Tag: alice & olivia

Easy as 1, 2, 3….

Kimberli Simon2 Comments
back2school
23 Pieces = 960 Looks 

You know it’s bad when your mom wants to know if you are ever going to post again… I’ve been dealing with some significant life changes over the past month with have left me with zero free time and zapped all of my creative energy.  Still, its almost Labor Day and I always feel nostalgic for back-to-school shopping around this time of year.  I am also sick of wearing all of my summer things, so I decided to spend what little free time I’ve been able to muster surfing the web to create an adult version of a back-to-school wardrobe for the fall.

I’ve written before abut traveling light and making less do more (here)  so the 1 coat, 2 bags, 3 shoes, 4 bottoms, 5 tops strategy pictured above would provide me with enough outfit variety for well over 2 years.  Given lots of free time and a bottomless pocketbook here’s what I’d buy to make my back-to-school fantasy a reality:

Red Crepe Blazer
Rebecca Minkoff Darren Leather Backpack  |  Alexandra de Curtis Red Bowling Bag
Red Stiletto Bootie  |  Kendall & Kylie Calla Slouch Boot  |  Acne Studios  Jensen Boot
Caroline Rose Silk Crepe Trouser  |  Three Dots Leopard Midi  |  1901 Button Front Plaid Skirt | Zara Flared Pant
Kensie V-Back Bell Sleeve Top |  Moncler Ciclista Sweater  |  Alice & Olivia Meredith Slit-Sleeve Tie Neck Top |  Acne Studies Oversized Sweater  |  ATM Anthony Thomas Melillio Schoolboy Crewneck T
Norma Kamali Square Cat Eye Sunnies  |  Elizabeth & James Frey Sunnies
Tom Ford Ultrashine Cherry Lipgloss  |  Kate Spade Cactus Flower Scarf  |  Pleated Necklace  |  Lauren Ralph Lauren Ana Silk Square Scarf  |  Nest Cocoa Woods Rollerball     | Pearl Ball Earrings  |
Black/White Chandelier Earrings  |  Ettika Disc Earrings

How about you?  Are you tired of summer clothing?  What kinds of fashion are you looking forward too this fall?  Drop me a line…I’d love to know…

*ABC – The Jackson 5

 

 

Talking about bad girls…

Kimberli SimonLeave a comment

Part of my deep dive into ‘all things Andy’ led me to the legend of Studio 54. Opened in 1977, the club quickly became world-famous for its celebrity guests, hedonistic atmosphere, and flagrant drug use. The club served as a second home to Warhol and his stable of Polaroid ‘one-name’ celebrities like Liz, Mick, Elton, Dali, Bowie, Liza, Truman and Jackie.  Big stars to be sure, but to my way of thinking no one was more beautiful and happening than 54’s three ‘it’ girls: Bianca, Jerry and Diane.

To this day I still think these women remain as beautiful, intelligent and relevant as they appeared back in the day.  Bianca was the exotic one, married to the King of Rock and always holding court at a VIP table.  Diane was the sly bohemian, running her dress empire by day and surrounded by powerfully rich men at night.  Jerry was the wild-spirited Texan never far from a bottle of bubbly or fun.

I can’t think of a modern day equivalent to Studio 54, but if such a club existed I can easily picture Bianca regally sitting there while Diane discusses business and art with the Davos set and Jerry flirts and laughs the night away, all while wearing the following…

Bianca
The Queen – Bianca
Rachel Zoe Elinoir Pearl detail Halter Crepe Jumpsuit |  Halston Asymmetric Crepe jumpsuit  |  Mignonne Gavigan Liza Beaded Statement Earrings  |  Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato Heels  |  Rebecca Minkoff Leo Glitter Envelope Clutch  |  Rachel Zoe Bruno Metallic Jacquard Pants and Jacket  |  Sleeveless Faux Fur Capelet  |  Dior Rogue Dior Lipstick  |  Halston Heritage Cowlneck Slip Gown  |  Tocca Giulietta Perfume  |  BHLGN Ginger Convertible Maxi Dress |  Lauren Hope Abba Crystal Drop Earrings
Diane
The Businesswoman – Diane
Halston Heritage Strapless Striped Metallic Flounce Cocktail Dress  |  Saint Laurent Ruffle Silk -the-shoulder Dress  |  Sadie & Sage Star Print Fit-and-Flare Dress |  Nina Cherie Evening Sandals  |  Ippolita Rock Candy Quartz and Hermalite Earrings  |  Tom Ford Jasmin Rogue Lipstick  |  ALC Tula Split-neck Long-sleeve Silk Metallic Dress |  Fame and Partners Maquino Dress  |  Christian Louboutin Artydiva Heels  |  Guerlain Santal Royal Perfume  |  Kendra Scott Glenda Earrings  |  Nookie Europa Sequin Gown  |  Love Box Clutch  |  Sam Edelman Haide Feather Pompom Pump
Jerry
The Party Gal – Jerry
Alice & Olivia Bridget Striped Sequin Slipdress |  Aidan Maddox Sequin Bateau-neck Cocktail Dress  |  Dress the Population Jordyn Plunge Sequin Body-con Dress  |  Jimmy Choo Romy Pointed Toe  |  Gas Bijoux Wave Small Drop Earrings  | Jean Patou Joy Perfume |  Lisa Perry Photo-Real-Print Cotton Minidress |  Diane von Furstenberg Cowlneck Satin Gown  |   YSL Rogue Pur Couture Dazzling Lipstick   |  Rosie Assoulin Pleated Halter Gown  |  Dries Van Norton Metallic Leather Clutch  |  Christian Louboutin Pigalle Loubitag Pointy Toe Pump
*Bad Girls –  Donna Summer

Long cool woman in a black dress…

Kimberli Simon3 Comments

BohoGown

Last weekend I made myself a kimono dress.  Next up is a dress guaranteed to remind me of 70’s summers spent attending concerts like Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, and the Dead.  I had at least 3 different versions of this dress as a teen and loved each one.

The Alice & Olivia Spring 2017 runway look pictured above reminds me of those maxi dresses of my youth.  To recreate the look I plan on using lightweight solid rayon challis for the skirt, a contrasting embroidered cotton print for the bodice and straps, and some complimentary jacquard and satin ribbons for the trim.  All I need to complete the look is a pair of hoop earrings, some espadrille wedgies and a concert ticket (or two)!

*Long Cool Woman (in a black dress) – The Hollies

Fashion…turn to the left

Kimberli Simon3 Comments

I have loved fashion ever since I can remember.  Maybe it’s because I come from a long line of tailors and seamstresses (I learned to sew and embroider before I was 5) or maybe it’s because my mom and my aunts were so stylish that it rubbed off on me. Whatever the reason, when the seasons change I find myself scouring the world of fashion (including WWD, Vogue, and The Cut) to find out what’s hot.

This fall the hottest trends that appeal most to me are leopard, velvet, florals, dressed up bohemian, and the colors navy, pumpkin spice, and grey (naturally). Today I am posting the first in a series of ‘Recreating the Runway’ boards that combine my favorite fall looks with my love of sewing…

recreatingleopard1
Part 1: a DIY take on Alice & Olivia Fall 2016 – the Coat

Leopard is, as always, a top trend. Alice & Olivia were responsible for one of my favorite Fall 2016 shows, sending 70’s rock-n-roller fashion down the runway.  This particular outfit really caught my eye since it would be simple to recreate (and look good on rocker chicks of any size or age).  I would lengthen the pattern to just below the knee and use large shoulder pads to give the coat some body, using a rich red silk for the lining.  A black or gold lining would look fabulous too. After finishing add a silk rose lapel pin (like this beauty from Etsy) and rock on!

 

recreatingleopard2
Part 2: a DIY take on Alice & Olivia Fall 2016 – the Dress

An easy-to-make classic wrap dress completes the look.  The A&O dress has the left front wrapping over the right so you might need to manipulate whatever pattern you choose to get the same effect.  I love the silky prints I found at Jo Ann Fabrics, which compliment the coat beautifully. I love a strong shoulder so I would use pads to give the dress some shape whether the pattern calls for it or not.  All you need to complete the look is a wide leather belt , wedge knee-high boots, and a great concert or rock club to wear it to!  Rock on.