StyleFiles: IveEra.com

The best moments happen at random, and as I was standing outside the coffee shop (so cliché right) this dapper guy caught my eye hands down! Back home its considered rude to stare (in Italy its acceptable, quite normal even) but I couldn’t help but zoom in on his 2013 Spring Valentino Camo/Spiked sneaks…like literally damn near took a knee to view these sneakers as he casually shifted his foot towards me so I can get a better look. Little did I know he was watching me watch him through his black and gold trimmed sunglasses the entire time and was more than willing to pose for my quick unconventional photo-shoot. The lit cigarette and news paper only added to his oh so Italian La bella figura, staying true to his posh roots, he defined modern day business casual effortlessly mixing tuxedo classics with sporty savvy pieces. This my friend is coordinating done right! Instead of a graphic or leather tee that has become a fashion epidemic, he opted for layers, a clean cut colour pallet—giving us dimensions and textures without being overwhelmed and “too trendy”; simple yet trendy. He was inspiration to say the least, and those Valentino Camo Rockrunners are a must have in any sneaker head or anyone for that matter’s closet! I’m a sneaker gal at heart and heels hurt to walk-in so believe my Nike Roshe Runners are well in tow. I’ve also spotted my European companions sporting a more affordable version of Valentino’s athletic sneaker; Adidas original runners and Sauconys!! Taking it back! And I must say the color waves are contrasting, bold and attention grabbing and I must snag a pair before I go! (only $60 US dollars!) Paired with a loose trouser cuffed or your fave jogger, tee and denim jacket layered under a cool and sophisticated trench (like my muse above) make for a good unisex look—oh oh don’t forget the quick “out the door” makeup routine: winged eye/mascara and nude pooch for an effortless sporty chic look, accommodated of course by square or aviator frames; boy do they love their shades for the shade! {Pun intended) Europeans, well Italians more specifically have mastered the art of comfortable chic for guys mostly, but I love the look for women as well, its young, its hip and undoubtedly trendy!

                http://www.valentino.com/en/collections/men/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu7TAm0E4Do

Ofcourse on actual blog/photo would be aligned with text and hyperlinks would be included for (Valentino/Adidas and Sauconys)

Picture/Logos/Tags all created by Alexis Nadira (Sundawson)

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Designer: Balmain Fall 2013

. http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=75981434

"Meetings in the Big City"--Sophisticate/Funky Prints/Color Blocking

        -JC DE CASTELBAJAC PRINTED SILK TWILL TROUSERS

                -ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 130MM SUEDE OPEN TOE PUMPS                    (red)

                -SALAR Neon Super Bag Recycled Leather

                - White Peplum Cap Sleeve shirt

                -Maria Francesca Pepe Multi Chain Cuff

  TOP FIVE NAIL TRENDS FOR SPRING 2013!!

Your wardrobe isn't the only thing that change with the seasons; your nails colour has gotten an upgrade with spunky colors to help you transition into Spring! Nails are an added accessory that stylize any outfit, and this spring we have shifted from oxblood and murky colors that were oh so chic this past fall into chiseled metalics and two-toned nail art!

I absolutely love Essie nail polish, it's my go-to grab when i need a quick coat or two of my fave color to get me through the week. It was virtually impossible to pick just ONE color for each trend, so we've provided a variety of this Spring's nail color trends brought to you by Essie Nail Polish. (Only $8 US dollars!! *Great Steal*)

To kick off spring we have are "Metallic's& Shimmer", five kickass colors that make a bold fashion statement. Hues of copper, metal, brass, gold, steel teal and of ocourse SHIMMER!! Glittered nails and Mean Metals give you that extra glitz and edge for all of my rockstar fashionistas. 

PASTELS: We chose our top three pastels from the Essie collection, that are sure to have you in the right mood for spring. Pale pinks and hues of powdered blues are fun and girly!

CONTRAST: Can never go wrong with the ever so elegant and stylish black or white nail licour or both! Nail art is the cool expressive way to show your artistic creativity and strokes of black and white looks clean and concise. Minimalist have used white as their go-to spring color this season and black is making a comeback! (Also try Matte nails for a new look)

RUBY RED: Sassy, Sexy and Effortless! What lady doesn't look good in red or feel empowered dawning these spicy nails?! Try Essies Ruby Red in Stiletto Nails.

  “Pumps&Graphic Tees”–Edgy/Trendy/Bold/Rocker-chic/Gold -Maison Givenchy Tee (Luisviaroma) -Demboza Jeans (Luisviaroma) -Semilla Red/Gold Toe Pump (Luisviaroma) -Black Leather Moto Jacket -Stacked bracelets &Gold link hoops Hair: High Bun (messy or sleek) Makeup: Nude face,natural- dramatic lashes& Bold Lip!

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Today was a great day for Pirates & Plaid and I, the captain set forth out to explore the wondrous clothing of Fabulous Findz Boutique, located in Norfolk VA. It was a day of excessive changing and going through racks of clothes and I had found the hidden vintage treasures this quaint boutique had to offer. The partner-owned boutique includes trendy clothing and jewelry that can be seen on your fave celebrity or your ultimate fashionista. Co-owner Tracey of Norfolk VA provides the sassy and very on trend aspect to the store, but if you go to the back left side of the store, you will find To DIE For…and I mean to die for Vintage pieces that just melts my heart hand picked by Tawania B. (I recommend a bigger space for the vintage department ;) but that’s just my personal preference). The store appeals to the bold and daring who can mix& match modern with old to create a true Fabulous Find!

Outfit Breakdown: “Pirates&Plaid”

-70’s sex hair (ode to the ever so fabulous Tracee Ellis Ross on her hair turtorial)

-Oversized Bow Front Blouse (Vintage)

-Long Red/Blue Plaid overcoat (Vintage)

-Black Liquid Leggings (Fabulous Finds Boutique)

-Brown Knee High Boots (Aldo)

Photo credit

Rachel Zoe’s Resort 2013 will make you want plan your next vacation, her collection in tow.

Her RTW collection paints a sun kissed Paris scenery with bold colored dresses and flirty floral prints, which is not to be over looked by her night life pieces embellished with funky sequence and oversized accessories.Rachel manipulates modern renditions of 60′s and 70′s inspired clothing; sporting everything from color blocked mini’s to sensual androgynous suits. She blurs the line between sophisticated and overtly sexy with ombred furs and the ever so-daring sheer jumpsuits and day dresses. This superb resort collection appeals to all and is fit to make every woman feel lavish and vacation-ready.

By Alexis Nadira

#IveEra

Richard Braqo’s debut shoe collection, which was released this fall, has already been worn by pop sensations Rihanna and Ciara, not to mention being featured in Vogue magazine. We have no doubt Richard Braqo is a label you’ll be hearing more about soon, so let us fill you in on the details!

Hailing from Ghana, Braqo moved to NYC at the tender age of 18 with hopes to pursue his dreams as an aspiring designer. He attended fashion design school at Parsons The New School for Design, where he was able to develop his craft and showcase his aesthetic for optimum quality shoes.

{a href=”http://styleblazer.com/74373/ghanian-designer-richard-braqo-pin-points-his-place-on-fashion-map-with-debut-shoe-line-literally-makes-our-toes-curl/”}Photo Credit{/a}

Braqo was the first Cesare Paciotti Accessories Award for shoe design at Parsons in 2009, and he later went on to collaborate with Cesare Paciotti on a collection sold at Saks and Barney’s. His work with Paciotti as well has his experience with Ikram Goldman, Helmut Lang and Acne Studios propelled his career into high gear. After gaining experience at these fashion houses, Braqo was ready to launch his own label.

His fierce collection includes various blue and green hues with decorative embellishments. Don’t expect a sensible pair of flats from this label–Richard Braqo is all about chic stilettos with very concentrated heels. Some of Braqo’s artistic touches include a gold pin with a pearl that rises above the shoe in the ankle area, a heel adorned with talon-shaped metal bangles and velvet tips. The pins are a common theme across several pairs of Braqo’s shoes. While they’re a bit out of the ordinary, they certainly make it easier to accessorize your outfit! We guarantee that if you wore any pair of Richard Braqo shoes, you’d receive tons of compliments and more than a few stares.

{a href=”http://goodleypr.co.uk/clients/richard-braqo/”}Photo Credit{/a}

Richard Braqo has transformed the typical stiletto into  a chic work of art. Click through his spring 2013 lookbook and let us know which pairs are going on your holiday wish lists this season!

By Alexis Nadira

#IveEra

Photo credit

The wonders of 3.1 Phillip Lim have been re-discovered and re-vitalized in his Resort 2013 collection.

Of course, known for his staple wardrobe essentials that work with any outfit, he remains true to himself with this collection. Lim combines his work ethic with his urban scenery that show not only through his colors of neutrals and infused patterns and prints but also through structured hems, tapered pants and utility jumpsuits and jackets. He presents himself and his inspiration of vacationing in the city… seeing the abstract art of the urban world around him. Lim’s collection is a clean palate of minimalist themed pieces with subtle outburst of mixed prints of city maps and floral patterns. As always he supplies useful and modern pieces that make being cool look hot!

By Alexis Nadira

#innovativeEra

Cuffs and bangles have been around for years, but it is making its new debut on runways like Maison Martin Margiela; with innovative styles and eccentric patterns, prints and colors for this season. This staple item is walking straight off the runway, onto the arms of celebs and fashionistas like you and me. This stylish trend ranges fromthe Antique Goddess with chunky gold cuffs to the Spunky Go-getter who sports multiple bright bangles and futuristic bracelets. Chunky cuffs and bangles are being worn by many starlets and has recently been featured in top-charting artist Rihanna’s 2012 “Where have you been” video, where she is spotted numerous times throughout the video dawning all sorts of trendlicious arm pieces. This accessory is a great eye-catcher for our fashion forward readers who look for that awesome accessory to accentuate any outfit. Searching for that perfect cuff or bangle to complete your outfit? Look no further than our featured fave. store of the week: ASOS, an online store dedicated to stylish clothes, shoes and jewelry that is sure to win over any fashionista. For the budget-buyer you can purchase affordable cuffs and bangles at your local Forever 21, H&M, Urban Outfitters etc…

R&R:

  (Aldo Accessories: SAFFRON [black]  $18)

Fashion Writer: AlexisNadira

#InnovativeEra