Kevin Amato x HBA: An New Evolution

("Paid in Full" Shirt available at ShoppeStayLovely)

For those who have been wondering, I have not posted recently due to the fact I never get a break. I am now studio coordinator/assistant/mobile brain (the title changes depending on the job) for Kevin Amato, who is an amazing friend and talented person. If I am not on set with him, then I am in class or at Levi's, so I do apologize for not staying active on here. I am posting today not only to update viewers of the blogs status, but to introduce a collaboration that Kevin has been actively involved with after his successful gallery "F*ck the Golden Years" back in March. "ShoppeStayLovely" came about when Kevin wanted to create a website that featured young, underrated talent to sell exclusive products such as clothing, artwork, and accessories online. It isn't your typical online site because the collaborators involved are as one-of-a-kind as the product their name is attached to. Designer of Hood By Air (HBA), Shayne Oliver, was the very first choice for this project, who has already garnered attention from his debut collection in February after blogs took notice that rapper A$AP Rocky wearing one of his shirts at Coachella. That shirt is not available, but the Kevin Amato x HBA shirts are that feature images shot by Kevin Amato himself. So, it would best if after reading this, you took out your wallets and prepared to drop cash (or credit) at www.shoppestaylovely.com.

The Girl You Know and Love

Some may wonder what the purpose of a Pre-Fall collection, and it is solely to cleanse the palette, and get the consumer ready for the Fall collections. These pieces are simply filler pieces, and ones that you would need to spice up your wardrobe if needed. Designers in New York are doing just that; keeping that cool city girl in mind who could use a few new items in her closet. I have chosen some of my favorite looks from several New York designrs' collection, and have posted them below.

Reed Krakoff Pre-Fall 2012: Green python? Ladies say hello to your new coat .

Rag & Bone Pre-Fall 2012: The outfit is the epitome of cool. The leather blazer with the mesh top underneath and the pop of red definitely gives this look an edge.

3.1 Phillip Lim Pre-Fall 2012: The jacket is cut beautifully, and all the colors and the textures seem to mesh effortlessly.

Diesel Black Gold Pre-Fall 2012: This look can easily go from day to night just with the simple change of footwear. The draping of this is beautiful, like liquid metal.

Theyskens' Theory Pre-Fall 2012: I am having a hard time figuring out what woman wouldn't want to be a Theory woman thanks to Olivier Theyskens'. This look completely has the downtown night owl vibe. I have been salivating over that motorcycle jacket all month.

The Row Pre-Fall 2012: Mary-Kate and Ashley seemed to have their niche for The Row, and have mastered the ultimate luxurious nonchalance. The velvet top with the dark denim gives off a mature but youthful look.

Narcisco Rodriguez Pre-Fall 2012: This look is extremely strong on top, and very subtle below. The fur sleeves work perfectly here, and the touch of burgundy is extremely sexy.

Statement Shapes

Ricardo Tisci has never been one for minimalism, so for his Pre-Fall 2012 he continued on with his aesthetic and allowed the clothes to make an impact on their own (no gimmicks included). His idea for Pre-Fall must have been to create pieces that will make women stand out, and I am not just referring to the coats. The day looks were some of the strongest I've seen out of the Pre-Fall collections. The mixture of colors and fabrics created shapes that created fluidity from head to toe. Tisci's use of volume happened in a wave, starting out big going in at the legs and finishing it off with the powerful boot. If you found yourself picturing any of these looks on you, don't worry, you're probably not the only one.

Just Enough Volume

Nicolas Ghesquière brought the Balenciaga house back to the 80s with his Pre-fall 2012 collection. Structured jackets with acid trip zebra prints and blasts of color were paired with light-weight voluminous pants. I took quite a liking to this new form of belts with the attached peplum. They seemed to tie in each one of those looks perfectly. Nicolas did an amazing job at completely modernizing a trend that could easily be seen as tired and worn out.

New Year, More Moments

It's the first day of year 2012, and I my only resolution is to continue to grow and brand myself a lot more. I just want to recap my top ten moments, whether fashion or personal, that have had an impact on me. These moments  range from music that I fell in love with all the way to models who are having well deserved moments. Here's to another year that hopefully will top the one that has just passed.

1.) The Weeknd

I would describe his music as a Michael Jackson of the millennium generation. He released a trilogy of mixtapes this year that captures a love story in it's extremely ups and downs; it's beautiful.

2.) The Oliviers 

Olivier Rousteing and Olivier Theyskens (both French) have both had an amazing year at their new homes. Theyskens has proven that he can do demi-couture as well as master the downtown girl at Theory, and Rouseting has show us that he has the power to take over the reigns of the very popular and flashy house of Balmain. It also is an added plus that both designers are incredibly beautiful. (me with Theyskens on FNO)

3. Maryna Linchuk, The Vogue Girl

Since Maryna Linchuk landed the Vogue Turkey December 2010 cover, she has not slowed down, and instead has graced five more including two for January 2012. Next step is campaign domination.

4.) Up Close and Personal

The moment I got to go to the Alexander Wang Spring 2012 show was the moment where I thought I could do anything. It as the first show I tried to sneak into coming up here, and just two years later (4 fashion seasons) I was finally amongst the elite.

5.) Elle's Rising

Quite a large percentage of the fashion industry has taken notice of Elle Fanning, and she has become one of the new It-girls. With a Marc by Marc Jacobs campaign, LOVE Magazine cover, invitation to a Chanel show, and muse of the Rodarte sisters, I see that Elle may have to move to New York with Dakota.

6.) Don't Call It A Comeback

When model Elise Crombez walked out onto Alexander Wang's Spring 2012 runway, I knew it was just a teaser to something more. Fast-forward to a few months later and she is back behind Meisel's lense as one of the faces of Prada's Spring 2012 campaign. Let's hope she's back for good.

7.) Farewell

Designers leaving houses seems to have been a trend of 2011; starting with Sarah Burton taking the throne at Alexander McQueen after his death and ending with John Galliano's replacement at Dior reportedly being Raf Simons. I hope the industry will not have a huge change in positions this year, but only time will tell.

8.) The Woman Has Returned

It started off with the return of mature models like Aymeline Valade, Saskia De Brauw, and new comer Kati Nescher, but now the runways of the major design houses such as Prada and Jil Sander are welcoming the celebration of the mature woman and will hopefully continue to move away from the obsession of the child-like appearance.

9.) Rob Evans

He certainly has been having a great year, from booking CK One ads shot by Steven Meisel, a Givenchy campaign, and walking Jean Paul Gaultier's haute couture show. He is bringing back the era of male modeling that evoked power, poise as well as tons of muscle. Rob Evans can do no wrong in my eyes.

10.) Big Thing Are Coming

2012 seems to have a huge opportunity in store for me. I can only thank photographer Kevin Amato for inviting me on his journey into future greatness. I am going to be with him on this bumpy ride :-)

A New Year's Must-Have

With anticipation for what the new year may bring, Steven Meisel puts some humor into his latest work for Vogue Italia Janury 2012. Models Daria Strokous and Caroline Trentini act as models for Vogue Italia's very own home shopping network. Meisel's parodies usually take on a current trend or political issue, but I wonder if he plans to set a trend for a new form of shopping with this cover. Can't you just imagine women sitting in front of their TVs on their IPhones and Blackberries trying to get the latest Chanel? 

Eastern Jewels

Karl Lagerfeld has an impeccable talent. Like John Galliano, he has the ability to take us on a journey to a culture we may never get to experience while adding their own touch. For Chanel's Pre-Fall 2012 collection, Lagerfeld ventures east to Bombay, India. This was opulence at its finest, and it wasn't just the scenery. As if Chanel jewelry couldn't get any more beautiful, Lagerfeld drapes fine crystals, pearls, chains, and studs head to toe on the models (literally). I thought the Fall/Winter 2010-11 Haute Couture show couldn't be topped, but it seems that I have found some competition for jewelry that I will imagine me wearing. *Sigh* A man could only dream...

A Face To Remember: Frida Aasen

Recently, there has been the two trends of models that have been dominating the industry; the return of the woman as well as the return of youth. Then, there comes a model who could probably fit into both of the categories. Norwegian model, Frida Aasen, started off her first season just right with a Prada booking in Milan, and a semi-exclusive booking for Loewe and Louis Vuitton. Her looks resemble the first barbie, and has the pout of Bridgette Bardot. Here she is for Numero's December issue taking on the look of a 1960s innocent girl in the park, shot by Sean and Seng and styled by Samuel Francois. Because she is signed with DNA, I only expect to see high-end bookings for this girl in the future.

Play On Your Own Team

A trend that I can recall being started by Alexander Wang from his "Americana Football" Spring 2010 collection, that eventually evolved into Proenza Schouler's "Naughty School Girl" collection for Fall/Winter 2010. If you still have no clue what I am talking about, then I will introduce you to the varsity/baseball jacket. If you grew up with these or even watched movies based on high school, then I'm sure your quite familiar with how important you would have felt walking around your school hallways in one. Brands from Givenchy to H&M are featuring their own versions of this jacket this season, but if you're looking for something a lot more unique, then the Nike Stadium is the right stop for you. For $680, you can act out you own fantasy while making a custom Destroyer jacket by selecting from a vast array of embellishments. I could see myself going in there for my hour long consultation, really getting into the idea of having my very own letterman's  jacket (small dream of mine). This would be the ultimate Christmas present to give to yourself... or someone that you could actually see spending almost $700 on (like me). 

Slipping Into Chic

While reading an article in the November of W Magazine on Giovanna Battaglia's fashion finds during her travels, I stumbled upon something amazing—Stubbs & Wootton. They are based in Palm Beach, FL and specialize in he "purveying of fine footwear." Like Battaglia, I had no idea that they were slippers, but after visiting their website, it didn't matter. I couldn't possibly wear these around my apartment; I would have to parade around the street in them. For something so small, they carry such a huge personality. With designs that range from a top hat with a bow tie to rabbits, It would be extremely hard just to choose one. If you don't live near one of their 3 stores (New York and Palm Beach), then you can purchase them online for $450 each.