Resort Round-Up

See more resort favorites here and here.

Alexander McQueen {red carpet ready}

Celebrities love McQueen. It's simply a fact at this point. And Sarah Burton keeps giving celebrities more reasons to don McQueen gowns for all their red carpet needs. These four dresses from the Resort 2013 presentation all have such red carpet appeal. I bet the last dress (on the far right) will show up on a celeb within the next week.

Rochas {vintage vacation}

Rochas is usually one of my favorite collections because like myself, designer Marco Zanini seems to be completely in love with the fifties and sixties. The ankle-length pants, the ladylike accessories, the ruffled full skirts in delicate pastels- it all reminds me of bygone American summers.

Moschino {mod squad}

 My love affair with all things retro continues with Moschino, which focused on psychedelic florals, oversized sunglasses, and exaggerated boxy shapes. On the top of my wishlist: that bell-sleeve jacket in dizzying lime.

Carven {the prep school girl}

Carven is another favorite of mine, somewhat because I can actually afford some of their clothes, but this resort presentation made me so happy. Carven is always good for a quirky take on the prep school girl, and this resort season was no exception. Tweed skirt suits, lunchbox-like purses, and intellectual brocade prints all had me smiling. And let's not even get me started on that bright blue beauty of a dress.

Nicole Miller {tropical getaway}

Nicole Miller went for the literal denotation of the word "resort" with her collection. Crop tops, tie dye/ombre, and tropical prints were in full swing. My personal favorite: the navy-to-gold one-shoulder dress. The bodice is fantastically draped, the skirt wonderfully mystical.

 Matthew Williamson {rainbow connection}
 

Matthew Williamson is not for the faint of heart. Williamson has always made a point of focusing on the girl who likes to stand out. He's a huge fan of beads, feathers, and other embellishments, not to mention dazzling brights. For resort, Williamson has enough color to satisfy a rainbow- bold corals, fresh mints, soft lavenders, and cool blues. I'm a big fan of the lace button-downs, perfect go-tos to throw over your swimsuit when resorting in Bora Bora. 

 Marc Jacobs {the bold and the beautiful}

 

 Another designer who isn't afraid of bold creations- Marc Jacobs. To quote Nicole Phelps' review on style.com, "Not for team MJ is Resort a season for play-it-safe clothes." In perhaps the most whimsical show of the season, Jacobs looked to the clown for inspiration and went from there. Part of Jacobs' genius is that some outfits are so editorial-ready, while others are perfect red carpet looks (Hilary Swank has already sported a black-and-white version of the pink-and-red dress on the far right), and others still are wonderful retail pieces (see the brown short suit that I absolutely love). There's something in here for everyone. As usual, Jacobs mixes vintage looks (the mix-and-match prints and ankle-length skirts) with refreshingly modern outfits (see here). 

P.S. Elle Fanning better wear this dress soon or else. It was practically made for her!

 (images from style.com)

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Style Crush: Elizabeth Banks

When The Hunger Games premiered in March, everyone was eagerly anticipating Jennifer Lawrence's rise to fashion fame- and rise she did. The star has stunned in Prabal Gurung, Marchesa, and Nina Ricci. But while the Lawrence certainly has lived up to her character's "girl on fire" reputation, the true star of the Hunger Games promotional tour turned out to be none other than Elizabeth Banks. Though not the star of the film by any means, Banks stole the spotlight from many of her younger counterparts both on and off screen. In the movie Banks portrays Effie Trinket, the District Twelve tribute escort and my personal favorite. It only seems fitting that Banks would mirror Trinket's whimsical, daring fashions on the red carpet while promoting the film.

But The Hunger Games has come and gone and still I'm noticing Banks everywhere. Always, she is dressed impeccably, a rare feat for actresses these days. Somehow Banks knows how to make a statement without going over the top. She knows what styles work for her and she always plays up her assets. Banks also knows how to pose with poise, always looking like she's having a blast, which is refreshing to see when so many starlets - *cough* Kristen Stewart *cough* - act like the red carpet is such a burden. 

So here's to Banks, who never fails to impress, whether it be in a bright mini, metallic frock, or feathered gown. A lesson to us all in impeccable styling and taste.

(images from zimbio.com)

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FW2012 Round Up

Sorry I've been MIA lately. It's just one of those stressful times again. Did you know that once you finish your college applications you aren't actually done with tireless applications? Because you have to fill out scholarship forms so you can actually pay for higher education...sorry for ranting. I'm done now.

Of course, if there's anything that can brighten my day, it's the beautiful shows of fall fashion week! I was delighted to see designers are back to having fun. Fall doesn't just mean black anymore. Colors are abundant, just in rich autumnal hues. Geometric prints will dominate stores come fall, as seen at Prada and Rochas. With the stunning success of The Artist and the upcoming The Great Gatsby redux, the twenties will once again be the golden era.

There were tears at Jil Sander when Raf Simons announced his departure, and applause at both Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs shows for the absolutely stunning sets. And, for the first time in maybe all of history, Karl Lagerfeld added some color to his usual black and white ensemble.

Here they are, my personal favorite moments of all the fashion weeks.

Carven, the clothes of our dreams

Carven is one of those brands that always woos the twenty-something girl desperate for a dose of French chic because they make clothes that celebrate the fun of fashion. Once a girl passes the middle school threshold, it is officially acceptable to dress like a four-year-old again, and Carven totally gets this cutesy little girl style without losing any cool. The high collars and stiff cuffs are innocent enough, but the plunging necklines and cut-out shirts are anything but. Every girl's dream.

Let's Put on a Show

From Top: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Marc Jacobs

Fashion shows have evolved in the past few years. The internet has given them an unprecedented instantaneous, and now you don't even have to be part of the sartorial aristocracy to enjoy shows as they happen. Due to the widespread publicity of fashion shows these days, designers have revolutionized shows so that they are not just boring catwalks but full-on Broadway-worthy productions. The more elaborate the stage, the better. Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfeld have managed to master this art of stage decoration, but many other designers are hopping on the stage production (no pun intended, Marc Jacobs) train. While some argue that the costs of these shows is highly excessive, the artistic side of me feels that these sets add a whole new level to the ideas of a collection.

New City, New Energy

Moschino Cheap & Chic has been one of my favorite diffusion brands for a while, because the brand captures all the energy of it's parent, but with the youthfulness that attracts a younger, more colorful crowd. So it seemed perfectly natural for Cheap & Chic to move to London Fashion Week, where neon and cheeky prints are everyday fare. The brand succeeded in capturing the heart of its new city, as the collection got stellar reviews. Katy Perry has already been seen sporting a look from the collection only days after it showed, if that is any indication of the line's success.

The King of Kolor

That's right, I just Kardashian-ized the word color, or should I say, Karl-ized? But seriously, was anyone else as shocked as I was to see Uncle K don blue and purple, two colors that are not black nor white!?

Second Time's the Charm

The problem with Chloe and I, I've recently figured out, is that the first collection I really ever noticed of Chloe's was the Spring 2007 show, which was decidedly ornate for Chloe, and because I've only recently really understood the more minimalist side of fashion, Chloe has long since been a favorite of mine. When I scanned through the Fall 2012 show, however, I was instantly delighted to see that I truly enjoyed what Clair Waight Keller put out for her second collection for the brand. The soft colors and mixed proportions were absolutely lovely. Of course, it was the twisted one-shoulder gown at the end that really did me in.

The Tearful Goodbye

The Jil Sander show was, as it has been for several years now, one of the strongest of the season, and I personally was so delighted with the pale pinks and fifties silhouettes that I was promptly devastated when I heard the news that Raf Simons, the man behind Jil Sander for the past seven years, was leaving the brand. The plot thickens: Raf is now fending off rumors left and right that he will be the new creative director at Dior, and many insiders are speculating that Jil herself may be returning to her namesake brand. Raf will be missed, but we know he's going to do tremendously well wherever he goes.

So you may be asking 'Lindsey, what was your favorite show of the season?' Well, wonderful blog reader, I cannot say quite yet. These things take time. I've certainly fallen in love with many new dresses, but collections as a whole? Usually I hate Miu Miu now and then by the time Fall comes around I'm worshiping at Miuccia's feet, so we'll have to wait and see as we draw closer and closer to fall. Oh, how strange the fashion world is, that spring has not even officially started yet and still I'm yearning for one of Cheap & Chic's technicolor furs?

(all images from style.com)

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NYFW Recap: Part 2

What started off shaky has ended as one of the best fashion weeks in a long while. We aren't even out of winter yet and already I am dying for fall again because I can't wait to see these fabulous clothes in action. There are so many things I noticed, so keep checking back for more fall fashion recaps. I plan to dedicate a full post to Oscar de la Renta because it was possibly the greatest show thus far. But right now here are some other shows that I couldn't get enough of.

Derek Lam

Derek Lam has been long heralded as the king of California minimalism and in a way I have always understood his take on minimalism much more than other designers. For fall he went for a very sleek yet youthful vibe that really showed his attention to detail. 

Tommy Hilfiger

For Hilfiger's "Town & Country" the designer drew inspirations from country clubs and Park Avenue apartments. The entire collection was pretty stellar, but what really got me going was the assortment of fabulous leather coats. The rich colors, the plethora of buttons, and the box shapes all made me smile.

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacob's signature line was also a success, which I will most likely talk about later, but his diffusion line deserves some credit too. As a teenager I've always been a fan of the urban youth feel of Marc by Marc, and this collection was full of everything I love about Marc. And really, who doesn't love a girl in a dress and combat boots?

Philosophy

Alberta Ferretti is usually a very romantic designer, so it was nice to see her go back to basics for fall. She showed a true mastery of outerwear in soft neutrals that will be sure to fly off the shelves.

Proenza Schouler

After a disappointing spring show, it was so good to see Proenza Schouler back in winning territory. I loved the shapes and the colors and just the vibe of the whole show. And don't even get me started on that Japanese print. 

 

Thankoon

Thankoon is just so much fun. He really understands what the youth want. We want bright colors and leather jackets and fun dresses and he gave it to us. And really, who else could mix fuchsia, highlighter orange, and maroon so expertly?

(all images from style.com)

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Looking for Wrackspurts

A drawing I did on the computer of Luna Lovegood in her spectrespecs and Spring 2011 Marc Jacobs.

You can see more drawings of Luna in designer clothes here

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