Tag Archives: Carolina Herrera

Trendspotting: Color Trends at NYFW Spring 2012

Posted on September 20, 2011 | 1 comment

I clicked through every single fashion show and presentation of New York Fashion Week for Spring 2012.  And, along the way I started noticing a few trends and themes, and as the weather turned colder in DC, again I began to long for longer days, tanner skin, and shorts.

I have divided up all the themes into three segments, trends based on color (love!), trends based on patterns and prints (love, love!), trends based on pieces (love x 3!).

Let’s not waste another minute.

Chambray Wishes: While this is technically a fabric, the color appeared multiple times throughout the runway shows.  The look is sun washed, casual and in these applications a bit worn in, for an easy, breezy spring.

Chambray Wishes, Spring 2012

Yellow + Gray: This color combination was EVERYWHERE on the runway, in casual looks and evening styles.  The yellow this season is a softened lemon or saturated gold, and richer than previous seasons neon.  The yellows are contrasted with washed out grays, charcoals and black.

Yellow + Gray, Spring 2012

Sorbet Ice: The spring runway was also print filled and so the assortment of sorbet colored pieces was a palette cleanser.  The freshness of color was light, clean and icy bright, without ever feeling cold or sterile.

Sorbet Ice, Spring 2012

Greige Goddess: This is more of a muted combination of colors, but the Greige Goddess look was in full effect on the Spring runways.  Featuring gathered and draped fabric, gentle sheen, and the muted tones of beige with hints of metallic woven through.

Greige Goddess, Spring 2012

More trends coming soon!  But first, do any of these make you excited for Spring 2012?

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And the Bride Wore White…

Posted on July 20, 2011 | Leave a comment

When planning a wedding I really thing the dress sets the tone.  Some say it is the location (the beach, a ballroom, a bar – whatever).  But, I disagree.  When brides begin their planning in the back of their head they have a vision of what they will look like on their wedding day.  The bride who sees herself as a princess, sophisticate, goddess will pick the setting to match their style.

I reviewed the Resort 2012 shows to find these looks and created mini inspiration boards to accompany them.

Images: Marchesa, Martha Stewart, Great Gatsby, Martha Stewart

How decadent is this style?  Inspired by the Marchesa gowns, it’s elegant, bright, fresh and while attached to a vintage aesthetic it still feels completely modern.

 

Images: Naeem Khan, Pinterest, Bhldn, Pinterest

Naeem Khan, a favorite of Hollywood and the FLOTUS, this inspiration board feels well traveled, glamorous, and collected by your friend with the most admirable and enviable style.

 

Images: Badgely Mischka, Brides, OneReverie, WeddingBee

This style is for the playful bride – Hello! Polka Dots!  – and yet it is still completely sophisticated and lovely for a wedding.  Added to the playful nature this inspiration board picks up the theme of dots and color.

 

Images: Salvatore Ferragamo, Stella & Dot, Ruth Drennan Cakes, Rosebrook Meyer Stationary

This inspiration board, inspired by the Salvatore Ferragamo gowns, have a sprinkle of sparkle, a fluidity of movement and clean lines.

 

Images: Carolina Herrera, Oh So Beautiful Paper, The Velveteen Baker, Constanca Cabral, Christian Louboutin

Images: Carolina Herrera, Oh So Beautiful Paper, The Velveteen Baker, Constanca Cabral, Christian Louboutin

This set inspired by Carolina Herrera is for the fun, retro inspired bride.  It feels seasonless with the crisp black and white and the pop of red.


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Posted in Her Weddings + Events, Wedding Fashion, Wedding Inspiration

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Favorite Looks from Spring 2011 Fashion Week, for Less

Posted on February 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

In September I featured my favorite looks from the Spring 2011 Fashion Shows, and now that Spring 2011 is almost upon us, it is time to revisit those inspiring looks.

I have taken my stand out favorites from September and searched the Internet to find affordable and wearable version inspired by the real thing.
Marc Jacobs – Spring 2011 was like the most glamorous, 70’s inspired, color infused show. 

This look is completely wearable, and probably could be assembled with items you already own, but if not…

Carolina Herrera – Spring 2011 was a favorite of mine, and while I don’t have the need for an evening gown currently, one can’t help but be inspired by the painterly details of this beautiful dress.
Carolina Herrera – Spring 2011
This look is admittedly DIY but if done right it’s a major wow.  And again, I think the larger aesthetic point here is painterly details in a black and white color palette.

Oscar de la Renta – Spring 2011 was for the ladies who lunch set.  The important rules to follow here are texture: tweed and silks and colors within the same color family.
Oscar de la Renta – Spring 2011

With such a ladylike and refined shape and staples, you can really go bold with the color and have fun playing with spring’s best and boldest hues.


Ralph Lauren – Spring 2011, this show was Rancher Fabulous if there is such a thing.  It is certainly difficult to imagine wearing beaded cocktail dresses on the farm, but somehow Ralph Lauren, as the master of Americana pulls it off.
Ralph Lauren – Spring 2011
To attempt the same look, on a budget start here:


Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011, know for red-carpet worthy evening gowns, it was fun to see Monique Lhuillier play with different shapes and pieces, and I really liked the belted, sophisticated look of the high waisted trousers and refined bustier top.
Monique Lhuillier – Spring 2011

To build this look on a budget, you can assemble pieces that are completely wearable in a variety of ways. 

 What trends are you most excited for?

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Day 5: Evening Glamour

Posted on February 17, 2011 | Leave a comment

Day 5 was the day of the dress for me – lots of glamor, glitz and shine! 

The runways featured the following designers: The Row, Jenny Packham, Callula Lillibelle, Carolina Herrera, Zero + Maria Cornejo, Carlos Miele, Woolrich John Rich & Bros, Theyskens’ Theory, Tracy Reese, Ohne Titel, Barbara Tfank, Donna Karan New York, Sachin +Babi, Monique Lhullier, Yeohlee, Chris Benz, Pamella Roland, Alice + Olivia, Chadwick Bell, Betsey Johnson, Chado Ralph Rucci, Marc Jacobs

And here are my favorites:
In the category of full on color evening wear, I love the subtle shine and fully saturated colors from Alice + Olivia, Carolina Herrera – a longtime favorite, Pamella Roland and Tracy Reese.  These looks were full of real lady like glamor and major color.
Alice + Olivia
Carolina Herrera
Pamella Roland
Tracy Reese
For golden glamor I loved the soft color and full on beading from Donna Karan, the Grecian goddess from Jenny Packham (anyone else noticing that hip twist is showing up EVERYWHERE?!), and Monique Lhuillier’s retro, textured, golden gown.  Also, of note, Lhuillier’s runway featured dotted stockings – cute trend to watch, perhaps?
Donna Karan
Jenny Packham
Monique Lhuillier


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The Golden Globes, a kickoff to Awards Season

Posted on January 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

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…

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New York Fashion Week: Spring 2011 is Looking Lovely

Posted on September 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

I have finally finished reviewing the many, many fashion shows that highlighted the transitioning into fall days of September. 

Fashion is a funny game; we preview the spring before fall starts, and preview the fall before the snow has melted in New York.  I love the fashion shows, and neither fall nor spring wins preference with me.  I love the spring shows because as a Florida girl I love the ease, the casual aesthetic, the classic sportswear and the bright colors.  I love the fall shows for the richness, the holiday glamour, the texture and refinement.  Quite happily the Spring 2011 shows had the best of both seasons: brilliant colors, ladylike shapes, classic shapes and styles, and glitter.

These are a few trends that are sticking out above the rest for me: 

Belts: I love the ladylike refinement of this dress and belt from Oscar de la Renta.  I love the pop of the strong colors against the softer pinks of the fabric.  Belts were popping up all over the runway and all throughout my favorites from the season, they are flattering and they take an outfit from the everyday to wow.

Color: Oh Marc… The colors, the accessories, the knits – it was the best of the 70’s without feeling dated, costumey or over the top.  I felt like the entire Marc Jacobs collection was completely wearable and more than that fun, and bright.  I like how the use of color was elevated beyond what is normally thought of as spring colors and given a greater richness and depth with jewel tones.

High Waist Pants: I am a jeans girl and so I do appreciate an amazing fit on a pair of pants.  I also like the way a high waist pant flatters a woman’s body, creates curves if there are none, supports curves if there are some.  Katherine Hepburn knew what she was doing when she made the pant a mainstay in the wardrobe of American women, and Monique Lhuillier takes it a step further by elegantly putting pants in the category for evening.

Glitter: I love Ralph Lauren.  I love how the brand is unchanged, how he seemingly ignores the current trend to stay true to his classic American style.  His collections makes even a city girl consider oversized buckles and a home in Wyoming.  I love the fluidity, and liquid nature of this glitter and how it is smartly toughened up by the contrasting leather belt and shawl – it’s not too sweet, it’s American Glamour.

You can see the rest of my selected favorites here.

But this, this is my favorite of all.  I love the tank style that reads as so effortless, I love the deep neckline that doesn’t go so deep to be vulgar, I love the cinched waist with the bow-tied belt and the abstract and slimming design at the front.    

I love Carolina Herrera.  She reminds me of the grandmother of my best friend.  She exudes an old world glamour but has the ability to dress today’s woman of any age.  She, and her collection, are the perfect example of sophistication, chic and timeless fashion. 

I can feel Fall creeping up on me, and I am still looking for the perfect new sweaters, boots, and more, but Spring has never looked more dreamy.

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