Look of the Day- Fresh As A Flower

The high- low asymmetrical hemline is very popular right now and I am certainly a fan. I think it is a great cut for all different body types. It is like the reverse mullet-party in the front, business in the back!

Dress: Zara
Belt: H&M
Shoes: Bloomingdales

Seven Trends I Love

Here are some trends I am seriously digging:

1. Zippers- Zippers are a great way to dress up any outfit.

2. Neon-Bright colors make me happy!

3. Cut-Outs. Is there a hotter trend?

 4. Florals- Pretty, flirty, and feminine.

 

5. Boucle- What a classy and sophisticated trend that is wearable by everyone!

6. Laser Cut Leather- I love leather. I love cut-outs. Enough said.

7. Studs- Studs are modern and add an interesting flair to any outfit.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

To you and yours...

My Favorite Blogs

As any fashion enthusiast will tell you, blogs are essential to any fashionista. Though there are countless blogs to read, I have a few absolute must reads (daily!). Check it out...

1. Monica Rose (Stylist to the Kardashians, the E! News crew, Vanessa Minnillo, etc). She often uploads pictures of her clients and comments on the latest runway trends. The blog is simple and cool.

http://monicarosestylist.blogspot.com/

2. Song of Style. Fashion blogger Aimee Song has mastered the art of street style. She uploads daily pictures of her outfits.  She also uploads interior design pictures that are really good inspiration,

http://songofstyle.blogspot.com/

3. Damsel in Dior.  Not only do I love the blog name, but I also love the blogger. Jacey Duprie'g blog has more of a lifestyle element to her blog than most fashion blogs.

http://damselindior.com/

4. WhoWhatWear. Who What Wear is the definitive authority for trend-setting fashionistas! Every trend to hit the runway is comprehensively covered on this site!

http://www.whowhatwear.com/website/home.php

Look of the Day- Fur Fab

Similar to my love for animal prints is my love for fur. I don't know why fur is so glamorous but it just is. But since I am animal lover, I choose to wear faux fur. It is just as cute and no animals were harmed in the making of my fabulous outfit!

Fur Vest: BCBG
Camisole: Forever 21
Leggings: H&M
Shoes: Steve Madden

Style Icons-Current

My favorite current style icons (in no particular order):

1. Kim Kardashian-  Trendy and sexy

2. Miranda Kerr- Best street style hands down

3. Olivia Palermo- Quirky and cool

4. Charlize Theron- Elegant and sophisticated

5. Victoria Beckham- Polished and perfect

Style Icons-Retro Edition

Style Icons- Retro Edition

1. Miss Marilyn Monroe- The Most Beautiful Woman Ever

2. Audrey Hepburn- The Most Glamorous Woman Ever

3. Cher Horowitz- Clueless (One of the best movies ever)

4. Vivian Ward-Pretty Woman (My absolute favorite movie)

5. Elvira- Scarface (She absolutely rocked this role)

Look of the Day- Again With The Tweed

Zara has impressed me again with the tweed! Not only are the tweed jackets cute but also the tweed dresses!

Dress: Zara

Shoes: Bloomingdales 

Always and Forever

Look of the Day- Cruella De Vill

I love this shirt because it reminds me of Cruella De Vill, the nemesis in 101 Dalmatians, a favorite childhood movie of mine. 

Shirt: River Island

Pants: H&M

Shoes: Steve Madden

Fun Fashion Read

Book Review: By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop

On the flight to and from NYC, instead of trying to sleep on those uncomfortable rock-hard airline seats, I read the book: By Invitation Only: How We Built Gilt and Changed the Way Millions Shop, written by Gilt Groupe co-founders Alexis Maybank and Alenxdra Wilkis Wilson. This is a definitely a must-read for anyone trying to do a fashion start-up. The book goes into extreme detail on starting and building the business from the ground up.  Maybank and Wilson give indelible advice regarding the trials and tribulations of a start-up.  In my opinion, these two women are the ultimate entrepeneurs. They have singlehandedly changed the way millions of people shop.

The company was launched in 2007 by Kevin Ryan, Alexis Maybank, and Alexandra Wilkis Wilkinson. Kevin Ryan was one of the co-founders of Doubleclick and had been heavily involved in the tech space.  Alexis Maybank started up Ebay motors, so she had a very strong tech background as well. Alexandra Wilson worked in the fashion industry, so her network of contacts was certainly indispensable. They had a simple but brilliant idea to bring luxury retail online and boom, Gilt was born!

Gotta love the American Dream!

Look of the Day- You Are Such A Stud

A studded dress is just way too cute to pass up!

Dress: Kain 

Shoes: Bloomindgales 

NYC Trip

I just got back from NYC! I have only been to NYC a few times but I love it so much. I would never knock my hometown (Orange County) or my current residence (Los Angeles) but there is just something about NYC.  Anyways, while I was there, I attended the Luxury and Retail Conference at NYU. The conference was really interesting with many different speakers, from Jennifer Hyman, CEO and co-founder of Rent the Runway to Farooq Kathwari, CEO of Ethan Allen (an NYU MBA alum!). I felt like I learned a lot from the conference about the industry's challenges and opportunities. Personally, I thought the most interesting speaker was Jennifer Hyman. In her second year of business school, she started Rent the Runway, a site I frequent today. The site allows its members to rent designer clothing and accessories at approximately 10%-20% of retail price for either 4 or 8 days. It was so inspiring to watch someone not much older than me discuss going to business school and starting a company, something I aspire to do someday. Her analysis on the fashion industry was so on point and communicated so eloquently (yet concisely) that I was floored. She discussed what she calls the          " Kim Kardashianization" of the world and how her site allows girls who "make 80 or 90 thousand dollars a year who may have some DVF dresses hanging in her closet to maybe rent a Yigal Azrouel dress and experience a brand they never have before".  That description pretty much fits me to a tee! I also loved her analysis of renting vs. owning. One of the reasons she started the company is because she felt the fashion industry was ready " to rent" as a result of observing trends in other industries: now people rent vs. own homes, subscribe to Netflix versus purchase DVDs, and use programs such as Spotify versus buy CDs. I loved her analysis of broader trends and the application of these trends to this niche market that she is clearly passionate and knowledgeable about. Of course, after the conference, I googled her and read many articles about her story. One of my favorites is hyperlinked below.

http://www.inc.com/30under30/2010/profile-jennifer-hyman-jenny-fleiss-rent-the-runway.html

Look of the Day- Tie It Up

I love shirts that have a front tie. It reminds me of  Britney Spears in her "Hit Me Baby One More Time" video. It brings me back to my childhood days. Oh nostalgia!

Shirt: Forever 21

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Aldo 

Enjoying it while I can :)

Look of the Day- Tribal Trend

Another fashion trend that is very popular right now is the tribal influence. I love this dress because it looks like something straight out of the days of the Aztecs.

Dress: River Island

Shoes: Steve Madden

Club Night

Clubbing with my friend Amy! My dress is from Arden B and I am a sucker for anything with sequins!

Rawr.

1986 = year of the tiger.  <3

Matchy Matchy

Nasty Gal

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-nasty-gal-20120826,0,105604.story

 The story of Nasty Gal is very inspiring. Sophia Amoruso, the 28 year old founder and chief executive of Nasty Gal, is at the helm of a fashion forward company that supplies edgy and provocative clothing.

The company certainly has an impressive financial profile. It's a six year old start-up  with sales rocketing 10,160% from 2008 to 2011, making Nasty Gal the fastest-growing company in Los Angeles. The company has secured two rounds of venture capital financing (first round of $9MM and second round of $40MM) to continue to grow the business. And, not to mention, it is pretty remarkable that the company is debt-free and has been profitable from the start. How many companies started during the recession have achieved the same coup?

I think it is great that the company currently manufactures 70% of its newest collection locally in the U.S. However, I really wonder if this will continue should the company continue to grow. We all know about American Apparel's struggles as a domestic manufacturer.

Personally, I am a customer of Nasty Gal. I like the selection of clothes the site carries and that most of the items are priced under $100. I also think the selection of clothes is very unique. The clothes sold on the website have a rock and roll vibe that still reflect current trends. I don't love that they don't offer discounts like most of the websites I shop on do and that certainly helps to explain the 60% profit margins discussed in the article. You are welcome, Nasty Gal!

Nasty Gal is an inspiration to me.  I find it interesting how the idea for the company began with Miss Amoruso selling vintage clothing on EBay, something I do as well. Her foresight to advertise using social media is equally impressive. But what I love most about the company is the rags to riches story of the founder. Miss Amoruso was someone that survived and succeeded purely on instincts and passion.  I love that  "much of what the brand sells is a reflection of her own fashion whims".

Bette Davis would be proud!

Always Remember...

Look of the Day- Polka Dot Princess

Some people may think polka dots are too much for the workplace, but I wholeheartedly disagree! 

Shirt: Asos

Skirt: Express

Shoes: Aldo

Rachel Zoe- Fashion Icon

Say what you want about Rachel Zoe...there is no denying that she has made her mark on the fashion industry. For better or for worse, Zoe has become a household name by turning Young Hollywood stars such as Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan (pre-arrests and rehab), and Mischa Barton (during her glory days as the star of The O.C.)  into budding fashionistas.

And Rachel has no problem accepting the acclaim. Zoe was quoted during Fashion Week as saying she was more influential than ... I don't know ... say, the editor of Vogue. She was quoted saying, "Anna Wintour is one of my heroes, but they say I'm more influential . . . As great as it is, Vogue won't change a designer's business. But if an unknown brand is worn by a certain person in a tabloid, it will be the biggest designer within a week."

Not to diss the legendary Miss Wintour, but Rachel does have a point. Zoe singlehandedly created Nicole Richie's "bohemian" look that put her on the map. From the maxi dresses to the big 70s sunglasses to the chunky gold jewelry, Nicole Richie underwent a style evolution to the likes I have never seen. She went from second fiddle best friend of Paris Hilton to glamour puss fashion icon seemingly over night.  In the blink of an eye, every girl I knew was rocking shades too big for her face and a flowy dress, looking like a Nicole Richie knockoff. And. not to mention, this style that Zoe created for Nicole has stayed with her. This style is heavily present in Richie's fashion lines, House of Harlow and Winter Kate, which have turned out to be highly successful celebrity lines. Does Rachel get a cut, Nicole? 

I personally find Rachel Zoe to be a fascinating individual. I certainly watched all three seasons of the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo. (Man, I wish there would be a season four!) Anyone who can a turn a personal interest in shopping/fashion/accessorizing into a successful career and multi-million dollar empire despite no formal training is an inspiration in my book!

The Time is Now.

A Long Overdue Dinner

I was so happy to see Manju for a long overdue dinner at Bottega Louie! I got my dress just a couple of weeks ago at a boutique on Melrose Avenue for $30! Sometimes no-name pieces are the absolute best.  Who doesn't love a good bargain??

Look of the Day- Tremendous Tweed

I am really digging the tweed jackets from Zara. Lightweight and versatile, these jackets definitely add sophistication to any outfit. 

Jacket: Zara

Camisole: H&M

Jeans: Forever 21

Shoes: Aldo

Reunited And It Feels So Good

It is always nice to see these ladies! I am wearing a Forever 21 dress, Forever 21 necklace, and Nordstrom sandals.

Look of the Day- Chanel Wannabe

I purchased this dress because it reminds me of the classic quilted Chanel handbag. 

Dress: Forever 21

Shoes: Aldo 

Look of the Day- Lover of Leather

Yes, another leather dress. We all have vices in life!

Dress: Mango

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Flower Power

 Flowers add a dash of elegance to your outfits. The flower trend all started with Miss Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City. Costumer designer Patricia Field loved to add a floral piece to Sarah Jessica Parker's outfits as exhibited below:

Look of the Day- A Winter's Tale

Coat: Banana Republic
Leggings: Forever 21
Boots: Steve Madden

This is as winter as it gets here in sunny Los Angeles!

Look of the Day- Back to the Future

Dress: Asos

Shoes: Steve Madden

I love this dress because of its' futuristic vibe. I feel like this is something Judy Jetson would wear.

Victoria Beckham's Clothing Line

In my humble opinion, this is the best collection of 2012!