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May 18, 2012

Beach Days Part II

A derivative of my original Beach Days post a few weeks ago, the sun is out, at last. Hitting a high of 70 degrees today, and a possible 79 over the weekend, Memorial Day weekend is a mere 8 days away. Are you beach-ready? Bikini, check. Sunglasses, check. Sandals, check. Beach tote, check. Colorful arm baubles? check. Tight abs? Uncheck. So if you haven’t started doing 300 sit-ups a day, now is a perfect time to start. I am starting to realize that it is clearly time for a spray tan mini wardrobe infusion. Hard to imagine, but the endless possibilities of summer 2012, don’t seem so endless anymore. Surf lessons anyone? I’m ready to dive into that ocean. And in honor of Donna Summer I’ll be singing along to Last Dance. Bring it, Summer 2012.

Equipment shirt, Canfora sandals, Sensi Studio hat, Oscar de La Renta stone necklace, Celine sunnies

OndadeMar beach bag. Get a similar one here. Ben-Amun turquoise necklace. Hippie couch.

I was recently reminiscing that just a few weeks ago, my body was soaking in the rays whilst listening to the waves crash on a sunny beach in the Bahamas. I’m not going back to the Bahamas again in the next few weeks, but rather on the East Coast instead. Before I take off for those summer weekends, I will be sure to be exclusively clad in all-white everything, low-rise jeans in the pure denim and white variety, flowy tops, lots of accessories, and cool-as-shit shoes. As we look towards the weeks ahead, it will be hot and bandeaus shall rule. If not, ethereal anything will rule. So use your judgment wisely to purchase some lace, eyelet, and linen. I am trying to sell my frocks on Copius and recycle rather than allowing my purchases run wild into the depths of my already hemorrhaging closet. Here are my inspirational photos that I will present as things to ponder.

 Chan Luu black bracelet, Elisa Solomon white bracelet, Chan Luu coral bracelet, Shine handmade pink baubles, Fiona Paxton wrap bracelet

Handmade goodies from Shine.

 Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony white eyelet dress, Dannijo necklace

Stay tuned as next week, I will be featuring a few Memorial Day treats. Hostess with the mostest, and a what to pack for the beach update from last summer. Summer weekends will get a whole lot easier with a little help from your friends. In case you forget, I’ll send you the memo.

Mmmm, already smelling that bbq.

 

Photographs taken at Pink Sands Resort, Harbour Island, The Bahamas

3 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , ,

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May 16, 2012

Accessorize it

I have already capitalized on the notion of wearing copious amounts of accessories on top of accessories on many occasions. (See Framed, Groovy Freaks, and fun finery across ze pond in Milan. If I seem to be obsessed with accessories, you are not wrong. I tend to pile tons of bags and baubles on my body. Sometimes though, it is better to err on the side of caution, and there are reasons for this thought process. It goes like this. You are invited to a jewelry party where there are numerous brands that are willing to share their wares with you for a chance to be on you. In a picture, in a mug shot. Last week I attended a Happy Hour(s) with the cool moms at Elk Studios, where shots were taken, sushi was digested, and jewels were abundant. I thought about what to wear and figured it was probably better to wear just a simple white tee shirt, cool ass green jeans, and some Dannijo clunkers on my wrist. And then I proceeded to add some charms for charms sake. So here you go. This pic says wipe that stupid smile off your face, that outfit is boringgggg as hell. But do check out the tiny pops of bright turquoise on my neck. Now that’s good.

 Nation tee-shirt, Citizens of Humanity overdyed skinny jeans, Melinda Maria Momma and baby turquoise necklaces, Dannijo cuffs here and here.  Asos clutch

Ultimately, this is not a how-to dress up for (s)mug shot post. I’m pulling a Lindsay Lohan – don’t I look villainous? This is actually a profile shot just so you can see my overdue highlights perfectly highlighted blonde locks and the smirk. Its a how-to go to jail FREE card. Please proceed to the highlighted route.

Here is close-up of the aforementioned necklace. With my twitter handle piece from Bauble Bar added as a layer. Pretty freakin cool, huh? You can order your own initial necklace here . And here is the Melinda Maria necklace. FYI- they also make tiger stud earrings! Consume. them. here 

The best part of my evening was not only meeting other cool people, but winning, yes, actually winning a rock the size of Timbuktu just for putting my name and twitter handle @nyfashionhunter in a jar.

So here’s to mingling longer than anyone else just, well you know, FTW.  And that was clearly the win. Graziela Clear Factor Ring in Aqaumarine

Mug shots by Elk Studios. Random photos by nyfashionhunter on Instagram.

5 days ago • Accessories, Event • Tags: , , , , ,

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May 14, 2012

How Fashion and Art Collide

For the first time ever, London’s Frieze Art Fair landed in New York’s backyard, Randall’s Island. And for the first time ever, Refinery 29 featured me in their Street Style section. A couple of firsts for me in one day is definitely worth celebrating. Thanks Refinery for the shout out! I attended the fair on a Monday which was–so I overheard–much less crowded than the congestion during the weekend. Think part exhibition, part social scene, part runway, all put together in a temporary pop-up village in the middle of an island I barely ever even heard of. The commissioned artworks at the fair were showcased in this massive pavilion which created a totally hip and cool vibe. Hip and cool like the Fat Radish serving up delicious food, the style set strutting their stuff, and the outdoor Bier Garden was carefully positioned right outside the exit just in time for happy hour. At first glance, I am dressed in, I will call this one, a one-piece-statement dress that rocks. Yeah, I can mix prints like any artist. The Olsen twins might have popularized this (fill in the blank) look first, but in this day and age of stylists et al, I say follow your own instincts and do what works. BTW, I got dressed in a total running time of 10 minutes. Paired with my Chloe wedges, a huge ass yellow clutch, oversized sunnies, and smelly unwashed hair, it sells magazines.

 

Marni maxi dress, Asos portfolio clutch, Chloe wedges, Hache belt, get a similar one here. Tom Ford sunnies, Vince leather bomber. Photo credits: Refinery 29

After my brief walk-through of the bespoke exhibition, I was quite impressed. Having attended the Pulse, Nada, and Art Basel fairs, Frieze has a while to go, but as a first timer, it was anything but shabby. Based on the compelling art that I saw, there were some standout pieces. Chalked full of thought-provoking images, see below for some of the highlights of the show. Although I took over 100 photos at the fair, it’s safe to say, some of my first impressions of the galleries were the ones that made the difference. For comparison’s sake, in the fashion world and in life as well, first impressions are everything. And I consider that a standout success. Click through to peek at the fun stuff after the jump. Art and fashion?

>> more

7 days ago • Event, Fashion • Tags: , , , , , ,

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May 11, 2012

In Honor of Mother’s Day

Flowers

Credits: Mother jeans, Jason Wu  top, Stuart Weitzman Capsize Mary Jane pumps. Flowers generously donated by Fairway. Photos Michael Crook. Gif created by me.

I have blatantly recruited myself to hand deliver you a Gif(t).  There is nothing wrong with receiving presents, and I am sure you welcome all variations of things like The 50 Shades of Grey series on Kindle, diamonds, and other bejeweled treasures that come your way. Believe me, if I am EVER given anything resembling Dannijo sweets, I will promise to love you forever. So on that note, let’s not forget that Sunday is Mother’s Day, knowing full well that there is no better time to give than the present and say “thanks for having me” to your mum. This groovy Fashion Hunter mom will tell you that florals are in for spring, so how about making those prints come alive with a fragrant bouquet for that special woman in your life?  It’s important to note that flowers are fragrant and massages are good. Candles are too. But, women like things. In case you need some hints, take note. Peruse below for my tightly edited selection of gift ideas for Mother’s Day. These are some my favorite things, that will guarantee to put a sparkle in her heart.

 

From left to right, a Givenchy bracelet simple enough for any mom. Because diamonds are a girl’s best friend, how about some BLING: Sydney Evan diamond “breathe” necklace, Irene Neuwirth Mint Teardrop earring with Pavé diamonds, Andrea Fohrman Oval Pink earrings with sapphires. A Tiffany “Yours” Mom Heart charm because she is so charming. A Jason Wu candle that smells like Orchids in case she doesn’t have a garden. An oversized Kara Ross clutch because your mom is such a hipster. If she’s not, she can teach herself with this book 50 Shoes that Changed the World  just in case she isn’t into 50 Shades of Grey. A Verbena scent by pureDKNY so she smells like flowers. And finally a pair of Philip Simon Espadrilles, Carerra sunnies, because summer is coming and a fun Mod Cloth coffee mug for a woman constantly on the go.

So for those of you on Team mom, let’s give a toast to the one and only. Here’s to you, mom! xxoo

10 days ago • Fashion, Trends • Tags: , , , ,

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May 9, 2012

Turning Heads at the Met Ball

Monday night was fashion’s biggest party of the year: The Annual Costume Institute Gala, the Met Ball, or as my Twitter friends called it–#fashionsprom. The evening was an over-the-top homage to women of the hour: most notably Miucci Prada and Elsa Schiparelli who are currently exhibiting “Impossible Conversations” at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Although my invite must have gotten lost in the mail, I still watched the event via live steam via Vogue.com. I am not going to rehash what was written about Rihanna and Florence Welch or who was too skinny and doesn’t eat–that you can see by clicking on various sites like E’s Fashion Police and VH1 where you can digest, dissect, and make your own conclusions. Peek below for some hair trends that were not only on the spring runways but on the red carpet too. Some went for classic glamour, some went nuts, and some just went, well, pink. Ca Ching.

Gwyneth Paltrow ties it up nicely in her innovative ponytail. She’s a Glamourpuss. But Gwyney…is that your left mammary gland sticking out of your too-short, too-tiny Prada dress? I call that hashtag awkward, Elizabeth.

The natural look. Loose and messy, it is sexy, simple and does the trick. And befitting for Sarah Jessica Parker in her vintage Valentino.

And the wet hair award goes to Rooney Mara, who pulls off the sleek untouchable vampire in a half sheer Givenchy to a tee.

The Met Ball shocker? Don’t say you weren’t warned. I was notified via twitter handles that Coco Rocha was dipping into something daring. Dipedee doo da day. The color of the carpet may have been red, but shocking pink curls made the waves. No exaggeration. Best hairdo of the night? Natch. Go pink or go home!

12 days ago • Event, Fashion • Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

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May 7, 2012

Street Style From Down Under

Brought to you by Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in Sydney, Australia. New York Fashion week, is a whopping four months away, so we look across the globe to Sydney which just wrapped up this past week. As I watched fashion updates pop up on the internet, the vibrant city of Sydney came alive with the eclectic colors and the visual stimulation that fashion week brings. In fact, it is a city I have always wanted to visit. The continent is home to many talented contemporary designers including Sass and Bide, Ksubi, Zimmermann, Camilla, Ellery, and more, which means there’s no skimping on style in Sydney. The same sentiment can be said for the well-heeled attendees. Ruffling feathers in the fashion world, as some of you know, isn’t easy. These taste makers create more buzz than the designers themselves. In statement jackets, confident color combos, and daring mixes, the style set didn’t shy away from the cameras. It’s bloody hard to wear the up-to-the-minute outfits every second of your waking moment just to be photographed by the most fly street style photographer. So here below is a look at Aussie style through the sharp photographic lens of Lee Oliveira and The Sartorialist as they do what they do best. And..outtakes from Harper’s Bazaar Australia give us their nod as well. The photos below really do speak for themselves.

Clad in Prada flames and a tiny electric green clutch seen below, Taylor Tomasi Hill heads from show to show looking like she just walked off the runway.

Photos via Vogue, Fashionologie, Harpers Bazaar, Harpers Bazaar Australia, Lee Oliveira

From the looks of it, MBFW Australia was all about pure fashion for fashion’s sake and not for salability sake. It is refreshing to see how they view and live fashion on the other side of the world– a bit more relaxed, a bit more uninhibited, and with a bit more oomph. Exclamation point. Ace! Let this be your guiding light, mate!

14 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

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May 5, 2012

Framed

Today I’m giving you a peek of my week as an unapologetic fashionista.  The showing off posing of the innards of my curated closet is as close to wearing what I adore without stopping by for coffee. Making use of yet another great iPhone app aptly named Diptic, probably after dipshit, I made a frame of my outfits, including some vintage, to create a cookbook of fashion recipes of “what I wore when” so I don’t lose track.

What’s to be learned from this technological tapestry? Blue jeans, in every configuration, have been showing signs of a return to the forefront of my closet with no hint of migrating back to the crevices where they once resided. Can you tell that the vest on the top left is ripped to shreds? Well, it is and they are often sold this way. It may be therapeutic to work out your inner aggression by creating your own rips DIY style, but for us lazies, the folks at D&G and Isabel Marant do the distressed cropped boyfriend rips-in just-the-right-places thing just fine. No scissors required. Zara printed trousers are having a moment or two. Major bright neon accessories have and always will be my weakness and is an essential way to liven up the vintage threads that you just can’t part with. (See Vince corduroy jean jacket (bottom left) similar to the Christopher Kane neon cropped number.) And just to add the final zipedee doo da to those wardrobe basics, I couldn’t resist posting about these white Givenchy embellished shoes that I wrote about here. Within the copious confines of my closet, it’s the statement pieces that I go back to year after year that have lasting power. Sometimes its OK to go big. What hidden gems are lurking in your closet?

Dannijo jewels, Theyskens Theory metallic lame‘ tank top,  Asos clutch, AG jeans, Zara printed trousers, Cambridge Satchel bag, Noir bracelets, Mono & Me skull bracelets.

16 days ago • Style • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

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May 3, 2012

A Flowery Frock

With a little playfulness and lots of imagination, let’s go for a sartorial spin through the vegetable garden. From eggplant to tomatoes and zucchini to fugly peppers, the fantastic combos of veggies marry so well with the colorful blossoming flowers in the surrounding mountains this time of year. Harkening back to the clothing silhouettes of the another era where women wore proper, formal, and more ladylike clothing, like shirt dresses and full poufy skirts worn above the knee-this season, the 50′s are back albeit a fruitier version of that golden era.  Apples, oranges, and other fruits have been making an appearance in prints and patterns on the runway. Just look at Dolce and Gabbana’s S2012 chili pepper outfit here, and here —they look fresh, displaying nature’s abundance with a simple and clean style. Simple I say, simple. Fashion has moved too far into the concrete jungle that we live–fast fashion finally slows down in the grassy spot and lingers . Take a look at the master Audrey Hepburn– the ultimate in chic simplicity.

 

Let’s take peak inside of Korean-born designer Samantha Sung’s big brain for a minute. More whimsical and fun, her fresh and imaginative designs are updated versions of the 50′s styles. These styles are reflections of her world travels and inspirations that are drawn from exotic destinations, local cultures, and indigenous anthropologies. More “green” than black, every one of her stunning prints has a story and a history. Hand-painted  prints live at the intersection between vivid imagination and authentic craftsmanship. Your erotic imagination should be running wild by now. With all this food porn, you should have a boner (or at least crave a salad.). HA! Inspired by Audrey Hepburn, hence the name of my dress, The Audrey we go.

 

 Samantha Sung Audrey dress, Prada nude heels, Alexander McQueen sunnies, Isabel Marant bracelets.

Cherry-ripe tomatoes are sensual yes, and the surreal tandem of fashion and violets is just plain fun. Fashion needs a laugh. C’mon, let that soda come out of your nose. And have a few tomatoes. Imagination stirred with the splendor’s of nature can be quite beautiful and can make great tomato sauce too.

I challenge you to guess where this was taken. First one to guess wins the longest cucumber. ;) No flight necessary. See ya later fashion plates!

All photos that rock by Michael Crook.

18 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , ,

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May 1, 2012

A Spring lift

May Day. May Day. Although it is grey and yukky outside, the calendar remains the same. I mentioned a few times in my recent blog posts about getting in shape, wearing bandeaus, back in March in preparation for the months ahead. Here is more living proof that I am not the only crazy one asking if and how you are going to wear the crop top this season. When asked that question, a mixed joint of reactions via Net-A-Porter live TV came alive and flying through my inbox this morning. I thought I would put it up for laughs, join in the fun, and ask the same of you. Did you motivate to do 300 sit-ups daily? I did NOT, so I will be wearing those striped Alice and Olivia high-waisted pants that I happen to love. Or these See by Chloe trousers are really awesome too. This quick video is sure to crack a smile if nothing else. I know it inspired me today after feeling the blahs as I sit here indoors watching the rain fall.

Happy May!  xxoo

Video via Net-A-Porter

20 days ago • Video • Tags: , ,

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April 30, 2012

Sheer bliss

Thanks to the Fall and Spring runways, not to mention street style, sheer fabrics are having a moment. Sheer usually means it is practically see-through, intimating that you are going to need to wear something underneath. This trend popped up during Fashion Week in Paris at a number of collections such as Givenchy, Stella McCartney, and Chanel, and moved across the pond to New York just in time for spring. And in a New York minute, even if it’s not so transparent, sheer will be on our minds yet again.

A few tips here: I wore a pair of black shorts under my pants so my undergarments were invisible and wouldn’t cause a scene. BTW, what would happen in the streets of New York if I didn’t wear the shorts? Probably nothing. But don’t make like Lady-Gaga and prove me wrong. Layer, layer, layer. The rules are the same for sheer shirts and tops.

Now this isn’t a traffic stopping outfit or anything like that. Just a “how can I dodge thousands of strangers whilst smiling and showing you how-to-wear-sheer printed pants with a striped shirt” post.

 

 

Fashion Credits: Cut 25 military vest. Get a similar one from Zadig and Voltaire , J.Crew striped top, Zara sheer pants, Romy Gold Jake studded clutch, Betsy Johnson oversized sunnies. Photo by Michael Crook.

Sheer can be worn for fall as well with patent leather belt or velvet to add a fetish-y spin to the look. Even Stella McCartney challenged the look by adding a sheer skirt over sheer pants. Did you forget about my sound advise about the bandeau?? Click here if you did. 

Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Stella McCartney

Photo via Style.com

Below are some other off the runway pics that might inspire you to try the look. Featured by Chanel, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, and The Row, you can give it a whirl too. Its time to show some skin folks. Will you, will you? I need to know.

21 days ago • Fashion • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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