Festival Fashionistas: Who to Follow 

By Paige McKirahan

 

If you are like the thousands of other music lovers gearing up for a summer full of festival fun, you may be left in a panic wondering how you are going to come up with enough fashion-forward festival fits to last the whole season! Fear not, fashionistas; we here at TalkingFashion are here to tell you whos who in festival fashion offering great aesthetic inspiration. From Vanessa Hudgens to Gigi Hadid, many Coachella Valley patrons cut no corners when it comes to creating the perfect bohemian look fit for the runway, so read on to see who else is using the festival grounds as their own personal Insta-set to showcase their best Coachella-approved looks!

 

Elle Ferguson

As a festival regular, this fashionista knows the whos and whats of creating the season's most Instagrammable looks! We love her western inspired bag and her bangles create the perfect pop of color in her otherwise minimalist outfit!

Tezza

This NYC based best selling authors trades her pen for cowboy boots to saddle up for festival season. We are OBSESSED with this kitschy dress and love her use of layered necklaces to complement the look!

Camila Coelho

This member of Forbes 30 under 30 list spares no expense when it comes to creating the perfect festival fit. She is right on trend with her use of the uber popular hair accessory and love the pop of pink with her cool sunglasses that immediately caught our eyes!

Aggie Lal

As the human embodiment of cool girl style, Aggie Lal lets her LA roots shine through with her festival style. Look to her Instagram if you have an affinity for California chic aesthetics with a hint of grunge and good vibes!

Emma Rose

This West-coast girl's effortless style climbs to new heights during festival season, with her squad of chicly dress pals being one of her most stylish accessories. Whether she's sporting a cow print bikini with leather chaps or a bohemian mini dress, she knows how to work the weather and use Coachella Valley as her own personal runway!

If these Instagram fashionistas have you inspired and ready for some festival fun, check out our latest blog post detailing how we can help you gear up for all of your favorite music events this summer! If you haven't followed any of these fabulous fashionistas already, head to Instagram now for even more of their amazing looks! For more festival fashionista's check out this article from Husskie!

Sources:

The 50 best blogger fashion looks from Coachella. (2018, April 17). Retrieved from https://www.husskie.com/the-50-best-influencer-and-blogger-fashion-looks-from-coachella/

Guccio Gucci the Great: Five Facts About Fashion’s Finest

By Paige McKirahan 

 

As a plethora of designer birthdays are on the horizon this spring, we wanted to remember one of our favorites that were born on March 26^th; Guccio Gucci, the infamous creative mind behind the House of Gucci was born in 1881 in Florence, Italy to a family with a history in leather craftsmanship. Though Guccio passed away over 50 years ago in 1953, his eponymous namesake brand lives on and continues to dominate the luxury market. Prior to his death, he remained at the head of the brand and molded Gucci into the haute couture powerhouse that it is today. Read on to find out some fast facts about this fashion favorite and brush up on your industry trivia!

 

In 1921, Gucci opened his first shop in Florence, Italy

Guccio and his son Rodolfo in front of an early Gucci store, 1938 (source) 

This first leather-focused boutique laid the foundation for the House of Gucci as its quality goods allowed Guccio to build a reputation around his dedication to detail. He was known to employ only the best craftsmen from his neighborhood, and he created small leather accessories that quickly garnered him local fame.

 

In 1932, he created the "it" loafer.

After word began to spread about his brand, many people were traveling all over the world to purchase his designs in Florence. During this time, he created the loafer shoe with a gilded snaffle; this was the first of its kind and became such a staple in everyday footwear to this day is still the only shoe on display in New York's Museum of Modern Art.

Guccio and his wife, Aida, had a large family.

The Gucci Family (source)

Lucky for the Gucci's, they easily could keep the company in the family as their six children- four sons and two daughters- were the perfect successors. Following Guccio's death, his four sons, Aldo, Ugo, Vasco, and Rodolf, dramatically took over operations at the fashion house.

 

Guccio introduced the iconic bamboo handled bag in 1947.

Gucci bamboo patent form (source)

As the brand's first iconic bag, this accessory made huge waves in the industry as it was a previously unseen style. This design has been a mainstay at the company since its conception and is a popular choice by modern fashionistas all over the world.

Guccio's brand is owned by Kering.

The Gucci brand is now owned by a parent company with an affinity for luxury fashion. In addition to Gucci, Kering also owns Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, Sergio Rossi, Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen! Who would not love to be a part of this exclusive club?

We hope that these fast fashion facts gave you a new look into the life of Guccio Gucci and that you learned something new with us at TalkingFashion today! For a timeline of Guccio's life, click here!

Sources:

 

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/.

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!

 

The United States Fashion Round Up

By Paige McKirahan

Following fast on the heels of the fashion week, we are traveling back to the United States this week just in time for the streets of New York to be overflowing with the most fabulous fashionistas from all over the globe. This fashion capital, along with the rest of the country, is the perfect playground for both street style aficionados and high profile designers alike, which will be illustrated at the helm at the first NYFW of 2019. Though it may feel like your timeline is saturated with subpar content from this out-of-this-world event, we are here to ensure you are following the best of the best when it comes to American brands and influencers. Read on to see who deserves all of the likes and reposts this season!

 

Julia Engel

 

This Charleston-based influencer created her blog, Gal Meets Glam, while in college and her chic style brought high-profile partnerships with brands like Tory Burch, Gap, and Coach. Her reach has only increased in the years since her blogs conception, so be on the lookout for her own fashion line launching sometime this year!

 

Nicolette Mason

 

 

This influencer is breaking fashion barriers with her funky style and disregard for industry norms. As co-founder of plus size brand Premme, this blogger is causing quite the stir among her 175k followers with her fun captions and unapologetic dedication to self-love.

 

Leandra Cohen

 

This influencer is an accessories lover after our own hearts; after the creation of her smash blog Man Repeller, she became an icon in the fashion world for encouraging women to wear what they love every day regardless of otuside opinion.

 

Madelynn Furlong

 

 

This Minneapolis turned LA-based blogger is a woman of many talents; in addition to running her blog Wide Eyed Legless, she provides her thousands of followers with runway-worthy outfit inspiration on Instagram daily!

 

Reese Blutstein

 

 

Reese Blustein, a 21-year-old influencer from Georgia, is taking the fashion world by storm with her twin sister Molly by her side. This Atlanta native specializes in indie, up and coming brands and details all of their fabulous pieces on her blog, Double 3xposure.

 

In addition to these amazing influencers, there are many brands being created right here in the United States that share our affinity for great accessories! Read on to see which American-made pieces  we are dying to get our hands on this year!

 

SVNR

 

 

Created by Christina Tung in Brooklyn, this jewelry brand's aesthetic is reminiscent of creations found in a preschool classroom. The fun, colorful pieces are all made from sustainable materials. An added bonus? They are all one of a kind!

 

Notte Jewelry

 

 

Jessica Say, the mastermind behind the Notte name, finds inspiration for her pieces when traveling between the two biggest fashion capitals in the world: New York and Paris. Her retro motifs and affordable prices make her a fan favorite, and we see her becoming one of Instagram's must-have brands this year!

 

Legier

 

Created right in LA, these Legier jewelry pieces are making waves in the world of Instagrammable accessories. The designer, who is a former art historian, uses their knowledge of design periods to ensure all of their jewelry feels like wearable fine art. 

Anita Berisha

Coming from humble DIY roots, this Pinterest-turned-couture brand can be seen on occupying shelves with the likes of Gucci and Balenciaga. Berisha's handcrafted pieces are classic and clean, appealing to jewelry lovers from all aesthetic backgrounds!

The Last Line

 

This jewelry brand knows how to catch an eye; their colorful, wild designs are sold by the piece and made for matching. A perfect mix of diamonds and all colors from the color wheel, The Last Line creates pieces worth breaking the bank for!

We hope that you have enjoyed travelling with us so far and have found new obsessions hailing from all around the globe in China, Australian, and the United States! If none of these have been your style, do not fear; stay tuned next week for our journey to the UK and Great Britain in search of even more fashion finds!

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