Groundbreaking Florals

Almost a year ago, I went to visit my college professor,  Ms. Leak for advice and direction.  I was freaking out about a project I had to do as part of the interview process for my current job. I had to choose a category and one of several very specific customers to design a collection for. This line needed to fit their needs relative to their lifestyle, career, etc. while  also staying relevant to the current trends for the season.  The season I chose was Spring 2011 which we are currently in.

I believe it was May of last year when Ms. Leak pulled out her TOBE reports and we chatted about what was to come.  I probably should have been more aware of what was in sight for Spring 2011, but I was very busy at the time with my other job and worrying about whether or not I was ever going to have a career in design!  Sooo we turned to the experts - trend forecasters. 

The TOBE report was right on! When I was told that there was going to be this HUGE nordic trend coming for last fall, I was a little skepical...quite honestly didn't really even know what the word Nordic meant or translated to  in relation to fashion and apparel. However, I open Vogue for one of the early Fall issues and the Dolce add is nothing but beautiful Scandinavian Models in snow gear and fair isle knits.

Then we moved on to discuss Spring to which Ms. Leak said their was going to be a huge Garden party statement.  Ok...so what immediately comes to mind is Miranda Priestly's quote from Devil Wears Prada - "Florals? For spring? Ground Breaking!"  However, I've seen more florals in the market, on the runways, and out in the fashion buzz than ever. What I love about the Garden Party concept is mixing in lace, silk, bustier/derby style silhouettes, and all things lady-like to give the season more of a specific identity and over all statement rather than a general florals theme.  The way you can update your florals to be more relevant to today's current trends are by finding those with a vintage feel or watercolor technique. I'm also seeing many florals that have more of a hand-drawn or sketchy feel and look. We are developing many of these types of prints and patterns in bedding for Home as well.  You can see the free part of the TOBE review for Spring here:

http://www.tobereport.com/trends/index-2.html

Seeing as it is Easter and all...here are a few of the items I would combine for Easter Sunday if I could go all out! Don't you sometimes wish the norm would be to get all dolled up and dressed to the nines like the old days?!

Secret Garden by ewill51 featuring a straw hat

Shop so you don't drop!

According to a recent study in Taiwan, shopping can actually help older people live longer!  65 yrs old and above should shop at least once a week in order to "reduce their mortality risk" by %28(men), and %23(women)...I'm all of a sudden looking forward to the other side of the hill!

If I had endless funds and could speak French, I would shop the designers on this site.

 http://carnetdemode.com/createurs.html

This is a website Arbia Smiti, a friend of a friend in Paris created to feature some amazing talent. The fashion is AMAZING...each designer is very distinguished with his or her own look, and all set apart from one another - props to Arbia or whoever hand picked this crop of artists. What I love is they all not only get their vision/aesthetic across, but execute the line very tastefully. Every piece is very bold and makes a huge statement, but I would actually wear it!  I couldn't pick a favorite designer, but here is my favorite look of each brand. Check out this site and give yourself a break just browsing through the beauty...unless you speak French. In that case, read and get back to me on your findings!

 

Target Go Collective.

Target is bringing back some of the best designers they have had for their GO international collections starting March 13!  I can't wait.  Here are some of the looks from the past - favorites of Fashion Editor Nola Weinstein. With all of the fashion weeks in full swing currently, I thought it would be interesting to see what a few of these Iconic Creators are sending down the catwalk today!

1. Rodarte for Target Lace-Print Dress 29 in Black/Tab, $39.99
2. Tucker for Target Signature Dress in Floral Print, $39.99
3. Benhaz Sarafpour for Target Silk Georgette Lace Dress in Ivory, $44.99
4. Tracy Feith for Target Dress in Hibiscus Print, $39.99
5. Thakoon for Target Printed Tie-Waist Dress in Black/White, $39.99
6. Thakoon for Target Gathered Dress in Cyber Floral, $39.99
7. Alice Temperley for Target Voile Ruffle-Front Dress in Black, $34.99
8. Libertine for Target Striped Tunic, $24.99

Here are some key looks from the designers listed above.  It's interesting to see how vastly different each of their looks/aesthetics are...I wonder if Target takes that into consideration. I'm really not to fond of many of these current collections. I normally adore anything Zac Posen does, but I was struggling to find a look that I would be willing to sell everything I own in order to call my own.  My two favorites are those that I normally do not follow.  I really like the silk prints and 70's retro vibe of Tucker. I also like a few of the pieces by Sarafpour- the classic tailored looks were very appealing.

Thumbs down to Rodarte and Libertine...I'd rather have their Target looks.Thakoon had a few pieces I liked, but most were more conceptual and not very wearable. Temperley London for Fall 2011 looked like the Adam's Family took over. I usually like her designs, but she went a little to goth/renaissance on me. The look I've posted is probably the least in this direction - most wearable/current. I couldn't find much on Tracy Feith.  He is the new Target designer and used to do a skateboard/surf line...here is Mobama in one of his looks...

Zac Posen

Rodarte

Temperley London

Tucker

Libertine

Thakoon

Behnaz Sarafpour

Buzz up!

Menswear Spring Wardrobe

It's fashion week season, but not for the season at hand of course.  I decided to review the Spring 11' runways and see what I could find as far as the color palette, silhouettes, trends. and point out some of my favorites! The average chap should keep in mind that most of these looks are not to be worn quite so literally...rather use this to influence your choice of color, added details to your current wardrobe, or how you style your digs. Enjoy!


A few of my favorite Details..

Color Palette, 3.1 Phillip Lim

Nehru Collar, Lacoste

Leather Jacket, Duckie Brown

Sneakers, Marc Jacobs

The color palette was right along with the rest of fashion at the moment with important colors being shades of grey, white, tinted neutrals, navy, (including lighter tones in the same family), shades of orange and coral, and of course chartreuse.

A few themes I noticed as far as styling and inspiration goes came from the 50's and early 60's.  Inspiration was also definitely drawn from the Brit Dandy's of the late 18th and early 10th centuries, (think ascots, over exaggerated detailing, slim pant styles, etc.).  A sophisticated or style/conscious rocker look was also a common theme on the catwalks.

Cropped and cuffed trousers were probably the most prevalent detail I saw across all labels.  Another look I noticed this season was very literally a buttoned up one.  With the whole 70's by way of 40's trend going on, there were no chest hairs to be seen.  The boys left it to the imagination on the runway this season...

BiShOp ArTs DiStRiCt DaLlAs

I came upon a wonderful "pocket of greatness" in the words of my friend Matt this weekend.  We decided we wanted to try Bolsa in Oak Cliff, (a great region of Dallas full of amazing restaurants).  Unfortunately/fortunately, there was an  11/2 wait.  The hostess said it would be worth it once we had their drinks and dishes and suggested we take a walk around and explore the area while we waited.  As we started our little venture down Davis street, there wasn't too much to see besides a couple of glass and auto shops as well as a random tatoo shop or two...so we thought.  I suggested that we at least walk to the next light and then we could give up.  As we approached the light and glanced to our right, we found the pocket of greatness!  As we turned the corner, the Bishop/Arts district came on full spring.  shops, restaurants, and galleries appeared out of nowhere...kind of reminded me of Brooklyn in that you have to know where to look, but the end result is always unique and way worth the search.  In lieu of the menswear theme going on this week on chit chat, I thought I would talk about the jewel called Epiphany I found in this area.  They have men's, women's, and home decor.  Here are a couple of shots I took in the menswear boutique.  My favorite is this amazing fedora with the snakeskin trim on the brim!   The boutique was small and limited in merchandise as most are, but everything they carried had personality and the merchandising/styling was very refreshing. We ended up stoping in on this little pizza place called Eno's for a glass or mayybe carafe of Vino, but decided to stay for their thin crust pizza as well.  The place was absolutely precious, and I will be back, but maybe not for dinner...their pizza wasn't my favorite...try Fireside Pies or Coal Vines if you visit Dallas, both are divine. Planning on returning to Bolsa this coming weekend, but will definitely get their a bit earlier this time and will now be prepared and happy to kill time :).

Well Balanced Design

I received my guilt group deals the other day and was drawn more to the deals for the men than the women.  These shoes by Helm are just perfect! The shoes are sharp and handsome in the same way that Billy Reid is classic, but updated and on trend. The following styles would pair very well with Billy Reid's collection. That shade of brown in the boot two pics down goes great with almost any color way...black, khakis, camel, navy.  And I love the inspiration as told in the description on the website - "Sharper and sleeker with dark overlays and a classic seamless fit, it’s a classy version of a gangster python boot worn by Al Pacino in “Scarface.” As in this example of bring together a class act look with a gangster influence, opposites attract in design.  Another example is the whole rough-luxe trend which goes across all categories - home, apparel, and definitely in the styling of restaurants and hotels. When you get dressed in the morning for example, you always have to have that balance present whether it be in the silhouette, accessories, or color palette. If I have on a whimsy formal spring dress, I'm probably going to pair it with boots, dark or metallic accessories, or something to give it a bit of an edge. With menswear looks, I'll definitely have on a very feminine top, statement accessory, or go more pretty and lady-like with my hair and makeup styling. Mixing, matching, adding, and achieving the overall equilibrium of your own look is like the grand prize in creating your own eclectic style.

Uprooted Southern Style

 I've had this obsession lately with Billy Reid.  The fact that he is from Louisiana, spent time at LSU, studied in Dallas, and has had JCPenney, (company I design for), as a client in the past just makes him more interesting to me and adds to his list of credentials in my opinion :). His style is southern with kind of a hipster twist if you will. The cut of his clothing is exquisite...handcut patterns add to the unique decor of his boutiques.  He added womenswear to his repertoire in 2000, but I love his looks more so for the chaps. An important aspect of menswear collections is to have pieces that can be easily styled in different ways and could fit into many different "genres" of taste.  Let's face it...guys don't have near as many silhouettes or options as the ladies, and its the little things built into your overall ensemble that create your own personal style. As you will see in the following images, Reid shows that whether you are a southern gentleman with a  pocket square and bow tie or someone who takes more risk with high waters and black rimmed glasses, you can shop with him and stand out. The following collection of looks are all done up and maybe even a little over-styled, but you can see that each individual piece could be pulled off to achieve whatever type of look you feel comfortable in and can pull off.  I recently went to a party at Northpark mall inside his boutique.  He had a live roots/rock band, outstanding hors d'oeuvres, and a bar made out of antique wooden crates with an older gentlemen wearing a perfectly cut 3 piece suit, pocket square, glasses, and bow tie serving shiner bock, heineken, or crown on the rocks...def. made a statement and fit well with the overall image. This brand pairs well with Black Keys, Ponderosa, and the Raconteurs...more later this week for the boys;{