Fit to Print

The eighties had their power suits (thanks, Jil Sander) and the aughts had the ever-ubiquitous tuxedo jacket. But now, the blazer is making the transition from a traditional menswear-inspired piece to a decidedly ladylike wardrobe staple. The printed blazer, seen on the spring 2012 and resort 2012 runways, is sure to be this season’s knockout piece. This trend has taken shape in bold, graphic designs, like the ornately patterned blazer from Balmain’s resort 2012 line  — 25-year-old head designer Olivier Rousteing even sent out a beaded, gold chain–trimmed evening jacket that put the basic black blazer to shame. Jil Sander, of course, took a turn at punching up the working-woman look in the plaid and paisley two-button blazers in her spring 2012 collection. Our favorite, however, is the feminine florals featured in Celine’s resort 2012 collection, like the Laura Ashley–inspired jacket.

While this garden-party perfect piece is a shoe-in for spring, there’s no reason for you to wait it out through winter. Pair these bright blazers with neutral pieces, like an all-black ensemble or a pale winter dress. And, if the aforementioned high fashion selections just look like a wearable rent check to you, fear not. Hit Top Shop for affordable variations on the printed blazer look, like this unstructured co-ord oil feather jacket, or try the trend in toile, like this scenic ASOS blazer.

Text Kara Solarz
Images Style and Vogue

Alexis Bittar Resort 2012 Look Book Is Literally Out Of This World

It seems as though every form of fashion manifestation has taken on a few more dimensions. From fashion videos to runways walked by holograms, the dry cut methods for how to present a new collection are changing at breakneck speed. This is, quite obviously, an advantage for indie brands that might not have the funds to throw down on a double page, glossy spread in French Vogue. It’s also an opportunity for the high end fashion houses to easily target and appeal to a younger crowd of fashion avant-gardes.

With all the media savvy options of presentation available, it makes sense that this would also give a leg up to the accessory subgenre of the fashion world. In the past, accessory lookbooks haven’t exactly revved up the buzz that a fashion lookbook might, but that’s all about to change. Jewelry brand Alexis Bittar’s new lookbook is just what you'd come to expect from this avenue of product presentation – if it were juiced up on Acid, growth hormones, and a dash of the ultimate 80’s party cocktail, that is.

 A staggering 40 pages, the lookbook is a collage of bald headed mannequins with Fellini-like graphics that feature everything from animals, dollar bill t-shirt origami, sunnyside eggs, melting mouths, cars and planes - and oh right, the moon! The jewelry itself is also out of this world, making for a slow, gluttonous look through and an uncontrollable urge to burn last month's paycheck on a pair of earrings.


Text Tienlyn Jacobson
Sources: Alexis Bittar

White Hot Loving: White Dresses for Resort 2012

We are slowly drifting deep into the dregs of summer. There is a solemnity in the intensity of the heat, much like the final embraces of a whirlwind romance before parting ways for what feels like a lifetime. Undoubtedly, the cool crisp air that sporadically sneaks into your evenings is already whispering sweet nothings, coaxing a heavy heart with promises of soft knit sweaters and gently reminding us of our long forgotten leg wear collections stashed deep in the back of our closets.

Nonetheless, it’s not quite time to hang up the white dress. Not only is it true that we still have a few good months of transitional dressing (in which case white dresses can still be factored in), but there is yet another time for them to shine. Resort 2012 brings a resurgence of the traditional flowing white dress in updated styles. Hardly bridal, the long flowing white dresses of Resort 2012 have new details such as sculptural and structured draping, ruffled texture and embellishments such as sequins, intricate bead work, and a personal favorite, leather trim. The leather neckline of the silk georgette column gown by Raoul, for example, is romantic minimalism at its best, creating strong lines that still move beautifully. The delicate, cascading silk and cotton dress by Joynoelle almost looks as though it comes with its own romantic plot sewn into the hem. It’s dresses like these that make purchasing an impulse ticket to a warm destination seem almost practical.

Text Tienlyn Jacobson
Source: WWD

Pamela Love: A Light Touch To Resort Debut

Have you ever had a favorite pair of shoes or piece of jewelry you loved so much that you wished you had a second pair for when your loving started to show on said item? It only makes sense that you should want more of that which you love – one in every variation, color and material. This seems to be what was going through Pamela Love’s mind when creating her debut Resort collection, available this October.

The collection features variations on the aesthetic of many of her original designs from Classic and Spring 2011 collections but incorporates new textures as well as weight. Replacing many of her crystal and metal accents with a lightweight resin, the collection itself has a lighter, more playful feel. However, the pieces never stray far from the unique aesthetic that has made Pamela Love so highly revered. Crosses, skulls and crystal shapes still dominate the collection, bringing the same sense of mysticism to each treasured piece. The best part? Love’s debut Resort collection is not only lighter in weight and tone but in price as well. So if you really love these pieces as much as we do, this October is your chance to buy two of each.

Text Tienlyn Jacobson
Source: Pamela Love

Alicia + Olivia Resort 2012 Lookbook Debuts 1970s, Sun-Inspired, Candy Coated Outfits

The new resort collection by alicia + olivia is a mixture of explosive color, retro chic, colorful accessories, prim flattering dresses, polka dots and the all the things we love most about the '70s. We love what alice + olivia, a brand born from native New Yorker's Stacey Bendet's unending quest to find the perfect pair of pants, has evolved into since the brand was born in 2002. Today, the brand includes a men's & children's line in addition to her much coveted womenswear pieces.

We love this long striped dress from her Resort 2012 collection, this cute one-shouldered polka dot number and this sassy purple sweater + skirt combo.

Altuzarra Resort 2012

Abounding success over the past two years (counting a CFDA nomination among his accomplishments), Joseph Altuzarra has just released his first Resort collection for 2012. What's clear right off the bat is that Altuzzara took a line that can often come off as a little cliche and kitschy, and brought it back down to real life, drawing inspiration from Brigitte Bardot and 60's Saint Tropez. While there is a clear femininity and sweetness to the collection, Altuzarra manages to keep a sophistication and wear-ability that makes this line an instant classics. There was an abundance of eyelet details on the light linen fabrics, but what really stood out was the color palette that has darker, more fall-centric colors, but is done in such a superb way that you wouldn't think twice about running around in melt-inducing weather in pure blacks.

Clear stand outs? Easy dresses with girlish ruffles, light pastel separate, and of course, any of the clean, crisp white pieces!

Text Corinna Fabre

Source(s): Style.com

Tibi's Daydream Collection: Resort 2012

Minimalist sophistication dominated the Spring '11 runways last fall with designers like Celine propelling the trend to mass proportions. Well it seems that the simple style is so trendy that this summer we are seeing much of the same thing from many designers for the Resort 2012 collections. The ultra contemporary and chic brand, Tibi, released their latest lookbook earlier yesterday and if you are looking for ideas on how to rock the minimalist trend their lookbook is a fabulous place to start.

Chock full of pieces that are the perfect blend of understated elegance and simple femininity, Tibi is one collection you would be crazy not to emulate. A citrus shift dress and billowy, pleated maxi skirt are a few stand out pieces in the lookbook that instantly bring to mind daydreams of warm summer days strolling the manicured streets of a European destination. Modern and completely wearable, Tibi definitely has it right for Spring 2012.

Text Lauryn Stone

Source(s): Refinery29.com

A First Resort: Oscar de la Renta Resort 2012

While the resort shows have only just begun, it's hard not to get excited about the Oscar de la Renta collection and dare to deem it as the most fascinating.

The collection is rich with Spanish and cubist influence and is highly conceptual. Models made their way down the runway in pom pom adorned flamenco hats and blood red boleros transporting the audience to a matador's world in Pamplona. The heavy Picasso influence (during his cubist period) is made apparent with sophisticated day-dresses draped in geometric, colored fabrics. Of course, the signature feminine aesthetic of Oscar is not lost in the collection with heavily embroidered cropped jackets, playfully polka dot prints, and ethereal gowns. The range of looks is truly magnificent and the seamless blending of an art style hasn't been executed this perfectly since YSL's "Mondrian Primary Colors Dress" in the 60's.

You can check out the rest of the collection here!

Text Lauryn Stone

Source(s): Style.com