Isabel - NYC
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High-Wattage Styled
Speaking of statement fashion, the day after my last post I went to The Wendy Williams Show, where low and behold the hostess wore an electric blue bandage dress. Against blinged-out ceilings and leopard stage floor, standing out is quite the challenge, but she achieved just that in this color. Wendy, or her stylist rather, chose silver sandals and jewelry to amp up the flash-factor. For a more understated look, try this with a nude shoe, simple jewelry and natural makeup (I’m sure you can see Wendy’s matching blue eye shadow, and
Pink pink pink!
Yes, you can wear highlighter pink with something other than black bottoms. Experiment with jeans in a light wash and footwear that will make the neon pop, such as a teal pump. In fact, I prefer this combination to the popular neon and leggings, which not only screams 80s but also feels a bit safe. Avoid overdosing on color by ensuring that top and bottom balance each other out. Magenta goes well with a steely-blue or muted teal, while lighter shades of pink (such as the Karamel top below) look fabulous with a shoe in the navy, midnight family. The pink-blue color scheme is both fashion-forward and flirty, and there’s no reason why you can’t add a romantic element to the outfit as well- check out those super-femme pumps by Poetic License.  Kimberly Taylor $215 singer22.com  Rory Beca $130Shopbop.com
 Karamel $98 Harmonylane.com  Gemma $68 shopnordstrum.com
 My Lovely Jeans $207 madisonlosangeles.com  Cheap Monday $65 www.tobi.com
 Forever 21 $27 www.forever21.com  Giuseppi Zanotti $635 bluefly.com
 Stuart Weitzman $335 bloomingdales.com  Poetic Licence $130 shop.nordstrom.com
 Christian Louboutin $565 www.barneys.com  Le Silla $280 yoox.com
 Jessica Simpson $60 www.dsw.com
Tough Luxe
Whether you shop at Alexander McQueen or Anne Taylor, chances are you’ve already noticed that rocker and gothic accents are back with a vengeance. Studs, chains and zippers abound, a departure from the argyle and plaid that dominated the Fall/Winter 2008 runways. While 60s-inspired sequins are still popular, this season’s woman is more likely to be wearing a corseted-top than a baby-doll dress. All of the discussion about the recession prompting a return to classic silhouettes and modest clothes clearly had little merit. The top fashion houses created fall looks that are both expressive and edgy, and, as you can see below, everyone has followed suit!
 Gianni Versace (90s) $1,198 www.shop.vagabondnyc.com  Aqua $118 www.bloomingdales.com
 Zara $105  Silence and Noise $88 www.urbanoutfitters.com
White Leather
A little bit Cowboy, Biker and Rock star rolled into one a studded leather jacket is not only a hot item for fall but also a great transition piece. Throw it over a dress or pair it with jeans and a basic tee and achieve that edgy, downtown look. I’m the ultimate fashion-victim, but with blazer-style jackets, it’s important to find a flexible, buttery leather that clings nicely to the body. If you can’t imagine dancing the night away wearing the piece in question it’s not worth the investment. One budget-friendly idea for the arts and crafts enthusiast is to purchase studs from a fabric store and create an original design using a jacket from your closet.  Balmain $4,200 www.mytheresa.com  Pencey $326 www.ivyblue.com
 Veda $595 www.intermixonline.com TopShop $320 www.topshop.com
Glam-Rock Minis  Balmain $4,384 www.net-a-porter.com  La Rok $268 www.shopbop.com
 Oasis $125 www.oasis-stores.com  Top Shop $90 www.topshop.com
Rocker styles seem to favor the night-cats and club-goers, but when done tastefully it you can bring it into daywear (though not necessarily appropriate for an interview). If your taste leans more toward prepster than hipster ease into the trend with accessories, a simple studded cuff or belt is a good place to start. Let me warn you- once you slip into your first pair of tapered, ruched leather pants, there’s no turning back...
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If you can’t afford this, Get This… |
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Summer is Golden: Luxe for Less
Let’s face it: New York is home to some of the most fashion forward women on the planet, and not by accident! While some natives of the city consider shopping expertise a birthright, I must admit that our constant exposure to a wide selection of everything and invitations to the trendiest fashion shows doesn’t hurt! Add to the mix first dibs at Bloomies “Private” Sale, vintage shops that stay open as late as your average New England bar, and you have a recipe for a total style coup. Despite inspiration from our stylish foreign counterparts, many of whom hail from Style-salon’s Glasgow, it seems all arrows point towards New York, the “Capital.” Fashion pulses through the veins of Manhattan’s every street, culminating in one enormous Shopping Mecca. Every now and then, one of my girlfriends from suburbia will complain about lacking an innate “New York” sense of style, insisting she could never pull off my bolder pieces. This reasoning is absurd, since when is there a direct correlation between a person’s hometown and fashion judgment? Still, many competent women subscribe to the notion that they missed some “window of opportunity” for developing a personal style. If you suffer from this “out-of-town” complex, check in with the Tim Gunns and, of course, Style-salons of the world who work overtime to keep your wardrobe quandaries at bay.
Finally, summer is within sight! Avoid wasting valuable time in the sunshine debating over what to wear by preparing in advance. To help you in this process, I have combed the streets of New York and online shopping destinations alike, selecting stylish pieces that will undoubtedly kick your wardrobe into high gear. Right now, I can’t get enough of metallic accessories for both day and night. The slightest touch can take you from bare to glam, and are easy to incorporate into your outfits when you’re seeking that extra bit of shine.
Crowning Glories    
Stacey Lapidus -$150 Victorian Hippi- $155 Deepa Gurnani - $55 Anthropologie - $28
www.staceylapidus.com www.shopbop.com www.intermixonline.com www.anthropologie.com
Fashionable and functional, the headband is that go-to accessory you can actually stick with from the early days and well into adulthood. Like the skinny belt, it seems you can never own too many, and this season promises many eye-catching designs to add to the collection. Channel your inner Greek goddess with one of the embellished headbands featuredabove, or spring for the head wrap by Victorian Hippie if you’re feeling extra festive. While bold hair accessories are fabulous, keep in mind that too much metallic in broad daylight can appear garish. To avoid the “bedazzled effect” stick to one statement piece and keep the rest of your outfit neutral. You can find other bejeweled beauties at Anthropologie (aka “Anthro”), my favorite place to accessorize and “feminize,” so to speak. Unlike many of the clothes, which tend to veer too far on the “grandma-side” for my liking, their accessories are always on point with the trends and easy to wear for day. “The Duchess” (see above) has a comfortable double band to hold back those locks and give your outfit a little shimmer; no one will know it was under $30! Summer Cardigans: Short and Chic    
See by Chloe $360 Diane Von Furstenburg $245 Moonshine $68 Club Monaco $85 www.bloomingdales.com www.neimanmarcus.com www.urbanoutfitters.com (In stores only)
Put the finishing touch on your wardrobe by investing in a slinky, metallic cardigan. A soft, gold-tone will show off those bronzed arms (faux of course) and serves as a great companion color to white or soft, pastel colors. Choosing the right fabric is key, especially if you’re aiming for a sexier look. Summer in the city means many sweltering nights, so I opt for the loose knits and lightweight options like cotton and polyester blends. I like the Club Monaco version because it has short sleeves and crops at the perfect spot for high-waisted bottoms. Incase you weren’t aware, they offer 20% off Anything, ALL the time to college students. It took me all of two weeks as a freshman at Boston University to capitalize on this discount, and since then I always visit one of their stores to stock up on basics. Hold onto your college ID grads!
Gladiator Gold The Classics    
Miu Miu $ 475 Matt Bernson $170 Loeffler Randal $495 Armani Exchange $49
A Little Edgier...
     
Giuseppi Zanotti $450 Ash $164 Pour la Victoire $ 225 Mystique $140 Belle by Sigerson Morrison $186 Jeffrey Campbell $137 www.net-a-porter.com www.karmaloop.com www.shopbop.com www.shopkitson.com www.shopbop.com www.revolveclothing.com
A day in the life of a New Yorker’s can feel like a battle in the gladiatorial games, and this season you can have the footwear to prove it! Designers across the board, from haute couture to “Tar-jay,” have embraced this trend to the max, creating styles that span the spectrum from classic to dominatrix. I particularly love the gladiators by Matt Bernson, one of the coolest designers on the block who I was lucky enough to visit with at his Tribeca showroom. His company has that low-key, downtown vibe that translates into footwear that is both comfortable and elegant.
After seeing a photo of Heidi Klum rocking her Steve Madden studded gladiators, which I’ve since spotted on god knows how many girls, I developed a new appreciation for embellished styles. I especially adore the “Chainiator ” by Jeffrey Campbell, who proves that a little wedge goes a long way! Keep in mind if sport something this bold it’s best concentrate your embellishments in one area. I would pair them with neutral, safari jumpshorts/suits, and the Grecian-style dresses that are oh-so trendy this season.
Well, you know what they say about New York fashionistas: empty fridge, full closet!
Stay tuned for more…
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FASHION NEWS BY ISABEL BERNEY RESIDENT NYC BLOGGER
In the Trenches
Where would fashion be without the ubiquitous trench? Always willing to expand my Fashion IQ, I decided to do a little research on the beloved cover-up. My investigation confirmed that we indeed have Thomas Burberry to thank for the original design in addition to the invention of the waterproof, breathable fabric- gabardine. As it turns out, Mr. Burberry manufactured his design as a raincoat for British soldiers during WWI, hence the name “trench.” After the war, the coat made its way to the America, and began appearing in numerous Hollywood films during the 1940s, including film noirs and classics like Casablanca. I will always associate the classic trench with Humphrey Bogart and his unique sense of style, a sort of rugged elegance. Apparently I’m not alone, according to the fashion texts, it was directly after “Bogie” wore a trench in Casablanca that men and women everywhere began to follow suit. The trench was also the signature choice of another fashion icon, Katherine Hepburn, one of the pioneers of mixing feminine and masculine pieces.
The Modern Trench
The trench remains a closet staple across all age groups, and the ultimate accessory for pulling together any outfit. After scoping out spring fashions on the streets of Manhattan, I am delighted to report that a literal army of chic, New Yorkers agree with my assessment. From Burberry’s iconic model to the whimsical statement piece, the trench has returned in a fresh assortment of styles that are anything but militant. In the market for a new spring coat, I set out to find a piece that was fashion forward, yet versatile enough to wear both day and night.
My search began at 57th and Madison Ave, the epicenter of it all and the classic choice for an afternoon of uptown shopping. In fact, just as I turned onto Madison, a stylish woman sashayed across the street in a fabulous floral trench, accented with über-trendy flounce pockets. Her coat reminded me of a piece I fell in love with on wwd.com, New York designer Thuy’s three-quarter trench in the eye-catching “Amazonia” print (see below). A nod to this season’s floral trend, this design interweaves elegant touches, such as the lush buttons and nude piping, with an edgier, modern cut. After seeing the model-esqe, gazelle, I had a clearer vision of the type of trench I was looking for, which left only one question: could I actually afford it? Thuy New York, Amazonia Print - $1470 available at www.thuynewyork.com
Bypassing Barneys for a change, I hiked up a solid twenty blocks north to Intermix’s Upper-East side store, where I always score great statement pieces. Within minutes of stepping into the brightly lit maze, I caught sight of a silk trench by A.D.D. (see below) glistening amidst a line of dresses. Like a giddy child, I zoomed past the saleswoman, who was visibly eager to get the ball rolling, and slipped it on in front of the mirror. Just my luck, it not only fit beautifully but the buttery, champagne color was even sexier than I had realized! Admiring the sleeves, a double layer of silk with a charming bell-shaped effect, I could overlook the fact that that they were a bit short. More importantly, the silk hung elegantly against my body, ruching with an elastic band at the perfect spot below my bottom, and it had pockets! Priced at $428, it was quite a stretch, but I decided this was a worthy investment piece and whipped out my card in a flash.
Since then, I’ve worn this sexy number half a dozen times, with everything from a cocktail dress to a cotton tank and jeans. I’ll tell you right now the picture doesn’t do it justice, and I could probably rattle on for another page about this coat but that might bore even the most inquisitive of you fashionistas! What’s the moral of the story? Invest in a silk trench for spring, ideally something slightly sporty in a neutral color if you want to wear it effortlessly from day to night.
A.D.D. $428 available at www.intermixonline.com Here are a couple more worthy obsessions: Marc gives the trench a modern makeover in the perfect pick-me-up color that let’s everyone know spring has arrived! Marc by Marc Jacobs Flat Twill Trench Coat $528 available at www.shopbop.com Get ready to set sail in this totally wearable trench from Trovata, a designer we can always rely on for the chicest nautical-inspired pieces. Trovata $298 available at www.revolveclothing.com Look out for more fantatstic fashion blogs all the way from our resident NYC blogger Isabel Berney
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Street Style 1
 Kerry Goodwin, a sales adviser.
Style Icon: 'Alexa Chung and Sienna Miller.' Wearing: She's rocking an amazing strapless Maxi, with its black and white tribal print. Keeping the accessories minimal with a gold statement necklace and a skinny gold watch. We are loving her style.
Street Style 2
 Emma Loen, a colour technician for Vidal Sassoon.
Style Icon: 'My mum' Wearing: Her fun, bright outfit is perfect for the few days of sunshine we get in Glasgow. Her All Saints boots give her a rocker edge, and the addition of a candy watch ... retro-tastic.
Street Style 3
 Laura Boyd lead singer of Pooch
Style Icon: Wearing: Landgirls vs Punk chic. Not many could pull this look off, but Laura looks amazing, we would love to know who her style icon is though? Get in touch...
Street Style 4
 Cat Stevenson, store manager of Urban Outfitters Glasgow.
Wearing: the must have essential of spring Summer 2009: the denim jacket, teamed with lashings of gold jewellery.
Street Style 5
 Marie Stewart, an Events Student
Wearing: Sporting the 80s vibe, ripped jeans, cropped lace top, black bra and a lumber jack shirt. An outfit not many could pull off.
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