Now Wearing…

It's funny to build an entire outfit around a bag, but that is what I did. I was super excited about my new Rebecca Minkoff purse that the lovely team at RM sent me just before the holidays.  Since the color is a soft Barbie pink with a subtle pearlized finish it is the perfect gateway into Spring dressing.  Although it's pink, it almost feels like a neutral and I decided to use pastels to uplift my otherwise dark world of winter dressing.  It was the first time I rocked a full size Minkoff MAC and found that my 2 cell phones, huge wallet, basic beauty products, glasses and Nook were all able to fit with ease.

Sample Sales: January 30 - February 5, 2012

Who: Yoox Online Sample Sale
What: Designer merchandise is now up to 90% off. Limited sizes, so shop quickly for best selection.  You can grab deals like Cynthia Rowley skirts starting at just $35!
When: Now through Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Where: Online Only

Who: Dennis Basso Sample Sale
What: Women's Fur Coats Fur Vests, Cashmere Coats & Raincoats, Gowns, Clothing, Accessories & Handbags Men's Shearlings Also A Selection Of Home Furnishings
When: January 30, 2012 - February 1, 2012.  Sat-Wed 9am-6:30pm
Where: 317 West 33rd St (nr 8th Ave)

Who: Cassin/Jocelyn Fur Sample & Stock Sale
What: Up to 80% off!  Cassin Woven Fox "Global" Hat $150 (was $850). Sherry Cassin Woven Racoon "AJA" Vest $945 (was $1895)
Where: 150 West 30th St, 5th Floor (b/n 6th & 7th Ave)
When: January 31 - February 2, 2012. Tues-Thurs 9:30am-6pm

Who: Clothingline Sample Sale
What: Snag women's stock and samples from brands like Nanette Lepore, Tocca, Showroom Seven
When: February 1-2, 2012. Tues-Thurs 10am-6pm
Where: 261 W 36th St, 2nd Flor (b/n 7th & 8th Ave)

Who: Morgane Le Fay Sample Sale
What: Fall/Winter 2011 pieces 70-80% off. Coats are now $750 (was $2500); wool and silk dresses are now $230 (was $780); cotton dresses are now $125 (was $640); and gowns including wedding start at $100
When: February 3-7, 2012. Fri, Sat, Mon 10:30am-6pm. Sun, Tues 11am-4pm
Where: 601 West 26th St, Suite 1507 (b/n 11th and 12th Ave)

Ongoing Sales:
Who: United Nude
What: Snag architectural shoes from the Fall/Winter collection at 70% off. Pin Belt booties $124.50 (was $415), the Helix Hi boots $75 (was $250),Step Mobius Velcro Hi boots $178.50 (was $595)
When: Jan 29-Feb 4, 2012. Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11am-6pm.
Where: 25 Bond St (b/n Bowery and Lafayette St)

Who: Rothman's Moving Sale
What: Score 40-70% off menswear from labels like Hickey Freeman, Cole Haan, Z Zegna, AG Jeans, Earnest Sewn, and more.
When: Now through - Mar 1, 2012. For Store Hours click here.
Where: 200 Park Avenue South

Who: American Apparel Flea Market
What: Markdowns of up to 90% off warehouse stock. Merchandise will be replenished throughout the sale
When: Extended now through January 31, 2012. Daily 9am-9pm.
Where: 766 6th Ave (b/n 25th & 26th St)

Runway Review: Versace Couture Spring 2012

Versace Couture for Spring 2012 embodies what Donatella does best - glamour, drama and a second skin fit like no other.  The dresses are almost painted on some of the bodies of the models while futuristic, structural elements including slashes of metallic beading and architectural arches extend from the shoulders, hips and bust to emphasize the woman's body.

Fall 2012 Trends: Metal Plated Shoes

I know winter has barely begun, but as I was perusing GQ's 100 Best Pairs from Fashion Week,  I noticed quite a few pairs featuring metal for Fall 2012. Classic silhouettes paired with chunkier hardware accents provide for an edgier take on modern footwear.

From Costume National, to Louis Vuitton, to Salvatore Ferragamo, to YSL - there were plenty of options which were showcased down the runways.

 Costume National

 Salvatore Ferragamo

 Louis Vuitton

YSL

(images courtesy of GQ)

But to be fair, it looks like everyone took a page from Balenciaga and Louboutin - who actually introduced this in their Fall 2011 collections.

Louboutin metal capped wingtips (image courtesty of luxuryculture.com)

Balenciaga Fall 2011

Now Wearing…

When it comes to print on print action I'm a fan as long as the color families are in the same realm I think it works so today I combined a ditzy print dress with a pair of bold leggings and captured some of those color pops in my bright necklace and socks.

As for my hair, I've wanted a change for a long time and I've been thinking of getting an undercut...but the weather outside is so cold it makes me think if I lose my hair I'll find myself in cold regret.  I decided to sort of do an quick look inspired by undercuts by twisting my hair and using mini clips to hold it in place.  While it is far from perfect - note the errant strand twisting in the back - it was fun to change things up for a day.

Ditsy Floral Babydoll Dress - H&M via Clothing Swap
Long Cardigan - H&M
Rope Necklace - DIY in the style of Proenza Schouler
Printed Leggings - Versace for H&M
Socks - Uniqlo
Wedge Ankle Boots - Nine West Pinktorp

Runway Review: Dior Couture Spring 2012

The house of Dior still lives with or without the scandal that is John Galliano and in his second couture collection for the house Bill Gaytten has done a marvelous job of capturing the spirit of Dior with so many references to the past without being stuck there. Classic Dior silhouettes that make a woman feel like a woman – like the New Look of 1947 are in abundance but they are made fresh again being whipped together in translucent fabrics.  It’s almost like you’re have X-ray vision into something that from a glance should be very lady-like and the effect is quite provocative.

One of my favorite pieces is actually this tucked sheath on the very right that almost looks like pattern drafting coming to life with it’s almost muslin color and bold pick stitches.  I guess seeing the art of patternmaking dissected is very appealing to me.  As for color palette the collection was predominantly black, white and nude with a few pops of red and violet. Although monochromatic and without pattern I thought it was the best possible showcase for what Gaytten was trying to achieve.  Bravo for a collection well done.

First Look at Victoria by Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham is one of those rare celebrities that made a smooth transition from being a world famous singer into a legitimate and respected designer.  Season after season her sleek and modern dresses embrace a sense of luxury and empowerment that women hunger for.  She is soon to launch a diffusion line called Victoria by Victoria Beckham to be revealed in a full short film next Monday along with a window display at Harvey Nichols.  And unfortunately, although the line is definitely more affordable than her namesake collection, dresses are still priced between £500 and £800 (which translates to $780-$1248 USD).  From this 20 second teaser I get a sense of playful pops of color, silhouettes that are more breezy and bold graphics.

Celebrate the Karl by Karl Lagerfeld Launch

Who: KARL by Karl Lagerfeld
What: The Kaiser's launching his exclusive collection for Net-a-Porter and with the chance to shop his collection at locations all over the globe!  Plust the first 50 shoppers at each location will receive a gift from the new line.  Kinda makes me wish I had a more flexible day job to check out the NYC launch.
When: January 25, 2012 at 10:30am in NY or see other cities below.  I would go early :)
Where: 375 Bleecker St, New York, NY

Check out what to expect from this highly anticipated collaboration.  In true Lagerfeld fashion the collection includes plenty of black, leather and a sharp sense of feminine tailoring.

 

Check out the App to preview the collection and for a chance to win $1500 from Net-A-Porter.

Instagram Diary

(Chicago at sunset from the Aon Center, no filter; my roommate's Jack Russell Harper)

Just a few weeks ago I finally upgraded to the latest and greatest iPhone, the 4S.  With a new phone came a bunch of new apps, including Instagram.  Wow, I'm kind of addicted.  I love how easy it is to share to Facebook and Twitter, and while a bit cheesy, I do enjoy playing with the filters.  I also enjoy browsing my Instagram feed, super visual and minimal reading.  It's a nice way to keep in touch with friends around the world and follow favorite designers and fashion bloggers.

(My bedroom; words to live by to the right of my bed)

You can take the girl out of New York, but you can't take the wedged booties out of her closet.  My Style Diary has been quite the same without James S. Rand in my life.  The exciting news is that he's Chicago-bound!  I can't wait for us to collaborate again.

I've also made a couple of great new friends here - Owen and Corey, and we had a small shoot the other weekend which was super fun.  Here's a preview; I'll be sharing the rest pictures soon.  With their help, I hope to get back into personal style blogging again.

(Photo by Corey Lillard with Owen Black)