Leap Year

A photo from a trip to LA a couple weekends ago.

Happy Leap Day! The day that only comes around every four years. It seems like all sorts of companies are putting out special deals to celebrate the 29th. Sprinkles Cupcakes is giving a dozen free cupcakes to anyone who has a birthday on Feb. 29th, Disneyland is open for 24 hours (which I'm so bummed I can't go to because of school), Subway is giving away free cookies with every purchase, and tons of retail stores are offering 29% off. It's very exciting in an odd sort of way.

Speaking of deals, tomorrow is the first of the month so Frosted Cupcakes is giving away free mini cupcakes of their flavor of the month.
How drool-worthy is Paris Fashion Week? Everything is so lovely. I'll have a PFW review up by the end of the week!

Milan Fashion Week 2012

Completely lusting after Jil Sander, Luisa Beccaria, and Uniqueness– I can't wait for Fall, these looks will be my primary inspiration for Spring! That mint Luisa Beccaria dress is the epitome of whimsicality (which in my mind is a frolic through a meadow of flowers).

In terms of fall, I'm looking forward to the plethora of textured prints a la Antonio Marras and Iceberg, Blumarine's metallic coats, the chunky knits tops and teeny tiny shorts of Albino, and the sultry darkness exuding from Gucci. Lastly, I'm dying to see someone don an Alberta Ferretti dress on the red carpet, or to any special event– the juxtaposition of fur and knit against a delicate lace gown strikes an impeccable balance.

London Fashion Week 2012

My favorite collections from London Fashion Week– prints, textures, metallics, and bold color ruled. Swooon!

New York Fashion Week 2012: Part Two

Preen
The collection portrayed a confident, polished woman rocking bold prints and colors; looks are very accessible.

Proenza Schouler
Talk about new silhouettes! Very much inspired by the orient, particularly karate and kimonos.

Rebecca Minkoff
In my mind, Rebecca Minkoff can never do wrong. Her clothes are easy to translate into daily wear while always coming off as chic and effortless. The Rebecca Minkoff woman exudes assertive femininity.

Rebecca Taylor
Moody, dark, and romantic with a heavy mixing of fabrics. I was especially taken with the velvet trousers, loose sheer leggings, ankle strap heels, and chunky knits.

Phillip Lim
A new twist on minimalism. The layered sweaters are a particular favorite of mine.

Prabal Gurung
A journey from hell to heaven.

Theyskens' Theory
Oversized blazers, sheer, lots of leg, and metallic tweed = chic.

Band of Outsiders

Cowboy meets Native American meets little house on the prairie.

Carlos Miele

Thoroughly embracing the gaucho/cowgirl inspiration!

Tory Burch

Jewel tones, 3-D prints, and more metallics. Tory Burch was inspired by the movie In the Mood for Love, inspiring her to create a collection based on the prim, proper girl who falls for the wrong man in a hotel.

Vivienne Tam

Called the "Shangri-La Remix", Tam's collection combined Himalayan textiles and shaggy furs. The use of prints were eye-catching and interesting.

New York Fashion Week 2012: Part One

Marchesa
Utterly romantic and breathtaking as always. Marchesa gowns are my dream dresses for special events, like the Oscars (which are tonight!). I'm especially loving the juxtaposition of metallic structure against the soft and feminine tulle.

Rodarte
Rodarte has a more commercial appeal in their fall collection, with prairie-life inspirations. Really into the mix of colors, prints, and textures.

Alexandre Herchcovitch
The warm Autumn-y colors in this collection scream FALL 2012. The unusual mix of lace with suede, metallic, silk, and shearling as well as the balance between masculine shoulder shapes with a feminine hem line is so appealing. 

Jill Stuart
Dark romance topped off with lace and cut-outs. This collection reminds me of the typically sweet girl with a darker edge.

J. Mendel
The first two all-white ensembles were jaw dropping– so ethereal and daring. I love the cutouts of the black A-line dress and the plunging neckline in the maroon dress. Every other dress is perfect for the red carpet.

Peter Som
Intrigued by the mixture of lace with metallic accents (particularly in the eye make-up) as well as the graphic printed shirt-pant ensemble.

Badgley Mischka
If there was one collection that make me fall head over heels for metallics (and wildly undone hair), it would be this one. Gold lame and metallic tweeds have never looked better. 

Altuzarra
One of my favorite collections. I found the Tibetan and Moroccan inspiration, in the form of carpet prints, golden medallions, fringe, and fur, to be very fresh.

Derek Lam
Reminiscent of the polished girl in her bouffant hairdo, with a roughed up edge and touch of grunge.

Red Valentino

Totally inspired by Lolita and fairy tale wonderlands. I love this collection– it's sweet innocence is so charming.