Turning Heads

Hey Loves,

I'm back from my Home Home (Belarus) vacation, ready to get inspired all over again. Just finished reading Crazy! a post by Garance Dore, where she asks:

WHAT'S THE CRAZIEST THING IN YOUR CLOSET?

I've always considered myself a pretty adventurous dresser (is it my bad English or there's such a thing?) I wouldn't hesitate to try new trends, dive into my mom's treasures of the eras gone by and diligently rake through Goodwills and vintage eBay for that one piece , whose brand and season you'd never guess. Yet when I so passionately went through my closet today, shelf by shelf, hanger by hanger, my heart sank. Everything I once considered out of the box looked so normal I almost cried. Maybe it's my job at Saks, where I'm surrounded by pieces like these...

More Christian Louboutin...

... that has made my eye immune to craziness.

Anyways, the following two pieces jumped out at me. Really, not the is-she-out-of-her-mind crazy, but I-wish-I-could-pull-that-off crazy. Compliment-evoking crazy. 

This vintage Ann Taylor Studio silk skirt is an eBay find. When I set my eye on it, I didn't feel like it was an outrageous, boundary-pushing piece. The skirt is covered in international stamps - I used to collect them as a child - I just felt an instant connection - I was smitten - it had to be mine. Every time I put it on, it's just a bright skirt from afar --- >

yet turns into a conversation piece as the distance gets shorter < ---

Another crazy piece I found is these neon Manolos. I got them being high from neon spreads in the magazines. I find them sublime, the spirals of delicate straps - super sensual, the heels (what was I thinking?) super high. I LOVE THEM! Now, the craziest thing about them is that I never wore them. They are so perfect, they are not supposed to be worn, right? They are supposed to sit right next to you when you indulge in a spoonful of creme brulee for the ultimate paradise.

To sum it up, I like a clever print, a strategically placed detail, a flattering yet boundary pushing silhouette.  I feel I learned to incorporate crazy into my wardrobe in a way that looks organic, yet starts a conversation. I don't think you need a pair of embroidered hands grabbing your boobs to look fresh, quirky and out of the box.

What is the craziest piece of clothing that you posses?

LookBook: Summer Wedding

I'm pretty sure at least some of you have been invited to a wedding this summer. 

OMG! 

1. What do you wear? 

2. How do I dress not to outshine the bride?

3. What if it's several weddings? 

Streetstyle

I really don't know how I managed to wait for so long to get my very first Converse sneakers. The color of thunderstorm, the comfort of walking on a cloud. I really am behind the trends a lot. You know how fashion repeats itself in cycles of 10-20 years? I always wake up sometime in the middle to catch up. By the time I'm sick of my own trend, THE TREND comes back. Very convenient, isn't it? A way to stand out. I love it! Do you?

LookBook: Keep or Toss?

Three hours into belated spring cleaning of my closet I found this rain coat. It is the only piece I was very hesitant about whether to keep or toss and it took some styling to label it as "rediscovered". It was purchased as vintage on Etsy, the labels are missing, but the look is very Ali Ro. I'm digging the shorter front hem and hidden hood! What d'ya think?

LookBook: Highlight and Downplay

When a woman wants to looks her best, one of the most challenging parts of creating her look is highlighting her favorite/most attractive features and camouflaging the ones that make her feel self-conscious.

As Sharon Stone once said: "You cannot look sexy if you are uncomfortable."

I wanted to show you a look transformation from A to B that undergone careful editing. Accessorizing is the key, but all details must speak the same language without competing with each other.

occasion
★ bridal shower guest
to hightlight
★ toned legs and arms (showcase without revealing too much)
to camouflage
★ stomach area (ruching effect)

Click on images to locate each item online.

BEFORE:

look elements
★ AKRIS PUNTO top + skirt
★ IPPOLITA earrings
★ JIMMY CHOO pumps
★ ERIC JAVITS clutch

Pumps
Clutches

AFTER:

look elements
★ AKRIS PUNTO top + skirt
★ IPPOLITA earrings
★ JIMMY CHOO pumps
★ REED KRAKOFF envelope clutch
★ REED KRAKOFF bracelet

Pumps
Mid-length Skirts

LookBook: Colorblocker - Rocker - Chick

occasion
★ event planner day to night look

look elements
★ HELMUT LANG jacket
★ THEYSKEN'S THEORY sleeveless button down blouse
★ J BRAND denim
★ B by BRIAN ANTWOOD sandals

  Click on images to locate each item online.

Sleeveless Tops
Sandals

LookBook: Marine Hues

occasion
★ beach side wedding, mother of the groom

look elements
★ IPPOLITA earrings
★ ELIE TAHARI dress
★ PRADA wedges



 All images are clickable! 

Day Dresses
Wedges

LookBook: Intro

As some of you know, I'm a stylist and personal shopper by work days and an aspiring jeweler by days off. Helping people look their best at different moments in their life and for different occasions is challenging yet rewarding in the long run. It is a humbling experience time and time again when people from various walks of life trust my taste and expertise.

Every aspect of my styling job inspires my jewelry designs directly or indirectly. By introducing a new rubric LOOKBOOK I wanted to share with you the most successful looks my clients and I put together so that you could get inspired in turn to be more creative at whatever you do.

Look details:

occasion
★ a young artist gallery exhibition 


look elements
★ GILES & BROTHER earrings
★ HELNUT LANG dress
★ MANOLO BLAHNIK stilettos

 All images are clickable!

Evening Dresses
Pumps