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Q&A with Jose Solis on the Carlisle Collection Spring 2021 Line

April 7, 2021/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Glasgow Skinner

It’s finally Spring and as the temperature slowly heats up (and more people get vaccinated), we find ourselves more than ready to venture out again. Of course, that means putting away our “home wear” and getting back to our fashionable side. From what we’re seeing, many of you are ready to bring fashion back into your lives. This season, we’re loving all the fashion offerings from the Carlisle Collection Spring 2021 line. We had the opportunity to sit down with Carlisle’s Creative Director, Jose Solis, on the very chic women’s fashion collection.

What was the inspiration/theme for the Carlisle Collection 2021 line?

My inspiration was the photography of Slim Aarons, and the amazing socialites and celebrities he photographed. Strong and beautiful women such as CZ Guest, Joan Collins, Dee Hartford, Slim Keith, Babe Paley, etc.. I loved the colors and patterns in his photography and the amazing style those women had.

What are your stand-out/favorite pieces from this collection?

It’s hard to choose because I feel each piece is a piece of the pie to complete the collection. If I were to choose, I love the embroidered organza Giselle blouse because it mixes the luxury of the embroidery on silk organza with a sporty style. I also love the printed Priscilla blouse and maxi skirt. Sometimes multi-color prints can turn out a little too over the top, but the colors in this print effortlessly blend from one color to the next.
I also love the wide-legged Deck and Chiller pants. Slim legs are still happening, but I loved the exaggerated wider legs to give a fresh proportion to jackets and tops.

How do you want women to feel when wearing the clothes from this collection?

I want women to feel confident and beautiful in ANY clothes they wear. Of course, I prefer they wear Carlisle! 🙂
However, I also want them to feel comfortable. That’s why we pay so much attention to how our clothes fit. We make sure comfort is not sacrificed for style.

What trends are highlighted in the Carlisle Collection Spring 2021 line?

One of the trends I already mentioned is the wider leg pants. They look great when worn with cropped jackets or slimmer tops. It’s best to stay more fitted on top when wearing a wider leg pant. I also love the dramatic sleeves of the Scenario blouse, the Tea Rose Cardigan, the Giselle blouse, and the Flash blouse. Those types of sleeves are better worn with slim bottoms so the focal point is the sleeve. Lastly, I’m loving mixing prints. When done right, it can look very modern and confident as well as a way of self-expression.

How important or is it important to go with the trends?

I try not to follow trends as much as I try to create what looks fresh to the eye. I try to design clothes that have longevity and that you can pull it out of your closet years from now and it still looks relevant. When something is too trendy, it will only last a season or two before it doesn’t feel fresh anymore. Overall, I hope a woman has a sense of her own style and dresses based on her own personal style and lifestyle needs. That to me is more modern than a trend.

What do you want women/customers to know about this collection?

Considering the year we all went through with everybody being home, we tried to address how customers would dress during these difficult times. However, we also wanted to provide a collection that looked beyond that. A collection that looked toward the future when we hopefully would start getting back to some sense of what our lives were before the past year. Fortunately, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.

We couldn’t agree more with that last statement. We’re ready for that light at the end of the pandemic tunnel; we’re ready to say goodbye to our yoga pants and hello to some chic wide-leg stunners like the ones in the Carlisle Collection Spring 2021. Are you ready to bring fashion back into your life and closet? Leave a comment with what fashion trend you’re most looking forward to wearing.

To shop the Carlisle Collection Spring 2021 line, head over to www.carlislecollection.com to be connected to one of their Stylists.

American Collections Calendar: Thalé Blanc SS2021 Collection

March 17, 2021/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle /by Glasgow Skinner

The first day of Spring is less than a week ago and we’re more than excited for the fashions of the new season. There are lots of trends to love. Neutrals are the new black for spring and summer; bold red is also a key color for the season; classics are, and will always, remain a hit but so will more Avant-garde details and silhouettes. One Spring/Summer 2021 collection completely embracing bolder shapes and silhouettes is the Thalé Blanc SS2021 Collection.

For Spring/Summer 2021, Thalé Blanc designer, Deborah Sawaf, asks us to allow her to close her eyes and dream. You may be asking… “What does her dream look like?” In her fashion film, she directed for the season, we get inside the whimsical, beautiful, at times whacky world that, until this film is seen, only exists in the mind of the designer!

Thalé Blanc has shown on the couture schedule since its debut, (a nod to the designer’s early professional pedigree). The collection is draped on models as they frolic about their home doing chores, enjoying lunch, and doing pool work, all clad in the gloriously luxurious clothing of the season.

The beauty of the film lay in the small details that are not immediately recognizable at a quick glance, much like the details found in the garments that have become the hallmark of the Thalé Blanc collection in only its second season since launch. Sawaf’s work has an immediate impact for certain, but, like the film, there are layers to their essence. Layers of inspiration, layers of needlework, and layers of possibilities of how to wear them. The result is a collection that is rich in story and inspiration. We love the standout details, like strong shoulders, puff sleeves, cutouts, and so much more.

As you can see, every piece in the collection is a statement piece; her collection is definitely not for the fashion faint of heart. Our favorite pieces are the range of edgy, cold-shoulder sweatshirts in the collection, adding feminity with a twist to everyone’s favorite comfort attire. We need one or all of them in our closet.

The most interesting (and multitasking look) from the Thalé Blanc SS2021 collection is a dress that features voluminous, slit sleeves, and a strong shoulder, that transforms from a mini to a maxi thanks to layers and gathers of tulle.

The Thalê Blanc Spring/Summer 2021 collection also features her full range of handbags and jewelry, the perfect compliments to the womenswear looks.

9 Tips to Dress Up Your Casual Outfits this Season

March 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Accessories, Fashion, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Contributing Writer

Casual outfits don’t have to be boring. If you’re thinking about your usual jeans and t-shirt combo in dissatisfaction, think again. There are many affordable and creative ways to dress up every casual outfit out there. Here, we’ll break down nine of the best tips to elevate your closet.

A Pair of Cool Earrings

Rock any outfit with statement earrings. Pick out some hoops, dangles, or even studs, and you’ll be dressed to impress. If you’re feeling brave, check out your local thrift shop or antique store to see if you can find unique vintage earrings. We recommend triangle dangle earrings from the 70s to rock out in style.

Add a Little Pizzazz With Your Flats

Flats are one of the most comfortable shoes. Women’s flats, such as loafer flats or ballerina flats, are must-haves for your closet. Flats add the flavor you need to spice up any casual outfit. Whether you’re wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a white t-shirt or a fun and flirty summer dress, flats are the perfect shoe to pair with these casual outfits.

A Leather Jacket

Leather jackets are the epitome of cool. Add one of these to any outfit to look ten times better than you did before. If you only wear cruelty-free clothing, check out vegan leather jackets that’ll look just as awesome as a 100% leather jacket.

A Set of Arm-length Bangles

A collection of sparkly and shiny bangle bracelets will add some edge to any casual outfit. However, we recommend that you don’t go overboard with this. It’s not a good look to cover your arms with so many bracelets. Use the jewelry you wear to complement your outfit and showcase your personality. Go for brass or copper tones to remain trendy and stylish.

A Chunky Belt

If your simple outfit needs a little sprucing up, consider adding a decorative belt. Find a chunky gladiator-style belt to stand out, and consider adding neon colors to make your outfit pop. You can also wear a modern black belt with a pair of boyfriend jeans for a fashionable look.

A Modest Paisley Scarf

Jazz up any outfit with a lightweight paisley scarf. Ensure you purchase a scarf made with quality fabric, so it lasts a lifetime. Scarves can be significant statement pieces. It’s best to go for materials, patterns, and color schemes that speak to you the most. Your scarf might even be a conversation starter if you stick to what feels genuine.

A Statement Watch

Any outfit looks ten times cooler with the right watch. For girls, we recommend anything with gold and silver accents for a luxurious feel. For guys, go for stylish watches and rock that minimalist look. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, try finding a second-hand watch online.

A Suede Satchel

The 90s are back too, and everyone looks cool with a satchel. Channel that studious look and walk around town with an aura of sophistication. We recommend these gender-neutral companions that go with pretty much everything.

A Catch-Their-Eye Tie

If you have to wear a business suit most days, consider adding a bit of your personality into the memo with a colorful tie. Catch their attention while still blending in at work.

Adding excitement to your casual outfits is all about statement pieces. It doesn’t take very much to turn a boring outfit into a fashion-forward one. Remember, when you need to elevate an outfit, consider your personal style and the tips above.

American Collections Calendar: Negris LeBrum Fall/Winter 2021 Collection

February 17, 2021/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Glasgow Skinner

The newly monikered American Collections Calendar Fall/Winter 2021 collections have begun. We begin our fashion week journey with an old favorite, the Negris LeBrum Fall/Winter 2021 Collection; you may remember we covered their “Black is” Tees and their Spring/Summer 2021 Collection. Today, we highlight “The Homecoming Collection”, inspired by design director Travis Hamilton’s trip home to the Louisiana Bayou.

For Fall Winter 2021, the Negris LeBrum Fall/Winter 2021 collection show was orchestrated in Hamilton’s current hometown of Houston, Texas. The seamless show’s location, a public park, gave it an impromptu feel. It highlighted the foundation of the collection, the days before Covid-19 when we were free to roam and safely find our way back home.

The collection was inspired by the story Travis and the Negris LeBrum collection has been telling for the last two decades. He saw this occasion as a wonderful opportunity to present his collection in his own backyard of Houston, Texas. Staged in the ‘Gus S. & Lindall F. Wortham Park’, just off the grounds of the Houston Medical Center, the impromptu runway show took less than 90 minutes. It was a welcomed surprise to several bystanders, who like the rest of us are probably quite Covid-weary, and who marveled at the inadvertent score of “front row” seats to a NYFW runway show in the streets of Houston.

“I wanted to bring a piece of NY Fashion Week to the South this season, as I may not get the opportunity to show outside of NYC again for some time. I really feel these times are right for my brand in so many ways. I have always worked in what I refer to as a ‘conservative sexy’ aesthetic, allowing the woman who wears my collection to define the final feeling of the ensemble,” says Travis Hamilton, Creative Director Negris LeBrum. “The heart & soul of the Negris LeBrum brand is & will always be Louisiana, but my studio & current home are in Houston, so bringing the two together for Fall Winter 2021 is like a fashionable homecoming for me.”

Grounded in Black and White for the last several seasons, the color palette for Fall/Winter 2021 continues to build upon this foundation with other colors like Deep Maroon, Old Gold, and Burnished Silver being seen in the tweeds and supporting separates. Surface details on the textiles can be seen in the knits where several cutting-edge treatments lend dimensional details to the pieces that may not be immediately visible; when these details are discovered and experienced, it gives the Negris LeBrum Fall/Winter 2021 collection a sense of story and depth.

The one thing that stood out to us about this collection was its wearability. The pandemic has been especially hard on the workforce over many industries. As each model graced the park’s concrete runway, we couldn’t help envision the women we pass en route to work. The women we all barely take notice of as we commute to our jobs in crowded cities. We may notice them wearing a blouse, jacket, or shoes that we loved and glazed over the person. With this collection, Travis Hamilton has made us realize how much we miss seeing, and being a part of the crowd of smartly and fashionably dressed women going to and from work. With these wardrobe complementing pieces, we can all effortlessly move right back into work mode with stylish ease.

All Photos courtesy of Bob Levey/Getty Images for Negris LeBrum

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: La Métamorphose SS2021 Collection

February 13, 2021/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle /by Glasgow Skinner

Although we took a slight break to highlight some Galentine’s Day and Valentine’s Day gift ideas and delicious cocktails, it’s time to get back to fashion; back to the gorgeous shows and looks from the Paris spring/summer 2021 couture collections. Looking outside our windows at the mounds of snow, we are more than looking forward to yielding to the beauty of the warmer seasons. Today we highlight one of our favorite fashion houses and its gorgeous spring flowers-inspired couture looks. The flowers of rebirth and renewal bloom in the tropical garden of the La Métamorphose SS2021 collection.

The La Métamorphose SS2021 Collection features light, airy, delicate dresses in which silk, chiffon, and embroidered tulles, mingling with hand-cut petals that embellish the shoulders of the evening gowns. The color palette is exactly what you’d expect to find in a spring/summer garden. We’re mesmerized with pastel blue, nude pink, powder violet, and bursts of fuchsia and royal blue, a symbol of rebirth. Titled Fleurs de Ville (“Flowers of the City”), you can clearly see what makes the collection assuredly joyful and romantic.

We’re not overstating when we say we’ve looked at the 21-look haute couture collection at least four times. As we previously said, we needed to indulge in the stunning beauty of the warmer seasons to keep the cold depressing mood of the winter season at bay. The La Métamorphose SS2021 collection more than fulfilled that need.

The La Métamorphose SS2021 collection was made from fabrics only made in France. Designers Ewa and Margaret once again underline their attachment to France and to French fashion know-how. The final touch of the collection truly captures the awakening or the blooming of flowers. The striking flower organza wedding dress, worn in two versions, first, as a closed flower; and second, the flower opens up, thanks to a silk belt, to transform into a magnificent long, hi-low tiered dress.

The wedding dress required 100 hours of modeling and 4 weeks of assembly; petal by petal in order to give the result of a blooming flower. Each petal is glazed and strass embroidered in order to give the illusion of a white rose wet by morning dew. The shoes created especially for the collection by Ginissima use the fabrics and colors of the collection.

We continue to be in awe of these talented sisters and their exquisite design aesthetic.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Spiros Stefanoudakis SS2021 Collection

February 2, 2021/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle /by Glasgow Skinner

Hello and welcome back to our continuous coverage of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. Our next stop on this fabulous ride is the Spiros Stefanoudakis SS2021 collection. This will be our first season previewing this Greek designer but we’re excited to get to know his vision and aesthetic. His collection, Blue Velvet, features every look in the woven tufted fabric; which just so happens to be the designer’s favorite material, soft and sensual but also mysterious, like his country of origin Greece.

The Spiros Stefanoudakis woman is a Dorothy Vallens of modern times. For those not familiar, she was a character made famous by Isabella Rossellini in the 1986 film, Blue Velvet. She was a femme fatale, who although very sensuous, possessed a delicate nature.

Unlike typical spring/summer collections which typically feature a light color palette, the Spiros Stefanoudakis SS2021 collection features dark jewel tones. The colors combine with the exuberance of summer; it features royal blue and flashy pink for the day, deep green and black for the long summer nights.

A graphic, chic and sensual collection, the Spiros Stefanoudakis SS2021 collection features vertiginous slits and pleats executed to perfection to highlight the feminine curves; lace inserts and strategically placed cutouts; body-skimming silhouettes that highlight but do not constrict the woman’s figure.

Founding his fashion house in 2012, without studying in the field of fashion, Spiros Stefanoudakis debuted a small collection during the “Fashion Week” of Athens. He continued to showcase eventually winning one of the top awards in March 2013 with much success to follow. He dressed several celebrities and his creations were featured on several television shows. In 2015, he launched his Atelier and his haute couture collection, offering his creativity in both women’s and men’s fashion.

We look forward to seeing more from Spiros Stefanoudakis and hope you are too. We’d love to hear your thoughts on his Blue Velvet collection.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Ziad Nakad SS2021 Collection

January 30, 2021/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle /by Glasgow Skinner

As the save the dates for the Paris haute couture shows went out, we found ourselves looking forward to one designer’s collection during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week. The last collection we highlighted left us completely enamored and wanting more. We were excited to see what breathtaking beauty was to be released onto the world by Ziad Nakad, and we are not disappointed. The astounding Ziad Nakad SS2021 Collection, Birds of Love, brings to mind where we would be if the pandemic didn’t happen; the luxurious, carefree existence we basically took for granted. For us, it also took us to the time period of Shonda Rhimes’s spectacular Bridgerton series. Couldn’t you see the various Ladies, Duchesses, Countesses, and Queen Charlotte in these gorgeous gowns? Keep scrolling to see the entire spectacular collection.

The Birds of Paradise of Lebanese designer Ziad Nakad landed at the Château de Vaux-Le-Vicomte for a collection full of colors and symbols. The collection lavishes in flying away from Beirut, bruised by recent events, longing for escape, for dreams, for travel. Ziad wanted this collection sexy and slightly frivolous, in order to regain the carefree life of yesterday; life before stay-at-home orders, the lingering permanence of forever wearing athleisurewear, and cabin fever. His astonishing dresses are majestic, transparent, and airy. We love his use of Ostrich feathers mingling with silk and lace. If one must fly away and enjoy the freedom of luxurious escape, why not do it in ostentatious fabrics.

We enjoy that Ziad Nakad’s collections celebrate timeless beauty, sophistication, style, and elegance. We’re more than happy to escape with him and forget the tumultuous time we endured in 2020. We highly recommend taking the time to yield to the beauty of his collection.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Ziad Nakad

All pieces are entirely hand-embroidered in the designer’s atelier; one of the positives of the lockdown is the time it is and has given. For example, Ziad Nakad’s spectacular wedding gown required 3 months of work; or in this case, 3 months of escape.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Ziad Nakad Wedding Dress

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Farhad Re SS2021 Collection

January 28, 2021/0 Comments/in Collection Previews, Fashion, Lifestyle, Shopping /by Glasgow Skinner

For artists, their creations are their loves. This can develop into the artist falling in love with his creation. Take for instance Pygmalion or its subsequent remakes, My Fair Lady, Mannequin, Pretty Woman, She’s All That, and so on. I’ll even throw in Rupert Burns and Galatea’s relationship in Bicentennial Man (you can’t tell us he wasn’t in love with his creation – he even named her Galatea!). They highlight how an artist can fall in love with their creations. That is the inspiration for the Farhad Re SS2021 Collection showcased during Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week.

Farhad Re’s SS2021 collection, aptly named Galatea after the sculpture Pygmalion created and fell in love with, features an array of stark white looks on a muse with skin as white as milk, just like the sculpture Galatea. Surrounded by marble sculptures and the messiness of an artist’s studio, the Farhad Re SS2021 Collection celebrated the art of carvings with his sculptural and architectural silhouettes. The presentation was truly like Pygmalion’s (in this case Farhad’s) Galatea’s sculptures came to life and were exploring his studio.

Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week: Farhad Re

For days and nights, in full lockdown, Farhad Re cut triple organzas of silk in a virginal whiteness. The contours appear delicately, and Pygmalion/Farhad applied himself to carving a light, sculptural, architectural silhouette. No less than 500 meters of organza were used to create the 15 dresses in this collection. Behind the opacity of the material looms the grace of the woman (his Galatea) as seen by Farhad Re.

The purity of renewal, of freedom, of letting go – after all these months of lockdown is also found in the perfectly mastered and hand-shaped geometric shapes that form each dress. An invitation to dreamlike escape, but also to transform the lines of the silhouette like the long chiseled coat, enveloping, comforting, in which we all want to snuggle up in and escape.

Attached to the very essence of this collection is freedom through Farhad’s personal history. His mother, of Persian origin, fled her country to regain the freedom to think and dress as she sees fit. Farhad revisits the myth of pygmalion by giving wings to his Galatea to make her discover the world. It’s a tribute and real desire to share this need for the absolute; this quest for the sublime; this inclination to shape in the loved one a soul mate.

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