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My Ultimate Dream Wedding Designers (& Dresses)

Being 24, I am in the season of life where it seems that everyone I know is either engaged or married and I’m seeing a constant stream of wedding pictures splashed across every social media site. I’m inundated with women in white dresses everywhere I look. I’ve also been in a relationship for close to 7 years now, so it’s easy to see why I sometimes veer off into dreaming about what dress I would like to wear to my own wedding someday.

As I spoke about in a previous article, I used to work at a bridal-centric tech company, so I felt overwhelmed by photos of traditional wedding dresses day in and day out, making me averse to the prospect of wearing one to my own nuptials. As an alternative, I would rather don a fun, white dress from one of my favorite designers. After all, if I’m spending so much on one dress anyways, it might as well be from a brand I’ve always dreamed of wearing.

Check out my dream wedding dresses below along with a few of my favorite bridal-esque looks from each:

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen is one of my all time favorite designers and even though the brand isn’t what it used to be since his death, it still has a dreamy, otherworldly quality that makes each piece look like a work of art. Becoming a McQueen bride would be a dream come true and would make my big day all the more special.

alexander mcqueen spring 2020 floral applique one shoulder dress fashion runway dream wedding dress designer
Alexander McQueen Spring 2020
Alexander McQueen Spring 2020 fashion runway white suit with puff sleeves dream wedding dress designer
Alexander McQueen Spring 2020
alexander mcqueen spring 2020 sheer white dress with ruffles dream wedding dress designer
Alexander McQueen Spring 2020

Cecilie Bahnsen

I just recently discovered Cecilie Bahnsen and continue to fall in love with her collections each season. Her playful, gauzy creations are a delight to the eye and would flounce so beautifully as you walk down the aisle. What better time to wear something whimsical than on your wedding day? Also, the cropped length of most of her dresses is unconventional while being the perfect way to show off your shoes, if you’re into that sort of thing.

dream wedding designer cecilie bahnsen spring 2020 sheer white midi dress fashion runway
Cecilie Bahnsen Spring 2020
dream wedding dress designer cecilie bahnsen fashion white skirt with ruffles
Cecilie Bahnsen Pre-Fall 2020
cecilie bahnsen fall 2019 fashion runway poofy white dress with puff sleeves dream wedding dress designer
Cecilie Bahnsen Fall 2019

Molly Goddard

Okay, okay, so I know two of the dresses I included here aren’t white and while more and more people are choosing to eschew the white tradition, I still want to partake. The thing I love about Molly Goddard’s designs is the absolutely ridiculous amount of tulle she uses for each dress. You wouldn’t usually get to wear that much tulle in an everyday situation, which is why I think it’s the perfect alternative to a traditional wedding dress. I also absolutely love the white dress I’ve included so much that I have fruitlessly searched for someone selling it online countless times, so if you have the hookup, please let me know!

dream wedding molly goddard fall 2019 green tulle dress fashion style runway
Molly Goddard Fall 2019
molly goddard spring 2018 fashion runway white ball gown dress dream wedding fashion style
Molly Goddard Spring 2018
molly goddard spring 2020 dream wedding yellow tulle ruffled skirt fashion runway
Molly Goddard Spring 2020

Ryan Lo

Oh, to live in the world of Ryan Lo would be a literal fantasy! I’ve been following Lo since before they started posting his collections on Vogue and have been in awe of his fantastical creations each and every season. Everything looks so delicate, feminine and soft, the perfect combination of traits to make a wholly memorable wedding ensemble. I would wear any of the dresses I included to my wedding in a heartbeat, and will definitely consider Lo as a strong contender when I start seriously searching for my dream dress.

dream wedding ryan lo fall 2019 sheer woven fluffy dress over white skirt fashion runway
Ryan Lo Fall 2019
dream wedding ryan lo frilly white sheer dress fashion style
Ryan Lo Fall 2018
dream wedding ryan lo spring 2019 sheer white dress with florals fashion runway style
Ryan Lo Spring 2018

Vivetta

While Vivetta doesn’t really make too many dresses that could be considered bridal-esque, I still wanted to include her on this list because each and every one of her collections is so damn fun. Every season, there’s a new quirky, whimsical twist on classic pieces that never fails to captivate me, and I’m sure would captivate others as you walk down the aisle.

dream wedding vivetta fall 2018 white dress with polka dots and face fashion style
Vivetta Fall 2018
vivetta resort 2020 dream wedding white and light pink sheer dress with ribbon fashion style
Vivetta Resort 2020
vivetta spring 2019 white crochet dress with butterfly dream wedding fashion style
Vivetta Spring 2019

I don’t judge others who choose to wear traditional dresses on their wedding days. It’s your day, so you should wear whatever makes you happiest! What are some of your dream bridal designers or styles of dress?

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Runway

The Best of Pre-Fall 2020 Fashion

As winter unfolds around us and we marvel at how on earth another year could have passed us by so quickly, the Pre-Fall 2020 season is just getting started. While I have preferred to write individual articles chronicling my favorite collections each season, I opted to do one mega post of sorts this time around because I always plan on posting so many articles and never actually get around to writing them until they’re no longer relevant. I’m evolving, folks! So instead of feasting on one collection, we all get to snack on a tasting plate of the best collections this season has to offer.

Even though pre season shows are usually smaller and more commercial than their main season counterparts, I found a lot of looks to love in the collections I’ve browsed so far. The mood is predominantly romantic- flouncing sleeves, oversized silhouettes, layers of ruffles and daintily-feminine details abound. It’s no mystery why I loved so much of what I saw. It also seems like ’80s fashion is finally (regretfully) regaining its footing, with drop waist skirts and puffed sleeves making their presence known. But all in all, it was a surprisingly good season that made me wish I had any amount of money to actually buy all of the beautiful things I write about.

Check out my favorite collections (so far) below.

The Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs for the masses, The Marc Jacobs is a luxury brand built for the age of Instagram, with a decidedly young, whimsical vibe that photographs so easily and so well. Created in collaboration with at least six other artists and designers, the collection is rife with darling details and supremely-wearable pieces to mix and match for a variety of occasions. My favorite pieces are the Victorian-inspired dresses (of course!).

marc jacobs pre fall 2020 oversized rain coat striped t shirt and shorts
marc jacobs pre fall 2020 fashion runway tiered pink mini dress with knee boots
marc jacobs pre fall 2020 fashion runway smocked green sleeveless top with brown skirt
the marc jacobs fashion runway utility jacket and pants green
marc jacobs pre fall 2020 fun floral mini dress with knee boots and white purse fashion runway
the marc jacobs pre fall 2020 fashion runway victorial dress green with pink tights
marc jacobs pre fall 2020 fashion runway plaid shirt with brown pants
marc jacobs pre fall 2020 fashion runway white poplin mini dress with puff sleeves

Photos courtesy of The Marc Jacobs via Vogue.com.

Jil Sander

A serene combination of Jil Sander’s signature minimalism and playfulness defined their Pre-Fall collection. Clean lines and classic pieces were refreshed with surprising twists, like a long dress in a soft mohair material, or a crisp blouse with detailed cutouts. This push and pull created pieces that are not only extremely wearable, but also delightful.

jil sander pre fall 2020 oversized green coat with white knee boots
jil sander pre fall 2020 fashion runway white poplin cutout top frilly and cute
jil sander pre fall 2020 fashion runway long fuzzy green brown dress
jil sander pre fall 2020 fashion black dress with dramatic curved sleeves
jil sander pre fall 2020 fashion runway long white dress over black turtleneck
jil sander pre fall 2020 minimalist pink suit with black turtleneck

Photos courtesy of Jil Sander via Vogue.com.

Fendi

Always impeccably-styled and artfully-designed, Fendi almost never fails to impress me (even if they still use real fur in their dreamy creations). This season, they evoked the character of an aristocratic Lolita, with classic, indulgent silhouettes getting a slightly subversive makeover (see: sheer ruffled skirts and too-short babydoll dresses). I found myself drawn to the mix of rich textures- corduroy-esque suede, quilted skirts, chunky knit bralettes, sheer, flowing layers- each look is more dreamy than the last.

fendi pre fall 2020 fashion runway pink cardigan with knit bralette and grey skirt
fendi pre fall 2020 fashion runway long black dress with sheer sleeves
fendi pre fall 2020 fashion runway sheer frilly white dress with white boots
fendi pre fall 2020 fashion runway ruffled white blouse and quilted black cape
fendi pre fall 2020 fashion runway blouse with ruffled collar and quilted skirt
fendi pre fall 2020 fashion runway corduroy puff sleeve dress and corduroy pants with matching blazer

Photos courtesy of Fendi via Vogue.com.

Dsquared2

Mimicking the preppiness of sportswear (meaning things worn by people who actually play sports), the stylishly-layered looks in this collection exude a perplexing and pleasurable rhapsody of high-class snobbery and down-to-earth coolness. I love the chunky sweaters, the suits paired with equestrian blankets, the oversized scarves- it all makes me wish I went to college in a blustery Ivy League in the bougie northeast. I am a huge prep fan at heart, so this collection played into all of my darkest wardrobe fantasies, making me want to layer at least one sweater over everything.

Photos courtesy of Dsquared2 via Vogue.com.

Adam Lippes

Lippes knows what his customers want: Practical pieces with a whimsical touch. Featuring a plethora of feminine frills like sheer, snap-on collars, tie neck blouses, and ruffled skirts, this collection certainly delivers. As an avid user of the white blouse layered under things styling trick, this collection spoke directly to my sensibilities while proving to everyone that I might actually be onto something with my unwavering desire to layer everything all the time (and my lack of control when it comes to buying white blouses).

adam lippes pre fall 2020 fashion runway brown dress and skirt with white tie neck blouse
adam lippes pre fall 2020 fashion runway tie neck blouse with black trench coat
adam lippes pre fall 2020 fashion runway black sweater with lace collar and green skirt
adam lippes pre fall 2020 fashion runway grey sweater with black skirt
adam lippes pre fall 2020 fashion runway black dress with white tie neck blouse
adam lippes pre fall 2020 fashion runway plaid ruffle skirt with blazer

Photos courtesy of Adam Lippes via Vogue.com.

Tory Burch

Inspired by the spirit and style of aviator Amelia Earhart, Tory Burch traded in uptown polish for menswear-inspired sportiness with an adventurous vibe. Many pieces featured details inspired by bandanas and scarves, an essential element to an aviator’s ensemble. I found myself drawn to the crisp, yet relaxed linen, as well as the vintage-inspired silhouettes of the dresses and jackets.

tory burch pre fall 2020 fashion runway brown relaxed suit
tory burch pre fall 2020 fashion runway silky dress with black details
tory burch pre fall 2020 fashion runway oversized jacket and skirt combo
tory burch pre fall 2020 fashion runway green printed suit
tory burch pre fall 2020 fashion runway white midi dress
tory burch pre fall 2020 fashion runway relaxed off white suit preppy

Photos courtesy of Tory Burch via Vogue.com.

SEA

Known for creating pretty pieces with a feminine flourish, this season saw Sea expand on that femininity to include trippy, imperfect prints and hand-quilted materials that give their clothes a more rustic vibe. Because I’m a fan of flowy, ruffled dresses that you might have seen someone wear on a farm 200 years ago, their selection of relaxed frocks that fit this bill definitely caught my eye. But it was the delightful quilting that made me linger- just another reminder to me that I need to learn how to sew, so I can someday hope to make something half as beautiful as these pieces.

sea pre fall 2020 fashion runway frilly white dress vintage
sea pre fall 2020 fashion runway dress with yoke and quilted details
sea pre fall 2020 fashion runway smocked dress with bubble sleeves
sea pre fall 2020 fashion runway white dress with colorful quilted details
sea pre fall 2020 fashion runway frilly white dress with yoke
sea pre fall 2020 fashion runway brown floral smocked dress

Photos courtesy of SEA via Vogue.com.

How do you feel about the Pre-Fall 2020 fashion collections? Let me know which collections are your favorite, so I don’t miss out on anything good!

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Runway

Sailor Moon Sustainability with Germanier Spring 2020

I would be lying if I said I was On Top Of Things for fashion month. I am… not, to a painful degree. Sometimes life just has other plans for you, like moving and starting a new job etc. etc. But! I promise I’m working my way through the shows and putting together some posts to cover my favorites from each city- so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, I stumbled across this little gem of a collection that instantly set my imagination alight and made me put my fashion blogger cap back on for the night because it just has to be talked about.

Sequins, ruffles, billowing silhouettes, pastel colors, fun visuals- Germanier Spring 2020 pretty much checks off every box for things that make me go ooh and aah while perusing a fashion collection. But my affinity for it goes beyond its jaunty exterior of sublime shimmer straight to its joyous core- not only is the collection made with recycled materials, which is a huge plus in a time where sustainability and reducing our environmental impact is at the forefront of pretty much everyone’s minds, it’s also inspired by the iconic anime Sailor Moon. Cue the sound of me furiously falling in love.

sailor moon transofrmation gif
Sailor Moon transforming to fight evil.

Growing up as a young girl in the early 2000s, Sailor Moon was definitely a part of the little girl cultural zeitgeist. I remember my next door neighbor, a girl my age, inviting me over to her place so that we could lay on her parents bed (which seemed enormous at the time) and watch Sailor Moon on tape. I was equally fascinated and weirded out by it. Who were these girls with impossibly long legs and eerily large eyes that transformed into barely-there uniforms to fight the forces of evil? They were a far cry from the childlike vibe of the PowerPuff Girls I was used to. And yet, the aesthetic (and the irritatingly-catchy theme song) had me hooked.

Only later in life was I able to look back at Sailor Moon and appreciate it as more than a cute show I watched a few times as a kid. It depicted young women as heroes capable of saving the world without the help of a man- while wearing cute clothes. It paired prettiness and power, making it apparent that those two qualities didn’t have to be mutually exclusive. You could be a girl that liked girly things and still command respect.

This collection captures that sentiment and weaves it into robust garments that shimmer and burst into ruffles to mimic the beauty of the sailor scouts’ transformation sequences, even matching the aqua blue and pink color scheme. The eye-catching uniqueness of each garment exudes confidence and individuality, giving the wearer their own sense of power and ownership over themselves. Maybe Germanier is suggesting that we can be our own warriors that transform our lives by fighting against environmental destruction, while also looking pretty darn cute while doing it.

Check out my favorite looks from the collection below:

germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion colorful clothing with ruffles
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion rainbow crystal mini dress
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion silver dress with pink tassels
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion iridescent ruffled mini dress
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion aqua and pink ruffled top
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion aqua sequin moto jacket and skirt
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion shimmering long dress with leg slit
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion colorful body suits with knee socks
Germanier RTW Spring 2020
germanier spring 2020 sailor moon runway fashion shimmering aqua dress
Germanier RTW Spring 2020

 

All photos from Germanier via WWD.com.

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preen by thornton bregazzi resort 2020 fashion runway sheer pink dress with feathers
Runway

Pretty in Preen Resort 2020

The Japanese concept of kawaii- an over-the-top, saccharine cuteness that is very unique to Japanese culture- originated with ukiyio-e, or the art of woodblock printing popular in Japan during the 18th and 19th centuries. This cartoon-ish style was used to depict snapshots of Japanese life (think that one famous paining of the big wave, or geishas with pretty, painted faces) and gave rise to the manga and anime we know and love today. This art also helped to usher in the age of modern art in the west that became popular in the 1900s. I know what you’re thinking- “great, thanks for the art history lesson, but what does this have to do with Preen?” I’m getting to that!

“Beauty and Cat” by Utamaro, a Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock artist that was active in the late 1700s. (Image: Utamaro via Ronin Gallery).

This concept of this classic, Japanese art style influencing western pop culture is the inspiration for the Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Resort 2020 collection, which brought us on a journey through a plethora of pleasurable styles that are sure to shake up any winter wardrobe. The kawaii influence of Japan is obvious in what I think are the collection’s most memorable clothes- the fluttering, fluffy, pink pieces that shimmer in sequins, or luxuriate in lace. While the sequins and lace themselves are enough to make these dresses the most eye-catching of the collection, the addition of feathers that snake from shoulder to hem only adds to the appeal of the overall extra-ness of these looks.

preen by thornton bregazzi resort 2020 fashion runway long pink dress with ruffles
One of my favorite pieces from the collection. The bright pink complements the whimsical nature of the asymmetrical hemline and the ruffle details. (Photo: Preen by Thornton Bregazzi via Vogue.com).

And the pink doesn’t stop there- it can also be found in a long, floral piece that pays tribute to the flowers of classic art, styled with a karate-like belt. It is also seen in contrast on a pretty, floral print sweater thrown over a sheer, turquoise dress (an outfit I plan on emulating sometime soon!). These little, sweet touches of pink bring an overall softness to the collection that gives it a more whimsical, carefree vibe that I really relate to.

And while pretty, pink, flowery sweetness seemed to be a big theme for Preen this season, there were a lot of other looks to love, including a black, A-line dress with puff sleeves and a ruffled waist (witchy vibes anyone?) and a preppy, check print, long sleeve dress that I would love to incorporate into my fall wardrobe. I also enjoyed the ’70s-esque outfit with the printed skirt paired with the herringbone sweater, showing us in inoffensive way to mix prints.

Overall, the collection was incredibly wearable, with many ways to pair each piece for layered, winter looks that looked fresh and stylish, but also fun, which, in my opinion, is the most important aspect of our clothes. Even if our lives are serious and full of adult responsibilities, it doesn’t mean we have to give up the whimsy and fun that made us fall in love with life in the first place.

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

All outfit photos are from Preen by Thornton Bregazzi via Vogue.com.

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alena akhmadullina spring 2019 fashion runway turquoise skirt with tshirt
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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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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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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:

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