Photo of the Day!: LV and Ponytails

It's hard to believe that fall ad campaigns are already being photographed with the sweltering heat here in NYC but that's just how the fashion industry works! Just when you are settled into one season out comes  the next. These photos are from Louis Vuitton's fall ad campaign and boy are they lovely! Photographed by Steven Meisel and featuring my new favourite model, Karen Elson, the ladylike 1950's styling with swishy ponytails are my absolute favourite! These looks are the right amount of retro style without looking costume-like. 

What photographs are inspiring you? Have you already started daydreaming about your fall wardrobe? Let me know in the comments section or email me at amandasfashionspot@gmail.com.

Enjoy!

Amanda

Chillin' on the West Side: A Fashion Comparison

In the West Village you have your hipsters, the West 11st Street Cafe, Magnolia Bakery, and one of my favourites, Marc Jacobs!

On Bleeker Street is the famous Marc Jacobs that carries Marc by Marc Jacobs and his even lower-priced line in which he sells fun items like $11 (woo-hoo!) flip flops and $14 cashmere ankle socks. Actually all the lower-priced, high-quality items remind me of Canada's favourite, Joe Fresh!

Oh the similarities! First, both are loved by the fashion crowd, New York for MJ and Toronto for Joe, second, both are contemporary, fun and colourful when they want to be, third, each dabble in the trends while still staying true to their brand and fourth, each show that being fashionable and high quality can be affordable!

In Canada, Joe Fresh is known for selling a slew of very au courrant yet classic pieces using high quality fabrics while still managing not to break the bank. Marc Jacobs lower-priced line as mentioned above $14 cashmere ankle socks, show that anyone can have a part of the MJ world without maxing out the credits cards.

Each time I have come to New York, I always love checking out the Marc Jacob's store because it is full of colourful, fun little pieces that are full of wardrobe inspiration. One of my first pieces from there was a purple quilted bag and today they have an enviable animal print plastic slouchy shoulder bag. They also have a metallic silver MJ monogrammed sleek gym bag that I would love to tote around, along with adorable heart shaped (and broken heart) compact mirrors.

On the clothes front, what is there not to love? My favourites are a squared shaped '60's-style striped double-breasted cardigan that was red, gold and navy, perfect for when fall rolls around. They also had the same jacket in hot pink, orange, white and gold with a matching A-line skirt. Super cute for your summer internship or strolling around on a nice day. I also loved a group of dresses that came in fuchsia and teal with large yellow flowers. They had a pleated neckline and pleated details at the pocket hem. They were made of some sort of silk or sateen and had a lovely shiny finish. Ideal for a summer night first date or a cool concert.

Next time you find yourself in NYC, make sure to make the Marc Jacobs store in the West Village one of you first shopping stops. You will not be disappointed, I promise.

Enjoy!

Amanda

Go Canada Go!

Just incase you haven't had enough of the Olympics, (Canada has won 15 medals thus far, woo-hoo!) then you must purchase this adorable t-shirt designed by Marc Jacobs in support of Canada.

It's available at Holt Renfrew for $65. Show your love!

Amanda

A Day in the life: I Had a Fashion Dream

Welcome the year 2010!

Here we are starting a new year as we begin making our fashion resolutions. Whether it is to experiment more with our wardrobe by wearing more colour or taking that sewing class you have always thought about, we all have something we would like to accomplish this year in the fashion world.

For me, my fashion dream has always been to work in the New York fashion industry. If you live in the western world and love fashion that is the place you need to be. The Big Apple is home to all the major fashion publications, designers and pr companies including, Vogue, Marc Jacobs and People's Revolution.

Two years ago I had the privilege to take a trip to Manhattan. I visited FIT, the garment district and 5th Avenue and instantly fell in love. New York City has an infectious energy and after my trip I knew that I was destined to be there. Ever since then, I have made it my number #1 goal to move to New York for the summer of 2010 and get an internship with a fashion magazine. It's a huge leap but I knew that if wanted to achieve my dreams I would have to take some risks.

If my experiences within the fashion industry have taught me anything, it has been to take risks, work hard and dream big. How else will one achieve all their fashion dreams? So this year make 2010 the year of taking risks. If you have always dreamed of moving to Paris to work under Karl Lagerfeld, do all that you can to get there, if you love fashion photography, start a street style blog or if you have always wanted to get into writing, start submitting articles to your local newspaper.

Dream big and go for it! Life is too short for a bunch of coulda', shoulda', wouldas' so take life by the horns and achieve your fashion dreams!

Amanda

New York Fashion Presents Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear

New York Fashion Week is under way and boy has it delivered. From the looks of things colour, leather and eclectic styling is here to stay. 

Many of the designers have taken inspiration from '80's brights, African safari and the heavenly palette of soft blue. Distressed denim and boyfriend blazers are being shown along with leather leggings and grommets galore!

Here are some of my personal favourite looks for Spring 2010. Oscar De La Renta (photos 2 & 4) shows that colourful prints combined with shine do work. These looks just scream sophisticated, stylish voyager. 

Catharine Malandrino (photo 1) also seemed to take inspiration from the exotic, accessorizing this aqua green flow-y dress with a floral head band. The look is also reminiscent of the 1960's revival style that is often seen on Nicole Richie and Rachel Zoe. 

Marc Jacobs (photo 3) had a kaleidoscope of colour walk down the runway. Neons, plaids and florals mixed and match creating a fun, upbeat look for spring. Models wore headbands similar to the famous bunny ears of Louis Vuitton.

Amanda

New York, New York It's a Helluva Town! Part Deux

What is a trip to New York City without a little shopping? Well, in my case a lot shopping. NYC is filled with oodles and oodles of places to shop 'til you drop. Uptown, Downtown, East Side, West Side, clothes are everywhere and I love it!

Some memorable places include a small store called, Taroo located in Murray Hill. The small white boutique has tons of colourful bohemian inspired pieces and exotic jewellery. Some items that I picked up there include, a bright pink peasant top with colourful embroidery and a silvery blue lightweight ruffled dress. Perfect for a summer afternoon catching a Broadway show or a lunch date.

A store that must be visited when in Manhattan has to be the Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessories store located on 385 Bleecker Street. The store that is no stranger to long line ups, bright colours and stylish sales associates is filled with affordable accessories all by Marc Jacobs. Last summer I got a purple quilted clutch and a gun metal quilted bag that was only $64. This year they had a colourful python clutch with a chain link handle that was ah-mazing for $74. It would great for a night on the town in a black blazer, hot heels and a mini skirt.

My favourite store to visit would have to be Nolita's Project 234. Carrying designers and brands such as, Yumi Kim and Plastic Island I felt welcomed by this small boutique through the warm inviting smell of pomegranate citrus and its surrounding positive energy. I was instantly taken away by the gorgeous prints of the beautiful Yumi Kim dresses. A piece that caught my eye was a purple floral silk t-shirt dress. It works perfect for day with a pair of jewelled gladiator sandals and delicate gold jewellery. It is lightweight, very comfortable and made me feel so pretty as I wore out of the store and down Bleecker Street. Another standout piece was a silk chiffon floral ruffled button-up. Worn by the store's friendly manager, this Yumi Kim design looks great with tailored shorts for a casual summer day or crisp white linen pants for work. I loved these pieces and the entire store. The music including No Doubt, Justin Timberlake and AHA's, Take on Me puts you in a relaxed, happy mood. The clothes are great for any fashionista who loves colour, print and a dash of sophistication. Project 234 located at 234 Mulberry Street is definitely a hot shopping spot to visit while in New York City!

Last but not least would have to be good 'ole H&M. I know, I know. Why go all the way to New York to shop at a store that is right here in Toronto? Well I have got to tell ya, the prices there are about $5 to $10 less than they are here and they have many different styles that are not available in Toronto. I snatched up a Chanel-inspired chain link scarf, white skinny jeans, a lightweight grey t-shirt, a red and white gingham button-up shirt (perfect for Canada Day) and studded sandals.

All in all New York City shopping was a great success. I came with a brand new summer wardrobe and a shot of some New York style!

Amanda

New York, New York It's A Helluva Town!

Ahhh.......I am finally back in Toronto after a couple days in rainy New York. But in all honesty who can complain about rainy New York when there are so many amazing clothing stores and fashion related events to explore?

My fashion trek of NYC first began at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art special exhibit, The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion. After watching Coco Rocha's E! Canada special, Fashion Attacks where the Canadian model provides a behind the scenes look at New York Fashion Week, I knew that one of the first things that I saw in New York had to be The Model As Muse exhibit. Sponsored by acclaimed American fashion designer, Marc Jacobs with additional support from the notable, Conde Nast the exhibit was a sight to be seen.


Highlighting iconic models from Dorian Leigh to Daria Werbowy, the exhibit showcased the works of the models and their respective eras. As you enter the exhibit you are welcomed by a hot pink room, with a mannequin remake of the 1970 Richard Avedon photo featured on this blog, accompanied by the famous Yves Saint Laurent quote, "A good model can advance fashion by ten years". This powerful statement set the stage for the encompassing exhibit.

Despite the chronological set-up of the event, I accidently viewed it backwards after being lured by the attractive gift shop filled with The Fashion Book, Audrey Hepburn's Funny Face and the exhibition book Model as Muse: Fashioning the Ideal by Harold Koda and Kohle Yohannan. In I went to what was technically the end of the exhibit and was embraced by FW 2007-2008 Dior couture dresses draped over white mannequins that were displayed against a navy blue sparkling wall as Marilyn Manson's, Beautiful People blared in the background. Tributes to contemporary models such as, Liya Kedebe and Natalia Vodianova framed the display.

In the next room was a tribute to Giorgio di Sant'Angelo. Mannequins dressed in his brightly coloured jersey gowns hung from the ceiling. Complimenting this display was a glass mirrored box with mannequins dressed only in black and white pieces by Donna Karan, Prada and Helmut Lang. The contemporary room was followed by a tribute to the grunge/alternative era of pop culture and modelling. Nirvana's, Smells Like Teen Spirit played in the background of the room covered with graffitti walls. Outfits by Anna Sui were showcased and the whole room reminded me of being in grade 4 listening to No Doubt's, Spiderwebs. The Grunge era was all about the anti-model and this section was complete with several photos of Calvin Klein muse, Kate Moss.

Next up was Christy, Naomi and Linda.....the Supermodels. George Michael's music video for Freedom '90 played behind Gianni Versace's Andy Warhol-esque Marilyn Monroe dress. Tributes to Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford lined the display as the exhibit moved on to The Body Politic, with a tribute to Halston and Paco Robanne. Photos of a young, innocent-looking Janice Dickinson and Lauren Hutton decorated the colourful walls that transitioned into the Youthquake a.k.a. the British Invasion where Mary Quant, The Beatles and Twiggy ruled. Images of Jean Shrimpton and Veruschka accented the futurisitic, chain-mail-inspired Paco Rabanne shift dress.

Audrey Hepburn's Funny Face welcomed me into the last room of the exhibit that was dedicated to The Golden Age of Couture. A recreation of the famous Cecil Beaton photograph of models dressed in Charles James was featured in the centre of the room and was a lovely conclusion to the wonderfully curated model exhibit.

Viewing the Model As Muse exhibit was fulfilling in every way. As someone who could learn more about models I feel like I had an informative lesson in Model History 101. The array of editorial and gorgeous images left me feeling inspired and ready to strike a pose!

Amanda

New York, New York: North America's Fashion Mecca

On Thursday morning, I have the privilege of visiting the city that never sleeps, New York City! Home to the black & white cookie, broadway and design studios such as, Marc Jacobs and Diane Von Furstenburg I will get the chance to visit the best shopping spots in Soho, Greenwich Village and the list goes on!

I am not the only one who gets to stroll down Fashion Avenue whilst wearing gladiator sandals and cool shades. You do too! As soon as I get back I will be posting all the details regarding shopping and fashion in NYC!

So stay tuned and come back here to read all about it!

Amanda

Velvet Revolution Vintage: The Hottest Spot on Etsy.com

Recent George Brown College fashion graduate and vintage clothing aficionado, Vanessa Pinkas has launched her fabulous and affordable vintage clothing store on none other than Etsy.com.

Inspired by her Czech ancestry and glamorous grandmother, Vanessa's Velvet Revolution Vintage has stylish pieces ranging from a blue floral fuller flared skirt and a red ruffled dress reminiscent of a 1920's Flapper dress. With a price range of $15-40, the styling is excellent with photographs remindful of a Marc Jacobs ad modelled by a Chloe Sevigny look-alike.

If you would like to purchase one of the fashionable pieces visit http://www.velvetrevolution.etsy.com/ and shop away!

Amanda