Les Chaussures

First, a definition:
Chaussures is the French word for shoes, with les chaussures simply meaning "the shoes."

Shoe stores are sprinkled throughout Paris to such an extent that every city block wiyh retail space seems to house at least one shoe store.
Thus, a post about some of the shoes I have encountered on my journeys.

Unfortunately, my new hotel lacks a computer, so I am actually blogging from an iPad, which is much more difficult than I imagined it would be. Because of this, I am unable to write a full post with many pictures, but when I get home I will edit this post (and any other iPad posts) and add some more material. Just think of this as a preview of what is to come!

Annabel Winship is a shoe store whose designs are whimsically colorful with an almost retro appeal, though they are not always the most practical.
One of my favorite patterns is the above star pattern, which decorates heels, boots, pumps, and oxfords in a delightfully unusual variety of color palettes. The collection also includes Union Jacks, rainbow bows, and floral patterns.
The shoes are well-made, though some pairs may be overpriced for the amount of usage one could get from them, due to the fact that they won't go with everything.

Images from annabelwinship-shop.com

The best thing about this collection is actually the more minimalist designs. I tried on metallic navy blue boots and gray suede oxfords with pastel pink outlines. In this case, these shoes are wearable because they are neutral enough to go with different wardrobe pieces but have standout details that are just loud enough to catch the eye and cause a doubletake.

Now, I wanted to feature a pair of shoes I bought on my trip.

Image from andre.fr

This multicolored, glittery oxford is from a chain shoe store called Andre, which offers affordable shoes that are on-trend. 

I love this pair of shoes because they are so loud and attention-grabbing, yet the fact that so many colors are combined in such a minuscule scale gives them the ability to paired with virtually any outfit. They add pizzazz to any otherwise boring ensemble and are also extremely comfortable. The polka-dot lining is another cute touch. I'm planning on replacing the laces of mine with some pink ribbon I got from Kate's Paperie, if the fragile ribbon will hold up.

A toute a l'heure!

Tsumori Chisato Loves Cats

Today was not much of a shopping day for me, except for one quick peek at the beautiful selection of wares at Le Bon Marché. During this brief visit, however, I managed to discover a designer that I had never heard of who really knocked me off my feet. This designer is Tsumori Chisato, a Japanese designer who studied at Tokyo's Bunka Fashion School and started her own line in 1990 after many solid years as the head designer for Issey Miyake's Issey Sports, later renamed I.S. Chisato Tsumori Design.

Chisato's clothing and accessories have a beautiful Japanese vibe, but they also seem to draw inspiration from French style in an almost Sonia Rykiel-like manner. (This is probably in part due to the fact that both current store locations for the brand are in Paris.)

One thing I love about this newly discovered designer is that she has a line called Cats! (Please see the first image below.) As a cat-lover, I was greatly amused by the t-shirts and sweaters with abstract cat silhouettes and the oh-so-adorable kitty wallets.

Images from tsumorichisato.com

Image from farfetch.com

Image from lagarconne.com

An image of Chisato's "store" within Le Bon Marché:

Image from tsumorichisato.com

Some highlights from Chisato's Cats line:

Image from tsumorichisato.com

Images from lagarconne.com

Overall, I love the designer's bold and creative use of color. The clothes are fun and sophisticated at the same time. This sort of usage of color is slowly becoming rarer and rarer in the United States, so it's exhilarating to find fresh, talented designers who are adventurous and don't shy away from loud, statement-making apparel and accessories.

Paris is so wonderful! I am discovering so much (including fantastic patisseries to feed my endless craving for pain au chocolat).

xoxo

Bienvenue à Paris!

So, I have actually neglected to mention this on my blog (though I have no idea HOW I forgot to bring it up), but for spring break my parents planned a trip to Paris for us, some relatives, and one of my best friends! I arrived this morning and despite being jet-lagged, don't worry: I already hit the shops and bought one pair of shoes. More on that some other time.
Instead, I wanted to talk about a brand I discovered today while parading through the chilly, springtime streets of Paris.

Maje is a Parisian brand that creates ready-to-wear clothing for the chic, young woman who appreciates comfort but is not afraid of edgy glamour. The clothes are designed to fit this specific type of person exactly; combing the racks, I could perfectly visualize the Maje customer.
Below are some highlights from the Maje spring/summer 2011 collection from the line's online shop.

All images from maje.com

I love the selection that this collection has, because there is a garment for every need. The contrast is beautiful: both sequin shorts and leather jackets are equally satisfying in terms of design and craftsmanship. And not only are the clothes beautiful, but color is sleekly incorporated in extremely wearable - and quintessentially Parisian - ways. (i.e. the red dress and blue sequin jacket above, among many others from the collection).

I tried on a pair of blue sequin shorts and a colorful, striped sweater that is slightly reminiscent of a Missoni piece.

The prices here are moderately expensive, in that they are neither cheap nor are they as expensive as designer fashions, with most of the garments priced between 100 and 350 euros. The store also sells a small selection of accessories that will perfectly complement any Maje garments, including scarves (because it is Paris, after all), belts, bags, and jewelry.

Unfortunately Maje does not currently have any American stores, but the brand has stores in London, Athens, Anvers, Geneva, Casablanca, Dublin, and Dubai, among others. However, Maje garments can be found on Net-a-Porter and the Maje e-boutique.

Maje is one of many popular French chain stores. Tomorrow I hope to check out their stock shop (where sale items are located), conveniently located by my hotel.

There will be many more Paris-themed posts to come.

Bonsoir!

Color on the Runway: Issa

Issa is a clothing brand designed by Daniella Issa Helayel, best known for having designed the dress that Kate Middleton wore when she announced her engagement to Prince William. The newly iconic, form-fitting sapphire dress even sold out entirely on Net-a-Porter.
The Issa fall collection is titled, "Celebration."

Red and orange are classic shades for fall collections, so I love the twist on each shade. The neon orange in the first look updates fall's common burnt orange color. The ingenious combination of the skirt, tights, and shoes in almost identical shades creates a long, streamlined effect. The patterned blouse adds an unexpected - although more expected for a fall look, ironically - touch of feminine primness needed to complete such a youthful look.
Similarly, the lipstick red coatdress on the right has an ultra-feminine and sophisticated appeal. The bright color adds interest to a simple but well-tailored, well-made garment. The hat finishes off the look, contrasting the maturity of the coatdress.

 

The look on the left has such a beautiful color palette; these shades of blue are quite uncommon in most fall collections. The pattern is interesting and sophisticated, but what I really love about this look is the styling of the entire outfit. The combination of the tights and shoes are a perfect match and complement the pops of blue in the clothing. Once again, the hat looks just right!

The second look is more typical of fall, but the rich blue background of the blouse adds a lighter, almost summery feel to the top. The modern print on the skirt keeps the outfit from looking too classic and the touch of gold is a good transition between the skirt and blouse. The maroon shoes are a wonderful addition, as well.

This dress speaks for itself. The silhouette is pretty simple, but the strategic drapes are flattering for the body. The neckline strays away from the overused deep v-neck by using an updated, more rectangular shape to maintain modernity. The rich turquoise color is surprising and would be more suitable for a spring/summer collection, but in this show, it manages to work with the other looks because it is consistent with the grown-up feminine feel of the entire collection.

Photos from style.com

Unlike Issa's last season, this collection included a variety of prints in rich color palettes that expanded on traditional, cliché fall color schemes. The collection was very well-styled and the sculptural hats that topped off many of the looks were a whimsical touch to a sophisticated, ladylike show.
No wonder Kate Middleton is a fan!

xoxo

Long Live the Brits

England hasn't been known to give birth to much colorful clothing. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that the country's climate consists mainly of rain and cloudy days. In fact, England is often underrated in terms of fashion design. A new generation of British designers is changing that.

These fresh faces are bursting with talent and imaginative, youthful minds: many of these newcomers founded their own labels right after graduating from college. (Those who didn't were snapped up immediately by well-established fashion houses.)

The following designers featured are two of my favorite new Brits to take on the world of fashion. And of course, I'm sure you can guess what their designs have in common... color!

Olivia Rubin:

Bubble hemmed georgette jacket, multi statue print silk mini dress, swirl print 'cut out' silk dress

Images from oliviarubinlondon.com

If you are an avid reader of Girl Loves Color, these designs may remind you of my post on stylish graphic prints, one of my newfound joys. I particularly love the signature prints that Rubin designs because they are very modern and artistic: they make you think! Not to mention, the colors she chooses for her prints are charming and work well with her beautiful feminine silhouettes.

Rubin launched her line after graduating from Central St. Martins and is increasingly becoming one of Britain's most sought-out designers, often featured in some of Britain's most popular magazines. She has worked at Alexander McQueen and John Galliano. Known for her signature graphic prints, including her popular brick print, her clothes are inspired by art. The spring/summer 2011 collection, from which several looks are pictured above, was inspired by Alexander Calder's mobiles. 

Current projects for the designer include a line for Very.co.uk and an upcoming collaboration with Dune to create a line of shoes, starting March 19.

Powder playsuit and graphic print gloss dress from her line for very.co.uk

Images from very.co.uk

Shop the line here

This collection seems a little more adventurous to me than Rubin's main line. The clothes have a different feel to them; they seem more grown-up and the prints are louder, compared to the sweeter and daintier patterns of her spring/summer 2011 collection. Though the collections have very different moods, they are both equally gorgeous and wearable.

You can shop Olivia Rubin's spring/summer collection and sale items from previous collections here.

Learn more about the line and its designer on her website.

Charlotte Taylor:

Highlights from the spring/summer 2011 collection

Images from charlottetaylorltd.com

I love the sleek silhouettes in this collection. The cut-outs are intriguing, modern, and unexpected: a nice change from the ordinary cut-outs most designers show nowadays. The consistent yellow, red, white, and blue color scheme adds unity to the collection without making the garments look like tacky, patriotic American garb. My favorite element of this collection was the socks with sandals, which was styled so elegantly that you could never believe that this pairing was considered a fashion don't. 

Highlights from the autumn/winter 2011 collection

Images from charlottetaylorltd.com

The use of graphic prints in this collection raises Taylor's geometric spring/summer collection to the next level. The lobsters and penguins are adorable without being childish; in fact, the fun print adds a wonderful touch to demure, feminine blouses and shorts. The color schemes are equally wonderful: pink and orange and blue and yellow are surprising combinations that work well together. And I love the way the grape purple tights were styled with the yellow top in the second image: what a beautiful pairing! I am now compelled to experiment with yellow and purple myself.

Like Olivia Rubin, Charlotte Taylor is also a Central St. Martins alumni, having graduated in 2008. She worked for Luella before starting her own line in 2009.

You can shop for Charlotte Taylor's pieces here.

Long live the Brits! Doesn't Central St. Martins produce some fabulous designers?

(In addition to keeping an eye on the two designers featured here, I'll also be looking out for the Central St. Martins grads from my post about the college's graduation collections. I'm sure they'll all go far!)

xo

A Picture is Worth a Thousand...Colors? - Part 3

At last, here is the third and final part, as promised!

This is the entrance to Sydney's most famous amusement park, Luna Park. This photograph, like the boat photo in Part 1, was taken on a ferry ride. Unfortunately that poorly-placed pole is somewhat in the way of the view, but, nonetheless, I thought this was a really fun photo, and it has a nice combination of colors.

DKNY blazer, James Perse tank top, Sandro pants, Daisy Knights gold stud earrings, H&M Divided ballet flats, Marc Jacobs quilted bag.

As soon as I saw this pair of pants, I immediately knew that I had to incorporate them into my outfit for this photograph. The pants' kaleidoscopic pattern exudes a fun, sophisticated carnival vibe: a perfect high-fashion match to the entrance of an amusement park! The challenge this outfit posed, however, was to follow the color scheme without creating a tacky, clown-like look. The flats are more subdued, avoiding that "clown shoes" look by mixing tones of pink and red to create a softer color than bright maraschino cherry red. The basic tank top adds color quietly, so it doesn't compete with the loudness of the pants. The blazer and bag both work to add more neutral color without being boring or clashing with the bright colors. There is a lot going on in this outfit, so I chose not to include any jewelry, which would just be a distraction. Instead, I added a small pair of gold studs with a fun texture to add some more whimsy; they will add an unexpected but inconspicuous pop when peeking out from behind a curtain of hair. 

An extra plus: if you take this outfit to the fun park, the soft pair of flats will help you survive a day's worth of rides!

This adorable image was painted outside a fun, high-end ice cream shop in Melbourne. I love the three contrasting jewel tones in the picture. They are completely different but manage to work well together. (This idea dominated the spring 2011 runways, which was filled with eye-popping combinations of bright colors.)

Easton Pearson dress, Jil Sander bag, Marni sandals, Paige Novick brass bangles, Marmèn gold-plated irregular heptagon bangles.

The idea I was aiming for with this outfit was a summery, casual-chic vacation outfit. The dress is very elegant and has the ability to go from day to night, so I dressed it down with this emerald green "market" bag and chunky sandals. Although the colors are all quite different, they go well together because each piece, being solid-colored, is not distracting in itself. Together, they make the outfit a real attention-grabber. I selected these bracelets because their shapes are interesting, but their neutral metallic tones give the eye a break from so much color.

One of my favorite parts about this outfit is how the sandals and dress subtly match because they both quietly incorporate thin white stripes. I'm also obsessed with this green bag; no one would ever expect such a bold color in an everyday shopping bag silhouette. (And the rest of Jil Sander's spring collection was equally ingenious.)

Photographs taken by me

Outfit collages made using polyvore.com

This marks the end of "A Picture is Worth a Thousand...Colors," but don't be surprised if this same concept returns to Girl Loves Color in the near future! I loved looking back at my Australia photographs to select images for the blog and styling these outfits was a nice change from what I've been doing. I hope reading this series was as much fun as it was to make.

xo

A Picture is Worth a Thousand...Colors? - Part 2

As promised, here is the second part to the previous blog post.

I found this flower outside my hotel in Cairns, Australia. It's so unusual; I've never seen anything like it.

Topshop tank, Rodarte x Opening Ceremony skirt, Chanel bag, SKU wood bangle with amethyst stones, Spring Street Design Group wood bangles.

I was inspired not only by the colors in this photograph but by the organic, nature feel. I think the fluidity of the outfit matches this vibe well. The color of the top is beautiful and it works to bring out the purple tones in the flower. I especially love the skirt's raw texture and rough pleating and the way it really adds that organic element. The emerald green tone of this Chanel bag is stunning; it's a lot harder to find this shade of green than I thought it would be! The bag adds structure to the loose silhouettes of the outfit. The wood bangles are great because they really complete the outfit. They also suit the photograph well because the climate in Cairns feels so similar to that of a rainforest and the bracelets give off such a summery, tropical vibe when combined with this outfit.

The look would go great for spending a day walking around in Cairns. The combination of pieces conveys that feeling of being in a tropical rainforest.

Photograph taken by me

Outfit collages made using polyvore.com

Unfortunately, I was caught up with fashion class and a family event today, so I am not able to include the last two photos I was planning on writing about. Those will have to wait until tomorrow, but hopefully that gives you something to look forward to!

xo

A Picture is Worth a Thousand...Colors? - Part 1

Today I thought I'd try something new for this blog post. I was looking through some of the photographs I took on my trip to Florida and Australia over winter break for my photography class, and I noticed that a lot of the photos have very vibrant and beautiful color combinations. This was partly due to the fact that it was summery in both locations, but I found that in Australia especially the surroundings are very serene and laid-back, unlike the gloomy and busy cities in the United States.
I was inspired by this thought, and I had the idea that it would be fun to take cues from these photographs and style outfits based on some of the colors present in each image. After all, spring fashion is all about color blocking and bright colors right now!

I took this shot on a ferry boat in Sydney; I thought that the boat looked stunning against the water.

Thakoon Addition dress, Mulberry clutch, Givenchy sandals, Marni necklace, Marc by Marc Jacobs bangles.

I selected this dress because the flowy draping reminded me of the texture of the water in the photograph, and I really love this rich shade of blue in such a graceful, elegant silhouette. The red clutch is inspired by the dots of red in the photograph, and I thought it would add more structure to the outfit, contrasting the looseness of the dress. The brown wood sandals are obviously inspired by the wood build of the boat. The thick straps are sturdy and edgy, really adding a sense of ground (this could serve as a metaphor for the photo, even, with the dress as the ocean and the sandals as the solid boat to stand on...how clever!). The wood bangles I thought were just beautiful and they go well with the outfit, so I added them in. I made this set with two, but they are quite big, so just one would be fine. I added the necklace for a touch of nautical whimsicality and a dash of unexpected color.

I think this outfit would go well for an outdoor brunch or a fancy summer barbecue.

Australia has many exotic birds, but the most wonderful part is that they're everywhere! We were over at some friends' house and this beautiful lorikeet came to hang out on the patio behind their house. Apparently this is quite common, and they even have bird seed in the house to feed their feathered friends when they visit!

Yves Saint Laurent dress, Nancy Gonzalez clutch, Charlotte Olympia heels, Kenneth Jay Lane gold coin bracelet, Isabel Marant charm bracelets.

For this outfit I styled a freer outfit, inspired by the colors in the photograph rather than modeled directly after them. The green dress is inspired by the greenery of the photograph, the bluish-purple oversized clutch inspired by the exotic color on the lorikeet's head, and the red shoes loosely inspired by the blends of bright oranges and yellows. With the jewelry I tried to capture the exotic feel of the bird, combining different types of jewelry so they make a fun, jumbled mix of details on the wrist, yet they still go well together. I love the color combination in the outfit because it stands out, like the lorikeet, but everything still goes nicely together. And should I mention how in love I am with those Isabel Marant bracelets? Très chic!

All photographs were taken by me

Outfit collages made using polyvore.com

I've had a lot of fun doing this, so I hope you've enjoyed this little idea of mine that I came up with! I originally planned to do more than just two photographs, but I actually ran out of time because it took me so long to figure out how to go about doing everything. Thus the lovely "Part 1" in the title of this blog post. Tomorrow (hopefully!) I'll post the second part to this post, and maybe some other time I'll use this idea again! It was a lot of fun.

Until next time,

xo

Color on the Runway: Emilio Pucci

I am happy to announce that this marks the first post of the Fall 2011 edition of my "Color on the Runway" segment. I've decided that rather than writing this segment in one whole chunk like the last time, I am going to break up each post. This means that about once a week I will write a new "Color on the Runway" post, but in between I will have regular posts. I think this way it will be more interesting, especially since fall is a long ways away, and I'd much rather think about spring and summer right now. Nonetheless, the fall shows were very recent and I've been wanting to begin to cover some of them.

Onwards!

Emilio Pucci is highly regarded for his bold, colorful patterns. Of course, these swirly prints are his signature, so Pucci's fall show featured plenty of them. I was expecting this show to be somewhat subdued, as fall shows tend to be, but I was pleasantly surprised by bright spring-like colors.
This collection is a real contrast to Pucci's spring show, which was laid-back and had a hippie-like bohemian air. The fall looks were much more refined, with low-cut, form-fitting cocktail dress silhouettes; flirty peek-a-boo lace; modern cut-outs; and brocade-style, ornate texturing. In addition, there was the occasional flash of neon color here and there and a nice dash of feathers.

Photos from style.com

I found this show really great because it had a good combination of bright, vivid patterns that really catch the eye and more subdued, autumnal tones that still manage to be interesting. 

The colorful dresses are lots of fun and stay true to the brand's aesthetic, but the varied necklines keep things modern. The show includes looks that are very reminiscent of classic fall style, such as the burgundy velvet dress with elegant flashes of skin, and the ruffled mustard yellow blouse, which is dainty and seems like it could be from the Victorian era, but the subtle pattern and its pairing of tailored gray pants keep the look in the 21st century. I also love the twists on fall style: the strong, ruby red pants in the last image I posted are ingenious, and the silky light blue peeking out from a beautifully crafted gray blazer is so fun and unexpected. On another note, the models' über-short haircuts are a really great addition to the show. Some of the outfits seem a bit stuck in the past, but the hairstyles are modern and très chic!

I have to say, the one thing this show lacks is a uniting theme. The collection is similar in that all the looks contain refined, ladylike aspects, as well as curve-hugging shapes and spot-on tailoring. But that's really the job of the designer's hand; there really is no overarching idea, or at least if there was one it's just too obscure or the clothes do a bad job of relaying it to the viewer. That was really my only problem with the show; otherwise I loved the clothes!

You can check out a slideshow with all of the Pucci fall 2011 RTW looks here. This link also includes menswear, but these looks are also very interesting.

Hope you enjoyed the first "Color on the Runway" fall 2011 post! 

You can always let me know what you think by commenting on this post. And please remember to follow Girl Loves Color by clicking the "Follow" button in the top right corner.

xo

Leather Goes Girly

As I've been setting my sights on the coming springtime, I've been thinking a lot about leather jackets. Leather jackets for many people are a spring staple. They're chic, go with almost everything, and they provide just the right amount of warmth for spring temperatures without being bulky or too shapeless. For a long time, the leather jacket has been caught within the stereotype of the tough-girl motorcycle jacket. Of course, leather jackets draw from this image as their main inspirations. But it seems that this category of outerwear has been limited to black, brown, white, and gray color palettes. The sole elements of decoration always seem to be zippers and/or studs. For many people who have an ultra-feminine style, leather jackets have been their go-to piece for adding that element of toughness that makes an outfit just a little a bit off, so everything looks just right. 

But why do leather jackets always have to have that often-intimidating, rocker-chick vibe?

Now, leather jackets are straying away from their original identities. The toughness is still there, but new,  sweeter and more feminine elements add a twist to the main idea. Isn't it about time?

Doma leather jacket

Image from bluefly.com

Forget neutral color palettes! Black and brown leather jackets are getting old and color is in. I've always loved purple outerwear, but even so-dark-it's-almost-black purple puffer coats are difficult to find. I'm in love with this lilac shade. It's light and delicate but the motorcycle silhouette and leather composition prevents this jacket from being too girly. The jacket just seems to be screaming "spring." And who doesn't love spring?

Images from net-a-porter.com

Images from mytheresa.com

Miu Miu leather jackets

Image from coolspotters.com

Of course the genius that is Miuccia Prada would come up with these sensational leather jackets for her line Miu Miu. The jackets still have that edgy, rock-n-roll feel but the abstract painted designs are an intriguing twist to the boxy, thick leather silhouettes. The color palettes are adventurous without being too wacky that the jackets become unwearable; one could easily wear any one of these jackets with lots of different outfits. They have a spring quality to them but would also be fitting for fall. Overall, these jackets are amazing in every way, except the price tag (unless you're more than willing to surrender $3,000-$5,000 for one of these babies).

One Teaspoon leather jacket

Image from us.asos.com

I love the boxy, slightly oversized, cropped shape of this jacket. But undeniably the best feature is the creamy pink shade of the leather. The large studs at the hems of the sleeves prevents the jacket from being overly feminine, however; it's like getting the best of both worlds.

So if you've been looking for that perfect leather jacket, try to take a chance and stray away from the norm. A little contrast in a garment makes an outfit just that much more interesting. And the best outfits are always a little bit offbeat.

xo