Thank you for Urban Alchemist Design Collective for hosting my trunk show last week at their Park Slope Brooklyn store! Love the atmosphere of the store and the folks are sweet, the merch are great, I had fun selling my jewelry and buying things there!

This great boutique is a local favorite for the past 4 years, featuring designers and artists around the country. The store owner Imaan is a loving mother and a talented mixed media jewelry designer too! And her husband Jeff personally selects the vinyle LP collection in the store. Store Managers Tara and Eric runs a cool T-shirt company called The Fencing & Archery Printing Co..

Ceramic necklaces

343 Fifth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215

With the chilly months moving in on us we look to warm up with thicker clothing, like knits and heavy coats. Staying up to date with trends is ideal for any fashionable gal, and this fall winter 12/13, it is all about the gothic vibe. Gothic inspired many collections and has become a key trend this season. Leather, velvet, and lace are the fabrics most used to convey this darker mood, and are definitely on trend. When going for the gothic trends opt for long silhouettes, and of course, the color black. Remember Roccobarocco’s collection that featured a stunning fitted knee length dress with a white collar and cross? (see above) This look is the perfect example of femininely gothic. The dress had a body conscious fit, yet still classic and sophisticated with the stark white collar, cinched belt, tights, and heels.


Harlequin&Lionhead features many pieces that will fit well into this gothic trend. While you don’t want to go overboard with accessories, for fear of looking like a vampire, keep things simple, and bold. The piece that I would like to mention is the gold plated Rose Bouquet Ring from Harlequin&Lionhead. This ring works amazingly for the gothic trend because roses are a classic symbol of the gothic era and this ring brings that beauty, in a colder way. The beautiful cocktail ring infuses a romantic feeling with old world charm, and works perfectly with the darker clothing this season. The ring comes in oxidized sterling silver, as well as pink silver, which has a lovely hue close to the more popular rose gold color. The ring is bold enough to make a statement and compliment the gothic trend well, while still being delicate and feminine enough to keep the romantic edge.

Reese Herrick, the Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of CHAOS Magazine will be my guest blogger in a series about fashion and accessory and gifting tips for the fashionable. The series kicks off tomorrow and will be posted every other Thursday. So subscribe to the RSS feed now!

Image credit: http://newagexbrainwash.com

If you have read my trend summary from earlier this year, you will see that the early prediction for Fall  has become a guide for mainstream commercial fashion and some of these trends may have already taken over your wardrobe. And a lot of it are here to stay for spring 2013!

First off, a recap of Fall must haves:

1) Silhouettes - iron lady (update - suits, peplums are still here, adding full skirts now, restraint elegance, specifically buttoned up or closed colars), modern military, global aristocrate, chic sportsman (sportswear rules!), matrix PLUS roomy 20s and 80s jacket and slouchy pants look (updated)

2) Materials - FUR, or rather faux fur! (update) Leather, ultra-feminine lace, velvet, AND lots of jeweled embellishments! (updated)

3) Colors - Stark black and gold contrasts, white, burgundy and LOTS of RED

4) Patterns - (updated) Opulent floral patterns are more romantic and dark. Also latticework or tiled toned down smaller patterns on suits, coats and pants. Symmetrical images or geometrical shapes creating curvy illusions

From top to bottom, left to right: Balmain, Rick Owens, Givenchy, L'Wren, Jason Wu, Dolce&Gabbana,  Max Mara, Lavin, Giles

Where do I get a good look at the designers examples of these trends:
HarpersBazaar.com
Elle.com
NYMag.com

Where do I get a good how-to-wear guide of some of these trends:
Instyle.com


Then a quick snapshot of Spring/Summer 2013 from the ongoing NYFW:

So far it is a bit sedated compared to the popping colors of the previous SS collections. There are some colors here and there but used quite strategically in the shows. Seems like it is all saved for the crazy nail art! Ok, here are some key highlights so far...

1) Tough romanticism (or BDSM inspired) leather and lace (really?!)
2) The Jazz Age is here to stay
3) Sportswear
4) Globe Trotting (it kinda faded out in the fall, and I'm not exactly sure if I like the latest DVF collection so you decide...)
5) African influence in color
6) Black fading into blues, coral, and nude
7) White
8) Flowers
9) Color blocking and geometry

From top to bottom, left to right: Tibi, Tracey Reese, Giulietta, Prabal Gurung, Helmut Lang, BCBG, Lela Rose, Rachel Zoe, Calvin Klein

Where do I get closeups and goodies about NYFW:
Go to MBFW Facebook page!

More to come after the FW and remember, you can watch it from the comfort of your desk (no tickets required!) on the Fashion Week youtube channel!

And I'll be putting together my new collection pinterest boards soon. So go check it out later.