In Spades

Style... in abundance

Chloe Girl

BRBucket2 BRBucket4 BRBucket8 BRBucket3 BRBucket6 BRBucket1 BRBucket5 Ethereal, breezy, whimsical. Chloe girls epitomize the aura of the 70’s and I couldn’t help feeling a bit transported walking down the street with bell sleeves and flares. I love this outfit for springtime – it’s incredibly comfortable (these jeans seriously feel like pajama bottoms!) and easy while still looking very polished. Topped with a bucket bag in the most sumptuous tan leather, it fits right in with the Chloe aesthetic, but for a fraction of the cost. I’d call that a win-win.

BCBG heels

Duality

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I’m one of those people that usually picks one statement item and builds an outfit around it.  For today’s #ootd, it was this buttery leather top. What I love most about it (other than it making me feel like Joan of Arc in a plate of leather armor), is its ability to look cool and casual – when paired with jeans and platform sandals – or totally sophisticated, with wool culottes or a high waisted midi-skirt. In colder weather I throw a turtleneck underneath it, making it surprisingly transitional. For investment items like leather, I think it’s super important to find that duality.  The best of both worlds.

DIY Fringed Jeans

Sandro5 Sandro7 Sandro4 Sandro9 Sandro8 Sandro2 I hang out in my closet a lot. It’s my sanctuary, place of reflection and the one room in the house that I feel truly “get’s me”. Sometimes when I’m in my closet and feeling a lack of inspiration I’ll either begin a Goodwill purge, or start to “modify” things. This past weekend it was the latter. I’ve been interested in the extreme fringed look lately so I took a pair of scissors and kind of attacked my denim collection. For what took all of 5 minutes, I’m pretty pleased with the result. Paired with some creepy crawlies and one of the last opportunities I have to rock a long coat, I’m totally set for transitional dressing.

To get the fringed look yourself, follow these steps.

1. Begin with a pair of skinny jeans.  Tapered ankles are a must.
2. Cut them horizontally to a cropped length just below the ankle bone.
3. Cut 1/4 inch strips vertically about 4-5 inches up the leg.
4. Use a seam ripper or sandpaper to “buff” the fringed pieces and rough them up a little.
5. Put jeans in the washing machine and then dry for 40 minutes.  Something I would normally never condone.

Voila!

Gap jeans (fringed similar here and here) // Everlane tank // J. Crew and Thatch necklaces // Karen Walker sunglasses // Kenneth Cole mules (similar here) // Sandro coat (bourdeaux sold out, similar here in navy) // Banana Republic creepy crawlies

Reem Acra F/W16

Reem Acra F/W16 was a master class in feminine sensuality. The Secret World of The Femme Fatale gave us an ultra glamorous woman, bedecked in lace, jewels, silk and chiffon, and shrouded in mystery.

Grounded in a neutral palette of black lace, the collection presented a stream of show stopping gowns in lavender, citrine, canary, bordeaux and crimson. Fringe was used with great effect on four looks confirming the notion that the Acra woman is stunning when stationary, otherworldly when in motion. Each piece was truly a work of art, as evidenced in the intricate beaded embroidery, illusion necklines, sheer insets and embellishments.
Every aspect of the show reinforced this sensuous femininity of the femme fatale. From the black lacquered runway to the studded gladiator sandals and lace fingerless gloves, the audience looked on with curiosity and envy at this power. Standouts included an embroidered gunmetal corset dress with steel blue skirt – a look fit for royalty – and a black beaded dress with an illusion neckline and citrine underlay. From the front to the back, each look delighted from all angles, captivating the viewer with what seemed like infinate ornate intricacies.
Reem Acra delivered her signature ethereal quality for F/W16. In a word. Breathtaking.

Photos by Matthew Passiglia

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Vivienne Tam F/W16

Inspired by a cultural dreamland of East meets West, Vivienne Tam brought us a relaxed 70’s vibe for F/W16. Dubbed The New Silk Road, the collection featured a masterful use of print and texture reminiscent of hand-woven quilts and rich tapestries.

Fall/winter ‘16 was like a brilliant film you have to watch more than once to truly appreciate. During the show I made note of Tam’s modernized ikat motif featured in both jacquard and sequins. But it wasn’t until my review of our film that I realized just how ingenious this interpretation was. Paired with a teal velvet turtleneck and studded leather jacket in look 14, I was blown away by her imaginative use of color and depth of texture.

Other standouts included her shimmering lame tops and pleated skirts in boysenberry, rosewood and mulberry. I love the way they can transition from day – paired with chunky knits or wrap dresses – to night – shown sheer with a mesh camisole or a paneled suede v-neck dress. Her whimsical parasol print, fringed coats and, perhaps my favorite, striped wrap skirt over pants combo sealed the deal as a strong, innovative collection.

The Tam woman is cultured and worldly. Relaxed silhouettes feature a feminine touch, perfect for travel. Suede culottes, midi skirts and jacquard robe coats all have a flair of the unexpected. It’s a journey of hidden treasures.

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