KC Fashion Week Designer Spotlight on American Trash

One super awesome designer, tons of reused pieces to make a runway full of fabulous eco-friendly completely unique to anything you could ever find elsewhere. And did I mention how fun the designer of American Trash, Karma Jade, is?  Let's start with the finale dress and Karma Jade at the end of her show during Kansas City Fashion Week. 

I love how rugged and durable her constructed leather bodice of her finale dress is, with fun detailed back, yet so feminine and pretty! And check out Karma Jade's shoes. I posted about them here. She said they are actually comfortable, bonus.

Talk about the designer to get the perfect leather skirt I'm really wanting from... Like her or the brand on Facebook to keep up with this rock n' roll, environmentally friendly designer.

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KC Fashion Week Designer Spotlight on Hilary Brown

Fall has barely arrived, yet I'd be down for a quick Spring Break jaunt to the beach to wear one of the amazing swim pieces by Hilary Brown!  It is quite amazing to design and construct a well-fitting dress, but it is downright pure talent to do swimwear, and this well...

The talent didn't stop at swimwear though. I was smitten with this white and orange dress, as well as the beautiful, semi-sheer white swimsuit cover up.  She could literally construct you an entire vacation wardrobe!

So... who is ready to hit the beach with me? When do we leave?

Again, thanks to InkStudios for the fab pics!

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KC Fashion Week Designer Spotlight on SuShe

Ok, for real. One of my absolute favorite looks was in SuShe's collection showed last Friday night that I'm still daydreaming about it today. SuShe by J.Tracey is a custom made clothing designer and completely unique.  She is inspired by classics with a fun twist, vintage, but bohemian and haute couture. Work with designer Juantiesha Christian, to get a one of a kind outfit.

Just let the velvety, bright mustard, dreamy dress do the talking...

I just need to figure out how to get my hands on this amazing piece of art (yes, fashion is art).

I also was drawn to her playful side - a shift dress with a twist: spiked shoulders and a fun pattern!  The little black dress totally unique - sheer sleeves and a cut out middle add the perfect twist of fun to this classic.  There's that burgundy again (Fall's hot color still going strong for Spring), but in a metallic accordion pleat skirt! 

Aren't you just drooling?  How amazing are her designs? I want to watch this Juantiesha work...

Thank you to the talented Kris Hanke & Daniel Welch for some of the photos in this post!

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KC Fashion Week Designer Spotlight on Lenzanita Couture

I am so excited to see Kansas City on the rise in the fashion industry. This year's Fashion Week in Kansas City was stellar. So amazing that I'm not going to just cram it into one-post recap, showcase some of my favorite designers and pieces for Spring 2013. In no particular order, I'm starting with who I saw first, Lenzanita Couture by designer Anita Kealey.

Fashion week is always a funny thing. Thinking way ahead to Spring, when I'm just getting excited for Fall to be here. One thing I loved seeing is that Fall 2012's it color, burgundy, is sticking around for Spring 2013!  Love all these looks with pops of the not-so-drab-anymore color! 

Designer Anita Kealey and her show's grand finale mint dress. This beautiful dress with scalloped train is absolutely elegant. You wouldn't even realize that this dress, as the rest of her line, is constructed from repurposed materials making her designs eco-friendly.

During the final walk, you could see how well this Spring 2013 collection flowed. The pops to full on burgundy, metallics, prints and all well constructed eco-friendly pieces. I so enjoyed getting to know Anita Kealey a little bit through her Lenzanita Couture collection.

So if you take away one thing from this portion of Spring Fashion Week spotlight... you WILL be able to continue wearing all that burgundy you're buying up for Fall.  

Photos thanks to Kris Hanke of InkStudios!

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Styling & KCFW Kick-Off Event

I had the extreme pleasure of not just attending the Kansas City Fashion Week kick off event benefiting Wayside Waifs at Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th located at the Legends Outlets last Thursday night, but styling a model for Fall.  

I chose to show how you can incorporate white moving into Fall and strive to continue to help combat that old wives tale that you can't wear white after labor day.                                                               This is just one way to do it, and a glamorous way at that.  But it's easy to tone down the glamour by layering on a big cozy sweater coat or cardigan instead of the brocade jacket, swap heels for flats and try a slicked-back ponytail.                                                                                   Keep reading to see more photos from the event, meet my model and see my styling come to life!

Bubble Gum Stripes

Prada, Marc Jacobs, A.L.C., and Celine are just some designers that presented this bubble gum stripes trend down the runway, as reported about via Who What Wear.

I saw this and immediately loved it!  I love stripes and bold, fun colors - so combined, I was in love.  I can see, however, where some might think this look could be a little parachute-y?  What do you think?

Here are some affordable options on-spot with this trend:

Dresses: Forever 21 Stripe V-Neck dress; Forever 21 Purple & Gray stripe tunic; Anthropologie Crossing the stripes Dress (LOVE!);  

Tops: Anthropologie Lining-The-Field Scoopneck top (SWOON!); Ella Moss Jersey Striped "Trixie" T-shirt; Boat-Strip Top (avail in lots of colors & only $10!) via Talbots

Skirts: Forever 21 Colorful Bars Stripe skirt; Stripe Contrast-Hem Power Skirt by BCBG via Lord & Taylor; Charlotte Russe Coral Stripe Front Pocket Skirt

Runway Trends and Inspirations: Warm Sequins

For Fall, I can't wait to get my hands on one thing in particular.  A coppery, gold or bronze sequin something.  This perfect-for-Fall shimmery trend has made it's way from the Runway:

 Fall 2010 Runway - Doo Ri and Isaac Mizrahi (photos via InStyle)

To the Red Carpet:

The 2010 Emmy's rocked glistening sequins in shades of gold, bronze and copper.

On Celebrities for Premiers and Events:

Both InStyle Looks of the Day

And now, all I want is this:

J.Crew Bronze Sequin Bell Skirt which is only left in limited sizes.

You can also track it down in a few more size options at Net-A-Porter.

 I am going to keep my eye on this and hope for pop-backs!  I love that it's A-line and could be dressed down or up depending on the occasion!

Another cute option, but limited occasions to wear to:

TopShop

Runway Trend: Abstract Shoulders

Last week I was a guest blogger over at Shop It To Me's Blog.  I wrote about incorporating runway trends into your everyday styles, and one of my favorites is the Abstract Shoulders look.  Whether it's cut out shoulders or unequal straps, or different colors - anything to have a little fun and do something different with your top!

I tried this look out with my already owned duds and layering - take a one shoulder shirt or dress and layer it over another tank or t in a same color or different:

I like the way the ruffle one-shoulder looks layered over another shirt.

I'm having fun with this, and a bit similar to layering a strapless top or dress over another shirt, which I like, too!

Denim & Ruffle Inspiration

Denim and Chambray shirts are making their way down the runway, into all sorts of stores and my closet.  A couple weeks ago, I got my knock-off J.Crew version of the Chambray shirt from Target at a steal of a deal.

This past year, ruffles quickly became a staple in my closet, and stores alike. A few months ago, I got an ivory ruffle-tiered skirt on sale from Target by Xhilaration.  Hung in my closet for awhile with a few ideas of how to wear it, but needing the "pieces" to style it, it waited.

The combination of these pieces has really taken off for Spring 2010.  On the Runway by D&G:

In stores like FredFlare.com:

J.Crew, the inspirational pieces:

 

And earlier this fall, J.Crew previewed what was to come (denim with ivory skirt):

So! I put my two new Target pieces together to form my own version:

 

  

  

  

My look for less was super comfortable and easy to wear.  I think next time I'll experiment with a belt - a la D&G.

Rihanna even dons the look:

Polka Dots From Runway to Real World

Polka dots aren't just for cutsy little girls or itty bitty polka dot bikinis, they are popping up on the run way all the way to mainstream consumer stores.

On the Runway:

Marc by Marc Jacobs, Spring 2010

Reem Acra, Spring 2010

On the Red Carpet:

Victoria Beckham, dress by (go figure) Marc Jacobs!

On Celebrities:

Beyonce out and about in a cute polka dot romper

Demi Moore in a polka dot dress with contrasting red pumps

Designers:

Mrs. "the Queen of amazing prints" Kate Spade Dress

Nanette Lepore Melt With U Polka-Dot Top

In Stores:

Be like Beyonce in this Polka Dot Jumper

Polka Dot Shirt Dress - I tried it on here.

Love the exposed back zipper on this Polka Dot Mini

Sweet summer polka dot blouse

What do you think about the polka dot trend? You bouncin' for it or you standing polka dot free?? I'm digging it, in moderation. I like mixing prints - so thinking I"ll have to experiment with this one... Maybe stripes and dots? Floral and polka dots?