And finally..here I am! A colorful day at the beach, in Coney Island. Going on a well deserved vacation for a couple of weeks, before starting off again in September with our style posts about fashion trends experienced in NYC and Milan. Buone Vacanze!!! Ciao, Jennifer
Arm Party = Layering Bracelets + Bracelet Combinations. Probably Leandra Medine, better known as The Man Repeller, when coined the Instagram hashtag #armparty last year had no idea that this would become a major accessory trend. This trend involves piling up to your wrist every possible bracelet - everything from bangles and cuffs, to rope bracelets and silver or gold. And in NYC every major trend is never overlooked: bright coloured bangles are the celebrities of this summer, with gemstone-embellished wristlets and leather strapped cuffs sit next to metallic gold bracelets. You probably all have noticed that the jewelry this summer is chunky and bold, a bit geometrical abstract but also and baroque, sparkly and colorful.
There was a time when jewelry accessorizing meant statement earrings or necklaces, but not this summer: you have to host a summer arm party and your wrists are the centre of attention.
There is nothing better that getting style tips from a Fashion Insider. And this week we are all very very very lucky, because I had a not-to-miss Q&A with Silvia Bianchi, General Manager for Neil Barrett, Milan. Take careful notes! And thank you Silvia for your precious suggestions! Can you describe your personal style? I love mixing male style with sexy details. I like to find the right proportions in a look. Imagine your body divided in two parts: below and over your waist. If you show one part you have to cover the other. I like to wear very short skirts with a shirt, or long pants with a sexy top. And I never forget high heels. How does Milan inspire your day-to-day style? Milan is a great inspiration, it is always looking forward, a step ahead. Every day and night it is playful to find something special to wear and being different. Milan gives you the opportunity to show your personality and is very demanding: always surprise with clothes and accessories, never be ordinary. How does your job inspire your style? I loved Neil Barrett's style even before starting working here. I am very lucky to work for a fashion brand that I love – a philosophy and a style can determine every choice here. At Neil Barrett the focus is in the details: details make the difference in a dress, in shoes, in your house and in your life. What do you think about the current summer bold color trend? Are you wearing it? How are you wearing it? It's a few season that the fashion world is talking about color blocking and unexpected colors. Designers are very playful about it. They are making bolder choices introducing electric blue, brilliant yellow and emerald green (my favorite color in our spring summer collection). It's easier to wear black or white to be ultimately elegant, but using colors in the right way is an interesting exercise in every season. I love yellow flat sandals, emerald green dress and a hot pink bikini. How people in Milan are wearing this summer bold colors trend? In Milan nobody is afraid to wear something bold or colorful, but without crossing the line of elegance. Especially during Milan Fashion Week, people wear looks often more interesting than the ones showed on the runway! Designers and fashion blogger take inspiration by street style like a real red carpet. What is/are the must-have pieces for this summer in Milan? This season offers wonderful geometric prints. The main theme is somewhat classic, but with a touch of bold. In winter the must was a Celine bag. This season everyone has chosen Stella McCartney or a bold colored clutch, funnier for a night out. During a summer day I would rather use big sized bags to carry everything for the city. I like to carry big bags at the beach as well to be always ready to go to a pool party! What are some of your favorite places to shop in Milan? And online?I like to go around the city to discover new shops and new brands. If you follow the trends of the top fashion brands, then you can play them out with the new talents. In Milan I like Clan Cafè in the Brera district, Antonioli in the Navigli district and Agent Provocateur at Rinascente. Online I opt for net-a-porter.com, luisaviaroma.com and other main Italian brands’ online stores. And of course neilbarrett.com!
I have recently been told by my friend back in Milan about a new viral multi-colored trend for all the Italian fashionistas: Cruciani’s bracelets! Unfortunately they are not sold in the US for now, but it is a fun, colorful and summery trend worth to write about.
The phenomenon of four-leaf clover bracelets by Cruciani broke in August 2011 when, in front of Cruciani's boutique in Forte dei Marmi (Tuscany), people were queuing to grab one or more colors of the bracelet of the summer. And the word of mouth did not take long to spread all over Italy.
Cruciani’s bracelets made their grand debut in Milan back in September 2011 at THE fashion event of the year, Milan’s Vogue Fashion Night Out. Cruciani dedicated a limited edition of the bracelets, created ad hoc for the Milan’s Fashion Week and its success was instant among the Milanesefashion crowd. Cipriani’s partnership with the famous textile group Caprai, made this collection even more valuable for the exclusive craftsmanship. The bracelets are all made from needle lace macramé by Caprai textile group: absolutely 100% made in Italy.
The most famous Cruciani’s bracelets are easily distinguishable from 7 shamrocks macramé lace flanked by a C. In particular, the bracelet with the cloverleaf was born from an idea by Luca Caprai and now it is available in a variety of subjects: from the famous four-leaf clover, to hearts, to the ultimate success, the butterfly. Each represents a symbol, respectively luck, love and femininity and freedom.
The price of the bracelets Cruciani varies depending on the model, but the average for each bracelet would be 10 euros, that is $14 dollars, so it is really budget friendly! You can check all the bracelets out and buy them online (shipping in Europe) at www.braccialetticruciani.it. You can find the complete list of licensed retailers in Milan here.
Today is the day that in Milan everybody – and I literally mean everybody and the city becomes a “ghost city” for the entire month of August – goes in vacation, as it is the first weekend bridging into August. All my friends back in Milan are ready to leave for the beautiful beaches in Italy, or are already travelling to do so.
So, thinking about vacation time and tanning on the beach, I am thinking also about beachwear!
And in Milan everybody LOVES Calzedonia’s swimwear – which is unfortunately not available in the US. I have been a dedicated and loyal fan of their collections since they opened in 1986 in Italy and season after season they have become the most trendy, fashionable and successful Italian brand for hosiery and beachwear. So as I am not in Milan, I have missed my yearly Calzedonia’s beachwear shopping, but my mother was so nice to send me one J
Calzedonia’s beachwear for Summer 2012 is all about bright colors! My favorite collection is the one called “Raffy”, simple styles and young lines for an easy to wear bikinis to comfortably fit the body. Patterns are declined into three different models: push-up, bandeau (my all time favorite!) or triangle tops. And you can choose whatever color you prefer, as each pattern is offered in every color of the season. Raffy collection is a timeless trend for all women, with different body types, as you can mix and match different styles for top and bottoms and different sizes as well.
Below some examples of the swimwear collection for this Summer. It is not easy to find a definite one trend for the swimwear this summer, the brand likes to present various offers from bandeau bikinis (the most popular trend and I would say also the most comfortable for tanning), triangle bikinis, to more edgy paillettes bikinis. What do you think?
The brand launched a campaign for this Summer to recycle old swimwear, in collaboration with "I: collect Ag", a company that operates in the field of environmentally compatible recycling.
Until June 30, all types of swimwear for men, women and children, regardless of brand - and not necessarily purchased from Calzedonia - would be revived in the form of insulating material for buildings, share rubbery carpets, upholstery. But even stuffing of toys, bags or rags for cleaning.
Green initiative, among many others that occupy the front pages of newspapers in this period, which also brings an economic advantage to those who embrace it: for every old lady costume, whole or bikini, which will be returned, there will be a discount 5 euros on the purchase of a new bikini. An interesting idea without any doubt.
I am trying to show post after post how in NYC the bright color trend is a big thing. And colors have been showed off in various types of outfits, from shorts to shoes, from accessories to dresses. But a huge trend building up on the bright color trend is the asymmetrical skirt. Being quite an unusual fashion piece, an asymmetrical skirt is not easy to choose and not that easy to wear. Most of the ones I saw here in the streets of New York are pleated bright color skirts worn in a quite simple and easy way: bright asymmetrical skirt, a simple t-shirt or a tank top, a pair of sandals and a statement bag.
But I prefer asymmetrical skirts worn with high heels. This because the cut of the skirt would stand out to be very floaty thanks to the posture given by wearing high heels. Like dresses, skirts are one of the most feminine and elegant pieces in a woman’s wardrobe. I believe all of you would agree with me in saying that there are days when you want to feel special, girlish and feminine and wearing a skirt gives that additional non-so-che.
I know it does not have anything to do either with Milan or New York. But it definitely has to do with the bright color trend. And with style. And if you have followed me on my blog up to now or my Pinterest board you would surely know I am a big fan of Kate Middleton's style. She is always impeccable in her choices, elegant, simple but never boring – always up to the last trend.
On July 19, 2012 the Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a private showing of a photographic exhibition in occasion of the upcoming London Olympic Games. Kate wore a simple electric blue Stella McCartney’s Ridley Stretch dress, a piece from the designer’s fall 2012 collection. The bright electric blue form fitting dress is great in its super simple lines and its most distinctive feature is the darts on the outside of the fabric. The main accessories was a Olympic symbol recalling Cartier statement necklace. As usual, Kate has a inclination for subtly giving a nod to the occasion through her choices (blue in fact recalls the color of the UK Olympic uniforms).
The piece is priced at $885 on the Stella McCartney US, but of course, as it happens with most of the outfits or accessories worn by Kate Middleton, it is no longer available on the UK McCartney site.
Not only Kate’s decision to wear a bright blue dress is following this Summer big hit trend, but wearing Stella McCartney makes perfect sense, as she designed Team GB’s Olympic uniforms.
And I came across this super detailed blog entirely dedicate on the daily Duchess's outfits: whatkatewore.com
I received a very specific fashion question from Camilla: What to wear and how to incorporate bright colors to a professional outfit for a conference she has to attend in New York in August?
And here is my answer, Camilla: I would keep it quite professional, but trendy at tasteful at the same time. For an occasion like a conference, interview or client presentation you really can't go wrong with a silky blouse— mid-length sleeves will add a little polish if you're wearing a skirt— and I would wear it in a neutral color (I suggest the basic white). The skirt should me in my opinion a basic color, too. I love the classic and endless black-and-white contrast. As it is summer you could opt for a light-weighed chiffon black skirt, effortless yes elegant. To add a pop of color, I would wear the trend in your accessories choice. I would personally go for a bright color bag toad a pop of color and incorporate the bright color trend we are all in love with!
Don’t forget the shoes! If you are choosing a bright color bag, you could follow two strategies from here. Either pairing a color-blocking shoe if you feel particularly bold! Purple or electric blue would be great as a color blocking contrast if you carry an emerald green bag. Otherwise you can opt for what Anna Kendrick chose, that is a neutral wedge – always classy. The shoe should be either a ballerina flat or a simple wedge over a stiletto shoe, simply because they're easier to run around in.
Camilla, I believe this outfit idea is great for your occasion and it is quite easy to replicate! What do you think? And if you go for it, please send me a picture of your outfit and we can share it on my blog!
Enjoy J
My best friend Benedetta in Milan is a true fashionista. She is always on top of every trend and as long as we have know each other, we have always shared the same taste in fashion and often bought the same clothes without even shopping together! As now we are living in two different cities, the way we can share our fashionable findings is sending pictures of our new purchases to each other and this blog is becoming quite handy also to share with other fashionistas as well.
The other day Benedetta sent me an email saying that she bought this fabulous pair of “sneaker heels” and I was curious to see the pic, and here it is!
A white sneaker with a neon pink pump drawn on it! I haven’t seen them worn here in NYC, but she told me that in Milan is becoming a trend. The brand Be&Dhas introduced the “sneaker heel” that plays tricks on the eyes with a hot pink silhouette of a sexy stiletto along its side. Unlike other heel lace-ups, these shoes are actually real sneakers; meaning your feet will be planted safely on the ground at all times. Some might argue that Be&D is running along the same lines as faux evening wear, such as “à la tuxedo” T-shirts, but Benedetta and I like them a lot as a clever, clever, and fun alternative to this season's trend high fashion sneaker, featured in various fashion magazines as well.
So, if you want to give a twist and not wear your colored Converse this summer, go for this fun pair of sneakers. The price is pretty affordable too, Be&D Brightlight Big City sneaker, $128, on beandd.com. You can view the Moda Operandi video below directed by Bettina Santo Domingo and including all the graphic-printed sneakers in the Be&D collection. Enjoy!
Sometimes the best answer is the simplest one. A few days ago, I spotted this wearable T-Shirt dress in Soho. Its deep aquamarine color makes it very fashionable for this summer, even though it is a very simple fitted dress. It's super warm in New York right now and the ladys of the city are opting for relaxed and easy outfits, without giving up the bright color trend at all. This dress seems very comfortable and leightweighted, and I believe the T-Shirt cut makes it really fun. I like that to make the color of the dress pop out, she paired it with neutral accessories: a light brown leather bag and matching flat summer sandals. And not to freeze for the A/C in the office or whenever you enter in a store here in NYC, why not carrying with you a simple white summer jacket?
In my previous post about colorful flat sandals, Cécile asked me if I could pick some high street options that could be as trendy and fun. And here are my favorites:
This pair of flats is quite similar to the Balenciaga ones I bought, here I chose green, but it is offered in dfferent color as you would see from their website and the price is $79. The brand is Sam Edelman, a brand I discovered here in NYC. He is an American shoe designer and I believe his collection follow carefully the trends of each season, and then he adds a special "edgy" and "rock-and-roll" touch to it. He has a lot of celebrity fans, like rachel Bilson, Lauren Konrad and Kim Kardashian. And I found out that one of my favorite style icons, Kate Moss, is a huge fan, and I ran into this great yet wearable outfit with the designer's embellished flat sandals.
The next options are from TopShop, a brand that we all know of and has always great eclectic findings to add to our wardrobe. I selected two pair of flats. The first one here below is a coral greek-like chiffon sandals, which I believe are quite dramatic for a summer evening and very playful, even to wear with a simple jeans short, or a total white or black outfit.
This other pair is instead super simple and super chic, and recalls the Fiona Jimmy Choo Sandals i previously posted in yellow (but for your reference you can find the same style in gold as well). And the price is great, too: £10 on the UK website!
Chinese Laundry is another great brand and e-commerce to find budget-friendly shoes, but still very very fashionable. Here I chose the basics white and black sandals, at a very great price of $39.99.
Last but not least, my favorite pair of Aldocollection: a bright pink embellished T-strap sandal (in other colors as well), a style that was seen on both Blake Lively and Solange Knowels. A colorful embellished sandals can add a little edge to every outfit.
