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.