BEING ANTI-SOCIAL AND HOW FASHION TRENDS CAN HELP

Are you Anti-Social? If you said, "Yes", how do you feel about fashion trends? 

Most likely, if you are anything like my anti-social self, you will detest any inclination of following any type of "popular" idea. I value individualism and have always pushed the importance of remaining pure to your thoughts and creativity, despite the popular pull of the majority.  

However, lately I catch myself getting more and more reclusive, and deeper into my isolated ideology, and it made me think. 

How beneficial can you be, without a decent understanding of popular social instincts?

Anti-social people, often feel like they don't belong anywhere, and the natural response is to isolate. Instead of living in a comfortable cave, why not use fashion trends for a bit of help. Think of it as extending an olive branch back into society. 

Anti-Social: 

Antagonistic to sociable instincts. 

  Fashion Trends: 

   A popular social habit found in the practice of what people wear at a given time. 

The thing is, fashion trends represent the "popular" mindset of society and its reaction to the current state of the world. Just as Art is the most honest description of all historical time periods, there is no denying fashion trends are equally representative to the expressive summary of its given moment. 

This does not mean you should copy a fashion trend like a brainless zombie and start looking like everyone else.  It simply means to be "inspired" by a fashion trend and make it your  own. For example, chokers have made a huge come back as one of the biggest fashion trends of 2016. Everyone was rocking them 90's style with ripped boyfriends jean, white Tee, and Dior sunnies. Instead of picking the same fashion algorithm, keep a LOT of you while adding a bit of everyone else. 

Take care and much Love.

Maya

KIM KARDASHIAN'S VIRAL EFFECT ON #FASHION WEEK ?

 Kim Kardashian is a media mogul and with over 84 million Instagram followers she is social media royalty. Seen at nearly every major fashion show of SS 2017, Kim K's presence weighed heavily at this years fashion week.

What are the pros and cons?

PROS

Publicity, publicity, publicity! 

The sole purpose for inviting Kim Kardashian, is for her undeniably strong media power. Whether it be her reality show, or her social media platforms, one tweet, photo, or shout-out, can yield instant success. 

In other words, MONEY can be made.

CONS

Drama, drama, drama!

Oh, the drama! There is no surprise that a seasoned reality pro will be dragging a LOT of drama everywhere she goes. 

Take for example,  her recent robbery during Paris Fashion week. 

Media coverage normally warranted to the biggest fashion houses of Paris, were completely out shined by the chaos over her multi million dollar heist.

Everywhere the Kardashian clan arises there is a media circus that causes chaos, confusion and misdirection. 

So the question is,

 how beneficial is Kim Kardashian's presence at Fashion Week?

Lets think for one second, not with our wallets, but with our minds and our artistic souls. How much do we sell, until we realize we have nothing left?  Every #NYFW, or fashion review, has some form of Kardashian take over, and it leaves you questioning, the price that fashion has paid.

Is it really worth the publicity, if fashion itself, dies in the social media game?

xo,

Maya

#NYFW: DISTORTED REALITY IN THOM BROWNE SS2017

THOM BROWNE SS2017 is a wonderland of contradictions, and surprises.

Inspired by the fun, poolside parties of the 60's and 70's, the color palette and pattern choices are bright,  psychedelic, and wild. 

However, the models themselves,  are rather reserved, unemotional, and robotic, completely contradicting the "fun" pool party vibe. 

THE ROBES

The show starts by the models coming out in brightly colored robes, hair caps and handbags. 

They then quickly reveal an entirely different collection beneath their robes.

 SUITS MUTATION

Thom Browne who is famous for his tailored suits, has mutated the concept into a modern wet suit. Playing around with dimensions he has mimicked the impression of a 2 dimensional outfit while confusing the eye as it is worn by a 3 dimensional model. 

The models then unzip their dresses to reveal the final surprise.

PATRIOTIC SWIMWEAR

The finale consists of models undressing and then sitting "poolside" in rather patriotic swimwear. 

Could this entire collection of "fun" pool party vibes be masking some political thoughts? 

LADY LIBERTY?

Throughout the show, there was one model who was elegantly dressed in a subdued silver gown, resembling the Statue of Liberty and reminding me of a costume Elton John once wore.

Could she be the reference to the Statue of Liberty?

As an icon of freedom and  the welcoming site to past immigrants, the Statue of Liberty signifies many important American symbols. Such references would mean a hidden deeper meaning to this entire collection.

Just my thoughts,

xo,

Maya

#NYFW INSPIRES AMAZING NAIL ART ON INSTAGRAM

New York Fashion Week, is a week filled with fashion inspiration. While most media outlets and fashion magazines focus on what is on the runway, let us take a moment to celebrate talented artists who create from these inspirations. 

To my surprise the nail art featured on NYFW runaways are rather boring compared to the talent found on #INSTAGRAM!

Check out and follow these amazing nail artists that create mind blowing fashion nails!

xo,

Maya

@kayleighjeana

@8arukono

@lisapetitenails

@nailfolio

@rankowatari

FWI: From Blouse to Bag in Less than 60 Seconds!

Fashion Week of Innovation:

Transforming a blouse into a bag, is something I discovered one day when I had much too much to hold and nowhere to put it. My brain started to click, and I noticed that my sweater had arms long enough to become a strap. The main body of my blouse resembled the shape of a bag, and the bottom of the blouse needed to be closed. I then grabbed the hair tie from my pony tail, and in less than 60 seconds, a bag was born!

See my easy, 2 step transformation process from blouse to bag all under  60 seconds. No cutting, or sewing is necessary and all changes are completely reversible. 

Step 1: Pull your blouse inside out, and use a normal hair tie, to securely close the bottom portion of the blouse. (above photo) 

Step 2: Tie the sleeves together in a secure knot, creating a strap.

Voila! In a matter of seconds you have transformed a blouse into a beautiful bag! 

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya

2015 Fashion Week of Innovation

2015 Fashion Week of Innovation, will be featured on Talk Fashion for one week starting tomorrow. It is a campaign I have created to celebrate all things innovative in fashion.

It is my goal through this campaign to open the eyes of my readers, and start a new wave of innovative thinking regarding fashion style. What you see and what you know, is not simply the only possibility. 

The truth is, now a days you can find pretty much any type of fashion item you could wish for. A mass production of every color dress, skirt, pant, pantsuit, and whatever else you can imagine exists. Unfortunately, with so much innovation found in products, innovation created in the head and heart is left undeveloped. 

In fact, how we view fashion in general is still rather primitive. For example, when we deal with food, we are highly innovative. 

Take an apple for example, we see endless possibilities. You can transform it into apple butter, apple pie, dried apples, apple chips, apple soap, and the  list goes on. 

Now think of a fashion item in your closet. 

A shirt is meant only to be a shirt, as a skirt is meant only as a a skirt. A dress is worn once and then left hanging as you are left uninspired in wearing it again.  However, the possibilities of new outfits, does not exist in how much you buy but in the abilities of your own  innovation. 

Stay tuned all week as I blow your mind on a whole new way to look at your wardrobe and breathe life into fashion with unlimited possibilities. 

xo,

Maya 

Violin Inspires the Fashion Runway

              Jean Paul Gaultier, Fall 2010 Haute Couture Show

                     Chloe, Violin Dress by Karl Lagerfeld, 1983 

            Stephane Rolland, Haute Couture Spring 2013 Paris

            "Le Violon d'Ingres" Inspires Fashion Collections

 "Le Violon d'Ingres", 1924 (left) is a iconic photograph by Man Ray, inspired by French painter,Jean Auguste Domingue's, "La Grande Baigneuse" (right). 

Both works of Art depict the beauty of the female form. Like a violin, Man Ray has depicted the similarities in lines and curves that exist on the female body. 

Just as Man Ray was inspired by Domingue, his photograph has continued its inspiration into such modern day collections as Viktor & Rolf, and Agatha Ruiz de la Prada.

          Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Milan Fashion Week (2009) 

                                 Viktor & Rolf 2008, 2011

For those of you who may have followed my blog from the beginning, you would know that my first passion is the violin. I was classically trained in Europe and it is something extremely personal to me. For any violinist, a violin is like a relationship. Each violin is completely different and very much alive.

 It is even said to be the nearest instrument to the human voice, distinguishing genders by the different ranges of colors and tones capable by each unique voice. The inspiration is limitless and the voice is the purest form of emotion. It is no surprise, modern day fashion designers are continuously inspired by the beauty of a Violin.

 

                                         Violin Inspired 

                                   Shoes by  Kobi Levi

Specially designed for the "8 variations for Stradivari" exhibition at Cremona, Italy (May 2013), this style is Kobi's view of the classic instrument. The brown leather mimics the warmness of carved wood and with "strings" up the heel and F-shaped "holes" on the insole and sole, the transformation into a shoe shape is complete. 

                Corset Belt : Victorian Muse, mahogany leather

Tokyo Fashion Week Street Style 2014

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2014 Tokyo

Tokyo Fashion Week is a fashion festival held twice a year,hosted by JFW Organization. In March and October, collections from famous Japanese designers are born, and trends for next season are set.

The "slogan" for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO, was to become a gateway for designers to be showcased to the world. It is also a time when fashion lovers take to the street to showcase  their interpretation of fashion trends, and interpretation on what fashion means to them. Always innovative and creative, there is never a dull moment.

Elegant and stylish, the pop of color is done beautifully. I am loving the sleekness and simplicity of their looks, while still remaining elegant and modern.

Quirky and whimsical. These two looks showcase their individual uniqueness in a way that their personal style is celebrated.

These guys are killing it with their mixture of futuristic lines, blended with the classic black white traditions. The pop of color seen in the socks are a fun touch that gives playful and serious a new look.

I appreciate the following looks, for the artsiness, and commitment to the art form. However, this is borderline costume, and I can't help but see "Charlie and the Chochlate Factory" and "Lord of the Rings". 

Surprisingly, these two looks I like. It is completely, aesthetically not my cup of tea. However, it is interesting, and well down. 

Honestly, what happened here? Let me make one thing clear, I have a strong dislike for people who appreciate or create fashion simply for "shock value". Yes, mixing textures, colorblocking, and the layered look is "trendy", but it doesn't mean you should ever do them all at once. 

x

Maya

RED Valentino Spring 2014

                                          

RED VALENTINO Spring 2014 is sweet  innocent, playful, and feminine. For those of you who may not know, RED Valentino is a label created within the Valentino house to celebrate whimsical, quirky style. Like the adorable little sister of Valentino Couture, it is always elegant and feminine. However, this label has a "cuteness" that skips with freshness and youth. 

The "Ballerina" inspiration is again celebrated in this collection as it was also seen in the Couture Show. Floral textiles are found throughout, and soft pastels are the color palette for this adorable season.

For those of you who want to capture the essence of this collection but cannot afford it. Try finding, ballet flats with bows, a floral skirt, and a bouncy chiffon mini skirt.

x

m

In Love with Sorelli!

Love-U-ary Day 5

Sorrelli is a family-owned jewelry design company based out of Kutztown, Pennsylvania. The Sorrelli team has been designing hand-made, exquisite fashion jewelry with Swarovski crystal and semi-precious stones since 1983. www.sorrelli.com

These statement gems, have an old world, antique, inspiration that will surely set you apart from the typical "necklace" you find in a local shop. They are made in the highest quality and the company gives a lifetime jewelry guarantee to all their products!

x

m

Emerald Green

Emerald! Green is back and it has arrived with a vengence. Whether it be emerald green, or plain ordinary green, this is the color to add to your wardrobe. It is a beautiful way to add instant color to a look, without, overpowering the styles of Autumn. If you have trouble comitting to the color green, buy a small accessory, such as earings or a scarf and gently slide it into your wardrobe. If you are bolder, why not try an emerald coat or boots for this season? xx - m