Kaleidoscope Style

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Newest Obsession: Home Decor Blogs

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:17:14 -0400

Lately I’ve been really interested in home decor blogs. I’ve started some folders on my desktop of house inspiration, even though I still have years until I will own my own house. But I can’t help but dream…

I’ve been really interested in light fixtures for some reason. And these two lights are absolutely incredible. They are both retro yet modern. The rooms are beautiful without the light fixtures, but with them a whole new level of interest is added.

Fashion meets comfort?

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:05:08 -0400

In the fashion world, one never compensates fashion for comfort. Yet it seems that that now is the trend. The key to pulling off this not-so-popular trend is to choose somewhat stylish sneakers. In the case of Susie Bubble, she chose ones that complemented the colors in the rest of her outfit. Bright colors are essential. Designer brands, like Nike, also help. It’s a fine line to walk with this look because people often cannot tell if you’re wearing the shoes for comfort or for style — but I guess for these girls it’s both.

Innovation at Akris

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 23:04:32 -0400

Certain designers have really exhibited innovation recently. Mary Krantzao constantly pushes the envelope by using Photoshop to create the most mind-blowing, beautiful prints. Now, the designers behind Akris are using photography to create patterns. The pieces themselves are simple silhouettes in beautiful bold colos. This is the perfect canvas to merge photography and fabric. The designer didn’t just take photography and put it onto the fabric, but he actually played with the images to get them to turn into prints. A speeding car was elongated to turn into horizontal stripes, which are barely recognizable as a car without close observation. A group of people sit on a colorful block that is extended onto the full length of the dress providing the majority of the color for the dress.

I think that this is the way that the fashion world is going to be heading, thanks to the constant advancements of technology. And watching designers interact with technology is utterly fascinating.

The Season of the Patterned Pant

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 14:32:58 -0400

For once, it seems that the off-the-runway trends are matching up with the on-the-runway trends at the same time. Prints are huge this season. But the most common manifestation of these is through patterned pants. All throughout the runway collections, from sporty lines like Alexander Wang to feminine versions like Erdem, the pants are being seen. The three main styles are large flowers, small flowers, or geometric, repetitive patterns. I used to stray away from patterned pants but I bought a pair this summer and am now obsessed. They’re a brilliant way to make an outfit interesting. They also can be worn so many ways — either with just a plain white tee or with a whole (purposely) mismatched ensemble.

Prep-School Inspired

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 20:55:21 -0400

These preppy, structured leather purses are all the rage off the runways. In bright colors, they make a perfect final touch to any outfit. They’re also simple enough to go with anything, yet interesting enough to still be cool.

Grrr

Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:53:42 -0400

Thanks to Givenchy’s last collection, animals seem to be the biggest trend off the runway. Personally, it’s a great trend to see because you don’t have to buy a Givenchy sweater to pull off the trend. Thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army always carry tacky animal clothing for less than $5 each.

Bringing Sweetness Back at Prada Spring 2012

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 23:38:01 -0400

Although most of the collection wasn’t anything I’d wear, I really admired the work of Miuccia. She took a word that is so feared in the fashion industry – “sweet” – and made a collection that broke away from all of its preconceived notions. Dozens of references from the 50’s were spread throughout the collection to create looks that were slightly retro, but extremely contemporary. Like most designers this season, she kept with the conservative silhouette of longer skirts and less skin that allow a collection to truly appeal to the masses. The accessories were what really did it for me, particularly the innovative car references. From the heels to the pattern of the fabric to the sunglasses, Miuccia managed to take a concept that could be so trashy and give it a very sophisticated, quirky flair.

Sorbet-Flavored Color Palette

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:26:00 -0400

A key element of any collectionis the color scheme. So often, it can make or break the looks. Phillip Lim hit the mark for his Spring 2012 collection by opting for a delicate, sherbert-like palette. As opposed to all of the neon bright colors in every other runway, these soft colors are very fresh and energizing.

Doin' It Yourself

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:21:39 -0400

Since I have been unsuccessful in my hunt for a school bag, I’ve decided to DIY some bags. These Michael Kors bags are a perfect DIY project because all they require essentially is some hemp fabric and a piece of leather. The material is really strong which is necessary for my 5 ton school books. And the earthy materials exude a quirkiness that will make my bag not blend in to the dozens of LeSportsac’s and Marc Jacobs totes passing by.

The Up-and-Coming

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 14:20:23 -0400

Over the past few seasons, a couple new designers have emerged onto the scene. Their talent is a little underrated, probably why I like them so much. They each have very different aesthetics, that I’ve seen evident in each collection. Unfortunately, their Spring 2012 collections are not appearing to be their strongest collections yet, but nevertheless, they’re still strong.

Jenni Kayne-

Although her last collection was my favorite, this is still a strong example of her work. When I think of Kayne, I think of “country-club”, “understated”, “preppy”, ” and most importantly, “everyday chic.” Kayne’s talent for color is one of my favorite elements, but her ability to make incredibly, chic, underrated clothing is what I like best. Her clothing doesn’t scream “designer”, but the quality of the pieces and the overall look make it obvious that this girl dresses with style.

Lyn Devon-

Her style reminds me very much of Jenni Kayne’s, although I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s the simple lines or basic silhouettes, or just the understated chicness. Either way, Devon has had me keeping my eye on her for several seasons now. This collection is not one of her strongest, but it still has its good pieces. The clothing are very street-friendly and perfect for day-to-night. She seems to keep in mind what the woman wants, and what will actually look good - two key elements to being a successful designer.

Band of Outsiders-

Band of Outsiders makes clothing that have a very wearable, sporty appeal. There’s no fuss - something which makes getting dressed all the more easier. Yet there’s also a very feminine side to the clothing, thanks to the new Girl line that the designers recently introduced. The new line adds the feminine, ethereal element to the clothing without being too fairy-like or little-girlish. This season showed an amalgamation of school-girl chic with prairie-like dresses and then soft, fairy-like sheaths all adding up to another successful collection.

Gregory Parkinson-

Usually what I like best about Parkinson’s designs is his use of color. And his absence of color in this collection at first left me disappointed. Yet, after going back to the collection a second time, I realized that this collection’s strength was the lack of color. The silhouettes were simple, often layered in intricate ways. Unusual cuts or lengths were on display. Small, barely-noticeable yet complex details marked the edges of dresses. All of this came together to create a beautifully evocative collection.

Kimberly Ovitz-

A minimalist color palette and a loose, sporty design aesthetic put Ovitz in the same category as designers Helmut Lang and Alexander Wang. She understands a woman’s desire to be comfortable, yet balances that with style. Her pieces steer away from hugging the body or showing off skin. Instead, they hang loosely, consciously draped around the figure. The slouchy, easy look of the clothing is for someone who cares about how they look but doesn’t need a Herve Leger dress to do so.

It's Back

Sun, 11 Sep 2011 13:44:51 -0400

Fashion Week - my favorite week of the year - has started again.

Unfortunately, the clothing on the runway is preparing us for Fall as I’m scouring stores looking for coats and boots to keep me through the not-too-cold LA winter. But regardless of the timing, fashion week is always exciting.

I’ve never been to an actual show, but with technology, it’s incredible how much I can feel like I go. The entire process is online, as everyone knows. I go to street-style blogs to check out the crowds in front of the shows and who’s wearing what to which show. I then log on to style.com to click through the moving images of the runway collections. On the more esteemed designers, I even get to see backstage images and detail shots. Then I hop on over to some other websites to read the reviews of the collections. By the time I’ve done all this, I’m nearly as exhausted as had I went to the show.

Anyways, fashion week seems to have kicked off to a great start. There are already some emerging talents who must be kept note of and some returning designers who prove why they keep coming back. Some trends have been developing - like the little pink dress - and other trends have proved to have lost their steam.

Now that I’m (semi)back to blogging, you can count on me to keep you in the loop!

It’s been months. And for that I apologize. I’ve put a halt on my blog for several...

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:01:43 -0400

It’s been months.

And for that I apologize. I’ve put a halt on my blog for several reasons. For one, I disliked the direction my blog was heading. I had stop putting energy into my posts and simply uploaded pictures with a tiny blurb. I started this blog two years ago as a way to express my feelings, emotions, and thoughts on style and fashion – not just to post pictures. When I noticed that I was adding a page to my blog everyday just filled with photos, I knew I needed to take a break until I was ready to blog the way I initially envisioned. The second reason I stopped blogging is because I have been lacking inspiration. I’ve been in a prolonged writer’s block, artistic block, and blogging block. Maybe it’s because of all the time and effort I’m putting into my college applications — and all the stress that comes along with it. But I’ve also found that it’s very difficult to maintain a blog. Not only do readers expect a regular, continuous flow of posts, but creating a unique blog is near impossible with the uncountable number of fashion blogs. As the school year picks up again, I’m hoping to post maybe once a week. I’m not going to make any promises, and I don’t want to be tied down by deadlines. I don’t want to do anymore frivolous, photo posts. I want this blog to actually be a place for my voice and my opinion. When I feel inspired, I’ll write. When I don’t feel inspired, I won’t.

So I thank all of my followers who have stayed with me during my temporary absence, but I’m back now & I’m ready to move forward.

Caught In A Braid

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:28:15 -0400

The newest hairstyle seems to be a messy braid clipped up to the head. This trend used to seem like a childish hairstyle. But as the Olsens, Sienna Miller, and Blake Lively have all been caught sporting this trend, it’s apparent that it really is not at all just for kids. Although I’m sure this look isn’t easy to do at all, there’s a certain messy ease to the look. It’s also not an exact science because there is not one exact way of wearing the look. Some people choose to only clip one braid back, others do several. Some do large braids, other do skinny ones. Some do half the hair-down with the braid, while others put all of the hair up. It’s really just a matter of preference.

Pretty in Pink

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:10:38 -0400

It’s common knowledge now that Gossip Girl is just as popular for its fashion as it is for the actual content. While I do love the complicated plotlines and tangled romances, my main motive for tuning in each Monday night is the beauty of this show, particularly the fashion. My personal style is a lot more similar to Blair’s than to Serena’s. Yet, the whole cast is always well-dressed in looks that perfectly compliment their distinct roles. This week, for the “Pretty in Pink” party, the whole cast donned pink ballgowns. Blair’s Oscar de la Renta is one of my favorite looks that she’s ever worn. It’s just the right amount of “princess” for the episode, without looking overdone or too little-girlish. It exudes confidence and class while still maintaining a youthful, fun vibe (because of the bright color).

A Fresh, New Approach

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:48:03 -0400

I’ve never copy-and-pasted another person’s blog post or writing onto my blog, nor have I ever even reblogged something before (and after this post I hope to keep it that way). However, I think that the author of Her Ribbons and Bows really captured what I feel, my response to these images, and the new leadership of Vogue Paris.

Read and enjoy!

It’s rare that I post editorials on this blog but I just had to share Géraldine Saglio’s feature for the Spring 2011 issue of Vogue Enfants photographed by Matthew Brookes. It makes such a change from the overtly sexualised images seen previously in Vogue Enfants under Carine Roitfeld’s editorship. Instead, the styling is on trend, low key and age-appropriate. It’s a breath of fresh air in a sea of editorials in which audacious appears to have become synonymous with plain risqué. Alt’s plans for a more “feminine vogue” seem to have been accomplished to great effect; the harshness of older Paris Vogue editorials has faded and been replaced with an almost intimate mood, resulting in a magazine that women really want to read.

Coachella 2011 Style

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:17:46 -0400

Within the past few years, Coachella has gone from being a hotspot of music to a hotspot for style. Sure, the music is the initial reason the people go, but what people wear and who snaps their photo ends up being more important than who actually played. This year, I didn’t find the fashion to be as great as years in the past. The Coachella style usually introduces us to summer trends, since it really is the first day of the year with that wretched LA heat. As always, cut-off denim shorts dominated the scene, mainly worn with cropped tops revealing a good 5 inches of flesh. My favorite looks were the long, airy dresses or skirts that really gave off a vibe of California hippie cool. I also am a huge fan of sheer white dresses. There is a certain simplicity to those that really works nicely for these music festivals, especially paired with brown leather accessories. And as usual, beachy, messy hair was a standard.

Dreaming of Houses

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:02:36 -0400

Clearly I don’t own my own house yet, but it’s never too early to start dreaming. There doesn’t seem to be many similarities between the different houses/rooms, but I do tend to like bright colors and graphic prints. Also, there seems to be a lot of old mixed with new.

Backwards Inspired

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:52:21 -0400

When I saw this photograph of the woman captured by The Sartorialist wearing a backwards sweater, I was immediately reminded of the Marc Jacobs collection. For Fall 2010, Marc Jacobs (who always knows how to confuse his audience) sent backwards cardigans down his runway. From the front, it just looked like a high-necked sweater. From the back, a row of mismatched buttons stood. There was a beauty to this quirkiness. To some, it seemed like someone got dressed while still half asleep. But to others, like me, he took something so basic and merely flipped it to get a completely avant-garde, original look. I think that someone who has the ability to take something so mundane and ordinary and transform it into a whole new look really understands what it means to have style.