LOOKS I LOVE...Lanvin in general, but more specifically, his Summer 2011 collection in all its glory

     Choked. Lanvin's Spring 2011 runway models were exactly this as they strutted down the runway in gorgeous collars, deliciously saturated colors, and lavishly adorned chokers. All of these tactics to allure individuals to this collection made this season for Lanvin made me rethink the company all together...just kidding...I was already in love with Lanvin ;).
     Bejeweled collars seemed to be a theme in this collection and though they were not as "spring-ish" as I presumed, I absolutely did enjoy these quirky collars. The futuristic fabrics used in the pop color dresses, though they sometimes made me view the model as a mutant marshmallow, were funky and exciting. Along with the collars and colors came the high-collared, sleek, black dresses that were worn with my favorite heels of the season. Black alone is incredible, but adding some "oomph" to that edge made those neutral basics pop even in the midst of those bright colors.
     Willing to try any of these ideas out? Make sure not to follow along with mutant marshmallow idea. As much as I love it on the runway, I cannot guarantee the general public would enjoy, appreciate, or understand this look quite as much. Play it safe-try out a bejeweled collar or a solid colored, form fitting dress. People will comprehend that you are in fact the stylish fashionista you claim to be :).

LOOK WHAT I DID...another sketch :)

     Just for tonight...a quick sketch will have to do! As you may have noticed, I am in love with mixing reds with purples and any shades in that color family! And...who doesn't love a retro platform shoe to mix with some "zipper-ended" puff sleeves?? I certainly have no problem with anything of the sort! The purple skirt has little gathered rosettes for an unexpected girly-girl twist. Just as Leather and Lace is the name of my blog, you might imagine that I LOVE mixing edge with froo-froo! This is the joining of two wonderfully gorgeous ends of fashion...and amen to that!  I hope you like this sketch!

LOOKS I LOVE...Balenciaga's NOT so down and dirty lookin' biker boots

    
     Who said biker boots had to be wrecked, damaged, dirty, and demolished-looking, anyways? Balenciaga knew what was up with that and decided to go against the grain and stray away from grunge while still adding in a full dose of biker into these beautiful retro-looking biker boots. LOOK-they even come in color! Attention bikers: you no longer have to drown in a sea of dirty blacks and browns; Balenciaga has decided to rescue you. Be grateful.
      These beautiful babies can go with just about anything. Always in with trends? These lovelies kill two birds with one stone: combat boots plus retro colors/everything are two items you can cross of your list! Only thing is, even though we love pairing regular biker boots with socks, these may not exactly mesh with that look. Wear these with black leggings and a pop color, flowy top with a few bangles or a chainy necklace. How's that for an easy outfit for a "too-early" time in the morning? Feeling daring? Wear these with a fitted dress to bring some edge to a girly look. People will move out of your way as you walk down the street. Add some retro Prada shades and you're ready for the catwalk...maybe.
     Here's to Balenciaga reinventing one of my favorite looks-amen!
    

LOOKS I LOVE...Rihanna's costume and makeup for her new song, "Who's That Chick?"!

     Yes-I sound crazy, but no-I will not budge on the fact that I am largely in love with the costume, makeup, and set design of Rihanna's new song, "Who's That Chick?" Though I realize combining highlighter yellow with candy pink all on one face is usually a tragic incidence waiting to happen, in the special case of Rihanna, it works incredibly well. The wildly exciting, optical-illusion like set design uses  my favorite brightly saturated colors to make even a stubborn pop-hater get on their feet and bop around a little! 

     Back to the makeup; my favorite thing to experiment with lately is one solid, pop color eyeshadow...with no shading (gasp!). This unicolor feat has been seen in spring runway shows all over the place! Who said colors were only for the corners? Take one bright shade and sweep it from brow to lashes. Finish the edges in a geometric shape or a round curvature. Whatever you do, add some red lips to the mix!!! I promise, only the fashionably uneducated will judge :).

     About this costume! What is better suited to Rihanna than an asymmetrical tutu paired with candy pink, plastic leggings?! Everyone got yet another brilliant taste of Rihanna's world with this look as she put her diva status into full swing with this number. Though I'm not sure the leggings are practical in any manner for real life, they surely work in this made up world!

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!