Nina Ricci Spring 2011 - A Woman's Subtle Strength

The one thing that always has and always will continue to allure me into fashion is not only the amazing clothes and trends from season to season, but the life of the woman who wears the clothes. What is she wearing as she is jetting off to Paris for a couture show or flying away to a far away island of Fiji? It is not only the clothes but what they represent by the woman who wears them each and everyday. So when a collection very specifically portrays the woman herself with such strength and poise - I am immediately connected.

Here at Nina Ricci's show, Copping chose to design for a woman "in charge but not in an obvious way." There was a sort of edgier or harsher femininity to the outfits. Don't let the ruffles and bright colors fool who, because the eyes say it all.

This collection was truly so magnificent. I love the soft and girly pieces especially with contrasted items like the simple leather and silk satin closed toe heels. There was room for the subtle, the bright, and the dark - sort of taking on the different personalities of woman - eh?

Chanel Spring 2011 - Jackets with Lace and Florals

I am a true and avid fan of everything of everything and all things Chanel. It has become a brand that has been highly sought after ever since celebrities started carrying around those double-c encrusted quilted chain bags. The fashion shows are true art forms and the clothes are works of a master - Karl Lagerfeld. The standout looks that my young self was drawn to, were the tweed and leather jackets paired with lace and floral tops. They created a different dimension to what is typically classic.

Metallic tweed looks great with this lace top and Chanel jewel necklaces.

Pale pink is such a great color for a tweed jacket in the summer time - I adore the feminine floral blouse it is paired with. The biker boots offer a nice edge to the overall look.

Again, I love the play on hard and soft here - leather and biker boots with a beautiful silk blouse.

Paul & Joe Spring 2011 - White with Color

This spring collection at Paul & Joe, there is a very seemingly "Californian" vibe here. All of the models were smiling as if they just spent a day at the beach. I love the colorful printed pieces as they were set back against white pants, skirts, dresses, and tank tops. Belts and flat sandals were simple and comfortable.

This red-orange is such a great color for this summer...try it on your fingernails as well!

I thought this was so a fun and casual summer dress suit.

This top is so free-flowing and fun - great piece to wear on the weekends out shopping or dinner.

A cropped jacket is a great add on piece for a high-waisted shirt, pant, or in this case - a maxi skirt.

This jacket is awesome...Instead of pairing a white blazer with a print dress, why not try to opposite?

Lela Rose Spring 2011 - Letting Beauty Rein

If the beauty of the woman alone could sell the clothes themselves, than Lela Rose would be on high on the list. I think about Lela Rose, and her beauty and ultra classiness as a woman immediately comes to mind. Best known for her dresses, she certainly had a few key standouts this season. Here are a few favorite looks to be inspired with for summer:

The fact that this dress is made out of one fabric fascinates me. The shape is so eye catching and well put together.

Please, ladies, buy a colorful dress and wear it proudly with a pair of bright heels to match.

If you haven't bout a couple striped shirts this summer (and last summer), you have obviously not kept up with the times. Pair it with a jacket or funky pair of shorts (as shown).

It was all about the bright color blocking this summer season. Loving this neon yellow skirt with the coral

This amazing teal dress is to die for...It can definitely be carried into your fall wardrobe as well.

Anna Sui Spring 2011 - Continuing to Make the 60s Current

I think of Anna Sui and I immediately go back my not-so-long-ago college past and the style that I worked hard to put together on a menial budget. So young, free, and independent I tried to be - all the while allowing my fashion sense to reflect that. So of course, I always love watching the Sui show because of the the brand represents and how I wish I could dress everyday now in the real world.

While most brands are turning to neutral minimalism, Anna still continues to hold true to her roots and her modern day late 60s / 70s looks of maxi dresses, scalloped shorts, peasant blouses, hand crochet dresses, and boots paired with short shorts. The girls looked so beautiful and carefree as they walked down the runway - freshly highlighted locks and brown metal eye shadow - don't you wish you could be that girl again?

Um hellllo cute beaded tunic! And ya, scalloped shorts are the thing this season.

Just a cute little outfit with matching tan boots and messenger bag:)

Ivory crochet dress with army green utility jacket? My favorite combination.

This ensemble is actually two pieces. I like the printed tunic dress - such an easy go to piece that makes a great statement.

I love this print dress - especially with the purple boots.

More ivory and crochet - so amazing for summer casual wear!

Tibi Spring 2011 - Super Cutesy

The story behind the brand Tibi is such a good example of a your typical run of the mill fashionable woman who one day decided to create her own fashion label in order to fill a void in her wardrobe while living in Asia not too long ago. Several years later, you can find a Tibi dress anywhere from your nearest boutique to your nearest high-end department store. The brand is very dress focused. So most young women will pick up a dress or two each season. This season, however, the designer strived to create more options for her customer by introducing great layering options and separate pieces.

Her runway show was ultra neutral, as most collections were. However, her website also has an immense amount of just about anything the company is offering for the season. Prints and color galore, of course. Perfect options for a young woman's vacation by the beach. Can you see it now? Sporting a Tibi dress while sipping on a chilled white wine and eating lobster?

A simple look, obviously - but spruced up with a great heel makes this outfit well worth it.

This signature structured sleeve is on of my favorite components of the Tibi dress. Here we see it in a beautiful a-line form.


Such cute ways to look casual outside of the office. High-waisted skirts are so classy paired with a little jacket.

Just a few ways to wear black in the summer - light fabric and floral prints.

Jackets long. Jackets short. They are the ultimate outfit topper.

I have my eye on a leather skirt this pre-fall season - it is such a classy way to wear leather.

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2011 - New Levels of Polish and Class

Oscar de la Renta is one designer who has every right reason to stay true to his lady chic persona season after season. The overall feel of this collection is all in unison despite the  occasion inconsistency in color combinations. Prim and proper are the quintessential terms I would use to describe this spring collection.

The vibe was very ladylike and old-fashioned. Colorful tweed jackets are standout pieces, as they offer ladylike compliments to a pair of linen trousers or a matching pencil skirt. The subtle use of ruffles plays a key part to the femininity of his outfits. The dress were very classy yet sexy the way they hug the woman's curves. Overall the collection was very typical of Oscar, yet there is every reason to head to Neiman's to snag a piece or two to build your spring/summer wardrobe.

The little pink tweed jacket is the most noticeably significant part of this look. The earrings make the feel a little bit more young and fun.

I love this suit because it is so signature to Oscar's dressing style. The belt was a great touch.

Simple and classic, every woman should own a little white dress for the summer time.

A-line print dresses are so fun to wear - they immediately make a woman feel so  confident and alluring.

I like this look because it is a little bit edgy for Oscar.

This look is very preppy and chic - perfect for that cookie cutter wife's wardrobe.

I always love black and white paired together in different ways. I especially like the striped jacket and t-strap heels.

Mint green is hardly ever used and I don't know why. It is just as soft as the season's popular blush crush color and looks fabulous on most skin types.

This classic yellow tweed dress is just so divine. The gloves and the two-toned ballet flats are so chic.

The only way I can wear yellow - with black.

The silk embroidered black jacket is so delicate and eye catching in person.