Fashion Week Reflection: Donna Karan Sings a New Tune

...and is creating a beautiful melody.  Her newest Ready-to-Wear collection for Fall 2011 screams ladylike sumptuous elegance.  Named "Pearls of Wisdom", this collection deviates from the legend's normal African, bold, bright color inspirations, but the alteration is a breath of fresh air.  Donna tones down the color palette of the collection to demure and serene grey tones, staying within the boundaries of the pearl-esque inspiration.  The clothes speak volumes for themselves, yet are not pretentious.  The collection featured silk chiffon and when coupled with the cashmere wool coats or shearling trim, the end result was a winning combination that spelled "Glamourous Luxury."  What would Grace Kelly look like if she were to occupy our modern world?  Well, she might look something like this:

Photos courtesy of Style.com

(As a side note, I am noticing a wealth of grey in this year's fashion week collections.  Grey is likely becoming the new black.  I appreciate this trend, since grey is a softer, less harsh color and is actually quite flattering for many skin tones.)   The look of the collection obviously dips into the past with models that sport Grace Kelly hair styles, bits of fur trim, elbow-length gloves, nipped waists, and draping that is wistful but pristine in its craftsmanship.   

While critics stated that this collection by Donna "didn't have the spark of her more forward-thinking collections", we would reply that classy is timeless and knows no age.  Another remarked that "it was curious to see how being so covered up could still be so sensual."  When asked about who "this woman" being portrayed through the collection was, the same commenter remarked: "She's someone I wish I could be." The collection presented the idea of a woman who has authentic power or influence by integrating and channeling her sexuality into her whole person and exuding it, not repressing it, but doing it with class. 

To quote Donna Karan:  "We wanted her to be able to feel her femininity come from her heart."  

Now that's beautiful. 

A graceful nod to your work this year.  Thank you, Donna.

Beautiful Moments...

We all have a soft spot inside of us.  I believe those soft spots are where we cradle those treasures that we love.  For some, these treasures may be a new dress, an ice-cream cone on a sunny summer day, a hug from someone special, the laugh of a baby.  While this blog is largely about fashion, it is primarily about beauty and the ways in which beauty manifests itself in my life, the lives of others, or in the world in general.

For me, my soft spot is for beautiful moments, for example.  While beauty can be found almost anywhere if one has the eyes to see it, sometimes it is more difficult to detect.  Lives are busy and often we become frantic popping from one thing to the next.  In our flustered state, our minds begin to short-circuit and beautiful moments cry out to be seen, but fall on deaf ears.

In the hectic hustle and bustle of the day, it is supremely enjoyable when I am able to carve out those special beautiful moments in the day and savor them.  Occasionally, I stumble upon beautiful moments (my boss at work made me chocolate cookies this morning as a surprise, for example) but often these treasures of time must be created intentionally.

This evening was such an occasion.  

Now, it is Valentine's Day, and for many a single gal, this evening spells doom and gloom, a night spent clad in all black, wallowing in a party where the guests are Self-Pity and Woe.  Not for me.  I have been looking forward to this day for at least a week and couldn't wait for it to arrive.   Could there be a better day for an excuse to carve out a beautiful moment?

My beautiful moment this evening consisted of a steak on the stove with bacon and butter (my love of butter is the French in me), Frank Sinatra blaring, a scented candle on the table, dancing in the kitchen, and an extremely over-the-top feminine white apron with lacey frills that was a present from my mother (entirely impractical due to its white color, but what can I say?  It's my "domestic goddess apron.")  I cannot imagine having a more pleasant evening.

To my fellow single gals, please know that you are beautiful.  Singleness is not a disease from which one must have an immediate cure or it will lead to certain death.  Singleness is a time of cultivation.  a time to cultivate those hobbies in which one has an interest -- if not now, when?  A time to cultivate those skills one has always wanted to learn (cooking?  writing?  electric guitar?); a time to cultivate one's mind by the reading of quality books and music;  a time to cultivate one's personality by conversing with people from various walks of life.  Pia de Solenni said: "Let your exterior beauty be a manifestation of an interior reality."  Singleness, if used wisely, can be a time of opportunity.  Time is a friend, not an enemy.  Don't fight it.  As Dawn Eden once said: "Become a singular sensation."

But I digress, and I'm sure you are wanting to hear about my evening.  Some more!  To conclude, it could only have been improved by popping online and checking out Anthropologie's newest Bridal Line on www.bhldn.com (pronounced Bee-Hold-En) just released *today*!  

And at last, you say, she is back on track and talking about fashion again!

Here are some sneak peeks:

Did you have a pleasant evening?  What do you think of Anthro's new duds?  

I will have a few words to say, but for now I bid you bon soir!

Anthropologie just got better...

  

From WildFlowersPhotos

Love is in the air...

And not only because it is the month of Valentine's Day.  Perhaps many of you are already familiar with my love affair with Anthropologie.  For a while, I had a tradition to always pop in on Saturday mornings:  is there a better start to any weekend?  A morning spent in any of the charming locations near my vicinity are guaranteed to brighten my mood.  If I enter with a heavy heart, I always exit with a spring in my step after just a quick turn through the isles, taking in the eclectic collections, the natural textures, the window presentations saturated in creativity, the earthy and sensuous perfumes and candles, the home decor items, and of course, the clothes.

From Washington DC, taken from AnthrObsessed

It is aptly named to reflect its close adherence to the needs and wants of the human person, specifically a woman.(1) Although its charm lies particularly in its whimsical aesthetic, the products are distinctly durable, wearable, and flattering for a woman's body.  It is comfortable and stylish without looking pretentious (it flatters a woman's natural curves and works with her shape without clinging in all the wrong places, thereby distracting from the beauty of her entire personhood.)  On the contrary,  the clothes help accentuate a woman's unique style and personality, and can be layered or paired with multiple items to create a new look every time.   Although their skirts are a personal favorite of mine, they can often be pricey (averaging $120 - 150 per garment).  Nevertheless, the quality and attention-to-detail is impeccable, and many times they can be found on super-sale.

It may not surprise you, then, that I become super excited to learn that they are teaming up with BHLDN and 

launching a Bridal Collection on February 14!  

Taken from AnthrObsessed

This is truly love.  

What will this collection look like?  If it's anything like their teaser intro, the vintage-inspired heirloom wedding dresses promise to include a bit of eyelet, lace, and many delicate details on each dress that will spell perfection.(2)  On the day dedicated to love and romance, check out their website.  If some of my readers also share my complete infatuation with Anthropologie, then maybe your dreams will come true with their new collection.  Maybe they can help you celebrate that special day when true love meets forever.  They can't supply the man, but they might be able to provide that dress that will bring tears to his eyes as you radiate beauty and walk down that isle...

(1) Our friend Webster calls Anthropology "the study of human beings."
(2) Anthro correspondents tell InStyle that the bridal collection will set you back somewhere between $750 - $5000.  Start saving now, Ladies!

Quote of the Day

“Beauty draws the seer towards the person seen; it invites them to know and have confidence in that person even without knowing the person intimately.”  

- Pia de Solenni

Fashion is a Conversation

Happy New Year, friends!  I have been taking a brief hiatus from blogging my thoughts on fashion, but this does not mean that I have not been working on my projects!  Be on the look-out for upcoming posts about my project "Express Myself" (which is coming along quite nicely, if I might say) as well as a new dress collection which I would like to share with you.  But now, for the main event!

*Dun Dun Dun*

Everyone has what I would like to call their "Fashion Personality."  This is the way in which they communicate their identity to the world through the medium of their clothes.  Everyone from the common man to the great artists of the centuries have used various mediums to communicate themselves to others.


Consider this:  a thought cannot be expressed without words.  The words that we choose have an extraordinary power to impact our listeners.  They are the channel connecting our thoughts to the other.  What we say indicates volumes about who we are and connects people together.  For example, it can be incredibly invigorating or occasionally frustrating to journey to a new country and experience the language barrier.   We may not be able to interact and communicate with one another, because of the inability to comprehend what the other person is saying.  And yet, we would like to.  Consider what would happen if we traveled to that country and were able to speak the language.  We would feel much more at home.  Many travelers in a strange land rejoice when they meet someone who speaks their language (english, for instance).  It is as if meeting a long-lost brother.  Our words have importance and purpose. Humans are wired to connect and to be relational.  We are social creatures.  We live in communities, from the most basic community -- the family --  to the broader community -- our workplaces, our schools, our regions and so on.


In order to connect, to build relationships, to grow in friendships, we use various other mediums to communicate.  A musician employs the use of instruments to release beautiful melodies into the atmosphere, drawing his listeners into an intimate conversation about his identity, his experiences, his thoughts and emotions.  A song is like a conversation, each phrase or cadence expresses an idea.  An artist makes use of a blank canvas, lighting, or paint to capture a glorious landscape or depict a portrait.  As a photography enthusiast, I love using my camera to play with lighting and angles, capturing nostalgic moments, vintage elegance, or creating a charming whimsical scene where no one would expect it.


What does all of this have to do with fashion?  Fashion is a form of expression as well.  It is a channel of conversation between ourselves and the outside world.  The clothes that we choose to purchase and wear reveal volumes about the way we would like to present ourselves.  Consider the colors that we choose, the accessories that we use to garnish our ensemble, the fit and cut of the clothing.  All of these things are a form of conversation with others, a way to express ourselves, and a way to let others quickly know how we would like to be treated (but more on that later...)


Finally, we come full circle to what I call someone's "Fashion Personality." There are so many terms used to describe fashion from "chic, vintage, elegant, romantic, hipster, trendy, emo" and so many others.  The list is endless, because we essentially are trying to capture terms that depict how someone harnesses their individuality and expresses it through their fashion.


Over the holiday break, I was able to take a few hours and have fun with photography, fashion, and one of the dearest girls in the world, we'll call her "A" -- three of my favorite things.  Below you will notice the look that I would call *Vintage Romantic.*

So, my readers, what is YOUR look?  Have you thought about what your fashion personality is?

  

You certainly have one.  ;)

Express Myself: Part One

"Less is more."  

Some things are simply beautiful in their simplicity.  Not overly complicated, they make a statement without even trying:  the result is stunning and flattering for everyone to enjoy.  That is how I feel about one of the newest items at Express.  We all know ruffles are in, and yet somehow, this ruffled tank features a defining detail that makes all the difference -- the ribbons.  The ribbon trim adds a bit of dimension, depth, and contrast to the color palette that is charming and unexpected.  How feminine is that?

*Drum roll please*  Click to see the masterpiece: EXPRESS: TIERED RUFFLE TANK

"Practically perfect in every way" ~ Mary Poppins

The only part NOT practically perfect in every way is the price-tag.  In my opinion, $40 for a tank top is a bit high.  As much as I'd like to sport that lovely garment under a chic Arthropologie swing-sweater, some things will continue to exist in my dreams.... 

Unless....

I pose a challenge to myself and invite all of you to watch me accomplish it.  The result will be one of two things.  Either I will be a domestic goddess and create my own ruffle tank top with ribboned accents, or I will fall from my pedestal and create a less-than-beautiful shirt that will only see the light of day when I'm doing yard work (i.e. never?).  In either case, join me on my journey!  Check back soon to see the project entitled "Express Myself" as I chronicle my little experiment to make a ruffled tank top reminiscent of the Express version for 1/2 the cost.  

Whatever the outcome, rest assured that it will be made with love.   So therefore, it will have some beauty.  ;)  

Style Tip:  Pair with a cute sweater or cardigan and colorful scarf for a chic look.  Brave those cold upcoming winter months!  Cheers!

Introducing "Le Picnic"

 

Dress Design for Shabby Apple Dresses

Introducing "Picnic in a Field of Flowers"

Inspiration:  A lazy afternoon.  The sunlight filters through the newborn baby green leaves that cling vulnerably to the tree branches high above.  A pleasant grove filled with the musical chirping of playful birds.  Best of all, a sense of new life and expectation as the snow is gone, the grass bursts through the hard soil to reveal a carpet of green be-speckled with vibrant wild flowers.  In the midst of this glory sits a girl with a plaid picnic blanket and a book, ready to immerse herself in the beauty of her surroundings.  She has ridden to this grove on a vintage bicycle with a Nantucket basket to take her there in style! 

This dress is the perfect accompaniment to the scene, in its rich hue of green with a surprise double layer of yellow floral cotton peeping under the knee-length, full, A-line skirt.  The thick waistband cinches the waist for a feminine figure while the pin tucks in the bodice create a neat silhouette.  The mock tube-top blends flatteringly into the ivory cotton mock shirting with a small bow  on the sleeves to add a feminine flourish.  The pockets in the skirt have elastic at the top and are perfect complement to the on-the-go woman.  Paired with either brown leather thick-heeled pumps or espadrilles, this dress is the epitome of feminine ease.