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Julie Hoylen

Julie Hoylen

"Born with a natural sense of style, Julie is a fashion stylist and consultant working in the New York City area. Julie's professional experience " more...
April Clark

April Clark

"April has an eclectic sense of style. Her love of all things vintage, inspire her color choices. Forget the crisp white shirt; leopard and Pucci print" more...
Kimberlin Brown

Kimberlin Brown

"As a sculptor turned jewelry designer Kimberlin's eye for form, structure and beauty can be seen in each of the unique pieces she creates from pr" more...
Kate Smith

Kate Smith

"As a professional color expert, trend forecaster, engaging speaker and chief color maven, I work with corporate clients and buiness owners on using co" more...

Posts Tagged ‘womenswear’

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Rethinking the classic white shirt

7th Apr. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: , ,

Authored by Julie Hoylen

If you like your iconic. wardrobe classics served up with a twist…then starting
April 15th run- don’t walk to your nearest Gap…

For the unveiling of the 2nd annual Gap Design Editions, a limited edition collection specially designed for the Gap by the winners of the annual Fashion Fund competition.

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That means cutting edge designs from the likes of (more…)   SensationalColor.com

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Purple of Mogador

4th Apr. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: , , ,

Authored by Kate Smith

The Spring 2008 collection from Swedish menswear and womenswear designer, Carin Wester caught my attention when she referred to a legend about the creation of color.

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The Spring/Summer 2008 collection called ‘Purple of Mogador’, is inspired by an African legend about the black alchemist Amogador, who as legend goes, discovered how to create the color purple. (more…)   SensationalColor.com

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Trendspotted:all the fashion that’s fit to print

27th Mar. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: , ,

Authored by Julie Hoylen

Hurray! Let the forest nymphs and artsy chicks rejoice… Spring is here!

Lucky for them they are already properly dressed for the celebration. Their style is right on track with my next favorite spring trend.

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Prints, prints and more prints- from bold florals to graphic patterns to floaty, fluid garments that appear to have been dipped in or splash by a bath of wild color.

Over the past few seasons we have been seeing florals and stripes creeping back into favor at some of out favorite fashion houses, though for me last Spring was ultimately most about refreshing color combinations ( I still get a thrill at the rediscovery of pairing yellow and gray!) (more…)   SensationalColor.com

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Trend spotted: Explorer turned native

4th Feb. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty , Category: Home & Garden • Tags: , , , ,

Authored by Julie Hoylen

Remember those black & white Tarzan and Jane movies from the 1930’s and 40’s?

nice jane

“Our gal Jane”- civilized explorer

They all began with a beautiful Jane dressed to a tee in full on adventure apparel- usually a stylish khaki pant suit paired with a cute little matching explorer hat. She was the “smart girl” stylishly camouflaged in a foreign land…

wild Jane

Jane-just a few days later… My how she’s changed!

…and then by the end of the movie she’s swinging on a vine, swathed in animal skins, bone necklace around her neck- at one with the jungle and animals around her!

That’s how I can best describe the next trend coming our way this Spring–

Explorer Turned Native

(more…)   SensationalColor.com

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One minute you’re in and the next minute you’re umm… in again

22nd Jan. '08 • • Tags: , , , , ,

Authored by Julie Hoylen

While making dinner the other night I caught the tail end of a Project Runway re-run on Bravo. To be exact it was episode #4 from Season 4, and yes I had seen the episode twice before- yet somehow I never tire of this show so I watched it yet again.

If you are equally smitten as I am with this gem of a show, you probably remember it as the “outdated trends” episode.

Jiliian

Jillian diligently working in her overalls- she shouldn’t have felt too ashamed though, as it appears Karl Lagerfeld is on her side of this “one minute your in, the next minute you are out” dilemma.

If you’ve never watched… a quick run down.

Nine designers, each assigned with a popular fashion trend from the last two decades, or so … trends that seem to warrant giggles, snickers and even some personal embarrassment for designer Jillian who discovers she is wearing one of these taboo outdated looks herself- denim overalls.

The designers are asked to divide themselves into teams of three ( each with a team leader) and reconfigure these “dated” once popular fashion trends into a cohesive collection of “looks” fit for a modern-day woman.

The first two times I watched the episode I was too caught up in the drama of the sewing room to really give the trends any thought but the third time around, as the designers were pleading their cases in front of the judges ( which this week included guest judge Donna Karan), I was taken aback by how many of these “dead” trends I had recently spotted while clicking through photos of the Spring 2008 collections on Style.com.

In or Out?

In the minds of the judges, Team Jillian took denim overalls to a whole new level and won the challenge…

…and for Spring 2008 Karl Lagerfeld put the “Chanel” spin on his own version of this “outdated” trend

Team Christan attempted to bring zoot suits and menswear as woman’s wear back…

…and Haider Ackermann seems to have had the same agenda.

Team Ricky was given the trends neon colors, cut-outs and underwear as outerwear- three trends I’ve just recently been writing about…

…in fact, I think Anna Sui could have been the fourth designer on their team.

And poor Chris March, his team was on the bottom this particular week and his personal attempt at breathing life back into the trend of larger than life “shoulder pad” sent him home…

…ironically Nicolas Ghesquiere’s vision of bringing fashion focus back on “shoulders” for Balenciaga has got to be the most talked about silhouette of the season.

So the questions is– “Who’s to say if a trend is in or out?” Are there any trends that you wish would stay “out” rather than come back “in”?

Resources:

Project Runway gallery photos from Bravo.com

All Spring 2008 collection photos from Style.com Sensational Color; Sensational Colour   SensationalColor.com

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Trend spotted: I can see right through you

15th Jan. '08 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Authored by Julie Hoylen

Calling someone’s style transparent used to be an insult, this season though it might just be taken as a compliment.

That’s because the trend of transparency, in the form of see-through layers, sheer fabrics, frosted glass, clear pvc and lucite will be making waves in the world of fashion and home design for Spring 2008.

Unlike the fashion “see-through” trends of days gone by (think Madonna circa 1990), today’s transparencies are not about being overtly sensual, but instead about adding a layer of mystery to an already interesting ensemble. A sheer top layer can be a viewed as either a peek at what lays beneath or a thin shield from what lays ahead. It all depends on the attitude of the wearer.

marc jacobsjill sanders

Marc Jacob’s infamous sheer plastic dressed nurses first appeared on the catwalk in Paris and then later reappeared at the Guggenheim Museum for the launch of Louis Vuitton’s collaboration with artist Richard Prince. .

At Jil Sanders designer Raf Simone enveloped a bevy of his runway models in a cocoon-like poncho made of sheer organza.

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Prada, always sure to surprise, showcased a collection of sheer chiffon pieces covered in whimsical drawings and finished with bold piping.

While Adidas by Stella McCartney showed that a transparent silhouette isn’t just a high fashion statement but can add an interesting layer to the way we dress in everyday life.

givency modelzac posen

A translucent glow seemed to come across the faces at both Givency’s Fall 2007 show and Zac Posen’s Spring 2008 runway showing. Style.com takes a backstage look at why the designers decided to forgo color for sheer textures.

house beautiful

House Beautiful named this Umbra clock as one of the most exciting products in their January issue. The clock which measures 2 feet wide is made of frosted glass and in their words “fogs the Victorian style hands and conjures up the mist of time”.

elle decor

Elle Decor’s “What’s Hot” for Jan/Feb 2008, features these clear plastic side tables from White Webb inspired by Chinese garden stools and Indian architecture.

met home

Metropolitan Home was so inspired by the sheer and cut-out trend in today’s newest home fabrics- it featured them on their Jan/Feb 2008 cover.

Bringing the trend home

christian loubritanmicheal kors shoes

White shoes tend to get a bad rap, but how can you not love any pair of Christian Louboutins! The peep-toes are very “of the moment”…. I can just image how sexy the sheer shoe would look on the right foot.

The lucite- inspired Micheal Kors sandals are to me the perfect choice for a tropical getaway- they’re super chic , could be worn from poolside to party and would absolutely “go” with everything you packed.

tom ford

Everything feels retro about Tom Ford’s Chase sunglasses from their vintage shape to their cool black and white illustrated ad. You would definitely be channeling old Hollywood glamour when wearing these- a time when lucite first came into fashion.

louis ghost chair

Phillip Stark designed the Louis Ghost chair for Kartell in 2002 and it became an instant classic. Loved by designers and hip homeowners alike, it’s the perfect piece to update any decor.

zebra sheers

My friends and family are probably ready to shake me and say “enough zebra motifs in your house, already!”, but I’m obsessed. When I saw these Zebra print burnout sheers in the new West Elm catalog it was love at first sight!

shine happy

If you want to add a little boost to your hair color without fear of roots, Clairol’s Natural Instinct’s “Shine Happy” promises to add a clear sheen of coverage to give your hair super shine… my stylist told me it may also help blend in those pesky little grays.

Fellow Color Maven Picks (I just had to ask)

bubble necklace

Kimberlin Brown spotted this Marina and Sussana Sent’s Bubble Necklace at a recent visit to the MoMA and thinks the translucent piece would look great paired with one of Spring’s super bright colors.

ralph lauren candellight

Kate Smith said she’s been dying to try Ralph Lauren’s Candlelight top coat. Said to cast a warm “candlelight effect” over your walls- she thinks this translucent treatment would work wonders in a dining room.

chanel see through bag

April Clark, my handbag connection and world traveler extraordinaire, brought this little Chanel gem to my attention…. sure we might not be able to afford to purchase it, but maybe we might be able to split the rent on it for a month at Bag, Borrow and Steal.

Found a great way to bring “sheer style” into your life?… Let me know. Sensational Color; Sensational Colour   SensationalColor.com

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Trend spotted….the little gold dress

30th Dec. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: , , , , , ,

Authored by Julie Hoylen

Last week I took a look at the trend of the color gold being used in holiday advertising… this week in honor of the countdown to the new year…. I can’t help but notice gold is having it’s moment-so to speak- in the spotlight of women’s fashion, as well.

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A Valentino runway stunner - Fall 2007 couture from Style.com

In fact I would say it’s been the month- and perhaps even the holiday weekend- of the LGD ( little gold dress ). From starlets to fashion spreads to fashion opinions, the little gold dress it seems, is the trendiest sheath of the season.

So if your looking to add a little timely sparkle to your year end/beginning traditions, perhaps a little gold number is all you need…

adam plus eve gold dressporter grey gold dress

In Style’s website suggest two different LGDs as the perfect party dress for the holidays.

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Vogue gave gold dresses an entire spread in it’s December issue.

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Baazar spotlighted gold sequined and embellished dresses in their December and January issues.

Both December covers of Lucky and Bazaar feature starlets in a LGDs.

elle top 25

Elle.com choose a photo of Kate Moss in a one of a kind Top Shop LGD for their look at the 25 best dressed of 2007.

style

Coincidentally Style.com choose the same pix of Kate Moss for there look at what to wear this New Year’s Eve. Wow, fashionistas sure love Miss Moss in this dress!

carrie vs. kim

Today’s “Fashion Faceoff” on People.com just happens to feature Carrie Underwood and Kim Kardashian wearing the same Jovani gold sequin dress.

nicole goldmischa goldaudrina gold

While Us magazine picked this metallic gold Alexander Wang Dress to as their “Who Wore It Best? for this holiday weekend.

eve goldhilary duffvanessa hudgens

People.com takes a look at the trend with images of Eve, Hilary Duff and Vanessa Hudgens all wearing LGDs on the red carpet.

And what will I be wearing this New Year’s Eve?… Will I partake in this trend…

phillip limforever 21

Well- no doubt I’d love to show up wearing this 3.1 Phillip Lim dress on Monday night, but with a $625 price tag ( and a very tired post-holiday credit card ), this little gold number from Forever 21 is more of a reality!…. I love the idea of pairing it with dark grayish/blue tights…. I may just try this look at home ( minus the hair crimping, of course.)   SensationalColor.com

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Pantone Spring 2008 Fashion Color Trends

1st Dec. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: , , ,

Authored by Kate Smith

The latest color trends forecast released by Pantone shows what they report to be the ten hottest colors for Spring 2008.

See the colors here…

Download a copy of the report here…

Pantone Spring 2008 Fashion Color Trends Picture   SensationalColor.com

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Spring/Summer 2008 womenswear color trends forecast

17th Jul. '07 • Category: Fashion & Beauty • Tags: , ,

Authored by Kate Smith

Womenswear, Color Trends, Colour Trends, Fashion, spring 2008, summer 2008

See descriptions of the color palettes for this trend forecast…   SensationalColor.com

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