FASHION BLOGGING AT #NYFW

For any fashion lover, the opportunity to be invited to New York Fashion Week, is some what of a dream. There is a mysterious glamour to the world of fashion, intertwining itself with celebrities, power, beauty, and self expression. 

As a fashion blogger at NYFW, the experience is what you make of it. If you just want to wear a pretty dress, take some photos, and give a rather vapid statement about "liking" a collection you know nothing about, then your contribution to the fashion world is rather meaningless. 

However, if you want to take full advantage of your coveted NYFW pass, you must consider your 3 main responsibilities. 

1.) DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before attending the selected shows, do your research. Know what your designer is about, and their style aesthetic. See past collections of what they have done and build your knowledge of what they are about. This will help you understand their collection better and if you are given an opportunity to speak to the designer you actually have valid topics to discuss. 

2.) TAKE INTERESTING PHOTOS

One of the hardest things about being a fashion blogger at NYFW, is the ability to juggle the job of writer and photographer. You have one shot and thats it.You are responsible for finding interesting content, and equally intriguing photographs, simultaneously. Other challenges lie in bad camera angles, unflattering lighting, and timing. Be sure to stay calm and search for interesting moments in the show.

3.) IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Be sure to check out each look in its' entirety. Meaning, hair, makeup, nails, and accessories. Many times it is in these details that the most interesting fashion ideas are found. 

Stay tuned for more NYFW reviews!

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily: Style from Oktoberfest?

 Happy Oktoberfest!

When we think of Oktoberfest we think of beer. It is one of the largest festivals in the world, and it attracts nearly 6 million visitors from all around the world. 

However, as I am not keen on beer, my focus is on the fashion. Specifically, the traditional Bavarian attire of Lederhosen, and Dirndl. 

                                         LEDERHOSEN

Lederhosen are traditional breeches usually made from leather. They can be found short or at knee length. The longer ones are usually called Bundhosen or Kniedhosen. 

They mimic the playfulness of overalls, while maintaining a nostalgia of bavarian history. 

Lately, I have been loving wearing brown leather shorts, with a chiffon, cream blouse. The look is "lederhosen inspired".

                              

                                                DIRNDL

A dirndl is a traditional dress worn in Bavaria. It consists of a bodice, blouse, full skirt and apron. While appearing to be simple and plain, a modern dirndl can be quite intricate and expensive. The look is playful, sweet, and feminine. 

Although, I do not go around sporting an apron, I am inspired by the beauty of a a full circle skirt, and a ruffled blouse under a fitted corset. 

Join me everyday for more Fall Style!

xo,

Maya 

Fall Daily: Style Inspired by Poetry of John Keats?

Fashion inspiration is found in unlikely places. Why not poetry? 

The beautiful words of John Keats, and his descriptive vision of an Autumnal walk, are filled with bundles of creative inspiration on the very essence of Fall. Like a sweet melancholic melody, let the words of Keats inspire you!

"To Autumn" by English Poet, John Keats, was composed near Winchester.  Ironically, it became his final work in a group of poems known as Keat's, 1819 Odes, and he passed away a little over a year after its publication.

To Autumn

by John Keats

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?

Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find

Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,

Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;

Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,

Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook

Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:

And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep

Steady thy laden head across a brook;

Or by a cider-press, with patient look,

Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,-

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn

Among the river sallows, borne aloft

Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;

Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft

The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;

And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

WHEN POETIC INTERPRETATION MEETS FASHION:

"While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;" (To Autumn; Keats)

"To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,"

 (To Autumn; Keats)

"Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun" (To Autumn; Keats)

Join me everyday for more Fall Style! (Posting everyday in October and November)

xo,

Maya

Fall Daily: Style from Apples?

There is nothing quite like apple picking during Fall. The crisp cool air, mixed with the sweet aromas of baskets and baskets of ripe apples! There will be apple pie, apple cider, apple strudel, apple jam, apple cider, and the list goes on. Fall just wouldn't be the same without these shiny bundles of crisp sweetness. 

Apple style is absorbing the essence of apple as a character, and submerging it into fashion style. Apples by nature are sweet, crisp, playful, beautiful, resilient, and multifunctional.

 First start by using the color scheme of  red, green, or yellow, and partner it with a cool crisp, white color. 

Keep it simple, and playful, while always remember the simplicity of the apple itself. An apple never tries too hard nor takes itself too seriously. It is effortless, cool, and a bit studious. 

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Have you been getting your daily dose of an apple?

Join me everyday for more Fall Style! (Posting everyday in October and November)

xo,

Maya

5 Steps on Dressing Like a Runway Girl!

In the spirit of New York Fashion Week, lets talk runway!

5 Steps on Dressing Like a Runway Girl

Step 1:

Think like a runway girl. 

Your life is no longer a monotonous day, filled with dreaded steps. View your life as a stage, and you are the star. Walk a little straighter, strut a little harder, and be fierce!

The attitude you feel, is projecting much harder than you realize. 

Step 2: 

Clothes, shoes, accessories!

Analyze your wardrobe by Season. Put away all your Spring/Summer wardrobe, and display only Fall/Winter wear. Creating an entire outfit contains: shoes, accessories, socks, bag, and outfit. Organize a look together, with the accompanying shoe below it. Runway Backstage is chaotic, but the clothes are not. Life is also chaotic, so stay organized!

Step 3:

Hair

Don't forget your hair! Your hair is a crucial part of your look . You can be as eccentric as you wish, or as minimal as you desire, but don't forget it!

Most people do not realize, how powerful their hair style is. A lot of your character projected, is influenced by how you style your hair. 

A short bob, cut with straight lines, creates a harsher look, and makes you look powerful, while long soft waves, creates a more romantic softer look. 

Step 4:

Make up!

Know when to add drama to your face and when to pull it down. One of my most favorite qualities on the runway, is the use of the most natural make-up juxtaposed to the most theatrical. Make up is not always about making yourself prettier. Sometimes it is about creating a vibe, or "character". 

When people normally put on their make up they are thinking about hiding imperfections and fooling the world that  they are some how flawless. What about character?

Why not approach make up in a more theatrical way? What do you feel today? Sexy? Modest? Sweet? Powerful? Crazy? 

Step 5:

Nails!

If I am completely honest, I do not like nail polish. However, I cannot tell you enough, your nails are part of the entire look. Whether it be the most minimal nail, to the most dramatic, the attention to these small details, bring your look to the next level. A tiny bit of color on the tips of your finger, add just the right touch of movable color. 

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya

Fall Styling Obsession: Cuffs and Bangles!

As I mentally prepare my Fall line up, I realized I am currently loving cuffs and bangles. This is a new discovery for me, since all my attention in the past had gone to statement necklaces and earrings. What's so great about dressing up the wrists?

For One, as the weather gets colder, your neck does not want to be exposed and styling up the wrists allows you to keep warm. 

Two. It is a super easy way to take a boring turtle neck sweater top, with jeans, and transform it into high style. Just add an awesome statement cuff, cool boots, a hat, and you are picture ready.

Three. It is an effortless look that does not try too hard. Beautiful earrings or statement necklaces are gorgeous but I always feel it requires you to have the right make up and hairstyle. 

Four. Unlike earrings and necklaces, decorating the wrists, draws your eye away from your face, giving your face and hair a much needed break.

I enjoy wearing cuffs and bangles with a messy bun, minimal make up, loose black poncho, black leggings and a funky shoe. It is definitely my "i'm not trying" style, because Im really not. 

How are you guys getting ready for Fall Style?

xo,

Maya

Review: My 2015 Winter Style

This Winter I challenged myself by documenting 15 days of  what I wore. The purpose of the challenge was to approach 2015 with a new attitude and to push my limits of creativity.

Today, I have decided to review this Fashion Challenge and share with you what I learned and currently love from my Winter style. 

Currently Loving:

My Wintery color palette finds me loving black, white and grey. I enjoyed the textured patterns of knit fabrics, stripes, embroidery, and pops of color. I normally, am never known to wear black, but this year it seemed to be appropriate to my current mood. Nearly 90% of my Winter style contained partial black elements. During darker days, I found myself craving bursts of color.  Pops of electric blue, turquoise, magenta, and golden oranges can be found in my style. 

What I Learned: 

How you stand or pose for a picture, greatly effects the proportions of the body. It was a huge wake up call to see how angles can lengthen you or chop you in half.  Knowing where the camera is and how to take a good shot is truly a learning experience. 

Currently, what are you guys loving this Winter? 

xo,

❤

Maya

Fashion Shows: Life Backstage

Lights, Camera, Fashion! 

Every season designers parade their collection down exquisite runways, in front of Editors, buyers, celebrities, and socialites. These "fashion shows" last anywhere from 10-25 minutes, but take months of preparation from literally, an "Army" of people. What exactly happens backstage in the shadows of the blaring runway lights?

                                         BACKSTAGE

Backstage life is basically a rare form of organized chaos. There are literally tons of people scrambling around with a specific job, and everything works in a strange chaotic harmony.  Make-up stations are neatly set up in rows, and blaring lights. 

There are always crowds of people. From models, hair stylist, nail artists, reporters, camera men, assistants, interns, journalists,etc. 

Perhaps the life blood of runway organization, is centered around the polaroid  boards. These boards can always be spotted backstage at any fashion show and include head shots of all the models and what they will wear. Usually, they will also be placed in the order they will appear on the runway, to help with order placement. 

Like flies on honey, you can see herds of people swarming around models. Whether it be hair, make-up, last minute touchups, pinning, sewing, finding a shoe, or the right bag, it takes an army to dress one model. 

Steamers. If you have never seen a steamer, you will definitely know what one is by simply going backstage. Almost always you can spot an intern steaming up a storm near a rack of clothes.

Each model has a designated portion on a rack. Their outfits are neatly put together, with a board attached to it. On this board there is their name, directions of their outfit, how it should be styled, and when it will go out. 

Make-up is something planned and discussed months in advance. You can almost always spot these face sketches taped to the mirrors of make-up artist. They are basically the guidelines of the colors, shadows, and rouges, discussed for the look of their model. 

Lastly, there is almost always chaos at the lining up of models in the correct order. Some one with a head piece yelling for some model is just a day in the life backstage.

TOKYO Fashion Show Defies Gravity!

The "Sky Fashion Show" was held on May 7, 2014, in Tokyo's exclusive fashion district, Ginza. 

7 performers dressed in GUCCI, were harnessed in wires, while they walked face down the SONY building measuring 42 Meters. They then continued in acrobatic style, mimicking something you would see on the "Matrix" or "Cirque du Soleil".

The event was hosted by Japanese publishing house, Shogakukan INC, in collaboration with Gucci. They were celebrating the 10 Year Anniversary of their Fashion Magazine, 'Precious'.

PRESS:

The best way to describe this event, is PR STUNT. The whole point of the event was to gather media coverage and attract a lot of international attention. 

Here is the problem. Yes, they succeeded in getting our attention but they failed in their preparation of a true runway. Any documented photos were much too far away, at a poor angle and poorly lit. 

The GUCCI galore worn by the performers might as well have been dirty sweats because nothing was was at all visible. They should have considered how photos or videos would be documented and then distributed to the press and social media. All photos fail to show any details, leaving only a blur over the fabulous Gucci creations, 

If it were up to me, I would have hooked up a "Go Pro" type camera on the performers as they suspend down the building. This way we can have a view of what they are seeing. It would also be interesting to have a camera that is pointed towards them so we can actually see the details in their amazing Gucci couture, and then project it on a jumbo screen from all to see.  After all, it is a "Fashion Show" whats the point if you can't see the clothes?

          2014 GUCCI Collection featured in Japan Campaign. 

                                      GUCCI 2014 RUNWAY

Majestical Jewelry Review & Giveaway!

    http://www.majestical.com/

I was recently contacted by Majestical Jewelry to review their jewelry line, and these golden earrings, instantly reminded me of the fantastic Spring Collection by Dolce & Gabbana! My choice of clothing and styling is all inspired by this fantastic collection!

Regarding Majestical Jewelry as a recommendable jewelry line, I would say, absolutely. I think it is a fantastic company that makes statement pieces at affordable prices. Every piece of jewelry is sent to you in a beautiful black box with a little satin bag. 

My earrings catch the light beautifully and give the same "impression" as the coined jewelry of D&G. 

The weight of the earring is also much lighter, which I appreciate because sometimes luxury brands weigh very heavy and cause much discomfort over time. However, the quality is of course what you pay for. I would compare this line of jewelry as equal to "H&M". Probably not the most longest lasting, but fun to play around with. 

    Inspired by Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2014

This Spring, get yourself some amazing golden earrings and style it casual or ultra glam! 

Majestical Jewelry is offering all of you a promotional code for $15 off orders $55 or more. The code is 15DOLLARSOFF . http://www.majestical.com/

GIVEAWAY! Majestical Jewelry has also gifted me with one gift card worth $20 for one of you. All you need to do is be subscribed to me on Bloglovin' and Instagram. My Instagram is Mayahorikawa. Leave a comment about jewelry, and one winner will be chosen by the end of April. 

x

m

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How to Get the Make-Up look of Dolce & Gabbana Spring!

“THE PURE AND DELICATE IMAGES OF BLOSSOMING ALMOND TREES, PRINTED AND HAND-PAINTED ON OUR CLOTHES, WERE THE CREATIVE INFLUENCE BEHIND THE MAKEUP AS WELL. THIS IS HOW WE SEE THE DOLCE&GABBANA WOMAN: NATURAL, HER FACE GENTLY GLOWING IN THE MILD SPRING SUNSHINE, HER LIPS BROUGHT TO THE FORE IN CORAL PINK OR RED.”

DOMENICO DOLCE AND STEFANO GABBANA

The FACE of D&G this Spring is very natural, full of shine and a sense of a feminine glow. I have collected the exact products used for their Spring 2014 runway show, and hope this will inspire you to try it out. 

Good Luck!

x

m

EYES: Sticking to neutrals with touches of glimmer and soft pinks and purples, this Spring Make-up look is fresh, natural, and vibrant.

               Eyeshadow Quad Desert 123

                     Eyeshadow Quad: Golds 123

LIPS: Sweet "berry" toned lips that give just a touch of color to a fresh face. 

                       Classic cream: Bellissima 515

               

                          Classic Cream: Traviata

NAILS:

                                      Pure Nude 215