Kate Spade | NYFW SS16

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Mission Statement 

Kate Spade New York draws women into a world that’s culturally curious, intellectually alive, and glowing with irresistible allure. There are stories to capture the imagination, and dramas to unfold. Kate Spade New York encourages women to star in their own lives, to be courageous, to indulge their many passions, to tune out the noise of fashion fads and mediocrity in all its forms. Kate Spade New York is the brand that helps women express their own personal style with incandescent charm and a dash of rebellion.

I've been looking at brands' mission and vision statements a bit more lately so I decided I would add Kate Spade's mission along with their NYFW show because they are a great example of a brand that keeps their mission at the center of every collection.


Their SS16 collection of classically feminine black, white, yellow, and pink pieces with a-line silhouettes and use of bows, delicate floral, ruffles, and eyelets speak to their vision of the Kate Spade girl.

Sona Martirosian



I also really adored the peter pan collars and eclectic and sweet animal shaped bags. 



Kate Spade


Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee ♥♣

Trend Forecast SS15 | That's So Seventies

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Every year post-holidays it's hard not to daydream about summer festivals and days at the beach so it was super exciting to see the perfect 1970s inspired festival wear everywhere on the runways for Spring/Summer '15. Last year winter was a lot longer and a lot colder (blame Elsa..) so the dreamy and optimistic pastels were fitting. This spring; however, we're ready for much more energetic and bold vibes and colours.


Everything from 70s flower child to grungy rocker influenced looks ruled the runways. The colour scheme included mainly bright primary colours and iridescent darker shades. Katie Smith over at Editd broke down some of the numbers involved in the colour trend. 
The market is ideally primed for a strong uptake of yellow and red colors in SS15, both currently have low rates of discounting: 30.7% of current red womenswear products are reduced, and 28.6% of yellow products, compared to 39.4% of pinks, 37% of orange and 49% of blue. A breakdown of market segmentation for red and yellow is interesting too, showing high levels of the shades being in the luxury market, compared to other shades. For red, 12% of products are within luxury segment and 19% of yellows (compared to 8.7% pink and 9% orange). This shows designers brands are beginning to build the color trends’ credentials beyond mass market. The average price point of current garments backs this up – $307 for yellow and $266 for red, compared to $146 for pink. Furthermore, in August saw a a 18% increase in new arrivals of red products in comparison to August 2013, and a 33% increase of yellows on the market.
Nearly every brand was nostalgic for the carefree decade, notably Emilio Pucci, Tom Ford, Saint Laurent, and House of Holland. Tom Ford and Saint Laurent were more on the grungy glam rocker side of the trend while House of Holland and Emilio Pucci mixed floral prints. 

With the endless options of fun prints from the 1970s each collection mixed a few. All florals though mainly large and jungle, leopard, stripes, and polka dots were prominent. The list of textures was even more diverse than the list of prints. Suede, leather, velvet, denim, fringe, fur, tulle, and hologram were used to create dynamic and modern takes on the 1970s inspirations.

Naturally platform shoes were major for the shoe trend with the looks. Though I don't think brogues will disappear entirely over the season and athletic shoes are still great to make some upscale looks more casual. 

Hair and makeup are really simple this season. Center parts, boho waves, and slicked back or super straight hair didn't distract from the intense colours, prints, and textures on the runway. Makeup looks were even simpler with clean skin, taupe eyeshadows, subtle feline eyes, and bold brows. To add colour some collections featured wine stained lips. Designers like Chloe, Mary Katranzou, and Calvin Klein kept makeup and hair really basic though. Marc Jacobs didn't use any makeup at all.

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee 

Pantone 2015 Colour of the Year | Marsala

Hey Gorgeous Readers!


Every year, Pantone announces their colour of the year. The 2015 colour is Marsala, "a naturally robust and earthly red wine." My first impression was that I wasn't really in love with it. I like bright and fun or sweet and pastel colours. This just seemed so dark and not very pretty. 


As an accent, however with the white or blue, like in this photo, the colour is growing on me. I don't like it on its own or as the main focus of the outfit. I think the colour is best suited for traditional interior designs as it is a very rich and warm colour. I don't think I would like it in a beauty product just because I don't like a brown-red and would prefer a brighter red for a lipstick or nail polish.

Looking back on the past few Pantone colours of the year- Radiant Orchid, Emerald, Tangerine Tango, Honeysuckle, and Turquoise- this year is starkly darker.

Looking at the SS15 trends being the 1970s, leather, and tulle the colours seem to be more pale reds, yellows, blues, and greens. 

Marie Claire

Marie Claire
I also don't really forsee Marsala being a main focus in FW15 either. Except a bit in an Eastern Euro trend.


What do you think about the 2015 colour of the year? Will you be wearing Marsala this year?

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee 

News | End of MBFW as we know it

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Yesterday WWD and Refinery29 shared major changes to New York Fashion Week next year. This past Fall was my first time to see Fashion Week at Lincoln Center in New York which was incredible. And unbelievably lucky because it was also the last year Spring/Summer fashion week would be at Lincoln Center. After the February shows Fashion Week will no longer be at the venue due to 'lease violations'.

*not my photo (if it's yours please let me know so I can credit you :))

Mercedes Benz is also ending its sponsorship. As is American Express. During the February shows, the sponsors are "expected to be Mercedes, Maybelline, TRESemme and DHL" (Buro247).

It is rumored IMG- which owns MBFW- will be partnering with MADE and showing collections downtown, possibly at Eyebeam Studio. Culture Shed will be another option when it completes construction in 2017. IMG typically charges large fees to designers showing whereas MADE does not so their cultural differences still need to be worked though of course. IMG is very capitalistic, but MADE is mainly a non-profit, all money made goes back into the art.

Moving from uptown to downtown would bring a very different feeling to the whole fashion week too.

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee 

Sanctuary | Silversark

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

So along with the stunning Timothy Westbrook show last week, I attended the strikingly beautiful show presented by Silversark at the fabulous Hot Water Wherehouse. The dramatic collection was inspired by Stephanie's trip abroad and the Gothic architecture.

Thanks to Daria Melnikova- you all get to see the show!




Silversark style is beautifully Steampunk and Victorian. I think it's exactly what my alter ego would wear. If you've never tried a cage skirt, corset, or veil-- you need to. And you can buy any of her amazing pieces right on Etsy. The elaborate headpieces were by Deborah Olson Milliner Extraordinaire.

photos by KrygPhotography.
Last/right bottom corner by Bjorn of Fashion Farmboy

And on top of all this fabulosity.. She has another mini Summer collection coming out soon! Like her on facebook to be the first to find out when.

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee 




Legacy | Timothy Westbrook

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

This past week I've had so much fun attending not one, but two stunningly gorgeous shows. The first, being my love, Timothy Westbrook's. You may remember him from Project Runway over the summer and his premiere party I attended. Legacy was also at the beautiful Pfister Hotel, this time with ice-like plastic runway provided by the Pettit National Ice Center. Rather than unicorns this time, the show was a bit of an homage to Timothy's other two loves- sewing and ice skating. Hence the ice-like runway... because Timothy and three other incredibly talented girls were ice skating. Naturally.

The show began with a performance piece of sewing and skating before the stunning fashion show. He's known for his use of only repurposed material and vintage fabric (over 20 years old) and every single piece of his on and off the runway was just breathtaking. Example- his skates were covered in hole punches of Coors Light cans. And as these cans change colour with temperature, his skates changed through the night. Corleen over at Barely Practical wrote a great piece about them leading up to the show. I was honored to borrow one of his dresses for the night (pictured below).





Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee 

Ps. Check out the opening video from the show here.

2013 Best | SE Wisconsin Spring Fashion Industry Meet&Greet

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

Last April, photographer, Richard Allen and Femme.forte Productions organized one of the 2013's best events. At the SE Wisconsin Fashion Industry Meet&Greet amateur and seasoned members of Milwaukee's fashion industry networked and Deborah "GG" Render of GG Collections put on a beautiful Spring show.





Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee

2013 Best | Creatures & Creators Halloween Party and Fashion Demonstration

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

As 2013 comes to an end (Happy December!) I'll be sharing some of my favourite shows of the year- including some I haven't shared here yet.

The Creatures & Creators' Halloween Party and Fashion Show was one of my favourite shows by far. Organized by Alexis Rose, that really didn't come as a surprise (she totally organized all of Milwaukee's top shows this year).

The party was perfect in the historic landmark, Turner Hall Ballroom. The night of the show was so windy I should've dressed like Mary Poppins and flown there. While I wasn't that creative though, there were a lot of cool costumes in the running for the costume contest during the event.

The party itself was awesome with tons of music from the DJ and live performances, dancing, and three bars (two on the main floor, one on the balcony).

I was really there for the fashion show of course. And every single collection was fabulous! Not to pick favourites, but I did really love the retro/'you can't sit with us' cool collection by Bolted Vintage- especially the giant hair bow.










Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee

NY Fashion Week SS14 | Zac Posen

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

I might be a little biased as a major Project Runway fan, but I love Zac Posen. Since his gown made of leather strips and dress hooks was added to Victoria & Albert Museum in 2001, he has been a favourite of many celebrities and stylists and has won various awards. Not to mention how cute and stylish (because not every designer actually dresses stylishly) is he? Though to stand out next to beautiful Heidi&Nina he kind of has to. ;)

I didn't think any collection could top Tadashi Shoji, but Zac Posen's sweet and fantastical dresses were just stunning. From Pantone's Fashion Colour Report- Spring 2014, it looks like Zac's show used a mix of the cooler blue/grey/purple colours like Placid Blue and Paloma, and warmer colours Sand and Cayenne. I'm really excited for more of these colours in the Spring. Is it just me or does it remind you more of AW though? Either way gorgeous collection!


Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee

NY Fashion Week SS14 | Rebecca Minkoff

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

I was daydreaming all about beautiful red carpet looks with Tadashi Shoji' show on day one, but on day two I was loving the playful and cool looks from Rebecca Minkoff's show.

Her collections are always the perfect mix of edgy and playful pieces and who doesn't love her accessories. Before we even get to her SS14 show- how fantastic was her Fall 2013 collection with gorgeous model, Aline Weber? And since it is fall; are you wearing any of these pieces now? It's actually a little warm here still so I can picture wearing SS14 looks easier, but I'm hoping for FW13 weather soon. :)









SS14. Photo Credit: MBFashionWeek
Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee

NY Fashion Week SS14 | Tadashi Shoji

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

New York fashion week just started and I'm already in love with.. pretty much every collection! So much so that I got way too distracted watching the shows (thank you internet!) instead of sharing them with all of you.

The shows began gorgeously with Tadashi Shoji on day one. Tadashi Shoji began his career studying fine art in Toyko and later studied fashion design in LA before working under costume designer, Bill Whitten. While he started his fashion career with more wholesale selling in Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Lord & Taylor (to name just a few), he is most famously known for his beauiful red carpet and evening wear. He is a favourite of celebrites like Katy Perry, Florence Welch, Kate Beckinsale.

photo credit: redcarpet-fashionawards

photo credit: thefashion-court
I adore all of the sparkle- of course- in his SS14 collection. And I love the feathers and sheer pieces. Some of my favourites seem 20s inspired with their silhouettes and hemlines.

photo credit: mbfashionweek

If I ever get a chance to walk the red carpet I think the pink one (the second one) is one of my top choices. 

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee

Chicago Fashion Fest

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

I know I said this at the beginning of this month too, really it's almost September? Really?

I actually have so much planned this September though so I can't wait to share it all (and not wait two weeks after..).

Well anyway, I haven't forgotten about Chicago Fashion Fest (which was um, 17&18 August). Like "Fashion in the Street" in June, Fashion Fest was totally fabulous. It's always amazing to see local designers and models and Fashion Fest was all about representing the local Wicker Park/Chicago brands and models. Along with the gorgeous and fun looks on the runway, Division Street in Wicker Park was lined with pop-up shops and vendors selling looks straight from the runway and more.

Check out all of the photos from the event here and the schedule of the shows here.

Day 1

Day 2

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee

Chicago Fashion Fest 2013



Happy Monday!

This weekend I attended Chicago Fashion Fest in Wicker Park organized by Michelle and Melissa Gomez of M. Go Fashion Salon. The entire weekend was completely fabulous and I can't wait to share all the photos and great designers with you (watch for it all this week! :))

Schedule:
Saturday 1:00PM
Taste of Division
featuring LEI By Leilani Tee Cutting

SATURDAY 2:00PM
Do Division Street- Do Fashion!

Saturday 3PM
WPB Last Call! Runway Show
Pascal Salon

Saturday 4:15
MAASH Boutique

Saturday 5PM
Vintage Runway Show
Le Thrift Boutique &
store B vintage

Wicker Park After Dark 
Saturday 8:00pm
Sorelle Boutique
M.GO Fashion Co
Steven Papageorge Academy
& More 

Sunday 1:00PM
Kids Back to School

Sunday 1:15PM
Teens in Style
Sponsored by Smash Talent

Sunday 2:00PM
WPB Last Call! Runway Show
Pascal Salon

Sunday 3:00PM
Do Division Street Do Fashion!

SUNDAY 4PM
TTK Collection By
Tsitsiki Felix Univision Radio

Sunday 4:15
Bridal
Sponsor Elevenzees Gift Registry
Designer Elda De La Rosa
Designer Maria Hansen

Sunday 5PM
Curvaceous Women Runway Show
Blair Chic Boutique


Wicker Park After Dark
Sunday 8:00
Avant Garde Marquin
Swimsuit Verneccia Vlashay House of Fashion
& More

Runway Shows and Vendors Include:

Angelique's Boutique
Dr. Martens
Gboutique
Le Dress
Elevenzees
Spex
Store B Vintage
Vive la Femme
Blair Chic Boutique

Maash Boutique Sheyla Jarosz
Smoky Joe's Clothing
JadePath Acupuncture
El Rodeo Santiago
Baizaar
Mistura Timepieces
Futurgarb
TherArt Jewelry & Bella Donna Boutique
Salon La Rouge by MDL
FRILL Accessory Boutique
Le Thrift Consignment
M.GO Fashion Boutique
PASCAL Studio Salon
Moroccanoil Blow Dry LOUNGE
BGEL No Chip Nail BAR
NEURO Lounge & Spa
State Farm Ann M. Rodriguez Nolan 
McGrath Lexus of Chicago

DJ Entertainment All Day From 12-10PM

Jesse De La Pena
Lego Rodriguez
Lady D
Diz
DJ Greg Bauer
Dj Julio Bishop
Funky Couture
Madrid Perry
Monna Samuka
Dj Favi GTZ
Dj Kristin & Deseree Fawn
DJ DLive

Fashion Stage Live Entertainment
Saturday 6pm Ghosthouse
Sunday 6pm Hey Champ!

Mac's American Pub Band Stage 
@Wood & Division Performing: 
Honest Colin
Snow Ghost
Vamos!
Smilin'Bobby
Brighton MA
Sybris
Berto and the Lizard
Ronny and the Puzzle

Food & Drink Vendors & Sampling 

Mac's American Pub
Taco Joint
Frontier
Sparkling ICE
NEURO 

Division Street Between Damen & Paulina

Kids Fest will be on Wolcott Street off of Division with Bouncey Houses and more fun for kids Sponsored by Pando Kids, Gus on the Go & Alderman Joe Moreno

Division Street Between Damen & Paulina
$5 Gate Donation benefiting Local Schools & Programs


DJ Lounge Paulina & Division
Saturday

12-2 Todd Showalter & DJ JUNEBUG
2-4 Julio Bishop
4-6 Harrry The Blade
6-8 Dj Favi Gtz
8-10 Amy D

Sunday

12-2 Todd Showalter & DJ JUNEBUG
2-4 Dj Kristin & Deseree Fawn
4-6 Dj DLive
6-8 Dj Favi
8-10 Henry Castro & Augie DeLaRosa

Fashion Stage Wolcott & Division
Saturday

12-4 Lady D & DJ Greg Bauer
4-6:30 Dj Kristin & Deseree Fawn
6:30-7:15 Ghosthouse
7:15-10 Lego


Sunday

12-2 Dj Julio
2-6 DJ's Monna, Madrid, & Funky Couture
6-6:45 Hey Champ
6:45-8 Jesse De La Pena
8-10 Diz


Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee

Paris AW13- FashionTV Backstage

Hey Bells&Beaux!

I think it's just as fun to see backstage of a show as the show itself and glad FashionTV thought so too with these...


Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee 

Paris AW13 Couture

Hey Belles&Beaux,

After mens fashion weeks, Paris had AW13 Couture Week! 

There were so many incredibly gorgeous collections. It's almost too hard to choose a favourite collection, but I do think that Armani Prive, Giambattista Valli, and Iris Van Herpen were stunning. They were also three of the collections that had softer colours than Valentio or Versace's richer colours. I don't usually dress seasonally so I think lighter colours are equally pretty in A/W and richer colours in S/S. Elie Saab and Armani Prive were so glamourous. While I just love a princess red carpet dress during couture week, there were also some metallic and print pieces (trends we've been seeing a lot).

Armani Prive

Giambattista Valli

Iris Van Herpen

Alexis Mabille

Bouchra Jarrar

Chanel

Christian Dior

Elie Saab

Franck Sorier

Jean Paul Gaultier

Maison Martin Margiela

Stephane Rolland

Ulyana Sergreenko

Valentio

Versace

Viktor and Rolf

Vionnet
Which collection would you love to add to your closet? Besides all of them....

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee 

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