Best: Black & White

Ruben Ireland

As we approach the fall season there is always a default annual color pallet of neutrals; including of course earth tones. What about two shades: Black and White. This color combination in accessories and clothing is a style staple and is seasonless. 

Some of my favorite Black and White pieces for fall:

Best Splurge

Tom Ford: 105mm Pump - $1,190

Best Loafer

Manolo Blahnik Jacquette $765

Best Repro (1950s Reproduction)

Mod Cloth Happily Ever Dapper Shoe $50

Best Investment

SJP Rampling Pump - $355

Best Bag 

Mulberry Maple - $1,590

Best Makeup Case

Vintage Black and White Print $35

Best Palm Print (Contemporary and Vintage)

Michael Kors Palm Print (Was $140 now $40)

Vintage Palm Print

Vintage Palm Print Dress $75

Some of the best Black  and White pieces from EVOLUTION VINTAGE

Best Designer Vintage

GIVENCHY Dress - $600

Best Maxi Dress

Dress - $70

Best Dress Set (Worn 3 Ways)

Vintage Dress and Cape $95

Best Jumpsuit

Polka Dot Jumpsuit $60

Best Blouse

Vintage Blouse $35

Best Dots

Vintage 1950's Velvet Dotted Dress $200

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Nordstrom Catalog - Feb 2015

I love this notion of blooming where you are planted, in other words there is no geographical excuse for not being who you are in this exact moment. There is also no excuse for not being able to express yourself authentically, in essence wearing what you want.

This notion is a very powerful and empowering one. It disables you from handing away your power to the universe or external circumstances. You may wish to be in another place in your life, geographical or otherwise but really all we have is NOW. Dig into your life as well as your closet and bloom right where you are.  You feel like wearing a cocktail dress to a lunch? DO IT  you think you will be over dressed? SO WHAT. For the purpose of this blog I'm using fashion as part of the metaphor but truly dig your heel's into your life, in this very moment, exactly where you are, as you are. Enjoy the sun on your face and know the grass is greener where you water it, where you are planted, not way over there ...

Need some floral inspiration?

Vintage Floral Gown (available via Evolution Vintage

Pink 'Fawn' Vintage Glass Foil Pimps via SJP Collection (available via Nordstrom with black Grosgrain detail as pictured) or with Nude Grosgrain Detail at Neiman Marcus

Where will you bloom?

Michael Kors Floral-Print Cotton-Voilé Tunic (SALE: $595)

Vintage Floral Dress & Vintage Necklace

Both available via Evolution Vintage

Vintage BoHo Floral Dress, Vintage Hat & Belt

Both Available via Evolution Vintage

CFDA 2014 Red Carpet

The Council of Fashion Designer's of America (CFDA) awards were last night in New York. It is a big night in fashion with a vast array of creative personalities arriving in an equally wide array of looks.

I will share my favourites as always with a side note about the look the Internet is buzzing about with mixed reviews.

Rihanna's arrival provoked a digital frenzy of posts with everyones virtual 2 cents about her look. I felt compelled to add mine.

I would have LOVED this look if it was lined. I understand that the shock factor was possibly the point of the look but it just looked a little over done to me. There was a potential for a major Josephine Baker-Chic moment here that was missed. The bear breasts are fabulous, if you are doing a burlesque show but at this venue it felt like she was trying a little too hard to make a statement. Sometimes, even in fashion the best statements are made simply and effortlessly. There is no disputing her body is rockin, the makeup was gorgeous and I adored the jeweled head scarf complete with 'kiss curled' hair at her cheeks. The real fur is tacky and unnecessary with all the amazing faux fur textile options. I loved reading that over 200,000 Swarovski crystals were used in this custom mesh creation done by designer Adam Selman. This look would have been my undisputed FAV using a little simple style math. Add a liner, minus the fur (or replace the real fur with faux).

This sheer/nude look is nothing new either. Cher did it in the 1970's when it was truly novel and in a much more classy way in this Bob Mackie Jumpsuit. The class is in the coverage and the illusion of nude.

and then there was 1974 ...

Some CFDA Style winners for me from last night.

CoCo Rocha in Christian Siriano

 Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen in the ROW

Olivia Palermo in Ann Taylor Fringe Top/Skirt

 Olivia Wilde in Vintage

 Rachel Zoe in Custom Rachel Zoe Collection

 Emmy Rossum J Mendel

Nina Garcia

Busy Philips dress by Honor; jewels by Irene Neuwirth.

 Model Karen Elson in Michael Kors

Who were your favourites? 

Presidential Pink

In my PROfashional opinion last night was a crucial turning point in this election year and for the campaign of the president (who I support 100%). Finally calling out his opponent with the facts and in a manner suiting a president. I also have to say from a Fashion perspective it looked like Michael Kors won last night.  Both of the candidates wives turned it out in the most fabulous shade of PINK. 

Who wore it better?

 My pick is Michelle Obama's Michael Kors Dress/Jacket for several reasons, non of which have to do with my support of the president! The suit is tailored perfectly for her body. The chic shift and jacket combo were a sophisticated choice.  The styling was also better; pairing the dress/jacket with a classic strand of pearls. 

I did not care for the textural fabric, fit or styling of Mrs. Romney's frock. The jacket she had on before the debate was awful too, but an A+ for the color choice and her attempt at styling with this turquoise contrast colour and polish.

I personally ADORE this shade of pink!

Evolution Vintage PINK Picks

 1960's Pink Jacket/Dress Set

1970's Pink Maxi Dress

NYFW: My FAV 2 Collections

I LOVE watching the shows live stream from New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in the comfort of my own home, coffee in hand quietly expressing my gratitude to technology from the central coast of California as I see each look make it's way down the catwalk LIVE from New York.

There had to be a few looks for almost every collection I liked. Bits and pieces that I could astoundingly style together from dozens of designers to suit my taste. My 2 stand out shows this year from NYFW were Michael Kors and Rachel Zoe. Are they the same caliber of "designers"? In my opinion, not really but there is something to be said about a stylist turned designer. MK has years of experience and a CFDA lifetime achievement award under his black blazer but Rachel has been able to successfully merge the worlds of styling and design together which does not always work.

 KORS:

What I LOVED: The bold and bright colours. I am obsessed with the primary and jewel tone colours and colour pairings. Fabulous separates (as always), jackets, shoes and BAGS! That yellow bag (see blow) I LOVED. The touches of gold hardware on the bags and belts I adore along side the bold hues. Then the mix of colours with with the crisp white. The stripes were fabulous too! WATCH THE SHOW HERE

I didn't really get the "glasses" that resembled PPE -  Personal Protective Equipment but I have to say they would ROCK any wood or metal shop.

The last look reminds me of this FAB Vintage jumpsuit set recently sold in my eBoutique:

Try a BOLD RED Jacket

Or that FAB hue of blue

ZOE

 What I LOVED: I loved the mix of tones deep turquoise and robin egg blues ~ The rust and the oranges. The jumpsuits and the heavy Chanel influences with the black & white looks. The "Gilver" (mix of metallic gold/silver) with a hint of green. WATCH THE SHOW HERE

Her Accessories were my FAV! She's bringin' back the fanny pack in a chic way! A belted waist clutch was the focal point of several of her looks.

 AND the gold tassel chains I adore! 

Can't afford the RZ version? 

Try Vintage!

SHOP Evolution Vintage Jewelry

GILVER GLAM

What were your FAV shows from NYFW?

Stay tuned for my picks from LONDON!