The Craze: White-hot Lace

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

The delicate elegance found in lace has been becoming an increasingly popular trend for spring and summer collections. It started with Dolce and Gabbana’s spring ready-to-wear collection. This collection was a predominantly white collection with most of their garments incorporating elegant white lace as detail work into their designs. The theme of the collection was possessions new and old that a new bride might pack away before she begins a period in her life. The fabrics used for this collection were very loose, airy fabrics like linen, sheer silks, and crocheted material.

Dolce and Gabbana Spring 2011 RTW

This incorporation of white lace has also spread to other designer’s pieces. It seems to give garments a summery touch and can also be considered dressy or casual. White lace can be used to give garments notions of springtime, femininity, pureness and sophistication.

BCBG

Yet, while appearing sexy and chic on the runway this trend can sometimes come off as old fashioned if overdone. To avoid looking a bit doily, incorporate a casual piece into the look. For example, with a white lace dress throw on a denim jacket or vest to play down the ultra feminine aspect of the lace dress. Also, it is important to wear lace with clean unembellished pieces. The lace itself on a garment is the embellishment so rock the lace with a clean solid colored piece.

AMRAG

-Christina Riggio

Biz Buzz: Weekly Round-Up

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

Milan Fashion Week has just come to an end, where lace, color blocking, and ‘60s motifs emerged as trends. Now, on to the last quarter of fashion month, Paris!

The lace trend at Emilio Pucci, courtesy of New York Magazine

The color-blocking trend at Fendi, courtesy of New York Magazine

The mod look at Blumarine, courtesy of New York Magazine

John Galliano was dismissed from Dior Tuesday after a video of the designer making anti-Semitic statements in a Paris bar went viral, according to the New York Times.

The designer released a statement Wednesday apologizing for his behavior: “Anti-Semitism and racism have no part in our society. I unreservedly apologise for my behaviour in causing any offence.”

Galliano could now face prison time, according to Fashionista.

Former Dior designer John Galliano, courtesy of Fashionista

The Academy Awards Sunday night was a fashion feast for those who live for red carpet style. Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa, Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana and Cate Blanchett in Givenchy made my best dressed list. Who made yours?

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa, courtesy of Marie Claire Magazine

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy, courtesy of Marie Claire Magazine

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce and Gabbana, courtesy of Marie Claire Magazine

-Julie Kosin

The Craze: Polka Dot It!

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

Just because we have crazy weather, doesn’t mean our winter clothing has to look drab. Let’s remind ourselves of the warm summer days that we experience at the beginning and end of the school year by incorporating polka dots into our winter wardrobe. For their Fall 2010 collection, Dolce & Gabbana showcased sheer polka dot dresses on the runway. It’s currently too cold for sheer clothing at Syracuse, but there are other options: polka dotted shirts for layering, scarves to keep us warm and stylish, and even headbands. So stop sticking to solid colors this winter and add a pattern to your next outfit.

Betsey Johnson

Dolce and Gabbana

Forever 21

Marc Jacobs

Style & Co.

-Lauren Dulay

The Craze: Fair Isle, A Fairly Good Choice

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

Fair Isle sweaters and accessories are making their way down the runways of Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, and Rag & Bone, as well as retail stores. The style was designed 400 years ago in the UK and is named after the type of knitting used. Fair Isle items are available in a number of patterns and colors. Snowflake detailing, warm browns, and cool blues are seen on campus to compliment the arrival of winter. Try bundling up with a Fair Isle sweater or compliment any coat with either a Fair Isle scarf or mittens this winter!

Victoria's Secret

the runway

Old Navy

-Kate Ahrendtsen

Biz Buzz: The Christmas Book: Neiman Marcus’ Guide to Holiday Extravagance

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

Early in October, amidst the collections of Halloween Costumes and on the tail end of the buzz about the Spring ’11 collections, a little catalogue begins to make its way towards mailboxes all over the U.S. Though it only appears once a year, it sets the tone for the next two months of preparation for the Holidays. What is this “Survival Bible” you ask? It simply goes by three words, The Christmas Book. Every year Neiman Marcus in its infinite wisdom puts together a collection of gifts and fantasies that range from the practical to the absolutely ridiculous. Every one can find a great gift for the Holiday season, especially one that is in line with the latest trends in fashion, decoration, and house wares. As the Christmas Book is turning 50 this year, I find it important to highlight the items that I think make this year’s book a must have for any lover of the fashion industry.

The diamond encrusted charm bracelet is not only dazzling; it is also heart attack inducing when you see the $248,000.00 price tag!! Yes, every girl needs a classic charm bracelet to trace her life, but even this seems a little outrageous!

The Tory Burch Trike blends the fun ascetic of our favorite preppy designer with the not-so-practical trike for that weekend bike ride to a café or the farmers market. People may give you strange looks as you ride by, but when has eccentricity been frowned upon by the fashion industry?
I am not typically a fan of fancy phone cases or Dolce and Gabbana, but I must admit that their coin purses as well as their iphone and Blackberry pouches are adorable. I would recommend getting the coin purse one; it is a cute little thing to carry your phone and ID in when you go out.
Similarly, the Alexander McQueen clutches are not only a collector’s item, but a fashion must have for anyone who loves the modern British look. I especially love the one with the 4-finger clasp.
The Christmas Book may simply be a piece of advertising for a store, but to those who love fashion, it is a highly anticipated narrative of holiday style. It brings that “Eloise” effect to life, where everyone can dream of owning those extravagant pieces. So, check your mailbox, or your front door, because the Neiman Marcus Christmas book is much more than a super early holiday circular; instead, it is a fashion lover’s stocking stuffer.

Visit Neimanmarcus.com to see the Christmas book for yourself.

-Elizabeth Lafontaine

The Craze: Denim on denim...yes, you can

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

When we think of wearing denim on denim, the disturbing image of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake at the American Music Awards in 2001 may come to mind. But, if worn correctly, it can become a very chic ensemble. 

The first rule is to wear different washes; pair a lighter denim shirt with a jean in a darker wash. Second, break up the look with accessories, like a tan belt as shown at D&G.

 

D&G denim

J.Crew offers a chambray top paired with sparkly extras to balance out the tough denim material of the shirt.

 

J.Crew's denim look

American Eagle’s cowboy-inspired western shirt features pearl snaps and studs, which are another big trend for spring.

 

An option from American Eagle

So, with that said, denim on denim is no longer taboo. In order to be truly fashionable, one has to learn how to break the traditional rules.

- by Allison Mariotti