Burberry Prorsum Spring 2011: All the more reason to love Christopher Bailey

My utopia consists of a closet filled with every piece Christopher Bailey has created for Burberry Prorsum. And a big red ottoman. I wrote a post on some of his work this summer, and I anticipated his spring 2011 show like a child anticipates Santa's arrival. This season's collection is called Heritage Biker and is very fitting. For example, Bailey throws a lime green belt against a mauve-ish/gray-ish coat and snake skin leggings in a way that says "I'm hot, chic, fierce...AND I ride a BMW motorcycle." This 50-piece collection paid tribute to Burberry's illustrious past while also pushing the edge, literally. The collection is full of signature Burberry trench coats, yet they are shrunken, studded, and paired with anything and everything skin-tight.

Of course many of you know I am partial to neutral color pallets. For me, beige, brown, black, white...charcoal...they're really all I need. This collection demonstrates that these colors can be transformed through textile into a work of art. I truly believe you could have an entire wardrobe of neutrals and each piece could be completely innovative. I also think that working with color, at times, can be easier than working with neutrals because they are colors that have been worked and reworked for centuries. My favorite looks in this collection are definitely the ones that are all "neutral," even though I appreciate the splashes of color Bailey presents. Anywho, here are my favorite looks. Enjoy!

Photos from...http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/S2011RTW-BURBERRY

Kingston Rossdale: The most fashionable child....ever

If you told me five years ago that I'd someday be envious of a 4 year-old's wardrobe I probably would have asked you how much you had to drink that day. However, today I find myself admiring Kingston Rossdale's prekindergarten leather jackets and super cool unlaced boots. Although I feel a little guilty finding fashion inspiration through a child whose privacy has undoubtedly been exploited, Rossdale's fierce style is so wrong, yet so right. I mean, I guess it was inevitable seeing as his parents are the epitome of rocker chic. Anyways, wow this kid is super stylin' and now I've exposed the fact that I've Google stalked a kid who probably reads Dr. Seuss and goes to bed before 8:00 p.m... I'm a creep.

photos from Just Jarred

Runway Review: Michael Kors RTW Spring 2011

When I first looked through the 64 looks of this mega collection I didn't really see the underlying message. But after reading a few other reviews (shoot me for not having an original, unresearched interpretation) I agree with other fashion critics that this collection is a winner.

So what is the cohesive thread that holds his collection together? Well, Kors views the collection as a tribute to nature and the simplicity of being, something that he refers to as a "green awakening." Kors looked to his own backyard for inspiration, particularly the splendor he has encountered while living in Water Island, New York City, and Big Sur. The color choices are definitely sensible: mostly white, green, and beige with a splashes of sky blue, thulian pink, and springtime yellow throughout the collection. Looking at the way the pieces in this collection flow as they are modeled down the runway emulates a natural breeze. These garments are definitely boardwalk-friendly.

My favorite looks are featured above. I love the belted suit on the far left because it's classic and something I could see women wearing on the beaches of the Virgin Islands and on either coast. I think this speaks to the different geographical areas Kors is trying to represent through his collection. Additionally, I love the potato-sack meets mod dresses, especially the bright yellow and beige ones pictured. I'm not sure why I find this silhouette so appealing, especially because I tend to favor figure-flattering pieces, but there's something about the simplicity of this design that I like. I also love the makeup and hair choices. They are au naturale and gorgeous, and literally that is all you need to say about them- definitely applaud-worthy choices on Kors' part.

I definitely am not keen on the majority of the menswear looks in this collection. Most of them remind me of Grey's Anatomy--trench coats thrown over scrubs. It was like a dozen McDreamys strutting down the runway trying to hide the sexcapade they had moments before heading to the hospital. Kinda hot, but only Patrick Dempsey's fictional character could pull these ensembles off.

Here's a recap of Michael Kors' Spring 2011 RTW collection. To see the full collection, visit Style.com or Women's Wear Daily.

SEMI-SHEER WHITE LINEN

BUCKET HATS

BELTED ONE-PIECE SWIMSUITS

RELAXED

OPEN CUT COATS AND CARDIGANS

RUSTIC SEA-SIDE

FLATS

NATURE-INSPIRED

Yikes, I've been busy. But I'll be back this weekend!

I
t's always around this time of year when things get a wee bit hectic. I'm currently a contributing writer for Sedona Monthly Magazine and the Arizona Daily Wildcat, and have been working 9 hours a week at the University of Arizona Press in addition to my part-time job at the University of Arizona's Event Planning Office. Did I mention I'm taking 15 credit hours and tutoring students at Pima Community College who are learning English as a second language? Oh, and then there's my internship with College Fashion where I am managing and editing biweekly blog posts from my team of 11 interns. Holy cannoli. I know it sounds like I'm complaining, but I totally am not. I absolutely love everything I'm doing and what brings me down are two inevitable events that I can't ever seem to prevent: one, RemChic falls by the wayside and two, my seasonal allergies kick in and cause me to fall even more behind. Thank you all for being patient with me and just so you know, I will be working on RemChic this Friday evening/night and will be bringing you a ton of fresh content this weekend, especially some great reports on NY Fashion Week (which ends today, sadly). Please stay tuned and thank you so much for your continuous support and loyalty. Until this Friday, you can enjoy this silly picture I took of myself. I think it captures how braindead I feel at the end of each 10 hour day haha. Xo!

Quotes & Couture X

"The perfect accessory can make the difference between looking blah and totally to die for."

-Michael Kors

RemChic Recommends: Must-Have Products September 2010

This month I am focusing on a handful of this fall's most amazing trends: gray, bra alternatives, and trousers/pants with edge. These are among my favorite trends and believe you me, I have been shopping my little heart out trying to find the best pieces to represent these style crazes. Gray is definitely the hottest color this season and is frequently paired with camel a la Michael Kors. However, because camel (in my opinion) only goes well with certain (and very few) skin tones, I have chosen to focus on gray as a singular entity. Grays this season are coming in a variety of hues from heather gray to charcoal to grayish blue. I personally have been buying gray in dolman sleeve silhouettes. I don't know if this is coincidence or part of the trend, but I just love dolman cut tops. Additionally, the September issue of Harper's Bazaar had a great article on the recent braless trend. Now, I know this isn't for everyone, but i my opinion, as long as nobody knows your braless, you're in the clear. I say secretly braless is better than faux paux exposed bra straps- ick! For those of you who are sick and tired of the traditional underwire bra, but aren't ready to go braless, RemChic has you covered! I've chosen some really cute and comfy bra alternatives, commonly referred to as "bralettes." A word of warning: if you need support, these probably aren't for you. And as far as hardcore trousers, well we owe that to the Olsen twins and their Fall 2010 RTW collection of The Row. Look out for motorcyle-inspired trousers, silk versions, and mixed media pants, such as baggy liquid fabrics with leather pockets. Of course, black is a must for this item. Alright, now that you've been briefed, let's get to it!

Remember, all of the products are in the scroll box below, and if you are interested in purchasing any of the items simply click on the photo and it will take to you a site where you can purchase it! Yay!

Vintage 101: How to shop vintage with help from Posh Girl Vintage

I have always been enthralled with the fashionable geniuses found on websites such as Lookbook and The Sartorialist. After years of following these sites, I noticed a lot of the featured fashionistas shop (and find great pieces) through vintage stores. I began hunting for garments to add to my own wardrobe and realized I was entering a completely new realm of shopping. In my naive mind, I expected to skip through Savers, grabbing a red cashmere cardigan here and a fitted vintage leather jacket there, but was that the case? Nope! Let me paint you a more accurate picture. I stepped into Savers one day completely enthused and as soon as I pried open the rusty metal framed doors I came across crying children with runny noses and the lingering smell of moth balls. The glamor dial went from 10/10 to -10/10 in about one millisecond.

My determination carried me through, and I think I may have even purchased a Ralph Lauren button-up that day from the men's section, but needless to say, I had a long ways to go when it came to what I thought was vintage shopping. Then, as if the vintage gods knew I needed assistance, I randomly came across the most amazing website, Posh Girl Vintage. The site was clean, easy to navigate, and had some really cute things! I was so impressed I even featured the site right here on RemChic. Soon thereafter, the owner Brigitte contacted me and she and her website have been a great resource for me ever since.

I know a lot of you are interested in vintage shopping, so I arranged an interview with Brigitte in order to get an expert opinion on all things vintage-related. This is a lot of text, but trust me, it's completely worth reading. Here's what she had to say:

1) Could you give us a little background information on who you are, what Posh Girl Vintage is, etc.?

We have a page called "A Little About Us" were you can read more, but basically we are a family owned and operated business in Los Angeles, California. My grandmother was a model, and head buyer for two high-end department stores in Newport Beach in the late 50's , 60's & early 70's. My mother and I are the main people who run Posh Girl. I'm the owner and have been interested in well made clothing and vintage since I was 14. I went to school for art and web design and decided to merge my two interests by starting Posh Girl about 10 years ago!

2)  Where do you recommend readers look for vintage pieces?

Back in the day thrift stores were the place to go, but now the larger chains like Goodwill have large companies that go in and buy up the vintage clothing before it goes out onto the thrift store floors, so it is rare to find it there anymore. Online has the best variety and usually if they're a good shop, they will clean them before they sell. So nowadays online is the best place.

3) How does one know the difference between vintage and vintage-inspired?

Inspired is brand new with lower quality fabrics and construction, usually. You can tell right away what is real and what is not. But inspired can be good when you can't afford the 50's party dress or that Ossie Clark piece. There is a reason why a lot of vintage is so expensive. The quality of the make and fabric is just gorgeous! Especially designer vintage.


4) No one wants to buy something that's obsolete. Are there any vintage staple pieces that are must-haves?

That is a tough question because fads change all the time and more importantly it really depends on your style. I personally love late 60's and early 70's so for me those things are must have's. Also, anything Ossie Clark & Biba I love. But if you are an 80's girl then you'll want things from that decade. Vintage never goes out of style. That is the great thing about it, it's a great investment. It's a true classic!


 5) Why do you feel it's important to incorporate vintage pieces into one's wardrobe?

Mainly for individuality. Most vintage is one of a kind so you never see anyone else with the same outfit.

6) If you want to add any more information that's pertinent to vintage shopping (especially for novices) please share your thoughts!

For the most successful shopping experience make sure you pay attention to the sizes and how each site measures. A good vintage site will have a lot of details and information on how they work & size things on their information pages, so take 5 minutes to read it, then always ask questions if you are unsure about something. Compare the inches to a dress/ similar item you already own that fits.


Keep in mind that most vintage will need to be altered a bit to fit you perfectly since, because of the US diet, we were a lot smaller & shorter back then, which is why it's so hard to find good plus sized vintage! I try my hardest, but it is just not out there for cuter well made stuff.


I always list flaws but a lot of sellers don't and you may be disappointed when you receive the item, so ask if there is anything they did not mention if you are picky about the condition but keep in mind 99% of vintage is never going to be like new or perfect.


Something I think is very important, if the seller does not clean their clothing make sure you do before it comes into contact with your other clothing. Remember a lot of vintage has been in storage for 50 or so years. It can have bugs, even invisible eggs, that will infest your closet. I never let anything uncleaned on my work or home premises. I always wash with water when ever possible and even after I clean I store all vintage with a special blend of natural potpourri that repels bugs from natural fabrics like silk and wool.

Why every girl should own a pair of red shoes

Red shoes are better than red lips. Why? You get all of the confidence without any of the smudgy mess or risk of embarrassment (red lipstick loses all of its mojo once it's stuck on your teeth). Your red shoes provide sass in a more secretive manner because they are on your feet instead of being the focal point of your face. Your feet are your foundation, and red shoes provide a buttress of boldness. And I'm not talking about maroon. Maroon shoes are dated. Maroon shoes are the color of fall. Cherry red, fire engine red, pow-boom-smack! red...that's what I'm talking about. Because every girl needs oomph all year long, not just during one season. So ladies and gents, here's my pair: a pair of Adrienne Vittadini flats. They are certified RemChic red in patent leather with a peep toe and cutesy black bows. Not to mention they are the only flats I own that actually have a little bit of traction, so I can parade around rain or shine.

Inspired by...Costello Tagliapietra RTW Fall 2010

 

RemChic Note: "Inspired by..." is a series that focuses on highlighting an outstanding runway collection. These articles summarize different elements of the collection, as well as show affordable pieces that are inspired by the collection. The objective here is to recognize high fashion and to translate it into a budget-friendly wardrobe. Imitation is not the objective.

Up-and-coming designers Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra are, in my opinion, on the fast track towards becoming a household name. If you aren't familiar with Costello Tagliapietra, the two east coasters came together to create their own fashion house after working together for over 10 years. Their first collection debuted in 2005 and was extremely well-received by the couture community. I have been following them for the past few years and let me just say that I have never been disappointed or wondered to myself what in the world is that?

Simply put, their designs are smart. The two are self-proclaimed math nerds and spend countless hours debating the geometric configurations of their designs. Their pieces are feminine, ingeniously tailored, and finished with the most exquisite detailing, whether it be a peak-a-boo of lace, an exposed zipper, or a super slimming waist belt. Their collections are also somewhat of a beautiful oxymoron in the sense that their pieces are always fresh and innovative, yet the core of their designs is always the same: figure flattering and fluid.

Maureen Callahan of The New York Post says (in more articulate words than I possess) “Their relative anonymity is even more startling given that their pieces—exquisitely languid, small miracles of draping and folding—flatter nearly every body type. The dresses are a bit of a contradiction; their complicated infrastructure accounts for their astounding fluidity, and they are as comfortable as they are glamorous.” Here are seven of my favorite C.T. looks from fall 2010 (pictures are from style.com).

Their fall 2010 RTW collection is Japanese-inspired and mixes a sort of silk kimono look with their signature draping, so when you are out-and-about shopping for Costello Tagliapietra inspirations, definitely keep in mind Japanese-esque looks and liquid fabrics. First, search for draped dresses that have muted tones. I've chosen a great gray and pink two-toned dress from ASOS. Then I noticed that all of the models wore different variations of brown and beige peep toe booties, so I've included a few pairs from Lord & Taylor,  Seychelles Women's, and Elizabeth and James. There is also a lot of sunset colors within this collection, especially different variations of tangerine, so I've included a draped nectar orange top by Cielo. Of course, you can't forget a thin waist belt, so I've chosen a funky two toned nickel and brass belt by Madewell. For a final touch, add in some cherry red lipstick! Notice all the models have really vibrant lips? Well, so should you! Try Stila's "Paint Your Pout Red" lip palette!

That concludes my post on Costello Tagliapietra's fall 2010 RTW collection! What do you guys think? Leave me a comment!

Celebrity Style File: Sienna Miller

 Photo Credit

New York born, London raised Sienna Miller is the poster child for London-meets-NYC streetwear. Although Miller is known for being on the big screen, she first got her foot in the door by strutting down the catwalk. Then, the jack-of-all-trades star merged the two and simultaneously took her acting and fashion pursuits to new heights throughout the 2000's. Most notably, Miller has been practically singled out and credited with the fashion phenomenon known as "boho chic." Not only is Miller a fashion icon, she has also taken her savvy style and colaborated with sister, Savannah, to design their own fashion label, Twenty8Twelve. Fashion has undoubtedly become a major component in Miller's fast-paced life and due to her early exposure and experience in the industry she has had a lot of time to solidify her fashion philosophy. In fact, she once said: "Style is definitely a combination of place, occasion, surroundings, body and mood...style doesn't mean you have to stick to all-brands-looks. The thing is, you can't buy style and you can only slowly learn it." Ah, words to live, learn, and shop by!

Here are a few things you might want to know if you are considering translating elements of Sienna's style into your own wardrobe:

-Sienna is the perfect example of effortless chic. All of her outfits look as if they were thrown together without rhyme or reason and come out flawlessly. Try pairing things together that you wouldn't normally; you may be surprised with your creation!

-Sienna's favorite designers are Missoni, Marchesa, Matthew Williamson, and Chloé. Go to style.com and visit each designer's archive for some inspiration!

-Look up advice straight from Sienna! She has been asked about her style countless times and her words of wisdom are documented all over the web. Here's one I really like: "Never try too hard. Start with a sun dress, add jeans or tights underneath, and toss a skinny jacket over. To pull the outfit together, a strand of bold beads, a wide rustic belt, and perfectly worn-in boots complete it just so."

Exhibit A: Daytime Attire

Sienna is always well-dressed in an aberrant manner, meaning her ensembles are always eclectic, as well as inspiring. Her taste is very particular, in a way that will make you tilt your head a little bit as she struts down the sidewalk. Her looks are complete from head-to-toe and whether she is wearing a menswear button up with tattered denim shorts or a prairie sundress and cognac colored boots, Miller's free spirit always shines through her ensembles. Afterall, you are what you wear.

 

If you like Sienna's daytime style, here is an array of items I could definitely see her wearing:

Exhibit B: Evening Attire

Sienna's red carpet looks are about bold prints, interesting shapes, and dramatic details, such as an embellished built-in collar or huge embedded studs on an otherwise simple dress. Miller has done everything from Grecian chiffon to ombré dyed to a train of fiery red feathers. You really don't know what to expect, and I think that's part of Miller's style...delivering the unexpected.

Here are some more inspired-by items that will get your creative juices flowing when trying to incorporate Sienna's style into your evening outfit:

Let's Review

Here are some "catch words" when trying to emulate Sienna Miller's style into your own wardrobe!

 

Casual Attire:

WORN DENIM
LEATHER
STUDS
BOOTIES
BUCKLED BOOTS
BOLD PATTERNS
OXFORDS
NAUTICAL STRIPES
POPS OF RED
CROP TOPS
OPAQUE TIGHTS
CLUNKY GLADIATOR SANDALS
SKINNY JEANS
LONG, VINTAGE NECKLACES

Evening Attire:

UNIQUE SHAPES

SILK

EXTREMELY LOW BACKS

LONG SLEEVES

FLOOR LENGTH

GEOMETRIC OR ABSTRACT PATTERNS

TIERED LAYERS

CUFFS

CHIFFON

PEEP TOE PUMPS

HAIR PINS (FOR LOOSE BUNS)

EXPOSED SHOULDERS

What do you think?

Do you like Sienna's style? Are there any celebs you'd like to see on Celebrity Style File? Let me know with a comment or e-mail me at info at remchic dot com! If you want more info. on Sienna, check out this article I wrote on College Fashion!

 

PHOTO CREDITS:

http://www.style.com/peopleparties/celebritysearch/person2614?page=3

http://www.hipgirlie.com/tag/sienna-miller/

http://www.fabsugar.com/Sienna-Miller-Gray-Tank-Cardigan-White-Oxfords-Walking-Along-Bondi-Beach-3514355

Fashion News: Michael Kors receives Lifetime Achievement Award

American designer Michael Kors has won the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award from the CFDA this summer. After over 30 years in the design industry, Kors has been a pioneer in defining all-American fashion. Kors certainly deserves the recognition, but it is somewhat unexpected as fashion critics have undoubtedly referred to Kors as an amateur designer for the past 15+ years. The pleasant surprise is well deserved in my opinion, and as a tribute to Kors I've put together a photo collection of his designs from fall 2010, as well as some of my favorite Michael Kors and MICHAEL by Michael Kors products. Enjoy!

Photo Credits: style.com