Despite an uncharacteristic disinterest in the recent Fashion Weeks, I managed to browse a few shows at style.com. I quickly noticed a trend: the color orange was EVERYWHERE, from the runways to the streets.

Sources: Style.com, Fashionologie

Unfortunately, the color orange makes me look like a sallow, bloated, er…ORANGE, so I won’t be partaking in this particular trend. Will you?

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So, methinks Jenna Lyons and her crew (ha! J’s crew!) over at J. Crew were…inspired by Celine’s spring collection:

Everyone from Kanye to magazine editors to adorable doggies (squee!) loves Celine, so I understand why the ‘Crew took its cues from the color palette and iconic prints of that collection.

Images via Style.com, NY Post, ImYouAre, Stop It Right Now, Cut y Paste

Of course, they mixed it in with J. Crew’s signature preppy hipster style to create a look that’s more…J-line? Celcrew? These squish names always confound me!

What say you? Do you see the similarities or is it all in my head?

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It’s Fashion Week(s)! While the relevance and timing of runway shows has been hotly debated, they’re still a very important part of the industry. At some point during the Fashion Week hullabaloo, someone unaccustomed to the intentional outrageousness of fashion shows–they’re called SHOWS for a reason–will say something like “who would actually wear that?” (Clearly, they’re unfamiliar with the likes of people like Daphne Guinness and Anna Dello Russo, who revel in bringin’ the cray-cray.)

The answer to that question is: it depends. Designers often show a few pieces that showcase their creativity and their vision for the season’s collection, which are created specifically for the runway and use in editorial for magazines like Vogue. Those are the looks meant to garner news coverage (free publicity!) and spark sales for the designer’s perfume/cosmetics/handbags/other highly profitable divisions.

Styling makes a difference

However, sometimes the clothes look “out there” simply due to styling. To truly appreciate the more offbeat runway looks, it helps to dissect them. I like to look at all of the elements together, then break them apart and re-imagine the possibilities for each individual piece.

Break apart and re-imagine:

Of course, part of the fun of fashion is mixing things up in unusual ways and being outrageous and unpredictable. When the mood strikes, put on your gold sequined military gilet and WERQ!

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It seems counter intuitive to get all excited about Spring fashion when we’re just now on the cusp of boot-and-sweater weather, but thanks to the (somewhat outdated) fashion cycle, the Spring/Summer 2012 fashion shows are in full swing!

Even though floaty dresses and pastels (why so many pastels? WHY?) were all over the New York runways, there were also a few Fall-friendly looks that are currently wearable should one be so inclined to dress ahead of the cycle:

I took runway ripoff inspiration from this simple combination at Karen Walker: A striped blouse, cropped trousers, knotted silk scarf, and brogues.

Easy and professional! Did you spot any cool-weather looks on the Spring/Summer runways?

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I hate to admit it, but I can be really slow sometimes. I was going through my pictures to make a digital photo album for Ted, when I came across a picture from last year’s Fashion’s Night Out.

I peered at my screen, leaning closer to my computer. Hey, that looks like… Wait, is that…?

Model Joan Smalls and her…agent?

Joan Smalls posed for me and I didn’t even remember!  She of countless magazine editorials, Fashion Week runways, international ad campaigns, and frequent appearances on my Tumblr (the last being the most significant of the aforementioned accomplishments, of course).

How did I not realize that I’m practically a Noted Fashion Photographer? I’m like Inez and Vinoodh AND Mert and Marcus rolled into one!

Anna darling, call me!

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Whew! I’m still recovering from last night’s activities, but I thought I’d share some pictures of the fun/mayhem:

FNO Cincy

At Saks pre-Fashion’s Night Out. First, how cute are the ladies working there? Second, how badly do I need (yes, NEED) this feathered bag?

My friend, photographer Ann Van Epps hung out at FNO Cincy and took great pics of the stylish women there. I didn’t realize the store itself would be such a gorgeous backdrop…

The beautiful girls of Style Edit (remember my interview with them here?) and a guest wearing my favorite–black and white stripes–and gorgeous Missoni (?) heels.

Don’t forget about the guys! Given my love of menswear, a lot of my style inspiration comes from dudes anyway.

Blog buddies (well, what am I supposed to call them?) Marsha and Brock of Style Edit and Zach of The Fagazine with a friend. Cuteness!

Thanks to Ann for the wonderful pictures!

The Fashion Event

There was a lot of crazy hair backstage at the fashion show for A-Line, but Ashlee of amellostyle styled our Stop Traffick Fashion tees to a…well, to a T!

Waiting to walk the runway at the fashion show…

It was fun. I’m exhausted. Have a great weekend!

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With Fashion Week(s) quickly approaching, we can look forward to fashion parties galore in the next month or so. While I won’t be going to NYC for Fashion’s Night Out like I did last year, I will be hitting A-Line‘s Fashion Event and the FNO event at Saks downtown to hang with fellow fashion lovers and (window) shop my heart out!

Dressing for these events can be difficult, because you want to look good and show your style chops, but you don’t want to look like you tried TOO hard because that justaintcool. So, I have a formula* of sorts: Fabulous + Frumpy + Amazing Accessories

Fabulous is the bread and butter of a fashion party look. People need to know you BELONG there, and stare longingly at your shoes. However, you also need the Frumpy aspect because the idea is to make it look like you totally forgot about this party, and  just threw on your 5-inch stilettos and gold lame blazer before casually rollin’ through.

So the idea is to combine the Fabulous and the Frumpy, add sparkly statement accessories, and stir:

Aaaand…just for giggles, I made this handy-dandy video to further demonstrate the “formula”:

*Please note that though this is a Very Complicated Formula derived via Highly Scientific Analysis, it may not apply 100% in all cases. Take this advice with a grain of salt, preferably on the rim of a shot of Tequila.

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Cincinnati Fashion Week continued in full force after my coverage of Part I!

Graphic Fashion

On Thursday, Landor held a block party in the alley beside their offices to celebrate the unveiling of a new window display based on the synergistic relationship of graphic design and fashion. I’m all about THAT!

Landor’s windows are always a point of interest–everyone gathered around to see the creativity on display.

Like most Fashion Week parties, the place was rife with music, booze, and beautiful people!

Le Grand Finale

Lovely bathing suits (and a reminder to lay off the cake) by New York designer Cala Ossidiana

I arrived at The Edge (how long has that been under construction, anyway?) a little late because I was at a party, but managed to catch the tail end (ha!) of the first part of the show.

There were drinks, makeup lessons, a beautiful view of the city, and plenty of room to roam around and check out people’s outfits–the crowd was primed!

AmareSinh on the runway

When the show started again, I really enjoyed Philly designer AmareSinh‘s collection–lots of architectural shapes and edgy femininity. Since I’d arrived en retard, I missed Laura Dawson‘s wonderful presentation (she’s one of the most adorable people EVER) and planned to see it at the Merchant Fair at Brush Factory on Sunday, but it was rainy and cool all day, so most of my time was spent like this:

“What? You want me to get UP?”

Sometimes Beau has the right idea.

You can find more CFW coverage at 5chw4r7z, Style Edit, and The Fagazine.

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Monday was the start of Cincinnati Fashion Week, which means there have been parties and events for the fashion forward every night. I’m old and stuff, so I can’t do it all like I did last year, but I’ve managed to hit a few stops so far:

A-Line A-list

Monday was the A-Line/CFW Warhol Factory party, held at the old CAC. I’ve walked past that building a skabillion times and had no idea it was the old CAC, though I’m sure I visited when it was. See? Old.

There were plenty of drinks (including dangerously tasty ones mixed up by Molly Wellmann–and y’all know I’m a lightweight), fun photo booths by Framester, an American Apparel fashion show, and a profusion of hipsters large and small.

To a Tea

Wednesday evening, fashion collector Mary Baskett presented her impressive collection of Japanese designers at the Art Museum. Yohji, Comme, and Miyake, oh my!

I would’ve stayed for the party, but I’d spent most of the extremely hot day running around pulling items for A-Line, and like I said, I’m OLD y’all. I needed to soak in some Epsom salts, eat a sensible dinner, and go to bed at a reasonable hour–midnight.

I’ll report back after tonight’s shindig at Landor and this weekend’s events!

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Victoria’s Secret sweater; thrifted skirt and purse; gifted Casualmere scarf, Gucci sunglasses

Not to keep harping on the weather, but please let the record show that I’m wearing a wool skirt and sweater. In May. The last time I wore this skirt, it was practically a winter wonderland. Who do I need to contact to make sure this weather switch doesn’t happen again?

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