Posts tagged Balmain
FashioniSTA File: MTV Movie Awards
Jun 6th
We all expect to see teen idols on the MTV red carpet, but this trendy event this year has brought out the fashion elite, showcasing some serious style power. Whether a teen fashion icon in training or a red carpet veteran, this year’s awards show was definitely not boring. From the best to the worst, here are the looks that caught our fashioniSTA eye.
Animal Prints
Straddling the leopard line is always a dangerous feat. Let’s remember the golden rule: Going subtle is always best, lest you look like a Jersey Shore castoff. Tonight we saw some hints of exotic prints, on Lily Collins (right) and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (center), both donning D&G, as well as the ever-stylish Reese Witherspoon (left). While Lily and Reese’s outfits are cool and understatedly sexy, Rose’s look is a little too eye of the tiger for me. Although she’s a Victoria’s Secret model, this look screamed VS catalogue rather than high fashion.
Most Improved
Let’s all think back to the Met Gala. Ok, now let’s rack our brains for what Kristen Stewart wore. Need some help? Try remembering the outfit that looks like your angsty friend wore it to your freshman semi formal (left). To say that her MTV look is an improvement is a clear understatement. While she’s still working within the red and black color palette, she has drastically stepped up her game in this Balmain mini (right). The detail is stunning and the easy hairstyle is the perfect complement, love it!
Rompers, Jumpsuits, Pants, Oh My!
Some of the stars opted for an alternative to a dress, going with pants and shorts. While this is a great way to break out of the cocktail dress rut, if done wrong it can be a huge miss. Elle Fanning (in D&G) and Jessica Szohr (left, in Alice + Olivia) both went for printed jumpsuits - Elle in a romper version - but both were out-shined by Hailee Steinfeld in a Louis Vuitton pantsuit (right). Her feminine version of a tux was sleek and event-appropriate, while the printed jumpsuits missed the mark. It looks like this 14-year-old fashioniSTA has a definite style instinct!
Spring 2010 Trends Report – Part 2
Mar 18th
Last week we focused on the more feminine elements of the spring 2010 trends – the predominantly pale hues of the season and the “underwear-as-outerwear” look. This week we would like to focus on the more masculine trends of spring 2010.
Utility
Traditional “work-wear” and military inspired pieces had a strong presence at the spring 2010 shows. Virtually every type of garment showed up in a denim version - dresses, skirts, shirts, shorts and jackets – in addition to the ever-present jeans. Military inspired buttons, epaulets, badges and seams were prolific and the “working man’s” cargo pants, khaki and plaid abound. Ralph Lauren, Balmain, Chloe, L.A.M.B. and D&G all took this trend to the next level.
Bold Shoulders
Shoulders were enhanced in as many ways as designers could dream up. Garments stomped down the runways with just one shoulder, with epaulets, with beaded and bedazzled shoulders and with padded and structured shoulders. The look is bold, but somehow, still incredibly wearable. Maison Martin Margiela, Alexander Wang, Balmain, Lanvin and Givenchy “shouldered” the trend with ease.
Enjoy shopping for your masculine side and catch us on the flip side for our final Spring Trends Report installment.
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around
Biker Chic is back for Spring
Feb 11th
The biker chic look was one of Second Time Around’s favorite fall trends. We love it not only for its new and distinctive silhouette, but also for its ability to make the wearer feel different. Toss on a pair of skinnies, a motorcycle boot and a black leather jacket and you instantly feel tough, bad-ass and ready to conquer the world. It was for these reasons that we were relieved to see that the look is back for Spring 2010.
Balmain 2010
Of course, the look has been translated in new and different ways. Instead of just the basic black; leather jackets in pale grays, nudes and even shades of white were seen on the Spring 2010 runways. Furthermore, leather was used to make everything from t-shirts to skirts and even to shorts, allowing these elements to be used both within and outside of the trend.
The two designers that explored this trend to the fullest were Christophe Decarnin of Balmain and Nicholas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga.
Balmain was all about the attitude of the trend. Their collection was full of slinky, second-skin leather pants, ripped denim, barely-there dresses in shiny leather or gold lame, olive fatigues and shredded boyfriend tees. Decarnin definitely knows how to dress a woman like a bad-ass – and a sexy one at that.
Balenciaga 2010
Balenciaga’s collection was more about the sport element of the trend. Perhaps the best way to describe it is to say that while Decarnin’s woman would ride a Harley, Ghesquiere’s woman would ride a Ducati. Models stomped the runway in
textured leather skinny pants, hooded, strong-shouldered leather vests, tanks and dresses with vivid racing stripes and decorative zippers and sandals cum boots with lace-up ankle covers. It was a colorful and Spring-time biker chic if ever we saw one.
So, rest assured that your leather jacket and motorcycle boots will still be in demand come the spring. Simply consider adding a neon-striped tank or shredded tee under it. Or if you haven’t invested in a jacket yet, try a pale grey one (this color will take you into next winter if the trend continues past the spring) or a leather vest.
Need help building the full outfit or don’t want to spend a fortune trying the look out? Head into your local Second Time Around for some fabulous fashion advice and apparel and accessories at prices that won’t break the bank!
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second TIme Around