Rag Report: Alexa Chung

Model, contributing editor, and American TV presenter, Alexa Chung takes the world by storm with her clever fashion takes and personal style. Although she may have a typical model body—tall, slender and fair skinned, she does not dress as a typical fashionista. Her boyish combat boots, boyfriend cut denim shorts and choppy short hair causes her to have a rougher, less feminine look. Her look in this spread contrasts sharply with her edgy demeanor.

Girly, feminine and chic are three words to best describe Alexa’s most recent Teen Vogue fashion spread in October 2011. Photographer Paola Kudacki posed Chung in the popular Long Island beach, Southampton. Using the concept of an Indian summer for the shoot, Kudacki captured the essence of summer freedom, childhood dreams, and Chung’s fashion forward nature.

Below, Chung is showed posing on a carousel. Chung is clinging onto a golden pole with one hand while doing the classic knee pop. Her simple black dress is used as a background for her ravishing yellow fur coat. Her chained necklace and combat-esque boots add flavor to the overall outfit. Chung is staring straight at the camera as though she has a mysterious thought going on in her mind. Her hair is quickly tossed with mousse—simple, yet elegant.

This next photo is an up close of Chung and a mysterious male figure. Though Chung’s outfit can barely be seen, she is wearing a crème colored turtleneck that flows into the background color of the sand. Chung’s hair is placed up in a ballerina bun with her bangs flowing on top of her face. She is staring at the camera in an almost seductive way. The background of the beach is a blur and blends in with Chung’s skin tone.

The final photo from this shoot is a close up of Chung. Only one of her eyes can be seen, her short, simple, brown hair covers the other. She is staring at the camera and smiling which brings out the brightness of the yellow flower she is holding. Her white shirt pops out with the green background and the black bows add a touch of girly essence.

Stephanie Smith

The Craze: Tailored White

White has always been known to be a color reserved for Spring and Summer. As seen in this year’s Spring 2012 collections, many designers chose to incorporate neatly tailored, clean white looks. In many cases white can represent purity and simplicity and by pairing highly tailored designs with fresh white, designers can create an ultra chic, clean look.

Chanel Spring 2012 RTW

For Jill Sander’s Spring 2012 collection, high collars were combined with tight fitting tailored dresses and skirts. This gave the collection a very modern, elegant look. Karl Lagerfeld, like other designers, also included elegant all white pieces into the Spring 2012 collection for Chanel. The beginning of his collection was reserved for entirely white designs. This decision allowed his collection to transform throughout the show starting out with simplified white designs and finishing with dazzling highly embellished pieces.

Jill Sander Spring 2012 RTW

Celine Spring 2012 RTW

To achieve this sleek modern look try pairing a tailored top with a little flare of embellishment and tight white skinny jeans. The all white look also adds room to play with colorful accessories so let your imagination run wild.

Equipment

True Religion

-Christina Riggio

The Craze: Maxi Mania

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and styles.

What’s not to love about the maxi dress? It’s comfortable and can either be casual or dressed up and comes in a variety of solid colors and prints. Tube top, halter and racer back are all available. The maxi can be crafted with cotton to silk fabrics contributing to the versatility this dress offers. These flowing fabrics were seen down the Spring 2011 runways of Jill Sander and Alberta Ferretti among others.

Alberta Ferretti

Jill Sander

Wear it to the beach or wear it out to an evening affair. The possibilities are endless. You can pair it with flat sandals or a great pair of espadrilles. The maxi is a great go–to dress for any occasion. Check out these affordable finds below and join in the maxi mania!

Anthropologie

asos.com

Forever 21

Free People

–Kate Ahrendtsen

Biz Buzz: Weekly Round-Up

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

The scandal of the week comes courtesy of J.Crew creative director, Jenna Lyons. A feature in the latest J. Crew catalogue and on the brand’s online store titled “Saturday with Jenna” shows Lyons painting her 3-year-old son Beckett’s toenails bright pink. Lyons was attacked by psychiatrist and Fox News contributor Dr. Keith Ablow posted in an editorial on Fox News’ website, “This is a dramatic example of the way that our culture is being encouraged to abandon all trappings of gender identity.” Meanwhile, Erin Brown of the Media Research Center, called the picture “blatant propaganda celebrating transgendered children.” You decide for yourself. [HuffPo, Fox News]

The feature from J. Crew’s website, courtesy of J. Crew

Last week, we told you that Christophe Decarnin has left Balmain. This week, rumor has it that an unknown will replace Decarnin at the legendary house. British Elle, who spoke with a source from the house, reported they plan on choosing an unknown, just like Decarnin was before he started there. “The owners want to support lesser-known design talent,” the source said. An announcement will be made “in the next two or three days.” [Fashionista]

Christophe Decarnin, courtesy of bluefly.com

Christian Louboutin is suing Yves Saint Lauren over a pair of red shoes created with matching red soles. Louboutin maintains that red-soled shoes have been a trademark of the company since 1992, according to the lawsuit, the New York Daily News reports.

A pair of Louboutins, courtesy of NY Daily News and Getty Images

The YSL shoe in question, courtesy of Fashionista and bluefly.com

The Advertising Standards Authority has approved a Miu Miu ad from the Spring/Summer 2011 campaign that came under fire in the UK when some believed the model portrayed to be too thin. The ad shows 23-year-old Polish model, Kasia Struss, sitting in a chair in a low-cut dress with dramatic lighting. [The Telegraph]

The Miu Miu ad in question, courtesy of Huffington Post

Lady Gaga is the cover girl for the May issue of Harper’s Bazaar, and she’s featured wearing the same face and shoulder prosthetics she debuted at the Grammy Awards in February. Naturally, Derek Blasberg asked her about them while interviewing her, and naturally, Gaga insists that they’re natural. “They’re not prosthetics, they’re bones,” she said. “They've always been inside of me, but I have been waiting for the right time to reveal to the universe who I truly am. They come out when I'm inspired. [Harper’s Bazaar]

Lady Gaga’s Harper’s Bazaar cover and an image from the shoot, courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar and New York Magazine

-Julie Kosin

The Orange Carpet: Rock-Star Style

The Orange Carpet scours SU to roll out the best campus style (die, hoodies, die!)

Sophomore public relations major, Bianca Mashal, wore her rock star leggings as she waited in line for fashion PR guru, Kelly Cutrone on April 11. Her burnout shirt and jean jacket complemented her rock and roll look. Mashal’s leggings prove that the grab and go appeal of leggings, doesn’t mean they need to be boring. Buying a pair with a little embellishment, like her studded leggings, add style without going over the top. Celebrities like Beyoncé, rock this comfortable and edgy trend. Cutrone even complemented Mashal after the book signing!

Favorite trend: Anything comfortable and edgy

Least favorite trend: Wide leg pants

Jean jacket: LF stores

Top: Urban Outfitters

Leggings: Tart

Shoes: Converse

Beyonce

Mara Hoffman

Norstrom

-Victoria Troxler