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

Fierce+Foreign: Layer like a Brit

Fierce+Foreign draws on the fashion experiences of SU's students in our favorite abroad capitals. 

London: Carine Umunhumuza  

We’ve already established that Brits love their fashion. As with every fashion lover, half the fun is showing it off, whether it’s how you style, accessorize or make it your own.  London’s climate, however, doesn’t allow for showing off the cute new dress you picked up at Topshop or the great blouse you found on sale at Zara.

The solution: layering. 

And Londoners — after much practice and frustration, I presume — have become masters at this.  But don’t be fooled, the art of layering isn't simply done by throwing together random pieces of clothing. Following the lead from the fashionistas across the pond, here are some tips that you too can master to layer like a Brit:

 With a cardie and tights, Brit fashion icon Alexa Chung nails this technique

It’s all about staying warm — so build layers under the pieces that you want to show off. You can layer with tanks, tees or long sleeve shirts, leaving your showcase piece for last. With enough layers you can ditch your coat altogether! 

Push the boundaries by mixing colors too! Photo: Flickr

Layering works on the bottom too — don’t be afraid to double up on leggings or wear socks over tights. The contrast not only creates an interesting texture mix but keeps your toes toasty warm! 

Lastly, I say embrace hats! It’s common knowledge that heat escapes from your head, so find a warm hat and rock your new looks no matter what the weather is.

- by Carine Umunhumuza 

The Craze: Rediscovering clogs

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

 

The clog: to love or to hate?

The controversial clog has had a glamorous reinvention on the runways this spring. Harpersbazaar.com reports in its “20 Top Trends for 2010” that clogs are now at the height of fashion, seen at the ready-to-wear shows of respected fashion houses: clogs teetered on lofty heels in luxurious silvery snakeskin at Chanel; Louis Vuitton adorned ornate kitten heeled clogs with supersized fluffy tassles, chunky buckles, and even its monogram.

 

A Louis Vuitton clog

The trendiest of bloggers and fashionistas are even trying clogs on for size. Alexa Chung sported them in January with a sweet white frock and gray tights at the Chanel show. Rumi Neely, author of her personal blog, Fashion Toast, couldn’t resist a pair of Mui Mui clogs that she announced are “the exact combination of way too high and almost ugly that I’m looking for.” Together with a sheer fringed dress, she looked gloriously bohemian.

 

Alexa Chung in, yes, clogs

Pair clogs with a blazer in a bold fabric like tweed to protect yourself against the brutal Syracuse winter. As the sun finally begins to peak out after months of solid gray skies, throw on anything ultra feminine. Chunky and unpretentious, these clogs could be an adventurous student’s new best friend. On the other hand, they may seem too fuddy-duddy to look at for more than a hot second. How do you weigh in? Love ‘em, hate ‘em or have to have ‘em?

- by Lindsey Mather