For no real, legit, justified reason at all, I was hesitant to jump on the Amy Schumer-loving bandwagon. In retrospect, the thought of it now is insane because I’m all about strong, confident, smart women who have a lot to say & say it well. Since I’m not a Comedy Central watcher (perhaps another flaw I should seek to rectify?), I didn’t know what Inside Amy Schumer was for the longest time. My first exposure to the Long Island native & comedy pioneer (shame on me as a fellow LI gal!) was during that one scene on HBO’s Girls during the season 3 premiere when she yells at Hannah & Adam at Grumpy’s after Adam broke it off badly with Shiri Appleby’s practically perfect catch character, Natalia. Watch it here. I digress.
I love everything that Amy Schumer is about & I can’t wait to read her book, The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo (read an excerpt here), which hits bookshelves on August 16th. It’ll fit in perfectly with my summer of humor reading by female authors, but what’s really the best of both worlds is that Amy is July’s cover girl for Vogue!
The article (by Jonathan Van Meter) is nothing short of fabulous & funny, inspiring & honest, & chalk full of quotes & one-liners from the Trainwreck star (Golden Globe-nominated too, by the way) you’ll walk away with still bouncing around in your head well into the later hours of the night. The comedian / actress / writer / producer / cover girl / Jennifer Lawrence’s bestie / all around badass of feminism bluntly & endearingly discusses her love life, the reality of her sexcapade past, her admiration of the late Joan Rivers, her feelings about the worlds of fashion & Hollywood, Hillary Clinton, & the importance of family.
If Amy’s words on the page (or website) aren’t enough to give you a giggle or smirk, check out the video below of Amy & Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s hijinx when they hilariously swap their respective comedy club touring & high fashion lives.
If you don’t subscribe already to Vogue, go buy the issue & support the print industry, if not for the glossy photos (by none other than Annie Leibovitz) of an elegant Amy traipsy through New York City in glamorous gowns & designer duds, then at least for the free perfume samples. Check out when & whereAmy is touringthis summer (her upcoming Madison Square Garden gig is SOLD OUT!)! Happy Styling!
I’ve always worked in some kind of retail and/or customer service capacity. It’s provided me with the most surprising life experience when it comes to interacting with the public (and their attitudes). However, this essay is by no means a rant to condemn the ill-mannered Long Island shopper. Surely, I’m not the only person who can attest to plenty of OMFG-moments at work when the individual with whom I’m speaking is a weirdo or disgustingly offensive.
I can’t say that it’s all been a bumpy ride of rudeness and bad behavior. After all, I’m an optimist, a wine glass half full kind of gal, always hopeful that my kindness will be equaled with polite treatment. One of the perks of so many years of clothing retail under my patent leather belt is that I’ve developed my voice as a woman passionate about fashion while in the field, even when my first department store job responsibility was essentially to just hang up clothes and keep the racks neat before closing time. Currently, my position (dream job, really) at the local community college is on hiatus for summer break, so I’m primarily working at my second job (surrounded by dresses and tops and earrings, oh my!) until the end of August divides my schedule between writing and fashion once again. While I long for the days when I can return to tutoring young minds about the importance of classic literature and language clarity, the classroom of life in which I’m currently enrolled is my retail job, where there’s no shortage of education (one much different than you’d expect to find in any textbook).
Lesson #1: The Beauty Debate is Real. Like Really Real.
On a sunny Thursday morning, I was ringing up a customer’s purchase with all the usual chit-chat that makes for an enjoyable, hassle-free shopping experience. Never afraid to participate in conversation with women in my mother’s demographic, I started with a “How did you find everything today?” and added an “I love the colors in this blouse you’re buying!” with all the manners and enthusiasm that my mother taught me to impart on others. The customer was a sweet, 60-something strawberry blonde who reminded me of a giggling Dianne Weist from Practical Magic (minus the 90s interpretation of a middle-aged New England witch). She adjusted her scarf and smiled at me with the same genuine pleasantry that I’d expect she’d show to her grandchildren when offering them dessert after big Sunday family dinners.
When it came time to pay, said lady unfolded the bills from her wallet and asked, “Did you hear what they are doing to money now?” They meaning society? The people who run the Internet? The government was likely the answer, but I didn’t ask to her clarify the they.
“No. What?” I was hoping (again, there’s that glass of hope getting gulped) to hear something refreshing from her. I knew well and good enough about arguments surrounding which female or individual representation of diversity should replace a dead Caucasian male president on U.S. currency. I accept this change—no matter who will be illustrated as the face on money—simply because change is inevitable. If the bank accepts the cash, I will spend it. Also, I believe everyone should be represented everywhere (diplomacy much?) since this is a melting pot nation.
“They wanna put Harriet Tubman on the ten dollar bill. I mean, I know she did a lot of good things, but she’s so ugly. Who wants to look at her ugly face on money? Certainly not me. I think it’s a bad idea.” This woman, content in her stance, looked to me as if vying to win my vote.
I took a breath to count out her change, gather her receipt, and hand her back both items. I wasn’t one to engage in political conversation (people pleasers like me rarely do). My reliable “Change is crazy” and “Who knows what’ll happen?” replies satisfied an end to the conversation before we mutually wished each other a nice day. I doubt Dianne Weist’s doppelganger gave her commentary a second thought.
This interaction took place months ago and I’ve probably thought about it every day since (along with the next zinger of a lesson I’m writing about). For anyone who follows fashion or beauty blogs, then you know the debate about beauty is really real. Additionally, saying that Harriet Tubman “did a lot of good things” is a very obvious and grand understatement (see that juxtaposition there?). Of course, in these complicated United States of America, people have the freedom of speech to say what they’d like about how they feel, just like I’m doing with this essay (and I’m realizing now that what I’m writing has become political and I’m not portraying my people pleaser side accurately). Had the chains of necessity to pay my bills and survive comfortably as an unmarried woman living on my own, I would have posed to the customer this question: “How does Harriet Tubman’s beauty, or lack thereof in your opinion, even become a legitimate factor in her eligibility to serve as a symbol of this country on our money?” My next question would be to this woman about another woman: “Do you hear yourself?”
Lesson #2: Style is What You Make of It.
As sales associates at my store, we are encouraged to ask customers questions to gauge their clothing needs, build a dialogue with them, and thus a relationship that they will return to for their next shopping trip. Most of the time, I like this part of the job. I offer specific options to meet a customer’s desire and more often than not, we cohesively come to a stylish solution. It’s very satisfying to help other women express themselves through fashion and style. In a way, it’s not very different from tutoring writing. In this case, words and punctuation are replaced with outfits and accessories, all serving the purpose of articulating our identities and ideals with visual symbols.
No more than a week after encountering the anti-Harriet Tubman customer, I was working on the sales floor, recovering the dressing room during a crowded Saturday afternoon rush. With an armful of recently discarded merchandise, I passed a woman who was searching through a color story sea of blue and green tops and coordinating bottoms. Before I could ask her if she needed help finding anything, she exclaimed, “I used to love to wear plaid!” Instantly, and because of the way she so forlornly spoke, I thought of plaid as a beloved television show that was prematurely cancelled, leaving the viewing public on a melodramatic cliffhanger forever (Nashville anybody?).
“Why don’t you wear plaid?” I asked. I looked at her full figure and roots with whispers of gray, prepared that she’d say something about how the lines of plaid designs were unflattering for her shape and size, or that plaid was for kids and Christmas pajamas (all of which are factual explanations that have been confessed to me in the past).
“Because only gay people wear plaid,” she said stone-faced. I was suddenly caught in another exchange in which I didn’t want to be, just as my tongue was caught wanting to say, “Do you hear yourself?”
“Oh that’s not true,” I replied with the playful disposition of someone who’d just heard that a Sasquatch walked into the store. “Anyone can wear plaid.” I, a heterosexual woman, have some plaid pieces in my wardrobe, but I wasn’t about to get myself and my style choices involved.
“No. It’s true. I went to California and learned that only gay people wear plaid. Now I can’t wear plaid anymore.” She slumped her shoulders with surrender and regret in the belief of a pattern that dates back to circa mid-18th century Scottish tartans.
“Ooo-kay.” When I don’t know what to say, I say “okay” in a way that sounds more like a question than a response. I continued, “We have plenty of nice tops at the front of the store. Lots of new prints and colors for the summer. If you’d like, I can show you.” Talk about chugging right along to a new subject. Even after I presented her with a table of t-shirts that were on sale, she continued to unhappily wander through the store’s selection. Perhaps she felt marginalized in her misunderstood self-imposed ban on plaid, just like she was marginalizing the LGBTQ+ community with her homophobic statement. I could chalk up this woman’s offensive stereotype as a filter malfunction, but that’s really too gentle of an excuse. Despite the fact that I vehemently disagree with the spreading of generalizations, I was compelled to look past her ignorance and do my duty as a loyal employee of retail. My hope (geez, hope is spilling all over the place here) was to open her mind and style to something that made her happy to express who she is in her own way (by more graceful and appropriate means like flattering clothing). After all, style is what you make of it, not what others make you believe it is. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fun to get dressed in the morning.
These are two examples that made me stop in my espadrille-marching tracks to wonder not just what the world is coming to, but how I can use these experiences to lead a more positive life. In my previous essay (#SelfieTherapy: Confidently Breaking Through), I encourage readers to spread positivity when it came to beauty. I’d like to reiterate that sentiment in an even larger sense, sharing positivity about life, especially given the recent horrific shooting that took place at an Orlando night club where gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender patrons were targeted and murdered.
I say, wear what you want to wear. In doing so, contribute something fundamentally positive to society. Teach future generations something valuable about respect and kindness. Celebrate the differences we have because we all have differences and we’re all here in this country because of those differences. It takes a stronger person to embrace those differences and a weaker one to use them as ammunition against someone else.
Hope is always present in my writing, as is strength (when it comes to acceptance and all that jazz), which is why I decided to end this essay with a song that readers might not be familiar with. Sara Bareilles’ “Hercules” sends a powerful message about overcoming weakness to become a better person. It’s a gives-you-chills kind of song when blasting it in the shower. Happy Styling!
Confession: I believe in selfies. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. I am a fashion blogger, therefore posting images of myself and my style come with the territory. At first, my mission was to focus solely on talking about what I observed around me: bargain deals on stylish must-haves, current fashion industry trends, and of course, I wanted to dish on the best of the best dressed in the celebrity world. Looking back on six years of blogging, here I am now, a veteran of the selfie. I snapped pics of myself on an old flip phone before the term “selfie” was a blip in the 21st century tech-savvy lexicon. I did this partially because my vision is so poor without my glasses, and I hardly knew what the real, natural me looked like to the world. Essentially, I was trying to see myself.
Some may argue that taking a selfie is narcissistic, shallow, shaming to other women, Kardashian-like even (I shudder to drop the family name, by the way). In an era where social media is the landscape on which it’s a natural reflex to announce updates of our lives, so many questions appear under the public lens, especially when it comes to the appearance of women. While I’ve been fortunate not to encounter too many haters as I’ve developed Style Darling Daily, my exploration of selfie culture started with #selfietherapy and ends with positivity in the fact that I am who I am, I know who I am, and it’s something that cannot be negatively influenced by any outsider. And honestly, the more I listen to Meghan Trainor’s “Me Too,” the more I want to talk about celebrating the self.
I’ve had many conversations with my female friends about the times in our lives when we’ve felt unattractive and out of touch with our worth. We equated happiness with our images to whatever our relationship statuses had been at the time. Then, we discussed the vocabulary associated with our physical selves, which helped me further understand the negativity women (including myself) put themselves through when it came to our faces, weights, bodies, and general ideas of beauty. The words “cute,” “pretty,” “beautiful,” and “sexy” each ranked very differently. During these discussions, it was agreed that “cute” was overall the most frequently identified term for our appearances, and the safest adjective to admit to each other (without exposing our insecurities). We could accept ourselves as “cute,” but not always “pretty,” and hardly ever “beautiful.” “Cute” became such a security blanket that it might as well have meant “okay.” I was never okay with looking “okay.” By the end of the gab session, it was clear that so many women rarely achieved feeling “pretty,” “beautiful,” and “sexy” on their own terms and for themselves. These are friends of mine who are successful, intelligent, and by no means anything less than beautiful (#truth!). I greatly admire these women; they inspire me both personally and professionally, and in some instances, I have a major case of hair envy that I secretly explore in an internal monologue (but you know, in a healthy way… haha). All of this “beauty labeling” prompted me to look closer at myself because after all, I am in control of how I see myself. My face. My body. All of it.
I can’t pinpoint exactly when it was that I began to attach #selfietherapy to my selfie posts on Instagram, but I can tell you about how I recognized that posting seflies became a strategy for positive reinforcement. I’d been in a dragged-out-of-my-mind-for-I-don’t-know-why-or-how romantic situation where my worth was constantly being questioned—not outright using language, but through neglectful behavior of which I was unfortunately on the receiving end. I spoke up often about how I needed to hear from my partner that he cared about me since his behavior showed otherwise; I pleaded that I deserved better treatment. I believed that I’d earned respect, love, and kindness from him (after years of complicated on-and-off-and-on-and-off-ness). I was in my thirties, living on my own, pursuing a Master’s degree, balancing two jobs, and constantly (desperately, really) going above and beyond to cling to whatever there was to salvage with my connection to this person. Life was intact (albeit there was a whole lot of denial happening in there too) and I deserved the obvious reward of acknowledgment. However, after too many breakups and fake-makeups, I realized that what I thought was lacking in what I wanted from my partner was actually displaced. I really needed love, attention, and care from another source: moi. By prolonging this going-nowhere romance, I wasn’t taking care of myself the way I wanted. I was expecting someone else to do it for me, facing perpetual disappointment and lowering my self-esteem in the process.
Simultaneously, I was completing my second year as a graduate student, preparing for the thesis crunch-time on a memoir project. At this point, I was so in touch with my feelings and how to communicate them that the chapters of my memoir were practically falling off my fingertips, onto the keyboard, and appearing in Times New Roman on the screen as fast as I could blink. During one workshop, I admitted to a professor (slash-genius-slash-mentor) that my relationship with said no-good-boyfriend had ended. In return, I was given the infallibly appropriate advice: “The best revenge is to live well.” I snatched up those seven words and with my next selfie, I posted confidently that my life was about living well. That meant I would feel good about me as a person, as well as how the person in that selfie looked. I was taking the time to gain the strength to become a whole and beautiful individual, inside and out.
It’s been well over a year since I’ve been in #selfietherapy, making it my mission to not just capture a good hair day or when being tired and makeup-free reveal a surprisingly healthy, happy Alissa-selfie. I’ll be honest—I’m currently struggling a great deal with what to do with my time now that I’ve graduated with my MFA in Creative Writing and Literature, that the memoir is complete, and what it means to not really have a plan for myself for the first time in three years. I keep coming back to the idea that I have something bigger to say with my blog, something more than about shopping tips for women of every size or the designer duds that celebrities are wearing on the red carpet. While these sides of blogging still interest me, I know now that I’m meant to do something more important with all of these experiences, especially when women’s style, bodies, beauty, confidence, and empowerment are each so presently intertwined everywhere you look. Just google anything about Sports Illustrated cover model Ashley Graham (who is killing it!), Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger’s fortysomething face, Emilia Clarke’s petition for nudity equality on Game of Thrones, or Modern Family’s Ariel Winter about her recent breast reduction. The world (and Internet) would be a better place if we concentrated on celebrating the sparkle of being women, rather than spreading any more toxicity for younger generations to absorb.
I’ve written this as a declaration to embrace myself: my strength, voice, beauty, confidence, identity—all of which can be seen in a selfie. Even if nobody reads this post, or I get slammed with spam email because of it, I will continue to participate in the act of posting selfies because I’m not afraid to say that I love myself for who I am and what I look like. There were too many years where feeling like that was basically nonexistent. Also, I want to reinforce to others that self-love, though it can be difficult to achieve and accept, is worth the screen time it takes to get there, minus the shaming or bashing from the less enlightened public.
In case you or someone you know needs some inspiration (and for your viewing pleasure), watch Meghan Trainor do her thing in the music video below for “Me Too.” (If you didn’t know, the Grammy-winning artist removed a previous cut of the music video after her curvy shape was unrealistically edited to a slimmer size. Talk about taking control of your image and sending the right message!)
For some more fall fashion inspiration, I thought I’d share the latest, gorgeous ad campaign from Louis Vuitton, starring three-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams & it-girl Alicia Vikander (The Man from U.N.C.L.E. & The Danish Girl). The actresses & spokesmodels are showing off the most elegant design’s from the brand’s Cruise ’16 collection, set in the Palm Springs desert, featuring 70s inspired clothing & luxe luggage & bags.
I’m all about fashion for function & affordability, but from time to time, it’s also important to be aware of what’s going on in the industry for the easiest inspiration, where high-end glamour can influence your street style. Watch the video below for the full experience of The Spirit of Travel.
This is the time of year when big things start happening. Fashion Week is just around the corner, followed by a stellar awards season for film & television. There are already some major contenders in the awards race, but there are plenty of great films on the autumn horizon with trailers that recently hit the web.
The Intern opens September 25th, starring Anne Hathaway, who’s running her own online business & gets a few life lessons from her senior-aged intern, played by Robert DeNiro.
Suffragette is a period drama about women fighting for their right to vote, starring Carey Mulligan, Meryl Streep, & Helena Bonham Carter, opening October 23rd.
By The Sea might just be one of Angelina Jolie Pitt’s final on screen films, about a married couple in the 70’s who take a vacation to Malta to save their marriage. The actress not only stars in the movie (with husband Brad Pitt), but she also wrote & directed the drama, which hits theaters on November 13th.
Sisters stars Tina Fey & Amy Poehler, following the hapless misadventures of clueless sisters who throw one last party before their parents sell their childhood home, just in time for the holidays on December 25th.
Joy marks the reunited unstoppable quartet of director David O’Russell, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, & Robert DeNiro in a film that follows a family of four generations, building a family dynasty, opening on December 25th.
Eva Mendes is one busy woman- not only is she a mother, girlfriend of Ryan Gosling, fashion designer (for New York & Company), & cosmetics mogul (for Circa), she’s also a spokesmodel for Estee Lauder‘s New Dimension Skincare line, including serums & cosmetics to enhance the look of your skin. The Cuban-American beauty is flawless in the ads, featuring her warm honey complexion, killer cheekbones, & natural glow. When talking about her interest in representing the products (ranging in price from $58-$89), Eva shares with Estee Lauder her own experiences getting to know her face as an actress with, “I have an angular face and I kind of had to learn which angles were which, and how I could work that into a scene,” she continues. “It’s probably what was attractive to me about becoming an actress—the art of transformation.”
The actress made an appearance at a Miami mall to promote the line in a timeless Grecian-inspired Halston Heritage dress with pink ankle strap heels, discussing her experiences as a new mother & turning 40. Later in the day, Eva was spotted at the airport, looking every bit elegant as ever in a belted printed shirtdress & sandals. Though she’s known for her sexy roles & stylish magazine covers, any Style Darling can appreciate the busy day-to-day life of the working woman who’s just trying to take care of herself. For more on Eva’s beauty philosophy, check out Estee Lauder’s interview here.
Clearly, there’s no stopping Taylor Swift, the most influential & famous pop star on the charts right now. On top of the wild success of her 1989 album, the country-turned-pop singer has just been nominated for a total of nine MTV Video Music Award nominations, for her ultra chic & high profile music videos, “Bad Blood” & “Blank Space.”
The star-studded “Bad Blood” video, set in futuristic London when tough girls (á la Sin City) rule the world, features an ensemble slew of Taylor’s a-list gal pals like singer Selena Gomez, models Karlie Kloss & Gigi Hadid, Girls showrunner Lena Dunham, The Honest Company entrepreneur Jessica Alba, singer Zendaya, Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld, British pop sensation Ellie Goulding, model Martha Hunt, Empire actress Serayah, Paramore frontwoman Hayley Williams, Grey’s Anatomy‘s Ellen Pompeo, Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay, Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge, Paper Towns actress Cara Delevingne, supermodel Cindy Crawford, as well as collaborator on the song, rapper Kendrick Lamar.
“Blank Space” is certainly my favorite of Taylor’s 1989 singles & music videos, not just for the fullness of her lyrics, but also the super stylish wardrobe changes Taylor undergoes while performing the song about love gone bad. She’s dripping in decadent jewels & takes risks in bold animal prints, romantic chiffon, sultry lingerie, all while running her heart out in some enviable footwear.
1989‘s first & third singles are worth sharing too, & why not? “Style” is one of Taylor’s artsier music videos, taking on new “stylistic” feats when putting her songs in motion to tell their stories. Also, there’s that ever-catchy “Shake it Off,” which rings true for anyone who has ever been told that they’re wrong for doing what they want.
Last month, Target announced its newest collaboration with accessories designer Eddie Borgo, & now the entire lookbook has hit the web. The collection includes tons of modern jewelry, clutches & bags, as well as whimsical home decor, set to hit stores on July 12th, ranging in price from $7.99 to $49.99. The face of the line is none other than the always gorgeous model & designer darling, Poppy Delevingne.
In the retailer’s press release of the new line, Borgo’s designs are hailed as “the designer’s signature aesthetic – geometric shapes and symbols inspired by sculptural art and architecture – and on-trend textures, colors and finishes (think silver, gold and rose gold combined with materials like hand-poured resin, brass mesh and chains).”
Also, Borgo shares, “When designing this collection, I was inspired by the idea of modernizing the 1960s and 1970s craft culture and empowering people to be creative… It’s been exciting to bring the spirit of this collection to life, and I can’t wait to see how Target’s guests make it their own.”
During this week’s American Idol, judge & all around powerhouse performer / style icon, Jennifer Lopez, hit the stage, premiering her very first ballad single, “Feel the Light,” for the upcoming animated film Home. While the song was all sorts of warm & fuzzy & inspiring, what really made the performance a stunner was Lopez in a (at first) white stage-covering gown by designer Mariel Haenn. Once J-Lo began to sing, the circular, dramatic train, which spanned 20-feet in circumference, became a canvas for sparkling projected images of space & heartfelt animation from the movie, featuring character (voiced by the always amazing Rihanna & The Big Bang Theory‘s Jim Parsons).
Like Jenny from the Block herself, the performance was a lovely combination, truly meant to go viral, of both fashion, film, & music. Watch the video below to see what all the fuss was about.
Jennifer is having a pretty fantastic 2015, especially after all the hype behind her steamy thriller, The Boy Next Door, as well as stunning red carpet appearances during this past awards season. Things don’t seem to be slowing down for her either, especially with American Idol in the thick of a very competitive season, & her role in the NBC crime drama Shades of Blue with Sopranos actress Drea de Matteo. There’s sure to be more fabulous press junkets & fashion moments to come!
In the first collection from the house of Oscar de la Rentasince the legendary designer’s death last October, the essence of the brand’s legacy was reincarnated on the runway during New York Fashion Week. de la Renta’s successor, Peter Copping, paid homage to the fashion house with an acute eye for color in burgundy, navy, purple, & chartreuse. Also, the line featured a sophisticated mix of daytime separates, coatdresses, & classic ballgowns that would perfectly suit the upcoming red carpet at this weekend’s Academy Awards. In support, celebrities who gathered in the front row were “Style” singer Taylor Swift with model bestie Karlie Kloss, as well as the esteemed likes of Barbara Walters. Also, walking in the show was none other than runway darling, Kendall Jenner, who was flawless in one of the major statement gowns, featured above.
The collection includes a dramatic mix of softness & richness in a rainbow of brights to neon to pastels, structure, knits, separates, & volume. The most stunning pieces include high-impact sleeves, crocheted floral details, & voluminous skirts.
When it comes to romance, Valentino‘s Spring 2015 Couture collection embodied the theme with inspiration from literature & art, including excerpts from Shakespeare & Dante, as well as paintings by Chagall. The evidence is clear in corseted dresses, tapestry materials, the flow & whimsy of chiffon, saturated neutrals, floral appliques, & caftan shapes. Clearly the Valentino woman is searching for love, adventure, truth, & beauty. The collection comes just in time for this weekend’s Grammy Awards, as well as the Oscars at the end of the month, with plenty of red carpet inspiration for loyal celebrities of the brand to pursue, including Keira Knightley, Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Lopez, Emma Stone, Nicole Kidman, & Zoe Saldana.
Giambattista Valli is one of the most in-demand designers that every celebrity has worn on the red carpet. It’s almost like a premiere / awards show rite of passage, as seen on fan of the label like Diane Kruger, Rose Byrne, Kate Bosworth, & Kerry Washington! However, the brand’s newest Spring 2015 Couture collection hit the Paris runways. The inspiration behind the line is an impossible conversation between Coco Chanel & Janis Joplin, which was evident in details such as dresses & tunics over pants, luxe jackets & nods to menswear, as well as pops of spring florals, belted looks, flowing feathered capes, & sheer accents.
French designer Alexandre Vauthieris one of the newest names to hit the Spring 2015 Couture runways in Paris. He has stayed true to his bombshell-meets-Bond girl aesthetic, continuing to attract A-listers like Rihanna, Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, & Beyoncé. His latest collection is a sexy & strong mix of menswear inspiration, provocative cut-outs, high shine & luxe materials, as well as a dramatic cape. This line comes just in time for this weekend’s Grammy Awards, which are the perfect red carpet destination for Vauthier’s designs.
During the latest Spring 2015 Couture shows, Viktor & Rolfmade a splash with their amplified babydoll dresses with dramatic straw hats. The duo played with dimensions against gorgeous colorblocked floral prints built over silk organza petticoats, unexpected ruffles, & avant-garde architecture. Of course, these looks aren’t exactly red carpet-ready; however, there’s something to be said about artistry in fashion, especially when there’s inspiration to be sought from mixing prints & experiments in volume. Fans of the designers include the always flawless Diane Kruger, & actresses Jessica Alba & Jessica Chastain.
What do you think about Viktor & Rolf’s daring fashion statement? Do you ever play with volume in your day-to-day wardrobe? For more posts from Runway Rundown‘s Spring 2015 Couture Week, check out galleries featuring Elie Saab, Atelier Versace, Schiaparelli, & Christian Dior. Happy Styling!
Elie Saab is one of the most consistently successful haute couture designers, especially when it comes to the most glamorous & decadent dresses & gowns. It’s no wonder the brand is a favorite among A-listers like Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Taylor Swift, Lily Collins, & Naomi Watts for the biggest red carpet occasions. Next weekend Grammy Awards & the Oscars at the end of February are sure to show at least one or two of Elie Saab’s designs from the Spring 2015 Couture collection, which are rich in details like beading, feathers, sheer panels, tulip embellishments, pockets in dresses, & ruffles for days!
One of the most unconventional, yet buzzed about collections that hit the runway during Couture Fashion Week in Paris was Versace‘s new Spring 2015 Couture line. While, it’s risky in nature, playing up the curves of the female form with swirls & twists on transparent paneling- all over- the true couture-ness isn’t as evident. Nonetheless, designer Donatella Versace wowed critics, especially when A-listers like Amy Adams, Jessica Chastain, & Kate Hudson showed up in support; the latter of which donned the same red design as above (in a pencil version) while sitting front row beside mom, Goldie Hawn. However, this collection arrives just in time for the upcoming Grammy’s, which makes me believe that nominees & presenters are likely to don some of these runway looks, including Iggy Azalea, Taylor Swift, Jessie J, & Lady Gaga.
The newest Schiaparelli Spring 2015 Couture collection that hit the runway of Couture Fashion Week in Paris was a pleasant surprise, opening up doors for the brand to soon become a ready-to-wear line. The show also recalled the legacy of Schiaparelli’s aesthetic, but in a modern way to attract a younger & more forward-thinking audience. As models made their way down the pink catwalk & backdrop, the collection embodied 40s-inspiration with graphic prints & metallic details, along with stunning volume in pants, capes, & cascading trains. This is just the second of many of the recent runways that I’ll be sharing for Runway Rundown, but specifically, because of the gorgeous Costume Institute exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2013 when the legendary Elsa Schiaparelli‘s designs were paired with Prada in a visually transporting presentation of timeless style.
Long Island might be recovering from the big blizzard, Juno, but the web is buzzing about all of the stunning looks coming out of Paris for Couture Fashion Week. This includes Christian Dior‘s newest Spring 2015 Couture collection, led by Raf Simons & inspired by the music of one David Bowie. The collection is nothing short of gorgeous & versatile, mixing guipure lace with graphic prints, as well as classic Dior silhouettes & playful separates that recall Dior’s legacy of elegance with some added pop-rock edge. What’s also pretty amazing is that in every shot, just over the model’s left shoulder, Dior spokesmodel, Natalie Portman, can be spotted. Not only is it likely for her to be seen soon in one of the couture looks, but other famous Dior faces like this year’s Oscar nominee Marion Cotillard & the always stylish Jennifer Lawrence, both of whom are perfect for modeling these looks for upcoming red carpet events.
Jennifer Lopez is one of the most beautiful women on the planet & it’s no surprise that she’s taking every opportunity to show her best style during her latest press tour for her latest thriller film, The Boy Next Door, which opens tomorrow in theaters. The 45-year-old mother of two is hitting every talk show possible in the most fashionable runway looks, combined with the ultra-chic, effortless glam that we love about her. However, not only is her style getting lots of attention, but it’s also the suspenseful movie that’s creating tons of buzz.
Because there’s no such thing as too much JLo, I’ve also included some video clips of her latest press appearances, which are not only stunning to watch, but entertaining & will have you laughing your big-big-booty off!
If you’ve seen Style Darling‘s Instagram (@MissAlissaL), then you know that I can’t wait for the fourth season premiere of HBO’sGirls. It’s one of those shows that I love because I can relate to it when it comes to friendships & relationships, I laugh my butt off at the wit & ridiculousness of the show’s clueless & brilliant characters, & because it almost always makes me feel a little bit more together as a young woman trying to make it in the world. Also, the show is a terrific example of real-life style from its four main characters: Hannah Horvath (Lena Dunham), Marnie Michaels (Allison Williams), Jessa Jenkins (Jemima Kirke), & Shoshanna Shapiro (Zosia Mamet). Clearly, each character isn’t trotting the streets of New York in impossibly expensive designer duds, which is something else that I can appreciate about the exciting dramedy!
Hannah isn’t without style, but her interpretation combines basics with her quirky sense of self. She’s not afraid of color & pattern, & always wears what she likes above what trends may be most popular. She can be seen in cutesy Peter Pan collared shirts, floral print rompers, teeny sweaters & bright pants, & shoes that she almost always can’t walk in. But we love Hannah because she tries her best to be inspired by the 50s classic cuts & whimsical patterns.
Marnie is certainly the sophisticated shopper among the characters, wearing tailored looks that blend femininity & maturity. She tries to exude through her style the life she wants to live, often in sleek dresses, preppy separates, unstructured pieces, & core accessories that interfere with her goals. She invests in pieces that can be worn a variety of ways, but are still timeless as she seeks to attain a lifestyle equally as fancy as her tastes.
Jessa is a bohemian of the quartet, mixing prints & billowing volume to express her carefree spirit. She’s always feminine, but on the verge of hippie chic with peasant tops, maxi dresses, long sweaters, crop tops, & loose-fitting pants. I love watching Jessa for her accessories, which almost always include some sort of feather detail, gemstone, layers of metals, or harder gothic inspiration against the softness of her preferred fabrics.
Shoshanna is the youngest of the girls with a lot to learn about self-editing. She is as accessorized as she is articulate, with plenty of hair styles to match with her girlie, on-trend style. She can be found in form-fitting mini dresses, always looking all sorts of cute because she’s always running into crushes, exes, old friends, & making new friends wherever she goes. Her clothes are party-ready & she’s fearless when it comes to taking fashion risks. No skirt is too short, no heels are too high, & no print is too wacky for her to play with, especially when combined with color-coordinated extras like a statement necklace or stacked bangles.
For a little extra taste of what’s to come on the highly anticipated fourth season of Girls, which premieres on Sunday, January 11th on HBO, check out these teaser & promo videos of what’s to come for Hannah, Marnie, Jessa, & Shoshanna.
If there’s one actress to watch, it’s Anna Kendrick who has a total of eight films coming up, including Into the Woods, where she plays a very complicated Cinderella. Anna appears on the cover of the December 2014 issue of Marie Claire, talking about haters who throw shade on her unconventional looks, her 2010 Oscar nomination for Up in the Air, & her ambition. Among those are the highly anticipated sequel Pitch Perfect 2, costarring Rebel Wilson & Elizabeth Banks.
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Anna’s supposedly drunk interview, showing her lovable personality quirks, beauty necessities, & other fun quotables! Not to mention Anna’s ability to wear ANYTHING, including flirty separates, sequined gowns, & preppy ensembles, while pulling off an effortless elegance that makes her one of the most interesting A-listers to watch on the red carpet!
Aside from Fashion Week & the general change of seasons (which marks ankle bootie & rich textures like suede time of year), September means that our favorite television shows are returning to make us laugh, cry, sit at the edge of our seats, & of course, be in awe of the characters’ styles. In a first ever on Style Darling, I’ve undertaken a mighty 10 television shows returning this season & found their most stylish leading ladies (two, in some cases), & found pieces & looks to inspire your fall wardrobe. Naturally, we’re talking something budget-friendly, yet still true to the small scree goddesses that have bloggers everywhere in a fashion tizzy!
Scandal(airing Season 4 premiere on 9/25 @9PM on ABC) left Olivia Pope (played magnificently by the one & only Kerry Washington) washing her hands of the controversy & turmoil that she blames herself for in Washington D.C., especially because of her torrid love affair with the president. However, Olivia’s style was only elevated by such drama, sharing with viewers the importance of a luxurious coat collection, classic & statement handbags, as well as clean lines & neutral separates since Olivia is all about getting rid of the fuss in people’s lives.
New Girl(airing Season 4 premiere on 9/16 @9PM on FOX) will surely tackle that whole Jess-Nick romance, even though the adorkable couple ended things last season. Now that Zooey Deschanel‘s character has certainly settled into her man-dwelling apartment, she’s constantly battling life with one vintage look after another, & laughter is sure to ensue. Not to mention that Jess’s girlie girl style fits right in with her job as a teacher, always conservative yet cute for partying it up after hours.
The Mindy Project(airing 9/16 @9:30 on FOX) is one of my favorite must-see shows this fall, not just because the brilliant Mindy Kaling writes a hilarious ensemble comedy, but because the show is after the hearts of its viewers with the on-again-off-again love story with one Danny Castellano, played by Chris Messina. Yes, there’s laughter too, but I’m also super excited to see what Dr. Lahiri (Kaling’s character) will wear. She’s no stranger to bright colors, wild patterns, feminine florals, & layers of preppy chic style.
Revenge(airing 9/28 @10PM on ABC) is returning this fall & Emily Thorne (played by Emily Vancamp) is back & stronger than ever in her plot against the Graysons. I love that her style recalls the effortless ease of a modern day Grace Kelly, with a luxe twist on casual wear. She wears plenty of neutral colors & no-fuss separates so that she can easily slip into scheming mode with the movers & shakers of The Hamptons setting. I love watching out for the designer pieces on this show, especially on additional key characters like Victoria (Madeline Stowe), Charlotte (Chrsta B. Allen), & Ashley (Ashley Madekwe).
When I started assembling these pieces, I realized that they have various uses, for both day & night, as well as creating looks from season-to-season. While most of our lives won’t be centered around law-breaking revenge schemes, the closest we can get to the fabulous life of Emily Thorne is recreating her style with the colorblock roll sleeve shirtdress ($109.99) in cream puff @Ann Taylor, MOD.lusive ruched sleeve long cardigan ($42.00) in white @Nordstrom, v-neck blouse ($24.95) in powder beige @H&M, & true slim chino pants ($44.99) in khaki @Land’s End.
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Nashville(airing 9/24 @10PM on ABC) is the kind of show that not only inspires music, but also fashion. Southern style is loud & clear with this show, especially when it comes to an edgy look & a splash of rock ‘n roll. The show’s leading ladies Rayna James (Connie Britton) & Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) are constantly at odds, but one thing is clear, they know how to dress. I was especially inspired by the flashy stage looks & modern casual separates that can be jazzed up for a night of music. The last season ended with both divas in trouble, both professionally & personally, but I can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen next.
2 Broke Girls(airing 10/07 @9PM on CBS) combines two of my favorite things: cupcakes & fashion! The comedy’s stars Beth Behrs as the preppy / fashion forward Caroline Chaning & Kat Dennings‘ loveable bad girl Max Black make for the perfect modern day odd couple, just trying to get back. Caroline is always neutral clad, doused in pearls & body conscious dresses, whereas Max’s fashion sense takes on a tougher city vibe in bright primary colors & boots, with a touch of menswear inspiration.
The Good Wife(airing 9/21 @9PM on CBS) keeps raking in the Emmy awards, especially with a constantly compelling performance for the show’s lead, Julianna Marguliesas the powerful Alicia Florrick. Her wardrobe includes power suits & strong jackets, much like Scandal‘s Olivia Pope. In Alicia’s world, there’s no room for floral or fussy pieces. She’s all about structure & strength, so edgy embellishments have no place among the clean details & clean lines.
Modern Family(airing 9/24 @9PM on ABC) is a comedy must-see, especially because of the show’s female leads. When it comes to style, of course there’s always a cute outfit on Sarah Hyland’s character Hailey, but the real sex-pot changing the look of a stay-at-home mom is Sofia Vergara‘s Gloria. Gloria often steals the spotlight from her family members, especially when it comes to showing off her curves in wrap dresses, V-neck tops, & skinny jeans.
Elementary(airing 10/30 @10PM on CBS) is a modern day New York City-based take on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories & what’s extra awesome about this version is that the science-minded Watson is played by kick-ass actress Lucy Liu. Instead of John, she’s a Joan who develops an intense partnership with Holmes (Johnny Lee Miller) while they’re soling crimes all over the city. Aside from her brilliant mind, I love her on-the-go style which often includes dark, layering pieces, always with a chic pair of booties.
Hart of Dixie(2015 on The CW) is the last show that I’m sharing & it doesn’t have a set premiere date since star Rachel Bilson, who plays the quirky city doctor Zoe Hart, is expecting her first child & filming seems to be halted. However, I love her character’s edgy side with dark, modern cuts in tops & leather shorts, as well as dark colors in mini & maxi dresses. She’s an accessories queen with chunky necklaces, embellished details, & the highest heels in sandals & booties imaginable. Also, it’s hard to ignore Lemon Breeland, played hysterically by the one & only Jamie King. Lemon’s style is true to the Alabama debutante ladylike way. She loves florals, sparkle, & vintage-inspired looks with a bold lip & finger curls.
One of the most innovative, yet consistently classic designers I’ve ever seen is Carolina Herrera. Her designs are always flirty & feminine, yet there’s a modern element that shows her relevance among the top players in fashion. Her latest presentation of the Spring Summer Ready-To-Wear 2015 collection for this season’s New York Fashion Week(#NYFW) was just that & more. In her own words, the line explores “full bloom,” using the technology of digital prints with bold flower inspiration over seemingly watercolored floral details on each look. Also, the soft blend of pastels against luxe & dramatic separates make this a truly beautiful runway experience, one that I would’ve loved to see in person in motion.
As you an see fro the video, as well as the gallery & slideshow below, there’s an effortless blend of futuristic mosaic cuts with paneling & refined grace that exists in the collection. Sometimes florals can be matronly, but this show appeals to Style Darlings of any age who seek elegance with high style. It’s no wonder why Herrera has a loyal celebrity following that includes Renee Zellweger, Emmy Rossum, Jordana Brewster, Camilla Belle, Olivia Palermo, & many more!
I’ve always kept my eye out on designer collaboration with major retailers (like 3.1 Phillip Lim, Catherine Malandrino, Kate Young, Prabal Gurung, & Missoni), but I have to say that I’m most excited about the Altuzarra for Target collection, which hits stores today! I’ve been slipping through preview lookbooks & retweeting the heck out of the line for a few weeks now, & just today was I able to share all the looks with readers. This is most definitely my favorite of any previous Target launch with a designer because of the line’s easy, yet necessary feel with classic preppy pieces like tuxedo pants & button down shirts, as well as trendy must-haves in snakeskin, menswear / military inspired jackets, functional footwear in luxe leather, & rich details with sequins or polka dots. The collection ranges in price from $17.99 – $89.99, which is pretty affordable considering that Altuzarra usually starts around $600.00 for one piece, as seen on ShopStyle.
The versatility of the collection will also speak volumes to the mainstream consumer of style, considering all of the possibilities for coordinating with current wardrobe staples that could always use a little extra something. Also, so many of these pieces can easily transform your day look for something evening, & vice versa. Here, the tailoring looks impeccable & can masterfully cure any style rut when transitioning from season to season.
The article (by Jonathan Van Meter) is nothing short of fabulous & funny, inspiring & honest, & chalk full of quotes & one-liners from the Trainwreck star (Golden Globe-nominated too, by the way) you’ll walk away with still bouncing around in your head well into the later hours of the night. The comedian / actress / writer / producer / cover girl / Jennifer Lawrence’s bestie / all around badass of feminism bluntly & endearingly discusses her love life, the reality of her sexcapade past, her admiration of the late Joan Rivers, her feelings about the worlds of fashion & Hollywood, Hillary Clinton, & the importance of family.
If Amy’s words on the page (or website) aren’t enough to give you a giggle or smirk, check out the video below of Amy & Vogue editor Anna Wintour’s hijinx when they hilariously swap their respective comedy club touring & high fashion lives.
Style Darling Daily 