Vintage Inspired, Gwen Approved

This is grand, this is great, I'm in such a happy state! Why you ask? Well the lovers have Valentine's day, the Pilgrams have thanksgiving, the French have Bastille Day, and I, I have fashion week.  I lock my door, turn off the TV and plug into all things of the upcoming season.  I truly forget that I am a College student in the middle of Missouri and imagine myself front row at Ralph Lauren, Tibi, or Lela Rose sitting between Demi Moore and Emmanuelle Alt.  Now I have seen pre-fall snapshots of everyone and everything, but no clothing in fashion truly becomes alive until it is seen on the grand stage that is New York.  To pump things up and get ready for the madness that starts tomorrow, I figured there would be no better way then to gaze upon the vintage inspired, much anticipated, Rachel Zoe's new clothing line.  Now one of my most favorite things about a fashion icon starting a clothing line is when you can truly see them wear every piece of their collection.  Victoria Beckham, Nicole Richie and now Rachel Zoe, they all design their collection around their unique but unmistakable style. Do not hesitate to say any Zoe-isms when feisting your eyes on the gorgeousness that is, this....

AMAZED! && IT IS VINTAGE INSPIRED && GWEN APPROVED!

Passion for Fashion

My fashion manifesto, loosely inspired by Elizabeth Barrett Browning's

poem of "How Much Do I Love Thee..."

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 

I love thee to the dizzy platform height.  

My fur in reach, when feeling out of sight

I do it for the Spring trends that I crave, 

I love thee hot as scarlet sequins' blaze 

In a vintage YSL, and don't forget some J. Mendel.

I love thee fierce as black jumpsuits at night, 

As much as my feather skirt takes flight.

I love thee camel Burrberry trench, 

Miss Dior Cherie upon my wrist I drench, 

I'll wear elaborate Dior lace shorts, 

And my Jacob watch adorned in quartz.

I love thee Lanvin, it steals my breathe,

I love thee fashion til my death! 

Sheer Genius

As I wander around the archives of my most favorite website (Style.com) and refresh myself on Spring RTW 2011 I always look for trends I would love to duplicate.  Now most looks of designers like John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, and Valentino are simply unattainable for a poor college sap like myself, however I can take away the essence that their looks achieve.  Now Sheer is here.  It's EVERYWHERE from Pre-fall 2011 to every single runway of Spring RTW 2011 has a sheer element to it, and it makes so much sense considering the versatile fabric is honestly the superhero of all fabrics, IT CAN DO ANYTHING! What is better then an article of clothing that has chameleon like qualities && can transform from one look to another so flawlessly.  NOTHING. Sheer elements can be Feminine when paired with lace, Sexy with an exposed bra or leopard sheer print or charming with a sheer polka dot.  It can be in a neon pink for Spring or sultry slate gray for Winter.  It's a SHEER thing that Sheer is here, and not going anywhere.  Let's hit the pics... Honestly there is a lot, just couldn't help myself.

{ H2T amaze! Blumarine }

{ Gorge Lily Lattice Dress in Wine $58 @ Shopnastygal.com }
Mark my words, this WILL be mine!

{ Top 10 dress of all time. If only I had the money, DARN YOU MARCHESA }

{ Adam Sequin Embellished Silk Top $695 }
chump change

{ Louis Vuitton SP RTW 11 }

{ Okay you caught me, this is from the Dior archives and yes I HAVE already posted this picture, but can you even deny it? answer: NO! }

{ I GASPED IN DELIGHT when I saw this dress.  Others did the exact opposite}
Sorry i'm not sorry Emilio De La Morena dress 

{ Kate Spade lovely navy polka dot sheer heels $298 }
I would wear these to my Sunday high tea at the Ritz in a heartbeat!

{ Nude sheer to me is the greatest of all, it is so delicate and sexy all at the same time }
You outdid yourself Chloe

{ She actually got something right?! Herve Leger dress I die over, Megan Fox is another story }

{ So editorial }

{ Pair a blush pink sheer ankle length dress with a fur throw for a boho look }

{ Not quite ready to jump into sheer, baby steps my friend.  Try something like this lacey purple sheer sock }

{ Dior Electric Purple Sheer ruffle frock...amazing to the tenth degree }

{ Elie Saab SP RTW 11 }
NBD just my Tuesday afternoon frock.

Neurotic Neon

If you know anything about me at all you would know that I LOVE neon! And currently while mid missouri is in a sea of white, I simply can't help myself from seeing neon.  Now sometimes translates as cheap or even sleezy (as seen on the Jersey Shore).  However neon doesn't just mean neon shutter shades for $5 at Urban Outfitters, neon is being done by some of fashion's highly respected houses, the company being Lanvin, Givenchy, Oscar De La Renta && more! 

Now I like a bold, dramatic neon head to toe looks as much as the next girl but if you are just about to begin your relationship with neon I recommend baby steps. Start with one neon piece && build around it.  When you are wearing a bright colored shirt or bright pants, it is best to pair it with a neutral color.  Feeling bold? Well the next step would be to pair a hot pink blazer with a bright orange short, but break it up with a white blouse && your favorite nude pumps. Good luck to you belles && may fashion be with you on your neon journey. Now let's hit the pics...

{  ADORE bright blue with this red shoe, would be on another level with a red lip! Costume National SP2011 }

{ Adia Kibur $68 at Shopbop }

{ So young, So talented && SO NEON! Jennifer Lawrence in Oscar De La Renta at SAGS } 

{ Marni $590 }

{ JACQUARD && NEON!?! foget about it! Herve Leger your for the small price of $1,450 }

{ Nixon $86.20 at asos.com }

{ Jimmy Choo on another level, ONLY $550 at net-a-porter.com }

{ SJP in Versace, one of my favorite dresses of all time }

{ Givenchy }

{ Not ready for a neon piece? Experiment with neon nails! Just a hint of color for any outfit! Just make sure to do a base coat because let me tell you from experience most neon polishes will stain your nails otherwise }

{ Now here is something I want to play with, a great orange lip with just a hint of mascara && hair for days, i die }

Venturing into Vintage

I have recently been finding myself perusing through vintage sections of my favorite websites like Modcloth.com, Americanapparel.net && net-a-porter.com, from there I even ventured into bona-fide vintage websites like LAvintage.  Now I have a few vintage experiences under my belt that include but are not limited to finds such as my Prada boots, Dior chemise && Ralph Lauren belt, yet I am hungry for more.  I think as I venture into the world of the unknown universe that is vintage I will most definitely follow [the golden rule of RZ], "Remember is to mix your vintage finds with contemporary picks. No head-to-toe vintage." Which means a current cocktail dress with vintage jewels, or retro boho frock with relaxed hair and a spakin' new messenger bag. The world is my vintage oyster...PIC TIME!

{ 1980's Christian Dior Couture Blouse www.sieliansvintageapparel.com }

{ theglamourai.com in vintage YSL sunnies }

{ Vintage Light Show top @ modcloth.com for $35 }

{ 1960's Vintage Pucci }

{ 1970's Vintage Chanel Jacket }

{ Shut it down! Van Cleef necklace from the archives }

{ Vintage Chloe }

{ Hermes retro red blazaaa! My fave, sorry i'm not sorry }

{ Vintage Jimmy Choo @ www.net-a-porter.com for a mere $1,050 }

{ THE QUEEN OF VINTAGE }