Fashion Week Schedule Finalized

The Fashion Week battle is now over and after months of negotiations New York and London have finally agreed to move up the dates for their September fashion shows. Originally the dates for New York, London and Italy's fashion weeks were scheduled to overlap forcing buyers and editors to pick and choose what shows they would attend. NY Fashion Week will now be held Sept. 6th-13th, followed by London Fashion Week Sept. 14th-18th, then Milan's Fashion Week Sept. 19th-25th and finally Paris Fashion week with shows Sept. 26th-Oct. 3rd. Whew. Now we can all get some sleep. We're going to need it to keep up with the FW coverage for Spring '13.

Top 5 Spring Jewelry Trends

I'm the girl who wears jewelry to the gym. It's true. I can't part with my accessories and I literally never (ever) leave the house without earrings. Even when I travel I pack a mini jewelry box so that I can merchandise my accessories on the vanity table when I reach my destination. So in honor of jewelry junkies everywhere, here's a guide on how to incorporate Spring 2012's top fashion trends into your jewelry wardrobe.

The first trend I'm digging when it comes to spring fashion is the Black & White Trend. Whether you're drawn to black or prefer to proclaim your innocence in white, both colors are in for spring, especially when worn together. Tap into this trend with jewelry pieces that combine both colors. A black diamond cocktail ring, black and white pearl earrings or even chandelier earrings that incorporate black and white diamonds are the perfect way to play up this trend.

The next trend that's making the rounds this spring: fabulous florals. From bold prints to romantic garden party colors the floral trend is "in" this season and it's super easy to make this look work for you when it comes to accessories. Pair your florals with colorful cocktail rings, pendants and flower-inspired earrings that play up the colors in your flower power print.

Another big trend for spring is yellow. From pastel to neon, yellow is spring's ray of sunshine and could be spring's new neutral. Whether your completely committed to it or you prefer to tone it down, yellow jewelry can warm up your skin tone and add some much needed color to your spring wardrobe.

The tribal trend is on it's way out but the global trend continues to evolve. Part 70's glam + part urban safari this trend includes wooden jewelry, gold bangles, exotic necklaces, and statement earrings with ethnic-inspired details. Although not exactly practical for my everyday life- I love a serious stack of gold bangles.

White-On-White is another major trend for spring and it's certainly not for the faint of heart (or for anyone who is afraid of getting dirty.) As the mother of a toddler I have to admit- I love this trend but for practical reasons I probably can't wear it from head to toe. Instead, I'll partake in this trend by adorning myself with white pearl earrings, bracelets and maybe even a pearl statement ring.

No matter what trend you decide to try this spring, have fun with it! Play with color, texture and most importantly wear something that makes you feel fabulous!

Career Advice from a Fashion Industry Insider

My days as a fashion student are officially over and during my years on campus studying for the AAA and Bachelors degree I’ve learned some pretty valuable lessons about life in the fashion industry. The first one is: It’s not as easy (or as glamorous) as it may look. The fashion industry is chaotic, fast-paced, brutal, exciting and draining all at the same time but for the right people it can be absolutely exhilarating! The second thing I’ve learned is that work experience can only take you so far, therefore a degree in fashion is absolutely a MUST. Many fashion enthusiasts often ask me how to break into the industry and whether or not it’s worth it to get a formal degree in fashion and without hesitation I always say: YES! You simply cannot replace the fundamentals you learn in the classroom with anything else.

Let’s be honest, industry experience is great and doing volunteer work at fashion events is a fabulous way to gain insight into the industry but at the end of the day having a solid foundation in fashion through education is the best way to succeed long-term in this business. Fashion school is where you learn about the history of fashion (which is indescribably important when you need to determine how a trend started and where it’s roots came from), it’s where you gain exposure to all the fab designers you should be following during fashion week (hello Zac Posen), it’s where you learn how to operate and run a store should you ever feel the need (it’s not as easy as it looks), how to write a business plan and develop a marketing plan to go with it, how to advertise your business once you start it, and of course, fashion basics like trend forecasting and how to run and manage events like fashion shows. And that’s just the Associates of Applied Arts Program. Having this basic education is fundamental when you jump into the fast pace of the fashion industry because while it may look easy, there’s a ton of rhyme, reason and know-how that go into flawlessly pulling off fashion events and building million dollar apparel programs.

I’ve worked my way up through the retail chain, into the corporate office and behind-the-scenes at premier fashion events and along the way I’ve realized that none of this would have been possible without my educational background in fashion. Your education is what gives you perspective to report on events and interpret what is happening in the industry.

Here’s a summary of my fashion advice, lessons learned and biggest tips to breaking into the industry.

Network- There are so many good reasons why networking should be a high priority on your list. It’s free, it’s a great way to get to know others in the industry, a great way to collaborate with others on future projects and it’s a great way to find out about potential job opportunities. If you’re really serious about networking then you may want to consider joining fashion industry networking groups like Fashion Group International. The Seattle chapter is looking for new members with high energy now!

Get Experience- No amount of classroom work can prepare you for the real world so it’s important that you supplement what you are learning in school with real work experience in the fashion industry. If you’ve never worked in retail now is the time to get a part-time job. It’s hard to grasp the concept of retail management, merchandising and personal selling if you have never had to actually do any of these things. I can also tell you that most corporate office employees have worked on the sales floor at one point or another so do yourself a favor and gain that entry-level experience now so that it won’t hold you back later.

Work Hard- For some people this may go without saying but for others this may be a new concept. You can’t just skate by in this industry without rolling up your sleeves and working hard, so whether it’s putting in time studying for you classes or working a part-time job to gain experience in the field, work hard. A solid work ethic goes a long way in this industry and high levels of integrity will not go unrewarded. The fashion industry is tough, it can chew you up and spit you out and you have to be strong enough to get right back up and keep going. It often requires long hours, working in multiple time zones, and working to make the impossible happen, so if you’re not prepared to work hard, this may not be the industry for you.

Specialize- Find something you are good at and stick to it. People that claim to be good at “everything” are delusional. The truth is, everyone has a specialty and it’s important that you find yours now so that you can practice, develop your skills and find a niche.

Volunteer- Volunteering is another great way to gain experience so if you enjoy fashion industry events like fashion shows, consider volunteering to help out. This is a great way for you to see behind-the-scenes at your favorite events, network with event producers and add to your fashion resume.

Find a Mentor- I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have strong, intelligent women to guide me along the way and that’s why I suggest finding a mentor who can help you navigate your path to success. A good mentor can give you advice about where to start, what moves to make and what mistakes to avoid.

Do an Internship- At many fashion schools internships are required for graduation but if they are not, consider doing one anyway. They are invaluable and can help you break into the industry upon graduation. I’ve had many interns help out at my current company and we have hired at least half a dozen of them to work for us full-time upon graduation. If you meet someone at a fashion industry event who’s working in a field you are interested in, ask them if they hire interns. Most companies won’t turn down free help. On a side note, if you do decide to pursue an internship, work hard and make yourself shine. Everything you say and do will be remembered and it’s important to be on point and professional no matter how casual the work environment appears to be. It always surprises me when interns flake out, show up late, don’t show up at all or have an attitude problem when asked to do a task. It may be unpaid work but it’s allowing you to gain insight into a potential career path and the company you work for may just extend a job offer when you are done with school. So work hard and stay on good terms with the company you intern for.

Stay on Top of Industry Trends- If you’re going into the fashion industry then it’s important you stay on top of what’s going on. There are numerous sites that compile industry news like Women’s Wear Daily, DNR and WGSN so make sure you check in and keep yourself in the know. You can also check out Style.com, Ny Mag’s Fashion Section, or the New York Times Style Section which comes out every Thursday and Sunday.

Clean up your Image- If you’re all over the web on Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites, consider cleaning up your image. Prospective employers can easily search the web for additional information about you and your chances to getting a job offer will significantly narrow if there are drunk pictures of you and your friends all over the Internet. My advice? Keep it classy, and if you don’t, at least set your profiles to private.

The best advice I can give you is that if you work hard and set goals, you can achieve anything. Good luck!

Stylesight Adds Sourcing to Services

Trend forecasting service Stylesight has recently added global sourcing to their portfolio of services for fashion industry clients. In a newly announced partnership with Panjiva, users of the new service will be able to search an extensive database of over 750,000 suppliers in more than 190 countries. The platform also has the ability to allow users to connect with potential suppliers, conduct background and social compliance checks, keep tabs on competitors’ sourcing activities and review data from existing suppliers. Stylesight hopes the new service will allow their clients to achieve maximum productivity by saving time, money and eliminate sourcing risks when working with new suppliers. The platform will be available in early 2012 but an exact date has not been announced.

Stylesight clients include Nike, Brooks Brothers, Amazon, Nordstrom, Smashbox Cosmetics, and Li & Fung USA among others. Notable clients of Panjiva include the VF Corporation, Jordache, Kohls and Guess? Inc. For a better idea of how Panjiva works with clients to save time and money, check out this case study.

Supplemental Links:

Stylesight

Panjiva

My Journey to Clear Skin with Calidora

I recently came across a statistic that suggested more than 32% of women have cried over a breakout. I can totally relate. I’ve shed my share of tears too….probably more than most, or at least that’s how it felt at the time. I’ve dealt with everything from the lone blemish that stands out on the face and commands attention, to small bumps at the jawline, and persistent breakouts on the sides of the chin. And I did cry. All the time. I hated agreeing to social engagements weeks ahead of time for fear that another breakout might be around the corner. I hated meeting with new clients at work because I didn’t feel that people could take me seriously with my bad skin. And mostly I hated breaking out because it took such a toll on my self-esteem, even if I did a good job pretending that my breakouts didn’t bother me. I rarely took my make-up off, even when I was at home, because I couldn’t bear looking in the mirror and seeing the blemishes on my skin. I spent thousands of dollars buying makeup and skincare products to try and cover up the flaws, but nothing worked. The breakouts kept coming back and in some ways, they got worse. I cried myself to sleep on many nights and there were days when I didn’t even want to leave the house. When I was dealing with acne I saw numerous dermatologists, tried so many medications that my medicine cabinet looked like a narcotics lab, and tried nearly every skincare system in an effort to find something (anything) that worked. I bought the Zeno, the Marvel-Blue Mini (a hand held device that employs light therapy technology), the Pro-Activ system, and numerous over the counter acne medications. Even on “good” days my skin was relatively bad and over the years I learned how to become a magician with makeup.

When my now-husband proposed to me last September one thing became blatantly clear to me: I wanted flawless skin on my wedding day and I was willing to do anything to make it happen. Every dermatologist I saw continued to prescribe me higher doses of antibiotics in an effort to clear up my skin and still, nothing worked. I was finally ready to try Accutane when I heard about Calidora Skin Clinic. They promised to create a customized skincare plan for me and work with me to achieve the results I wanted.

My journey started with a complimentary 60-minute photo imaging complexion analysis followed by a detailed skincare plan that outlined the suggested treatments to help clear up my skin. In my case, the recommendation for treatment included a series of laser treatments in conjunction with customized chemical peels. When I weighed out the dangers of using Accutane with the price tag of pursuing the treatments at Calidora it was easy to see that Accutane was truly not an option. It was too risky and had the potential to cause birth defects and liver failure. So, I signed on for a treatment package at Calidora and took the plunge.

My first laser treatment at Calidora required patience because it actually made me break out worse. It’s sort of like when you get a good facial and it brings imperfections to the surface, the laser treatment had that same effect but the healing that followed was amazing. Once the blemishes started to heal my skin was smoother, calmer and the number of blemishes reduced. After a few laser treatments I could tell that my skin was headed in the right direction and the acne scars I had on my cheeks from previous breakouts were also beginning to diminish. The chemical peels were another story. I was so scared the first time I tried the peel because all I kept hearing from people was that it made your skin peel off in sheets. (Literally). Immediately after the peel is applied the skin is taut and smooth. Blemishes that were on the skin prior to the peel are significantly reduced and overall skin feels tingly and fresh. Peeling generally occurs within 1-3 days of the initial peel. My skin started peeling the next morning after the treatment and continued for at least two to three days afterward. Each day I slathered on a heavy moisturizer to help smooth the flakes and once the peeling was complete my skin unveiled a healthy glow I had never seen before.

My skin treatment plan continued and on a bi-weekly basis I alternated between laser treatments and chemical peels. It was a long process but by the time I was ready to say “I Do” my skin was ready too. In fact, it was glowing. Calidora helped me achieve the flawless skin I had always dreamed about and they did it without the use of harsh medications or prescription drugs.

Today my skin continues to remain clear and I’m so thankful to the amazing staff at Calidora Skin Clinic who supported me and helped me achieve my skincare goals. Having clear skin has changed my whole life and although at one point in time I was part of the 32% of women who have cried over a breakout I’m happy to report that thanks to Calidora I’m not part of that statistic anymore.

Best Drugstore Beauty Buys

Looking oh-so-pretty for your holiday party doesn't mean parting with ridiculous amounts of cash. Many of the beauty products I use on a daily basis are from my neighborhood drugstore. Here are some of my favorite beauty products that will keep you looking beautiful on a budget.

I used to spend excessive amounts of money on designer foundation but I ran out while traveling and in a pinch picked up a bottle of L'Oreal's True Match Super Blendable Foundation. Turns out, I love this stuff! It's oil-free and comes in a full color spectrum of warm, neutral and cool shades. $10.99/1 fl. oz.

Rather than invest in a full tube of the season's hottest lipstick shade I like to test drive it first by finding a similar color from the NYX Cosmetics line. At $3.99 a tube I can can afford to go crazy with coral, flirt with fuschia or be prim and proper with a pretty pink without breaking the bank. This line is pigment-rich so each shade shows up at full intensity. If I like a color and it works well with my skintone then I'll be more likely to splurge on a tube from one of the designer lines like YSL or Tom Ford.

After spending years trying out numerous brow pencils on the market I finally came back to my first love: the original Cover Girl Brow pencil I used when I was sixteen. My favorite shade is midnight brown and the color is soft making the brows look natural and not over-done. $3.59/pack of two (plus a bonus sharpener)

My skin has been known to have a little mid-day shine, so I never leave the house without a pack of oil absorbing sheets in my cosmetics bag. My favorite blotters are from Clean & Clear and although I've tried numerous styles from other brands, this drugstore pick is still my favorite. The sheets lift oil without removing your make-up making them a budget friendly way to avoid looking like a hot mess.

Save time (and cotton balls) with Cutex Nailpolish Remover Wipes. One wipe cleans all 10 nails and the polish just slides right off. They are super easy to use and completely portable which makes them perfect for girls on-the-go. Allure Magazine even named this product one of their "Beauty Editor Favorites". $3.50/pack of 6 wipes.

Another drugstore fave is the Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel. I started using this on a recent trip to a Florida where legs were bare and lots of swimming was involved and it's made me a believer. Formulated with natural soy this product helps you shave less often (I can vouch for this!) and works to prevent skin irritations including nicks, cuts and razor burn. My skin is noticeably softer after using this product and I highly recommend this to anyone in the market for a new shaving cream. It's even ok for sensitive skin! $3.99/7 oz. can

If you've ever been the victim of a static-related fashion faux paus you need to pick up a can of Static Guard Spray next time you're at the drugstore. This product is a staple in my fashion emergency kit and has saved me too may times to count. You can also use this product in a pinch to tame flyaway hair (just spray your brush). $3.99/1.4 oz.

Last but not least- for pretty peepers I really like Ardell DuraLash Naturals. They let me add volume and length where I need it without looking like a drag queen. The trick is to apply them as close to your natural lash line as possible. $4.99/pack

xoxoxoxo

Holiday Gift Guide: Fashion Fanatics

Finding the perfect holiday gift for your fashion friends is easy with this helpful guide. And guess what? Everything featured is under $150. Happy Holidays!

The VS Fashion Show is tomorrow night- and chances are, your fashion friends will be more than inspired by the beautiful angels prancing down the runway! We love this VS Fashion Show Makeup Essentials Kit featuring gold dust shadow, Triple Drama Mascara, Sparkling lip gloss in 'Delight', and all-over Shimmer Powder in 'Candy Girl'.


For the perfect princess, check out this waterfall ruffle duvet set by Urban Outfitters. It's both romantic and dramatic at the same time. This set is available in three colorways, but we can't imagine this many ruffles in anything but pure white.

Fashionistas will be thrilled to find a copy of "The Rise of Fashion" under the tree this year. This book is a great resource for anyone who aspires to succeed in the business of luxury fashion. In the book, former Bergdorf Goodman CEO Ira Neimark recounts how Bergdorf helped build the fashion industry during one of the most exciting periods in its history.

Almost better than a bottle of bubbly- a Champagne inspired candle by Voluspa. Featuring notes of apricot and coconut, and yielding over 80 hours of burn time this candle will last long into the New Year!

For the fashion fiend who has a thing for monogram inspired jewelry- a 14k gold navel ring by Fresh Trends is the perfect pick. Mid-winter vacations are just around the corner and a little bit of bling is always on the agenda for die hard fashionistas.

A beautiful Pashmina scarf is the perfect gift for your fashion friends who have it all. These scarves are perfect for travel because they can be used as a blanket on the plane, as a sarong on the beach, and in the evening as a luxurious wrap.

Just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't give the gift of YSL this season. This luxe holiday makeup set is a great value at just $65 and includes Touche Éclat which eliminating dark circles and signs of fatigue, Golden Gloss which shimmers with the help of 24-karat gold flecks, YSL's signature Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils and a Waterproof Eye Pencil.

Pretty polish sets make the perfect stocking stuffer! We love this Rock & Roller polish set by Butter London. This pack contains Henley Regatta, Snog & Union Jack Black so that the recipient can change their polish with their mood. :D

Happy Shopping!

Holiday Gift Guide: Going for the Gold

Black and gold are two of my favorite colors- so it just makes sense that I dedicate this Christmas Wish List to them. Enjoy! And Happy Shopping!

When there's a chill in the air, your fashion friends will feel glamorous wrapping themselves in this metallic Roberto Cavalli silk scarf. Featuring a snakeskin print, this scarf is pure silk and made in Italy.

Featuring a luxe gold platform and dripping in cool, these Kurt Geiger C'est Suede Peep toe pumps are simply amazing for prancing around town en route to holiday parties. Made in Italy and embellished in Swaroski crystals, these shoes will put a smile on any fashionistas face.

Illuminate the eyes with a festive sweep of gold for your holiday parties and engagements. This YSL Ombre Solo Eyeshadow has an embossed logo and includes both a sponge and a brush applicator in the lid for easy touch-ups on the go.

Surprise your flashy friends for Christmas with this gold menswear Nixon watch. It's Swiss made for quality and cool enough to make your friends forgo their iPhones and look instead at their wrist for the time. (Oh the good old days!)

Add extra sparkle to your holiday ensemble with a Michael Kors ring featuring rose gold baguette crystal insets and MK logo on the side profile.

Create a pretty pout with the YSL Golden Gloss Holiday Set featuring sparkling 24-karat gold flecks (0.2%). This set makes the perfect stocking stuffer and your friends who are suckers for pretty packaging will fall in love with the gold foil box.

This Marc by Marc Jacobs watch is more black than gold- but still awesome enough to be part of this wishlist. Half bracelet/half watch, this studded beauty makes the perfect punk rock accessory.

And to "go for the gold" from head to toe this holiday season check out these gold booties from UO. Featuring a 5-inch wedge heel and dripping in gold glitter- this shoe is sure to turn a few heads.

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Gift Guide: Stylish Tech Gifts

This holiday season will be marked with a total technology take-over. With so many Americans plugged in, we're definitely going to need some chic accessories to camouflage our geeky tendencies. Here are some stylish solutions for the fashion fanatics on your list.

Girls who have an obsession with the iPad will love this Marc by Marc Jacobs neoprene case with zip closure. Featuring an embossed logo, gold name plate and light padding, this case is perfect for work or play and comes in several color options.

These Juicy Couture earbuds make a great stocking stuffer for your fashionista friends who are into music. The headphones feature a beaded cord and come packaged in a super cute faux-fur lined glittery case. I know several stylish bus riders who need these headphones to make the ride home a little more fun!

How sweet are these heart shaped Marc by Marc Jacobs earbuds? These are perfect gift for your label loving friends who have everything. (You know who you are!)

Looking more like a stylish handbag than an iPad case, this Marc by Marc Jacobs number is one of my favorite holiday finds! This case comes in three colors (light pink, hot pink and black) and is made from real leather.

Kate Spade New York has the perfect gift for the "funny fashionista" in your life: air quote mittens! These gloves are ribbed knit with white lining made of merino wool. I wonder if she does ear muffs too.....

In another life I think I was supposed to be a spy which probably explains why I really like this BodyGard Survivor Platinum 12-in-1 Device. It includes an LED flashlight, red emergency flashers, digital radio with LCD display, panic button/personal alarm, motion-activated security alarm, compass, signaling mirror, and thermometer plus comes with adapters to hook up to your cell phone. Pretty sweet.

Say goodbye to nerdy USB flash drives and say HELLO to this adorable lipstick shaped USB flash thumb drive that doubles as a key chain. Available in 4-32GB.

This season I might be taking my office calls from this "retro" pink Swaroski Crystal handset available at Kitson for $695. Designed by David Turpin for Native Union this phone can be plugged right into your iPhone and has a built in microphone for high quality sound.

But if you'd rather skip the handset and add some bling to your iPhone check out this ICE London brown leopard print iPhone 4 cover. This phone has been carefully handcrafted with real Swarovski crystals.

It's the color of these speakers that had me at hello. They're mini, collapsible, and have mini built-in batteries that can be charged via USB. Available on Apple.com in multiple colors.

Happy Shopping!