In Spades

Style... in abundance

Flare Leg Trousers

Flare leg trousers Flare leg trousersHellessy trousers (similar here and here) // Alex Mill shirt (similar) // Sunglasses // Bag // Boots

I’m a big fan of buying what you like… and then wearing the heck out of it.

I’ve owned these flare leg trousers for years. I’ve worn them with the ruffles heard round the world, to corporate events and whenever I feel like I need to fake realllllly long legs.

Flares look great on every body type – they balance out curves and add definition to athletic and slender bodies.

I’ve been searching for a pair of black flare leg trousers – loving the split hem look! – and found the following winners.  Check out my Fashion Friday Instagram Stories for how these look on.

Fashion Friday

Paris Fashion Week closed out the Spring/Summer 2022 collections with some groundbreaking shows.  What did they all have in common?  A beautiful essence of a bygone era.

Three shows brought the nostalgia, each in their own unique way.  Here are my faves.

Chanel

Chanel took a page from history and gave us the height of the 90s supermodel.  Instead of an elaborate set, the models walked down an elevated catwalk.  There were no deadpan expressions; the energy was playful, exhuberant and social.  They twirled, talked to each other and smiled.  I can just picture Christy, Cindy and Claudia doing this exact thing decades ago.

Nostalgia party for the win.

Chanel S/S22Chanel S/S22Chanel S/S22

 

AZ Factory’s Tribute to Alber Elbaz

This was the show I was most looking forward to.  We saw the newest collection of AZ Factory, plus 44 designers created tribute looks for Alber Elbaz.  I loved how each garment was so distinctly the style of its creator, yet had a beautiful essence of Alber.

Watching the show was very emotional.  As each look descended the runway, a different version of Alber conjured in my mind.  The Lanvin years, meeting him in person, the profound speeches he gave, him being the true embodiment of love.  Tears flowed in abundance, especially at the final bow.  It was such a beautiful display of talent, emotion and love.

Rick Owens x AZ Factory AZ Factory AZ Factory AZ Factory AZ Factory

 

Miu Miu

Miuccia Prada sent uber low rise micro miniskirts down the runway.  Let me repeat: low rise micro miniskirts.

This was nostalgic, ballsy, ridiculous and brilliant.  Her capitalization of a generation addicted to the 90s – where do you think they’ll go next? – was superb.  I think she’ll be laughing all the way to the bank.

Will I be rocking a low rise micro miniskirt?  No.

But I appreciate the brash gesture and kinda love how the khakis and sweater sets came together.  Plus, we’re all picturing the Paris and Christina days and how can you not smile at the ridiculousness of that?

Miu Miu S/S22Miu Miu S/S22 Miu Miu S/S22

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Images via IMAXTREE

Fashion Friday

We’re in the home stretch of fashion month.  The Spring/Summer 2022 collections marked the return to in-person shows and the occasion certainly gave us something to talk about.

It has been interesting for me to watch this unfold, both as a consumer and lover of fashion, and as an influencer who has experienced it IRL.

From an influencer standpoint, I noticed a few things.  First, some heavy hitters were just plain absent.  I think the pandemic gave people permission to break the mold and go in a different direction.  Others returned to fashion month with reckless abandon (hey, being able to peacock fun outfits with the people you love is something I dearly miss too).  And finally, there was the group who picked up where they left off but with a new perspective.  Aimee Song was honest about not feeling very motivated or into it this year.  Chriselle Lim was definitely in a different headspace this year (more on that in my IGTV).  But it was Susie Lau who said it best.  I’m paraphrasing – ‘returning to fashion month has been exhilarating, but with it came a new perspective that if and when we need to step away to focus on more important things, we now have the permission to do so.’  Love that.

Here are some highlights from London, Milan and Paris.

Prada

Leather bombers, major proportion contrasts, booblets, arm bands, pop colors and grandma mules.  All of the fugly things I love and the biggest return to “the Prada-ness” I’ve seen since Raf joined the fray.

Prada S/S 22 Prada S/S 22 Prada S/S 22

Saint Laurent

The first look is everything I want in a white dress.  The pocketbooks tucked into pants gives such a IDGAF attitude I can’t help but love it.  Inspired by Paloma Picasso, a long time friend and YSL muse, this collection was very fun.

Saint Laurent S/S 22 Saint Laurent S/S 22 Saint Laurent S/S 22

Thebe Magugu

Thebe Magugu is a new designer for me and I was blown away by what I saw.  I will be the first to say that while these photos are great, they don’t do justice to just how incredible these garments are.

The use of color, proportion and fabric choice is an A+.

Thebe Magugu S/S 22 Thebe Magugu S/S 22

Rick Owens

I speak his level of crazy.  When one interprets leather and full coverage garments into summer looks, I can’t help but fall in love.

Rick Owens S/S 22 Rick Owens S/S 22

Cecilie Bahnsen

I just love her frothy, voluminous silhouettes.  Always a win in my book.

Cecilie Bahnsen S/S 22

Vivienne Westwood

An OG of this world, I just really loved this collection and the corresponding imagery.  I got a nautical, 80s Madonna vibe from it.  What’s not to love?

Vivienne Westwood S/S 22 Vivienne Westwood S/S 22 Vivienne Westwood S/S 22

The Milestones

Other highlights to note were Simone Rocha, Olivier Rousteing of Balmain and Emporio Armani celebrating anniversaries (10, 10 and 40 years respectively).

Simone Rocha S/S22

Images via IMAXTREE

Life Lately

Lack of Color HatI don’t know about you, but this week felt like it FLEW by.  We moved from London to Milan Fashion Week, we experienced the first day of fall, and I somehow managed to make it to Friday without really remembering what kept me so busy all week.

That said, I don’t have any in-depth fashion week recaps for you (check Insta Stories), but I do have some life lately updates.

Wearing

If you’ve been reading In Spades for a while, you know that bespoke jewelry is something I’ve been collecting for years.  I’ve transformed old jewelry into new pieces, discovered indie designers and even designed my own pieces (more on that soon).

Today I shared a Reel on Instagram of my latest acquisition.  I’m OBSESSED.

Here are some other brands that I’m coveting.

Home Decor

Some people do cleanses for the body, some people do cleanses for their space.  I’ve done both, but I’m much more of a “we need a TOTAL redecoration!” person.

It won’t be anything major.  Wallpaper, a new area rug, some small furniture and drapery.  Okay, that actually sounds more intense than I thought.

I’m in love with this wallpaper, but have found a much more affordable option that I love too.  Stay tuned for home decor inspo.

Reading & Listening

I finished Olympus, Texas and highly recommend it.  While it started off slow, the subtext, nuanced relationships and “make you think” moments really stuck with me.

I’m now on to The Lazy Genius Way.  I’m hoping it will inspire me to not write 11th-hour blog posts.  🙂  J/K.

I also started listening to the newly released episodes of The Dropout podcast.  If you haven’t read Bad Blood, stop what you’re doing and go buy it.  It’s a true story and one of my favorite books ever.  The Dropout podcast picks up where it leaves off.  Now that Elizabeth Holmes, the star of this story, has begun her court proceedings, they’ve released new episodes.  I’m riveted.

Fashion Friday

NYFW is in full swing.  The nostalgia of being there has me missing NYC, but I am happily watching the shows from home.  And there are so many good ones!

Let’s start with the trends.

What’s walked in NYC is mirroring what we saw at Copenhagen Fashion Week.  Suiting, knitwear sets, print mixing, and a heavy dose of color (specifically orange and lavender) are the main themes.

New York has also offered up a range of jeweled tones alongside those pastels, and the eveningwear is leaning towards cocoon dresses (which I love).

Hands down my favorite show so far is Peter Do.  This is the brand’s NYFW debut and they nailed it.

Suiting

Proenza Schouler SS22

Peter Do SS22

Adam Lippes SS22

Print Mixing

Ulla Johnson SS22

Tanya Taylor SS22

Collina Strada SS22

Cocoon Dresses

Prabal Gurung SS22

Christian Siriano SS22

What have been your favorite collections so far?

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Images via IMAXTREE