Va Va Versace

There are a few times when a girl (me included) wants to be taken out for a night on the town, dinner and drinks at a swanky restaurant with a killer view... and I don't just mean the view of her general surroundings... she herself wants to be part of that killer view.  Where you look just as confident on the outside as you are feeling on the inside, like that night is yours to own.

While I know the saying goes, "clothes don't make the the man" they certainly HELP the woman achieve that feeling.  When you slip into a dress that fits like a glove, and accentuates all of your best features very little can stop you from feeling fabulous.  Whether it be an amazing  dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower ( even the little one in Vegas) and an exciting show on the strip, or a candlelit dinner in the middle of a basilica and cocktails on a roof deck 57 stories above Marina Bay, its the type of dress that makes you feel just as special as the place you are wearing it.

For me, "that" dress was this Versace number. (Now if I was only as confident finding "THE" dress for another big day in my life.... I digress though, that's a whole other post in itself). For me, this was a dress that I didn't think "Where am I going to wear this??" it was more "Now I need to figure out where I should be taken so I can wear it." I knew the perfect occasion would arise eventually or I would eventually make an occasion happen... either or.

It's the perfect just above the knee length, and made of silk that has just enough stretch to hug you in all the right places.  What looks to be leopard print is actually overlapping images of fabric swatches- a little detail that makes it not your average animal print dress. It still has that "look at me" quality that is let's face it- unavoidable in anything that looks remotely close to animal print, but in definitely a more sophisticated polished way. My favorite detail however, is in the straps.  The straps on the V neck actually wrap around the front, crossing in the back to mimic the subtle V shape and then meet again in the front with a simple architectural black bow. Perfection.

If you are familiar with the rest of Versace's collections, it's fitting that the "WOW!" dress of my wardrobe would be from the atelier.  If anyone gets that va va va voom factor, its Versace. It is what the design house has come to epitomize in the couture world, and is responsible for making it a household name.  While the label (formally Gianni Versace) has been around since 1978, it didn't become a common name on the lips of fashionistas until 1994, thanks to Elizabeth Hurley and this "I have absolutely nothing to hide" black dress by the label.

As early as last Saturday, the label launched its collaboration with H&M... the brand is all a buzz in the fashion world yet again.  Clearly, the active house has had a lot going on for it since 1978, enough so, that I think its history deserves its own post.... and I'm sure Donatella would agree.

Nomadic Style with Nanette Lepore

I haven't quite settled back into life after my excursion around the world. For the most part, it's gone back to normal, aside from all of the additional planning that still has me running all over New England. There is nothing worse for me than coming back from vacation.  Don't get me wrong, I love home. I love being home, and being with every that comes with. But I hate leaving a places that are so inspiring, that you planned for so long to get to, and then in a few short days they fly right by.  Be it the Grand Canyon, Bali, or even Buffalo, I hate saying goodbye.

So, this week I thought I'd talk about a designer whose love for travel has inspired her unique style- Nanette Lepore.  I have often been referred to as "bohemian" in my style, and I would agree, there is definitely that influence there. Nanette on the other hand takes that to a whole new level, to a place where the free spirit meets luxury, where design meets art.  

Nanette Lepore with her daughter Violet
at the end of a runway show.

The stylistic direction in which Lepore has taken her company can be seen in her past.  Raised by an abstract painter father, and super-stylish mother in Youngstown Ohio, she spent her summers traversing Route 66. Having tasted a nomadic life so early on, her free spirit and taste for travel only grew stronger.  After attending Youngstown University, relocating to New York to attend FIT, numerous hours in others studios, and a $5k loan from her father, Nanette Lepore finally set up shop on her own in 1992.

Nanette Lepore Fall 2011  image from Style.com

Nanette Lepore Resort 2012  image from Style.com

Nanette Lepore Spring 2012  image from Style.com

Ever since that bohemian spirit and sense of nostalgia has been infused into her clothes and designs making her prints, silhouettes, and intricate embellishments instantly recognizable. Her widespread availability and contemporary price points make it easily attainable to boot. 

Nanette Lepore "Loveable Spots" blouse

This "Lovable Spots" blouse by the brand from my own wardrobe is a great example of her fun, flirty style that is remarkably feminine, without taking yourself too seriously.  It has a great 1940's pin up feel too it while still being modern.  The unique wrap of the top is flattering and functional all at the same time, it makes the blouse fit your body perfectly. The nicest thing about this top though, is the silk.  It's remarkably soft and luxurious, and so easy to move around in.  It lets my so called "free spirit" be free.

Nanette Lepore "Loveable Spots" blouse

3.1 on 11.3

As promised from last week I thought I'd introduce you to the world of 3.1 Philip Lim.

I was so excited when I got this top... not only because I got a killer deal on it, but because it was perfect for my Singapore/Bali vacation.  Light, and breezy with handcrafted embroidery details  it was the perfect wardrobe choice for the craftsman oriented island.

Embroidered detail on 3.1 Philip Lip top

It's no surprise that Philip Lim was the perfect choice for a trip to Southeast Asia... it's the designers homeland.  Philip Lim was actually born in Cambodia, and came to the United States (Southern California to be exact) in 1973 when his family fled from Cambodia's Civil War.

Philip Lim worked for Barney's before deciding he wanted to make fashion of his own (How fitting that Barney's is now one of the many major department stores to carry his line).  After this realization, he set himself up with an internship with Katayone Adeli, even with no formal training or portfolio.  By pure tenacity and talent, Philip eventually ended up on the design team.  It wasn't until 2005 that Philip (aged 31) along with his business partner Wen Zhou traversed the country and set up shop in SoHo, New York to launch his own collection 3.1 Philip Lim.  Now, the brand produces both men's and women's ready-to-wear, shoes, and handbags. In the 5 short years the company has been in business, Lim has managed to become one of the most successful contemporary designers in the world, even earning himself a CFDA Swarovski Award in 2007 for women's wear.

3.1 Philip Lim Fall 2011 from Style.com

3.1 Philip Lim Resort 2012 from Style.com

3.1 Philip Lim Spring 2012 from Style.com

Its no surprise he's done so well. His vision on fashion is one that is simple and genius all at the same time.  He states it best in that his clothes are meant to "refine, not define" the wearer.  Refine is the perfect word. Pieces from his collection instantly make any look pulled together, fresh, and sleek with just enough detail to give it that "designer" look in a completely effortless way. The use of high quality fabrications, and unique embellishments all combine to  form a so unidentifiable that it's identifiable high fashion style.  That almost couture detailing is what also puts this contemporary line at almost couture prices.  With the timeless quality of his designs though, 3.1 Phillip Lim is worth the investment.