General Fashion

Packed for New York Fashion Week fall/winter 2014/2015

 in General Fashion  tagged fall 2014 / new york fashion week / winter 2015 by

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Snapshot of what I packed for New York Fashion Week!

Blue Printed Dress / Ivory and black sweater / Sequin jacket / Skirt

New York Fashion Week is here! As you read this, I am on a plane to New York where I will be able to witness the new fall/winter 2014/2015 collections first-hand. I am thrilled to be able to bring to you the newest trends for the upcoming cool weather season hot off the runway. I am also looking forward to seeing what has influenced designers for the fall/winter 2014/2015 season.

Since fashion is influenced by the culture of the day, what social and economic issues will impact what designers create for fall? As we move through 2014, our economy is due for a change. With the impending slow-down of the economy from 2014 into 2015, we are looking forward to increased interest rates and inflation. The west coast is currently immersed in the worst drought since the 1800’s which could affect the nation’s food supply; thus, increasing food prices. We are looking at a continued social battle throughout the country regarding equal rights and its’ relation to God versus State. Technology has exploded into the daily lives of children and adults throughout the nation and is starting to fuse with fashion. How will these large topics influence the fall/winter 2014/2015 runways? Since fashion is wearable art, it generally reflects society’s attitude of the moment.

It should be interesting to see if designers take on our nation’s issues and show more serious designs for the fall/winter season than we have seen in the past few years. Or, will designers decide to use fashion as an outlet and create more lighthearted, whimsical collections to keep society in a more uplifted mood? We shall see on the runways of New York this week!

What do you think are the biggest societal and political influences of the day which may impact the collections this week in New York?

Spring weather

 in General Fashion  tagged chelsea paris / coach / dresses / MARC by Marc Jacobs / marc jacobs / outfits / spring 2014 / twisted silver by

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Photos: Earrings: John  Hardy /Lipstick: c/o Dolce Gabbana “Amethyst” / Necklace: Made by local artist. Similar -> SAVE or SPLURGE /  Dress: MARC by Marc Jacobs /Nail Polish: Chanel “Charivari” / Handbag: Coach / Bracelet: c/o Twisted Silver (use code INSIDERS for 15% off) / Bead Bracelet: Swarovski (old) Similar -> SAVE or SPLURGE / Shoes: Chelsea Paris also in RED!

The past couple of weeks here in the San Francisco Bay Area have been beautiful. Temperatures have been in the high 60’s and low 70’s; which is extremely unusual for January. Unfortunately, with beautiful spring-like weather in January there is a dark side. The trees are confused so we are starting to see cherry blossoms, plum blossoms and Magnolias. In addition to confused vegetation, we have had absolutely no rain for months! The last time the San Francisco Bay Area endured this type of weather was 1977-1979. At that time we experienced a severe drought which required residents to ration their water use, in some cases, using extreme measures to do so.

I was a very small child in the late 1970’s and all I remember about the drought was eating off of paper plates and drinking from paper cups. There was a huge pipe on the Richmond- San Rafael bridge which carried water across the bay and I used to marvel at its’ huge size when we crossed the bridge. I remember a lot of dead lawns and an increase in popularity of the “rock garden.” Do you remember rock garden’s? They were a collection of different colors of rocks arranged in a pattern separated by thin wood panels in people’s front yards. They remained in place throughout the 1980’s until people finally realized they were terrible to look at and replaced them with plants.

Due to the current drought, I am afraid what we experienced in the late 1970’s will soon be reality again here in the Bay Area. In the meantime, the only thing we can do is conserve water and enjoy the sunshine! That being said, I have been boxing up my boots and heavy clothing, moving them to the back of the closet, and bringing out my spring wardrobe! Why not!? If there are cherry blossoms everywhere, I might as well dress for spring!

These new pumps from Chelsea Paris are soft and extremely comfortable. I cannot wait to pair them with other looks throughout the spring season. Are you experiencing unusual weather where you live too?

Spring 2014 color trends: pink

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged pink / runway trends / spring 2014 / street style trends / summer 2014 by

Pink is one of the hottest colors for the spring/summer 2014 season. Emerging from resort 2014’s fuchsia trend, pink has become one of the top colors favored by store buyers and consumers for the warm weather season.

The runways in New York, Paris, Milan and London showed a variety of rainbow colors for spring/summer 2014. While pink graced the runways, it was by no means a dominant hue. During the resort 2014 season, store buyers and consumers favored both pink and cobalt blue, leading stores to stock up on the sweet hue for spring. The result? Pink is dominating store shelves more than the “IT” color of 2014; Radiant Orchid. Can it be?!

Normally associated with flowers, demure styles and innocent personas, pink is sometimes ignored by more sophisticated dressers and those who want to project a more mature being. Not for spring 2014! Pink is being shown in every shade imaginable from sweet pastels through to bold neon hues. Pink is taking the season by storm and not allowing anyone to classify it as a “girly-girl” type of hue. 

Since pink is being shown in so many variations for spring 2014, it is taking on many personalities. At Burberry, pink was shown as an accent to traditional classic hues; making it the perfect way to add a pop of color to an ensemble as well as a way to update one’s look. Burberry also showed pink on vintage inspired silhouettes perfect for a wedding or fundraising luncheon. Chanel gave pink an edgy 1980’s look on its’ couture runway in both medium and pastel shades. 

There are also designers showing pink for spring/summer 2014 who did not show the hue on their fashion week runways! Valentino is showing neon pink on store shelves as is Rebecca Minkoff. Gucci is also showing pink for spring although after watching the Italian powerhouse’s runway show from spring/summer 2014 one would have assumed to see purple, purple and more purple!

It is interesting how consumer interest and store buyers are able to sway which colors actually make it from the runway to store shelves; and ultimately reality. After all, if it was on the runway and it never made it to the store, how will it make it to reality? Just a side note 😉

What do you think of pink for spring/summer 2014? Will you be wearing it? 

Shop pink for spring and summer 2014: