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Posts Tagged 'Natalie Alcala'

Top 3: Posso

Top 3: Posso Posso means “I can” in Italian. It makes sense for this to be the name of the thriving LA-based brand that childhood friends Vanessa Giovacchini and Marylouise Pels have created, as the success they’ve achieved in the last year is a direct result of their ambitious mantra. From collaborating with the brand Costume Dept. on a "Space Safari" line, to DJing at the Summer Sonic festival in Japan, the duo -- who could easily pass for models at the fashion parties they also DJ -- are progressing at the speed of light. Speaking of time travel, when asked what inspires their work, they explain, “On the whole, traveling helps us stay inspired -- just seeing the way people in different places experience the world. Vintage is a key element as well, particularly the concept of re-designing and re-discovery.” Posso first made headlines in fashion when they introduced Posso the Spat, a provocatively revised version of the footwear accessory popular in the late 1800s. From there they took Posso to the next level, adding other accessories and, most recently, one-of-a-kind crop tees made from recycled t-shirts.

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Top 3: Prince Pelayo

Top 3: Prince Pelayo If James Dean had a career in fashion, spoke Spanish, lived in London, and was best friends with a top international fashion blogger, then he would be Pelayo Díaz Zapico. Upon visiting said fashion blogger-turned-It-girl Gala Gonzalez’s popular blog, I couldn’t help but notice the gorgeous style rebel with a perfectly coiffed pompadour accompanying her in most photos. I wanted to know who he was and why he wasn’t famous. So I bookmarked his own blog, Kate Loves Me, and watched as others slowly became enchanted by the force that is Prince Pelayo. “My most amazing moment in fashion," he says, "was hanging out outside the Alexander McQueen show in Paris, without a ticket and having one of the PR people walking towards me, asking if I was Pelayo, and giving me a ticket. That was a real dream come true.” Besides modeling and styling, he can now add fashion designer to his resume, as his D.I.Y. cross shirts (see below) have already gained widespread appeal, with orders for Alexa Chung and Rihanna currently in his queue. Somewhere between making shirts for stars and manifesting dreams, the 23-year-old shares his top picks of the moment.

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Future Vintage: LAS Jewelry

Future Vintage: LAS Jewelry Let’s face it: Los Angeles is not a fashion capital. But with year-round perfect weather, who really cares? Still, that doesn’t negate the fact that a large portion of the population limits their clothing options to club- or beachwear, regardless of occasion. If you explore beyond the embellished T-shirts, velour track suits, and flip flops, you’ll find a community of independent designers that transcends the trends by creating real art for the city. Amongst this group are Lisa and Dan Soltis of LAS Jewelry. With her organic design aesthetic and his professional sculpting skills, this LA-based couple creates custom jewelry that fluently balances vintage adornment with modern craftsmanship.

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Swimming with Sharks in the Nude

Swimming with Sharks in the Nude With the various 4th of July festivities going off in Los Angeles this year, I made a last-minute decision to hit up MFG & Rockwell’s Swimming with Sharks party at the roof bar above the Downtown Standard. These boys throw sweet events here all summer long, so I knew what to expect: cool kids, great music, flowing booze, and -- more importantly -- free entry (for early arrivals). This edition, aptly titled Swimming in the Nude, was sponsored by Nudie Jeans Co., which meant bathing suit giveaways ... perhaps given to those that took the event title literally. And the party did not disappoint.

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Style Muse: Technicolor Dreams

Style Muse: Technicolor Dreams Muse: Basso & Brooke Resort 2010 collection.
Style: Vivid color splashes, digital prints, distorted patterns, and futuristic motifs.

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What’s Next: The Summer Suit

What’s Next: The Summer Suit The feminine/masculine juxtaposition is all the rage in both high and low fashion. Combining a delicate floral dress with a sturdy studded belt or a cocktail mini with combat boots are trends that signify a sense of femininity with authority. In maintaining this concept, the next power move must be the reinvented suit. It’s clear that a well-tailored blazer can top-off any ensemble, but there is a way to bring back the matching slacks without looking over-polished. With the arrival of summer, the suit is making a comeback -- but we’re swapping pants for shorts. Chloë Sevigny has been seen on more than one occasion in her Chloé scalloped-edge blazer and shorts. A look from Jenni Kayne’s Resort 2009 collection redefined the term “business casual” by pairing a classic blazer with high-waisted shorts. Kate Bosworth stepped out in a boyfriend blazer and jumpsuit, presenting another way to suit up an everyday look.

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What’s Next: Accessory Accentuation

What’s Next: Accessory Accentuation Have you ever selected your handbag, footwear, or jewelry before deciding on what clothing to wear? Sometimes we’re so into wearing a new accessory that the sole purpose of apparel is to draw attention to that very item. Designers are also aware of our thrill for frills, as they test new colors, materials, hardware, and versatility to bring us something innovative every season. And as somewhat of a tribute to this wave of bright and bold accessorizing, everyone from models, celebrities, and our very own First Lady occasionally let their clothing take a backseat in order to accentuate their unique designer embellishments. Alexa Chung paired a navy cardigan with black tights, showcasing the intricate details of her safari-style Louis Vuitton platforms and handbag. Michelle Obama wore a long flowing black dress, highlighting her vibrant jewels by Tom Binns. Photographer Carin Backoff selected red lace-up sandals, adding a touch of color to her blazer and cutoff shorts ensemble.

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Style Muse: Simplified Statements

Style Muse: Simplified Statements Muse: Sydneysider girl, courtesy of Garance Doré.
Style: Plain oversized t-shirt, rolled-cuff jeans, striking footwear.

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An Ingenious Alliance: Confederacy LA’s Ilaria Urbinati

An Ingenious Alliance: Confederacy LA’s Ilaria Urbinati When you walk into Confederacy -- a Los Angeles boutique owned by Ilaria Urbinati, Danny Masterson, and Aly Mawji -- you instantly feel inspired. Whether it’s the quality selection of designer clothing, accessories, and beauty products, the rotating display of artwork and photography, or lively in-store events, the space hosts an endless amount of creativity. The charming Ilaria, a celebrity stylist and former buyer for LA boutiques Satine and Milk, fills me in on her style influences and why every visit to Confederacy is truly a unique experience.

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What’s Next: Shape-Shifters

What’s Next: Shape-Shifters We’ve seen it all when it comes to the revolving door of fashion trends. Year after year, designers experiment with new color palettes, textiles and adornments to bring us the next big thing. However, there is one trend that ceased to present itself, until now: the reinvented silhouette.

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City: New York
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