The Lovely 20's

What I Would Tell My 18 Year Old Self

Virginia — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:07:51 +0000

What I would tell my eighteen year old self (I probably should have chosen a photo where I look like I actually own a neck but, alas, this is all I could find):

That boy is too short for you.

That prom dress was not worth it.

Apply to Harvard. Just to say you tried.

Don’t read The Bell Jar. Re-read The Grapes of Wrath.

Wear your jeggings. They will be cool in six years.

It is okay to eat.

It is okay to have an opinion.

If I told my 18 year-old self that I would be fashion blogging one day interviewing people in the industry and going to Fashion Week, she would not have believed me.

Me now. Not too much older but still a little wiser. And with better clothes.

Wordless Wednesday: Straightforwardness

Virginia — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:33:57 +0000

Fall into Fall: Brocade

Virginia — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:28:36 +0000

It has been sweltering hot this week, but I have a one-track mind on fall fashion. One thing that is inappropriate for this weather but I can’t wait to see again on the NYC streets again is brocade. I have a special love for brocade – it is a material that goes beyond simply looking beautiful because it has history. It is super luxe and takes a garment into another stratosphere of glamour. No edge, it is purely romantic.

Jaw-dropping piece from Balmain. So stunning. From net-a-porter.

Very cool Isabel Marant baseball jacket. Found on net-a-porter.

Cool and chic Elizabeth and James blazer. Avail on shopbop.com.

Very romantic and delicate looking sweater from Rochas. Avail on net-a-porter.

Pretty and sparkling top from J.Crew.

Image credits: Net-a-porter.com

Anton Heunis Jewelry

Virginia — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:35:04 +0000

I discovered Anton Heunis when I first visited SoHo jewelry boutique, Fragments, last year. They are all about new talent so stepping into their store is always a fun and exciting experience for me.

Anton Heunis is a South African jewelry designer who has been recognized for his bold and beautiful jewelry by many in the industry. His pieces have been featured in W, Elle, Vogue UK, and Harper’s Bazaar. His latest boast is being on the cover of WWD Accessories with Kristen Bell wearing one of his gorgeous pieces. Some of my favorite Anton Heunis pieces below.

As you can see, Anton Heunis likes to use giant jewels and stones. He is certainly not for the meek. These pieces would be a great complement to the fifties trend that’s hot for the fall. Jazz up a cashmere sweater or a simple turtleneck with one of these beauties. For more, visit Fragments.com.

Happy Friday! x

Image credits: Fragments.com.

Fall into Fall: Sequined Jackets

Virginia — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:37:33 +0000

I was never a big fan of the sequins trend because, truth be told, I thought it was tacky. But this season, I have seen sequined jackets that are, dare I say, elegant and downright beautiful. Below are some pieces that completely changed my mind.

Olive silk-georgette blazer from Antik Batik. This has “party like a rockstar” written all over it. Find here.

Navy sequin cotton-blend blazer from DVF. So classy. Very DVF. Click here to find.

Grey and silver cropped jacket from Stella McCartney. This is a “Hail to Stella” moment because she made sequins look like animal skin. Beautiful. Find here.

Black and grey sequin-sprayed jacket from Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti. The cool and unique thing about this jacket is it is reversible. You can be a full-on sequined diva if you’re having a Beyonce moment, but you can also reverse it for a more traditional look if you’re feeling more low-key. Find here.

All of these pieces can be found on net-a-porter.com.

Image credits: Net-a-porter.com

I Love It When Fashion Tells A Story

Virginia — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:21:30 +0000

This amazing distressed leather jacket is about 20 years old. It’s clearly beaten up but that is what gives this jacket its character. The jacket belonged to a man who lived through Hurricane Katrina and he passed it onto a friend of mine who did some volunteer work in New Orleans earlier this summer. Though 20 years old, this jacket cannot be cooler now. Indeed, my friend looks like a rock star when he wears it…but not without some reverance.

Fall into Fall: Draped Sweaters and Jackets

Virginia — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:11:40 +0000

I am seeing a lot of draped sweaters and jackets for this upcoming season and, quite frankly, I am madly in love with the trend. It adds a twist to staples like blazers and flair to heavy sweaters. Some of my favorites below:

This is the Arilette cardigan from DVF. The shiny black and gold print makes the cardigan look like a brocade jacket in this picture – but it’s actually 100% wool. Isn’t it gorgeous? Avail at dvf.com.

Vince draped shearling jacket. This jacket has that nonchalant coolness that is very New York. Found on net-a-porter.com.

Missoni “tweed” knit cardigan. Chunky knits are hot this season and one in a Missoni print is highly covetable. I love that this heavy knit has the draping because it adds flair to what otherwise could have been a boring grandma piece. Available at Nordstrom.com.

Alice + Olivia Michael leather-paneled wool blazer. This is arguably my favorite piece out of the bunch. It is hard to tell in an image online but the construction is amazing. The leather paneling across the shoulders makes the jacket look sharp and structured. But the wool draping adds a softness that totally works. It has both edge and romanticism. If you haven’t noticed from previous posts, I am all about contradictions that work. Found on net-a-porter.com.

Come back soon for more Fall into Fall pieces! Next stop: Anton Heunis jewelry.

Flashback: Miu Miu 2007

Virginia — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 01:12:03 +0000

I realized I have been fashion blogging way before I even recognized what I was doing. Back then, it was 2004, I was in college, and I was just sharing shots of Gucci RTW to friends who could care less about fashion. I went back to my old blog (which needs to be kept hidden for many undisclosed reasons) and found that my 18 year old self didn’t have a terrible eye.

Photo credit: Style.com

One post was dedicated to this Miu Miu shoe from F/W 2007. 2007! Though three years ago, these pumps could not be more relevant now. The chunky heel, the oxford brogued toe, and the wool stockings are all very now. To some, the large leather ruffle may be questionable, but I love it so much. It is a bold feminine meets masculine look. Hail to Miuccia.

Fall into Fall: J.Crew Exhibitor Tote

Virginia — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:25:40 +0000

The new J.Crew Exhibitor Mega Tote in Monterey Pine is perfect for me this fall. As indicated in the name, this bag has plenty of space for my fashion blogging necessities, the most important being my laptop. I love the gold hardware, the way it expands/collapses at the bottom, and the rich green of the Monterey Pine. Many thanks to my good friend, the modman, for introducing me to this beauty.

I am continuing to put together my fall wishlist.

I’ll end with one question: Louboutins or Macbook?

Fall into Fall: Shoes by Topshop

Virginia — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:43:08 +0000

It’s still summer, but my mind is definitely thinking fall and transitional fashion. That’s why I stopped looking for strappy dresses and sandals when I shop now. Instead, I have been searching for pieces I can wear both now in this warm weather and in the colder temperatures of fall. In terms of footwear, these shoes from Topshop do the trick for me – I can see them with my summer dresses as well as my fall knits. They also align well with the upcoming trends for this fall/winter.

These flats are PERFECT for the menswear-inspired trend that has been big this past year – and it is not going away anytime soon. Though menswear-inspired, these shoes also have a feminine appeal thanks to its cream color and woven texturing. These would go well with a great pair of cigarette pants.