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Archive for the ‘Trends’ Category

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Shoulder Jewelry

In Fashion, Trends on July 12, 2010 at 2:16 am

There is nothing worse than when it comes to wearing a cami to show off your flirtatious shoulders but instead they are camouflaged by a bra strap. Especially if the bra strap isn’t the same color as the cami…yuck! You could just wear a strapless bra but I find a sense of security when my shoulders hold up my boulders, small boulders that is – tsk tsk.

Thanks to Cole Spencer, one of our very own Fashion Week Tampa Bay fans, I have been introduced to a new way to show off your shoulders without the shameful exposure of a plain, dull bra strap. Decorative bra straps! Strappys.com provides bra straps that are more like shoulder jewelry. Hand beaded straps that are durable along with jewelry straps such as a strap with pink roses and crystals can be paired with a pink cami to transform your outfit and look as if it’s a part of your shirt.

Not only are the straps trendy but they are functional as well. Now you can stop the slip-sliding straps from falling down by replacing them with a beaded, fabric or rhinestone strap. The decorative straps can be attached to any strapless or convertible bra.

Getting married soon or just know someone who is? Strappys.com even has bridal bra straps. Thanks, Cole for the fashion scoop!

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Galliano Churns Out Pure Magic

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on July 9, 2010 at 3:17 pm

There are almost no words to describe the sheer joy that comes from hearing the phrase, “couture collection.”  That being said, John Galliano has yet again exceeded expectations with his couture collection for Fall 2010.

In Paris this past week, Galliano’s collection for the House of Christian Dior blossomed quite literally onto the runway.  With a vivid floral theme, models emerged in tulip-shaped silhouettes and breathtaking colors.

One look in particular featured a beautifully soft textured blazer in robin’s egg blue which displayed an exaggerated shawl collar.  The waist was tied with a very unique gold belt and led down to a full black skirt with bubble hem.  As if this ensemble were not enough to tempt the eye, the skirt also features a side embellishment of wonderfully realistic flowers in lilac and yellow.  Another dress appeared in shiny black with a vintage, off-the-shoulder design and sheer overlay at the skirt which seemed to transcend into one large, pink petal.  Worn with shocking pink gloves, this look was simply divine.

While many fall collections tend to feature warm, yet sometimes dull earth tones, this was certainly not the case in the House of Dior.  A gown more vibrant than any exotic flower arrangement presented with a full length skirt shaped in tiny tiers of exquisite teal silk.  The strapless bodice revealed a purple floral print and transitioned quite nicely with a large, artistic bow in neon yellow.

John Galliano is a true innovator with a mind that continually churns out pure magic.  If not one piece in this collection of literal silhouettes and mind-blowing color tickles your senses, I would suggest an immediate medical consultation.

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Haute Couture 2010: Givenchy

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on July 9, 2010 at 2:14 am

Death, religion, and sensuality. Provocative topics for cocktail conservation with close friends, and for fashion as well. Starting points for Givenchy’s creative director, Riccardo Tisci, these themes transform beautifully into the haute couture 2010 collection.

Spending the time to gaze and appreciate the wonderment of fashion is really important to me. I’m all about the little details and inspiration that lie deep within a designers work. It’s one of the many reasons why couture fashion has my heart! The collection contains ten fantastic looks themed around Frida Kahlo’s art, which explains the corsets, religious symbolism and the idea of human bones that come out of her artwork. To the naked eye, the collection seems pretty and romantic but it’s far from that. The collection is certainly beautiful artwork of its own but beauty doesn’t have to be pretty… “There’s no beauty without strangeness.” – Karl Lagerfeld.

Although the color palate is pale, this intensely worked collection is threaded with dark representation. To the left, this Givenchy haute couture dress resembles a crystal embroidery skeleton over a nude net dress with a metal belt symbolizing a spine. The other looks contain long languid dresses that flow to the floor, matched with a long sleeve jacket (either a blazer or a fur jacket). Riccardo Tisci really focused on intensifying the craftsmanship in this year’s haute couture collection. His workmanship and close attention to detail makes the collection more impressive and impactful to the fashion industry. This Givenchy woman is a showgirl who loves to show off her glamorous side and embodies wearable art. She is very confident and fashionable!

Like Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier also gave the illusion of human bones coming out of their collection. However, the Givenchy haute couture 2010 collection surpassed them all this season. Riccardo Tisci’s amazing craftsmanship with the crystal embroidery and unique pattern shapes really caught my eye. The beautiful inspiration behind their high fashion haute couture collection made it even better. I fell in love with haute couture fashion all over again!

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Ladie’s Night at the Denim Bar

In Fashion, Trends on July 7, 2010 at 9:48 am

Ladies, it’s time for happy hour, except we’re not going to the martini bar, we’re heading to the denim bar! Grab your laptops, iPads, or whatever internet access you have and get ready for a night of stonewashed finish in a skinny jean cut on the rocks with a twist.

I came across an incredible website where you can choose what type of jean cut style you prefer, whether it be skinny, flare or jeggings- leggings that look like jeans- an assortment of finishes including stonewash, forest wash, cavern wash and much more.  It’s called the denim bar and you can go there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get a quick denim fix by visiting  Madewell.com.

Madewell is a denim brand that started in the late 1930s. They have 17 locations in 12 states including New York, Georgia, California, and Massachusetts, where the company was founded. Recently they launched their online store so that no matter what state or country you were in, you can be a madewell chic!

The Madewell brand offers trendy styles that are cool and hip with a downtown-casual vibe infused with lots of denim. While navigating the site you will come across a few important links: Looks We Love and The Denim Bar. By clicking on the links, the site will take you on a tour of what’s hot for the season. So far I’ve been advised that cardigans will be a fall must have.

Although they specialize in denim, the brand doesn’t stop there. They have very fashionable tees and tanks, accessories and shoes, along with sweaters and jackets. It’s a one-stop shop for an entire look. Want to know the coolest way to wear skinny jeans this summer? Well, the site also turns into your very own stylist with a Denim Q&A link that provides frequently asked questions and answers about the styles.

Happy Shopping!

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Get a Workout While You Walk

In Fashion, Trends on July 5, 2010 at 7:00 am

Finding the time to workout can be even more challenging than actually working out. That doesn’t mean you have to give up and let your busy schedule get the best of you. I have come across a solution to this problem that’s not only smart, but fashionably friendly as well. The Fitflop sandal!  This sandal is bio-mechanically engineered to help tone and tighten your leg muscles while you walk. With a busy schedule, being able to multi-task at all times is imperative, so toning while sprinting to your next meeting is a fabulous idea!

Rebel style for Women

Along with toning and tightening leg muscles, the Fitflop can also improve posture and help reduce plantar’s foot pain, which can be caused by being on your feet all day for long periods of time. The Fitflop has a Microwobbleboard Technology that increases the time that your muscles are engaged every single time you take a step.  The heel of the sandal is a high density section that absorbs up to 22% more shock to help relieve joint stress. The mid-section creates instability which increases leg muscles activation up to 16%.

The Fitflop can be purchased on-line at Zappos.com or VictoriaSecrets.com or at your nearest Nordstrom or Macy’s. They range in price from $40.00-$100.00 with $59.99 being the most common price for the flip-flop style. A little pricy for a flip-flop but just think of how much money you could save on a gym membership. The Fitflop is not just for women, they offer styles for men and children. I have to say, the styles are very trendy. My favorite is the Rockstar Walkstar which has a dozen crystallized Swarovski elements. Unfortunately, this style is currently sold out, ugh!

Freeway style for Men

Whether you are hiking, working or shopping with your friends, you can do it in a Fitflop shoe and get a workout while you walk!

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The Iconic Style of the Red, White and Blue!

In Events, Fashion, Trends on July 1, 2010 at 1:56 am

I love the Fourth of July! It’s the epitome of summer – beach barbeque, fireworks, everyone outside eating hamburgers and laughing with friends… does it get any better? It can if you dress well! To make your Fourth of July outfit extra special, embody your iconic American style!

You may be asking, what makes our American style so iconic? Yes, American style varies from state to state like the city chic New Yorker, Floridian beach lover, Texas cowgirl and so on! However, one iconic look Americans share (no matter what part of the country you call home) – JEANS! Bonus points if you wear a white or red tank top (a well-fitted tank top so it’s classy, not trashy) for a simple yet sexy American look. Perfect for your Fourth of July outdoor activities! To make this blue jean look pop, wear a colorful light scarf or big and bold necklace. Friendly fashion reminder: if you live in Florida like me, remember it will be a very haute summer night so wear jean shorts, not pants!

What will I be wearing this Fourth of July? Well, my personal style is nowhere near simple! My patriotic look from head to toe: hair bun, white cat-eye sunglasses, red lipstick, a dark navy and white thin strip shirt, jean shorts and red wedges. It’s my mixture of modern artistic chic with preppy chic, worthy of crashing a Hampton’s beach party. Who knows, you may mistake me as the newest Tommy Hilfiger model (minus the height difference of being only 5 ft and 3 in). Wearing a navy and white thin stripe shirt with red shoes is the definition of patriotic chic for a beach barbeque! Now all I need is this GAP nautical tote bag to complete my Fourth of July outfit!

Embrace your American pride by dressing preppy chic in red, white, blue and denim! Then sit back in your patio chair and sip iced tea long after the last firework has gone off! Happy Fourth of July loves!


Light Up Your Night

In Fashion, Trends on June 30, 2010 at 3:48 am

Imagine walking into a room and immediately all eyes are on you. Not because you are wearing incredible stilettos, but because you light up the room, literally. Thanks to Electro Luminescence Technology your clothes can do just that. You can light up your night for the world to see!

This wearable technology is called Flashwear. You will get the ultimate disco experience with the electro luminescence graphic equaliser built into the chest of a variety of graphic t-shirt styles such as an American flag, big red lips, and even a heart, just to name a few.  However, you may ask yourself, how does this shirt light up? The ultra-light panel and spectrum sensor controller detects the rhythm frequency and beat of the music that is playing in the room you are in. The controller is also cleverly concealed within the chest panel and includes a light-weight power-pack that’s durable.

This sound-activated shirt will dance itself to the beat of your favorite song…hmm…will there be a dance off between you and your t-shirt?

Like most delicate and unique garments, the Flashwear t-shirt must be handwashed. The shirt also runs on 4 AAA batteries placed in a battery pack that can be unplugged and removed for easy washing.

Although this t-shirt may seem a bit on the novelty side, technology has made a huge break-through in the fashion industry. There is technology to repel stains, sneakers that calculate how many calories you are burning, and a t-shirt that ‘hears’ the beat of the music. I wonder what’s next?!

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The Ivanka Ska Online Store

In Designers, Fashion, Trends, Updates on June 28, 2010 at 10:34 am

Honestly, who doesn’t love the convenience of online shopping? Shop while lying on the couch in the most comfortable pair of slippers, with a latte in one hand and cookies in the other…. Ah, sounds like paradise to me! If slippers simply won’t do for you, then I totally give you permission to rock your fiercest four inch heels. It’s not like you’ll be walking much anyway, so pain isn’t an issue! I’m very proud to share that designer, Ivanka Ska ( featured in Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2008 and 2009) is making “the shopping experience” our way! Tampa Bay’s first fashion house -The House of Ska expands to the World Wide Web and it’s just a click away!

Ivanka Ska’s online store provides fashionistas shopping convenience and most importantly, stylish trendy clothes, accessories and art. Ivanka Ska is a well-known Tampa Bay fashion designer whose collections have showcased on many runways including Fashion Week Tampa Bay. In addition to being known for her fashion house in St. Petersburg, FL – The House of Ska, Ivanka creates jaw-dropping fashion and unforgettable fashion and art shows. There’s no need to school you on what fashion is (especially what fashion means for us fashionistas or stylistas – like me) but like Coco Chanel brilliantly said “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Ivanka Ska lives and breathes fashion, art and all creativity. She provides the Tampa Bay area with eye-catching “wearable art” because fashion is art!

I love the Ivanka Ska online store especially her breath-taking dresses! The only problem is the inconvenience of having to choose what to purchase… Some of my favorite dresses are below. Which dress takes your breath away? Oh and lastly, the Ivanka Ska virtual shopping experience is just a click away: http://www.ivankaska.info/ Enjoy and feel free to write your own review below.


Tory Burch Falls into Denim

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on June 25, 2010 at 6:59 pm

As in the past, the Tory Bruch brand offered feminine tunic dresses and bold flats with the best weekend bags any socialite would fancy.  Come this fall, Burch has revamped and expanded her collection into denim.The line will still carry everything that has made her brand what it is today, like the Reva flat and printed tunics, but they’re adding a staple piece that every ‘Burch’ customer wants…denim. Tory Burch has transmitted her prints right onto denim. Printed jeans? Hmm…interesting. The line offers boot-cut, skinny, slim and the newest trend, jeggings –  jeans leggings. The jeans range from $165-$250.

All the jeans will have her infamous leather T logo on every denim product. Be on the look out for Tory Burch denim at some of her retail providers like Neiman Marcus…they are already starting to get fur coats in!

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Do You Have World Cup Fever?

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on June 22, 2010 at 4:29 pm

Since our economy took a wrong turn somewhere and is currently trying to find its way back, fashion is still staying alive. However, the industry is looking for all possible routes. Fashion has been taking the road of sports by collaborating with well-known athletic icons such as Derek Jeter and Nike and Armani having the oh so good-looking David Beckham model in underwear…(sigh). Recently, fashion world has caught World Cup fever on the way. Fashion designers and sports have united to kick off products for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The tournament is considered to be the world’s largest sporting event. So, it comes as no surprise that some of the world’s largest fashion designers would be apart of something like this. Louis Vuitton created a special case for the 24-karat gold trophy with malachite detailing that will be given to the winning team. If I was on the winning team I don’t know if I would be more excited about winning or that the case was a Vuitton…hmm. Giorgio Armani has not only dressed the Italian national team in the past, but created a World Cup collection of men’s accessories for Emporio Armani. The collection includes a weekend bag, belts, sneakers, t-shirts, and boxer briefs with a detachable flag logo. Dolce & Gabbana, also supporting the Italian national team, offers a more sophisticated collection. A navy blue two-buttoned suit with spear-headed lapels over a white shirt, a Jacquard tie, a four-button waistcoat and sunglasses all with the Italian flag somewhere within.

Many more designers have caught a case of the World Cup fever such as, Puma, Nike, and Adidas. The companies hope to generate more to the industry. I believe they are going down the right route. Although sports merchandise like football jerseys and team logo coozies have been produced for years, designers have brought something new and innovated to the table. This is a market that has so many opportunities and I look forward to see what the future holds for fashion and sports!