All About the Accents

As we culminate the highlights from the Fashion Capitals series on the blog, we wanted to take the opportunity to go over two major trends that you can easily incorporate into your fall wardrobe. Read on to see the looks from Europe and Deb’s picks for fashion inspiration!

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Quilting is no longer relegated to overly stuffed, cold weather parkas…quilting is emerging as a strong design dimension for all season jackets, vests, dresses and bags!   Diamond, channel and signature quilting looks add “textural pattern” to otherwise flat surfaces employing feather light weights of pile or down between fabric layers.

Sonia Rykiel Quilted Skirt | Alexander Wang Velvet Trimmed Embellished Satin Mini Skirt | Moschino Quilted Backpack | The Case Factory Quilted Leather iPhone 6 Case | Tory Burch Quilted Ballerinas | Stella McCartney Quilted Mini Faux Brushed Leather Backpack | Moncler Combo Zip-Front Jacket | Uniqlo Ultra Light Down Compact Quilted Jacket

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Fringe is bigger than ever spurred on by the emergence of Cowboy Wear and Boho Chic…both directional trends for fall!  Look for self to applied fringe for skirts, vests, jackets, blouses, bags and boots in fabric or leather/suede!

Bruno Cucinelli Fringe Vest | Ermanno Scervino Large Fringe Tote Bag | Thakoon Addition Fringed Hem Sweater | Oscar de la Renta Knotted Fringe Detail Blouse | Michael Kors Fringe Hem Tank Top | Tsumori Chisato Fringed Poncho | Sam Edelman Fringe Detailing Boots | MGSM Fringed Paisley Blouse

The Color Report

Yesterday, we filled you in on the huge trend of “Architectural Neutrals” and today we are adding in the colorful counterparts. Three more color stories emanating from the fashion capitals include an indigo, denim and chambray story, bold blues and greens and a warm, bold orange and pink story. Read on for major color inspiration for your fall wardrobe!

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The Blues are Cooler than ever with Denim, Chambray and Inky blue/black trending for Fall!  Great layered head to toe for day and evening, the Blues are excellent “neutral” choices to pair with black and a rainbow of colors.  Saturated to faded, Blue continues to impact fashion across many markets!

Burberry Prorsum Fringed Wool-Blend Felt Poncho | Chloe Crochet-Detail Chambray Shirt | See by Chloe Hooded Patchwork Denim Cape | Frame Denim Le Mechanic Flared Jumpsuit | R13 Leather Knee Chap Skinny Jeans | Cushnie et Ochs Navy Viscose Long Sleeved Mini Dress | Delpozo Dark Navy Lambskin Bow Heels | Paul Andrew Taos Fringed Suede Ankle Boots | Stella McCartney Mid-Rise Flare Jeans | Oscar de la Renta Navy Jacquard Shirt Dress | Nina Ricci Blue Short Sleeved Frayed Seam Knit | House of Holland Patchwork Sleeveless Denim Dress

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The Blue Greens offer an oasis from the broad strokes of the color wheel this season.   Think Bottle Green to Teal…mint to aqua & Turquoise to Jade…moss to olive…with punctuations from acid lime to neon green!  Designed to work together, this range is often mixed with indigo & denim to charcoal & black in patterns and layers.  Youthful yet elegant this cool pool of color is always refreshingly right!

Isabel Marant Etoile Boucle Garbe Coat | J. Mendel Cap Sleeve Leather-Inset Day Dress | Mr. and Mrs. Italy Fur-Lined Canvas Mini Parka | Dolce & Gabbana Tweed Double-Breasted Dress | Manolo Blahnik Okkato Pumps | Acne Studios Convertible Wrap Alan Cardigan | Jean-Michel Cazabat Olbia Sandals | Oscar de la Renta Asymmetrical Scarf-Hem Dress | Monique Lhullier Sleeveless Floral Embellished Shift Dress | Milly Butterfly Sleeve Stretch Silk Dress

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Fall heats up with a myriad of hot color…saturated to pastel versions of pink, orange, red and violet; assort for head to toe femininity and energized style.  Colorblocking and Layering encourage new mixes within this range. Furry and fluffed to matte and silky fabrics warm up to cool fall weather in these hot tones.

No21 Cropped Trousers | Alexander Wang Prisma Skeletal Leather Backpack | Nike Juvenate Mesh Sneakers | RED Valentino Scalloped Short Jumpsuit | Alice + Olivia Kip Pleated Chiffon Dress | Dolce & Gabbana Wool-Blend Boucle Coat | Ralph Lauren Purple Label Cable-Knit Cashmere-Mohair Hat | Jimmy Choo Alina Neon Patent-Leather Point-Toe Flats | Saint Laurent Curtis Fringed Suede Jacket | Lisa Perry Sleeveless Wow Dress

The Bag Report

The stories keep rolling in from Deb’s semi-annual fashion + design inspiration pilgrimage. Two trends with staying power: the backpack and the crossbody bag. Weren’t sure if you could rock these trends in past seasons? Read on for inspiration.

Backpacks and tiny bags re-emphasize the idea of a hands-free fast paced lifestyle. Urban “hiking” is made better with the addition of the perfect backpack and the micro crossbody bag is effortless and fits perfectly into a tote for the bag in a bag concept. Function meets fashion for both of these bag superstars this season.

Look for backpacks featuring quilting, color blocking, novelty prints, tassels and fringe, and distinctive logos.

Cross body bags are designed to fit just the essentials and are ideal for dress up and dress down looks.

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Have a great weekend! See you Monday, as the Europe debrief continues and we get the latest from the fashion world.

Footwear for the Fall

Fresh from the streets of Paris, Milan and London! Deb is back and has the major trends highlighted for us. Today we begin with a fall essential, footwear.

One of the major trends from Deb’s travels were a “Street Sport” footwear look. Cool tennis shoes are all the rage; from Adidas Stan Smith’s to a tried and true Converse hi-top. Neutral colors are important here – navy, tans, black + white, as well as neons and bold hues. It’s practical and comfortable whilst sacrificing no style. The essential look for fall to pull off an effortless, chic look. 

Shop the looks:

Adidas Stan Smith’s | Converse Chuck Taylor | Superga

The next thing you’ll be needing this fall is a great pair of boots! Not quite the ankle booties we’ve been seeing, midi boots are huge for the fall. Look to pair these with your favorite skinnies or exposed socks/tights with your favorite skirt or dress.

Tomorrow we continue with accessories. Outlining the must-have bags + emerging bag trends from Europe! See you then!!

paris | milan | london – MUST SEE & DO!

This is my list of Must Shop…Must See…Must Eat…Must Stay!  When I head overseas I have a list of my favorite spots…these become the ongoing essence of my world travels and offer constant inspiration during and between my trips!

PARIS

Stay:

Hôtel Université Paris, 22 rue de l’Université, 75007 Paris

Eat:

L to R: Poilâne | A Priori thé *breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in Gallerie Vivienne!*

Other Favorites:

• Cherché Midi
• La Cuisine de Bar
• Voltaire, Café Flore
• Rose’s Bakery (inside of Bon Marche)
• Entrecôte
• Spring
• Comptoir de Relais
• Passage 53

Shop:

Merci *one of the best “concept” shops in Paris!*

Other Favorites:

Bon Marche, Colette, Victoire, Petit Bateau, Herve Chapelier, Roger Vivier, Goyard, Astier de Villatte, Eskander, Paule Ka, Fragonard, Hartford, Bonpoint, BonTon

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MILAN

Stay:

Hotel Spadari al Duomo, Via Spadari no. 11,  20123 Milano

Eat:

Bagutta

Other Favorites:

• Princi
• Santa Lucia
• Obica
• Eataly
• Il Salumaio
• 10 Corso Como Café

Shop:

Corso Como 10 *Still the best “concept” store in Milan; includes rooms to stay, a gallery, bookstore, cafe & shopping*

Other Favorites:

• Marni Outlet
• Etro Outlet
• Pellini Bijoux
• Aspesi
• Prada (Duomo location)
• Twin Set
• Max Mara Weekend
• Toy Watch
• Patrizia Pepe
• Wait and See
• Fornasetti

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LONDON

Stay:

Number Sixteen, 16 Sumner Place, London , SW7 3EG

Eat:

Hoi Polloi

Other Favorites:

• Carluccio’s
• Daylesford Notting Hill
• Ottolenghi
• Bluebird Cafe
• Moro
• Comptoir Libanais

Shop:

Dover Street Market

Other Favorites:

• Paul Smith
• Selfridges
• Emma Hope Shoes
• All Saints
• The Shop at Bluebird
• Rococo Chocolates

The Grecian Key

Check out Versace’s fall 2015 Ready-to-Wear Runway Collection. It embodies everything Grecian through using the Greek key pattern.

Image Credit: Style.com

Here are our key inspired picks that are great for gifts, your home, or your wardrobe.

Wool Throw | Cotton Throw | Pillow | Pink Throw | Engraved Bracelet | Gold Cutlery

Bracelet | Earrings 

Skirt |  Necklace | Winged Flats 

We have our own take on the grecian key with our Maze in Manhattan and Glory Maze patterns. We used cool blues to embody Greece’s outdoor culture.

Grecian Style: The One Shoulder Look

We love the one shoulder look inspired by toga wearing Greek goddesses. The breezy wear is perfect for this August heat no matter where your travels take you. We especially love to wear this style near the water, where the we can soak up some sun and feel the ocean air.

Drape Top

Mini Dress | Ruffle Dress

Jumpsuit

Want to sway away from your classic LBD? Try this one shoulder jumpsuit instead!

Gown | Orange Toga

Maxi Dress | White Gown 

Photos (of the beaches of Crete) courtesy of our very own Kate Kegan, VP of Sales & Creative Engagement.

Grecian Influences: Layers

Travels to Greece gave us great insight into the Grecian influences on fashion. Layers are something we love and can attribute to the ancient Greeks.

Playsuit | Cape Top 

Scarf Dress

Top | Skirt | Gown

Dress | Cape Top (also featured above!)

The best part about layers is they can be dressed up or down. We decided to dress ours down and wear them to cafes in Greece. Layers are perfect for Greece’s outdoor culture centered around the sunny weather.

Right Off the Runway: Grecian Drapes

This week we are focusing on the season-less aspect of fall fashion. Grecian art and culture has been  a huge fashion influence for modern day styles due to the flattering drapery inspired by ancient grecian clothing. Simplicity and function were important for Greek men and women, partially because of the summer heat in Greece. Fabric, typically a light linen, was folded, pleated, and draped around the body to create a tunic like dress that was made to keep cool but look finished. Today, we associate drapery, tunics, and even peplums, which are derived from the Greek peplos or women’s tunics, with Greece and will forever be indebted to Greece for its immense influence on modern fashion.

Ruffled Dress | Wrap Dress | Drape Dress

Just because the Greeks wore drapes for comfort and simplicity doesn’t mean the style is limited to just that. These cocktail dresses are great for a gala or night out on town.

 

Dress

The perfect day dress can be drapes yet still have a tailored look. 

Dress | Shirt

We’re taking advice from the ancient Greeks and loving their use of neutrals and earth tones.

 Top |Pants | Sweater | Espadrilles 

For a go-to Grecian inspired outfit we love this combo.

Turtleneck | Cardigan

Drapes aren’t just for summer. Carry these pieces over to your fall and winter wardrobe with these chic drape sweaters.

Great Escape: Whidbey Island, WA

The Inn at Langley | The Oyster Catcher | Explore Whidbey’s Downtown | The Spoiled Dog Winery

  Photo Credit: The Inn at Langley | Yelp | The Examiner 

For Whidbey Island we went with All Saints for an edgy, urban look that’s seasonless for this little town outside of Seattle. Featuring the Original Deano, Walk the Vine and 3-Way Bag, Black Canvas

1. Hot Pants, Light Indigo 2. Mellon Tank 3. Brooklyn Leather Biker Jacket 4. Perth Wedges 5. Dace Sandals 6. Turo Vi Dress 7. Denim Curtis Jacket 8. Boys Jeans, Indigo 9. Featured SCOUT 10. Featured SCOUT