Style X Streets in SXSW

For the first time SXSW incorporates emerging designers and local boutiques in the events this year. Austin Fashion Association named its show "Style X" and features local designers and local boutiques. But this blog is not about that-this is to catch the fashion vibe on the streets during the fest.



Total coordination--and a killer leather jacket.

This local lady's slouchy hobo sticks to the age old rule: always match your bag and shoes.

Cut-off reign supreme for Modular Records' Shelly--the relaxed leather vest is an Austin must.

Fedora/sunglasses trend at this year’s SXSW festival

"I like RED" did u get that ?

In Texas we wear boots with just about everything.

Great striped jacket, with the simple pencil skirt and the gray ruffled blouse - that jacket really stands out. Also, check-out her red-rimmed sunnies. Today's theme is stripes.

Over accessorizing can be fun if well co-ordinated

I am in love with a shot of color paired with stripes.

Retro is always in in Austin

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I was there and loved every second of the 25th year of the popular SXSW Interactive, Film, Music and now Fashion Festival. Hope this inspires your street look tomorrow !!

Why should women have all the fun ?

I have been thinking of writing about all the fashion week round ups of Milan, New york and Paris, and there is no better way to start than with men's fashion. Men's fashion may look simple but is much more complex to get the right cuts and the styles for a men who make women swoon.

Disclaimer : This piece is dedicated to my friend 'Ravi'


What else can all of us be excited about in this summer but the Paris Fashion Week? With the long line of models and enthusiasts, the Paris Fashion Week – Spring/Summer 2011 Collection has caught my eyes and those of many others looking for a different take on things. Let walk through our favorite men fashion designers in this Paris Fashion Week.

Yohji Yamamoto - Y3

Straight cut suits from intricate floral prints may not be so much of a breakthrough for Spring/Summer collection, but landscape and geometrical prints on suits, shorts and shoes are enough to make me take a closer look. Paired with neutral shades of gray, black and blue, they make up a statement made for the runway.

Flat-top hats and knee-length cropped soft pants remind me of Alice’s mad hatter, taking me to another place as other pieces bring me to another time. Shorts and knee-length socks, ruffled tops and buckles on shoes make the collection a wearable one, contrastingly allowing the runway into the streets.

Raf Simon's as well as Jean Paul Gaultier's mens fashion design in the recent Paris Fashion Week.

Raf Simons

The snazzy appeal of what we have yet to see was captured by Raf Simons on his SS 2011 Collection. A play of zippers, strings and waist bands is a refreshing take on the usual black and white canvas that is ultimately Spring and Summer in itself. Flowy pants and touch of orange, pastel green and a couple of yellow and black prints make for a sophisticated balance for the laid-back aura that the collection embodies.

Solid white and black vests and jackets are also a part of the ensemble. Skinny white shorts make for a casual street appeal that does not scream attention, yet commands simple amusement. Latex has played a relative part on some pieces, putting form and reaffirming the masculinity to the soft fabrics and asymmetrical, bold cuts.

Jean Paul Gaultier

Color, intricate prints and 3-D glasses helped Jean-Paul Gaultier with his collection this year. Once again, he has broken down the usual sights and pushed the edges of the Spring/Summer collection. Jean-Paul Gaultier did not disappoint with his futuristic prints on soft fabric and black and white base. Suits are well-defined with stripes and prints that spell ingenuity and intelligence. Blues and browns strengthen the already bold cuts, while white on black prints eases up the ensemble.

Peep-toed string sandals on jumpsuit and shorts, beret and silver necklaces, denim and knits, and some hard-looking street-smart leather and latex affairs give the collection a bit of everything you may want for whatever adventures you may have this Summer.

The Little Black Dress (LBD)

When you blog about fashion, you have to tribute the ubiquitous little black dress which was first introduced in 1926 by one of the world’s fashion geniuses, Gabrielle ‘CoCo’ Chanel, the designer of ever-lasting, versatile, simple clothing flattering all shapes and sizes. The LBD transcends time and trends as the essential item in every woman’s wardrobe “it can always be thrown on and feel best dressed,” said Scarlett Johansson.

In 1926, the little black dress, unveiled in American Vogue was sneered by many critics mainly because black, at the time, was only worn when mourning. That all changed when women of all social classes started wearing this elegant yet sexy dress. From your average day women to celebrities and famous political figures, the LBD has survived more than 80 decades.

The LBD in the early 1900s

The LBD in the late 1900s

The versatility of the little black dress makes it available in all materials such as crepe de chine, lace, tulle, leather, to jersey and lycra. It can be worn from day to night, at work or a cocktail party, every woman feels worldly, chic, glamorous, and sexy when she dons a little black dress.

The all-time classic way to wear a little black dress is to channel the Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany’s look with a perfect sleeveless LBD, a pearl necklace, and a headband.

Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany's

Or just keep it simple with no jewelry, black tights, and black pumps like these socialites do!

Julia Restion Roitfeld keeping it simple in LBD

Cutout LBDs were one of the last seasons’ hottest and sexiest trends.

Cut out LBDs worn by Halle Berry & Megan Fox

A fall trend found everywhere and looks especially cool in a LBD, strong/accented shoulders, also voted by you as your favorite fall trend.

Strong Shouldered LBDs on Balmain model & Selena Gomez

When used as a cocktail dress, try to find a statement LBD. Depending on the dress, choose your accessories, but if it is a true statement dress, i’d keep them simple or if your as cool as Penelope Cruz you can wear a huge turquoise ring, purple pumps, and a fish net hat! She really rocks it!

Megan Fox & Penelope Cruz in Statement LBDs

As a fun party dress, you can accessorize brightly with sexy red pumps or booties and red lips or you can toughen it up with a leather jacket or buckled booties, depending on your style.

Add some fur to your fun party outfit, a fur vest is the key item to top off your winter wardrobe.

Eugine Niarchos in a statement fur vest with her LBD

At work, wear your LBD with a cardigan, thin belt, and simple pumps to get a more classic look. Example below is not exactly a LBD, but it gives you the idea.

Victoria Beckham in a belted cardigan

And as we all know, comfort and confidence equal sexy.

Be timeless, wear black.

Disco Summer Nights 2011

If it were an outfit then it would be tapered Jumpsuits, maxi skirts and dresses with thigh-high splits up the side, billowy wide high-wasted trousers, and Strappy shoes, in almost any color imaginable, and then maybe topped off with wide brimmed hat.

Color is everywhere this season, and when I say color I mean vibrant, in your face, more clash and even more flash! Violets, Tangerine, Red, Aqua, Lime Greens, garish Pinks and bright Yellows, The brighter the better. Like flashing disco lights they shine bright and aren’t afraid of each other. Maybe it’s a slap in the face for all the muted neutral colors that have been so popular of late, so that we are now being treated to a rainbow of Brights.



This year’s Golden Globe awards was an indicator of all things bright and beautiful, with many Hollywood stars been dressed in colour by their stylists. Angelina Jolie stole the show in a Versace Emerald Green and Swarovsky gown. Julianne Moore wore an asymmetric number in Bubble gum Pink by Lanvin and Heidi Klum was in a Marc Jacobs Studio 54 inspired gown.

If you haven’t got your very own stylist, don’t despair; take inspiration, from the likes of, Fendi, Vuitton, Prada and Rykiel, then go out and find something a hell of a lot cheaper from the high street or go all out and find the real deal in vintage. For those of you that shy away from too much colour, and feel it’s all a bit much, and I know there are many of you out there, don’t fret, go for bright accessories, wear a bright shoe or bag with maybe an all black or even white outfit.

Gucci

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton

For those fashionistas amongst you, why not go the whole hog and team your outfit with an injection of bright lipstick. You can have a shocking Pink pout or a Tangerine dream of a smile as seen on the runway with Marc Jacob. So get ready to start wearing strong, bright and sunny shades this spring/summer. But remember, when it comes to bright lipsticks keep everything else paired down and simple. So forget Smokey eyes, don’t go overboard on the blusher and even have barley there foundation. That way your bright lipstick will be the center of attention and you’ll look less like a pantomime dame.