Tag Archives: #womenswear

Fall for Pink

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Did you know…pink is now a fall color? Shades of pink clothing are sold everywhere right now thanks to the Valentino brand. The fashion house continues to create and launch collections of clothes and accessories in Valentino Pink. It has become so popular that Pantone recently announced they developed a special pink color with Valentino: Pink PP by Valentino. (PP as in Pierpaolo Piccioli, creative director of Valentino). Pink PP by Valentino is a bright and flirty pretty color. Since we love Valentino but can’t all afford the luxury brand’s prices, many well known brands are selling clothing, shoes and handbags of a similar pink hue yet are much more affordable.

White House Black Market calls their pink hue of the season “cerise.” The slip-on blazer in cerise is an excellent piece to have in your closet as it is so versatile. The slip-on blazer is kind of a cross between a blazer and sweater. The material is soft and not super structured like a traditional blazer. There are so many ways to style this blazer and the belt is removable.

Professional look: WHBM slip-on blazer paired with basic black pants and booties. The top is WHBM’s FORME collection pink elbow sleeve top.
Keeping it casual: Wear the blazer open for a more casual vibe and pair with jeans and a black mock neck FORME top by WHBM
Wear the blazer closed over a dress or skirt and make sure to tie the belt to create a defined waist.

Another cerise pink item for fall from White House Black Market is the v-neck button down blouse. The blouse which runs true to size has a snake skin texture.

Long sleeve v-neck blouse in cerise from White House Black Market

Vince Camuto calls their pink clothing color “wild petunia.” A neck-tie blouse always looks classic and this one from Vince Camuto is available at Nordstrom. They also have a similar top with long sleeves in the same geometric pattern.

Vince Camuto tie-neck short sleeve blouse

Shop these looks on my LTK

Valentine’s Day Style Inspo

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Red is a bold powerful color that often symbolizes passion, love and energy. It’s one of my favorite colors to wear. Here are a couple red hot looks I created for Valentine’s Day. All of the items are available on Amazon and the links are highlighted.

The jumpsuit is by Black Halo and is very elegant. With three quarter length sleeves and cropped pant style, this jumpsuit can be worn year round for a variety of occasions. Accessorize with a double strand necklace such as the Swarovski Women’s Ginger Rose-gold finish Layered Pendant Necklace. The matching Swarovski bracelet complements the style of the look nicely.

The Black Halo Women’s Jackie O Belted Dress pictured above is one of Black Halo’s classic dresses and is always in style. The asymmetrical neckline makes the design both interesting and sophisticated. Rose gold accessories displayed are Kendra Scott. How cute are these Kendra Scott Sophee Heart Hoop Earrings! I love the look of a cuff bracelet, so I included the Kendra Scott Fallyn Cuff Bracelet.

The heart shaped purse is festive for Valentine’s Day. The bag can be worn two ways since the crossbody strap is removable. Classic glam make-up is always in style for Valentine’s Day. Here I showed a couple of my favorites: a retro red lipstick staple – Ruby Woo lipstick by MAC and classic black liquid eyeliner – Kat Von D tattoo liner in trooper.

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Perfect Blouse for any Occasion

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Hi Friends! Happy 2022! Hope everyone is well. If you’re like me, work and life tends to be a combination of in-person and virtual events.  I’m always searching for tops that I can wear for a variety of occasions whether it’s a blouse to wear for work, or a cute top to wear out to dinner or for an event. I’m loving the “deep cyan” color of this long sleeve pleated front blouse. It’s the perfect pop of color if you have to jump on a virtual work call or are going out somewhere. This blouse is made out of a non-wrinkly nylon material and is super comfortable.  Pull it down as a tunic over leggings, wear with jeans or even dress it up over a pencil skirt. It comes in a variety of sizes and pretty jewel tone colors.  It does run true to size.

Long sleeve scoop neck pleated front blouse is perfect for any occasion and comes in so many pretty jewel tone colors.
This scoop neck pleated front blouse is perfect for any occasion and comes in so many pretty jewel tone colors.

Luxury handbags made in Italy

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Are you looking for a new handbag or a unique gift for someone? A good friend of mine, Marilyn Alioto Bloom, and Serajean Ferrara Alioto have been designing luxury handbags for numerous years. Their brand, Serajean Ferrara, is well known for their high quality elegant bags. The handbags and wallets are handmade by leather artisans near Florence, Italy. Each bag is specially designed with distinct features. The Serajean Ferrara woven collection is made up of a variety of styles from wallets to shoulder bags, to totes, to hobos made of the finest leather. The bags are designed with spacious compartments, zip pockets, leather lined interiors, and some handbags come with interchangeable straps making the purses very versatile.

Serajean Ferrara handbag - can be worn a variety of ways

Serajean Ferrara handbag – can be worn a variety of ways

I really love the Serajean Ferrara handbag pictured above because it can be worn so many ways. It’s great for travel because it can be used as a handbag or a wallet. The interior features three sections, a sewn in zip coin purse, and sewn in credit card holders. The bag comes with two straps: a metal chain strap – perfect for evening; and a leather strap – for a daytime crossbody look. I also like that it can be used as a clutch purse.

As you can see in the photo below, Serajean Ferrara handbags are available in many colors and textures. Marilyn and Serajean design and create new bags each season. One of their new collections is embossed leather bags.

Serajean Ferrara handbags

Serajean Ferrara handbags

Check out Serajean Ferrara handbags at Alioto’s, a gift boutique in Oak Park. (Alioto’s 1118 Chicago Ave., Oak Park, IL)

 

Outfit of the Day

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Metallic knit top and wrap by Falconeri

In my last post, I highlighted an Italian brand called Falconeri. They have over 70 retail locations throughout Italy plus a few stores in other countries like Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Russia. Falconeri uses natural yarns and fabrics. They are most famous for their cashmere and knitwear clothing for men and women. I visited their newest store in Rome on Via Condotti. All of the dresses, tops, and sweaters were so pretty. The knits feel so light and look great on.

In the photo above, I’m wearing a Falconeri v-neck navy metallic knit empire waist top with matching metallic knit wrap. I love the Falconeri wrap because it’s so versatile. It opens up as a full wrap/shawl and it can also be worn as a scarf. The pieces are classic, yet the metallic knit material makes them very on trend for fall.

Latino Fashion Week’s spectacular closing night

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Although Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015 recently ended, the fashions presented were “Timeless.” As stated on LatinoFashionWk.com, “the theme for LATINO FASHION WEEK®, “TIMELESS,” celebrates the ability to create fashion that is beautiful to the eyes, stimulating to the spirit and forever imprinted on the soul.” This year’s fashions did just that. The clothing and styles presented for men and women of all sizes throughout the week were amazing to see. I attended the closing night show and it was truly a moving experience.

I was impressed that the designers took the time to match music with their collections for this event. The music selections really added to the experience and feeling of the show. For example Adan Terriquez, a Mexican born designer, showcased his gowns while models glided down the runway to a passionate Mexican inspired tune. As you can see in the photo below, Terriquez creates colorful quinceañera dresses and beautiful dramatic evening gowns perfect for black-tie or red carpet events.

Collection by Adan Terriquez at Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015

Collection by Adan Terriquez at Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015

Ukrainian designer Roksolana Bogutska presented her bohemian chic fashions in the next segment of the show. This collection was beautiful and timeless. I especially liked her mix of textures and fabrics. She mixed velvet with silk prints on several long dresses and it totally worked. She presented many luxurious coats and vests detailed with fur and embroidered in rich colors.

Collection by Roksolana Bogutska at Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015

Collection by Roksolana Bogutska at Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015

The final designer of the night was Laura Santana from Ecuador. Her collection was filled with beautiful ready to wear dresses and jumpsuits in brilliant jewel tone colors. Like all of the designers, the details on the clothing were impressive. For example, she added ruffles along the shoulder to a couple of the jumpsuits. Other details included: beading, cut-outs, and one shoulder designs. Sananta’s dress and jumpsuits were tailored, fitted, and very feminine.

Collection by Laura Santana at Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015

Collection by Laura Santana at Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015

I had the opportunity to walk the runway during Latino Fashion Week at the Sophisticates Luncheon. The event (along with all of the Latino Fashion Week Chicago shows) was held at Block 37 on State Street in Chicago. I modeled clothing from AKIRA:  black jumpsuit, faux-leather jacket, and necklaces. In addition to AKIRA, models wore fashionable styles by e&e Aubé Designs and sophisticated lingerie/nightwear by Moi Soli.  

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Backstage at the Sophisticates Luncheon fashion show -Latino Fashion Week Chicago 2015

The great thing about Latino Fashion week is that both local and international designers are given the chance to showcase their designs. Next year will be the 10th anniversary of Latino Fashion Week Chicago. I can’t wait to see what designers and fashions the creators and staff of Latino Fashion Week will present in 2016.

 

Radiant Fusion

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“A dazzling attention-getter” is how Pantone described its color of 2014, Radiant Orchid, in a December 5, 2013 press release. Each year Pantone, the experts who set the standards on color, announces a color of the year that influences fashion and beauty as well as home décor.  Radiant Orchid is a beautiful color that looks pretty on everyone.

You certainly don’t need to dress monochromatic Radiant Orchid from head to toe. You can easily incorporate the shade into your wardrobe by wearing a Radiant Orchid top or blazer with jeans. Or try wearing an accessory (shoes, jewelry, a purse, a scarf, or sunglasses) in a Radiant Orchid tone. Update your make-up by using a lipstick, tint, or eye shadow in the Radiant Orchid color palette.

Here is a board with a couple looks inspired by Radiant Orchid. One of my favorite pieces of clothing is a basic black pencil skirt, so naturally I first matched a Radiant Orchid colored top with the skirt. I then found the perfect dress and accessorized it with gorgeous jewelry from Henri Bendel and Alexis Bittar.

Looks inspired by Pantone's color of 2014 - Radiant Orchid

Looks inspired by Pantone’s color of 2014 – Radiant Orchid

Not only does Radiant Orchid work well with black, but it is also stunning paired with many colors. I chose some Pantone colors (below) that mix and match well with Radiant Orchid for spring. Even though Emerald was the Pantone color of 2013, it’s still a lovely shade to wear transitioning into spring. For example, Honeysuckle, Sand, and Radiant Orchid make a cute bright spring outfit.

This spring mix and match Radiant Orchid with these Pantone colors.

This spring mix and match Radiant Orchid with these Pantone colors.

Before you go shopping for everything Radiant Orchid, check your closet. You may be surprised how many pieces you already own that are this color or a very close hue. I found a few blouses and purses. One peplum shirt is radiant orchid on top and Dazzling Blue on the bottom part of the peplum.

Hope to see you all in this fabulous color of the year!