Blogger Love: It's Not Me, It's You

My fellow independent fashion bloggers wrote about their complicated relationships with personal style. Layers of Chic wrote about emulating their favorite celebrity, Suzanne Carillo  wrote about finding stylish, but comfortable shoes for mature women. The Antisocialista broke it down to the basics. Blogger Outfit Zest discussed her breakup with cheap and fast fashion. I have been following Haves Clothes, Will Travel's excellent posts exploring Japan and she continues with this week's anecdote about meeting geishas. My own entry this week was the post covering the Black Lives Matter...

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My Steampunk Cosplay on TV

I am not comfortable with personal OOTD blog posts. When I do post myself in an outfit, it is part of the narrative of a bigger event. This time, it was part Steampunk Cosplay, part description of my side gig. As a non-millennial adult, it is tough to rationalize the public documentation of your daily clothing choices. It becomes less rational when those outfits are categorized as a costume or alternative subculture. Steampunk and Gothic fashion have always been a passion of mine, but outside of NY Comic-Con reports or the Steampunk Faire, I don't find opportunities to indulge myself....

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Miami Swim Week: Indah Summer 2017

Boho girl at the beach? Indah Swimwear designers Libby DeSantis and Janelle Gauthier will take care of you. Their 2017 collection for summer has tassels and crochet details for the woman looking to express Bohemian chic near the water. Lacy details and crochet adorned necklines, pelvic lines, straps, and bodices in relaxed cover-up dresses. Long straps were both functional and decorative to accent the simple, Hippie vibe. There were bold stripes and subtle patterns in some of the looks, but the strongest bikinis and one-piece suits were the styles that worked the cut-out details and sexy...

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Miami Swim Week: Maaji 2017

The winner of best styling of Miami Swim Week goes to Maaji's Summer 2017 runway show. The Columbian swimwear brand always takes a theme and go crazy with it. This season, it was a 1970's, weekend getaway, summer camp vibe. I watched the super-charged energy of the rehearsal with glee, knowing this would be a terrific fashion show to shoot. Unfortunately, the roller skating models were taken out during the actual show as there were too many accidents waiting to happen. Big bunches of balloons, giant inflatable doughnuts, surfboards and all manner of pastel props like oversized cameras,...

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Miami Fashion Week: Gottex Swimwear 2017

Gottex is remembered as the elegant show of Miami Swim Week. The models are styled with long, flowing cover-ups that easily double as evening wear. This label always has my favorite prints. The standout patterns included a rich, dark peacock and a graphic animal print that looked like a stripe. Speaking of stripes, there were some great silhouettes where stripes were used to flattering effwct around the body. While some swimwear is great for partying or sunning at the beach, Gottex looks like it is perfect for striking a pose on a yacht. Design director Keren Gasner has been great at...

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Miami Swim Week: Luli Fama 2017

The runway was on FIRE. Luli Fama is one of the crowded fashions at Funkshion Miami because they always open with a bang. For Summer 2017, the show opened with edgy dancers from Black Wine events with Mohawks, flames, and Steampunk.  The models strutted down the runway with some extra sultry attitude, driving the male photographers on the riser into a frenzy. The teeny bikinis did not hurt. The bottoms were mostly cut with a low rise with delicate ties on the side for quick removal. Tops were cut to complement the curve of the bust. Prints were injected with color in artful patterns...

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Miami Swim Week: Lume Swimwear 2017

Ready to make your body a canvas? Lume Swimwear believes in fashion, art and giving back. Their Summer 2017 collection featured several artwork styles. There was an abstract painted brushstroke design, tribal patterns, and mosaic tile prints.  Lume Swimwear commits itself to producing an ethical fashion brand and fair trade. They pay their worker's fair wages but also donate a percentage of the profits back to the communities of their employees. They consider themselves a collection with a conscience. In manufacturing, they do not use water in their printing process and...

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Blogger Love: Firsts for Everything

  My fellow bloggers were trying new things this week. From competing in pageants, first modeling jobs, nail art, and my contribution, blending my own perfume in Paris, Summer style was still on blogger's minds, particularly crop tops! Prints, florals, fringe and ruffles rounded out the warm weather fashion obsessions. Aesthetic Distance: The Power of the Color Red Attire Club: The Guide to Wearing a Hawaiian Shirt Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans: Currently Crushing… Elements of Ellis: Easy Minimalist Nail Tutorial Everyday Starlet: The Art of Makeup by Kevin Aucoin Review The Fashionista...

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Miami Swim Week: Lila Nikole & Kruzin Footwear Summer 2017

This fashion show from Lila Nikole and Kruzin Footwear wins the award for being the first to rain out of the runway. The show started an hour late to the detriment of the designers. All of the guests had watched the increasing onslaught of lightning the entire hour leading up to the show. The outdoor runway was suspended over the new venue of the Nautilus hotel. The show opened with a great tribal print bikini and extra long wrap by designer Lila Nikole. The Summer 2017 collection was called "Tribez." It looked to Native warriors as the muse. It featured updated tribal prints in color palettes...

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#NYFWM: Parke and Ronen Spring 2017

Here are a bunch of cute boys in swimwear! Parke and Ronen's spring 2017 collection was all about collegiate athletics. The clothing had a lot of upgraded varsity graphics like letter jackets and sweaters. Whimsical motifs accompanied some of the logos. Sport stripes were prominent in the ready to wear separates and swimwear.While there were a few board short styles, most of the looks were short and TIGHT! Better get in shape guys.The two designers Parke Lutter and Ronen Jehezkel met two decades ago as recent fashion school graduates. They partnered up to build their innovative menswear brand...

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#NYFWM: Black Lives Matter - Making Street Style Count

Downtown New York is all about menswear style right now. Bloggers and fashion wannabes have  been posing inside and outside the runway venues hoping to be photographed. One fashion influencer took that opportunity to make it count. Hannah Stoudemire, a model, and Lanvin employee rounded up fellow citizens to stand for Black Lives Matter outside Skylight Clarkson Square. She is normally a fan of the designers showing at fashion week but was frustrated at the industry's lack of response to the most recent illegal killings of Black citizens by the police. Names...

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NYFWM: Nick Graham Spring 2017

Woo hoo! More partying in Cuba! Men's underwear guru Nick Graham took us away from the tobacco fields and back to the 1950s when Havana was a global playground for everyone from mobsters to royalty. For the Nick Graham Spring 2017 show, the venue was filled with tropical foliage while samba dancers kept it festive. Warm weather suits in seersucker, madras fabrics and linen were the standouts of the collection. Vibrant florals and tropical prints were a nod to the famous Tropicana club of Cuba. The hints of military camouflage patterns were an acknowledge of the revolution that was brewing...

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NYFWM: Carlos Campos Spring 2017

The spirit of Havana was another theme I saw running through New York Fashion Week Men's. Carlos Campos was inspired by the Cuban Nomad and created an updated look inspired by uniforms, tobacco fields and art deco. You can see jumpsuits, shorts, jackets, many accented with extra long belt ties. The color palette stuck close to classic uniform shades like navy, white, khaki and military green. The utilitarian comfort was emphasized by the range of both men and women of different heights wearing the clothes with ease. There were some graphic stripes and abstract graphic print to break...

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NYFWM: Robert James Spring 2017

The rock n' roll continued through Robert James' spring 2017 collection last night. The Ohio designer has commited himself to making classic menswear with a modern twist. The look had a British rocker slant to it with models who looked like a young Mick Jagger. The fit was very slim on the pants and jackets. Animal print and leather gave an edge to tailored pieces. The overall presentation format was highly effective. Emerging designers take note. The venue was not big compared to other fashion week locations. Rock band equipment was places throughout to add some ambience. Models posed...

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NYFWM: Artistix Spring 2017

Day one of New York Fashion Week Men's featured the rock n' roll guys. Artist Greg Polisseni and fashion director Andy Hilfiger debuted their spring 2017 for Artistix collection with the theme of "Equality" yesterday. It was a great mix of rock n' roll with a black and white palette. The signature print was inspired by Polisseni's paint splatter style artwork. The black and white are a balance of equality, but also easy to wear for anyone. The top floor had a lot of leather and denim with moto styling. Downstairs had more of a grotto nightclub feel. Models danced in their underwear offering...

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Paris Guide: Eat, Sleep, Saint James Paris

If you want a sexy as hell hotel to stay in during Paris Fashion Week, look no further than the Saint James Paris. Really. It is in a beautiful 19th-century chateau with a contemporary, cheeky decor on the inside. You have animal prints mixed with vintage illustrations and marbled wallpaper. Interior design fans would have a decor-gasm just looking at the stairs. The library bar has sultry lighting and fantastic cocktails. The formal dining room is the perfect fantasy of classic luxury. The terrace outside is like an Alice in Wonderland dream garden. The hot air balloon theme I saw...

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Blogger Love: Independence Day Style

The Fourth of July was the obvious inspiration for many of my fellow bloggers this week. There were lots of posts on styling with red, white and blue. Others looked to style American classics of denim and t-shirts or regional dressing. There are many of us traveling (myself included!) and showing us a glimpse of the styles that inspires us abroad. One of my favorites Lindsey Puls is showing us lots of good stuff from her recent move to Japan. I showed the beautiful work of Chinese designer Guo Pei in Paris: Aesthetic Distance: You’re Toxic, I’m Slipping Under Cat Eyes & Skinny Jeans:...

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Paris Perfume Workshop - How To Blend Your Own Perfume

Is there a more indulgent beauty purchase in Paris than a custom-blended perfume? The afternoon was the most luxurious of DIY classes, a Paris perfume workshop in the posh neighborhood of the 16th arrondissement. I learned the basics of creating a scent from one of the famous "noses" of the industry, Marina Jung-Allegret. Marina has created signature fragrances for many brands and served as a consultant for Givenchy and Christian Dior. She taught the workshop in her stylish flat as part of her L'ABC du Parfum school. She also leads seminars for companies and teaches marketing as...

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Salvatore Ferragamo - Lo Splendore dei Mestieri

Now for a bit of Italian chic in my Paris fashion week trip. The Salvatore Ferragamo crew threw an intimate little soiree to celebrate the opening of their Avenue Montaigne boutique. They featured artisans for both handbags and shoes working on the current collection that was available in the store right now. The fashion included chic graphic prints in geometric patterns. A running motif throughout the shoes and handbags was an embellished bullseye in contrasting colors. You could see the level of detail and meticulous craftsmanship of both the shoemaker and the handbag artisans. The carefully...

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Paris Street Style 2016 -Haute Couture Week

Shooting Haute Couture was a dream come true for me. The rest of the week was spent enjoying the real life personal style of the Parisian fashion crowd. Catching street style in the shows, outside of the fashion shows, backstage and at parties was a glimpse of how the fashion crowd dresses on this side of the ocean. I found that there was a relaxed vibe to most Paris citizens with a bit of rock n' roll. Skinny jeans and pants were often paired with long draped jackets and shawls for the ladies. Two musts for Paris street style. The first, you MUST have a long scarf. The skills to artfully...

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Haute Couture: Guo Pei Fall Winter 2016/2017

Being in Paris for Haute Couture is the life goal of any fashion fan. I attended Chinese designer Guo Pei's stunning Haute Couture Fall 2016/2017 show at the Bourse de Commerce near The Louvre. Like NYFW, I embedded myself into the photographer's pit to shoot these works of art. The inspiration for this season was the theme of "Encounter", dreams and karma. The central motif was her signature dragon. You could see this running through in the serpentine silhouettes. There were long, slinky embroidered gowns that were tailored tightly to the body and ended in an exaggerated train....

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