Front Row Style @ Fashion Week 2015

Fashion Week isn’t just about the style being paraded down the runway. The fashion on the front row is especially noteworthy too. The front row is where the fashion elite, editors and celebrities alike, congregate to take their prestigious seats right at the top of the fashion pecking order. You can learn just as much about trends and styling on the front row.

If you’re suffering from fashion week withdrawals, front row fashion is the cure for you. Here are my top picks for the best in front row style for Fashion Week 2015:

Olivia Wilde and Naomi Watts at Michael Kors

Photo from Refinery 29

Liu Wen, Maggie Q, and Jessica Alba at Tory Burch

Photo from Refinery 29

Ciara at Cavalli

Photo from Vogue.com

Kiernan Shipka and Hailey Baldwin at Rag and Bone

Photo from Refinery29

MIranda Kerr at Louis Vuitton

Photo from Vogue.com

Maria Sharapova at Chanel

Photo from Vogue.com

Elizabeth Olsen at Dior

Photo from Vogue.com

Suki Waterhouse at Topshop Unique

Photo from Vogue.com

Alexa Chung at Topshop Unique

Photo from Vogue.com

Jourdan Dunn at Versace

Photo from Vogue.com

Amanda Seyfried at Givenchy

Photo from Vogue.com

Julia Roberts at Givenchy

Photo from Vogue.com

Bella Thorne and Kylie Jenner

Photo from Refinery29

Julianne Hough, Jennifer Hudson, and Christina Hendricks at Marchesa

Photo from US Magazine

Gillian Jacobs, Jamie Chung, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Ashley Madekwe at Monique Lhuillier

Photo from US Magazine

Singapore Fashion Week: Lace-Up Heels

Today is the first day of Singapore Fashion Week and I decided to make a little prediction on what the street stylers and trend setters are going to choose when it comes to shoes.

We shall see if I am right by the end of the week! In the mean time…Ta-da!

Yes, as you have probably guessed, it is Lace Up Heels.

There is always a footwear trend every season that prove to be the fast favorite among the fashion crowd. This year, lace-up heels seems to be the reigning shoe of the moment. From the platforms to the mules, lace-up heels are definitely the more glamorous and more feminine of other shoe trends. Delicate straps accentuate and flatter your legs and the sleek design is easy to coordinate with looks. Lace-up heels have just enough detail to be interesting, but since the details are more on the subtle side, it doesn’t overwhelm your #OOTD.  Lace-up heels make the right statement, and investing in a pair is the right move this season for any fashionista.

Fashionistas all over the globe have been spotted by street style photographer lens in lace-up heels. Here’s my rundown of street style looks that should inspire your lace-up heel style this year:

Take your eyes off Olivia Palermo’s flawless print on print ensemble for a second, and avert your gaze onto her rich forest green lace-up heels. I love how the romantic feel of the jewel toned lace up heel contrasts against the graphic black and white separates.

Another modern style icon, Alexa Chung, lends downtown cool to the conventional evening feel of lace-up heels. With her trademark mini, vintage framed bag, and tomboyish sweater, she lends a definite mod vibe to this look.

Anna Kendrick shows off her style smarts, since the delicate details of lace-up heels are perfect for girls with petite frames. These snakeskin lace-up heels match perfectly with her black dress and white blazer. I love that pop of orange too!

A fringe skirt makes a major splash, but these white lace-up heels look just as good with it. It continues the movement in the look and coordinates with the summery vibe of this look.

Consider these nude lace-up heels your best friend for the summer. More than being leg-lengthening, these nude sandals are versatile. It looks stunning with this midi skirt, and is sure to look just as great with your summery rompers or denim shorts.

Although commonly associated with boho style, brown lace-up sandals can also go with more graphic pieces, just like these striped trousers.

Blogger Aimee Song of Song of Style is so good at mixing trends with more dressed up pieces. She does so quite brilliantly when she mixes trendy blue lace-up heels with a dove gray and white structured set.

Actress and style blogger Jamie Chung adds a flashy flair to her casual daytime style. Her tasseled and lace up sandals uplift her cropped top and joggers ensemble. I especially love the black footwear with the earthy tones of the look.In fashion, sometimes opposites do attract. A very sporty top juxtaposed with the sophistication and sexiness of lace-up heels is an ingenious way to set yourself apart from your run-of-the-mill aspiring fashionista.

All Images from WhoWhatWear

I’ve got my eye on the footwear Singapore!! Lets see some lace-up heels this week at the Tent! Follow me on IG @stylewithkate to see all the photos from #SGFW 2015. 

Top 10 Fashion Bloggers

Blogging might have started out as a hobby for some of these girls, but now they have permanent seats in fashion week front rows.

When blogging started becoming big, the fashion industry questioned the credibility of this platform. But now there is no mistaking that fashion bloggers have major clout and major influence within the fashion industry and beyond. Far from following trends, these movers and shakers use their respective social media accounts and their personal blog, of course, to start trends. Each blogger has their own unique style and voice, which is why they attract a large and dedicated online following. Bloggers are such an important part of the fashion industry now, and it is amazing to see how one’s individuality can take off as a legitimate and thriving career in fashion.

I personally always look to these bloggers for inspiration. Here’s the list of my top 10 fashion bloggers:

Rumi Neely of Fashion Toast 

Rumi Neely’s style is a very interesting cross-section of maximalism and minimalism. Sounds like a paradox, but when you think about it, it really isn’t. Rumi doesn’t use too many accessories in her looks. However, each piece that she chooses packs a major pow and creates so much drama. Known for her love of short hemlines and chunky heeled footwear, Rumi also has enviable hair that seems perfectly beach tousled every single time.

Karla Deras of Karla’s Closet 

Karla Deras has an undeniable penchant for vintage luxury wear. She is often photographed in her blog in something from her favorite vintage store in her hometown L.A., Shareen Vintage. Her style is always tailored to fit, or closely cut to her amazing body. Karla takes her natural elegance and mixes it with fashion risks that are just a little bit on the risque side. Her love for edgy jewelry has led to her own line of bling for online retailer, E-luxe.

Aimee Song of Song of Style

Collaborations with industry big names like Piperlime and 7 for All Mankind, interior designer turned blogger extraodinaire Aimee Song has cemented her place in fashion. She takes such a democratic approach to dressing up, but still adds her own brand of eclecticism to her outfits that she simply fascinates the imagination of fashion fans worldwide. Her style is so effortless, yet each one of her looks read sartorial royalty.

Ashley Madekwe of Ring My Bell

Ashley Madekwe is more commonly known as Ashley Davenport on Revenge or as Tituba on Salem. Both her TV shows are certified hits, and her fashion blog is a certified hit too. Ashley certainly takes fashion seriously. Her blog, Ring My Bell, is filled with ensembles that seamlessly combine her interpretation of current trends and her British roots since every single look has traces of the irreverence of British street style.

Jamie Chung of What The Chung

Another actress/blogger on the list. It is simply hard to make a top blogger list without including Jamie Chung. She makes me fall in love with her feminine looks. It is hard not to want all the matching skirt and crop top sets she wears as well as her killer sunglasses too. Her bubbly personality can be glimpsed with her vibrant choice of colors and her preference for cheeky tropical prints.

Elin Kling of The Wall

One of the originals, Elin Kling’s minimalist and predominantly monochromatic style is just so reflective of Swedish fashion. She has done collaborations with H&M and Guess, and is now a bona fide fashion powerhouse. Her original blog, Style by Kling, has now transformed into The Wall an online curated magazine /journal where she shares what she loves in fashion. She also has her own line of clothing as well.

Chiara Ferragni of The Blonde Salad

The first blogger ever to be on the cover of Vogue (she was on the April 2015 of Vogue Espana), Chiara Ferragni is a permanent presence in street style blogs and fashion websites. Her style is unapologetically trendy, she’s always seen in the latest designer threads sporting the hottest “it” accessory of the moment. Her wildly successful footwear line is just as exuberant as her style. She basically can’t go wrong, every one of her #OOTD is golden.

Nicole Warne of Gary Pepper Girl

Nicole Warne simply loves vintage, and it shows. Whether she’s sporting a treasured find or a hot-off-the-runway frock, the effect is still the same. Her looks always have a dreamy and ladylike quality to them that has become her style signature. This creative soul started her blog as an extension of her online vintage store. She has certainly come a long way from that. Managed by the prestigious IMG agency, and counting Louise Vuitton and Vogue as her past collaborators, Nicole Warne is proof of the relevance and power of bloggers today.

Leandra Medine of Man Repeller

One of the funniest and most playful bloggers out there, Leandra Medine, has made man repelling her brand. Man repelling in this case means wearing trends and styles that women simply love, but men hate. Don’t mistake her humorous take on fashion as a sign that she takes fashion lightly, Medine is a major player. Unique is not enough to describe the way she puts together her looks. It is man-repelling, and boy do we love it.

Kelly Framel of The Glamourai

Creative director and editor of her online webzine called The Glamourai, Kelly Framel is an accomplished stylist that puts together her stylish inspirations, travel snapshots into this online part-blog part-magazine hybrid. Her style is sophisticated. With a definite love of details that pop, Kelly’s appeal lies in her uncanny ability to mix high and low, vintage and modern.

There you have it fashion folks. Now, who’s on your list of blogger faves? Let the bookmarking begin!

2015 Oscars Red Carpet Report

The Oscars is the most awaited and prestigious event of the awards season. For fashion lovers, celeb watchers, and style enthusiasts, the red carpet at the Oscars is the best time to spot the best beauty looks and most glamourous gowns. In an effort to be the best dressed star of the night, celebs pull out all the stops for the Oscars red carpet. This year was no exception. As most of Hollywood sashayed down the red carpet, us at home swooned over all the stunning (and some not-so-stunning) looks. Here are my picks for the best and worst dressed celebs at the 2015 Academy Awards.

BEST DRESSED

My top pick for best dressed of the whole night has got to be Jennifer Lopez. Jaws dropped and the crowd ooh-ed and aah-ed as La Lopez strode into the venue in this blush Elie Saab creation. The delicate embellishment and voluminous ball skirt contrasted perfectly with the low cut of the front of the gown.  The color works perfectly with J.Lo’s skin. This is modern elegance personified. 
Jamie Chung’s soft makeup look and luscious tressed with bouncy curls complemented the starburst adornment of her gown. The dark tulle overlay with the nude frock underneath is a great way to add dimension to an evening look. Choosing not to accessorize was a wise choice, as it let the gown design and sparkle take center stage.

Keira Knightley’s fairytale frock was a fashion risk, for sure, but it was one that paid off for her. With embroidery and delicate calligraphy all over her dress, Keira truly embodied a modern kind of romance. This look was certainly a step above your typical styled look for awards shows. Bravo.

Now, you can’t expect musical duo Tegan and Sara to stroll in clad in matching ball gowns, do you? Of course not. The pair stayed true to their indie and edgy roots by opting to go the more tailored route. Leather details, crisp silhouettes, and subtle and sleek metallic accessories, both their looks are proof that you can tailor your evening looks to your personality. Gowns are great, but they are definitely not your only sartorial option for red carpets and black tie events.

Jenna Dewan-Tatum has my vote in this luminescent and immaculate white number. She looks positively radiant in this column gown that is perfectly accented with some bling and a well-placed Art Deco inspired waist cincher. The simple yet elegant shape and cut of the gown makes her diamond cuff and earrings stand out even more. The red orange lip is a bold beauty move that makes her look a cut above the rest. 

Faith Hill’s short pixie cut looks even more regal in this soft yet impactful wrap column dress. The long diamond lariat is the perfect accessory to go with the low cut front of the down. A simple smoky eye and dewy skin finish off this look nicely. Zoe Saldana shows off her amazing post-baby bod in this stunning rosy blush gown. The beautiful draping combined with the fashion forward ruching and just the right touch of sparkle from her diamond necklace makes this an A plus red carpet look.

WORST DRESSED

Although Chloe Grace Moretz’s beauty look is on point (look at those brows), her dress is unfortunately left out in the cold. The fabric and cut just doesn’t do anything for her, and makes her look older than she actually is.

This robe/gown hybrid on Margot Robbie is proof that event the hottest bod can’t make a bad dress work. The length and the drape make this dress look more like a housecoat than a red carpet design. You can do better next time, Margot.

Who are you picks for best and worst dressed? Let me know!

10 Leather Looks to Steal

Fall means sweater weather, which also means leather weather. The gusts of wind and that definite chill in the air is a sure sign that it is prime season to break out your best, boldest, and toughest leather looks.

Nothing can compare to the rock n’ roll glamour that leather gives. The texture alone is enough for you to want more leather love in your closet. It just adds some edge to any ensemble. Leather is a very timeless material that is your surest route to “it girl” style and coolness. You can never go wrong when wearing leather or using it as a complement or finishing flourish to either your casual daytime or sexy evening outfits.

Here’s a rundown of 10 celeb-approved leather looks to inspire you

Quintessential Cool Girl/model Agyness Deyn schools you on how to wear vintage tees to your next nightout. Ditch that slinky dress and go for this edgy street look, where the leather pencil skirt upgrades this vintage tee for the red carpet. Finishing it off with metallic heels and a red minaudiere just adds that perfect dressy flair to this vintage tee and leather skirt look.

Want to look polished and stylish for your next long haul flight? Follow Jennifer Lawrence’s lead and put a leather jacket over your comfy airport attire. A gray burnout tee, black denim, and sneakers is instantly elevated by a leather jacket with quilted detailing. This chic leather topper is the solution to not looking sloppy while traveling.

Jamie Chung displays her  leather savvy by using leather in an unexpected way. Black leather is the standard go-to for leather looks. However, there has been a spike in the availability and popularity of more delicate hues for leather as of late. Pastel colors, like this light pink leather jackets is the perfect harmony of the toughness of leather with the softness of pastel pink.

A plain LBD gets a style uplift from leather. An all leather little black dress is miles away from your plain black dress. It’s more seductive, more mystertious, and more daring. Pair it with nude pumps, like Cameron Diaz did, to lighten up the overall look a bit. Minimal accessorizing is best as it lets your leather number stand out and make a major statement. 

Miranda Kerr knows that if you love to wear head to toe black, leather should be your best friend. Adding leather into the all black mix differentiates each piece in your ensemble, and adds more visual interest and depth to your look. Texture is key when wearing a one-color look like this one. A leather carryall and leather leggings are the right textural accents to the black peacoat, sweater, and pumps. 

Emma Stone wows in this bright, tomato red dress and nude pumps. Her leather jacket of choice has moto zip details and lapel as well as a double breasted buttons and silhouette that proves once again that leather motorcycle jackets are worthy investments for any fashionista. As you can see, this jacket improves her look dramatically and makes sure that her dress can go from day to night.

This super adorable everyday outfit shows that you can look put together and casual at the same time. Kate Hudson does a great job in pairing her sporty gray crop top with an A-line leather knee-grazing leather skirt. The white pumps and black top handle purse keeps this look ladylike, while the sliver of midriff and leather keep things interesting and rebel chic. 

This look could’ve been too plain or too simple, but this pair of leather leggings pretty much guarantees that Hillary Duff looks amazing while running her day-to-day errands. These leather leggings play off the check print knit sweater and cap toe heels and make those two pieces look more modern. 

Leather can go very dressy too, just take a look at Gwyneth Paltrow’s stunning evening ensemble. Leather and lace are two textures that pair very well together. The intricacy and daintiness of lace balance the visual strength of leather. Gwyneth knows that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Her crop top and lace midi with laced ankle strap heels are toned down with this deep plum leather jacket. Gwen Stefani loves a good motorcycle vest. Instead of following its typical use as a layering piece, she uses it as a chic statement all on its own. Zipped all the way up and paired with cropped boyfriend jeans, this leather motorcycle vest spells bad gal on-the-go. The pointed pink pumps give this look a much needed and surprising pop of bright color.

Which celeb looks did you love? I love them all! How do you plan on wearing leather this season?