Necklaces: From neck to wrist!?

Bracelets by Je'Mere on Polyvore.com

This past weekend I had the pleasure of working the Rachel Roy collection backstage at BET’s Rip the Runway. Being backstage gives you the up close and personal relationship with the clothes and the tricks used to style them. From my view from backstage, I saw endless sparkle, fitted bodysuits, vivid color dresses/separates. However, one trend caught my eye. It was the stacked bracelets used by the Rachel Roy collection. Yes, we have seen this trend across numerous runways but it was the way her collection was styled that gave me an idea.

If you want the chunky bracelet look but want to avoid pulling out the plastic, here is what you can do:

1. Stick with a color theme. If you’re comfortable with gold, stick with gold bracelets. If you’re a silver chick then stick with silver bracelets.

2. Stack away. The rule of thumb (or wrist) is when stacking from wrist to elbow, stack no farther the ½” up your arm.

3. Play with different textures and sizes. Mix some dull pieces in there along with some that sparkle. Remember, have fun because there’s no real rules in fashion!

4. Be creative. If you searched through your jewelry draw and don’t have bracelets but you have long chain necklaces, use them! If the necklace has a charm, that’s even better. Just align the charm so it hangs from the under part of your wrist. Then, wrap until you can’t wrap the necklace anymore but leave enough space between the bracelet and your wrist. You don’t want to cut off your circulation. Then to finish it off, use a black or silver safety pin to close the link.

Rip the Runway airs March 21, 2011 on BET

Beauty within the pages

During one of our many snow storms here in New York, I finally had the time to catch up to my growing pile of fashion magazines. While thumbing through the October 2010 issue of Harper’s Bazaar, I came across two articles, Donna Karan and Drew Barrymore.

These two women are very different and have no real comparison except that they have both excelled in their industries and the photography used in their articles is astounding. Barrymore now in her late 30’s and Karan early 60’s make the age gap look narrow.

I have always loved Donna Karan and her simplistic, stylish, timeless designs. Not to mention I get to feel, see, and experience her collection every fashion week!

Drew Barrymore’s girlish charm is undeniable. She is also a fashion risk taker and although I don't always like her choices, she looks beautiful in this issue!

My favorite shot!



Cover the face and she can be easily mistaken for Jennifer Lopez in this shot



Fashion Magazines vs Internet

 
During times when information is transitioning from magazines to the internet, I still like to curl up and read magazines. I find that with magazines, you have more control over your allotted quiet time. But with the internet, you are more likely to browse and wonder off into other areas of the web. Well, atleast I do!
 
This is another reason why I created TheStyleWall! It gives me a reason to request my quiet time, explore my many magazine subscriptions, search for trends, and share them with you. Hence my blog banner.

During my recent quiet time session, I found so many of my favorite magazine covers, photographs, celebrities, advertisements, trends, and stories I wanted to share but I didn’t want to overwhelm you. Instead, I selected my favorite cover.

It was the August 2010 issue of Harper's Bazaar. Cameron Diaz gracing the subscribers cover (and not the newsstand cover) caught my eye as soon as it was delivered. Not only were the pictures beautiful but the Fashion Editor was my favorite stylist, Rachel Zoe!

In case you’re wondering, Cameron’s dress and belt are by Balmain and her boots are by Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain. The boots are $1,559, the belt is $3,440, and the price for the sequined gown was not listed, so you do the math!

This cover caught my eye for several reasons. The cover’s quality resembled the wet glossy look that actual photographs give off. Cameron’s dress sparked with such bling that it looks like you can feel the texture of the dress by touching the cover. Keeping the bling effect going, the sequin material was also used within the font of the magazines cover title!

The look and feel of this cover can not be captured on the internet. That is why we have to continue supporting and reading magazines.

Snakebite Leggings...To die for or Dead?

Some people have said, "It's not what you wear but how you wear it."

I love taking fashion risks but think some may not feel the same way. This is when I came across the following legging. I happen to love the "peek a boo" style of these snakebite leggings by Stylestalker and wanted to know what do you think.

Take the poll below and lets see what the majority of my readers think. Ready...set...vote!


Welcome 2011!

HAPPY NEW YEARS!!

For this being the first post of the 2011, I want to wish all my readers a happy and prosperous new year! I'm looking forward to another exciting year and more followers! On with TheStyleWall...

A few months ago, my cousin (and follower of my blog) asked me what she should wear to a birthday dinner she was attending. I immediately got to it and assembled some looks for her since I absolutely love challenges like this!

At times, I was overwhelmed with all my ideas for her considering her body type (in shape) and personal style (simple chic). However, the challenging part for me was to assemble a few looks that she can wear again and combine them with other pieces from her closet.

I put together a variety of jean looks and one dress look to give her options, just incase the weather worked in her favor. Also included are various shoe options, with the option of wearing the same shoe with each outfit.

Here is the finished collection, what do you think?

Birthday Dinner Outfit Ideas by Je'Mere featuring lace tops

If you have a wardrobe challenge you need help with, email me at thestylewall@gmail.com

Shoe Crazzz-E!

                                I love shoes!

If there's one fashion item that I'm obsessed with are shoes. Why? For a number of reasons.

1. No matter how many calories you intake your shoe size will stay the same.

2. They can take an outfit from office chic to dance floor hottie in seconds.

3. When you find your perfect pair, you don't need to cram into a small dressing room to try them on. Real shoenista's can select their right size without trying them on, but just by looking at them.

Ok ok, so you get my point!

While browsing the web during New York City's worst snow storms ever, I found the Nicholas Kirkwood website and fell in love with his collection. To spare you some time from clicking through over 44 styles, I selected my favorites to share with you.

                                                                    Enjoy!



Champagne Taste with Leopard Style

Sexy Leopard by Je'Mere featuring fingerless gloves

Ok, so before this trend leaves us only to return again, I wanted to highlight the pieces that I LOVE!

 Leopard Dress has a simple silhouette along with a cinched waist that will complement most hourglass figures. BUT, don't be nervous about the two prints because they compliment one another. Considering this is a trendy pattern, it's the simple style of this dress that will stay in style.  It's the above the knee hem line, the scoop neckline, and the 1/2" sleeve that keeps this a classic staple.

Wedge VS Stiletto Heel Shoes this decision will send the sales associate to the stockroom a few times. Just buy both!

 Fingerless Gloves are not meant for driving anymore, they have become a fashion statement. As I recall my days as an iPhone owner, I had several pairs of gloves only to find out that I had to remove my entire glove every 10 minutes in order to text. At the time I wish I would've thought to buy a stylish pair like these. However, any real fashionista knows fingerless gloves do not work on those 10 degree below zero days here in New York. I prefer them on those chilly fall days when you still have sensation in your hands.

Jason Wu Fashion Show

My fashion week season began with the ultra feminine designs of Jason Wu. As some of you may recall the beautiful white gown worn by Mrs. Obama during the inaugural ball was designed by Jason Wu.

Jason Wu's Spring 2011 fashion show took place in a studio located in soho. His collection used the softest fabrics for his long gowns, bright bold colors, smart separates, turbans, and flowers. Flower prints on dresses, pinned on lapels, constructed out of fabric that was used to cover the busts, and placed on the shoulders of long flowing gowns. Before hitting the runway, models were instructed not to smile but not to look sad. My model was Frida Gustavsson. Here she is walking moments after leaving backstage.

Once the show ended I waited on the 2nd floor for the smallest elevator ever. While I waited, so did a fashion model. I was soo busy catching up on missed calls and emails that I didn’t notice who she was. After exiting the elevator and walking onto the street paparazzi camera flashes went off but they weren’t for me! They were for the model who I rode the elevator with. Still unaware of whom she was, I quickly selected the camera setting on my blackberry and snapped these pictures.

So, who's the mystery model? Anyone...

Fashion Speaks

Fashion Speaks 4 Itself by Je'Mere featuring black shoes

In order to explore beyond your likes and dislikes you must take some risks and not only follow fashion trends but also follow fashions from previous decades. Stylist Rachel Zoe, although she dresses numerous celebrities her personal style is vintage and classics from the 60’s. This combination and her personal touch is why I admire her.

Looking forward to looking down

Shoe Closet Fall 2010 by Je'Mere featuring pointed toe shoes

This season has pulled its inpsiration from the 1960's, military attire, the war, and wild animals.
The best shoes will inspire an entire outfit. Use these as a start to fall. When selecting a top, bottom, and accessories around these shoes, stick to the basics and let the shoes do the talking. Bottoms up!