Spring 2018 Trend: Motorsport Gear

March 16, 2018

WEARING: ROMWE TWO TONED BOMBER JACKET | UNIQLO HEATTECH TURTLENECK | 
LIE COLLECTION PANTS | ADIDAS HIGH TOPS | ROMWE SUNGLASSES

THIS POST IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ROMWE.

Happy Friday! I am definitely having a much better week than last! Doesn't it seem like that's how it always goes? "Tomorrow's another day" always resonates, in that yes, normally the day after always turns out alright. If not a little bit more than alright. Us, New Yorkers, are heavy with anticipation for spring, when will the day finally come when we can step outside without a heavy coat on? To kick off the weekend, I'm sharing with you one of my favorite trends of the season, that's been cultivating for the past few years now is the motorsport // racing gear sportswear. From helmets to goggles and track pants, gloves and more, it's all about the aesthetic. Bringing an edgier contemporary look to anything but casual, it's a trend that won't be going anywhere anytime soon.

If you've been following my NYFW adventures for the past couple of years, perhaps you have heard me mention of Concept Korea and the two designers within the fashion house. One of the designers, Chung Chung Lee, began his design career in menswear on the famed Savile Row under the guidance of the celebrated menswear designer Oswald Boateng, Chung solidified his tailoring skills, which eventually led to launching a menswear line, A. Hallucination in London. Upon the introduction of his first collection, Chung received critical acclaim by notable fashion magazines such as Vogue UK and GQ UK followed by multiple awards including two consecutive “Winner of Ones to Watch” awards in 2010 and 2011 by Vauxhall Fashion Scout, “Bright Young Things” by Selfridges, and “Menswear Designer” award given by Fashion’s Finest Awards in 2011.

In 2011, Chung partnered with his sister Nana to form the fashion label LIE. Since its launch, LIE has grown to include two freestanding stores in Korea, multiple pop-up shops throughout Asia and a permanent section in the flagship LIE SANGBONG Concept store in New York’s Meatpacking District. The line is distributed across the globe including select boutiques, specialty shops, and department stores. These tuxedo/track pants are by this particular designer and this piece speak for themselves. The pop of neon from the 'BELIEVE/LIE' tag is perfect with the side race pant detail in plastic and print. Along with tailoring skills, his attention to detail is immense and well-executed. I'll be sharing more pieces by this designer coming soon so keep your eyes peeled when that new content pops up.

I can never get enough of mixing high and low together when it comes to fashion. And would you believe it if I told you these sunnies are under 5 bucks AND this bomber jacket is under $20?! They are both from Romwe and you can shop these pieces at the start or at the end of this blog post. As always, the layout is the same for each outfit/fashion post. Got questions or want to drop a comment? Leave me something down below! Have a rad weekend, everyone!

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

ADIDAS CLOUDFOAM DAILY QT HIGH-TOP SNEAKER - WOMEN'S

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An Alexander in London

February 27, 2018

WEARING: SAKU NEW YORK BLUE BOMBER JACKET |  ODETTE &ODILE TWIGGY WHITE 
SUN SHADES | FOREVER 21 HOT PINK RIBBED SWEATER-KNIT CROP TOP |
EGO SKYE KITTEN HEEL SOCK BOOT | GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | GUCCI BELT | 
MEDUSA MINI BLUE CLUTCH/CROSSBODY

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY SAKU NEW YORK.

When it comes to working with photographers, I'm quite selective. There's really only been one person aside from myself that photographs street style for me, and that is my husband, but when I had to travel to London and he had to stay behind, I needed to find someone reliable and with quality (which my standards can be very high... eek!) but when a new friend of mine from this year recommended someone she had worked with, I took a look at her Instagram and was immediately open to her style and vibe. But like any first encounters, they can be a bit awkward, even nerve-wracking to some, but Elena and I had commonalities such as a passion for photography, both Eastern European, and same headstrong go-getting kind of attitude. We broke the ice quickly.

But when the time came to shoot, her camera suddenly was not turning on. At first, we (I know a thing or two about cameras) both thought it was just the battery/sensor that had a small dust or something on it and we tried to clean it. Nothing. We took out the memory card and restarted the camera again, and tried many other crazy things one photographer will try to get the camera to work (this is definitely part of the problem in the digital world, yeah?) again, but to our dismay, nothing was happening. We finally ended up at a camera repair shop about a five-minute walk in central London.

When we arrived, Elena saw a man with a Canon body similar to hers, and immediately wanted to test his battery on her body. He was happy to do so, but it still didn't solve the problem. Her camera was still not turning on. A technician in the shop finally assesses her body and battery and can confirm that there is something wrong with the body. She was disappointed as everything was fine that morning (as I know me, myself, a photographer will check to make sure everything is working before even leaving the house!) and on top of working with me, she had 3 more clients that day. She tapped away into her phone before the man with the Canon, named Alexander, popped in once more.

Overhearing she had to work for fashion week that day, Alexander, 'Alex', straight up offers his camera to her, with no expectations. At first, Elena refuses, even at some point offering money herself to borrow his camera. He says no and then asks for one thing in return. If she ever needed an assistant and just had the time to give him a few tips, and he was not a professional photographer, that would be the next best thing. I honestly have to say that meeting Alex and his friend Amelia the way that I did was something you don't have happen to you every day. What are the odds we'd all be in the same camera repair store in the heart of London on some random weekday in the middle of the afternoon and for this to occur? It's as if as just when I start to think that the world is just crazy and that's that, an angel descends down to earth and I mean... wow. I am still so touched by one person's kindness. All thanks to an Alexander in London, my first shoot was a success!

Photos by: Elena Gola

LOVE & XX'S,

SHOP THE LOOK

Evening-Clutch-Bag-Blue_bf990cbf-5b3c-4f8a-9e9e-a2a9922b6f07_grande.jpg

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3 Ways to Wear a Bomber Jacket

April 19, 2017

LOOK 1

WEARING: UO SILENCE + NOISE ON TOUR SATIN BOMBER | 
PROUD FEMINIST T-SHIRT | VAGABOND HONEY JAKARTA JEANS | 
FRANCO SARTO ILIA PATENT OXFORDS

LOOK 2

WEARING: FOREVER 21 KOREA EMBROIDERED SATIN BOMBER | 
FOREVER 21 LAKERS GRAPHIC TEE | MOST WANTED USA TURQUOISE BELT | 
FOREVER 21 HIGH SLIT MAXI SKIRT | VVA CLUTCH BAG | ADIDAS ORIGINALS STAN SMITH

LOOK 3

WEARING: JOCELYN THE MORRISON JACKET | ADORE ME ADDELINE TOP | 
GENUINE PEOPLE BELL BOTTOM CROP JEANS | BANDOLINO KITTEN HEELS | H&M COIN PURSE

It is bomber jacket season (okay well, to me, it's always bomber jacket season due to my obsession with 'em) and in today's post, I'm showing you three ways to wear them! What's great about bomber jackets is their versatility - clothing that is easily adaptable is one staple in my closet, amongst other factors such as durability and comfort. And these kinds of jackets are made in all sorts of ways from satin to embroidery and even leather. They are a hot-hot spring trend to have this season and I'm showing you three different jackets that offer a stylish twist on a classic item.

For look one, I went all for empowerment. Girl Power. Case in Point: Proud Feminist. I've had this UO satin bomber since last spring but its quilted comfiness and killer floral embroidery has kept me continuing to wear it throughout several seasons. To maintain a downtown cool and casual chic vibe, I wore my favorite distressed jeans by Vagabond Honey and a sassy blush pair of Franco Sarto oxfords. Wearing a bomber jacket in any casual look can bring a slight edge without going too overboard.

In look two, fierceness is the word! And Korean pride, y'all! I've been looking for a killer Korean-styled bomber jacket for years, but never had one pull at my heart strings like this one from Forever 21! The second I laid eyes on this vision in red, I knew it had to be mine! I kept it true to my roots and wore my favorite basketball team's shirt, the one, and only Los Angeles Lakers! Fun fact: I have this ridic fantasy that if I ever make it big I'm going to sit courtside right next to Jack Nicholson and be at every home game just like him! Ha ha ha! As for my roots, I was born in California. To keep the outfit on the edgy side, I wore a high slit skirt, a western-styled turquoise belt, and old school Stan's. I wanted to keep it pretty LA street style, maintaining my background within this look. You guys, like? :)

Last but not least, look three is all about that sexy vibe us girls feel from time to time. Some more than others because I'm not one to dress up in racy outfits every day, but in some instances, I feel like showing a little more skin or wearing heels. My most recent and latest bomber obsession is this evil eye varsity jacket from Jocelyn. You can find this jacket at Olive & Bette's here in New York or online. The last evil eye I had in my wardrobe was a necklace and because it was so delicate and I'm accident-prone, it eventually broke (enter sad face). I've been looking for a piece for some time just like the Korean bomber jacket, but I never add anything to my collection anymore unless I'm completely and absolutely in love with it. Otherwise, what's the point? (In my opinion.) To keep this look fresh yet cute, I accessorized with a pair of bell bottom crop jeans, a teeny-tiny coin purse, and kitten heels.