Fur Shure

TUESDAY ACCESSORY
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer

Fur Shure by Bridgett Elise Rangel-Rexford featuring a check coat

The fashion gods have spoken: furs are once again acceptable to wear in public. And yes, you can pull of furs! Dare to wear! Wear a leopard printed fur coat for a more rockabilly look, a sleek black coat for a bohemian look or a long brown coat for classic flair.

Fashion front-runner Karl Lagerfeld's opinion falls in line with many of the current fashion designers:
""In a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and clothes and even handbags, the discussion of fur is childish."

Us college students don't really have to worry about that though! Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe have glamorous faux fur jackets that don't cost a years tuition.
Ready or not, here they are!

Chica Chica Boom Chic

MONDAY MUSE
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
The Portuguese-born Brazilian Carmen Miranda is famously known as "the banana lady". Miranda was the Brazilian Bomb Shell of the 1940s and 50s, singing and dancing and acting in 14 different Hollywood films including The Gang's All Here where her fruit hat gained world fame.

Miranda has become a style icon. She is everything: ruffled, fruity, bold floral and topical. Her wardrobe is alive with creativity. Juicy red delicious beads, banana colored sleeves and a sweet smile are things to incorporate if you want to dress Carmen-esque.

Ta Da!

http://www.thefeast.com/sandiego/shopping/FEAST-SHOP-SD-UCSD-Launches-Fashion-Mag-106980343.html

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you all a lovely Thanksgiving!

Scheduled posts will resume Monday.

Opinion: Reinventing The Mannequin

Elena Miro's plus size collection has been established for 25 years. For the last five years, Miro's Plus Size Show has opened Milan's Fashion Week. Elena Miro's goal is “to “help real women to feel confident and at peace with themselves." The clothes don't bag the women in an attempt to hide curves, in fact, they accentuate and consequently emphasize the beauty of the woman.

Writing personally, I feel that the collection is monumental for offering high fashion in something other than a size 0. Although, I feel that it is a hollow attempt by Milan to change the way we see fashion and models. When looking at Miro's work as a sole collection, it is significant but not strong enough. The women presented are as unrealistic as the skinny coat racks: Amazon women walking the runway who obviously work out to get their proportions precise. It is true we need well proportioned models to advertise the clothing, but you cannot hide America's weight problem with clothing. The problem is deeper rooted.
-Bridgett
TREND Staff Writer

Threads of History

UCSD's Best Dressed
Discovered by: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
Name: Marina
College: Revelle
Major: Microbiology
Year: Senior
Spotted Near : RIMAC

Outfit:
Feather Earrings: Random Vendor
Comfortable Colorful Sweater: "It used to be my grandmothers"
The Essential Black Shirt: Forever 21
Black Tights: H&M
Brown Boots: Steve Madden
Silver Watch: "Las Vegas!"

Q: What is your general type of style? How would you describe it?
A: "A comfy, relaxed style. A style that doesn't require too much work, but still looks good. I would say I like to keep it fresh!

Marina does an excellent job of esablishing her own unique style that's relaxed while still, "keeping it fresh". Especially as finals are looming overhead, we all could care less about what we wear we just hope we can get to class on time with assignments successfully in hand! Through the simple act of putting on matching earrings Marina effortlessly dressed up her look. Instead of a plain o' sweatshirt, she chose a colorful piece to cheer the gloom of the skies that hovers above us. Additionally, what is more comforting than having an article of clothing your very dear grandmother wore!

Liquid Gold

TUESDAY ACCESSORY
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
Today you must ask yourself... Is all that glitters gold? In this case...

Yes.

One of Deborah Lipman's two luxurious new nail polishes contains 24carat gold dust while the other contains Virgin Diamond powder. Ladies, you are not dreaming, and better yet, they are 20 dollars each. Yes, one bottle of nail polish with precious materials for only 20 dollars. I think it's time for a little splurge.
Which one would you don?

How Trends Become Contagious

INFLUENCERS FULL VERSION from R+I creative on Vimeo.

Miss Lindsey Wixson: the Muse of Many

MONDAY MUSE
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer


Remember those high school years when you wanted to look your very best for school? Planning outfits for the next day and waking up early to fix your hair was so important. When 16 year old model Lindsey Wixson wakes up, she has to dress to impress for a slightly larger crowd. Some days, Wixon prepares for model go-sees while other days, she must get ready to walk the runway for designers such Lanvin, Tommy Hilfiger, Victoria Beckham, and even Louis Vuitton.

Talk about yearbook pictures. Miss Wixon has also graced the covers of Vogue Italia, Vogue Turkey, Vogue Paris and an innumerable amount of other acclaimed magazines. Photographer Gabrielle Revere says Wixson's " got something, she's got that thing that defines people". She is an undeniable beauty with her lush lips, soft eyes, and overall unique face. Although, in many interviews, her shy but confident personality is what is exceptionally flattering to all who meet her.

Miss Wixon is definitely living a true teenage dream.

Medavog Couture Winter 2010/2011 Collection

FRIDAY: ALL DRESSED UP
WITH SOMEWHERE TO GO
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
On left: Fransisco Medagov On Right: A Medagov design

Time/Date: Saturday, November 20 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm
7pm-Check In
8:30om-Show begins
Location: Planet Rooth Studios Haus is located at 3334 Fifth Ave. in Hillcrest
Cost: $10.00 donation, proceeds go to Gay Youth Center

Description: San Diego designer Fransisco Medagov will be holding a fashion show featuring gowns, capes and opera coats at the brand new Planet Rooth Studios Haus. The Winter Collection is titled 'Erté in the 21st Century'.

The title of the collection, and Medagov's inspiration for the Winter Collection, is inspired by French artist and designer Romain de Tirtoff, a 20th century French artist and designer who went by the pseudo-name of Erté. Theater and opera designs were but a few of Tirtoff's specialties.

Medagov's Fall Collection truly embodies the spirit of Tirtoff designs while keeping his unique style. This is a night nobody will want to miss.

Visit Medagov Couture's Facebook page here.

Fashion Goddess

THURSDAY: DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
Recommendation: Addie, TREND Staff StylistKate Moss has been dubbed best dressed woman of the year by American Vogue. Not only is she the best dressed, but she also designs incredible outfits. We recently received the bittersweet news that Moss's last collection was launched on the 2nd of this month. The collection features embroidered tops, flowery prints, hot pants and brilliantly sequenced jackets.

Get them while you can because this leading lady will go down in the fashion history books.

C'est Magnifique

UCSD's Best Dressed
Discovered by: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
Name: Maggie
Graduate Student
Orginally from: San Fransisco
Major: Literature
Spotted Near : Geisel Library

Outfit:
Brilliant Green Blouse: Anthropologie
Nostalgic Necklace: Gift from Mother
Chic Glasses: DKNY
Simply black skirt: Thrift Store
Tights: "Yoga tights from my closet!"
Combat Boots: Nordstrom

Q: Who or what is your fashion influence?
A: "Hmmm...definitely styles shown in French movies from the 60's! "

Although Maggie's green blouse is bright, it is not showy; it is both simple and modern. The French word "haute couture" means "trend-setting high fashion". Maggie is definitely a trend setter. People always say things sound cooler when the French say it, but in Maggie's case, it's her French Style that's c'est magnifique.

Directions: Apply Confidently

TUESDAY ACCESSORY
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff WriterBeauteous colors from bold to subtle can be discovered at Medusa Makeup. Love Missle, Liberace and Radioactive are just some of the delightful eyeshadow colors offered. With a diverse audience, Medusa Makeup has been featured in Gothic Magazines and more mainstream publications such as Nylon.

Karl Lagerfeld in His Own Words

Hem and Her

MONDAY MUSE
Recommendation: Addie, TREND Staff Stylist

Economy got you down? Hemlines are also cascading down this fall season. During times of economic wealth skirt lines get higher. One would think that less money means less clothing, but there is significant evidence for hemlines rising with the economy.

This trend is called the "hemline index". Economist George Taylor created this theory. Although it was created in 1926, this theory still holds true through stock market lows and highs. In much of 2010's fall collections, the longer hemline either echoes the 1950s fitted dresses or 1970's maxi dresses.

There is an excellent article about this topic here.

Picture One : Prada Fall 2010
Picture Two: Oscar De La Renta Fall 2010

Fashion Photography by Guy Bourdin

Induldge the Senses

FRIDAY: ALL DRESSED UP
WITH SOMEWHERE TO GO
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
This Saturday, both Yves Saint Laurent and Cosmo have teamed up together to give free makeovers at Nordstrom, South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. They are celebrating the release of the YSL's womens fragrance called Opium from 12-3 pm.
Not only are they giving makeovers, you will receive a Cosmo inspired picture of yourself to take home!

Silver Linings

THURSDAY: DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT
Recommendation: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer

http://www.pacorabanne.com/index2.php?lang=en

Paco Rabanne is a Franco-Spanish designer who has paved the way for designers of the world. When he was 18, he attended the National School of Art where he was inspired to make his very first accessories.

In 1966, his first collection featured unconventional materials such as metals and was amusingly titled 12 Dresses from the Material That Cannot Be Worn. Rabanne's collection was both revolutionary and daring. He introduced entirely new materials consequently opening the doors for even more creativity to flow through the fashion gates. He even made paper dresses that were sold in envelopes, playing with the idea of disposable clothing. Rabanne is an example of a true artistic visionary.

Cougar Boots

Cougar Tibet boots

As part of the Matchstick Influencer program, I tried out some Cougar boots and I have to say that from the moment I opened the box, I was both impressed and delighted. I was intrigued to see how these cool "outdoorsy" shoes would work for a city girl like me. 

In addition to being cute, the Tibet boots were dry as I ran through a downpour, stopping to jump in a puddle or two. I also love it's "faux sock" which is not just a cute detail, but actually kept the wind out and the warmth in. Next I tried the Ringo Star boots. Just like the Tibet boots, the Ringo Star boots are also incredibly comfortable and have a plush fleece lining with a soft fur trim. I'm already looking forward to stomping around in them when it snows, without worrying about soggy socks or frozen toes.

Winters in New York City can be brutal, so stylish boots that keep your feet dry and warm come rain, sleet or snow, are a must. Although my "great outdoors" is more about dodging taxicabs, than hiking mountains,  I've definitely found the perfect footwear to wear in my urban wilderness.

For more, check out cougarboots.com 

Cougar Ringo Star boots

Let Loose the Houndstooth

UCSD's Best Dressed
Discovered by: Bridgett, TREND Staff Writer
Name: Heather
College: Warren
Spotted Near : Pepper Canyon Hall

Outfit:
Hounds-tooth Jacket: Buffalo Exchange in Haight and Ashbury S.F.
Dark as Night Dress: Nordstrom "It's unusual for me to shop there but I liked this! I love to wear dresses."
Diamond Patterned Bag: Target
Black Ballet Flats: Charlotte Russe
Wonderfully Vintage Rings: "They were my mom's in the 70's"

Q: What is your take on fashion?
A: It always changes. Mood has a lot to do with that. Also, depending what my friends are into, I'll look into their stuff. We share our clothes and get ideas from each other.

Adding one touch of color to your outfit sometimes gives the added flair to an otherwise simple outfit. In this case, the black and orange cardigan complements the black ensemble, giving the outfit a very finished look.

Duck Under This Trend

TUESDAY ACCESSORY
Recommendation: Addie, TREND Staff StylistThe bubble umbrella is such a fun umbrella. Although they are all clear, some come with little designs like flowers lining the trim or a thick rim of color for embellishment. Not only are they aesthetically neat, but they are practical too. The half bubble shape more effectively covers your body by not opening as wide as a regular old umbrella does, therefore protecting your body from pesky side wind and rain.

Using this umbrella will have you singing in the rain!

Smarteez

Photo: Chris Saunders

It was a few months ago that I became really interested in the youth culture of South Africa, which resulted in my post on street fashion in Johannesburg . My curiosity lead me to a group of renegade South African fashionistos known as the Smarteez (pictured above and below). The four DIY fashion designers, Kepi, Sibu, Floyd and Thabo, pride themselves on having no restraints, which means that in addition to experimenting with colors and prints, they also use unexpected materials, such as curtains and tablecloths.  

Another thing interesting about the Smarteez, they refer to themselves as a design collective; and their focus is on group collaboration, rather than working independently. The Smarteez, aptly named as their unapologetically exuberant style has made them international indie fashion darlings, and will hopefully foster a sustained interest in up-and-coming African fashion labels.

Photo:  Nontsikelelo Veleko

Photo: Chris Saunders

Photo: Chris Saunders

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller

Photo: Jonty van Zeller