#3 New York Times

Michael Kors Spring 2012

Safari

This is what I have collected from reading Eric Wilsons Blog about Michael Kors: Poor Man's Safari.

Trend: Safari

Silhouettes: Sweaters, Shift Dresses, Trench Coats and Desert Boots with open- toe

Colors: Animal prints

Design/ Detail: Torn, Ripped, Sewn in Crude patchwork's and Holes

Fabric: Burlap and Cashmere

"Jargon": " Just dirty- looking", "Hillbillies on Safari", "Show was in a way about Africa", Kors mentioned about "the Rustic Modernism of the Lebombo Lodge."

Below is a link on his View

Erin Wilson's View on Michael Kors Spring 2012 Collection

In my opinion, Eric Wilsons view’s on Michael Kors collection is over exaggerated and a bit harsh.  Yes, we have all seen this trend before.  If you are into the Real Housewives of Jersey as I am, I feel like this whole animal print theme kicked off when Teresa and her little girls started wearing it about a year or so ago.  Now, everyone has had at least one item in their closet that relates to animal print.  If you don’t, have no fear.  Almost every retailer is carrying this trend for fall 2011.  Anyways, back to my thoughts on his collection -  I believe this “safari”  look should be left in Africa and shouldn’t have been on the runway for his spring 2012 collection.  You are now thinking that I am the one being harsh, but I’m going to be sick of this trend by the end of winter.  On the positive side, I did enjoy some of his clothes that were featured on the runway.

# 2 Trend 2011

Fit and Flare Dress

Dries Van Noten- Paris (Fall 10/11)

 I chose this Fit and Flare trend from Fashion Snoops.  The reason why I am obsessed with this is for multiple reasons.  First, this style helps women that have curves by hiding the hips and making their waists look smaller.  Secondly, this trend targets to a wide range of customers.  The below examples are from retailers such as J.Crew and Bloomingdale's.

The first dress is from J. Crew

• Details- Button up in the front, A-line skirt, Belted waist
• Fabric- Silk
• Sizes- 00-14
• Comes in three different colors

1. Pale Camel (as shown in the picture)   
2. Dark Navy      
3. Poppy

• Price- $ 178 
• If you would like more information about this item here is the link:  J.CREW 

Second Fit and Flare Dress is Lafayette 148 from Bloomingdale's

• Sleeveless Leopard Print A-line Dress
• Details- Round neck, sleeveless, A-line skirt, back zipper
• Fabric- Polyester
• Sizes- 4-12
• Color- Espresso Multi
• Price- $498 
• If you would like to know more information about this item here is the link: Lafayette 148 from Bloomingdale's 

Third Dress is T Tahari from Bloomingdale's

• T Tahari Roma Short Sleeve Denim Shirt Dress
• Details- V-neck, short sleeves, belted waist
• Fabric- Polyester/viscose rayon/elastane
• Size- 14
• Color- Indigo
• Price- $128
•  For more information, here is the link: T Tahari from Bloomingdale's

Last dress is Bloomingdale's Aqua

• Aqua Ponte Fit and Flare Dress
• Details- Scoop neck, sleeveless, a-line skirt with pleated detail, back zipper
• Fabric- Polyester/rayon/nylon
• Sizes- XS-L
• Color- Red
• Price- $88
•  For more information, here is the link: Bloomingdale's Aqua

Saint Petersburg Russia

Spas na Kravi Church

This season, J.Crew destination inspiration came from Saint Petersburg, Russia. There ads in their catalog for this season captures the Hermitage Museum, Spas na Kravi Church and much more!

Here is J.Crews blog where they go into detail about the different locations: Destination Inspiration for Saint Petersburg, Russia

 

Jennifer and I went to J.Crew on Thursday, September 8, 2011 to look at what's in the stores now.  We went to their store located in Rockefeller Center (30 Rockefeller Center NY 10112).  This is what we found are the trends for womens.

This visual display is right in the middle of the selling floor.  The left and right mannequins are wearing the same floral pattern but in different silhouettes. The left mannequins are dressed in the floral skirt while the right mannequins have that same pattern in a dress.

As you can see, this mannequin is also wearing an orange top with the same pattern as the above picture but in pants!

 

Here are five garments that we fell in love with:

1. Button down, Long sleeve shirt

  

Silhouette - Feminine, fitted long sleeve shirt

Color - Golden hickory leopard motif

Fabric - Cotton,
Fiber - 100% Cotton

Detail - Long sleeve cotton shirt with roll up sleeves, button down, collaredneck.
MACHINE WASHABLE

Price - $78.00

2. Pencil Skirt 
*Key Item*

Silhouette - Pencil

Color - Vibrant Flame

Fabric - Wool

Fiber - 100% Double-Serge Wool

Detail - Double serge wool pencil skirt, sits at waist with back zipper. Back vents. Fully lined. 23½“ long. Import.
DRY CLEAN ONLY

Price - $120.00

3.  Cable Weave Sweater

Silhouette - Straight

Color - Heather Acorn

Fabric - Cable Weave

Fiber - 46% Acrylic, 37% Superfine Alpaca, 18% Merino Wool

Detail - Three quarter length sleeves with cowlneck. Hits at hip. 3 gauge knit. Import.
DRY CLEAN ONLY

Price - $98.00

4. Corduroy Pant

Silhouette - Straight

Color - Vibrant Flame

Fabric - Corduroy

Fiber - 100% cotton

Detail - Relaxed, slim fit throughout thigh and hips, with a straight, narrow leg. Belt loops. Zip fly and traditional 5-pocket styling. Regular: 32" inseam. Short: 30" inseam. Import. MACHINE WASH.

Price - $79.50

5.  Floral Dress 

Silhouette - Fit and Flare

Color - Floral Taffeta

Fabric - Polyester

Fiber - 100% Polyester, 100% Polyester Lining

Detail - Sleeveless. Button front, with hidden side zip and chest pockets. Belt at fitted waist. Fully lined. Falls to knee. Import. 
DRY CLEAN ONLY.

Price - $228.00




Here are three must have Accessories:

1. Rigby Saddle Bag
*Key Item*

 This  leather saddle is absolutely to die for! The gold clasp were inspired by a suitcase lock. The exterior has a back- wall zip pocket while the interior also has a back- wall patch pocket made with cotton twill lining.  Also, there is adjustable shoulder straps! When I was looking at the price tag, I found another tag that basically told customers that this color may come off on your clothes.  Oh no! The retail price is $148.

Here is more information about why J.Crew decided to create this saddle. J.Crew Blog

2. Pattern iPhone 4G Cover

In the store there were the two designs for the iPhone case. When Jennifer and I were walking around the store we actually saw lots of customers having the leopard case in there hands to purchase! The cover is a stretchy pull-on cover. Retail Price is $22.50.

3. Wool Fedora

I loved this wool fedora so much that I purchased it! The amount of detail on this fedora is just perfect with a grosgrain ribbon trim with just the right size bow. Retail Price $49.50

MUST HAVE COLOR AT JCREW IS ORANGE!!!

Almost every silhouette had some type of orange.

#1 Blogs from the Web

I found the following fashion blogs when I surfed the net:

1.  What I Wore





I like how Jessica Qurk put this outfit together because she is wearing the mix and match trend by wearing a striped green shirt with a knee length electric blue skirt.  The striped green top shown in this picture is actually a mini dress which is tied at the waist.  I think it is great how creative she was when making the dress into a shirt.  Also, she is most definitely making the most out of her wardrobe!

I enjoy exploring Jessica Qurk Blog for multiple reasons:

1.  If you like one of her outfits, she tells you where she bought all the items.

2.  You can even search by a color and it will bring up different outfits

3.  She has a DIY selection ( do it yourself) where you can make creative things without breaking the bank!

2. V- Style

Vanessa's Blog covers a huge range of different topics, from talking about what she purchased for clients, to what fashion trends are celebrities wearing.  Here are some things that I found on her blog that I enjoyed reading.

The first post I read was Vanessa's client outfit featured blog.

 

This client is wearing a romper by Bar III which is a new line from Macy's.  What I have noticed about Vanessa is that she chooses affordable clothing for her clients which I appreciate!

Now, the number one blog I love is Vanessa's product reviews.  My mother always told me how honesty is the key and Vanessa does that so well! This Blue Moon Romper is adorable, BUT it is very short in the back!  So if you have some "junk in the trunk" this romper probably isn't the best choice for you.

Vanessa does show another picture of how short this romper really is on her blog site, so if you wish to see such a site here is the link! http://www.vstyleblog.com/.a/6a00d83548242253ef01538fb60402970b-pi

3.  Paper Fashion

Kathryn Rodgers, known as Katie, is one of the most creative fashion illustrators.  She has worked with Target, Coach and many more.  For all most every blog, she creates a beautiful image.

The above image was taken from one of her blogs where she talks about how much she likes the trend "color blocking". As you can see, the sandal on the left is real and the one on the right is the one she drew.  The image that she drew was painted using with watercolors! Looking at her artwork has really inspired me!

The image below was also taken from her blog.  The first picture Katie also used watercolors for this picture of Diane Von Furstenberg.  Her inspiration was photographer Jamie Beck. Jamie Beck photographed DVF at the CFDA Fashion Awards at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center in New York.