Time To Review Milan, Yes?

With Milan Fashion Week comes that bittersweet sensation that Fashion Month is about to come to an end. It is the third of the four fashion capitals and thus, it is with slight sadness that we part ways and enter our final city. Before we do so, I'd like to reflect on the magic that took place in Milan this past week. Let me begin by saying that I may be tearing up as I write this report, but Milan brought joy and happiness to my heart with every runway show. This season, it was all about loud retro prints, some romantic cuts, and a heck of a lot of colour. We saw an array of mixed prints at Emilio Pucci and Salvatore Ferragamo to make us feel like we were on drugs. The rock n' roll glamour at N21 and Roberto Cavalli also happened to have this affect. And how about those retro cuts and geometric shapes at Prada and Gucci for the quirky girl in all of us? There was something for everyone at Milan Fashion Week and though each collection showcased something different, they all shared one common feeling: vivacity. If there's anything one can learn from Milan, it's how to embrace life, and in this case, fashion is what breathed life into all of us. Now, let's take a look at some of the collections that brought me to life this week.

ETRO

There may be a reason the word "Etro" is in "Retro". Just saying. This collection featured an array of 90s inspired looks featuring edgy leather biker jackets topped over slinky black lace dresses. Another 90s trend that made an appearance? The sheer floral dress at the floor-length or cut right at the ankle. There were prints galore aside from the traditional floral, including an oversized plaid coat, some heavy striped sweaters, and brocade. Essentially, if you aren't into prints, this collection probably isn't for you. Veronica Etro's ability to combine the heavy with the light when it comes to her fabrics is a skill on its own that requires a rule breaker attitude mixed with some artistic inclinations (or maybe they're one in the same). A few notable accessories? Some knitted berets and long scarves that dragged onto the ground like an afterthought that worked out way too well.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 34

via vogue.com

VERSACE

Something felt different this year at Versace. Usually it feels a little too sexy for me with slits to the upper thigh and deep Vs that scream wardrobe malfunction. While the overall sex appeal of the Versace brand was still present, something about this collection it felt more real. Allow me to explain. From the moment Gigi Hadid walked down the runway in an oversized navy coat and NOT a bodycon dress, I knew something was up at Versace (despite her endless legs). The first few looks remained in the navy and black tones with cinched waists and highly conservative cuts. The collection then took a strange turn with a much more athleisure approach. Models strutted down the catwalk in striped crop tops, gloves that looked like knee-high soccer socks, and fitted dresses with very obvious sportswear influences in baby blues and corals. Donatella then took us into a world filled with bright colours such as yellow and red while keeping a conservative approach with her shapes and hemlines. At the very end, the designer brought back a few microminis to keep us on our toes and remind us that she is the queen of sexy. It was just enough for it to still feel like Versace, but with a slightly fresher view.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 17

via vogue.com

GIAMBA

It wouldn't be a review of Milan without a look at Giambattista Valli's Giamba collection (a recurring one on my blog). My obsession with this collection raises concerns and tugs at my heart strings simultaneously. It is filled with youthful touches like frills and flared hems, but with rebellious/Lolita undertones. It's about the good girl gone bad who consciously wears black underwear underneath her frilly white lace and black platform boots with a polka-dotted dress. Let's not get things twisted here. This was definitely NOT a collection made for little girls, though some might be drawn to it. It's for women who yearn for the 80s, when sensuality and punk rock were one in the same and romance was infused with darkness. I can imagine this girl hopping on a motorcycle with her rockstar boyfriend in a frilly dress of course. The designer combined high hemlines with higher necklines and longer skirts with deep Vs to keep every look feeling sexy, but slightly angelic. This girl is giving everyone a wink as she unties her bow to reveal a black choker and a heart-shaped tattoo.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 9

via vogue.com

EMPORIO ARMANI

Speaking of the 80s, we must address Armani's Emporio Armani collection filled with pops of colour and geometric shapes. While Armani may be known for more sophisticated cuts suitable for your average business woman, this year he had a little fun playing with colours, cuts, and prints. Some of the colours spotted at the show included candy cane pink and kelly green, with splashes of yellow and blue on a variety of printed dresses and flirty mini skirts. It felt like a modern art gallery, while still paying tribute to the 80s nostalgia that dominated the runways with high-waisted wide-leg pants (RIP skinny jean) and classic blazers in a variety of lengths. It was fun, with a hint of sophistication, a combination only Armani could pull off. 

FAVOURITE LOOK: 36

via vogue.com

 PHILOSOPHY DI LORENZO SERAFINI

Sarafini's latest collection was a cross between the 80s and the early 1800s with frilly necklines and many high-waisted pants. Nothing catches my eye quite like a high-waisted pant and some very pretty bows to tie it all together. If I could, I'd take you through every look in this collection because each one made my heart skip a few beats (in the romantic and cliche way as it should). While this collection featured many youthful ensembles (much like Giamba), it possessed even more feminine qualities like black lace overlays and layers of dramatic frills fit for a judge from the early 20th century, but also, a lady. The designer entered the realm of colour by choosing unlikely combos like baby blue and red in a mix of black and white boudoir-inspired outfits. It was edgy, romantic, and youthful without slipping into kinky territory. For the girl who's constantly being called cute and dreams of looking sexy, this collection is calling your name.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 36

via vogue.com

Which collection did you love at Milan this year?

Ponder it,

Bella

Why Dresses Are The Key To Surviving Your Summer

When the weather heats up and the layers come off, the best part about summer shines through. We finally get to throw something on and head out the door without a fuss. Winter coat? No thanks. Gloves? See you later. A hat? Maybe for style purposes. While winter may have been about the accessories you NEED, summer is about the ones you want, the ones that are there #forthesakeoffashion.

A prime example of this easy-going way of dressing is a dress. Whether a loose hip hugging maxi, a flared floral mini, a fitted deep-v style, or a 60s inspired shift, there is such a wide array of dresses that you can officially discard your pants this season. Dresses are the best for a number of reasons. Allow me to list them for you.

NUMBER 1

Your legs can breathe.

Pants are constricting. Shorts can ride up your butt in an unflattering way. Dresses never let you down and you can always feel the breeze pass through your legs.

via ellecanada.com

NUMBER 2

It's just one piece.

Who has the time to think of a complete outfit? With a dress, you just need to choose your shoes. No matter how many pairs you have, this is a much easier feat.

via barefootblonde.com

 NUMBER 3

They're ultra feminine.

Winter was so cold, you forgot what it was like to be a woman. Pants may be great, but it's time to wear something flirty and prepare yourself for a summer fling.

via glamradar.com

 NUMBER 4

Matching who?

Again, it's just one piece. Matching doesn't get any easier than that.

via whowhatwear.com

NUMBER 5

It's just more comfortable.

If it's floating on your body, you're guaranteed comfort. Nothing says chill and low-maintenance like a light summer dress.

via whowhatwear.com

Could this be your new summer wardrobe?

Ponder it,

Bella

New York Fashion Week Review: My Top 5

Guess what? It's that time of year again. FEBRUARY. Yes, this month is terrible for a number of reasons: the excruciating cold, Valentine's Day, etc., but there is a silver lining that we like to call New York Fashion Week. This year, most of the designers stayed true to their image and though not many boundaries were broken, we felt a sense of warmth at the sight of Michael Kors' usual minimalist aesthetic and Vera Wang's almost entirely black collection. However, I still picked five of my favourites to review. Ready?

TIMO WEILAND

This was one of my favourite shows this season in New York because every piece looked exactly like something I would love to see in my closet. A bunch of silly beanies, some oversized sweaters, a few adorable mini skirts to compliment said oversized sweaters, PYJAMA SUITS (which I am finally starting to understand as a fashion statement), and round sunglasses (my favourite shape of eyewear). Stripes were the dominant print in this collection and were featured in almost every look. Fringe even had a moment and so did the abstract painting motif. As a whole, this looked like the most comfortable looking wardrobe I could ever aspire to and I wanted all of it.

MY FAVOURITE LOOK: 17

via style.com

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

This collection was way too cool for school and as a result, I was instantly drawn to it. My favourite fabric made an appearance several times in the form of high-waisted pants and sleeveless vests. Yes, I am talking about leather. In this case, the print was plaid, which made total sense as it is a Fall/Winter collection after all with punk rock inclinations. Though the collection was dominated by neutrals, there were some splashes of red and based on my deductions, this may just be the happening colour of Fall 2015. Just a wild guess. It felt very downtown chic meets utilitarian with structured jackets and blazers in various shades of khaki. Bomber jackets also made an appearance because what cool girl doesn't wish to own a bomber?

MY FAVOURITE LOOK: 5

via style.com

RODARTE

I confess. I am drawn to all things edgy with a pinch of attitude and this collection was exactly what the doctor ordered. Leather mini skirts? Check. Puffer jackets with fur trimmed hoods? Check. Hot pants? Check. This collection was the epitome of sexy and conjured images of Kate Moss in the 90s. It projected that good girl gone bad look with a few lace tights and boudoir-inspired outfits. Looks like someone was inspired by Fifty Shades of Grey. Or perhaps we're all just in a flirtatious mood. Could it be the Valentine's Day spirit? As with many of the most recent collections, this one was very much inspired by a 70s aesthetic with deep V necklines and checkered blazers in mustard and greige. According to the designers, their ideas behind the collection began with birds and if you look closely, it's written all over the clothes. Yes, I'm talking about those sparkly feathered numbers that closed the show. These designers definitely know how to make a statement.
Watch it here. 

FAVOURITE LOOK: 16

via style.com

NANETTE LEPORE

This collection touched a much more feminine side of me and it started with that stunning purple lip I immediately wanted to try. Let me begin by saying that I lusted after absolutely everything in this collection from the matching pale pink set at the very beginning to the checkered jumpsuit in the middle to the long raspberry coat at the end. There were so many splashes of wonderful colours, it almost didn't feel like winter for a moment. If you're in the mood to be girly, there were enough mini dresses for every day of the week and each one was amazing in its own way. Though the collection started with some loose draping, the designer introduced some sensual black lace to give this seemingly innocent wardrobe some edge. It was perfect.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 4

via style.com

OSCAR DE LA RENTA

Peter Copping took the reigns and though we all miss Oscar dearly, he did him proud. He kept the original designer's aesthetic with sophisticated and feminine looks including some classic tweed suits and a few flared skirts. Though the hems were higher, they remained elegant and refined for the Oscar woman at heart. Frilly blouses paired with minis were precisely my cup of tea and the little bits of fur made it all the more glamorous. The show ended with some Oscar potential dresses and a few cocktail selections for the bold amongst us. Yes, I'm talking about that off-the-shoulder gold dress and the colour-blocked one that closed the show. It was definitely cocktail hour at De La Renta and everyone showed up wanting to leave a lasting impression.
Watch it here.

FAVOURITE LOOK: 50

via style.com

What did you think of New York Fashion Week? Which collections were your favourites?

Ponder It,

XOXO,

Bella

#IconCity: Kaley Cuoco, One of My Favourite Blonds

Once upon a time, Kaley Cuoco was just Bridget on 8 Simple Rules, the bold older sib to her redheaded sister. She was one of those actresses I thought would forever be known for that role. One day, everything changed. The Big Bang Theory happened and she became Penny, everyone's favourite ditzy blond. As a woman in comedy, she automatically lands a spot in IconCity because frankly, we all love to laugh at cocktail parties. Also, it cannot be denied that this woman has an amazing sense of style.

Let's take a look at some of her best outfits.

LOOK 1

Seriously, though. Don't you wish you could match your outfit as well as Kaley? It takes a true style star to pull off head-to-toe florals. And it doesn't end there. A pair of stunning pink pumps was just what the fashion doctor ordered.

via t.entertainment.msn.com

LOOK 2

Clearly, Kaley loves her matching head-to-toe florals. This time, she went for blue in honour of the Blue Jasmine premiere. Are you loving this Zimmermann look as much as I am?

via usmagazine.com

LOOK 3

Kaley does the girly thing better than any of us and somehow, she doesn't look like she's 12. With a pretty in pink Basler dress and heart-shaped glasses, she has me smitten.

via stylebistro.com

LOOK 4

This is just so darn cute, I want to squish it. Those Tory Burch shorts are to-die-for and I'm loving that pedicure.

via fabsugar.com

LOOK 5

Obviously, Kaley is a princess from a faraway land we all wish we lived in. Usually, I'm not a fan of feathers, but she pulls it off and in mint green, no less. 

via movies.yahoo.com

What do you think of Kaley's style? Love it or hate it?

Ponder That,

XOXO,

Bella

From Menswear To My Closet: It's An Art, Really

Hey GUYS (folks, individuals, fashion friends, average Joes, awkward turtles),

It's Wednesday (almost Thursday) and the week is coming to a dear and long-awaited close. Before that happens, let's talk about my current style mood (because it's super relevant to your every day lives). I'd like to begin by saying that growing up, I was that little girl with a permanent smile etched on her face until her cheeks hurt as she stared at her reflection in the mirror wearing a bright orange. I'm the girliest girl since Barbie herself, but I've stumbled across a phase I never thought I'd experience. I landed in the men's section. Literally.

The other day, I was shuffling through the racks at Simons. Suddenly, I was caught off guard by a feeling of desire pulling me towards the men's section. No, it was not an actual man that attracted my attention, but an oversized Ineedtohaveyou sweater. Then, I envisioned it with leather leggings and heals. It painted a very intriguing picture.

As designers embrace androgyny as their favourite child, I've adapted it to my expired bubblegum personality (interpret that phrase as you wish). My story goes like this...

Once upon a time, I was walking the halls at school, when I noticed something about young adult males. Whether athletic or hipster (or anything in between), baseball caps are (for lack of a better word) the shit. And then I noticed something else. Women NEVER seem to wear them. Perhaps the rare tomboy will be spotted with a baseball cap on her head to match her sports jersey of a team I've never heard of (but even then, it's an infrequent occurrence).  Obviously, this had to change. I had to step out of the norm and the result was the following. I purchased a baseball cap in faux cuir of course (that's leather in French, the language of fashion) and it became my uniform for 2 solid weeks. When I bought that hat, I received compliments from the most unlikely sources and that's when I knew it was a success. If I could've, I would've slept with it (like a clingy cuddly hooker). Though I elude the realms of masculinity, I love to transgress in my own unique way. The faux leather makes this hat infinitely chic and untraditionally masculine, just how I like it.

From that point forward, I realized that I had discovered a new me. An edgier me. And new definition for androgynous. Here are a few ideas to explore if you want to master this look:

1) Pencil skirts with sneakers (undeniably cool):

via sincerelyjules.com

2) Graphic Tee with full midi skirt:

via studsandsapphires.com

3) A skirt/dress with a bow tie:

via lookbook.nu

4) An oversized sweater with wedge sneakers:

via lookbook.nu

5) Baggy pants with stilettos:

via feedyoufashion.com

The list can go on endlessly if you know how to innovate, but the one thing to take from this is that no matter how masculine the item, if you combine it with something feminine (i.e a pair of high heels), you'll be the queen of androgyny. That's how it's done.

Bella




22 Days Until NYFW