exception. Her mix of loose crop top and tight black pencil skirt, complete with classic black pumps, is exceptionally chic and stays true to her vampy style. 

In an unexpected turn, Rihanna ended up being my pick for best-dressed amongst the front row celebs. I love her girly bubblegum pink dress and colorful top-handle handbag. With tattoos and a bold red lip, the look isn't too cutesy but rather the perfect mix of girly and edgy. 

On both the runways and the seats, the Dior cruise show was full of fabulous looks What was your favorite look from the collection? Who was your best dressed front row lady?

Get the Look - Gwen Stacy in 'The Amazing Spiderman 2'

May 7, 2014

Shirt | Skirt | Boots | Purse | Looks from The Amazing Spiderman 2

Emma Stone is hard not to like, and when she is playing the stylish, intelligent, grounded girlfriend to real life beau Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker/Spiderman, it's hard not to fall in love with her on-screen persona Gwen Stacy either.

I've already dedicated a post to how much I adore Gwen's style when the first film came out two years ago. She is classically fashionable with a tinge of retro pop that is perfect for a comic book inspired world. Her signature style is preppy and stylish, and her black knee-high leather boots paired with textured tights add the perfect hint of sex appeal. 

Gwen Stacy isn't afraid to add some color, so don't shy away from bright shades when looking to replicate her signature style. Gwen is also a bit of a perfectionist and loves some well-placed color coordination. Try to draw out an accent color from your clothing with a similarly-hued accessory. 

Do you guys like Gwen's outfits in the Amazing Spiderman 2? Have you seen the movie yet? What did you think? 

The 2014 Met Gala Red Carpet

May 6, 2014

Arizona Muse in Ralph & Russo | Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa | Liu Wen in Zac Posen

The biggest names in fashion came out for the annual Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last night,  this time to celebrate the opening of the exhibit on American couturier Charles James. 

To celebrate the iconic eveningwear designer's penchant for the elegant and the dramatic, celebrities donned full skirts in rich fabrics, opulent jewels, and timeless silhouettes. There were plenty of hits and an astonishingly large amount of misses as well, but let's focus on the winning outfits of the evening, shall we?

Arizona Muse, Karolina Kurkova, and Liu Wen all rose to the occasion in dramatic full-skirted ballgowns, all looking lovely in their sophisticated ensembles. The three looked every bit the Charles James girl in such classic evening looks, and I'm sure the late designer would have loved to dress these stylish women.

Blake Lively in Gucci Premiere | Idina Menzel in Donna Karan | Allison Williams in Oscar de la Renta

Other starlets like Blake Lively, Idina Menzel, and Allison Williams opted for form-fitting gowns with dramatic trains that made a bold statement. All three looked elegant, Old-Hollywood, and goddess-like in their custom gowns. I was especially delighted to see Blake back on the red carpet (with husband Ryan Reynolds looking extremely handsome by her side) after an absence at Hollywood events.

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield were another well-dressed celebrity couple on the red carpet last night. Stone stunned in a pink Thankoon crop top and wrapped maxi skirt, and her perfectly messy braid was one of my favorite beauty looks of the evening. She looked absolutely gorgeous without looking stuffy.

And in one of the most unexpected looks of the evening, fashion darling Lupita Nyong'o dazzled in a custom Prada dress that seemed to have hopped out of the most recent Great Gatsby film. You know Lupita had fun with the dress and I think that is why it works so well on her - on most others it would have looked cheesy, but on Lupita it is fun and fresh.  

Ming Xi in Michael Kors | Rosie Huntington-Whitely in Balmain | Emma Stone in Thankoon | Lupita Nyong'o in Prada

Who were your favorite looks of the evening? Are you planning on visiting the Charles James exhibit this summer?