On Thursday morning, English fashion designer Lee Alexander McQueen died at 40. An innovative designer, his fashion designs were just as much pieces of art as they were pieces of clothing. His designs were unconventional and controversial, while his shows employed shock tactics, earning him the nickname “l’enfant terrible.”

Considered to be shy, McQueen preferred to conduct interviews with his back to the camera. But that didn’t keep him from befriending celebrities, stylists and designers; it is obvious that in reading the responses from his peers, McQueen was held in high esteem in the fashion world. And that world was rocked when news of his death broke just as New York Fashion Week began.

McQueen started his trek to the fashion top right out of school, selling his final collection created at Central Saint Martin’s College of Art & Design to Isabella Blow in 1992.  At age 27,  with only 8 collections under his kilt belt, McQueen became the Designer-in-Chief for Givenchy – replacing John Galliano.  He was eventually deemed too avant-garde for Givenchy and left to design under his own label, which has since seen tremendous success.

Throughout his career, McQueen won British Fashion Designer of the Year four times, named International Designer of the Year by the CFDA, honored as a Most Excellent Commander of the British Empire and named British Menswear Designer of the Year. Edgy, talented, inspirational and controversial, he was truly one of fashion’s greats.

In tribute to Alexander McQueen, here are some highlights from his career. Read More »

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Those of us who live in New England are extremely thankful to the designers of labels like (above) Brian Reyes, Cynthia Rowley, Giambattista Valli, and Givenchy for incorporating highly structured collars into their lines this fall, which provide some protection for our necks against freezing winds. No more ugly neck warmers! No more frozen necks!

This look is very trendy right now and definitely makes a strong statement. The structured trend is all about volume and creative construction. Read More »

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Ruffles always look so elegant and feminine – but that’s not why I love them so much. The best part about ruffles is that they can balance out your body. Small bust and big hips? Put on a top with some ruffles and – poof – an instant chest! Need to add some oomph to your bottom half? Throw on a ruffled skirt! Seen on the runways of Givenchy, Just Cavalli, Giambattista Valli, and others, ruffles are possibly the easiest way to emphasize and enlarge areas that you want to be on display while making other ares (i.e. your waist) appear slimmer. Read More »