Owner and designer Jackie Fraser-Swan put special detailing into each piece carefully. Throughout the line pieces had touches of purple and black houndstooth print peeking out here ... Read More »]]> Emerson showcased what the designer is best known for at her headquarters in Boston: a luxuriously classic and sophisticated line. The show consisted of beautifully tailored pieces that were both feminine and sporty for the woman on the go—a woman with busy days, and cocktailing evenings.  Emerson embodies the powerful and free-spirited woman. The ability to design a line that was both cohesive and transitional from day to night was amazing—how convenient for fashionistas!

Owner and designer Jackie Fraser-Swan put special detailing into each piece carefully. Throughout the line pieces had touches of purple and black houndstooth print peeking out here and there. Flowing beautifully draped pieces down the runway, her color palette consisted of plum, royal champagne, and keylime green.  Lacey pieces were paired with long sweaters and capelets.

Emerson put out a beautiful line for the Autumn/Winter 2012 season. See below gallery for pictures from the show.

Blaire Brown started a purse business at the age of 16, designing and creating purses to sell online at www.fashionflamingo.etsy.com. It first started out as a hobby, and then it flourished in her hometown so she decided to pursue fashion as a career in college. She is currently a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology and is continuing to chase her dreams of running her own business and writing in the Big Apple. Throughout the 6 years of being in business, her purses have been recognized by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Next In Fashion blog, and other publications.

Think feathers, leather and faux fur sheep pants. Sparkle and shine mixed in with a color palette of bold neutrals and burnt orange. Menswear consisted of loud printed shirts, corduroy and unique faux fur sheep pants. The womenswear had chic skirts and dresses, as well as casual separates. My ... Read More »]]> It came as no surprise when Anna Franceska’s runway show on Sunday made quite the statement as her “Ayahuasca: Vine of the Spirits” themed line hit the catwalk. Models appropriately painted tribal style with great hairstyles to fit the Native American look trailed one by one with her new Fall 2012 line.

Think feathers, leather and faux fur sheep pants. Sparkle and shine mixed in with a color palette of bold neutrals and burnt orange. Menswear consisted of loud printed shirts, corduroy and unique faux fur sheep pants. The womenswear had chic skirts and dresses, as well as casual separates. My favorite is the feather detailed skirt– super cute and would be a great piece to hit the town in on a clear (not so rainy) night.

Anna Francesca’s show was a show to be talked about—high drama with the unique pieces and yet still wearable. I never know what to expect from her line, except that it will certainly be an exciting show with a fabulous, unique and creative line hitting the runway at Helen Mills!

For more on Anna Francesca, visit www.annafrancesca.info

For her previous season, check out her Spring 12 line.

Blaire Brown started a purse business at the age of 16, designing and creating purses to sell online at www.fashionflamingo.etsy.com. It first started out as a hobby, and then it flourished in her hometown so she decided to pursue fashion as a career in college. She is currently a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology and is continuing to chase her dreams of running her own business and writing in the Big Apple. Throughout the 6 years of being in business, her purses have been recognized by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Next In Fashion blog, and other publications.

The event gave guests a chance ... Read More »]]> On January 31st in NYC, over 125 key influencers, media and celebrities were brought together to celebrate the hit online reality TV series “Behind the Seams™ with Stacy Igel” on Lockerz.com at Caravan Stylist Studio. Guests enjoyed music by DJay Jung, cocktails and sweets by Hpnotiq, and a Lockerz tech station to learn more about the benefits of the members-only social e-commerce site. Guests also participated in an interactive photo shoot featuring items from the Boy Meets Girl® By Stacy Igel fashion closet with accessories and props provided by Jimmy Crystal and Stella and Dot.

The event gave guests a chance to have fun with Polaroid cameras in a cute Boy Meets Girl setting. Flashing posed with oversized peace signs adorned with the Boy Meets Girl logo, and a blinged-out bike. Stacy Igel knows how to make an event fun and unique! I love this brand because it makes fashion fun, exciting and memorable.

Celebrity attendees included The Bachelorette’s J.P Rosenbaum, pop sensation Sabi, Mob Wives Ramona Rizzo and Carla Facciolo, Miss New York USA 2012 Johanna Sambucini, Miss New York Teen USA 2012 Sabrina Mastrangelo, celebrity photographer Sophie Elgort and celebrity stylist Ali Lang.

For more information visit www.stacyigel.com and www.boymeetsgirlusa.com

For more information about Lockerz, please visit www.lockerz.com.

My love affair with leather began long before my bumper sticker and continues long after. Gone is the 1980s, and 1990s, and 2000s and with the decades, ... Read More »]]> When I was 18, I put a bumpersticker on my car from a leather boy shop in Boston. Sporting discreet little handcuffs, it read: “It’s Better in Leather.” This really spiffed up my uber-dorky VW Dasher! My feeling of cool was cut short when, unsurprisingly, my parents removed it. I was hugely annoyed at their bourgeois mentality but soon realized that suburban New England was not ready for me…or my pretentious leather.

My love affair with leather began long before my bumper sticker and continues long after. Gone is the 1980s, and 1990s, and 2000s and with the decades, my Ramones jacket and cowboy boots with duct tape. So instead I now enjoy a little leather jewelry. Eschewing the ubiquitous Chan Luu beaded leather bracelets, here are some of my current favorites which sport a little of that old leather-loving style.
Leave it to the French to put the S for Style into S & M – this serious chunker from Givenchy sports bi-color metals and softened spikes:

Silver and Gold Studded Bracelet by Givenchy

For you natural types, check out this leafy choker by Natalie Brown. Resplendent with ferns and a dreamy aura to boot, it’s just the thing with a slouchy, off-the-shoulder tunic.

Natalie Brown fern shaped neck piece

A little more discreet but still sporting a rocker fleur-de-lis motif are these shabby-chic beauties from Early Jewelry.

Black Leather earrings by Early Jewelry

Why should “chicks” have all the fun? Here’s a truly guy’s style wrap bracelet with a birdie skull from LostApostle jewelry on Etsy.

Bronze and Leather Raven Skull Bracelet

Need something a little less hardcore and a little more fun? Check out this knotted orange leather ring by byboe jewelry. I like the ring cuz it’s cool, but especially because I’m fortunate to counts its designer, Annika Salame, as one of my students!

Orange Leather Knot Ring by byboe

Let’s end on a happy note: this bib necklace by tomgirl jewelry is piled with colorful leather leaves and just makes me want to smile.

TomGirl Necklace

My bumper sticker was right: it IS better in leather!

PS: If you’re a DIYer, you may want to peek into this cool book by Lark Books and make your own leather lovelies!

Leather Jewelry

The LOFT is making it easy to run off to a holiday getaway in oh-so-chic Alpine Lodge inspired attire. Prepare to get comfortable and stylish in incredibly cozy sweaters—or layers of the season’s easy knits in Loft’s favorite wintry neutrals. Expect to see cowl neck sweaters, faux fur pieces, cute peep-toe heels of all sorts as well as boots, sophisticated fit pants, skirts, and blouses. All of the apparel and faux fur accessories will make you ... Read More »]]> At a stunning rooftop venue in Chelsea NYC, the LOFT threw a fabulous cocktail party to give an insider’s preview to their Holiday 2011 collection.

The LOFT is making it easy to run off to a holiday getaway in oh-so-chic Alpine Lodge inspired attire. Prepare to get comfortable and stylish in incredibly cozy sweaters—or layers of the season’s easy knits in Loft’s favorite wintry neutrals. Expect to see cowl neck sweaters, faux fur pieces, cute peep-toe heels of all sorts as well as boots, sophisticated fit pants, skirts, and blouses. All of the apparel and faux fur accessories will make you want to curl up next to a fireplace on a nice winter evening!

When transitioning from day to night time looks, The Loft has you covered with pretty sparkles and faux fur accents. You will look glamorous and sophisticated when going out for a night on the town and for all of the holiday parties you will be attending. To accentuate the styles, the LOFT added Pops of Color to brighten up any look. Mix and match these colors all you want—each color looks great together.

Let’s not forget the accessories. The LOFT is bringing back 70s-inspired shapes that look utterly modern in the season’s freshest jewel tones. The merchandising of the holiday “bling” was eye-candy and certainly what I will be asking for this Christmas to top off my alpine lodge inspired outfits.

Available at LOFT stores nationwide and online at LOFT.com

Blaire Brown started a purse business at the age of 16, designing and creating purses to sell online at www.fashionflamingopurse.etsy.com. It first started out as a hobby, and then it flourished in her hometown so she decided to pursue fashion as a career in college. Recently she graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology and is continuing  to chase her dreams of running her own business in the Big Apple. Throughout the 5 years of being in business, her purses have been recognized by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Next In Fashion blog, and other publications