Spring 2012 Trends: What’s Hot, What’s Not

 

HOT!!!

Peplum: a little “skirt” attached to a jacket or top. I love Elle magazine’s fashion director Anne Slowey, but I have to disagree with her dislike of peplum. This trend works very well for me, and if styled properly, it can have an “uptown girl with a downtown edge” feel to it.

HOT!!

The Sleeveless Jacket: I love this men’s-inspired look. It can easily go from day to night.

NOT!!

Pajamas: They are just for the bedroom. You wouldn’t sleep in your couture gown (unless you’re Carrie Bradshaw). Why walk the street in your P.J.’s?!

 

 

Mr. Christian Louboutin a.k.a Mr. Red Bottoms

In one my first blog posts (see IAMFASHIONNYC December 2010), I tagged the red bottom as “the shoe” that replaced “the bag”. In 2012, Christian Louboutin is showing no signs of slowing down. He has since added men to his cult-like following with red-bottomed sneakers. A men’s store will open soon in NYC’s Meatpacking District, joining the popular Paris store.

The pensée pump was the first red-bottomed sole launch, which happened by accident in 1994. Currently, painting shoe soles red has Mr. Red Bottom in the courtroom, defending his trademark in the Second Circuit Court of Appeals against famed luxury brand YSL. He has vowed to “fight for his sole”.

This year, Christian Louboutin is celebrating his 20th Anniversary with a limited-edition 20-piece collection. Marie Claire magazine interviewed him in March’s issue, where he describes how far a woman will go for her Louboutins–as far as prison! Check out my favorite pick from the anniversary collection. When it comes to Louboutin’s, I am like a kid in candy store!

 

A Triple Threat!

The inspiration for both covers came from Givenchy designer Riccardo Tischi’s childhood passion for mythology and religious iconography, as well as his current engagement with psychodelic prints and graphics.

 

Along with his female muses, Riccardo Tisci also relies on his male muse Kanye West to test the limits of men’s fashion. Kanye West has given many men, specifically black men, room to breathe when it comes to fashion, allowing them to expand what it means to be masculine. And on the same side of the coin, West’s partner in crime Jay-Z has transitioned from saggy pants to Tom Ford suits, while remaining in his “all black everything.”

Dots everywhere!

Dots everywhere!

Oh, sure. Who need a list of things to do in Paris?! This is the City of Light, where you can’t throw a baguette without hitting some culture. But may I suggest the Damien Hirst exhibit at the Gagosian Gallery? When I first saw the paintings, I was slightly overwhelmed, feeling that once again, art has gone over my head. But when I began to focus on the canvas, I began to understand the point (pun intended). Many of the dots are oversize, but some paintings have miniscule points, and it is not until you look up close that you realize that no colors repeat themselves. Hirst’s work has always been controversial, but I think it is definitely worth a visit to Gagosian to see what the buzz is about. Plus, if you visit every exhibit throughout the world, you get a free print. Amazing, right?!

Simone Berry bracelets!

The world knows I love arm candy. I have a desire to publish a book of bracelets and cuffs and watches in a book called Wristory! So I was so excited to discover this line of bracelets from Simone Berry. Fun, colorful, and stackable, these bracelets come in multiple lengths and metals. And she even made some for men. Visit her website at www.shopholbrooke.com, and buy at least 3. When it comes to arm candy, the more, the merrier!

It’s about…time?

It’s about…time?

Every stylist woman her salt needs to stay current on business matters. And where better to get the news o’ the day then the New York Times. I was so glad to read up on the latest “trend” of men buying accessories by the wristful. From watches, to bags, to hats, men are filling in the retail gaps left behind by the shopping-averse woman. And I must say, everywhere I turn, I see men wearing bags and hats better than any Carrie Bradshaw. From Coach to Hermes, hold-alls (please don’t call them murses) have become a necessity, what with all the latest tech devices too large to fit into a pants pocket. Plus, I’ve always said a nice watch or simple bracelet can enliven a basic uniform of gray suits r white tee/blue jeans. Having said all that, there are few things worse than a man who puts on everything except the kitchen sink. And I am really not a fan of rings nor earrings on a gentleman. So, fellas, play around and have fun with accessories. But not too much fun. Leave a little somethin’ for the ladies.

The lady in red…

New York Fashion Week. Check. London Fashion Week. Done. Now it’s time for Milan. But what have we really seen? Yes, the September issues of our favorite fashion mags will breakdown the trends. But what looks can we actually see ourselves wearing? For me, one of my favorite looks from one of my favorite shows (Kevork Kiledjian) was a red fur jacket that was one part J.Lo, two parts Grace Jones, and a thousand parts moi! Besides he incredible color, the shape of this peice is so dynamic. This jacket can match up with a sleek pencil skirt, a pair of skintight J Brands, or, for the adventurous, some boom-boom shorts. With the cinched waist and full shoulders, it will give me that Coke bottle shape without all of that surgery. As you know, fur is my friend, and this jacket will be my bestie come the fall.

Who you callin’ bitter?

I love my accessories. Shoes, bags, jewelry: i need all of it in my life. But, I am also very aware of staying within my budget lane. The new Celine bag (drooling!) can wait. But a girl needs a little sumthin’, somthin’, so I asked my favorite saleswoman Debra Anderson over at Tom Ford what I should be on the lookout for. Surprisingly, she bypassed the crocodile bag and fur covered stiletto, and placed in my hand a Tom Ford nail polish from his recent beauty launch. It’s called Bitter Bitch (I get the hint, Debra).

From the sleek packaging to the good amount of product in side, Bitter Bitch is absolutely perfect color. Not quite brown, not quite purple, it works with every skintone and glides on oh-so smooth. I put this polish on one week ago, and I have experienced no chips and no dulling. Who needs fancy bags and shoes when I can purchase the luxe Tom Ford nail polish?! Make sure to swing by Tom Ford at 845 Madison Avenue, and say hi to Debra for me!

Joan Smalls: Killin’ the game!

Few things are for certain. Except, of course, rain, tax, and the parade of models that flood New York City streets in early February. There are so many young girls trying to walk in that coveted show (old: Donna Karan. new: Joseph Altazurra. always: Marc Jacobs), but so few can actually make the transition from runway starlet to being an actual money girl. That is why I adore Joan Smalls.
Currently one of the top 5 models working, according to Models.com, Joan has been on her grind for a number of years. She got her big break in a Vogue spread two years ago, and she has been a rocket ever since. Gracing every major catwalk, from ready-to-wear to couture, she has hit the trifecta for a model today: Victoria’s Secret runway show, cosmetics campaign (Estee Lauder), and fashion campaign (Roberto Cavalli, Calvin Klein Jeans, Stella McCartney, Gucci, Givenchy, etc.). She is definitely a role model for models of color, and I cannot wait to see what’s up her sleeve for Fall/Winter 2012!

Spring 2012 Couture: Karl, why so blue?

I get couture, I really do. But sometimes the clothing just seems…beyond. I think: who is going to wear this?! But with Chanel’s Spring 2012 Couture, I actually see pieces that can and WILL translate into something approaching wearability. Using 150 shades of blue, Karl Lagerfield’s design was anything but gloomy. The clothes were happy, streamlined, and seemed to reflect a sense of optimism. Will I be able to buy a Chanel couture suit? Hardly. It is nice, however, to see innovative ideas and sets meshing seamlessly with clothes begging to be bought.