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Anna P

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alena akhmadullina spring 2019 fashion runway turquoise skirt with tshirt
Runway

Fiery and Fantastic Fashion with Alena Akhmadullina Spring 2019

Is it almost fall already? Okay, so I’m late talking about this collection and there have since been three(!!!) more Alena Akhmadullina collections released, but I give myself permission to turn back the clocks and appreciate collections I like that I may or may not have just learned about. After all, the art of fashion is forever, so why not try to appreciate all of the beautiful things, even if they’re a few seasons old?

alena akhmadullina spring 2019 fashion runway shiny copper dress
One of my favorite looks from the collection- a shimmering, copper dress that reminds me of a delicate flame. (Photo: Alena Akhmadullina via Vogue.com)

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s talk about the clothes. Hailing from the distant land of Russia where maximalist fashion reigns king, Akhmadullina piles on the layers of detail to fantastic effect. Scrolling through each look in this lengthy collection was such a pleasure to my eyes- The shimmer! The embroidery! The pastels! I’m practically swooning just looking back through the images again.

And as if to reach directly into my wildest dreams and pluck out my dream collection, it’s based on the myth of Lady Godiva, the story of a woman that rode a horse completely nude with only the coverage of her long, flowing hair to protest what she saw as oppressive taxation her husband levied on his subjects. If there is anything I can’t get enough of, it’s collections based on myths and stories because you can infuse details inspired by the myths and legends into each piece, creating something unique that serves as a new form of storytelling.

In this collection, Akhmadullina recounts the story of Lady Godiva through richly-embellished garments that sparkle in a thousand different ways, with a couple of dresses featuring Godiva herself, decked out in her own glimmering garments. This collection impresses me, not only because the shimmer and soft color palette appeal to my general aesthetic, but because Akhmadullina often creates her garments by hand. With such detailed embellishments and the sheer size of her collection, that fact should not be overlooked.

My favorite pieces include the loosely-fitted, copper-colored dress that shimmers in the same subdued manner as a candle flame, as well as the retro-inspired floral dress with puff sleeves and pockets outlined in a simple, yet stunning ruffle. It is this mashup of wacky maximalism and vintage subtlety that I love and crave when selecting pieces for my own evolving wardrobe. And while the rest of the fashion world seems to be getting tired of the zany, nonsensical maximalism pioneered in this modern age by Alessandro Michele’s Gucci, I can’t get over it, so designers like Akhmadullina keep my fashion fantasies alive and well for the time being.

Check out my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos from Alena Akhmadullina via Vogue.com

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Runway

Ronald van der Kemp Couture Fall 2019 Reaffirms My Designer Dreams

I’m a creator, and always have been. Whether I was writing stories or songs, or (badly) drawing pictures of all of my imaginary friends, I always thrived off of funneling my wild imagination into something real and tangible. Fashion became another outlet that allowed me to do that, by helping me to create characters and stories from the looks I put together with the clothes I bought.

Up until recently, my only desire was to put together looks from pieces that other people created, like assembling a puzzle, rather than create something for myself. However, with the recent, urgent push for people to be more conscious consumers and give things up that are doing the most harm to our environment, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I have to part ways with some things that I’ve previously loved and leaned on, like fast fashion- a huge contributor to environmental harm around the globe. Because I’m passionate about being more green and have resolved to buy mostly second hand and ethically-made clothes, I’ve also opened the door to another possibility that I’ve only recently considered: designing and creating clothes of my own.

In the past, the thought of going through the arduous process of learning how to design and assemble my own clothes has left me feeling nothing short of dejected. How am I supposed to put in the work and learn how to do this on my own time? It just seems like there are always better things to do with my wild and precious life. However, after viewing Ronald van der Kemp’s Fall 2019 couture collection, I feel like my resolve to actually go through with this and learn how to craft my own dream wardrobe (with my own hands!) is renewed.

On top of being very in line with my own ultra-feminine, eclectic sense of style, I fall in love with van der Kemp’s couture season after season because he creates his gorgeous looks almost entirely from recycled and vintage, deadstock materials, making his creations environmentally-friendly and pretty much one-of-a-kind. It has to take a massive amount of skill and creativity to turn what basically amounts to scraps of random fabrics into his incredible couture creations, and this season there were so many pieces that really left me inspired to forge my own path in the fashion design world. These are the kinds of clothes I would like to make and wear- the fluttery, blue blouse; the plaid dress with the rad, military details; the lacy, white blouse (I could and pretty much do have an entire wardrobe of just these, thanks); and even the shimmering, silver dress with ruffled details that shines as delicately as the dust of a moth’s wing.

For me it comes down to this: It isn’t enough for me to behold and consume the beauty that others put forth into the world. I want to possess the ability to create my own beauty that others may appreciate. It’s one of the biggest things that drives me forward into the world each day.

Anyways, check out a few of my favorite looks from the Ronald van der Kemp Couture Fall 2019 collection below:

All photos from Vogue.com by Allessandro Lucioni for Gorunway.com

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Fashion

Some of the Best Streetstyle Looks from the Paris Haute Couture Fall 2019 Shows (And What I’m Stealing From Them)

During any kind of fashion week, the shows are only half the fun- the other half is seeing the people that attend them and, more specifically, what they’re wearing. I’m talking about streetstyle, people! It’s one thing to see high fashion makes it’s way down the runway in a perfect world where every outfit would be created only from one brand and one collection, and it’s another, more chaotic and ultimately more interesting thing to see fashion from all different sources clashing and weaving into outfits in the wild. You can learn a lot and glean a lot of inspiration from streetstyle, which is exactly what I did with the latest streetstyle looks from the Fall 2019 Haute Couture shows in Paris that have been dropping this week.

Without further ado, I present you my favorite streetstyle looks and the style tips I’d like to steal from each one. Who knows? You might even want to steal something yourself!

I’m a Sheer Girl in a Sheer World

I’ve always always always loved the aesthetic of a sheer, flowing dress thrown over an otherwise unassuming outfit, which is why this look created with a frothy, green Molly Goddard dress really caught my eye. Think about it- it’s the perfect summer getup. With all white underneath and a light layer on top, you’ll keep cool while looking cool and what could be better than that? What I’m stealing: a sheer sheer sheer dress, baby!

paris haute couture fall 2019 streetstyle sheer green molly goddard dress the young eclectic
Lolita Jacobs in Molly Goddard (Photo: Phil Oh for Vogue.com)

Let’s Get Down to Business

Business-inspired streetstyle looks seemed to be a major theme this week, with several people donning strong-shouldered blazers with sharp pants. What I liked about this look is that the blazer is the outfit. Like, that’s it. It’s just a big blazer with some shorts and that’s a big vibe that I’m really feeling right now. What I’m stealing: pairing an oversized blazer with some shorts for a relaxed evening look.

paris haute couture fall 2019 streetstyle acne studios oversized blazer with green bag fashion the young eclectic
Courtney Trop in Acne Studios (Photo: Phil Oh for Vogue.com)

Socks and Sandals (But Make It Fashion)

Your dad may have once embarrassed you by daring to wear the infamous pairing of socks and sandals. Yet, in this all-black, summer ‘fit, the socks and sandals make a perfect match that has me taking notes. Maybe it’s the sheerness of the socks that creates a dainty, doll-ish look, or maybe it’s that the socks are a contrasting white to the rest of the outfit’s black. Whatever it is, I’m buying! What I’m stealing: isn’t it obvious? Socks with platform sandals, please!

paris haute couture fall 2019 streetstyle black outfit with black sandals and white socks the young eclectic
Xenia Adonts in Miu Miu (Photo: Phil Oh for Vogue.com)

Lovely in Lace Collars

I know there’s a lot going on in this picture, but I really only noticed one thing- that darling, lacey bib collar that the lovely lady on the far right has going on. And I don’t even know if this is the case, but I am loving the idea of it being a detachable accessory. It’s genius because then you could imbue some prim, vintage beauty onto any outfit with little to no effort. And after professing my love for these kinds of collars in my Miu Miu Resort 2020 post, I think it’s clear what I’m stealing here: the incredible idea of the detachable collar. I need one, now!

paris haute couture fall 2019 streetstyle phil oh vogue fashion style streetwear the young eclectic
Ada Kokosar, Caroline Daur in Miu Miu, Pernille Teisbaek. (Photo: Phil Oh for Vogue.com)

Your Boyfriend’s Shirt

There is something so simple, yet so compelling about this streetstyle look. It’s just an oversized dress shirt worn like a dress, paired with some chunky sneakers (a high fashion favorite.) I think what I love about this outfit is the freedom in it- like you’ve admitted that you just want to be comfortable, darn it, so you’re going to wear the big shirt and sneakers no matter what anyone says. I want to emulate that level of cool girl chill and confidence. What I’m stealing: just an oversized shirt and some sneakers, apparently.

paris haute couture fall 2019 streetstyle acne studios oversized brown shirt with puff sleeves fashion the young eclectic
In Acne Studios (Photo: Phil Oh for Vogue.com)

Romantic Ruffles and Frisky Fringe

Ruffles and fringe on their own tend to make a statement, and quite different ones that that. Soft, fluttering ruffles seem to say “I’m a romantic and I wish I was on the cover of one of those grocery store romance novels right now,” while fringe says “I’m cool, I’m tough, I like the ’70s, or I’m a cowboy.” Or… something like that anyways. If you’re going to make a statement, why not make two? Or three? Or an infinite amount? Can you tell I’m a maximalist at heart? ANYWAYS- I loved the chic, novel combination of the flowing, ruffled skirt with the structured, modern fringe vest. What I’m stealing: fringe and ruffles and fun and freedom- just do what you want!

paris haute couture fall 2019 streetstyle fringe vest over frilly white dress fashion the young eclectic
(Photo: Adam Katz Sinding for W Magazine)

I hope you found these streetstyle outfits as enlightening as I did! I’m looking forward to doing more of these little reviews in the future!

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Runway

Miu Miu Resort 2020: The Dramatic Collars and Sleeves Straight from a Retro Dream

Models took a jaunty, afternoon stroll through the Hippodrome d’Auteuil in Paris for the Miu Miu Resort 2020 show- one that conjured up a playful combination of ’40s and ’70s fashions that delighted me with its whimsical, retro styling and grandma-chic details. I’m talking collars of the oversized and dramatic variety, as well as the vintage-inspired lace variety paired with utterly charming puff sleeves in eye-catching colors that contrast with the relatively tame shades of the overall outfit. I can’t emphasize this enough- I’m obsessed.

Pretty pink dresses and pointed collars were embellished in an adorable cat print in the Miu Miu Spring 2010 show- one of the first fashion shows I fell in love with. (Image: Marcio Madeira via Vogue.com)

Miu Miu has always been one of my favorite brands to follow through the seasons because of Miuccia’s playful use of prints and the decidedly sweeter, purer silhouettes and details. In fact, I still remember the Miu Miu Spring 2010 show- a collection that also made clever use of statement collars- as being one of the first to open the door to the fashion world for me. It was pretty and pink and precious, with cats and birds and reclining, nude ladies splashed across the different outfits in a way that made everything feel a little bit magical. Looking back on this collection brought back so many fond memories of sinking hours into watching bootleg streams of the shows online, while scrolling through my Tumblr feed reblogging all of my favorite looks. And the models too- Hanne Gaby, Lindsey Wixson, and Lara Stone were among the famous faces to light up the runway. It’s hard to believe that it’s already been 10 years (I’m feeling old!).

Anyways, if my early taste in runway shows would be any indication of my lifelong sense of style, I would never cease to love the darling, vintage feel of a good collar- the lacier, the better. My obsession with a statement sleeve came later, and is something I’m finally accepting as a genuine part of my sense of style. Needless to say, I would wear most anything in the Miu Miu Resort 2020 collection, floppy hats and all.

The equestrian theme of the venue bled into the collection in the form of classic, jockey stripes and horse-related prints that play into Miuccia’s theme of fooling around with the notion of conservatism. And while the collars and puff sleeves were the standout details for me, it’s definitely hard to ignore the platform sneakers and wedge sandals paired with all manner of colorful socks, which will most likely prove to be a popular trend in coming seasons, paired with the ridiculous spectacle of multiple, stacked hats of clashing styles. The hats only serve to bolster the juxtaposition of old conservatism vs. youthful fun.

While dramatic, oversized collars might be a novelty for fashionistas in the coming seasons, I can’t help but feel that this collection validates my recent love of vintage, lacy blouses and shirts with ridiculous sleeves. And as someone who has, in the past, had trouble nailing down a signature aesthetic, it feels good to know that I might be getting close, and that my taste in vintage, eccentric styles won’t be shunned by the fashion world at large. It might even be celebrated.

Check out my favorite looks from the collection below:

Cover photo and all photos in gallery are by Giovanni Giannani for WWD.com.

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Culture

Is Men’s Fashion Finally Getting Interesting?

It’s a provacotive question, right? By asking it, I am insinuating that men’s fashion isn’t interesting, or wasn’t, at least- and in my opinion, it hasn’t been. Men’s fashion, in my opinion, has always been a parade of sameness with the same suits and collared shirts and jeans and T-shirts and beetle-ish dress shoes season after season. I’ve always thought that it’s a pity how men have so fewer choices for what society deems is acceptable for them to wear- shirts, shorts, pants, jackets- that’s pretty much it. Because of this unfortunate lack of diversity in the menswear industry, I’ve never really paid it much mind, preferring to leap headlong into the richness of women’s fashion instead.

louis vuitton Menswear Spring 2020 floral sweater with white pants fashion runway
This Menswear Spring 2020 season saw men’s fashion take a cue from womenswear with frilly details and pastel colors ruling the runway. Photo: Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2020

However, the Spring 2020 menswear shows carried forth a different message, with tons of gender-bending outfits rendered in precious pastels that made me consider the possibility that men’s fashion might finally be transforming, moving us one step closer to a world where people of all genders have the choice to wear exactly what they want without feeling pressured to adhere to a certain image.

For starters, pastels, the light, delicate tones that are often found with the most feminine fashions, were a prevailing theme in the Spring 2020 menswear shows. Suits, coats, pants, shoes, shorts, sweaters and more were all seen rendered in these playful colors, which created a more feminine vibe that you wouldn’t usually find in men’s fashion. There were also plenty of interesting pieces that I wouldn’t imagine normally seeing in the men’s section like sheer, flowing tops; ruffled blouses; preppy short shorts; tie-front jackets; beaded and embellished tops; flowery sweaters and accessories; a few skirts and even a dress or two.

Within these collections, it’s like the world of modern men’s fashion has finally opened up and has the freedom and space to allow men to think outside of the black suit, classic jeans, polos, khakis and the dreaded basketball shorts. I’m waiting and have been waiting for a fashion future where I can expect to see just as many fashionable, well-dressed men on the streets or the red carpet or on my Instagram feed as women.

But it’s one thing for the fashion elite to send these sort of looks down the runway and it’s quite another for the men of the world to actually absorb and accept these new possibilities. Unfortunately, we are a society run by gender norms and rigid expectations that put people into boxes and dictate what a normal man or woman should wear and how they should act. These types of issues don’t disappear overnight, and actually take decades, or even generations to break down and dissolve. Because of this, my only hope can be that pop culture will continue to push the envelope of gender stereotypes little by little, until it’s no longer seen as unusual or unacceptable for men to wear frilly, pastel clothing. So here’s to the future and hoping that change is coming!

Check out some of my favorite pastel looks from the Spring 2020 Menswear shows:

Ann Demeulemeester Menswear Spring 2020
Berluti Menswear Spring 2020
Amiri Menswear Spring 2020
Ann Demeulemeester Menswear Spring 2020
Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2020
Amiri Menswear Spring 2020
Lanvin Menswear Spring 2020
Loewe Menswear Spring 2020
Thom Browne Menswear Spring 2020
Alexander McQueen Menswear Spring 2020
Sies Marjan Menswear Spring 2020
JW Anderson Menswear Spring 2020
Sies Marjan Menswear Spring 2020
Thom Browne Menswear Spring 2020
Kenzo Menswear Spring 2020
Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2020
Fashion East Menswear Spring 2020
Loewe Menswear Spring 2020
Kenzo Menswear Spring 2020
Amiri Menswear Spring 2020
Kenzo Menswear Spring 2020
Thom Browne Menswear Spring 2020
Louis Vuitton Menswear Spring 2020
Craig Green Menswear Spring 2020
Ludovic de Saint Sernin Menswear Spring 2020
Amiri Menswear Spring 2020
Bode Menswear Spring 2020
Bode Menswear Spring 2020
Ann Demeulemeester Menswear Spring 2020
Amiri Menswear Spring 2020
Fashion East Menswear Spring 2020
Sies Marjan Menswear Spring 2020
Fashion East Menswear Spring 2020

All images from Vogue.com.

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Runway

The Only Boots You Will Need for the Rest of Your Life Brought to You by Kate Spade Resort 2020

Piles of phone cases with “quirky” prints. That’s what used to come to mind when I thought of Kate Spade, making me ignore it as one of those mid-tier brands that peddled logo-ed junk to the masses (think the Michael Kors section in the Dillards handbag department). However, during my recent trip to Vegas, I found myself perusing one of the many Kate Spade stores in the resort shopping centers and I was actually warmed by how darn cute and very much my style everything was (I’m still eyeing the round purse!).

Intrigued by the brand and their affinity for pleats and pastels, I perused their Resort 2020 collection and fell in love with the carefree, monochrome ensembles paired with playful handbags (a Kate Spade staple) and the most incredible glitter boots I have ever seen. I have a pair of glitter sock boots that I break out for special, rare occasions, but they only go to my ankle- which, in the light of this collection, is obviously not enough. These glitter thigh boots are the statement shoes I never knew I needed, and now I can only hope I can actually get my hands on a pair someday so I can lovingly wear them with my thrifted shorts to the grocery store.

A few other things I loved about this collection: the vintage-inspired details and silhouettes like the high, ruffled necklines; fur-collared coats; and puff sleeves. I just found myself enjoying every little whimsical detail and will definitely be planning on creating some powdery, pastel, monochrome looks that are like vacation to the eyes. I’m pleasantly surprised by Kate Spade and MAYBE, might consider buying a purse from them in the (near) future. I love a good redemption story! Here’s to hoping that I continue finding joy in the playful designs of Kate Spade.

Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All photos from Kate Spade via Vogue.com.

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Runway

Plants Are Having a Major Moment with Valentino Resort 2020

Photographed in Rome’s Orto Botanico, the colorful and couture-inspired pieces in the Valentino Resort 2020 collection shone like rare fruit among giant palms and picturesque bamboo forests. According to creative director Pierpaolo Piccioli, this collection was not about escape, as resort collections often are. He aimed to create a wardrobe with a wealth of options for everyday wear, and this elegant simplicity is key to the appeal of Piccioli’s exuberant designs.

In this way, the restraint of this collection mirrors that of the restraint of a lush garden stuck in the middle of a bustling city, with no possible option for expansion. It is a contained wilderness, which is something these gorgeous clothes can create within us. Feathers adorn jackets, hot pink details bubble up from the core, and sharp dresses are paired with carefree sandals- hints of unabashed joy shine through the pared down exterior of this collection, creating something insanely wearable, yet still exotic and enchanting.

While the clothes themselves are definitely nice to look at, the plants are what drew me in. Lately it seems like plants are having their own renaissance, as more people begin to cultivate them inside of their homes in vast quantities, covering nearly every surface with them. Even I have begun to fill my home with little, leafy friends, adopting the mentality that you can never have too many. My Instagram feed has become overgrown with scenes of lush greenery, so much so that my own posts would blend into the imagery of this collection (is Pierpaolo stealing my thunder?).

Adding a ton of plants to your living space has recently become a huge trend in interior design. Honestly, I think it looks amazing! (Photos: @wildrepose on Instagram.)

By surrounding ourselves with all manner of foliage, we try to cultivate our own bit of the wild, a slice of nature to remind us of our roots. I could never get tired of looking at plants. They exude liveliness and have a calming effect on the soul, as if to remind us that the world we inhabit is alive, whether we like it or not. All of this to say, if you want to get me a gift, go with a plant and it will never disappoint!

Check out some of my favorite looks from the collection below:

All images of Valentino Resort 2020 are from Vogue.com.

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Fashion

Refresh Your Wardrobe with Playful Spring Layering

Maybe you’re like me, and keep clothes like pets or beloved family members, making them impossible to let go (I’m working on it- okay?). Having the same clothes forever can lead to them feeling stale and uninspired, breeding feelings of apparel apathy. There are few things I hate more than wearing the same outfit over and over, so I have to innovate within my own wardrobe to keep things fresh. Otherwise, I’d want to spend way too much money buying new things to keep my ravenous desire for unique outfits slaked.

While it can be frustrating some mornings when I look into my closet, bursting with way too many clothes for one woman, and proclaim “I have nothing to wear!”, a blessing to come from my obsession with escaping wardrobe boredom is the birth of some outfits that are pretty dang cute. For this editorial, I put together some joyous little ensembles with some playful layering that I think emulates the liveliness of the spring season, incorporating plenty of floral-esque colors that are a landmark of spring style.

I hope these fun, little ‘fits can inspire you to try to reinvent your own wardrobe without having to buy anything new! Think of it as some kind of puzzle or game, and see what kinds of things you can come up with that you may not have thought of before. I’m sure you’ll be surprised at how many ways there are to wear one piece of clothing!

Check out my creations below:

Lovely Denim Doll

Anyone who knows me knows that denim is a major theme in my wardrobe, and there is pretty much nothing I can do to resist a cute, denim dress- especially one that’s good for layering. I paired this one with a sweet, pink shirt with puff sleeves and a round collar to give the whole outfit a vintage, doll-like, girlish feel, a look that I’m really into right now. The blouse even has a print of tiny hearts that contributes to the unique and quirky aesthetic.

Top & Dress: Thrifted from Goodwill. Shoes: Converse.

Green Gardener

In a pair of khaki shorts and a green shirt the color of newly-sprouted leaves, I felt like some kind of scout, ranger, or gardener that spends all day sowing new seeds for spring. I layered a loose-knit, sleeveless sweater over the oversized, green button up for an extra layer of detail to give the outfit some depth and texture. All I need now is a cute, little beret and I’ll be all set!

Green Shirt: H&M. White Sweater: Thrifted from Goodwill. Khaki Shorts: Uniqlo. Shoes: Converse.

Sheer Beauty

I’m going to be honest, I’ve had this sheer, long-sleeved shirt for a very long time and haven’t managed to wear it pretty much ever, and I was on the brink of giving up on it entirely before this outfit. I managed to find it a home paired with a light pink, cropped sweater that features a ton of shimmering embellishments like beading and sequins. I think the pink, floral embroidery layered over all of that snazzy beading has a cool effect, and the whole outfit gets a preppy treatment when paired with a voluminous skirt and some sneakers. This outfit almost makes me like a spring cheerleader, and I’m obsessed!

Sheer Top: Forever 21. Beaded Sweater: Thrifted vintage. Skirt: Oak + Fort. Shoes: Converse.

More Pink, Please

Pairing a pink top with pink pants? A bold move- but why not? I totally embraced my clownish side with this fun, layered outfit that includes a tunic/mini dress (that I usually wear as pajamas, but who’s asking) with ruffled, bell sleeves layered over a sheer, white blouse with ruffled, bell sleeves. I think the double layer of ruffled sleeves is what makes this outfit truly special! And all of the pink- how could we forget that?

Pink Dress: Zara. White Blouse: H&M. Pants: Banana Republic. Collar Necklace: Forever 21. Shoes: Converse.

Inspired yet? If not, stick around because I have another editorial coming soon!

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Runway

Candy Colored Retro Futurism in Prada Fall 2015- A Collection I Will Never Forget

Am I aware that it’s 2019? Yes, painfully so. Trust me when I say that writing about a collection from four years ago was not on my agenda tonight. I was preparing to do a write-up on the Prada Resort 2020 collection when memories of the Prada Fall 2015 collection came crashing to the surface of my mind, causing me to seek it out again and relive the joy of discovering this gem.

A sweet matching shirt and pants set featuring sleek, modern materials and classic, ’60s silhouettes. (Photo:
Monica Feudi / FeudiGuaineri.com via Vogue.com)

When I saw the debut of this collection, I was in awe of how fresh and innovative it felt. The smooth, plushness of the jersey knits; the the blown-up print that resembles chromosomes; the sweet, yet cold pastels that defied the normally-morose color code of winter; the cheeky bits of fur; the classic tweed; those sneakers that looked like leather socks; those gloves that extended up into the sleeves of the dresses. Every detail just built on the next to create a look that I had never seen before. Even now, looking back on it, I’m amazed and delighted anew by what this collection accomplished.

Playful in its concept and execution, this poppy collection dared to ask the question of whether or not artificial beauty (created through genetic modification and surgeries) is less authentic than natural beauty by combining natural elements like ostrich with less-than-natural elements, like the blown-up, science-y print comprised of an image of genetically-modified ostrich.

But the innovative clashing of concepts didn’t stop with natural vs. artificial- The modern materials, acid-toned colors, and lab-like atmosphere also abutted the classic and preppy, ’60s silhouettes and timeless tweed, creating a retro-futurism vibe that I can’t get enough of. All of the long-limbed girls on this runway could have been alien replicas of humans, or a robotic army of perfect women from some dystopian future- the narrative possibilities of this collection were nearly endless, which is why it has managed to stick with me through the years.

I remember carefully pulling the ads for the collection out of my well-worn copies of Vogue and hanging them on my dorm room wall so that I could stare at them when I was trying to sleep, or procrastinating on my homework. Sometimes I think it’s strange how our minds choose what to hold onto and what to cast out, as time renders things useless or no longer relevant, but I’m glad my neurons decided to keep this collection nestled inside me, and something tells me that this collection will always be one of my all-time favorites.

Check out some of the best looks from the collection below:

Cover photo shot by Steven Meisel/Prada. All other photos by Monica Feudi / FeudiGuaineri.com via Vogue.com.

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Fashion

Wear Lirika Matoshi’s Whipped Cream Dreams

Pastels, rainbows, sparkles, clouds, tulle, stars, flowers, sugar, spice, everything nice… Now all we need is a little bit of Chemical X and we can make the Powerpuff Girls. If you’ve ever wanted to dress like you were materialized into the fantasy world of an eight-year-old girl (in the best way possible), then you might want to take a seat while I tell you about Lirika Mitoshi, a small, online brand that gained notoriety on Etsy for their dreamy, embellished tights. I discovered them during one of my rare Pinterest browsing sessions. I guess that website is good for some things sometimes.

Lirika Mitoshi- with all of their poofy, tulle dresses; bejeweled shirts and socks; and shimmery, ethereal gowns embellished with sequin hearts and stars- is basically like the distilled essence of innocence, sweetness, and dreams. One look at these incredible, indulgent pieces will make your teeth sore. And while each piece is a little more pricey than what I usually purchase (they range from like ~$100 – ~$300), I can still see myself buying something to wear for some kind of special event, like a birthday party, or a music festival.

I think what I like most about these clothes are that, while fun and a little silly with all of their girlish sparkle and garish colors, they’re still super wearable, too. A sheer dress embellished with sequin stars can be worn over a T-shirt and jeans for an extra layer of detail. The fuzzy, blue skirt can be paired with a crisp, white blouse to balance out the camp-y texture and color. Studded socks can add a magical touch to pretty much any outfit.

You don’t need to be all-in with the ~*kawaii*~ aesthetic to add some whimsy to your wardrobe- just little touches here and there can make a huge statement and refresh classic outfit combinations you’ve worn a million times before. The magic is all in the details, and there are plenty of swoon-worthy ones here to make you fall in love with the Lirika Mitoshi brand and the possibility of fantasy in fashion.

Check out some of my favorite pieces currently listed on their site below. I can’t wait to see what they create next!

Dream Come True Top – $110
Dream Come True Dress – $350
Feeling The Clouds Suit Set – $299
Pink Sky Tie-Front Blouse – $150
Stars In Her Eyes Dress – $150
Flared Champagne Midi Dress – $410
Stars In Her Eyes Dress – $150
Wish Upon A Star Socks – $44
Floral Sweater – $249
Jasmine Set – $120

All photos from the Lirika Mitoshi website.

This post is not sponsored 🙂

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