21.10.11

Breaking Down Bold Color with Ken Downing




Wow!  Things have been so crazy lately, I don't even know where to begin... so many trend presentations, great news and items to share.  Who knew half-day kindergarten was going to be such a time commitment!  I am going to do my best to bestow all of my fantastic news in a timely manner, so keep checking back.

*On a side note, Blogger has added new template options... very exciting!  So, you may see my site changing around a bit as I play with everything.  Feel free to let me know if you like/dislike any of the changes. :)

Ok, so back to business.  I had the opportunity to sit in on a fabulous Ken Downing runway show at the Neiman Marcus in Paramus this week.  First, I love Ken Downing.  He is amazing!  And, two, he broke down one of the biggest trends with some simple, short and very easy to follow advice.

Bold color and color blocking go hand in hand this season.  Bold color is important as an accent for the neutral lovers out there and it is just as fabulous when put together with other bold colors for the more adventurous fashionista.  Or, you can happily settle somewhere in the middle and add touches when and where you feel comfortable.


The only challenge is how to mix up the bold colors, and how do you know which is the right bold color to add?  First you have to take your coloring into account.  Only you know the colors the make your eyes pop.  And two, stick to color families - cool tones or warm tones.  It makes things so much easier and and the colors blend better.  This helps to achieve a more polished look.

Ken's advice builds on these initial concepts.  For warm tones... reds, pinks, purples... imagine roses.  All of the colors that blend together.  Even a painting would work.  The way the artist blends different shades of the same color.  For cool tones, think of a peacock feather.  The deep blues, greens, teal... sometimes a bright blue - so gorgeous, right?!  Use these image to help pick the colors that you would wear together.  You shouldn't stress too much about things being perfect.  As long as the color combo is pleasing to the eye, and the colors look like they belong together you are going to look super chic!





Ken's main focus was on the red and pink family.  He is obsessed with burgundy this fall.  He even created a lip and nail color exclusive to Neiman's!  However, the cool tones are still big as well as other color families.  It really all depends what colors you prefer and what your comfort level is with color.





Another trend that you may pick up on in these photos is "Lady Chic".  The polished, put-together look is very important this season as well.  I will touch on that later, but when putting together your colorful ensembles; keep in mind that the look is very tailored right now... very Grace Kelly meets the 70's!



4.10.11

Fashion Show, Neiman's Merchandise Director, Fall Trends... I'll be there!

I have a sneaking suspicion that this might not be the last time that I say this... Every time I think Neiman Marcus has offered an amazing event to attend, they turn around and have an even better event the following week!  I am not joking! There were guest stylists and gift with purchase two weeks ago, a scavenger hunt for Nancy Gonzalez clutches last week and this week... a presentation by the NM merchandise director, Kareen Mallet!  

Kareen Mallet will be at the Paramus NM at 12pm on Thursday, October 6th for a fall trend presentation.  It is a chance to see a fashion show and meet Kareen.  And, if I know a NM event, you will get a chance to pick her brain for answers on your most burning fall fashion questions.  

So, take a long lunch or call a sitter and make your way to Neiman's on Thursday at noon.  But, you must make sure to rsvp! Send your rsvp via email to kimberly_kaufman@neimanmarcus.com.



See you there!

                                        - Allison


My Evening with Rachel Zoe



Finally, after much deliberation on how to put into words my night with RZ and Ken Downing, it is finally finished... woo hoo!  It is posted on Bergen Health & Life's website.  Click here to check it out!

Discussing the sequin cardi... 

Taking a break!

How to wear the dress... decisions, decisions...

       
                                           - Allison