milan fashion week favorites

T by Alexander Wang

OBSESSED. I could just leave it at that. This collection looks like my closet, only better. My closet, unfortunately, has nothing from Mr. Alexander Wang. Rest assured, someday I will own that black pleated skirt or ribbed pullover sweater.

T by Alexander Wang Fall/Winter 2012

Prada

This collection just seemed fun. Not serious at all, just indulging in colors and embellishments. I will try to find better pictures that feature the shoes, because those were seriously the best part.

Prada Fall/Winter 2012

Moschino 

Lindsey Wixson with a beehive, giant bow and '60s style coat = all I need in life. I LOVE these coats. I could've done without the cowboy hats, but the bow headwraps more than made up for it. 

Moschino Fall/Winter 2012

Versus

I don't know if those are tights, leggings or what but I need them. NOW. 

Versus Fall/Winter 2012

Bally 

I am insane about this one. I want every single look, especially the leather dresses and the outerwear. It's perfect: simple, minimalist, edgy, classic, structured and with colors that take over my wardrobe.

Bally Fall/Winter 2012

Fendi 

I haven't always been a fan of Fendi, and the overall collection was so-so, but these pieces were absolutely gorgeous and I want to acknowledge that. I'm partial to the patent leather (or leather in general on clothes) and the jewel tone colorblocking. The models looked like the creatures from Avatar, no? 

Fendi Fall/Winter 2012

Marni 

I love the longer dresses and the retro prints. Again, the ice cream-colors were prominent and so beautiful, especially with that peachy backdrop. These pieces really popped, and I am crazy about the red coat in the middle.  

Marni Fall/Winter 2012

Dolce & Gabbana 

The imperial prints and textures were very reminiscent of Alexander McQueen. I love the black and the gold and the touches of leopard made it classic Dolce & Gabbana. The Catholic aesthetic was a cool touch as well with the veils and lace. 

Dolce & Gabbana Fall/Winter 2012 

Alberta Ferretti

More leather and chunky sweaters! I'll bet you can't find Ruby Aldridge in this lineup.

Alberta Ferretti Fall/Winter 2012 

Dsquared 

With Dsquared, it's not just the clothes that are wildly entertaining -- it's the props they use on the runway. It's been milkshakes before, but this time the models strutted like '60s glamour goddesses, cigarette in hand. It was a beautiful collection complete with long gloves and retro glasses. 

Dsquared Fall/Winter 2012 

See you in Paris!

xox

oscar style 2012

Jessica Chastain 

Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen. I think she always looks amazing, but this dress what something very different for her. Typically, she wears a basic dress in a bold color. I'm in love with this on her. She was my favorite of the evening. 

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara in Givenchy

Of course I love a girl with an all-black wardrobe, but I thought she still looked effortlessly cool and glamorous in this white gown. She looks like a high-fashion model. Even the too-short bangs suit her, and the bold red lip is divine.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Dramatic and va-va-voom! I love the sexy Brigitte Bardot hair to go with the uber-gorgeous gown. Not only did she look amazing, but it seemed like she had so much fun with this leggy look. 

Michelle Williams

Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton

On TV this dress looked very red, but online you can actually see it's a lovely coral shade. The ruffles around the waist with the bow are very sweet, but she still looks very elegant and glamorous.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford

The cape worn on the carpet was absolutely stunning. She looked so chic and cool. The dress without the cape was very simple and beautiful and true to Gwyneth's minimalist style. I loved the statement bracelet as well.

Octavia Spencer

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

She wore her favorite label that proved to be lucky for her yet again. Her win as well as her look was one of the highlights of the evening for me. Seriously, who didn't shed a tear during her emotional acceptance speech? 

Rose Byrne 

Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood 

I don't know if it's her awesome haircut or what, but lately she's always looked amazing. This was another dress that didn't translate correctly in terms of color (it was actually midnight blue in real life), but I still love it. Simply beautiful.

Sofia Coppola 

Sofia Coppola in Yves Saint Laurent

This wasn't exactly at the Oscars, rather the Vanity Fair after party. Regardless, I'm obsessed with Sofia's YSL jumpsuit. Her accessories were spot-on.

Dita von Teese

Dita von Teese in Jenny Packham

I'm not sure when Dita doesn't look good, but this is absolutely killer. I love the Elizabeth Taylor-inspired look, and the gown is stunning. 

Shailene Woodley 

Shailene Woodley in Proenza Schouler

I didn't like what she wore to the Oscars at all, but she stepped it up at the after party wearing this fun, age-appropriate Proenza Schouler dress. 

xox

london fashion week f/w 2012: collections that made me die

Topshop Unique

I definitely got a hint of Chung (Alexa, that is) in this collection, which is wonderful. I'm obsessed with the lose velvet and leather overalls. Leather harem pants are always a plus, as is a maxi skirt dipped in leather. Definitely not as over the top as they usually are, but I love this collection. I would wear most of these pieces, as they totally have a '90s grunge aesthetic.

Topshop Unique Fall/Winter 2012

Moschino Cheap & Chic


The second dress from the left took my breath away. Absolutely amazing. I loved the subdued blush tones with the bold orange and pink bags. The look on the far right looks like the dress Zooey Deschanel wore to the Golden Globes, no?

Moschino Cheap & Chic Fall/Winter 2012

Mary Katrantzou 

If Alexander Wang is the Prince of Darkness, Mary Katrantzou is the Queen of Color counterpart. What can best be described as an explosion of colors and textures was so dreamy and insane, I asked myself several times Is this real? 

Mary Katrantzou Fall/Winter 2012

Burberry Prorsum 

Adorable little bows and ties cinched the waists of models sporting structured militia inspired jackets. The highlight for me, however, was the studded driving gloves and clutches. Christopher Bailey hit a homerun with the spikes and studs before, and I'm glad he's keeping that going. Another homerun this season? The long quilted coat on Cara Delevingne (second to last on right)! LOVE.

Burberry Prorsum Fall/Winter 2012

Christopher Kane

I don't want to speak too soon, but this might be my favorite collection so far. The colors and prints were absolutely amazing. I love his use of florals with the oversized sweaters. I could have picked more looks than what I chose, but these, to me, were the standouts. The shoes and accessories were kept simple, as was the hair and makeup. Gorgeous collection. I'm jealous of everyone who got to see it in person. 

Christopher Kane Fall/Winter 2012

Acne 

Simple with not so simple colors. So in love with the bright greens with leather pants. I also love the ice cream colored swirls on the dress and oversized blazer and pants. The orthopedic-looking waist belts were a nice touch as well. 

Acne Fall/Winter 2012

Erdem 

After London Fashion Week, I'm convinced that bright colors (pinks, yellows and greens, in particular) will not just be a thing of spring. Gorgeous tweed suit, and that yellow lace dress? So stunning.

Erdem Fall/Winter 2012

McQ

Last but never least, the first show by McQ (sister brand to Alexander McQueen).  The leaves on the ground gave the feeling of fall, along with the gorgeous flowy coats and high lace-up boots. Every look was breathtaking, but I didn't have the room to fit the whole collection, sadly. Collections like this one make it hard to edit down favorites.

McQ Fall/Winter 2012

Next stop: Milan!

xox

what i've learned from new york fashion week f/w 2012

1.) I love Marc by Marc Jacobs a LIIIITLE bit more than Marc Jacobs

I've gone back and forth with the two brands, and what I've decided that MMJ is a little more my style (and way more within my budget), especially this season. GRUNGE. '90s. DARK COLORS. YES, YES, YES! Just about every look was a win for me. The shaggy coats and oversized sweaters are everything I want in a collection, as were the socks and combat boots combo.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2012

2.) Only Rodarte can make heavy brown powder look good


Okay, so the makeup was not my favorite, I did love the brown color scheme on the clothing. The oranges and terra-cota with black, frills and sherpa was somewhere between girly and outback.

Rodarte Fall/Winter 2012

3.) I wish I could wear giant hats in every day life. 


Without getting strange looks, that is. I absolutely love these furry Marc Jacobs hats that are something between Dr. Seuss and the lead singer of Jamiroquai. I am also a huge fan of Marc putting the royal purple and mustard together (the purple and red is pretty rad as well). I can't wait to see who rocks these pieces in real life, especially the shoes and that purple and yellow paisley blazer.

Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2012

4.) I'm into the exaggerated turtle-nets at Alexander Wang


And what else? Well, putting Shalom Harlow on the runway. Also the black leather, black shear and black everything, of course. But I already knew all of those.

Alexander Wang Fall/Winter 2012

5.) Proenza Schouler is keeping sporty chic alive.


Somewhat Alexander Wang inspired, but I still love it for its own reasons. The brightly colored woven leather is beautiful (I could've done without the oversized leather jackets that are not pictured). The quilted leather skirts with the oversized ties, though...perfection.

Proenza Schouler Fall/Winter 2012

6.) Milly, I just don't give you enough credit.

Milly is consistently great every season. I always love the colorblocking and prints and silhouettes of the pieces. But it's not one of those names that I think of very often and rolls off my tongue like a Miu Miu or a Marc Jacobs. I don't know why! It's great! I love how the colors kind of sneak in and don't overwhelm. When I wear color, this is how I do it. But I'm really more of an Alexander Wang girl. 

Milly Fall/Winter 2012 

7.) I want pretty much all of J.Crew's stuff.

And I want some of Jenna Lyons' self-esteem...she included a look-alike amongst the other models. Hehe.

J.Crew Lookbook Fall/Winter 2012

8.) Ruby Aldridge is EVERYWHERE!

And I'm not even mad about it. Ruby's one of my favorites, and I'm so glad more designers are taking notice of her. I've loved her ever since she started modeling in Urban Outfitters ads. More Ruby!

(Left to Right) Michael Kors, Diesel Black Gold,  J. Mendel,  BCBG Max Azria, Carolina Herrera, Derek Lam, Oscar de la Renta

(Left to Right) Diane von Furstenberg, Tory Burch, Vera Wang, Helmut Lang, Prabal Gurung, Cushnie et Ochs, Tommy Hilfiger, Donna Karan 

See you in London! 

xox

the wu wait is over

Everyone eagerly awaiting Jason Wu's Target collection was pleasantly surprised to see that Target's website was not on the fritz this morning. Nor were the lines and crowds too insane (at least not in Omaha, Nebraska). I went to my neighborhood Target this morning about an hour after they opened to find that there were just a few ladies browsing the racks. However, a lot of sizes had been snatched up. Luckily, there were still a few left of the one item I came for:

Jason Wu for Target Pleated Shift Dress

Let me just say the lookbook photos do NOT do this dress justice! A lot of people (surprisingly) were not into this dress; I loved it based on the photos, but it's even more beautiful in person. It's a chiffon material and it has a little bit of lace trim on the front. The colors are soft and feminine, and it fits perfectly. It's also a lot longer than I thought it would be (I'm 5'10" and I bought a small, to give you an idea of the length).

The accessories, on the other hand, were pretty picked over after only an hour. I was curious to see what the bags looked like, but all that was left were a few tote bags and wallets.