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Spring Lookbooks

March is officially here, along with spring lookbooks in my mailbox. Bright colors, floral prints, and sundresses are on the horizon, and I don’t know about you but I’m dying to put my spring wardrobe together!

So what are designers and stores giving us this season? It seems like they all have their own tastes and styles this year that cater to many unique spring looks. So who is your spring muse, and where are you going to find outfits for this season? I have put together some of my favorite pieces from the Nasty Gal, Free People, and H&M spring collections so you can get some inspiration from what these designers and stores have to offer.

Fashion Illustration Muses

Many believe that fashion is only what one wears, but fashion is also an art form with many different branches. From fashion photography to runway to visual displays to illustration, there are many different careers and medias that fashion belongs to and takes part in.

Fashion illustration is an ancient art form that has been around since clothing. Until the 1930s Vogue would pay different artists to illustrate the cover, and when one went shopping or flipped through a fashion magazine they saw illustrations advertising garments instead of photographs.

Nowadays fashion illustrations have been taken over by fashion photography, but that doesn’t mean illustration doesn’t exist. There are many artists today who call themselves fashion illustrators and create modern work published in magazines and on websites.

Fashion illustration has a whimsical and fairytale-like nature. The artists use many different mediums including paint, drawing and even digital programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Many artists use mixed media to create an imaginative and dreamlike piece, with just enough reality to tell a story. The dreamlike nature of fashion illustration is what sets it apart from photographs.

Cate Parr, Sandra Suy, and Elisa Mazzone are a few of my favorite fashion illustrators. Take a look at their illustrations below and find some inspiration. Not only are they artists, they are also fashion designers who create characters and muses to dress.

DIY: Crop Top out of an old T-shirt

Last weekend’s 70-degree temperatures got me in the mood for spring. I started going through my closet and pulling out all of my favorite dresses and shorts, but just like with any new season I started longing for new clothes. Instead of going shopping I decided to get creative and turn old clothes into new.

This season a huge trend is crop tops. They were a big hit at the spring New York Fashion Week last fall, and I’m starting to see them pop up in boutiques and street styles. They go perfect with a pair of high-waisted shorts or a skirt, and give off a super-cute vintage, summertime feel.

But who knew it was so easy to make one out of an old T-shirt? I put together a DIY project with step-by-step instructions to make your very own crop top out of an old T-shirt. Have fun!

Highlights of NYFW fall 2013

Twice a year designers, models, fashion enthusiasts and everyone in between head to New York City to celebrate new collections and runway shows. New York Fashion week started in 1943, and has been growing ever since this year having 90 emerging and classic designers. A grand number of 100,000 were in attendance of the runway shows and whirlwind of events to follow making it one of the biggest fashion weeks yet. 

Sadly I was not able to attend being across the country, but luckily 2013 marked the first year the show could be streamed online for the world to see. This week I have been religiously streaming the runway shows, finding inspiration for fall fashion while being enthused by the wildly entertaining collections designers have created. 

I have put together a list of some of my own favorite moments and collections of the 2013 fashion week so you can be entertained and inspired too incase you haven’t been watching. 

1. Marc Jacobs

Fur and sequins dominated Marc Jacobs fall collection. Fun, sexy, and chic this collection contained lots of blues, blacks, and whites. The pieces can be worn on and off the runway, with everything from business casual to evening wear. There will be no winter blues with all of the sequins this collection has. 







Sequins and fur dominate the Marc Jacobs fall collection. Photo courtesy of The Sartorialist. 

Nostra Style House

 Inside  “Nostra Style House” you will find a selection of unique and trendy women’s apparel. Being not even a year old it’s no wonder why they won the Phoenix New Times “Best New Boutique” award.

To start the new year off Nostra decided to spice things up and relocate from their 6th street location into their new location not too far away on Roosevelt. They saw an opening for the space, and couldn’t help but fall in love with the more urban feel. The interior of the shop is kept simple, only painted black and white, which really allows the colorful clothing and accessories to stand out.

Teeki: Eco-conscious and Wildy Adorable

When I’m not writing my fashion blog or going to school I am a die-hard yoginni, and the new recent obsession in my closet are my “hot pants” made by Teeki.

Teeki “hot pants” are sustainable, wildly adorable, and extremely comfortable. They are a must-have for any active or eco-conscious fashionista.

Mercantile: Daring and classic vintage in downtown phoenix

Doubling as a vintage boutique and salon, Mercantile is a center for style in downtown Phoenix.

Mercantile offers men’s and women’s vintage clothing and accessories, along with handmade local goods, and awesome hair cuts!

“Classically timeless and refreshingly current.  Resourceful and sophisticated. Effortlessly tasteful,” is how Shauna Thibault, owner of Mercantile, describes her shop. With the number of rare finds I have from this local shop I couldn’t help but agree with Thibault, and it is no surprise that the pieces are hand-picked with nothing but good taste.

DIY: Revamp an old pair of leggings

Leggings are my savior, especially in these winter months. They are comfy, cute, and go with anything. Pair with a tunic or sweater and you’re set for the day; it’s no wonder why I have an outrageous amount of them stuffed in my drawers.

Patterned leggings have been a huge hit in the last few years, and it doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere anytime soon. Simple or daring, there are a numerous amount of styles and patterns I’ve seen; but who knew it was so simple to make your own?

Tempe Street Style

Top Editorials of 2012

2012 Lookbook Recap from Gabi Nelson on Vimeo.

It’s a new year and a new semester, which always means a recap of the previous one. January brings change, a fresh start, and new inspiration for La Moda Gabrielle; But before I dive into the fashion of 2013 it’s time to say one last goodbye to 2012 and thank it for being good to me. It’s strange to think that someday 2012 will be vintage.

Kate: The Kate Moss Book

Rebel, unique beauty, grunge queen, and my all time favorite fashion icon, the ‘90s child in me couldn’t help but snag a copy of Kate Moss’s self written book Kate: The Kate Moss Book.

Inside her newest book you will find 400 pages of photographs, editorials, and stories from the almost three decades she was a part of the fashion industry, all the way from Kate in her teenage years to the present. This coffee table book is really a piece of art in itself and is highly retrospective of the model.

Meditation: Tips and Tricks for a Beginner

The purpose of asana, or the physical practice, in yoga is to ready your body for sitting meditation.

Meditation used to be my least favorite part of yoga. I heard many people rant and rave about the practice, and all of the benefits that came along with it. But to me the thought of sitting in the same position for a long period of time seemed like torture, and I was fearful of silence for too long. 

As my asana and pranayama practice has grown so has my meditation. I now find myself loving and craving it; It really allows my mind to be cleansed and purified from all the distractions in daily life. 

Through mediation I become an observer of my mind, like an outsider looking in to my own thoughts. As my mind goes blank, I look into my third eye and feel my intuition, finding control to my reactions and awareness to what is really going on inside. Answers can truly be found in silence, but you won't find them unless you try first. 

Here are some tips and tricks I have learned through my journey of meditation that will hopefully help you on your journey. Take what you need, and leave behind what you don't to find your own inner peace.

De Anastacia

From drawings to photographs, the magazine industry has reached a new era. Photo by Natasha Wilson.

Fashion magazines have always been illustrated, but not until the end of the nineteenth century was the medium switched over from drawings to photographs. Photographs brought the pages to life– unlike the drawings– and inspiration flourished creating a whole new industry.

In today’s image-based and virtual culture, photos are spread like wildfire. Instead of having a monthly editorial in a magazine, editorials and look-books are posted weekly and sometimes even daily.

Designers and stores are using the medium more than ever to display and sell their merchandise. Fashion magazines like Vogue and Elle depend on pictures as much as words; photographers are in the same league as the designers and writers.

In this fast past society it is important to stay fresh and innovative. Fashion photography describes a generation, and trends thrive from a good spread.

DIY: Anthropologie inspired bracelet

The gift giving season has officially started, which to me usually means pulling out my craft box and putting my creative mind to use.

I was browsing through an Anthropologie catalogue and came across these stunning “pulp stone” bracelets I wanted to recreate.

They make a great gift, stocking-stuffer, friendship bracelet or accessory for yourself. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make your very own anthropologie inspired “pulp stone” bracelet (shown below).

Anthropologie pulp stone. Photo courtesy of Anthropologie.

What you’ll need:

String

Scissors

Charm/Bead

Wire

Tape

Super glue

Step one: Smooth out your wire into one long strand. Cut your wire so that it fits around your wrist. Once all the way around this should be good for one side of the bracelet. Fold the wire in half.

Sophia of Nasty Gal dominates fashion

Every generation has a designer/clothing company that dominates and creates the fashion scene starting with Coco Chanel in the 1920s.

Despite the provocative name and nature of Nasty Gal, it has seemed to win over and dominate ladies and fashionistas in their 20s. From 2008 (the year Nasty Gal was born) to 2011, the online clothing site saw a 10,000 percent growth curve in their sales. That’s huge. But how did they do it?

Today’s fashion has a “been there done that attitude,” and every decade seems to repeat itself more and more rapidly as time goes on; hence why vintage has become so popular.

DIY Nail Art: inspired by WAH

Nail art seems to be all of the rage right now. We owe it all to WAH-Nails, a salon on the lower east side of London.

Starting in 2005 as a magazine about ladies that were contributing to the style and music of hip-hop, they were also dedicated to providing a space for a new wave of street smart feminism. The 2008 founder, Sharmadean Reid, decided to take the nail art she and her friends were supporting to the mainstream.On August 1st 2009 WAH nails opened up their London salon, not only a space for nail art but also held record launch parties, art shows, film nights, and a community for street smart feminists. They were named one of the “15 people who will definite the future of arts in Britain” and part of the “New Generation” in Vogue magazine.

There are many ways you can give yourself “WAH” nails without taking a trip to London. Here are some tools, tips, and tricks to get yourself started.

Fall style: Gentlemans edition

1. Invest in corduroy pants
Mix it up from the usual denim pants. Corduroy is a great material for the winter months in Arizona due to its light weight material and insulation. A great color for autumn is brown if you want to stay simple, but don’t be afraid to be adventurous with colors.

Scarfs are an accessory fit for fall. Photo courtesy of Milan Fashion Week.

2. Hats, Scarfs, and Ties
Accessories are not just for ladies. Add a hat or scarf to your outfit to give yourself extra warmth and style. Wool and cotton are great materials for scarfs. Stay simple and chose a basic color like grey or navy to go with everything. If you’re feeling daring try out a pattern like plaid or paisley; they are super “in” this season.

Are you going out for the evening? Wear a tie and really look classy. Again, like with the scarfs chose a simple color or pattern. I am in favor of the skinny ties.

3. Leather
According to Milan fashion week leather is super in for fall this year. Invest in a leather jacket; do not be afraid to step away from the colors black and brown to mix it up and be unique.

How to do fall in the desert

Autumn has officially arrived. It may not feel like it with temperatures still reaching 90 degrees and no red or orange leaves in sight, but Halloween is right around the corner and it is time to start pulling out sweaters and tights.

Autumn fashion in the desert can by stylish. Photo courtesy of Free People

Unlike other climates, fall is tricky in Arizona. Back to school in most places means pulling out scarfs and jeans; summer seems to stick around here as long as it can.

My collection of warm-weather clothing outnumbers my cold-weather clothing drastically. Being an Arizona resident and fashion fanatic since 2-years-old, I have developed some tricks in incorporating fall into summertime clothing. Here are a few things you can add to your summertime wardrobe to make it ready for fall.

1. Knee-high socks and tights
Wear knee-high socks and tights with your favorite dresses and shorts. Layer the two together for a cute effect or wear them separately. This season,