Monday, July 11, 2011

Fashion Blog Spotlight: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge North American Tour

dress by Reiss / fascinator by Sylvia Fletcher of Lock & Co

     The British are coming! The British are coming! Except this time, that famous Paul Revere warning no longer applies to a colonial setting. Or at least the British came and went as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the newlywed Prince William and Kate Middleton, just finished their North American Royal tour. On their nine day tour of Canada and the US, Kate was predicted to make a lot of wardrobe changes, and she sure didn't disappoint. Classic and polished describes Kate's style while on American soil. She definitely stayed true to her signature style of a very modest hemline along with waist defining dresses and a very effortless mane, thanks to her hairstylist James Pryce. And of course, the travels' looks involve some of her favorite designers like Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, who of course designed her gorgeous and unforgettable wedding gown, and Reiss who designed that famous royal blue frock that she wore on the day that her and Prince William officially announced their engagement back in November.


     Aside from looking very much like a lady, Kate is also known to be a recessionista. She is not afraid to repeat looks that she has been seen and photographed in before, which again stays true to her very down to earth personality and her and William's effort to live a fairly normal life. That's right ladies, Kate wears her favorite pieces from her closet time and time again just like us commoners, like that creme colored Reiss dress that she wore on her official engagement photos (among others.) What's more is that on her last day in Los Angeles, she wore a black and creme dress by Whistles with a crochet bodice which is apparently the equivalent of an Ann Taylor here in the US. Being fiscally responsible is definitely a good and positive message to send out to the world, especially during these hard economic times. 


     In support of Mother England, Kate also often chooses to wear pieces from British designers to give them a lot of well deserved exposure. Which is great for such businesses because any dress that Kate is seen in is quickly sold out in stores (remember that white dress she wore to a tennis match which was sold out within hours of being seen in it?) For example, I absolutely loved her in that bright green Diane Von Furstenberg dress that she wore to the British Consul-General's private reception and it was said to have sold out online and in stores fairly quickly after being spotted in it. In addition, Kate also wore a grey Catherine Walker dress for a tree planting ceremony in Canada to commemorate Princess Diana as she was one of the late princess's favorite designers. How sweet of her. 

dress by Erdem / shoes by LK Bennett 

dress by Catherine Walker /
shoes by Tabitha Simmons

dress by Alexander McQueen /
shoes by Prada 

dress by Malene Birger

jeans by J. Brand / shoes by Sebago

coat dress by Catherine Walker /
shoes by LK Bennett 

dress & clutch by Diane Von Furstenberg

dress by Jenny Packham /
shoes by LK Bennett 

dress by Alexander McQueen /
shoes by Jimmy Choo 

dress by Whistles 
     I think it goes without saying that we have a fashion icon in the making with Kate Middleton. But what I love about her and her style the most is that it's very evident that she's not trying too hard. Her style is very clean, polished, classic, and effortless which I think sends out the right message about beauty and style to all of the girls and women in the world. That kind of spotlight and praise is truly well deserved. 


Love, KB

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Fashion Ad Campaign: Hailee Steinfeld for Miu Miu Fall/Winter 2011



     In May, Fashion Blog shared the news of the young Hailee Steinfeld being the new face of Miu Miu's A/W 2011. A sneak peek of the upcoming ad campaign surfaced in the Internet early this June and Steinfeld looked like a total muse. The ads feature a lot of earthy and neutral colored tones and a big use of velour (even in the accessories.) The idea for the ads themselves had a very Marc by Marc Jacobs feel to it, due to the natural setting and color palette, but nonetheless, I can't think of anyone more perfect to showcase the upcoming season's collection for such an iconic fashion house. Can't wait to see it on glossy form starting this fall. 

Love, KB

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Look Book: Spring & Summer 2011 Burning Torch by Karyn Craven


     In this eco-conscious world that we live in today, going green is no longer limited to recycling aluminum and plastic cans, planting a tree on Arbor Day, or driving hybrid cars. This huge movement is also affecting the world of fashion as we speak -- think of Emma Watson's continued collaboration with People Tree and her five piece capsule collection with Alberta Ferretti called Pure Threads or H&M's (appropriately named) Conscious Collection which was launched in the US early this spring. Who knew being kind to Mother Earth could be so chic? 

     So we all have certainly heard of recycling, but what about upcycling? This is the process that designer Karyn Craven applies to her beautiful and unique collection called Burning Torch. Upcycling is the opposite of downcycling, which is the other half of the recycling process. In turn, rather than converting materials and products into new materials of lesser quality, upcycling transforms something ordinary into something fabulous. Craven believes that the trend in eco-friendly and sustainable fashion is moving toward better products, purchasing something of quality that will last, as opposed to fast fashions which end up in the land fill.”  And so from vintage jewelry to re-imagined dresses, tops, bottoms, and even outerwear, Craven, who has a profound love for nature and vintage, travels all over the world to source unique items and turning them into one of a kind pieces. In short, there are no multiples or duplicates of each piece in the collection. Although, some pieces are similar in shape and stitch detail. 

WHO is Karyn Craven?
Karyn Craven is a California native and designer who had a dream of becoming an artist as a child. She first began designing unique t-shirts which would later pave the way to a design career. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from UCLA and was a division head for three years at a commercial design house followed by six years as an independent design consultant to various labels. Aside from drawing inspiration from vintage work wear and being currently inspired by Art Nouveau and Art Deco, Craven also draws inspiration from Fauvism and Bauhaus. 

WHAT is Burning Torch all about? 
Burning Torch is a privately held company based in Los Angeles, California and founded in 1999 by Karyn Craven.  According to Craven, as children we were taught a deep respect for life; this included the environment, natural beauty and other human beings.  At an early age I also developed a fascination, or perhaps you could say an obsession, with color, shape and pattern, and how they relate to the human form.  Burning Torch grew out of my love for vintage and the desire to transform something mundane into something sublime.” 

WHERE is the collection sold?
     The collection can be found in department stores like Nieman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Ron Herman or online on such websites like burningtorchinc.com, shopbop.comziebenmare.com, and  knitwitonline.com Unfortunately, Burning Torch is not currently being sold internationally, but that venture and expansion is definitely being considered. 

So come take a look at Burning Torch's Spring and Summer 2011 collection! 



Engraved Indigo Romper

Estate Coat 

Recyclyed Snow Maxi Skirt 
Recycled Sequined Jacket


Distressed Leather Jacket / Magritte Mini Skirt / Recycled Sequined V Neck

Winchester Dress

Estate Top / Heirloom Cardigan / Bauhaus Pant

Recycled Rock N' Roll Top / High Plains Pant

Distressed Leather Jacket / Winchester Skirt /
Mayfair Sequin Tank / Feathers Scarf

Feathers Dress 

Bilboa Skirt & Jacket / Knit Collective Tank

Engraved Indigo Top / High Plains Short

Atrium Skirt / Winchester Top

Recycled Sequins Jacket

Vintage Rock N Roll Top / Atrium Pant

Estate Dress

Falling Water Dress

Magritte Maxi Dress

Metropolitan Dress

Distressed Leather Jacket / Winchester Skirt /
Knit Collective Tunic

Atrium Skirt / Eames Pea Coat / Falling Water Top

Falling Water Maxi Skirt / Recycled Parachute Top

Estate Tank / Bauhaus Short / Distressed Leather Jacket

Eames Tank / Bauhaus Short / Knit Collective Cardigan / Falling Water Scarf



Monarch Tank / Mavericks Short

Horizon Tank


Monarch Dress

Mavericks Sailor Pant

Tavarua Top / Mavericks Sailor Pant

Todos Santos Blouse / Todos Santos Tank

Striped Big Swing Cardi / Recycled Hawaiian Short

Stripe Tunic

Gold Coast Tunic

Tavarua Dress

Neptune Dress

Seychelles Wrap Dress


North Shore Pod Top / Montauk Short

North Shore Top / Montauk Cargo Pant

Gold Coast Dress

Recycled Stripes Top / Neptune Bikini /
Montauk Short

Horizon Sequin Top / Mavericks Mini Skirt

Recycled Scarves Top / Mavericks Sailor Pant

Todos Santos Dress

Monarch Maxi Dress

Montauk Blazer / Neptune Tank /
Mavericks Cargo Pant

     An entire eco-friendly line that offers one of a kind pieces that no other woman will have in her closet?? Uhm, yes please! I love nothing more than a garment that is not mass produced and completely unique.   All I know is that I'm in love with both the Neptune and Seychelle wrap dresses and the Estelle top paired with that recycled vintage necklace is divine. Which pieces, jewelry, and/or accessories are your favorites?

Love, KB