Posts tagged Prabal Gurung

Happy Birthday, Kate Middleton!

Whether she’s donning a wedding dress or remixing one of her previously worn outfits, we can’t get enough of Kate Middleton. Over the past year, we’ve seen her go from casual (in the South Pacific), to glam (in a custom-redesigned Matthew Williamson), to modern (hello, bangs!). We personally can’t wait to see how this soon-to-be mom ups the ante of maternity wear, but until that happens we’ll be celebrating her birthday in style (with our own fascinators, of course). Happy royal birthday!

~Ashley, FashioniSTA

(images via Grazia, thebump.com, International Business Times, and trendmix.com)

March Madness: Round 3

We’re going strong into the second to last round of March Madness. The trends have been neck-in-neck, with them breaking out of their style niche shells to get a leg-up on the competition. Check out the winners who earned themselves a spot in the finals!

1. Peplum vs. Neons
This was a fight to the fashion death. The growing popularity of Neons versus the timeless yet trendy design of Peplum. Both started this competition with a strong celebrity backing, a following in the street style brigade, and a cult following in all major retailers. The high-fashion element paired with sell-ability ran through the veins of both of these trends, making them true competitors in the style world.
However, after a fierce battle, Neons emerged the victor. Blame the weather, blame the spring fever, blame the people who wished they had come of age in the ‘80s, but Neons have gained a blazing following that rivals The Hunger Games. Only it’s probably bigger, since people who wore the trend 25 years ago are probably just as excited as the younger fashion followers.

2. Jennifer Lawrence vs. Mixing & Matching
The girl who probably knows how to now survive any post-apocalyptic scenario against a trend that can make you look like you got dressed in the dark. You’d think this would be an easy fight. However, the Mixing & Matching trend has extended beyond the people whose closets emulate Pippi Longstocking’s and has become a style phenomenon. It truly runs the gamut, from mixing brights to create colorblocking to mixing metals and stacking jewelry to mixing prints that actually look like they’re supposed to go together. When done properly, this trend has an element of fashion genius, which is how it inched above Jennifer Lawrence – who has put in a tremendous style effort during her Hunger Games press tour.
This girl brought out the big guns, sporting only the best from Prabal Gurung, Marchesa and, most recently, L’Wren Scott (her only misstep was a Calvin Klein choice for a NYC screening). She’s announcing herself in the best way possible, but the fact that she’s still in the starting out phase of her style identity gives Mixing & Matching an edge to dominate Spring 2012. Check back with us come summer, there may be a rematch in the works.

March Madness: Round 2


If you thought Round 1 was intense, the spring style trends are back for a fashion face-off that’s better than ever. Bringing their A-game, these trends went head-to-head once again,

1. Top Knots vs. Peplum
This would have been a pretty intense street style battle, but when people realized that top knots were a little too Pebbles Flinstone, they took a detour into fashion junkie nation. Peplum was able to go mainstream, infiltrating the fashion elite and mass consumers, making it the ultimate victor.

2. Neons vs. Day clutches
A fierce battle between two trends that could become staples. One has a day-to-night multi-talent, while the other has been a spring superpower, popping up everywhere. No seriously, everywhere, try to find an editorial spread that doesn’t include Neons…you won’t. The sheer presence of this trend makes it the dominating opponent, effectively bringing the clutches to their knees.

3. Jennifer Lawrence vs. Hi-low pleats
Hi-lo pleats have their moment, but they are slowly proving to be a fleeting fashion trend instead of a superpower. With their lack of flattering powers coupled with the fact that they still remind us of mullets, made it somewhat easy prey for the recently Prabal Gurung/Marchesa-clad Jennifer Lawrence. And the fact that J.L. had a blockbuster movie come out this week and her face has been everywhere might have had something to do with the pleats’ defeat.

4. Mixing & Matching vs. Fashion Star
The fact that Jessica Simpson has managed to stay pregnant for about a year has probably partially contributed to Fashion Star’s success. While the ratings continue to grow, the dominance of Mixing & Matching is unparalleled. Between its ability to go wild with contrasting prints on the street and the editorial love of mixing neons for colorblocking, it has proved itself to be worthy of the winners’ circle from start to finish.

Stay tuned for Round 3, we’re one step closer to crowning the ultimate Spring Trend of 2012!

March Madness: Spring Trends

It’s March Madness time again, but why does basketball get to have all the fun? This year we’re turning our attention to spring 2012 trends, and pitting them against each other in our ultimate style challenge. Each week we’ll bring you the rundown from the fashion competition, as we start the games with 16 major spring players. Stay tuned as the competition unfolds, it’s going to get cutthroat.

May the odds be ever in your favor!

Meet the Sweet 16

1. Neons
Likened to a “Career Trend,” it has a hidden superpower to turn into colorblocking at a moment’s notice.

Celebrity Nail Polish Lines
The latest in noteworthy nails is the influx of celebrity-based lines. In its corner is the Kardashians for Nicole by OPI, Nicki Minaj for OPI and the Hunger Games Capitol Couture for China Glaze. If nothing else, at least the Hunger Games knows how to fight.

3. Mixing & matching
You can mix prints, you can mix metals, you can colorblock by mixing solids. A solid competitor with a driving street style force behind it.

4. Crop tops
A former superstar in the ‘90s with a taste for 21st century vengeance.

5. Hi-low hemlines
New to the style game (unless you liken this to a mullet hemline…which we don’t), but it’s taking the street style world by force.

6. NBC’s Fashion Star
In its corner is a singer/designer, a model/designer, a reality star(?)/designer and a real designer. Let’s just say it’s got a lot of designing power behind it.

7. Top knots
A hairdo that has the ability to go messy or sleek, a key attribute when worn by a woman who has to look good with limited time. Which is every woman.

8. Day clutches
Another switch-hitter that has come into the running. With its larger size and diverse details, this opponent has a killer A-game.

9. Marni for H&M
A designer with a cult following. A store with a universal following. The combination will prove very hard to beat.

10. Peplum
This daring competitor has brought women everywhere a way to disguise their midsections and hips. Opponents beware.

11. Graphic prints
A new superpower has risen from basic pastel florals and springtime prints. Has the backing of designers like Altuzarra and Prabal Gurung.

12. Jennifer Lawrence
The one who took on Katniss Everdeen is out to prove she’s a style star as well.

13. Shorts/Menswear
What used to be reserved for casual wear has taken a daring turn into the formal arena. Has a leg-up with special reinforcements like tuxedo details, satin finish and a full-leather armor.

14. Mint
Saturated pastels are big this spring, and mint is definitely their all-star.

15. Pleats
This multi-faceted competitor that can go long or short when needed

16. Art Deco Jewelry
Sharp, angular designs make this competitor almost deadly, and it has additional strength when stacked.

Rank your favorites with our blank bracket below, and let us know what trend you want to reign supreme on our Facebook www.facebook.com/staconsignment.

Spring Trends 2012: Bold, Bright and Graphic

Spring isn’t coming quietly this year, so prepare for the bold entrance of the season! From prints to pastels, the palette of the season is definitely all about mixing colors and textures for truly statement-worthy ensembles. So grab your loudest and proudest pieces and take on the warmer weather in style!

Bright colors are a signature sign that sunshine is on its way, and we’re soaking up all the chromaticity that we can. Going bold can mean just a pop of color against a monochromatic outfit, whether it’s a bright scarf against all black or pairing a camel-colored ensemble with a bright blue handbag. Making the trend personal is easy with a signature color, whether it’s an affinity for raspberry (which would be very STA of you) or a love of robin’s egg blue. Pick a unique color and work it into your wardrobe whenever you can, with accessories, nail polish, or articles of clothing.

You can also take this signature color, or any other shade that catches your eye, and hop on the colorblocking bandwagon while you’re at it. The trend that lit up last summer has returned, giving us more opportunity to lighten our days by pairing complementary brights in unexpected, killer combinations. Whether you’re pairing teal with deep purple for a cool color palette or warming it up by mixing orange and yellow, this is an easy trend to try, all you need is a little confidence!

Nanette Lepore

The bold factor doesn’t have to stop at solid colors either, this spring we’re seeing a dramatic take on prints as well. Art deco prints are popping up on everything from dresses to pants. These angular shapes create drama to even the simplest shift dress, turning any ensemble into a nod to mod. Accessorize with equally angular jewelry for a statement ensemble, or try a silk scarf in a complementary pattern to mix prints in a modern way.

Milly

If you’re not into stark prints, graphic florals have also hit it big. This futuristic spin on the classic spring floral palette brings a vintage motif into the present using black with brights to highlight bold patterns. Designers have been also using watercolor techniques and elongated patterns to create fluid floral designs that are a cross between classic flowery shapes and bold, contemporary art. Whichever trend you choose to try, go boldly into spring!

Prabal Gurung

Altuzarra