Moody Autumn #OOTD

I'm sorry I left without saying. The cracks in the pavement lead back to me baby.

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

So it's been awhile again. I've been meeting and learning some more about social media and web design from some really amazing people in marketing the last couple months though. A combination of their inspiration, it being my favourite type of weather out, and having a morning off has motivated me to get back to work here at Bows&Beau-ties. 

A quick rundown of the FW15 trends- interior design influence, touches of fur, neo Victorian, lingerie, the 80s, the 70s patchwork and fringe, velvet, capes, athleisure, pleats, statement shoes- especially with pom poms, gypsy, exaggerated silhouettes, ribbed knitwear (like my sweater! :)) dark/gothic, monochromatic.

Vogue. NOWFASHION, Hazine

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Channeling Alexander Wang and Fendi's collections I went with a darker/gothic monochromatic look. It seemed fitting for the overcast day and mood (to say the last couple weeks have been rough would be an understatement).

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

Ps. Here's what I've been listening to lately. The quote in the cover photo is from "Dug my Heart."

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.

Eastern Euro

Space Lab

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

Stay Fabulous,

xoxo Aimee ♥

Trend Forecast SS14 | Pink Parade

Hey Gorgeous Readers!

As you all know, I completely and totally adore the colour pink so you can imagine how ecstatic I was when I noticed the abundance of various shades of pink the runways lately. After the winter we've had, I think we're all going to see the warmer seasons (when they ever come!) through rose-coloured glasses.

Following a long and icy winter, the trending, colour pink will set a youthful and alluring mood for the Spring/Summer season. Dominating the runways, pink is at the forefront of the SS14 collections. The blushing shades of pink are charming and match the excitement that comes with the warmer season. With some shine, collections didn’t come off dull even with monochromatic looks. As Glamour put it, “Here comes the pink parade”.

The list of brands that showcased this pink trend are inexhaustible. Giambattista Valli, Badgley Mischka, Karen Walker, Marissa Webb, and Yoana Baraschi all centered their collections around this endearing colour. Structured bubble skirts and chic draping gave the feminine colour some strength. Bows and and flourishes were at a minimum or nonexistent, with shine in the fabric or collar embellishments drawing the most attention. Hair was slicked back or straight, again balancing the femininity. Bronze and gold makeup brought glamour to the looks and accented the shine. The trend even influenced beauty brands like Bobbi Brown, M.A.C, and Urban Decay. M.A.C partnered with Rihanna to create a shimmer and pink line, ‘Riri Hearts M.A.C’ while Urban Decay presented the same balance of blushed pink and bronze shades in their Naked 3 palette. The shoe trends of the season also contrasted, but didn’t take away from, the sweet colour. Stacked heels replaced skyhigh stilettos and black and white added to the classic trend.

While the season has a feeling of excitement, it is much quieter than electric highlighter pinks. The shades of the trend range from strawberry gelato or cotton candy to a blushing, almost white, pink. Soft chiffon gave some movement to looks and sheer pieces held a spot as a leading trend for the season on their own. Jersey and cotton are also lightweight and gave pieces more structure and substance. Metallic, shiny fabrics commanded attention. With the balance of glitzy sparkle and soft chiffon, the trend really set the tone for a mysterious, but naive and darling mood. The fabrics and colours have a wide versatility suitable for any occasion, day to night.

Bobbi Brown says, “Pink is the colour that makes everyone instantly pretty.” Dior had written in The Little Dictionary of Fashion, that it was a colour every woman should have in her closet. For those very reasons, this trend is really for everyone. The soft shades, being completely classic, look stunning on all ages and skin tones. With women, now holding many high positions in companies, starting their own businesses, and earning more bachelor’s degrees than men there is a definite feeling of independence and confidence. This feeling influenced the street style and ‘trickled up’ to runway collections, resulting in strong silhouettes and styling without compromising on femininity.

The ‘pink parade’ really stormed the runways and captured the upcoming season’s mood perfectly. Still embracing sweetness and youthfulness, blushing pinks are outshining high powered hot pinks. This pink won’t be seen as immature or girlish though, with strong simple silhouettes and hard metal.

Stay Fabulous,
xoxo Aimee ♥