Style File-Solving Saturday's Fashion Challenges
Last week I worked with a high powered executive who was breezing through New York on business. We managed to carve out a few hours for a shopping expedition. Despite her high visibility job her fashion hunt was in the weekend genre. Her closet hole was in stylish ware for Saturdays. She had found that besides jeans or sweats she didn't know what to wear to be comfy but also stylish and a step up. Before setting out we reviewed her some style and colors which will work uniquely for her. So with our limited time and budget~aren't we all recessionistas now~so with our laser focus we set off the tackle Century 21 and then follow up with DVF and Trina Turk in the Meat Packing District.
So I know what you're thinking that Century 21 is unthinkable, way too chaotic, crazy, and stressful. YES it can be. But not with a Stylist (that would be me) and not early Tuesday morning. I bet you didn't know that Century 21 down at 22 Cortlandt street opens at 7:45 AM-9pm Monday thru Friday (shhh don't tell too many recessionista fashionistas).
With our detailed list of flattering peplum sweaters, long sleeve tops, and upscale jeans or pants that have jeans-ness we took Century 21 by storm. We headed straight the designer area and worked our way noodling, pulling, and trying items. In the dressing room through the process we found great items for the steal of $155. Two sweaters-one navy, another brown with peplum flounce-both are loose but very flattering and wrappable with a belt. The miracle with these sweaters is that despite them having the ability to flatter her waist-it's not really possible to outgrown them because they had no closures. We also found a stretch cotton long sleeve by Velvet in navy with ruffles built into the front and pants with jeans like styling-great pieces to add style to casual moments. While in the dressing room seeing rejects we learned key points for her-ruching in the breast area not good, no boxy cuts that hide her waist, and nothing too lowcut. The finishing touch was hitting the belt section and finding a belt that would work with both sweaters, elevate the look, and flatter her gorgeous waist. Mission accomplished...so yes I would say Century 21 has 'fashion worth fighting for'
C21stores.com
Testimonial:"Shopping with Alexandra was like shopping with your most stylish friend but having her 100% focused on you. And, she was infinitely patient. As I tried on belt, after belt, after belt, she looked at each with a keen eye and helped me pick one that elevated a sweater and a pair of jeans to the status of a great outfit."
The Star Look
Ok so I've always had gorgeous and talented friends. But today I want to highlight a special dear friend who just blew me out of the water with her Dolce & Gabbana number. I couldn't have styled her better. Here's a pic of Christy Leigh Rilling at recent birthday party held at the chic Hotel Delmano in Williamsburg. Way to bring the bling, flash, and color to all the right bits. Along with tricking out this Dolce number (few designer pieces go from rack to perfect fit without some master tailoring fit work)~Christy Leigh Rilling is fashion's best kept secrets because she is the mistress of achieving a stellar look. She does custom design work for celebs such at Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen, Bruce Springsteen,Scarlet Johansson, Kate Hudson, Liv Tyler, Stella McCartney, any many other fashion heavyweights.
Check out: Christyrilling.com
Do you have a picture of you bringing it to a social occasion that could have just merited jeans? Send us your pics and we will pick the most inspiring one and post it in the next month. EMAIL to oldfashionedgirlny@gmail.com.
Wallflower Personified
Peruvian born Cecilia Paredes showed at Pulse in New York. I saw some previous work at the Art Basel show in December and it was exciting to see more work by this wonderful artist who transforms herself for each tableau. Her work explores the notion of being invisible and literally blending into the wallpaper. Have you ever felt like a wallflower? She is represented by Diana Lowenstein Fine Arts in Miami. See their Website
Spontaneous Spring Bling
Spring Clean to Offer you a Stylish Tag Sale
After a spring cleaning I've teamed up with another stylish neighbor to bring you and New York....
Private Style Tag Sale
Sunday March 28, 2010: 2pm-5pm
For more details and address email oldfashionedgirlny@gmail.com
Beautiful unique and designer clothing, handbags, shoes, Gucci, Fendi
all in great condition are going up for sale for incredibly great prices:
Handbags, scarves, accessories, vintage hats
2 Gucci Blazer Jackets circa 2004-one is red and the other is cream and black
Beverly Feldman print pumps size 7.5 (kim cattral owns the exact same pair)
2 Gucci Blazer Jackets circa 2004
Books-Mainly chick lit
Vintage black linen hat
Handmade necklaces
Fendi red rose sunglasses-brand new
Brand new Nahui Olin multi colored wrapper clutch
MAC and smashbox makeup
2 vintage Pucci Robes
2 Ballroom pairs of ballroom shoes size 7.5-one of them are red LADUCA
Red 60's Lamp
White Mosquito Net to hang over a bed
Sequin vintage jacket
Digital video camera sony
Vivienne Westwood Tan long cotton dress size small
and MORE..
Cash (I will be accepting PAYPAL but not my neighbor)
wine&cheese&music=a relaxing way to shop
Come join us email oldfashionedgirlny@gmail.com
Apparently, "Business Plans are for Suckers!"
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Thanks so much!
Alexandra
This week on Fashion BS: Best Dressed List DC?
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Buttons of Beauty-the message of mixing
Seeing a mixing button trend (matching is so 80's) in art and also in reality. My good friend and a talented artist Abigail Pope who is know on OFG as a conspirator of The Hunt for the Good Americans sewed a melange of fun buttons on this vintage jacket. I also found out that the total costume budget for their film was just under $2,000-talk about making a dollar stretch to the max! She shows us here a great way to create a one of a kind piece.
Also shown is a close up of an army bag decorated with buttons from the Pulse art show here in New York City this March by Persian born Sara Rahbar. It's no wonder I love her work she attended FIT and Saint Martins. She's also fascinated with America as she did a whole series on the American flag.
They wore what at the Oscars?
Tina Fey, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, Zoe Saldana, Charlize Theron, Miley Cyrus, Penelope Cruz, Anna Kendriks, Cary Mulligan, Gabourey Sidibe, Nicole Richie, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Amanda Seyfried, Elizabeth Banks, Vera Farmiga, Signourney Weaver, Maria Carey, Helen Miren, Sandra Bullock, Meryl Street, Molly Ringwald, Demi Moore, Queen Latifa, Kristen Stewart, Kate Winslet.
Gorgeous Garbage??
What were they thinking? This is Pace Wildenstein's installation at the Armory Show at the Piers till Sunday March 7, 2010. Tony Feher's 3 tables of assembly of garbage did nothing for me except question the success of this gallery. I might pay a dollar for the porno playing cards but come on. The kicker? Each table is $150,000.What are your thoughts?
Outlook at the Armory Show
At Art Basel in Miami this December walking the show during 'vip' preview hours was sheer bliss. You could just imagine the other visitors stepping off their private jets in their head to toe designer looks and Hermes bags from waiting lists and 20k price tages.
But yesterday at the Armory Show at the piers was a whole other monster. It was packed and it seemed all the cool people of the NYC art world was there. But as the day went on I ran into more and more people I know and realized that New York's definition of 'VIP' has changed. The aisles were clogged and it was frankly hard to see the art objectively. The show seemed not exclusive to those in the market to pick up a small modern art piece for a cool half a million and art media but hangers ons and even those who don't work in the art world or buy in the art world or even care about the art. And I saw a fair number of girls dressed up on dates. WTF? I guess the sheer density of New York is affecting attendance. The bottom line is art is cool but let's hope it helps the fiscal bottom line.
This week on Fashion BS: Fug Madness with The Fug Girls!
Enjoy a fun, laughter filled conversation with fashion advice such as "Make Sure it Fits & Cover Your Bits," learn about "Fug Madness 2010" (if you have any interest in college basketball this is right up your alley!) and much, much more!
LISTEN NOW - www.fashionbsradio.com | SUBSCRIBE - http://feeds.feedburner.com/FashionBs | Rate on iTunes!