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Archive for the ‘Fashion’ Category

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Putting It All Together

In Events, Fashion, Trends on April 5, 2011 at 5:40 pm

Are you dressed or styled? Being a part-time sales associate at Ann Taylor LOFT, I always see this question posted on the wall in the back of the store. It’s a great reminder that putting together a look with multiple pieces upgrades you from just being dressed to being styled. Mastering the art of mixing and matching pieces to complete a styled look is one way a fashionista fulfills her passion for fashion.

Calling all fashionistas! Macy’s is Putting It All Together with the ultimate fashion face-off, hosted by expert stylist and image consultant, Laura Hunt! She is the founder and CEO of Freeway Fashion, an image consulting firm and fashion media resource (not to mention, Freeway Fashion is a sponsor of Fashion Week Tampa Bay). Contestants will be stylists for the afternoon and show off their styling skills by creating a HOT look – fierceness from head-to-toe, as Tyra Banks would say. Plus the winner of the style challenge will receive a $100 Macy’s gift card!

During the event Laura will share her fashion do’s and don’ts plus top styling tips for spring. After the fashion challenge, mingle with Laura, relax with Ritual Salon, enjoy Fitcio’s Café sweets and view breathtaking floral arrangements from Hayes Florist. Also, be sure to enter for the chance to win tickets for Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2011!  To top it off, make a women’s purchase of $50 or more to receive a special gift.

Macy’s in Countryside Mall in Clearwater, FL and Laura Hunt will be Putting It All Together, Saturday, April 9th. RSVP today by calling 305-577-1818 or visit the Macy’s website for more information.

You don’t want to miss this event! It goes beyond clothes and shoes, Laura’s styling advice and the magic of Macy’s will help transform you from being dressed to being styled for any occasion!

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Fedoras, Glasses and Fur, Oh My!

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on March 8, 2011 at 5:11 am

With all of the hustle and bustle, glitz and glam surrounding New York Fashion Week, it would be impossible not to notice a collection or two.  While fall often brings about one too many black sweaters and wool peacoats, Malandrino defies the meaning of dull with the breathtaking Fall 2011 collection.  Though Tampa will soon begin to sizzle, pushing us into light cotton dresses and embellished tanks, it is never too early to begin thinking about next fall’s wardrobe.

The Fall 2011 Malandrino collection offers a unique mix of hollywood-esque furs mixed with over-sized eyeglasses.  Some looks portrayed the notion of Jean Harlow meets nerd.  Others utilized fedora-like hats to complete the look.  One beautifully draped purple print gown is featured on a lovely model with long flowing hair and over-sized rims.  Another delightful piece, also in purple is fully accessorized with both glasses and hat.  With several exquisite looks utilizing rich furs, seductive jewel tones and unique accessories, the Fall 2011 collection from Malandrino leaves little to be desired.

The moral?  Whether it be summer or fall, don’t be afraid to kick it up a notch with an unexpected accessory or two.

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Get Vertical: So Not Sari

In Events, Fashion on February 14, 2011 at 9:56 am

Thanks to VERTICAL Tampa Bay Magazine, on Friday, February 11th, PUSH Ultra Lounge turned into a fashionably, So Not Sari night! VERTICAL Tampa Bay is an amazing virtual magazine celebrating fashion, flavor, travel, culture and beauty in the Tampa Bay area, and my Friday night amazingly consisted of all of these elements. The night included  fashion inspired by India, generous guests supporting a good cause and flavorful vegetarian food.

My evening began with bubbling champagne and delicious food on the rooftop… “delicious” doesn’t even bring it justice. It was the most creative vegetarian food I’ve ever had! The servers did an excellent job making sure my stomach was full and happy. Besides dessert (must save the best for last), my favorite mouth-watering dish was the mini portobello mushroom burger, which seemed to always be in my hand – no complaints here.

After mingling with some of Tampa Bay’s most elite, the fashion show began with the Creative Director of VERTICAL, Leslie Joy Ickowitz and guests of honor, happily enlightening the crowd on how the act of generosity turned into the So Not Sari event.

And then…the fashion show began! Kimberly Hendrix worked her creativity by combining Indian saris with the handmade k hendrix signature touch. The 12-look collection consisted of beautiful beading, vibrant colors and the creative craftsmanship that Kimberly is known for.

Kimberly’s pieces were auctioned off after the show with 50% of the proceeds benefiting the organization StreetSAFE, which provides for homeless children in the Bay area. Overall the live auction went very well with guests outbidding each other for their favorite garments and more importantly, a generous donation will be made to StreetSAFE.

And then there was…dessert! While waiting in line, I got a glimpse of what we were having for dessert but couldn’t quite figure out exactly what it was… I’ve never seen anything like it before. Soon I learned that it was the balloon au chocolat dessert a la by Puff ‘n Stuff Catering. The server pours hot rosewater onto the white chocolate balloon which would melt unto the dark chocolate cake beneath it. Honestly, it was the best dessert I have ever seen and tasted! To top if off, the rooftop view of downtown St. Petersburg was breathtaking.

Everything that VERTICAL Tampa Bay Magazine stands for came to life that night. Fashion, flavor, and culture… it was So Not Sari!

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Fabulous Helping Hands

In Designers, Events, Fashion on February 7, 2011 at 12:37 pm

The power of generosity easily opens our eyes to the importance of life. It warms our hearts in seconds yet manages to last a lifetime. In the moment…we offer a helping hand. Our helping hands, powered by generosity, are what truly makes us so fabulous!

So why discuss fabulous helping hands? Well, here’s the story: VERTICAL Tampa Bay reader, Upendra Reddy, reached out with an offer to donate a collection of Indian Saris to Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2010 fashion designer, Kimberly Hendrix. She’s a local Tampa Bay designer who reuses, recycles and renews materials to create her gorgeous vintage-inspired and handmade garments and was featured in the fall issue of VERTICAL.

Upendra’s generosity touched Kimberly, and Kimberly decided to donate 50% of the proceeds from the collection she creates with the Indian saris to a good cause of Upendra’s choice. Upendra has a heart for children who are homeless, and the organization StreetSAFE happens to provide for homeless children in the Bay area. This Friday all of these helping hands will be united!

Kimberly Hendrix for k.hendrix is creating a 12-look collection exclusively for VERTICAL Tampa Bay. The collection will be showcased at So Not Sari which is an exotic fashion presentation on Friday, February 11, 2011 at PUSH Ultra Lounge in downtown St. Petersburg.”So Not Sari is a celebration of hope, love and fashion,” says Leslie Joy Ickowitz, publisher and creative director of VERTICAL Tampa Bay. After the presentation, the garments will be featured in a live auction benefiting StreetSAFE – a division of the Family Resources Foundation devoted to the homeless children population in the Bay area.

This event is invitation only. You can check back here though for post coverage updates and join us as we Get VERTICAL this Friday!

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Transforming Red Carpet Trends

In Events, Fashion, Trends on January 21, 2011 at 7:11 am
Celebrities like Rihanna and Mary-Kate Olsen make great fashion icons! From the streets to the camera lights of the red carpet, they’re always rocking their personal style. Bejeweled shoes to backless dresses, Hollywood’s elite made quite a fashion statement at the Golden Globes. No question about it, their incredible style inspires fashionistas all over. Below are some ways of transforming their red carpet looks into our own wardrobe.

Olivia Wilde

Bejeweled Shoes

Showstopping sparkling shoes are perfect for transforming a girls’ night out look. Every girl should own a pair of glitter heels!

Naya Rivera

Rosettes

Every girl loves flowers!  Wear an accessory with a flower bud (like a headband) to show your classy girlie side.

Sofia Vergara

Belted Waist

Upgrade a simple day look by adding a cute cardigan and high-wasted belt to your everyday tee.

Eva Longoria

Backless

A simple backless or off the shoulder top is purr-fect for a subtle sexy look.

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The Golden Globes: What Was Your Favorite?

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends, Updates on January 18, 2011 at 3:06 am

Everyone knows that our only motivation for taking time out of our busy schedules to watch an award show is the fashion.  At this year’s Golden Globes, those looking forward to flashy gowns popping with color may have been slightly disappointed with the surprising quantity of beige.  There were a few, however who saved the night in rich fabrics fully saturated with exquisite color.

The beautiful Mila Kunis was nothing short of a live, shining emerald in a one-shoulder Vera Wang piece.  The color complemented her flawless skin perfectly, and intricate draping sculpted her adorable shape.  Also from Vera Wang, Sofia Vergara appeared in a fiery pink gown accented with a black belt at the waist.  The gathered bodice and draped train provided a unique flair perfect for this event.

Of course, I am not insinuating in the least that bright colors are the only option for high style.  Eva Longoria was absolutely breathtaking in a black Zac Posen gown.  With a deep cut version of a sweetheart neckline and a matching black sash to cinch the already fitted waist, this dress was simply divine.  In addition, beige is not always bland when worn like Carrie Underwood in sparkling Badgley Mischka Couture.

To each her own: What was your favorite?

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Sea of Style

In Fashion on January 12, 2011 at 9:53 am

Your Christmas vacation is usually visiting a cold destination with the hope of seeing snow and making a snowman with your family, right? Well, this year my family went on a Christmas vacation that involved a cruise to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico. I’ve been on many cruises before but have never departed on Christmas Eve. While the north was experiencing a record-breaking snowstorm, my family and I were heading south for a tropical holiday. Well… somewhat… It was still much too cold to work on my tan. This made packing my suitcase more difficult since my usual cruise attire involves a lot of teeny-weeny polka dot bikinis and cover ups – resort style. In addition to eating and partying at sea, dressing well for every occasion is an enjoyable necessity in any weather.

To have great style on the seas, one must always be prepared with many different options. Several trendy looks for fancy dinners and nights dancing away in the middle of the ocean are a must. And don’t forget adorable casual looks that are both fashionable and functional for fun in the sun.

So what do you pack for a winter cruise? Let’s welcome back the nautical look. The sea style look returns as one of the Spring 2011 trends and hello, it’s perfect for sailing away on a luxurious cruise. Suggestion: wear a navy blue and white striped long sleeve and boatneck shirt with skinny jeans. Then transform this sailor day look into night by throwing on a black blazer, red pumps and matching red lipstick.

The adventure gets exciting when taking those first few footsteps off the ship. When exploring land from sea it’s important to wear: 1. Fashionable yet functional clothing 2. Comfortable walking shoes 3. An outfit prepared for any weather, rain or shine. I enjoy exploring and learning about the roots of different cultures so spending the day discovering the Mayan Ruins of Costa Maya was like being a kid with a mouthful of sugar teeth in a candy store – I loved every second of it! Have fun putting together your explorer outfit. Be daring and a trend setter by mixing tribal and vintage inspired prints together.

Wherever your cruise adventures are sailing off to, make your vacation memories more amazing by being styled for land and sea!

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New Year, New Style

In Designers, Fashion on December 31, 2010 at 4:49 pm

What are you doing New Year’s Eve?  As you descend upon a new year full of dazzling hope and unlimited potential, bid a joyous goodbye to 2010 at one last fabulous party.  Whether it be a small intimate gathering with close friends or an extravagant soiree, be sure to enter the new year in style.

Dazzle the night in a sequined, yet elegant party dress such as the Tadashi Shoji piece in plum.  With sequined mesh over satin in a perfect fit, this dress will certainly grab attention at your holiday dinner.  For  a more youthful feel, the floral skirt cocktail dress from Sue Wong is perfection.  Shimmering silk flowers are accented with sparkling crystal and bead detail for a look of dazzling delicacy.

Wherever you may find yourself this New Year’s Eve, make it one to remember with amazing friends and even more amazing fashion.  Raise a bubbling toast as you welcome a stylish New Year!

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Virtual Fitting Room

In Fashion on December 17, 2010 at 1:38 pm

Should we feel guilty for buying ourselves gifts during the season of giving? With all of the big holiday sales, it’s not easy shopping for hours for our loved ones and not treating ourselves to a little gift. Perhaps online shopping may ease the guilty pleasure. We all know that one of the biggest advantages of shopping online is the ability to shop whenever, and we all know that the disadvantage of online shopping is not being able to physically see the item which is awful when you’re purchasing clothes online. New technology like augmented reality is attempting to fix the problem with the solution of trying on clothes virtually.

My beau is a web designer and marketer so he’s always sharing the newest technological trends with me. He introduced me to augmented reality a few months ago. Recently he launched a website for Augmented Reality News: www.augmentedrealitynews.org. One article about how augmented reality can enter the household with Microsoft’s Kinect really caught my eye. The video (click below) in the article shows how customers can easily see how clothes will look on their bodies before making the purchase. This will give companies the opportunity to make their brand and product offering interactive in a way never thought possible. Augmented reality and other technological advances still yet to come will give businesses numerous opportunities while making the customers buying experience more enjoyable.

Similar to how video game systems have advanced to becoming more interactive, like the Wii and Xbox Kinect, online shopping will advance to make the shopping experience more enjoyable and as easy as possible. Perhaps next Christmas, we will be in the “virtual fitting room” shopping for that little gift to ourselves.

What are your thoughts about using a virtual fitting room?

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Pretty in Black

In Fashion on November 30, 2010 at 9:07 pm

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Time to be thankful and eat a delicious meal with the ones I love. Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade is one of my favorite family traditions. It’s that sweet reminder that my favorite time of year has finally begun. The Christmas season brings a lot of joyful things but the holidays also means a busy work schedule at Ann Taylor LOFT. If you work in retail, there is no question that you must work on the busiest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. Black Friday indicates the period when retailers are turning a profit, or “in the black.”

Busy doesn’t even begin to describe Black Friday. Shoppers filled the store as early as 7am. I was on my feet from 8am to 6pm putting clothes away, styling clients in the fitting rooms, and helping wherever needed. Don’t get me wrong though… I expected a busy day, but having a cold made the day more interesting. At the end of the day, our numbers were high and wallets were low. Good day for business. I only wish I had the energy to shop around after work but… my bed was calling my name and I couldn’t resist.

I did, however, purchase a highly detailed and “bold in black” Ann Taylor LOFT bracelet. The moment I laid eyes on this bracelet, I knew it had to be the newest addition to my jewelry box.

Window and online shopping was a must this weekend for me (and really my only option). I added a few items to my Christmas list. For instance, this Express black leather jacket must be my present to myself (there’s no way I can wait until Christmas morning). The cold weather has started in Tampa so a new jacket is a must! Plus I’ve been dying for a new leather jacket that’s easy on my wallet and fits great. Luckily, I found one! Now I just need to patiently wait for the next holiday sale. Sigh…