Pantone Color of the Year 2014: Radiant Orchid

Pantone, the global color authority, has announced the color of the year for 2014. It is an enigmatic purple, known as PANTONE® 18-3224 Radiant Orchid.

"While the 2013 color of the year, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

Purple is actually one of my favorite colors because it always seemed magical and a little mysterious although I typically wear very little purple in my day-to-day, unlike Marie from Breaking Bad.

Pantone is predicting that Radiant Orchid will take off in fashion, beauty and home in the new year.

For fashion, the rosy undertones of the color produce a flattering healthy glow when worn. So fashion designers have already featured Radiant Orchid on the runway and in their Spring collections. Some of these designers include Emerson by Jackie Fraser-Swan, Juicy Couture and Yoana Baraschi.

For beauty, the modern and versatile shade, lends both cool and warm undertones that make it flattering on a variety of hair, eye and skin tones. The multifaceted hue is sexy when combined with red and subtle when paired with its sister shades of lavender, purple and pink. The natural place to find it will be in products like lipstick, blush and nails.

For interiors, this color is great sprucing up a space with accent pieces and accessories or with a fresh coat of paint. Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows. Or pair this color to give life to neutrals like gray, beige and taupe.

Whatever application, expect to see more purple creeping into your wardrobe or life in the next year.

Sole Obsession: Clear Lucite Heels

 Image via style.com

I've been dreaming of clear heels since Chanel showed their Fall 2012 at Paris Fashion Week.  Last March I had stalked multiple Zara's in search of their budget-friendly lucite heels, but it wasn't until December that I was able to finally own a pair of clear heels via Margiela for H&M.



Since then an abundance of clear heels have hit the internet, and I now finding myself wondering if I should be allowed to have two pairs of clear heels.  One for spring and one for fall perhaps?  Here are some of the pairs I've been eyeing.

Senso "Sasha", $160

Miista "Tara", $265

Miista "Siri", $282

Minimarket "Singha", $437

Jeffrey Campbell "Sterling Light", $150

Jeffrey Campbell "Devandra", $147

Next Season's Trend On Sale Now

It almost feels silly to say that black & white is a trend for spring when the classic color combo never really went out of style.  But black & white was definitely a motif on the runways for spring 2013.  While browsing Urban Outfitters, I came across quite a few sale items that could be purchased now and worn this spring.

 

Motel Jordon Jean, $39.99 (retail $100)

also available here

Sparkle & Fade Peplum Skirt, $39.99 (retail $59)

Accessorize Your Collared Shirts

Collared shirts are great.  They add a little structure, and they're especially great when you work in a business casual environment.  In the past, I've worn my collared shirts with statement necklaces, but inspired by a recent trip to Denver, I've started borrowing from cowboys and ladies of the 80s.

Horse pin bolo tie, a souvenir from Denver landmark Rockmount Ranch Wear

Stud earrings worn as collar tips

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

Online Shopping Finds–Graphic Statements

Lately all I hear people talk about is color blocking and graphic prints and since it’s that time of year when everything is going on sale, what better time to pick up some pieces that will take you through the rest of the summer into fall in style.  Here are a few great finds I couldn’t help but notice while browsing the web. Happy shopping! 

Vena Cava Pop Tank Was $235, now $71

Vena Cava Industrial Dress Was $395, now $119

Loeffler Randall x Suno Audra Flat Sandal was $475, now $190

Vince Camuto Sandals was $98, now $39.99

Jonathan Saunders was $375, now $150

Colorblock Midi Dress was $94.81,  now $27.58

70s Chic: Cynthia Steffe Spring 2011

The 70s are back in full swing this spring. Refinery 29 and The Fashion Spot have reported on this trend citing Marc Jacob's runway collection and others like Derek Lam, Jason Wu and Etro.

Another collection that comes to mind when I think 70s-inspired is Cynthia Steffe spring 2011.

Wide leg pants, pant suits


Tan-orange color scheme, geometric prints


Short shorts, halter necklines


One-pieces, one-shoulder cuts
Cynthia Steffe is a Sugar Rock Catwalk favorite as the line is perfect example of fem with a little twist (and they have the best sample sales). The spring 2011 collection is super wearable and definitely something I want to own. I like the flowy frocks, but I especially love the more structured separates like the leather shorts and jackets. And as always, I'm a fan of the prints and color blocking!

You can find Cynthia Steffe at retailers like Saks and Bloomingdales.

Pre-Spring 2011 Trends: Diamond Motifs

Dior, Doo-Ri

Versace, Stella McCartney

For Pre-Spring 2011, animal prints from leopard to snake continue, as do plaid galore but something a little more out of the ordinary I noticed was a Diamond Motif.  At Dior and Versace they paired the look with other prints for a bold and very au courante mixed print effect but for a subtler statement at Stella McCartney and Doo.ri the print was paired with a solid to make the focal point all about the print.  Interestingly enough I noticed that at Dior and Doo.ri used all-over pattern in similar feminine soft pinks, nudes paired with grey and black while at Versace and Stella McCartney they both incorporated green and black for a bolder singular focus.

Would you wear a diamond motif or does it make you think of Harlequin Clowns?

Pre-Fall 2011 Trends: Cherry Bomb

I’ve previously wrote in Pre-Spring 2010 that red shoes were a definite trend to keep your eye on, but now the designers have taken it from the feet and moved on up, many creating bold head to toe color outfits in all shades of red.  From Cherry to Pimento, Apple to Beet the reds are all here to stay and making a statement. 

Pre-Fall 2011 was an explosion of red all over the runways, regardless of occasion or fabrication.  Deep red tones from Adam, Armani Collezioni and Elie Tahari look great for eveningwear, while classic reds at Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera and Vera Wang look great for cocktails and making a statement.  My personal favorite use of red is the top and bottom combos that have a slight menswear feel by DKNY, Jenni Kayne and Thakoon.  If you are feeling lady like though Oscar De La Renta, Nina Ricci and Reed Krakoff looks might fit the bill.  If all that red makes you nervous though, just try on a red jacket ala Preen, Stella McCartney or Michael Kors. 

Would you wear head to toe red or is it a look for runways only?

Adam, Armani Collezioni, Elie Tahari

Jason Wu,  Carolina Herrera, Vera Wang

DKNY, Jenni Kayne, Thakoon

Oscar De La Renta, Nina Ricci, Reed Krakoff

Preen,  Stella McCartney, Michael Kors