Fashion Friday: Get Classy with Ann Taylor

Aren't the Ann Taylor ads with Kate Hudson just the definition of class act? For months now, I've found my attention constantly being drawn to the large printed ads while shopping in malls. The ads have a beautiful layout and it's refreshingly different to see Kate Hudson in such a Upper East Side attire, instead of her usual boho chic appearance. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see Kate's continuation as the spokeswomen for Ann Taylor's Fall 2012 ad campaign.

Whether it's due to her performances in the most entertaining romantic comedies or her role as Penny Lane in Almost Famous, I've always had a soft spot for Ms Hudson. Like her iconic mother, Hudson represents the image of an ageless beauty, which is perfect for the brand. Kate gracefully embodies the timeless yet relatable elegance that Anne Taylor reflects, making the ad collaboration a perfect fit.

"As a young girl, I looked up to the sophisticated style of Ann Taylor, so it's been very cool to see how the brand has evolved to meet the changing needs of modern women."

-Kate Hudson

Fashion Friday: A Nostalgic Fashion Date with Kate!

It's all about Kate! Nope, not Middleton, try the more flashy Kate aka Kate Spade. Ms Spade not only produces the most quotable ad campaigns, but also offers a fashion brand that is fun for any age. Although the line is completely appropriate for all women to display some expression, there's something nostalgic about the designer. More specifically, youthful expectations. You know how as a child every little girl idolizes and dreams of being Eloise? Kate Spade is somewhat reminiscent of an adulthood Eloise. Sure, the character is just a fun, creative outlet, but Kate Spade's designs touch on that childhood love of individuality. The colorful prints send you right back to that familiar happy place of carelessly wandering around Manhattan and dining at The Plaza. The designer identifies the brand as "playful sophistication" and that's exactly what it is! Whether it's the glitter from my Kate Spade wallet, jewels, or iPhone case, the brand always adds a sparkle of optimism to my day. Hence, why I absolutely adore Kate Spade!

"Playing dress up begins at age five and never truly ends."

-Kate Spade

Fashion Friday: Top Five Looks of the Week

5.

Pippa Middleton in South Kensington

4.

Jenna Dewan at The Four Seasons Hotel

3.

Emmy Rossum in Self Magazine

2.

Kate Beckinsale at the premiere of "Underworld Awakening" 

1.

Kate Hudson filming her Ann Taylor Spring collection campaign 

Fashion Friday: Top Five Favorites of the Week

5.

Smash

As a musical theater lover, I can't wait for the premiere of Smash! A show about what goes on behind the scenes during a Marilyn Monroe musical? Already sounds like perfection to me.

4.

The film production of Les Miserables has been off to a rocky start, so I had to let out a sigh of relief when Amanda Seyfried was casted as Cosette. The young actress is easily going to be a scene stealer while owning that iconic wedding dress and belting out the classic songs. Amanda has plenty of experience for this part thanks to her musical background. Here's to hoping the character of Eponine is also played by a well trained actress...

3.

New year, new designer guilty pleasure! As 2011 was winding down, it seemed Kate Spade was everywhere. The adorable brand sells irresistible clothes, jewels, shoes, phone covers, purses, and much more! Looking forward to investing much of my shopping time at this store this year.

2.

After an extremely long and unnecessary hiatus, the Vampire Diaries finally returned last night! Don't let the fact that it's on the CW keep you from watching this show. Not only does it have the hottest cast on television(Ian Somerhalder, swoon!), but every episode always ends with such a crazy cliffhanger that you'll be left begging for more. Although the show might not be known for its fashion, these characters are pretty much throwing a different party/fundraiser every week so there's plenty of couture eye candy to go around.

1.

This past week, Dior announced Mila Kunis as the new face for the brand. I would love to meet whoever is behind Dior's marketing team because they can seriously do no wrong! Charlize, Marion, Natalie, and now Mila? This fashion label has the best advertising campaigns with the some of the top leading ladies in Hollywood. 

Spotted AD: Understated Is Overrated

While I was doing some shopping in SoHo this past weekend, I made sure to stop by the lovely Kate Spade. Not only are Kate's designs insanely adorable, but I'm in love with the setup of the actual store, especially the one in NYC! Whenever I step into a Kate Spade store, I feel like I'm entering a Parisian boutique. The chic designs are as girly as one can get, yet they have an appeal to older women. In fact, I even informed my sister that there's a strong possibility she'll be wearing a Kate Spade dress as my maid of honor (Side note - if you haven't noticed yet, I'm kind of wedding obsessed). During my shopping trip, I noticed the brand's recent bold ad: "Understated Is Overrated". Totes agree Kate! Some may believe less is more, but when you can deck yourself out in sequined shoes and flirty dresses (with fabulous silhouettes!), who's really complaining? The advertisement is very catchy and I plan on obnoxiously using it for every future shopping trip!

"She had a cocktail in her hand and confetti in her hair."

-Tagline for Twirl, a fragrance by Kate Spade

EXTRA EXTRA: Fashion Dominates the Magazine Industry!

I was beyond happy to hear Ad Age recently named Vogue Magazine  the "Magazine of the Year"! As someone who has always dreamed of working in the fashion industry, I've been forced to get used to the judgmental statements from people who stereotype fashion. After a while, it's gets a little tiring hearing the usual assumptions like, "they never eat", "they're mean girls", and "it's not even a real job". It's unfortunate that when a business is dominated by women, people automatically think the worst. If a woman is powerful like Anna Wintour, she's supposedly ice cold. However, if a man is powerful, he's successful and respected. I'm not trying to sound like a crazy feminist, I swear! I just hate how our society undermines feminine aspects, especially fashion.

Yes, if you want to go into the fashion industry you do actually need a degree. In fact, fashion is one of the most stressful occupations. Don't believe me? Check out the Tumblrs' for OscarPRGirl and DKNYPRGirl. Those ladies are never not working. Sure, we're not saving lives but this business redefines the arts. Fashion reflects how we identify ourselves and is a huge creativity outlet.

So to all those people who claimed magazines were pointless, fashion was meaningless, and ever dared to insult Anna Wintour...time to bite your tongue. Looks like Ms. Wintour will continue to run the halls of Conde Nast and be the deciding factor of fashion's top styles for quite a while. Vogue is the fashion bible. Hence, why it's my dream job and I worship the magazine so much!

"When I die I want to go to Vogue."

-David Bailey

Marilyn, Grace, Marlene, Charlize - The Gang's All Here!

It's official - Dior is the epitome of flawlessness! Since I've started this blog, I've made quite a few posts about Dior's fabulous marketing. I said it before and I'll say it again, everything about their advertising techniques is pure perfection. I'm majoring in Advertising so I really love it when something like a commercial can quickly capture my attention. The new Dior ad with Charlize Theron does just that. Once again, spokeswoman Charlize looks like a stunning, fierce supermodel. However, it's not only Ms. Theron's beauty that makes the commercial, but the tiny details. In this commercial, Dior shows footage of legendary icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Marlene Dietrich. Over the years, different women from each generation have been affected by these women. At one point or another, we've all admired their talent, glamour, and elegance. Check out below how Dior continues to inspire women with their latest upbeat film...

"Glamour is what I sell, it's my stock in trade."

-Marlene Dietrich

The Price Tag of Fashion

Ah Christian Louboutins! The sound of the famous designer brings a smile to any fashionista's face. Mr. Louboutin's shoes are well known for being extremely beautiful and extremely expensive. Recently, the timeless designer went to court with YSL over alleged trademark infringement. YSL produced shoes with red soles similar to the look of Louboutins. Surprisingly, Louboutin lost the lawsuit. Now that YSL won the court case, should we expect to see other designers produce similar shoe designs to Louboutins, but for a cheaper price? If so, this wouldn't be the first time a high fashion brand's designs have been sold to an affordable outlet...

Vera Wang, perhaps the most loved wedding dress designer, has a line at Kohl's called "Simply Vera Vera Wang". Don't let the implication of 'simple' fool you. The collection is actually really cute! Here's a look at some of the outfits from the line:

Karl Lagerfeld, head designer and creative director of Chanel, designed a collection for H&M in 2004. This collaboration showed the danger of a high end fashion designer working with middle class stores. H&M demanded an apology from Lagerfeld after he spoke out against his designs being sold in a size 16. Lagerfeld also expressed his disappointment in the outcome of the relationship. Despite the failed attempt with H&M, Karl designed another affordable collection this past year. His new line for Macy's will hit stores on August 31:

How do you feel about designers joining forces with these stores? Would you buy the clothes? Personally, I love the idea. I think women of all different classes should be able to experience the amazing collections without paying an unreasonable amount of money(Olsen twins I'm looking at you and your $39,000 purse). However, I don't want to see fashion brands lose their high status credibility. Let's be honest, a diamond from Tiffany's is special because of it's rarity. If everyone could afford the diamond it wouldn't make you feel so different. I prefer having the best of both worlds. I would like to own the affordable collection pieces but also still be able to dream big. If there ever comes a day where I own a Birkin bag, I want it to be because I earned it. The pricey Birkin bag symbolizes how success can help one achieve their dream. Louboutins at Payless may sound exciting, but the experience of owning the shoes shouldn't be cheapend. If everything was so easy to reach, what would we have to look forward to in life?

"That's the thing about needs. Sometimes when you get them met, you don't need them anymore"

-Sex and the City

The True Beauty of Dior!

"Zest is the secret of all beauty. There is no beauty that is attractive without zest."

-Christian Dior

It's no secret that I pay extra attention to Dior's  advertisements. I love how the fashion brand has always managed to be quirky and fun while also staying conservative. Dior appeals to high society as well as the modern, youthful crowd. It makes sense that the classiest people in the business would represent such a whimsical and phenomenal designer. Dior's spokeswomen have included Charlize Theron, Marion Cotillard, and Natalie Portman. Even Gwennie Paltrow snapped a professional ad with Dior back in the day (She looks just like a blonde Charlotte York!). All of these A-list Dior ladies are known for being Oscar winners, well educated, and well liked. Their successful traits create an empowering message that speaks volumes to women everywhere. Sometimes it can become unnecessary and repetitive when celebrities are the faces of a brand. Dior doesn't use these women just to smack the well known names next to their label. Dior's representatives portray women in a positive light where they can feel liberated to possess a variety of qualities.
Here's a looks at some of Dior's ads:

Dolce & Gabbana's Battle of the Sexes

Recently, Dolce & Gabbana released their Fall/Winter 2011/2012 Campaign. From the minute I saw it, I was fixated with the advertisements. The fashion brand used all females to model off the feminine AND masculine outfits. The metallics and bedazzled items are stunning against the gritty backdrop. The campaign perfectly reflects the wildness of the collection, which includes vibrant colorful outfits, as well as classic toned down looks. I love that Dolce & Gabbana's new campaign showcases their collection in a different way from their previous ads. The subtle approach is beautiful!

Lights, Camera, Advertising!

The other week I came across the combination of my two favorite things--fashion and musicals. I was in NYC to see the Broadway show Catch Me If You Can. Before the show started, my sister was looking through the playbill while I strategized how I would convince Aaron Tveit to marry me. My sister snapped me back to reality when she pointed out one of playbill's advertisement. In a glitzy Broadway format, the ad showcased the different designers that can be found at Blommingdale's . The simple black and white layout was surprisingly eye-catching. I loved how the designers were presented like their names were celebrities(ok they're pretty much better than celebrities). From the bold title "Now Starring" to the cute touch of a five star "review" at the bottom, I was hooked. It also helped that I hope to register at Blommingdale's for my wedding someday so I took this as a serious sign. Despite my trouble breathing when Mr. Tveit graced the stage, I made a note to myself to blog about this adorable advertisement. Here it is...!

 

"The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life."

-Oscar Wilde 

Lovestruck With Vera Vera Wang!

Over the years, Vera Wang has been the go to designer for a dream wedding dress. Her empire has expanded enormously. The latest Vera Wang product can be seen in the commercial for her new fragrance, "Lovestruck". The lucky lady in the Vera Wang gown is actress Leighton Meester. I've been anxiously awaiting for this advertisement for quite some time now. Back in the fall, pictures of Leighton filming the commercial appeared on JustJared. The gorgeous candids showed a promising outcome for an ad campaign.

Vera Wang described the fragrance as "A new definition of Romeo and Juliet". She was right. The commercial shows a modern day take on a fairytale romance. A man running through the streets of New York to get to to the woman on the fire escape. The passionate plot is the perfect way to exhibit the emotions of being "lovestruck".

Leighton Meester was a great choice to be the face of this fragrance. She already has experience in the fashion industry, thanks to her Gossip Girl background and bold wardrobe choices. Leighton is a fashion icon to teen consumers and has been well exposed to mature audiences. I love the Vera and Leighton pairing. Looking forward to seeing more from these two in the future!

"And what fashion designers did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it."

-The Devil Wears Prada   

Spotted: Chanel

Today, I came across such an eye catching Chanel purse. I was trying to pass time at the nail salon by flipping through Allure magazine, when I spotted the handbag's advertisement titled, "Fashion Cult Object".  Usually I'm not a huge fan of Chanel purses. They're beautiful and classic, but I've never been too obsessed with needing a Chanel purse. That was until I saw this advertisement. Karl Lagerfeld's latest design is gorgeous. I love that the print is abstract yet still simple. After a little research, I was informed that the purse is from Chanel's Spring 2011 collection. My obsession with the purse had me hooked on Chanel's website a little longer than I'd like to admit. The vague advertisement started a huge infatuation. Now, I'm one of those girls who needs a Chanel purse.

"You're in desperate need of Chanel."

-The Devil Wears Prada

And so it begins...

Introductions are always a little awkward, but I thought it was a necessary step to starting this blog. First off, my name is Nicole. I’m a seventeen-year-old fashion addict. I obsess over red carpet looks, different fashion advertisements, and of course, Queen Anna Wintour. My favorite season is award season and New York City is my favorite place in the world. Recently, I just graduated from high school and will be attending Boston University in the fall. With college right around the corner, I decided it was time to make my dreams reality. I’ve always been slightly interested in starting a blog, but constantly shied away from the idea. Now that I’m older, I figured it’s a great way to get my feet wet. In “Fashionista In Training”, I will reflect on various styles, designers, ad campaigns, and much more. I look forward to sharing my ideas and broadening my views on fashion!

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

-Coco Chanel, fashion designer