Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Fall Fashion Essentials

Fall is officially here and is probably the best if not second best season in the whole entire year. Not only do you get to start sipping warmer drinks, but the fall fashion is impeccable, i.e. the sweaters and the booties. Fall is the type of season where you don't have to dress incredibly warm but you don't have to dress incredibly cold, it's right there in the middle. As the colder days approach with winter being just a few months away, lets cherish the turning leaves and the slight fall breeze, and push aside the treacherous snow and incredibly huge puffy coats. Sweater Weather here we come.  

Sweater: J. Crew Denim Shirt: Topshop Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs Boots: Jeffrey Campbell

 
Chunky Knit Sweaters

From left to right: Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters & J. Crew 
Chunky knit sweaters are a necessity throughout fall. As the weather gets a bit chillier, it's too hot for huge puffers and lined parkas and too cold for tank tops and tees, so by adding a sweater to your fall fashion, not only will you be in trend but you'll be all cozy and warm. 

Denim/Chambray Shirts

Topshop (Similar)
Denim and Chambray shirts are a great layering piece that you can wear under chunky sweaters or over a simple white top. Denim shirts can go in two different directions, casual and laid back with a pair of leggings or done up and on point with a cashmere sweater layered over and a pair of tall black boots. Denim shirts are also great if you're trying to stay warm because you can wear a tank or tee under and layer on a sweater on top with a leather jacket and you are instantly ten times warmer.

Darker Denim & Ripped Knees

From left to right: Urban Outfitters & Topshop
 Now that it's fall, it's time to transition to darker colours. Dark wash jeans are a must in the fall, they can transform any outfit from day to night and obviously summer to fall. You can either dress them down with an oversized cardigan or dress them up with white blouse and point toe heels. 

Vests

Bcbgmaxazria  
Vests are a perfect transition piece for fall because you can still wear 3/4 sleeved shirts and still stay warm with the comfort of a vest. Vest's are also great for the chillier days because you can pair them with a thick sweater and still stay warm throughout the pre-winter chills. As much as I love this leather jacket type zip in the front, I prefer vest with the middle zip for a more causal look when un-zipped. 

Army Green Coloured Jackets

J. Crew
Military jackets are a very popular trend throughout the fall season, but if you're not so into full on vintage army jackets, you can take it down a notch with army green coloured jackets. You can wear thees olive coloured jackets with any outfits, whether you want to wear jeans or a simple LBD, these types of jackets are very versatile. With these types of jackets, since they aren't so heavy, it gives you the leniency to throw a vest on top to give a causal layered look. 

Gold Watches

Marc by Marc Jacobs 'Amy Mini'
A watch is key for the fall, everyone is back in school or back at work, which means time is always on our minds. Not only do we strive to be on time, but we want the best arm candy, and a simple gold watch is a perfect way to spruce up a fall outfit. If gold isn't your thing, there's still silver and rose gold, both give the same affect. 

Chunky Socks

All Urban Outfitters
This is self explanatory, but overly chunky socks are the perfect fall staple. Chunky socks not only give comfort but work with any type of boot, Ankle booties or thigh high boots.

Black Ankle Booties

Jeffrey Campbell
Black booties are a must this fall, from chelsea boots to cut-out booties, all are right on trend. Black booties give a sleek, put together look and can be paired with anything from jeans to a pair of tights and a skirt.

Tall Boots

Stuart Weitzman 'The Mezza Mezza'
Tall boots are another must-have shoe for the fall time, doesn't matter what colour you choose, black, brown or grey, pair them with either chunky socks or an all black legging. I prefer to wear these particular Mezza Mezza boots from Stuart Weitzman with black leggings and a chunky sweater, so it gives that my boots blend together with my leggings.  Last fall and winter, these were the only boots I wore because not only do they give a bit of height with the 1 3/4 inch heel, but they dress up any outfit, even if you're wearing a bagging t-shirt and yoga pants. 

Sunday, September 7, 2014

NYFW Milk Studios | Koonhor, Harbison, Isa Arfen & Jonathan Simkhai

Last night I was given the chance to attend several fashion shows down at Milk Studios on 15th and 10th. The past 3 years I have been ouhing and awing at the Mercedes Benz tent near round my school, waiting outside yearning to attend a fashion show and just experience everything the fashion world has to offer during NYFW. It has been so interesting standing out front the tent overlooking people who come from all over the world, dressed in all sorts of different patterns and fabrics, and to be able to attend an event just like one's that would be held at Lincoln Center is insane.  

To start the night off I cabbed it down from the quiet UWS to the wondrous yet hectic Chelsea area, to meet up with the amazing Jackie Morgan from Sinn Style, who was the one that gave me this incredible opportunity. The show had been pushed back from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, so we were given quiet a bit of wiggle room, but then we got our wristbands and made our way upstairs.  The shows held at Milk Studios are a mix between runway shows and informal fashion shows, kind of like an art gallery but with real people as the art. The several shows I attended were informal fashion shows so there would be separate rooms where each designers work was held in decorated to the style of their choice. I thought the gallery style of fashion show was quiet enjoyable because you can go straight up to the models and really take in the clothing and see how well made and beautiful each piece is. What was also great was that the designers were in the rooms where their collections were being held, so if you wanted to you could go up and chat or interview them. 

This was just overall such a great experience and I hope to get to see many more fashion shows in the next few years. 
-Francesca 

This is the "Made Fashion Week" wall, which is what you see right when you walk in!
The infamous Pink Elephant 

Koonhor's Collection
Koonhor's collection was interesting. Each outfit seemed to be so different but coincided so well together. The collection gave a very native american meets modern day vibe to me, with the statement sweaters and the clear and white visors. There was one detail that I loved which was the makeup, on the second photo, you can see the silvery accent on the eye, which I though gave the collection a futuristic edge to it.

Harbison's Collection
The founder and creative director of Harbison, Charles Harbison made an appearance and did a few interviews.
The Harbison collection did not disappoint. His collection seemed to drip modernity and all of the pieces were either very sleek and sophisticated or textured and bold. My favourite piece in the collection was probably the two piece black and floral ensemble, the 3D pop of texture made such a statement, loved it.   

Isa Arfen's Collection
Isa Arfen's collection was one with a lot of colour. Loved the added set pieces, I personally thought it gave her collection a bit more character and seemed more inviting. The clothing was a mixture of fun and mature. I pop of the colorful patterned piece gave a nice touch to the more toned down button up jackets and overall made a great collection.

Jonathan Simkhai's Collection
The man in the middle of all the beautiful models is the designer, Jonathan Simkhai.
Jonathan Simkhai's collection was probably my favourite there last night. I thought the mix of pastels and black and white was perfection. Each piece in the collection was something I would personally purchase and can be worn in any season because the colours are so universal. I especially loved the black and white crop top and matching skirt, both the model and the ensemble were flawless.  Yup, hands down my favourite collection there last night.

Unfortunately, I missed the ZoĆ« Jordan show, so to those who got to see it, i'm jealous. And to those like me who didn't get to see it, I found this pic below by Ilya S. Savenok. Look's like I missed an amazing futuristic collection, maybe next time.