London Fashion Week F/W 19 Accessory Trend Spotlight

By Paige McKirahan 

 

Now that we are on the second week of fashion’s favorite month, we are truly beginning to see this year’s cold weather trends take form on runways all around the globe. Since February 15^th, we have been watching one of the most eclectic and high-profile fashion week’s take place in London; this capital’s collections have just as enthralling as those seen in New York, with bold colors schemes and larger than life accessories taking center stage. As the location for Karl Lagerfeld’s final show for Fendi, it was only customary that London brought the heat despite the cold, dreary weather. From controversy’s surrounding Burberry’s accessories to political statements made by Vivienne Westwood, there is a lot to discuss from this avant-garde week in the Big Smoke.

 

Vivienne Westwood’s show (source)

 

Taking cues from New York, collections in London spared no expense when it came to headgear designs. From cowhide berets by House of Holland to oversized earmuffs by Ryan Lo, it is evident that fall 2019 will bring looks that stun from the top of your head to the tips of your toes. Barrets and hairpins covered in pearls or gems wowed in Ashish’s collection when paired with their galactic makeup aesthetics and heightening hairstyles. Ear wraps made an eye-catching runway appearance when Ashley Williams paired her collection's colorful tights with a headwrap that featured motifs that you will have to see to believe (look below!!). We also saw function paired with fashion in Matty Boven’s headpieces, with his over-the-top, Yorkshire inspired earmuffs being the perfect avant-garde accessory for braving the bitter UK cold. Quite possibly the tamest and utilitarian piece of the bunch was created by Molly Goddard; moving away from the traditional earmuff’s and toboggans, she created a knit headscarf that protects you AND your hair from the less-than-desirable winter weather.

 

From top: House of Holland, Ashish, and Ashley Williams (source)

London collections took cues from your grandmother's closet when they incorporated brooches into looks with aesthetics ranging from abstract to western. Burberry took a step in a positive direction when creative director Ricardo Tisci accessorized his autumnal collection with sculptural pins that emulated shapes found on the beach. Toga's take on the brooch was a little less flirtatious as their bull horn pins made us feel like we were out of London and into Houston.

 

 

From top: Burberry, Toga (source)

Oversized, stackable jewelry prevailed in London just as it did in New York; from chunky gold neckwear by J.W. Anderson to bedazzled chokers spanning from collarbone to chin by Halpern, collections across the pond made a simple statement: dainty is out and chunky is in. We also saw a variety of details incorporated into jewelry designs, like the delicate pins featured in necklaces by Molly Goddard and feathers trailing on the ends of dangling earrings by Roksanda and Ports 1961.

 

From top: Halpern, Molly Goddard, and Ports 1961 (source)

Unlike New York, London boasted collections full of statement belts that were big, boisterous, and waist-cinching in style. This fun-but-functional accessory stole the show in Alexa Chung's collection with her thick, animal print belts complimenting her denim pieces to perfection. Toga's belts turned up the heat and the zoom when their larger-than-life belts were the centerpieces of their collection; this oversized piece with double buckles paired well with their thick gloves and layered fabric silhouettes.

 

From top: Alexa Chung, Toga (source)

Last but definitely not least, this season's Fashion Weeks are showing us that the idea of the "it" bag is slowly changing into a new concept entirely. Jolin Wu is a pioneer of this movement with their luxe drawstring bags that emulate ones you would see in a school locker room. Covered in fur and clutched to the chest, these were anything but elementary while still having a nostalgia-inducing style.

 

(source)

Out of all of the fabulous accessories seen walking down the runways this week, which were your favorites? We love the resurgence of the statement belt, and have plenty in our collections for those ready to hop on the trend early! 

Keep this article on hand for some great fashion inspiration for the next cold weather season, and shop our collections for some great headwear, pins, bangles, and dangling earrings of your own! For more FW coverage, be sure to stay tuned next week for our look at all things Milan!

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The Italian Fashion Round Up

By Paige McKirahan

 

Ciao, fashion-forward travelers! This week, we went wheels up on the runway towards Italy just in time for heels to touch down next week during Milan Fashion Week! In a place with such rich artistic history in endless amounts of creative industries, it is no surprise that some of the most followed fashionistas on Instagram hail from Italian states like Milan and Rome. After all, Italy did give us Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Prada, Armani, Fendi, Diesel....and the list goes on. Bloggers in this landscape have an affinity for creating a personable brand that is both authentic and fabulous, making their reach go beyond Itay's cobblestone streets. To gear up for Milan Fashion Week, check out who to follow for a first hand look at all of the runway's best fashion moments!

 

Chiara Ferragni

 

 

 

As a blogger and influencer that has risen to global fame, this Italian fashionista has been named one of the most influential bloggers in the world by Forbes. Her 15 million followers have transformed her brand, The Blond Salad, from a small blog created in 2009 to a million dollar business today.

 

Veronica Ferraro 

 

 

This top-tier influencer founded one of Italy’s most enigmatic blogs, The Fashion Fruit, in 2010. After making her way into the Instagram spotlight, she has been known to grace the pages of well-known publications like Marie Claire, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar along with appearances in a variety of luxury advertising campaigns. Find her in the rows all fashion month long!

 

Erika Boldrin

 

This Italian model’s boho-chic style is framed by picturesque locals all around the globe. All of her best looks can be seen on the traveling fashionista's blog, My Free Choice, where she combines her two interests and displays them in a perfectly curated feed that has garnered close to half a million followers. 

 

Nicolette Reggio

 

 

Reggio is an emphatic stylist and creative director behind her site Scent of Obsession; her sleek style and focus on design, photography, and travel shows why she has one of the most visually appealing social media feeds in the industry.

 

Valentina Coco

 

 

 

An all-in-one PR professional, marketing manager, and blogger is what you get with the multitalented Coco. Her motivational tone and attention to detail on her blog, Zagufashion, makes her an Italian fashion favorite that has near half a million followers.

Now that we know who to follow for all of the hottest looks in Milan, let’s see which Italian designers and labels are going to be worth featuring on these blogs among brands like Bottega Veneta and Ferragamo!

 

Pomellato

 

As this brand is already loved by Italian jewelry enthusiasts, they have no problem partnering with influencers like Chiara Ferragni when promoting their contemporary designs. Their Instagram bio boasts their global stance in the luxury market, and we see them finding widespread fame with their stackable, glamorous designs.

 

 

Your one-stop-shop for all things handmade, this brand creates delicate accessories set in simple silver or bronze constructions. Placing a twist on classic pieces like bangles and rings, these designs can be paired with any aesthetic.

 

Bea Bongiasca 

 

This designer's creations are anything but ordinary; her designs are colorful, whimsical, and in a league of their own in terms of construction. This brand is one of our favorite new discoveries and their creative marketing campaigns make them an easy follow! 

 

Presidents Day’s Presidential Jewels

 By Paige McKirahan

As the shortest month of the year with the most to celebrate, February is chock full of fun events worth commemorating. From fashion week to Valentine’s Day to Black History Month, it is easy to get lost in the sea of dedications and themed sale emails flooding your inbox. One of the biggest sale holidays of the year just so happens to occur during this festive month, and is approaching fast on the 18^th! Presidents Day, which is a federal holiday set to honor America’s long line of presidents, is more than just a day off of work perfectly suited for shopping.

At its conception, the holiday was originally designated to recognize George Washington’s birthday on February 22^nd, 1732; when it was first initiated in 1879, it was only to be observed by Washington D.C. federal offices. Then, in 1885, it expanded to include all federal offices and established itself as the first holiday formed to celebrate a president. Though it once was celebrated on Washington’s exact birthday, the date has been changed to always fall on the third Monday in February and now aims to honor all presidents throughout history.

Early President's Day Posting (source)

In addition to the celebration of our country's leaders, Presidents Day is also used as an opportunity to award those qualifying with a Purple Heart military medal. Revived on Washington’s 200th birthday in 1932, this prestigious award is commonly given out on the holiday at both the federal level and at individual military posts.

In terms of executive- inspired accessories, the most common presidential motifs are primarily seen on coins integrated into a piece's design. Coins are versatile, malleable, and easily accessible so incorporating them into accessories and jewelry has been a long standing practice not only in the United States, but all over the world. From belts to bracelets, coins offer an easy way to show your patriotism while keeping it fashion forward. For more coin accessories, check out our collections and honor our country's rich history in style! For more presidential pieces, head over to the National Archives store to shop and support National Archives exhibits!

Sources:

AncestralFindings.comWill Moneymaker founded Ancestral Findings back in 1995. He has been involved in genealogy research for over 20 years. The thrill of the hunt. “The History of Presidents Day.” Ancestral Findings, 5 Mar. 2018, ancestralfindings.com/presidents-day/.

New York Fashion Week FW19 Accessory Trend Spotlight

By Paige McKirahan

 

Though it may seem hard to get autumn on the mind when it feels like the season just recently passed us by, the collections that have been displayed at New York Fashion Week since February 8^th have us ready for September to roll around once again. Manhattan’s sidewalks have felt a little more crowded for the past week as fashionistas from all over the world have flocked to New York City for a taste of what is to come in the industry this year. From Tomo Koizumi’s jaw-dropping gowns to Ralph Lauren’s beautiful venue, we were far from disenchanted with the designs presented around the city and are now left to reveal all of the magnificence that graced the runway!

 

Tomo Koizumi fashion show (source) 

 

In terms of jewelry design, chunkier constructions seemed to trump delicate styles across all collections; Badgley Mischka’s and Adeam’s dangling, oversized earrings sparkled all the way down to model’s shoulders with gold, pearls, and fabric taking center stage. We also saw the emblematic return of stacking with everything from chokers to bangles to rings in shows like Ulla Johnson’s trouser-centric womenswear collection. R13 put a fun spin on vintage pearls and pins when they dominated the composition of the collection’s grunge aesthetic; the eclectic mix between grandma’s closet chic and street style cool makes them a Talkingfashion favorite!

 

 

From top to bottom: Adeam, Ulla Johnson, and R13 (source)

 

Similar to the looks that we saw in many of our favorite Paris Haute Couture collections from last month, NYFW did not disappoint when it came to headwear. Tom Ford took a cue from early 1990s accessories trends and made an attempt to revive the bucket hat in a big (literally) way, incorporating wild colors and materials into the design of the once unpopular style. We saw Kate Spade continue showing their love for swimming caps, with patterns consistent with the ensemble that they were accompanying. R13 not only stunned in the accessory realm, but their collection also boasted headwear that is perfect for both the slopes and the runway; their Russian- style headgear is reminiscent of trooper fashion with earflaps offering a utilitarian flair.

 

 

From top: Tom Ford, Kate Spade, and R13 (source)

 

Possibly one of the most interesting trends at NYFW both on the runway and on influencer feeds is that of the hair accessory. From bedazzled barrettes to velvet headbands, designers and fashion aficionado’s alike all raved over the fun pieces that are reminiscent of those seen in a private school classroom. Christian Siriano was one of the designers to take this to the next level when he incorporated chain-like strands into the ponytails of his models, making it look like her hair had a necklace of its own! The Blonds took Siriano's take one step further when they covered their model's head in a full gold chain, wig-like piece fit for an Egyptian queen.

 

 From top: Christian Siriano and The Blonds (source)

 

Of course, this doesn't even begin to break the tip of the iceberg on NYFW enigmatic street-style scene, though the ever-evolving Instagram style trends seem to be well aligned with the S/S '19 predictions that were made last fall. Keep this article on hand for some great fashion inspiration for the next cold weather season, and shop our collections for some great headwear, pins, bangles, and dangling earrings of your own! For more FW coverage, be sure to stay tuned next week for our spotlight on all things London Fashion Week!

 

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The United Kingdom Fashion Round Up

By Paige McKirahan

 

Welcome back, Talkingfashion travelers! Our passport is getting stamped again this week as we head towards the United Kingdom; while it may seem hard to remember which European countries fall under the UK’s umbrella, we were sure to do our research so we could be great tourists! The United Kingdom consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so it’s obvious that they have a rich group of bloggers and influencers in the midst worth spotlighting. Though there is no fashion week that occurs in these countries, that doesn’t mean they don’t know the industry from the inside out; some of our favorite designers like Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen hail from great British states, as well as some of our new favorites you can find below! Read on to see which British bloggers are blowing up the fashion world this year and see if you recognize any names!

 

Inthefrow

 

 

Victoria Magrath, the pioneer behind this award-winning style blog, is putting her Ph.D. in fashion to good use; her expertise and perfectly curated aesthetic capture the attention of her followers, which would explain why time and time again Inthefrow has been rated the Best UK’s Women Fashion blog by Vuelio since 2017.

 

Disneyrollergirl

 

 

Since her blog’s conception in 2007, Naz Batliwalla has watched the UK blogging landscape completely transform and expand entirely over the past 12 years. She uses her platform to provide her audience with honest fashion advice and her affinity for the industry has landed her partnerships with high-end brands like Chanel and Dior.

 

Advanced Style

 

 

 

As one of our favorite accounts on this list, Advanced Style was created by Ilona, Joyce, and Lynna Dell who range in age from the early 80s to the early 90s. They focus on street style and advice for older fashionistas, making such huge waves in the industry that they even have a documentary created in their honor out covering their success! 

 

Shewearsfashion

 

 

 

Kavita Donkersley undoubtedly has blogger blood running through her veins; this Sheffield native has been running her now emblematic fashion blog since the age of 16 in order to share her vintage finds with followers. Today, she still discusses her thrifty practices in Shewearsfashion, along with her takes on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle habits. Her love of vintage made her a standout for us and her “Thrifty Thursday” posts make her worth the follow! 

 

A Fashion Fix

 

 

 

This Brighton based blog is run by travel aficionado and the queen of simple aesthetics, Hannah Crosskey. Her feminine style with a twist perfectly encapsulates the cool-girl look that influencers everywhere are begging to curate. A Fashion Fix puts all of this on display and also offers a way for followers to get their hands on some pieces coming directly from Crosskey’s closet through Depop!

These influencers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to standout UK fashion fanatics and to check out who else is dominating the influencer landscape across the pond, check out this article! Moving on the brands, there are many Instagram-worthy accessory designers rising up among the rest of their British counterparts. To feel like a million bucks without spending that much to do so, check out these fashion-forward jewelry brands that are sure to make you (and your bank account) shine.

 

Edge of Ember

 

 

A one-stop-shop for all of your favorite gold separates, this jewelry brand makes dainty pieces that emulate Celine’s initial pendants on a budget. This female-led company was founded by Lynette Galdstone in 2014 and has ensured that her designs are ethically and artisan artistically created.

 

Alona

 

 

A brand that garners inspiration from vintage collections and Middle Eastern aesthetics alike, Alona is effortlessly chic and reminiscent of ancient Mediterranean treasures. The designer, Alona Shelemy, is the daughter of a fine jeweler; she understands the weight of her success and donates 10% of her proceeds to ocean conservation efforts.

 

Alex Monroe

 

 

Alex Monroe is far from a new player in the jewelry game; now on it's 32nd year of operation, his namesake brand features nature motifs in their handmade pieces with their iconic bumblebee design being at the forefront of their brand for over 10 years. All of the pieces are produced in the designer’s workshop in London Bridge, with an accompanying boutique located directly below!

 

Otiumberg

 

 

The pair behind this fashion-forward jewelry brand was more than qualified for the job when they founded their company in 2014. Christi and Rosanna Wollenberg, who are sisters with backgrounds in the fashion and art world, create contemporary silver and gold pieces that work with everyone’s style.

 

Missoma

 

 

Designed for daily wear, Missoma’s pieces are delicate and made to be personalized. Whether you wear them in multiple layers; add studs, pendants, or charms; or simply wear them alone in their original form, these distinctive designs are both refined and whimsical. 

Though this trip to the UK wasn’t long enough for us to pick up an accent, we did have a great time exploring all of the wonderful fashion finds that the area had to offer. Your following list is now going global, so why stop here? Stay tuned next week for a quick trip over to Italy right before Milan Fashion Week!