Whats makes your Fashion so Fashionable?

Fashion; what is it? I mean really?

Fashion is an expression of you. Even those in our society whom are ‘anti’ fashion, visually speaking out against conformity, layering their long sleeve Ts, sporting multi-colored socks and high top shoes, with a bandanna snug around their heads; they are making a statement. They are expressing, living, breathing, and walking fashion. And you know what? They are so ‘anti’ fashion in expressing themselves apart from the norm that they look…I am going to say it….COOL! So absolutely outlandishly you! Why should fashion be any different?

Here's the opposite side of the spectrum, courtesy of our girls I am Fashion.

Fashion Week Feature - Diane von Furstenberg

New York Fashion Week features an array of unique fashions from designers big and small. The only unfortunate thing about the expo is that many of the items showcased are either not available to the general public, or not affordable for the general public. Sadly, when we see a model wearing something cute enough to actually wear it more than likely won't look the same on us and if it is, it probably isn't affordable.

With that being said, the ladies at The Daily Obsession featured a line by Diane von Furstenberg (DVF) that caught my attention for two reasons. First being that most of the outfits were designed modestly and are only elegantly complex, meaning I could picture myself wearing them. Second, DVF designer clothing is available at stores like Nordstrom and Bloomingdales. However, Diane von Furstenberg clothing is priced congruent with most designer fashion brands.

Fall 2007 Fashion Trends

The hip Fashionista's at Second City Style (SCS) have blogged a lot about the 2007 edition of Fashion Week; most recently they compiled a list of the top 10 fashion trends for Fall, 2007. Maybe it's the realist in me, but I couldn't imagine the everyday woman implementing too many of these trends. I mean honestly, could you imagine meeting a girlfriend for lunch and having her arrive in this body conscious outfit by Richard Chai (picture to the right)?

With all that being said, here are a couple of SCS's top 10 that I'd like to highlight; one fashion trend to adorn, and another not to be worn:

To Adorn - Chunk Knit sweaters are something to look forward to; they're cute, comfortable and stylish for the not-so-warm Fall temperatures.

Not to be Worn - Designer Hats; personally, I'm not a fan of using a hat as a designer fashion statement, especially when they look like this one by Donna Karan. Sorry Donna, but that's just my two cents.

Fall fashion trends

We know what you're thinking. "Fall? Already? But didn't summer just start?" Don't worry, we are having the same thoughts. We're still in the heat of summer, but the fashion industry is always a season or two ahead. Nonetheless, our favorite Pacific Northwest newspaper, The Seattle Times, recently published an article detailing some of the hottest fashion trends for Fall 2007. According to The Seattle Times staff reporter Pamela Sitt, this fall's fashion reveals bold colors and a feminine fit.

Pamela Sitt describes fashion as "fickle creature," at least that's what she witnessed at Wednesday's Nordstom fall fashion preview. Additionally, Sitt brings all of our fashion fears to fruition when she hypothesizes on the 80s influence seen in fall 2007 fashion. Among the designers being represented on the catwalk were popular brands including Chanel, Prada, Christian Dior, Gucci, Stella McCartney and Dolce & Gabbana just to name a few.

Perhaps, in our opinion at least, styles from Marc Jacobs were among the most interesting. Probably because of their 80s influence, coupled with the functionality and form seen in the styles of today. All that said, everything we hear now about fall fashion trends is still speculation; that is until the fashion lines hit the shelves in late August/early September.

Fallin' in Love

My love for fall fashion really knows no bounds. I am really excited about this season, not so much for the fall trends that we saw on the runways (which were just a major regurgitation of last year's trends minus all of the layering), but because I am excited to incorporate a more chav/fringe look into my fall wardrobe. Here are some pieces I'm dying to pick up (and hints as to how I'd wear them).




I would wear this Mary Ping Lissel Cotton Tank under almost every outfit. It kind of has a sloppy chav look to it, but it finishes with a unique cut that makes it deceptively couture. Cardigans, turtlenecks, skinnies, and major scarves would all look really cool with this tank.



Okay, so this tank costs a mind-boggling amount of $2000. Of course, I'm looking for a similar (and signifcantly less expensive piece) but I love how glamorous it is and yet it is still a very simple top. I would use this as a layering piece, either over or under fall sweaters and turtlenecks.



The way I plan to wear these skinnies is to tuck them into majorly slouchy socks and wear with wingtips, black & white oxfords or high-top Nikes:



I love these Grey Ant sailor jeans. When I'm not sporting my slouchy look, I'd wear these with a fitted cardigan and sequined tank for a more sophisticated fall look.



These super skinny jeans are perfect for pairing with both neutral and brightly colored tops.



A tomboyish top is just what I was looking for. High-tops and skinny jeans will accompany this look.





This sweater by Chloe has a nice amount of volume to it and some cool details. I'd love to wear it with a long-sleeve plain black t-shirt underneath.



Who could resist the siren song of Phillip Lim's gorgeous pieces? I know I can't. I think this smart, military style look can be deconstructed and played with in so many ways. Sign me up for that challenge!



This cropped sequin covered cardigan is perfect for fall. I would pair it with a wife-beater, a crazy vintage Hermes scarf and some bright purple high-top sneakers for a completely juxtaposed look.

Paris Hilton and bikini

Composed of the rarest ingredients in the world with no regard to their cost, No. 1, which has been produced by Clive Christian for the past six years, retails for $2,350 for 30ml of the pure perfume. Only 1000 bottles each of the men's and women's perfumes are released each year.

The single most expensive bottle of the Clive Christian perfume, the No. 1 Imperial Majesty bottle made of Baccarat Crystal and inset with a white diamond on the neck, was on display Saturday as well at Saks. Valued at over $200,000, only 10 bottles were ever produced.

Fans of No. 1 include Sir Elton John, who used the scent to perfume the gardens at his White Tie and Tiara Ball and Katie Holmes, who wore it on her wedding day for her marriage to Tom Cruise.Bikin fashion, Beauty girl, Girl Beauty, Bikini girl, gai xinh, Fashion Designers

French Connection (FCUK)

Phone: 702.369.0852 (Fashion Show Mall), 702.733.6420 (Miracle Mile Shops)

Address:

3200 Las Vegas Blvd. So. Las Vegas, NV 89109--Fashion Show Mall
3663 Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109--Miracle Mile Shops

Notes: Located at the Fashion Show Mall

French Connection operates at the upper end of the middle market offering a fashion-forward range of quality products at affordable prices. Our customers, typically aged 18-35, appreciate that the brand is at the leading edge of high street fashion and offers quality, stylish products. We design ranges of both men's and women's products from underwear to outerwear, casual wear to suits, denim, accessories and kidswear.

Feather Headbands

This fall feathers have been popping up on jackets, gowns and handbags. If you don't want to go overboard or look like you are about to take flight, keep it simple by accessorizing with these Phoenix Feather Headbands. Available at Alex and Ani $38.00 each

Fashion - Animal Prints Gone Wild

It seems like everywhere I look on the streets of NYC there are women clad in animal prints passing me by. My favorite is the leapord print like this Tucker Shirred Collar Henley Blouse $308.00. The reptail textures are also especially appealing like these Dolce Vita Stella Croc Print Pump $138. Both Available at Shopbop.

FW06 Trend: Tunics and Smocks

OK, so first of all, those of you lovely readers who cheak in regularly may have noticed that our blogging has been a bit... off, timing wise. Here's what's up with Barney's Girl's and my life: Last weekend, both of us packed up and flew back home to Hong Kong from London and Paris. I arrived home to my newly refurnished home and room, which was piled with everything I own, so I literally had to jump over boxes and stacks of books to get to my bed and desk. So obviously, I've been busy putting everything away and finishing the refurnishing (still lots to finish up on). Today, Lane Crawford's sale (the equivilant of Saks) had just begun so I spent some time doing very important shopping. As for Barney's Girl, she landed in HK on Monday, dumped her luggage home and went straight to the eye doctor, Bobbi Brown counter and hair salon, where I mamanged to catch a quick chat with her for 10 minutes. Then last night, she flew off to Australia for a family vacation. See, we were SO busy that I spent less than half an hour on the Internet in the past few nights, which is just weird for me.

So anyways, onto tunics and smocks. According to British Elle, the definition of smocks is 'a cute, loose shirt that stands away from the body.' I wasn't bothered to check what tunics meant, but I think we can just think of them as long tops (which aren't as loose.) Both tops are long and brilliant to wear with skinny jeans (or mini skirt with full leggings).

Chloe is one of the main reason for the trend. Cute and babydoll-like.

Marc Jacobs is another brand that does such tops, although Marc Jacobs' is darker and not quite as cute.

Tunic by Sunner. Such a fantastic top -you can wear it casually or for a nice night out.

This very casual long vest by Velvet is great for super casual wear. It feels sort of LA-ish. A great way which I've learnt to make tops like this less casual, or simply to add more city-feel is to add a blazer over it. I mean, this must be the reason why designers made so many great cropped jackets and blazers this season -to go with all those long tops!

Top Shop as usual, makes loades of trendy yet affordable tops. I bought this one last week in my Bye-Top-Shop-For-One-Month shopping spree. I love those big buttons and the rib design. It's also another top perfect for me to roll out of bed, put on and run to (enter next desination).

Here's another smock by Top Shop.

Mark and Estel have some very simple, long flowy tees, which are also great for the look. This brand is now relatively known thanks to MKA Olsen wearing shirts by the brand a while ago.

For those who like the trendy, preppy look, wear a mini polo dress with jeans. The one above is by T.

Some of the tops are quite 'flared' so may make you feel like a preganat woman. One way to make this better is to wear a belt around the waist. (The belt should go around the narrowest part of your waist.) The belt will even instantly add style points!

FW06 Beauty Trend: The Smoky Eyes

Yes, I know that we are technically at the end of the FW06 season, but I've saved this very gothic look for the festive season. I absolutely love this season's gothic look. We're not talking about high school emo/ rock chick/ gothic look here, we're talking the sophisticated one.

Rochas had chimney sweepers as the inspiration of the collection, including the super smoky eyes which looks like a lot of shades of matte black and charcoal grey.

Alessandro Dell'Acqua -Sparkling and fluid-like black. The whole eyelid looks literally all black.

Marc by Marc Jacobs and Valentino -Marc's (left) eye makeup is soo funky -it looks like the makeup artist used a black eyeliner and drew random lines all over the model's eyelids (which I'm sure were well-planned)! On the other hand, Valentino has got the very sophisticated look, with mainly dark eyeliner at the bottom, complete with red lipstick. A bit too mature for me, but maybe some of you would like to try it.

Nars eyeshadow -Pile on the sparkling black, artistically of course. For those who want a bit of colour, dark purple is great for most skin tones.

Nars liquid eyeliner -Lots and lots (and hope that it doesn't run off throughout the night!) If you want the smudged eyeliner effect, then opt for pencil eyeliner instead. I usually recommend MAC's black eyeliner to my friends.

And lastly, mascara! From experience, Diorshow gives the most dramatic effect, although it did smudge a bit on long nights.

If you think all this black is waay too dramtic and dark for you, then you can try dark brown. See how Rachel Bilson looks mega-gorgeous in dark brown smoky eyes? (But then again, she looks gorgeous in most looks.)

I've always thought Christmas as a family event and New Year countdown as a friends' event. Personally, I think this look is a bit too extreme for family Christmas dinners, but I'm seriously considering doning this look for New Year. Now all I have to do is master the art of putting on all that black eye makeup without looking like a panda and find myself a super pale lip colour!

FW06 Trend: Plaid on the Runway

Once a Scottish pattern used only by a few select fashion houses, this season plaids are all over the runway- and they're cooler than ever! Witness its transformation from boring old traditional pattern to fashion stardom this season:

First off, it was rocked up by Alexander McQueen on his runway, with clever draping, genius combos and rock on accessories. Of course, it also helped that Sarah Jessica Parker was seen wearing that dress (right) on the red carpet.Another fashion house that contributed greatly to the revival of the plaid is Balenciaga. The stark big plaid patterned combined with the strong silohuette of the collection is just genius, giving us a refreshing and sharp vision of plaid. I just LOVE this runway.

Even the traditional house of plaid, Burberry, gave us something different this season, combining these more typical plaid patterns into the Burberry look.

Another more funky and modern twist on the plaid by Luella. I love how she uses plaid for such unlikely designs and combinations and yet it still looks cool.

For something not quite so sharp and more casual and grungy, take a page from the Marc Jacobs runway. It looks so cool here on the runway. Although I cannot help but wonder if I'd be able to achieve the same effect with a table cloth and some expert knotting. . .

Personally though I am not much for all out plaids. I prefer something more subtle. Hence my love for these looks from the Moschino runway- the dark subtle plaids and the clever designs is genius. There are also lots of variations of it, so much that I couldn't decide which to put up- so I decided to put them all up! These two here represent the more casual looks. I know, the skirt on the right is not subtle, but I just wanted to let you see the variety on the catwalk.

These two are the more dressy looks. And my favourites!

THE image that stuck in my head after looking at the Ralph Lauren FW06 runway was this absolutely divine plaid dress (right). The use of this shiny material is just perfect, adding an extra touch of glam to the already elegant design. A little bit more casual (but still glam) there is this cute shiny plaid dress from Zac Posen (left).