#10 Holiday Must Haves for 2011

So my favorite time of the year is here! The lights, the cookies, the hot coco, the music and of course the shopping! Since this is a real festive time and you will be attending all your fun holiday parties and such, you need to know the must haves for the season, so you can dress to impress!

First, you need a fabulous party dress and this year, its all about sparkle. I am a big fan of sequin dresses and they are definitely on trend for this season, which is perfect if you are hosting or RSVPing to a holiday party. Here are some beautiful dresses, that aren't only fun and flirty, but also not going to have you break the bank.

Purple Sequin Dress from Express

$89.60

Gold Sweetheart Sequin Dress from Forever 21

$27.80

Black Long Sleeve Mini Sequin from H&M

$49.95



#9 New Show Fortmats

The catwalk runway shows can get a little repetitive after a while, so now designers have the challenge of not only creating garments that will intrigue audiences, but a show to capture their attention and awe them. Now, holography has been around since the 1940s and has taken years to perfect. However, fashion designers are now integrating the holographic technology in their shows to create a new and exciting experience for audience members.  This past year to celebrate the opening of Burberry in Beijing, Burberry created an amazing show where holographic, computer images, and live models all interacted in the clothing and movements of the show. It gives off a magical experience that will draw you in and amaze you.

Diesel has used holographic in their shows as well. In the Spring/Summer 2008 show, titled Liquid Space, Diesel had animated holograms that were seen on both sides of the runways as models through them. The holograms represented an underwater landscape with a futuristic edge.

An older show, but nonetheless, very futuristic and interesting, was Alexander McQueen’s 2006 Paris Fashion Week show. For this show, model Kate Moss was a projected 3D image in an empty glass pyramid. The image appears in mid air spinning and twisting into the shape of the woman, while still showing off and presenting the fashion collection. It is so interesting and really gets people talking. This is where fashion is headed. Technology is doing anything but slowing down and we can expect technology in fashion shows to be a growing trend in years to come.  

#8 Lookbook

I know we are just getting into the winter season, but I can’t help but be excited with Alice & Olivia’s colorful Resort 2012 collection. The lookbook provides a 70s retro theme, with candy color that has the ability to get at any girl’s sweet tooth. I am a big fan of Alice&Olivia and I am loving this new collection. The merchandise is always so girly, youthful, fun and quirky, and this collection is no different.  Vibrant hues, color blocking, flirty rompers, maxi dresses, mini mod dresses and cute little shorts make up a majority of the vacation-perfect looks.  Completing these fun and flirty looks are 70s inspired wide brim hats, funky plastic jewelry and round retro sunglasses. Among the bold colors is also a mix of black and white prints which add a bit of playful sophistication among the group. What draws me to this brand is their styling. Throughout their lookbook, they create a uniformed look and theme that has a story and is playful. From the jewelry to the hair styling and shoes, Alice and Olivia nail their lookbook and allow every girl to picture themselves in these pieces. 

Here is a behind the scenes glance at the making of the 70s retro Resort 2012 lookbook.

Now here are some of the still looks from the lookbook. You just cant take your eyes off of all the candy colors!

#7 Trunk Shows

This semester I have been interning at the bridal store Kleinfeld and have been thoroughly enjoying it.  Every week at Kleinfeld a trunk show takes place.  At these trunks shows they feature one designer. The designer’s gowns are displayed out on the salon floor and usually the designer is at the salon talking with the brides and helping out with appointments.  It’s actually a very special experience for the bride to try on the featured gowns and talk with the designer. The new bridal gowns for Spring have just started to come out, so these trunk shows that are currently being held are very exciting.  Here are some upcoming trunk shows:

November 1-3

Michelle Roth and Henry Roth

Michelle and Henry Roth are brother and sister that co-design together. They are originally from Australia and most of their bridal gowns are exclusive to Kleinfeld.  Their gowns are a mix of chic and sophisticated, and fun and fashion forward.

November 4-6

Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier was born and raised in the Philippians and later grew up to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in California. Her gowns are glamorous and romantic with a touch of sexiness.  With rich fabrics and incredible detail, Lhuillier has proven to be a leader in bridal gown design.

Novemeber 11-12

Lazaro

Lazaro brings glamorous gowns to brides. With vintage inspired beading and stunning embellishments, Lazaro offers romantic, statement making gowns.

November 15-27

Pnina Tornai

Pnina Tornai is an exclusive and very prominent designer to Kleinfeld. Kleinfeld's is the only place in the United States where you can find a Pnina Tornai wedding gown. She comes in for every trunk show all the way from Israel where she is from and where she designs. Her gowns are definitely one of a kind. They are incredibly unique, using the finest fabrics, her signature corset and Swarovski crystals and pearls. I actually got to work at the fashion show that was held a couple weeks ago for the new spring designs, which was a real fun experience.

For more gowns and info on Kleinfeld and upcoming trunk shows go to:  http://www.kleinfeldbridal.com/

#6 Video Fashion Show

So this isn't your conventional fashion show. It's more of a preview of a collection with a fashion show intertwined in it. So a couple weeks ago my retail professor showed us this video and I thought it was very interesting and pretty unique. Last November, Ralph Lauren presented a 4D experience that brought together both the worlds of fashion and technology. On the Madison Avenue flagship store, Ralph Lauren transformed the building into a magical, visual show that let the world know that although the classic brand is very traditional, it is still a moving force in technology. I think it was a perfect time to present this show as well. It was right before the holiday season and its just had a sense of mystery and magic to it, which is perfect for the season. It was called a 4D experience because Ralph Lauren fragrances actually sprayed out into the audience. I wish I was there to have seen this show, cause it seems pretty amazing. Hopefully he will have another one this upcoming holiday season!

#5 Fall 2012 Color Trends

I love color, and have grown to appreciate it so much more now that I’m in an internship where I have to dress in black every day. I have to say, it’s been getting a little boring! So I’m so excited to see the colors that will be emerging next Fall 2012. A major color trend will be red, which I love because I do like to wear red. I have dark hair and I feel like red is usually a nice color on me. It’s also a rich color, but not over the top or in your face. This red trend has really come alive in all the international runway shows, making it an “it” color for next year. So I'm really looking forward to seeing red in the stores alot and stock up on my own wardrobe.

Another color trend that is being forecasted by Fashion Snoops and Doneger is green tones. There is a forest theme that will be emerging and it will bring about all the emerald greens, olives, and chartreuse's. Greens are another color I love to wear! Greens, especially emerald greens, look great on such a wide range of people so it will be a significant color to keep an eye out for next year.                                    

Another color trend for Fall 2012/2013 will be navy becoming the "new black." Navy has the ability to become a classic like black. It has a bit on newness and unexpectedness to it. So instead of heading to your closet to get that little black dress you always go to, try and find that little navy dress that will become a staple in your wardrobe. Navy is dark like black, so it will still offer you that slimming look, but with a little edge and boldness.

#4 New York City Streets

Fall is absolutely my favorite season, not only for the weather, but for the fashion! What I especially love about fall fashion is the accessories. The hats, the scarves, the boots, the tights,  and the newly seen trend, knee high socks all come out in fall and accessorizing is one of the things I love about fashion and pulling a whole look together.