Posts with tag ruffle

New York Fashion Week is in full swing (and StyleList is covering it from every possible angle!) so it is nearly impossible to not be inspired by all the fabulous looks high-end designers are sending down the runway. We were particularly taken by this ethereal look from Jill Stuart and set out to find a real-world version to feature here.

Let's play a little game. When we say "tiered skirt", what's the first thing that comes to mind? Hippies? Flower power? Prairies? We're about to erase that perception from your mind. No, not by our mind boggling Tom Cruise like super powers (you wish!). It's far simpler than that. We're going to introduce you to the flirty skirts present at the Luella, Givenchy, and Zac Posen spring/summer 2008 runways.

We love all of the amazing independent designers out there. In order to find out more about just what makes all of these creative types tick, we present to you an ongoing segment called Indie Designer Interviews.

Today's interview is with avant garde independent designer Desira Pesta. Her dreamlike Spring 2008 collection is full of ruffles and perfect tailoring and is inspired by the circus, Iceland, and Film Noir.

So you've always wanted to wear the hottest runway looks but don't want to break the bank to do so? Maybe you've got the itch to just do it yourself? Well, my awesome friends over at Threadbanger are here to help you out. Their weekly video podcast is full of great tips and tutorials on DIY fashion, as well as the scoop on plenty of underground independent designers.

In the most recent episode, they travel to New York Fashion Week and chat with Malan Breton of Project Runway season 3 fame, check out a fashion show by punk rock indie design house New York Couture, and finally give you a video tutorial on how to make a fabulous ruffle collar, based on one seen in James Coviello's Fall 2008 collection. There's also a tutorial on their blog, if you're not into video. It's a really simple sewing project, and the result is amazing! Who said you need to spend thousands of dollars to get an fresh-from-the-runway look?

If you haven't figured it out by now, this weekend rings in the Chinese New Year, so rest assured that I will be focusing pretty famously on all things Asian. Now while I am usually not wildly fond of Mandarin collars because I seem to have problems with their causing much itching and discomfort around my neck, I make an exception for this weekend, particularly for the Ruffle Lace Top by Shelli Segal for Laundry. The top features a Mandarin style collar with the typical cap-sleeve styling of a qi pao. It may be lace, but it's more modest than you think, since it overlays an opaque nylon lining. What's lovely about this top? It does double trend duty by fitting in with the Romantic trend for spring.

The Ruffle Lace Top by Shelli Segal for Laundry is $109.90 at Nordstrom.