Top Two Fashion Moments of 2014

On the eve of the new year I wanted to take a look backwards at my two most memorable fashion moments of 2014. These two looks stood out to me from the year as major "moments". There were many beautiful dresses that walked the red carpet in the last year but when I sat and thought about it these two were stand outs.

One of the most stunning statements was Lady Ga Ga in a luscious blue velvet gown (by Brandon Maxwell) with a matching turban and one half glove. The dress is complete with a pocket and a 6 foot long train cascading from her shoulder! Old Hollywood glamour re-styled current. I adore how chic and sophisticated this is.

Sarah Jessica Parker made a major style statement at the 2014 MET Gala wearing a gorgeous gown by the late Oscar de la Renta.

To me she was the ultimate Couture Cinderella in this gorgeous gown, a hybrid paying tribute to the nights honoree, designer Charles James and to Mr. De La Renta.  Another example of fashion's past being presented in a new and relevant way. From the front, the ballgown paid tribute to the night’s honoree designer, Charles James,

Austine Hearst in Charles James Clover Leaf Gown, ca. 1953

but from the back, it was all about de la Renta: She had him “sign his name” across the train, which was designed to look like a dress form. “I said to Mr. de la Renta, Please let me use scarlet embroidery thread and flash your name across the back,” Parker said at the time. “It was my idea. He would never in a million years have done it, he’s far too modest.” (as reported by PeopleStyleWatchMag).

 Every Detail stunning, the jewels, the gloves, the hair!

The Hair was exquisite

SJP was a modern day Cinderella in gorgeous Mustard SJP Collection "Fawn" Heels. The satin equivalent to the iconic glass slipper. 

Who tops your list?

Textile Talk: VELVET

Tom Ford F/W 2014

I don't know what it is but recently every where I turn there is another amazing frock constructed from VELVET! It is a BIG trend on the 2014 runways. 

Elie Saab/Reem Acra

We saw this fabric adored in the 1990's too. I loved Tom Ford for GUICCI's debut collection in F/W 1995. The velvet tuxedo and those lush velvet pants paired with the satin blouses. 

 GUCCI 1995

Gucci 1996

The most famous film to use a lot of this fabric is none other than Gone with the Wind. Great balls of fire, I've never seen so much velvet used in one film!

I adore this fabric and although some feel it is a fall/winter fabric I think that you can wear it all year long, in the evening.

This textile is so lush, rich and a  source of fabric tactile stimulation. 

Did you know? There are 15 types of velvet. (Wiki)

1875 British Ball Gown (MET Museum)

Chiffon (or transparent) velvet: Very lightweight velvet on a sheer silk or rayon chiffon base.

Ciselé: Velvet where the pile uses cut and uncut loops to create a pattern.

Crushed: This type of velvet can be produced by pressing the fabric down in different directions. It can also be produced by mechanically twisting the fabric while wet. The result is patterned appearance that is very lustrous.

Devoré or burnout. A velvet treated with a caustic solution to dissolve areas of the pile, creating a velvet pattern upon a sheer or lightweight base fabric.

Embossed: A metal roller is used to heat-stamp the fabric, producing a pattern.

Hammered: This type is extremely lustrous, appears dappled, and somewhat crushed.

Lyons: A densely woven, stiff, heavier-weight pile velvet used for hats, coat collars and garments.

Mirror: A type of exceptionally soft and light crushed velvet.

Kenneth Cole

Nacré: Velvet with an effect similar to shot silk, where the pile is woven in one or more colours and the base fabric in another, creating a changeable, iridescent effect.

Panné: Also a type of crushed velvet, panné is produced by forcing the pile in a single direction by applying heavy pressure. Sometimes, less frequently, called paon velvet.

Pile-on-pile: A particularly luxurious type of velvet woven with piles of differing heights to create a pattern.

 

 Pile-on-pile voided velvet w Brocading and Boucle wefts 1500-1550

Plain: Commonly made of cotton, this type of velvet has a firm hand and can be used for many purposes.

Utrecht: A pressed and crimped velvet associated with Utrecht, Holland.

Velveteen is a type of imitation velvet. It is normally made of cotton or a combination of cotton and silk. It has a pile that is short (never more than 3mm deep), and is closely set. It has a firm hand and a slightly sloping pile. Unlike true velvet, this type has greater body, does not drape as easily, and has less sheen.

Wedding ring or ring velvet: Another term for devoré and/or chiffon velvets which are allegedly fine enough to be drawn through a ring

Shop Vintage Velvet

Vintage 80's Bill Blass Black Velvet Gown - $350

Vintage Givenchy Velvet & Faux Pearl Dress ~ $600

Vintage Pink Velvet Gown ~ $130

Vintage 1950's Black Dress ~ $110

Vintage 80's Cocktail Dress ~ $60

Vintage Oscar De La Renta Day Dress w Velvet Trim ~ $280

Black (bodice is velvet) & White 70's Maxi Dress ~ $65

1960's Velvet Mini ~ $70

Mail Bag: Brooch The Subject

For every negative message or tweet I receive 100 positive ones. The haters are out there and I never usually respond to them but this time (for me) I wanted to.

I received a few tweets recently regarding my Evolution Rewind Ring collection. The woman accused me of "destroying vintage jewelry" and ranted on and on until I had to block her. I rarely block people either because I'm always open to a healthy debate or growth through constructive criticism. This person just didn't get it.

It is hard in 140 character or less to define WHY I created my ring line and HOW the pieces are chosen. Thankfully I have a blog.

WHY? The brooch over the years has been an accessory or a piece of jewelry that was widely worn and styled by women of all age ranges and classes. I have read that it is one of the oldest pieces of jewelry, dated back to the Bronze Age when pins were a popular adornment for clothing.

In recent years it has not garnered a lot of attention. From where I sit "modern day" women sparsely style these pieces. Fashion and trends are cyclical in nature; what was old always comes back around in a new form. For some reason, I have yet to see a contemporary spin on Re-Styling the brooch in a modern way with any consistency.

People do wear them, like myself, the odd celeb and fashionista but it is not a style staple, like a cuff or cocktail ring. When discussing the topic with other women the words "matronly" or dowdy" have been thrown around. I personally think they are a chic accessory with styling possibilities only limited by your imagination!

I wanted to bring back the brooch in a contemporary way via unique cocktail rings.

In my travels I found it difficult to find the authentic Vintage cocktail rings that I liked so I thought merging the two elements would be fabulous: Evolution Rewind was born. The rings are also reaching a new demographic of women who may not otherwise brooched the subject.

HOW:  Each brooch is hand selected by myself and all of the REWIND pieces are one of a kind. Some of the brooches have broken pins/backs and otherwise would not be functional. I have rescued these pieces from flea markets, old auntie's drawers as well as amazing Vintage jewelry collectors/dealers. Some are procured and created using amazing pieces from ladies personal collections.

I personally feel that Re-Styling these pieces is RESPECTING fashion's past and Vintage jewelry. A modern nod to the craftsmen and designers of days gone by. The pieces are too beautiful to sit in a thrift store or a drawer. The metals, stones and designs should be worn and given a new life. 

I still style brooches as they were intended (turbans, hats, lapel, bags, scarves, etc) but I have also made them Eco-Chic and Re-Styled them on the fingers of Fab fashionistas all over the world.

Bring the brooch back and Re-Style them in these ways: 

HAIR

A Large Modern Scarf

At the waist for evening (or day)

Double Duty: Oscar de la Renta brooches the band & sweater!

DIY Brooch belt - using a large brooch and vintage printed scarf. Adds a new look to the plain dotted dress. See more HERE

The lapel X 2

The Brooch Bouquet

 On a hat or beret

 Worn at the neckline for Day or Night

 Multiple Brooch Details at neckline of a dress or blazer.

Turban

Trim out a neckline on a solid color

An Evolution Vintage Brooch on a clutch!
(Thanks the Creative CjBlue for this)

Even the men can get in on this. A Fabulous brooch adds an extra something to a
traditional necktie.

How do YOU brooch the subject and style this accessory?