Maya H., Author at Blueprint for Style | Monica Barnett

My Favorite NYFW Designer: Oscar de la Renta

I wanted to share my favorite designer from New York Fashion Week…..so here you go and I hope you enjoy it as much as I love Oscar de la Renta! Greatly influenced by his childhood in the Dominican Republic and his apprenticeship at Balenciaga in Madrid and couture assistant at Lanvin in Paris, Oscar de la Renta is today one of the world’s leading designers. Two words for the Oscar de la Renta Fall 2011 collection–“Trés Riche!” Yes, the collection

2011/02/25

Betsey Johnson NYFW ’11

Always remaining true to herself and her vision, the New York designer Betsey Johnson has done it again! Betsey Johnson’s Fall 2011 Ready-to-Wear collection called “He Loves Me … He Loves Me Not” consisted of two distinct lines, her more expensive “Black Tag” line and then her newly launched, lower-priced “Pink Patch” line. Johnson’s “Black Tag” line was an edgy hodgepodge of loud animal prints (even sheer unitards–how awesome!), fanciful prints, plaid, velvet, corseted coats, poppy flower pins on the

2011/02/25

It’s Finally Friday’s Quirky Yet Fashionable Questionnaire

This week’s everyday dapper don hails from the Midwest and as you read about him, you’ll see he’s a poster boy for the Midwest down to his love for keeping it simple, understand, no frills, and meat! While currently a successful contract manager in the new South, he still believes in a little manual labor and exercise, but the basic tenants of fashion which are about being comfortable in whatever you have on. Occupation: Contract Manager Age: 35 City/State of

2011/02/25

The Diane Vintage Collection

DVF introduced the iconic wrap dress in 1974 and now you can see that in many of the classic styles and prints!

2011/02/24

Dress for Day to Date

The detailing in this printed Saloni Aspara dress is spectacular: two small red, yellow and black beaded bugs on the waist, pleated centered back seam, slim fit skirt, and short sleeves with a loose fit top. Great for Sunday brunch, daytime power meeting, or a weekend rendezvous with the opera!

2011/02/24

Midweek STYLE Society: Top Style Bloggers, Vol. 11

This week’s roundup of top style bloggers is all about pieces that are used to complete the style puzzle….from nailing the right color to accessorizing correctly to pregnant yet poised style, and getting the gentlemen ready for the launch of Net-a-Porter’s men’s site. Mr. Porter. Reading the host of articles this week should you leave ready for style no matter what you wear or what phase of life you’re in! Speaking of Style ~ February Color of the Month: Pink

2011/02/23

Item of the Week

Ellette bracelet at Dannijo: made of resin, $75. Perfect to stack with other bracelets or by itelf with camel-colored chic!

2011/02/23

Cute, Stylish Notes

I am a slave to technology and although I’m not a pioneer, I do claim to know what’s hip and hot, and what’s not. That said, I’m a little old school too because I love paper…..there is something wonderfully chic and all-encompassing about paper; it’s tactile. So, today I am sharing a couple of great finds I’ve uncovered across the last few days that should allow you to tap into your inner-style and pen it for the world to see or perhaps just

2011/02/22

FYI….A New Brioni

Alessandro Dell’Acqua has recently taken over the reins as creative director of Brioni Womenswear, “I feel extremely proud of the trust and esteem that has been shown to me by Brioni.” (brioni.com) The designer’s first collection combines feminine fabrication with clean, tailored lines…reminiscence of the label’s menswear heritage. Think… Neutrals – camel, cream and black Poppy red (color of the season) Weighty gold chains with horn pendants Strappy flat sandals with an earthy edge

2011/02/22

Where To Shop For What You Need

You can go anywhere, but Blue Bee is the place to shop for lesser known and under-the-radar designers and classics. Imagine that Halle Berry, Heidi Klum and the likes frequent the store for themselves and their peeps….is that good enough?

2011/02/22

My Favorite NYFW Show & Why You Should Care

With over 30 designers showing their fall collections at NYFW 2011 across the last week, it can be hard to decipher what’s what, but one of the best questions to ask is simply, “what will translate from the runway to everyday, and what about me?” My answer this year is Ralph Lauren and let me share why right here!

2011/02/21

Outfit to ‘Cut a Rug’

Yoox is one of my top online shopping sites and here’s why: this outfit recommendation is not only ideal for cutting a rug all night but the top works under a fitted blazer for work, the funky mini rocks now with a pair of tights and booties or in spring with some chic flats, and the shoes work with everything! Click the pic to see this and few other great alternatives based on your shape and demure-factor!

2011/02/18

NYFW: Tracy Reese

Tracy Reese didn’t surprise us this year; she stuck to her more traditional 70s, boho theme. You saw quite a bit of accordion pleats and lots of black, but some curvaceous-woman friendly pieces. I can appreciate that she stuck to what she knows but do wish she could have ventured off the beaten path a bit more… Photos: Alessandro Garofalo

2011/02/18

NYFW: Olivier Theyskens

I have been anxiously awaiting the photos and looks from Olivier Theyskens show! His capsule collection at Bloomingdale’s has flown off the shelf and as the new Artistic Director for Theory, wonderful things are in store. The predominant themes from his show were pants and everyday wear. Just about ever item could walk right off the runway into the street and you’d be fine — the designs and overall styling seem to be workable for lots of shapes, so yay!!

2011/02/18

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (NYFW)

NYFW: The Row

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen’s The Row is very nice. While a bit of their persona lives in the designs, the overall styling is very haute if not somewhat couture. The pricing of their items will be haute couture as well with their new handbags being priced in the Celine and Hermès range!! The collection which was only shown privately featured lots of furs, crocodile and warm colors. The collection is for those who love the smooth tailoring but not those

2011/02/18

NYFW: Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs said the new collection was a reaction against the loose, fluid feeling of his Spring outing. “I wanted something strict and severe,” he said. Prepare your eyes for a smorgasbord of textures, fitted silhouettes, lurex, deep muted colors and black, and patterns and prints (polka dots!). I’m ecstatic about this collection! Photos: Monica Feudi

2011/02/17

NYFW: Prabal Gurung

When you think Prabal Gurung, you think fitted silhouettes so this collection of lace embellishments, feminine if not softer silhouettes, sheer pieces and a stable of black and white with mixes of red and soft pink was wonderfully unexpected! Also well known for his midi-lengths, this show saw slightly shorter and then very long for red carpet and evening glam. Prabal is a relative newcomer but his designs hint of classics to come!! Photos: Carola Guaineri

2011/02/17

NYFW: Tory Burch

Tory Burch summed up her collection as “English country dressing translated through American sportswear“. She deconstructed her tweed, showed much less skin and more restraint, and embraced the seventies. Most importantly, this is the collection that will represent the first collection in her flagship Madison Avenue store. I like just about everything in this collection, but do see how it’s not going to be too friendly to the woman with more curves. Photo: Alessandro Garofalo

2011/02/17

Midweek STYLE Society: Top Bloggers Roundup Vol 10

This week we have lots of great stuff and, yes, most is about Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (NYFW). But we also have a fab product giveaway from Closet of Style, a glimpse of the latest spring trend of mid-length skirts from Fashionalities, the resurgence of handbag designer Jacques Fath, and, of course, terrific reviews of some fabulous NYFW 2011 shows including Betsey Johnson who used her store employees on the runway!! As always, the articles are insightful and, chock full of great information

2011/02/16

NYFW Schedule: February 16th

Yigal Azrouël The Studio (9:00 AM) VACCA The Box (9:30 AM) Michael Kors The Theater (10:00 AM) Nanette Lepore The Stage (11:00 AM) Herchcovitch;Alexandre The Studio (1:00 PM) Adrienne Vittadini The Box (1:30 PM) Each woman epitomizes a distinct personal style and influential career. In 2010, Carol Alt, one of the top five models of all time and author of four books, launched her skincare line, Raw Essentials. This month marked the opening of a tribute to the Models of

2011/02/16

NYFW: Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg kept it true-to-form with some great splashes of colors but didn’t do too much minimalism. She named her fall collection American Legends and embraced prints, patterns, and contrast tipping. And, yes, fur! Overall, it was a little outside the norm of Diane so I wouldn’t make it my mainstay but I found a few pieces I covet! Photos: Alessandro Viero

2011/02/16

NYFW: Thakoon

Thakoon is one of Mrs O’s favorites and this collection, meant to mix the costumes of Versailles with garb from Kenyan tribes, created quite a buzz. Although I wasn’t in love with it, I appreciated the use of bold colors and how Panchigul managed to take runway show items and create a very tactile and foundational use for the everyday fashionista. Coolness! Photos: Alessandro Garofolo

2011/02/15

A Glimpse Into David Yurman

David Yurman came to be as a result of presenting his then girlfriend, Sybil, with a love token that she, in turn, essentially sold off her wrist to a gallery owner back in the 70s! Since then, Yurman estimates that more then 300,000 customers have purchased one (or more) of his cable pieces. Of the hundreds of thousands of pieces that are sold, roughly half are cable bracelets! Yurman has experimented with metal treatments, retooled lines to include diamonds, and

2011/02/15

NYFW: Catherine Malandrino

Catherine Malandrino‘s collection used black as the base color but spiced it up with jewel toned evening dresses. The overall collection was very real-woman friendly with ruching, empire waists, and sashes that revealed just enough shape or open decolletages. I loved it….including the fur and chinchilla bomber with a leather waist! Photos: Filippo Fior

2011/02/15

Our Blog

News, Articles & More

My Favorite NYFW Designer: Oscar de la Renta

Betsey Johnson NYFW ’11

It’s Finally Friday’s Quirky Yet Fashionable Questionnaire

The Diane Vintage Collection

Dress for Day to Date

Midweek STYLE Society: Top Style Bloggers, Vol. 11

Item of the Week

Cute, Stylish Notes

FYI….A New Brioni

Where To Shop For What You Need

My Favorite NYFW Show & Why You Should Care

Outfit to ‘Cut a Rug’

NYFW: Tracy Reese

NYFW: Olivier Theyskens

NYFW: The Row

NYFW: Marc Jacobs

NYFW: Prabal Gurung

NYFW: Tory Burch

Midweek STYLE Society: Top Bloggers Roundup Vol 10

NYFW Schedule: February 16th

NYFW: Diane von Furstenberg

NYFW: Thakoon

A Glimpse Into David Yurman

NYFW: Catherine Malandrino

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