Bay Area Fashion

Maxi Dresses for summer are the new go-to wardrobe item

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Trends  tagged casual style / dresses / maxi dresses / summer 2011 by

Maxi dresses were shown by designers for spring/summer 2011 in Milan, Paris and New York as part of the boho-chic trend and also as a stand-alone trend for the warm weather months. The maxi dresses were shown in simple, sleek solid colors as well as with complicated patterns and flowing fabrics such as on Roberto Cavalli’s runway. The maxi dress or skirt styles which have gone from the runway into reality are a combination of everything designers imagined for the season.

The one rule for the maxi dress this season is that there is no rule! Maxi dresses and skirts are shown in slim styles which hug the body from the waist down to the ankles, as well as gathered, pleated and flowing; reminiscent of the hippie movement from the late 1960’s and 1970’s.

Maxi dresses are easy to wear and offer a breezy way to stay cool in the warm summer months. The one challenge a Fashionista may have with maxi dresses or skirts is that the length is hard to pull off when one is petite.

For the 5’5” and up set, maxi skirts and dresses are easy to wear and can elongate one’s silhouette. For those of us who are 5’4” and under, the ankle length can make us short and stubby. There is a solution for petite women who would like to rock the maxi trend; slim silhouettes. The slimmer silhouettes work better than the fuller skirts when one is less than 5’4”, making the maxi trend accessible for those of us who are, shall we say, challenged in the height department?

maxi dresses boho chic by bayareafashionista featuring red feather earrings

Patriotic and fabulous red, white and blue

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion  tagged memorial day / patriotic / red white blue / summer 2011 by

Memorial Day Weekend is here and it signals more than just the beginning of summer vacation; it signals a time to remember and appreciate the work all of our service men and women have done for our country and us as individuals.

In order to honor the memory of our veterans, Fashionistas have the opportunity to show patriotism through fashion. The easiest way to show love for our veterans is by wearing red, white and blue. There are many ways to wear our nation’s colors this Memorial Day weekend in a fabulous and fashionable manner.

The easiest way to look patriotic and fabulous at the same time is by choosing one or two colors from the flag and wearing them in the form of a dress or separates. After choosing one or two colors as the base, the color or colors left out of your apparel can be added into your ensemble through accessories. For example; a solid red dress can be worn with white sandals and blue gemstone jewelry. A nautical blue and white striped top can be paired with blue shorts and a red clutch.

Nothing in your closet that matches the flag? Never fear! There are a few ideas in the collage below to help you get started, and Target has a wide selection of red, white and blue dresses and separates which are reasonably priced; this can help George Washington and Honest Abe stay in your wallet 

Happy Memorial Day weekend, and stay fabulous 

Patriotic mix and match by bayareafashionista featuring Revlon

Exclusive interview with Bunny Fayne of Circle & Square

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Handbags / Jewelry / Local Designers / Shopping  tagged circle and square sf / interviews / online shops by

Bunny Fayne is the founder of Circle & Square; which happens to be one of the hottest boutiques in San Francisco. Circle & Square, which is located on tony Presidio street in San Francisco, offers new and emerging designers which are highly sought after by celebrities and Fashionistas alike.  Circle & Square also happens to have been the winner of the 2011 Bay List “Women’s Accessories” category! Bunny took the time to talk to me and share with our readers her inspiration and forward-thinking vision.

Cathy: What inspired you to open a shop dedicated to new designers?

Bunny: In no particular order…A respectable fear of failure. The desire to use whatever gift I have for seeing unique ways to interpret individual style. The breaking of rules is a very liberating thing, it allows you to make mistakes…the talent… comes in knowing which ones to use. And lastly… I’m a little crazy.

Cathy: What do you feel the must-have trend for summer is this year?

Bunny: Lace, Patchwork Designs, Chokers, Bibs, Big Earrings, Cuffs, Clutches, Shoulder Bags,Gemstones, Jewelry with Quotes, Retro to Minimalist.

Cathy: What have you found to be the hottest selling style this season for jewelry and for handbags?

Bunny: In Handbags: Fringe, Tribal, Stripes, Bucket Bags. In Jewelry: Drop Earrings, Bold Cocktail Rings, Statement Necklaces, anything with Feathers….Birds Beware!

Cathy: Is there one color that customers are flocking to this season?

Bunny: We live in San Francisco so Black Rules…but vivid jewel tones: Emerald, Rubies, Amethyst, Sapphire, going from water colors to desert. Metallic is Huge.

Cathy: What types of items do you have in-store that are not featured online?

Bunny: Prive Cashmere Vests, they are “Haut Eco” since they are parts of previously committed elements that are redesigned and Neckpieces made of 100% Egyptian Cotton, miniature curios, woven together to create a beautiful Necklace – Did I mention Pearls?

Cathy: How do you find so many amazing emerging designers?

Bunny: Various and sundry sources i.e. Fashion Indie, SFIndie, trade magazines such as Accessories, WWD, Schools, The Academy of Art, Fidm, going to student shows and constantly asking and reading everything pertinent to it! Always searching and listening. And of course, Bay Area Fashionista!

Cathy: Do you have designers that are high in demand from your customers?

Bunny: Without question: Susana Speidel, Adriana Castro, Aki Kano, Dareen Hakim, Jeanine Payer and David Heston.

Cathy: Do you have anything you would like people to know about Circle and Square that I haven’t touched on?

Bunny: I have such a warm spot in my heart for this Store…it takes on the personality traits of each person who shares that love for it. If the Store were a person…it would be described as possessing great Flair, Intelligence, Character, Charm, Independence, Style, but mostly… a Sense of Humor. We laugh a lot around here. “Living your Passion is what makes you Authentic”.

Circle & Square has a website where shoppers can find some of the latest and hottest items of the season. Shoppers can also order over the phone if an item they are looking for is in-store and not online. To learn more about Circle & Square, please visit circleandsquaresf.com. 

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Photo: Bunny Fayne-Founder of Circle & Square

Photo courtesy of Circle & Square