Friday 29 April 2011

Royal Mad Hatters


Sophie, Prince Edward's Wife
          I'm not a huge hat wearer, but I do love watching the royals rock some funky hats. I admire how brave these women are. Its fashionable and a tradition to wear those types of hats for formal events such as polo games, the Royal Ascot, dinner parties and of course weddings. There was a sea of hats at Westminster Abbey this morning as expected, no one would be caught dead without one. This time around they were a bit more conservative, when it came to colors, but still very bold.
Camilla

          A lot of people dislike these hats and you know there will be a lot of "royal bashing" in the coming days, probably by "The Fashion Police" and other fashion "authorities" (self proclaimed or legitimate). Lots of people fail to see the art in these pieces. I can't say that I would be brave enough to wear those, but I they are something to be inspired by. The shapes, colors and materials used make these pieces a focal point and I admire the craft put into them by their designers. So much creativity goes into a single piece.

Beatrice
Zara Phillips, princess Ann's daughter



          There are many hat designers that the Brits go to for these events, but possibly the most famous is Philip Treacy. Treacy has designed hats for fashion houses and designers such as Chanel, Givenchy, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen and, of course, Alexander McQueen. He also designed hats for movies such as Harry Potter and he also designed Sarah Jessica Parker's hat for the premier of Sex and the City. If you saw last season of Project Runway, you might remember the hat challenge where the designers had to pick a hat and design an outfit that went with it. The hats were Philip Treacy's creations, they were extremely bold and interesting.

Sarah Jessica Parker at the Premier of
Sex and The City

Lady Gaga wearing a Philip Treacy headpiece.
Fashion Designer Casanova creates an outfit
to pair up with one of the designer's hat.
Alexander McQueen Fashion Show


The Bride Wore McQueen

Sarah Burton (McQueen), designed Kate's Dress, beautiful and classic. Kate wanted to wear something designed by an English designer, so it should come as no surprise that she chose the best. If he could see this, I'm sure he would be tremendously honored:









Photos are screenshots of the wedding's live stream on 
http://www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel?feature=ticker

Royal Style Icon

          Ever since she started dating Prince William, Kate Middleton has been in the media and has become somewhat of a trendsetter, much like Michelle Obama became an icon in the US when her husband, President Obama was elected. Women want to look like her, companies made replicas of her engagement ring (Diana's ring) and some have even made a "how to" guides on the internet, showing women what to buy to look like her. Its crazy! She truly is a beautiful and sophisticated woman, nothing wrong with wanting to imitate someone like her.

          Today Kate will officially become royalty, and more than ever, she will be in the public eye, everyone in the world will be glued to Westminster Abbey. She has kept her dress choice a secret, everyone is excited and very anxious to see what she will wear. No doubt that after the dress is revealed there will be companies making the replica of the dress to go with the ring and everyone will be "Kate-i-fiyed" for their wedding.

          Everyone is calling this wedding the event of the season and lots of people can't help to compare it to Lady Di's wedding, so the expectations are high. I'm sure Kate won't disappoint, if she does, then "OH WELL!", let the luckiest girl in England have a happy day in the dress of her choice with the man she loves...and a billion other people watching.

So now...who will snatch Prince Harry? Gotta love those guys! (They really are equally as handsome in person! I got to see those beautiful men at the Queen's Birthday back in 2008 when I was in London, oh redheads...)

Here are some great looks we have seen from Kate so far:




Watch the Royal Wedding Online: http://www.youtube.com/theroyalchannel?feature=ticker
WEDDING DRESS!!! :)

HAPPY WEDDING DAY KATE AND WILLIAM

Savage Beauty

On May 2nd, at the annual Costume Institute gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will present "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty" an exhibit celebrating the life and work of the amazing fashion designer. The big event will be hosted by Vogue's Anna Wintour, actor Colin Firth and designer Stella McCartney. Vogue.com will be posting updates of the event, behind the scenes and other cool stuff. The exhibit will feature pieces from his collections and it being put together by Sarah Burton and Sarah Mower, who worked with McQueen.

I'm a big fan of Alexander McQueen's work, he had such an amazing imagination. I appreciate his aesthetic, even if its so different form mine, its inspired and unique. I love to look at the shapes, colors and concepts he created. He was definitely one of the best designers of this century.

The exhibit will be open from May 4 Through July 31, 2011 (Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Exhibition Hall, 2nd Floor).


Some of the looks that will be included in the exhibit were unveiled in this month's Vogue, check it out!!!

General Information About the Museum:

Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue at 82nd Street
New York, New York 10028-0198
Information: 212-535-7710
TTY: 212-570-3828

Hours:
Tuesday–Thursday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Closed Monday

Cost: Adults $21

For more information visit: http://www.metmuseum.org/

Sunday 17 April 2011

Spring 2011 Trends


The 70’s are back!

Tahari A/W 2010
Day looks this season are all about clean and voluminous silhouettes with earthy colors.  High waisted, wide-leg pants belted in, bow-blouses with bishop sleeves in silky fabrics, rolled neck sweaters with vests and chunky necklaces over them, hot pants and printed jump suits help you achieve this look. Accessorize with leather bags, belts and boots. Wear a lot of jewelry; rings, necklaces and pendants make a great complete look.
Night looks are all about shimmering fabrics and form fitting outfits. Disco inspired fabrics, ruffles, blazers, tuxedo jackets, wide dress pants, long draped dresses, low necklines and slits will make for a very glamorous night time look. Small bags with long straps are great for these looks and you can add belts to your outfits to get a 70’s vibe. To compliment your outfits add rings with bold stones and neat piles of bangles.

The women of AMC'S Mad Men
(
January Jones, Christina Hendricks
and Elisabeth Moss)
Feminine 50’s Silhouettes

These looks are classic; full circle skirts, cinched waists and impeccable styling. Bright colors and floral prints or stripes make these outfits very retro. Other options are straight cut pencil skirts, high waisted skirts, teacup length or just below the knees skirts with kick pleats or slits and classic three-quarter sleeve tops or dresses. To modernize these looks try adding sheer tops, blazers, trendy sunglasses, shorter hemlines, leather accents and modern hairstyles. Accessories with kitten heels, red lipstick, cat-eye glasses, belts, clutches, gloves and headscarves.

Biker Chick Chic

Burberry 2011
This trend comes equipped with leather jackets, skirts, pants and boots! Leather jackets get a boost with two tones or more, leather with more texture and accents. Leather pants and skirts come with a twist; mesh panels, zippers, quilting and padding. Boots are everywhere adorned with quilting, buckles and studs, find a statement piece and pair it up with your biker look.

Punk

The original anti-fashion movement makes an appearance this Spring.  This trend is somewhat similar to the biker look, but a bit more dressed up. Studs, leather, safety pins and combat boots are some of the main elements of this look. Studded boots, purses, tops and accessories are widely available this season. Look for Doc Martens, skinny jeans, leather pants and grungy tops. Think Hot Topic, you can dress it up or down as you like.

Some must have pieces this season:

Lace, crochet and macramé pieces; Tassels; Bellbottom pants, Capri pants and wide leg pants; Tail hem skirts; Striped clothes or accessories; Jump suits; Cropped tops; Cat eye glasses; Belt purses

Saturday 16 April 2011

Fashion in the Movies: Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants is an upcoming movie based on a bestseller book by Sara Gruen. The film takes us back to the 1930’s when a young man named Jacob (Robert Pattinson) drops out of Cornell, where he is a veterinary student, shortly after his parents die in a car crash. He joins the Benzini Brother’s Circus as their traveling vet, where he meets Marlena (Reese Witherspoon) a beautiful performer and the head trainer’s wife. They fall in love and have to deal with the consequences of her jealous/paranoid schizophrenic husband, August (Christoph Waltz).
I’m very inspired by history when I design. I love classic looks, and since fashion today lacks a lot of the glamour of the olden days, I often find myself trying to incorporate to my designs the elements that made women so elegant back then. When I first saw the trailer for this movie I was drawn to the fact that it is based off a historical novel, Reese Witherspoon looks amazing! So I started to look for pictures of her outfits online and I came across the May 2011 US Vogue, she is on the front cover rockin’ the 1930’s look and there is a beautiful editorial featuring her and an elephant shot by one of my favorite fashion photographers ever, Peter Lindbergh!

Allow me to give you a brief fashion history lesson:
1930’s fashion was very glamorous. Soft feminine styles replaced the flapper look of the 1920’s. Long and elegant gowns, lower necklines, soft gathers and natural waistlines were in style. Movies were very influential during this period, people in the U.S. needed a way to escape the harsh reality of The Great Depression and they looked at the stars of the time to help them do that. Hollywood dictated fashion; movie stars endorsed popular styles and accessories, and were often seen in glamorous evening gowns and furs. Some of the most influential actresses of the period were Carole Lombard, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Mae West and Jean Harlow.
            Accessories like brimmed hats, berets and turbans were very popular at the time. Hats were often worn tipped to the side, decorated with netting, feathers, ribbons or brooches.  Short hair was fashionable early in the decade, but long curls gradually made a comeback. Perms became popular and knotted hair nets called snoods were seen as well. Rounded toe shoes, thick heels, pumps, flats, ankle strap styles, slip-ons, lace-up shoes, two toned shoes and buckled shoes were all worn. Handbags were available in many styles and customized with the owner’s initials. Undergarments went trough some changes. Before, corsets with boning were widely used, by this time most corsets had no boning and they had evolved into brassieres and girdles with garters. Later in the decade separates were available.

Water for Elephants is coming to theatres on April 22, 2011
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon and Christoph Waltz
Directed by Francis Lawrence
Watch the trailer at: 
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi1397594649/

I'm so excited to see this movie because I know that the outfits are going to be amazing! I feel that it will be a nice story, maybe somewhat predictable, but I love romance, so its all good! 


References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1930-1945_in_fashion
Vogue - May 2011 - Reese Witherspoon
http://www.touchpuppet.com/2011/04/11/reese-witherspoon-by-peter-lindbergh-for-vogue-may-2011/
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1067583/

Post Series: Muses

Muse: Florence Welch
Occupation: Musician
Origin: English
Best Known for: being the lead singer of the band Florence + the Machine
Prominent Physical features:  Really pale skin and bright red hair
Age: 24



If you have ever seen Florence + the Machine’s performance or a music video you know that lead singer Florence Welch sticks out! She has an amazing voice and a really cool style. She’s got a mix of styles going on, most days she is very Boho/flowerchild and others she goes into DavidBowie/Glam-Rock. I really like how many risks she takes when it comes to fashion, she is bold, maybe not as bold as, say, Lady Gaga, but still very adventurous.


Florence has a rectangle or boyish figure, this means that her bust, waist and hips are pretty similar in width, she has a very straight body. This body type can get away with a lot of things because there is no defined shape. Many women with this shape tend to create more curves with clothes. If you have a similar shape to Florence, try bias cut dresses, any skirt style, halter tops, skinny jeans, trousers with details on the hip area, flowy trousers,  tops with ruffles, bows and other embellishments, round high necklines, spaghetti straps, racer back tops, vests, tailored jackets, long tops that end at the hip and belts.  Some things that won’t look that great are very straight dresses and tops with dropped waists, big flares like cargo pants, super full and puffy skirts that put you out of proportion, if you have a small chest sweetheart necklines are difficult to pull off, baggy tops and tunics that make your torso look super straight and slouchy jackets that won’t create any curves.

Thursday 14 April 2011

Pantone's Color of the Year 2011




"While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many,Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.
"In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."
Eiseman continues, "The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer."
Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It's a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women's apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men's ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For over a decade, Pantone's Color of the Year declarations have influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries including fashion, home and industrial design. 



Article from:
http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/content/color_trends/2010/Pantone-2011-Color-of-the-Year-Honeysuckle.html

Post Series: Muses

Muse: Kate Winslet
Occupation: Actress
Origin: English
Best Known for: Her role as Rose in Titanic
Prominent Physical features: Deep Blue eyes
Age: 35

I’ve always admired Kate Winslet, not only is she a fabulous actress, but she is one of the few actresses that has never given in to the “Hollywood Image”. She is a curvaceous girl and she has a positive body image. A while back she slammed GQ for airbrushing her cover shoot to the point that it was obvious that it had been extremely edited. She loves who she is and what she looks like, she thinks that her flaws are what make her beautiful. I think she is a really good role model.


She has a very simple style, never over the top, but also never dull. I like her elegance and simplicity. She seems to be such a “real” person. Kate has a pear shaped body, which means she has narrow shoulders, smaller waist and wider hips or bottom. Most women have pear shaped bodies, what is recommended is to focus on the top half of the body, everything above the waist. Balance your curvy bottom with bold colors on top and muted colors on the bottom. Wear A line dresses or skirts, full or circle skirts, gypsy skirts or maxi length skirts, V necks, embellished tops, mid rise and wide leg trousers, puff sleeves, kimono sleeves, bell sleeves, shrugs and wide collars or lapels. Avoid tube, pencil, trumpet or mermaid skirts, tight stretchy dresses, bias cut dresses, skinny jeans, cargo pants, skinny lapels and small collars, baggy tops and slouchy shoulders.

Kate at the in YSL at the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

Post Series: Muses

Muse: Catherine Zeta-Jones
Occupation: Actress
Origin: Welch
Best Known for: Her successful acting career, she is an Academy Award Winner
Prominent Physical features: Dark long hair and light brown eyes
Age: 41

Caterine Zeta-Jones has always been one of my favorite actresses. She has been in movies such as The Mask of Zorro, Traffic, Entrapment and No Reservations.  I’ve loved all her roles, but my favorite has to be Velma Kelly in the musical Chicago.

            Catherine is such a beautiful woman, she’s so natural and has an exotic look. She dresses well, always chic and accentuates her features correctly. I really like that she keeps her make up really light and her wardrobe elegant.

Catherine has an apple figure, her proportions are pretty even, she does not have a very defined waist. If you have an apple figure like Catherine go for empire waistlines, long length tops and tunics, low necklines, low rise jeans, boot cut or flared trousers, knee or teacup length skirts, bias cut skirts, asymmetric hems and tops with details on the sleeves or shoulders. Try to avoid short and boxy jackets, pleated or gathered skirts, tapered trousers, skinny jeans, high-waisted skrits or trousers, tiers, tight or fitted skirts, super short shorts or skirts, bulky knits and round necklines.

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Who will be the next Head Designer for the House of Dior?

          Since March, John Galliano, head designer for Dior, has been all over the news. Galliano, who joined Dior in 1996, was fired last month when a video was posted online by the British Tabloid The Sun, where he made some anti-Semitic remarks. Watch the video:

  

          Apparently this was not the first time he had been heard making those kinds of comments and a bit after this video was released he was accused of being racist by others and he will be having a trial in France this year.
Quickly after the video aired Dior suspended him, they knew something like this would bring them down, so they cut the cord! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Galliano is an amazing designer and artist, he has worked on many stunning garments and collections over the years, but he made his bed. Now that his career in Dior is over who will be taking his place? Everyone is anxiously waiting to know who will be his replacement. Dior is one of the leading brands in the world and I’m sure many designers have their eyes on the prize. Some of the names that have been thrown around online as potential new head designers are: Tom Ford, Alber Elbaz, Riccardo Tisci and Marc Jacobs.

          Dior will not be naming a successor until fall because there are legalities regarding Galliano’s contract, they also want to protect their brand’s current collection from bad press related to the incident and they are in the midst of big business.

Who do you think would be a good fit at Dior?


Sources:
http://www.elleuk.com/news/fashion-news/no-new-dior-designer-until-the-autumn
http://glam.co.uk/2011/03/christian-dior-won’t-rush-gallianos-replacement/
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/fashion/02galliano-dior.html
http://www.style.com/trendsshopping/stylenotes/040411_Astrology/

Post Series: Muses

Muse: Heather Renée Sweet a.k.a. Dita Von Teese
Occupation: Performer, Model and Actress
Origin: American
Best Known for: Her retro style and burlesque routines
Prominent Physical features: Pale Skin and hourglass shaped body
Age: 38

          I find the 40’s and 50’s fashion very inspiring, back then women had an elegance that I feel is lacking today. When I see Dita Von Teese I can’t help but love her style. She is definitely unique. I know that for many, her style is very risqué, but I think its so fun and she still manages to be so classy. I love everything from her make up to her every day looks and even her performing outfits. She is very true to the old style, but finds a way to make it her own. She would be so fun to design for.


          Dita has an hourglass shape: she has a fuller bust, small waist and wide bottom. There are many women who have this body shape, maybe not as marked as hers, but that’s not her natural body shape. Dita actually wore corsets for many years to achieve this; she reduced her waistline to 22 inches. Women who have hourglass shapes look best in wrap dresses, cinched waists, belted coats, wide leg trousers, bootcut jeans, knee length skirts (pencil, A line and full circle skirts), low halter tops, squared necklines, fitted cardigans, cropped jackets and vertical stripes. If you have an hourglass like Dita avoid empire waistlines, baggy pants, tight stretchy skirts, drop waistline skirts (mermaid or trumpet), dresses and coats and baggy t-shirts or dresses. If you have a large chest avoid ruffles, bows, high neck and other bulky accents. If you have larger thighs avoid skinny jeans or leggings.


She was my inspiration for my Senior Collection’s hair and make up. Check out my models: http://www.lauracristinavientos.com/english#!__english/viewstack1=senior-collection/viewstack0=senior-collection


Post Series: Muses

Christina Hendricks as
Joan in AMC's Mad Men
Muse: Christina Hendricks
Occupation: Actress
Origin: American
Best Known for: Her role as Joan Holloway in AMC’s hit series Mad Men
Prominent Physical features: Red hair, large chest and pale skin
Age: 35

I think Christina Hendricks is such a gorgeous woman! I love to design for curvaceous women and Christina has a really amazing figure. I don’t think her stylist makes the best decisions in the world when it comes to picking out outfits for her, but then again, often designers do not make clothes that are flattering for fuller figured women. I do love most of the outfits they select for her in Mad Men, she looks like she belongs in that time period and they are often flattering for her body type.



Christina has a strawberry or triangle shape, she has a figure that is bigger up top than her bottom half; She has a large chest and smaller waist and hips. If you are a strawberry like Christina, dressing your bottom half with full skirts and wide trousers will balance out your shape. These ladies are also encouraged to wear bright colors on their bottom half, tunics, bias cut tops or dresses, open cardigans, “V” necks and single button coats.  They Should avoid shoulder pads, off the shoulder tops or dresses, skinny trousers, pencil skirts, puffy or rouched sleeves, big lapels, double breasted jackets and halter tops.

                  When I make it big, I would love to design for her!

             
Christina Hendricks for Vivienne Westwood.

Introduction to “Little Lotus Lookbook”


HELLO!!! My name is Laura Cristina, I am a fashion designer and photographer from Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. This is my blog! I graduated last May from Syracuse University with a BFA in Fashion Design with a concentration in Fashion Photography. I love to design, sew, taking pictures and to travel.  As my life advances I hope to do all of those things even more than I do them currently, especially travel.

Right now I’m in the process of planning my big move to NYC (in late August 2011) to start my professional career. I live in Puerto Rico now and I have my own little thing going on, working the freelance business. Its going really well, if I may say so myself.

Little Lotus Lookbook will be a place where I will be sharing the things that inspire me, such as pictures, articles, fun fashion facts or anything that pops up that I think fashion enthusiasts will appreciate. I’ve tried many times to keep a paper journal and/or sketchbook but I never continue them or I just forget them, so keeping a blog is more up my alley, I love technology!  Hopefully you will get to know me, how I think, what my style is and maybe in the future you will see me out there in the biz!!! Fingers crossed!

This blog is meant to be a supplement to my website, I’d like to invite you to check it out, www.lauracristinavientos.com.

I hope you all like what I post here and I would love to hear back from you, so feel free to contact me through my website or just comment here. Follow me if you like!!!