'Springtime Classics'

The pummeling wind and hurling rain this morning on my trip to Brooklyn for a fashion shoot served as reminded me of several things:

It’s likely the East Coast has seen the last of snow;

Better start preparing for cold rain instead;

An umbrella is altogether useless in the Big Apple.

This leads to me the final conclusion that the time is now to fully stock your wardrobe with spring essentials. But what exactly do I need, you ask? Here is my list of must-have items that every spring wardrobe should not do without:

Trench Coat

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Of course, I revert to Audrey Hepburn in the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” in which the character shares a kiss with character Paul Varjak (George Peppard) in the pouring rain. Holly Golightly clutches her cat as she and Varjak, the two characters both wearing trench coats, share a passionate cinematic kiss.

Button-Up Dress

The Great Gatsby

Find yourself a light and feminine dress with buttons to make everyone think you are as sweet as Daisy Buchanan, or as sweet as the character would like others to believe in The Great Gatsby. For spring, a simple button-up dress can be worn various ways depending on your mood and the weather: with tights and knee-length boots, under a sweater vest or cashmere cardigan, with a statement necklace and long scarf. The list goes on.

Leather Skirt

Leather Escada skirt

Whether inspired by the urban West or punk rock, the leather skirt is no longer an essential fall-winter item. Designers like DSquared2, Geren Ford, Gryphon and Alexander Wang all have their versions of leather skirts and bottoms. Paired with a silk button-down top or a tank top, a leather skirt makes the transition from conference calls in the office to last call at the best rooftop bar in town. Lately, I’ve had my sights set on a brown leather skirt by See by Chloe.

For more spring-summer essentials, catch my upcoming posts.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of argosibookshop.com; imd.com; bergdorfgoodman.com

'Do It Yourself Mardi Gras Wreath'

Mardi Gras wreath made from ornaments

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

At least, that’s what I plan to say next week as I head down south to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. But before I pack my suitcase and skip out of New York City, I need to get myself in the Mardi Gras spirit.

A little decorating will do the trick. For my friends that cannot come away with me for five nights of Hurricanes, Mardia Gras floats, live jazz music and jumbalaya, they can bring New Orleans to them.

Here’s how you can make your own Mardi Gras wreath:

Mardi Gras green wreath made from various

What you will need

A Styrofoam wreath

Fabric/ Ribbon in classic Mardi Gras colors like Purple, Green and Yellow/Gold

Netting and Embellishments such as feathers, boa, little plastic masks, ornaments and beads in Mardi Gras colors

Greening pins or wire for securing the decorations on the wreath

Glue gun

Glue sticks

Wreath hanger

What you do

First begin by wrapping netting and fabric around the Styrofoam wreath/vine wreath. Cover the entire surface area of the wreath. Use the greening pins/wire to hold in place.

Use the glue gun to secure any flyaway fabric and/or netting. For a feathery wreath, try wrapping a Mardi Gras boa around the wreath and glue in place.

Ribbon could also be used to create a wreath rife with bows. Use two ribbon lengths (one long, one short) and tie the end of the longer ribbon with the shorter ribbon in a double knot on the wreath. Move further along the wreath and repeat this same step. Be consistent in the distance between ties. You can do the entire wreath this way, or just create a few ties at the bottom.

If you plan to add embellishments (feathers, beads, Mardi Gras masks, etc.), attach the embellishments onto the wreath using the pins and glue gun.

Let the wreath dry for a few hours.

Attach wreath to wreath hanger and door and enjoy your new Mardi Gras wreath.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of flickr.com

'Fashion Week highlights'

3.1 Phillip Lim Fall-Winter '11

Another New York Fashion Week has come and gone. As Fashion Week crosses the pond to London, let’s take a look at some of the New York highlights from last week:

The biker babe gets a sophisticated update at 3.1 Phillip Lim (see above). Leather trousers, skirts and leather sleeves on bright blue jumpsuits were Phillip Lim’s interpretation of the working biker babe who, according to the designer, must also attend lunches and cocktail parties. The most noteworthy pieces were: the functional black coat with large pockets, the wool jacket with contrast sleeves, a tunic dress with beaded sleeves and green trousers with contrast trim. At 3.1 Phillip Lim, function and form is always the rule - never the exception.

Alexander Wang Fall-Winter '11

Outerwear is surely the emphasis at the latest Fall-Winter collection of Alexander Wang. How else to keep warm in Wang’s sheer menswear-inspired tops also in the collection? Models imbuing the cool girl attitude at Alexander Wang paraded around in topcoats with fur sleeves, cocoon-like capes and bomber jackets with thick fur trim. Wang continued to incorporate luxury into his collection by creating satin ribbon skirts that peel away in strips, shimmery pants and tailored vests in fur.

Narciso Rodriguez Fall-Winter '11

Narciso Rodriguez gets graphic in a collection inspired by different art forms. There was a fair share of color blocking with two-toned trousers and graphic prints on long shift dresses. Different textures like silk, wool and chiffon were pieced together to create garments that resembled a kind of moving collage. The entire collection was still modern, but with more street bite than ever before seen.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of datapple.com; yougoglencoco.com; mahryska.com