Have a Fashionable New Years Eve!

By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Just one more evening away from the last day of 2012! It's the last night of the year, you've probably made arrangements for what your're going to be doing and who you're going to be with, but what are you going to be caught wearing when that ball drops? It's one of the few nights of the year where it is completely appropriate to dress super festive. Raise that glass of champagne and check out these four party perfect looks!

The outfit in the top left image, is for the girl who loves sequins! Rather than a sequin dress try a skirt, that way you're not stuck with a dress that you'll only wear once a year. Also, try looking for sequin skirts in lighter colors, it'll be easier to transition it from season to season. Be even more daring and pair sequins with lace to show off your knowledge of fashion trends! Wherever you are, make sure you're comfortable with some sort of outerwear, especially here in the great North East where temperatures have taken a steep dip. PS, as much as I love my clutch bags, it's not the smartest choice for nights where you will be around a lot of people, mingling, and dancing. Try a crossbody bag, it gives you free range with your hands and it is less likely to get snatched.

Top right image, is for the girl who wants to show just enough skin, but still be comfortable while dancing the night away. A cropped turtleneck paired with a high waisted peplum skirt and of course the  velvet blazer. High waisted anything plus a cropped top are one of my favorite pairings, it's a way to be sexy without over doing it. Rather than pairing this fairly black ensemble with gold, I tried it with silver accents. The tailored blazer also helps to contrast the sexiness of this look by adding a bit of menswear inspiration into the mix. It's less expected which makes it much more interesting!

Bottom left image is for the girl who loves volume! The metallic trend is still a hot number for this time of the year, so why not try it out with a hot jewel tone combination. Gold and emerald green is a popular pairing,  but why wouldn't it be when it's the color of currency?! Stay comfy by throwing on a faux fur jacket or a thick yarn sweater jacket, pictured above. Another way to complete this look is by continuing the high volume look, with your hair, you'll create a look worth remembering! 

Maybe our It Girl wants to be totally comfortable yet still show that she has a fashion sense. The bottom right image shows just that. Bright silk pants provide a lot of comfort and is super forgiving. Throw on a leisurely top that ties in the color of the pants, then add the sequin jacket for the "wow" factor and you've created a look that everyone will be gawking at! Don't forget the statement necklace! This is a great outfit choice for the girl who has a family rendezvous on NYE. 

Get ready to ring in the New Year with the perfect party attire and of course Happy New Year dear readers!

(Ugly) Sweater Season

Just because Christmas is over, it doesn't mean that you should put your wacky sweaters away! It's still chilly out there and you need to layer up, why not do it in a fashionably, eccentric way?! Overly printed sweaters have so much personality and because of it, many are considered ugly or unappealing. I tend to find it charming, they add a lot of va-va-voom to any outfit! Unless you have one of those sweaters with Santa Claus' face all over it! That needs to get buried in your closet right away! 

Funky sweaters look great paired with anything, over a dress, under a blazer, with a vest, skinny jeans, bell bottoms... the list can go on! You could even dress it up for a holiday party!

Sweater: Forever21, blouse: J.Crew, cape: American Apparel, skirt: thrifted, pumps: Shoedazzle, necklace: Jewelmint

 

How do you like to wear your eccentric sweaters? Is there a cap on how weird is too weird?!

Skinned

The second issue of Stardust magazine is here! This issue is all about wintery additions, lots of layers, dark colors and leather. It was a lot of fun meeting the models and being able to dress them and ofcourse all of our amazing photographers, one of them being my amazing amiga, Chaucee Stillman! 

Here are some of my favorite looks, coincidentally styled by me!

My favorite looks to style in the entire issue!

Does that necklace look familiar?! 

Wearing double ties are going to be the next big thing, just watch!

Even though that outfit is worn by a guy, I would totally rock it!

Thanks to all of the boutiques and companies that helped and supported to make Stardust possible, Kembrel, Aoki, Cultured Couture, Adorn by Sarah Lewis, and Curated Goods. The next issue will be even bigger and better! Don't forget to check out this amazing issue in the mean time and let me know what your favorite looks were!

                                                                                                 

Holiday Whites

One of this season biggest trends is about breaking the rules and doing what you want to do, wear whites after Labor Day! Is it strange that I'm more apt to wearing white well after the summer months?! Usually the white pieces for the colder months are much more structured and silhouetted than the ones specifically for the summer months. Rather than linens and chiffons, there are now off- white leathers, cream silks, and beige knits! Another plus, is that these textures are much easier to clean too, which is one of the many reasons why I wear whites in the winter! 

Trousers and coat: J. Crew, sweater and belt: Club Monaco, blouse: Forever21, pumps: Shoemint, jewelry: gifted, forever21, thrifted

With this look I wanted to create something cozy yet sleek! I've always considered leopard print to be a neutral, pairing it with white felt like such a 

good combination. The key is to keep the white as the main attraction, keep everything else secondary. 

Anyone thinking of trying the winter white trend for Christmas or NYE?

Kembrel Trunk Show

Recently, I attended an event at an awesome Philadelphia store called Kembrel. Kembrel is a Philadelphia based boutique that sells many of the local artisans in the neighborhood, and represents them next to classic, well established brands. It was started on the mindset of a fashion conscious college student, that wanted independent clothes and apparel, with high quality, without going broke!

"They wanted to make shopping easier for their college peers. They wanted hip, unique clothes and gadgets every day of the week. And they wanted it on a Ramen-sized budget." Kembrel Boutique

On this particular day, Kembrel hosted a trunk show event, featuring the four Philadelphia Fashion Incubator designers, Melissa D' Agostino (D’AGOSTINO Fashion Textile Design), Kaitlyn Doherty, Autumn Kietponglert (Heartless Revival) and Latifat Obajinmi and Moriamo Johnson (Aso Damisi). It was really nice to talk to the local designers and hear what they had to say about their take on fashion design and their residence as part of the Macy's Fashion Incubator program. 

Button Bib Necklace by Aso Damisi

Aso Damisi, is designed by two beautiful sisters from Nigeria that relocated to the United States at an early age. They are all about meshing together African inspired textiles with classic and timeless designs. I absolutely fell in love with these designs, the prints and the fabric just speak to me! Wearing prints has become such a big explosion in the past year, and I don't see an end to it!

Heartless Revival designs

Black and white, couture and goth... these pieces from Heartless Revival just go together so well. These designs are a very edgy take on Ready to Wear, just imagine that skeleton tunic with a pair of pleather leggings and and a short, cropped moto jacket!? One amazing look is what you end up with!

D'Agostino silk, hand dyed ties

Designer, Melissa D' Agostino talking about her special hand dying method

The one word that comes to mind when I think about D'Agostino designs is beautiful! I know, it's kind of a cliche word but when true beauty blossoms, you have to give credit where it's due! I've actually been a long time follower Melissa's designs, i've even been to a fashion show with her designs featured.   You have to really see the designs in person and feel the fabric to fully explore the beauty of her work!

Hand sewn, leather belts by Kaitlyn Elizabeth 

I can totally see this dress on a celebrity!

While I was speaking with the designer of Kaitlyn Elizabeth, I was blown away by how young her designs were and how much talent she had. She hand sews everything herself, including all of the leather pieces. Her execution and craftsmanship is magnificent! Her designs have a very young and contemporary feel to them, making them a perfect match for many retailers. Studs, colorblocking, leather, exposed zippers, cut outs, its just so now! 

All in all, I believe all of the designers featured in the trunk show deserve a second look over. I really do think you will fully appreciate their designs, I sure did! It was a great event, and if you're ever in Philly and looking for a new place to shop, check out Kembrel boutique! 

Leren Love

Have you ever had an epiphany from finding the best shoes ever? I've had that experience recently, Lacoste was sweet enough to send me a pair of their new bootie, Leren. This bootie combines comfort and fashion to the fullest extent, the comfortability reminds me of my sneaker wedges from Nastygal. It's because they both have gum soles, which support your feet for hours and provide great traction! I absolutely love wearing shoes that give me height (3in.) and can look great with most of my wardrobe. It has the versatility to be dressed up or down!

Leather jacket: from boutique in Spain, blouse and sweater: Forever21, skirt: Nastygal, booties: C/O Lacoste

I am literally wearing this bootie everyday, even my BF is starting to notice! Absolutely in love. Thanks Lacoste! If you're in the market for a great everyday boot, try the Lacoste Leren, you'll fall in love with it as much as I did! This boot also comes in black and brown making it very universal for anyone's wardrobe. 

* You can shop for this bootie at macys.com and zappos.com

Tinseltown Shopping

By Jacqueline Davis Moranti

If you're as addicted to fashion as I am then you most likely already know about this awesome website called Refinery29! It gives you up to the minute news about the fashion world and lots of great tips related to wardrobe malfunctions even how to spruce up your resume to land that dream job! Refinery 29 is all about celebrating personal style.

Since it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, the Refinery29 team launched a gift shopping guide  called "Tinseltown." Let me tell you, it makes shopping for anyone on your list look like the most un-daunting task ever! The addition of Tinseltown brings their readers an interactive way to shop this holiday season by way of videos. The viewer can watch how products are used and shop right from it. The videos in turn are like personal wish lists! They include gift guides for men, mothers, the social butterfly couple, even a guide for what to get your boss! It's just really convenient especially for someone like me who needs a list, rather than guessing at what the gift receiver might like! I am seriously the worst at shopping for anyone, so any bit of help goes a long way for me. And of course, my favorite part about it is that they give you tons of great holiday make up and hair inspiration and how- tos. Hello holiday parties in style! 

The Refinery29 team is also introducing the Tinseltown Bazaar, a 3 day(14-16) holiday pop- up shop in New York city. It will feature the team's favorite and most coveted labels such as Dannijo jewelry, Loeffler Randall, and many more. 

Tell me readers, are you familiar with Refinery29? What do you think of their interactive gift guides?

"These videos are a chance for our users to tune into the Refinery29 world in a very

personal way. With this video series, it's like they are actually shopping with us."- Christene Barberich

A Partridge & A Pear Tree

One way to shine bright this season is by way of funky prints! Why not try a pair of corduroys with a print relating to this holiday season, such as a partridge and a pear tree?! The moment I saw these cords, it was love at first sight! I absolutely love prints, the more unique the better! Makes for a great conversation starter and the colors allow for plenty of options for blouse choices! 

Jacket: Urban Outfitters, top and pants: Club Monaco, socks: American Apparel,  wedges: Shoemint, scarf: thrifted

Wearing prints can be done for this season, just make sure that you're sticking to seasonal colors such as jewel tones, neutrals, and subdued colors. Don't be afraid to wear something other than florals on your pants. Be daring and try something new.

                                                                                         Xoxo,

                                                                                                 Jacqui