Ralph Lauren FW 2012: Boy Meets Girl Glam

(Photo: style.com)

Last year I decided that I would always end my Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week experience with the Ralph Lauren show, even if I received invites to other shows on the final day of fashion week.  Why?  Because I like to end fashion week on a high and in great anticipation of what we will see in the next six months.  Mr. Lauren is truly a legend, and I like to describe his shows as a "religious fashion experience" because they are what fashion dreams are made of -- absolute perfection from beginning to end.  Even if you don't consider yourself the typical "Ralph Lauren woman," as each look comes down the runway you think to yourself "I want it all" because the looks are flawlessly styled from head to toe.

(Photo: style.com)

(Photo: style.com)

Once again, this season's show did not disappoint!  It started in classic Ralph Lauren style -- menswear for women in plaid and tweed earth tones, layered to perfection with fair isle print sweaters and animal print shearlings.  As the collection moved from day to night, you saw a gradual crescendo to red and purple velvet suits, black leather dresses and skirts, and raspberry silk evening gowns.  My favorite two looks from the collection (pictured above) were a gold chiffon beaded evening dress paired with a black and gold dusted shearling and a black satin evening dress topped with a black and gold ostrich feather cape.  I literally gasped when the latter hit the runway, and I've been dreaming about that gorgeous shearling ever since.  Hmmm -- perhaps I need to call the boutique and put my name on that wait list!

Naeem Khan FW 2012: And the Winner is . . .

(Photo: style.com)

There are certain shows that take your breath away by the mere beauty of each of the pieces.  That is how I would ultimately describe the Naeem Khan show yesterday.  The looks were stunning -- each intricately embellished (by hand, no less) with beads, sequins, and appliques in a color palette of black, tan, cream, and gold.  It was simply breathtaking. (I actually tweeted during the show: "I've stopped breathing.")

(Photo: style.com)

(Photo: style.com)

(Photo: style.com)

The evening gowns are pieces that no photo can do justice.  They must be seen three dimensionally, contoured to a woman's body, floating down a runway for you to appreciate their true opulence.  While I was totally engrossed in the show, one thought momentarily interrupted me -- the celebrity stylists are about to start a cat fight over these babies because they are truly Oscar red carpet worthy!

(Click here to see the complete collection)

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)

Max Out the Maxi

Available at asos.com

Spring is in the air, and there's nothing more versatile and comfy to wear than the maxi dress.  Here are my tips for making your maxi work for you this spring and all summer long:


1.  Glam it up with a pair of bold earrings or a statement necklace.


2.  For a "biker chic" look, add a cropped, fitted jean jacket.  Don't forget to pop your collar, roll up your sleeves, and add some arm candy.


3.  For a more conservative look, pair your maxi with a cardigan or boyfriend blazer.


4.  If you're petite in stature and you don't want to look frumpy, be sure to wear heels.  If you're seeking comfort and height, try a wedge.


5.  Want to look "boho chic"?  Add a floral print scarf and a crossbody bag.

***

The Ten Commandments of A HAPPY NEW YOU!

If you didn't get the memo, 2011 is here and moving quickly!  In fact, we're already at the end of January.  That being said, I'm sure many of you have broken at least one of your New Year's resolutions by now.  Have no fear -- here's a way you can redeem yourself.  I'm challenging you to make a commitment to focus on YOU this year, and work  towards presenting your most fabulous (and fashionable) self every time you walk out the door. Now, I'm not saying it's going to be easy.  But . . . if you can pull it off, it will definitely be rewarding!  Here is a guideline to send you on your merry way! Repeat after me:


I SHALL NOT . . .

1. Wear my husband's sweatpants in or out of the house.
2. Wear clothes that are too small for me.
3. Wear clothes that are too big for me.
4. Buy anything that is not flattering to my figure.
5. Leave the house without wearing any accessories.
6. Wear athletic sneakers any where other than to the gym.
7. Dress in a manner that is not "age appropriate."
8. Buy the same piece of clothing in 9 different colors.
9. Buy one more pair of black shoes (when I have no other colors).
10. Hoard clothes I know I should never wear again (e.g. I wore them in high school).

Golden Globes Red Carpet Rundown

Just in case you missed my "Good Day Philadelphia" segment yesterday, here are my picks for best and worst dressed.  Although I saw lots of dresses on the red carpet that I loved, for me it's not enough that your dress has that "wow" factor.  Everything has to come together to create a polished look of perfection - hair, makeup, and accessories.  What did you think about the looks you saw on the red carpet?




THESE STARS KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK . . .

Mila Kunis

Milla Jovovich

Megan Fox

AND THESE STARS TOTALLY MISSED THE MARK . . . 

Helena Bonham Carter

Tilda Swinton

Christina Aguilera

Holiday Glamour by Vera Wang

If you're searching for those last minute holiday gifts for the fashionistas in your life, be sure to check out the Simply Vera Vera Wang Holiday Collection at Kohls. From glitzy multi-strand necklaces to sequined hats to chiffon fingerless gloves, you can't go wrong with the name that has become synonymous with sophistication and style. And the best part -- many of the accessories in the collection are less than $40! Now that makes for a Very Merry Christmas!!

Google Your Way To Being Fashion Fierce

Ever wake up in the morning, spontaneously decide you want to venture out and try to wear something a little different, and panic because you don't know how? That apparently happened to one of my clients last week, and I awakened to a "mayday, mayday" text message she had sent at 6:56 am. Needless to say, I did not get that message or the picture she emailed me giving me a sneak preview of her "look" until she was work. That didn't give us any time to correct that fashion faux pas on the spot, but at least we were able to rectify it a couple of hours later before too many of her co-workers had seen her.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, first pause and acknowledge that this is exactly why our mothers told us in high school to pick out our clothes the night before. (Sorry I had to go there . . . I couldn't resist.) Then, go straight to the internet and do a google search on the trend in question: "How to wear two cardigans?" or "Can I wear a blush-toned dress with a bright platform pump?" You can also search YouTube for possible step-by-step instructions. Regardless of the method you choose, you can feel confident that you walked out the door looking your best.

Farewell My Sweet Lady

It's been well over a month since I've posted a blog entry.  As they say -- sometimes life just gets in the way.  This past Saturday, we escorted my grandmother, the late Claries Toomer Bennett, to her final earthly resting place in Hope Mills, NC.  She was the Matriach of the Bennett family, and her life had a profound effect on every person who came within her reach.  

I would be remiss if I didn't dedicate this entry to her.  The picture above is of my Grandma taken in the late 1940's . . . she was in her 20's.  This picture surfaced over the weekend as people from near and far gathered at her home to celebrate her life.  Over the years, many have asked me where my sense of fashion and style originated.  I immediately respond "from my mother," who is the epitome of class and sophistication.  When I saw this picture only hours before my Grandma's "Homegoing Celebration," I realized it originated with my Grandma.  In addition to teaching my mother the virtues of unconditional love and respect, she clearly passed down the attributes of what it means to look like a Lady!

Grandma, you are missed, but never will you be forgotten.  I end this blog the way I ended my tribute to her on Saturday . . . "Rejoice my sweet lady. Heaven is happy to welcome one of its finest angels back home." 

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Kicks Off Tomorrow at its New Location - Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park

(Photo from stylelist.com)

I have two favorite times of the year -- February and September. Is it because my favorite holidays are Valentine's Day and Labor Day? Absolutely not! It's because those months include two weeks out of the year when every fashionista feels like she's died and gone to heaven: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! And this year provides a tee bit more excitement because after 18 years at Bryant Park (I must say attending my last show there last season was a little bittersweet), the shows have moved to Lincoln Center. I feel like a kid waking up on Christmas morning -- I know I loved all of the presents under the tree last year, but I'm hoping this year's presents will be even better!

The move to Lincoln Center has brought about many firsts, not the least of which is Fashion GPS, a web-based system rolled out by IMG Fashion (the producer of MBFW) that over 80% of the designers showing at the tents have opted to use. Instead of those often lavish paper invitations being sent in the mail, PR firms emailed invitations which contain a link for you to go online and RSVP with a touch of a button. You are immediately sent an email containing a confirmation number (gone are the days when you wonder whether or not your RSVP by email or voicemail was ever received), and . . . drumroll please . . . a barcode to be scanned at one of 9 kiosks on site! (The barcode can even be scanned right from your PDA!) These kiosks will spit out your seating assignment, and off you go to your show. They will even have computer terminals and printers available if you happen to forget to bring your confirmation email with you. IMG is hoping that this will dramatically cut down those long lines (which look more like a sea of people huddled together) you wait in to check in with a PR person frantically looking through a binder filled with names. (Of course the PR teams will still be on hand to handle the real problems and the computer glitches.)

While this to me is the biggest and most dramatic change, the new location now includes a significantly larger space, lounge-style seating in the lobby area to wait around between shows (music to my feet!), two interior courtyards, wireless internet access, and a 4th venue (venue names are now from largest to smallest: "The Theatre," "The Stage," "The Studio," and "The Box"). The Theatre can seat almost 1,000 people and can accommodate another 400 standing; The Stage will fit more than 800 fashionistas; The Studio has seats for 390 plus standing room; and The Box -- a smaller room for designer presentations, industry forums and press conferences -- can hold 450 standing. It also appears as though the chairs in the venues have been replaced with stadium style bench seating, no doubt one of the reasons they are able to accommodate more people.

Although I will miss the first day of shows tomorrow (last day of my Bermuda vacation), I hit the ground running before daybreak on Friday morning to make it to NYC in time for my first show at 9:30 am. My day starts off with Tadashi Shoji, followed by Duckie Brown, Georges Chakra, and Ports 1961. Hopefully I will get a quick nap in at some time so I can be ready for all of the Fashion's Night Out festivities!

Lanvin and H&M Collaborate!

This is probably one of the most exciting rumors to be confirmed in a while! Yesterday WWD (THE voice of the fashion industry) tweeted that we might be seeing yet another fabulous collaboration that would potentially knock our socks off, and today they have come back to say it is indeed true. On November 23, Lanvin for H&M will hit approximately 200 stores - hopefully one near you!

Lanvin is the newest designer to join the ranks of guest star designers like Stella McCartney, Karl Lagerfeld, Zac Posen, and Anna Sui who have created limited edition "cheap chic" lines for cost-friendly chains like H&M and Target. What better news could a fashionista receive right before the last official weekend of summer when the reality of needing to spruce up the fall wardrobe really begins to set in?

If you are one of millions of women like myself who simply can't wait to get your hands on a few of these pieces, I strongly suggest you mark the date on your calendar and plot out your course of action. This collection is likely to sell out in nano seconds!

THINK GREEN!

No, I'm not talking about recycling! Green is without a doubt the go-to hue for the fall season. Now, I must admit . . . just 2 years ago you would not have caught me dead in the color. Although I may have loved the piece, if the color was green, the first thing out of my mouth was: "I don't do green!" I think the color routinely reminded me of Emerald City in "The Wizard of Oz," not exactly the place you reflect upon when you think about must have fashion trends.

Fast forward to last fall when I became somewhat obsessed with the color after Gucci did this beyond fab snakeskin bag in forest green. It literally took my breath away. After seeing this magnificent creation, I began embracing that particular shade as a neutral that could be worn with black, navy, brown, or tan. The next thing I knew I was in Soho at one of my favorite shoe boutiques, Keito, purchasing a pair of "too fierce" platform leather and suede booties in the hue. The end result has been a love connection that was well overdue!

From fabulous ponte dresses to Chanel inspired tweed jackets to cashmere cardigans and platform pumps - you will definitely find that must have piece to add to your wardrobe. After all, it can be easy being green.

bebe Launches Petite Line!

We asked and apparently bebe finally listened! This week the brand known for its uber chic styles officially launched its petite line, a much needed remedy for those of us who must get every pair of pants we purchase hemmed!

The petite selections are targeted to women 5'4" and under, and include jackets, pants, and jeans. In the past, bebe has occasionally done a few of their pants in petite lengths, but the selection has been quite limited. By the time you realized the item was sold in petite sizes, they were completely sold out.

The line currently includes 11 pieces, and is available exclusively at bebe.com.

5 Easy Steps to a Fiercely Organized Wardrobe

Ever step into your closet and feel like you have nothing to wear?  It may not be just because you have become bored with your current wardrobe. More likely than not, it's because you can't see everything your current wardrobe has to offer.  Most of us don't go into our kitchen pulling out every drawer and frantically searching for the forks, knives, and spoons.  Why? Because each of the utensils has its place in what you refer to as the "silverware drawer."  Your closet should reflect the same organization! You can't expect to look fashionable on a daily basis if every morning you're searching for that one piece to make your outfit pop and you NEVER find it. If you want to make getting dressed as simple as it should be, follow these guidelines for a well organized wardrobe.

1. Separate your wardrobe by season.  Have an area for your spring/summer clothes and another area for your fall/winter clothes.  (If you're anything like me, you probably have separate closets for each season!)

2.  Within each season, separate your casual, work, and "After 5" clothes.  This will make it easier on those days you oversleep and need to pull together an outfit for work in a nano second.

3.  Sort your clothes by type.  All of your shirts should be together, skirts, pants, jackets, etc.  I would also encourage you to further break this down into groupings.  For example, if you are organizing your shirts, place your sleeveless tops together, followed by your short-sleeved tops and then your long-sleeved tops.

4.  Color coordinate!  Group your white shirts together, followed by your cream shirts, moving from your light shades to your darker shades, and ending with black.  Repeat this step for each type of clothing.

5.  Organize your shoes so you can see them.  If there's not enough space in your closet to display all of them, keep the shoes you tend to wear most often in plain sight.  You should store the others in either their original boxes or clear plastic boxes.  Place a photograph on the box so you can easily identify the shoes in each box. 

One more thing - and this has nothing to do with how you organize your closet, but I would be remiss if I didn't address it now.  Get rid of the wire hangers . . . all of them!  If you care about the quality of the clothes you buy, then you should care about how well you maintain them.  Wire hangers are meant to transport your clothes from the dry cleaners to your closet.  After they have served this purpose, they should be disposed of properly (or recycled).  They are the quickest and easiest way to cause your clothing to lose its shape (because they can't support the weight of most garments) and to get stains (they rust over time).  Invest in a heavy duty hanger.  I prefer wood, but there are some high quality plastic ones on the market as well.  If space is an issue (wood and plastic hangers do take up quite a bit of space), try Real Simple Slimline Hangers.  Whatever you decide, just throw away the wires!  Your clothes will thank you, and so will I!