Black Friday Cyber Monday Shopping That Gives Back

Happy Thanksgiving! My inbox and internet feeds have been overflowing with Black Friday sales and Cyber Monday deals. As much as I like to shop, I just can't summon the energy. Thanksgiving is a holiday that celebrates what we are thankful in our lives. It honors a historical occasion where contradictory groups put aside their differences to enjoy a meal together. Where are the retailers that pay tribute to that?

Surprise surprise! There actually are retailers that are giving back this holiday instead of exploiting employees and making margins. I'm happy to highlight them this holiday.

Everlane clothing factory

Everlane is a buzzy startup hoping to revolutionize fashion retailing. They produce luxurious basics with a focus on the factories that make them. Rather than promoting Black Friday sales, they are working towards the Black Friday Fund. The leadership takes profits made from Black Friday and channels it into programs to improve the lives of their workers. This year, it will be for wellness and health care.

Are you looking to add to your family this Thanksgiving? Zappos, a beloved footwear and fashion e-commerce site is sponsoring free pet adoptions all across the country as their Black Friday special. They are paying the adoption fees at recognized shelters to get homes for lonely dogs and cats everywhere. You can locate the one nearest you at the Zappos Free Pet Adoption page.

Designer Mara Hoffman (top photo) will indeed have stylish bargains of up to 70% off. Of those sales 5% of the proceeds will benefit the Art Start organization. Lifestyle brand L'Occitane is breaking the holiday gift sets for the season. If you do pick up a few, the company will donate $10 from every set to help Dress for Success. 



Stylish sustainable accessories brand Cuyana is staying true to their mission. They are encouraging fans to donate gently used clothing to their store in on behalf of the H.E.A.R.T organization in lieu of a Black Friday sale. Those that DO clean out their closets for those in need will be rewarded with great discounts.

So there you have it. Why spend Black Friday getting trampled in long lines? How about Thanksgiving holiday shopping that gives back instead? These brands make it easy. Now it's up to YOU to shop for good.

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Blogger Love: Wardrobe Refresh

There's nothing like Fashion Week to get you thinking about your wardrobe. Getting that preview of everything that will hit the streets in six months feels like a little trip to the future. Your present wardrobe? How can you refresh it so it's future proofed? That's where paying attention to fashion month comes in handy. This week we look at what's been happening, and how to give yourself that little treat to keep you from the winter blues.

• Attire Club: Why Fashion Is Important
• Chromo Beauty: 4 Tips for Rocking Natural Hair
• Femme Violet: Power Dressing: Fashion As Armor
• Funky Jungle: 5 Reasons Why I Love Thrifting
• Happy Pretty Sweet: 4 Gowns Inspired by Oscar Nominated Films
• High Heels in The Wilderness: Legging Love
• Les Assorties: Plexi Dreams
• Moda Vracha's Spot: Korean Skincare Routine for Acne Prone Skin
• Ms. Fabulous: #NYFW Red Dress Show: Go Red for Women
• Purushu Arie: 5 Office Essentials Most Men Miss
• Red Alice Rao: How to Look Good in a Sports Jersey
• Rolala Loves: How to Celebrate Chinese New Year
• Storybook Apothecary: 5 Thoughts Only Bloggers Will Understand
• Style Context: Star Wars Meets Coachella at Mara Hoffman
• Style Curated: Metal Noir Fall 2015 at Pier 59 Studios
• Style On Trend: What to Pack for a 5-Day Beach Resort Vacation
• The Daily Luxe: 5 Highlights from NYFW
• Try It On Me: All Black Without Being Boring
• Yukova's Fashion Blog: 5 Quick Ways to Improve Your Style Routine
• We Are Ready Made: The Realm of Nothingness

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#NYFW: Mara Hoffman Fall 2015

Is Star Wars the most popular franchise in the history of pop culture? How do you do a mashup of this with a down-to-earth designer with a love of desert prints? Mara Hoffman and her creative team were able to reference the galaxy far far away for her fall 2015 collection with simple tricks of styling.

The backdrop to the runway looked like any other desert sunset, except it was a scene of Tatooine's twin moons from the Star Wars films. The soundtrack opened with the recognizable musical notes of the Star Wars theme. However, the clothing itself? There was not one piece that had an obvious reference to the movies.

There were a lot of cozy wraps and ponchos. The stylist did wrap the pieces in a way that resembled Natalie Portman's Padme character in one of the films. What really took it to the space fantasy level? The epic braided hairstyles on the models. The models hair was a variation of loose crown braid and twin braids down the back, a look I predict will spread across the style set (starting with myself).

The woven patterns and prints within the collection had  Native American or desert references. Long legged rompers were layered with cocoon-like coats. There several knits in a subdued warm grey color which was a departure for Mara Hoffman. Necklaces were often arched with fringe hanging below.

I liked the sophisticated turn the Mara Hoffman Fall 2015 collection. It had me daydreaming of warmer weather or just somewhere with sand, not snow. Another person who is growing up nicely? Ms. Hoffman junior who was sporting an outfit that coordinated with her mothers' dress as she offered her a Valentine's Day rose.

photos by Mariana Leung

Check out Gift Guide For Your Trooper Groupie Girlfriend
by Ms. Fabulous at Mode

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#NYFW: Mara Hoffman Spring 2015

If you were to interpret the sunrise in a fashion collection, how would you do it? Mara Hoffman’s Spring 2015 collection was an assignment to herself to accept the light.  There was a departure from her highly intricate ethnic prints.  The color palette was softer, leaning closer to pastels rather that the graphic black, primary and neon colors of previous seasons.

Prints and embroidered patterns revolved around a sunburst.  Big abstract rays of sun spread out over a dress or Japanese inspired graphics depicting a sunrise could be found.  Less obvious were the embroidered rainbows of colors in a circle or multi-colored patterns that still looked like a sunburst.  There were a few looks with a variegated stripe that was reminiscent of the Southwestern vibe of previous seasons. There were looks with lush green foliage, like a trek through the islands. I liked the return of the hat styles we saw in previous seasons.  (Pharrell Williams, Mara did it first).

This collection contained more elegant styles than the Bohemian indie spirit we’re used to from Mara Hoffman.  A floor length, solid colored gown was lovely, but I would never have guessed it came from this designer.  I’m not sure if this is a hint at the designer’s new maturity in style, or just a temporary one.  Maybe the designer is so well traveled at this point; she would rather travel back in time for some regressive design influence.  

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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 runway in loose dresses and caftans could be her relatives.  Strategic cut-outs and high-waisted bikini bottoms were sexy and flattering.  She blocked photographers from shooting her rehearsal because she wanted to ensure that everyone looked perfect. 

Nick Irwin of TIGI haircare referenced the South American landscape was referenced with green palm fronds woven into their hair by.  The big cord jewelry worn by the models was made by Orly Genger by Jaclyn Mayer.  They were an updated variation of the arts and crafts found in the country.

Mara Hoffman embodies the easy chic of her collection. She seamlessly blends into the catwalk with her models.

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Cadillac ELR Exposure Project

 

Cadillac presented its latest star, the ELR this week by giving it the supermodel treatment. Top photographers were recruited to make their new car their muse with the ELR Exposure Project.  The shiny vehicle was a sleek product of industrial design that took a break from the stuffy car of my parent’s generation.  The shooters, DJ Derrick Jones, Liz Eswein, Jonathan Mannion and 13^th Witness showed the car as urban sophisticate, nightlife star or city voyeur. 

The party held a crowd of design and car enthusiasts.  The loft setting against the sunset of the West Side highway was the perfect backdrop to show off the car itself.  I like how car manufacturers are now embracing their industrial roots and recognize how they partner well with other disciplines of design and art.  I love seeing the fashion designer/automobile collaborations that I have seen over the past few years, (Mara Hoffman with Mercedes-Benz, Isaac Mizrahi with Chevrolet).  I can’t wait to see where else design takes us next. 

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Mara Hoffman Fall 2014

 Like an Egyptian Queen, Mara Hoffman's models strode down the runway in long, draped silhouettes.  The designer is known for showing ethnic prints in modern colors at New York Fashion Week.  What I never expected to see was so many looks that were solid black or solid white.

Don't get me wrong, the majority of the outfits had patterns drawn from Egyptian motifs, Moroccan textiles and the artisans of North African.  Prints executed in black and white or a rich mix of blue tones, hot pink and even gold.  Long, regal dresses and skirts that bared arms and shoulders up top or through strategic cut-outs through the middle.  The solid black looks mixed sheer and solid or extreme textures as an alternative to Mara Hoffman's signature brights.

Jewelry was simple.  Basic gold bands that were worn at different levels of the arm.  The hair was smooth and combed down.  There was one-off sweatshirt with a tongue-in-cheek camel print that had me chuckling (maybe it will be this year's "owl" trend).

There were loose, billowing caftans and related outerwear paired with pants.  Still, all the skin exposed was a stark contrast to all of the fur and layered looks I observed on other runways.  Then again, North African winters are not nearly as snowy as Northeast winters.  Mara Hoffman was clearly giving those of us shivering in the ice lots of wishful thinking.

photos by David TW Leung

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NY FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Spring 2014

Can I say that I am loving all the big graphic prints I am seeing on the runways this season?  Mara Hoffman is queen of the bold tribal print.  For spring 2014, the silhouettes were long and close to the body.  The color palette did not follow traditional ethnic colors and the motifs were stylized.  There were candy colored snakes, sunbursts, eyes and textures.  Thread embroidery was similar to some of the techniques of shirts in Latin America.

The most popular piece of jewelry was the gold cuff bracelet. There were many variations of this on the models arms.  A simple pendant necklace and bright coordinating print sunglasses highlighted the bold collection.  Shoes were an earthy lace up suede sandal in muted blue, black, beige and green.  With the exception of the model with a shaved head, the hairstyles were extra long braids wrapped in a native textile draped down the model's back.  

Mara Hoffman's collections always look like a vacation.  Maybe it's the West Coast aesthetic, but it always seems warm and relaxing wherever these clothes will be.

original photos by Mariana Leung

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NY Fashion Week Preview: Spring 2014 Sketchbook

 New York's style set is taking over the city later this week.  What do the New York Fashion Week runways have in store for us?  Check out the fashion sketches from your favorite #NYFW designers to see where there inspiration comes from.

Tracy Reese is making a bold, graphic color statement for Spring 2014.  She has an Afro-Cuban vibe going for this collection.  Look for raffia and tribal embroideries and bonded knits.

Ann Yee's muse is more abstract.  She was moved by the destruction, then resurgence of the city of Detroit.  What that means in the practical sense is that the metallic elements of the collection will represent the auto industry and the constructed angles represent the crumbling architecture.

Son Jung Wan's watercolor sketch shows the sunny Saharan Dessert and the inspiration of Moroccan cities.

 There is a lot of design diversity for Spring 2014.  Desigual will have plenty of mixed graphic prints as they are known for.  Pamella Roland looked to the glamour of Cannes in the 1960's for her polished beach look.  Mara Hoffman has bright, jungle tribal prints in store for us on her runway.

Herve Leger looks like there will be some seriously sexy silhouettes in their spring collection.  Body curve framing lines mixed with revealing slits are bringing the heat!

 Cool color palettes are in for Tadashi Shoji's collection.  It looks like cocktail frocks with layered embroideries will be chic for the red carpet.  Sachin & Babi only listed "Magnolia" as their muse.  I'm not sure if that's merely the flower, or the artsy movie starring Tom Cruise from 1999.

Daisy Fuentes is bringing California chic to her NY catwalk.  She wants to show how luxury can be effortless.  Rebecca Minkoff looked to fierce Latin-American women as her muse for spring 2014.  Think Bianca Jagger pre-Studio 54 days.

Which designer are you most looking forward to for NY Fashion Week?

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MIAMI SWIM WEEK: Tribal Chic at Mara Hoffman

My favorite styling was hands down the Mara Hoffman Swimwear 2014 show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  Her signature use of ethnic prints included Indian deities, tropical florals and mystical tribal patterns.

Of course, the color palette was not traditional to the inspirational cultures, but updated with a fashion forward palette.  The prints were also engineered into curves and shapes that flattered the body.  The real stunner was the jewelry and hair by Nick Irwin of TIGI.  The jewelry was a mix of antiqued silver bells and beads in layers of bracelets and necklaces.  Each model had elaborately plaited hair with textile flowers and tassels that were traditionally used as decorations for camels.
Make-up was more subtle with natural, earthy looks with a inked in motifs on the forehead.

In addition to swimsuits, the runway had pretty dresses that were perfect for a night out, well beyond the basic cover-ups that most swimwear collections offered.

Mara Hoffman was also the designer that Mercedes-Benz chose to honor during Miami Fashion Week by plastering her prints all over their marquee car model.  The cars were prominently displayed outside of the
Raleigh Hotel as guests entered the fashion show venues.  Damn, I have heard of matching your purse to your outfit, but being able to match  your ride to your threads? That's badass.

photos by Mariana Leung, camel photo from Adelaide Beatrice Laing

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NY FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Fall 2013

I love a designer who stays true to her spirit animal... Mara Hoffman had her signature prints with a tribal touch for Fall 2013.  Instead of a dark and somber palette that her colleagues liked to use this season, she threw in tons of neon pop color.  I guess she decided the frigid weather of NYC was not going to dictate her palette.

  Fall 2013 was inspired by "Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves".  She imagined a caravan of mystics with prints containing a kaleidoscope of elephants and peacocks.  Embroidered motifs were features with leopard beading trickster motifs.  

 Mara Hoffman manages to strike the perfect balance between West Coast cool casual and urban sophistication.  The boots on the runway were a perfect example.  They had a vague cowboy boot silhouette, but the cosmopolitan metallic cap toe details for city streets.  

Click here for the full collection:

photos by David TW Leung

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Trendspotting: Thanksgiving Fashion

Happy Thanksgiving style lovers!  I hope you are having a relatively stress-free holiday with the people you love.  I am thankful for being able so spend time with my family and friends this year, learning new things and still loving fashion the way I did 20 years ago.

Ok, it is a little bit of a stretch, but I thought I would pull together some style boards inspired by both Pilgrim fashion and Native American style.  They actually looked pretty good!  

Under Pilgrim style, I found that Tokyo Fashion Week label, Fur Fur had taken the inspiration literally in their Fall 2012 collection with big collars, pilgrim hats and the full head to toe look.  Marc Jacobs did the most blinged-out luxe version of the big buckle pilgrim shoe for fall.  They came in ostrich or bright colors, with crystal encrusted buckles.  Mara Hoffman's Fall collection mixed native American patterns with gaucho, pilgrim-esque hats.  Not a literal interpretation, but a chic one.

Lots of designers have been inspired by the beautiful patterns of Native American tribes.  Woven Navajo blankets provided the muse for designers like Proenza Schouler and Isabel Marant.  Fringe details give a rustic, but luxury accent to boots and clothing.  Feathered headdresses can be scaled down to statement necklace from SweetLime and a great pheasant ear cuff from TopShop.  I also love the intricate textile covering of the blanket flats from Frye.

Shop our entire list of Thankgiving style picks from LYST:

follow me / make your ownLYST

If you want to see humiliated pets in Thanksgiving costumes, mosey over to Huffington Post.

photos from style.com, tokyofashion.com,Lyst.com

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NY FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Spring 2013

 

The Mara Hoffman show at NY Fashion week took us on a tropical getaway.  The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runway opened with a charming ukulele trio to set the tone.

What followed were tanned lovelies in long flowing chiffon maxi dresses or calf length skirts in color blocked tropical colors of hibiscus pink, sunny yellow, ocean blue, coral and green.  Modernized versions of tropical and native prints were used strategically to follow the curves of the body.  Palm leaves and island flowers served as headpieces and bracelets for the deceptively simple, but effective looks.

photos by David TW Leung

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Accessories Report - Miami Fashion Week Edition

I hope you're enjoying our runway reports of all the shows from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. The bikinis were hot, but the accessories of South Beach were stars on and off the catwalk.  When I wasn't shooting from the photographer's pit, I did my style hunting with my phone on Instagram.

South Florida fashionistas are all about color. The sun is bright on the beach and the women are no wallflowers. Statement necklaces are more of a declaration on the runways of Mara Hoffman and Red Carter. A bunch of guests even had a chance to DIY their baubles at an event under the tents of the Raleigh Hotel.

Shoes were bold, following trends of color blocking and big floral embellishments. Handbags in Miami were far from demure. I spotted a flashy metallic envelope clutch and a neon trimmed woven rattan purse.  The Caffe Swimwear fashion show had a parade of big, brightly colored straw beach bags with over-sized tassels and wrapped handles.

One popular accessory unique to the South Beach fashion crowd is the updated turban. Maybe it's the heat, but I haven't seen that look too often in the Northeast. Variations includes luxe designer scarves, retro bows and wild prints.

Until next time SoBe!

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Intel via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Intel.

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MIAMI FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Swim 2013

It's is a steam bed of heat and humidity in South Beach.  If you're wearing anything more than a bikini, it will feel overdressed.  That's why I was a little unsure about the footwear choice of cowboy boots on the runway for Mara Hoffman's 2013 swimwear show.

For fall 2012, the designer was inspired by Shaman gaucho cowboys for her sportswear collection during NY Fashion Week.  The ranch hand influence was extended into the beach.  Native prints were given a South Beach color palette of coral, lime, sky blue and black.  The hair was styled in free form, with big statement necklaces and heavy bracelets for accessories.

The other accessory at this show, as sponsored by Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration, was skin.  In a fashion week dedicated to swimwear, that makes sense.  The skincare company made a clear point in their presence at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim that as so much skin was showing, it needed to be protected and moisturized.  They gave out lots of beach essentials to guests throughout the event which included towels, totes and tees.  This of course was in addition to the copious amounts of SPF 30 (and 50 for vampires like me).  You may remember in the 1980's it was all about the oil and tanning.  The company has evolved with the times and realized healthy skin is much sexier.

Pretty cut-outs and high waisted bottoms were flattering.  There were a lot of long, flowing cover-ups that worked as daywear dresses.  The Mara Hoffman lifestyle is all about easy, relaxed chic.

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Top Trends of Summer Swimwear

Gone are the days of sack dresses and rubber flowers for proper ladies at the beach.  This summer, swimwear mirrors top trends from the runway.  Poko Pano uses color blocking for bold effect and Lisa Vogel uses watercolor patterns for a sophisticated look in one piece bathing suits.

Cover-ups are designed to be worn out of the pool right into chic soirees.  The big summer item of maxi-dresses are also designed to complement the smallest bikinis.  Designer Mara Hoffman rocks this trend in multiple silhouettes.

For the true beach bunny, there are those suits that were never meant to get wet.  Aqua di Lara's collection from the Miami runway, contained constructed and embellished swimwear that took its cues from the sexiest evening looks up North.  Sequins, corset styling and metallic patterns make these suits perfect for a poolside gala.

So when you're heading for a body of water this season, don't leave your fashion sensibilities indoors.  There is a designer and suit for every trend you follow!

(P.S. Don't forget to protect your bared skin with sunscreen and moisture!   Hawaiian Tropic's Silk Hydration covers both.  Check out the rest of Hawaiian Tropic's Things We Love summer series... 

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Hawaiian Tropic® Sun Care via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Hawaiian Tropic.


Hawaiian Tropic is a trademark of Tanning Research Laboratories, LLC.

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