So, not too long ago, one of my closest friends Emma Ortiz, and her friend, Sofia Ayala, started a fashion blog on Tumblr. Let me tell you, Em's fashion sense is pristine and spot on 24/7. Her style is casual chic, and she has the power to make flannel look amazing with anything. Emma and Sofi's blog is called "Behind Clothed Doors," clever, right? They're about showing off their style and writing about fashion related topics. It's fun and fresh, and simply posh to the max. This dynamic duo is one to look out for. Who knows? Maybe they'll give Alexa Chung a run for her money?
New York City, to me, is a place filled with opportunity and wonder, but surprisingly, I didn't always feel this way. When I first visited the city back when I was in seventh grade, I did not want to go in the first place. My family and I were going to leave on Christmas day, and being from Miami, Fl, I was not used to weather below maybe 65 degrees. I had to wear 3 layers of clothing to keep myself warm, and my sister and I would have contests testing how long we could resist the cold before wanting to run into a warm room. I was snuck into hidden pathways and rooms in China Town only to discover multiple fake Prada and Chanel Bags. At the end of this trip, I could say I had a good time, but it was not a place I longed to return to. Over time and as I discovered that I wanted to become a journalist, I found myself longing for a place that is different from my warm home town. I wanted to live in a place that is constantly filled with drama and excitement, and that would serve as a canvas free for artistic expression. New York City is that place for me. Manhattan reminds me of the island of Neverland, a magical place from the novel Peter Pan. Large sky scrapers replace the tall, plunging mountains. The city's lights are like stars, guiding everyone's path as they're on their way to do something exciting. The mermaid lagoons and pirate filled oceans serve as the Hudson River and the Atlantic Ocean. I'd like to think that I'm Peter Pan, and Manhattan is my island. I am free to roam around encountering new and distinct creatures. I have the ability to go on adventures and form memories that never fade. I go back to New York tomorrow with my class to attend classes at Columbia University. I return to not only my home, but my beacon of hope that one day I will become successful, and that one day I will reside with the strongest, smartest, and most creative people in all the country. It gives me strength to believe that one day I will live in the city of champions: the people who know they've made it. I go back to Neverland.
So, as most who are close to me know, I love and enjoy doing special things for others. I made this set for Caro Dalia Gonzalez. We all know her as "Dalia," however. She is a close friend of mine and she inspired me to create this for her. It is based off of her favorite place in the whole world: Paris. I chose the blue as the main color for these outfits due to its, in my opinion, timeless look. I played around with formal- looking pieces as well as some casual- looking ones. Below you can read about where to find each item!
Ruffled Blue Top: American Eagle Outfitters, $30 White Long-Sleeved Shirt: Topshop, $15 Black and White Varsity Jacket: 6KS.com, $37 Fur Vest: GOODNIGHTMACAROON.com, $88 Alexander McQueen Pencil Skirt: netaporter.com, $1,230 Blue Shorts: MISSSELFRIDGE.com, $57 Black Sandals: Zara.com, $60 Lower Left Black Sunglasses: SHADESDADDY.com$30 Top Right Black Sunglasses: LINDELEPALAIS.com, $405
"Miami influences me to dress the best that I can to keep up with the way people see Miami," said Freshman Megan Fernandez. Fashion in this town represents the people as a whole and their desire to look as great as they feel. Style is used by people here to make a mark on those around them and to inspire. It is used as a tool to express to everyone that Miami's people are just as beautiful as their vibrant and luminous city. Clothes are said to be the greatest form of self expression, and if it wasn't already obvious, the people of Miami have much to say! When asked about the relationship between Miami and self expression, Junior Brianna Espinosa said, "I think that Miami's night life and the fact that its all about having fun here inspires me to dress excited and trendy like the people that visit the city." As a city that hosts many high-end events and welcomes a range of celebrities, people can not help but be inspired by the newest trends from around the world. This town is appealing to visionaries and stylish people from different places due to its inspirational sights as well. While being brought up in Miami, it takes a person little time to fully appreciate the artistry of each graffiti wall in Wynwood and the sounds of loud music while walking down Ocean Drive. The mood the city sets is a blissful one and this mood translates through the clothes and style of each person walking through the town. Bright colors exhibit these constant happy-go-lucky emotions, short lengthened shorts and sleeveless tops are worn to embrace the sun's warmth and the ocean's cool breeze. Miami overall is a capital of self expression, whether it be through the clothes a person wants to wear, the music that they listen to or even the cultures they represent.
Before winter fully leaves on a 365 day vacation, I would like to share some fashion tips on how to look #fabuluxe while freezing your butt off! Pops of color always add a more appealing vibe to your outfit of choice. No matter whether you are going to a day at work, a stroll through the park, or a high class event, bright and vivid colors make you look more exciting and ultimately, friendly and stylish!
Karl Lagerfeld once said, "wearing sweatpants is a sign of giving up." Little did he know, however, that gym and casual wear would one day rise and become an up and coming trend. Designers have recently found interest in a type of attire that people have stowed away deep in their closets for the past couple of years. It's the type of clothing that has been thrown around, stored away, and have never been considered as fashionable pieces. Not to mention, these are also the type of clothes that were probably bought only due to huge clearance sales. Gym clothes have been worn solely on long shopping, cleaning, and lazy days, and maybe a couple times to the actual gym. But it seems like over the past year or so, living a healthy life has moved on from being categorized as an unaccomplished New Year's resolution to a lifestyle that can not only be obtained, but is also trendy. Ordinary yoga pants and halter tops are now transforming into glamorized activewear by designers and celebrities like Alexander McQueen, Kate Hudson, Stella McCartney, and Heidi Klum. Teaming up with some of the most renowned sports brands in the world, these men and women have created versatile clothing that can make any man or woman feel great and inspire them to become more active. It seems like finally, fashion has accommodated this new trendy way of living actively, as well as men and women who want to experience the refreshing feeling of dressing in style while also working out at the gym. It is evident that the Hunger Games franchise is a successful one, but when a hint of Alexander McQueen is added, the film's beauty is only enhanced. The label designed smart and clever, yet also stylish training attire for Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson to wear in the most recent Hunger Games film, Catching Fire. The characters of Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark resembled futuristic warriors during the training scenes while dressed in black and gray. These simple silhouettes were recently revealed to cost up to $600. The public then went crazy, saying they wanted to look like Katniss and Peeta when they go to the gym, and beg for the brand to create a gym line. Stella McCartney, however, has been in the activewear business a little longer than most. She has been partnered with Adidas and has created consistently refreshing designs for their performance collection since 2005. She was one of the first designers to influence this uprising of fashionable sports shoes, pants, and T-shirts. Like Stella, Heidi Klum has recently collaborated with a trusted sports brand, New Balance, a swell as the show Project Runway on Lifetime. Heidi has given activewear a new smart and tasteful look by combining casual working out pieces with bright, attractive colors. On Project Runway, a show known for keeping up and setting trends, the contestants were asked to created a look especially for Heidi's performance line. The winning design is available on the New Balance website along with the rest of Heidi's collection. As for Kate Hudson, her latest line "Fabletics," was released not too long ago. The actress/ active liver paired up with the face of Ann Taylor Loft to help guide her in the right direction. So sorry to say it, but there is now no reason for ladies not to live healthier and more vibrantly! All these athletic clothing options are on sale and ready to be worn.
Maybe one day this mini "About the Author" will really matter to people. I want to be a journalist because I love to uncover the truth and set things straight. I love Macbeth, Miami Beach, Peter Pan, vintage bikes, Matty Healy, and clothes. Here, I am going to write about the places I love, the food I never want to stop eating, and what fashion is to me. Please Enjoy!
"The parties were bigger, the shows were broader, the buildings were higher and the morals were looser -The Great Gatsby