When Worlds Collide

Polka dot obsessed artist Yayoi Kusama is slated to collaborate with designer Marc Jacobs on an extensive line of Louis Vuitton products.

The line will include leather goods, ready-to-wear, accessories, shoes, watches, and jewelry according to Women’s Wear Daily.

This collaboration comes as no surprise given the designer’s visit to her studio, which was captured, on film in the 2007 documentary “Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton.”

I am excited to see the end result of this dynamic alliance, but I will have to wait until July when the collection is scheduled to premiere in Louis Vuitton stores.

This is contribution from Atlanta based styling company, Muff and Ash LLC. For more information follow them on twitter @MuffandAsh or email them at muffandash@gmail.com

Sparkle, Sparkle, Bling, Bling

            New Years Eve affords us the opportunity to indulge in our delusions of grandeur via costume jewelry, fur coats, hats, tuxedos, and most of all, sequins.  Many of my clients have been coming in to try on sequin dresses to wear for their New Years Eve festivities; hence, my obligation to give you all a few pointers on how to properly execute the look.  The overall goal here is to add things that compliment your dress, not match it.

Amber Riley

1)      Don’t overdo it!  If you aren’t aiming to look like a disco ball, tone your dress down with a solid shoe, and in some cases a pair of black opaque tights.  You can also look for a dainty evening sandal, something light and strappy.

2)      It’s all about the fit.  As with everything else that you wear, the fit of your ensemble can make or break your look.  Sequins, much like patterns, can make you look bigger than you actually are; therefore you want to make sure that whatever sequin item you choose to wear provides a flattering fit.

3)      Don’t be afraid to accessorize.  Just because you’re doing sequins doesn’t mean that you can’t wear any jewelry.  Your dress will be the focal point of your look; therefore, don’t put anything with it that will take away from it.  You want to look for complimentary accessories, not matching accessories.

4)      Add a splash of color.  I’m always on board when it comes to adding a pop of color.  Add a jewel tone to your look with your lips, nails, clutch, and/or shoe.

5)      Add a fur accent piece.  You’re already going to be glammed up, why not add more opulence to your look in the form of a fur or faux fur shrug or coat?

 Take a look at our examples of properly executed looks with sequin dresses!

Estelle

Kim Kardashian

Blake Lively

This is contribution from Atlanta based styling company, Muff and Ash LLC. For more information follow them on twitter @MuffandAsh or email them at muffandash@gmail.com.

Fashion Forum: Have Louboutin’s Become Too Popular?

 I perform a daily ritual of cruising through a number of fashion blogs.  The sites that I visit not only provide me with inspiration for new looks, but they keep me abreast of the latest fashion news. One site that I frequent put up a post about Emily B (a member of the cast of “Love and Hip Hop” and a stylist) and her extensive collection of Louboutin’s.

The author of said article referred to Emily B as basic.  This rubbed me the wrong way for a number of reasons.  First, I don’t recall anyone calling Kimora Lee Simmons basic when she presented her collection of monogrammed Louis Vuitton bags, nor do I recall anyone calling Khloe Kardashian basic when she showed her vast collection of Louboutin’s.  Why was it ok for them to do it, but not Emily B?

My other gripe about this is that despite the fact that Louboutin’s have become incredibly trendy, they are also highly coveted, and I can count on one hand the number of women that I know that own a pair.  You cannot deny that Christian Louboutin is not only a phenomenal artist when it comes to his designs, but he is a marketing genius.

Sex and the City introduced many of us to a plethora of high-end designers, namely Manolo Blahnik.  Jay Z was the first rapper that I ever heard talk about Giuseppe’s, and Nicki Minaj definitely name drops for the likes of Balenciaga and Badgley Mischka.  The list goes on and on of high-end designer labels that have garnered a mention via pop culture references.

However, none of those designers have achieved the level of popularity that Christian Louboutin has, because he created a very iconic and easily identifiable trademark: the red bottom.  Just because the brand has become incredibly popular doesn’t mean that you’re basic for owning a pair, or two, or a dozen.

You would be basic if those were the only high-end designer shoes that you know of.  You would be basic if you spent bill money to buy a pair and are sitting in the dark in your Section 8 apartment.  I would also consider you basic if you didn’t know how to pronounce the designer’s name and can only refer to them as “red bottoms.”  However, I cannot wrap my head around someone being basic for owning a multitude of these shoes, knowing the price that they carry.

So my question is this: which is over popularized, Louboutin’s or the term basic?

P.S. For the record you can call me basic all day but I would gladly take Emily B’s collection in its entirety *snaps in a z formation. *

This is contribution from Atlanta based styling company, Muff and Ash LLC. For more information follow them on twitter @MuffandAsh or email them at muffandash@gmail.com.

Holiday Accent Pieces

            This time of year includes fun, friends, family, and lots of parties.  There are a few key pieces and tips that you will need to be Holiday chic for whatever parties you may be attending this season.

Jewel Tones: Don’t be fooled into thinking that color is only for the spring and summer months.  As you’re browsing for dresses, look for colors reminiscent of your favorite jewels such as: ruby red, sapphire blue, emerald green, and amethyst.  You can also use your nails and/or lips as an accent to your look by using a jewel tone.

Fur and Faux Fur:  There aren’t many cocktail dresses that allow you to be very warm, so in order to keep the glam effect, add a fur or faux fur cape or coat.  Trust me that faux fur is fashionably acceptable.  Especially since PETA has scared everyone into believing that it is.

Sequins: This is the best time to wear sequins without looking like a disco ball and sticking out like a sore thumb.  Look for full sequin pieces, or pieces that have sequin accents.  If you choose to do a full on sequin number, like a dress for example, balance out your look with basic pumps and/or tights.  Don’t overdue it, or you will look like a contestant for a drag show.  However, if that is in fact what you’re going for then knock yourself out!

French Connection, Rachel Zoe, Miu Miu

Velvet Accents: I am personally not a fan of a velvet accent; however I am obligated to tell you that it is a trend.  Duty fulfilled…moving right along.

Extravagant Accessories: The Holiday party season demands bling and lots of it.  Adding costume jewelry pieces to your look will up your glam factor, and give you a much more festive look.  Don’t overdo it though.  Again, unless you are auditioning for Drag Race there is no reason to look like a talking disco ball.

Aldo

Statement Clutch: This is usually a good time to bring out your little black cocktail dress, and that’s fine.  Be sure to add to your look by adding a statement clutch, and a killer heel won’t hurt.

Aldo

 This is contribution from Atlanta based styling company, Muff and Ash LLC. For more information follow them on twitter @MuffandAsh or email them at muffandash@gmail.com.

I’m OBSESSED With: Tie Neck Blouses

I cannot get enough of these tie neck blouses.  I have about eight of them thus far (well I said I was obsessed).  These versatile tops add a feminine and classy touch to any ensemble.  They look adorable under blazers and cardigans, but they can definitely stand on their own as well.

Don’t be afraid to pair them with edgier pieces like leather pants.  The femininity of the blouse gives you an excuse to add some rocker chic flare.  Tie neck blouses or “pussybow” blouses (don’t ask me why, but that’s really what some people call them) are a major trend this season, so you can find them everywhere.

Below are some of my fave places to buy. 

H&M

TopShop

Asos

Alice + Olivia

Piperlime

 This is contribution from Atlanta based styling company, Muff and Ash LLC. For more information follow them on twitter @MuffandAsh or email them at muffandash@gmail.com.