Stine Goya Spring/Summer 2013

Fashionising

Stine Goya is one of my favorite somewhat under-the-radar designers - she does a lot of great prints and has a modern but wearable style. The Copenhagen-based label's S/S '13 collection conjured images of a carnival funhouse, with diamond patterns and metallic gold details. One print reminded me of the ornate images you'd find painted on a carousel, while others in the collection were in soft pastels. The looks that weren't marked only by their prints had easygoing silhouettes and sporty touches. Speaking of touches, my favorite? The little diamond-shaped buttons decorating simple shirts and pencil skirts. 

"The Way You Are" - Elle Taiwan

the Fashion Spot

These images from the July Elle Taiwan capture gritty California style: acid-washed jeans, lace-up sneakers, itty-bitty hot pants, tousled hair. Mix in the graffiti and skateboards and I'm sold. In general, I root for the sporty-downtown-cool-chick type in magazine spreads and lookbooks versus the pretty-polished-stiletto-wearing-woman. These kinds of styles seem effortless and not overly calculated (I think the model above is even sporting a candy necklace), which is why I love them. 

Then & Now: Platform Shoes

Though I'm most comfortable (and least likely to end up in the ER) in my flats, platforms are hard to avoid. They come on little stilettos, chunky boots, or on sneakers (flatforms, anyone?). I did a brief post (click!) about platform shoes - from their disco origins to now being a Nasty Gal staple - on the Get Stylin' tumblr. 

I Think I Love You

Chambray shirts are a dime a dozen these days and are now considered a wardrobe staple. I like this version from Free People for its woven patches adorning the pockets, sleeves, and back yoke. The casual southwestern-ish style could be played up with shorts and boots in the summer, and this shirt could be layered and worn with pants or a thick maxi skirt in cold weather. This button-down could even be an amazing topper for a feminine dress, acting sort of like a lightweight jacket. This versatility is exactly why chambray shirts are a staple - this one just has extra personality. 

Mash-Up: On Board

last image via Vogue.com

CK1 from RVCA on Vimeo.

For a long time, I've found skate culture to be inspiring. It's a little rebellious, laidback, and a cooler alternative to a bicycle (even with bikes being a legitimate accessory on street style blogs like The Sartorialist). Movies like Lords of Dogtown have motivated dreams of one day living in SoCal, and online skate videos have made me wish I could do some of the crazy tricks the pro skaters do (including gravity-defying moves like riding on walls - no idea how they do it). Even the way skaters fall is impressive - they know exactly how to roll and land to (usually) not break any limbs. With all this skill and swag comes style that fashion can hardly compete with. Sure, your 10 year-old punk neighbor who tries skateboarding around your street may not seem too inspiring, but I still wish to one day live in NYC and pass pedestrians up in my ballet flats... on my board. 

I Think I Love You

I really want this sweater from the Creatures of the Wind for J.Crew collab. Even with how simple they are, I could never get sick of striped tops - but the colors and shapes on this one makes it even better. It feels a little '70s-retro, and it could be worn with denim shorts during the summer or with a coat and long-sleeved tee underneath in the colder months. And, as styled in the above shot, it completely brightens up a conservative button-up.



Get Stylin'

I'm contributing and blogging for an up-and-coming fashion website called Get Stylin'!  It's a great place to post your outfits and style ideas and get feedback and inspiration from others in the GS community. You can also stay up-to-date with fashion news and trends on the GS blog, Twitter page, and Facebook page!

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Heohwan Simulation Fall '12

Trendland

Designer Hwan Heo of London-based label Heohwan Simulation is a master of simple yet striking designs. It's the decision to use a captivating liquid-silk-like fabric on tailored pants, cut an unexpected rounded edge on an otherwise straight hem, or perfectly place an ambiguous stick pattern on a dress that make the looks of the designer's Fall '12 collection memorable. In case you missed the Spring '12 collection (and if so, click here to see it), zippered hot pants and geometric embellishments have hardly ever looked so good.



I Think I Love You

I'm loving this beaded bikini by Mara Hoffman. The bustier top provides a little more coverage and support than a string bikini, and the conservative navy is contrasted by bright and festive beading. Though there's nothing wrong with the traditional solid suit or tropical print at the beach, this bikini will surely stand out.



Liz Black Fall '12

Fashionising

London-based Liz Black titled her Fall '12 collection "Superheroine Chic," and the simple but strong shapes do call to mind what a fashionable female might wear when fighting the bad guys. It's clear in looking at Black's previous collections that she has a penchant for modern geometric cuts, but this collection as a whole is her best and least fashion school show of them all. The panels and colorblocking become the trademark of the superheroine, perhaps replacing her monogram and cape, and the leather details are anything but dainty. The artsy paint prints are a fantastic touch, adding a little fluidity to the otherwise straight-forward and straight-cut looks. See more here.