A Quick Forecast

As most designers will tell you, knowing what is going to be in style in future seasons is very important to the success of a line. In college we had access to WGSN, short for the World Global Style Network, which basically forecasts everything- colors, silhouettes, fabrics, prints, accessories, etc. Since graduating I've still, by some miraculous gift from the gods, been able to access WGSN which is infinitely priceless because I've been able to accurately forecast all of the above things for my Spring/ Summer 2012 capsule collection. The silhouettes have been finalized, as of about 15 minutes ago, and now it's just a matter of finalizing the colors and fabrics. My color palette is based off of Rihanna's Only Girl (In the World) video with what I like to call electric pastels.



I knew I wanted to use these colors early on and the forecasting confirmed they would work out. Now it was just a matter of figuring out which prints and fabrications to use. Luckily for me florals, vintage prints, stripes and all things kitschy are on trend for Spring/ Summer 2012. So immediately I started scouring Etsy for a little inspiration and I found some amazing stuff. We'll see what makes the final cut but I think this is an amazing start! Happy 4th of July!

From top to bottom: Screen Printed Vintage Silk from EmilyMe, $55; Blue Floral Linen from admiredhistory, $23; Purple Floral from LittleCabinVintage, $14.50; Pink and Orange Floral Knit from thriftypyg, $15.

Top Crop

I think we've seen that all my favorite trends are inspired by all things retro and this one is no exception.  Crop tops first became popular in the 1960s during the Free Love movement and again during the 1990s with, I guess, the Baywatch movement? As of recently I've been attracted to almost any and all crop tops I set my eyes on, just like I tend to fall in love with a good pair of short shorts.  But I digress. I've picked out, as always my favorite crop tops for this summer.

 From top to bottom: Sleeveless Scoop Neck Polka Dot Printed Scalloped Tiered Tank by American Rag, $39; Georgie Cotton Top by French Connection, $138; Sweater Crop Top by RACHEL Rachel Roy, $59.

A City Made Prominent By This Medieval University

WHAT IS OXFORD?! And you know what Alex Trebek would say? Chelsea, that is correct.

There is something both feminine and masculine about oxfords that I adore. The shoes that is. Now, I have no idea what the difference between oxfords and saddle shoes are but I, personally, think they're all the same so please bare with me shoe aficionados, this is just a fashion blog.

My obsession with oxfords began a few days after I moved to New York City when my friend Olivia's sister Amanda took me with her to Garden State Plaza in New Jersey and we walked into an Aldo. I had always thought Aldo was kind of a joke but they really do have amazing shoes and their ad campaign is shot by Terry Richardson, who is by far my favorite fashion photographer.

Basically I bought myself a pair of simple black matte oxfords that I wore until the heels and soles were falling off. In April, my Mom came to visit and bought me a brand new pair of shiny black oxfords from Nine West which I have already worn out in the three months I've owned them. The time has come for me to purchase new oxfords and while I feel like I should just go to Soho and get a crappy $25 pair since I know how fast I'll tear through them, I can't help but fall in love with the Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff collaboration. Here are my favorites for you to enjoy as much as I did!

From top to bottom: Lady in Cream/ Black, $109; Alice in Navy, $129; and Odette in Cream/ Red, $109.

It's Not Cuffing Season Anymore!

Which means that us girls have to look cute everyday because of all the dates we're going on! (As a side note I've learned a couple things since moving to New York: 1) East Coast slang is about 1 year ahead of West Coast slang and 2) women need to look cute everyday, in my opinion, because the women to men ratio here is about 2:1, meaning twice as much competition!) Cuffing season can be defined as the period of time during the Fall and Winter months when one is in a relationship and/or "handcuffed," just so you know.

One good thing about working at Macy's is that I am constantly surrounded by fashion. It's not uncommon to catch me on a twenty minute break shopping the second floor women's section with my partner in crime, Norah (visit her website while you're at it, she's an enormously talented graphic designer who will have a major hand in revamping this blog and my professional website). Here are just a handful of my favorite summer dresses from RACHEL Rachel Roy, BCBGeneration, and French Connection.

From left to right: Sleeveless Sashed Dress by RACHEL Rachel Roy, $109;
Ruffled Neckline Polka Dot Dress by BCBGeneration, $128; and Fast Anna Lace Dress by French Connection, $188.

Farewell!

Hello faithful followers!

You may have noticed that I fell off the blogging radar for a hot second. Well, rest assured I'm back and ready to share my fashion favorites. The reason of my prolonged absence came for a number of reasons:

1) After graduation in September, I took a trip with my alma mater to New York City for a week in October.

2) Upon my arrival in New York City, I went to an interview I had previously set up with Macy's and got a permanent job in Men's Collections, on the spot.

3) After the New York trip, I spent the following two weeks buying suitcases, one-way plane tickets, and black clothing because:

I NOW LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY. 

Well actually, New Jersey for the time being but close enough for the purposes of working in New York.

Just a few highlights from the trip: I met Anna Sui and Robert Savage (Nanette Lepore's husband) and was in a photo in Women's Wear Daily for an article about the rally to Save the Garment Center.

And because I'm so behind on my Spring 2011 coverage, here are my final two favorites that got left behind in the whole picking-up-my-life-and-moving-across-the-country thing.

Betsey Johnson took my favorite theme of all time and went faux luxury with the gold accents and gaudy jewelry.

Christian Dior's John Galliano took that same favorite theme of mine and took it 1940's South Pacific goddess.

Enjoy!

Moschino May Be From Italy...

... But I want to run down the streets of Paris in nearly all the Moschino Spring/Summer 2011 collection! Moschino is known for being fun and flirty and I feel like this collection really represented so many parts of my design aesthetic: primary colors, polka dots, stripes, a-line skirts, and belts; it's like an amazing pin-up dream! Beloved pieces below!

It's Smythe, Not Smith Dear.

Except in reality, or in this case at least, it really IS Smith. Paul Smith. Paul Smith Spring/Summer 2011 to be exact. Personally I'm a big fan of his menswear anyway because the tailoring is always perfect. And surprisingly his womens collection is more of the same. I nearly had a heart attack when I saw a menswear vest tailored romper/leotard combination on the runway (and when I say runway I mean the runway pictures from Style.com). Please, PLEASE enjoy some of my favorite looks below!

A Little Portfolio Teaser...

As graduation looms over my head with only 3 days to go, I've been putting the finishing touches on my portfolio and still have quite a few things left to do. One of the things I needed to do was make an "intro board" for my portfolio. Basically it is a concept board for what inspires me as a designer, not necessarily for any one particular collection and I wanted to share it below!

The 3 RRR's

This past Friday was a culminating point in my fashion design existence; I had my very first photo shoot (EVER) and my senior collection was the subject at hand, plus a few garments that had never really been in front of the camera before. My FANTASTIC photographer AJ Ragasa does amazing work so I knew from the start it would be him to shoot my work. I also enlisted my equally talented friends Alexander Aesthetic and Jake Treat to do makeup and hair respectively, and the looks are modeled by Kaylee Petter and Christina Wu-Martin. The shoot took a little over 9 hours and I am so thankful for everyone there to help! This collection is designed for Spring/ Summer 2011 and I hope you enjoy seeing my work! (Please be aware that if you click on the photos below, they will become larger and clearer!)

This is the first delivery called Revelation. There is very little structure, lots of draped fabric and pastel colors.


The next delivery, Reformation, is all about illusions with fabric layering, cut-outs and bright colors matched with muted colors.


Revolution is all about the bright and metallic colors, structured silhouettes to the extreme with a serious Lady Gaga influence.

Pin THIS Up!

I know, I know. I am so clever with my post titles. In any case, pin-up retro fashion is officially back! Flipping through this month's issue of Vogue introduced me to the most amazing editorial I have ever seen! Titled "Sweater Girl", Grace Coddington was the fashion editor for this spread and her taste is impeccable. The styling perfectly replicates every photograph from the fifties EVER. Not really but you'll see what I mean:

Model: Lara Stone

Photographers: Mert and Marcus

A Fall Preview Indeed

The Fall Preview 2010 issue of V magazine is proving to be an excellent issue indeed. While I haven't seen it in its entirety in print, I have seen many of the spreads in digital form via their website. This issue is one you may have heard a lot about because this is the issue in which five models (Adriana Lima, Isabeli Fontana, Natasha Poly, Lily Donaldson and Eniko Mihalik) each have their own cover with strategic parts of their body covered by a scratch-off V.

Above: The issue I bought with Isabeli Fontana on the cover looking crazy fierce!

I graduate this quarter and my obsession with pin-up girls is going to be the focus of my portfolio booth when I present my work at Benaroya Hall in September. The spread below named "A Woman in Full" is a big part of my inspiration for an extra line I'm designing which will focus on creating clothing for a modern and sophisticated pin-up girl.

The color palette, the hair and makeup, the poses of the models as well as the type of undergarments which make the silhouette is what makes these pin-up inspired pictures so representative of that era.

Walk Like an Egyptian

Since I was a kid, I've always been fascinated with things about Egypt. From all the archaeology and artifacts to the Mummy movies with Brendan Frasier. The hieroglyphics, jewelry and coffins always show an extreme attention to detail and are ALWAYS visually pleasing. Egyptian influences are sloooowly making a comeback in fashion and I'm feeling pretty inspired by the mosaic techniques and symbolism used throughout ancient Egyptian culture. Expect to see some Egypt inspired fashion from me!

Above (from left to right): A look from the Spring 2004 Christian Dior couture show, Janelle Monae's album art for The Archandroid, and Kanye West wearing Jacob & Co. jewelry at the 2010 BET awards.

Stay tuned...

Gettin' Around Town!

Lately, in many a recent fashion publication, I have seen some adorable Miu Miu dresses that I haven't been able to locate in any of their fashion shows. In any case this collection (which ever it came from) seems very Easter inspired with pastel colors and applique flowers and tons of loveliness!

Above (from left to right): January Jones in C Magazine, Lily Allen for Elle UK, and Carey Mulligan at the Met Costume Gala.

A Pairing for Style Champions

It's amazing the kinds of things you discover as you slowly finish finals and have this weird thing called free time. Like today I had time to go to Style.com and check out more Resort 2011 and fell in love with Proenza Schouler's collection. Later, my browsing brought me to Osborn, a company that makes shoes out of recycled materials. And in a wacky and crazy turn of events, the two go together perfectly! Both include ethnic inspired prints (something included in my senior collection) and remind me of something you could buy in Tijuana... and I mean that in the best way possible.

Nautical! Wu!

Hello all 7 of my readers! My posts have been few and far between and I apologize. But for those of you who love pretty nautical inspired clothing here is a treat for you! Jason Wu (you know, THAT GUY I MET LAST POST) designed an ADORABLE Resort 2011 collection and while some of it was part Mississippi riverboat inspired, my favorite was the sailor, red-white-and-blue garments. Here are my favorites for your viewing pleasure:

A Movement I'm Excited For!

It's no surprise to me that curvy, plus-size models are starting to show up more and more in the fashion world. And while being overweight isn't the healthiest thing to be, there is NO good reason why anyone's self esteem should be in the crapper. These plus-size/ NORMAL size models have become a large (no pun intended, haha) part of the modeling and fashion industries in a very short amount of time and I think shows that the industry is moving into a more positive, all-body accepting direction. This movement is something I've been paying a lot of attention to and this post is dedicated to all the plus-size model tidbits I've come across.

Last Fall model Lizzi Miller was commissioned by Glamour for what the editor called a "comfortable in your own skin" article and following the September issue, there came an outpouring of POSITIVE feedback about the photo featuring Miller.

Above: Lizzi Miller in the now infamous Glamour photo.

More recently Italian Vogue started a blog focused on curvy women called, you guessed it, "Vogue Curvy." And during London Fashion Week this month, Canadian designer Mark Fast used plus-size model Crystal Renn in his Fall show.

Above: Crystal Renn in Mark Fast's Fall 2010 show.

Even more recently, V Magazine did a "One Size Fits All" spread, photographed by Terry Richardson, with skinny model Jacquelyn Jablonski and plus-size model Crystal Renn wearing the same clothes.

Above: Images from the V Mag shoot.

I Heart Jeremy Scott

I swear, everything Jeremy Scott touches turns to GOLD. I had seen a few items from his Adidas collection, but when I went on the Adidas website today, the whole collection was pictured! Here are my favorites:


Please notice that the left sleeve on the giraffe sweater pretty much makes you and your hand into a giant giraffe puppet. Uh... AWESOME!!! And I just enjoy graphics.

Here's a video of the collection as well:

Hipsters are ALWAYS the Cool Ones!

It's like Hipster-style to the infinite power! Loving the touch of punk in this Fall 2010 trend! "The season's mix of oversize knits, distressed denim, sequin leggings, plaid shirts and military jackets completes the look."

Pictures via California Apparel News.

Enjoy it. Embrace it. HAHA.

Uhm... Hey Guys...

FYI. The "Pauly D" hair is not some brand new thing!

Above: John Gotti from Growing Up Gotti and Pauly D from Jersey Shore

KTHANKSBAI.

Bette Davis Eyes

I saw this collection and died! John Galliano is already one of my favorites but this Pre-Fall 2010 line made me feel like I was in America circa 1940. World War II was going on, there were rations on fabric and the silhouettes turned masculine and looked very similar to military uniforms. Galliano also made sure to include glamorous dresses we would have seen in the forties as well. I felt like this collection bared a resemblance to Edith Head's designs for Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor.

Above: A few looks from the Dior collection.

Above(left to right): A sketch from the forties, Bette Davis in a flowing dress, a design sketch by Edith Head, and Elizabeth Taylor on the set of A Place in the Sun.