My Summer in a New York Minute!

Hi my lovely (and probably few) followers. Unfortunately balancing a full time job, taking two classes AND blogging posed to be fairly difficult! Alas, I am back in business and I know you guys have missed me so I'll fill you in on what I've been busy with in the big apple...

Interning in the Fashion District.

I was very lucky to be able to obtain an internship with the Manhattan based showroom, Point A Showroom. Point A Showroom showcases a variety of different women's contemporary lines including Corey Lynn Calter, Whitney Eve and Riller and Fount. I had an amazing summer working in the showroom amongst women who were knowledgeable about the fashion industry and more than willing to answer my questions. From my experience at Point A, I gained a breadth of knowledge about showrooms, buyers and designers in the industry. Some exciting highlights were meeting two of the designers that are featured in the showroom and working three days at the fast-paced ENK Trade Show.

Musicals.

This summer I had the opportunity to see a variety of on and off-broadway musicals and plays. Some of my all-time favorites were Fela! and Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson. Fela! narrates the story of Nigerian musician turned political activist, Fela Kuti.  The theater was recreated into a nightclub with bright lights, paintings and tons of color. Known as environmental theater, the entire space was transformed into a night club with color, texture and paintings so that you felt like you were apart of the musical versus watching it from the sideline. If the theater alone didn't take you back to liveliness of The Shrine (the club Kuti played at), the ensemble of dancers (who were featured as Kuti's flock of wives) would make you feel as if you were sitting in the nightclub itself.

Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson also employed the use of environmental theater to tell our 7th president's life story via a rock musical. Bloody, Bloody was intensely decorated with rich fabrics, chandeliers and walls decorated with portraits of Presidents past. With catchy tunes like "Populism" and "Life Sucks", its difficult to not be impressed by the story-telling through emo rock that this musical displays. Check it out on Youtube and make sure to keep an eye on this one; it's going to Broadway!

Enjoying the Culture of the City.

Between cooling off after sunset in Washington Square Park and admiring the ease and agility of skateboarders in Union Square, I spent a lot of my time observing the culture that the city has to offer. Contortionists and Sand artists alike, I think the most enjoyable aspect of the summer was how much New Yorker's utilize their parks. It's wonderful that in a concrete jungle (lol) much like NYC you can find a little piece of mind in green oases known as New York City Public Parks.

Contortionists in Washington Square Park

Sand artists.

The crazy fashions of characters like Dandy.

Wonderful Company. 

Duke-In-New Yorkers

 In addition to enjoying the perks of the city, the company that I kept was wonderful. The Duke in New York program is 11 weeks long and it's safe to say that out of all the people I met this summer there are some that had more of an impact than others. Between the influx of visitors, the various strobe light dorm parties and spending an idyllic summer in the big apple I know for sure I made some wonderful new friends, solidified existing bonds and had an amazing time all the while. 

Lovely Line Sisters Visiting the Big Apple.

Kristin, I did always love you...

... And now I love you even more. That trip to Europe definitely did her well! Kristin Cavallari was shot for the upcoming issue of Italian Vanity Fair. In a variety of bathing suits and amazing shoes, Kristin wears little to no make up and is stunning. These are three of my favorite shots of her. Wow, just wow Kristin. Kristin takes no prisoners and she most definitely conquered Italy.

Summer 2010 Inspiration Board.

Style is an amalgamation of what you see, the music you listen to, the magazines you read and what truly influences how you dress and the swagger which you carry yourself with. My inspiration comes from a number of different places, so I decided to make an inspiration board to show you guys how I digest media and fashion into my own personal style.

Here are a few things I especially love from the inspiration board:

Pale Pink Lipstick.
I love the color pink but for the LONGEST time I didn't have a clue as to how to incorporate it into my makeup. Pink eyeshadow is always iffy, I don't really wear blush, however pink lipstick had always been something I wanted to try. So I went to Sephora and got some assistance from a man who had the MOST flawless makeup I had ever seen and bought my first tube of lipstick: Sephora Lip Attitude Glamour Collection: Pink Caress 05 (sheer bubblegum). Check out my first pic wearing the lippy over Winter Break.

                                  Shala Monroque. 
Monroque has been named It-Girl in Teen Vogue, Girl of the Month for whowhatwear.com and is notably one of the most stalked individuals during Fashion Weeks all over the world. Shala Monroque holds the post of editor-at-large for Pop Magazine which has placed her cosmopolitan and daring style into the limelight. Her love affair with Rodarte, artistic inspiration and even her Rastafarian hair stylist are some of the most fascinating things she shares with us on her self-titled blog, Shala. Keep your eye on this one. I'm certain she'll be one to please.

Pomegranate Seeds.
I love pomegranates. Between picking out the seeds and attempting not to get pom juice all over your clothing, this is probably the most difficult fruit to eat. However, it's all worth it because the fruit tastes and LOOKS so good. The color of the fruit has driven me to buy several magenta colored tops. I think it's a win-win situation. I get a beautiful colored top that I can comfortably eat my pomegranate seeds in!

Cheap Jewelry. 
I have a tendency to lose a lot of my jewelry, like my Chanel ring I received as a Birthday present from my Aunt (I'm still sick about that one!). So it makes sense to buy trendy, cheap jewelry from places like Forever 21 and H&M. These places are great because you can really make your outfits true to your style for $20 or less. I'm really intrigued by clear lucite baubles, pastel colored jewelry and tons of bangles!

Just So Inspired.

I love Beyonce. She ceases to amaze me. The song had to grow on me, but this music video is amazing!

Bey calls on 40's-50's pin-up models and housewives with her make-up, garb and Bettie-Page hairstyle (the same one as in Lady Gaga's "Telephone" video).

Where do I even begin?

The exaggerated winged eye-liner, huge gold and black baubles, cat-eye sunglasses, wonderful Gianmarco Lorenzi platform heels or retro lingerie (with garters and pantyhose...watch out now)?
This time-piece was directed by the lovely Melina Matsoukas (she directed "Rude Boy" for Rihanna) but the question truly is who styled this video? I've been scouring the internet trying to answer this million dollar question, but to no avail.


As this post is entitled, there's nothing left to say except Beyonce is just so damn inspired.

"Why Don't You Love Me" - Beyoncé from Beyoncé on Vimeo.

From Australia, with Love. Part 2

Samantha Harris, the newest (and only?) face of the Aboriginal People of Australia is out to take over the fashion world. Word on the street is she's in talks with Prada and Balenciaga. Harris, however, is no stranger to fame, modeling for no less than 18 shows during Australian Fashion Week. With a stint in London Fashion week, the adoration of Patrick Demarchelier and an Australian Vogue Cover, I'm pretty sure we'll be seeing this aborigine beauty a lot more on the glossies of American fashion magazines.

From Australia, with Love. Part 1

A lot of people have been falling asleep on our friends Down Under. I've recently discovered an amazing designer who has been deemed One to Watch by Tommy Ton.

Dion Lee.

 (Photographs: Tommy Ton)

Lee is  a 22-year old hailing from Australia. After attending the Sydney Institute of Technology, he began designing inspired by the construction of clothing, with a focus on pattern-making and innovative cuts. I love his use of pastels and especially the leggings that remind me of coral reef from the Great Barrier Reef. Another one of my favorite pieces from his collection are the prints that remind me of a painter's accidental ink blot that Dion Lee fashioned into a beautiful garment. 

The entire collection reminds me of an ethereal, beautiful girl living in a structured world forced to conform to the lines and constraints (clearly I have quite an imagination). Check out more about Dion Lee at his homepage and a glowering review of his collection at Fab Sugar Australia.

Baby Got Back!

Now we all love Sir-Mix-A-Lot, but I'm talking about a different kind of back.

Lately my obsession has been with garments that are revealing in a very coquettish fashion. With displaying the right amount of skin in the right place you can get sexy sans slutty. The key is to find a garment that accentuates and highlights your beautiful back. 

You can go drama in a draped open-back detailed with an edgy chain from Black Halo or a little unconventional with an asymmetrically draped garment by Acne.

Want something a little more casual? You don't have to lose the drama in order to take an open back from day to night. Try lighter colors and more casual material (like light cotton or jersey). The Scoop-back ruffle dress is from Twenty8twelve's latest collection and the burnout t-shirt is designed by David Lerner.