Designers Reimagine the Future of Sport in 2040 at Arizona State University

Emerge 2016: The Future of Sport 2040 logo

Arizona State University will be hosting the fifth annual edition of its Emerge festival tomorrow – an occasion that will bring together the minds of artists, scientists, storytellers, engineers, dancers, roboticists, ethicists and athletes, in creating an imagined future.

Designed to cater to a crowd of innovators and forward thinkers, the focus this year is on “The Future of Sport 2040”. The carnival atmosphere will allow for a wholly interactive experience from advanced robotics demonstrations to group TED talks with influencers from an array of industries.

Topics will include the future of cheating, the future of big data, super-cyborgs and athletes in outer space. The future of performance-wear will also play a major role, with a runway set up in the Wells Fargo Arena to convey the work of 10 designers. Concept pieces created especially for the occasion will be on show, presenting the impact of future technologies through explanations by an emcee in place of such functionality yet being possible. Once the looks have been modelled, they will take to a podium for further observation and designer Q&A.

Arizona designer Angela Johnson and Project Runway participant Emily Payne were both involved. As the owner of LabelHorde – a hub for manufacturing, design services, co-working, education and more – Johnson took the helm on rounding up designers to participate.

Multi-purpose sport look by Angela Johnson

To see some of the futuristic sketches and read more on the future of sports in 2040, head on over to Fashion & Mash.

Fall/Winter 2016/17 Trend Report

If fashion once worked in defined clockwork cycles, this season is proving the fluidity of today’s runways and trends. While two of our dominant themes prevail from the ’70s, the rest of our designers are spanning the timeline making pitstops in every decade (skip the 1950s) from the ’20s through the late ’90s.

Unique designer inspirations from the late David Bowie to Tim Burton’s cult classic Beetlejuice leave the runways teaming with a striking contrast of wearable garments to obscene styling.

While some collections prove comically avant-garde *cough, cough Comme Des Garcons*, the bulk of the productions put drool-worthy context to the term “ready to wear”.

Leisured Sophisticate

Whether it’s the Studio 54 gold lamé deep-v fitted jumpsuit or the olive green velveteen leisure suit resting a top a paisley pointed collar shirt, the 1970’s is a time period full of audacious dressing. For fall/winter 2016/17, looks hop right off the tour buses of the Vinyl decade from the rockers themselves straight through to the girls that swoon at their feet. Daily leisure to nightly lavishness, the trends endure.

A.P.C.

Derek Lam

Mara Hoffman

Kaelen

The details: Suedes, crushed velvets, corduroys, chenilles, silks and lamés make up the luxuriousness of this era of dress. Muted-half tones are often paired with highly bold color calling to vibrancy of the decade. Pattern is not something designers shy away from, dipping lightly into the trends of the decade prior. Lessening the psychedelia, and upping the sophistication with softer folkloric prints, the ’70s is marked by the beginning of decadence in fashion and lifestyle.

Aalto

Leonard

Vetements

Mara Hoffman

Another major change coming out of the seventies is the start of “sexy”. Plunging neck lines, tight fitting turtleneck sweaters, hot pants, cinched waists – it’s all about showing off the body. Fit-and-flare dominates  with the bell sleeve and bell bottom at the helm of most wardrobes.

Alice + Olivia

Area

Derek Lam 10 Crosby

Roksanda

A marker of societal change with the early start of the “career woman”, singular modes of dress for women are left behind. Skirts now come in three lengths; short, midi and maxi. Jumpsuits and high-waisted pants topped off by massive belt buckles are the height of popularity.

Akris

Missoni

Vanessa Seward

Vivienne Tam

*Accessories note: The beveled-square toe platform boot is back and it’s begging for a dig through mom and dad’s record collection for some Nancy Sinatra. These boots were made for walkin’ and they’re doing it from ankle booties through to thigh-highs.

Balenciaga

Marc Jacobs

Balenciaga

Maison Margiela

*Beauty note: The shag rests atop most heads in this trend, with the odd break for an obvious Farah Fawcett flip.

Chloe

Michael Kors Collection

Chloe

Boss

Prairie Savant

If rocker socialite defines the first ’70s trend, Prairie Savant is the sweet and naive cousin visiting for the week from South Dakota. This trend occupies the softer side of the ’70s as it is categorized by the rural muting of modes of dress, the step back from the rise to self-indulgence and an inclination to stick to a strongly feminine aesthetic.

Sonia Rykiel

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Kenzo

The Details: Thin cottons, sheers, linens, laces, satins and tulles make up the fabric selection on these delicate garments. Softer hues and washed out floral prints bring a delicate beauty to the long-flowing garments. Primarily maxi frocks, the prairie look is one easily identified by the mass of ruffles.

Chloe

Simone Rocha

Toga

Erdem

Hints of romanticism sweep through this trend with ruffled collar bibs, cape build-ins and flouncing details that key in the English Rose aesthetic. Ruffles appear in all forms from lining dresses and maxi skirts to dangling at the high-hip of a loose fitting bohemian blouse.

Francesco Scognamiglio

Fendi

Kenzo

Sonia Rykiel

Recalling the first decade to touch upon the prairie-look, the ’30s leg of mutton sleeve offers body to the otherwise subdued trend. The effect is used at varying degrees allowing a designer to play around with the drama of the look. The female necktie also makes a reappearance offering a lighter segue into the trend without the risk of going matronly.

Brock Collection

Manish Arora

Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini

Ulla Johnson

*Beauty note: Hair styles favor the tapered quiff, with an elevated semi-roll in front and the gelled front “greaser”.

Kenzo

Kenzo

Miu Miu

Miu Miu

Mawkish Escapism

The romance dips deeper into the historical waters with the Mawkish Escapism trend. Influences pull from the Renaissance era, touch upon the ’20s and even go darker with the 17th century coven-laden garments. This trend runs the gamut of poetic nostalgia, with draping and femininity as its mainstays.

Elie Saab

Naeem Khan

Reem Acra

Antonio Marras

The Details: Luxe textiles include velour, chantilly lace, brocade, georgette, damask and various other sheer fabrics. The use of textile contrast from the rigid to the flowing in a mass of jewel tones and blacks establishes a refined grandeur in the designs. At times touched with a chromatic abstract print, the opulence grows all the greater.

Andrew Gn

Etro

Marchesa

Monique Lhuillier

Feminine silhouettes hold a certain delicacy, even whilst the design elements go in a slightly villainous direction. Crumpled features, sheer elements, high collars, capes and a flare for the dramatics create a sense of intrigue taking the looks beyond the sickeningly sweet and into the realms of a compelling world ‘beyond’.

Roberto Cavalli

Valentin Yudashkin

Zimmermann

Monique Lhuillier

Though suiting, blouses and lengthier skirts can certainly fall into this category, gowns and cocktail dresses are the defining garments.

Lanvin

Blumarine

Marchesa

Valentino

*Accessories note: Two shoes currently en vogue match up with this trend. The pointed-toe stiletto amps up the theatrics, while the ballerina shoe (flat or heeled) mutes the brooding right out of the ensemble.

Loewe

Michael Kors Collection

Valentino

Miu Miu

*Beauty note: Styling takes even the softer looks in a moodier direction. Alternating emphasis, eyes are dark and graphic, while lips are going from berry all the way through black.

Chanel

Fendi

Louis Vuitton

Rodarte

Alt. Eclecticism

Somewhere between the birth of punk music in the 1980’s and the grungy garage-band days of the 1990’s, streetwear came to be. The Alt Eclecticism trend blurs the lines of the two generations, mixing the electric with the apathetic and resulting in next-level layering. The looks seem to pair items haphazardly, but the aesthetic is punishingly “cool”. Vibing heavily on the underground art scene and channeling a disenfranchised youth, Alt. Eclecticism treats fashion unapologetically like it doesn’t matter (while making it look better than most).

Phelan

Public School

Sportmax

Alexander Wang

The Details: Anything and everything goes so long as it’s layered, artfully cluttered and confidently adorned. Denim, leather, cotton, furs and rigid fabrics occupy valuable real estate on these catwalks. Palettes combine neutrals with pops of vibrant colors. Pattern is not common, though it is present in smaller doses.

J.W. Anderson

Moschino

Public School

Toga

Silhouettes borrow from sportswear, bordering on athleisure. With hints of heritage in the mix, the combination is wholly incongruent, but somehow works. Oversized, well-tailored, but deconstructed garments rest atop other oversized, well-tailored but deconstructed garments. The only nods to femininity fall in a few peaks of skin consistent with this season’s overall love of the conspicuous cutout.

A Detacher

Au Jour Le Jour

Jacquemus

Off-White

Items on command include athletic puffer coats, tousled denim anything and sweatshirts.

Nicopanda

Y/Project

Yang Li

VFiles

*Accessories note: All is to be styled with the clunkiest of footwear, metal anything and a beanie.

Alexander Wang

Versace

Michael Kors Collection

Alexander Wang

*Beauty note:  Welcome back nude to browned lips, excessive (non-cat) eyeliner and spider mascara.

Christian Dior

Marc Jacobs

Roberto Cavalli

Stella McCartney

Militant Forces

As a (non-patriotic) tribute to the defence forces that protect and serve, the runways are once again cluttered with military influences. From the modern garb, to the ’40s looks that speak to a world at war, fall/winter 2016/17 climbs right into the trenches. Land, sky and sea are all targeted in color scheme and overall feel.

Ermanno Scervino

Tommy Hilfiger

Zac Posen

Anrealage

The Details: Boiled wool, suiting fabric, cotton, canvas, and fur accents support many of these pieces. Colors predominately settle in at Army greens, Navy/Air Force blues and the reds of the Queen’s Guard.

Burberry

Dolce & Gabbana

Topshop Unique

Versace

Construction is paramount to the Militant Forces trend. Rigid garments are still made flattering and their bulk is met with aesthetic purpose. Though silhouettes are less form-fitting, this season’s favorite cinched waist returns to bring back shape in a woman’s body.

Burberry

Dsquared2

Haider Ackermann

Maison Margiela

Details include squared shoulders, epaulettes, tassels and hook-and-eyes. Though the trend is interpreted into wearable suits and dresses, the military jackets are the foundation of the trend.

Andrew Gn

Dolce & Gabanna

Louis Vuitton

John Galliano

*Accessories note: While some designers go literal, pairing their looks with military accessories such as the vintage Navy hat, others merely suggest structure with the additions of corset overlays.

Prada

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

Prada

City Scape

As another trend with a high focus on construction, City Scape delves into the world of Architecture. Clean lines are paired with drapery to evoke the feel of an urban city from the tallest sky-scrapers to the gentle arcs of the bridges. Minimalism is challenged to new heights where it can utilize layering and asymmetry to establish unexpected compilations.

Rick Owens

BCBG Max Azria

Sportmax

Narciso Rodriguez

The Details: Crisp linens, cashmeres, jerseys, cottons, suedes and peau de soie are the most frequent textile choices. Color palettes highly favor neutrals, with shades of white and grey dominating. Colors can be present as well, though they tend to be a focus point.

1205

Dion Lee

Les Copains

Ports 1961

Silhouettes vary greatly, with the only commonality being elongating the body. Lines are very clear throughout these looks for the purpose of guiding the eye. Often these looks pair a highly structured garment with a lightly draped counterpart. The simplicity in the contrast leaves an overall concluding feel of effortless elegance.

Maticevski

Vera Wang

Esteban Cortazar

Dion Lee

Layered pieces prove open to all sorts of garments. The wide-leg pant and cross-over skirt take lead as trend “must-haves”.

ADEAM

Damir Doma

Eckhaus Latta

Ji Oh

*Beauty note: A continuation of the geometric form of the trend, hair is sleeked back with extreme left side-parts.

Calvin Klein Collection

Celine

Calvin Klein Collection

Celine

While some of the season’s contenders are not a “one style fits all”, there seems to be a little something wearable for everyone. Those afflicted with a hefty bust may stay away from the ruffled-bib of the Prairie Savant, but the necktie is an easy buy in. If you weren’t born into long supermodel legs, you could keep off the midi skirt and swap in the mini cross-over.

Whether you’re in search of a little whimsy or aiming to strike a look of elite luxury, the trends will accommodate. Perhaps most important is to recall the lack of boundary in today’s world of dress. If it fits, if it makes you happy… wear it! You can always find a way to roll it into a trend category with a good accessory closet and a keen eye for beauty.

 

Fall/Winter 2015/16 Trend Report

Fashion month fall/winter 2015/16 brought forth plenty to get us (almost) excited (enough) to skip over the warm seasons and jump over to September. Of course, the usual f/w suspects appeared once again; layering, rich jewel tones and cozy sweater fabric, but some innovation came through loud and clear as well. Good news is, most of the ins this season can likely be pulled together from the straggler items lining the lowest of all your drawers. Some trends picked up momentum from spring/summer 2015 with minor seasonal adjustments and others started anew entirely. From the wows to the whys, let’s have a look at our future “wish list” items.

Garments

Jumpsuits

Emanuel Ungaro / 1205

Full-length jumpsuits are back in a big way! Short length rompers appeared in the odd show, but the fan favorite definitely included pants. The upper side of the ensemble proved sleeves to be optional. From the bespoke perfect tailored look to the streetwear utility variety, onesies were taking down catwalks in all four cities.

Long Culottes

Rosie Assoulin / Tibi

While s/s15 was showing culottes at various lengths, the cooler months keep a little extra fabric. All lengths are still getting their air time though. The cuts go as low as a few inches above the ankle and as high as a few inches below the knee.

Wide Leg Pants

Loewe / Akris

For those not daring enough to show the wind even an inch of skin, wide leg pants with a non-obvious flare-out are also going big. These roomy tailored pants offer the dual benefits of movement and comfort.

Oversized Embellished Knit Sweaters

Adam Lippes / Delpozo

The fall and winter seasons always love a good spacious knit. This season tacked on a little extra knit in the form of 3D embellishments. In clear pattern and abstract, knits this season are even more inviting than usual.

Materials

Patchwork & Textile Collage

Etro / Joseph

Patchwork and compilation textiles offer a certain coziness during the cooler months of the year. From rigid tweed to supple velvet, lush fur to buttery silk, there was nearly nothing in the way of mixed fabric that wasn’t put into practice this season. A big favorite included the sweater collaged sweater; a stitched together student art project of the remnants of sweaters past.

Mixed Media Textiles with 3D Components

Chanel / Mary Katrantzou

Textiles are no longer a 2D concept, nor do they necessarily move in the expected “flowing” capacity. Egg carton spikes, metallic disks, plastic florals and a whole slew of fabric treatments took fashion design to the next level this season. The catwalk got a funky dose of part garment, part sculpture and at times, part robot.

Details

Metal Grommets

Emanuel Ungaro / Sonia Rykiel

The small metallic rings that are usually restricted to shoe lace holders and the soon to be laceless section of your hoodies have taken quite the departure from activewear. They’re showing up in all sizes and in all genres of fashion dress as major design detail.

Fringe

Lanvin / Leonard

Last season kickstarted the return of fringe as both a trim and main component. Showing up in the same capacity, fringe has taken a turn for the abstract. Fall fringe will be messily layered and unevenly distributed.

Fur Trim

Céline / Giambattista Valli

Arguably the biggest trend to come out of fw15/16 fashion month, fur trims were showing up in a scarily large percentage of shows. Of all different types and in all sorts of colors, fur lined everything from hoods to sleeves to the hems of flared pants.

Floating Feathers

Erdem / Rodarte

Feathers achieved an impressive feat this season; getting even lighter. The floating feather offers a delicateness and sophistication akin to 20’s glamour. Though not entirely limited, this embellishment mostly showed up on gowns and dresses.

Prints & Patterns

Folkloric Romanticism

Dries Van Noten / Vivienne Tam

Ornate folk prints were prevalent this season. Appearing in a mix of velvets and rigid upholstery fabrics, the prints hold a 30’s and 40’s interiors feel. With their warm color palette and elaborate trim accompaniment, the result is romantic and sensual clothing with a historical and costumed effect.

Geo Psychedelia

Issey Miyaki / Jonathan Saunders

Heavily geometric and dizzyingly colorful, 60’s and 70’s prints were the other top contenders this season. Though unstructured prints appeared as well, a heavy focus remained on clean symmetry and perfect pattern. Linear abstractions appeared as well for the more subdued geo prints.

Color

Teal & Peacock Blue

Costello Tagliapietra / Cushnie et Ochs

Time to dust off the old 80’s bridesmaid dresses. Teal has made its comeback. The variation between the slightly greener teal and the slightly bluer peacock is minimal in terms of what you can wear. The runway was in deep love with both.

Rust & Burnt Orange

  Kenzo / Balmain

Though the loud and proud vibrant orange was a player this season, burnt orange and the slightly deeper rust made even more of a dent on the show lists. Contributing to an all around desert hue palette for the month, these colors will likely be swarming the store racks in a few months time.

Shades of Cognac

 Salvatore Ferragamo / Hunter Original

Taking the rust trend and veering closer to the neutral scale, cognac offered a replacement to most browns this season. Of course deep chocolate brown still had to rear its head, but from lighter to darker, cognac seemed to cover most bases.

Wine

Hellessy / Jil Stuart

They may be withholding of the alcohol content, but wine hues coming down the runways this season were every bit as decadent and delicious. The depth of the color made it an ideal color pop as much as it could pass as a near neutral.

Ready. Set. Shop!

*Note: All images courtesy of style.com

London Fashion Week Roundup

Well, London Fashion Week came and went rather quickly. The five day fashion frenzy brought its fair share of excitement and drama. From the eerily quirky model walks at the Giles show to the blogger crashing the final model walk at Jean-Pierre Braganza, marvellous curiosities were everywhere. Not the least of which, why did Cara trade in walking Topshop Unique for a frow seat with Kendall Jenner? Alas, some mysteries are better left unsolved. Instead, I think I’ll direct our focus on the fashions themselves. The sweet, sweet glorious fashion.

Covetable Collections

J. JS Lee

theglassmagazine.com / katiechutzpah.com

The magic of J. JS Lee’s fall/winter 2015/16 collection begins with the styling of a pageboy-bowl cut mashup and an orangey red lip. This strikingly simple look bounces brilliantly off of the minimalist clean aesthetics coming down her catwalk. A cheeky tailoring theme throughout features sewing details such as mock needles gathering fabric and visible threading. Beyond the structured garments; however, is a softening that comes from this season’s trim of choice; fur.

The collection is very dress heavy with sheaths, shifts and sleeved/sleeveless trapeze cuts showing up throughout. Overcoats play an important role as do cinched waist trousers and slouchy turtleneck sweaters.

theglassmagazine.com / katiechutzpah.com

The color palette is subdued with blacks, whites and greys at the forefront. Blush weaves its way in and out, always on a canvas of fur. Limited geo prints in the collection bring a yellowed gold color as well as rhodolite. Full collection here.

Mother of Pearl

style.com

Classic American sportswear took a turn for the better with romantic prints, luxe color combinations and textural interplay at the Mother of Pearl show. Combinations of furs, leathers, taffetas, perforated textiles and sheer fabrics allow for simplistic loose fitting silhouettes.

Key pieces in the collection include bomber jackets, raglan coats and bespoke suiting with an urban twist.

style.com

A warm color palette for the collection includes many seasonal favorites including dusty pink, deep chocolate brown, camel, cognac, deep teal, mustard and orange. Pale yellow and pea green guest star briefly in a gingam print. Finally, a lesser dose of the standard black, white and navy are included throughout. For the full collection, check out style.com.

Sublime, with a Side of Eccentricity

Christopher Kane

style.com

Mostly in the realm of wearable, Christopher Kane’s FW15/16 collection holds its eccentricity in its encompassing of the human form (and I’m not talking about sharp tailoring). Prints inspired by a woman’s body fly off the dresses in a fringe-like fashion. Cameos live in vibrant colored velvet. Even nudity is included in smaller details, making the avant garde pieces more of an art tribute than wearable works.

style.com

Pieces not dealing in anatomy; however, are still playful with fabric “scribble” style strips. The balance of the collection is entirely pret-a-porter with stunning bespoke suiting and mid-waist dresses. Click here for the full collection.

Vivienne Westwood Red Label

  style.com

True to her persona, Vivienne Westwood styled this catwalk in the most peculiar of ways with red and black paint fight style makeup and neck hugging braided hair cozies. The clothing; however, need not such drama to stand out. Fantastical silhouettes play up volume and geometric shapes as they turn heads over and over again. Wallpaper florals are paired with tweed plaids, leg of mutton pants paired with multicolored fringe trimmed leg warmers, Yin Yang cut blazers with origami neck ties and dress capes are given massive hoods. This is not a collection for the faint of heart.

 style.com

Still within the absurdity is a glimmer of “I’d love to get my hands on that Westwood jacket”. Severing the looks and breaking them down by item leaves just the right amount of bold statement piece. Menswear silhouettes in womenswear fabrics and colors are also offered in this collection for the lighter touch. See full collection here.

Strange and Spot on Styling

Ashish

style.com

So here’s a collection that absolutely oozes grunge with a side helping of sex. 90’s patchwork, hardware, rhinestones, camo print and acid washed tie-dye denim are all over this collection. Add in sequin heavy lingerie for outdoor wear and Ashish’s (likely) accidental nod to Broadway’s Kinky Boots and you’ve got a proper SHOW. Whether or not the word “fashion” should be its prefix is still up for debate. One thing is for certain though; the styling was right on the money. Two-toned hair featured puffy front bangs and messy half-dos in back. Lips were all given a hit of the same vibrant red featured throughout the collection. Love it or hate it, the styling really did channel Courtney Love in its intended fashion. See more of the wonderful insanity here.

Marques’Almeida

style.com

For a collection full of frayed edge denim, tinfoil dresses and layer-heavy drapery, Marques’Almeida’s fresh out of the pouring rain styling somehow works. Hair is near glued to the models’ faces with a streaky greased up appearance and eyeliner has melted dramatically as if post-breakup. Is it beautiful? Certainly not, but then neither is the literal interpretation of streetwear collection. Various pieces teeter on wearable, but the overall feel is much more MOMA than it is MET. See all the looks from the runway here.

Future Items in My Dream Wardrobe

Jean-Pierre Braganza

                                                      style.com

Pairing Jean-Pierre Braganza’s thematic origami shapes with a minimalist overall silhouette made this piece a standout. A neutral palette of navy and white is livened by a sleek silver in forming an uneven stripe print. Sporty, yet classic and elegant in its own right, this piece would be welcome in most any wardrobe without causing a stir. See more elaborate pieces from the same collection here.

Mary Katrantzou

                                                       style.com

Mary Katrantzou offered a completely unique collection at this season’s London Fashion Week with mixed media looks. Well beyond the standard textural blends, Katrantzou took her textiles to the next level with foam triangles, ruffled plastic elements, metallic disks and paisley embossed leather. While the entire collection is certainly worth a glance, this shift coat dress is at the top of my LFW want list. Matted and glossed feathers lead into wool-covered foam blocks followed by sparkling paisley embroidery all in a sophisticated fall palette. Completely unlike anything else out there, this piece has serious pass down to your future granddaughter potential.

Two cities down, two to go! Milan Fashion Week is well underway on day one. Check in next week for another roundup.

Golden Globe Glam

What a better day to take to the art of blog than right after a night of Red Carpet magic. Not even two weeks into 2015 and we’ve already fallen privy to some pretty wonderful fashions thanks to the Golden Globes. This year saw its fair share of the usual over cleavaged, side-boob heavy, sparkle for sparkle’s sake looks, but it also got a few great hits of looks that set the magazine stands on fire.

 Sartorially Brilliant Silhouettes

 

In the way of gowns that deliver in unique structure and beautiful lines, Naomi Watts and Camila Alves take home the grand prizes. Watts stuns in a Gucci strapless (though we could certainly do without the unnecessary dress belt) accompanied by a sparkling Bulgari snake necklace. Alves also opts for a strapless with fabric play in front courtesy of Monique Lhuillier. The gown’s delicate blush colour is enhanced by a slight sheen as it screams femininity on the Brazilian model.

Simple Silhouettes

 

For perfect tailoring and supreme elegance, no one was surprised to see Reese Witherspoon and Diane Kruger steal the show. Both women rocked a little sparkle with a lot of grace. Witherspoon adorned a Calvin Klein sequin gown, while Kruger made a glove fit of Emilia Wickstead’s silvery look.

Feminine Statements

 

Not surprisingly, Hollywood’s it girl Lupita Nyong’o continued her Red Carpet reign last night in an embellished strapless gown by Giambattista Valli. The lilac bodice comprised of floral tufts seemed to melt downward onto a creme base on this stunning show stopper. Anna Kendrick won another one for team Monique Lhuillier with her elaborate trickle-down pattern Cinderella style dress. To these ladies, we conclude with the word wow!

Rogue Styles

For original looks that are anything but par for the course, Amanda Peet and funny girl Ellie Kemper take the win. Peet’s ethereal J Mendel frock is loaded up in elegant vintage charm (though perhaps not the most form flattering). Kemper; however, is showing off every single one of those curves in her shining tribal printed Naeem Khan gown. Points for creativity ladies!

Looks like the 2015 award season is off to a decent start. Alright Oscars, show us what you got!

Let’s Get Into It; No Hangers Barred

Well fan base, it certainly has been a while. Last we left off, I was bringing you sartorial insights from the poorly selected medium of Tumblr. While Make Amends With The Trends was a good starter blog*, consider this to be the knowledge gleaned second husband of a fashion guide.

Coming to a close on my two year stint in New York City, I have much gained experience in the world of fashion. I’ve studied at a top fashion institution, styled countless photo shoots, been the voice to a young startup, written for the world leading trend forecaster, sat front row at fashion week and met people from all walks of life sharing in their cultural influences. In grand sum, I’ve arrived at what I believe to be the most noteworthy section of this industry; the fashion fringe. Bold, unapologetic dressing that leaves no chance untaken as it leans on the number one accessory; confidence. We’ll look at fashion through honest eyes as we tackle everything from the fashion campaigns that actually have us convinced to the head-scratchers coming down the Red Carpet.

Throw on that tutu, and toss that subdued black mini aside. This time, we go big. This time, we go no hangers barred!

*Catch all Make Amends With The Trends posts below

Perfecting The View In Interview | A Stylish Life by Coco + Liz

Dress for the job you want.

Perfecting The View In Interview | A Stylish Life by Coco + Liz

Brighten Up A Look – Bright Pink Lips

When it comes to makeup, we tend to think of it as the self-beautifier, but it certainly goes beyond that. A bold-stated lip or smokey eye acts as an accessory in and of itself.

The bright pink is a fantastic way to dress up a simpler outfit. The lip speaks so loud, that the wardrobe selection can follow the practice of understated elegance. A perfect fitting anything, simple earrings, and very limited accessories is the best call.

The bolder the outfit, the smaller you go with accessories when it comes to a bright lip. Too overdone with such intense makeup screams trying too hard and all the confident allure of the lipstick goes out the window.

When going with the bold lip, the vibrancy of it may shock the system a bit when you first apply it. It does take a little getting used to, but it’s worth sticking it out. The bright (almost neon) pink is as fun as it is sexy. Like most lipsticks, it’s best with a little bit of gloss in the center of the lip. This adds a little sparkle, but also serves to soften the look up a bit. It keeps the intensity, but loses the severity.

My favorite bright pink: Girl About Town by Mac

Divide and Conquer

These fun and funky pieces define sartorial genius. Both items marry simplistic design with fierce metalwork to make real head-turners. The tiny strip of stomach skin is the perfect amount as well on the both the summer frock and the peplum tank crop top.

For the dress:

Go for a sweeter aesthetic with a simple pair of summer booties or a pair of flat sandals. Keep it light on the accessories because the metal speaks for itself as a dramatic accessory. Wear mild makeup like a pale lip and a light eye shadow if any at all.

Go for a bolder look with a dramatic chunky heel and bright lip or smokey eye. Still watch the accessory overkill!

For the shirt:

Pair the shirt with a high wasted skirt that lets the bottom of the peplum just touch the top so you occasionally see a pop of skin. Make sure the skirt doesn’t flounce out too much because you’ll loose all your shape. A good A-line or even pencil shirt would work wonders. Conversely, you could also dress it seriously down with a pair of jeans or even a pair of the fun pastel-colored pants that are sweeping the store fronts this season.

To dress it up for night, it’s all in the color palette. Go darker in your shades of clothing and more confident in your makeup. Also, adding a little height never hurt so slip into those heels ladies!

Cute and crafty! Check these items out at LF stores.

Pretty in Pink – The Pale Lip

Trying to chic an outfit up a bit with a little lip color? A pale pink lip is a great option.

During the day, the pale pink lends itself beautifully to almost any outfit (aside from overly sporty). It adds just the smallest bit of charm and innocence to an outfit, while making you look more thoughtful in the “put together” process.

While the borderline nude pale pink acts as a pretty natural lip, I’m always inclined to go for a more stated light pink to let the lipstick speak for itself.

For nighttime wear, the pale pink lip is the perfect contrast with a smokey eye if you want to go big on the drama. Always make sure not to pair a dramatic eye with a bold lipstick. You don’t want to look overly made up. Natural with a touch of makeup flare is the goal. Even if you’re going more simplistic with the eye makeup, the pale pink is still a nice touch for a more muted nighttime look.

Just a few things to keep in mind:

Go a good few shades lighter than your natural lip color. You want to see that it is noticeably color on your lip. Don’t; however, go so light that it looks like your lips have drained of any color at all.

Finish it off with some lip gloss right in the center of the lip. This adds a little glamor to the girly, but keeps the sparkle contained.

My favorite pink: Angel by Mac