Designers Archives | Blueprint for Style

Features & Series

remember mom always said to e-nun-see-ate

So you want those Loubies and you roll into the store to get them and the salesperson looks at you sideways because you pronounced them “loo-bow-ton“?! Yikes! Part of the cross you bear being a fashionista is educating yourself on the correct pronunciation of those French words like “Loo-boo-tahn” heels. I love this qick-n-dirty guide created by PureWow that shows you how to pronounce your favorite fashion designers. Now — go forth, click on your favorite item and purchase with your

2017/04/12

Features & Series

Designer vs Diffusion Lines

Like Marc by Marc Jacobs, RED Valentino, Z Spoke (Zac Posen), and Miu Miu (Prada), the brand MICHAEL Michael Kors extends a cheaper version of the brand to cater to low-end retail outlets. Indeed when you’re rocking MICHAEL Michael Kors, you are really wearing the brand made to cater to a lower price point. Michael Kors is the real name brand, original line ~ where the bags and shoes are upwards of $1000 vs. $250. The clothes, shoes, and bags in

2016/06/23

Features & Series

Pronouncing Designer Names

Sure you don’t want to ask anyone (especially if you’re in the store itself) because they may look at you like you don’t belong…. But you do want to know how to correctly pronounce that handbag or suit you want. Yeah – Kanye did it in his song but that’s not real life! We strive for more!! Thank Harper’s Bazaar (one my favorite fashion publications)…. Anna Sui: anna swee Ann Demeulemeester: ann de-mule-eh-meester Azzedine Alaia: azz-eh-deen ah-lie-ah Badgley Mischka: badge-lee

2014/02/19

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists

It happens every year and we wait with baited breathe…here are the ten lucky designers (and labels) who are up for the $300,000 in prize money (two runner-ups each receive $100,000). The judges will include Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler, Vogue‘s Mark Holgate, Jeffrey Kalinsky, the CFDA’s Steven Kolb, Reed Krakoff, Jenna Lyons, Theory‘s Andrew Rosen, Diane von Furstenberg, and Anna Wintour. AA, Antonio Azzuolo Altuzarra, Joseph Altuzarra Carlos Campos, Carlos Campos Creatures of the Wind, Shane Gabier

2011/07/26

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Fashions Night Out will hit the internet this year through the collaboration efforts of Polyvore and give many more fashionistas an opportunity to participate in such a fun event. (Click here for more details) A sophisticated looking Gabriel Aubry is the face for the Hugo Boss spring/summer 2011 collection’s advertising campaign. Any resolution to the stalemate with Halle Berry? Photo: Stefan Armbruster In need a great self-tanning lotion? Check out Aveeno Continuous Radiance Moisturizing Lotion (a steal) and Guerlain Terracotta Sunless Self-Tanning

2011/04/09

Fashion Weeks

Celebrating 90 Years of Italian Luxury with Gucci

With their fall 2011 RTW collection, Gucci celebrated their 90th anniversary! A fashion house doesn’t stick around for almost a century unless they have something extraordinary going on like Gucci does. Gucci has become synonymous with Italian luxury and this collection was just that with deep jewel tones, fur and even python all over the runway. The 70’s were definitely present in this collection and the models with their feathered fedoras, clean tailoring and gorgeous color palette (loving the teal and

2011/03/18

Practicing your ABC’s [of Fashion] with D&G

The D&G 2011 Fall RTW collection paid homage to the elementary school basics–alphabet letters and neon “bright” (like the highlighter brand!) colors covered the runway. Layering and the mix ‘n match of pattern (the ABC’s, stripes, etc.) were key to this collection with definite hints to an 80’s silhouette including cropped tops, pencil skirts, oversized sweaters and leggings galore. Ladies, cinch that waist with a D&G signature “tube” belt over an oversized sweater and leggings in an energized print and

2011/03/17

Charlotte Ronson Inspiration

What inspired your to work within the industry? My mother always inspired me to find my passion in life and go for it, and I was always obsessed with clothes, magazines, and fashion. After graduating, I started out making pieces mostly by adding elements to vintage Ts for friends and then people started using them in shoots. It all grew from there! Charlotte’s style tips – “For spring I was inspired by the androgynous 90’s grunge aesthetic (think Kate Moss

2011/02/10

Designer of the Week: Anna Sui

The woman behind the pretty florals and controlled colorful vibrance of Christina Ricci, Sofia Coppola and Courtney Love is Anna Sui and here’s what you need to know: Anna was devoted to dressing her dolls and her neighbor’s toy soldiers for her own personal version of the Academy Awards Born August 4, 1964, Sui went to Parsons School of Design after graduating from high school in the “D” (aka Detroit) Instant gratification….in 1980, she presented six original pieces at the Boutique

2010/07/06

Simply, Helmut Lang

A man of few words and even fewer public appearances, Helmut Lang is considered the forefather of minimalist designs and has with surgical precision, laid groundwork for other great designers like Dries van Noten. Here are a few notables: Lang was born in 1956 in rural Vienna, Austria. Of growing up in such spartan surroundings, Helmut said, “To grow up under really simple circumstances and to understand that certain things were ornamental—the idea of the simple life interrupted by the

2010/04/14

Diane von Furstenberg: Belgium-born Bombshell

Her clothing and designs epitomize easy elegance and style. Nothing is ‘too much’ or ‘too complicated’ … but just enough to ensure you are womanly, professional, and put-together. Let’s learn a little more: Diane was born Diane Simone Michelle Halfin on December 31, 1946 in Brussels, Belgium Her original pathway had her studying economics at the University of Geneva, Switzerland Diane started designing her [infamous] knit wrap dresses in 1973

2010/04/07

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News, Articles & More

remember mom always said to e-nun-see-ate

Designer vs Diffusion Lines

Pronouncing Designer Names

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalists

6 Things We Want to Share This Week

Charlotte Ronson Inspiration

Designer of the Week: Anna Sui

Simply, Helmut Lang

Diane von Furstenberg: Belgium-born Bombshell

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