L.A. Fashion Week - Spring 2012

L.A. Fashion Week has been full of surprises this year.  With a slew of shows at the Vibiana downtown, producers such as Bubble Fish Media and GenArt and attendees like The Style Map and Flaunt Magazine, Style Fashion Week Los Angeles has so far been a pleasant experience. 

Here are some candid shots from the week, but be sure to head over to Glam Damn It on Joonbug to read my full coverage of the shows, including my top picks, behind the scenes shots and convos with the designers!

Vanessa from Paola Loves To Shop got us some last-minute invites to the Penelope's Vintage presentation at The Colony (pictured above).  After making our way through no less than four levels of security, I finally got to see the collection and I loved it!  It combined all of my favorite things about L.A. vintage: comfortable, fashion-forward pieces paying homage to their past. 

Annnnnd now I want a cloak.  Watch this video shot by The Garage Gypsy of the Gypsy 05 show Wednesday night to understand why:

Whew!  And it's still on for 3 more days...

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

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Current Wishful Drinking: Fall Obsessions

This morning, I sat down with a list in front of me.  On that list were seven (or eight, depending on whether you include shoes as one item or two) currently coveted items I have been dreaming of all autumn.  I was supposed to whittle the list to just one amazing, expensive, must-have thing. 

I couldn't do it.  Could not choose just one.  I am a terrible whittler.  I have to have all of the too-wonderful wardrobe additions featured here.  They all fill my head with happy thoughts and daydreams about the places I could wear them, which is pretty much the main criteria for Current Wishful Drinking.  That and having a price tag which would make it okay to consider purchasing only while occupying a very...specific mindset. 

The See by Chloe and Rebecca Taylor crepe dresses inspired by similar styles from the 1940's are just dying to be worn beneath the soft leather and shearling of the Lot 78 aviator jacket.  To say nothing of how instantly cool anyone in an aviator jacket looks.  The Miu Miu heels are so pink and sparkly they would make even the most basic ensemble look playful yet fashion-forward.  And that blanket coat from Matthew Williamson?  I, like most women my age I'm sure, am cursing my five year old self for not saving my mother's late 80's, identical version from meeting its' destiny at Goodwill.  Remember how soft those things were?  I want to wrap this one around me at work and when people accuse me of "curling up in a blanket" instead of "working" I'll point out that it is actually quite a chic item of clothing.  Of course, scent is the strongest sense tied to memory and the Fan di Fendi fragrance from Fendi captures the crisp, spicy and woodsy feeling of autumn like no other. 

Each and every one of these clothing items can be purchased from Net-A-Porter.  The shoes and the fragrance can be found at Nordstrom's.  Although if you can afford all of these things at once I am so beyond jealous I don't even know why I'm helping you track them down. 

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

Images appear courtesy of Net-A-Porter, FashionIndie, and Elle.com. 

Shot of Wheatgrass

The weather has finally started to turn here in L.A. and I think everyone is happy.  It's quite funny to walk down the street the first time it gets "cold" and notice everyone bundled up in their hats and sweaters.  Even Californians love a nice fall breeze. 

My sis snapped these shots a few days before this mini change in seasons.  I'd still wear this now, but I'd have to add a neutral button-down shirt under the dress and change out the sandals for some light grey sweater tights and brown ankle boots. 

I love this French Connection UK dress because it's made of a silk-cotton-poplin blend which makes it soft yet durable and the top has boning in it which I love for maintaining shape and it's probably the only way I'd ever wear something strapless.  And the hidden pockets.  Hidden pockets in a dress are always amazing.  They make me feel like I'm some old French woman that needs to keep things like apples and tissues and loose flour right on my persons.  You know, like an old country woman that has NO USE for a purse.  Disclaimer: I do not keep apples, tissues or loose flour in my pockets.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that this dress makes me feel industrious. 

Sweater: Free People, Dress: French Connection United Kingdom, Sandals: Blanco,

Sunnies: Vintage,  Bracelets: Various, Nail Polish: Sinful Colors Fusion Neon 60

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

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IFB Links a La Mode Sept. 29th

A big thank you to Independent Fashion Bloggers for including my Joshua Tree Travel Guide in their weekly round-up of the best fashion blog posts!  Make sure you check out all of the other great posts that made the cut as well  by following the links below.

Spring Forward, Fall Back

Edited by: Collette Osuna of Statements in Fashion

I’m not sure about you, but just as men look forward to Fall for sporting events that keep them on the couch, I look forward to Fall for my own selfish reasons......adding to my closet collection!
If you enjoy sipping a cup of coffee while you browse your favorite online shopping sites, or if you prefer to rise with the sun to open the doors of your favorite Mall, Fall shopping is the time for you.
Thanks to Fashion Week, we have all had a chance to peek at the newest clothing, boots and accessories that will be filling up retail stores everywhere this season.
This weeks links focus on hot Fall runway trends, Collection debuts, DIY’s, makeup & hair tips, and even how to manage deadlines. Fall is back bloggers, and with a vengeance!

THE IFB WEEKLY ROUNDUP: LINKS À LA MODE: SEPTEMBER 29TH

• ChiCquero: Mongolian Style Makeup Editorial
• Mahlia Calloway: This Seasons Must Haves
• Girl Loves Color: Color on the Runway: Mary Katrantzou
• The Loudmouth: On Detours & Deadlines
• Angela Osborn: Dear White Shirt, I love you very much!
• This is a Yes: My Clothing Picks - Still for the Summer and Already for the Fall
• Leia's Delights: Shopping Philosophy - knowing when to spend or splurge
• Wishing for Chanel: Wear the runway trend now - Purple hues at Prabal Gurung S/S12
• Fashion Dynamite: How I wore my favorite fall trend - the cape
• Kirstin Marie: A small collection of my most coveted Fashion Inspiration DIY blogs.
• Dress Code: High Fashion: Jean Paul Gaultier F/W 11/12
• Bang byLo: How to salvage a pair of shoes with glitter
• V is for Olive: Discovering the hidden gems of the California desert
• Juliets Lace: Autumn tips, accessories and cover ups.
• The Chic Sheet: Three Spring Trends To Try Now
• WanderLost: My top 10 favorites for Fall
• The Style Confessions: One way to style your Missoni for Target find
• Believe in Faery Tales: Eden Park or 'The Why to Paris' - An intern's tale
• Style Sizzle: 5 Barbie Style Lessons
• Oh to be a Muse: Keeping it Real, Natural Hair Care

SPONSOR:
Women's Sweaters at Shopbop: Vince, Chinti & Parker, Theory Sweater, Milly, Preen, Joie, James Perse, Sonia Rykiel, Cardigans, Splendid, Elie Tahari, Pencey, & Sweater Dresses.

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

Dripped Party

Last night my friend, the Garage Gypsy showed her jewelry at the Dripped Fashion Party/Trunk Show at Pop tART gallery and I stopped by to visit.  It was so much fun I ended up keeping her company all night, only leaving the booth to track us down libations and macaroons. 

There were a lot of great indie designers, vintage shops and artists showing so I wanted to share some of my favorite exhibitors - it is definitely worth checking out each and every one. 

Miss Wax Jewelry had these incredible metal talon rings.  It's times like this I wish I knew how to play guitar - think of how cool you could look if this thing was your pick. 

Pattycakes and Natalie had little stations set up and it was quite fascinating to watch the ladies as they literally created tiny works of temporary art on people's fingernails.  The Aztec-design manicure is my favorite at the moment. 

London Fierce and Randal Castel had the most amazing vintage finds at their booth.  I took a lap to think about buying some kelly green Christian Louboutin ballerina-style heels and when I came back ten minutes later they were already gone!  Moral of the story: always buy a well priced Louboutin and don't come to a trunk show with your "Practical Shopper" hat on. 



Great music, great macaroons, great friends and great art.

Your Golden Girl,

Olive

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