The Resort Report

Suggesting that Resort is the unsung hero of fashion collections is far closer to intuitively correct than offensively foolish. What would be foolish is buyers and retailers not stocking up on Resort because of the versatility of the pieces and the advantage of a long selling season. Forget the fact that you may be trying to shop for t-shirts in the winter or jackets in the summer, with air conditioning and central heat. Fashion has rose above the necessity of dressing for the elements. A lot of what we wear is part of our permanent year round closet, making Resort and Pre-Fall just as, if not more so, important than the infamous spring and fall. 

The "Resort 2014" collections offered nothing but the idea of simplicity and movement. Designers have been obsessed with heavily layering for many seasons now and this time around it was all about wearable clothing with defined tailoring and shape. 

Acne proved that a functional gardening look shall include loose-fitted shorts and a pullover paired with an over-sized trench and platform sandals effortlessly put together. The monochromatic pant suits and close-fitting dresses that need a knot because the tails were too long, with jackets that slung over the shoulders, diminished some of the glamour. Less is more. Meanwhile over at Chloe, where the sartorial soft layering was high in volume, the larger tailored pant, and the cropped top made us learn a thing or two about proportion, while bringing back the versatility to style of dress. Trousers came in many variations high-waist, over-sized, and cropped with a detailed pleat that proved the proportions were meant to be relaxed to be able to have the versatility to be worn with a flat or single sole pump. There were great bits throughout, such as the denim trench and basic pullovers paired with a button up and copped trousers that exuded a ladylike chicness. 

Derek Lam's travel inspired collection remained very elegant. If there was anything on his mind for Resort it was "what can make the suit look new?" he did just that by the masculine yet feminine minimal styling and high contrasted looks paired with a cage like heel that effortlessly completed each outfit. Phillip Lim's muse for this collection was vacation. Play while you work, or work while you play and look chic while doing so, the Phillip Lim girl would obviously combine them both. The transition from the downtown girl to maturity was more than evident, the proportions were lessoned and got wider, let's not forget the aggressive styling. The laser cut leather detailing and pops of color perfected the cool sophistication. 

Thakoon brought nothing but a breath of fresh air for this Resort collection, with the deconstructing layers and cool crisp white pieces that defined the definition of "fresh." The challenge was to elevate the white shirt by adding sheer and lace panels, proved just that. Daywear soon shifted into nightwear, there were jumpsuits, tailored trousers, blazers, and cocoon coats with a bedazzled neckline.  

Theyskens' aimed to ensure that each and every piece from the collection was a real essential. Although their was a tight edit in silhouettes, the minimal wearable separates were relatable, but still asserted Theory's uniqueness in each piece. There was deconstructed denim, and of course structured tailored jackets, and tastefully showing a sliver of stomach underneath it all. This collection offered nothing short of a complete wardrobe. This years CFDA designer of the year award winner Proenza Schouler, placed great emphasis on movement by allowing the clothing to drape. The pleated skirts in a color-blocked cloque and silk t-shirt defined the interest in movement, paired with the shoulder friendly jackets. There was a sense of looseness this collection and just a glimpse of what to expect for spring. 

Last but not least, DKNY used lace and metallic sequins which can easily be pegged as a nighttime look, and translated them into a more everyday wardrobe essential. The sporty silhouettes with heavy detailing, bomber jackets, and track pants paired with pointy single sole pumps and a baseball cap, made it easy for the athletic pieces to transition right back into evening wear. 

Photos via: Style.com 

From top to bottom: (1-4) Acne Studios, (5-8) Chloe, (9-10) Derek Lam, (11-16) 3.1 Phillip Lim, (17-18) Thakoon, (19-22) Theyskens Theory, (23-26) Proenza Schouler, (27-30) DKNY.  

Stripes & Pops of Color

I've come to the conclusion that there are somethings about ourselves that will simply never change, case in point: I will still continue to wear over-sized menswear pieces that hide my extremely awkward feminine shape, within the black and white color scheme. This outfit post has no relevance to the current temperature as of late, but before the heat wave just a few days ago we were all about spring layering. 

Just a few months ago I bought these bright blue heels from Zara that can be pegged as an Alexander Wang "Emma" knockoff. I'm pretty sure you have your own opinion on Zara's attempt to duplicate every designer garment and/or accessory from the runways for an affordable price, but from time to time you can find something that you will like and wear almost everyday. They've been my go to shoe whenever I'm in the city for meetings and look chic paired with black and white. If you're too into masculine femininity during a mild heat wave this summer then I suggest you whip out those MC Hammer like trousers and tailored blazers. Thank me later. 

Thick or skinny, horizontal or vertical, stripes proved to be this seasons biggest trends and can be worn a multitude of ways. No one wants to look like a circus tent-but with some clever styling they can be flattering, I promise.  

Silence & Noise boyfriend blazer, Alexander Wang T, Silence & Noise trousers, Zara heels, Alexander Wang Diego bucket bag.

The Spring Edit

The answer to all of your trans-seasonal dressing problems? The boyfriend jean. 

I always get excited at the start of a new season, especially when spring is in the air. A flash of the ankle is a clever way to approach summers big reveal. Now I know what you're all thinking, spring has just officially sprung. Let's be honest: getting dressed during the spring months can be a little hard when it comes to describing the unpredictable weather. Do we wear sweaters or short-sleeves? Is it too hot for leather? Will I look like a baby prostitute if I wear cut-offs with stilettos? so many questions one must ask themselves while getting dressed.

Let's face it ladies: Sometimes getting dressed cab be a bit of a headache. Whether you have an overflowing closet, or take the more minimalist approach when it comes to fashion, there's no denying that occasionally we all get what we like to call "dressers block" (yes it's equivalent to writers block). Often, getting stumped when it comes to putting together the chicest outfit has less to do with not having the right items, but simply more to do with knowing how to put them together. We all own those statement pieces that we can't go without wearing over and over again.

Nothing educes the kind of happiness like whipping out my summer uniform as I'd like to call it, you know a blazer, vintage cut-offs or boyfriend jeans, single sole pumps, and an over-sized menswear inspired button down, preferably my boyfriends shirt. Nothing. You get where I'm going with this right? OK. 

From the most unique, never before seen shoe of the season by Isabel Marant, mixing prints to tastefully, let's repeat that tastefully showing a sliver of stomach or ankle cleavage, I guarantee you these pointers will help on how to create outfits that are both masculine and chic this spring. 

Acne Jinx Currency twill blazer, Rag & Bone Jean distressed boyfriend jeans, Alexander Wang Marion python-leather bag, Isabel Marant studded leather sandals.

Response to "Circus of Fashion"

Miroslava Duma- Founder of Buro247.ru

Photographed by Tommy Ton 

After reading Suzy Menkes's thought provoking article The Circus of Fashion, which ultimately questions whether bloggers have been good or bad for the fashion industry. I couldn't help but feel heavily opinionated about how the focus of fashion week has shifted from the designer presentations to the taste makers and attention whores who pace back and forth outside them, waiting to be the subject for photographers in outfits that scream "take my picture."

Nowadays, you can hardly make it up the steps at Lincoln Center without photographers attacking one another just to snap the sartorial street style goers walking up steps in multi-patterned dresses or pencil skirts that stop right at the knee, frivolous stilettos, paired with an over-sized coat slung over the shoulders that effortlessly ties the premeditated outfit together.

The fuss around the shows seems as though its more important than what goes on inside the guarded tents. Someone once told me “if you were photographed by Tommy Ton then you've made it in life”. Whether you choose to agree or disagree, fashion has to some extent become the survival of the most popular and everyone is almost competing for attention. Although, bloggers have a very personal perspective and can start a conversation that can easily spread in under a minute via social media. Editors offer choices and solutions while having personal agendas related to their work.

There’s a complete difference in effortless style and then the showoffs. Once upon a time everyone dressed for themselves and not for the sake of the perfect shot. Just the idea that anyone can be a critic and pass judgment just after seeing a runway show or simply viewing them on Style.com doesn't sit too well with me. There’re those bloggers who do exist that receive gifts, paid flights to the round of fashion shows and events that make the blogger job/lifestyle a lot glamorous and easy than it actually is. Ultimately, there are only a few bloggers that could be seen as a critic in its original meaning of a visual arbiter while influencing an audience at large, like Leandra Medine, Tavi Gevinson, Susie Bubble or Emily Weiss and on the street spectrum Tommy Ton. I think credit is due based on the merit of outstanding work.

Photographed by Tommy Ton.

I’m sure you’re thinking to yourself as well, most of these bloggers and self proclaimed stylists really have nothing to say. It almost as if the new generation stylists seem to be more concerned with Tommy Ton shooting them than the content that they create. From a readers perspective wouldn't you want to read about what inspires us as bloggers to create a great image than read about our new Balenciaga shoes? Everyone is NOT a critic or a photographer or a stylist. People should have some education and knowledge before they start blathering on and sitting front row at fashion shows. I hope people start to focus on fashion again and creativity opposed to showmanship.

With the blogging industry being so undefined and the evolution of viral style, as far as the future of fashion week- the gates are wide open and it’s too late to close them. Judging fashion has become all about me: you know those pointless blog posts that scream nothing but look at me loving this outfit in over twenty different images. Yeah, those. Who needs to go to school anymore and obtain a degree when you can just start a blog? Editors are no longer just the best dressed during fashion month, print is almost dead, and bloggers have risen which means their relevance and influence has been threatened quite a bit. One day just the public will beg for attention outside of the shows and only the pros will be seated- dressed head to toe in black and define the opposite of look- at-me fashion.

Now, what are your thoughts?