'Tis the Season

‘Tis the season to go dark. With the fall season well underway, and winter quickly approaching, dark tones and colors are making a bold appearance. The darker colors are coming into play in every fashion aspect- clothing on the runway, in stores, hair, and even nail polishes.

We are all seeing a ton of blacks and grays, as well as darker tones of the colors used for spring and summer. Along with the staple neutrals of a winter closet, dark jeweled tones are making a prominent stand.

One major color this season stems from purple. Multiple shades and tones are offered ranging in matching names from wine to amethyst. Purple hasn’t been this important in at least twenty years. I have actually recently purchased a deep purple nail polish that I was pretty nervous to try out. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if it would look a little too goth for my taste, but it worked out beautifully.

Colors in the gold family are still strong, but we are also seeing moves made more towards orange. Those will be reflecting the colors of the changing leaves. Since these orange hues can be very bold, and for some, overbearing, there is an easy solution. Instead of wearing the color so close to your face, you could definitely use it in a handbag, shoe or other accessory for a simple, yet powerful, splash of something different.

The rose and pink colors of spring are getting deeper, and changing into mud and deep red tones. I think a deep red is a great alternative to the ever so simple (and easy) black, but you have to make sure that it is still appropriate for the occasion. You could definitely get away with a dark cranberry colored dress at a work function, and if that is too much for you, there is yet again an easy solution. Pair some red heels or boots with your favorite black slacks as a way to feel a bit daring, but still staying in your comfort zone.

Hair color seems to be following the tide of fashion, and moving darker as well. For all of the natural and faux blondes alike, everyone seems to want to try out life as a brunette. I myself fall into the category of faux blonde, and this season, I am trying life “au natural”. Brunette shades are just as difficult as the blonde ones, in making the right choice. You need to decide between ash browns, reddish browns, and blondish browns. Of course, the trouble doesn’t stop there. You also need to make sure that you get a color that will work well with your skin tone, and not wash you out. Going dark is a very easy way to make your eyes pop, and feel as though you are living life as your alter ego.

The Zoe Project

Rachel Zoe, celebrity stylist, transitions from behind the scenes (never obscure), to in front of the camera, center-stage. She starred in the first season of her Bravo TV reality show, The Rachel Zoe Project. She was born on September 1, 1971 and entered the fashion business arena at the age of 21. Her personal style is 70’s, boho-chic. You can usually catch her out and about in a vintage jacket or vest (almost always made of fur), blonde wavy hair, really large sunglasses, sun-kissed skin, and accessories galore.

The show takes you into the life of Rachel Zoe, and shows the tumultuous life of the fashion business. Through the struggles of photo shoots, dressing models, fashion shows, and her personal A-list clients, somehow she shows us that all of it can be achieved- but never without a price. It is apparent, and never denied by Zoe, that her personal life takes a backseat to her professional life. That is just one of life’s attributes that must constantly be juggled, in order to obtain the level of trust and respect (in the industry) that she has reached. The cast is comprised of her inner circle- Rodger, Taylor, and Brad. Roger is the loving, and somewhat of a pushover husband, who wants nothing more than for his wife to succeed and be happy. Taylor is the edgy, rocker, right-hand assistant that has an attitude and trouble letting people in. Brad is the “green”, newby of the clan that has been trying for years to get this opportunity.

Not only has Zoe been a stylist, fashion forerunner, and chic friend, she has also published a book. Style A to Zoe: The Art of Fashion, Beauty and Everything Glamour, is her book that came out in hardcover in 2007 and again in paperback in 2008. This book is not only a go-to-guide for style and accessories, but also entertaining, traveling and just living a fabulous life all around. In addition to all of the listed above, she also lends her face, name, or partnership to multiple brands and campaigns (including, but not limited to, LEIBER, Samsung, Piperline.com, and GAP). She is also in the process of expanding her brand with the addition of her own accessory line.

I personally love everything about this woman- her sense of style, her drive and determination for the business and success, as well as her fun-loving outlook towards life. Not to mention, that I would give anything to have her one of a kind wardrobe! I’m looking forward to many more seasons of behind the scenes looks at how the world of styling really works (since that is what I aspire to do later in life).

Project Runway season ends......

Project Runway’s season finale was last Wednesday, with the announced winner being Leanne Marshall.

For anyone out there that has not seen the show or become instantly addicted to it, Project Runway is a reality competition, and lifetime opportunity for interested fashion designers. The winner this season would receive a 2009 Saturn View Hybrid car, the opportunity to sell their creations on bluefly.com, and $100,000 to start their own line (which is sponsored by Tresemmé hair care). The judges each week are comprised of Heidi Klum (host and judge), Michael Kors (top American designer), Nina Garcia (editor at large for Elle Magazine), and a guest judge (that is different from week to week).

The season starts out with 12 fashion designers. Each week, the contestants get a challenge to create an outfit on a time restraint as well as a budget. They have a runway show using their chosen model (who is also competing for a print ad that is given to the winning designer featuring their model). Garments are judged while coming down the runway, then the judges pick a combination of their favorites and least favorites to proceed to a question and answer portion of the show. A winner is chosen (and at times, receives immunity for the following challenge) and the loser has their dream shattered. The final three designers will create an entire collection each to show during Fashion Week at Bryant Park.

Through this season, we have seen one designer leave each week with a creation that had completely sealed their fate. We have seen beautiful and original pieces, as well as off the wall ones, which leads one to wonder what in the world the designer was thinking. The twist that I did not see coming, was the fact that Jerell had been the winner of the final challenge, but actually did not end up making it to Fashion Week. The final four designers were given an opportunity to each create their line, and showcase one piece (wedding gown) to the judges. Unfortunately, even with Jerell’s previous win, he was eliminated, and unable to move on to the finals.

The final three contestants were Leanne Marshall (27 year old freelance designer), Korto Momolu (33 year old freelance designer), and Kenley Collins (25 year old freelance designer). This was the first time in Project Runway’s 5 year history that the final runway show was embodied by all female contestants- all of whom could not have had more distinct and different views on designing.

Leanne created her line from the inspiration of the ocean- including colors and forms. Every single piece that came down the runway at Bryant Park had this wave/pedal affect. She has been very consistent in showing organic garments, but for me, this was too much.

Kenley derived her inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, and that definitely showed in her collection. There were innovative processes that she used to create her line, including actually hand painting on the fabrics she used. Although many of her pieces were a little too far fetched for me, she did have a few items that I liked.

Korto pulled her inspiration from nature and the colors that it encompassed. Her garments were very structured, and tailored beautifully to a woman’s body. She also left herself open to the possibility of having a consumer basis with a wide range of body types. To me, this was my favorite of all three of the finalists.

Was the outcome of this season exactly what everyone had hoped, or are there people out there with my point of view that saw this as somewhat of an upset?!

The little black dress

The little black dress….

Is everyone on the same page when it comes to the little black dress? I hope everyone understands the importance of this seemingly simple article of clothing! The majority knows that this is a staple piece that definitely belongs in every single woman’s closet, but there is so much more to know about the little black dress.

There is an amazing book that I randomly found that is by Didier Ludot. For those of you who are not familiar with the name, let me fill you in a bit. He is internationally known, and a complete expert in French haute couture. He is an esteemed supporter of the little black dress, and in 1996, he even held an exhibition in Paris. His enthusiasm did not die there, and so he compiled this book titled “The Little Black Dress- Vintage Treasure”.

This book has a format all it’s own. There are only nine pages of standard book dialogue, with headings as separate chapters. It starts with the prologue, which gives the basic story to the birth of the little black dress by Coco Chanel. Then it proceeds to explain the lifespan, stages, and obstacles that the dress has gone through since its entrance into fashion (and life altogether). Every section of the book has the designers, celebrities, and categories of real life women that helped propel the little black dress to where it is today.

After the written pages, come the photographs. They include actual sketches from designers, celebrities (such as Audrey Hepburn) and prestigious women in the dresses, as well as the most infamous little black dresses through the years. Following the photos is a chronological timeline on the life of the little black dress, spanning from 1926 when it made its debut, to 2001 when it transitions into the next millennium. The final section is a detailed breakdown of each of the pictures that was previously shown. It consists of the creation year of the dress, the designer that made it, the location that the photograph was taken (for example, one of the pictures was taken at The Fashion Theatre), as well as a brief description of the dress.

If you have an interest or passion for fashion, and all the elements that go along with it, then this is surely a book to have in your personal library. I mean, the little black dress was, and still is, one of the basic building blocks to this brilliant aspect of life. So with that being said, I will leave you from my favorite excerpt from the book:

“Like trousers for women, the little black dress has made history and become a symbol of modernity. Short, always, sometimes with sleeves, sometimes without, the little black dress is a free spirit in the great open space of fashion, that no designer, no stylist, however gifted, will ever succeed in calling his own.The little black dress obeys no standards, resists every fad, is fashion incarnate. Independent, often insolent, always sexy and sublimely right, it is an enduring symbol of the eternal feminine.”