Spring 2007 Trend: Turban Headbands

Prada Spring 2007
Shopintuition Silk Wide Turban Head Wrap
Dancerteria Knot Headwrap

Turbans don't exactly draw connections with glamour. Sheiks in the Arabian Desert is more on target. Not so this season! Prada has taken the ubiquitous headband trend to the extreme in the most eccentric new incarnation yet.

Originally I was not exactly taken with the idea of a look that I usually work while impatiently awaiting my hair to dry after a shower. Now that I have seen some beautiful editorials with glamour-pusses reminiscent of 40's bombshells sunbathing by Old Hollywood-style pools, I must admit this trend has grown on me. With sleek hair, clear skin, and a smile, this might just capture the perfect beach glam that seems so effortless yet is so hard to emulate.

It seems that this season, sheik is chic.

Spring Trend: T-Shirt Dressing

Marc Jacobs Spring 2007

MK2K Jersey Scoop Neck T shirt Dress

See By Chloe Giraffe Print Dress

Lux Slubby T-Shirt Dress

Rachel Pally Big Tee Dress

T-shirts are the epitome of casual dressing. Just the word conjures up memories of your favorite comfy cotton staple, that perfectly worn-in piece that you throw on when you just want to feel cozy and safe, almost like a security blanket.


This spring, the t-shirt takes a chic new turn as a dress. T-shirt dresses are a great take on summer layering, making them the perfect complement to leggings. As long as the hem is not too short, these pieces can be a great way to show off legs or add an interesting new proportion to your wardrobe. Its also an amazing way to beat the heat with the cool cotton and jersey material that skims the body without clinging.

Depending on the shape, this piece can be quite flattering too. If you want to emphasise your waist, cinch it with a cute skinny belt. For a little extra volume, pick a style with a slight bubble hem. For height and boho glamour, pair it with a chunky pair of wooden platforms and a heavy necklace.

Your favorite old standby t-shirt just might get a little jealous.


Marc Jacobs Spring 2007 runway photo courtesy of
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007RTW/complete/thumb/MJACOBS

Floppz

Spring Break has officially begun! For many the next week will be all about relaxing, letting loose, and having fun. For those of you beach-go-ers, the first fashion must is an amazing pair of flip flops that will define your laid-back look while you scuff around from going to the beach, to shopping, to restaurants, and to anywhere else that qualifies as marking a great vacation.

That is why these cute Floppz are the perfect complement to your relaxed yet effortless style. These sturdy flip-flops are customizable, from the foot bed down to the beading and other whimsical embellishments available to set you apart from the rest of those beach-y, sandy feet. And for all of you sports, school, and team fanatics out there, you can give a shout-out to your respective activity or show just how zealous of a fan you are, and it's a great alternative to the comfy but oh-so-predictable team t-shirt. And all this creative customization won't cost you a leg and a foot (hehe,) with prices starting in the $10 range!

Finally, that perfect pedicure is so worth it.

The shade that's on everyone's lips

It turns out Target isn't the only collaboration that Proenza Schouler has up its well-tailored sleeve. For their Spring collection, the talented pair collaborated with makeup artist Gucci Westman Neville to create an exclusive lipstick, Proenza Schouler for Lancome in Proenza Pink. The color fit perfectly with the punky feel of the collection, and soon the beauty buzz was circulating. This is the must-have lip color of the season, the It Bag of Spring 2007 makeup.

Even though I am a glossoholic, I immediately fell for the beautiful pastel lips I saw gracing the models. I couldn't stop thinking about the lipstick, so I finally gave in and ordered it, hoping for the best. Once it arrived, my impatience gave in and I put it on, regardless of the fact that I had nowhere to go that night.

I was immediately taken with the light nude, almost white base and the pinky lanvender-tinged pigment. This was exactly what Westman had described as "zink-pink." This was the color that I had tried to achieve for years by layering pink lip glosses over concealer on my lips, but to no avail. In a word this shade is the perfect anti-dote to the heavily red-stained lips of seasons past.

Because this lipstick has such an immediate impact, I would recommend pairing it with bronze skin and many coats of mascara for day, and perhaps a smoky eye for night. To amp up the staying power, a nude lip pencil matched exactly to your skin tone would be helpful, creating a matte base to play up the matte finish of the lipstick.

If Briggitte Bardot were still alive, I have no doubt that she would have used this lipstick down to a stump. I am not exaggerating when I say this is 60's summer in a tube.

Couture Concentrate: Christian Dior Spring 2007

Couture. Its what fashion editors wait every season for. Magazines try to analyze it. But for most of us, its what we cock our head at, desperately trying to understand. Couture is the purest form of design creativity. It is the time for designers to exercise their imagination and explore new realms of fashion. Couture defies our perception of clothing from a necessity into an art form. Christian Dior Couture Spring 2007 was quite a spectacle. The resonating theme was the idea of a geisha, and taking that image to newer and greater heights. Among some of the styles, the masterful John Galliano added new volume to the kimono. Layers of flirty ruffles deconstructed beautiful dresses, their trains taking on the appearance of a luxurious river of ruby lava flowing behind them, as seen in the first picture. He also experimented with origami-style pleating, which is one of the most unique techniques I have ever seen. The last gown featured seems to defy gravity and morph from a dress into a delicate paper crane. If couture is like a passport to new worlds, then I'm hitching a ride on the Orient Express.

All runway images courtesy of

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007CTR/review/CDIOR

GET YOUR NE-ON

Christian Dior Couture Spring 2007

Costume International Spring 2007

Thakoon Spring 2007

Fendi Spring 2007

Emanuel Ungaro Spring 2007

Neon. That one word conjures up a million different connotations. For those who lived in the 80's, it was all the rage to see just how many stretchy, bright, spandex-y clothing one could wear, in the gym and out. In a deserted landscape, a blinking neon sign welcomes visitors to Sin City. Punky teens mix and match snappy neon rubber bracelets with their chunky black combat boots and meander around the city looking for the next emo/indie/punk band to rock out to.

This past Spring Fashion Week, designers gave neon a new connotation. The creativity surged from the new concepts and forms that neon was incorporated into. They were all unexpected, yet somehow fit together perfectly. Whether streamlined or ornate, many shows abounded with flashy color, offering a wake-up call from the somber clothing of fall. Bright, futuristic mesh was layered over basic black at Fendi. Emanuel Ungaro turned the goddess gown upside down by designing his in a fluorescent spectrum. The Christian Dior Spring Couture show included a gorgeously layered, ruffled gown that faded from pastel seafoam to almost glaring chartreuse, like watercolor on an acid trip.

So how do you wear neon without looking like a Las Vegas casino sign? Even though designers went to the extreme, it doesn't mean that you have to. You can integrate neon into your wardrobe in small doses, whether that be a chunky bracelet, cool ring, or punchy shoes. If you find fluorescent to be too harsh, then you can ease into some highly-pigmented standard hues, like Cerulean Blue.

Remember, this trend is to be worn with confidence and humor, so have fun with it!

All runway pictures courtesy of http://www.style.com/

OUT WITH THE (G)OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW

Narsico Rodriguez

Marc Jacobs


Zac Posen

Urban Outfitters


BCBGirls

If you attend high school or have attended it at some time in your life, then you know about all the cliques. Especially the popular kids who seem to rule the school.

Well in the fashion world, gold has been the popular kid for a few seasons. The resurgence of metallics put this precious metal on top, making it the status metal.

Well, gold is classic, but frankly its not as exciting or trendy as it once was. It is time for a refreshing take on metallics for the new season: silver. This has been the unpopular kid of the metallics for a few seasons, waiting patiently for its comeback. All the waiting has payed off though, because Spring 2007 was all about silver!

Silver: This is an offshoot of one of the hottest trends of the spring: futurism. Worn as accessories and apparel, silver made a dramatic statement on the runways. I like to think of it as the sophisticated, cooler sister of gray. Glamorous interpretations of this trend were seen on the Spring 2007 runways in many styles and forms. Narsico Rodriguez designed a minimalistic yet beaming cocktail dress. Marc Jacobs marched a parade futuristic flappers down the runway decked out in silver caps. But of all the designers, my favorite was Zac Posen, who put the topper on the cake with his final look, a gigantic couture gown glimmering in leaves of foil.

So how do you wear silver? Although this metallic hue is a wonderful addition to any wardrobe, I would suggest taking it in small doses, a pair of ballet flats here, a flash of jewelry there. Anything architectural, such as a sleek silver cuff, would look very fresh. In fact, this would be a perfect "foil" (no pun intended) to the more muted colors and silhouettes of the spring, giving any look just the edge it needs. So try silver and see your style "reflected" in a new light!

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all runway pictures courtesy of style.com

Sparkle & Fade Satin Wide Strap Cami in Silver: $24 at http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=23419&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=23419

BCBGirls Katchen 5 in New Silver: $89.96 at http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/20330615/c/63615.html

The News on Neutrals

Why does it seem like neutrals always get such a bad rap? Many believe them to be the equivalent of fashion "vanilla." This season will prove the haters wrong.

Neutrals: This season, neutrals got a major fashion facelift. The colors ranged from blush to khaki to griege. The new incarnations were breathtaking in their simplicity and allowed themselves to become the backdrops of inventive accessories and superb details.

One of the designers who demonstrated this to perfection was Stella McCartney at her Spring 2007 show. In her collection, neutrals took center stage, looking crisp and fresh. The look to the left is one of my favorites for the entire season. I love how the delicate simplicity of the white sand dress complements the cold hardness of the metallic jewelry. Bold necklaces have been trendy for many seasons, yet seem new when pared with the lightness of this shift. The juxtaposition is breathtaking: one part sweet classicist, one part futuristic hipster.

Wearing neutrals is a great way to showcase accessories that you would otherwise think would be to overwhelming. I can't wait to rock this look for many different occasions this spring.

So be bold by going neutral!

photo courtesy of http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007RTW/complete/thumb/SMCCARTN?trend=&page=3

Wake Up and Smell the Roses

Am I the only one who is positively crazy? It hasn't even officially snowed and I'm already dreaming of spring. The sun. The flowers. The break. But most importantly...

NEW CLOTHES!!!

I will be gently introducing these new trends so as not to freak anyone out too much.

Florals: Isn't it time to feel pretty again? After a few seasons of dark, brooding clothing, there was a breath of fresh air on the catwalks this season. The mood was decidedly light, crisp, and refreshing. The new modern floral emerged as a standout trend this season. In new proportions and created with different techniques, the floral was re-born.

A great example of this was at the Louis Vuitton Spring 2007 show in Bryant Park last October, designed by the masterful Marc Jacobs. Dewy milkmaids in pastels flitted down the runway carrying baskets of fresh flowers as if they were the new It bag, roses kissing their wispy hair. It looked as if these fresh-faced girls had mistaken Bryant Park for a springtime meadow. Subtle whispers of minimized flower prints adorned their cotton layers, enhanced by tulle, creating a truely frothy spectacle. It was enough to make anyone sigh. A botanical confection of a collection.

It is a little too early to tell, but it is very likely that this trend will translate into the mainstream, most likely through Forever 21 or H&M.

Why only grow roses in your garden when you can grow them in your wardrobe as well?

Photo courtesy of http://www.style.com/fashionshows/collections/S2007RTW/complete/thumb/LVUITTON?trend=&page=4

Danse, Danse

Dance, Dance

We're falling apart to half time

Dance, Dance

And these are the lives you'd love to lead

Dance, this is the way they'd love
If they knew how misery loved me

-"Dance, Dance" by Fall Out Boy

Hasn't everyone at one point or another phantasized about becoming a ballerina? Do you secretly do a pirouette in your cute ballet flats and picture yourself in a frothy pink tutu with your hair pulled back into a tight bun?

Well you're not alone, the folks at MAC Cosmetics gotcha covered.

Their new Spring 2007 collection is aptly titled Danse, Danse and takes inspiration from the delicate colors of the ballet. Pastels are combined with iridescence along with quiet neutrals that pack serious punch.

I especially fell in love with the eyeshadow color French Grey, a matte taupe with a silver pearl. This color would completement light eye colors beautifully. Another product that caught my attention was a lipstick in Classical, a pale pastel pink that looks incredibly sweet and would look beautiful on ballerina and non-ballerina alike. One of the standouts from the collection is the Mineralize Skinfinish in Lightscapade. This is an iridescent shimmer powder in an array of colors that, when combined, completement the skin in a supernatural manner, almost as if a spolight were gently gracing the face. Good luck on finding the last one, they were all sold out at my MAC counter.

So you may not want to step into that leotard and tutu and balance your toe en pointe, but why not look like it?

available at http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/collections/collection.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY20366

Darkness Falls

Yeah so I'll be the first to admit that I'm not goth. Def not goth. I'm not even punk. Sure I listen to my indie rock, a little emo even. But I wouldn't classify myself into any category.

But that doesn't matter. Not when I'm wearing my Chanel Nail Colour in Madness.

Chanel Nail Colour is known for its superior quality. This stuff rocks. Period. This is one of the limited edition colors from the Spring 2007 line. Two coats go on super smooth, better than any other polish I've ever tried. I haven't gotten any chips in it yet, even with all the typing I do for this blog and Myspace. The color is deep and rich, a dark chocolate with a warm red undertone. Totally and utterly sophisticated. This color would be flattering on all skintones. I was lucky enough to snatch the last one from my department store makeup counter, because these babies sell faster than lemonade on a hot summer day.

This is a great way to jump into the new darker nail polish trend for spring without feeling like a poser. 'Cause no one wants to be that!

Chanel Nail Colour in Madness $18 at http://uma.chanel.com/product.php?chnprd=MANPR010