HOLIDAY LOOKBOOK 2016! (Jingle all the Way!)

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 Challenge Day 13: OOTD "Ugly Duckling"

Today's look is inspired by one of my favorite children's book, "The Ugly Duckling". The "duckling" which is a baby swan, is made fun of by other barn animals, and labeled as ugly. Growing up he is frustrated with the label of "ugly" and yearns for the day to become "beautiful". In the end, the duckling grows into a beautiful swan and all pain is forgotten and happily ever after is achieved.

However, I find the moral of the story a bit twisted, and I am here today to question the term ugly and beauty as interchangeable. After all, everything is subjective to preference, and sometimes what you perceive as ugly is simply your own inability to find the beauty that lies hidden.  Beauty can always be found within ugly and waiting for transformation, handicaps one to find those unexpected discoveries. A baby swan may not be as majestic and regal as a full grown swan but there is beauty in its own unexpected way. 

My look celebrates the signature grey tones found in a baby swan, mixed with various textures of lace, knits, and fur to get an effect of a cocoon type layering. 

xo,

Maya 

Fashion Challenge Day 10: OOTD "Tribal Influence"

Day 10 is an empowering look that makes me feel a bit like a warrior princess. The powerful tribal necklace was styled with a similar metallic belt and it adds a lot of power to a dress that can ordinarily be worn quite dainty and feminine. I decided a strong high pony was appropriate for such a strong look and opted for no other accessories. 

You would be surprised how what you wear can prepare, and change your mindset for the day. In this outfit, I felt powerful, independent, and ready to conquer the world. 

Take care.

xo,

Maya 

Fashion Challenge Day 9: OOTD "If I Were a Snowflake"

If I were a snowflake and became a girl, I imagine this is what I would wear. The necklace has an icy, crystal effect, and the scarf is adorned with 3 dimensional circles and tiny white beads. The headband is made of silk and embellished with hand beaded pearls. The top is cropped with a back hoodie, and embellished with tiny crocheted balls throughout the sweater.  The entire look, celebrates the essence of Winter, and yet it is still light and cool for me to wear in sunny beach weather. The best of both world's? I think so. 

xo,

Maya

Fashion Challenge Day 2: OOTD "Going to an Art Exhibition"

Fashion Challenge Day 2 is an artsy look based on pushing my creative limits. Today, I was loving this electric blue transparent top by Gianfranco Ferre. The top creates amazing lines against the skin, and I matched it with a light cropped sweater to add some interesting textures. The sweater on top, is actually worn back words, with the brand label removed. It gives a very nice ballerina effect, and becomes a sexy  low back. This is a technique I have used for years, and it doubles your wardrobe immediately. Don't hesitate to take your clothes and flip it around, pull it inside out, or wear it upside down. You maybe surprised how amazing it may look. 

xo,

Maya

Blogmas Day 21: Holiday Colors verses Winter Style

With Winter officially upon us for the third day, it has me thinking about the irony between the glamour and glitz of Christmas, verses the quiet, serene nature of Winter itself. 

Normally, I always receive my fashion cues from Nature. Whatever, the seasons are doing, regarding, textures, colors, and design, is what I go by. This sense of dressing with the movements of the Earth help me feel grounded to the Earth and in tune with the world as a part of me rather than where I live. 

However, December is the one month in in the entire year, I go against the hushed tones of a darkening Autumn, and silent Winter. I look at December as the sparkly exception to my golden fashion rule. 

Christmas is all about playful bold colors, glitz, and light. I find myself, being bold and desiring warm fiery tones, and adding sparkling glitzy accessories. It is a month of love, celebration, joy and hope. I believe it is a needed necessity for the bridge into the darkest season of the year. The entire act of adding Christmas lights, to a tree that has lost it's leaves and color, is a way we add hope and joy to  the finale of another year. 

However, this does not mean Winter is not beautiful in itself. In fact, it  is one of the most self reflecting, and  serenely beautiful. Winter style is more relaxed and toned down. I find myself craving mostly grays, black, white, and darker tones after the Holidays have passed. 

x,

Maya

Blogmas Day 11: OOTD Visiting Santa

What's a girl to wear when visiting Santa? 

Firstly, comfort is always important. I had a rehearsal today, so I didn't bother with any jewelry. The dress is an ultra soft knit, and the whole look was easy and relaxed. 

My dress is actually a dress belonging to my mom. She wore it when she was a teenager and it was a gift from her younger brother. I find the whole story about the dress rather intriguing and mesmerized by amazing it still looks. The colors are not faded, and all the stitching is still perfect. 

The shoes were featured in a previous blogmas, and how I jazz up a pair of shoes. (FYI You cannot imagine how many people have stopped me to compliment the shoes. Definitely check out that post.)

The bag is from Nepal and was also featured in my Holiday Bag Collection. 

xo,

Maya

FH 4: Designing Winter Accessories with Recycled Materials

                 "MIDNIGHT FALLING SNOWFLAKES"

           SWEATER NECKLACE by MAYA HORIKAWA

FASHION-HEART: DAY 4

To read about Fashion-Heart click here: FASHION-HEART

"MIDNIGHT FALLING SNOWFLAKES", is a sweater necklace inspired by bittersweet memories of falling snow at midnight. Snowflakes flutter through the air, and touch you softly. No two are a like, and remain a constant reminder to the beauty of individuality. 

Made of 100% cashmere, all materials were recycled from previously worn items. Just as there are no two identical snowflakes, this wintery accessory is also one of a kind. A perfect accessory to wear with other knits, and a fun way to add textures to any winter look.

All beads come from a old bracelet, and the 3D effect is accomplished by the layering of beads on top of each other, giving the visual effect of falling snowflakes.

The cashmere portion came from my project which i featured yesterday. To read about it please click here OLD SWEATER MAKE OVER: CROP it!