Sunday, July 25, 2010

Fade to Brown

Worn on the streets in San Francisco, Karma of Charme
boots which are made in Italy.
By Jenae Lee

July 12, 2010

When you think of leather do you automatically think of black, grungy motorcycle jackets or rich, brown leather?

After a year of going through a phase wear girls dressed like Taylor Momsen with rocker-chic black leather jackets, this fall seems to be heading towards sleek brown leather jackets.

While I was cool hunting around the city I stumbled upon some fashion savvy people with brown leather items such as bags, boots, jackets, and belts all in different shades and styles. Most of the people I interviewed stated that they had purchased their item in Italy, home of the world’s highest quality leather.

One of the special finds that I found while cool hunting was these boots as shown on the left. They are from the Italian brand, Karma of Charme. They boast that their boots have an invisible heel that makes you two inches taller and that it has a more elegant fit than other flat boots. They are handmade with the finest leathers which definitely makes the famous “Made in Italy” label.

Karlie Kloss opening for Christian Dior in a brown
leather highwayman's cape for the fall 2010 collection.

Brown leather shoes such as oxfords and Sperry Topsiders have been creating a classic, preppy look. Leather boots, booties, and heels have been studded, ruffled, buckled, embroidered, zippered, laced-up, and fringed for this fall in all shades of brown.

In D&G’s recent spring 2010 collection, they featured urban cowboy inspired looks with the caramel coloured boots, belts, and mini dresses. These items are seeping into fall and have been on other runway shows this fall as well.

Christian Dior’s fall 2010 collection, for instance, featured brown leather quite heavily with its cape-like jackets, thigh-high boots and pants. Dior also displayed different shades of brown such as mocha and a deep reddish-brown colour.

The fall 2010 line for Chloe was inspired by seventies American sportswear with a pair of caramel leather trousers and a beige leather quilted jacket.

A completely brown leather look from
Haider Ackermann's fall collection.
Haider Ackermann had featured looks head-to-toe with brown leather and suede.

Other designers such as Illia have been taking the black motorcycle bomber jackets and switching them to a brown colour making them look far more sophisticated and polished. Brown leather jackets can be seen with different styles such as a cowl neck, blazer, trench, aviator with white fleece trim, and military.

Brown leather jackets have been worn in movies throughout the centuries in films such as Indiana Jones, Brad Pitt in Fight Club, Tom Cruise in Top Gun, and James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause making these characters appear adventurous with a touch of class.

The tan leather jacket, particularly, is very popular with the Brit Pop and Indie music image and culture and is famously worn by people such as Kelly Jones of the band,“The Stereophonics”.

Reporter Sarah Mower, in her article for Telegraph on titled “Pre-fall 2010 heralds the return of classic dressing, brown leather…” had noted that, “All of a sudden, black looks dull and wrong, and tan looks exciting and new.”

So whether it’s a jacket, bag, belt, or shoe, brown leather should definitely be a staple in your closet for this fall 2010 season.

A bag seen on the streets of San Francisco that is from Italy.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Madonna Creates Material Girl

July 5, 2010 Written by Jenae Lee

Madonna has teamed up with Macy’s to launch her new line, Material Girl.

In the collection, you will see items that reflect inspiring looks that Madonna has worn in the past that have been modernized to appeal to today’s teens and young adults. The line is composed of clothing, footwear, handbags, jewelry, and hair accessories. Most of the items range from $12 to $40 while the most expensive part of the line includes some outerwear and dresses at $80; making it good competition with other retailers such as H&M, Forever 21, and Zara.

To help design the line Madonna received much help and inspiration from her well-dressed daughter, Lourdes Leon.

“She’s been coming to meetings pretty much from the very beginning,” said Madonna in admiration of her fashionista daughter. “My role was really to make sure we were all going in the right direction and it was a line that I could stand behind and be proud of and feel good about — and one that she could also feel represented her. I really like the way Lola dresses, and I think this line is absolutely an extension of her taste.”

The collection arrives at Macy’s August 3 in stores and will be available on http://www.macys.com/.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

hello world! quick update.

For my Fashion Journalism class I have to post all the articles I have done over the past month. So I apologize for all the sudden spam of words! But I will try to gradually post them over the week so it's not just one big mess.

Then I guess we will show our blogs off at the Exhibition. OMG, people will be looking at my blog?!

Well, that's all for now. Sleepover in San Francisco tonight!

Love, Jenae.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

love me, love me, say that you love me.

Hello loves! I hope you all had a great weekend. I just wanted to show you real quick some things I picked up at ULTA. Nail polish = love the colour, better quality than I expected. Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm = I like it alot. I can't feel it on my lips at all. It does tingle for some reason though. I have to get used to is since it's like a marker. I'm not sure if it stays on for very long but love the colour.
ULTA nail lacquer in Double Streak $2, Revlon Just Bitten lipstain in Passion and Beloved/Adored $8.99

Anyway, I did see Justin Bieber on Saturday night. Say whatever you want but this show just proved how even more talented he is. He gave us everything and more. Truly amazing.

So this is what I wore. When you go to a tweeny show surrounded by little girls and their mothers, you gotta go in style.

Wearing Revlon Just Bitten lipstain in Passion, a Comme des Garcons tee, vintage belt, Ricard Chai for Target skirt, polka dot tights from New York & Company, Kim Rodgers boots, and Marc by Marc Jacobs watch.
(not all photos were mine, click photos for source.)

More to come this week! I hope I'm ready for this.

Love, Jenae.

Friday, July 16, 2010

that's how it should be, you and me.

Hello lovelies! Fashion school has been great! Yesterday was a bit hard because I discovered that I fail at watercolor! D: And I felt really bad because we had this beautiful model and I hate drawing with color pencils. :/ Oh well, I'll just keep practicing.
In Fashion Journalism, I have to do an interview so I'm going to interview Mary Rosenberger! I'm really excited about that. You might of seen her on NastyGal Vintage and 80's Purple.
In Fashion Merchandising today we watched a movie called Kinky Boots. The name is funny but it's certainly a great movie!

This is what I wore today.

Wearing my Great Granddad's hat, Billabong ruffled tank, Lace Cardigan from Kristina, pocket skirt from American Apparel, and Rampage black bow flats.
Self made necklace, vintage rings, and Marc by Marc Jacobs watch.

Sorry for no Wednesday Words this week. :/ I was exhausted yesterday.

OH! Exciting news! My friend Aparna just got engaged and I get to go to the wedding! I'm so excited for her! I love her and miss her so much! And this is the first time I've actually been invited to a wedding! I've been in one but being invited it completely different! The wedding won't be till spring though since she's currently in Texas, so I have a while to wait.

ALSO! I'm going to go see JB tomorrow! I know, I know, it's super lame but he's my guilty pleasure. I can't help it. I'm a Belieber. But I've got a great outfit! :D

I hope you have a great weekend! I will. :)

Love, Jenae.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

intelligent input darling.

So today in Fashion Merchandising we had to evaluate a boutique on Fillmore Street. So Taylor, Mary and I got to look at Erica Tanov. Erica Tanov is a pretty little boutique with very overpriced items of course. Here are some things I picked up from the store.

A pretty postcard I added to my collection. :)
A very beautiful poster/storyboard.

Then afterwards we went shopping for a bit at Marc by Marc Jacobs. Definitely going in there again once I get money. Great sale! Then we had to go to Goodwill afterwards to get inspiration for our project.

Taylor at Goodwill. (Loved that Ralph Lauren polka dot shirt in the middle.)
Lil Lower bag $5, wishbone necklace $7, and brown fingerless gloves for Alex $3.
(It's actually gold, not silver.)
Wearing vintage cadrigan, H&M scarf, Kimchi Blue Dress, vintage belt, ripped tights, and Kim Rodgers boots.
This is my phone skin that I made on skinit.com. The artwork is from Mark Warren Jacques. I love everything he does.

I hope you all are having a great week. I am! :)

Love, Jenae.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

when the sun goes down.

Hello everyone! :) here are some photos that I took from yesterday at the fair.


Don't you love those rocks? I was dying. I should of bought one. :/ I love the fair, I'm so glad I didn't miss it this year, and it was great seeing Brandon again. :D

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend!

Love, Jenae.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

wednesday words. #29

- Dale Carnegie.

Hello lovelies! I know, I terrible at keeping up. :( Fashion school has made me a bit tired and I have some homework, but not alot. I'll show you what I've been up to in those classes later.

And I hope to get the Top of the World photos up soon. They were taken by Natalie and they are great. :)

I hope you all are having a great week so far!

Love, Jenae.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

is this, is this, the start of it?

Hello everyone! First week of Fahion School has been great! :)

Yesterday in Fashion Merchandising we watched Valentino: The Last Emperor. I finally got to watch it it. It's great, beautiful, inspiring... you have to watch it.


Oh, here is one of my drawings I have done for Fashion Illustration. My homework is to draw 3 people so I drew people while sitting at swim practice and then my sister Mikayla and her friend Katie posed for me.

I reall like the teacher. She is really encouraging, and really shows you how to do things. She's great.

This is my friend Marianna and I. We hung out for a bit after one of my classes. Dennis' camera is amazing. I'm extremely jealous. And I love him too.

Well, that's all for now. I will have a photo spread up on Monday from my picnic at Top of the World.

I hope you all have a lovely 4th of July weekend! :)

Love, Jenae.