spring 2014

Color of 2014: Radiant Orchid

 in Color Trends / General Fashion  tagged color of the year / fall 2014 / pantone / purple / radiant orchid / resort 2014 / spring 2014 / summer 2014 / winter 2014 / winter 2015 by

Pantone announced today that Radiant Orchid is the new color of the year for 2014! Bye-bye Emerald, there is a new hue in town!

It is not surprising that a sweet shade of purple would be the color of 2014. The spring 2014 runways in New York showed us a plethora of blue and purple shades. The blues and purples were in varying hues ranging from pastel to almost bright, yet vivid shades. Radiant Orchid is the perfect shade of purple since it borders lavender yet retains the richness of a soft purple. Love it!

The color of 2014, Radiant Orchid, will play well with almost any shade of blue; as well as blend with other purple or lavender hues. This is definitely a beautiful color to invest in for 2014 as it offers a fresh place on the color wheel after a couple of years of bright and neon colors.

What do you think of Pantone’s color of the year for 2014; Radiant Orchid? Will you be wearing this pretty hue?

color of 2014

Photo courtesy of Pantone

Trend of the moment: black metal

 in Handbags / Jewelry / Shoes / Trends  tagged black / fall 2013 / resort 2014 / spring 2014 / street style trends / winter 2014 by

black metal

Gloves / Bracelets / Watch / Ring / Shoes

One of the big trends to come out of Paris and Milan is the black metal trend. Over the past few years we have seen a big uptick in non-traditional colored metals used in jewelry. One of the popular colored metals in fine jewelry has been black. While this may not seem like an odd color for metal, being that iron is often black, it is not a traditional metal color for jewelry. David Yurman even used blackened silver in his special “Ice” collection for Neiman Marcus several years ago.

As we entered 2013, designers began to use black on items such as handbags and shoes in lieu of traditional yellow, silver or rose-gold metals. The black metal hardware used in accessories offered an edgy yet understated look to luxurious items such as Chanel’s “So Black” classic flap handbag and Valentino’s “Rockstud” handbags and shoes.

With the uptick in black metal being used in accessories, more designers and brands are starting to use black metal in their pieces as an alternative to traditional metals. While black metal will never replace gold, silver or rose-gold metals, it is definitely enjoying its’ place in the accessory spotlight at the moment. It may even be possible that black metal becomes a quiet classic in the accessories hardware department; and possibly in the jewelry department too!

What are your thoughts on black metal? Is this a trend you enjoy wearing? Do you envision it becoming classic over time?

Black metal accessories from around the web:

Street Style Trends 2013 into 2014: Laced Up High Heel Sandals

 in General Fashion / Shoes / Trends  tagged black / resort 2014 / sandals / spring 2014 / street style trends / winter 2014 by

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Photo: Rebecca Minkoff shoes / Essie Nail Polish “For The Twill of It“

There is a hot trend in shoes on the streets, and it is taking fashionable closets by storm. Fashionistas have been spotted everywhere wearing high heeled, black sandals, which can double as pumps, with laces! That’s right! The hottest shoe trend to hit the streets is the laced up high heeled sandal.

This hot shoe trend hit the streets back in spring 2013, but it did not explode until winter 2014. Not dominant on the runway, consumers favored the style when it hit store shelves earlier this year and in response, designers, brands and stores have stocked their shelves for the fall/winter 2013/2014 season with the daring style. This is not a conservative look; these shoes are attention grabbers!

There are several variations of the laced up high heel shoe. Some designers have a true lace-up where the wearer must tie her shoes, while others have false laces that look more like a series of thin straps rather than laces. Both styles are relevant, and fit perfectly into this hot trend.

The laced-up high heel is a great addition to any Fashionistas’ wardrobe. The shoe style can be worn dressed up with skirts, dresses and trousers as well as casually with denim skirts, jeans and sweat-suit trousers. They can be worn during the day, or for evening events. This is one versatile shoe style!

I found a few fabulous pairs of laced-up high heels in black; the hottest hue for this even hotter street style trend. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉