Showing posts with label resort 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resort 2014. Show all posts

Blocking It Out

November 21, 2013

Wrap Dress ; Sneakers ; Top ; Dress ; Skirt

Geometry is actually pretty cool when you think about it. Different shapes and patterns can make the coolest clothes; throw color into the mix and you've got loud statement pieces.

Color blocking is back and better than ever with the in-store arrival of Resort 2014 collection items, so whether you're spending your winter break tanning it up in St. Tropez or roughing it in the snow back home, add some POP! to your winter wardrobe and (color)block it out!

LA Story: the new california style

June 20, 2013

Rebecca Minkoff Resort 2014 looks

I've always been a California girl, born and raised in San Diego and now studying in Los Angeles, but recently I've been truly understanding how varied California can be (it is the 3rd largest state and the most populous) in terms of geography, cultural activity, and of course fashion. 

A decade ago most people would define Los Angeles style as glamorous and excessive. Brand names, revealing cuts, lots of gold and jewels. Ten years ago, Paris Hilton reigned supreme. The weekend wear of every Pretty Young Thing was a hot pink terry tracksuit from Juicy Couture. You were no one if you didn't have a Louis Vuitton or Gucci monogram-print leather bag. 

Paris Hilton and Jennifer Lopez in the early 2000s

Fashion in the celebrity center of the world was about visibility, about letting everyone know that the bag you were sporting was expensive and made by a designer that mattered. Status was everything. And status had to be visible.

But the Hollywood style has changed drastically since 2003. Sure, there are still women who cling to their sexualized bodycon dresses and high slits and designer logos, but the new guard of Hollywood style icons are more laid-back. They wear vintage, no-label items. They don oversized knit sweaters and flowing maxi dresses as freely as they slink into mini dresses. They still show off skin, yes, but that's because it's constantly 75 degrees and we like having our legs bronzed and our faces freckled.

The new Los Angelina (no, not of the Jolie-Pitt variety) wears understated (but still incredibly fashion-forward) clothes from up-and-coming designers that could be from almost anywhere (but anyone who knows anything about clothes knows these outfits still cost a lot of money).

 
For me, the Rebecca Minkoff presentation represented the new wave of California Style

She is concerned with her appearances and applies her makeup like a pro but doesn't always wear foundation or leaves her hair in messy waves after a trip to Manhattan Beach.

She is concerned with practicality and sustainability. When it's hot she takes off her ombre flannel and ties it around her waist in an organic but incredibly awesome style statement. Sometimes she wears flats, or T shirts - things that look good but also feel good.

She is laid-back without sacrificing her looks, and she knows that you can look amazing without putting painstaking effort into her outfits each morning.

She is not afraid of color. She wears blues as bright as a sunny day and pinks rich as a California sunset. She's not afraid of mixing prints and she never worries that she isn't "matching" because she decides what works for her. She is in control.

There's still a bit of the 2003 version of the Hollywood lady in this girl. She still loves those silly oversized sunglasses and she still appreciates the classic allure of a bodycon dress or a sneak of cleavage. But she'll wear T shirts just as often as mini dresses, and she'll look good either way.

runway report: solutions for bad hair days

June 14, 2013

Hair can be a beautiful thing.

It can be so malleable, manipulated into any shape or form we desire of it, transformed from a million strands of dead skin cells (let's call it what it is) to glorious locks of beauty and style.

Some days. Some days, hair will cooperate with the brush, the styling gel, the curling iron.

Other days...well, thank the lord people invented ways to cleverly evade a bad hair day.

Roksanda Illincic; Mother of Pearl; Issa; Giambattista Valli

Yes, what a joy it would be to have luscious waves every day of the year, but sometimes the elements prevent us from perfect Disney Princess Status Hair - the elements ranging from the fire of the flat iron not being strong enough to tame kinky (and not in the fun way) hair to the act of oversleeping.

Usually I resort to a ponytail or a messy braid (I always get compliments on my artistically "imperfect" side braid; little do they know it's simply because I'm not that good at braiding my hair) but sometimes there's not enough time to pull off an elaborate updo and other times I simply lack the energy.

What else can I possibly do to save my tresses from this mess(es)?

Well, 2014 Resort shows from Roksanda Illincic, Issa, Giambattista Valli, and others have brought about the return of the headscarf as a perfectly stylish solution to unruly hair. And the different interpretations of the headscarf prove that the look can work for any woman. Go upscale powerwoman and channel the Roksanda Illincic look; or downtown hipster by drawing inspiration from the Mother of Pearl outfit.

So the next time you find yourself waking up to out-of-control hair, why not tie it up in a pretty silk scarf!

we need to talk about: givenchy resort 2014

June 11, 2013


Let's be honest, I'm a sucker for expert drapery, and Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy knows how to turn fabric into sculpture, into true art. Someone who can create both streamlined and full silhouettes, and who understands fabric so well...ugh, I just love it so much.

There is something more lighthearted in the 2014 collection, too, which may be why I am so impressed. Lighter colors, florals, lace - Style.com called it "upbeat" and "optimistic" - and we all know what a sucker I am for optimism.

My favorite piece is probably the seemingly simple, classic trench coat with a pop of bold pattern and color thrown in by way of a floral lining and matching printed boots. After all, the Givenchy girl is never normal and always has something up her sleeve.

What do you think about the Givenchy resort collection?

Relax; Take it Easy

June 8, 2013

the laid-back luxe of the Resort 2014 collections

Though shown during summer when baring some skin is an expectation, resort clothes are meant for those mid-winter getaways when daydreams of cutoffs and tank tops ravage our minds until we just have to escape to some exotic locale for a break from the cold. So naturally, designers revel in letting their ladies show off a little skin.

Of course, the old mini-skirt and spaghetti strap have tired out, and in there place a new crop (pun unintended) of styles that allow women to show off their figures, get some sun, and look absolutely fresh.

the mesh dress
Derek Lam; Burberry Prorsum; Jason Wu; Elizabeth & James

Not for the faint of heart, the mesh dress is perfect for the confident woman looking to show off some curves. To keep this look understated rather than overt, opt for a longer length and wear an appropriate amount of coverage underneath (I like the bandeau & boyshorts combo that Derek Lam is showing) if you aren't up for the bare-it-all nature of the Jason Wu lace dress.

 the crop top
Thankoon Addition; Theysken's Theory; Phillip Lim; Organic by John Patrick; Calvin Klein

The crop top has been present since the spring collections, but don't expect it to go away anytime soon. The great thing about the crop top is it's pretty versatile- you can show an inch of skin like Phillip Lim, or bare your crunch-perfected abs a la Theysken's Theory style. When wearing a shrunken top, remember to balance out proportions by pairing your crop with heavier, looser pieces for a more streamlined look. 

the cut-out

Balenciaga; Versace; Cushnie et Ochs; Proenza Schouler

If the crop top is baring it all, the cut-out is it's girl-next-door cousin. With a cut-out piece, you still get to show off some skin and look fabulous, but without the serious ab preparation a crop top may require :)

Are you excited to try these trends or are you gonna leave them to others?

modern hippies of the city

May 24, 2013


Moschino Cheap & Chic has a tendency to be somewhat cheeky, but we love every second of it! For the Resort 2014 presentation, the not-so-cheap diffusion line went totally far out and took inspiration from the daisy-chain-wearing flower children of the grooovy sixties. 

Quite literal daisy chains and prints dominated the collection, and earthy tones abounded - tones that would appeal to any respectable tree hugger. 

Of course, these women look more likely to venture to Coachella than Woodstock, or sipping on a fancy latte outside Urth Cafe than protesting in Washington, D.C. These girls are hip, laid-back, and very downtown, but they go to sunrise yoga and organize glamping trips to get in touch with their more peaceful, spiritual side. Just don't expect them to be joining Greenpeace any time soon.

dior takes us away

May 22, 2013



I absolutely adored the 2014 resort presentation from Raf Simons at Christian Dior. Everything was very crisp and polished - as we expect from Dior - but totally ready for a retreat to some Mediterranean resort.

Crop tops and bandeaus, bright and bold colors, and wondrously-tailored (while at the same time perfectly comfortable) zip-up dresses and tops. If I could I would totally rock the zip-up dress or the pink wrap-around crop top every day of the summer! But alas, I will simply dream of the collection for right now...