Wedding Bliss- Bridesmaids and Guests

No wedding is complete without dear family and friends.  Here's a look at BHLDN's offerings for bridesmaids and guests, as well as the ever necessary shoes and handbags.

Bridesmaids:

Bridesmaids often wear understated cocktail dresses that compliment the bride's dress.  Here are five options that are soft, sweet, and intricately delicate.  From left to right: Citrine Rose Peplum Dress, Filigree Cupcake Dress, Twirled Sweetheart Dress in Cream Combo, Valenciennes Dress, and Twirled Sweetheart Dress in Dried Lavender.

Guests:

Guests get to have a bit more fun in their attire.  Try not to destract from the bride and never wear white.  Here are some short and sweet cocktail dresses in a range of personalities.  From left to right: Pastille Mini Dress, Gin Fizz Shift Dress, Limoncello Lace Dress, Savoy Dress, and Starburst Pleat Shift Dress in Black.

Accessories:

No outfit is complete without the appropriate accessories.  BHLDN has stunning shoes and bags for everyone, from the bride to the guests.  They also offer jewelry, belts, and hair accessories.  Shoes from left to right, top to bottom: Mixed Posy Wedge, Torsade Peep-Toes, Plaited Gold Heels, Agave Peep-Toes, Threshold Slingbacks in Celery, and Bow-Topped Slingbacks in Blush.  Bags from left to right: Cygnus Clutch, Deco Beaded Clutch, and Gilded Trillium Kisslock Clutch.

XOXO,
Coco Birdie

Wedding Bliss- Brides

With the Royal wedding of William and Katherine, today marks the start of wedding season.  Showers, Parties, and Weddings will soon be filling all of our calenders as we head into May and June.  I just discovered that Anthropologie has a wedding line, BHLDN.  Needless to say, it is fabulous.  Beyond fabulous.

From the whimsical to the ethereal to the traditional, BHLDN has it all.  Their amazing dress selection will make it very hard to choose just one.  Pictured at the top of the post is the stunning and classic Cascading Goddess Gown.  Pictured above from left to right: Floral Artwork Dress, Burnished Organza Gown, Ethereal Monarch Gown, Tulle Era Dress, and Zinnia Gown.

For the bridal extras, check out their amazing cover-ups, veils, and hair pieces.  Cover-ups from left to right: Petal Panes Bolero, Vapor Cardigan, and Feather Bolero.  Veils from left to right: Dotted Voile Veil, Languid Bow Headband, and Silk Coil Hat.  Hair adornments from left to right: Peony Hairpin, Mystic Vine Hairpin, and Dewed Vines Hairpin. 

No bride is complete without a lucky something blue.  Look for subtle pieces like necklaces and earrings, or make a statement with pops of bright blue shoes or bag.  From left to right: Marina Earrings, Floating Water Necklace, Cerulean Clutch, Festooned Shoe Clips, Curtsey Kitten Heels, Apatite Droplet Necklace, and Butterfly Kisses Broach.

Up next, bridesmaids, guests, shoes and bags!

XOXO,
Coco Birdie

Designer Profile: Rachel Pally

Without a doubt, Rachel Pally must be introduced to all women.  She's a queen of jersey, creating elegant dresses and separates in comfortable, soft jersey.  Her background in dance is apparent in all of her garment's flowing, easy of movement style.  What's even better is, after 9 years in business, she's finally launched her online shop, making it easier to get her fabulous clothing all in one spot (including her plus sized line).  If the price point is too steep, and I agree that it often times is, watch for her collections on discount sites like HauteLook and Rue La La.  But you have to be fast- her pieces sell out in no time.

Each season she offers draped dresses, tops, cardigans, skirts, and pants in her signature heavy weight, super soft jersey.  The jersey has a heft to it, which means it isn't sheer and will lay beautifully across the figure.  In a super-fine rib, the fabric is so soft it is unbelievable.  Her color palette tends to be bright and she offers season prints that are to die for.  Below is a look at her current spring collection:

XOXO,
Coco Birdie

The Talented Mr. Ripley: Marge Sherwood

The 1999 film "The Talented Mr. Ripley" brings my style inspiration for this summer.  Gwyneth Paltrow beautifully plays Marge Sherwood, the girlfriend to Jude Law's Dickie Greenleaf, in this 1950s psychological thriller.  When they are first introduced, they are residing in a small town in Italy.  The scenery and the fashions are perfect- airy, bright, and full.

Marge is an all American girl with sun kissed skin and soft blonde hair.  She has a preppy sense of style, mostly from her upper class upbringing and ivy league life.  Her outfits consist of crisp white shirts, knotted at the waist and layered over a swimsuit.  She pairs this is full skirts, espadrilles, and straw handbags.  Minimal accessories complete the look.

To get her look I've compiled three outfits with pieces from Anthropologie, J. Crew, and ModCloth.  I searched for vintage-inspired shapes, colors, and prints in skirts.  Clean and basic tops are then paired with wedge sandals, retro sunglasses, straw bags, and classic accessories.


Outfit 1:

J. Crew Boy Shirt in Thomas Mason Fabric, J. Crew Pearl Studs, Anthropologie Sugar Work Skirt, ModCloth Rainbow Graph Two-Piece, J. Crew Farmers Market Tote, ModCloth Roundtrip Rendezvous Wedges, and Cutler & Gross for J.Crew Sunglasses.


Outfit 2:

Anthropologie With A Twist Tank, A.R. Trapp for J. Crew Troubadour Sunglasses, Anthropologie Ardennes Skirt, Anthropologie High Sun Bikini, Anthropologie Espadrille Sneakers, and Anthropologie Streamertail Bag.


Outfit 3:

J. Crew Cecilia Dress, J. Crew Brimfield Tote, Anthropologie Evelyn Maillot, Anthropologie Starfish Cuff, ModCloth Pouring Rainbows Heels, and Anthropologie High Gloss Belt.


Now, if only summertime weather would come around I'd be all set!
XOXO,
Coco Birdie

Designer Profile: Lyn Devon

During a review of the Spring 2011 RTW shows, I ran across a new designer named Lyn Devon.  She's worked for Zac Posen and Ralph Lauren, and launched her own line 2005.  Devon has also received many prestigious awards, including FGI's "Rising Star," Ecco Domani's "Fashion Foundation Award," and was named by Style.com as one of the 10 most promising talents.  Her work has recently been featured more in fashion magazines and I think we'll be seeing a lot more of her.


My favorite collection, Spring 2011.


What I particularly like about Devon's work is her classic style with quirky twists, such as bright colors or optical prints.  Her designs are something I think a young, modern Audrey Hepburn would wear.  The pieces are minimal but not stuffy- think Calvin Klein meets Kate Spade.  I greatly look forward to seeing what she presents each new season.

From top to bottom: Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Fall 2011


XOXO,
Coco Birdie

Style Icon: Clemence Poesy

French actress and model Clemence Poesy is currently making a fashion splash in the States.  She is best known for her acting roles as Fleur Delacour in the Harry Potter movies, Eva on Gossip Girl, and Rana in 127 Hours.  Her "Je-nais-se-quoi" style has fashion big wigs taking notice.  She been front row on some of the best fashion shows, recently did a spread for Harper's Bazaar with Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld, and has been the face of Chloé's perfume.

She has that carefree French style that many envy but few can successfully achieve.  Her look is basic, a bit quirky, classic and refined but still with sex appeal.  She looks best in relaxed Chanel pieces, with a mix of "pulled together" and "rushed out the door".

To get her look for less:

J. Crew Rialta Tweed Jacket, $250
J. Crew Tuxedo Shirt in Thomas Mason fabric, $150
Citzens of Humanity Hutton Wide-Legs, $189
Zara Fashion Blucher, $79.90

Zara Blazer with Contrasting Lapel, $129
Anthropologie Hermitage Top, $98
Zara Straight Trousers, $79.90
Zara Ballerina, $49.90
Forever 21 Tweed Shoulder Bag, $22.80














XOXO,
Coco Birdie

**Images via GoogleImages.

Spring 2011 Couture

The couture shows for Spring 2011 took place at the end of January and we are seeing more of the looks featured on the red carpet, including the Oscars.  Here's an overview of the six main collections, from my least favorite to my most favorite:

Armani's collection, to me, was just off the mark.  It didn't say "Armani".  It said "TRON meets 90s-revival."  The dresses over pants, shimmer fabrics, button hats, and dark purple lips didn't cut it.  Out of 41 looks, these are the only looks I liked (and even then, just sort-of liked).  Armani is traditionally classic and tailored with glamor and a bit of androgyny, not futuristic, shiny, and saucer-topped.

 I was quiet disappointed in Chanel's collection.  It was sober and lacked the dazzle one hopes for with couture.  The collection featured mostly separates and, like Armani, dresses and skirts over pants.  There were no amazing gowns either, though I believe Michelle Williams wore a version of the last dress pictured to the Oscars.  I found myself much more in love with the label's Byzantine-inspired Pre-Fall collection.  The colors (black, white, and blush tones) and tweeds were undeniably Chanel and the collection had lovely moments.  But overall, I left feeling "eh" towards it.

Valentino's collection was also drab in color, but it features some really well-designed details.  The layered collars, ruffles, floral applique, and tiny bows were a delight amidst a sea of nude tones.  The shimmer and beading in some of the more formal pieces was stunning.  Again, I felt myself longing for a really great red dress.  I felt that the silhouettes and detailing were there, but not the palette.

Jean Paul Gaultier's collection had some real attitude and spunk about it.  His Gothic/Punk collection was like taking a shot of alcohol- it revs you up and gets the blood flowing.  The models had mohawks and make-up that was a roughed up take on classic cat-eyes and red lips.  The collection featured great details like cut-outs, feather-like tulle, bandaging, and a hint of old-fashioned glamor.

Dior's collection was, with-out a doubt, the most show-stopping.  Galliano created magic and beauty yet again in his amazing collection that featured takes on classic Dior silhouettes, such as the New Look.  The ombré fabrics, draping, embellishments, and layers of tulle blew me away.  The models oozed old Hollywood glamor and femme fatale sexiness.  Only reason it wasn't my favorite collection (by a small margin)?  I felt like I've seen very similar pieces from other Dior couture collections.

Elie Saab's couture collection was my favorite.  I felt like it was everything a couture collection should be- elegant, entrancing, and stunningly gorgeous.  The collection feature a wide range of colors- from rosey pinks to lavender, greens, reds, grays, and drop-dead sexy black.  Each garment was showcased amazing details like three-dimensional flowers, beading, and lace.  We've already seen several looks on the red carpet, including the lavender piece seen above on Mila Kunis at the Oscars and the off-the shoulder red number on Halle Berry.  I don't blame them- if I were attending a red carpet event, Elie Saab would be my go-to man.


XOXO,
Coco Birdie


**Images via Style.com