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.