Category Archives: Fashion Forward

Fashion’s Night Out

From the official Facebook page:

ABOUT FASHION’S NIGHT OUT: Fashion’s Night Out (FNO) is an unprecedented global initiative created to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, boost the industry’s economy, and put the fun back in shopping. For one night last September, in New York City and twelve other cities around the world, designers, celebrities, models, and fashion editors staged exciting, one-of-a-kind events in stores open after-hours to the public. Shoppers were able to see Sarah Jessica Parker singing standards with Oscar de la Renta, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen tending bar, as well as Michael Kors, Justin Timberlake, Kate Hudson, Rihanna and Gwen Stefani (just to name a few) at various stores throughout NYC supporting the industry. Retailers saw a surge of new shoppers and increased sales, while customers relished the street-party atmosphere.

Fashion’s Night Out will be September 10, 2010 in New York City.  I will be attending an event that will be happening simultaneously in Las Vegas at the Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Show Mall to celebrate FNO (a post with pictures will follow immediately after the event) .  For those of you in San Diego on September 10, visit the official website for Fashion’s Night Out to find out events in our area (there are events at the Neiman Marcus in the Fashion Valley Mall). 

If you can’t be there, the making of Fashion’s Night Out will be the subject of an hour-long, prime-time special on CBS, Tuesday, September 14, at 10 p.m. EST.

I’m very excited!  This will be a fun event to celebrate everything fashion.  Hope to see you there!

(Note:  I’m not sure what kind of access I will have to the internet this week, but I will definitely post my blog entry with pictures once I return!)

Camel’s Back

The neutral that I will be using for my palette this season will be the color camel.  As I look through my fall magazines and roam all of my favorite sites, I find that the combinations with camel are endless.  With black, the look is sleek and classic.  With leopard print or a pop of color, the look becomes vibrant.  With some cool hardware or leather, I can slip in a little of my rocker chic.  Here are just a few of the looks that I love so far.  I’ll be posting more looks as I find them!

1.  Alexander McQueen Cheetah Print Skull Scarf – Neiman Marcus

2.  Stella McCartney Knit Sweater Jacket – Neiman Marcus

3.  Rag & Bone Sahara Suede Open Toe Lace Up Wedges – Saks Fifth Avenue

The One That Almost Got Away

When Rodarte designed a line for Target, there were two jackets that I wanted:  the kimono floral print rain coat and the leopard print faux fur jacket. 

I bought the rain coat because it reminded me of the opera coat that Carrie Bradshaw wore over a Calvin Klein silk tank dress in the episode of  “To Market, To Market” from SATC Season 6, where she is running late to the NYSE (note:  that coat is from SJP’s own wardrobe).  I love the copper buttons and that it’s so light.  In fact, I don’t even wear it in the rain. I detached the little hood and wear it just the way Carrie wears it, with something plain like a black or nude tank dress or with a plain white t-shirt and jeans with heels.

I truly regret not getting the faux fur leopard print jacket when I had the chance.  The Target that I went to only had the jacket in large and it was just too big.  It wasn’t online anymore, but I didn’t really make any attempts to get it at any other Target.  When I went back to the Target that had the large, that was gone too.  My intent at the time was to have it altered to fit.

After searching everywhere I could think of to get the jacket, I gave up…until recently.  These last few weeks, I have been scouring eBay for Rodarte items, and couldn’t find my precious leopard jacket.  But my efforts have finally paid off and I was able to find it today!  Leopard print will be a big part of this fall and always returns to the runway in some cool incarnation, so I am confident that this purchase will be a staple that I will bring out again and again.

The jacket I purchased is pictured on the right.  The double-breasted styling and details are like a classic pea coat, but the print gives it an edge.  Isn’t it adorable? 

I have learned two things from this shopping experience:  1.  Go with your gut and make that purchase when you truly love something;  2.  When all else fails, go to eBay!

Oxford Uniform

What a crazy day was yesterday!  Thank you everyone for the kind words regarding the inclusion of Any Second Now on IFB’s Links a la Mode this week.  I really am flattered beyond belief.  So I have swagger?  Maybe some strut…

Jeffrey Campbell Uniform Oxford

Well, my “Camel’s Back” entry keeps getting postponed because of so many distractions, one of which are shoes.  I have bought yet another pair online (this is my fourth pair in 3 weeks).  Mr. Jeffrey Campbell has impressed me yet again (the last pair I bought were the Charli-C clogs seen here)!  

I wanted a pair of great Oxford/brogues to wear with some of my military and menswear pieces, but I just couldn’t decide from the many wonderful pairs of shoes out there.  I went to Bona Drag (check out the “Go Shopping!” links) because I received a discount code in my email for use today only and found this lovely pair pictured on the right.  I like that they are black and grey canvas which give the shoes texture.  From the images on the site, they would look great dressed up or down. 

Once I get my boots (yes, more than one pair), I will be ready to tackle all the great fall fashions.  I better warn my husband about the next deluge of packages to come!

Links A La Mode – IFB’s Links of the Week for September 2, 2010

(I am honored to be selected in this week’s “Links A La Mode”!  Thank you IFB!)

The End of Summer? No! The Beginning of Awesome!

Edited by: Thom of The Sunday Best

For the past week I’ve been listening to Cee-Lo Green’s fantastic send-off, F@#* You, and little else. At the same time I’ve been reading a lot of the hand-wringing in the press about bloggers and whatever are we going to do about them, along with our responses both here and on our blogs. And the two have combined in my head to form a single determination – bloggers need more swagger. I don’t mean anger, of the you-don’t-respect-us variety, or apologetics, of the we-are-as-legitimate-as-other-media variety. I mean swagger, the kind of swagger that comes from doing something well and knowing you’re good at it. So whatever other themes might knit together this week’s links, they all share that important characteristic – swagger. Step up to the plate, knock it out of the park.

Join us at IFB’s Evolving Influence Fashion Blogger Conference @ NYFW


Links à la Mode: September 2nd

SPONSOR:

New at Shopbop – JNBY – Wildfox Couture – Kirrily Johnston – Graham & Spencer

(What does this sponsorship mean? Click here to learn more about it.)

PLEASE READ IF YOU’D LIKE TO PARTICIPATE:

If you would like to submit your link for next week’s Links à la Mode, please register first, then post your links HERE. The HTML code for this week will be found in the Links a la Mode group will be published later today. ~Jennine

Red Carpet Review: The 2010 Emmy Awards

I’ve worked backstage at a couple of local Emmy ceremonies through NATAS in San Diego.  Although they are not as glitzy and glamorous as the Primetime Emmys in Los Angeles, they are still a prestigious award, local or otherwise.  I can never tear myself away from an awards ceremony, so I briefly watched the 2010 Emmy Awards and the Red Carpet preview tonight (only briefly because the new True Blood was on, which was then switched over to Steelers football by my husband). 

I love to play dress up, but surprisingly enough, I’m not one for evening gowns.  I’m much more interested in “street style” and the creativity it offers.  But these awards shows always have show-stoppers, and I did see some very beautiful gowns tonight.  I managed to pick a “Top 10” from what I saw (in no particular order).  Let me know if you agree!

(Click on each picture to enlarge.  All images from In Style)

Boot Camp

These are the boots that I am determined to get for fall.  There are a couple more that I’ve seen in my latest Lucky and Vogue magazines (The September Issue!) that are not online yet, so I’ll post a “Boot Camp Part Deux” at a later time.  They all have very clean lines with utilitarian/military details, which is on point for many of the styles that will be out this coming season.  My favorite bits:  The fold over the wedged heel of the Vince Camuto boots;  the riveted clog detailing of the Steve Madden Luxe boots; and the subtle detail and clean lines of the Coach booties. 

Don’t you just love the fall?

1.  Alician Black – Vince Camuto;  2.  Yea Clog Boots – Steve Madden Luxe (DSW);  3.  Astrid Bootie (in suede) – Coach

(Click on each picture to enlarge)

Into The Gap

I was going to post my “How-To” on making greeting cards, but that’s going to have to wait until tomorrow because it’s going to take a little while to put together.  Instead, I’m going to post my latest purchase.  I’m sure you won’t mind!

I have been coveting these Pierre Hardy for Gap wedge sandals on The Glamourai for about a month (pictured left and seen here).  I didn’t realize that they just came out at the beginning of the summer.  I was looking to use a “Give & Get” coupon that my best friend sent me (she works for Banana Republic).  Feeding America gets 5% of what you spend when you use the 30% off promo code online, or the coupon in the store.  I was browsing through Piperlime.com and decided to check out Gap.com.  I found the shoes still online…and on sale!

Originally $98, they were on sale for $59.99.  With my coupon, they were just $41.  So I saved money and gave to a great cause.  And as I posted not too long ago, it’s still an endless summer for wedges (see the entry here)!

Knit Pick

Marled Boyfriend Cardigan - ASOS

When I think about cardigan sweaters, Mr. Rogers always comes to mind.  Remember when he would come home and sing his “Won’t you be my neighbor” song, hang up his coat and put on his cardigan?  It reminded me of my father (who’s first name is Roger).  I have old pictures of my father in his classic grey and black cardigan over a white t-shirt, with slim pants and Trilby hat.  He looked like he could have been in The Specials playing sax.  Such a classic look, it’s no wonder I’ve had a love affair with the cardigan for years.     

Striped Rosette Cardigan - Old Navy

So versatile and always on trend, cardigans can be dressed up or down.  I love the variety:  plain classic v-necks (pictured right from ASOS); sequenced three-quarter sleeved numbers for an evening out; printed, argyle or striped with embellishments (pictured left from Old Navy).   They are by far the best substitute for a coat when months are slightly warmer.  When winter rolls around, the thicker cardigans come out, which are like jackets.  And really, you can never have too many.   

This won’t be the last time I blog about the cardigan.  In fact, the last time I checked I think I had 20 (including that cute one from Old Navy)…but who’s counting?

My Fashionable Heritage

The Glamourai + Josie Natori Dress

I was reading a new favorite blog, The Glamourai by Kelly Framel (yes, I am a little late to this scene).  Her style is undeniably artistic and completely appeals to the visual artist in me.  She has elegance, flair and drama, but always with a sense of fun.  She recently designed a dress with Josie Natori that she wore for the launch of her limited edition Coach purse (those who also launched purses that day were Emily, author of Cupcakes and Cashmere; Karla, author of Karla’s Closet; and Krystal, author of What is Reality Anyway?).  I was instantly in awe and the dress is amazing.  The dress was later auctioned on ebay and the proceeds went to Women in Need, a charity for disadvantaged women (Josie Natori is on the board).  The dress sold for $710!

I remember when I first heard of Josie Natori.  I was shopping in Nordstrom looking around for lingerie and left with something from Josie Natori that was perfect.  I later found out that she is an award-winning Filipina designer and that she has a whole line, including Ready To Wear.  Being a very fashion conscious Filipina myself, that got me thinking:  are there other Filipino designers out there?   This is just a short list of what I found (with the help of my mom!):
 
Rafe New York – Internationally known handbag designer.  I have one of his bags and featured one of his purses in my “Clutch Performance” entry.
  
Monique Lhuillier – Designer of bridal wear, but has expanded to ready wear.  Her designs can be seen in bridal and fashion magazines as well as on celebrities on the red carpet.  
 
Bench – Casual wear and underwear, plus fragrances and bath and body.
 
Jose “Pitoy” Moreno – My mom said, “You have to include Pitoy Moreno!”  Known as the “Fashion Czar of the Philippines”, his designs have been seen on the runway as well as dignitaries and celebrities all over the world.  He is considered a national treasure for his years of artistry.
I’m on the hunt for more, so stay tuned for more designers of my native homeland!