Fashion Rebels: Summer Pleasure, All Decked in Suede and Leather

Bonjour mon Fashion Rebels! Ça va? I’m sure you are all ready and excited for this segment’s rule breaker! This is going to be a shout out to those in warmer climates, as we are going to discuss ways to wear your leather and suede garments and accessories during the summer.

What is the big deal with this rule anyways? Well, it is said that it is a faux pas to wear anything leather or suede in the summer, because the textiles are much too dense for the season. Our fashion fathers (and mothers) also believed that these fabrics are intended solely for fall and winter. Well frankly me dear, we don’t give a darn.

When choosing leather garments to wear during summer, it’s wise to select lighter leather fabrics versus heavier ones. For instance, some leather coats may have extra lining, which helps to keep one warm in the chillier months. This is what you want to avoid, especially if spending your time in the heat (Texas!). Also, if you plan on wearing a leather garment, try to pair it with another wear that is on the lighter side, like a leather skirt with a tank, or a trendy leather three-quarter length button-up shirt with a darling pair of khaki shorts. Don’t forget to utilize your leather accessories as well! If you did not want to take that risk of being too warm, I’m sure there are many pairs of leather shoes and handbags in your closet that are waiting to be used!

Suede, which is not quite as heavy as leather, can definitely be worn during more heated seasons. Just like leather, look out for the suede pieces that may have extra lining in them, because those are probably meant for colder months. The fun thing about suede is that it comes in multiple colors, not just the standard brown, black, and white. These versatile hues can be used for any season. Try an Aubergine-colored suede jacket with a black body-con, and tan ankle boots, or Canary suede oxfords with a navy romper. There are several ways you can play with suede – just don’t forget that you can accessorize with it as well!

Feeling better about not having to ditch your leather and suede beauties for a few months? What are some ways you will keep them alive during the summer?

Come back to see us next time, Rebels, as we set a chemistry lab awry by mixing ‘opposite’ metals – silver and gold! Au revoir!

Vanity Fair Reveals Hollywood Issue Cover

Vanity Fair has just revealed the cover for its soon-to-hit-the-newstands Hollywood Issue – a three-panel homage to Golden Age Hollywood, populated by eleven thoroughly modern actresses.

The cover – shot by Mario Testino and styled by VF‘s fashion director, Jessica Diehl – features an Art Deco set with whitewashed Jazz Age interiors, across which the young actresses, donning gowns of pastel satin, lounge in lazy elegance. This is the natural boudoir setting of the ’20s and ’3o’s Hollywood starlet, a world in which she effortlessly, glamorously reigns supreme.

The fresh-faced Hollywood beauties – two of whom are newly-minted Oscar nominees – are smoky-eyed and heavily-lipsticked, which renders them – does it not? – not a little unrecognizable. So, from left to right: Rooney Mara, Mia Wasikowska, Jennifer Lawrence, Jessica Chastain, Elizabeth Olsen, Adepero Oduye, Shailene Woodley, Paula Patton, Felicity Jones, Lily Collins, and Brit Marlin.

Vanity Fair‘s Hollywood Issue will be available nationwide on February 7.

Click through the gallery below for a more detailed look at the three individual cover pages, and take a look at the highlight reel of the cover shoot below.

 

 

Edge Boutique – Take the Edge Off Thursdays

Edge Boutique invites you to take the edge off. The downtown men’s clothing shop, which opened last year, wants shopping to be as laid back as having a beer – and in fact, it encourages you to do just that while you shop their wares.

Edge’s fashion brain, Phillip Soloman, as well as the boutique’s organizational mind, John Goeth, travel the world and trend-consciously bring back the best of it for Austin fashionistos. The store’s philosophy holds that clothes bring out the story that’s behind every man. But you don’t have to be a fashion expert – that’s their job!

Edge carries such menswear brands as 7 Diamond, Cult of Individuality, JACHS, Moods of Norway, True Religion, as well as local Austin designers/brands Alessa Designs, Micah Yancey Jewelry, and Evie Evan. The store also features Solomon’s own line, Promises, as well as a unisex jewelry line, King Baby.

The boutique is known for hosting Take the EDGE Off, a fashion party  held every third Thursday. Last month’s shindig featured the brand Ksino, whose woven button-ups and casual two-button blazers were a major hit. A bartended affair, the event featured cocktails of W.L. Welles Whiskey, Toro de Lidia and Hornitos Tequilas, and Cinco Vodka, accompanied by local eats of Wahoo’s fish, pork, and chicken tacos. Massage Harmony offered complimentary massages in one corner of the shop.

Save the date for Edge’s next party, set for Thursday, February 23 at 6pm. But don’t wait until then to stop by the shop, have a beer, and visit with Edge’s fashion experts.

Edge Boutique
411 Brazos St. |Austin, TX 78701
512.236.0755 

Colunga London Shoots Ad Campaign At Iconic 33 Portland Place

Austinites delighted in the designs of London-based Fhernando Colunga when his unorthodox creations hit the runways at last summer’s Austin Fashion Week. This same collection is about to be beamed to a larger audience with COLUNGA London’s up-coming campaign that was just shot at the iconic 33 Portland Place, home of Oscar-winning movie The Kingʼs Speech and Amy Winehouseʼs memorable music video ʻRehab.ʼ 

The remarkable eighteenth century residence — the epitome of chic and elegance — served as backdrop to Golden Globe winning actress Maria Joao Bastos, the model for the shoot.

The Spring/Summer 2012 Collection —  “LIONHEART” — blends a mix of natural fabrics, pure silk, jersey silk, chiffon and lace which complement each other in this luxurious collection. The signature style of the collection is said to be inspired both by Audrey Hepburn and the playful Latin saying ʻCarpe Diemʼ – ʻSeize the day.ʼ We wonder if “LIONHEART”  might not have drawn further inspiration from the Kate Bush album of the same name, whose eponymous track, “Oh England, My Lionheart,” speaks to that same carpe diem theme.

Created in London for the year that Britain hosts the 2012 Olympic Games and the Queen celebrates her Diamond Jubilee, this sophisticated clothing and millinery collection combines flair and style with fluid lines and figure-enhancing cuts. Its pieces cleverly incorporate Britannic graphics, bringing bold, edgy colouring to classic tailoring – perfect for the 2012 Olympic Festival goer or the royal reveler who wants to be noticed.

The collection also showcases — what else? — a complementary collection of matching head adornments. Uniquely implemented by the milliner to the British Royal Household (a talking point in itself), the statement headwear oozes opulence and can serve equally as evening or occasion wear.

We can’t wait to see the final images for the shoot – but in the meantime, the lookbooks for both the garment and millinery collections can currently be viewed online at the COLUNGA London website.

Le Garage Sale Brings Austin’s Coolest Boutiques and Designers Under One Roof

Le Garage Sale rolls into town this weekend, bringing together Austin’s coolest independent boutiques and designers all under one roof. The event sets up shot at the Austin Convention Center this Saturday and Sunday, January 28 – 29. Are y’all excited? We’re excited.

For those unfamiliar with the event, Le Garage Sale is a two day shopping event that features unbelievable markdowns on everything from shoes to handbags to jewelry, to clothing for men, women and children as well as home furnishings and accessories.  The sale will feature 80+ local vendors from every nook and cranny of Austin, from South Congress boutiques,  2nd Street District retail shops, and The Domain and Hill Country Galleria hot spots.

Le Garage Sale
Sat. Jan. 28, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $ Sun. Jan. 29., 12 noon- 5 p.m.
Austin Convention Center 
 Tickets $10, cash only

Next Page »