Emmys Best Dressed: Turning Heads

This year's Emmys were full of beautiful fashion- we saw trends in the form of colors (blue was the big hit of the evening) and shapes (many stars opted for mermaid gowns).  However, my best dressed were the women whose looks had that special something: a stunning detail that stood out when they turned their heads.

In an elegant Prada gown, Michelle Dockery proved that bright hues and deep colors can play beautifully together.  The low-cut back and her sleek bob perfectly highlighted the oversized avant-garde bow-like detail.

Kate Mara again confirmed her place as a star who really 'gets' fashion in this gorgeous long-sleeved J. Mendel column. It's truly impressive how a dress with embroidered textures of varying patterns, and a skirt with high slit layers provided a look that was arguably the most modern and chic of the entire red carpet.  The side cutouts in the top were an unexpected construction detail.

Katrina Bowden made a lovely statement in a perennial red-carpet favorite, Badgley Mischka.  The navy gown looked simple from the front, however the back showed off the gorgeous art-deco embellishments that took her look to another level.  Styled perfectly with a clean bun and sparkling topaz earrings by David Yurman, she looked young and fresh.

What were your favorite looks at the Emmys?

Cream of the Crop

Sometimes not all fashion trends are ones that we can see working for us, however the frequency of the top trend at New York Fashion Week's Spring/Summer ready to wear collections was unmistakable and refuses to be overlooked: the crop top.  Initial reactions to this midriff-bearing style are often that there is no way the average woman would be able to work this into her wardrobe.  I've seen countless iterations of this style on the runway, and I guarantee that there are ways to make this trend classy, and to make it work for different figures.

First, let's explore some of the daytime looks that can be achieved.  Rebecca Taylor showed the crop top's sporty side with a low-slung skirt and long Varsity jacket.  At Narciso Rodriguez, the look was chic yet casual with three-quarter length sleeves and a monochrome colorway.  Tracy Reese gave the crop a ladylike turn, pairing it with a lace peplum skirt.  The key to these daytime looks is to not go overboard with various colors or accessories- keep it simple to keep it stunning.

Perhaps the most intriguing way that this trend was displayed was how it was worked into evening looks.  Christian Siriano showed a spectacular chartreuse crop top that was balanced by it's own flowing train and matching ankle pants.  Oscar de la Renta's collection included a way that the crop top can work for those of us who don't actually want to bear our bellies: match a shorter top with high-waisted skirt or pants in a complementary silhouette.  And Monique L'huillier brought us what was previously thought impossible: a red-carpet ready crop top look!  She paired a bandeau with a high-waisted skirt in beautiful flowing silk that showed just a sliver of stomach, and created a gorgeous, modern and elegant style, appropriate enough for a black-tie affair.  So consider my mind changed: there are ways to make this trend work beyond the super-slim and super-casual looks we've seen in the past.  

Will you be working crop tops into your wardrobe for the coming seasons?  If so, what will you pair it with?

Programming note: don't forget that the Emmy's are this Sunday, so be sure to follow me on Instagram and Twitter @AngelHowlett for all of the major fashion moments as they happen!

Flower Power

Floral patterns dominated the runways at Paris Fashion Week, proving that this trend isn't going anywhere for the upcoming seasons. While flowers often evoke a girlie visual, designers showed that the size of the pattern, colors used and silhouette can give this pattern a power boost.

At Giambattista Valli, an air of modern romance was achieved with a spray of red flowers on a beautifully draped gown.  Accessorized with a dark cinched belt, the look was kept from being overly sweet.  Ulyana Sergeenko used a floral trim on the straps and bustline of a velvet frock to balance the flounce of the hemline.  With exaggerated sleeves and a gauzy floor length skirt, Alexis Mabille used flowers to drive the romantic neo-Victorian feel of her couture collection.  Sexy cutouts and sheer panels laced with floral appliques donned the gowns at Tony Yaacoub, who designs for a woman who wants all eyes on her.  Maison Martin Margiela never fails to entertain, taking the quirky factor up a notch with full floral headdresses on many of his models.  His pastel swing coats lined with large blooms were countered with brown knee-high boots, proposing that come Fall/Winter, we will all be yearning for sunny Spring days and floral motifs.  

As with all Couture collections, these looks are meant to be a rarefied vision of the overall direction that fashion is taking.  For everyday ensembles, don't be afraid to mix floral with other patterns for a fresh look (for example, a floral top and striped skirt).  The general rule of thumb is to keep the size of the pattern varied- so if you use a wide stripe, keep the florals at micro-level.  Also, it pays off to have a 'base color', which is a color that is found in both patterns. 

Making Me Blush

Couture Fashion Week is a really exciting time to get a glimpse into the most decadent and gorgeous designs that will soon emerge as some of the hottest trends in every day fashion. One of the trends that really stood out at last week's Fall/Winter 2013 Couture fashion week in Paris was the dominance of nude colors.  On the runways at numerous shows, pale blush and light beige tones were showcased in various silhouettes and styles.

At Alexandre Vauthier, expert draping and a carefully corseted silk piece in nude showed that this color can still make a bold statement.  Elie Saab's long-sleeved gown with plunging neckline and embellished details was red carpet ready.  At Giorgio Armani Privé, one of my favorite collections from Fall/Winter Couture, all of the designs were based on this color story, showing the true multitude of neutral options. The chic tie-belt pants in this look were perfectly complimented by a sheer camisole and delicately bejeweled open blouse.  Zuhair Murad's romantic lace dress balanced a high slit and one gauzy shoulder strap.  At Jitrois, you can see how monochromatic nude separates work together for a look of modern elegance.

One of the great things about this trend is that it can flatter all skin tones- it's just a matter of finding the right spectrum for you! Add a dramatic smoky eye or bold lip color for some fun contrast.  Will you be working some nude and blush colors into your wardrobe for the coming seasons?

Cannes-piration: Keeping it Très Chic at Any Event

Every Spring, filmmakers, actors, models, designers and dignitaries flock to the French Riviera for the annual Cannes Film Festival.  This twelve day extravaganza not only celebrates the best in current and upcoming movies, but it also showcases the crème de la crème of fashion.  One of the greatest things about this festival is seeing the many different looks that celebrities have to pull together for all the varying types of events that they will attend.  Everyone can relate to having to pack for a trip that will require numerous wardrobe changes, which can be very challenging.  While these stars have stylists to help pull together their looks, we can still take a cue from how they chose smart-looking outfits that meet a plethora of functions.

Carey Mulligan wore a black jumpsuit by Alexander Wang for Balenciaga for the photocall for The Great Gatsby.  The modern, rounded neckline, beaded detailing and t-strap heels added a special touch to this decidedly more casual look.  Rosie Huntington Whiteley chose a creme Dior corset top and high-low hemmed skirt with pockets for the amfAR Benefit.  Her matching ivory pumps balanced the look with a prim yet not overly-done feel.  Olivia Palermo showed her innate sense of style in a short black Roberto Cavalli frock with varying textures and long sleeves.  The feather accents on her heel straps and her cobalt purse shows that it's all in the details for an evening out.  Also in Cavalli, Princess Charlene of Monaco proves that a pant suit can be sexy and sharp at the boat party celebrating the designer.  Her robin's-egg blue clutch is the perfect counterpoint to her dark ensemble.  You'll also notice that each of these women has chosen to forego jewelry or stick with very simple pieces - keeping in line with the "less is more" theory - especially when considering precious luggage space!

Yet there are those nights when you just know you want to pull out all the stops.  This was the case at the 'All Is Lost' Cannes premiere.  As Milla Jovovich shows, the red carpet was made for drama, and her sweeping Armani gown with a jewel-encrusted bodice and navy  silk skirt is a showstopper. Her dark nails, sideswept bangs, smoky eye makeup, matching clutch and sparkling cuff are perfect accessories for this glamorous yet French-chic look.

What did you think of this year's Cannes fashion?  Checking out the quick and varied ensemble changes that the attendees have to make, I definitely feel the need to keep my style quotient 'en pointe' while on business or personal trips! 

Rock // Stars

The Costume Institute's Metropolitan Museum of Art Ball is regarded as 'the biggest night in fashion'.  The very essence of the event is centered around all that is couture: the goal is to raise funds and celebrate the Institute's latest fashion-as-art exhibit, and it is tradition for designers to bring their current muse (see: model or starlet) as their guest.  The theme of this year's event was Punk Rock: Chaos to Couture and it was with high expectation that fashionophones awaited what designers, stylists and celebrities would come up with for this seemingly odd pairing of punk and haute couture.

Rooney Mara was co-chair of the event along with Anna Wintour (naturally!) and Riccardo Tisci.  She donned an on-trend white lace dress by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy.  While you'd expect this to be a more demure and ladylike look, what gave this ensemble the rock-star treatment were the structured shoulders, exposed zippers, plunging neckline, high center slit and dark lip color.  Anne Hathaway stunned in sheer and shredded black Valentino column with cut out panels.  Her brand-new platinum hair color added a bit of surprising yet balancing glam.  Model Rosie Huntington Whitely made a grand entrance in an olive-hued Gucci gown of silk, see-through fishnet and feathers.  

My favorite look of the night was Cara Delevigne, arguably the most sought-after model in the business right now.  Her custom-designed studded Burberry gown had a low neckline that showcased her layered and dripping necklaces.  She accented her look with her signature heavy eyebrows, smoky eye makeup and tousled hair.  Perhaps it has something to do with the precarious personality that she's known for, but for me she encapsulated exactly what this night called for: model cool and devil-may-care punk.

Who was your best dressed at the Met Gala?  Do these looks make you reconsider the juxtaposition of  unconventional punk and high fashion?

Gatsby: The Jazz-Age Aesthetic

"Can't repeat the past?... Why of course you can!" -  Jay Gatsby, The Great Gatsby

To say that I am excited about The Great Gatsby movie is a huge understatement.  Art Deco architecture and fashion have always topped my style list, and I've always been a huge fan of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, even when it was required reading in college.  Perhaps it was his apt accounts of the epic parties and grand fashions of the twenties, but the story that intertwined the opulent atmospheric descriptions made the whole era seem even more mysterious and elegant.  Leave it to visionary film maker Baz Luhrmann to amp my excitement up even more with the debut of his film adaptation, coming to theaters on Friday.  From the very first glimpse at a trailer for the movie, it's clear that the fashion in this film will be as legendary as Gatsby himself.

Baz Luhrmann turned to Miuccia Prada to design the over 40 bespoke costumes for the film.  Prada then pulled inspiration from her own archive to update and revitalize flapper-era fashion.  I love fashion sketches as they tend to shed light on the thought process and musings of a designer at work.  The recently released sketches above show Prada's initial ideas for costuming the film.  On the recent runways I've noticed many other fashion houses who have showcased an opulent twenties influence in their pieces.

At Naeem Khan, the entire collection seemed to be a nod to the twenties, with sparkling beadwork and deep hues.  Vanessa Bruno showed a modern update to the angular designs with a mini dress in an Art Deco print.  The sheer paneling that Elie Saab is famous for was highlighted with embellishments mirroring prohibition-era geometric motifs.

At Sao Paulo fashion week, Adriana Degreas showed Gatsby-inspired resort wear with plunging necklines and beaded caps.  Emporio Armani's accessories really gave his contemporary pieces a twenties touch with hats perfectly fit for Gatsby character Daisy Buchanan.  At Louis Vuitton, modern flapper-girl style was evident in the  hair and makeup as well as the feathered and beaded detailing shown on the jumpsuit above.

I will definitely be working Art Deco fashion influences into my wardrobe in the coming seasons.  Does Gatsby fashion inspire your style?

The Politics of Fashion: White House Correspondent's Dinner

Last night, Hollywood and D.C. collided at the annual White House Correspondent's Dinner.  Recently nicknamed the "nerd prom", this event allows for an evening of levity and laughs for celebrities and political heavy-hitters.  The red carpet at the WHCD usually skews less D.C.-serious and more towards awards-show fabulous due to the entertainment-industry quotient.  And with arguably one of the most fashionable FLOTUS' ever as hostess, the guests were well aware that the style bar is set pretty high at this soiree.  A sampling of the top looks of the night prove that point.

Robin Wright, who currently stars in the excellent D.C. drama 'House of Cards' rocked a navy Rolando Santana gown with a slight mermaid flare.  The curled neckline detail was just ruffled enough without being frilly and it framed her cropped hairstyle perfectly.  Robin's 'House of Cards' co-star Kate Mara's white Prada sheath provided one of the only non-strapless looks of the night.  Again showing that she and her sister Rooney are fashion forces to be reckoned with, Kate's unique styling brought this look to a new level with a lime green clutch, jeweled cuff and dark nails.  Jessica Paré, who has been making waves with her on-point fashion choices recently, looked elegant in Antonio Berardi's cobalt gown.  The velvet draping added just the right amount of texture to the structured dress.

Kerry Washington, who has been shooting 100% in the style playoffs, did not disappoint in Wes Gordon's printed gown.  From the halter neck, to the multi-level cascading hemline and on-trend black and white color story, this dress was a perfect choice for this glamorous yet political event.  She styled it perfectly with minimal jewelry and loose curls.

Did you watch the White House Correspondent's Dinner?  What did you think about the styles at this unconventional red carpet event?

Fashion Week Fave: Louis Vuitton RTW F/W 2013

I've covered some of the trends of the recent fashion weeks, but I wanted to stop and take a breather to really appreciate one of the most inspiring of the ready-to-wear Fall/Winter shows.  In Paris, Marc Jacobs once again brought the drama to his collection for Louis Vuitton.  It's hard to pinpoint exactly why he excels as the head of this fashion house, but his ability to fully realize who "the girl" is (read: the target consumer) for this particular season, is aspirational yet identifiable at the same time.  Marc's pieces were not only aesthetically beautiful, but the motivation behind them was thought-provoking.  He mentioned that the most fabulous place that a you can get all dressed up to be is your own hotel room or home.  Why not lounge around in berry lips and silk pajamas that could just as easily be worn out with an embellished coat and a bit of attitude?

In fact, it was these very embellishments that brought a cohesive theme to many of the collection's most stunning pieces.  Feathers fused to the edge of menswear-chic jumpsuits and trenches added movement and femininity.  On mid-calf coats and dresses, fur placed on the hems and throughout the lining added a lush touch of glam that skewed cool vintage versus gaudy.

Marc Jacobs' vision of relaxed elegance continued with the luxe coats over lingerie-inspired underpinnings.  The mid-length jackets came in shades of checked taupe and cobalt with ombre sequin details at the hem which really juxtaposed the seemingly contradictory theory of at-home special occasion dressing.  The cowl neckline on his 40's-style shimmering coatdress with fadeway plaid at the top was impeccable.

And it wouldn't be a Marc for Louis Vuitton show without his muse, Kate Moss.  She stunned in her rare runway turn by confidently flaunting a sheer embellished sky blue gown suitable for a woman who knows she can take the town's most posh events by storm, but would most prefer the most exclusive of them all: her own boudoir.  

I was very inspired by this collection for Fall/Winter 2013 and will be trying to incorporate elements of retro relaxed-glam into my wardrobe.  Did you love the collection as much as I did?  

European Fashion Week Trend Report: Part Two, Velvet Underground

One textile that filled the runways in London, Milan and Paris over the past few weeks was velvet.  The use of velvet in collection after collection proved that this trend will be everywhere come Fall/Winter 2013.  Velvet all on it's own can seem an overwhelming fabric for many people to pull off, but so many styles can be achieved with adjusting the amount and placement of velvet in an ensemble, along with the textures used in the rest of the look.  

Alberta Ferretti showed a bright blue scalloped skirt with a sheer top for a flattering and feminine look. This isn't your traditional BVD (Black Velvet Dress) at Haider Ackermann: the column gown had a modern softness that was so chic.  Maison Martin Margiela displayed a very downtown hip vibe with gold and gray velvet panels on a knit sweater and black mini.  Jil Sander showed how you can add a touch of the plush textile with accessories like a slate colored velvet belt.  For Marios Schwab, who showed many velvet looks in his Fall/Winter collection, even boots and capes in bordeaux velvet look stylish paired with an embellished top to balance out the texture.  Rochas had perhaps one of my favorite velvet looks of the season.  This look featured a 50's silhouette with an A-line chocolate velvet circle skirt and a belted tweed vest for the epitome of updated ladylike cool.

I saw so many beautiful and fun examples of velvet in the European Fashion Week collections {there were even too many to post here!} so please check out my Pinterest board at: http://pinterest.com/angelhowlett/velvet-apricot-at-european-fashion-weeks-2013/ for more velvet inspiration!

European Fashion Week: Trend Report Part One, Orange Sorbet

The past 3 weeks of the respective European weeks have shown us a variety of textures, themes and visions for where the Fall/Winter 2013 season is heading for fashion.  We've seen everything from renewed grunge at Saint Laurent to royal Versailles-ready costume gowns at McQueen.  In the next few posts, I will discuss a couple of the prevalent trends as well as my favorite show from Fashion Week at London, Milan & Paris. 

First, let's take a look at color: an apricot sorbet hue caught my eye as it popped up on the runways in various monochromatic styles.  While orange seems like an obvious choice for Fall/Winter campaigns, this new hue for 2013 is less saturated and more pale, making it much more flattering on a variety of skin tones. 

At Max Mara, a sporty mixed-media take on the color was shown with a matching bag.  Gucci gave the apricot look a modern silhouette and complimentary leather boots.  Belted and with the perennial high-slit, Gianfranco Ferre's take on pale orange was feminine yet strong.  In London, Richard Nicoll showed a versatile peachy leather sheath that can easily go from day to night.  Mugler displayed a crop-top style shown with a high waist for a fresh take on the tangerine dream.

This wearable tone is sure to be big in the coming seasons.  Will you add some apricot sorbet to your fashion palette?

Oscars 2013 Part Two: Heavy Metal

It was impossible not to notice the most persistent trend of Oscars 2013 fashion: dark metallic gowns! It seems many of the actresses and plus-ones were on the same page when it came to which trend to rock on Sunday. And rock it they did!  The embellishments and patterns came in a range of styles and the variety of hair and makeup choices were all pretty on-point for their respective dresses, making for just enough variety on the red carpet.

Naomi Watts was arguably the best dressed of the night with her look topping many best-dressed lists.  Her silver Armani gown featured a futuristic shoulder cutout and one cap sleeve.  Her soft updo really allowed the dresses best angles to be shown.  Halle Berry looked every bit the Bond Girl in her glittering Versace number.  What made this look stand out was the long sleeves with sheer paneling, which is a nice departure from the countless strapless awards-show gowns.  Nicole Kidman glistened in a L'Wren Scott black & gold sequins.  The small train and her touseled hair balanced the look.  Salma Hayek chose a velvet Alexander McQueen column in a departure from her usual bombshell look.  It boasted a high-neck with intricate baroque gold detailing which really brought the attention to her flawless face and regal updo.

The true best-dressed winner of the night for me was Stacy Keibler who showed up all of the actresses in an exquisite Naeem Khan gown.  George Clooney's date has consistently nailed it when it comes to the red carpet, but for this year's Oscars, she really hit it out of the park!  I may be biased with my art-deco obsession, but the pattern of the belted gown along with the racerback neck, mesh back panel and gunmetal studs highlighted her statuesque form perfectly.  She styled it with a Lorraine Schwartz tassel bracelet and a Gatsby-inspired hairstyle of cropped curls as an A+ finishing touch. 

Did you love the metallic trend at this year's Oscars?

Oscars 2013 Part One: On the Lighter Side

What a fabulous turnout! This year's Academy Awards did not disappoint, fashion-wise! We saw lots of glamour and some great new trends.  While the scene was dominated by darker metallic ensembles (and I'll get to those stunners!), let's take a look at the lighter side with the spring tones that brought levity to the red carpet.

Kerry Washington stayed true to MiuMiu in her fresh coral column gown.  The jeweled embellishments at the top added the perfect amount of sparkle.  Jessica Chastain looked every bit the bombshell in an impeccably tailored Armani dress.  Her choice of red lipstick was key to pulling together the rose gold hue with her skin tone. Charlize Theron made a dramatic entrance in winter-white Dior.  The peplum waist and her new pixie cut enhanced the modern silhouette.

Finally, Jennifer Lawrence, arguably the woman of the night, commanded the red carpet expertly in a Dior gown from the Spring/Summer collection. It was the perfect choice for a once-in-a-lifetime moment (and who else could make falling up stairs look so glam?).  When it comes to the Oscars, it's go big or go home, and Jennifer Lawrence's risk paid off with the simple texture of the dress and exaggerated full drop-waist skirt.  Her backwards Chopard necklace highlighted the dramatic train and is a trend worth trying if you have a special occasion coming up!  The competition was fierce, but I chose Jennifer as my best-dressed Oscar nominee.  Stay tuned to see who I chose for my best-dressed Oscar guest.

Speaking of Oscar guests, I was pleased to see that one of my Oscar gown predictions showed up at the awards!  Samantha Barks, a gorgeous and talented actress who I fell in love with when I saw the film Les Miserables, wore the teal Jenny Packham during one of the most highly-anticipated performances of the night: the Les Miserables musical medley.  She added a sparkling brooch to the high slit and she looked simply stunning!

What were your favorite looks from Oscars night?

Oscar Gown Contenders from NYFW

It would be an understatement to say that I'm extremely excited about the upcoming Oscars.  Ever since I can remember, my mom and I have watched the red carpet styles intently, comparing our favorite looks. If you love fashion and entertainment, this is a day to look forward to all year: a time when the most gorgeous custom couture gowns and sparkling jewels adorn the brightest stars of the silver screen.  It may sound like all fantasy, but the truth is that these actors work hard on their craft, and I also make it a point to see most of the nominated films in the weeks leading up to the event so that I can make informed decisions on that oh-so-important play at home Oscar ballot!  Also, to know the drama and politics that go on with stylist angling for the best designers and some dress choices being made at the very last minute, it's as fun to predict the acting winners as it is the style winners!

Traditionally, you can predict which designer certain actresses will wear on the red carpet based on past choices or associations with specific houses.  For example, Natalie Portman in Rodarte or more currently, nominee Jennifer Lawrence in Dior.  Also, it's likely that many of the gowns we'll see will be from the Spring/Summer collections.  However since the Fall/Winter shows are happening now, I chose some Oscar-worthy designs from New York Fashion Week that I think would look great on the red carpet!

First up, my favorite designer, Christian Siriano: his tulle and sequin frock is youthful and on trend with the shorter hemline and mesh paneling, yet dramatic enough for the Oscars.  Zac Posen's off-the shoulder satin gown boasts a dramatic neckline and a scarlet hue that is always an awards-season hit.  Badgley Mischka's all over sequin dress is a universally flattering shape in the color of the year: emerald.  Jenny Packham's navy gown has a high slit, and if this year's previous awards shows are any indication, showing a lot of leg is the way to go!  Naeem Khan's intricate beading paired with the long flowing cream skirt is a romantic look looks very Oscar-worthy. Finally, Oscar de la Renta, a red carpet go-to designer, has created a stately and modern silhouette with his purple peplum gown.  As soon as I saw this, I immediately imagined it on nominee Jessica Chastain - it isn't a color we've seen her in before and this would really pop with her gorgeous red locks!  With the right hair, makeup and jewelry, I could see many of the dresses in recent collections glittering on Oscar night!

What do you think your favorite stars will wear to the Academy Awards?  Follow me on Twitter and Instagram at AngelHowlett where I will be live documenting my favorite looks and moments as they happen on Sunday!

NYFW Trend Report: Part Three, Pop of Neon

One of my favorite elements I noticed as I was New York Fashion Week trend-spotting was the way a little pop of neon turned up in many ensembles going down the runways.  The unexpected shot of bright color against otherwise muted Fall/Winter color schemes was exciting!

J. Mendel added character to an otherwise muted palette with striking cobalt pumps.  Louise Goldin's flash of lime took her modern skirt to a new level.  The orange piping on Altuzarra's collared sweater shows that even the smallest bit of neon can upgrade a look. At Rag & Bone, each look had stellar color combinations that turned up jewel tones with complementary neon hues.

What I truly love about this trend is how easy it is to incorporate into your own personal style in the coming seasons.  I am all about lengthening the wearability of the clothing I invest in, and when a typically Summer-season neon piece can be carried over into Fall and Winter - it's a win-win!  Try it yourself by layering a bright pink collared top under a beige sweater or take that yellow belt and cinch a gray jacket with it!  Not only will the look be modern and chic, but you'll find the bright color can even lighten your mood in the Fall and Winter months!

How will you incorporate a pop of neon into your wardrobe?

NYFW Trend Report: Part Two: Straight to the Point

I don't usually post on hair trends, however the way that designers choose to style the models' hair, makeup and nails for fashion shows is a key element that can make or break a collection!

I couldn't ignore the pattern that was developing as I watched the various New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter shows: sleek, straight hair (often parted down the middle) was a constant!  Often achieved with a flat iron and pomade or hair spray to tame any flyaways, this simple hair style allows the clothes to speak for themselves.

At Yigal Azrouel and Tracy Reese, models' hair was allowed to have some unfinished and multilayered ends, to enhance the laid-back cool of the designs.  Perennial American sportswear fashion houses DKNY and Tommy Hilfiger chose to keep the straight, center-parted hair off of the model's faces to complement the fresh and polished looks of their collections.

How do you switch up your hairstyle to accompany your personal style?

NYFW Trend Report: Part One, Thanks for Mutton!

It's the best time of the year: Awards Season and the debut of the Fall/Winter Ready to Wear collections!  I haven't posted in a while, but be sure I've been focused on New York, London & Milan Fashion Weeks and will of course be posting about Oscars style in the coming weeks.

One of my many favorite things to do while reviewing the latest Fashion Week shows is to find a correlation between the collections- as these are key indicators of the upcoming style trends.

A major structural element that I noticed for Fall/Winter 2013 is the dolman/mutton sleeve.  This exaggerated silhouette creates a roomier yet architectural arm which results in a very modern look.  Some varying ways that designers styled this trend are highlighted below.

At Rebecca Minkoff, the style is parlayed into a more wearable option, even suitable for the office.  At Lacoste, their traditionally sporty styles got an update featuring the dolman/mutton look with colorblocking.  Alexander Wang displayed his avant garde origami-like sleeves with matching headwear and fur boxing gloves.  At Carmen Marc Valvo, this trend is complemented with a high-waisted sequin skirt for an elegant take on the silhouette.

Will you be working this trend into your wardrobe?  I'll leave you with this quote by the amazing Zac Posen: "This season, there's a leaner line- more emphasis on the shoulders, less on the cinched waist."