The News About Naven

One of the perks of being a fashion blogger is hearing about and discovering new designers. When I first browsed the Naven spring 2011 lookbook, I envisioned myself wearing quite a few of the pieces. Considering the amount of pitches and press information that lands in my inbox each day, this does not happen very often. So what caught my attention? I was immediately drawn to the sleek, modern silhouettes and wanted to share some of the images with all of my lovely readers.

A little background info in case you haven't heard of Naven...the line is based out of Los Angeles, California. (Note the beachy California vibe of the lookbook.) It began with the creative minds of twin sisters Kym and Alexis McClay. The twins launched Naven in 2007 after graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Their line is a contrast between classic and eccentric for women with an edgy style.

What I appreciate most about Naven is that each piece portrays the hourglass shape that all flirty women strive for. The reason why I'm drawn to the spring 2011 collection is because of this emphasis on waistline and silhouette. Naven’s line accentuates your best assets and flatters all body types. And did I mention the bright party dresses, sleek and easy separates, and on-trend sheer details? They're perfect for wearing during the day with lightweight layers and for night with bold accessories and high heels.

images via Naven

Call of the Wild

The predominance of animal prints is showing no signs of slowing down at the retail level. As the owner of no less than three leopard print dresses, three pairs of animal print shoes, and countless cheetah print cardigans, I'm an unabashed fan of the trend. (I even have an iPhone cover with giraffe, tiger, and zebra prints.) I think animal prints inject a classic, feminine glamour when worn the right way. An animal print scarf or pump is an easy way to ease into the trend and personalize your look. Below are four of my favorite displays featuring wildlife-inspired prints.

Ladylike Luxe

During a recent shopping excursion I ogled a plethora of faux fur vests, sequin party tops, faux shearling jackets, and high heeled hiking boots. The one trend that stood out the most amongst all the things I browsed, however, was the return to ladylike dressing. Prim and proper details such as puffy sleeves on jackets, super feminine ruffles, full skirts with longer hemlines, and sumptuous fabrics best describe this rebellion against the flashy rock and roll inspired looks that have prevailed for the past few seasons. As someone who loves a studded jacket, glossy leggings, or glamorous pair of embellished ankle boots, even I have to confess that this movement toward a more modest and refined look is quite a refreshing change of pace. Below are four of my favorite ladylike looks as put on display by Nordstrom.

Cold Case

As the end of October draws near, I'm zoning in on the ideal pieces for fall: plaid capes, dark floral prints, pom pom beanies and trapper hats, anything with a leopard print, shaggy faux fur vests, and party-appropriate sequin tops and dresses. I try to approach fall and winter with the attitude that colder weather means more opportunities for layering and getting creative with accessories. Although many people in southern California still wear shorts, tees, and flip flops when temperatures drop, I actually relish the chance to get cozy with hats, chunky scarves, layered tights, and tons of faux fur. Perhaps it's the childhood memories I have of getting caught in snowstorms and being bundled up in endless layers. Cold weather does not mean that you have to sacrifice style, and I think these store windows photos illustrate that.

Browsing Boohoo

Discovering that British website Boohoo ships to the U.S. is potentially good for my closet but bad for my wallet. (If you've been following Fashion Trend Guide for some time, then you may know about my weakness for British shopping sites.) Along with my other favorite British retailers Dorothy Perkins, New Look, and Miss Selfridge, Boohoo offers runway-inspired clothing and accessories that are reasonably priced, even with an unfavorable dollar-to-pound exchange rate. I've seen tiny ads for Boohoo in the back of British Elle, but it wasn't until I spotted an amply embellished aviator jacket from Boohoo on Sandra that I decided to inspect the website for fall jackets and evening dresses. A few clicks later, I found their online magazine, full of inspiration for fall shopping with themed pages such as: Liquid Metal, Alpine Cool, Opulent Embellishment, Monochrome Fur, and Shearling. Bonus points to the Boohoo website for having both user reviews and the video catwalk feature. Now that I've bookmarked Boohoo, let the browsing begin...

images from boohoo.com

October Outlook

Although there is a small stack of unworn knits and cozy faux fur accessories in my room, the weather hasn't permitted many opportunities for wearing them. In anticipation of gloomy weather on the horizon, I've been eyeing a few things to help me make the transition into fall.

1. Banded knuckle ring, Free People, $28 - It's got a Pamela Love feeling, infused with a touch of glamour and some sparkle to lighten things up. Perfect for both day and night with a dark manicure.

2. Faux suede boots, Unionbay at Kohl's, $79.99 - Sure, they look like a more sophisticated version of Uggs, but the wedge elevates them from cabin chic to city chic. I picture them paired with floral mini dresses or skinny jeans and Nordic knits.

3. Sherpa-trim twill jacket, Old Navy, $35 - The cozy sherpa trim and flannel lining on this jacket looks so comfortable that you'll never want to take it off. I give it bonus points for having multiple pockets and an incredibly low price.

4. Hanging earcuff with chain, Urban Outfitters, $18 - Nothing says "look at my ears" quite like this piece of statement jewelry. For maximum effect, wear it with your hair pulled back and bold lipstick.

5. Faux suede wedges, Wet Seal, $34.50 - Wet Seal's take on the ubiquitous chunky peep-toe wedge is the best I've seen at this price point. Ideal for pairing with wide leg trousers and making legs appear longer.

images from freepeople.com, kohls.com, oldnavy.com, urbanoutfitters.com, & wetseal.com

Mulberry for Target - A Reluctant Review

After looking forward to the Mulberry for Target release for a few weeks, I must admit that I'm slightly disappointed in the collection as a whole. Perhaps it began with my failed attempt at buying the large denim satchel during the Gilt Groupe sale, or when I glimpsed the hot pink leopard satchel in a print ad and lamented its somewhat cheap-looking fabrication. After browsing the collection on Target's website at midnight, I knew I wouldn't be trekking to Target at 8am on a Sunday morning, especially after a late night out. When I did make it to the store around 2pm, I noticed that the smaller handbags and crossbody styles were selling well. I have no doubt that a handful of women arrived early at my local store to shop the collection first.

Back to my disappointment in the collection. To begin with, handbags aren't a huge draw for me when it comes to personal adornment, however, shoes are. Furthermore, I'm neither a fan of patent materials nor crossbody bags, so the only pieces that appealed to me were the large Bayswater-inspired satchels. (I often find patent bags too dressy for my daytime looks, and crossbody bags draw attention to areas where I don't want extra "baggage.") Although I gravitate towards animal prints, in this instance, I found the leopard print bags to be too flashy and shiny for my taste, and the mini crossbody bags for $14.99 were just that - ultra mini. So small that they can only fit a lip gloss and some keys. (I have pockets and clutches for that.) I also found the satchels priced at $34.99 to be awkwardly small. They're the type of bags that you can't wear on your shoulder, so you have to rest them on your forearm or carry them in hand, which I prefer not to do, since I like to have my hands free.

While I appreciated the use of decent fabrics, hardware, and multiple pockets on the interiors of the bags, I found the "Mulberry for Target" branding on the exterior components to be too conspicuous. Hey Target, how about "Mulberry" in large letters and "for Target" in tiny letters, or no "for Target" at all. The floral Tucker for Target dress I'm wearing right now has "Tucker" printed on the front buttons - no mention of Target. Part of the appeal of these masstige collections is in the brand image and recognition, and the "for Target" takes away from the Mulberry prestige. While it's asking too much for the Mulberry for Target collection to incorporate leather, I would prefer more of the pebbled faux leather instead of the cheap-looking patent material that predominates.

My top three picks for this collection are: the large pebble tote in black, the large denim satchel in blue, and the velvet satchel in black - each priced at $49.99. They're big enough to carry on your shoulder, they can accommodate your daytime essentials, and the silhouettes are true to Mulberry's aesthetic.

Blogger on the Rise - A Buffalo Stance

As a fashion blogger, my inspiration can come from just about anywhere. Naturally, other fashion bloggers catch my attention, especially when they mix vintage and cheap chic pieces with effortless panache. When I discovered Kaitlin Isabella's blog, I knew I'd be a repeat visitor. Her style truly spoke to me. Perhaps it was her endlessly long legs, her knack for wearing cool hats, her chic boot collection, or her ability to put a unique bohemian twist on each look that she showcases. Whatever it was, it drew me into her stylish world. (So what if I'm a bit biased becasue we share a similar hairstyle and we own many of the same pieces from Urban Outfitters and Forever 21?) I can't wait to see more from this inspiring blogger. In the interview below she shares more about herself and her style secrets. Go ahead, read on...

images via a buffalostance.blogspot.com

1. Please tell us a little about yourself. (Name, occupation, hobbies, future goals.)
Kaitlin Isabella, Visual Merchandiser, blogger, and Buffalo Stance shop creator. I love cooking ethnic food, styling, vintage shopping, going apple picking, antique shopping, djing, searching out new music, and going to concerts. I'd really love to open up my own boutique or become a curator. I went to school for Art History and I've always loved the idea of owning my own gallery.

2. Who or what inspired you to start your blog?
The website chictopia.com really inspired me to start my blog last fall. I was constantly on the site looking for inspiration, and it allowed me to connect with fellow bloggers all over the globe. I follow so many different bloggers, and it doesn't matter if they live in Canada, San Francisco, Michigan, Hong Kong, or France!

3. Can you share any tips or secrets for taking great outfit photos?
Just be yourself. It's really easy to get super posey, but I think those pictures tend to come off as stale. My favorite pictures are the ones that are candid or showcase me in a real setting, like walking down the street for Sunday brunch or on my way to the farmers' market.

4. What are your favorite 3 things in your wardrobe right now?
Lace, leather, and fur. Those have always been my go-to styling items. They come off looking incredibly luxe and always polished. I'm a vintage fur addict... I must have at least 8 or 9 vintage furs. I also probably own 3 or 4 pairs of leather shorts!

5. How would you describe your style, and where do you find style inspiration?
I find most of my style inspiration in the typical places. Magazines like Vogue, Elle, and NYLON. Fashion shows are always a biggie. But most of all, I've found great inspiration in the bloggers' evolution from observer to muse. Bloggers celebrate accessible street style, and often clearly affordable trends. Most of the bloggers I follow are wearing very similar brands as me... H&M, Zara, Forever 21, Target... as well as vintage and thrifted pieces.

6. What are you most looking forward to wearing this fall?

I'm really loving the military trend: cargo pants and surplus jackets. I love a good pair of trousers, so I like anything highwaisted and menswear-inspired. The Navajo trend is one that I cannot live without. Fringe, heavy prints, capes and cloaks are truly inspiring and cozy for fall.

7. What's your favorite fashion era?
I would have to say the '60s and '70s. I am very influenced by cinema and the incredible female icons it produced. Mia Farrow in Rosemary's baby, Edie Sedgwick, Mary Tyler Moore, Faye Dunaway, etc.

8. If you could have dinner with any 3 people (living or dead), who would they be and why?
Oh man that's a difficult one: Leonard Cohen - he's one of my favorite poets/musicans. Karl Lagerfield - enough said! Perhaps Woody Allen?!

In the Land of Leopards

I have a friend who occasionally asks me for fashion advice via text messages when she's out shopping. One evening she sent me a photo of some leopard print ankle boots, and inquired, "is leopard in style?" I responded without hesitation, "Leopard prints are classic. They never go out of style. Snag those." A week later, my friend took her new leopard shoes out for a night on the town, where they were a hit.

Leopard prints are especially strong this season. They were shown on the runways at Blumarine, Mulberry, Gucci, Moschino, and Dries Van Noten, amongst others. While wearing animal prints can be tricky, I've learned a few things based upon careful observation, years of shopping, and after making plenty of mistakes of my own.

Here are my dos and don'ts for wearing leopard prints:

Do: opt for luxe textures and fabrics, as they'll look classy and timeless.
Don't: wear more than one or two animal prints at a time, unless you're going for an eclectic, over-the-top Dries-inspired look.
Do: combine classic, understated accessories with your animal print pieces for an easy, sophisticated vibe. Think quilted handbags, dark bootcut denim, or cashmere cardigans.
Don't: wear animal prints in bold, garish colors that don't appear in nature unless you're a teen or look like one. (Leave the orange zebra and fuchsia cheetah prints to the younger girls.)
Do: choose an accessory such as an animal print pump or scarf if you're hesitant to wear the print on a top, dress, or bottoms.
Don't: go overboard on bold hair or makeup. Keep the focus on the print and on your natural beauty.
Do: consider scale when choosing your print. The bigger/taller you are, the bigger the print you can wear.