New Year’s Eve Fashion

Whether your New Year’s Eve plans include a romantic night in or an exciting night out, it’s a great excuse to wear something special.

Whether your New Year’s Eve plans include a romantic night in or an exciting night out, it’s a great excuse to wear something special.  New Year’s Eve is about looking ahead, celebrating the future, and enjoying a good party.  This is one night of the year when extra sparkle is always a good idea!  Consider a daring pop of color, accessories that take your dress to another level, or materials you don’t include in your everyday wardrobe.

You can never go wrong with the classic little black dress, while a statement piece of jewelry will make the look extra special for New Year’s Eve.  A killer pair of shoes will have the same effect.  Or, stand out from the crowd by wearing a pretty pastel shade.  A New Year’s Eve party is the perfect time to take a risk and step out of your comfort zone.

Here are some of my favorite fashion ideas for New Year’s Eve.  What will you be wearing?

Herve Leger
Hervé Léger: Daga sequined bandage dress
Tamara Mellon
Tamara Mellon: Smocking
Jimmy Choo
Jimmy Choo: Camile
Rafe
Rafe: Maryanne Faceted Shell Minaudiere, Ivory Multi
Herve Leger 2
Hervé Léger: Ari metallic bandage mini dress
Louboutin
Christian Louboutin: Debout Glitter & PVC Red Sole Pump, Gold
Alexander McQueen clutch
Alexander McQueen: Python Hexagon Frame Clutch Bag
Alice Olivia
Alice + Olivia: Princess layered tulle mini dress
Jimmy Choo 2
Jimmy Choo: Legia elaphe and metallic leather sandals
Alexander McQueen clutch 2
Alexander McQueen: Snakeskin Oval Knuckle Clutch Bag

 

 

 

 

Lema J Jewelry

I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw.

I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw.  These handmade shagreen cuffs are simply gorgeous and make such an impact with a pop of color.

Lema J 1

Lema J 2

Lema J was founded by sisters Jenny Benscher and Jill Becker in 2013.  The cuffs are made from stingray leather and lined with lambskin, available in custom combinations of amazing colors and patterns.  The texture of the shagreen is so striking, and the cuffs have wonderful scale.  They can be worn with a casual look or something more dressy.  For work or an evening out, a Lema J cuff would make a great statement.

Lema J 4

Lema J 5

This jewelry doesn’t just look good; it supports a fantastic cause.  When owner Jill Becker’s daughter Cara passed away from leukemia in 2012, her family started a foundation called Karma for Cara with the goals of engaging youth, awarding unsung heroes, and tangibly helping patients with leukemia.  All profits from jewelry sales go to Karma for Cara, so you can feel good about buying something handmade by a small business which supports a worthwhile cause.

Lema J 3To learn more about Lema J or see their full line of cuffs, visit their website.  You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

NY and Paris Fashion Weeks, Spring 2014

Browsing through designs from various Fashion Week events inspires me and provides a boost to my creativity.

Here in Connecticut, brutal temperatures and piles of snow make spring feel like a distant dream.  In the fashion world, however, spring lines have already been designed and are being launched at events around the world.  This exciting look at trends and styles to come captures the attention of anyone interested in fashion.  In particular, New York Fashion Week (Feb 6-13) and Paris Fashion Week (Feb 25-Mar 5) provide an exciting venue for designers to showcase their new pieces.

Isabel Marant
Isabel Marant

The worlds of fashion and design influence each other in so many ways.  Colors, patterns, textures, and styles transpose from one medium to the other, so that looking at the world of fashion provides insight into the world of design.  My own love of fashion is closely intertwined with my passion for interior design.  Browsing through designs from various Fashion Week events inspires me and provides a boost to my creativity.

Valentino
Valentino

Here are some more of my favorite fashions that are coming out of this year’s Fashion Week events:

Pamella Roland
Pamella Roland
Miu Miu:  I love the color combination of this retro look.
Miu Miu: I love the color combination of this retro look.
Pamella Roland
Pamella Roland
Chanel:  Always chic.
Chanel: Always chic.
Kenzo
Kenzo
Nina Ricci
Nina Ricci
Breathtaking design by Mabille.
Breathtaking design by Mabille.
Zuhair Murad Haute Couture
Zuhair Murad Haute Couture
Guy Laroche
Guy Laroche
Vionnet
Vionnet
Vionnet
Vionnet

Which spring fashions are you most excited about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

House of Eleven

I recently discovered House of Eleven, a new fashion line that I really love.

I recently discovered House of Eleven, a new fashion line that I really love.  Their urban designs are right up my alley!  Edgy but feminine with great use of leather and an appealing price point, this is clothing I could easily wear during the day and still be ready to go out at night.  Here are some of my favorite pieces from House of Eleven’s current line:

1.  Taylor Leather Rider Leggings:  So versatile, a must-have item.

House of Eleven

2.  Chantal Dress:  So chic!  You could add a blazer and some great jewelry.

House of Eleven 6

3.  Emma Mohair and Croc Leather:  Playful yet funky, I love the combination of textures.

House of Eleven 3

4.  Lola Boyfriend Muscle Tee:  You can dress this up or down.

House of Eleven 2

5.  Kelly Short Lace and Leather Dress:  A touch of glam with such a cool pattern.

House of Eleven 5

6.  Naomi Leather Bomber Jacket:  So great with a white shirt!

House of Eleven 4

What do you think of House of Eleven’s look?  You can view more of their styles by visiting their website.  House of Eleven is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Day to Night Fashion

When it comes to my own wardrobe, I don’t think of it as being divided into day or night wear.

I am so fortunate to have the freedom to wear what I want during the day without being obligated to follow a corporate dress code.  Most times, what I wear when working can be easily translated into what I wear for a night out.  My approach to dressing stems from watching how my mom handled her wardrobe when I was a kid.  She had clothes for working during the day and clothes for going out at night, but she never mixed the two.  She had an approach to dressing that worked for her, and from that I learned to be confident about developing my own style.

When it comes to my own wardrobe, I don’t think of it as being divided into day or night wear.  My style is similar to my taste in other areas, which is to start with a basic look that’s appropriate for meeting with clients or working around the office.  My typical outfit of black clothing and heels is often perfect for going out after a day of work.  Here are some examples of items I’m likely to wear during the day:

Great shirt by Helmut Lang.
Great shirt by Helmut Lang.
Kiel Leather Leggings
Kiel Leather Leggings
Manolo Blahnik Leopard Print Pumps
Manolo Blahnik Leopard Print Pumps
Yassi Harari Hoop Earrings
Yassi Harari Hoop Earrings

When making the transition from day to evening, having a simple base wardrobe means you can change out accessories to give your look an edgier vibe.  By changing your shoes or jewelry, you can give yourself a funkier look that’s perfect for drinks out with friends.

These Jimmy Choo booties add a shot of color to your look.
These Jimmy Choo booties add a shot of color to your look.
Scarab Drop Earrings by Eddie Borgo -- add something fun to your look.
Scarab Drop Earrings by Eddie Borgo add something fun rather than something safe.

There are other items that I’d easily wear both during the day and at night.  I’d be as comfortable meeting a client to look at samples as I would meeting my best friend for dinner dressed this way.  If you don’t have the same wardrobe freedom at work, starting with a few basics that can be mixed and livened up with different accessories is a great way to be ready to unwind and have fun after a day at the office.

Rag & Bone blazer, perfect for fall.
Rag & Bone blazer, perfect for fall.
Kerry Studded Cap Sleeve Dress
Kerry Studded Cap Sleeve Dress
Falabella Fold Over Clutch, classic and appropriate for day or night.
Falabella Fold Over Clutch, classic and appropriate for day or night.

What are your strategies for taking your look from day to night?