NY’s FINEST SPRING 2014, part 2

Yeah, I know what some of you are thinking. You might be thinking that this is not a race, that everyone’s a winner. Well, that doesn’t really happen when it comes to fashion. When it comes to Fashion Week, some finish last, some finish first. That’s why every season I like to choose my top 10. Yesterday we started our countdown, the spots from 10 – 6 have already been filled. Now it’s time to reach the top of this little chart of mine, the five best shows (in my opinion) from what was a fabulous Fashion Week in New York. Are you ready to discover my picks? Keep on reading!

Lázaro Hernandez and Jack McCoullough can do no wrong. Their collections always rank really high, their shows have always so much buzz around them and there are many reasons why that keeps happening. But the main one, their clothes are always exquisite. For Spring 2014, with a neutral color palette and some hints of shimmer, they presented a collection packed with beautiful tailoring and craftsmanship. And no we are not talking hand-embroidery or embellishments, we are talking construction. From coats to evening dresses, it was all so effortless and chic at the same time!

Jason Wu had been following a patter until now, that chic goes bondage theme was a regular in his runway shows. For Spring 2014, he went all soft and glam on us. And guess what? We kind of love it! The color palette was all about powdery shades and pastels (touch of navy and black here and there). The shimmery fabrics played the most important role of the collection, paired up against slouchy coats and loose midi skirts. The slip was everywhere, from those sultry sparkly numbers to sheer, crisp white ones. It was different drom what we’ve always seen from him, but it still had Jason Wu written all over.

Oh boy, this was a beautiful surprise and a beautiful collection! The most important thing, it was so wearable and so likeable and it had that retro feel that everybody loves. The structured garments (blazers and trench coats) worked perfectly with those leaf-printed, breezy dresses. And while the color palette was a little bit on the earthy side (I’m not that fond of that range), I couldn’t care less, I fell in love. The highlights? The pin-up bikini, the short suits and short combos, that dress with the thigh-high slit and plunging neckline (it would’ve been too much, but it somehow worked) and the platforms (simple platforms, but platforms ever girl needs inside her closet).

I’m always drawn to peachy colors and meticulous garments and that’s exactly what J.Mendel gave me for their Spring 2014 collection. Ever since that all-white Winter collection, I’ve been keeping an eye on this brand and I’m not disappointed at all. This collection was all about the short, short hem (thank God someone out there is still thinking about legs, with all the midi and 3/4 skirts we have been seeing) the pastels and the details (even the simplest of dresses had a little special something). We got to see short combos, skirt combos, pleated and ruffled hems, embellishments and beautiful prints and shoes. Those shoes, those shoes were even better than Sophia Webster’s range for J. Crew. Those shoes were even better than Delpozo’s bow sandals. I have to get me some J. Mendel heels next Spring, I really have to.

And last but definitely not least, the top of the list. With an effortlessly sexy collection, one of my favorite NYFW designers, Mr. Joseph Altuzarra. The slits on his skirts went as high as a slit can get. The layering and the styling was spot on. The collection was all about separates coming together and variations. He understands that there has to be something for everyone in a collection. While some of his sexy skirts were paired up with silk button downs, tank tops and long sleeve t-shirts were also an option. The highlight? The metallic fabric he used on some of the skirts and lightweight jackets. He gets the first place not only because it was all so wearable, but because it was original and beyond desirable!

That’s a wrap! We are moving on to LFW Trends and best shows. Are you ready for more Spring 2014? Don’t worry, I’m on it!

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources: style.com

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

NYFW SPRING 2014: The Trend Report

NYFW ended about a week ago and with an endless line-up, it takes some time to review and identify the strongest trends and colors of the coming season. As always, there were lots of surprises, new styles, comebacks and more! I wanted to present to you no more than 10 trends but it was impossible to narrow them down (I ended up with 20). Best thing about it? There’s something for everyone and pastels for me, yay! Let’s start!

Forget about your classic pullover, it’s all about sheer panels, textures, graphics and even sequins this Spring!

1. 3.1 Phillip Lim
2. Alexander Wang
3. Prabal Gurung
4. Reed Krakoff

Powdery is the new nude! Pale blue, pale peach and pastel gray will be everywhere next season!

1. Jason Wu
2. Marchesa
3. Narciso Rodriguez
4. Tocca

The short suit has been around for a while now. But this Spring, forget about the blazer combo it’s more like a twinset.

1. Alice + Olivia
2. J. Mendel
3. J. Crew
4. Michael Kors

For all of you, Coachella junkies, this season you’ll have a lot of garments to choose from. Festival fashion has gone from a style to a trend.

1. Anna Sui
2. Naeem Khan
3. Donna Karan
4. Rebecca Minkoff

Spring 2014 will not only be about leg flashing, is all about thigh flashing!

1. Altuzarra
2. Ralph Rucci
3. Rodarte
4. Thakoon

We need to keep on crunching like crazy because cropped tops will be the strongest trend of Spring 2014.

1. Rag & Bone
2. Peter Som
3. Narciso Rodriguez
4. Jill Stuart

Nobody saw this one coming but the nineties are back (all new and improved, of course)!

1. Alexander Wang
2. Rag & Bone
3. DKNY
4. Rodarte

Pretty hems with tons of volume, ladylike and beautiful!

1. Cynthia Rowley
2. DKNY
3. Victoria Beckham
4. Oscar de la Renta

Bring on the neoprene, the zippers and the tropical florals, surf’s up this Spring!

1. Tommy Hilfiger
2. J. Crew
3. Cynthia Rowley
4. Calla

White trousers will be next season what leather pants are this Fall, a must-have!

1. Calvin Klein
2. Helmut Lang
3. J. Crew
4. Helmut Lang

Shiny disco ball? Hell, yeah!

• Jason Wu
• TBD
• TBD
• Marc by Marc Jacobs

Sheer panels are always in trend, but when you add some texture, you definitely get the peek-a-boo effect!

1. Oscar de la Renta
2. J. Mendel
3. Jill Stuart
4. Oscar de la Renta

Two Springs ago pastels were the strongest trend of the season, this Spring, they are back!

1. Rebecca Minkoff
2. Philosophy
3. Alexander Wang
4. Prabal Gurung

Lingerie has been around for ages, but for Spring 2014, the slip will be your best friend!

1. Jason Wu
2. Thakoon
3. Jill Stuart
4. Tocca

Flowers are always very resourceful for Spring but for the coming season, we are really embracing wallflowers!

1. Honor
2. Marc Jacobs
3. Tory Burch
4. Oscar de la Renta

Last season, it was all about the greens. This coming season, it’s all about the blues!

1. Ralph Lauren
2. Honor
3. Jenny Packham
4. Sachin + Babi

Tennis jumpers, pleated skirts, mod dresses and polo shirts, preppy is back!

1. Alexander Wang
2. Karen Walker
3. Ralph Lauren
4. Ruffian

I’ve never been a fan of citric shades, but it looks like I’m gonna have to start  liking them.

1. Oscar de la Renta
2. Costello Tagliapietra
3. Ralph Lauren
4. Lela Rose

We all love gold and shiny clothes, so did the designers when thinking about next Spring!

1. Altuzarra
2. Creatures of the Wind
3. Josie Natori
4. Kate Spade

Bikers with nice and romantic dresses? Never say never until you give it a try!

1. Jason Wu
2. Ruffian
3. Ralph Lauren
4. Robert Rodriguez

What’s your favorite NYFW trend? I’m all about the slip, the powdery shades and of course, the pastels!

Sweet kisses…

llustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources: style.com

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

RESORT 2014, the recap

Hello, hello my sweet readers! After an extensive coverage in my FB page, it’s time to make a full recap of the Resort 2014 collections. Over the seasons, Resort has become as important as the S/S and A/W collections. Some people even say that right now, Resort is the powerful one. The thing about it, it doesn’t go to the extreme. Designers always throw in a little of everything, from swimwear to seasonal coats. They also make their creations more wearable, don’t expect to find the Giambattista Valli feather, peplum, floor-length dress on his Resort collection.

There is also a debate going around about seasonal clothes. With the weather’s sudden mood swings, global warming and the different climate zones all over the world, seasons are not as predictable as they used to be. That’s why collections should be seasonless, that’s why Resort is the perfect season of them all.

I’ve rounded-up my favorite collections, based on my taste and also the trends the designers showcased on their presentations. Don’t be scared if you see lots of pink, not only am I a sucker for that girly shade, but it’s also one of the strongest colors for Fall and of course, Resort. Let’s start! Click on the pictures to enlarge them!

Flirty and Witty: Stella McCartney

Holiday Fairy Tale: Giambattista Valli

Mother Nature: Valentino

Pastel Dream: Escada

Delightful Rose: Jill Stuart

Vintage Voyage: Tory Burch

Parisian Feel: Carven

Sheer Perfection: Burberry Prorsum

Colorful Clash: Nina Ricci

Seaside Chic: Rochas

Candy Sailor: Versace

Simply Oscar: Oscar de la Renta

Cute as a button: Moschino Cheap & Chic

Purple Paradise: Just Cavalli

Tropical Silk: Gucci

Navy Chic: Chloe

Picture Pefrect: Erdem

Sportswear Couture: Prabal Gurung

Back to classic: Chanel

Flirty meets Urban: Sachin + Babi

Resort at its best: Bottega Veneta

Sparkly n’sporty: DKNY

Bold Clash: Fendi

It’s all in the details: Pringle of Scotland

Groovy Safari: Michael Kors

Hedi’s Redemption: Saint Laurent

Tropical dark: Jason Wu

What was your favorite collection from the Resort bunch? What do you think about Hedi Slimane’s Saint Laurent presentation? Drop me a line!

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources:  STYLE.COM

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

Hello NYFW!

It’s all set and it’s finally here! NYFW kicks-off tomorrow and it will be the start of a wonderful fashion month. And while I won’t be there physically, I’m gonna pretend I am and give you the best coverage possible. New York City always has an extensive line-up, but also an impressive one. New talents and veteran designers put on a wonderful show and manage to get all eyes on the Big Apple for one week (not that the most wonderful city in the world needs more attention than it already has). I’m sure this season won’t be an exception, I can’t wait to discover what it’s store for us for the next Fall. To start with our coverage, I put together a little line-up of what we are going to be seeing on the runways starting tomorrow. Don’t know which shows are your cup of tea? Keep on readin’.

• THE BIG SHOTS: they have been around for ages, everybody knows who they are (even those who don’t give a damn about fashion).
• THE HEADLINERS: The true stars of Fashion Week. Young, innovative, talented, they are the creme de la creme.
• THE GROOVY: Indie vibe? Retro swag? Old school style? They have it all!
• HOLLYWOOD: When actresses and singers get creative.
• THE COOL KIDS: Favorites among bloggers and street style stars, they’ve got swag, lots of it.
• THE GLAM PACK: Love the red carpet numbers? Dramatic gowns? Shiny fabrics and textures? This is your box
• THE ECLECTIC: A unique as unique can get, this designers manage to put together beautiful but edgy mash-ups.
• THE ROOKIES: The newbies, the ones to watch.
• THE CUTE BUNCH: Like picture perfect ensembles? Flirty silhouettes? Parisian chic?

Below you’ll find the official schedule from the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. A few names are missing, but for the daily list of shows and updates, LIKE Sweet n’Raw on Facebook.

Let the Fashion Week games begin! What show are you most excited about? I’m all about the Proenza boys, Thakoon, Altuzzarra and Alexander Wang. Be sure to keep checking back for all the scoop on NYFW.

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources:  Mercedes Benz Fashion Week site

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

 

 

SPRING 2013 TRENDS: A Girl’s Guide to Shoes

Shoes are the most important part of a girl’s closet, correct me if I’m wrong. We treat our heels and sandals as if they were important pieces in our personal museum (if you don’t, you should). That’s why when we start thinking of a new season, it’s always important to know what to buy and where to buy it. I’ve put together, as part of our Spring 2013 Trend Report, a rather extensive guide of heels, sandals, slippers and wedges you will be needing inside you closet! Are you ready to rumble? Let’s start!

It’s monochromatic with a spin, a damn cute spin! One of the strongest trends of the season is definitely the black and white combo. But if you are on the softer side, like me, you can always go for the black and blush version!

SELECTION:

• T-bar heels, Zara
• Leather loafers, Reed Krakoff
• Naked heels, Alexander McQueen
• Ankle strap sandals, Chloé
• Ankle booties, Reed Krakoff

Metallics are all over for Spring 2013 and what better way to put a glam spin on our ensembles than with a pair of mirrored shoes. And since we are not in the 1950’s anymore, where fashion had its rules and guidelines, why not sport a pair of flashy sandals with your work ensemble?

• Strappy sandals, Jimmy Choo
• Mary-jane flats, Miu Miu
• Gold and mesh sandals, Robert Clergerie
• Two-tone mid heels, Marni
• T-strap wedges, ASOS

Thank you Christopher Bailey for unleashing the colorful sheen trend! What we’d give to sport a fabulous, glossy, purple Burberry Prorsum trench coat! But since that’s a little out of our budget (at least mine), we will be embracing this trend with our feet!

• Naked sandals, ASOS
• Mirror slippers, Nicholas Kirkwood
• Snakeskin heels. Stella McCartney
• Flat sandals, Jimmy Choo
• Snakeskin pumps, Jimmy Choo

Of course we had to showcase this trend! And while I’m still not embracing the black and white stripes garments (I’m sure I’ll grow to love them, just not yet), when it comes to shoes, monochromatic sure is my cup of tea! A pair of pumps is the safest way to go, but brogues? Now brogues, brogues are the ultimate dapper twist, the cherry on top the cake!

• Lace-up pumps, Jason Wu
• Creepers, Alexander McQueen
• Ankle strap sandals, Nicholas Kirkwood
• Oxford shoes, Reed Krakoff
• Two-tone pumps, 3.1 Phillip Lim

The sandal with the barely there heel might have been a geek thing years ago, this season, it’s the new black! You can go for the mini wedge or the square heel, or both! The more the merrier!

• Scalloped sandals, Lanvin
• Red sandals, Maison Martin Margiela
• Two-tone wedges, Pierre Hardy
• Golden heel sandals, Marni
• Bow wedges, Valentino

Sadly for me (and all those powdery lovers out there), pastels are not as big as they were last Spring when it comes to the clothing department. Thankfully, when it comes to accessories, specially shoes, they are a must-have! The staple? A pretty and perfect pair of pastel pumps!

• Apple pumps, Rupert Sanderson
• Baby pink heels, Miu Miu
• Studded heels, Valentino
• Bow pumps, Bottega Veneta
• Two tone Pigalle, Christian Louboutin

Bondage is really happening this Spring (and no, it’s got nothing to do with Fifty Shades of Shit) and in an S&M sea of leather, slits and harnesses, we can also find the cutout heels. No, I’m not talking about latex, lace-up, tranny boots, but chic and somewhat racy heeled sandals.

• Black wedges, Christian Louboutin
• Nude cutouts, Alaia
• Two-tone sandals, Tory Burch
• White heels, Oscar de la Renta
• Black sandals, Zara

Leopard print is not considered a trend anymore, it’s a regular. It’s funny how I’m always drawn to it every time I’m shoe shopping! I’m sure I’m not the only one out the with the animal print syndrome. For this Spring, lace-up sandals are the way to go and kitten heels (kitten heels just keep getting better and better).

• Pumps, Mulberry
• Kitty flats, Charlotte Olympia
• Lace-up sandals, Zara
• Slingbacks, Zara
• Leopard espadrilles, Brian Atwood

Ah, the beauty of embellishments! This season, screw Cinderella! Score a pair of bejeweled and sparkly shoes to feel like the princess you truly are. My advice? Match them to prints and textures for a fun twist. Remember, more is more!

• Blue sandals, Gucci
• Sparkly pumps, Zara
• Rhinestone pumps, Moschino
• T-bar pumps, Mulberry
• Platform sandals, Lanvin

We have been patiently waiting for Baz Lhurmann’s The Great Gatsby. Our anxiety grows and grows with all those Miuccia Prada sketches, the trailers and the teasers, and of course, the fashion. This will be a movie that will unleash a bunch of trends, and shoes are one of them.

• T-bar heels, Robert Clergerie
• Deco sandals, Jimmy Choo
• Stripe sandals, Saint Laurent
• Gold heel sandals, Zara
• T-bar nude pumps, Asos

Leave it to fashion to turn clear PVC into a must-have! Clear heels used to be for those girls who work the pole at Uncle Jim’s Boobie Bungalow, but not anymore! If you are not keen on the plastic shoe, but you still wanna embrace the trend, get a pair of shoes with an acrylic heel.

• Happy pumps, Sophia Webster
• Red pumps, Gianvito Rossi
• Bow sandals, Nicholas Kirkwood
• White ankle straps, Manolo Blahnik
• Acrylic heels, ASOS

Last but not least, the sexiest and boldest trend of the bunch (and a personal favorite): the new gladiators! High heeled, flat, with laces, your choice! The key? Go as tall as tall can get. Your thigh is the limit!

• Black, Jimmy Choo
• Two-tone, Bionda Castana
• Flat, Grey Mer
• Lace-up, Aquazzura

Ready to go shoe shopping for the coming season? Now you know what to get! Ready for Fashion Week? I’m already working on it!

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources:  Net-a-porter, My Theresa, Zara, Polyvore, Farfetch

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

Sweet n’raw’s X’mas Gift Gide: OLD HOLLYWOOD DIVA

It’s Sunday and Milan has never felt colder for me (I’ve been living here for four years). Then I think about my beloved Mexico, my little piece of paradise called Acapulco and I die a little inside (30º and Summer sun, 365 days a year). I’m not saying that I hate Winter in Europe, I’d like it better if I were inside a mountain chalet, wrapped up in a furry blanket, sipping hot chocolate (ok, maybe a White Russian to get the heat going). Holiday season really makes me homesick. Anyway, back to what concers us today. This is the sixth and probably last post from our X’mas Shopping Guide (I’m not sure if I should do a couple more, let me know if you’d like me to).

I’ve been wanting to do the classic Audrey Hepburn illustration for so long, and I finally found the perfect excuse: the gift guide for the Old Hollywood Diva. We all have that certain friend that dresses like she just got out of a Fellini movie. We all have that friend that has watched every single Audrey Hepburn movie more times than we’ve watched Sex & the City re-runs. We all have that friend that still prefers a good old Hollywood romance, than that Twilight crap playing in your nearest multi-plex. If you do have a friend like this, her it is, the gift guide for the Old Hollywood Diva. Enjoy!

1. Bow swimsuit, Miu Miu
2. Oversize sunglasses, The Row
3. Perles de Lalique perfume, Lalique
4. Pearl & Onyx earrings, Scully & Scully
5. Sailor jumper, Joseph
6. Red & black ballet flats, Repetto
7. Pearl embellished dress, Moschino
8. Pink scarf, Agent Provocateur
9. 2Jours bag, Fendi
10. Embellished bracelet, Miu Miu
11. Bow necklace, Miu Miu
12. Two-tone heels, Jason Wu

1. Pearl embellished jumper, Romwe
2. Dreamer eye-mask, Urban Outfitters
3. Pink clutch, Prada
4. Andy warhol nail polish, Nars
5. Pearl statement necklace, Ann Taylor
6. Just Being Audrey book, Margaret Cardillo
7. Oversize sunglasses, Asos
8. Bejeweled flats, Aldo
9. Black fitted dress, Topshop
10. Miss Dior perfume, Dior
11. Caviar & oyster makeup set, Bobbi Brown
12. Ankle-strap heels, Zara

I hope you are having a relaxing and beautiful Sunday! X’mas is just a week away. Aren’t we excited?

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources:  Zara, My Theresa, Selfridges, Polyvore, Topshop, Net-a-porter

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

NYFW COVERAGE: Lady likes the bondage

And just as we were coming to terms with the fact that Summer is about to end, sandals are to be stored and left to dust inside those “open till next season” drawers and tans will begin to fade, here comes NYFW, ruining it all by having us crave the sunny and warm weather even more. I’ve stated this before and I will state it again (even is the Fall 2012 collections really warmed up to me), I’m a S/S girl, always have, always will be. There’s nothing like lightweight fabrics, cheery colors (I’m absence of black girl, remeber?) and skin-flashing coming down a FW catwalk. Spring 2013 has been so far so good, even if we’ve only had three days of shows.  NYC never disappoints and below you’ll find proof. Here they are, Sweet n’Raw’s first five Spring 2013 runway reviews and first Fashion Week look. Ready?

JASON WU Spring 2013

Jason Wu’s Spring 2012 show was unforgettable and one of prettiest of NYFW (the thought of his oversize pink peplum still haunts my dreams). For his 2013 runway, Wu went darker, added more drama and sex but managed to keep his lady a lady (a gorgeous lady if you ask me). His inspiration (Helmut Newton and Lilian Bassman images) resulted in a provocative yet dreamy collection.

He paired up elements of romance (sheer fabrics, lace, tulle and embellishments) with bondage ones (leather harnesses, sheer panels with corset seams, leather and lace bralets and studded belts), never going too far and contrasting them perfectly. His prints, now more than ever, have Wu’s signature written all over. As for the color palette, it was all on the dark and the mute side with a few exceptions: some hints of bright coral that made it all even more interesting. Season after season, Mr. Wu has become one of NYFW’s favorites and if he keeps this going….

CREATURES OF THE WIND Spring 2013

Last season, I reviewed with delight Creatures of the Wind Fall 2012 collection, one of the most pleasant surprises on NYFW. This season, I am reviewing it with even more delight. Let’s start with the obvious, a color palette so perky and so visually appealing is always bound to be a success. If you throw some interesting shapes into the mix and a lovely fabric mix, it will just keep getting better. With a 60’s inspiration, the Chicago duo presented an unexpectedly sweet collection. Layering played an important part on the runway (the jacket from the first look is pure poetry). The elements: shorts sleeves, bustiers, pleated midi skirts, perfectly tailored and adorned trousers and the shoes, those Tabitha Simmons shoes with embroidery were definitely one of the highlights of the show.

PRABAL GURUNG Spring 2013

There’s a NYFW trifecta: Alexander Wang, Joseph Altuzarra and my all-time favorite, Mr. Prabal Gurung. The buzz around this designer just keeps growing and growing with each season, making him one of the headliners this Spring 2013. It’s not only about his fabulous prints or his precise tailoring, he surprises with each look but always keeping that continuity a fashion show requires. He has made a signature of those tailored shorts, this time, he paired them up with neoprene sweatshirts and feathered blouses (feathers had an interesting role in his show).

The highlights of the collection were his formal jackets, a genius idea when it comes to twisting and turning evening wear. The shoes, a result from his collaboration with Casadei, made it all more special (mark my words, those red strappy pumps will be everywhere next Spring). Gurung revisited many elements from his previous collections, a good thing when it comes to building a brand’s character, a bad thing when people see it as just more of the same.

RUFFIAN Spring 2013

Twisted, unique and delightful in its own way, that’s how I would describe Ruffian’s Spring 2013 collection. A game of delicate prints, ruffles, layers and soft colors transformed boyish shapes and garments into ultra-feminine ones. To add another touch of spice, Morais and Walk paired every single one of their looks with the classic Converse low-tops (if I wasn’t a fan of sneakers before, I think thanks to them I might be on the verge of purchasing my own). Between the jacquard, the bows, the peplums and the prints, Ruffian will have a lot to offer next season.

HELMUT LANG Spring 2013

And just when we were expecting minimal darkness from the Colovos, boom! They give us this! With a colorful palette, Helmut Lang’s runway seemed almost unrecognizable. Florals, prints, sheer panels and those pants (yeah, those peachy and white drawstrings that looked comfy yet chic) were among the main elements the brand presented for their Spring 2013 collection. If you ask me, an unexpected surprise, but always a pleasant one. With some influences from last season’s collections (Mr. Kane, we are talking to you), the designer duo made it their own. No knock-offs, no copycat stuff, just a hint here and there, an influence.

LOOK OF THE DAY

The fun about Fashion Week is the mixing and matching, the dare, the over-the-top. Fashion Week is not matching your shoes to your purse, that’s why with this look I went for the beautiful chaos that is mismatching.

• Leopard print jumper, ASOS
• Wax-coated jeans, ZARA
• Polka dot courts, KATE SPADE
• Tan handbag, DOLCE GABBANA
• Bangle set, J. CREW
• Spike bracelet, TOPSHOP
• Jaguar bracelet, KENNETH JAY LANE
• Ring duo, TOPSHOP
• Delicatesse nail polish, CHANEL LE VERNIS

For all the details on today’s look go to FASHIOLISTA

Tomorrow I have for you another impressive line-up, what do you think about the Spring 2013 collections? What’s your favorite so far?

Happy Sunday and sweet kisses to y’all!

Illustration: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources: style.com, asos, zara, Kate Spade, Dolce Gabbana, Chanel

 

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

The Goodbye Summer / Hello Fall Mash-up

Cover: Prada Spring 2012 bodysuit, Marc Jacobs Fall 2012 hat

Hello, hello my sweet readers! It’s finally Friday and I’m happily stranded on my little piece of paradise, commonly known as Acapulco. Days at the beach are always good for the spirit, the body and the mind (especially when you need to get that creativity flowing). Anyway, back to what concerns us today, fashion. Since we are done with our Summer Getaways series and this season is coming to an end, I decided to bid farewell to S/S 2012 and welcome A/W 2012 at the same time, mixing them up and pairing them up. Oh yes, this series shall be baptized as the Goodbye Summer / Hello Spring mash-up. You might be wondering how I’m gonna handle and juggle them both, well let me explain. I picked six of my favorite trends from Spring 2012 (the ones that almost left me and you almost bankrupt, damn you Zara!) and six of my favorite ones from the coming season, Fall 2012. Now that I have my teams formed, I’m going to make the pairings. For each Spring trend, a Fall one. One look, two trends (one S/S and one F/W). Hey, anything to make this transition easier. Let’s start with my Summer picks:

Last Spring (2011 that is) I said: “This is my favorite season ever, and I won’t like another one as much as I liked this one”. I was wrong. On September 2011, I fell in love (I think the runway candy coating had a lot to do with it) and yes, this was my favorite season ever and we’ll see if on September I’ll bite my tongue again (I most likely will). From the pastels, to the underwater world, to the pajama land, each and every one of the trends were to die for. Here are my favorite six:

PASTEL COLORS: Almost every runway show of the season did it: Louis Vuitton, Prada (pictured), Jonathan Saunders, Meadham Kirchhoff

SCARF PRINT: D&G (pictured) said goodbye to the world with this spectacular, foulard-inspired show

NEON: From dresses, to jeans, to shoes and box clutches, neon was everywhere this season. Peter Som (pictured) and Nanette Lepore were among the designers who showcased the trend.

THE PEPLUM: Need I say more? Jason Wu’s (pictured) pink number was among the most coveted looks of the season.

TANGERINE: It was officially named the color of the season. This sassy look was spotted on the Nanette Lepore catwalk (pictured).

PAJAMAS: Stella McCartney’s prints and shapes made her one of the top collections of the season (along with Jonathan Saunders, Peter Pilotto and Proenza Schouler). Is that reason enough to start wearing pajamas? I’d say so.

I had always been a sucker for Spring and a Fall hater, up until the moment designers started using vivid colors and prints for the “darker” season. Seeing those lively prints, shiny textures and lightweight fabrics on the Fall runways, make me wish for it as much as I yearly wish for Spring. Here are my six favorite trends from Fall 2012:

BAROQUE: If more is more, then I’m absolutely in. Opulence ruled the catwalks for the coming season and no one does that better than my favorite Italian duo, Dolce Gabbana (pictured).

OXBLOOD: Remember how Tangerine Tango was the color of the season. Well Oxblood is the new Tangerine Tango. This seductive shade was everywhere, from DVF and Alexander Wang, to Rodarte (pictured) and Haider Ackermann.

FLORAL PRINT: Yep, let’s face it, whether is Spring or Fall, whether it rains or snows, flowers will always be on the trendy side. Erdem (pictured) is quickly becoming the floral master.

GOLDEN GIRL: More is more and the shinier the better. That’s my motto in life. This season brace yourself for those metallic jeans and those heavy and shiny dresses. One of Prabal Gurung’s (pictured) final numbers is proof of that.

LINGERIE: A trend that just keeps coming back and that gets constantly reinvented. A constant in Nina Ricci’s (pictured) Peter Copping’s collections.

WHITE AS SNOW: Absence of black! Absence of black! Another motto of mine. Imagine how thrilled I am to know that I’m gonna be going for white coats instead of dark ones this season. J. Mendel (pictured) shows us how to look fabulously chic and effortlessly perfect with this white and wintery look.

Now that you’ve seen my picks, you can help me do the pairings. Which Spring and Fall trends would you like to see together?

Friday, I wanna be drunk!

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Image sources: STYLE.COM, Google

 

All texts, illustrations and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site

Girl looks like a lady! THE PEPLUM SERIES

Yes, my sweet readers, I’ve been wanting to tackle this trend for a while now (I’ve been savouring this moment since September 2011). The time has come for me to devote an entire series to… wait for it… THE GODDAMN PEPLUM! You already know by now that I’m a sucker for pastels (you can seriously get a sugar high from looking at my layout), I’m mad about flowers (thanks Mom, that’s all on you. She’s a floral designer) and a leather (not black leather, I hate black) junkie. There’s something else you should know, even though I don’t always act like one, I sure like to dress-up like a lady! That’s the thing about peplums, they are ladylike, they are pretty, they are cute and they are really in trend right now. A peplum has the power of twisting any outfit, in a beautiful way. Don’t be afraid to try it, once you get the hang of this trend, you won’t be able to stop loving it. Let’s start with the runway peplums!

RUNWAY SELECTION

TOP:  Jason Wu / Givenchy / Preen / Yves Saint Laurent

BOTTOM: Giambattista Valli / Nina Ricci / Thakoon / Kenzo

ONLINE SELECTION

THE BRIGHT PEPLUM

Blue top, H&M / Orange dress, TOPSHOP / Pink skirt / LIPSY

THE FLORAL PEPLUM

Floral top, SUNO / Floral strapless dress, RIVER ISLAND / Floral skirt, M&S

THE NEUTRAL PEPLUM

White top, RIVER ISLAND / Sand dress, DOROTHY PERKINS / Ivory skirt, TOPSHOP

From tomorrow, the peplum styling madness begins! Be sure to check back if you want to find out how Sweet’n’Raw does THE PEPLUM (I just love that word).

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis 

Photos: Style.com

All texts and collages are made by me, it’s forbidden to re-post without previous request (sweetnrawme@gmail.com) and images must link back to this site.

NYFW COVERAGE: Wu does China, Lang goes sleek

Good Monday, my sweet readers! FWNY is on and better than ever. In this four days of A/W fashion, we have already seen an amazing display on the catwalks (I’m a little behind on my reviews, Winter cold is my excuse for slacking off). And as trends begin to surface and thousands of 6 feet amazons strut the runways in some fabulous designer creations, this Mexican chick is ready for the first review round-up, directly from Milan.

CREATURES OF THE WIND

We’ve seen just a few shows so far, but we are already sure about one of the strongest color tends, RED! Last A/W season was all about ice, it’s only fair this one they give us fire. I wasn’t familiar with this small brand going on big, but boy was it a pleasant surprise. The Chicago based duo presented us with a total of 23 looks, all different from each other and each with a life of its own. A mix of delicate embroidery, colored leather, stripes and squares, but above all, perfect construction and beautiful shapes. Their insipration: The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies book, an Episcopalian minister’s collection  in the of his parishioners’ supernatural tales. Shane Gabier and Chris Peters are definitely two to watch, bravo!

PETER SOM

Sheer, leather and THE peplum, three elements that were all over Peter Som’s magnifique collection. Four main colors, a shimmering white, elegant black, jewel green and red. A flawless but effortless execution, the peplums played the part of  an architectural detail.

Although some of his pieces may reminisce prior catwalk shows (the see-through skirts peeking out can be compared to Riccardo Tisci’s for Givenchy A/W 2011), he definitely put his own twist on them and made them his.  His fashion display of this season was very different from what we have seen from him before. It was an unexpected turn, but a much appreciated one.

JASON WU

He made us fall in love with his S/S 2012 collection ( I still dream about THE pink number). Now with his A/W 2012 show, it’s official, we are going bananas for this man’s creations. He is definitely one of the young designers that keeps on growing, and growing with each season. With a clear Chinese inspiration, his looks ranged from military chic (chinese army, hence the red and green shades) to beautiful and crafty embroidered pieces ( Chinese royal dynasty comes to mind).

The key elements: fitted pencil skirts, a gorgeous display of capes, prints and textures and a touch of fur. I still can’t get over that army green leather coat, it’s my dreamboat. Kudos to Mr. Wu, because he always delivers and his deliveries keep getting better and better with each season.

CHADWICK BELL

He may be from California, but there’s nothing californian about his collection. It can be described as sophsiticated with an edge, a big edge. The designer described his inspiration as:  “A perfect woman in an imperfect situation. She’s well-kept but dangerous.”  The dramatic hair and make up played along perfectly with the collection’s feel and mood. A wide variety of colors in his palette, and also textures: from feathers, to jacquard, to leather and even some fur, a girl has a lot to choose from.

HELMUT LANG

The neutral color palette was a predictable move for the Helmut Lang show, what we did not expect were those hints of rust red the designer duo sent out the runway. But the shades were not the only consistent part of this collection, the sleek chic silhouette was there too. Nicole and Michael Colovos are certainly walking the cocky and confident road and it suits them just fine.

It was all so architectural but with a flow. Asymmetrical cuts, funnel neck jackets, tigh-high boots, explosive lava-like patterns and that drool-worthy creme cape were among the elements Helmut Lang presented on the runway this season. Overall, a hit out of the ballpark!

RAG & BONE

It was layering at its best, like the puerst form of art. It all looked so effortless and at the same time, perfect. Asymmetrical garments with stripes, cinched at the waist, were all over Rag & Bone’s A/W 2012 collection.  With a slight vibe from India and their perfect tailoring, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright presented us with wonderful fashion, we will be lusting after next season.

Tapestry, pantsuits, and blanket capes, all paired up with some fab ankle boots and loafers. The beauty was simple and natural, as were the hair waves. It was beyond cool, and every girl loves some cool in her closet.

LOOK OF THE DAY

It’s cold outside but I’m feeling rather floral. Today’s look represents  just what I’m all about. Pastel and flower ensembles are my drug,  and lately I have a witness for green bags. Let’s start with the skirt, I chose a skater one in beige from Nasty Gal. The fit and the shape make it really chic and really cute. I tucked in a pussybow blouse in classic rose from ASOS. For a layering effect, I added a metallic jumper from H&M (seriously, run out the door and go get this garment, it’s a perfect companion for this coming season). For coverage and to give the outfit a little bit of a laid-back vibe, a twill, floral jacket from See by Chloé. Maybe, by looking at the image, you might think the legs are a little bare for the cruel temperature outside, but no. This lovely, pale pink tights are from TOPSHOP. For the shoes, with this ensemble, you can’t go wrong with some fabulouss high-heeled brogues from the Fergie (yes, the chick from the Black Eyed Peas, didn’t know she had a shoe line but styles are good and prices even more so).

For the bag, green purses are so happening right now. This lovely style is from Golden Goose and you have seen it before on this POST.  For the hands, one of my favorite accessories of all times, beige fingerless gloves and a kitsch watch from River Island. For teh final touch, Chanel Le Vernis MAY for your nails.

I am running a little behind, but I promise to make it op to you. Tomorrow we will have reviews for Mr. Wang, Mr. Gurung and Mr. Altuzarra. That’s a lot of work! I better get my beauty sleep!

Sweet kisses…

Illustrations: Ana Sofia Alanis

Photos: style.com

Reviews are written by me, PLAGIARISM is not cool