NEW MARNI COLLECTION FOR H&M: MY FAVE PIECES

Sequin Collar, £19.99

The countdown is on for the new Marni collection for H&M to arrive in stores.  In exactly eleven days fashion fanatics will be lining up to grab the polka-dot cardigans, tribal print trousers and chunky jewelry.  The range has something for everyone in the form of womenswear, menswear, and accessories.  My favorite piece was this whimsical sequin collar (pictured above), sure to turn even the most basic tee into a sartorial splash.  Here are a few more looks I'm craving.  To see the entire collection click here .  Happy shopping!

LONDON FASHION WEEK PART II: STREET STYLE

There were quite a few characters out at Somerset House for Fashion Week.  Some were chic and trendy, others looked like they came from outer space, but they all had their own unique style.  Here's a look at the street style at LFW.

OZWALD'S STORY: NEW MOVIE HITS THEATERS IN MARCH

photo courtesy of Google images

Today I had the privilege of attending the screening of A Man's Story, a film about the life of top British menswear designer Ozwald Boateng.  The movie chronicles the life of the London born bespoke tailor over twelve years and shows the high and low points of Ozwald's extensive career.  The film begins at the end of his first marriage with the despondent designer nearly bankrupt.  After a fashion show goes horribly wrong, an entire collection is stolen from Ozwald's studio and it seems that he is at his lowest point.

HOUSE OF EVOLUTION SHOW & AFTERPARTY

It has been a crazy whirlwind of shows, interviews, and after parties but somehow I am keeping my head above water.  House of Evolution is a fashion showcase that chooses three emerging designers each season to show at London Fashion Week.  This time they chose art enthusiast and former gallery owner Lada Komarova for Delada, Zeynep Tosun, winner of the Best Upcoming Designer award at the Elle Style Awards, and red carpet dress designer Nadine Merabi.

LONDON FASHION WEEK PART I

The weather was dismal on day two (day one for me) of London Fashion Week but it didn't dampen the spirits of the showgoers.  Somerset House was still full of fashion fanatics including myself.  First up was Spijkers en Spijkers, a Dutch design duo (twins!) known for their colorful and graphic frocks.  I got a fifties vibe with a modern edge from this collection.  Models wore their hair in bobs accessorized with bright plastic headbands wearing a medley of geometric patterns.

WINDOWS: SELFRIDGES LONDON

I'm adding a new section to the blog that was suggested to me by my good friend Erik Rodriguez.  I'm taking the experience of window shopping and bringing it online.  Whenever I see an interesting decorative space in a store window anywhere in the world, I will snap a pic and post it.

NY FASHION WEEK AW 12 PART II

A look from Jason Wu

New York Fashion Week keeps truckin along and I've been following all of the goodies for Fall.  Max and Lubov Azria take Hervé Léger beyond bandage dresses by adding corsets and harnesses to the line this season.  The use of fur and fringe also worked in an unexpected way.  

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN TWO YEARS LATER

It's hard to believe that it's been two years today since the death of Alexander McQueen.  Over the summer I got a chance to see the exhibit Savage Beauty at the Met Museum and I was literally blown away by his craft.  I was already a fan but seeing McQueen's work over the years up close and personal was breathtaking.  My favorite pieces were the Kate Moss hologram from the A/W '06 runway show and the armadillo shoes (how could anyone walk in those?) that he made famous.  To say that he was talented was an understatement.

NY FASHION WEEK AW 12 PART I

A look from Rachel Comey

It's that time of year again.  New York Fashion Week is off and running and I've handpicked some of my favorite looks so far.  At BCBG there were geometric patterns, airy, fluid fabrics, and furry vests, coats, and bags.  Speaking of furry accessories, Z Spoke by Zac Posen featured silver fox fur bags to complement their vampy luxe dresses.  And over at Rachel Comey lots of leather looks were shown as well as perforated tops and chic sweater separates perfect for the office.

LOOK WE LOVE: VIOLA DAVIS

I came across this photo of Viola Davis in an LA Times editorial and it literally took my breath away.  If I didn't know better I would think this page was ripped from a high fashion magazine.  The two-time Oscar nominated thespian is draped in a stunning Marchesa creation with lace sleeves and organza flowers at the shoulders.  In the article the red-hot actress discussed her extensive career, being a Black actress in Hollywood, and that she's ready to start producing movies instead of starring in them. 

MY OBSESSION (OF THE MOMENT): SPACE SAVER BAGS

photo courtesy of google images

I'm usually not impressed with cheesy infomercials or products that you buy on TV.  So when I saw the commercial for "Space Saver Bags", the oversized Ziploc-looking bags that lets you vacuum out the air turning a heaping mess of bulky items (let's say chunky cable knit sweaters) into a neatly compressed pile, I didn't give it a second thought.

ESTILO GOES TO LONDON PART II

That's right I'm back in London and will be blogging from across the pond for a few months.  I will still talk about what's happening in New York but as an added bonus I will be reporting on my findings right here in the UK.  It's like the best of both worlds so stay tuned!