Tag Archives: calvin klein

Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa – For Less


This weekend when I was running around Macy’s looking for bedding – which I did not find – I found something even better.  A capsule collection from Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa!

Over the last few years, Costa has been the go-to for Hollywood’s top ingenues who are turning heads in simple sheaths and sophisticated silhouettes.  Emma Stone and Claire Danes both wore Calvin Klein in sherbet hues to the Golden Globes and Jennifer Lawrence took a stunning turn in Calvin Klein at the Academy Awards.

Jennifer, Emma, Claire in Calvin Klein

The collection for Macy’s is in pared down neutrals but is similarly chic in its simplicity.

These are my favorites – all retailing for under $185.  What do you think?

Shop: Macy’s

Trendspotting: Must Have Pieces at NYFW Spring 2012


So far I have shared the trends I identified based on color (sorbet, yellows, greige and chambray), and by prints (cut outs, safari, bold florals) and now we’re in the home stretch, the last set of trends based on the items that will be must have for Spring 2012.

As a shopper these might be the easiest to aspire to owning and achieving.  If the market picks up on these trends you’ll be able to find all of these pieces at a variety of prices, which will make shopping a breeze.

With this set, like the previous two, all of the trends had to appear at least three times, and often they appeared more than that.

Let’s get started, I think you’ll love them (or at least one of them!)

Gym Class Hero: This might be the easiest trend of all to pull off, and I couldn’t be more pleased.  Several designers sent looks down the runway that were influenced if not down right inspired by gym class, if your P.E. teacher was Anna Wintour… If this is the trend for you keep it streamlined and focus on details: an unexpected hoodie, zipper details, jersey and nylon fabrics, and racerback tops.

Gym Class Hero, Spring 2012

 

Trail Blazer: For the last few years everyone from Kate Moss to Kate Middleton has sported some variation of the schoolboy (a slightly too small) blazer to the boyfriend (a slightly too large) blazer.  The trend from the Spring 2012 runway is look is a bit more mature, and I have termed it as dad’s blazer.  It is completely over sized, has masculine structuring and detailing, and reminds me of the look when a dad offers his suit jacket to his daughter to keep her warm.  I am completely into the look and how it translates from runway to real life with ease.

Trail Blazer, Spring 2012

 

Jumpsuit Fever: Several looks on the Spring 2012 runways were inspired by a very specific fashion moment in time, and the abundance of fit and flared jumpsuits is no different.  Highly reminiscent of the 1970’s, but with a twist from an earlier era of the 1920’s,  the standard jumpsuit looks more polished in flowing silks, deep deco necklines, slim waists and wide legs.

Jumpsuit Fever, Spring 2012

 

1920’s Nightgown: The Spring 2012 runways featured lots of looks that could have been borrowed from a very highly edited boudoir.  This look features perfect knife pleating, sheer panels, soft whispers of color, flowing chiffon, delicate beading.  The look is delicate, refined and secretly an alluring throw back to the 1920’s bedroom dressing.

1920's Nightgown, Spring 2012

 

Modern Marilyn: In fashion there are iconic women, and then there are iconic dresses, few dresses are more iconic than Marilyn Monroe’s knife pleated white halter dress from the Seven-Year Itch.  The Spring 2012 runways featured dresses that were clearly inspired by the icon.  The halter, the open back, bare arms, plunging neckline are made modern by new silhouettes and fresh detailing at the waist.  This may be the foreshadowing of the perfect spring time dress.

Modern Marilyn, Spring 2012

 

Lady Who Lunches: Some people say you’re either a Marilyn, or a Jackie.  If you’re the former, see above, if you’re the latter let’s continue.  The Spring 2012 look has taken the ladylike suit, all prim and proper and made it pop.  In these styles it doesn’t feel costume  and it is not primed for next season’s Mad Men, it feels fresh.  The slim silhouettes, the modern details, the bold colors, all fabulous.  And for the lady who lunches, this look is all business.

Lady Who Lunches, Spring 2012

 


Simply Bold:
I have always been a jeans and a t-shirt girl, and so something about the look of a top that is naturally a match with jeans being paired with an evening worthy bottom, just delights me.  This look was seen on a few runways for Spring 2012 and I love it.  It’s not going to be easy to wear, and rarely will you have an occasion for a large shimmering tent of a ballgown skirt, but it should make you consider the concept of a simple top paired with a dramatic bottom for spring, or all year long.

Simply Bold, Spring 2012

Colors, patterns, prints, and fabulous pieces round out the favorite trends from the Spring 2012 runways.

Which of these trends are your favorites?

The Golden Globes, a kickoff to Awards Season


This Sunday is the Golden Globes – and the first “real” award show of the season.  For me the viewing begins hours before the first award is given with the pre-show.  Nothing beats a glamorous red carpet, and because the Golden Globes are more fun* than the Academy Awards the celebrities tend to have a bit more fun.

I will definitely do a recap of the awards next week,  but in the interim I reviewed the designers Pre-Fall collections for 2011 to get a hint of what we might see on the red carpet.  Here are my picks for the actresses in the Best Actress in a Drama category, all images from Style.com.

Halle Berry in J. Mendel – this dress is easy, its graceful, and it will still highlight the best of Halle Berry – plus I think she radiates in metallic tones.

Nicole Kidman in Carolina Herrera – Nicole Kidman often goes for the lady look, and few do “lady” better than Carolina Herrera.  I really don’t expect this to be Nicole’s year so this might be too much dress for her, but otherwise I think she would look lovely in it.

Jennifer Lawrence in Naeem Khan – I had to Google Jennifer Lawrence as I have never heard of her… In any case a lot of what I saw was a bit more bohemian and very textured.  I love the color and the texture of this gown and that it is very formal, without being a ball gown a la Penelope Cruz.


Natalie Portman in Reem Acra – Natalie is a mom to be, but has never been shy about her fashion choices.   In her most recent public appearance she has been all Mary Quant, short dresses and high collars, so with that in mind I loved the detail on this collar and the ease of the dress.  I don’t know what she will wear, but I know it won’t be tulle, and hopefully not black.
Michelle Williams in Derek Lam – Michelle is a fashion darling, she always looks timeless and chic, and I love her platinum pixie haircut.  She tends to favor more vintage styles and I liked the retro vibe of this gown and the bold color. 

See you on the Red Carpet!

*They sit with friends and drink all night long…