Chanel Spring 2016 Couture Collection

“Fashion is part of the events of our time,” declared Karl Lagerfeld about the Zen-like, eco-conscious serenity of the Chanel Haute Couture collection in the Grand Palais. Lush green lawns of a minimalistic garden, water lily ponds, a slatted wood pavilion, and plenty of space was under stimulated blue skies.

Wood chips were used as beading, palettes, and 3-D frills among techniques involving recycled paper and woven yarn.

A case could be built for haute couture being the most non-enviromentally impactful branch of clothing production. It’s handmade, take infinite hours of work, and potentially lasts a lifetime. As the show unfolded, it became a meditation of the timeless validity of Chanel’s principles: pale boucle suits, attenuated in the skirt, puffed in the sleeve, and with a set-away collars; a movement of classic navy and white.

The evening soared from the moment Lagerfeld started to introduce flecks of gold in the suiting. An incredible jacket and skirt made completely of gold and black geometric palettes. It would take a much closer look to understand the technical difficulty and degree of ecological soundness embedded in these clothes. It may be that some won’t be swayed one way or another by the trouble Chanel took so source some of their materials.

XO, Victoria

Elie Saab Spring 2016 Couture Collection

“Enter India,” Elie Saab’s program proclaimed. The muse of his new couture collection was a turn-of-the-last century Englishwomen on a trip to the subcontinent.

In general, the collection was between Edwardian silhouettes, and Indian pieces, a mixture of old and new. So you’d have a high-neck Edwardian-style dress followed by a cropped jacket with a Nehru collar and softly tailored pants trailing a split train.

Some really different vibes seeped in late in the show when a model rolled out in full rock-star regalia: jeweled pants stuffed into boots, a crystalline camisole, and a matching coat that reached the ground. Vogue goes as far as asking “The Beatles in India?”

 

Keep coming back for more coverage of Spring Couture Week 2016!

XO, Victoria

Valentino Spring 2016 Couture Collection

There’s something recognizable about a Valentino dress today. It’s almost invariably floor-length (with the acceptation of a few short ones) and seemingly demo, though plenty of gauzy, sparkle-sprinkled transparency and a a few plunging Grecian necklines. But really, it’s the incredible things these designers and their Roman workforce can do with fabric that makes each dress a paradox of age-old hand-wrought elaborateness and youthful simplicity.

Velvet came pleated, painted, patinated and woven. The colors were dark mossy green, deep burgundy, and absinthe yellow. The execution was flawless.

Every season has to be different, yet for a house to make a long-term impression, it needs to say the same. At Valentino, they have all that happening, and this season there were some dresses that seemed to make time stand still.

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli

 

Come back for more coverage Spring 2016 Couture Collections!

XO, Victoria

Providence Restaurant Week

Although Providence Restaurant Week has come and gone (January 10th-January 23rd), the city and surrounding area still offers some of the best cuisine all year round! It’s up to you to experience the destination that Travel and Leisure readers voted the #1 City in the U.S. and Saver magazine named “one of the most notable small dining destinations in the world.” 

By now most Rhode Islanders know that for restaurant week, eateries offer three-course fixed-priced dinners for either $29.95 or $34.95, and lunches for $14.95. Some restaurants even have a two-for-one special! Diners find two or three choices per course, usually an appetizer, entree, and dessert for the set price and additional for their drinks, tax and gratuity.

Unfortunately, this past month’s schedule has been jammed packed between work, school, and my new internship at RI Monthly! However, I got to at least try one new place that is definitely worth the trip over to Valley St. in Providence.

For some reason I never tried Tapas until I met my boyfriend Eric who is a huge fan of getting a bunch of small dishes and trying everything the restaurant has to offer. After trying it a few times I’m realizing it’s the best way to experience a new place! His suggestion for the evening was to try Bocado Tapas Wine Bar!

For restaurant week their special was a choice of three tapas, and one paella for $40! Although it was a bargain, they didn’t skimp on the portions!

For Tapas we ordered

• GAMBAS AL AJILLO: sautéed shrimp with garlic, parsley, and olive oil
• BERENJENA RELLENA: goat cheese & mushroom stuffed eggplant, tomato jam, and spinach puree
• REMOLACHAS ASADAS: roasted beets, avocado, feta, orange blossom honey, sherry vinegar and toasted hazelnuts (my favorite!)

For Paella we chose DE MARISCOS: shrimp, calamari, scallops, white fish, mussels, clams, basil, tomatoes and peas. It did not disappoint!

 

Now all I have to do is wait for East Bay Restaurant Week March 11-20th!

XO, Victoria

Carissa Lynne Designs: BTS S/S 2016

 

Carissa Lynne Frazier is a young talent from Fall River, Massachusetts who started branding her fashion as Carissa Lynne Designs in 2011. With a background in sculpture, Carissa has always been attracted to the human figure and molding fabric into shapes that accent the forms which identify us as individuals. Inspired by unique vintage fabrics and classic trends, her lines include a wide range of formality and cater to special occasions with a particular focus on the cocktail dress.

I was lucky enough to attend a photoshoot capturing Carissa’s 2016 S/S collection! Of course I have all of the behind the scenes details!

First, I’ll share the BTS of the photoshoot. (These pictures are my own.)

Models: Brynn Beaudoin of Maggie Inc. and Brooke Hassett (independent)

Hair&Makeup by:  Paige Medeiros and Daniela Andrade of Salon B in Dartmouth

Check out the final product by photographer Richard Gormley, in Fairhaven MA at Fort Pheonix below. — These pictures were all captured on FILM!

 

Custom pieces by Carissa are available upon request, while collection items can be bought at nude boutique in the Arcade located in Providence.

*Carissa is showing her latest collection during Season 12 of StyleWeek. Thursday, February 25th at 8PM. Click here to purchase tickets!

 

XO, Victoria

Remembering David Bowie’s Fearless Fashion

The inimitable pop star, David Bowie, died on Sunday at the age of 69. Leaving a lasting legacy in the world of music as well as fashion, he touched many with his creativity and urge to break out of the usual. His fearless lifestyle will continue to inspire.

1971: In wide leg pants posing for a portrait promoting the Hunky Dory album in London.

1972: In lace up boots and a printed jumpsuit being interviewed at home in Beckenham, London. 

1973: In an all-white look performing in Los Angeles.

1973: With designer Kansai Yamamoto.

1973: In a look by Japanese Designer Kansai Yamamoto.

1974: In sunglasses, pictured in England.

1974: In a top hat, heeled boots, and overalls posing his album Diamond Dogs.

1974: In an eye patch and red overalls performing “Rebel Rebel” on the TV show TopPop in Hilversum, Netherlands.

1974: In a suit and wide brim hat from promo photo.

1976: In a jumpsuit and sneakers posing for a portrait.

1978: In pleather pants performing in Oakland, California.

1983: In a blue suit and fedora on his Serious Moonlight tour.

1983: In a pastel suit on his Serious Moonlight tour at Madison Square Garden.

1994: In paisley suit and yellow turtleneck pictured in London.

2000: In Alexander McQueen coat backstage at the Glastonbury festival.

2005: In a python print top posing for a portrait.

2013: In a Louis Vuitton campaign.

 

RIP

XO, Victoria

7 Trends Found on the Red Carpet: Golden Globes 2016

    The Golden Globes red carpet is the first major fashion moment of 2016. 

See what all your favorite celebrities wore, and what trends are here for the new year!

#1 Nude/gold gowns with embellishments

Left to right:

Corinne Fox

Eva Green in an Elie Saab Haute Couture dress and Repose jewelry

Brie Larson in a Calvin Klein Collection dress and Tiffany & Co. jewelry

#2 Light pink and feminine 

Left to Right:

Cate Blanchett in a Givenchy Haute Couture dress, Tiffany & Co. jewelry, and Roger Vivier bag

Leslie Mann in Monique Lhuillier with a Tyler Alexandra bag

Amber Heard in Gucci

#3 Red and sexy 

Left to Right:

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior and Chopard jewelry

Zendaya in Marchesa

Amy Adams in an Atelier Versace dress and Neil Lane jewelry

#4 Jewel tones

Left to Right:

Rachel Bloom in Christian Soriano and H.Stern jewelry

Jaime Alexander in Genny

Jada Pinket Smith in an Atelier Versace dress, Van Clef & Arpels earrings, and Jimmy Choo shoes

#5 Black with plunging necklines 

Left to Right:

Kristen Dunst in a Valentino Haute Couture dress and Fred Leighton jewelry

Taylor Schilling in Thakoon, Monique Pean jewelry, Anya Hindmarch bag

Lady Gaga in an Atelier Versace dress and Neil Lane jewelry

#6 Sparkly in blue 

Left to Right:

Bryce Dallas Howard carrying a Kotur bag

Jenna Dewan Tatum in Zuhair Murad Couture

Julianne Moore in Tom Ford dress and Chopard jewelry

#7 White and flow-ey

Left to Right:

Lily James in a Marchesa dress and Harry Winston jewelry

Alicia Vikander in Louis Vuitton

Saoirse Ronan in an Yves Saint Laurent Couture dress and Chopard jewelry

I hope you enjoyed my favorite picks and trends!

XO, Victoria

2016.

I hope everyone had a great New Years Eve, but the biggest celebration is still yet to come. 

I plan to make 2016 one for the books. I’m graduating, starting a new job, making plans to travel, and hope to expand the blog!

How will you spend another year?

Outfit: Versace bag, Vince Camuto shirt, Faux leather leggings, Black pumps

 

PC: Christina Monahan

Hair & Makeup: Sarah Genest

 

Remember, black looks good every year.

XO, Victoria 

 

 

Best Outfits of 2015 Roundup

2015 has been one hell of a year. Besides furthering my fashion dreams, I learned more about myself. My circle of people who I consider family and friends grew, and I got to witness how the most creative people around become inspired.

With such aspiring people around I became motivated to start blogging again, so in September I did just that. I can’t say it has been easy sticking to a schedule and finding the time to write, but I can say it’s completely worth it when people turn around and say you’ve inspired them.

Without further ado, The Style Guru’s TOP 5 OUTFITS OF 2015. 

#1 Light Pink and Combat Boots

#2 Rock the Harlem Pants

#3 Sweater Weather

#4 10 is My Favorite Number

#5 Hey, Ho, Lets Go!

 

PC: Christina Monahan (#1-5)

Hair&Makeup: Sarah Genest (#1,3,5)

So here is to new adventures and keeping this blog going in 2016!

Cheers, and Happy New Years!

XO, Victoria

 

 

NYFW: Street Style

So I finally had a few days off… and if you know anything about me is that I cannot slow down. It’s December, which means holidays in the city, except this year I don’t think I’m going to make it. Which made me think of the last time I was in the city… NYFW. (Wait it was that long ago?! How did I let that happen?)

Anyways… last NYFW I got to work for designer Katie Gallagher. (Read all about it by clicking the designers name!) But what I didn’t show you yet was the amazing street style I got to witness while I was there. The streets are filled with creative people!

Hey there Nigel! 

Oh and what you don’t know is that these pants double as a purse! 

 

XO, Victoria