SPRING BREAK TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

It’s that time of year again. Time to forgo the winter coats and bring out the spring wardrobe. We have all your Spring Break travel essentials right here. No need to pack your entire closet. A few key items are all you need to mix and match for a fresh new look each day of your Spring Break getaway. Take a look at our top eight picks and start packing.

                  

MARSALA BLAZER

Marsala was a trending color for Fall 2014 so why not carry the trend into Spring 2015 with a chic blazer, perfect for layering. During the daytime, pair the blazer with a colorful floral dress and sandals. Segue into the evening hours with cropped jeans, a white tee, heels and a leopard clutch. We love Helmut Lang’s Marsala colored blazer, perfect for your Spring Break vacation.

              

CROPPED DENIM

Trending for Spring 2015, do not forget to pack your favorite cropped denim pants for Spring Break. The cropped baggy “boyfriend” pant is a current favorite with celebrities such as Dakota Fanning, Bar Rafaeli, and Jessica Alba.The cropped denim pant can be dressed up or down for a variety of different looks to suit your vacation activities. For a day at the beach, pair your pants with your favorite swimsuit for a different kind of “coverup”. Transition into the lunch hour by selecting a cute striped cropped top, sandals, and a floppy hat to match your cropped pants.. As featured above, arrive to dinner in style topping your pants with a white tee and marsala blazer. We love Citizen’s of Humanity’s Dylan relaxed cropped jeans for a comfortable yet chic Spring vacation look.

    

WHITE TEE

The plain white tee is one of the simplest yet most versatile items of clothing you can pack for your vacation. Pair the white tee with your Marsala blazer and denim shorts for city sightseeing. Or, go with a chic casual style with cropped jeans and white sneakers. The white tee is also another great coverup option over your swimsuit for beach time fun. We love Rag & Bone’s basic plain white tee perfect with any of your vacation wardrobe essentials.

                                     

DENIM SHORTS

Denim shorts are perfect not only for casual activities on your vacation, but also can be dressed up for nighttime fun. For a day at the beach, layer denim shorts over your favorite swimsuit and pair with a sheer white button down blouse, floppy hat, sunglasses, and flat sandals. Forgo the swimsuit and dress up your denim shorts with the sheer white button down, a gold belt, and heels for a night on the town. Try Frame Denim’s cutoff shorts in mid rise for a flattering fit for your Spring Break style.

                 

SHEER WHITE BLOUSE

In addition to layering with your swimsuit and denim shorts, the sheer white blouse can also be paired with several other travel wear items in your suitcase. The sheer white top goes perfectly with black leggings and heels, accessorizing with a bright green handbag for a pop of color. For another evening look, pair the blouse with a sheer high low skirt. We love Halmut Lang’s long sleeved sheer white blouse or try Rachel Zoe’s sheer chiffon blouse with silk trim and pair with Hale Bob’s black floral lace skirt for a great Spring Break evening style.

                          

BLACK LEGGINGS

Easily adaptable for any occasion, you won’t want to forget your black leggings for Spring Break packing. Stay in style as you sneak in a little exercise on your vacation with your black leggings, slouchy gray sweatshirt, fringe scarf, and sneakers. Pack your white tee and heels in your gym bag and you are ready for dinner in a flash. We love Hale Bob’s black stretch Ponte leggings for fit and comfort or try the black faux leather leggings for high fashion style.

                     

GRAY SWEATSHIRT

Go for comfort and style on your vacation by packing a gray sweatshirt, perfect for all occasions not just the gym. Pair with your cropped denim jeans and sneakers, and for a different look, your denim shorts will look great with a chic blazer.

You can also pair the sweatshirt with your sheer black skirt and heels for a perfect “Athleisure” style, trending for Spring. We love Hale Bob’s mid-sleeve gray ivory crochet sweatshirt or try a selection of “menswear” sweatshirts in a variety of styles. Instead of a bulky jacket or coat, your sweatshirt is also a perfect option paired with your swimsuit for chillier evenings by the pool or on the beach.

         

FLORAL DRESS 

Complete your Spring Break wardrobe with the classic floral dress perfect for Spring and Summer wear. This Season look for dresses with big bold floral prints and mixed floral and geometric prints. Go “Boho” style and pair your dress with a floppy hat and trendy gladiator sandals or short booties. Go with another look, and layer your floral dress with your sheer white blouse and add flat sandals for daytime style. For evening, top with your marsala blazer and heels or simply accessorize with a genuine shell necklace from Ross Simons and pono tortoise resin bangles from Intermix. We love the sequined floral dress from needle & thread or try the great selection of “Cabana Wear” floral dresses from Hale Bob, one to suit every occasion.

Travel light this Season with our Spring Break travel essentials. With just a few items and some creativity, you have countless looks to carry you through your entire vacation without having to wear the same outfit twice. Be sure to include a marsala colored blazer, cropped denim pants, a plain white tee, denim shorts, a sheer white blouse, black leggings, gray sweatshirt, and your favorite floral dress. Include flat sandals, sneakers, your favorite strappy heels, gladiator sandals, and booties, as well as a selection of your favorite jewelry, a floppy hat, and a scarf. Don’t forget to add your favorite swimsuit or two for beachside fun. Check out Hale Bob’s great selection of swimwear in all shapes and styles. Pack your bag, grab your sunglasses, dab on some sunscreen, and get ready to rock your Spring Break in style.

BEHIND-THE-SCENES AT A RUNWAY FASHION SHOW

Have you ever wondered what it takes to produce a runway fashion show? This week Posh at Play goes behind-the-scenes at two of the biggest fashion events for L.A. Fashion Week. You will see what happens behind the curtain at FIDM’s Debut Runway Show, L.A.’s Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. Then we’ll meet model Ella Garcia and take a peek at the new collections from Hale Bob, Sue Wong, Nicole Miller and several other designers at the exclusive Project Ethos Fashion Event.

THE DESIGNERS

All fashion shows begin in the designer’s creative mind. Most designers start with a theme, certain pattern or favorite color and build upon that idea. Designers spend hours sketching their clothing designs out on paper  and then begin to gather favorite fabrics and accessory materials. Together with their creative team, designers begin to bring their drawings to life. After countless hours, a designer’s “collection” is complete.

At this year’s FIDM Debut Runway show in L.A., designer Daniel Henson was inspired from his trip to Africa and used actual photographs he took with his camera as patterns for his clothing collection.

Designer Samantha Sneed combined two favorite looks, Equestrian and Americana, to create a unique menswear for women collection.

THE COLLECTION

After a “collection” is complete, models are fitted with the clothing pieces that the designer chooses to highlight in the show. Adjustments are made, and the designer’s creative ideas are now ready to be displayed for the audience and fashion critics from around the world. It’s an exciting moment to see the designer’s concept brought to life on each of the models.

REHEARSAL

A few days before the show, there is a rehearsal or “run through” with the models, designers, and entertainers. Fashion shows usually take place in a huge warehouse which is decorated with risers for the general audience, VIP seating for honored guests, a long runway, a backstage for the models and entertainers, and top of the art sound and lighting equipment. For FIDM, the set up and rehearsals required 7-8 hours spread over 4 days prior to the show. Though everyone is exhausted, there is also an exciting momentum building for the day of the show.

MAKE UP AND HAIR

After thousands of hours of work, the show day arrives. For the FIDM Debut, the crew and makeup and hair teams arrive in the morning for last minute set up. The models and designers begin to arrive mid-afternoon to prepare for the evening show. Entertainers also arrive to get their hair and makeup done to suit the designer’s style. FIDM used hairstylists from Paul Mitchell and makeup artists from Napoleon to design the models looks.

ENTERTAINMENT

Each Fashion Show usually starts with a celebrity entertainer or a musical presentation. At the FIDM Debut, entertainers danced to a collection of Hollywood Musicals from “Mame” to “Hello Dolly” to “Sister Act.” Throughout the Show,  upbeat pop music plays as the models walk the runway in order to enhance the designer’s clothing and create an exciting atmosphere.

THE RUNWAY

The fashion show begins as each designer’s collection is presented by the runway models. The designer only chooses select pieces that represent the desired theme.

A sea of photographers set up their cameras at the end of the runway to capture each of one of the designer’s styles. The photos are then sent to fashion magazines and publications around the world.

So what is it like being a runway model? At L.A.’s Fashion Week, we caught up with rising runway model Ella Garcia. Ella is 17 years old and already in high demand with L.A. designers. She modeled for more designers than any other model in her agency, and though still young, she is poised and ready to hit the big time. She plans to move to New York City in the summer and hopefully, be picked up by a top modeling agency. Her dream is to become an international high fashion runway model for the top designers in the world today. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite styles Ella modeled for L.A. Fashion Week.

HALE BOB

Creative director Daniel Bohbot’s latest Collection for Hale Bob mixed Boho fringe and flair with bright florals. A stand out for us was this beautiful pink and purple floral and geometric patterned maxi dress complete with fringe belt and booties. Get a similar look with Hale Bob’s pink crocheted silk maxi dress paired with black lace up booties from ZiGi or accessorize with flat leather sandals from Tory Burch for warmer Spring days.

SUE WONG

Emerald green was a favorite on the runways at L.A. Fashion Week this year, from dresses, to pants, to tops. We loved this sweeping emerald green dress from fashion designer Sue Wong. Incorporate this bright color into your wardrobe this Season with Hale Bob’s ultra suede emerald green skinny pants. Pair with a blousy printed top and strappy leather sandals from Free People for a chic but casual street style look for Spring.

NICOLE MILLER

Drawing on inspiration from modern architecture and contemporary artists, Nicole Miller’s Collection combines her art training, French heritage, and couture technique. We loved her easy-to-wear bright, modern patterns in her newest Collection. Get a similar look with Hale Bob’s printed scarf shorts paired with a crisp white cropped button down from J Crew. Accessorize the look with Loeffler Randall gladiator sandals, a big trend on the L.A. Runway this Season.

LIBERTY GARDEN

Another Collection from the creative designs of Daniel Bohbot, Liberty Garden embraces the carefree “Boho” style paired with modern “edgy” glam. One of our favorite looks from Liberty Garden was this chic black leather dress paired with the suede fringe jacket, perfect for any Season. Get a similar look with Waverly Grey’s black faux leather sleeveless dress and suede fringe jacket from Missguided. Pair with black leather booties and you are ready to rock the streets in style.

ZHANG JINGJING

With experience working for years as a fashion magazine art director, Zhang Jingjing has recently established her own Collection. We loved the designer’s feminine romantic creations with pretty pastels and sweeping gowns. Be sure to include blush pink in your wardrobe this year, trending for 2015. Try a flowy blush pink floral maxi dress from Eliza J paired with strappy blush pink Betsey Johnson heels perfect for Spring. We also love the new Nine West blush blazer for the office or accessorize with a blush pink handbag from Coach.

Fashion Shows are an exciting world all their own. Countless hours and thousands of dollars go into producing each event to bring the world the latest in fashion design. Designers present their newest creations bringing recognition to their art, models hope to be discovered for their next modeling gig, magazine editors report on the latest trends on the runway, dancers and singers entertain, and the audience is swept away for a night of art, fashion, and culture. Be inspired by this year’s latest trends from L.A. Fashion Week and create a unique look all your own.

FASHION WITH PARISIAN POISE

As the Fall Fashion Week 2015 Runway shows come to a close in Paris, the City of Lights, we can’t help but be inspired by the quintessential French woman style. The iconic “French Woman” is so comfortable in her own skin, she is beautiful yet natural, exciting yet calm, fashionable yet simple. This Season why not be inspired head to toe by the organic yet trendy lifestyle of the Parisian woman. Try some tips from top French designers on what exactly constitutes the French woman’s mindset and lifestyle, making her an icon for the fashion world to follow.

NATURAL HAIR

To start your “Parisian” style, begin with the French woman’s undone, “I just woke up like this” natural beauty. Caroline de Maigret states that French women rarely spend hours in front of the mirror perfecting every little detail. Though they do care about beauty, French women take a more holistic approach. She suggests a few hairstyle tips that French women never do, in order to keep their hair healthy, stylish, and natural: never dye your hair, never use a hair dryer, never wash your hair everyday, and never accessorize your hair. Try going to bed at night with slightly damp hair. In the morning, shake your hair out, style with L’Oreal Elnett styling spray to keep strands in place, and embrace your natural hair just like a French woman.

A SCENT OF ROMANCE

The second thing to consider in achieving the “Parisian” look is never forgetting the power of scent. In Caroline de Maigret’s book “How to be Parisian Wherever You Are,” she states “a touch of perfume on your hair, behind you ear, or on the nape of your neck never did anyone any harm.” The French woman knows the art of seduction and romance in a subtle yet irresistible way. Try a romantic look with a Hale Bob sweeping floral maxi skirt paired with a classic Burberry fitted cashmere sweater for chillier Spring days. Choose Audrey Hepburn’s favorite with a sweep of Givenchy Le Rouge lipstick and, of course, a splash of Chanel No. 5 (or your favorite scent) for a romantic Parisian touch.

NO FASHION RULES

When selecting an outfit for the day, the French woman makes up her own rules and dresses herself in the styles that make her shine. This Season do not be afraid to mix and match patterns from your own wardrobe for a unique Spring style. Pair a chic Hale Bob purple floral wrap dress with Hale Bob’s long teal boucle coat. Accessorize with Carmen Marc Valvo leopard heels and a Rebecca Minkoff silver industrial handbag for a contrasting look. Be uniquely you and make up your own fashion design to suit your lifestyle and taste.

 THE PARISIAN SCARF

To perfectly accessorize the “Parisian” way, a scarf is one of the most simple yet stylish items that can be used to enhance your daily outfit. In America, we tend to to just wrap a scarf around our necks and think nothing of it. The French woman can transform any outfit instantly by utilizing a scarf in new and unique ways. We love Hale Bob’s selection of beautiful silk scarves, perfect for any occasion. To get you started, check out Wendy’s Lookbook “25 Ways to Wear a Scarf” for styling inspiration. No need to spend a fortune to update your look this Spring.

COMFORTABLE ELEGANCE

For evenings out, the French woman seeks comfort and ease with no fuss, while still remaining chic and classy. The French woman’s evening style, therefore, is any style she feels comfortable and confident in- being the best woman she can be. On your next night out, capture the French woman’s casual elegance with Hale Bob’s black floral lace pencil skirt, paired with an Eileen Fisher silk tank, and Michael Kors’ black cage heels. Top with a camel leather jacket from Kenneth Cole for a casual yet sophisticated “Parisian” style.

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

The Parisian woman is all about natural health and fitness both inside and out. Paris-based editorial make-up artist Violette says “A French woman would rather kill herself than go to the gym. Never get stuck in a hardcore, rigid habit.” Though she admits that classes like The Barre Method are starting to become popular in France, Violette says that the French woman stays fit by just living life. Biking, walking, and hiking are much more popular methods of exercise for the French woman on the go. Incorporate new ways to exercise this Spring by enjoying the warmer weather outside, nurturing your body and soul at the same time. “What we want to be is a better version of ourselves.”

OWN YOUR OWN SILHOUETTE

Forget skinny jeans and bodycon dresses. The French woman embraces her own figure in confidence with no need to flaunt or emphasize it. The French style embodies floaty summer dresses, cigarette pants, and undercoats that flatter and highlight the female form. Parisian shops are full of materials that create beautiful shapes and shadows that enhance your shape and style. We love Hale Bob’s vintage nude pleated shift dress paired with chic Giuseppe Zanotti black heel booties for daytime activities or Valentino nude flat sandals for a day at the beach. Accessorize with a stylish AQUA straw hat from Bloomingdale’s and a straw tote from Moda Operandi and you will look like you just spent a day in the City of Lights.

QUINTESSENTIAL PARISIAN STYLE

The French style is timeless and never goes out of style. In shopping for your next wardrobe essentials, think quality not quantity. The French woman chooses materials that are durable yet classy for any time and mixes and matches clothing items for the latest trends. We love Citizen of Humanity’s relaxed cropped jeans paired with a Rag and Bone striped top and a draped navy cardigan from Neiman Marcus to keep you warm against Spring’s chillier days. Accessorize with ballerina flats from Repetto,  a classic Parisian shoe and ballet shoe company founded by Rose Repetto on advice from her son Roland Petit, a famous dancer, choreographer, and director with the Paris Opera Ballet.

Be uniquely you this Spring by embodying the Parisian style of quality, class, and fashion. Try simplifying your daily beauty routine with natural hair, a moisturizing tint, and a swipe of bright red lipstick. Don’t forget to add a touch of romance to your look with a hint of your favorite scent. Create your unique outfit by mixing and matching items in your closet in new and creative ways that flatter your physique and give you confidence. Accent with a scarf, the most basic of accessories, styled in different ways.  Finally, enjoy the Season and get active outside doing what you love to do most. For true Parisian glamour, forget about trying to look like someone else and be the best you can be.

SPRING’S CHICEST COATS

 March 20th marks the first day of Spring, but before we bring out our summery dresses and sandals, we still need layers for those lingering chilly days. We’ve put together a list of our top favorite trending Spring coats to get you through the last few weeks of Winter. No need to toss style aside to stay warm. Take a look at our top picks and tell us which one you will be wearing this Spring.

 MIXED MEDIA PRINT

Actress Margot Robbie sported a trendy “mixed media” print coat earlier this week in snowy New York City. The city has been swept with freezing temperatures and snow flurries keeping everyone bundled up for Spring. No need to forgo your fashion sense though. Take a cue from Robbie’s funky style and cozy up with Hale Bob’s teal printed sweater coat paired with black Ponte fitted pants from Paige and a beige Enza Costa Cashmere sweater for extra warmth. Accessorize with a chic bright orange shoulder bag from Gigi New York for a pop of color on snow covered streets.

BLUSH PINK

“Oscar 2015 Fashion Trends,” mentioned blush pink as a trending hue for this Season. What better way to look forward to Spring’s pastel colors than with a pretty pink overcoat. We love Asos’ lightweight pink “Skater” coat perfectly paired with your favorite jeans, or dress it up with your favorite A-line dress, perfect for cocktail hour. Another chic option is Guess’ blush pink trench coat, a fashionable coat statement for Spring, easily paired with your usual workday attire for the office.

BRIGHT OVERCOAT

Brighten up the last of winter grays with a vibrantly colored overcoat. We love Kate Moss’s chic red coat paired with a polka dot scarf and skinny jeans. For a similar look, try Calvin Klein’s warm cherry red overcoat paired with Mother’s “The Looker” skinny jeans and a ruffled  silk polka dot scarf from Ralph Lauren. For warmer Spring days, we love Hale Bob’s bright muti-colored coral silk jacket perfectly paired with your new Kate Spade red leather sandals adding that much needed pop of color this Spring.

CAMEL TRENCH

From singer Taylor Swift to fashion advisor Rachel Zoe , the camel trench is a trending coat for Spring style. Go head-to-toe neutral with Rachel Zoe’s top camel colored clothing and accessories from across the web. For chillier Spring days, we love DKNY’s wool blend camel trench paired with Citizen’s of Humanity’s Thompson white skinny jeans and Jeffrey Campbell suede booties from Shopbop. For warmer days, try Topshop’s classic cotton camel trench paired with nude wedge sandals by Schutz. Take your camel trench out in style by pairing with your favorite cocktail dress and chic nude heels from Sarah Jessica Parker for a trendy elegant evening out. From work to play to entertaining, the camel trench is a versatile yet stylish wardrobe piece you’ll want to add to your closet this Spring.

FEATHERED CAPE

The cape made a big splash in Fall Fashion for 2014. Designers are carrying the trend into Spring by creating capes with lighter material and adding Springtime patterns such as birds and flowers. Try something different for the office this Spring with Halston Heritage’s suit cape, paired perfectly with your usual workday attire. On casual days, we love the denim jacket cape from Urban Outfitters for a unique everyday cover up. On lovely Spring days when you just need a slight wrap, try Ted Baker’s silk floral cape from Asos, perfect to pair with Hale Bob’s black cotton lace shorts or 7 For All Mankind’s black skinny jeans. Try the cape this Season for a trendy, different “coat” option.

SUEDE

A top trend on the runways this Spring was suede material for coats, hats, dresses, shoes, and handbags. Why not try this trend out this Season with a new suede coat, perfect for the fluctuating weather. We love the classic suede trench from BGSD, as pictured above. Pair with AC Collection’s “Rihanna” wide leg jeans, a blue button down from Theory, and matching blue suede shoes from Alice + Olivia for a chic street style. When the weather warms, switch out your suede coat for a lovely cream suede cozy vest from Chico’s, easy to layer over a sweater, tee, or tank for a modish layered style.

FRINGE AND LEATHER

The classic leather jacket gets an update this Season with fringe layers. Two of our favorite trends of the Season come together in a mod fringe and leather jacket. The fringe and leather jacket is very versatile and easily pairs with your work attire for the office, your favorite jeans for everyday, or your favorite evening dress for cocktail hour. We love the style pictured above, suitable for work, play, or evening without having to change in between. Get a similar look with Halston Heritage’s green ombre ruched dress paired with Mango’s trendy black leather fringe jacket and chic black leather heels from Topshop for a polished but hip Spring style.

BLACK FUR VEST

As the weather fluctuates, light layering is a fashionable way to stay trendy yet warm for chillier Spring breezes. We spotted music icon Madonna sporting a black fur coat in Milan this week promoting her new tour. Get your own fur fashion look with Hale Bob’s black rabbit fur vest paired over Hale Bob’s sleek black pantsuit. Accessorize with a Halston Heritage gold envelope clutch and brand new black “licorice too” heels from Kate Spade and you are ready to hit the streets in style this Spring just like the celebrities.

WHITE SLEEVELESS COAT

Another light option for Spring coats that we are loving is the white sleeveless coat. It can easily be layered over your workday wear or your favorite jeans to offer slight insulation when the chill is gone. We love fashion blogger and actress Olivia Palermo’s white vest paired over a chic patterned Spring dress. Get a similar look with Hale Bob’s white studded sleeveless jacket paired over a Kay Unger patterned shift dress with nude strap heels from Sarah Jessica Parker. The white sleeveless coat is a great choice for a layered look on warmer Spring days.

GINGHAM

Gingham hit the runways in a big way this Spring as mentioned in “Trending Prints in Fashion for 2015”. From Diane von Furstenberg to Oscar de la Renta to Altuzarra, designers have revamped the gingham pattern for Spring dresses, pants, and coats. Try an updated look with Brooks Brothers’ black gingham wool coat while there’s still a chill in the air or on warmer days, go with a gingham cotton jacket from New York & Company. Not just for picnics anymore, fill your Spring wardrobe with this trending coat pattern this Season.

From camel trench to white sleeveless coat to gingham overcoat there are so many chic coat options to choose from this Spring. For colder Spring days, try layering to keep warm from winter’s chill. On warmer days, forgo the layers and pair your Spring jacket with strappy heels or wedges for a hint of Spring’s coming fashion. Which Spring Coat trend will YOU choose this Season?