VeryVeryChic

Setting the MOOD for Summer

                                                                                            photo: Michael Schmidt/ApparelNews

Discovering trends is one thing and setting them is another.

So, it was exciting when I discovered a photo I styled for the "Sun Kissed" shoot for Apparel News' Jan. issue of Waterwear was featured in WGSN's "Day to Night: Swim Trend Analysis." It's the second time WGSN has featured one of my styling shots for directional trend inspiration. For summer, swimwear that can transition from day into night is key. Pictured here is a jeweled Chan Luu top I combined with a ROXY wet suit - or think leggings for a more apropo choice for evening. See below for a glimpse at the WGSN story to help get you in the mood for an evening pool or beachside. To see the full report subscribe to WGSN or follow the WGSN Americas Blog for up to date trend info. And .....to see what's trending forward in swim check back for my highlights from the recent Miami Swim Week.

 

 

 

"In Bloom" Dazed & Confused July 2011

 

                                                                            photos courtesy of Dazed Digital

 

 

LOVE-ing this eye popping technicolor editorial in the July 2011 issue of Dazed & Confused. Shot by Viviane Sassen and styled by Katie Shillingford it puts a new spin on color and femininity. I love how the model transforms the clothing into flowers to almost become part of the background. It makes me wonder what the inspiration was for this shoot. Could it have been from the fallen genius John Galliano's Fall 2010 Couture collection for Christian Dior?  Whatever the case may be, it is beautiful!

Enjoy!!

Wooden Wonders

 

Vena Cava flatforms, $388 at SaksFifthAvenue

 

New shoes please!

From flatforms to custom-made lace-up oxfords, I'm loving these wooden-soled shoes! It's an update from last year's ever-popular clog that is so '70s Chic!

LOVE 

For more of the look, go to RackedLA.com


Alain snake & wood flatform, $144 at PixieMarket



Artisinal oxfords that take 25 hours to make. There's a nice price tag to boot $1512, at Mona Moore.

Transform Me.

 

                                                Numero Tokyo, photos courtesy of FashionGoneRogue

 

Modeling is all about transformation. This '70s themed shoot starring Gisele Bundchen and shot by Nino Munez for Numero Tokyo's May issue illustrates just that. I thought it was so apropo to post this shoot  after my recent interview with Gisele who said her job is about "molding into different characters."  Here she is donning everything from prim blonde bobs to dark glamazon curls - all to perfection.  

 

 

The Look: '70s Chic Ala Abbey Lee

 

What is the look of the moment?  '70s Chic.

Leaving the Elie Saab runway show in Paris I spotted uber model Abbey Lee Kershaw wearing the perfect hippie chic looks. Fur coat - check. Round shades - check. Brown bag and over-the-knee boots - check. check.

 

Color Block

                                                                           photos: VeryVeryChic.com

 

 

While Paris Fashion Week showcased the new Fall collections on the runways, fashion addicted attendees styled the trendiest looks for Spring. Color blocking was the break out look on the street. From accessories to fur, denim and even color-coordinated pairs, here are some of the best looks I spotted throughout the week.

 

 

 

 

Louis Vuitton Windows in PARIS

Perfectly playful and artistic, these windows at Louis Vuitton were a lovely welcome to Paris! The store which is located on the Champs-Elysées was filled with Spring's Safari-themed clothing and accessories. I felt myself flashing back to my "Dune" and "Safari" photo shoots from last summer. It's hard to imagine this trend in stores now as my head is already on to Fall 2011. Still, these delightful zebras and animal prints definitely get my fashion vote! Enjoy!!

 

Kate Bosworth is CHIC at SUNDANCE

Kate Bosworth, photos: Tiffany Rose

 

 

How to look lovely at Sundance? Take style cues from Kate Bosworth. The chic actress always seems to know just what to wear. At Sotheby's presents Chefdance sponsored by Gypsy05, she looked decidedly "now" dressed in a S/S '11 floral dress by Dolce & Gabbana and shearling-trimmed jersey jacket by Helmut Lang. Her rosy cheeks and perfectly applied makeup were the perfect compliment to the Winter-meets-Spring look. Bosworth was at Sundance to attend the premiere of her film "Little Birds" and stopped by the annual Chefdance event where renowned chefs prepare exquisite dinners as part of the week's festivities. For more on Bosworth's trend setting festival style, see my post of the actress at Coachella.

Tribal CHIC

What is the look for Summer? 

Tribal Chic.

Check my latest accessories spread in Apparel News. It has all of the hottest looks for the season from designers such as Collina Strada, Double Happiness, A Peace Treaty, Limon Piel, Pelle Moda, Nakamol and more...

ApparelNews.net

 

 

The LOOK: To The MAX

The maxi skirt is the break out chic look of the season. And it's my latest pick for Stanton James' style column aptly named "The Look."  The online shopping site has a team of style gurus who offer style tips and picks from their online site each week. I chose the maxi this week because it's not only chic, but one of the best investment pieces of the season. The trend emerged on the runways for Fall and I spotted it all over the streets of Paris during Fashion Week. Karlie Kloss best sported the look in Lanvin's chic red-on-red combo on the runway for Spring. Designer Alber Elbaz knows a thing of two about dressing today's modern woman and creating versatile pieces to build a wardrobe - ie the recent Lanvin X H&M collab! Think casual yet chic with a t-shirt by day, elegant over a swimsuit poolside and pictured above in a monochromatic combo for the red carpet. My guess is we'll be seeing a few elegant long skirts on the Hollywood "fashion runway" this award season.

Key style points:  long and lovely, cinched waist, chic, Oscar worthy.

To find out how to get The Look on Stanton James, click here. And.....scroll down to see a few of the chic looks I spotted on the street during Paris Fashion Week.

Sheer.

SUN KISSED

           Charlie by Matthew Zink, photo courtesy of ApparelNews/Mesfoto.com

 

Sun Kissed.

 Summer's sun-drenched look has a chic retro mix - soft floral prints, a touch of vintage charm and a strong dose of sex appeal. Here is a look at my latest shoot which published today in Waterwear magazine. The editorial was shot by the talented Michael Schmidt, who was a recent finalist in the annual Surface Avant Guardian photo competition. The story features some of the hottest looks for summer from Charlie by Matthew Zink, Tori Praver Swimwear, Blue Glue, Zimmermann, Nikki Poulos, Juicy Couture Beach and ROXY. For the complete shoot including men's go here.

 

Photographer: Michael Schmidt/MESFoto.com; Stylist: N. Jayne Seward/NormaJayne.com; Makeup: Garret Gervais for Dior Beauty at OPUSBeauty.com Hair: Daven Mayeda for CelestineSELECT.com; Models: Cambria for Vision & Leon for Photogenics; Photo Asst: Homer; Stylist Asst: Lauren Hanawalt

Charlie by Matthew Zink

 

Blue Glue

Diva by Rachel Pappo top and retro pant. Bolongaro Trevor jacket. Chan Luu ring.

Tori Praver Swimwear swimsuit. Sun 'N' Sand hat, Nakamol necklace. Chan Luu ring.

Blue Glue suit. Mikoh Swimwear robe. Nakamol necklace. Chan Luu ring.  Pelle Moda shoes.

Chan Luu jeweled top. Nakamol wrap bracelet.


Chan Luu jeweled top. ROXY retro long john.

RESORT 2011: Beach CHIC Swim Trends

Trina Turk, photos courtesy of Apparel News/Volker Corell

 

Traveling to a fabulous resort or beach destination for the holidays? That means you are in need of some seriously chic swimwear. I've had bikinis on my mind for the last month as I've been shooting the January issue of Waterwear magazine which published today. To offer a few style tips for Resort, here is a recap of the trends I spotted at Miami Swim Week. The hottest looks for the season include the '70s ala jet set chic, floral prints, high waists, animal prints, safari-inspired and high-tech scuba styling. To see my full trend story titled "Miami Heat" which was featured in the last issue of Waterwear, go to ApparelNews.net. And to really be "in the swim" be sure to view the fashion show coverage along with my video reports from Miami Beach.

JET SET CHIC:

Charlie by Matthew Zink

IN BLOOM:

Tori Praver Swimwear

HIGH WAISTED:

Marysia Swim

INTO THE WILD:

Lenny

MY TRIBE:

Mara Hoffman Swim

DIVE IN:

Rosa Chá

DESERT SAFARI:

Cia. Marítima

The Year In Fashion

                                                                    photo courtesy of ApparelNews.net

 

2010 brought us moto chic, the clog, fur, animal prints, military jackets and a nostalgic return to the '70s. In this week's issue of California Apparel News, I compiled the newsmaking and trendsetting fashion statements of the year. For an indepth look at the trends I spotted on the runways at the tradeshows and featured in this year's Apparel News editorials, click here.

 

L.A. Fashion Week: Fremont

 

 

 

Fremont.

 Devin Carlson presented a collection of "Asian Safari"-inspired looks for Spring. I've been a fan of the line ever since I first wrote about its launch in 2005. And Fremont has found new footing as a brand since then. For the past two seasons Carlson has been the sole designer of the collection of women's and menswear. Previously he collaborated with partner Brittany Pham and stylist Jessica Loria to create the collection. When the line launched it focused on womenswear with just 30 percent of the collection devoted to men. Five years later the retro kitsch of the brand has transformed into a full collection of edgy, yet sophisticated sportswear for both men and women. Think leather jackets, button downs, blazers and crisp cuffed shorts for guys. And chic blazers, silk skirts, breezy cotton dresses and the requisite chiffon harem-inspired jumpsuit for women. Here are some looks from the collection presented at Concept Fashion Week.

More images after the break.

 

What's New In Cali?

 

 

 

Check out my Spring 2011 trend story in Apparel News this week. It has all the new looks - straight from the  L.A. Fashion Week runways. From "Mad Men"-inspired ladylike styles to clean modern lines and global, safari looks, it's all there. For a full-color easy read, check the new digital on-line edition.