Fashion Trends – Looking Forward
October 3rd, 2010 § 3 Comments
If you pay attention to fashion and trends you know top designers are always looking forward. It’s hard to believe that Autumn has just arrived and yet Fashion Week in Milan last week had designers focusing on Spring/Summer 2011.
My favorite was Dolce&Gabbana who emphasized lots of white and gorgeous vintage looking lace. Of course most of us can’t necessarily justify running out to D&G and spending a fortune. The good news is, with awesome handmade designers, you don’t have to.
Fall Fashion Trend – Faux Fur
October 2nd, 2010 § 2 Comments
Looking through pictures of Fashion Week today, I’m noticing a huge emphasis on fur. I’m not a big fan of real fur at all. The good news is that some designers are not only fashion forward, they also have a cruelty free conscience. Seeing this trend able to carry through Fall and Winter, I’m willing to bet you’ll be seeing a lot more “fur” to come. These Handmade artisans feature faux fur in their work.
Cargoh
September 27th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
For those of you haven’t heard of it, Cargoh is a curated venue for artists and designers. They have pretty straight forward guidelines – pretty pictures and a fabulous design aesthetic. The result is a stunning group of handmade work.
Not only is Cargoh a marketplace, it’s heavily tied into Social Media. You can log in using your Facebook and pull your picture directly from it. It feels like a new, fresh and oh-so-more-artistic Etsy. You can sign up for an account pretty easily but to become a seller, you must submit your work and bio. I personally love this as my one complaint with the other online marketplaces is the over abundance of sellers.
Here are a few lovelies I found using Cargoh’s awesome search options.
Trends – Boots (Always My Favorite)
September 13th, 2010 § 3 Comments
Every year as summer begins to fade and Fall begins its beautiful journey to me, I get excited. It’s my favorite season for so many reasons. Halloween, leaves turning gorgeous shades of reds, oranges, yellows and greens, cooler weather and autumnal scents filling the air. However, one thing usually gets me amped more than anything else…Fall clothes and shoes! I love layering…tights and skirts, boots with tall socks, sweaters, scarves…the list is endless. My all time favorite for fall is a killer pair of boots. I had suede slouch boots in 7th grade (thanks to my Mom who I now realize was fashion forward) and lace up Victorian boots in High School. College was more of a Doc Marten time and now I’m drooling over black, leather motorcycle boots. No matter where you live, no matter what size you are, this is one fashion “trend” you must own. I even hesitate to call it a “trend” since a great pair of boots will always serve you well.Here are a few great boots and things to wear with boots. I love the “rocker” style, the “biker” style and the “postapocalyptic” style.
Fall/Winter 2010/2011 Color Palette Renaissance – Etsy Style
August 29th, 2010 § 1 Comment
As part of a continuing series I’m focusing on the color trends from Fashion Snoop for Fall/Winter/2010/2011. In my last post I discussed the “Hitchcock” palette – lots of gorgeous neutrals. Today I present you with their other palette, Renaissance. According the Fashion Snoop this color palette and key items represent the translation of “combating a rough economy with a warrior-like aesthetic.” Look for hints of Joan of Arc as well as Robin Hood in fashion influence. This translates to lots of metal, fur, leather and chainmaille. This forecast is much welcome to me; I love the softness of romance mixed with toughness and strength.

I adore the richness of this palette, neutrals balanced with dreamy jewel tones. My favorite color from this is Pantone 18-1648 or “Baked Apple”. Not pink, not red – a gorgeous blend and the best of both. It reminds me of rosy cheeks after a chilly winter walk. Below I’ve hand picked some Etsians with this gorgeous Baked Apple worked into their collections.
Terrific Tuesday ~ Etsy Faves and Finds!
August 17th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Yes it’s Tuesday again which means more lovelies from Etsy! I’m feeling Autumnal today so I’m going with a Fall theme. It’s my favorite time of the year – perhaps because I’m a Libra, born in October and grew up with Halloween themed birthdays. I love crisp, cool air and the smell of cinnamon. The colors of turning leaves and muted, earthy tones resonate within me. This year, my own color palette is a little “brighter” than the usual browns, oranges and greens – but they’re still my favorites. So please enjoy and be sure to stop by these gorgeous shops and show some love!
Bragging Bags (http://www.etsy.com/shop/braggingbags) is a wonderful shop with an overall Autumn and earthy wedding feel to it. Lots of nature inspired gifts, favors, jewelry and accessories for rustic/country/green weddings. I featured them in my fall.in.love treasury a while back and I just can’t get enough of this ethereal shop! I love these pumpkin ring bearer “pillows”.
A new discovery for me, Nushkie Design (http://www.etsy.com/shop/Nushkie) offers absolutely gorgeous felt work. Beyond Fall lovelies, Nushkie offers winter & Christmas designs, toys, Mermaids and wearable felt items.
One of the best things about Autumn for me is chilly weather clothing. I love the colors, textures and warmth Fall colors and fabrics brings. Anyone that knows me knows I love tights or leggings with a good skirt and a killer pair of boots. I found some great organic leggings here at Conscious Clothing (http://www.etsy.com/shop/consciousclothing) and a few other great fall pieces. Supporting fashion that is sustainable should be at the top of your Fall fashion shopping list!
Terrific Tuesday – Etsy Finds and Faves
August 3rd, 2010 § 2 Comments
Friday Inspiration ~ Fall ~ Fashion Week
July 9th, 2010 § Leave a Comment

DKNY

Michelle Smith

Vera Wang

Ralph Lauren

Oscar de la Renta

Marc Jacobs

Carolina Herrera
Fashion Trend Prediction – Myth and Fantasy
June 3rd, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Recently I have been doing a lot of reading and research on upcoming fashion trends for the coming year. One recurring theme that I’m super excited about is Fantasy and Myth. Think fairytale, think epic – think all things medieval and all things natural. I believe up to this point all of these have been touched on here and there with the Twilight rage, the Alice in Wonderland mania and even more recent – dragons. In the coming year I see a more expansive and deepened delving into the mythical and magical.
Here are some things I would like to see – color palettes, themes and inspiration.

Color Trends – 2010 and Beyond
May 27th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Hi all, I know its been AGES since my last blog but I’ve been inspired!
I’ve been a big fan of Pantone since I worked in a sign shop and learned the importance of accurate color matching. I was especially excited to see that Pantone named Turquoise as color of the year for 2010 as it is my “go-to” color for everything.
On their site you can purchase palettes of inspiration for the coming seasons – I personally LOVE the one called “Universe”
• Identifies cultural and lifestyle trends
with true global relevance.
• Analyzes societal and mass-market
influences.
• Forecast colors are springboards
for inspiration, interpretation and
adaptation to specific product and
The ColorFoward for 2010 is very cool – about societal trends as listed below:
-
Reinventing Happiness
-
Tech It Easy
-
Embracing Gaia
- Age Shock
Each one of these trends has a selection of colors that goes along with it. You can see their color predictions here – it’s a free pdf. ColorForward 2010. I personally love the “Embracing Gaia” scheme!
On their site you can also read about ColorForward 2011 which promises -
Colors for 2011 will be brighter and more lively, reflecting a renewed sense of optimism in a world still struggling with natural and man-made crises, according to ColorForward™… At the same time, consumers can be expected to respond more to technology, materials and emotions that stimulate the senses in ways that go beyond the merely visible.
And if you’re curious about predictions for Fall 2010 see the below chart from Pantone.




































