Wow, Valentino. Just wow.

Under the reigns of design duo of Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, Valentino has become the go-to brand for luxurious and romantic bohemian clothing, full of lace maxi skirts, earthy suedes, and models in milkmaid braids. There's no doubt that Chiuri and Piccioli have succeeded in making the Valentino brand all their own, but in the process I have sometimes felt as if their collections have become repetitive, all variations on the same theme, and together not as all inventive as the presentations that Valentino Garavani designed for his namesake brand.

The 2015 resort presentation was not a departure from the aesthetic that Chiuri and Piccioli have established as staples of the present-day Valentino, but rather a revitalization. 

With some inspiration from an archival print from a 1973 collection, as well as the works of the iconic artist Frida Kahlo, Valentino delivered a truly extensive collection full of clothes for the fashionable, adventurous woman.

The clothes were not only beautiful but practical. They aren't just for sitting around and looking pretty, they are for exploring jungles both urban and exotic, for traipsing through cobblestone streets in seldom-visited villages, for seeing all that this world has to offer in fabulous style.


The first half of the collection was full of these practical but fascinating looks, with army jackets decorated with butterfly motifs (another staple of the Chiuri-Piccioli-run Valentino), comfortable gladiators and flat espadrilles, and billowy fabrics and shapes perfectly made for moving around.

Then the earthy tones and Khalo-esque touches quickly transformed into technicolor, geometric print dresses that recalled the pop art of the 60s and 70s. These were the looks that were inspired by that archival 1973 print, which was considered quite "visually disruptive" and continued to be so here, but in the best of ways.

If there's anything that modern fashion has taught us, it is that the rules were meant to be broken. Patterns can clash for the ultimate effect, for example, and in general things that are supposedly visually displeasing can make for great sartorial statements. The highly-saturated looks are sure to land on magazine pages and make statements on the red carpets. They may even find themselves on a bold street style star or two. Surely they are the standout pieces from the collection, if only because the colorful patterns are so clearly attention-grabbing.

In a season of resort shows continuing to demonstrate the increasing importance of the pre-season collections, Valentino delivered a knock-out presentation that was just as strong as any major ready-to-wear collection. I sincerely hope these magnificent clothes get the attention they deserve come winter.

I'm trying to be more "adventurous" with my hairstyles and experimenting with looks that go beyond the simple straight-down style. After washing my hair I tested out a take on the milkmaid braid that consisted of making two French-braid pigtails and then pinning back the ends at the nape of my neck. 

I thought it looked pretty cute and while it didn't turn out perfect the first time I will definitely try this hairstyle again. Plus, it gave me cute beachy waves since my hair dried in this hairstyle.

Would you ever try milkmaid braids? What hairstyle should I test out next?

Once upon a time safety pins were simply handy tools used to take in a too-loose dress or prevent an embarrassing wardrobe malfunction at the school dance. Then they became a staple of the punk fashion movement, adorning everything from leather jackets to silk dresses. But we live in a brave new world where the punk accessory and handy styling tool has evolved into a full-fledged fashion statement. 

Versus, the Versace diffusion line, has a slew of safety pin-adorned shirts, skirts, and dresses if you aren't looking to DIY your punk pieces.

But beyond that, safety pins have become an increasingly popular motif in the jewelry world. It makes sense to take an item that is already made of metal and dip it in gold, add some diamonds and some chains, and turn it into a statement piece.

Earrings, bracelets, and necklaces have all gotten the safety pin treatment. Both high-end and affordable jewelry brands are fans of the trend, so there's a safety pin piece for every budget. And you don't need a mohawk or studded leather jacket to rock the trend; these jewelry pieces are sassy enough to give a bit of edge to your ensemble but are not overwhelming, so even the preppiest of preps can wear the trend. 

How do you feel about safety pin jewelry?

SHOP THE TREND:

I attended a friend's summer barbeque in Venice Beach yesterday and wore a perfectly summery white lace dress paired with a plaid shirt to add some country edge to the ensemble. 

The LWD (Little White Dress, for those of you who are acronymically-challenged) is a summer must-have, as it works for a number of events. For example, I've worn this dress to picnics, dinner parties, the beach, a beach-themed party, class...the list goes on and on. 

Madewell Plaid Shirt (Similar Here) | Free People Dress | C. Wonder Boots | Urban Outfitters Purse (Similar Here) | Tory Burch Sunglasses | Brandy Melville Necklace | Henri Bendel Bracelet