Key Fall Fashion Must Haves-Invest Now!

Fall is fully on and although I've tried to transition a few summery pieces into my fall wardrobe I realize how much I need to add a few key statement pieces to my wardrobe. If you've been keeping up with fall fashion trends than these items might already be neatly tucked away in your closet. If so, I salute you! Otherwise, start putting together a fall fashion checklist and investing in the pieces (within your budget) that will help enhance and tie together your fall/winter look seamlessly. 

1- Tailored Statement Outerwear: Ponchos, Capes, Caplets-Designers like Milly and Jill Stuart showed off great tailored jackets with embellishments, belted waists, and funky details to make your outerwear is as fashion-fabulous as your carefully crafted outfit.

2- Faux Fur-A fabulous fake fur vest, jacket or fur lined sweater will not only make you feel bundled this winter, but will also pair well with a sexy dress or simple skinny jeans and a white t-shirt.  Faux Fur is one of the biggest trends this season and extremely versatile.

3- Chunky Knits- The runways were filled with cozy knits. Phillip Lim's fall collection showed off boucy fabrics in tailored, oversized and asymetrical designs. Pair knits with a little sheen, sparkle or shimmer to dress up the look. Layering is HUGE this season so don't be afraid to layer your knits with jackets, capes and tops.

4- Military Inspired Clothes- A fitted military inspired jacket layered over a floral-printed dress or ultra-feminine top is exactly what designers have in mind. Don't go head to toe military. Look for fitted cargo pants in army green, lace-up military-inspired booties, or a fitted jacket with military buttons, a high neckline or a deep shade and go from there. The key is mixing this piece with a fairly neutral color palette. Add a cozy sweater, school-girl skirt or patterened cardigan. The beauty of the military look is that it's versatile. Have fun with it.

5- Mixing and Matching Prints- This is by far my favorite trend because I can finally look at my closet and blindly pick two items and know I'll still be on trend. Just kidding. Mixing and matching prints, patterns or textures is all about finding common ground. If you're pairing together two different prints, look for a unifying theme or complimentary color scheme (the colors don't have to match but must be cohesive in some way). Patterns need to look like their long lost cousins not Aliens Vs. Monsters. Textures are even more fun but you really need to be aware of what works and what doesn't. Mix brocade and tweed or tulle and lace just make sure it makes sense and has some unifying message. A great way to mix and match is by adding a fun scarf, textured belt or over the top shoe. Sometimes all you need is that one accessory that stands out but in the ends makes the look interesting and polished. Rachel Bilson and The City's Olivia Palermo (ugh) both do a great job of working this trend.

6- Fall Florals- Florals aren't just for spring and summer. The versatile print looks great layered, belted and paired with a chunky heel or boot. Try a dress with bright florals or a full, high waisted skirt and layer it under an oversized sweater. Cinch your waist with a funky colored belt, detailed satin scarf headband and thick-heeled over the knee boots.

7- Exaggerated Cat Eyes-Jill Stuart was one of my favorite fall shows and the designer paired big Brigette Bardot bed head hair with exaggerated cat eyes. The result was utterly sexy and mysterious. The cat eye is easy to achieve. All you need is liquid liner and a steady hand. Use your finger on the hand your not using, to act as a placemarker for where you want the line to sweep up and go. Thicken that line up from your bottom lash line to the top. Let the lines connect and swoop out. Also add in a dark shadow in dark blue, charcoal gray or even dark green and extended the shadow out to meet the flipped up line. The eye will instantly be drawn to the outter corners and make your eyes look bigger, darker and more sultry.

8- Gray nails-Nail polish is becoming as big of a fashion accessory and must-have statement as the clutch, cocktail ring, or bib necklace. I remarked that every single person in the tents during fashion week had polished nails and gorgeous manicures in totally trendy tints. Even if you paint your nails yourself, invest your time in making them look one up. It completes an outfit and shows that you care about your appearance and overall look. Grey nails or Gris nails are the "it" color of the season. Grey nails are great because you can find a shade that works for your skintone. Polishes with a purple hue, dark green tint or beige-grey mix look great on a variety of shades. OPI, Essie, Butter London, Deborah Lippman and Sally Hansen all do great grey nails.

9- Fall Shoes: A fall shoe is a must-have investment this season. Find the one that best suits your personality. Jewel-toned suede platform heels or booties (try cobalt, emerald green or plum), over the knee boot and oxford flats are huge this season. Pair them with colored or patterned tights, a great full-waisted skirt (also a great fall trend) or a pair of skinny-minnie jeans.

10-Leopard Print is here to stay! No need to go head to toe leopard print, although an understated leopard print sheath is acceptable on certain occassions. To truly capitalize on this trend go for the accessories. Find a great leopard print flat (don't skimp on these because nothing looks worse than a pair of cheap-looking leopard print flats. The animal print is already at risk for tackiness and the more classic and well-made the better). Leopard print heels also work. Make sure the heel isn't too high and remember with leopard print shoes-either invest a little more and get a high quality shoe or don't bother and add a leopard print scarf or belt instead. Belting an LBD, high waisted skirt, or contrastingly patterned dress with this animal print will look fantastic-guaranteed.

Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti's Spring 2011 collection was a gorgeous jewel box of colors, fabrics and prints. The collection had a retro-1940's feel to it and whisked you away to an island vacation destination-sipping on Piña Colada's while a tropical breeze gently enveloped the air around you.

The Look: Think South Pacific-Asian-Inspired Vacation Wear of the 1940's

Hair: Paul Hanlon for TIGI created a modern take on Rita Hayworth's classic 1940's wave. After being set with pin curls, Hanlon pulled the hair back into a low ponytail while side swept bangs were left free. The look was flirty, youthful and glamorous. To create the look, blow dry your hair smooth with a round brush, set in pin curls, set it and then allow it to cool. After taking the pins out, brush your hair out and pull it into a low ponytail. Keep a side swept section of bangs out at one side, and use your fingers to create a defined finger-wave. Spray with TIGI Sleek Mystique Hair Spray to hold the style.

Makeup: Lucia Pieroni for M.A.C. created the fresh, fun, sun-kissed look using M.A.C. cosmetics. The beachy-bronzed skin and peach-toned lips reflected the equally sunny collection. Mineralize Finish in Dark was applied to the skin to create a dewy glow and Paparazzi peach blush was swept on the cheekbones. Brows were darkened and defined. Pieroni added a few coats of black mascara and applied Orange Alarm lipstick to their pout.

Check out some of my behind the scenes shots from the show:

Runway photos: Imaxtree & New York Magazine

Boston Beauty Buff's Listen Up!

If you wear underwear (Lindsey Lohan & Britney please disregard this message) and live in Boston listen up!

 

Tomorrow, Saturday October 16th the Victoria's Secret Pink store in Faneuil Hall Marketplace-Quincy Market will be offering Bostonians a crash course in bras and fits. Between 10 AM and 6 PM come in to the store to get an onsite fitting with bra specialist. You'll also get a free panty with any purchase, $10 off any $50 purchase, $15 off a $75 purchase or $25 off a $100 purchase. Not bad! If you need to update your undergarments anyway, this will be the perfect time to get measured and make sure all your nooks and crannies are fitted and in place! Go in and check out ladies!

 

 

 
 
 

Get Tatted By Urban Decay This Halloween

Conjuring up the perfect Halloween costume!? If it's an outfit that involves tattoo's check out Urban Decay's temporary tattoo collection.

 

Last January I discussed how fake tats were the latest beauty trend hitting the runways at haute couture houses like Chanel. Somehow Chanel even managed to make their fake tats look luxe and classy.

 

Urban Decay might be a little more in your budget (Chanel tats are $75/a set) and a little more fitting for your Halloween needs. Even if you're unsure what you're gonna be for the big day, perhaps this will help get the inspiration ball rolling. 

 

I'm totally ok with it if you poach my brilliant Halloween costume from a few years back: Kat Von D. Big Hit PEOPLE! BIG HIT! I got to wear head to toe pleather, wear a bra over my fake tattooed looking skin shirt (classy) and cover half of my face with smudgy liner that looked like tattooed stars. I myself love temporary tats (never quite got over that childhood phase in my life) and relished in the opportunity to adorn my neck with the biggest most badass bird type thing. Yup-fake tats and Halloween are fun!

 

 

 

 

Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Ports 1961

A big trend I saw at fashion week this season was a serious homage to 70's style for spring 2011. I'm more than ok with that. I love me some big, flowing, cascading curls, winged out hair and post-hippie silhouettes. Ports 1961 presented a boho-chic collection fit for Bianca Jagger and Jerry Hall-perhaps getting in a giant cat fight over Mick. Style.com's Alison Baenen spoke to Ports 1961 head designer, Fiona Cibiani who explained the collection was inspired by a trip she took to southern Tunisia to explore the Sahara. The designer wanted to "create an urban interpretation of someone who's dreaming of the desert". Cibiani designed for a woman who knows how to look effortlessly gorgeous and on trend no matter where she is. A woman who can look fabulous and feel confident no matter where the location, what the mode of transportation (camel, Vespa, Phantom, or yacht) and who the company is. I'd feel pretty confident too if these were the clothes I got to wear every day!

Cibiani displayed separates and dresses with interesting cuts, fabrics and tones. The belted neutral basics, silk drapey fabrics, and flowy gowns dominated the runway and the clothes seemed perfect for the extended version of  'Sex and the City 2' or 'Sahara and the City'…ok that was really corny. The models also strutted down the runway in beautiful black and white stripes, asymmetrical necklines, metallic sheen fabrics with over the top rhinestones and sparkles and deep pops of color in jewel toned hues (purple, Kelly green, sapphire). I'm a huge fan of accessories and some of the outfits that stood out the most were simple dresses (with basic necklines)-a marbled cream and white dress as well as a basic beige colored sheath with gorgeous rainbow colored bib necklaces and strappy heels. Uh-MAZING! The neck pieces added a total modern vibe to the outfits and made the whole look interesting and eclectic while remaining totally feminine and lady like. The silky pieces clung to the the skin yet slipped off the shoulder to reveal a bare shoulder-just the right amount of sex appeal and lady like mystery. Loved this collection!  

P.S. Is it spring yet?

 Inspiration: According to Stylelist.com: "Nomadic, Gypsy Jetsetter"

Clothes: Neutrals, fitted basics (pants, leggings, shirts, jackets), cream sheer shirts, gold & tans with silky sheens, pops of cobalt, emerald, magenta/violet. Rainbow necklaces, strappy heels. Asymmetrical necklines, gauzy sheaths, flowing gowns, marbled fabrics, darker silks, heavily draped pieces, belted dresses, metallic sheen fabrics with over the top rhinestones and sparkle, and the occasional patterened dress in muted blues and black and white.

Makeup: Neutral makeup in browns and creams with a big of a winged out eyeshadow. Sheen, clean faces. Stylelist.com spoke to M.A.C. makeup artist Val Garland, who created the look using all M.A.C. products. She told them, " we did a beautiful wash of metallic color across the eye. From grays to burnt orange to chocolate brown. It's fresh from vacation look that's very wearable,". Coffee shadow was used at the lashline, Dalliance Mega Metal and Wood Winked were used on the inner and outer lid. Garland lined the top lids with Teddy pencil and swiped Studio Fix mascara on upper and lower lashes. Cheeks were contoured with Derailed Cream Shadow and highlighted with Shell Cream Colour base. The lips were enhanced with Oak pencil and Flesh Lipglass.

Hair: Stylelist.com reported that Orlanda Pita for T3 created the "desert glam" hair which he said looked like "big, gorgeous curls with a dry texture". To create the look, Pita sprayed the hair with Elevate Hairspray before wrapping sections around a curling iron to set the waves. Once set, he brushed the curls out, did a bit of teasing and then used Control Hairspray to finish the look.

Check out all the photos from the gorgeous Ports 1961 Spring 2011 collection on Style.com

 

A big thanks to Anushka Ramchandani for covering the show.

 

Thanks to Stylelist.com, Alison Baenen, and Style.com for great information and photos.
 

Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Diego Binetti Nail Trends

Nail trends are more popular than ever before. From Lady Gaga to Katy Perry, nail designs are becoming synonymous with high fashion and you can pretty much see anything on nails these days (remember Lindsay Lohan's FU nail design on her very bitten very scrappy looking-court appearance nails? )

CND Nails are the experts on nail beauty (they started the insanely popular Shellac manicure and have been in the business for over 20 years). They were on hand at the Diego Binetti show to create some seriously blingy nails. A new trend? Perhaps. 

Binetti's collection heightened nails from accessories to fine jewelry fit for royalty. Nails were adorned with cocktail rings in three categories: The Pearl Series, Cartier Gold and The Flower Series. Nail Artist Roxanne Valinoti created nail designs with fabric and trimmings that reflected clothes straight from the collection. Perfectly Bare Shimmer from CND's limited edition Spring Colour & Effect duo was layered on for dimension and used alone on toes. If you love a polished nail (and who doesn't) stay tuned for all their fashion week nail trends. The team worked on 21 different shows!

 

Photos courtesy of REDPR

 
 
 

Spring 2011 Fashion Week-Christian Cota

Designer: Christian Cota-Spring/Summer 2011

 Inspiration: Texture and transparency merging nature and technology.

The Christina Cota Spring/Summer 2011 show drew inspiration from the jungle and nature specifically the Yucatan Jungle. Cota a 2010 CFDA/Vogue finalist created silhouettes that were long, lean and angular with detailed tailoring, cropped waists and trapeze shapes. The collection was airy-with lots of bias-cut draping and use of tulle and sheer fabrics. Cota, who has a background painting, used unusual fabrics, textures and prints. The designer's first ever runway show was a smashing success and the collection stood out among my fashion week favorites.

 

The collection was unexpected, flirty, and really representative of the designer and label.

Check out some of my favorite pieces in the collection here.

"I wanted to use mixed texture and transparency to express that sense of movement you find in nature," Cota explains. "If you're watching closely, what you see in nature is that everything is changing all the time. The wind comes, the light changes, the birds fly off. "But," he adds, "technology has become a part of that landscape, too, and I wanted to reflect that as well. It's two kinds of geometries speaking to each other. I see this collection as one record of that conversation."

Hair & Makeup: Hair was kept long,  straight, and flat with a middle part. The flowing locks represented the over collection's airy, light feel. The hair moved effortlessly and with plenty of movement and bounce.

Makeup was kept simple as well. Rosy, sun-kissed cheeks, nude lips and natural, dewy skin.