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An Inside Look at #NYFW - Rubin & Chapelle
An inside look at some of my favorite shows from #NYFW - Nicole Clevenger
I am so excited to take you into the world of fashion week where each new season, designers have an opportunity to share the way in which they’ve grown their personal style and aesthetic with the world.Twice a year, hundreds of photographers, celebrities, bloggers, and industry geniuses come together to get a first-hand look at some of the brilliant collections and trends to come. They come to see how designers are either challenging or changing the “fashion quo” and leave inspired by the hair, the make-up, the models, and the clothes – the elements that tell story of what next season’s “woman” will embody.Below you will get a first-hand look at some of the brilliant fall/winter collections you can expect to see later this year along with my perspective of the type of woman who will be wearing their clothes.
Rubin & Chapelle
+ELEGANT EDGE+Location: The Top of the Standard Hotel (aka: the Boom Boom Room)Known for their light and crisp aesthetic, Sonja Rubin and Kip Chapelle debuted an elegant and angular look in what I like to call the “Great Gatsby” room at the Top of the Standard Hotel. The models were brought out before a band of photographers to show off the angular prints and asymmetric hemlines which were inspired by Scottish menswear. My favorite aspect of this collection is its surprising softness. Even though the contrast of light pinks against dark greys initially bare an edgier look, I imagine the silk fabrics lying delicately on the woman who is looking to leave a comfortable and elegant impression.Collection Elements:
- Colors: greys, pinks, black, mauve, sky blue:
- Shoes: sneakers, rain boots
- Makeup: muted neutrals, pale pink eye shadow
- Hair: slicked side-part in a low pony-tail
Sources for photos:http://www.nyunews.com/2015/
spotted: valentino look-alikes.
I spotted these epic Valentino 'Rockstud' look-alikes as I was walking out of Nordstrom today. How beautiful are these? Bravo Sam Edelman!! I can't wait to wear them {p.s. I love the heel height}!
The Art of Julie Michel
I came across an email one day from my fabulous stylist friend introducing me to a concept that was a bit foreign to me, yet it intrigued me quite a bit. He highly suggested that I meet Julie Michel, a So Cal native yet Texas girl that decided to blend two of her talents: art and fashion. He explained to me that she started a clothing line five years ago where she digitally prints her art onto fabric. I initially thought, "hmmm, this sounds like it could be either really good or a bit frightening," so I jumped over to her website for a sneak peak. I was pleasantly surprised, but it wasn't until I was playing in her in-home studio that I felt utterly amazed. The fabrics are sublime. The silhouettes are on-trend, sexy, and flattering, and side note: her paintings are beyond. She told me to pick a few pieces to try on, and that was a struggle. I wanted to try on the entire rack of designs! They were that good. They were that statement making. Oh and must I mention, they are completely work-worthy. Plus, they flawlessly reflect her love for color, just as her art portfolio does.
The plus signs to her work:#1 I heart small businesses because they exude risk, hard work, and the desire to accomplish a dream.#2 Everything is manufactured in Dallas, Texas.#3 She prints natural fabrics with her own art so that you won't find it anywhere else in the world. Wait...one more thing...did I mention that she creates pillows, note cards, and phone cases (just to name a few) straight from her artwork too?? Hi, stocking stuffers or #bestgiftever.
"It is so fun to see my artwork animated by stylish wearers. My styles are simple and clean so the art can speak."
Rebecca Minkoff at CUSP.
I think (aka I am positive) that Rebecca Minkoff is one of the top tier designers for us girls in our 20′s to adorable moms in their 50′s. Why is this? Her designs are beyond extraordinary and the price point is so reasonable. Buyer’s remorse is impossible with her exquisitely fun bags (talk about a brilliant birthday gift), runway worthy shoes, and statement ensembles (you’re bound to look fabulous).All of the above declarations are most definitely the reasons we adore this lovely designer from afar, but many of us had the privilege of getting to chat with Rebecca Wednesday night at CUSP in Neiman Marcus Northpark. The post-event conclusions: all we can say is she is a doll + what a fabulous event filled with the cutest cake balls, pretty cocktails, and on-site monogramming.P.S. Loved wearing the Rebecca Minkoff Kirk dress!! Check it out here.
Kisses for Your Shoes: Jordana Silver Launches an Innovation That Will Make Sole-Lovers Swoon
We ladies have a knack for buying shoes, or you could maybe even call it an intentional pursuit to which we like to shift blame onto seasonal changes or creative ruts to justify the "need." But without doubt, this heart-wrenching reality still remains true even in our fantasy land: the pretty designer shoes (that literally call our name) have hefty price tags. So the story continues: our responsible conscious tells us that we should probably eat for the month rather than splurge on Louboutins, so we ultimately but begrudgingly settle for the downgraded quality that are "almost" as cute while convincing ourselves that we are just as excited. Here's a thought: what if we no longer had to sacrifice quality for cost efficiency, while getting to sport those marvelous soles that usually fall out of our league? Before you start guessing, I am not talking about a new Gilt Groupe. It's something dreamier.Meet the Jordana Silver Collection, founded by a former Michael Kors designer, Jordana Silver. Her designs are based around shoe clips, which she calls "bisous," translated as "kisses" in French. Yes, these are kisses for your shoes. Are you head over heels yet?
The process works like this: buy a pair of her luxurious flats and start customizing with an aesthetic that reflects your personal style. Jordana dishes on the designs: "Some of the bisous are whimsical like the gunmetal polished mustaches, while others are more classic in nature like a metal bow." To put it fashionably: you can buy a fabulous new pair of shoes for $40-$75 by changing out the clip! I see a collection in the making. To make it even better, check out her uber-fun website. You can play on here for hours.
The Website Perks
1. Virtually design your shoes.2. Comment on the bulletin board. Do you have an idea for a bisou? Post it. Want to share a thought about your shoes? Post it.3. The Jordana Silver Stylist Program (my favorite). This not only celebrates the stylist in everyone, but it rewards loyal customers with free and eventually exclusive bisous by promoting you from a "Junior Stylist" all the way to a "Master Stylist."4. Your Bisous Box: in the words of Jordana, this is a "unique and custom keepsake box that displays all of your treasures."Fun fact: The Bring It On Broadway show cast will be performing in the bisous!
Who wants in on the club? I DO! Start by exploring her collection here. See you there!
Up Close with Michelle Weisman, Designer of 81 Poppies
While attending The Style Masters presented by Tidbits last week in Austin, I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle Weisman the designer of the clothing line 81 Poppies. As I browsed through the modern yet feminine collection, the vintage inspired prints popped out at me. Using mostly silks, cottons from Japan and wool from Italy, Michelle designs all of the prints herself. She will often will re-do a vintage print to make it more contemporary and fitting for the brand, making all of the prints exclusive to her line.
Her Spring Collection's muse was the South of France. The colors came from the French landscape by mixing soft pastels with hints of bright hues. "I imagined what a fabulous French woman would wear walking around the town or sitting at a cafe for inspiration."
As far as which celebrities she dreams to dress one day? "I would love to dress Kate Hudson or Reese Witherspoon; they each seem to embody the 81 Poppies brand: feminine, strong, classic, mixed with a little vintage."
Where can you find her collection? You can shop online and see what stores carry her line here!
Inside Thakoon's Trunk Show at Forty Five Ten + His Favorite NYC Restaurant
The fabulous and noteworthy designer, Thakoon Panichgul, jetsetted to Dallas on Friday for his highly anticipated trunk show at the shopping mecca, Forty Five Ten. Dallas bloggers and lovers of all things style came out to get a glimpse of Thakoon's spring 2012 collection, which he labels as "Americana meets Maharaja." His bold and print-saturated collection exquisitely combines western practicality with eastern-inspired colors, and his choice of patterns with gold accents and implemented embroidery make his collection an utter masterpiece. Thakoon donated ten percent of sales from his collection to TwoxTwo for AIDS and Art, which benefits AIDS research and the Dallas Museum of Art.[galleryview id= 78]We had a chat with Thakoon about the inspiration behind his designs, his favorite travel spot, and his go-to restaurant in the Big Apple.Favorite restaurant in the Big Apple: Il BucoFavorite travel spot: Tokyo; "If I haven't been there for a while, I start to crave it."Favorite piece in the collection: "The long dresses."