Ulyana Sergeenko Spring 2012

This Russian born designer, photographer, fashion editor, AND street style idol, has created another beautiful collection for this upcoming Spring. With only two collections under her belt, she has blown this blogger's mind away yet again. With a feminine and retro style, she brings a vintage touch to contemporary clothing. This collection is Ulyana in every detail, silhouette, and accessory. There is also a really Russian touch of inspiration to this collection that I find really appealing.

Haute Couture Spring 2012

Elie Saab

Chanel

Christian Dior

Valentino

Bouchra Jarrar

Wow, what a week full of beautiful collections. Elie Saab is my favorite of all the shows, with full-skirted dresses and slim evening gowns, he did what he does best. It was a rainbow of pastels in almost every color that makes you think of Spring. Nearly every garment had sparkle on it, but what separated each one from the previous was the silhouette. Some had long sleeves, a long train, or an exaggerated neckline. I'd like to say though that each dress looked like butter, it's absolute perfection. Chanel, being my second favorite, surprised me greatly this time. I actually really enjoyed this collection, while most times I pick a few things here and there, this time I picked almost every single piece. Now it might be because there is almost every possible shade of blue in this collection, but nonetheless the garments are beautiful. With fashion-forward, upbeat pieces, it's definitely a stretch from some of the other recent collections. Valentino created a wonderful collection for Spring that reminded me of grazing pastures, but in a more elegant style. Think Marie Antoinette laying around her estate in Versailles, enjoying the small things. There was something antique about the prints on each dress that really made me smile. And finally, Bouchra Jarrar created a precise collection full of pieces that were a little more masculine. Trousers and double breasted silhouettes, it gave a military feel. Definitely made for the modern and contemporary woman.

A New Year's Eve MoodBoard

Pre-Fall 2012

 Burberry

 Oscar de la Renta

                                                                          St. John

 DKNY

 Donna Karan

 Thakoon

Carolina Herrera

(All images from Vogue.com)

It's not even Christmas yet, but here we have Pre-Fall for 2012. What I do like about these collections are all the bold colors. I'm guessing bold and bright colors will be a very big statement for Fall 2012, and I am not complaining. Again prints having a big impact on what we can expect also, and intricate details among them. I also noticed that trousers are making a big come back into what women wear, with rolled cuffs and high waists. It's got a very Audrey Hepburn feel to it. I'll just say I can't wait until Fall now.

Life, Lipstick, and Laughter

Photos: Maree Vie, and Suzanne Simmalavong

While I was not able to attend yesterday, STYL helped coordinate and style this event backstage at The Woman's Club of Mpls. called Life, Lipstick, and Laughter. This fantastic event featured The Art of Beauty TV, and was filled with entertainment, fashion, beauty, life stories, and of course laughter! It looks and sounds like the event went really well. Mare, Suzanne, Alyssa, and Alex did an amazing job with what they do best, and they all looked absolutely gorgeous (and handsome for Alex ;P). But seriously, when don't they?!

November Lookbooks

Ruche

Zara

Stewart Parvin

I love me a good lookbook, and these three for November/Fall are so amazing.

J'aime Versailles

(Image credit: Myself, Pinterest and Flickr)

Back in '09, I had the pleasure of going to England and France for two weeks. While I liked London quite a bit more, visiting Versailles (which is outside of Paris) was a very pleasant experience. Having seen 'Marie Antoinette' several times, I often dreamed of someday visiting the palace where she and King Louie lived. So actually getting the chance to spend almost a full day there, was more than I could have asked for. Upon walking up to this grand monument, you're greeted with gold plated fences and statutes that are bigger then a dozen people stacked on eachother. There are tons and tons of different rooms, spirial staircases, paintings, gold decorated bedrooms, and anything else you could think of. Then you go outside of the palace, and you're greeted again with huge fountains that flow water to a synchronized system. If you keep walking you can get lost in different gardens that house trees and other statues. The one thing I wish I could have gone into was Marie's little home away from home. Which in itself is another palace. The luxury these people had was extravagant, but I'm pretty sure I would not have wanted to get my head chopped off for all of these things...But all in all, this place was so gorgeous. It was like being in another world, and I hope I someday can go back to it.