Spring Temps mean Print is a Must!

With temps in Chicago reaching 80+ degrees it's definitely safe to say that we are finally in the Spring season and knocking on the door of Summer.  With warmer temps all I can think about are prints.  But not just mixing of prints, I've been drawn to the incredible statement one unified all over print ensemble makes.

Perusing my usual street style sites I immediately stopped in my tracks when I came across Phil Oh's picture of Christine Centenera at Australia Fashion Week in Sydney.  This strong print by Josh Goot is absolutely stunning, but the impact and the power of the print is just so much more incredible with Chrisitne pairing the matching top and bottom.  Needless to say, the age old adage  that you don't want to be 'matchy-matchy' is totally wrong in this case.

Photographed by Phil Oh for Vogue 

Love this look? Check out how you can get a head to toe singular print look for less with the following:

Products featured above: Top/Pant/Shoes/Cuff/Bag

[Chicago Fashion] Crystal B Designs Fall/Winter 2013 Collection!

Crystal Simms, visionary and lead designer behind Chicago fashion label, Crystal B. Designs showcased her "Walk the Line" Fall/Winter 2013 collection.  The collection is an extension of her Spring/Summer 2013 collection in which she transitions the looks into a darker more masculine tone.

Simms redefines masculine overtones with the exaggerated shoulders while at the same balancing this with the figure hugging and sleek feminine silhouettes.  Her collection echoes a number of mini trends that were present at the fashion week presentations with structured layering, cut-outs and the blue centric color palette.

Check out my favorite looks from Crystal B Designs Fall/Winter 2013 Collection:

S.I.L.K Fall 2013 Collection: The Cosmopolitan Woman!

Yesterday S.I.L.K, designed by Michele Lee, showcased their Fall 2013 collection inspired as the uniform for the 'Cosmopolitan Woman'.  The collection is a compilation of a strong color palette of earthy hues coupled with bold floral prints, leather and embellished accents.

The silk and silk based fabrications used in this collection are true to it's namesake.  Lee's choice to use this luxe and supple fabric to create sleek and ladylike silhouettes that are perfect for work and because of the versatility of the silhouettes can easily transition to night.

Check out my 10 favorite looks from Michele Lee's S.I.L.K Fall 2013 collection:

[Personal Style] Forward thinking about Clear Blue skies...

*Photo Credit: Net-a-porter

Like everyone else in the city of Chicago, the moment the clock stroke 12:01 am on March 20th last week I've been intensely yearning for spring temps (even more so once you stepped foot outside your door and were smacked in the face by the high teen degree temps).

While mother nature is still teasing us today with gloomy, cloudy skies and forecasted flurries on the horizon stay warm and inspired for spring with 2 of this season's biggest trends and join me in day dreaming about Clear Blue skies:

3.1 Phillip Lim

Burberry Prorsum

Cambridge Satchel Co.

Charlotte Olympia

Gianvito Rossi

Givenchy

Jimmy Choo

MM6 Maison Martin Marigela

H&M 'Hollywood Glamour' Conscious Collection, love or hate it?

We got our first glimpse of H&M's Conscious collection inspired by Hollywood Glamour (and constructed of sustainable materials to boot) when Helen Hunt graced the Oscars red carpet in a custom one-of-a-kind look.  Unfortunately (and many are actually cheering) that the look Hunt wore on the biggest red carpet night of the year did not make the cut into the final collection.

The actual collection is definitely full of red carpet mini-trends such as lace, asymmetrical hemlines, peplums and naturally a big tulle filled fantasy gown.  This is actually where the good parts of the collection end for me.  The rest of the collection is too disconnected and lack a cohesion that is signature to the brand (i.e. cohesive color palette, prints, etc).  The collection covers both menswear and womenswear but there are so many different looks from 3-D elements to fringe that individually could have told a much more compelling story but all mishmoshed together are just too distracting.

Photo Credit: H&M

Check out the collection below and chime in and let me know if you agree or disagree with me:

[MFW] Streetstyle Trend at MFW: Stylish Headgear!

*Photo Credt: Phil Oh

Aside from catching up on the different fashion presentations that have been presented at Milan Fashion Week my indulgence is reviewing all of the streetstyle photos of the amazing gear the fashion show attendees wore.  Starting with NYFW and on to LFW and now MFW the key fashion accessory that all of the photos that made me stop and oogle were attendees rockin' some stellar headgear.  Amazing headgear serves the immediate need of warmth but more importantly fulfill that amazing need of mine for fashion to serve a purpose and live up to my style motto of 'Edgy, Comfy, Chic'.

Check out my suggestions of great pieces that will help you step up your headgear while at the same time keep you warm (definitely a plus especially since Chicago has been blanketed with inches of snow):

[LFW] Rhianna's Fall/Winter 2013 collaboration with River Island!

Singer Rhianna presented her collaboration with clothing label River Island a little over a week ago.  When I initially seen images of her collection a number of thoughts and questions crossed my mind but before writing a review assessing my opinion on whether this endeavor was a success or flop I needed to take a few days to actually really think about it.

Well, the jury is still out.  The clear inspiration for the collection is RiRi herself.  She's definitely channeled her current style of mixing nineties grunge with a racy edge.  The only clear group I see being extremely excited and flocking in herds to snag a piece from this collection are RiRi's fans.  This collection is the perfect vehicle for them to emulate her unconventional and carefree style.


*Photo Credit: Telegraph UK

And on that note, check out looks from Rhianna's Fall/Winter 2013 collection for River Island and see if you agree or disagree with me:

[LFW] Best of LFW Fall/Winter 2013 fashion presentations!

There were so many outstanding Fall/Winter 2013 fashion presentations during London Fashion Week.  After reviewing hundreds of different looks and countless shows from LFW the 3 key fashion directions translated through as the major trends Notting Hill residents and patrons will be wearing come this fall are: printastic power clashing, bluesy blues is the hue, and mixed media stacking.


*Photo Credit: Catwalking.com

Check out my round-up of the best looks from the London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013 fashion presentations:

David Koma/ Christopher Kane/ Erdem

Holly Fulton/ Haizhen Wang/ Jean-Pierre Braganza

Mary Katrantzou

Nichole Farhi/ Mathew Williamson/ Ostwald Helgason

Peter Pilotto/ Paul Smith/ Peter Pilotto

Temperley London/ Pringle of Scotland/ Temperley London

Thomas Tait/ Thomas Tait/ Tom Ford

[Personal Style] #CSM NYFW Photo Diary F/W 2013 Shows!

My Fall/Winter 2013 New York Fashion Week agenda was scheduled to be a busy whirlwind with a total of 7 fashion shows and 2 showroom visits to be completed in a matter of 2 days.  But alas, thanks to Nemo shows and visits were missed and my 2 day trip turned into 1 day.  Only saving grace?  Snapping pics on my handy iPhone.

Although I was attending the Fall/Winter 2013 fashion presentations and knowing that I would be there during the aftermath of a snowy blizzard, my brain would not turn off my spring obsessions & inspirations.  So for my NYFW ensemble I incorporated two spring trends I just couldn't wait to do now: Art of Contrast and Statement Jewelry.

What I'm wearing: Carhartt Beanie/ Concert Sweatshirt (Similar)/ Rag & Bone Grandpa Sweater/ ASOS Mono Stripe Jeans/ Rebecca Minkoff Heels/ASOS Book Clutch (similar)/ Vivenne Westwood Leather Gloves/ BaubleBar Necklaces/ VT Luxe Faux Fur Infinity Scarf


Catch up on the rest of my whirlwind NYFW journey via my photo diary: