Fashion Week: Street Fashion Around The World!

On the runway fashion is shown almost as if in a dream. Tall unsmiling perfect models appear out of nowhere, gliding past the crowd on an empty "street" wearing perfect pristine outfits, never acknowledging the humans that have gathered to watch. 

Life is not perfect. Fashion shouldn't be either! That's why there are always magazine and web columns of "who wore it best" or lately comparing Taylor Swift to Amal Alamuddin because they have been photographed wearing the same outfits (yes, more than once). 

Fashion seems easy if you have the money to buy a complete designer outfit but I believe fashion should be a more personal, interactive experience. 

I am hoping to add more street styles to my blog. The real people on the streets that have a personal style of their own. Someone who is able to take a designer outfit if they have the money to buy it and make it their own, or like most of us without that money to dress like ourselves and be happy in our own "skin."

Here is the links to my Street style Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/carol98031/street-style-fw-springwinter-2015/

I picked the most interesting fashions but believe me there were plenty of jeans and t's worn even to Fashion Week, showing that not everyone bows down before the fashion gods.

I wanted to show street fashion from the LA shows but I am really sad to say that there were only one or two people that wore interesting outfits. The one below is mine, a macrame back top worn with a vintage Da Nang camouflage silk skirt, which I purchased at a DAV store for $4.95! 

Sorry about the focus, my friend is not a good iphone photographer ;)

How Could I Have Missed Shanghai Fashion Week?

Shanghai Fashion Week is actually 10 days of fashion and is another fashion week not sponsored by Mercedes-Benz. Yay, LA has good company.

http://shanghaiist.com/2014/10/15/shanghai_stomp_the_catwalks.php

I found a lot of the designers to have very independent modern designs. (except for the Disney Princess line but that's another post) My favorite line is called Moodbox. It is a line designed by Niki-Qin xu a Shanghai local. After I read about her design aesthetic I loved the line even more. It has to do with her attitude toward life, respect for nature and the freedom of female designers. Here is one of her incredible dresses courtesy Shanghai Fashion Week website and Moodbox. Now I wish I could shop in Shanghai!

See my pins at http://www.pinterest.com/carol98031/rtw-spring-2015/

Honolulu Fashion Week and Project Runway!

The hit of Honolulu's Fashion Week was the contestant from the last season's Project Runway, Hawaii’s Kini Zamora and his partner Dean “Dinko” Satta. I loved Kini's designs on Project Runway and he was able to produce well made, well designed pieces very quickly. At most challenges he was already finished while the other designers were scrambling to get their pieces finished. Their Kini and Dinko collection is entirely black and white (my favorite clothing colors). Clean modern shapes that look much more New York than Hawaii.

Here is the link to my Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/carol98031/rtw-spring-2015/

The next Mercedes-Benz fashion week coming up is Zurich November 12-15. Max Mara is the headlining designer and this is the first time the luxury-brand is showing at the five year old Zurich event. Here is the link to the Facebook page which is updated daily. 

https://www.facebook.com/MBFashionDaysZurich

I know the Swiss have always been famous for their watches, I can't wait to see their designers!

My Dress Find In Honor Of Honolulu Fashion Week!

Honolulu is holding it's first fashion week and I can't find any photos! I've been able to find great photos of all other events but I give up. Here is the link to a magazine which will hopefully post something.
http://www.honolulumagazine.com/HONOLULU-Fashion-Week/Designers/ 

In honor of their first fashion week I found a gorgeous silk dress. I found this at Burlington Coat Factory, a store I have never looked at before. If you can beyond the mess, they do have some great lines and great prices. I found a group of Alice and Olivia clothing that was  beautiful. You just need time to wander as the stores are overwhelming large.

Here is the dress, the fabric is rich and soft. I purchased this for $10.98, 

It will look great dressed up or down with the addition of a jean jacket!

Aloha!

#SPFW Last Day!

I must say I am a little jealous, Brazil has two world famous designers: Stella McCartney and Versace launching affordable apparel collections for two of their biggest department stores C&A and Riachuelo. The collections are affordable; McCartney's price range is $35 to $150, while the Versace line (based on best-sellers and prints of the era of Gianni Versace) is a little more with everything retailing at under $400. 
 

The Internet has made the world a smaller place and through the magic of Google translate I am able to "read" all languages! I couldn't find the McCartney collection but for you fashionistas out there here is the link for the Versace line. 

http://www.riachuelo.com.br/vitrine/feminina/1

Of course even though I can read all languages you never know how a designer's sizes fit until you have tried them on, ah the dilemma of online shopping! 

A link to my Pinterest for anyone not wishing to search for SPFW photos! 

http://www.pinterest.com/carol98031/rtw-winter-2015/

Even though today is officially the last day, the high point was the Versace show last night. The audience was treated to a carnival complete with bumper cars, carnival games and shirtless sailors! 

Como uma noite excitante!

Nightmare Before Christmas! (and Alexander Wang)

Wow, Tim Burton was so prophetic, our holidays are actually colliding.

I went to the mall today to check out what was left of the long awaited Alexander Wang collection at H & M and Santa was already on duty. When did we start celebrating Christmas after Halloween? What happened to Thanksgiving? Now I am feeling so far behind.

So back to the Alexander Wang collection. Last year I was so excited when I heard about his collection for H & M. I love his clean modern lines and design aesthetic. People here started to line up at 8:00 P.M. last night, I don’t love any designer that much but I am amazed at the people that will wait so patiently. Last year the Isabel Marant collection didn’t sell out and was still available online, so I was a little surprised to find almost everything gone and sold out on line. I guess the preview really worked to get people excited.

I can’t wait to find a piece in a thrift store!

I Love Thrift Stores!

I have never wanted to dress like other people. I don't enjoy the experience of walking into a department store and seeing a dozen pieces of the same dress or blouse. 

That's why I love shopping at thrift stores, they are a great way to find a unique piece 

to add to your wardrobe or try a new style without spending a lot of money. 

Thrift stores are also great because they are repurposing unwanted items and 

supporting a good cause. The down side is you can't return items so you need to be 

sure you want the item or be willing to donate it again!

I have found a lot of brand new items, clothing that people thought they wanted but 

never had the chance to wear. Now they are my treasure until I decide to donate them 

again.

Here is my newest find in one of the must have trends for fall: gray!

I purchased this brand new INC silk skirt for $5.00 (original price $96.00) on a day 

they were holding a half off women's clothing sale at 

Rancho Coastal Humane Society Thrift Shop in Cardiff, CA. 

This photo is a detail from the current Anthropologie catalog showing this style is current.

This skirt retails for $228.00.

Thrift on!