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Wednesday, July 30, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Mikoh Swimwear 2015

Hawaii made its way to South Beach via California at the Mikoh Swimwear show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.  The West-Coast based label was founded by siblings Oleema and Kalani Miller.  The show had a fantastic opening dance number performed by the Aloha Islanders.  The Polynesian theme carried through in the leafy crowns worn by some of the models and palm tree prints.  The swimwear looks themselves were fashionable, wearable styles meant for active use.  Even their website’s opening video is of a woman swimming underwater.  There was even a blue...
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Monday, July 28, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: SUBOO 2015

It's the tough girl from Down Under.  Suboo's 2015 resort collection at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim was a parade of strong women with an attitude. There were many variations of bikinis and one piece swimsuits with halter neck styling.  The necklines had interesting twists, straps and wrap details.  I loved several of their bold prints, like a navy, peach, black and white camouflage pattern.  There was a graphic black and white art print and wild floral design as well. There were a lot of looks using a slick shiny black fabric that gave the appearance of leather.  High-necked...
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Sunday, July 27, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Frankie's Bikinis 2015

Hawaii meet Miami.  The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim runway hosted the debut of Frankie's Bikinis cruise collection.  Swimwear prodigy Francesca Aillo created a bohemian, laid back collection inspired by the island of Kauai. Her swimsuits did indeed include many bikini styles.  The colors pulled from nature, like sky blue, sand, earth, shell white, gardenia red...  The details were simple, like ties and crochet.  Some reminded me of the string games of my childhood.  The fits were designed for the girl who likes to play.  The construction was made for...
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Thursday, July 24, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Maaji Swimwear 2015

It was Derby time at the Maaji Swimwear show for Mercedes Fashion Week Swim.  Columbian esigners  Juliana Londoño and  Nani Valenzuela created a “Royal Riders” theme for their runway.  The collection featured a mix of swimwear and active wear with a preppy, equestrian aesthetic with a twist. Gingham, plaids, detailed horse prints and florals were executed in neon and nude colors.  The bikinis were paired with tweed jackets, riding helmets, riding crops and platform heeled oxfords.  Jackets had variations of racing ribbons.  Skimpy suits were...
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Wednesday, July 23, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Minimale Animale 2015

Smoke, mirrors and rock n' roll.  The Minimale Animale fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim was a good time, especially for all of the male photographers in the pit.  The edgy swimwear collection by Cassandra Kellogg had a minimalist, sexy fetish vibe to it. While the motorcycle helmets were gimmicky, they established the biker chic vibe she was going for.  The added bonus of keeping your attention on the body and therefore the swimsuit the model was wearing.  The helmets also allowed for the "liberation" of the model's hair and face at the end of the...
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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Luli Fama 2015

It's Carnival time in South Beach.  Luli Fama always brings the festivities to the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim.   To open their 2015 runway show, they brought dancers on stilts adorned in elaborate feathered costumes. Designer Lourdes Hanimian and her brother-in-law Augusto developed the label after working with their aunt in the swimwear industry.  That’s a new family business combination.  Luli Fama was born with the influences of Miami and Cuba.  You can see the cultures mixing in the lush prints of the collection.  Painterly brush strokes...
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Monday, July 21, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: WildFox Couture Swimwear 2015

Wildfox Couture Swimwear brings out the rebel in all of us.  The West Coast label was known for its vintage graphic aesthetic and sense of humor.  The swimwear show at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim was presented in the same spirit. A massive storm had hit the Raleigh Hotel grounds right before the runway rehearsal.  It left the plastic covered catwalk wet and slippery, even from inside the tent.  Models attempting to rehearse in heels quickly (painfully) met the floor head-on. There were several themes running through the Wildfox 2015 collection.  There were...
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MIAMI FASHION WEEK: L*Space by Monica Wise

It was the mermaid parade at last night’s L*Space by Monica Wise show.  The show was styled with wet wavy hair to look like they were walking out of the sea on a runway printed with water patterns.   There were sexy fisherman’s net dresses and tunics that acted as cover-ups for the swimwear.  The swimsuits were a mix color blocked details, art deco prints and solids.  Feminine touches included ruffled bikini tops or wrapped details.   Colors included soft black, coral, foam green, shades of ocean and lapis blue. The models were styled to have wet, wavy...
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Sunday, July 20, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Swimwear 2015

Mara Hoffman swimwear at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim is one of the most anticipated shows every season in Miami. Her collection this summer took its muse from the designer’s recent trip to Guatemala.  She was inspired by the textiles, culture and landscape of the country.  The brightly colored prints reflect the motifs seen in the garments of the native people.  Graphically detailed tigers and parrots were featured across swimsuits and rash guards of my favorite pieces.  Mara Hoffman IS the embodiment of her brand.  The free flowing hair and models strolling the...
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Blogger Love: That Summer Look

Whether your summer is your thing, or if it's really that time you need a vacation. Heck, we all need a vacation! Anyway, these summer months usually mean taking it easy. With our style, and with our schedules. But just in case you need a little bit of inspiration to keep the summer blues away, this week we have some wonderful links for you! Links a la Mode: July 17th Anonymous Beauty Blogger: 5 Unwritten Rules of Blogging Attire Club: How to Buy Smartphone and Tablet Cases for Men Buy Any Means Necessary: 5 Must-Have Apps for Fashionistas Craft with Cheese: 2 Easy DIY Ankle Chains Confessions...
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Saturday, July 19, 2014

MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Beach Bunny 2015 Featuring The Blonds

From the very first runway look, it was clear the Beach Bunny 2015 collection was not meant for the pool.  The Blonds, New York’s celebrated design duo collaborated with the swimwear label for an unbelievable fashion show to end the night in Miami.  A fashion show by the Blonds in New York usually means that the runway will be transformed into the fiercest nightclub.  Their over the top looks are sought after by the likes of Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry to name a few.    Their work with the Beach Bunny collection continued in this tradition. The...
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MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Poko Pano 2015

Splish splash. Poko Pano 2015 kicked off the first fashion show of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim right in the pool.  The famed historic swimming pool of the Raleigh Hotel in South Beach was a gorgeous setting for models to splash through with the collection. Unfortunately, it was not ideal for the photographers who, like me just flew into the city.  One photographer started by dropping her batteries in the water.  The lack of an official photographer’s pit meant that everyone tried to find a spot around the pool without being in someone else’s shot.  I ended halfway...
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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Fashion Sketch Workshop with Renaldo Barnette

How relevant is fashion illustration in today’s design industry?  Fans and media love to see a fashion designer’s sketch, but is it really used in the process of putting together a collection?  Renaldo Barnette is the answer to that question. Renaldo has been a professional fashion illustrator hired by brands like Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Nicole Miller.  While some designers sketch for themselves, others rely on more experienced artists like Renaldo Barnette to specifically express their collection ideas in detail.  Take a look at his illustrations above. ...
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Monday, July 14, 2014

Theia Resort 2015

The THEIA resort collection for 2015 was inspired by artist Ellsworth Kelly.  This is an artist whose work is most recognized for its minimalist motifs, angled shaped and use of color.   Designer Don O'Neill went back to basics by using Kelly as muse.  The artist's work was required study for anyone taking color theory in art school.  As you can see, it was a fantastic basis for any designer forming their own view on graphics and choosing their palette for a collection. Art critics have said that Kelly’s art was influenced by his military background. ...
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Friday, July 11, 2014

Remembering Eileen Ford

A pioneering entrepreneur and the Godmother of the modelling industry passed away Wednesday.  Eileen Ford was 92.  Along with her husband Jerry, she built the the most powerful modelling agency in the world.  She modernized how the industry was run by upgrading how the profession itself was perceived.  Both clients and models were under a stern policy of how they conducted themselves both ethically and in professional decorum. Eileen Ford was the main talent scout for the agency.  The company is credited with helping to establish models into  celebrities in their...
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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Kipling Bags Go Back to School with Megan Nicole

Last night's Kipling bags event co-hosted by Megan Nicole was old school. Literally, the event took place in a crumbling old school.  The location was as suffocating, sweaty and as uncomfortable as the poor souls who were relegated to summer session remember. This was an event that was just baffling to me from a PR standpoint. Initial Impressions mean a lot when you are courting the press.  The first thing a media guest had to do was climb a few flights up dirty school stairs to an overheated classroom.   The stuffiness made you want to leave immediately, before...
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Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Schiaparelli Couture Fall 2014

Welcome the return of the "Italian", Schiaparelli Haute Couture.  The whimsical atelier made its return to the Haute Couture shows after a 60 year hiatus (not counting collaborations with Lacroix and others). Designer Marco Zanini was tasked with updating the collection for modern times.  The label’s signature “shocking pink” was incorporated into a long gown or floor length swing coat.  Elsa Schiaparelli’s love nature motifs were seen all over this group.  There were ivy and leaves in the jewelry.  Hand painted prints included beautiful, but tongue-in-cheek...
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Monday, July 7, 2014

Cynthia Rowley Dresses - Resort 2015

Do you love dresses like I do?  One of my favorite sportswear designers just launched a sweet dress collection.  Cynthia Rowley dresses are the answer to the questions I constantly receive of what to wear to a wedding, prom, formal garden party... The dresses are pretty, sure.  There is more than meets the eye of course.  The designer has a great eye for embellishment.  There were edgy metallic star-burst beaded shoulders, crystal florets and sparkling neckline.  Cynthia Rowley is a stylish surfer.  She translated that sport into some fantastic neoprene...
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Sunday, July 6, 2014

Blogger Love: Style Positive

Every day we get bombarded with conflicting messages. "Accept yourself!" then, "Do better!" OK. Do I accept myself, or do I try to be better? Ug. Who knows? Anyway, even if you're not sure which direction to go, being positive about it will make your journey a lot nicer. This week we get down to the essence of style. No, that's not your wardrobe... it's YOU. So take a deep breath, and read these posts, you'll find yourself feeling a lot better. Here are best posts around the fashion blogosphere for being style positive: Adorned in Armor: Who Adorns Her? Blake Lively A Pretty Thought: How...
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Friday, July 4, 2014

4th of July DIY

It's Independence Day! Party at home, BBQ and indulge in some stylish 4th of July DIYs. For a great round up of nail art inspired by the red, white & blue, I love to check out Pinterest for patriotic nail art. American flag prints often look cheesy if they are not designed well for clothing.  However, this painted denim short from Brit & Co has that lived-in, American look that is perfectly hipster: One of my favorite lifestyle sites is SheKnows.  If you are looking for a patriotic jewelry project, try these beaded hoop earrings.  Simple, doable, you can make them...
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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Beach Hair Repair from Neutrogena

Yeay! It is finally beach weather.  Unfortunately, the ocean, sunlight and chlorine are not as happy to see me as I am to see them.  My first real weekend at the Hamptons left me with distressed locks and sun damaged hair.  Funny how you can remember to put sunscreen on your face, but then completely forget to protect your tresses. Summer sprung up on me out of a long winter and absent spring.  I forgot what spending hours outdoors could do to your skin and hair.  I recently put my hair through a digital perm to get that beach wave look for the days in between...
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Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Canadian Designer Spotlight: Hilary MacMillan

Happy Canada Day my fashion peeps!  I thought I would introduce you to another Canadian fashion designer this July 1st.  Hilary MacMillan is a relative newcomer to Toronto Fashion Week.   Her Fall/Winter 2014 was her second appearance at World Mastercard Fashion Week. Her collection is sourced and manufactured locally and designed in Toronto.  Hillary and her sister Lindsay MacMillan also own a popular accessories boutique Elle Hardware in the trendy neighborhood of Queen West (Hubby and I always love to shop this area when we visit). The family connections don’t...
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