Could she be any cuter? A look at Alexa Chung

picture from www.guardian.co.uk

 Alexa Chung is without a doubt, one of my foremost fashion inspirations. Not only does she have the most fabulous wardrobe with a quirky chic/tomboyish/cheeky school girl bent, she's also a television host/model/British Vogue contributor. Not to mention the fact that she's dating Alex Turner of the Arctic Monkeys but her cool factor has definitely upped due to the fact that she has joined the ranks of it girls like Jane Birkin with an eponymous purse designed by Mulberry with her as inspiration and namesake. Also, I love her winged retro eyeliner and chopped, chin-length bob - let's face it: she's adorable. She makes style effortless, classy, but also playful in an elegant gamine way. In a recent question and answer session with The Guardian, she proves yet again why she's somebody to watch. Responding to a question of how she wanted to be remembered, Chung stated, "As someone who inspired women to dress for themselves." With the bevy of admirers that she has, her success professionally and her growing fame as a sartorial star, I think she's already accomplished that.  - C

That's Haute! HiFashion Studios first annual fashion show at Ithaca College

My college's fashion-minded student organization, HiFashion Studios at Ithaca College hosted a fashion show this Monday and it was breathtakingly stunning and surprisingly professional. I had initially previewed it for the school newspaper, which made me want to check it out all the more. The night of the show, however, the lobby in front of the venue was packed - in fact, I was incredibly blessed to have gotten the last two VIP tickets for me and my friend John (who graciously played fashion photographer with his iphone). The VIP tickets were definitely worth the extra cost - we sat in the front row that was lining the criss-crossing runway (when I spoke to the creative director, Pedro Maldonado, he said that it was inspired by Prada's Fall 2010 NY Fashion week metro-inspired runway), and saw every model first as he or she started walking on the runway.

The show itself struck a nice balance between high fashion and pret a porter - after all, the audience was mostly college students. The theme of the show was "Strangers Into the Night", a nice play on word on the Sinatra's "Strangers In the Night"; however, the collections featured were clever interpretations of gender roles and constructions. Two of my favorite themes of the night were the 50's themed collection and the Androgyny themed collection - I could sense Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 in the former collection, as well as the understated elegance of Jil Sander, while the Androgny collection had Pierre Decarnin and Riccardo Tisci influences.

However, it was the student collections that blew me away. Designer Hayley Nickerson's outfit of plum harem pants paired with a sheer lace blouse that had puffed sleeves a la Dynasty was so gutsy chic that it would have even made the Man Repeller swoon. Bianca Lupi's art history inspired designs were structural and made me think of origami/Francisco Costa at Calvin Klein. However, it was Jane Wong's etheral gowns that took the cake - floaty, airy florals in sheer fabrics that rippled down the runway. Her designs are the ones featured in the photos above - truly gorgeous, completely feminine, but with quirky little touches, like a daringly low back or unexpected detailing on a plunging neckline.

All in all, it was a lovely show. Props to Pedro and the rest of the HiFashion executive board - I can't wait for next year's show! - C

P.S. You can read my coverage of the show for the Ithacan by clicking here

Roomies in Red

 

"For I conclude that the enemy is not lipstick, but guilt itself; that we deserve lipstick, if we want it, AND free speech." - Naomi Wolf, The Beauty Myth

I've been obsessed with wearing red lipstick lately; maybe it's the way it complements my winter clothes perfectly or just the fact that it's effortlessly glamorous in a classic, Old Hollywood way. However, it's completely wearable on an day-to-day basis, if you pair it with low-key eyes and simple hair (as illustrated by my lovely roommate, Kristin - on the left - and myself in the pictures above).  Kristin is wearing Lancome Color Design lipstick in Candy Apple while I'm wearing Nars lipstick in Red Lizard. As for Ms. Wolf's wise words about lipstick, I believe that women DO DESERVE LIPSTICK! Wearing a beautiful lip color that makes you feel confident about yourself can be incredibly empowering - after all, it takes a little spunk to wear a bold lipstick. Treat yourself to a bright, cheerful lip color - and celebrate confidence! - C