I’m sad to see February go (although quite happy to see Spring Break on the horizon!), especially considering the last action packed week filled with Olympic sports, a Tiger Woods apology, and absurd Chris Brown statements.

Did anyone else feel like it took especially long for this week to putter out?  I did, but maybe it had a little something with my sinuses (ew, I know).  Things are a whole lot different when you’re nursing a stuffy nose in college. Somehow, sick days just aren’t as fun as they used to be.

Luckily, with much sleep, tea and a serious Mad Men marathon, I’m feeling better already… and just in time for this weekend’s festivities. But before we get too excited to jump back into the world where sneezing is at a minimum (thank goodness) let’s focus on a week that was:

- (Sad face) Fashion Week has come to a runway strutting close.  We looked back on the five biggest trends that took over the catwalk.

- Although Fashion Week has ended, however, the Olympics (and my lack of production) has not.  Which has allowed us to ponder over a few ’sports related’ arguments pertaining to The Games.  Namely, are those men on ice, sporting plunging neckline v-necks, really athletes?

- If you’ve had an embarrassing moment inserted into your agenda lately, you must read up on this.  I promise, it will make you feel better.

- Apartment hunting can be a shot in the dark sometimes; put some light on the subject.

- Speaking of hunting, where are all the good guys we’ve been searching for? They’re not in college and they’re definitely not in the real world.

- Remember those extremely massive, bulky, and leather infested shoes you used to wear (and always made you trip) in grade school? They’re back for round two.

- We wondered and (are still wondering) if the ‘I was drunk’ card can still be played to forgive and forget?

It is Friday, now time to sit down and relax and ad some quality (and guilt free) products to your bookmark tab.

Seeing as the Olympics are being held on my home soil, I should be paying closer attention. But last week I was distracted by my real love: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Though I’m craving spring clothes more than anything else right now, NYFW kept me on the edge of my seat as I excitedly began planning next fall’s outfits.

As always, there were a lot of amazing collections during Fashion Week, but there were five designer gold medalists that really blew the rest away. Their designs were sexy, sleek and wearable…. and assuming I somehow make $1 million between now and September, I will be grabbing every last one of their pieces.

The Fashion Week All-Stars

CHRISTIAN SIRIANO

I’ve been rooting for Christian Siriano since his victorious season on Project Runway. Though his collection this season was more streamlined than usual, I loved the ’60s inspired glamour.  The looks echoed a time when women got dressed up every day, a concept I appreciate in a world of sloppily dressed college girls.  The luxurious fabrics, figure-flattering silhouettes, and elegant colours put him on the top of my favourites this season.  I absolutely adored the ruffled shoes, and am hoping an affordable pair is created for his Payless line.  Though absolutely unnecessary, they are fierce.

DOO.RI

Many of Doo.Ri Chung’s looks emulated a trend that has stayed strong for many seasons: military.  My favourite of her looks, however, incorporated her signature draping and interesting embellishments. Doo.Ri knows how to dress a woman and make her look chic and beautiful, and this collection is definitely a celebration of that.  Though most of her looks were black and blue, the orange mini dress (my #1) added an element of surprise to the otherwise somber looks.  And while I’m generally not a huge fan of leggings, Doo.Ri’s juxtaposition of tight leggings and draped tunics definitely had me thinking twice about investing in a pair.

L.A.M.B.

I’ve had a huge girl crush on Gwen Stefani for as long as I can remember. She’s hot, she’s got style, she can sing and, damn, is she a good designer. Her line, L.A.M.B., echoes her personal style, incorporating vintage 1950s inspiration, as well as military and futuristic concepts. In layman’s terms: it’s awesome. Everything in this collection is sexy and painfully chic. There is no way a woman could wear this and not feel instantly cool. The moment I saw that leather jacket come down the runway, I knew I had to get my hands on it, and that was before I saw Gwen sporting the same one at the end of the show. Gwen has an insane personal style, which translates perfectly in this line.

NANETTE LEPORE

Bold colours, sequins and plaid were just some elements in Nanette Lepore’s fall collection.  This romantic collection was inspired by the Renaissance, with a bolder more modern color palette. The line is sweet yet edgy, feminine without being frilly and just plain beautiful. Nanette Lepore mixed tweed, wool, and velvet and used them all in unexpected ways, and then finished off the perfect looks with long lockets and gorgeous handbags. If I had this entire collection in my closet, I’d be set for life.

PROENZA SCHOULER

If anyone can work a pattern it’s Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough. Their graphic, scribble motif made its way across their entire collection, punching up everything from trapeze  dresses to high waisted skirts. They proved that bold can work… and work really well. And their new P.S. 11 bag (a more structured version of the P.S. 1 saddlebag), well, it’s just the cherry on top.

Fashion Week and all its bittersweet glory has come and gone. The last Fashion Week to be shown at Bryant Park, designers pulled out all of the tricks under their sleeves to make it unforgettable.  The big white tents, made even whiter by the snow, brought new looks into the new decade that will be sure to translate into your wardrobe.  So what will you be wearing next fall?

1. Neutrals!

Designers showed many variations of neutrals on the runway, from bold blacks shown by Vera Wang to grays and camel tones from favorites Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors.  Whites and ivories made several appearances, almost in a bridal inspired way.  What this means for you: Don’t be afraid to mix and match neutrals.  The classic fashion faux pas “Don’t wear white after labor day” is slowly but surely becoming extinct, so don’t listen to your grandmother when she reprimands you for doing so.  Tell her Thakoon said it was fine.

2. Fur, Fur, Fur.

That’s right.  PETA might disagree, but it is all about the fur for next fall…any kind, in any way.  Coats and shrugs featured bold lavish furs while some designers used fur as trimming to spruce up their looks.  If you’re a friend to the animals or don’t have thousands of dollars to drop on each outfit (who does??) don’t be outraged just yet – variations of faux fur are about to spread like rapid fire.

3. Undercover conservative.

In comparison to the spring, designers turned to more structured silhouettes creating a more conservative look.  Librarian sweaters appeared too many times on the runway to go unnoticed.  But don’t yawn just yet, designers used sequins, embroidery, fur (of course), and much more to glam up each look to take them from boring to flirty sophisticated.

4. Grunge by layers.

Jackets over vests over sweaters over dresses.  The more layers, the better.  A cardigan over a blazer, why not?  Grunge by way of draping is all the rage for next fall.  And did we mention vests? Vests, vests, and more vests.  And get excited to pair elbow length gloves with the numerous amounts of vests that are about to enter your closet.

5. LEGWARMERS!

FINALLY.  A piece of the 80’s are back!  But this time, no aerobics videos are required. Legwarmers were shown in several variations, in wool assortments, over leggings, thigh high, etc.  While you’re layering, don’t forget to slap on a pair of comfy legwarmers.  Wear something simple on top and use a pair of bold colored thigh-high legwarmers as the staple piece to your outfit.  Ask your mom if she has any in any boxes in the attic; vintage legwarmers are even better!

NYFW has now come to a close and while I’m sad my Twitter page won’t be filled with tweets of only the best fashion porn live from the runways, I can now dream up how I will apply soon-to-hit trends into my everyday ensembles. One way? Feathers.

Marc Jacobs made the most adorbs feather trimmed coat that made me want to go to an arts and crafts shop and glue feathers all. over. my. clothes. But then I realized I would in fact look like I went to an arts and crafts shop and glued feathers all over me….

So I took it to the online stores instead.

Look one:
This feather trimmed skirt is SUPER cute. I paired it with a simple black top (with a low cut back) so that you can add a bold shoe or bold jewlery. Or if you’re really, really bold, throw on a pair of colored tights.

Skirt: Forever 21, $28
Top: Bebe, $49
Shoes: DSW, $9.95

Look Two:
This sweater is not only in my fav color of the season (citrine), but the feather trimmed pin makes it pop. I love it for a night out sans tank underneath (so sexy), or feel free to throw a beater underneath for class.

Sweater: Forever 21, $32
Leggings: Lulus, $30
Shoes: Madden Girl, $39.95

Accessories:
If feathers on your ‘fits ain’t your thing there is NO shortage of amazing feathered accessories for a little extra oomph. Headbands, hair pins, earrings, clutches – go wild!

Clockwise from top: UO Studded Feather Earring – Urban Outfitters, $14.99; Looker Feather Earrings – Forever 21, $2.80; Feathered Hair Clip – Forever 21, $7.80; Ribbon Wrapped Feather Headband – Urban Outfitters, $24; Vintage Satin Feather Clutch – All Things Trendy, $38; The “Rose” Feathered Clutch – Rue De Chic, $29.99.

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/19/budget-stylista-clothes-of-a-feather-flock-to-me/feed/ 1 Jill - University of Wisconsin feathers 1 feathers 2 feathers 3 feathers 1 feathers 2 feather accessories http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/19/duke-it-out-sheer-for-spring/ http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/19/duke-it-out-sheer-for-spring/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:00:10 +0000 Lauren H - The New School http://collegecandy.com/?p=54168 ]]>

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like Valentine's Day!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

I really thought that this trend was going to die last year, but apparently, I really missed it on that call. From what I have seen so far from the runways and red carpets, sheer is back for spring. And I’m not just talking sheer here – I’m talking “hello world, here’s my bra” no tank top, sheer. I give it up to models, they can strut down the runway in just about anything and make it seem like an OK idea, but in the real world, can anybody make this work?

On the one hand, I kinda like the idea of sheer – it’s sexy and, let’s face it, this is probably the only time in my life I’m going to have a body that can come anywhere close to being OK that uncovered. Plus, I have a lot of pretty bras that I never really wear because they show under clothes, so sheer could definitely help get my money’s worth on that front (and the boy toy gives a thumbs up to anything that involves seeing bras). While I might not be as bold with it as some of the celebs I’ve seen (holy crap, Leighton!) a sheer top + cute bra + jacket could totally be cute for grabbing a drink with the girls. Hey, as long as we’ve got youth on our side, we might as well embrace it, right?

But like it or not, from the time I first started wearing a bra I was taught to make sure that it didn’t show through my clothes. For almost every life situation I’ve been in it’s good advice – showing up to an interview flashing your lacy underthings = not a good idea – which means that this sheer look would only work in very specific circumstances. And let’s face it, this is a look that’s going to get you a lot of attention whether you like it or not, so you have to go in prepared to fend off the catcalls and unavoidable drunken stares at the bar.

I admit, I’ve had my little forays with sheer, but at the end of the day, that mom voice inside my head keeps whispering “people can see your bra” and I end up spending the whole day with my arms folded across my chest. Am I just being a prude, or is this look a little too fashion-forward for the real world? Will you rock out with your, um, bra out this spring? Or is this a look best left to the runways?

Duke it out ladies!

Ivy leaguers aren’t gettin’ any….

Justin Timberlake has a diva moment at NYFW.

Duke lacrosse accuser assaults boyfriend.

Did J.K. Rowling plagiarize Harry Potter?!

7 pieces of technology we can’t live without.

Are Kellan Lutz and AnnaLynne back on?

It was truly an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to both work backstage and watch the shows. I got a truly unique perspective and learned some very interesting things about the goings on of fashion shows. Here are the five biggest things you don’t know about your favorite designers’ biggest events.

1. The models are people too (kinda).
The models actually are, for the most part, friendly. I know, it’s shocking. Some are rude, but generally they’re nice. They also eat. A lot. Before one show, I watched a group of these pin-thin girls eat mountains of Double-Stuf Oreos, gummy worms and cheese. Gross, right? I can’t decide if that makes me hate them more or a little less. At one show I was told there wasn’t enough food backstage. The models threw such a fit about it that the designer ended up ordering boxes of pizza for them. So yes, they eat. And they can read. And yes, they are very, very scary skinny. And a lot of them are super young, even as young as 15 or 16.

2. The hair and makeup is absolutely stunning.
Okay, so I’m a little biased due to my obsession with hair, but the amount of effort poured into each look is incredible. The lead hairstylist shows a whole team what they want to create for the look and their favorite two products to use. Some of the most popular backstage? Redken’s Fabricate 03 Heat Texturizer; Thickening Lotion 06 Body Builder; and their brand-new style connection line, Wool Shake, Matte Sponge and Velvet Gelatine. You’d never think hair is important (it’s the clothes that matter, right?) but it truly complements the clothes and brings the entire show to life.

3. The prep-work vs. actual show time.
PR people and the designers pour everything into Fashion Week (which you might know if you’ve been following Kell on Earth). In the industry, it’s the most important time of the year. I cannot stress enough how crazy people get over this event. Full blown, Britney 2008 cray-cray. You know how accountants have a busy season? Well, this is our busy season. Only it’s with sequins and press releases instead of Excel spreadsheets and audits. Months go into designing and creating the clothes for these shows, setting up the venue, picking the perfect stylists, finding models, inviting celebs and so on and so on. And the end result? About a 10-15 minute show.

4. Nothing is ever on time. Ever.
People are shocked if a show is running on time. If it’s not the set, it’s the music. If the hair’s done, the make up isn’t. If everything is running smoothly, then rehearsal inevitably cuts into the actual show time. Marc Jacobs used to be notorious for always running behind, but these past few years he’s been the timeliest of all. He also took an nontraditional route with…

5. The celebrities.
Marc Jacobs didn’t let them into his show because he claimed they were “boring” and distracted from the clothes. And he’s right. Well, about the second part. I could hardly call my experience sitting mere feet away from my hero, Christina Hendricks, at Badegly Mischka “boring.” But it was distracting! I mean, come on, how can you focus on the clothes when Anna Wintour’s daughter is sitting RIGHT THERE and you’re just wondering what kind of badass life she lives and then, boom, before you know it, you’ve missed the entire evening wear line.

Check out the Kardashians’ line for Bebe!

Are John Krasinski and Emily Blunt meant to be?

Sweet shades, dude.

Who is Brody Jenner’s newest GF?

NYFW doesn’t want anything to do with LiLo.

Clearly, Oprah doesn’t watch football.

This week has been quite the busy one, and it is ending with a big, glamorous bang. Calling all my fashionistas out there: it is officially Fashion Week!

But before we get into the fun stuff, let’s recap:

- Much to (most everyone’s) dismay, MTV is doing a little logo-renovating. And Snooki is the top design inspiration.

- We’ve been spending way too much time at the gym. Time that would be better spent… watching reruns of The Bachelor?

- We discovered that coming with age (and all of those shots of tequila), there is a lot to learn.

- The Dude taught us guys can be friends. Great news! Now I can totally make them go in to the local department store with me. Too much?

- I didn’t know staring at my ceiling in boredom, could be life threatening?

- OK, as much as I’m trying to ignore it, Valentines Day is getting closer and closer. And I’m alone. How will I ever find a Valentine with such a dude shortage on campus?

- Guess I’ll just have to find another love this year. Like these tasty creations. Mmhmm, Happy Holidays to me!

- But before I head off to the grocery store to purchase the ingredients (drooling) make sure to read up on this.

- We learned that men are really playing the victim card this week. Do they really think this is true? Ugh, over it.

And, finally, the week is over. It’s time to sit back, relax, crack a bottle and play a little (drinking) game I like to call “The Olympics.”

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.

Photos Courtesy of Style.com