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I love summer and the fun shoes that come with it but I have always had an issue with personally wearing sandals and having my toes exposed to the elements. It is because of this that I end up spending half the summer searching for fun flats and slingbacks and cute ways to spice up simple shoes.
Last summer I noticed many of my favourite bloggers rocking some cute ankle cuffs and made it my mission to find a pair of my own. I spent a crazy amount of time clicking around the internet in an attempt to find some with no success.
Lucky for me the kind people at Chicnova.com contacted me and sent along a pair of adorable adjustable, shiny gold ankle cuffs. I have already worn them many times with black flats and sheer nylons and received many compliments and requests asking where I got them from strangers. I greatly encourage you to click here and grab a pair for your own because at $11.25 a piece they are a steal. I find they are a great way to spice up a plain outfit and add some excitement in a fresh new way.
How do you spice up your shoes in the summer?
- BCBG Max Azria
- New York Fashion Week // Fall 2013
Every season I have come to look forward to BCBG and the long loose, heavily layered looks offered specifically for Fall. This newest collection in particular did not disappoint. Models strutted down the runway with long wispy locks tucked under a cashmere beanie and natural minimal makeup offsetting the plentiful layered looks.
Taking a queue from intricate Turkish title patterns, the artwork of street artist Phil Frost and southern european gypsies Max and Lublov Azria offer up luxe grudge wear for the stylish masses. Keeping to a palette consisting of winter white, black, navy, grey and burgundy textures could be found in the soft cashmere sweaters, crepe skirts, quilted parkas, long silk tunics and luxurious knee length fur coats and vests. Sheer panels added detail to the embroidered silk shift dresses that were layered over laser cut mosaic like patterned tunics and leather pants. Each of the looks were finished off with leather thigh high leg warmers and black or burgundy pumps.
This collection full of separates may just be one of my favourite collections shown thus far at New York Fashion Week and I hope you all have taken some mental notes on layering.
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- Zac Posen
- New York Fashion Week // Fall 2013
I always prefer Fall fashion over Spring because there are so many heavy, cozy materials, tons of layers and luxe, rich colours. If any one designer has embodied this so far during New York Fashion Week it would be a mister Zac Posen who summarized his collection as, “Maria Callas going to Argentina” and described it as anatomical and architectural.Of how New York has inspired him growing up Posen stated:
“My fantasies about glamour or about society, about travel, all took place here growing up in New York. When you drive by great historical backgrounds, this is where Halston did his first shows, where Oscar de la Renta used to show.”
After a busy few months taking on the role as a judge on Project Runway, Posen presented his smallest runway show in years and did not disappoint delivering the dramatic, beautiful gowns, and perfectly pretty cocktail dress that he has become widely known for.
Intricately crafted garments made of duchesse satin, silk faille ottoman jacquard, luxurious velvet, organza and tulle came in a palette of various jewel tones. As it always the focus was put on the silhouettes as well as draping, sharp cuts and creating that signature hour glass shape.
By presenting us with an exquisitely constructed collection wit a lack of ornate details he was able to prove that indeed sometimes less is more.
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Red Carpet Fashion: The 2013 SAG Awards
As always here is my list of who, in my opinion, were the best dressed of the evening at the 2013 Screen Actor’s Guild Awards last night held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
Overall I felt a little underwhelmed, especially after last year’s exceptional looks from Emma Stone (In Alexander McQueen) and Zoe Saldana in (Givenchy Haute Couture). Alas there were some eye popping hues, sweet confections and couture straight off the runway from Paris. So lets get to it:
Amanda Seyfried
- After an ethereal showing in Givenchy Couture at The Golden Globes she took a dark glamourous turn and donned a Zac Posen Pre-Fall 2013 gown unconventionally paired with a long Lorraine Schwartz pendant necklace.
Lea Michele
- Lets get this out of the way, I am disregarding her dip dyed hair because aside from that small misstep this was one of my favourite looks of the night. Lea chose a vibrant pink Valentino Resort 2013 gown with a strapless neckline paired with Jimmy Choo pumps. I love that she forwent her usual over the top sexy alter ego for such a sweet girlie look. One thing I wanted to point out about Lea is that she always just seems to feel really good in what she is wearing and look happy in it. I think that is an important point about fashion in general, no matter what list she ends up on she just really enjoys her time on the red carpet and therefore she just always looks amazing.
Kiernan Shipka
- This should be the standard for how all young ladies should dress for award shows. The Mad Men darling wore an Oscar de la Renta petal-pink embellished dress paired with Oscar de la Renta strappy peep toed pumps. Wavy, glossy locks and simple makeup with a natural pink lip shade completed the look.
Kerry Washington
- Now onto my red carpet darling who wore a stunning structured white gown from Rodarte. The look was accessorized with white python Christian Louboutin ‘Batignolles’ pumps and a metallic snakeskin Judith Leiber clutch. I could go on as always about how much I adored this look and why but I will spare you this time.
Naomi Watts
- Finally someone wearing Marchesa, I was wondering when the red carpet favourite would make an appearance and I could not be happier. The strapless silver metallic embroidered, crystal embellished, figure hugging gown fit like a glove and managed not to completely wash out the fair skinned star. Faberge jewels, Christian Louboutin satin ‘Angelique’ heels and a hot pink lip completed this glamourous look.
Nina Dobrev
- Well, she may have showed up on the red carpet sans her best male accessory
*cough* Ian Somerhalder *cough*but she still managed to stun as always. Nina, like Lea Michele chose a vibrant hued pink gown, but instead of going adorably girlie she went the sexy route donning an Elie Saab Spring 2013 confection. Accessorizing with beautiful drop earring and a Judith Leiber clutch this is another eye popping look that tops my list.
Anne Hathaway
- After reviewing the Giambattisa Valli Spring 2013 Couture collection last week this was definitely one of my top gowns that I wanted to see straight off the runway and on the red carpet this season. The crystal embroidered corset top featured a sheer top panel and full tulle skirt. The looked was completed with Jimmy Choo ‘Kalpa’ peep toes and an Edie Parker clutch. Anne managed to look feminine while remaining sophisticated with her feathery short do’ and bright pink hued lip.
Some other stand outs of the night were Nicole Kidman in Vivienne Westwood Couture, Julianne Moore in Chanel Couture, Tina Fey in Oscar de la Renta, Jayma Mays in Georges Hobeika and Jessica Chastain in custom Alexander McQueen.
So do you agree or disagree with my picks? Who were your favourites of the evening?
Red Carpet Fashion: Misses that could have been Hits
Every awards show there are a few ladies who show up looking absolutely stunning and deserve to be on everyones best dressed list, but they don’t, why? This is because they make one big mistake, maybe it is the hair or makeup, or maybe a dress has been altered for them which does not quiet translate.
At this years SAG Awards there were two ladies that fit those categories respectively. Kaley Cuoco wore an adorable vibrant red, ankle length Romona Keveza Spring 2013 gown with an architectural bodice that she paired with ruby satin pumps and a ruby-stone clutch. Now let us all draw our attention upwards to her serious case of helmut hair shall we? It is terrible how much it kills such a youthful and elegant look.
Next up is Marion Cotillard who chose a Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2013 gown that was paired with black pumps and Chopard jewels. Yes, she looks lovely but sadly I had already fallen in love with the original ballooned hooped coral skirt, capped sleeved version of the gown so in my opinion the strapless midnight-blue reinterpretation is very underwhelming.
What did you think of these two looks? Did you love them or hate them?
- Maison Martin Margiela Haute Couture
- Paris Couture Week // Spring 2013
Models clad in Margiela’s signature cloth beaded, embellished masks strutted down the runway at this seasons couture show in garments that seemed to take us on a trip throughout the past century by pulling from elements found in the 20’s, 50’s and 70’s. Unlike other labels couture shows that we have seen this season, the anonymous team behind Margiela strays from the seemingly traditional gown heavy collections.
The show began with long, tulle draped, artistically beaded column dresses reminiscent of the flapper girls that ruled during the years of prohibition and segued into fun sleeveless, collared, shorter frocks. The design team then took a sharp turn and paraded vibrated, tropical feathered tops, foil like ruffles and fun electric florals. The show wrapped with pongee silk coats with metallic orange, blue, yellow and silver wrappers sewn in, definitely something that front row spectators Raf Simons, Nicola Formichetti and Kanye West probably had their eyes on.
Overall many people seem to have disliked this collection saying it was ‘uninspired’ and ‘messy’. Although it did not entirely live up to my expatiations for a couture collection I do feel that there were many stand out looks that I could see the likes of Zoe Saldana and Michelle Williams donning on the red carpet.
What did you think of Maison Martin Margiela’s Haute Couture offerings this season? Was it a hit or a miss?
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- Valentino Haute Couture
- Paris Couture Week // Spring 2013
When I was very young I remember the first time I turned on Fashion Television the first runway show I ever saw on the show was a special anniversary collection celebrating Valentino Garavani and his iconic ‘Valentino Red’. For years I would refer to deep lipstick red hues as ‘Valentino Red’ and I would feel instantly like I was much more sophisticated than my friends. At the time in my mind there was nothing more ladylike than a Valentino creation and to this day whenever I see one of his gowns sashaying down the runway it feels magical. The collections always managed to exude an effortless, light, ethereal elegance that not many other labels of this calibre have been able to quite capture. It is this reason that I most look forward to seeing the Valentino Haute Couture show as we are delivered plenty of gowns to satisfy our visual appetites and feed our imaginations.
This season designers at the helm, Pierpaolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri have delivered yet another collection consisting of ball and red carpet worthy gowns and pretty little dresses that woman around the world may only dream of wearing.
Above I posted exclusively gowns for my own pleasure but I encourage you to view the collection in its entirety here.
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- Chanel Haute Couture
- Paris Couture Week // Spring 2013
Whenever Paris Couture Week rolls around one of the most anticipated shows of the week has to be Chanel. From the style savvy crowd it attracts to the ever changing exciting runway displays to the couture itself, Karl Lagerfeld always leaves us wanting more and hungry for his next collection.
This season was no different providing us with powdery white, black, pastel purple and pink confections with pops of red, yellow and green and plenty of covetable accessories. When I first looked through the collection the first thing I thought of was a ‘Victoriana Clockwork Orange’ with a modern edge brought on by bouts of leather and sequin embellishments. One of my favourite pieces was an off the shoulder, floor length, white lace dress with a black ribbon halter neckline. Some other stand out numbers included two floaty chiffon, off the shoulder, girlie as can be gowns with balloon skirts and paired with lace peep toed boots.
Thank you Karl for blessing us with this whimsical, feathery fairytale.
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- Giambattista Valli Haute Couture
- Paris Couture Week // Spring 2013
One of my favourite parts about award season is seeing my favourite creations from the past year on the red carpet and discovering which of my predictions made their debut. When Paris Couture Week rolls around there is always that added excitement that a piece directly from Couture Week could end up on the red carpet right away as seen last year when Zoe Saldana wore a Givenchy Couture creation flown straight over from Paris for the SAG Awards.
This week has barely begun to show us what it has to offer and already with the presentation Monday of Giambattista Valli’s Haute Couture collection I can already pick out pieces that I would love to see on some young starlets at the week’s SAG Awards and even the Academy Awards in February. The entire collection was comprised of spectacular couture creations executed with precision and finished off with the most dazzling accessories that complimented the looks perfectly.
With a colour palette of violet, blush, canary yellow, pearlescent white and black with metallic accents the collection took on a very ethereal feel. Most of the dresses, no matter how short or how long, featured exaggerated hips and many were accented with belts that had a metallic Grecian, feathered look. To complete the looks models faces were left bare and their hair left down and unkept but many were adorned with metallic floral hair pieces that were simply divine to say the least. Keeping with the look of the hair pieces the jewelry comprised of statement necklaces and cuffs featuring the same delicate flowers that because of the heavy metallic materials were truly anything but.
What pieces from Paris Couture Week would you love to see on a red carpet this season?
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- Dior Haute Couture
- Paris Couture Week // Spring 2013
Living in Canada this time of year can be unbearably depressing, especially when temperatures are reaching -26°C with the windchill. It gets to the point where it is so cold that the idea of Spring seems like a distant untouchable memory.
Thanks to Christian Dior Creative Director, Raf Simons, I have now been given a tiny smidgen of hope in the form of his 2013 Spring Haute Couture collection for the label. A lush garden lined with topiary trees acted as a runway for the models as they weaved their way through, many with bare shoulders and legs - a far cry from the snow covered Tuileries Gardens outside. Raf takes on Dior’s mythical femininity and pushes it further to the point that Spring is virtually bursting at the seams.
The iconic bar jacket made a brief appearance paired with slim, satin cigarette pants. Pastel hues and pops of neon green and pink were juxtaposed heavier black pieces as seen on the oversized dark peplum dresses that were paired with neon tights. Voluminous pieces were reeled in by controlled architectural structure and asymmetrical hemlines while others were left loose and rushed.
So thank you Raf. Tomorrow when I wake up and face the coldest day of the year thus far I will close my eyes and imagine your floral confections and know that Spring is but three months away.
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- Alexander McQueen
- Pre-Fall 2013
Using a strict colour palette of winter white, black and pops of red carpet red, creative director and expectant mother Sarah Burton delivers a pre-fall collection inspired by the clergy of the church. Found throughout is a baroque-inspired black and white print that can be found on the dramatic floor length cape, ankle length pencil skirts and flared coats.
Overall there is a distinctive divide between wearable pieces and the costume like, artistic pieces that the McQueen label has become know for. The heavy cloak like draping and capes are simply gorgeous and I don’t think I will ever be able to get enough of the short flared coat - knee high boots combinations.
- Christian Dior
- Pre-Fall 2013
Pre-fall collections as a whole tend to be a test, a run through of ideas, trends and styles that make way for designers full scale fall collections. To me they are always an exciting treat to wet the whistles of the masses until we get our first glimpses of what we are to be shown in February. I also love that all of the looks are expertly styled and executed and neatly laid out into look books to be fawned over.
For Raf Simons first pre-fall 2013 collection for Christian Dior he did not disappoint in making me very excited to see his presentation during this coming fashion week.
With a fresh take on the brands notable sophistication and this seasons suit trend he manages to stay true to the Dior name. The menswear-inspired silhouettes are tailored close to the body and tapered at the foot for a streamlined look and maintaining that feminine feel. Juxtaposed he also featured wide legged, loose pants but both the streamlined and loose pants were pull together by the signature Dior Bar jacket.
Some looks were given a fun edge by artistically exaggerating draping and swathing of grey flannel around the waists and dropping to the ground and paired with pant suits and simple tee’s. A based colour palette of black and white was used with pops of coral, grey, dark indigo and olive green while infusing traditional fall patterns of houndstooth, cross-hatched tweed and Prince de Galle.
Overall there seems to be a distinctive change in the Dior house brought upon by Raf, the feminine line which is often dominated by pretty cocktail and evening dresses has been given its edge and seen the light anew in a modern woman.
Red Carpet Fashion: The 70th Golden Globe Awards
Last night was The 70th annual Golden Globe Awards, which fashion aside tends to be my favourite awards show of the season. I loved the more relaxed vibe with the round tables and drinks flowing. Overall the celebrities seem to be having a lot more fun, this could be due to the flowing drinks but nevertheless. The year The Golden Globe Awards completely knocked out the competition and was most definitely the best one in years, this was largely in part due to hosts Tina Fey and Amy Poehler who were funny, quick and a joy to watch. Honourable humorous mentions go to Sasha Baron Cohen who with a drink in hand while he dissed his co stars and Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell’s bit as well as Jennifer Lawrence and Adele’s adorable and funny winning speeches.
Now to the part I always love the most, the beautiful gowns of the Globes. Here are my picks for the ladies that stood out the most this year in a good way (excluding my pick for best dressed of the evening).
Jennifer Lawrence
- Dons a Christian Dior Fall 2012 Couture gown which is not surprising as she is the new face of Dior. Her red carpet hued gown was accented by simply a metallic belt and box clutch.
Jessica Alba
- Choose a gown from Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Fall 2013 collection and paired it with a Harry Winston diamond bib necklace and Roger Vivier ‘Pochette Prisme Poodle’ clutch. Unlike Nicole Richie, Jessica managed to make matching her makeup to her gown not look weird. I could have done without the bling but overall she looked stunning.
Kerry Washington
- Wore a nude, semi-sheer embellished Miu Miu dress paired with Prada pointy toed pumps and a Prada satin clutch. I think that Kerry may officially be one of my favourite woman to watch on the red carpet this year after all of her fantastic looks during her promo tour for ‘Django Unchained’. I cannot wait to see what she wear to the Oscars.
Lucy Liu
- Now, a lot of people were not a fan of this floral print Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 2013 ball gown but I for one think it is simply amazing. The fit makes her tiny waist look amazing, the ski blue hue against her skin is beautiful and her fishtail braid over her shoulder compliments the look perfectly.
Amanda Seyfried
- Wore a floor length Givenchy Couture custom-made gown in a nude hue with sheer lace panels paired with long light waves and simple makeup. I love how ethereal she looks after all of the edgy dramatic appearances she has made as of late.
Anne Hathaway
- I am not the biggest fan of Anne, but when it comes to the red carpet she rarely disappoints. This year she wore a winter white Chanel Couture piece from the Spring 2006 collection. Of wearing Chanel she was quoted as saying that she “feels like herself” in Chanel. Must be nice Anne.
Tina Fey
- Finally Tina Fey has brought it and looks 100% put together for a red carpet and when it counted to most. The brunette half of the hosting team for this years show wore a custom L’Wren Scott cream silk dress with black Chantilly lace embroidery and a scalloped hemline. The look was accessorized by a Roger Vivier clutch and Ferragamo black pumps.
Who were your favourites of the evening?
A few months ago while I was perusing the internet I came across the most exciting thing I ever saw - new Sailor Moon anime was to be released in the summer of 2013. Don’t act like you are not also excited because I know you are. Most girls I know - and a few guys for that matter, all wanted to be a specific Sailor Scout at one point or another growing up. I for one wanted to be Sailor Venus. Sailor Venus had long beautiful blonde hair and an adorable bow that matched her little mary jane pumps. Sailor Venus was also the only other scout to have a talking kitty at her disposal and was famous to boot.
Anyways, you can imagine my excitement when two of the loves of my life, fashion and Sailor Moon, were brought together in such an adorable and on trend way. Over the past year the art of fashion illustration has come a long way, becoming increasingly more popular and etched its own spot in our hearts here in the blogging world.
Fashion Illustrator Jerome Lamaar has imagined up a very fun reinterpretation of various popular looks from the Spring 2013 collections. The Sailor Scouts alongside Jem, Daria and Betty Boop rock pieces from the likes of Prada, Givenchy, Dries Van Noten, Céline, Balenciaga and more.
Just one more thing for me to be jealous of Sailor Venus for.
- Wildfox Couture
- Spring 2013 Lookbook
- Model: Olivia Greenfield, Fatima Siad and Tanya Katysheva
- Photographer: Mark Hunter
- Stylist: Kimberly Gordon, Meredith Leyerzaph and Emily Siegs
This is everything.
Taking its inspirational queues from the 90’s cult hit ‘Clueless’, L.A. brand Wildfox recreates iconic images, looks and scenes from the coming of age film.
As a massive fan of the film I have spent years attempting to create looks that are similar to the ones that inspired my love of fashion and clued me in on the fact that my matching sweatshirt - sweatpants combo’s were not good looks. Last winter alone I wore matching blazer and skirt combinations paired with knee high boots and blown out wispy hair just to feel a little more like Cher.
Wildfox has given us some pieces to quench our thirst without going all out tartan and swaying too much from their graphic branding that has made them popular. Over the knee socks, bright yellows and pale pinks mixed with their signature style and framed by the key ‘Clueless’ locations that we know and love bring this lookbook to life.
As an end note I love that they included the main advertising image as well as Cher’s yellow skirt-suit and ”like, most capable outfit.
