Nicole Miller FW 2012: From Patchwork to Color-Blocking

(Photo: style.com)

(Photo: style.com)

(Photo: style.com)

We often talk about those "aha" moments, and I certainly had one when I saw the looks that Nicole Miller sent down the runway for the fall.  Her collection this season was all about the trends we love from the Seventies -- fringe, skinny velvet pants, and wild prints! But what really caught my eye was that what we referred to back in the day as "patchwork," has transformed into what we now call "color-blocking."  I remember having one of those patchwork purses as a little girl, and you couldn't tell me then that I wasn't a fashionista!  It is so true that history repeats itself, particularly in the fashion world!

Herve Leger FW 2012: Beyond Bandage & Bondage

(Photo: nytimes.com)

One of my grandmother's (God rest her soul) favorite sayings was:  "Enough is enough and too much is good for nothing!"  I think that sums up my feelings about this season's Herve Leger show.  Yes, we understand his bandage dresses are categorized as "bondage chic," but this show took bondage to an entirely different level.  I thought the harnesses looked like misplaced garter belts, and totally took away from dresses -- which could probably stand on their own quite well.  The harnesses were distracting, and I feel like to completely appreciate the collection, I need to see the pieces "unstyled."  (Yes, sometimes even stylists believe you can go too far with "styling.")  That being said, I need to make a trip to the boutique in Miami once the fall collections launch to see what I really think about what I just saw. 

Prabal Gurung FW 2012: The Bold and The Beautiful

I watched the Prabal Gurung live stream on FB earlier today, and can I just say it rendered me speechless????  I was a little bummed-out that after leaving the sun and sand in Miami to attend New York Fashion Week, I found myself stuck in my house in PA (thank you very much snow), but seeing this show brought back that ray of sunshine BIG TIME!  The color palette was beyond -- hard core black, mixed with shades of royal blue and white -- sprinkled with a dash of gold.  The styling was edgy (loved the leather gloves), the makeup was fierce (can you say peacock eyes?), and the prints were spectacular.  Watching the show I was  whisked back in time to the Alexander McQueen exhibit last year at the MET.  The prints were in perfect symmetry on each side of the body.  And did I mention the touch of iridescence on those fab black coats?  Whew . . . this is what I call a collection!

Rainy Day Chic!

You may call me crazy for wanting a sky-high rain boot, but what's a woman to do when she attends NY Fashion Week in February, and there's slush and puddles everywhere?  Marc Jacobs must have heard my prayers to the fashion gods when he decided to design this FAB patent leather knee-high wedge rain boot for his Marc by Marc Jacobs line.  The rubber wedge is 4 inches with a 1/2 inch platform.  (YES!!)  I just received them in the mail this past weekend, and I am now praying to the rain gods for the perfect opportunity to wear them.

Available at saks.com

Color-Blocking Made Simple

Love the color-blocking trend, but not quite ready to venture out in a purple top and orange skinny jeans? Take a look at my recent segment on Fox 29's "Good Day Philadelphia" for tips on a simple way to add a pop of color to your wardrobe.

Color Is The New Black

Parallel Universe: Sergio Rossi & Sam Edelman

It's no secret that some brands get their inspiration from the high-end designer pieces they see on the runway.  I don't refer to these brands as "knockoffs" -- they are not trying to sell us something for nothing (e.g. an "alleged" Louis Vuitton purse that normally sells for $2,000 for $200).  I like to think of them as bringing "designer-inspired" pieces to the masses -- a way for us to live in a parallel universe and have some extra bucks left over (aka "cheap chic").


The Jeffrey Campbell shoe line is known for its towering heels that mimic the likes of Chanel, Balenciaga, Ferragamo, and Christian Louboutin.  Early last fall, I realized that Sam Edelman had a "love-love" relationship with Sergio Rossi after I bought these Sergio Rossi metallic slingback platforms from one of my favorite stores in Philadelphia:

Shortly thereafter, I discovered these by Sam Edelman for a fraction of the cost ($99):

Not an exact match, of course, but pretty darn close, AND they come in some great colors, including red and nude patent leather.  When I saw these, I thought perhaps it was coincidental -- this is a pretty simple shoe to recreate, and there are many variations out there by many different brands.  

However, just a couple of months ago I added these Sergio Rossi's to my collection:

Pretty fab, right? You can't tell by the photo, but it combines three different textures, including pony hair, which makes it a tad bit more challenging to duplicate.  Well wouldn't you know last month when I was doing some random searching on Nordstrom's site for shoes, these popped up in my search:

 

Meet the Sam Edelman "Magdalena," and it retails for $150.  Again, a fraction of the cost of the Sergio's (and clearly of a much lesser quality), but at this price, it's a winner.  

Once I came across the "Magdalena," I realized the notion of these two shoes being so similar to their designer counterparts really wasn't a "coincidence." There is no doubt that Sam Edelman has a love-love relationship with Sergio Rossi.  I'm not mad at him!  If it helps the masses rock the "designer look" for a reasonable price, and keeps the consumer from being "ripped-off" by a brand that is selling "knock-offs," that makes it all right with me!!   

  

My Latest Obsession - AIKO

It probably won't come as a surprise to you that I'm not "at one" with wearing sweats out of the house on a regular basis -- other than to the gym.  However,  super soft and comfy brand AIKO has literally changed my life.  All of their pieces are made of a cozy modal/supima cotton that looks and feels like those lived-in sweats you can't part with.  The only difference . . . you can run around in these looking FAB and not like you just rolled out of bed!  Check them out.  You won't regret it.  (AIKO is available at Nordstrom, Bergdorf Goodman, and Bloomingdales.  For additional stores visit shopstyle.com)