JUST FOR FUN...sketch time!

     SO-I have been working on my sketches recently in attempt to make them a little more graphic, fashion-like, and colorful. I feel as though I may have had at least partial success with this number. Although my camera decided to change the coloration I had originally sketched onto the design, the general gist of it has been semi-accurately conveyed.
     The idea of this dress is for it to have a stretch, neon yellow, fitted top that comes a little too far in on the sides while framing the collarbone alongside defining the waist area. The purple, feathered/tulle skirt is a structured, "tulip shaped" shell that flows from very to short to incredibly long as it sweeps down the runway with a tremendous train (at least that's the idea; whether or not it ever ends up sweeping down the runway is a completely different story ;))! The shoes are black, plastic booties that are essentially platforms with a "scooped out" heel featuring a neon yellow accent on the back. The intention is that these would of course come in every beautifully neon color and that everybody and his cousin would love to wear these (again, just an idea).
     Take a look and eyeball this dress in whichever manner you choose. Find it odd? Wonderful! If it's a good design, not everyone will like it anyways!

TAKING A STEP DOWN...from the runway.

     

     Although I, myself, am not a simplistically styled individual, if I was to be such a person, it would be in the form of a Vince woman. I realize I am unable to resist the urge to layer loud necklace upon loud shirt upon loud shoes, but maybe looking through Vince's 70's collection will help me bring out my inner "ohmm" and take a chill pill! This collection features clean cut silhouettes that come in breezy fabrics, rich suedes and delicious camel tones. 

     Of these incredible looks, my two favorite would have to be the mod jumper dress (5th look) and the "baby bells" (6th look). This simply cut dress exudes chic in its most simplistic form. It's almost as though Chanel decided to take a leap from tweeds for a minute to create the perfect "LCD" (little camel dress, of course!)! The model's chocolately-brown braids add some major cute-appeal that anyone would love to swipe for themselves. The "baby bells" with a flowy shirt-*drool.* It is now officially possible to look put together, comfortable, chic, simple, and high fashion at the same time. This length of pants is perfect for spring give your ankles a breather alongside allowing your shoes to do some talking! These pants are universally flattering and can even out any pear, apple, or other variety of fruit-shaped form. The flowy sweater contrasts with the laced heels to add an element of relaxation to this notedly neutral ensemble. TRY IT OUT.

     At this point in my blog posts, I am usually giving out warnings and such, but I see no way to go wrong with any of these easy-on ensembles! Have fun with the inner hippie and let yourself relax-at least until fall rolls around :)!

LOOKS I LOVE...Jimmy Choo's enchantingly fresh Spring 2011 shoe collection

    
     Oh, Jimmy. Aside from displaying them in such a gorgeously lay out, Jimmy Choo has done wonders with his Spring 2011 shoes all inspired by his colorful and exotic visit to Rio. The first pair of shoes shown combine pink and red in a way that actually makes me rethink being an "anti-pinker." He employs an incredibly appealing use of straps and different ways of framing the foot to let his inner exotica run wild for people like me to gape over. Who would have ever thought to pair blue with zebra stripes? Only Jimmy would do such a thing...and win drooling hearts over in the process.
     Try out an exotic shoe like this paired with either black or a corresponding pop solid color to bring out your wild side. This spring, with everyone blocking colors like there is no hope of a tomorrow, you may as well try it out!

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT...so this is what it feels like!

    
     While flipping through one of three late Vogue magazines I received all today, I stumbled across him...I mean it: one of the most gorgeous Prada handbags I have laid eyes upon in awhile.
     Yes, I do realize that black and orange are usually combined on NO occasion except for a certain one by the name of Halloween, but one must reconsider such a combination when it is paired in such a ridiculously pleasing way as...this! The small checkered pattern is small enough so as to avoid blinding passing individuals but loud enough to be a MAJOR color pop item. The black buckle pulls the bag together by giving it a base or backdrop-type-deal of sorts.
      Does this remind you of childhood lanyards a little too much? Feel like you could hand-weave it yourself? Well, you could try, but I do not believe it would amount to this glorious handbag by Prada.
      Warning: Though this is shown in fashion spreads with varied striped attire with more colors than the rainbow is inclusive of, if you choose to wear a bag such as this in the real, non-runway world, do it with simply colored/patterned attire. It will let the bag speak, not YELL, to people around you. They will appreciate the fine taste and lack of ignorance :).

HOW COULD I RESIST...blogging back to back about Diane von Furstenberg!

     DVF's Spring 2011 collection is full of wonderfully "bloggable" trends that I am am eating up like the "easy-mac" in my college food bin! Color blocking-no, it is not the act of taking color coded toy pieces and stacking them in varied patterns (as much fun as that does sound). It is in fact what Diane von Furstenberg has done with this collection by pairing two opposing colors together to make one beautifully color-combined outfit. I would personally love for her to teach me to mash a slew of rich colors and loose, easy fabrics to create such a silky slew of gorgeous ensembles.
     Who said retro had to be metallic, uncomfortable, and armadillo/knight-in-armor-like? This is the perfectly practical way of wearing modern anything. Try it out with two completely different, jewel toned colors paired with some black or even white boots or sandals.

Warning: do not wear colored accessories on top of this. You will look as though you are a try-hard/thoroughly confused fashionista in need of some serious guidance!

LOOKS I LOVE...Diane von Furstenberg's graphic prints and bright lips!

     Geometric...and eccentric. These words came to mind when I was viewing Diane von Furstenberg's beautifully bold Spring 2011 collection. The rounded retro sunglasses paired with fiery, candy-apple lips add a kick to these already pumped-up looks. The rich green pastels and royal blues are two pop-color hues that enhance any sleepy head's complexion. White backgrounds contrasting these colors in every look have the potential to make even me look tan-ish! 

     Another wonderful thing-silhouttes. What would all of these kooky graphics be without a super-awesome shape to walk along with it?? Just as spring should be, these outfits are breezy and flowy with a shape that narrows from top to bottom. Who wouldn't want to walk around in the parallel universe version of trendy pajamas (unless of course you are a jeans person like I am...but that wasn't really the point ;))?? 

     Want to try these looks out? Pair a repeating, geometrically patterned top with a similar one with different colors or lines. Add a solid color belt to tie the look together or, if you are daring, add the candy-apple lips to take your inner retro to the next level!

Warning: If you decide to choose obnoxious prints that are not exactly soothing to the eye, beware of the decrease in companions and acquaintances you may experience. Going for an all over print look? Add a piece of colorful jewelry whether it be a necklace or bangle or two or three or four! Whatever you decide, have fun with crazy prints and optically confusing a few people!!!

LOOKS I LOVE...Elie Saab's sprightly Spring 2011 gowns!

     Fluff, ruffles, cheer, and froo froo galore. When I look at any single one of the dresses from Elie Saab's 2011 Spring Haute Couture collection, such adjectives that may also be used to describe a child's doll or invisible companion come to mind. The intricate flowered details and gathers make use of a beautiful fabric to create a flowy silhouette that no sane human can scan over without a slight sense of alarm and exhilaration. 

     The delicate blush coloring of the first dress brings out the natural rosiness in one's cheeks. If you would like to wear a similar color, don't overdo the blush-Raggedy Anne is not a cool look for a "growed-up" unfortunately. The exposed neckline of the lavender look is incredibly elegant and accentuates the collar bone while the downward sweeping layers elongate a woman's frame. If someone would please provide me with the opportunity to wear this dress/compensation for its cost, I would be willing to bake multiple cakes for that specific individual. Multiple. 

     As for the rest of these dresses...any combination of ruffle and drape done by Elie Saab would have a fine place in my closet protected by a large quantity of bags, cases, and safe boxes. His varied use of such elements absolutely bewildered me. How many combinations of fluff can you think of? Not as many as that I presume. 

     Warning: wearing dresses such as these with flowered accessories or a statement anything is a mistake. You will look foolish and be mistaken for a flower garden. No one wants to be watered-don't ask for it.