jil sander fall 2012

Big news for one of my favorite designers - Raf Simons will be leaving Jil Sander.  The fascinating part is that Jil Sander herself will be taking his place.

With that, I leave you with my favorite detail from his last Jil Sander show.  Interestingly, this favorite detail is not minimalistic at all - but I am still predictable, because it is neon pink and knitted.

 Style.com

shopping : vintage necklace

Went shopping today in the Short North area of Columbus, Ohio at the Mercantile Market.  I found this vintage necklace for $20 - I've seen this style floating around a lot on the internet (and runway) recently.

Tumblr, Pinterest

obsession : red & royal blue

Perhaps it is from being surrounded by preppy, saturated tones at the Abercrombie design office everyday - or this bright red and royal blue plaid scarf I keep seeing - but I'm obsessed with this color combination right now.  Let's see how people are wearing it!

Source: Chictopia.com

My favorite way to see these colors together is in a print - or as solid garments worn together.  It looks best in fully saturated, rich, royal tones of these two colors - but if you aren't ready for that, try subbing in a navy for the blue, or a burgundy for the red!

pre-fall/spring/couture 2012 collection favorites

There were a lot of good shows this spring!  I've been slowly collecting my favorites for the pre-fall 2012 RTW collections (and the few I liked from the couture shows) to share.

I've realized I am rather picky - I go through show photos rather quickly, only stopping for the ones that make me pause, think, and analyze.  Finding what makes you "stop mid-breath" is worth saving!

PREEN

 I really just love everything about this collection - complimentary colors, trompe l'oeil knitted prints, color blocking.  Perfect.

DONNA KARAN

Beautifully minimalistic, clean cut to a suit.  Undeniably sexy.

ERIN FETHERSTON

 Feminine and luxurious without being over-the-top.  I love the sheer bishop sleeve here and simple textured white dress.

HELMUT LANG

 The newest thing I've seen with leather yet.

MISSONI

 Recently I've become obsessed with Missoni.  Ingenious color palettes!  The stripe-on-stripe here is incredible.

THAKOON ADDITION

  A way of using the popular pleat in a new way - I love the way they meet along the sleeve hem, and orange is the "it" color of the season!

DOO.RI

  I love everything about this silhouette, and love that it's been updated from basic black to a gray-from-a-distance color print.

CARVEN

  My favorite sweater of the season.  Such an intriguing idea and so simple.

CHLOE

 Gorgeous tailoring in wonderful, large shapes.

MAXMARA

 I am biased towards this color anyway, but I love the perfect, easy shapes here.

NAEEM KHAN

 All-bead texture in one single color.

PEDRO LOURENCO

 This coat's balance of matte and shine and texture is perfect.

ST JOHN

 A classic and elegant brand I will always love.  I am thrilled by the monochromatic suit and long skirt.

PETER SOM

 Beautiful drape and unexpected black detail.

MATTHEW WILLIAMSON

 One of my favorite designers for use of color, texture, and pattern mixtures.  These dresses speak for themselves.

THAKOON

 Texture, shape.  I love coats that break coat boundaries.

RACHEL ZOE

 I would find the one white outfit by the boho designer.  But it's perfect - the texture detail on the sweater takes this all-white look to the next level.

DEREK LAM

  A fun use of the season's orange, in an unexpected sweater pattern.

GIVENCHY

  I absolutely love the effect of marbled fabric used in panels.

ALEXANDRE HERCHKOVITCH

 I would love to wear both of these - beautiful in their simplicity of cut.

DSQUARED

 Another fascinating update to the sweater.

PHILOSOPHY

 Fascinating hem.

3.1 PHILLIP LIM

I love the shape of these pants with this sleeveless top!

 MONIQUE LHUILLIER

 Fascinating shapes in the prints and beading.

ZAC POSEN

 An embroidered bustier looks fresh here.

THEYSKENS' THEORY

Absolutely perfect.

TSE

 Great applications of monochromatic layers.

DKNY

 Loving stripes, loving prints - here they are together.

ALBERTA FERRETTi

 Fascinating shape and texture for evening.

DIESEL BLACK GOLD

 I just love everything here - the soft whites, shapes, and sheers.

GIAMBATTISTA VALLI

 I not only like the dynamic photography but the bold shapes and textures.

GUCCI

 Clean and in a wonderful shape.

JOHNATHAN SAUNDERS

 Beautiful print.

NO. 21

 I love the first look especially - horizontal texture with vertical pleats.

GIANFRANCO FERRE

 Superb.  I love metallics with nude.

BOUCHRA JARRAR

 This dress is so delicate and the drape at the front couldn't be better.

GIVENCHY

 Hands down the most fascinating show of the season.  Eerie, beautiful.

VALENTINO

 Another wonderful nude/metallic/textured gown - a trend?

AKRIS

  The photorealistic print is still big, and here it still feels new.

FENDI

  THE BOOTS ON THE RIGHT!

LACOSTE

  Another ombre sweater!  I must say, this season was great for knits.

RICHARD NICOLL

  Great color - and this hem looks so fresh.

YVES SAINT LAURENT

  And we end with the most sophisticated pantsuit yet.

Style.com