In Spades

Style... in abundance

How to Style Tie Dye in 2019

Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirtCollina Strada tie dye sweatshirt Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirt Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirtCollina Strada tie dye sweatshirt Collina Strada tie dye sweatshirtCollina Strada tie-dye sweatshirt // Club Monaco pants
Nordstrom sunglasses (similar here and here) // Marrow Fine ring // Givenchy derby shoes

I want to take you back to the mid-90’s.  Picture me in a glorious grunge phase, wearing baggy corduroys, Airwalk sneakers and tie dye Grateful Dead t-shirts.  I know, kind of hard to imagine, but it’s true.  For a brief moment in time, this was my uniform.

Tie dye is back for 2019 and I’m determined to make it chic.  So how do you style tie dye so it’s less hippy and more modern?

1. Make it reflective of your current style.

Tie dye, by nature, is more casual, so if you’re an elevated gal who wears only polished pieces, consider something with a grown-up edge.  I adore this dress and actually own it in a different print.  Stay tuned for how I style it!

For another elegant option, this silk slip dress screams cool girl and would look amazing with a leather jacket or a nude stiletto sandal for an evening out.

This skirt is office appropriate in its style and length and would look amazing with a pastel blazer or an ivory turtleneck.

2. Incorporate it into your activewear.

We all wear yoga clothes on a weekly basis.  This is the perfect opportunity to amp up boring black leggings and basic tees with something fun!

This sweatshirt is so chic and by one of my favorite activewear brands – the quality is top notch.  Here’s a close second in one of springs hottest hues – lavender.

These track pants are so edgy and fun I’ll be purchasing them immediately.

3. Pair it with elevated pieces.

To minimize the casual vibe that tie dye can give off, pair it with elevated pieces as I did in today’s look.  My derby shoes may not have a heel, but their supple leather and structured style take the sweatshirt up a notch.  Going for trousers instead of jeans further elevates the look.

I’m loving this sweater – the fabric creates an instant lift away from casual – and would pair it with a silk midi skirt.

This bodysuit could be worn with a coordinating suit (try wide leg suit pants and a white oversized blazer) for a boss lady look that kills.

What do you think of the tie dye trend?

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NYFW SS19 Day 1

NYFW SS19 OOTD The Vampire's WifeNYFW SS19 OOTD The Vampire's WifeThe Vampire’s Wife dress // Calvin Klein 205w39NYC boots // Quay sunglasses // Thatch bracelet
Banana Republic earrings (similar here) // Boyy bag // Celine necklace

On Eleven: Floral dress (similar here and here) // Heart sunglasses

And just like that, another NYFW came and went.

I’m crafting a post about my NYFW reflections over the years (so much has changed since my first season!) but for now I want to share my SS19 experience, diary style.

September 2018 was a first for us in that we brought our daughter.  This definitely changed how we covered the shows.  For one, I really pared down our schedule and made a point not to attend any nighttime events.  NYFW is overwhelming enough, but adding a baby to the mix takes it to the next level!

Dark florals and Western influences are huge trends for fall.  For my first OOTD, I chose an edgy yet feminine dress by The Vampire’s Wife.  The bell sleeves, strong shoulders and precision cut made it look as though it was custom made for me.  You will likely see a lot more of this brand!  Paired with silver toe-capped cowboy boots I was the fashion week equivalent of Dolores from Westworld.

Alber Elbaz x LeSportsac

Alber Elbaz x LeSportsac Alber Elbaz x LeSportsac

The first day of NYFW is always the busiest and mine started with a major win.  After finishing our OOTD photos, I had 30min until our first show.  Alber Elbaz was doing a meet and greet at LeSportsac Soho to celebrate his collaboration with the brand.  Even though it was 95 degrees outside, I put my cowboy boots to the pavement and hurried toward Alber as fast as my legs would carry me.

To say Alber is one of the great designers of our time is an understatement.  When he began sketching me on one of his signature prints, I nearly fell over.  To watch his eyes go from me to the page, capturing every detail of my look down to how I styled my hair, was a fashion fairytale come true.  I will never forget it.

Collina StradaCollina Strada SS19 RunwayCollina Strada SS19 RunwayCollina Strada SS19 Runway

Riding high on fashion euphoria, I Ubered the 10 blocks to Collina Strada.  A few minutes after I arrived, the Blutstein twins (who walked Collina in February) arrived on the scene to a mob of streetstyle photographers.

I made friends with my linemates and entered the show space feeling (and looking) like a sweaty mess.  Lucky for me the show opened to an adorable group of kids leading us in a sound bath.  Talk about a great way to start fashion week and find my center.

The collection was inspired by the idea of returning to a clean slate.  Pink, purple and blue tie-dye accented a predominately white color palette.  Designer Hillary Taymour gave a nod to glamour with rhinestone fringe belts while staying true to her signature easy pieces by finishing each look with comfortable footwear.

You expect quirkiness at Collina, and the sunburned outlines of accessories on the models’ bodies gave us just that.  I always appreciate that Collina designs for every body: young, mature, slim, voluptuous.  The brand’s inclusive DNA – both literally and figuratively – make it a pleasure to watch on the runway and marked a fabulous start to the week.

Tadashi ShojiTadashi Shoji SS19 BackstageTadashi Shoji SS19 Runway Tadashi Shoji SS19 Runway

From cool kid eclectic to high glamour goddess we went.

Out of all the shows we’ve attended over the years, Tadashi Shoji is the most consistent. It would not be NYFW without him.  I always look forward to his runway: it’s like a fashion week rite of passage.

Tadashi is a dreamer and his concepts are always big.  For SS19, they were infinite.  Galaxies and their vast, mysterious makeup, found their way into his designs.  His deep-v cape dress with celestial print was a standout and evoked a regal air à la Cate Blanchett in Lord of the Rings.  In other words, my kinda dress.

Another highlight was his figure flattering dress with a translucent tulle train.  The chrome sequins shimmered like a glorious night sky.  If there ever was a NYFW fairytale, this look would be it.

Not only was the collection stunning, but I loved the styling at Tadashi.  All of the models wore a layer of gold necklaces with a celestial theme.  It was so relevant and edgy when paired with his feminine gowns.  The dark, glitter nail polish and glam take on the smokey eye were a hit too.

Pamella RolandPamella Roland SS19 Runway Pamella Roland SS19 Runway Pamella Roland SS19 Runway

One of the toughest parts about NYFW is logistics.  Many times two of your favorite shows will be at the same time or so far apart it’s impossible to make it all work.  This tends to always happen with Tadashi and Pamella Roland, so team In Spades decided to split up.  Last year I missed her show by mere seconds, but got to watch the models take the catwalk from backstage.

Glamor was the name of the game for the second half of Day 1.

Roland sent stunner after stunner down the runway.  Her seafoam green cape gown (noticing a theme?) with floral applique and delicate feathers looked like something out of a dream.  What I loved about this collection is that it had something for everyone.  There were ethereal dreamy pieces, sexy sequins numbers and jacquard floral pieces fit for the chicest garden tea party.

The cast of Real Housewives was in attendance and loved the collection too.  They made quite a stir.  I can’t say I blame them – I went crazy for this collection too.

Like Tadashi, Roland delivered another styling win.  The show opened to models wearing 70’s inspired sunglasses with their looks.  It was retro and unorthodox – I adored it.  Each look was so detailed it bordered on couture – even my husband remarked at how intricate and well made each garment was.

After running all day, we finally stopped for dinner.  My dear friends Dawn and Laura joined us and met Baby P.  Dawn came bearing gifts – the cutest little onesie that is oh-so-perfect for the daughter of a fashion blogger.  Debuting on my Insta soon!

Check out Dawn and Laura’s recaps of Day 1 for a different perspective.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my recap of NYFW Day 2!

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Tadashi Shoji photos courtesy of Linda Gaunt Communications
Collina Strada, Pamella Roland and OOTD photos by Matthew Passiglia

NYFW F/W18 Day 1

Day 1 of NYFW is always the busiest.  It’s as if the fashion gods know they need to start strong, because the cyclone of creativity that’s about to unfold cannot be contained once it gets going.

In other words, release the hounds.

Last February I acquired my first Jacquemus pieces and this year I knew it was time to pad my collection.  This stunning black coat has a romantic 1940s vibe.  I knew it needed dramatic accessories, so a velvet turban headband and extreme cat eye sunglasses did the trick.

If there’s any way I can describe how much I love Jacquemus, I’ll simply leave you with a quote about his FW17 collection of which this coat is comprised.

“It was about this Parisian girl who wears couture who falls in love with a gypsy in the south of France. She tries to be like a gypsy, but she cannot—she is too couture!”  If I can somehow be a part of that world, you know I’m all over it!

NYFW FW18 OOTD Day 1NYFW FW18 OOTD Day 1

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Noon by Noor

As in seasons past, our first show of the day was Noon by Noor.  Known for balancing softness and strength, the FW18 collection featured oversized coats and wide shoulders paired with feminine silhouettes like pencil skirts and sleek day dresses.  I adored the use of faux fur sleeves and pleated silk peeking out the bottom of tight skirts like petticoats.

Inspired by the starry nights of Bahrain, celestial patterns were found on closing looks, while “to the moon and back” was embroidered in Arabic on peekaboo sleeves and knitwear.

Color was used in unexpected ways for fall.  While the palette was grounded in black and navy, atomic yellow and hot pink were potent through-lines.  This made for a refreshing take on what is normally a “dark” season.

While I had yet to realize it at the time, this would mark a trend throughout the rest of the week, making FW18 the most fluid of seasons I’ve seen in the past five years.

Get ready world, fashion is serving up season-less collections.  And hard.

FW18 Noon by Noor FW18 Noon by NoorFW18 Noon by NoorFW18 Noon by NoorFW18 Noon by NoorFW18 Noon by Noor

Collina Strada

It was my first time attending Collina Strada, the New York label helmed by designer Hillary Taymour.  Going in, I knew to expect dramatic statements, and sure enough, we were treated to part performance art, part fashion.

Amidst the #TimesUp and #MeToo movement, Taymour wanted to express notions of love.  Not romantic or brotherly love, but the love of oneself.  Expressing the importance of feeling safe to be who you are, she staged a wedding.  There was no groom.  The bride married her higher self.

As models of all ages, shapes and sizes descended the runway, we saw reminders of strength.  “Within Us” and “Self Value” were written, front and center, on models’ faces.

The collection used classic prints and fabrics – crushed velvet, deadstock leopard print – in modern ways.  Organza capes, gloves and overlays were used in several looks with beautiful, dreamy effect.  Every well-rounded collection needs juxtaposition, and an influx of edge was present too.  Nipple piercings on mini dresses and see-through bodysuits drove home the message of ‘love me for me’.

Bunny Michael closed the ceremony with a spoken word poem before the bride said her vows.

Once again, NYFW served up the unexpected, with its beautifully chaotic, creative expression.

FW18 Collina StradaFW18 Collina StradaFW18 Collina StradaFW18 Collina StradaFW18 Collina StradaFW18 Collina StradaFW18 Collina Strada

PH5

From the peek of modernity, to retro cool we went.

PH5 takes its name from the pH scale.  Measured from 0 to 14, the 5 represents almost middle of the road neutral, with a slight lean towards femininity.  Known for their expert knitwear, they served up pastel stripes with scalloped edging, glorious sock boots and hi-lo hem and necklines that were sexy without being overt.

Staged in the Samsung gallery space, the retro cat eye sunglasses, bad ass gloves and tight bang curls were oh-so-fun.  I was thrilled to see the exact earring I wore to NYFW in September used in the styling of PH5’s show.

FW18 PH5FW18 PH5FW18 PH5FW18 PH5FW18 PH5FW18 PH5

Tadashi Shoji

When it comes to NYFW, it’s a fabulous feeling to know that you have mainstays.  Those shows you can count on to deliver the goods, while making you feel right at home.

For me, Tadashi is one of those designers.  Give the man a swath of fabric and he can drape a gown with his eyes closed.

While I know what to expect – extreme glamour – I enjoy walking into his shows slightly unhinged: not knowing what he’ll throw at us in terms of color, styling or inspiration.

Like his counterparts, Tadashi was also inspired by the #TimesUp and #MeToo movement and served up a bold collection featuring more black statement pieces than I’ve seen in 5 years of attending his shows.  Some were lingerie inspired, with lace bodices and nightgown-esque silhouettes, while others evoked elegant masculinity.  His lace tuxedo jumpsuit and sequins power suit took no prisoners.

The FW18 Tadashi woman wears what she wants and dresses for no one else other than the reflection looking back at her in the mirror.

FW18 Tadashi ShojiFW18 Tadashi Shoji FW18 Tadashi Shoji FW18 Tadashi Shoji FW18 Tadashi ShojiFW18 Tadashi Shoji

Pamella Roland

In seasons past, I’ve always missed the Pamella Roland show due to scheduling, so I was thrilled to be able to attend this year.

Or so I thought.

NYFW shows start notoriously late (at least 30min), so when I had to get from Tadashi’s 3pm show in Soho to Roland’s 4pm show in Chelsea I thought we’d be fine.

After checking in with PR and racing up the stairs of Pier 59 in my 4 inch stilettos and growing baby bump, I made it to the entrance only to have the curtain close right in front of me.  It was 4:14pm.

No (fashion) soup for you.

As a theatre kid, I know how rude it is to enter the performance space once the show has begun, so I completely understand what happened.  Was I bummed?  Of course.  But luckily I got to witness the models take the catwalk from backstage.

Check out my Insta Story Highlight of NYFW for the full scoop.

After running like a little Tasmanian devil in heels all day with nothing to eat, we promptly nabbed an egregious amount of food at one of my fave restaurants, The Dutch.  Belly full of fried chicken, I met my girls Cathy and Dawn for dessert to recap the happenings of the day.

Stay tuned for NYFW FW18 Day 2 on the blog tomorrow!

Photos by Matthew Passiglia