Midi Body Con Dresses: Victoria Beckham Designs

Midi dresses and skirts are currently a hot trend. I must say I must have come of age for I am absolutely loving the midi trend. I am back in school and also rethinking going back to an office job so my wardrobe is taking a slight twist hence my interest in body con midi dresses. I love the fact that more and more of my peers are embracing femininity more so in the work place. The hemlines are definitely coming down yet women are still dressing stylishly just opting for modest cuts.

The one celebrity that stands out when it comes to the midi dress is Victoria Beckham both as a designer and as a style icon for this trend. Posh spice has never impressed me much of all the spice girls but as a designer she has definitely proved herself with each season producing outfits on the runway that are impeccable, stylish and loved by many fellow celebrities.  I have mad respect for posh's hustle as she wears her own dresses which as will be shown below are equally popular among celebs.

Posh Spice in one of her designs.  Heidi Klum has also been photographed in this look. Its work friendly yet allowing one to transition to even with just a few more accessories thrown on.

Victoria Beckham Dresses on the runway. I love how well they've been accessorized and can work for both work and play.

Victoria Beckham in a dress from her own collection. I am in love with this dress! One may be tempted to think its a skirt and a top.

Eva Longoria rocked this dress much better than Posh Spice! Curves are a treasure my people!

A very sexy black dress from Victoria Beckham

So smart!

Eva Longoria in a black Victoria Beckham dress. Posh loves this full zipper detail and I love it

Posh in her own designs. These are wool and silk blend dresses colour blocked.

Jordan Dunn in a Victoria Beckham Dress.

Another favourite from Posh! I love the colour and styling!

Cameron Diaz In a Victoria Beckham Dress.

Serena Williams working that Victoria Beckham Dress! Girl work it!

Iman in a Victoria Beckham dress

Heidi showing off her black Victoria Beckham dress

Jlo in a Victoria Beckham Dress.

Bey in a Victoria Beckham dress.

NAUTICA SPRING 2014: NEW YORK FASHION WEEK- MENSWEAR

Nautica set sail in 1983 when founder, David Chu, created six styles of outerwear intended to seamlessly fuse fashion and function. Named for the Latin word “Nauticus” for ship, the Nautica logo became a spinnaker, a timeless symbol of adventure and exploration. Today, the world of Nautica represents both a rediscovery and a reinterpretation of what its customers have always wanted to wear.

Over the past three decades, Nautica has become one of the most important and most recognized brands throughout the world. Part of VF Corporation since 2003, a leader in branded quality apparel, Nautica is more relevant than ever to today’s consumer with refined casual classics that are inspired and energized by the water.

Black Sail, by Vice President Design & Creative Chris Cox, challenged the outdoorsy man to split his time between his rugged voyages on the sea and his polished social life, perhaps lounging or partying on a yacht.

 Cox, who took over the role of creative director in October 2008, struck the balance of the brand's iconic seafaring heritage but added in a functional, polished aesthetic in the 50-look collection.

The loose knit sweaters struck the perfect chord between comfort and style – printed swimwear, cropped pants, and simple slip on footwear gave the collection a feeling of being refreshing, adventurous, and free. Lightweight and functional jackets completed the look, hammering home the practical nature of the collection. Whether you’re planning on going boating or not, the collection offers up several viable options to mix in with the everyday man’s wardrobe.

I really like this look, I'm not too sure about the deep v-neck but I dig this look

Another look I really dig, again the neckline may put off some men but this look works.

This look reminds me of a friend of mine who is some miles away. This would be the type of look he would be into. I think its relaxed sexy! hihihi

Like the male model, a man would need to have a certain swag to pull off wearing white crop sweat pants. On this model the look get's a thumbs up

This reminds me of Scott Schuman!

The shorts could have been a tad longer but love the blue shirt.

I think enough guys would be able to pull off this look. It is not too casual. I wonder if my friend now turned farmer can still pull this look in the middle of those coffee farms.

Good use of colour.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SPRING 2014: Carmen Marc Valvo

TIME Magazine stood up and took notice of Carmen after his Fall 2005 collection in a feature story saying “While other designers seek to shock, Valvo’s creations shine in the marketplace.” Valvo grew up in a traditional Spanish/Italian family in Westchester County, New York

Carmen has proven to be a dedicated scholar of his craft, carefully honing his skills to master the fine art of cutting and draping fabric to enhance the female physique so that every customer feels like a star on the red carpet when they walk into a room wearing one of his creations. Along the way, his designs have ended up on some of the World’s most sophisticated, talented, and glamorous women. From HRH Princess Madeleine of Sweden, Queen Latifah, Beyonce, Katie Couric, Leona Lewis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Vanessa Williams, Kate Winslet, Eva Longoria, and Mary J. Blige just to name a few, to fashionable films such as  Confessions of a Shopaholic.

I found his Spring 2014 collection to be young, fresh and very precisely executed. I loved the cutouts that were in several pieces. you all know I love short dresses, more so shift dresses so this was a collection i enjoyed. The hair styles were an interesting addition.

CARMEN MARC VALVO SPRING 2014:

This was a favourite the hair, the dress, the styling. All of it

I find this dress fascinating.

My second favourite dress in this collection.

Marissa Webb: DESIGNER WATCH

Marissa Webb is certainly a designer who joins the ranks of designers I personally love.

Born in Korea and raised in the United States, Marissa Webb has always had an intimate and creative relationship with fashion. Marissa Webb dedicated 11 years designing for J.Crew — a span of time during which the mass retailer experienced a fashion renaissance and became a veritable style mecca — and last year she decided she’s going it alone with her own collection, showcasing her very personal aesthetic and approach to business. Unlike other reviews I've done this will probably have abit more focus on the designer. Below is an excerpt of the interview she did with Harper Bazaar just before showcasing her debut collection Spring 2013

Marissa Webb. I love her personal style which has greatly influenced her collections since she parted ways with J. Crew

The Interview:

Harper’s Bazaar: What was on your mind when you began designing the collection?Marissa Webb: I actually went through a very different process this season and I think that was because I was able to just do what I love to do — designing things that I really covet myself and want in my closet. It was a different way of starting because I didn’t have the extravagant mood board at the beginning as much as I was just sketching instinctively. My personal approach is about the play on opposites. I always call it a contradiction because at some level, the soft and the hard, the really edgy urban and the softer more feminine, contradict each other, but at the same time they complement each other.
HB: I know the last time we talked you were doing your final J. Crew collection and you had said that you were drawn to Greece, do you have a similar direct inspiration source for this collection?MW: I was more organic with it. I didn’t have to tell a story. It was actually a reflection of my life at the time because I’ve been going through gut renovations at my house and getting into architecture, furniture and different metals, different woods, while also spending time at the beach and in the suburbs. I just allowed myself to be influenced by what was around me.
HB: What has launching your own line been like in reality versus what you anticipated when you first left J. Crew?MW: That is a really great question. It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s been a really amazing experience. Thinking back to the day that I opened the door to the studio I was like ‘okay this is going to be my studio,’ and ‘I’m just going to come here every day and sketch!’ [laughs]. It hasn’t happened that way because of all of the unexpected buzz around the launch. It’s been really nice and humbling to have everyone interested in what we’re doing. I kind of like expected to sort-of slip back in gradually and just have a small little business and grow it slowly. The support has been really positive, even before anyone’s seen anything. It’s...heartwarming.
HB: You are launching with shoes, bags and jewelry. What prompted you to introduce these categories right out of the gate?MW: Well I did not anticipate starting with bags, really, or shoes, at all. But it was three months down the road and I was like ‘oh my god! What are they going stand in? What are they going to walk in? Where are they going put their stuff?’ I am a jewelry junkie myself so I asked, 'what can we do that’s brand appropriate, that we feel proud about, and that’s ours?' I think it’s really important for everything to come out being ours. Even if we were running at the last minute, my amazing team will get it done. So we were happy that we were able to actually get shoes here on time, get some jewelry here on time. There were a few handbags made, but it was not in the plans, at all.
Every day there’s a new challenge, every day there’s a new lesson to be learned, and I’m learning a tremendous amount. Don’t even get me started on social media!
HB: What has engaging on the different social media platforms been like for you? It really gives you access to your customer.MW: It’s kind of funny, but the people that tweet at me on a regular basis or people who write to me on our Pinterest boards or now on our Instagram, are almost more like my friends now. I like to respond and I think it’s important. And they’re obviously rooting for you, and supporting you, and I want to give that back.
HB: Were you surprised the personal fan base that you had just starting your own line?MW: I didn’t expect anything at all. In the honest truth, I thought I would start making a couple little items and going to each boutique, knocking on the door and being like 'Hello, [laughs] I have, a couple items I would love to share with you!'
HB: So you would have gone door to door if you had to?MW: That’s what I would’ve done!
HB: What are some of your favorite looks from the collection?MW: I love all the leather pieces. I really, really like the jackets. I think it’s one of those areas that we’ve been able to really explore and push. They start out as a very classic silhouette, each one then has something to it that give it a little extra design element and we can just exaggerate design lines and exaggerate the fits. It’s been really fun making each decision as it comes.

Marissa Webb Spring 2013: Sparkles at the Office . With this collection Marissa showed women how to shine at the office without blinding the boss

The coolness of this outfit would surely break any scale. I'd probably have practiced law if I could go to work like this. Marissa Webb Spring 2013

I usually hate suits but this one rocks! Marissa Webb Spring 2013

Like Marissa Webb, I love contrasts and the leather vest makes the sophisticated dress have an edge. Again if clients weren't too snooty perhaps I would still be a banker! haha

This outfit is not something i would wear but I love it's classic style. The shoes add just the right amount of pop.

Of course I love this outfit. The leather pants are just the right fit. I'm not too crazy about the shoes but the chiffon top with embroidered vest are a good soft contrast to the leather. Again this should be acceptable work wear.  Marissa Webb Spring 2013

I am sure most would picket at the thought of shorts being worn in the office but its just another limit we unnecessarily pout on ourselves. Obviously not everyone can pull this look but I think it looks fab. Marissa Webb 2013

'Nuff said!

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK SPRING 2014: TADASHI SHOJI

I have profound respect for designer who take a niche market and fully commit to it. Tadashi Shoji, Japan born and bred, is one of those designers. Troubled by the fact that women had few options for special occasion dresses in the contemporary market, Tadashi identified a niche and set out on his own.

In 1982, Tadashi launched his own collection, Tadashi Shoji, in Los Angeles, California. Tadashi Shoji has become widely recognized for its original designs and innovative collections. The company has seen steady growth since its inception and is carried in more than 4,000 major department and specialty store doors worldwide, including: Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, Macy’s, and Lord & Taylor. Internationally, the brand is available at high-end retailers such as: Vakko, Harvey Nichols Dubai, and Rustan’s.

In 2007, Tadashi launched the Tadashi Shoji Runway Collection for Fall 2007 during New York Fashion Week to rave reviews. By featuring the utmost in luxury and elegance, the much-anticipated collection continues to elevate and hone the brand’s image in the marketplace. His designs have won a loyal following with well-dressed women worldwide, including a wide range of celebrities such as: Octavia Spencer, Kate Beckinsale, Dita Von Teese, Florence Welch, Mo’Nique, Katy Perry, to name a few

In the Spring 2014 collection there are a few dresses that I loved more so the ones with almost an ethereal feel to them a theme that was evident in the Spring 2013 collection which had more pieces that I loved. 

Let's look at the Spring 2014 pieces:

This was my favourite piece, you can tell the designer understand's women's bodies.  There is both a dreamy feel and luxury.

I absolutely love the colour and fit of this dress. It's those dressy outfits which leave you feeling all dressed up while allowing you free movement

The fit of this dress is amazing! The colour balances out the texture created by the scale like pattern. I call these dresses grown sexy dresses.

This dress may be controversial due to how see through it is but I love the detail that has gone into it! I think it can be a bridal piece for a very BOLD bride

Let us now go back a year to look at the Spring 2013 pieces:

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. This dress would look stunning on a curvy person.

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. I want this dress!

Tadashi Shoji Spring 2013. Love the dropped waist, bateau neckline and  deep blue tulle skirt