12.30.2015

SCAD Fash: Oscar de la Renta

I finally come back from my Christmas hiatus of doing nothing but binge-watching poorly written T.V. shows (I really needed a break) with an exciting post. No, it's not that Christmas post I promised I would write a few days ago to all my followers on Instagram, it's something way more fascinating. Because I live so close to Atlanta, I have a lot of opportunities to do things other than live that boring suburban lifestyle, like go to art exhibits or concerts. Today, I used that opportunity with a few of my friends to go to SCAD Fash, a museum run by SCAD Atlanta. The current exhibit is a tribute to the wonder that is Oscar de la Renta, and being the fashion geek that I am, I had a little moment of clarity in that museum. 





Immediately as I stepped into the exhibit, I felt de la Renta's presence in every piece he created. Each design is so unique to the point where everything fit a different mood or style, but they were all connected by the same intricacy and detail he put into his creations. Before coming here, I was obviously a fan of his, but now I truly understand why people idolize him. Every time I entered a new portion of the room, the styles looked completely different than another portion's displays. It proves how talented the designer is, and also my overexcitement proves how obsessed I am with fashion. This might be even worse than the time I saw that fashion show during Montreal Fashion Week.



The museum was playing a video about the entire creation of this exhibit, and it explained how one fashion student at SCAD got to help put the entire thing together. She was able to sort through his pieces, decide how clothes would be displayed, and even organize the opening night, and her experience made me realize my own dream with fashion (I had one of those fashion epiphanies, like the one I had in Montreal). Being surrounded by just this one designer's work made me weak in the knees, and seeing how this one student got to do something so great yet so surreal gave me a strange dose of motivation. I'm still in high school, but this is what I want to do. 






I want to be surrounded by fashion every single day, and hell, I even want to walk side by side with Anna Wintour, just like the student from before. I want to be able to say that I touched the same dress that Bee Shaffer, Wintour's daughter, wore (the photo directly above), but being in the same room as it was enough for now. I want to be able to write about things like this, but I guess I already am, so am I already living my dream? 


All photos, except the one above (which was taken by my wonderful sister Kendall), were shot by me



12.23.2015

Winter Solstice

On the first day of winter my true love gave to me....... yet another day of sticky, humid, mid-60s weather. I've gotten over the fact that we won't get snow this Christmas, but c'mon, weather! Science says it's winter now, so be normal and at least drop to 45 degrees, please. I may be the only one complaining because, I mean, it's the South and we think 50 degrees is freezing. But the weather's not going to stop me. It's Christmastime. That calls for fuzzy Christmas themed socks and turtlenecks, weather be damned. So let's change that first line...

On the first day of winter my true love gave to me...... a black skin-tight turtleneck. That's better.


And what's even better than a black skin-tight turtleneck? That layered under a retro grid funnel-neck shift dress. I told you this weather wouldn't stop me. 

Asos (which my last three posts have included, no shame) has this amazing set of turtlenecks, one white, one black, for a really cheap price (and with all the sales going on right now, even cheaper). Of course, with my obsession with turtlenecks, I had to buy the two. They're perfect for layering, go with just about anything, and are even comfortable just to wear around the house (I'm wearing the white one with joggers at the moment). The best part about these is they're tissue-thin (kinda like J. Crew's, which I want in every single color), so they're perfect to wear in this awkward weather. Winter demands turtlenecks, and this light top made the compromise fairly simple. 

I had yet another holiday party to attend last night, so I made a simple turtleneck formal by trying out the "layering with turtlenecks and dresses" trend. Also another reason I bought these tops -- I discovered that they are perfect for doing just that. I quickly grabbed my best party dress that I only save for special occasions (you may remember it from last year and way earlier this year) and layered it over the turtleneck and it ended up looking cooler than I expected (sorry for the boasting). This is proof that more than those courageous street-style bloggers with eccentric styles can pull off this unfamiliar style.  

Maybe the first day of winter was warmer than we hoped for, but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate by grabbing our favorite turtlenecks and spitefully wearing them. Maybe my arctic house made this task easier than it should have been, but I also bet that it's not this warm across the world. Keep wearing those turtlenecks, because maybe the weather will actually listen to us and make it a real winter.

Dress by Urban Outfitters. Turtleneck by Asos. Shoes by Asos.
Photos taken by my wonderful dad

12.15.2015

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

And I'm serious with this title. I'm positive that everyone, or at least the majority, loves the holidays. There seems to be no wrong that can occur during such a wonderful month. People seem to forget about finals and other dreadful responsibilities because the idea that winter break is dawning upon us makes us only think about what we'll be getting under the Christmas tree or how we'll be spending such a happy few weeks (to all my non-Christmas celebrators). I may have said in October how Halloween is the best holiday, but the turn of the month made me realize that this season has to be my favorite. Peppermint hot-cocoa, holiday lights everywhere, and those huge ribbons you find on gifts are a few things that make me unconditionally happy. I love everything about this season, except for maybe that overplayed Christmas music. The most exciting thing, however, are the Christmas parties. I was never really into them until this year, but the one I attended this past Saturday completely altered my feelings toward them. Forget those tacky Christmas sweaters (no matter how much I love them), and go all out for the holiday events you go to this season. That's what my outlook was, and it definitely worked. Dressing up is half the fun of these parties, so of course I had to show off my skills (and my new buys) through this event.

Dress by Asos. Boots by Asos.

Dressing up for the holidays is almost too simple. Find that dress you've been dying to wear but didn't know when you'd be dressing formally, and slip on some tights. Glam out your face with more makeup than you'd usually wear, and finish the look with bright red lipstick. The key is to overdo everything, because, well, it's the holidays. There is still a way to overdo your look in a subtle manner (I apologize for the inconvenient paradox). I only went the extra mile in my makeup, and then followed a simple yet formal style for the rest of my outfit. Sometimes, the most well-put together outfits are the simplest. It's true that the effortless always carries the most effort.

I started the outfit by wearing my new black and velvet turtleneck dress (my dream dress, basically) with sheer tights, black boots, and mistletoe socks (I had to incorporate Christmas into my outfit somehow). I then applied my signature winged-eyeliner for the first time in months (four tries was definitely worth it), and I added a red lip that only screams Christmas. Voila. All ready to rock around the Christmas tree.

My sister and I posing for the holidays
Photos taken by my talented dad

I weirdly felt at home in this outfit at the party. Christmas music ringing in my ears, lights sparkling in my eyes, soft velvet against my skin... it was truly a magical experience. No wonder they call the holidays a miraculous time.

The party was a mix of christmas sweaters and "sexy cocktail dresses" (what my friends liked to call them), and I'm glad I went with the second route (are turtlenecks deemed "sexy" yet?). I'm the type of person to dress up for a normal school day, so of course I went all the way that night. Other than fashion, I brought the party to a whole other level by setting up a photo station with my camera, tripod, and even lights, including my colored ones. We were able to show off our Christmas wear and holiday cheer, and it made the already-successful event even better.


A few of my photo-station photos (with my wonderful friends)

Maybe I'm being a bit too cheery and even cheesy while talking about this topic, but I do believe the holidays brings out the best in people. Usually I'm a cynic, but I have to admit that the peak of my happiness occurs during this season. Wear those velvet turtlenecks, hang up those shimmering lights, and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year.








12.13.2015

Your Little Fashion Box

Most of us, even the fashion-lovers who constantly want to attempt new style-feats, like to stay inside our four-cornered area of comfort. We know our style, we're confident with it, and because it works out so perfectly, changing it would just be pointless. Why alter something that already works out alright? Well, that's just no fun. Even I am hesitant to step outside this box, and I love expanding my style to new horizons. Maybe I do change my sense of fashion yearly, but there's still a part of me that's comfortable with the familiarity of what works best for me. Simple shift dresses with statement accessories, check. Boyfriend jeans with a simple top and a few more layers, check. Turtleneck sweater with a mini and tights, check. I always have these go-to outfits for every season, and it's nice to know what looks and feels good. Sometimes, however, these outfits get boring. There's only so many ways to mix and match the items in your closet to fit these molds, so I decided to step outside those four walls a few days ago.

Dress by Asos. Top by Urban Outfitters.
Photos taken by me, sadly inside my poorly-lit room.

Cyber Monday, which happened only a couple weeks ago, inspired me to get outside of that familiar style and try something new. I guess the amazing sales (30% off everything at ASOS!!) pushed me to do so. A tiny part of me has always wanted something overall-related. The full on pants, a dress, or even just a pinafore dress would do. However, I never actually went out and tried the trend because, well, the item was not familiar enough to my style. (I could also talk about awkward fitting, but that takes away from my point.) For about four months, I occasionally wondered if I should just go ahead and attempt the style, and I finally did after realizing that it was that time of the year where my style begins to slowly transform into something new. I was browsing Asos for who knows how long, and I finally came across the perfect dress -- the one I'm wearing in the photo above. My regular readers should know that I would never pick a pair of basic denim overalls. Of course I had to go with the olive green, corduroy, button-up with a raw hem overall dress. Everything that I don't wear, but envy on others (except for maybe the corduroy, I already have a few items in that material). So instead of just stepping outside of my "little fashion box" by buying overalls, I stepped outside of it on three other levels. When I'm on a mission, I go all the way.

To be honest, I was nervous when i got these in the mail. It looked awful when it wasn't on a person, and I struggled trying to find a top to wear with it. I almost wanted to return it, but I stopped myself -- the dress was cute, fashion-forward, and something different. So I kept it. And I continued to wear it the next day, where I got several compliments from complete strangers. I guess this dress can be a metaphor for the rest of my (and your!!) fashion endeavors. Step outside that little fashion box. It can be cozy, but at times, it gets too cozy, and familiarity can get to be dangerous. Associate yourself with the unfamiliar, in fashion and in all things. Life will be so much easier. Plus, you're bound to get noticed more often (if you're into that). 

12.07.2015

One Year "Blog-versary"

And finally, it's been a (little over) a year of writing for this blog, and I've seen one thing: self-growth.

This post isn't going to include any extraordinary fashion tips or ideas like my others. It's going to be similar to that one time I got personal on here.


Anyways, it's been a year. A full year of me writing for something that carries no requirements except for my own personal ones. Something that I do for me, and only me, and it's allowed me to realize so much about myself. I started this as a joke. Well, maybe not to that extent, but it was never supposed to become anything. But it did. I'm so thankful that it did not collapse after the first month because without it I feel like I would have nothing in my life that continuously progresses into something bigger each day. That sounds almost depressing, but when I look at how far I've come in the past year, I can only smile at what I've accomplished.

Having a fashion blog may not sound like an outstanding accomplishment to some. Maybe I should have gotten a perfect score on the SAT or gotten into some prestigious pre-college summer program. Those may be greater than mine, but all that matters is that this accomplishment is important to me. Not anyone can just create a fashion blog and maintain it for a year successfully, but I did that. And I hate to sound like some entitled snob, but I realize I'm the opposite. I'm nowhere near fashion-world fame, and I'm okay with that.

I like to think that I've made it somewhere with this blog. Before, all I did was obsess over fashion in that materialistic way: all I wanted was the most coveted and expensive thing in stores. It was almost obnoxious, and I never say that about myself. Now, I realize that fashion isn't about the material world, but about the self-expressive world. I'd like to think that most fashion-lovers realize that by now, but unfortunately, some still think that money means quality of style. Yeah, I would love to buy a Valentino gown and have my entire wardrobe be by Alexander Wang and Dior. But that's not how the real world works, and that's definitely not what fashion is about for me. And this blog has  finally led me to the conclusion that fashion is art, not money.

I love writing for this blog. It's not something I dread doing weekly just to please my readers. It's not even close -- I actually look forward to writing my posts. It's the highlight of my week, maybe next to watching reruns of That '70s Show and America's Next Top Model (no shame). If I could write posts for this daily, I would, but my schedule is just too busy to come close to that. I used to be able to write 2-4 times a week, and I miss that. I'm hoping that I'll be able to increase my frequency next semester, but I'm still thankful that I get to write about my passion once a week. I'm still in high school, and I'm already living my dream...

Obviously, it can't be realistic for me to think that this blog can become my career. I have plans to pursue my dreams in alternative ways, but this blog just gets me one step closer to reaching my dream. This is starting to sound like a motivational speech, so I'm going to end soon, but I'm just glad that I've been able to keep up with this blog for a year. Many could have quit in the first week, but I kept writing even if I only got three views on my first few posts. It has taught me that things take time. This one surely did.

11.30.2015

Summer in December?

I'm finally back from my dreadful hiatus and the-opposite-of-dreadful vacation. BVI was a nice break from reality, and I would say a nice break from the cold, but there was no cold to break from. It's practically December tomorrow, and it's still the mid-60s everyday. If I was living in San Francisco, I would be used to this constant temperature, but I live on the East Coast where seasons actually exist. And I, unlike most, love the cold (my longtime readers should already know that by now). The only thing that stopped me from staying on that boat in the middle of the Caribbean was the fact that I would be returning to winter in my hometown. Nope. I guess the Fashion Gods hate me. And I use the term "Fashion Gods" in this scenario because I had planned so many cold-weather outfits for this week when I was sailing in the Atlantic. Layering with turtlenecks, layering with tights and thigh-highs, layering with dresses and sweaters, basically every possible way to layer -- it's impossible with this weather. But I told myself that I can't let this awkward weather bring me down, I already have enough stress in my life right now. So I thought, to hell with the weather, flannel is still completely acceptable. It's practically winter. Wearing summer brights and mini skirts is not on my list of outfits until next April. Flannel will do, but how?



Duh. A dress. It seems like the obvious, but it really worked today to keep my winter fashion up to date with the sticky weather. Shirt-dresses have been a thing for years now, and many stores are catching up and combining the beloved flannel shirt and dress into one. Madewell has a few, ASOS is filled with various styles, and practically every women's fashion store that I approve of probably has a product of the sort. (side note: Cyber Monday is coming in full swing this year, including 30% everything from ASOS, half off selected items at Topshop, 25% off everything at Madewell, a complicated but worth-it discount at Urban Outfitters, and the list keeps getting better. I'd use these deals to get your winter necessities, even if it includes a warm-weather flannel shirtdress). The one I wore today is from Madewell, and I had bought it thinking I would be pairing it with tights, a leather jacket, and possibly a scarf for the winter. Maybe that outfit will appear if the temperature ever drops below 50, but the dress also proved to work well in warmer climates. The thin and structured material was just enough to keep me comfortable with a slight breeze, and the dress still screams winter (a neutral flannel dress could never be worn in the spring). I even wore my darkest shade of lipstick to intensify the winter look, but the dress could have worked the cold-weather theme alone. Although I was disheartened to see that I couldn't wear any turtlenecks this week, which are still sitting sadly in the bottom of my dresser, I proved the weather wrong with this flannel dress. Take that, Fashion Gods.

Dress by Madewell. Shoes by Doc Marten.
Photos taken by me, of course.


11.09.2015

Blogger Inspo

As a fashion blogger who has had her blog for almost a year (the anniversary is coming in about three weeks!!), it is my goal to make all of my posts completely original. That's also how I am as a photographer, and as a writer, and even when I put together my outfit for the day. I want to be original. I think everyone strives for that, but sometimes, it's impossible to say that there is no inspiration that led to the artwork, the writing, the post, or the outfit. Throughout the months with this blog, I've learned to become more original because I learned the gist of how to be a blogger. With new things, everyone has to use someone for inspiration to know where to start. But once you get the hang of these new things, new posts, new art, new writing, new etcetera all comes from your own creativity and originality. I depended on it for a while, but now, after (almost) a year, it's gotten to the point where I have occasionally run out of ideas. I spend a lot of my time researching fashion related things, like watching runway shows and reading articles from Nylon and Vogue, and this also includes discovering those fashion bloggers who have made it pretty big in the fashion and online world. A few months ago, this was Margaret Zhang, the one who runs Shine By Three, and through her, I realized I needed to broaden my topics to things other than fashion to gain more interest from readers (and myself). This next one is completely different, but she has been invited to practically every show in all of fashion month this year, and she's a name that people who don't even involve themselves with fashion know.

Leandra Medine. Wait, let me start that over. Man Repeller. That's better.


The first name is a little less unknown than the latter. And that makes all of the sense -- successful bloggers have a known brand, and their true identity may be only known by its longtime fans. Nonetheless, her quirky attitude and style, along with her humorous and even sarcastic tone, attracted millions of people. I may even call her one of the biggest independent fashion bloggers out there. And how did she make it this far? The fashion blogging world is a tough one, yet she was able to stand out and make it her serious career.

That's the thing -- she's different. Even when it comes to her oddly put together outfits (which I think are magnificent), she's able to put herself on top by being unique, maybe even shocking. And she's definitely not afraid of what people think of her. Her words ooze this fun, yet artfully careless attitude that makes me want to read every single article on her blog, and that would take ages. Her usually short but effective posts make me, and probably hundreds of others, want to be just like her. In every sense of the word. And I guess that's why she's so important in fashion right now -- she's refreshing. We need someone we can look up to when we want to throw stuff together (with artistic intentions) and call it fashion. 



Her cool and (probably) charismatic personality show through her writing, and a post from her about turtlenecks is bound to make me laugh (see here). I laugh in an intellectual and witty way, however, because she somehow knows how to appeal to an audience that makes fashion more than buying expensive brands. She knows exactly how to throw in a properly timed joke, how to skillfully place a few racy comments in a post about fashion, and finally, how to relate to us. Her brand name says it all. Why would a fashion blog be titled man repeller? How does that even make sense? Well, she explains it by defining it as "she who outfits herself in a sartorially offensive mode that may result in repelling members of the opposite sex. Such garments include but are not limited to harem pantsboyfriend jeansoverallsshoulder pads, full length jumpsuits, jewelry that resembles violent weaponry and clogs." These few sentences explain how brilliant of a blogger she is because nearly every woman should immediately want to read more of her posts by just reading that definition. She's relatable, in the coolest and most intimidating way ever. Basically, she wants to shock others by her unconventional ways of fashion, and that sounds like the perfect way to live life, at least in my opinion. 

10.31.2015

Weaving Fashion into Halloween

Halloween is my favorite holiday. A few years ago, I never thought that I would ever say that statement, but now I realize how interesting this holiday can get. My love for it is not because of the spooky atmosphere and loads of candy (I'm not saying I don't love those things, however), but it's due to how fun dressing up can be. My entire life, I've had some pretty interesting costumes (my twin and I were a tree and a literal pile of leaves when we were eight), so I understand how to create a new persona out of nothing. In my younger years, it used to be silly things, like a pumpkin or a warbler from Glee (I had a pretty bad middle school Glee phase), but now after learning more about pop culture through films, T.V., and fashion, I've "matured" my Halloween costumes. No, I don't mean buying a "sexy angel" costume online and pairing up with a friend who would be a "sexy devil". I simply mean using what I know from movies (or other things) I love and dressing up as those characters. Last year, I was the girl on the album cover of Contra by Vampire Weekend (see here), and this year, I decided to dress up as Margot Tenenbaum, a character from one of my favorite movies, The Royal Tenenbaums.

Dress by J. Crew. Coat brand is unknown.
Photos taken by me.

The best way to find a unique costume for Halloween is to find a character with a distinctive and interesting look. And this is where the fashion part comes in -- dressing up as someone with an iconic fashion sense will make a costume 10 times better than anyone else's. That's why dressing up as Margot was so fun. Her memorable fur coat, Lacoste polo dress, blonde bob, and heavy eyeliner create a look that cannot be recreated through anyone else, unless that person is intentionally dressing up as her. When you google "Margot Tenenbaum makeup", photos from fashion shows with heavy under-eye eyeliner will show, and when you google "Margot Tenenbaum style", images of models dressed in luxurious fur coats and striped dresses will appear. Even if you haven't seen the movie, you probably recognize the look, so this proves how iconic this character's style is. This made my job fairly easy. Although I did not have a tan fur coat or an actual Lacoste polo dress, I could still find a white one, put on a similar striped dress, and just do my makeup and hair just like hers (my new hair cut makes this costume so much easier). If you load on the eyeliner, straighten your preferably short and blonde locks, and walk around with a sad face all day, you will nail the Margot Tenenbaum aesthetic. I wish I would have carried around cigarettes and somehow made a wooden finger, but I didn't even need that to look just like Margot. When I showed people pictures of Margot today, they thought the resemblance was almost creepy. And if you have seen The Royal Tenenbaums, you probably recognized how I took these photos based on shots from the movie (I wish I had a Richie to sit next to on that couch...).





















For me, finding costumes like this comes easy. My favorite film director is Wes Anderson, and other than this character by his, I could think of five other characters I could have dressed up as (Suzy from Moonrise Kingdom was my second choice). And this is where fashion really comes into the equation. Dressing up as other personas is fun for me because I get to create a look different from my own. Not everyday can I go around wearing a fur coat and a pound of eyeliner, and Halloween gives us an excuse to be whoever we want to be just for a day. Many use it as an excuse to dress up as something ridiculous, but I use it to let my love for fashion shine with an iconic look that wouldn't work on the other 364 days of the year. Halloween should be easy for fashion lovers like me. The opportunities are endless, whether you want to dress up like a fashionable character or an irl fashion icon. I have seen some Anna Wintours this Halloween, but you can go even further than that. You can go back in time and be your best Jane Birkin or Brigitte Bardot, or even work that heroin-chic look by being Kate Moss. And these are just people who have influenced the fashion world. The simplest thing to do is look at characters from your favorite T.V. show or movie with an impeccable style and impersonate them. My twin dressed up as Audrey Horne from Twin Peaks by pairing a crop-sweater and midi with saddle shoes and that iconic beauty mark next to her eye. Although many people in this era don't even know what the show is, people who did watch it immediately knew, and that's due to Audrey's unique look. That's how being Margot was for me -- many people had never even heard of the movie, but people who have watched it knew exactly who I was trying to be. People think that Halloween costumes have to be recognizable by the entire population, but that's not a requirement. I already have a few ideas for next year (Angela Hayes from American Beauty or even one of the Lisbon daughters from The Virgin Suicides). So go out there, and spend this day dressing up as someone you've always wanted to be but couldn't on a normal day. That's what Halloween is for, right?

10.28.2015

Reinventing Fashion

No, I'm not here to start a fashion revolution (my title may be deceiving). Not like it wouldn't be a dream of mine to be involved in one, but I have realized something that forces me (and others who would like to try this phenomenon) to step outside the two-dimensional fashion world. Maybe it's the spooky weather and Halloween spirits that are making me think about these types of things more closely, but it's this simple -- not every piece of clothing has to be worn like it was meant to be worn. You may have seen some people wearing their long denim front-button skirts as dresses, but I'm not asking you to do anything that severe. I'm not even sure if I'm on board with that new look, and I'm usually open to anything when it comes to fashion, but this new "phenomenon" can be as simple as rolling up the sleeves of a button-up top further than usual. However, I'd like to take more risks than something like that, so I decided to take it one step further.




Transforming a dress into a top is one of the simplest things to do, but it's not done often. The more you want it to work, the less it will work, so my suggestion is to find a dress you like, find a skirt you like, and put it together (does that even make sense??). That's how I was able to work this outfit -- I knew I wanted to make this graphic dress a top, so I paired it with every skirt I owned until a good fit was made. If I had a specific skirt in mind, I may have given up if it didn't look like I wanted it to and thrown on a sweater and leggings. That's my motto in fashion -- keep your expectations low while experimenting with outfits, but keep them high when finished. The only way to be successful in trying new looks is to keep an open mind, and most everything will look fashion-forward. Before I start to sound like a motivational speaker, I'll get back to the outfit. This dress, which I wore a while back during Montreal Fashion Week (here), is one of my favorites due to it's quirky designs but also its simplicity. This nature allowed me to change its look completely by just adding a pastel pink skirt to it, which alters the mod vibe to a more classic style. All I did after this was add my army-green jacket from Topshop and even wear the same Stan Smiths I wore the last time I wore the dress, and yet the outfit is still completely different than the previous one. Maybe it's because my hair is completely different (I forgot to tell you that I finally went for a platinum lob), but I do believe that just one simple step can make all the difference.




So there's my "fashion revolution". You probably thought it would take more effort, but it's in the small things that can reinvent looks. Another perk to this is that it can save you when you haven't had the chance to go fall shopping (yes, I'm talking about me right now). Although I did not pertain to fall trends in this look, I could have easily made a Spring/Summer dress an Autumn look by adding a darker skirt and tights. Like I said, stepping outside the fashion-box doesn't have to be difficult.


Dress/top by Zara. Skirt by American Apparel. Jacket by Topshop. Shoes by Adidas.
Photos taken by me.



10.19.2015

It's Starting to Feel Like Fall...

Finally! It has been fall for a month now, and not once (at least in Georgia) has it felt like it. I've had to do some intense research on how to rock fall trends in hot weather, and wearing a mini skirt in an "autumn way" is not an easy thing to accomplish (unless you're the wonderful Man Repeller). There was one perk, however, because I haven't had the chance to go fall shopping. Wool skirts and jeans weren't even needed because the temp would always be above 70, but now, this problem actually exists. I can't let the fact that I own zero new fall clothing faze me because this weather automatically puts me in happy mode. So I decided to work with what I have...



It's so simple to make practically anything work in the fall. Maybe that's why it's my favorite fashion season... Anyways, I haven't had the chance to get new clothes, so I paired my button-up skirt from Urban Outfitters with my favorite knit turtleneck (also from Urban Outfitters) that I haven't even touched since last February. Because it's been so long since I've worn the sweater, wearing it today was just like wearing a brand new one. That's the beauty of not buying a completely new wardrobe for every season (which I still find absolutely crazy) -- you can wear old items from a few seasons ago in completely different ways, and people will probably think it's new. To work with the cooler weather, I wore my thigh highs because it wasn't cold enough to pull out the knit tights that are reserved for December and January.


Skirt and sweater by Urban Outfitters. Jacket by Juicy Couture. Shoes by Asos.
Photos taken by me

I even took my denim jacket, which I usually reserve as a light layer to be worn in the spring or summer, as an additional layer for when I had to walk outside. Denim has always been a spring/summer staple, but anyone can transition it into the fall/winter (like me!). And voila! I took old basics and created a brand new look that works perfectly with fall fashion and weather. I still need to eventually get new clothes for the fall (and winter), but I find it pretty easy to create unique looks with old clothing. I think I've said this about 100 times through this blog, but I have (once again) proven that you don't need the time (or money) to create fashion-forward looks with the change of the season. You should take risks with autumn because it's the season of fashion experimentation, at least in my mind. Happy fall, everyone!


10.10.2015

Fashion Month

This is the first time that I'm actually going to be just like the majority of fashion bloggers out there by doing what everyone expects -- fashion show reviews. The only difference is that instead of physically going to the fashion shows, I had to do my research online. Scrolling through hundreds of designers for NYFW, LFW, MFW, and PFW and choosing your favorites is not an easy task, especially when you're in love with 80% of the collections. It was pretty simple choosing the ones that I definitely didn't love (that Jamaican themed Tommy Hilfiger show wasn't really my thing, and don't even get my started on the Valentino collection that just oozes cultural appropriation), but choosing the absolute best out of the ones that caught my eye took hours of watching way too many runway shows. But finally, after hours of what I like to call "fashion research", I compiled a list of my top 9 shows from the SS16 collections from this fashion month.


New York Fashion Week

NYFW is usually the one to steal my heart, but overall, this season it didn't necessarily deserve a standing O. However, a few shows ended up being my favorites from the entire bunch. And we'll start with...

Jeremy Scott



Photos by Giovanni Giannoni from WWD.com

It's nearly impossible to not include one of my favorite designers in my top nine shows from the SS16 collections. However, it's not even my favorite by him, but it still embodies the colorful and wild nature of Jeremy Scott's unique style. If we can get over Gigis' horrendous opening walk (why does she open most of the big runway shows these days? Why???) and some over-the-top men's fashion statements, this collection brings an obvious tribute to the '60s with a bang, because how else does Jeremy Scott work? Those bright patterns, a-line shapes, and flouncing retro wigs gave this collection a signature look, and I'm not sure if I'm completely in love, but I would love to see someone rocking that two-piece monster (is that what it is?) set off the runway.
Rating: 8.0

Public School





















































Photos from Vogue

Public School is one of my favorite New York-based brands, so it was also second nature for me to choose the duo's SS16 collection. It also has to be my favorite from all of NYFW's collections this season. Those navy blue and white oversized trenches and sweaters were practically calling my name the minute they stepped onto the runway. The collection gave off this practical chic aesthetic (just look at those shoes) that I would definitely wear next spring and summer. Designers, watch out for Public School, because they're getting bigger and better by the minute.
Rating: 9.6

Alexander Wang





















































Photos by Giovanni Giannoni from WWD.com

Once again, one of my other favorite designers. I stuck to the brands I knew for NYFW because that was the easiest way to find the ones I knew I would love, which isn't a compliment to this season's NYFW collections. However, this one definitely stood out for me and didn't fit in with the bland, "beachy vibes" that we got from most of NYFW's collections. This collection definitely showed who Alexander Wang is as a designer -- someone who wants to innovate new trends from the old. He created this dynamic collection in the grittiest way, using army green, denim, and revealing tops as the basis for his set. This designer turned casual, what looks like "your older brother's clothes" into individualized styles that make a bold statement. Props to you, Alexander Wang, for putting effort into everything you created with this collection, whether it's the actual pieces, the styling of the models, or even the racy after-party you hosted.
Rating: 8.5

London Fashion Week

This week upped NYFW just by a little bit because it was more difficult for me to choose which collections I liked the best. However, I only picked two -- I was going to include Topshop Unique, but it just didn't appeal to me this year (which is a huge shocker -- I can usually count on them). We'll start with a classic...

Burberry






























Photos from londonfashionweek.com

I've honestly never been a huge fan of Burberry until now. They strayed away from their classic plaid aesthetic and went for a more military meets feminine look, which I'm all for this season. I'm starting to see a pattern in these collections -- a sort of utilitarian, masculine feel from the fabrics and a feminine touch from the cuts and shapes. Androgyny in fashion is one of my favorite trends, so keep it up, designers. I love how Burberry literally embodied the modern London woman feel with those gold trimmed blazers and black lace dresses. Also, Cara Delevingne and Annie Clarke were the cutest couple in the front row, and the 32-piece orchestra definitely made it a show that makes me envy the important people who get invited to these shows.
Rating: 9.4

Simone Rocha






























Photos from Vogue

This is what I've been waiting for this fashion month. I didn't even know who Simone Rocha was until I was researching these shows, and once I stumbled upon her, I fell in love. Feminine shapes with cloudy, floral, and frilly aesthetics is what I love in fashion and exactly what Rocha brought with this collection. Valentino's collection last season had it, and now this season, it's Simone Rocha. What I love is that they're all ready to wear (unlike Valentino's haute couture gowns), so it makes these designs accessible for any occasion (if you don't mind looking like a literal angel). Even the ground these models walked on matched their godly outfits -- that green carpet just screams Parisian femininity. I would say that this is my favorite of the bunch, but the ones coming up get even better.
Rating: 9.9 

Milan Fashion Week

For some reason a lot of us seem to forget about MFW, but they always carry a lot of the most well known designers and brands (Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, etc). I absolutely loved most of these shows, but because I don't want to keep rambling about my favorite shows, I only chose one from this week. Because most of these shows were amazing, this show was obviously one of the best out of all of the shows from this season. And the lucky winner is...

Gucci




        























Photos from Vogue

Until now, I've never been the biggest fan of Gucci. I saw it as this overrated brand that slowly became a "joke" to the overpriced, high fashion world. But this is before I even looked into them that much, and once I saw this show, my view of them completely altered. This show made me realize how much I love fashion, because everything about it was so beautiful. The ethereal music with soft whispers in French (almost like she was like the painted snakes on the ground) and the angelic walks of all the models made the show an out-of-body experience (literally...), and I haven't even talked about the clothes yet. Gucci brought the Italian glamor we usually see in their collections with those intricate floral and snakeskin designs, but they also added a touch of "geek-chic" (as Vogue calls it) and a greek-goddess aesthetic to the collection. I've never been a fan of too much accessories, but the huge bows and flouncing skirts only worked well for this collection. Honestly, the best way to describe it is simply... beautiful, in every sense of the word.
Rating: 10 (yes, it's my favorite of all of them)

Paris Fashion Week

And we're down to the last week... This one was hands down the best. Of course, fashion month has to go out with a bang, and PFW definitely accomplished that. In the beginning, I had seven shows picked out just from this week, but I had to cut it down to just three. Before I even begin, I want to give an honorable mention to Elie Saab, one of my favorite designers ever. Your collection was amazing, but it didn't make the list. Let's start with...

Dior



















































Photos by Isidore Montag

I don't think a single fashion blogger talking about their favorite shows missed including the Dior show. Everything about it was magical, whether it was the genius location of the Louvre, the flower mountain that literally took two weeks to construct, or the well-designed collection that gave a sense of Parisian nostalgia. Those flowing veiled skirts and signature chokers gave this collection a certain look that everyone fell in love with. This show was a great way to start off PFW, and I'm pretty sure it was a prediction for how well the others went, because things just kept getting better.
Rating: 9.7


Moncler Gamme Rouge



















































Photos from Vogue

This designer for this collection, Giambattista Valli, is also one I have never heard of until I was researching all the PFW shows. And the same goes for this collection just like Simone Rocha's -- I'm in love. Everything about it, whether it was the literal meadow the models walked in or the styling of the sneakers with garden fairy-esque dresses, fit into what I love in fashion today. (Side note: I told you that I'm not the only one who likes to pair casual sneakers with dresses, like in this post.) This show also gave off a greek goddess feeling, but while Gucci did it in a fierce, "Nike" (the goddess of victory) way, Moncler Gamme Rouge did it in a soft, "Aphrodite" (the goddess of love) way. I also love how Valli used white in all of the pieces, but each one either has an accent of all white, metallic silver, red, or green. There's probably some symbolism in it that I don't want to go into right now, but bravo to Giambattista Valli for creating a collection that's fit for a fairy.
Rating: 9.9

Alexander McQueen



























        






















Photos from Vogue

Of course, I have to end this post with a bang, and what other way to do so than with the wonder that is Alexander McQueen. This isn't anywhere near my favorite out of the nine I selected, but I thought that the legacy McQueen brings would fit for the final review. Obviously, it's now Sarah Burton who now runs the brand, and while she still brings the traditional Alexander McQueen look (just look at those collars), she brought a subtle femininity to the usually over-the-top edgy brand. With Victorian-era collars and silhouettes, frilly layers, and a black and white color scheme, she goes back to a romantic time frame that is strange for McQueen, but also refreshing. Even without Alexander, the brand still runs strong with subtle changes yet still the same McQueen look we all know.
Rating: 8.8