Bubble Gum Stripes

Prada, Marc Jacobs, A.L.C., and Celine are just some designers that presented this bubble gum stripes trend down the runway, as reported about via Who What Wear.

I saw this and immediately loved it!  I love stripes and bold, fun colors - so combined, I was in love.  I can see, however, where some might think this look could be a little parachute-y?  What do you think?

Here are some affordable options on-spot with this trend:

Dresses: Forever 21 Stripe V-Neck dress; Forever 21 Purple & Gray stripe tunic; Anthropologie Crossing the stripes Dress (LOVE!);  

Tops: Anthropologie Lining-The-Field Scoopneck top (SWOON!); Ella Moss Jersey Striped "Trixie" T-shirt; Boat-Strip Top (avail in lots of colors & only $10!) via Talbots

Skirts: Forever 21 Colorful Bars Stripe skirt; Stripe Contrast-Hem Power Skirt by BCBG via Lord & Taylor; Charlotte Russe Coral Stripe Front Pocket Skirt

Runway Trends and Inspirations: Warm Sequins

For Fall, I can't wait to get my hands on one thing in particular.  A coppery, gold or bronze sequin something.  This perfect-for-Fall shimmery trend has made it's way from the Runway:

 Fall 2010 Runway - Doo Ri and Isaac Mizrahi (photos via InStyle)

To the Red Carpet:

The 2010 Emmy's rocked glistening sequins in shades of gold, bronze and copper.

On Celebrities for Premiers and Events:

Both InStyle Looks of the Day

And now, all I want is this:

J.Crew Bronze Sequin Bell Skirt which is only left in limited sizes.

You can also track it down in a few more size options at Net-A-Porter.

 I am going to keep my eye on this and hope for pop-backs!  I love that it's A-line and could be dressed down or up depending on the occasion!

Another cute option, but limited occasions to wear to:

TopShop

Runway Trend: Abstract Shoulders

Last week I was a guest blogger over at Shop It To Me's Blog.  I wrote about incorporating runway trends into your everyday styles, and one of my favorites is the Abstract Shoulders look.  Whether it's cut out shoulders or unequal straps, or different colors - anything to have a little fun and do something different with your top!

I tried this look out with my already owned duds and layering - take a one shoulder shirt or dress and layer it over another tank or t in a same color or different:

I like the way the ruffle one-shoulder looks layered over another shirt.

I'm having fun with this, and a bit similar to layering a strapless top or dress over another shirt, which I like, too!

Three Facts about Dolce and Gabbana

Dolce and Gabbana are considered “the most powerful designers of our time”. They design clothes not for stick women but for women with hips and curves. Their favorite customer who's also their very loyal fan is Madonna.

Here are three facts about Dolce and Gabbana:

1. The duo met in 1980 when they were working as assistants in an atelier in Milan. They decided to join forces sometime in 1983 and the Dolce & Gabbana label was born.

2. The duo is business partners as well as romantic partners in real life. They broke up in February 2005 but eventually got back together in 2008.

3. Their fondness for black in their designs is inspired by the dress of the peasants and gangsters of Sicily. However, they also mix contradictory collection of fabrics and influences.

Nothing beats black. It's the color of elegance.

It's requires creativity to be able to wear undergarments as outer garments. Or should undergarments remain as such?

These are great alternatives in wearing suit.

Beige is the color of the rich.

The best way to wear polka dots? I never thought breaking the rule would work as best. Animal print and polka dots are perfect together.

The best way to wear shade of green.

G&B might be fond with black and gray but once they play with bright colors, they just bring perfection.

And they can work with flowers too.

photos: dolcegabbana.it

Denim & Ruffle Inspiration

Denim and Chambray shirts are making their way down the runway, into all sorts of stores and my closet.  A couple weeks ago, I got my knock-off J.Crew version of the Chambray shirt from Target at a steal of a deal.

This past year, ruffles quickly became a staple in my closet, and stores alike. A few months ago, I got an ivory ruffle-tiered skirt on sale from Target by Xhilaration.  Hung in my closet for awhile with a few ideas of how to wear it, but needing the "pieces" to style it, it waited.

The combination of these pieces has really taken off for Spring 2010.  On the Runway by D&G:

In stores like FredFlare.com:

J.Crew, the inspirational pieces:

 

And earlier this fall, J.Crew previewed what was to come (denim with ivory skirt):

So! I put my two new Target pieces together to form my own version:

 

  

  

  

My look for less was super comfortable and easy to wear.  I think next time I'll experiment with a belt - a la D&G.

Rihanna even dons the look:

Creative Fashion by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada

Since we talk about Creative Fashion, then let's talk about Agatha Ruiz de la Prada.

When I first met the name Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, it stuck. Not because I liked the name, but because it was the contrary. It's not that the name is ugly, but it's how my mom used to address me by it whenever she was mad at me; as a kid, that is. Donya Agatha!

But perhaps it helped. I became curious about the designer behind the name. For how many times, and quite several times, I googled about her. And what a consequence! her designs are called Creative fashion. I had to find more about her. And here's what I've found.

She's from Madrid. She's married to Pedro Almodóvar and she has two kids. She was formerly a star of the dynamic modiva period of the late 80's but eventually faded in popularity. Then she made a comeback and worked to restore her name through fashion designing.

She sticks to bold Pop Art patterns — flowers, hearts, stars, food and anything you meet in your house or in the streets.

Her designs are creative and distinct. I actually wondered at first if there's anyone who would use the designs which I think are wacky and weird. Would you walk in the streets with a sunny side-up egg on your dress, a bread on your head or a cage over half your body? Perhaps in the movies?

But browsing more from her collections, my impression changed from apprehension into wishful interest seeing all the colorful and easy to wear garments that she has made. The colors and patterns create an everyday summer feel and comfort. They are stuff that the mean girls in the campus would wear.

~ Giveaway ~

Enter our Empty that closet! contest for a chance to win accessory from New York Design Shop.

Polka Dots From Runway to Real World

Polka dots aren't just for cutsy little girls or itty bitty polka dot bikinis, they are popping up on the run way all the way to mainstream consumer stores.

On the Runway:

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Spring 2010

Reem Acra, Spring 2010

On the Red Carpet:

Victoria Beckham, dress by (go figure) Marc Jacobs!

On Celebrities:

Beyonce out and about in a cute polka dot romper

Demi Moore in a polka dot dress with contrasting red pumps

Designers:

Mrs. "the Queen of amazing prints" Kate Spade Dress

Nanette Lepore Melt With U Polka-Dot Top

In Stores:

Be like Beyonce in this Polka Dot Jumper

Polka Dot Shirt Dress - I tried it on here.

Love the exposed back zipper on this Polka Dot Mini

Sweet summer polka dot blouse

What do you think about the polka dot trend? You bouncin' for it or you standing polka dot free?? I'm digging it, in moderation. I like mixing prints - so thinking I"ll have to experiment with this one... Maybe stripes and dots? Floral and polka dots?