Minimalist Fashion, Shoe Edit

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

Sometimes less really is more, and when it comes to your wardrobe that is undoubtedly the new trend among unfussy fashionistas. If you finally take the plunge and decide to become one of the minimalist fashion crew, it does more than just free up room in your closet. In fact, the minimalist fashion trend is advantageous in a multitude of ways. Take the following benefits for example: you'll have more money, more time, less stressful work days, and better organization to name a few.

Now when it comes to footwear, you can adopt the same mindset. The difference here lines in the overall versatility and fluidity of the shoes that you do decide to purchase. Even if you don't know where to start, relax! Straight from the pages of Lyst, I've found some great ideas to inspire your new minimalist shoe collection.

Fashion Hack Show Recap

A few weeks ago I met a group of very tech savvy people. Among them was Leslie Birch, an entrepreneur in the wearable tech field. It's really inspiring to me, to see women move into the world of technology. For years, technology, engineering and hackathons have been dominated by men and many companies have been touting for women to join and not actually letting them get on board with the program. Leslie Birch is a self proclaimed feminist, she's breaking down the walls and barriers to show the world that anyone can do it! I was recently invited to a fashion show in Philadelphia, in which wearable tech pieces were the focus and I even got a chance to model a piece! 

Fashion Hack

A few weeks ago, I met an amazing fashion designer in Philly that creates wearable tech fashion designs, Leslie Birch. Leslie's inspirations sparked from a technical festival she attended years ago in New York, Wired NextFest. From that point on, she knew she found her true calling. What's inspiring and refreshing about Leslie, is that she's pushing to see more women in the tech world. With the tech and programming industry becoming increasingly popular, it only makes sense for more women to dominate it, right?

The Roundup

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

It's about that time when most of the fashion week shows from around the world start to wrap up and wind down until next year. Watching fashion shows is definitely one of my favorite past times, it's like watching fashion get reborn and take on different looks. The fashion weeks is what determines what we, the consumer will see on the racks and shelves of our local malls to add to our wardrobes. From NYC to London, Paris to Milan, fashion is universal and relatable to all. I've picked out some of my favorite shows from this past fashion season! 

Public School Chic

Illustrated by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

I just can't get enough of beautiful minimalism. Crisp white lines, carefully executed black separates, ingenious drapes and shapes, while staying true to it's timeless and unique nature, without being overtly trendy. Minimalist fashion is something I truly admire, over the past year I've even cleaned up my wardrobe to be much more bare. No loud colors or of the moment pieces, I've carefully curated my closet to be something more timeless, something I can continue to grow with and wear for the next five or ten years. It wasn't easy but I found inspiration from so many brands and designers to fully acknowledge what it means to have a "minimalist" fashion sense. That is exactly how I found out about Public School New York!

Vintage Meets Modern

If you love fashion as much as I do, then you probably appreciate a good fashion show or two. Fall fashion is the most sought after season especially when it comes to the French designers, Chanel, Balmain, and Dior to name a few. How about a fashion show with vintage designer pieces updated with new designer pieces? That is exactly what the Alliance Francaise organization  of Philadelphia and Chloe Johnston Boutique are bringing to Philly next month!

Gothic Chic

Heather Lawton Inspiration by Jacqueline Davis Moranti

When you think of a fashion show, a catwalk is probably what comes first in your mind. For designer Heather Lawton's Fall/ Winter 2013 collection, was all about presentation. Rather than providing a catwalk, the entire showroom was a catwalk, models were dressed in gothic and bewitching separates,  appropriately complimented by an installation of a wintery, barren landscape! Lawton's inspiration for her F/W '13 collection was drawn from a dark and bewitching tale in mind, glamourous women in edgy dresses, luxurious outerwear with equestrian accents, cobalt fur hoods and plush wools. 

Lawton's gothic aesthetic is a great escape for for the average woman's escape from everyday life by feeling like you're part of a dark fairy tale! What's better than feeling like you're wearing a gorgeous costume from a Tim Burton film?! 

Images via SisterTribes

 I absolutely love this new way of presenting a collection, it's a new era people and change is good! I positively love this collection and could see myself styling it into my wardrobe! I truly consider this wearable Avant- garde. Dear readers, how do you feel about Heather Lawton's F/W '13 collection? 

Philadelphia's Black Tie Affair

Last night, I attended an event called the Black Tie Affair, it was in conjunction with The Philadelphia Collection's fashion week celebrations. It was nothing short of amazing! It was a social hour mixed in with a mini fashion show, a precursor to Philadelphia's fashion shows this weekend. It was great to talk with some young and local fashion designers and looking at their work was simply inspirational! 

Designers from Left- Bishme Cromartie, Closet by Cristobal, Lillie,  Faithful by Michael Thomas

All of these were by Cory Couture

I tried to get images of all the designers, but unfortunately a lot of my photos came out too blurred for posting. The top photo was right before the fashion show, the models were stoic, standing on a platform  like statues while displaying the designers garment(s). I'm especially in love with Bishme Cromartie's piece, I love metallics! The next photo was during the fashion show, highlighting Cory Couture. His work is spectacular, the draping the colors, the fabrics, so in love! 

The location for this event was perfect in an outdoor setting. Since it was the first day of Autumn, the weather was nice and cool without being to hot to sweat or too cool to shiver. There was a big, beautiful fountain that changed the colors of the spotlights, right in the center. The models walked off the stage and around the fountain for their walk, it was incredible!

Dress: Forever21, jacket: thrifted, belt: Zara, necklace: Urban Outfitters, rings: gifted,  forever21, shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

For this event, I made sure I looked fashionable, comfortable and most importantly like me. Love this maxi dress from Forever21, it's one of my favorite finds! It has equal doses of old school glamour, with the sweetheart neckline and modern day edge, with the all over pleating. I'm a huge fan of old Hollywood glamour! 

Here are some more pictures of fashionably dressed people.

Chandra Deal of Faithful by Michael Thomas

Rakia Reynolds (middle) of Skai Blu Media showing off her awards

                                                                                                                                  Xoxo,

                                                                                                                                     Jacqui

Fashion Show Recap

This past Saturday, 7.21.12, I was styling and helping out for yet another fashion show with Caramente Clothing. It was filled with joy, anticipation, excitement and tears. Yes, tears! Well that's mostly because of me, someone (rat- bastard!) had swiped my beloved phone. My phone and I were BFFs, yes it's that serious, i'm sure all of you iPhone owners understand what I mean by that! Anyways, before I get too deep into that, i'll continue with the show. The venue was bigger, there were more models, designers, and clothes. It was a beautiful mayhem backstage. 

Model, Antinique

Model, Arnellia Maxwell

PassionArts Designs 

Model, Alexis Coulliard

Model, Blair Griffith

Astronaut Zombies Designs

The MC Hammer pants are back!

This is part of the Caramente Clothing collection!

Yes, thats Kyla Pratt from The Proud Family and Dr. Dolittle!

Models, Sokha and Stephanie Sence

Here's what I wore on Saturday! 

Dress: Sugarlips Apparel, Blouse: Forever21, Belt: J.Crew, Wedges: Steve Madden via Shoemint, Headband: UrbanOutfitters

I love the simplicity of a black and white outfit! There's so many colors and prints to layer with it to take it from A to Z in seconds! I love layer dresses, and the weather this past Saturday was perfect for it! I'm a big fan of re wearing my dresses, it's the way you style it that can make it look like a completely different dress. I love me some leopard print, and I wanted to wear some comfortable wedges that would get me through the day.  There you have it, that was my Saturday, how was yours?

                                                                                             Xoxo, 

                                                                                                     Jacqui

Backstage with the Craziness.

The fashion show went on with a blast! It totally rocked the venue. It's funny because days and hours before the show, there was a ton of tension and anxiety, models that agreed to do the show and then didn't show up, phone calls and texts from an angry designer, and models that didn't fit the clothes! It's been a headache of a roller coaster, but I have to admit, I loved every bit of it! It was hosted by VH1's vj, Mama Jones. Warning, this post will be photo heavy!

                                               Two of our lovely models wearing Caramente Clothing!

Caramente Clothing's designer, Brianna Prescott dressing a model

Me, styling one of the models. Yes, that girl in the background really does have blue lipstick on!

One of our models, Christina Phal

Model, Shauntelle Concepcion

Model, Blair Griffith. There will be an interview soon with this lovely model!

My "utensils!"

Some last minute adjusting

The makeup station!

One of the featured designers, Nea, of Exotic Lyfe

Exotic Lyfe

That head gear is amazing!

model, Arnellia Maxwell

That's actually a vintage jumpsuit!

Models, Sokha and Stephanie

Unfortunately, I was not able to take photos of the Caramente Clothing segment because I was preparing models right before they walked. I'll try to next show! Here's a few pictures of my outfit that night.

Dress: Threadsence.com, belt and shoes: Forever21, jewelery: thrifted, Ebay

Photo Credit: Akeem Cherry

I seriously love this dress! I can not wait to layer it into transition to the cooler months, with sweaters over top of it or blouses underneath it. Comfortable and unique, is pretty much what you will get from Threadsence. It's my latest addiction! I hope you enjoyed this craziness!

                                                                                              Xoxo,

                                                                                                      Jacqui