'Spring Must Haves'

It must because it’s the end of the month, that I already am making a mental check list of what pieces to buy now and what pieces to hold off until the warm weather is officially in full swing. Lately it seems like all of us in New York are hanging in weather limbo with occasional bouts of warm weather followed by rain and a windy cold front.

In my last post, I noted tye-dye and stripes as prints that top my must-have list for this season. These too, of course, are just the beginning:

Hat from J.Crew

1. Panama Hat

I plead ‘guilty’ because I already bought one more before my weekend trip to Miami for a wedding. Do I regret the purchase? Heck no. I must’ve spent a few months casually looking for the perfect Panama hat that could transition from a sunny day at the beach to a picnic in Central Park. In the process, I found many overpriced hats made of what I believe to be sweatshop-produced straw.

Finally, I stumbled upon a cream straw hat with black ribbon at J. Crew. Priced at $58 (a bit steep in my opinion for a hat), but handmade from the finest material. It’sperfect for a day outdoors and yet, polished enough for work.

Burberry does the military coat

2. Military coat

Utilitarian just got less boring and more chic. The military coat is closely linked to designer Marc Jacobs, who showcased his version of the coat at his spring-summer show last fall. Other designers must have noticed, because the military green hue was later found on almost every runway.

I do have my own version of a military green jacket, which was for some time part of my ‘NYC outfit’ (paired with my boyfriend jeans – I was ahead of all the trends) when I was but a recent college grad and commuting from NJ. But this military coat has had an update, cut more like an alpaca and ideal for rain, wind and the occasional chill on a cool spring day.

'Can't and Must'

Chloe Fall-Winter 2010

I stared at myself in the mirror of the Zara dressing room on 5th Avenue, wondering if the Barnum & Bailey circus would consider hiring me as a clown wearing a pair of Zara navy linen pants.

The spring arrivals in the shop window had beckoned me inside the store and I couldn’t stop myself from heading to the dressing room once I saw a pair of high-waisted pants, low-slung in the crotch and tapered at the bottom on the rack. For a couple seasons now, I’ve been eye-balling this cut, admiring its seeming comfort and effortless chic. With a button-down blouse it was stylish for the office, but with a tank top it was off-duty coolness.

At that moment, I had ruled that I was unlike models Karlie Kloss or Sasha Pivovarova who wore the same style trousers for the Chloe Fall-Winter Collection in Paris – I was neither 5”10 or gifted with long slim legs. Unless designed specifically for a more petite frame, this style would not do.

Checked off of my spring must-have list was the pair of the slouchy pants, and these are the first two that remain:

Tye-dye on the Spring-Summer '09 runways

1. Tye-dye

Just last weekend I had the pleasure of shooting a swimwear fashion editorial with photographer Troy Paul in an industrial area a few blocks from the Brooklyn Bridge overlooking the water. Whether it was shopping for a tye-dye one-piece bathing suit from Victoria’s Secret or a pair of tye-dye shorts from T-Bags for the shoot, it was easy to spot the print because it was virtually everywhere. And I mean everywhere.

It is the surest print to achieve the surfer girl look: laid-back, spirited and always sexy.

Stripes on celebrities

2. Stripes

It springs to mind my romantic image of the Breton from Bretagne – the French province best known for its Normandy beaches and its sea-faring people who have made the eponymous maritime uniform a major trend. ‘Breton stripes’ date back to the mid-1800s when the striped knit shirt was the official navy uniform for all Frenchman, especially for those from Northern France.

But enough about history – pair this striped shirt over dark pants, skirts and jeans for a nautical look, or experiment by mixing it with another print or sporting it underneath a romper.

For more on my must-have list, don’t miss the next post!

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of the stolenorchild.com; styleforblondes.com; www.stylebakeryteen.com

'Salone del Mobile looks to green'

Sustainability was one of the main trends at the Salone del Mobile last week in Milan, as designers presented pieces culled mostly from recyclable and eco-friendly materials.

The largest furniture fair in the world, an event for furniture and fashion fanatics alike, drew a crowd of 350,000 and generated 250 million euros ($337) during the six-day fair period.

Attendees have their pick of the 2,542 exhibitors, in addition to the open-door events often put together by leading Italian fashion houses hoping to fuel sales.

Lamps by David Trubridge of New Zealand

Among the exhibitors, Swedish companies like Sodra and Wastberg created paper lamps and Munich-based designers Saskia and Stefan Diez created an overnight bag from a paper that is waterproof, tearproof and recyclable.

From a mix of cardboard boxes and plywood, the German-based Formentwicklung showed tables. Another German brand named Plicio presented foldable chairs inspired by a ladybug’s wings and crafted of wood and rubber. The origami-like chair when lain flat can be folded into different shapes.

Ecomat bricks

Alasdhair Willis, husband of eco-friendly fashion designer Stella McCartney and head of a British design and manufacturing company told WWD that, “You can’t be a citizen of the world without being aware of the environment.”

A colorful conglomeration of recycled pet bottle pieces, a chandelier (below) designed by South African Heath Nash was one of the many eco-friendly pieces on display. A hand wire structure was attached to the rescued bottles.

One of my favorite designs was a set of foldable lamps in an innovative fauna shape. New Zealand designer David Trubridge created the lamps (above top), which he sought to use as an example of reducing CO2 emissions by using energy efficient LED bulbs.

Heath Nash designed this chandelier made from recycled pet bottles

Lego lovers eat your heart out. Ecomat (above middle) showcased a collection of colorful bricks that not only resemble the plastic Lego blocks, but can be actually used to build permanent and temporary structures. The bricks are made of recycled materials and its low weight reportedly reduces CO2 emissions as well.

Exhibiting students also took a shot at designing sustainable furniture, this time looking to food for inspiration. Chairs sculpted by University of San Marino students were actually composed of flour, yeast, malt, banana fiber, brown rice, malt and liquorice root.

At the Salone del Mobile, it was another year in showcasing the finest from established and emerging talent and in driving sales. For the eco-minded, the growing number of sustainable designs was further proof that the environment is just as important inside the home as it is out.

*Photos courtesy of http://agreenliving.org and http://inhabit.com

'What's Your Mood Say?'

You might remember slipping a murky colored stone onto your finger as a child, watching as in minutes the thermochromic accessory changed its hue from a deep blue to a misty gray. The mood ring claimed to change according to your mood, even though it was really your body temperature that determined the ring’s color.

Everyone wanted to know then: Was I calm and relaxed like the color blue or nervous and stressed like the color black?

The mood ring is not the first time that a person associated a mood or personality with a color. Color has always played a part in our lives – from our choice of curtains and color of our walls, to the color of a dress or car. Did you know that when it comes to buying, three out of every four purchases is determined by color?

Classic mood ring

Discover the meaning behind a color and what your next choice color pick has to say about you:

Royal and Tranquil

Perhaps one of the most popular colors, blue is the color representative of the sky and peace. It is a color closely associated with royalty. It is known for its calming affects and is therefore often used in hospitals and nurseries. If blue is your favorite color, you are a harmonious person who is capable, sensitive and compassionate. You are cautious in your fashion choices and conscientious of ongoing projects.

Upbeat and Artistic

A little mellow yellow

The color yellow could not have a sunnier disposition. It is a color associated with those that are creative, artistic and innovative. Those who are drawn to yellow are optimistic and tend to be cerebral, idealistic and imaginative.

Passionate and moody

Red is the color of love, hate, courage and joy. With such a spectrum of associations, it is no wonder that red is the moodiest of all colors. Those who desire attention or who would like to create a cheerful atmosphere turn to red. If red is your color, you are a bit impulsive, sexy and maybe even athletic.

Lavish and Strong

The color purple

The color of luxury and sensuality, we find the color purple used often in religious garb or bottled as a lavender perfume scent. It is rich and lavish, a symbolic of opulence. If purple is your color, you are glamorous, strong and observant.

Now look at that set of pillows on the sofa or that silk blouse hanging in the closet and tell me: “What does its color say about you?”

-S. Gonzalez

Photos courtesy of funnycrave.com; elouisvuitton.org