Recession-proof your wardrobe:

     Well, now that fashion week has passed I have been non-stop reflecting on my wardrobe. The economic climate has had an effect the fashion world in a big way. Many designers, including our fav. Betsey Johnson, had showroom presentations of their lines as opposed to full-blown fashion shows at the tents this year. It seems like designers have also tweaked their style in order to make their garments more practical and long-lasting than they usually would. Tailored garments such as high-waisted trousers, skirts, and blazers were a trend among the big shows.This makes a lot of sense. I have been buying pieces that are more functional than experimental and it has really been working for both me and my wallet. My goal is to create a recession-proof wardrobe that will last me through the upcoming seasons and fads, all while still looking fresh and up-to-date. Here are my tips/ideas on how to achieve this:

• Take a look at your closet...which pieces do you really love and wear all the time? Asses your true personal style. Also, think of what changes you should make in order to improve the longevity of your wardrobe. I am looking to lines like Abaete and Tracy Reece for this type of inspiration. These are clothes that real young women can wear now and for seasons to come and still look chic. I dont know about you but I certainly dont look like I'm straight off the Marc Jacobs runway every day for school...
  

Abaete

Tracy Reese

• First and foremost, definitely definitely definitely purchase a blazer. Blazers dress up ANY outfit, from cotton tanks and leggings to dresses and skirts. There are really cute affordable ones at Urban Thread, as well as Forever21 and Wolfgang. 
  

Tracy Reese

Abaete

• Buy flattering, bold dresses that work for both warm and cold climates. 
• If you love your blazer, buy other tailored pieces such as high-waisted trousers and skirts. These are great because they look great with your favorite basics. 

Erin Fetherston

Marc Jacobs

Erin Fetherston

• Buy cute tops in higher quality fabrics (like lace or satin) or in interesting cuts to wear with your denim. 
  
• Shoes: Buy shoes that you love and that you have no doubts about. Urban Thread and Ebay have great deals on brands like Sam Edelman and Jeffrey Campbell. Also, check discount stores like TJMaxx and Ross! I've really been into the bold-shoe trend, but I didn't want the fad to pass and my shoes to go to waste. So to play it safe I bought these black beauties that make a statement, but don't look like weapons of mass distruction.
  

Jeffrey Campbell Platforms

Seychelles Scalloped Pump

My favorite quote from fashion week was one by Diane Von Furstenburg. She says that when you look in your closet, you should see every piece as a friend and love all of your clothes. This made me want to be careful about what I buy and buy only pieces that I love. I hope these tips are useful to you. I know that I am going to turn over a new leaf after this fashion week. Oh, and Leah's golden rule that has taken over my life: wear lots and lots of black. 

Love,

Flavia

Attention Wolfgangers:

     I just got off the phone with the trusty Matthew Turner (owner of Wolfgang, in case you didn't already know), and he just informed me of the wonderful fact that Charlotte Ronson will be making its way to Gainesville! To get you excited, there will be a few pieces featured in the Wolfgang fashion show, which is scheduled for March 2. Wolfgang will carry Charlotte Ronson pieces for spring and summer. I'm super excited. CR is a great line that has flirty dresses, skirts and tops that are stylish but also practical for any girl's wardrobe. Here are some looks from her spring lookbook:

If you check out Charlotte Ronson's web page, you can take a look at the entire spring runway show. Everything is really cute, obvi. 

Relating to Wolfgang, here's a schedule of events that our dearest Gainesville fashion mecca will be participating in through Gainesville Fashion Week:

Monday March 2

10:30pm Wolfgang Fashion Show

Tuesday March 3 

7:30-9:30 Wolfgang Cocktail Party

Gainesville Fashion Week is now set in stone, scheduled for the week of March 1-March 5. A schedule of events can be found at www.gainesvillefashionweek.com

Look out for Leah and I there!

Love,

Flavia

M.I.A.9 Months pregnant at the Grammys

These were too good not to post. The polka-dot mini is House of Holland and the blue globe dress is Manish Aurora. Apparently, Henry Holland thinks it's amusing that everyone was giving her so much flack for wearing the see-through dress. Hah! I think she looks amazing. 

She's crazy.

but I love her.

-Leah

Just some random news:

I don't know why it's so strange to me, but McDonald's is one of the sponsors of NY Fashion Week. Can you believe that? It just seems so inappropriate...and backwards. I mean really? I guess they'll take what they can get. What influence will the Golden Arches have on fashion week? These are just the things I think about while you're downtown with your friends...getting faded. 

In sexy news, I found out that Alexander Wang is expanding his design ventures into jewelry and condoms. hmm...intrigued now? Hah. Apparently, Planned Parenthood commissioned the designer to create a limited-edition condom, called Proper Attire, in order to make condoms more appealing to women! I love this idea. It's brilliant. I mean... let's be honest with ourselves... if you could have a regular Trojan condom or a pretty condom designed by Alexander Wang, which would you choose? Like I said... brilliant. I heart Planned Parenthood x Alexander Wang.

And finally, Barbie is celebrating her 50th birthday with a debut at Fashion Week. 50 designers, including Diane Von Furstenberg, Betsey Johnson, Marchesa, Tommy Hilfiger and Peter Som) have signed up to create their version of the perfect dress for the doll with impossible measurements. Here's some sketches thanks to the Associated Press: 

Red dress is Reem Acra, Colorful Cinderella gown is Robert best, and the frilly black mini is Carmen Marc Valvo + pink Louboutins!

xx,

Leah

Insider Info:

     I had to make a quick trip to the mall today. While in the process of purchasing a new eyeliner brush at M.A.C., I slyly asked one of the makeup artists if they've recieved the M.A.C. Hello Kitty Collection yet. It is set to be available online tomorrow, and in stores this Thursday, February 12th. Well, it was my lucky day because not only did she say that YES, it's already in, buuut....

she let me take a sneak a peek at the display and the entire collection! I'll tell you right now, everything is adorable. I didn't want to overstay my top-secret welcome, but I looked at all of the colors and packaging and all in all, the collection is very well done. What really appealed to me is that there are very bright and girly pink and purple hues, but there are also suble flirty shades. That way, any girl can get her Hello Kitty fix. 

Some Highlights:

-The lipstick shades were pretty neat, there was a briiiight pink, and there was also a sheer pink/nude shade that I think I want to try out. If I remember correctly, the color was called "Lustre". 

-There was a really cool white, shimmery nail laquer shade. 

-Lots of variety! There was some great loose powder, as well as nail laquer, eye shadow, M.A.C. lipglass, lip balm, bronzer and blush. 

-The color scheme for the packaging and display is a really dark, shiny black that is embellished with white, pink and silver. Of course, the classic Hello Kitty head logo is stamped on everything. 

Sorry this entry is so scattered, I am trying to give you all of the info that I remember. I really think all of you will find something in the collection that you will like. M.A.C. has really great products. I know I'm looking forward to this Thursday. Hopefully I'll bump into some of you at the M.A.C. counter!

Love,

Flavia

Speechless:

I feel morally obligated to show you these beauties. 

I can't even put words together.

Behold, the Marc Jacobs Spartan...

I hope you dream of these, as will I. 

If only I had a disposable 995.00 euros.

Oh,  and of course let me know what you think!

Love,

Flavia

The Boy

First of all, who else is being crushed under the weight of textbooks?! ughhh ineedmorefreetime! 

Anyway,

Yeah so this is my boyfriend, Dallas. It only makes sense for me to date a boy who dresses cute, and he does it well without my help. Pretty much a perfect representation of my ideal casual outfit for a boy. He mixes red and blue quite often, a beautiful combination with blue eyes I think. Maybe I'm just biased =)

What he's wearing: BDG red hoodie from UO, Vans Authentics in blue, hand-printed Tuscan Raider Star Wars t-shirt from Store 101 (R.I.P.) and Levi's 511 skinny jeans.

Things that boys wear that make me swoon:

• Vans 
• snug jeans or if you're Flavia, jeans that could double as a wet suit
• Nike Dunks
• bikes as accessories
• colorful shades or big glasses
• boxer briefs (yeah, that's right)
• CARDIGANS
• huge wrist watches or leather wristwear
• v-necks or plain white tees
• peacoats
• scrufffff (you know, that 3-day chin hair)

Here's your chance to shape up boys... just in time for Valentine's Day.

P.S. Apparently NY Fashion Week is being moved from Bryant Park to Lincoln Center in 2010. Read about it on the NY Times if you're intrigued!

P.S.S. If you have a Twitter account, we should follow each other! Look me up: LSouth

look out for TonnishTouch fliers on campus soon... 

-Leah