It looks like we can officially start getting used to mod, color-blocked features that may give the impression that we are one person coming, and one person leaving. Not too long ago, major fashion houses, including Chanel and DKNY, experimented with color blocked hosiery: nude in the front, black in the back. For his Fall 2010 RTW show, the latest must-have designer Prabal Gurung upped the ante considerably.

The young, Nepal-raised designer opted for strategic color blocking to convey a sense of city-chic. There was a real sense of color manipulation with many of pieces, and the coats in particular: simple palettes of black, white, and a definitive application of singular color articulated a true sense of modernity. Interestingly, the color blocking, particularly the “now you see it, now you don’t” aesthetic, was really fun to watch on the models as they sashayed down the runway. There was a sense of movement that was unexpected – the strong bursts of colors would be concealed until the model turned, pleasantly surprising the audience.

Black was all over New York Fashion Week. But with smart, well-controlled use of color, Prabal really gave the audience something to look forward to this fall.

All images via Style.com.

Contributed by the beautiful, darling Alysha Lalji

It was hard not to have a massive crush on the Fall 2009 collection by Reiss: everything looked edgy in an effortlessly bad Brit girl way. I just checked the website, and the Spring 2010 collection does not disappoint. The sense of London urbanite is still there, but coupled with a lighter sophistication, perfect for layering and transitioning from winter to spring.

In particular, I liked the bandage skirt with the zipper – it’s guaranteed to be a knock-out silhouette, although buyers beware: the look is a bit overplayed after the Hervé Léger explosion. A better bet is the Patsy Cardigan – a stylish knitwear piece with cute (but not cheesy) embellishments, perfect for layering. The June tank dress is a great day-to-evening staple, perfect to wear to work with a cardigan, but easily accessorized into a quirkier look.

Some of the pieces seem far more conservative than the Fall 2009 collection, which may have an appeal to some.

All images via Reiss.co.uk.

Thank you Alysha Lalji, we love your work!

Darling Alysha Lalji is right on Target!

By now, the frenzy surrounding the Mulleavy sisters and their fashion house, Rodarte, is proving to be much more than unsubstantiated hype. With celebrity followers, an iconic tween blogger for their muse, and a Target line that was on the top of every stylish woman’s holiday list, Rodarte has easily established itself as one of the hottest lines around.

Adding to the Rodarte Mania, Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum will be putting on “Quicktake: Rodarte.” The installation will last from February 11 till March 14, and for a mere $15, one can be privy to rare pieces and designs – to which typically only a Vogue editor would be granted access. Rodarte’s sources of inspiration range from Japanese horror films to condors, so the cool California label is full of surprises and sartorial treats – something that will hopefully be displayed at the Cooper-Hewitt.

Images via Style.com.

Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum is located at 2 E. 91st Street at Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128. Quicktake: Rodarte will be on view from February 11 – March 14.

From our darling Alysha Lalji in the Big Apple!

I covet Chanel’s iconic quilted bags and super-luxe tweeds as much as the next woman, but the price tag can be a bit startling. Fear not! For a mere $78, you can purchase Chanel’s newest product: a set of fifty-five temporary tattoos. They will be available in stores March 2010, so get ready to get inked this spring.

Designs include iconic pieces of jewelry, such as bracelets and delicate strings of pearls. In the Spring 2010 RTW show, models wore these pieces everywhere – even on their thighs for a racier look. A safer bet: stackable bracelets or armbands, hidden under a cardigan during work.

The look is fun and youthful, but edgy. Don’t be afraid to put them together for some crazier combinations; after all, they will wash off after a couple showers!

This spring, many designers are shunning saturated colors in lieu of softer pastels. It’s a great time to invest in some smoky shades – they are incredibly flattering on all skin tones, and are a little easier to pull off than jewel tones at the start of warmer weather.

These whisper-soft hues don’t have to be boring though – check out Versace and Mark Fast for a more cutting-edge look, or take a peek at Miu Miu’s cheeky designs. British Vogue also recommends wearing the same shade in different degrees of intensity. Personally, I’m going to stay away from sorbet pinks, and instead opt for pistachios and lavender shades – and add a solid platform or wedge heel to accessorize. It’s a nice way to look youthful and pretty without being in danger of looking too juvenile.

Image: Miu Miu Spring 2010 RTW, courtesy of WWD.com.

Blogged by Alysha Lalji

Christopher Kane for TOPSHOP.

We’ve all been scouring the internet and browsing through stores in search of the perfect New Year’s Eve dress: a mythical garment with such transformative powers that when worn, one’s dreams and hopes for the year are all attainable. And of course, let’s not forget how much easier getting that midnight kiss would be in the perfect dress, no?

Well – no. After a roller coaster year of disquieting news cycles and financial woes, you want (correction: you need) to kick-start 2010 positively, cheaply, and chicly. Your best bet?
Christopher Kane for TOPSHOP. The clothes are sexy, bold, funky, and well-priced, ranging from $80 – $200. So fun, and can be styled to look great on anyone.  I love the Embellished Pants (or, extremely short shorts), but if you don’t feel like going quite as risqué, the Eyelet Dress is quite a stunner.

Available at topshop.com.

Blogged by the beautiful Alysha Lalji. Love her style!

Many a style blogger has predicted that the current 80s wave may break soon to a new nostalgia: soft 70s glamour.

A week ago, Jak & Jil’s Tommy Ton recently covered the topic on Style.com. And while some of the stunning images show off tough-girl chic, he makes a fair point that some of the fashion forerunners are making way for a softer, gentler look.  It’s hard to imagine, after a year of Lady Gaga’s over-the-top costuming and Rihanna’s strong, caricature-like shoulder pads, that the 80s appeal will die so quickly. Not to mention all the high-concept shoes on the Spring 2010 Runways!

Which look will you choose for 2010?

Rachel Roy’s Pre-Fall 2010 collection was revealed, and as usual, Roy delivers elegant pieces that are destined to be wardrobe staples.

According to WWD,

“Rachel Roy takes her girl through Morocco with plenty of military influences, from leather jodhpurs to epaulet jackets. She sprinkles in traditional Moroccan embroideries and offers plenty of her signature power suits — all in a palette of rich spices set against neutrals.”

I can’t help but imagine some stunning romantic fantasy à la Casablanca here: the soft neutral hues seem like something Ingrid Bergman would have worn, and the silhouettes are fresh with a classic sensibility. After an overdose of 80s-inspired glamour, there’s something about this understated collection that is quite alluring. Love it!

By guest blogger Alysha Lalji

Trend Report: Tracksuit Trousers

Maybe it’s a testament to the ingenuity of the design world, or maybe it’s really just the beginning of the end, but one of the biggest trends for 2010 appears to be the tracksuit trouser: a high-fashion take on your most comfortable loungewear. Ever thought you’d spend over $200 on a pair of sweatpants? You will once you see what Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, and the king of the harem pant, Stefano Pilati for YSL, have in store for you. And there are always the budget-friendly versions by American Apparel (which don’t retail for less than $30).

British Vogue has an entire page dedicated to the Tracksuit Trouser trend, written by Sarah Harris, who warns that “cut and shape is vital…tracksuit bottoms should be worn low-waisted and slouchy.” A strong tailored piece worn on top lends balance to the pant, and most importantly, don’t you dare leave home without a pair of very, very high heels.

The look seems tricky. One wrong move and you will look less fashion-forward and more couch-bound. But I suppose it’s worth a shot, and if the look doesn’t suit you, at least you know there’s always a place for these pants in your gym bag. Good luck and happy schlumping!

Written by guest blogger Alysha Lalji

Victoria Beckham’s Muse: It Girl, Blake Lively

Rumors have been buzzing that fashion’s current It Girl and Gossip Girl star Blake Lively will be the newest face of Victoria Beckham’s collection. The twenty-two year-old actress has developed quite a following, gracing magazine covers and tabloid blogs alike, much like Beckham, the gossip column alumna.

It is evident that Victoria Beckham’s collection reflects her own individual style, featuring strong and well-structured silhouettes. Beckham, who is the matriarch of a rather famous trans-Atlantic family, has insisted that her garments are both stunning and practical, for the jet-setting woman on the go.

Lively most certainly has the statuesque figure to pull off Beckham’s creations, and has proven to be a fan of the designer’s work, although it may have been nice to see a young irreverent Brit fusing Beckham’s sleek designs with the cheeky pop-rock attitude of her Spice Girls days.  Nothing is set in stone yet, but with even more rumors of Beckham making a cameo on Gossip Girl, it seems as quite likely.

Author Alysha Lalji