Spring/Summer 2012 Trends: Motion in the Ocean!

A huge trend for Spring/Summer 2012 is a futuristic water world. This look started in Paris for fashion week and trickled down to many designers and I am starting to see these looks even in stores. CLICK HERE to read the full article and see photos on my new blog.

Are you too OLD to model?

One of my viewers wrote in to ask if she’s too old to model. She’s over 40. I took some time to record a video to answer her question – WATCH THE VIDEO ON MY NEW BLOG HERE and let me know YOUR thoughts!

Adele… TOO FAT???

So I am not sure if many of you ladies keep up with designer news as much as I do but I came across something that is definitely worth being blogged about! The famous designer Karl Lagerfeld who is known for designing haute couture and the newest line at Macy’s has definitely inserted his foot in his mouth this time. He has always been known for outlandish behavior and cynical comments but this really pissed me off!

He was interviewed by the free Metro Newspaper and he said that Adele is the new hot thing right now, she’s beautiful and has a pretty face but, she is “too fat”.

Now, we all know the fashion industry is nothing short of anorexic and that has not changed much over the years but COME ON! I think the reason I was so shocked upon hearing this is because Karl is one of few designers that is trying to lead a frontier in plus size fashion. This only leads me to think that he is merely doing it for money and no other reasons.

Adele, to me, symbolizes ¾ of women in this world. The size 2 and size 4 population is in short supply. Now I am not saying that it is good to be unhealthy and promote obesity but you should focus on what a person stands for and who they are, not what you THINK they should look like.

The rest of the article goes on to say that many companies and groups of people are lashing out at Lagerfeld and even boycotting his threads! He offered a public apology but then again, don’t they always if it’s going to jeopardize their cash flow?

Adele commented in response and said she is proud of who she is and no one, even of his stature, will change how she views herself.

The Changing Landscape of Fashion

David Wolfe

So over the years I have really been studying the fashion industry as a whole and what styles will be predominant and stick around and what styles will fade out. I have had the pleasure of hearing David Wolfe, a fashion forecaster from New York, discuss where fashion is headed and I am here to tell you that we are really headed in a great direction. I really think that fashion is going to become very innovative and very AFFORDABLE.

I think these big name designers such as Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Monique Lhuillier, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, etc. will be coming out with lower priced lines of clothing or even a store that carries the same lines of clothing at cheaper prices—think outlet mall. We are already seeing a HUGE shift in fashion headed in this direction. Look at Michael Kors who has the MICHAEL by Michael Kors line which is cheaper. Look at Betseyville by Betsey Johnson. Look at Simply Vera by Vera Wang. Fashion is really going to shift in this direction and I think it is going to fit our lifestyles better and really make fashion fun again.

Our lives just aren’t like they used to be. Back in the good ‘ol days we used to go out to fine dining, when’s the last time you really did that? We used to fly and it used to be a real luxury experience, remember the Pan-am days? Our world has just changed so much that we are rushed at everything we do, worrying about how fast can we get from A to B and not really leaving much time for luxury and enjoyment. Back then, we needed luxurious fashion and expensive looks because we really had a different lifestyle - now that has shifted, so I think fashion has to do the same thing. And I think designers, as a whole, really see that need for the shift as well and they are answering that need. All in all fashion is going to take an amazing turn and I really look forward to seeing what comes, even within the next year. Keep a look out ladies!

Menswear – for Women?!

This is my favorite look for Fall and Spring!!!! I know many of you have seen the Menswear looks that are out there right now and you are thinking, “I could never wear that.” Well you can!!! Follow these guidelines and you will be sure to pull off this look!

• It’s all about the lines: When shopping to create this look, make sure you try on everything and pay close attention to the tailoring of the item.  The blazer should have a nice princess cut that accentuates your waist and has broad shoulders to give you the appearance of a slender sillohuette.
• Pants: When shopping for the bottoms to this look, you want to find a high waisted wide leg pant or a straight leg pant.
• Details, ladies: Pairing both the tailored jacket and pants with a stiff collared top will create a gorgeous look that is sure to bring looks. Add a simple necklace and flats or a heel and you will knock em dead ladies!

If you need any more help with this look, Diane Keaton is a fashion icon for the menswear look.

Cuff Boots – the CHIC Way!

Have you ever wanted to wear a cuffed boot but you were not sure how to wear it without looking like a pirate?

Well I have been shopping all over to help you ladies out and I have found that there is a way to wear these boots and they are very much in style right now.

This look started in the 1800s when a shoemaker was creating shoes for the village and he found that he could create sturdy flat shoes but he didn’t have anything for bad weather. For years the man struggled and struggled until he came up with a shoe that completely covered the shaft of the foot as well as half of the leg. Many were skeptical at first saying that the boot would never last but for years it stood as a fashion icon.

Today you can find many different styles of cuffed boots and I have posted here several that I think you will love. Boots are going to be very stylish for years and years. They add that certain something to an outfit and I think from the selection I have posted you can see that they are very versatile, and you can wear them with pretty much any outfit. Some great stores to try are DSW, Nordstrom, and Zappos.

Resort Style for 40-plus

So I know many of you like me enjoy following fashion and the newest styles out there. Some of them are a little “out there” and daring for my taste, but some of them are very sleek and sexy.

The latest style and fashion season that we are in right now is called Resort Style. This is the transitional season between fall and spring that is often when we, as consumers, are shifting into our traveling stage of the year and need outfits to fit those activities.

Resort style is very free flowing, long linen lines. The resort style is very simple to create. With bright colors and linen pants you will easily pull this look off. Remember, think cruise and jet-setty.

The key to this look is finding bright colored tops and pairing them with white bottoms and a simple flat and VIOLA! Resort style chic!

Handbags!!!!

The change in style of handbags over the years has been one crazy rollercoaster. I think 2011-2012 is the year that is the sleekest. The styles this year are all about the business woman. The strong lines and sturdy materials are very convertible from both day to night and can be the statement piece in your entire outfit.

When shopping for handbags, you want to think of this part of your wardrobe, if not anything else, as an investment. Buying a purse is not like buying a dress on sale, it will not hold up as long as you think it will. PURSES ARE MARKED DOWN IN PRICE FOR A REASON!! You want to shop quality when it comes to purses.

Look at the material and hardware and make sure that the quality is good, otherwise it will be broken in a few weeks and you will spend what you didn’t the first go around buying a second purse. I would look at finer stores like a Nordstrom or even a Stein Mart to find a brand name purse.

I know it sounds funny but, they make purses for a reason ladies. The materials used in name brand purses are often of higher quality and will last you through everything. Here are some styles that are very fabulous for 2012!

Holiday Styles to Watch!

French Connection Zip Tunic

Hardware meets soft wear on this comfy tunic cardigan with a zip front and downtown studded detailing. The roomy tunic style permits a second serving of pie, as a feel-good blend of angora and wool beats the chill. Dress up the look with lace leggings and pops of cheerful color.

Get it now: French Connection ‘Grizzly’ zip cardigan, $148 at frenchconnection.com