OOTD: WATER SUN & MAXI SKIRTS

The only place I can be in the summer heat is by water and the only thing I can wear are maxi skirts.
This skirt has been my lifesaver. This flowing soft material of this floor length high waist skirt is all I need this summer.

The movement of the shirt is amazing

 Paired with my soft no sleeve (who has time for sleeves) top,  I can't go wrong.

OUTFIT DETAIL

SKIRT: JIBRI

TOP: LANE BRYANT

SANDALS: LANE BRYANT

Jewlery Stylist Own

Photographed by ArtNLee

Curves Rock Fashion Weekend 2016

 

For the 5th year sisters Tykesha Reed and Chanell Jones brought fashion fun and education to the Baltimore Area with the Curves Rock Fashion Weekend.

Weekend was filled with Karaoke, mixer, model competitions, work out class, panel discussion, shopping and most important, networking. 

I arrived on Saturday got semi-glam and headed to a large conference room in the Marriott Hotel in Camden Yards.   I meet with new vendors, chatted with some designers, and reconnected with some of my DC-Baltimore girls who I don't get to see too much. 

Congrats ladies for winning the Curves Rock award

After doing a little shopping (and by little I mean a lot) I headed over to the at the "Curvy women who Rock" Brunch and Panel discussion.  With a panel made up of Essie Golden, Alysse Dalessandro, Alexandra Boos and Cassy Jones McBryde, the ladies tackled issue facing the plus size industry such as fat shaming, confidence and working in the plus fashion industry.

But the cherry on the top of the B-more cake was the curvy fashion show hosted by Comedian Lonnie Bee (#goodmorninggirlfriend)
Lonnie kept the crowd excited and entertained.  You can tell this was more than just a "gig" for this Instagram sensation.  He was excited to be with us and we were excited to be here with him.  Hoe he comes back next year because he was amazing.

The fashion show opened with Crystal Diggs of  "The House of Diggnity". This designer "one & done" line is custom made. Priding herself on a one of a kind skirt the show started with a great combination of couture and graphic tees. 

When Curves Rock sponsor Ashley Stewart took the runway, you can tell the proud was much pleases with its reinvented body suits and lace cut out over the knee boots.  (hope they have an overstock of these because women were swooning)

Every year the founders find a way to give back to the Baltimore community.  This year working with Ronald McDonald house they help to make a young girls dream come true.  a young girl suffering from brain injuries, got her chance to walk in a fashion show.  How amazing is that. 

Alek Risimnic Couture

The finally of the show was designer Alek Risimnic Couture.  This designer cracked all of his looks days before Curves Fashion Week.  You would think it would be rushed but if he didn't tell I would have thought he worked on this collection for months.  The care and creativity that went into this collection was amazing and a great way to end a great show.

See below for pictures of some other collections from the fashion show. 
Also visit Curves Rock to see there amazing promo video and Curvysta for more photos

Elaine Olivia Body Contouring Garments

Thanks to founders Tykesha and Chanell for another amazing show.  Cant wait for next year!!!

photos from NEC STYLE and Curvysta Magazine

OOTD: FLORAL SKIRT & LACE TOP

Hey Stylistas!!!!

I haven't posted an outfit in sometime due to weather and busy schedule.   I've had this skirt for some time but wasn't able to get this skirt shot so waited because I wanted to make sure you guys were the first to see this.  Skirt is from indie designer Siobahn who I did an "Style Eye" on some time back.  I fell in love with this skirt as soon as I took it out its box.  Thanks Siobahn for this skirt and I do plan on shooting this shirt a whole lot more.  (Don't worry....I post a link to the skirt below)

I love me a crop top as well so pull this one back out of the closet  because when its too hot for clothes I wear lace!!! 

Details to outfit 

Skirt: SIOBAHN PEAY
Top: Monif C

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK MENSWEAR: THORSUN

OK LADIES...BRACE YOURSELF!!!

Thorsun, created by designer George Sotelo, is a men's and women's swimwear line.  The designs are meant for the spontaneous yet modern traveler in mind.  The eye catching silhouette and vibrant prints uses the finest material and are hand embroidered.  Each suit is given a finished to perfection.  This is not like any suit you will  see on the beach.

Some of my favorite suits from the collections...

This is Thorsun first time being apart of NYFW and I cant wait to see more from this designer.

Visit Thorsun here for the spring 2016 collection Rio De Janeiro

NYFW MENSWEAR: MICHAEL KORS SS17

"HE'S NOT CHANGING BAGS"-MICHAEL KORS

“The hybrid situation in menswear is more important this season,” said Kors as he was interviewed in his traditional (even uniform) all black and loafers.  

Hybrid dress has become essential to menswear over the past few season.  Much of menswear has been suits for work and relax for weekends.  The hybrid man wears his ties during dinner with friends on Saturday night as well as in the board room. Hybrid dressing is taking items that can be worn in the office into the weekend making male wardrobe's more versatile. 

 Three outfits that I loved from the collection...

MK hybrid man wears cardigans sweaters, fitted pullovers,  flared or fitted pants and matching short set suits.  Patterns were kept to a minimum with large polka dot and wide stripes being the only two patterns in the collection.  Neutral colors of khaki, black, white and navy kept the collection uniform but a hint of sky blue kept the collection interesting.  With all that the accessories is what kept me swooning. 

Oversize duffel bag with geometric hardware, rubber sole white oxfords shoes and the occasional sunglasses styled each outfits to perfection.  

In all,  the collection was classic Kors and very ready to wear.  A well placed bags stripe or pop of color kept the trouser jean wind breaker look form being boring.   It made for a classic Kors collection.  

FINAL LINE UP

NYFW MENSWEAR: CARLOS COMPOS SS17

 “Sabor Cubano.”

Carlos Campos is well known for creating collections that are colorful and all over patterned suits.  During NYFW Campos spring collection is nothing like he has done before.  With nomadic colors and wide bands hanging from the garments, the collection was architectural and mute.

 A lot of the collection was relaxed and effortless.  With wide leg pants, oversize jackets,  jumpers and loose fitting shorts, you cold see that Compos had a new direction.  Almost uniform like.   The white, brown, cream, black and navy was broken up by a two types of pattern.  One was stripe and the other a green and blue square/stripe pattern shown towards the end of the collection.  

Some of my favorite looks...

Accessories was simple and not overt powering.  Chucks, and rolled ascots on a few of the models gave you a feeling of Cuban tobacco farmer which was what Carlos was going for. 

I know you guys are going to think the only shows I went to had a Cuban feel but this just was the growing trend for menswear.

Over all the collection was different from Compos.  Compos  BASIC colors seems to be cleaning his palette.   With all the complication and drama of 2016 maybe this is exactly what men need and want.  Compos designs have been known to push the fashion button forward.  Maybe that fashion button is saying lets embrace a culture that was once labeled wrong and give into simplicity.  In a time of vigorous individuality maybe the man of 2017 just wants a simple wardrobe.  A blank pallet so his worlds are seen more than his clothing.  But hey...this is just fashion right!!!

NYFW MENSWEAR: NICK GRAHAM SS17

“It was a fascinating period, with the Tropicana Club at the center of the action.  Americans would come in droves and party like they couldn’t in the United States,”- Nick Graham 

As you walked into this fashion show you were hit with the sound of a full Cuban Band playing.  It was evident from the band and the names on the platform that this was going to be a production and not just a show.  This has come to be expected from designer Nick Graham.  From the fall birds, twigs and bark of last season to the salsa, showgirls and samba of  this season, Nick Graham presentation of  "OUR MEN IN HAVANA"  emerge for NYFW menswear.

Celebrities, Stylist and Scientist all loved Nick Gram Collection 

This collection pays homage to Havana of the 1950's were mobsters, gangsters and royalty alike went to have a good time.  “Once Havana fell, the Americans moved to Vegas, along with the showgirls and everything else that came with it.” With a good time in mind, Graham fashion show started with  show girls dancing in amazing revealing costumes, feather head dresses and smiles.  Each model was introduced as a covert fashion detective with was fictionalize agent names like "Faux Fur Fidel from CUBA" & "Knickers Knickerson from  EAST GERMANY" to name a few.   

Here are a few of my fave looks...

Faux Fur Fidel - CUBA. Chad White. 
White Straw Fedora, 3-Piece Linen Suit, Exploded Fern Print Shirt.

Dr. Maybe (Dr. No, medicated).  Emmanuel Amorin.  
Blue Microcheck 3-Piece Suit, Fleur de Lys shirt, Blue Polka Dot Tie, Tie Bar, Paisley Pocket Square.

Elastic Evansson - FINLAND. Sebastian Sauve.
Blue Window Pane 3-Piece Suit, White Shirt, Blue Knit Tie.

Nick collection was a blend of linens and seersucker which is key for spring/summer fashion for men.  The Cuban influence was represented all through the collection.  With tropical short suits, floral print tops and crisp all white suits with small hits of blue the Cuban 1950's influence was very easy to see.  With flowing scarfs, loafers and wide brim fedora, the accessories top off the collection perfectly. 

Designer, Nick Gram, giving his last jump and thank you   

NYFW MENSWEAR: JOSEPH ABBOUD SS17

 “I know who I am and this collection is very consistent with my philosophy of clothes.”-Joseph Abboud

Open up NYFW Menwear second day was acclaimed fashion designer and one of N.E.C. Style favorite male designer, Joseph Abboud.  When your show starts at 9am you open with a great atmosphere and great food.  Breakfast was served, which is unheard of at fashion shows.  The imitate tables of 4-6 celebrities, bloggers, stylist and buyers was a great touch to the beigning of the day.  "We want it to be civilized" Abboud said.

While waited for the show to start you couldn't help but notice the setting of the runway.  Linen rugs, green trees and linen drapes softened  the brick and steak found throughout the venue.  Looking around you could tell the show was going to be a mix of soft fabric and hard lines.

Although the setting was different from the traditional fashion show, the collection was classic Abboud.  Structured but in no way boring.



The suits were  cut slim to the body but the leg of the pants was slightly flair.  Abboud said he wanted to keep with the spring colors of white, ivory and khaki but giving us a hint of Cuban "Ernest Hemingway Voyager".  You can see his Havanna influence in the lapel pins, shoes, and ivory oversize hats.

Overall the collection made me excited for Menswear Spring.  I've always loved the classic cut to Abboud but was very happy to see the softer fabrics and brighter neutral colors.  Kicking off menswear week with this collection has warmed my pallet for more shows to come.