Blog Enty #11: Final Project

As I was pulling an all-nighter the other night, trying to finish yet another final project, listening to my roommate moaning in her sleep, I was just waiting for a scene straight out of "When Harry Met Sally" to happen, anticipating a random man popping in out of nowhere and saying "I'll dream what SHE'S dreaming!". It was then I realized just how excited I am for this semester to be over with next week and going home to my very own, private bedroom. I am counting down the days. I will mostly be looking forward to flying into the arms of my lover when I get home, like so:

My cat Poof, and me in a very fashionable outfit

That's my cat Poof. She is my lover. I love cats. No, I can't believe I have a boyfriend either.

Anyway, one final project I did not have any complaints about doing was our project for Creative Fashion Presentations. We had to make a digital fashion presentation and we chose to do a video that showcased trends during this Fall 2011 season around NYC. We decided to go to Washington Square Park by NYU and spent the afternoon stalking people and taking their pictures from afar without their consent or knowledge (à la Bill Cunningham) and looked for a few trends we had in mind, then the rest we waited to find while we were down there. We zeroed in on young women between the ages of 18-30 and seven different trends in total, compiled the photos, and made this video.Take a gander and see if you've been wearing some of these trends! If you aren't, you should probably start doing so so people stop making fun of you for being unfashionable and behind-on-the-trends behind your back. I'm sure no one has been doing that to anyone cool enough to watch this video though.

We had a lot of fun hanging out and making this, gathering all the pictures, and playing around while we were at the park, and I can personally say that I honestly had a good time in this class. It wasn't a "No work, all play" sort of thing, it was just a really good balance of the two and the lessons were interesting. Being in a business major filled with math and research and lots of homework can sometimes make you forget that you're attending a fashion school, but this class is a nice reminder.

Even though this class is ending, I will probably still try to continue blogging here so I hope if anyone reads this, you continue to do so! I mean, you've already put up with stupidity for this long, what would be the harm in a little bit longer?

Blog Entry #10: Christmas Shopping

I just got off the phone with my mom. Ugh. That statement alone should easily generate some empathy from at least some of you. Well, I love my mom, I DO, but everytime I've talked to her over the last 2 months, she's asked me what I want for Christmas (what a terrible mother she is). So what's on my list for her? 1.) For her to drop the air quotes when she says I'm "beautiful"; 2.) Her love. But she told me to get serious and tell her something realistic--even though I inevitably get the same thing every year: a huge gift box with a note inside that says "I let you live" (I'm the middle child--enough said).

However, if you're not like my mom and you have a hard time picking out gifts for the people you know, you've come to the right place. With Thanksgiving already here on Thursday, Christmas is looming around the corner. While I would love to give extravagant, expensive gifts to the ones I love, as an unemployed student living in New York City--wait, just give me a second to stop crying from laughing so hard because there's just absolutely no way that could happen right now. So here are just a few things for which you won't need to break into your piggy bank to please everyone on your shopping list.

For the Jewelry Lover:

The girl who loves jewelry is usually looking for something beautiful, cool, and unique. This body chain happens to be all three. Body chains are a great alternative to necklaces because they can completely transform the look of a plain top or dress into looking like it has metal chains all around your body. Suhhhhweeeet! Triple Coin Body Chain, $28 at Topshop.com

For the Party Girl:

For the girl who is staying out until the sun comes up just like Audrey. (Or the insomniac who stays up eating ice cream and catching up on homework and TiVo). Holly GoNightly Sleep Mask, $15 at FredFlare.com

For the Art Lover:

"Oh Starry Night, these socks are warm and fuuuuuuuzzy." (sung to the tune of "Oh Holy Night", naturally, for those of you who didn't catch on). These socks are perfect for your art-loving friend to wear under her boots or just around the house to slide around on the tile floors. Starry Night Knee Socks, $12.50 at FredFlare.com

For the Crafter:

P.S. - I Made This has been one of my FAVORITE blogs for years now because I love to partake in fun with hot glue guns and glitter, and I like to do crafts too. ;) Anywho, the creator of the blog, Erica Domesek, came out with a book of over 25 crafts with easy step-by-step instructions just like on her blog. Perfect for anyone who loves to DIY anything they can! P.S. - I Made This by Erica Domesek, $18.95 at Shopbop.com

For the Techies:

This Rebecca Minkoff neoprene laptop case is the perfect gift for the friend who won't separate from their precious computer. The pyramid studs double as a weapon against anyone who may try to steal it--a 2-in-1 and that's always a great plus! Comes in pink and purple too. Rebecca Minkoff Pyramid Neoprene Laptop Case, $78 at Shopbop.com

For the Girl with the Roommate Who is Driving Her Up the Wall:

We're in college. For some of us, we are stuck living in dorms. Very small, cramped, living-on-top-of-eachother dorms. There are even those people who live in apartments with roommates and don't get along with them. For all of these people, I present to you a checklist of all the complaints everyone wishes they had the guts to say out loud, but now don't have to! Things like "Do your dishes" and "Turn off the TV"--it is fantastic. I make a motion that they add "Stop moaning loudly in your sleep" and "SAVE THE RAINFOREST AND STOP USING UP ALL THE TOILET PAPER" (Uhh...I heard these were common complaints and they have nothing to do with my roommate). They may need a new roommate afterward, but it'll be worth it to get it all off their chest. Hey A**hole Pad, $9 at FredFlare.com

So the last one may have been completely for me, but I hope the rest helped to at least give you some ideas. Figuring out what to get for our friends and loved ones can be mighty stressful; as if we need anymore stress on top of worrying about final exams, projects, and running out of toilet paper EVERY. DAY. (I MEAN C'MON, SERIOUSLY?? THIS IS RIDICULOUS)

Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! :)

Blog Entry #9: New Fashion Show Formats

Where's your phone right now? I bet you could tell me in an instant because let's face it, folks, we're addicted to technology. Our generation started out not being able to go to bed without our stuffed animals and blankets, to now not being able to go to bed without our phones. We use them for the usual phone calls and texts, as well as ignoring annoying people trying to hand us fliers on the street and homeless people shaking their tin cans at us (Oh get off your high-horse, you do it too)--my point being: they come in handy. But I digress.

With the rate at which technology is becoming a constant part of our generation's lives, it's no surprise that retailers and designers are trying to get our attention through more innovative and technologically-enhanced ways. That means changing the traditional format to something we haven't seen before.

Burberry has recently gone on a technological tirade, launching its 2010-11 Prorsum Fall collection in live 3-D and launching new stores equipped with huge LED screens.However, they took it took a whole other level. To celebrate the opening of a flagship store in China’s capital, Burberry’s show featured holograms walking through eachother, multiplying along the catwalk and exploding into snowflakes. This definitely wasn't your typical catwalk. Before the show officially began, images were projected onto huge screens all over the room, including ones of the iconic, signature plaid in bag form rippling across the ceiling. For the actual show, instead of the usual angry-looking models strutting down the runway, there were only 6 angry-looking models walking down the runway and the rest were angry-looking model-like holograms! Of course we know that Alexander McQueen got the ball rollin' in 2006 when he featured an unbelievably chilling and beautiful holographic Kate Moss on his runway.Take a gander at the video below and some of the stills I posted just below it:

Spontaneous Combustion on the Runway?

I spy Abbey Lee in the finale

Five years later after the iconic Moss moment, and this is definitely a bit more updated than Mr. McQueen's hologram for sure. Despite that, I think it was a very neat progression of the hologram runway. Burberry's chief creative director, Christopher Bailey, is young and has been bringing Burberry back into the current age of fashion and technology--and it seems to be working for them. In an interview with Vogue, Bailey said he will try to continue being technologically innovative with the brand. It's all cool, but hopefully the prices on the signature trench won't be holographically or literally doubling anytime soon.

Blog Entry #8: Video Lookbooks

Ever have those days where you look in your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear? It makes me wish I had never left my life at the nudist camp. I mean, what?

...anyway, on such days, I like to take a little inspiration from different lookbooks that designers, companies, and/or stores put out. Lookbooks are a printed showcase of still images of a fashion designer or fashion brand’s collection. They have gotten a bit more creative than just some still images. Designers have started to get with the digital age and put out digital and video lookbooks. They are more editorial nowadays and tend to give a sense of the feeling of what the designer and collection are all about. It also serves to give you ideas on how to wear the items from the collections that are currently out or items that the store is offering. One of my absolute favorite places to look for these are shopbop.com. Most of you have probably heard of them, and if you haven't, they're an awesome online store that has fantastic lookbooks and more...so, like, get on it....now. They're the best because they have multiple lookbooks by designer, by item, by individual style, etc. So you can get tons of ideas for many of different items of clothing--which is super convenient when you need fresh ideas for your wardrobe just before you're about to give up and run to class in your skivvies.

Shopbop has the normal "still" lookbooks that show cool models hanging around in super cool outfits being super cool, and then they also have some designer lookbook videos where there are more cool models dressed cool and being cool with movement and music. It's fantastic for the self-esteem, really. I like things that are not-so-serious (shocker, I know) and more fun, which is why I was drawn to the Alice + Olivia Fall 2011 lookbook video. It's very Parisian-chic, young, ladylike, and playful, filled with lace, silk, sequins, pearls, glitter and everything that is characteristic of Alice + Olivia.

"Ahaha let's play tag in these fabulous clothes so some more fabulous clothes will just magically appear on our bodies" I would play tag all the time if that happened to me. But nooooo, everything good happens to beautiful people and the rest of us are doomed to live out our ordinary lives where we have to physically put on and take off our clothes. That's what I call complete bull-honky, my friends. As depressing as that truth is, it's still nice to look at pretty clothes (and no, I have no shame in being a stereotypical girl).

Blog Entry #7: Trunk Shows

Don't know what a trunk show is? Let me tell you, folks, a trunk show is pure--take a pause--AWESOME. That is, of course, if you're special enough to be invited. I, myself, have faith that one day I'll be sly enough to weasel myself an invitation and walk among the proud and mighty who wander around exclusive showrooms to take a gander at the latest offerings from a designer. Not clear on what it is? A trunk show is a special sale where vendors show off their hot goods directly to store personnel and/or select customers at a retail location or another cool and different venue. Sometimes, trunk shows sell remnant and leftover items from runways, samples, and so on. It usually allows store personnel to preview and/or purchase merchandise before it's made available to the public (in layman's terms: they're hoarding it before me and you can even get ahold of it). At the event, the actual designer is usually present representing their product. A designer can also try to see what sells better or doesn't sell much at these shows to gauge how much of each product they should make or even offer during the actual season.

Christian Louboutin owns the trademark for the red soled shoe that's become such a huge part of the fashion culture because it's so instantly recognizable and just oh so fabulous, dahhling! Well, what girl wouldn't be dying to get a glimpse of, and possibly a chance to buy, some of these iconic shoes? I SURE WOULD. But then again, I die when they have my favorite flavor of ice cream at the grocery store so maybe I'm a tad overdramatic.

Anywhooooo...some people were lucky enough to preview his Fall 2011 collection at Neiman Marcus. They had their glam shoes displayed with the heels wedged over pieces of driftwood that were hanging from the ceiling, made to look like they were just floating in the room. Sigh. I would quickly stop my protesting about having to slip into a bikini and go to the beach if some red-soled beauties washed ashore on pieces of driftwood.

Some nude, gingham, and sparkly wonders

If only my tree branches at home were adorned with gorgeous shoes...

Psh...these attendees think they're better than me...the arrogance...

So we should all strive to acquire invites to some of these exclusive and fabulous gatherings known as trunk shows.

BUT IF YOU GUYS GET AN INVITE BEFORE ME, I BETTER BE YOUR PLUS ONE.

Blog Entry #6: Fashion Video

Ahhhhh, don't you just love remembering childhood? Not the bullies-teasing-you-for-having-glasses part (wahhhh), but the fun parts where you played on playgrounds, still thought Disney was cool (I'm fooling no one, I still think it's cool), and rode the carousels at the fair. Now mix that together with high fashion and you'd have all of my favorite things, as well as the recent Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2012 runway show.

I will admit, I think movies with possessed children have ruined me. Now, maybe it's the [slightly creepy] tinkling, music box tune being played throughout the show, but to be honest, if I saw these tall glamazons wearing beautiful laser cut dresses and jackets over hotpants that could be confused for extra-padded diapers, standing still on that huge, all-white carousel, completely stone-faced--I'd probably run in the opposite direction and pray those long-limbed creatures can't run very fast in their pumps if one decides to come after me. HOWEVER, it was a lovely concept that Marc Jacobs had for the show, and quite the opposite of what we saw in the Fall/Winter 2011 show with the dark, kinky, fetish concept.

Umm...this is embarrassing..but I think
you forgot your pants. Also: camel toe.

 For S/S 2012, we saw a much sweeter, innocent, fairytale-esque show filled with very lady-like organza dresses, as well as lace dresses with oversized, lasercut eyelet patterns all done in dreamy pastels. I think Marc (a huge fan of rocking the kilt) gave up pants for Lent and decided to do without them in his show as well, as can be seen multiple times during the show. Many of the looks had daisy applique and wisps of ostrich feather, adding interest to each piece. Many of the models were accessorized with tiaras, structured bags with crocodile detail, as well as pumps of a moderate height with silver toetips to modernize and update these ultra-girly looks. To finish off the show, Marc's best friend, Kate Moss walked out in the final look, which was a beautiful, short, all white (we all know how Kate loves her some white--heh...get it? GET IT?? Aaaaahhhh, you guys get it), ostrich feather embellished dress.

All she heard Marc say was "fluffy
and white"and she was in

Overall the show was unique, extremely beautiful and full of whimsy. Possibly because the rumors of Marc Jacobs leaving to head over at Dior. Whether it be true or not, he certainly ended it with a bang! Or at least a creepy carousel tune...

Blog Entry #5: Fall 2012 Color Trends

What girl doesn't love her a shiny pair of jewel earrings? Jewels are a thing of beauty, so why shouldn't we incorporate some of their gorgeous colors into our wardrobe? I'm glad you asked, because WE SHOULD. And apparently the people at Fashion Snoops and Doneger agree. Much of the time, fall is associated with darks and neutrals to accompany the cooler weather. While those are great staples to have for the season, it's time to break out of the usual fall rut. I see you, PUT DOWN THAT BLACK--I MEAN IT!

Via FashionSnoops

Gucci F/W 2011

Gucci F/W 2011

Gucci F/W 2011

Lookin' like a fancy peacock is what I like to call it. But it's a good thing to be called a peacock--I swear! The emerald green and cobalt blue reminds me of those beautiful, majestic feathered creatures (but they can also be pretty darn cocky, flaunting themselves around like that. Psh. You don't agree? No? Okay, we'll move on.)

The top dogs of Milan, including Gucci, Versace, and Prada have been some of the fashion houses sporting this trend, sending down rich emerald, sapphire, dark pink pieces, and more. The colors are sophisticated, yet fun and vibrant, especially compared to some of the drab colors that can be worn by so many during the fall.

I wouldn't go as far as Gucci did by wearing a chubby, blue fur coat or anything because you could come out looking like you skinned a rare Blue Bottomed Belgian Bunny, but instead try incorporating these colors into your blouses, skirts, and if you're feeling brave, even your pants--sassy!

...And now I'll wait a minute or so while at least one of you Googles to see if that breed of bunny is real or not.

This girl on the streets during London Fashion Week already has the right idea! But that's because being a psychic fortune teller is her job on the side, if you couldn't tell by her turban adorned with a small mirror and feathers.

So pep up your dull fall wardrobe and get some more jewel tones in there! Getting your significant other to buy you a sapphire necklace wouldn't hurt either, but don't you dare go and tell them that I told them to do that because I will deny such accusations vehemently.

Blog Entry #4: Street Style Fall Trends

Hi, my name is Melissa and I don't like to wear pants.

Well, it's not that I like to walk around without bottoms on, I just prefer to wear dresses, skirts, and shorts. It's expected since I'm a Florida girl, so you can imagine my disappointment when Friday morning rolled around with much cooler temperatures and I had to crack open my bins and pull out a pair of jeans. However, this made way for some great opportunities to go out over the weekend and spot some fall trends provided by the fabulous people of New York City.

It's been rainy so people are trying to stay dry, but even despite that, there were quite a few fall trends being displayed on the streets. One in particular was leopard print!

Meoooow. I'm a "Future Crazy Cat Lady of America" so of course I love this trend. We've seen leopard print on the streets for a number of seasons now and it doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon. I mainly saw leopard print scarves and shoes and I think it's because it's an easy way to punch up a bland fall outfit. Pairing almost any leopard print with black, red, or tan are probably the safest colors you can mix with the print, but experiment with others as well like blues, purples, greens, etc., just as long as it fits your personal style. These two friends were both on board with this trend, with the one on the left using her scarf to keep her hair dry from the drizzling rain and the one on the right took a brave chance in wearing leopard pants and pulled it off with a plain black pullover. This picture was taken right before I stole her Dior bag and nude Louboutins, but what a waste--not even my size!

Unfortunately, my eyes were witness to someone doing leopard a great injustice by wearing not one, not two, but THREE different leopard prints (all of which were far too tight for her, as well) and of course it was when I had forgotten my camera in my other purse. Although her leopard print fur jacket was faux, I was hoping PETA protesters would come splash her with red paint just so the rest of NYC didn't have to witness this tragedy. So please, folks, NEVER DO THIS ever, ever, EVER!

Now go pull out your best leopard and show your wild side...tastefully, of course.

Blog Entry #3: New York Times Blog

Along with Bill Cunningham, Cathy Horyn is one of my go-to stops while reading the New York Times every week. She gives a pretty cut-and-dry report of what's going on in fashion. A title you would have thought might be owned by someone along the lines of Anna Wintour, Cathy Horyn has been called "Fashion's Most Feared Critic". She's a writer for one of the world's leading publications PLUS she's not afraid to say what she thinks about a collection, which quickly explains how she earned that title and why some designers have gone as far as banning her from her shows, not wanting to have bad press written about their shows and collections. Who can blame them though, really?

Well, with fashion week continuing in Milan, Cathy Horyn provided some insight that made me inquire more about what was happening on the runway of Prada for the Spring/Summer 2012 season.

The summation that Miuccia Prada gave her collection was "sweetness" and it could not have been more obvious if it smacked you across the face. With many designers trying to portray a tough, more masculine woman in the past few seasons, Miuccia didn't understand why the world should shun sweetness and femininity. I completely agree--it's okay to loosen your buns (referring to your hair, of course), show those pearly whites, and embrace your sweet side!

Jessica Stam in a red chiffon skirt

Walking across a subway-grated runway, we saw the newer, longer hemlines for 2012 that express a ladylike elegance. Bandeau tops were paired with skirts that fell right above the knee The satin coats, floral prints, chiffon, and beautiful, flowy accordion-pleated dresses--this collection was a girly-girl's dream! However, Miuccia added a twist to make it special. She knows as much as any other woman that a man loves two things more than anything: cars and women (let's be honest, sometimes the cars more than women), so she put these elements together by adding flame details on the slingback heels that she paired with many of the outfits, even using the flame print detail in some of the clothing. The collection also included some darling pin-up bathing suits suitable for springtime, along with satin, rhinestone-embellished varsity jackets, and leather pencil skirts.

Bandeau/Pencil skirt & Accordion-Pleated Dress

Walking on Fire...Kind Of

You don't have to get rid of your edge completely, but come spring when these pieces hit stores, you might find yourself indulging your sweet tooth and embracing the sweetness that's been hiding away all of these past seasons!

Read more of what Cathy Horyn had to say in her NYTimes article, The Roman Spring of Ms Prada

                              Watch the full runway show to see all of the pieces!

Blog Entry #2: Key Item(s) for Fall 2012

Now, there's not much else I love more than leather. It can make an outfit look edgy and tough in a jiff, and any bit of toughness is always helpful when walking home alone after dark in the city. So one of the Fall/Winter 2012 trends just so happens to be luscious, leather pants. Yum. We've seen this trend around for awhile now and it will still be here through next year! Now, I will say, DO NOT accidentally make these look like you belong in Coyote Ugly dancing atop the bar, because, well, gross. However, it's not easy to do that unless you have no taste, but just throwin' it out there as a precautionary measure.

Leather pants can also be fan-freaking-tastic for the fall and winter season because those of us who have ever worn leather pants know that they can be so hot that you could roast marshmallows over your thighs. Just add graham crackers and chocolate and you've got yourself a delicious added bonus! But don't eat too many because these pants don't loosen up. Seriously, put that s'more down. Pair it with a silky blouse or loose tee and a blazer to avoid looking like you got lost on your way back to the Harley Davidson convention.

Jogging, skinny, or wide leg leather pants via Fashion Snoops

Balmain S/S 2010

DON'T: Fantasia's ill-fitting pants prove she did not put
the s'more down, PLUS her top is far too revealing

DO: Emmanuella Alt in Balmain rocking this trend back in '09.
Hi Em, Can I have your closet?

Oversized sweaters are certainly not a new trend either, but I'm sure glad they're also a key Fall/Winter 2012 trend because they happen to be AHH-mazing, especially for the chillier season. I say "AHH"-mazing, not just because I obnoxiously like to split adjectives into more syllables than necessary just for emphasis (which I do), but also because they're just so gosh darn comfortable to wear. So reasons to invest in an oversized sweater? 1) Cozy and warm, 2) Helps disguise those pesky pounds we tend to pack on during the holiday season (and also after I eat that fattening, buttery, homemade fettucine alfredo I made last night--don't you dare judge me). But I also feel like they also fit perfectly within the f/w 2012 season trends because of  how lovely the loose, knit fabric of the sweater juxtaposes the tightness and texture of the leather pants.

Blogger Cindy shows us an example of how
great the big sweater/leather pants can look!

So excuse me while I go ahead and pick up my fork, twirl on some leftover fettucine (and YES, oh happy day, that means you can pick up your s'more from earlier!), unbutton the top of my leather pants, and discreetly cover it with my oversized, cozy sweater and get ready to be trendy for next fall.

Blog Entry #1: Sweet Blogs

I'm not a girl who's very serious. Life is stressful enough, so any chance I can, I try my best to make those around me laugh (many times unsuccessfully--but it's the thought that counts, right? RIGHT??) . This is why The Man Repeller is one of my favorite blogs. She is fashionable, self-confident, and has the kind of humor and wit to be envied. The self-proclaimed "man repeller" is Leandra Medine, a Manhattan resident--and she is for all you girls who love to wear all of the clothes men hate. Ya know, the big furry coats that resemble a Yeti and neon drop-crotch pants that may or may not have come from MC Hammer's closet? Yeah, all of those kinds of things. She defines being a man repeller as "Outfitting oneself in a sartorially offensive way that will result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pants, boyfriend jeans, overalls (see: human repelling), shoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs." And she dresses the part perfectly. It's the perfect blog to get your daily dose of current fashion trends AND lots of laughs.

Leandra striking a pose

Another one of my favorite blogs is The Coveteur. This blog combines fashion and interior decorating (one of my other loves) by showcasing the closets of everyone from actresses and musicians, to makeup artists, stylists, and other great fashion industry insiders. These are closets, as well as office spaces, of people who have access to every top designer, plus on top of it all, they're designed and decorated beautifully. This website helps to inspire interior design and fashion ideas, while simultaneously depressing the mess out of you because you realize how flimsy and pathetic your closet looks next to all of the featured ones...so it's like a two-for-one! The Coveteur gives you permission to sneak a peek inside of someone else's closet without being ordered out of their house early during the dinner party. What? No one else has done that? Uhh...me neither...

Inside look at Cher Coulter's Closet-Goodies

Hermes, Chanel, and Manolos in Lauren Santo Domingo's Closet

So if you haven't already, pop over and check out the blog. You might find out that it's actually possible to die of jealousy.

Coupe de Foudre

Coupe de Foudre is a term I've heard a couple times. Now, normally I try to steer clear of using French terms (except when talking to my cat, François, of course) to avoid sounding like a typical, pretentious snob; however, this particular phrase sounds so much more romantic in French. Roughly translated it means "bolt of lightning", but it's often used to describe love at first sight. (See, doesn't it sound so much better in French??) And that's often the same feeling that many of us who love fashion are overcome with as soon as we see that perfect sequined gown or YSL pump.

I'm a student at FIT who just moved to New York City for school in January of this year. Typically this blog will be assignments for a class, but hopefully I'll get used to using this thing and fill people in on the boring details of my life as I walk around exploring the city and the fashionable people in it all the while getting yelled at by homeless men sitting on stoops.