orange crush

Orange you glad coral and orange are the IT colors for spring and summer? Sorry, had to. When I saw the Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 show back in the fall, I knew we would all be in for a treat. I forgot how versatile the color orange is. It complements just about everything AND makes you think warm. Pretty soon, everyone was showcasing orange in some form. It's now started to make its way into the likes of JCrew, Urban Outfitters, and more. Don't be afraid to wear it now, either! Let's melt some snow.

The inspiration: Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

Prada Spring 2011

Proenza Schouler Spring 2011

Christopher Kane Spring 2011

Cooperative Canvas Strap Wedge

Shadowbox Skirt

Mineral Cascade Necklace

3" Chino Short

Essex Scout

Pins and Needles Double Layer Crochet Oblong

Mackenzie ponte jersey dress

Vanessa Bruno Crepe structured-shoulder jacket

Tory Burch Athala printed silk-jersey pant

Missoni Crochet knit bangle

where in the world is jessica stam?

Fashion Week is over, and I've lost track of what some of my favorites have been up to. Supermodel Jessica Stam isn't in nearly as many fashion shows as she once was (she is, after all, ancient at the age of 24), but she's still very much a strong presence in the industry.

Aside from designing a line with Rachel Roy (available at Macy's), she's also the new face for Love, Express, the new fragrance by Express and some print ads for the retailer. If you go in the store, she's on the walls modeling some dolman sweaters. She continues to do ads for Aldo as well.

I think what makes her such a compelling model is her ability to be a total chameleon. She has the most captivating face, a prime candidate for print modeling, and if the fashion industry has a brain, they'll never let her go.

Stam making an appearance at Express for Fashion's Night Out

Making the rounds at Aldo for FNO

Modeling one of her designs for RACHEL Rachel Roy in Marie Claire

With bestie Jessica Szhor at Rag and Bone. Those colorblock boots are SICK!

Modeling at Matthew Williamson's Spring 2011 show.

Spread in British Vogue, November 2010.

photos: style.com, zimbio.com, studdedhearts.blogspot.com

louis vuitton spring 2011

Like the closing ceremony at the Olympics, so is Louis Vuitton at Fashion Week. It ends with a bang, and it's bittersweet. Lucky for us, we only wait another season not another 4 years to see more. And I care more about Louis Vuitton anyway.

Louis Vuitton is on a par with Chanel and (Marc by) Marc Jacobs for me. Truly the piece de resistance (Paris Fashion Week, get it? French?). Without fail, they're truly the titans of the runway and I look forward to everything they do next.

On a marble runway, the usual suspects (Lindsey, Karlie, Samantha, and Freja -- and some tigers) flounced in fringe and killed it in kimono dresses. This later turned into colorblocks that Rainbow Bright would envy and safari prints as seen on Animal Planet. One of my favorites? The panda face dress that concluded the show.

It's evident after this entire Fashion Week process that I have to find a way to interview Samantha Gradoville. As I've mentioned before, she is from my hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, and her dad is my dentist. She has worked with my make-believe best friend, Marc Jacobs, and I have to get every detail.

This concludes Fashion Week for me, and I'm exhausted. This was my first real "fashion writing" season since my blog has only been up since September. Fashion Week is exciting and entertaining, but keeping up with all of the shows and writing can be stressful, especially bloggers. There's definitely some competition with getting your review and pictures up first. In the end, however, everyone has unique perspectives to share.

Until next season...au revoir, Fashion Week!

xox
Jessica

photos: style.com

john galliano spring 2011

He's the king of theatrics and femininity. His use of the color wheel is otherworldly. He combines Geisha girl with silent movie starlette with Bozo the clown, effortlessly.  His name is John Galliano, and I wish he could do my makeup everyday.

Elegant old Hollywood glamour combined with Japanese street style made up this collection. The vibrant colors leap out of the clothes. Equally entertaining is the hair and makeup at John's shows which is always over-the-top and sparkly to boot. Despite a cohesiveness, all models looked different. Coco Rocha was a sailor girl and playfully tugged at her pigtails as she skipped down the runway.

Amongst the models who have been all over the runways this season was Yasmin Le Bon. The former model and wife of Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran) is 45 years old. Wearing a black ruffled trenchcoat with fuschia florals, she stormed down the golden runway with the best of them. Also in the lineup: Angela Lindvall, the 31-year-old former supermodel and 32-year-old Carmen Kass. Using these three beautiful fashion veterans made Galliano's show all the more reason to admire his genius and his love of all women.

photos: style.com

chanel spring 2011

Ah, to be in Paris for fashion week. Chanel is no doubt on the top of everyone's list. Because like it or not, everyone has a Chanel design in their closet. No, maybe not a caviar 2.55 or a string of pearls with diamond encrusted interlocking Cs (or maybe you do; good on you!). But if you own a tweed jacket, a pair of two-toned ballet flats, anything jersey, boxy suits, A-line skirts, or a black dress, you can thank Coco Chanel for introducing it to the world...and your wardrobe.

Somewhere along the way, Coco's original idea of simplicity and practicality got lost in the translation. And it's actually okay! Karl Lagerfeld has modernized the classic design house and made pieces that an edgy girl who knows and appreciate labels can wear. As for the rest of us who don't have it in our budget: we can admire from afar and recreate to our best abilities.

Carmen Kass has made a huge comeback this season, appearing in several shows thus far. Another supermodel who was a huge icon in the '90s: Stella Tennant. The queen of androgynous beauty with a bone structure that could cut glass, Stella opened and closed the show proving once a supermodel, always a supermodel.

photos: style.com

zac posen spring 2011

For those of you who played dress-up as a child adorning yourself in feathers and furs, you're in for a treat. Zac Posen found the feather boas in your dress-up chest and decided to incorporate them into a collection of elegant, old school glamour. With ruby red lips and strappy black shoes, Zac's stunning designs are indeed for every woman.

With last fall being the return of the "curves", many designers are taking the cue from the Louis Vuitton  and utilizing the models who have been otherwise non-existant in runway shows. Hillary Rhoda returned to fashion week this season, and it's a wonder we've been able to get along without her. And, by the way, the people have spoken: more Crystal Renn! Zac seems to be one of the rare designers who believes in dressing for all body types, not just one.

The garnet, champagne, and black were gorgeous backdrops that only Zac could create. Newlywed Coco Rocha, whose wedding gown was designed by Zac, had one of my favorite looks with a fur stole and floor-skimming gown.


photos: style.com

jil sander spring 2011

Synonymous with "minimalism" and workwear in the '80s, the Jil Sander woman this season might be sneaking in some prints and even *GASP* mixing them! Raf Simons, who took on the label, shows us what modern minimalism might look like come spring time. 

Simons still sticks to clean lines and the basics with a hint of bold, but this time there's a twist: ruffles and dresses, skirts, and pants that bubble out. Seemingly shapeless, however, they look so chic especially with the tailored jackets. Towards the end, we see outfits that could be worn by any woman right off the runway. That is, if she has no fear of the colorwheel.  

Clean and crisp, yes, albeit baggy at times. It takes a special kind of design to make it look put together and elegant. 

photos: style.com