#Trending... the Fashionality edition

#Trending... the Fashionality edition

April 29, 2014

This week's blog post revisits one of our previous topics, #trending which focuses on IT looks regarding hair and styling.  This time out the focus is more on fashion, and with summer just around the corner, there have been some hot looks to inspire upcoming  vacations, weddings, and beach day BBQ's.

Coachella

Having never attended Coachella, I never gave it much thought, but after my Facebook and Instagram feeds were filled with all the style recaps on this modern day Woodstock, I decided to feature the event in this week's blog.  The early 90's are definitely back, if Coachella has anything to say about it, and I felt horrified seeing that the wardrobe from "Blossom" and Laura Ashley have been found from all the bargain thrift shops.  Mom jeans rejoice and have a second life as the new daisy dukes, giving me flashbacks to middle school nightmares.  Here are my wins and losses from the music festival.

Win- Bright near neon prints and electric accessories.  

Lose- High waisted do it yourself jean shorts, tacky tube tops and mismatched, beat-up shoes.

Win- Greenery and floral in a large print, subdued neutral accessories to not overpower the look.

Lose- Porkpie hat with sunflower puts this outfit over the top

Coachella has definitely been an influence on collections for Spring/Summer. The California concert sends an echo of airy, effortless fun.  Prints and greenery are major and being a personal fan of gardens, I love it.  

"The Other Woman"

The summer movie season kicks off with this past weekends chick flick starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton.  The movie itself was ok, but what kept my attention were the great style choices made by Patricia Fields, who did all the wardrobe for Sex and the City.  The film has had a few premieres around the globe and here are the best, the so-so and the worst.  

Best- Kate Upton, the hair is glam, the dress is flattering with the mini belt and hourglass silhouette.
So-So- Cameron Diaz, great shoes, simple little black dress.  The hair done up would've sold this for me.
Worst- Leslie Mann, too much flannel print and bottom heavy, the fabric looks stiff and matronly.  

Bests-Leslie Mann's bright pink and orange ensemble is magnificent.  Kate Upton party dress shines and the hair and makeup are perfection.
So-So- Nicki Minaj goes more neutral and plays it safe, it looks good on her.  Taylor Kinney has a winning plaid blue suit, but the proportions are a bit off.
Worst- Cameron Diaz, another little black dress with a plunging neckline and again the hair is too low-key for the overall look.  

Best-  Cameron Diaz, love the print, love the gold, great legs, perfect silhouette and with the pulled back hair, tres
magnifique.  Leslie Mann, sultry, satin and siren waves, perfection.  Kate Upton, strong side part, punchy red, perfect makeup, all yummy.  

Marketing for films has become more and more of an event with all the product tie-ins and merchandise.  It used to be that a film centered around something more theatrical or fantasy based would be the only ones that got fashion based merch like makeup and hair products, but these days, any and every genre spills out to every niche it can market itself to.  So prepare yourself for all the May blockbusters and movie premieres.  This past week 'The Amazing Spiderman 2' got the red carpet treatment.  

Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone look very much like a classic Hollywood couple.  Sharp lines on the suit and minimalist coloring allow for his girlfriend to steal the spotlight in that amazing yellow.  From this angle the only thing that I would change is the sleeves, but from other vantage points, they go with the gown brilliantly.  I cannot wait for the Cannes Film Festival so that I can rate and review the red carpet and hear about which picture will win the Palme d'or.

For the Men

Summer suits lighten up in beautiful golds and grays.  I love the subtle shine that we are seeing in the fabrics this season, and taking the edge off the formality by skipping the matching pants and jacket. The options open from just the plain khaki and navy jacket with the recent colorful expressions from recent red carpets. Time to go shopping!

Matt Bomer on the cover of this month's Details magazine in a bronzed khaki suit. 

Day/Evening Wedding chic

Formal chic

Summer Party chic

WIth mens' grooming, dapper is still on point.  A longer look can be highly styled and slicked or blown out for more of a coiffed look.  Growing in length on top and keeping the sides tapered keeps the look versatile and can be worn a little more unkempt on weekends or evenings.  

Slick style

                                                                                 

Mens Fringe

For shorter mens cuts, putting a ton of texture and leaving it more disheveled.  Alternating between a matte finish and more of a gritty shine to change up the look from day to day.  There are pomades on the market that you can add powders to change up the play factor and switch up their performance easily.  True Grip from L'Oreal Professionnel is in itself a texturizing powder and its own product, but it can also be the X factor and give other products extra edge and further their styling capabilities.  It is great for volume, hold, texture and refreshing a look. 

Style and Beauty at Every Age

People magazine's 50 most beautiful issue hit stands and what I liked about this issue was that they featured beauty on actresses and everyday women over a 60 year time frame.  I think it is a shame that with our youth obsessed culture, the focus on looking younger takes precedence over looking great at our age and focusing on not just the external, but on the elements that make true beauty glow.  

Anti-oxidants aren't the only things that are good for our health, forgiveness and compassion go much further, as are being comfortable in your own skin and knowing how to let it all go. Now that I've gotten that rant out there, I would like to place some focus on a blog I came across that recognizes fashion is for every age, and focuses on the dames of our society.  It showcases only people of a certain age, with style, with grace and reminds us to not become invisible.  The truth is that for most of us, the times that we can buy those beautiful garments is when we finish paying off our student loans and send our kids off to college, and I really love that Ari Cohen is shining a spotlight on these members of fashionality. 

Check out the blog here and add it to your bookmarks.

  http://advancedstyle.blogspot.com/p/about.html

See you next week!  Take Care,

Travel to... NYC

NYC Highlights

I am fortunate to get to travel to Manhattan once a year partly for work and also to curb my thirst for the cultural experience.  NYC is ever changing and the juxtaposition of the more historic architecture amidst the fluidity of the inspiring shop windows, keep me coming back for more.  I was ecstatic to hear that our L'oreal Professionnel Artist Foundation for fall will be held right in the heart of the city and a looking forward to see what Broadway has to offer in terms of shows during that time.  My last visit to NYC was centered around an editorial styling class I partook in, and I had the opportunity to learn firsthand the trends and techniques straight from Fashion Week, hot off the runway.  I packed my trip full of as many experiences as I could and am listing them in my first ever 'NYC Must List'.

The Meatball Shop

It always starts with food doesn't it?  Especially in a city bursting with most of the top culinary artists in the world.  I am definitely a meat eater and with the simple design-it-yourself options, this is a definite crowd pleaser.  You get to play chef with choices from the meat selection, sauces and a la carte sides.  I  opted for the smaller sliders so tha I could really get a true taste of what they had to offer.  

http://themeatballshop.com

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

Completed over 130 years ago, this is an iconic NYC structure and I have walked across it in both day and night time.  Both offer spectacular views of the skyline, plan a sunset time walk across and enjoy the twinkling lights at night on your way back into the city.

Gild Hall Hotel

Located in the bustling Financial District, this woodsy hotel becomes so serene and offers a view of quite the different side of what you expect from the city that never sleeps.  I really enjoyed the modern cabin-esque decor and it offered nearby access to all the major trains and more importantly, great coffee shops.  Click here for the site.

Central Park

This is the crowning jewel of the city, the perfect blend of nature amidst man's handiwork.  The paths weave through trees, tunnels, grassy knolls and open up to show you the skyline from the true heart of the city.  You can get your cardio on and jog through the maze, bike and even take a horse drawn carriage ride.  The park is truly representative of the season, with its turning leaves in autumn, bare branches in winter, blooming flowers in spring and Shakespeare in the park in summer.  I don't feel complete without at least a visit to the park during one of my stays here.  

http://www.centralparknyc.org

Ippudo NY

Comfort food, ramen in the city.  With two locations, this is a perennial go to for me.  Start with the pork buns appetizer and then select your choice of base for your ramen, which sounds easy but with seasonal offerings and the option to add more noodles to your broth, my eyes are always way bigger than my stomach when I come here.  

http://www.ippudony.com

Shake Shack

Having heard that this was the In-N-Out of the east coast, I was curious to try out what they had to offer.  I waited in line and then for my meal a total of 45 minutes and must say, I was not disappointed at all.  This place lives up to the hype for sure, and maybe it's because I am spoiled with the opportunity to have In-NOut whenever I feel like it, but this is a very close comparison if not a bit better?  Go big when you try it and order the double stack, a portobella mushroom over a beef patty and get the cheese fries and shake.  It's the only way to do an accurate comparison.  

http://www.shakeshack.com

Broadway Show du jour

Countless offerings, there is literally something for everyone.  What I love about the theaters here is that they are intimate and it is hard to have a bad seat in the house.  I myself favor more of a dramatic play, there's nothing like being that close to that kind of art and watch a performance unfold and stay with you throughout the day.  'The Glass Menagerie' was the last performance I saw here and one of the best I have ever seen. Musicals here are pretty incredible, the amount of talent and dedication is on display and transports you to a Disneyland for all ages.

Laduree

A little taste of Paris on our side of the Atlantic, these little macaroons are so stylish and so addictive. I was ecstatic when I learned they opened a stateside location here in the upper east side, and this is the best treat to have while window shopping all of the Boutiques and Ateliers.  It's also the best packaging to souvenir gift someone you already bought two Statues of Liberty.

http://www.laduree.com/en_int/

The High Line

What used to be a railway for freight trains, is now one of the most enchanting walks and exhibit for modern art.  It was built to help carry heavy cargo between the west village and became dilapidated in 1980.  After many years of efforts, phase 1 of it opened to the public in 2009, and today there are three phases of it open taking you through the Meatpacking District and Chelsea. It offers gorgeous views of the west side and has multiple entrances throughout the way.  The north end of it is still in development and will become a small shopping area with what appear to be restaurants and boutiques.  

http://www.thehighline.org

Museum of Sex

Located in the Flatiron District, this museum offers information on everything from reproduction in the animal kingdom, to human sexuality over the years in all its varieties.  There is a rotating exhibit as well as interesting art pieces made from objects that might surprise you.  You get a voyeuristic peek into many fetishes and the gift shop has some of the funniest souvenirs to bring back home.  There are only a few cities that would welcome and be home to a museum like this and for the adventurous tourist, I think it is worth a visit.  

http://www.museumofsex.com

Bleeker Street Pizza

No NYC list is complete without at least one mention of a pizza joint.  Sold by the slice so you can try a few different styles, this is my go to place for pizza.  Voted the best pizza by the Food Network, and endorsed by all the celebs you see posed with the owners on the walls, it does not disappoint.  

the ambience is more hole in the wall and it probably hasn't been updated since the mid 80's but that is what gives it its charm and authenticity.  

http://bleekerstreetpizza.net

This is the first of what will most likely become my yearly must list on NYC, as it has so manyexperiences to offer.  If you have a favorite, feel free to include it in the comment section below, and with that I will leave you with the inspired final look from the editorial styling class.  Until next week... take care!

OnQueStyle Photoshoot

OnQueStyle Photoshoot at iWink Studios

                                 Hair by Mucio Vidales &

                                               Kate Knudsen

                          Makeup by Deanna Foerstner

           Wardrobe Stylist by Shiloh McKasson

                 Photography by Sammy Zargaran

                     Apparel from OnQueStyle

Behind the Scenes

The Looks

The Team