Fashion Evolution

Ann Taylor Loft Fall 2010: Preview Collection Event

The knowledge of fashion and trend has grown increasingly over the past 5-7 years at groundbreaking speeds.  I have been seeing this evolution for some time now but recently I read an article in WWD (Women's Wear Daily) about Ann Taylor and their "new" direction for Loft, which enforced the observation even more so.  Television programs such as; Project Runway, America's Next Top Model, Sex and the City and The Hills have exposed the fashion industry to a younger generation that now views the industry as a common career path.  Attending art school for college is now being seen as a normal and practical choice, when years ago most parents would have begged and pleaded with their child to attend a more formal college for a proper education so they will not become starving artists.  

I have loved fashion from a young age and always treasured the moments when my mom and her friend would bring me along to go shopping.  At the age of 8 is when I began drawing clothing. I say drawing not designing because I would simply draw clothes that I saw and liked onto a figure and make an outfit.  I was far from original and definitely not daring in my fashion choices.  As a child born and raised in the suburbs of NJ, I did what most kids did, I wore what everyone else wore.  The end of middle school I began to pick up on trends a little earlier then most and would venture out of the comfort zone.  But for a suburban raised 14 year old that was deciding to wear a flared jean instead of wide leg painters jean that everyone else had on.  In high school I was aware of designer names and watched fashion shows on the style network, if I happened to catch it while flipping through channels.  But still I looked like every other kid in my high school: wearing jeans, abercrombie and j.crew.  It wasn't until my senior year of college(art college) that I started to really get it!  I was religiously buying glossy fashion magazines that you could only find at bookstores, digging through style.com to see every look to come down the runway of every show.  I began to really look and live the world of fashion and the deeper I dug in, the more obsessive I became.  Now, my entire world revolves around the fashion industry.  Everything I do or say or think is influenced by the industry.  This is the case for most people in this line of work.  But for my generation and the generations before me, it wasn't until we started our career in fashion that we knew as much as we do now.

I share my evolution with you because for the high school, college and even middle school aged people, fashion and its world is like second nature for them.  I look back on my high school years and think of how lame my wardrobe was and wish I had the knowledge and guts to be me.  But when it comes down to why I was lame, its not because I didn't have the confidence to pull it off; its because I wasn't exposed to it like we are today.  Kids now have reality shows, teen vogue, fashion shows being streamed live through the Internet.  The fashion industry is apart of their pop culture.  Whats even more interesting is that its not just the "city" kids that are being influenced and actually wearing forward fashion.  I grew up in NJ, so I was near NYC and visited frequently.  I had the exposure of a city, but someone like my mother who grew up in a small beach town in Michigan did not have the influences that I had.  Today, kids living on a farm in Kansas know who Marc Jacobs is and wear skinny jeans.  The mid western high school-er may not be wearing the new Proenza Schouler tie dye but she has seen it in Teen Vogue!  And the city kid not only has seen it, but owns it and even blogs about it! 

I'm not the only person that has seen this evolution, it doesn't take a genius to see that fashion is much more influential now then it ever has been before.  Hence why Ann Taylor is bringing their Loft division into a new frontier.  They are evolving their customer with the aid of her influences and exposure.  White House Black Market is also another brand that is transforming their design and stores to have a more "boutique" feel to them.  J.Crew which I have mentioned before, is also transforming their image because their client is much cooler then she was 10 years ago.  Even popular teen shows have adjusted to this overwhelming take over.  I was a committed Dawson's Creek supporter but they were far from fashionable on that show.  The O.C. (R.I.P.), Gossip Girl & 90210(2.0) all use fashion as an extra character.  Brand names are dropped into dialogue as well as popular high end department stores.

The exposure of the fashion industry has made it much more main stream.  Not only has it made the 14 year old in Kansas way cooler then I ever was, but it has also created more competition for them once they get to this already insanely competitive career.  The t.v. shows and movies may make this seem like a glamorous and dream come true job.  Once you are on the inside, you see that its a lot of hard work, back stabbing and false illusions.  But that topic is for a whole different post.  The point is that fashion moves faster then it ever has before and in return the industry is scrambling around to move even faster then the fashionistas.  So next time you ride past a high school compare that fashion of all the kids to the pages of Teen Vogue or the latest snap shot of Miley Cyrus and you will see my proven point.

Ann Taylor Loft Fall 2010: Collection Preview Event

The Blair Waldorf Trend.....HEADBANDS!!!!

Since I was a mere 6 months old I have sported my favorite hair accessory, the headband.  Even when the headband wasn't "cool" i still wore them!  You name the style, I had it!  I was a d.i.y.-er since a young age because of my crafty mom so I had a continuous flow of creative hair decoration.  Unfortunately I no longer own these self-made wonders but I do clearly remember my awesome balloon barrette; made of deflated multi-colored balloons clustered together and glued on the back of a simple metal clasp.  But anyway back to headbands; these simple yet decorative bands can transform any look by just popping it on your head.

Thanks to the overly dramatic tv series, Gossip Girl; the headband has made a come back in a BIG way!  The character Blair Waldorf is known for her headbands and adorns one in almost every episode before she leaves for college.  

 What is great about the decorative headbands that Blair wears is that they are easy to create yourself with a simple trip to any local craft store!  I have done this with feathers, rhinestones and even bows as Blair often sports.

This is an example of my diy headband

If you aren't the crafty creative person then there are many talented designers out there that can provide you with beautiful handcrafted hair decoration. Jennifer Behr is the designer behind most of the fabulous head bands found on Gossip Girl.  I also highly recommend a fellow classmate of mine, Kel Cadet who launched an amazing accessory line called R-Ki-Tekt

If you are looking for something that won't break the bank I definitely recommend checking out Forever 21, because they have great head bands for really affordable prices and I shop there on numerous occasions.  So embrace headbands and where them everywhere!!!!!

Eloise Headband made by R-Ki-Tekt

Flower Headband from Forever 21

The HOTTEST rockers I know...

 From left to right: Julia (guitar/vocals), Meredith (bass/vocals), Candace (keyboard/vocals), Stephanie (drums/vocals)

Hey tri-state area.... are you always looking for a spontaneous activity to entertain yourself with on a Tuesday night?  Me too!!! Well lucky you, tomorrow (Tuesday, April 20th) The Coathangers will be in town!  These sexy HOTlanta locals are currently on tour with The Thermals.  They are playing a show at the ever so popular Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, doors open @ 8pm.

The Coathangers are an all-girl band from Atlanta, GA that have made a name for themselves in the underground music scene.  Not only am I a fan of their music but I'm also lucky enough to call them friends!  Their songs are catchy, well titled and make you want to dance around your room with a hair brush and play air guitar in your undies!

The ladies released their sophomore album "Scramble" last April and have been touring all over the country to get themselves heard.  The response to their 2nd album has been nothing but positive and the critics are still in love with their first release as well.  They have toons such as: "Toomerhead", "Cheap Cheap" (a personal favorite) and "Nestle in my Boobies" (a crowd pleaser).  What makes The Coathangers so unique is not only have they mastered their own instruments but they have also taken the time to learn each others instruments & they all lend their vocals to make them a totally versatile group.  Critics have noticed this and given them numerous amounts of credit for their creativity and fun take on performing.  As in true girl rocker style, these bad asses can give you a run for your money; so I wouldn't recommend taunting them on stage or they will find you afterward and make you regret any haggles that might have been served.

The girls are currently working on their 3rd release and giving a preview to some new songs on this mini tour w/ The Thermals.  The Coathangers will be hitting the road again this summer for a massive summer tour as they did last year.  So make sure to keep an ear out for the next time they are in your town and wounder down to that dive bar and jam out with my favorite Southern Belles!

Far Right: Stephanie (left) & Meredith (right)

And because this is supposed to be a blog about fashion... all 4 of the Coathangers sport some amazing style!  They each have their own unique style which I would classify as "dorkie-chic" with a flair of vintage and a pop of trend.  From their do's to their shoes (haha i didn't mean to rhyme because thats pretty cheese-ball of me but i'm keeping it in there) they know how to work it!  It also helps that they are all pretty smokin' so they could wear paper bags on stage and guys and girls would still want them.

So don't forget kids.... Tuesday, April 20th @ 8pm- Brooklyn Bowl, Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Be there or forever be a loser!

So-Cal Lifestyle...

 Ok all you New Yorkers... I know I will be kicked out of the city for this comment but I secretly envy so-cal surfer fashion!  I mean honestly, who doesn't want to be dressed in casual beach wear every day?!
When you are in LA or Southern Cali you wake up every single day knowing it will be gorgeous and sunny outside!  Who wouldn't want to live there (putting earthquakes, mud slides and brush fires aside of course).

Well anyway... I have to admit 90210 (2.0) creates this green monster inside of me not only because of the weather but because their costume designer, Frank Helmer takes the surfer/so-cal lifestyle and makes it even cooler then it is!  Every time I watch the show I want every look.  Some of my favs come from the characters Silver and Ivy.

Silver has more of an east coast edge to her which I myself can associate with.  I love the layering Frank plays with and the color palette he associates Silver with.  Even though this character stays true to the California style, she has a quirky side to her that is played up through her costume choices.

Ivy shows the true California surfer chick that her character is.  She is always wearing denim bottoms whether its a great pair of skinnies are just a hot pair of denim cut offs.  Frank pairs these denim staples with loose bohemian tops and her hair has a natural surf wave from the ocean water.  She is effortlessly cool in every way while still looking chic.

NJ Childhood Memories... ACTION PARK

Thanks to a fellow blogger, I was reminded of the infamous Action Park in Vernon,NJ that I would watch endless commercials on the TV during the summer time and beg to be taken too.  This nice little wiki article pretty much sums up why my mom would never take me!  Enjoy!!

GLEE-tastic Spring!

Welcome to Spring!! This is one of my favorite times of the year!!!  The sun is shining, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and I'm breaking out my sandals again.  I am also anticipating the new episodes of gLee with intense excitement.  With gLee on my mind and spring beginning it made me realize what a perfectly spring inspired wardrobe Emma Pillsbury (played by Jayma Mays) from gLee adorns on each and every episode!  With her delicate cashmere cardis and feminine floral details added in just the right spots she screams SPRING!

The character Emma is a nod to the preppy traditional J.Crew look.  But the purpose of this post is to inform you that what most people don't know is how J.Crew is not just preppy anymore... its really FASHIONABLE!!  I have been saying this for a couple years now, J.Crew is cool and I may not wear everything in the store but their window displays and their catalogue sure makes me think I would.  For some great Spring inspiration I think everyone should take a look at the J.Crew look book posted online.

For Spring 2010, J.Crew of course hits on the classic spring staple that is florals, but they do it in a very cool J.Crew way.

J.Crew's visual marketing team knows how to appeal to the masses with the strong trends but also keeping the classic J.Crew customer in mind.  I think their marketing team is a stroke of genius and would be more then willing to join in the fun; let me know where to send my resume!

But back to Spring + J.Crew = LOVE!!  I know what everyone is thinking... but they are so preppy, totally not my style, blah blah blahddy blah.  But honestly, people need to realize that you can shop anywhere. It doesn't matter if a store isn't your lifestyle you can still find great styles in distinguished lifestyle stores.

These two looks are obviously a more preppy side to J.Crew, but try looking at each piece separately.  For myself the only pieces I would actually personally own are the gingham shorts and all of the featured jewelery, but this doesn't stop me from loving the entire look of both photos. 

These two looks are an edgier side of J.Crew that I would wear both of the looks from head to toe!  And what makes these "cooler" looks interesting is that when you look  piece by piece they are still true to the classic J.Crew customer but they were able to sell the entire look to someone like me who never shops there.

J.Crew business attire is represented so amazing in this Spring catalogue!  The brightly colored pencil skirt with a mustard rusty colored tank, and the socks with heels, you know I'm a fan!! To top off that look with nerdy glasses makes me fall in love.  And even the more conservative look with the basic black pencil looks great with the button down and sweater vest.  They make this classic look cool by adding fun kitten heels and costume jewelery.

Not only am I inspired by J.Crew for myself but also for my adorable little nieces and nephews!  If I could afford it, I would only buy them clothes from here. But since kids grow too fast I think parents should take J.Crew for kids as inspiration and find the actual threads elsewhere.

The little girls clothes are a little bit more fashion forward and fun for Crewcuts and give a slight nod to Teen Vogue style.

The precious little boy clothes are classically handsome and remind everyone of JFK Jr. running around the grounds of the White House!

Overall I think Crewcuts is executed great, it keeps them as children but with a fashion edge to them.  They have nailed this category in my eyes.

So now, I hope when shopping you all keep an open mind and realize that the store is not what really matters when shopping for your great Spring finds, its the creativity within you that matters. :)

Happy Spring!