Spring/Summer 2011 Ad Campaigns

If you’ve been keeping up with your magazine reading, I hope you’ve noticed the new Spring/Summer 2011 ad campaigns are out. Although many designers have turned to short videos to accompany their ads, there’s nothing like a real stand-out photo in your favorite fashion magazine.

Check out my top five favorite campaign photos for Spring 2011.

Iselin Steiro for Chloe

This photo is just so cool, fresh and upbeat…you can’t help but smile when looking at this. It’s simple but it makes a statement. I’m also going to buy those shorts when they become available 🙂

Lindsey Wixson for McQueen

First off, I love Lindsey Wixson. She is a fierce model, I love her signature pout…and she’s only 16.! How can you not love her?  Every time I come across this photo, I just can’t stop staring. Absolute perfection.

Karlie Kloss for Dior

Karlie Kloss just seems like such a cool girl. I think we’d make great friends. But besides that, she is WORKING these looks for Dior S/S ’11. She looks sexy yet sophisticated and the look in her eyes say, “You know you want to wear this…” (and I do!)

Tati Cotliar, Kinga Rajzak, Mariacarla Boscono, & Arizona Muse for Prada

With such a vibrant and eccentric collection, it would take a certain angle and style of photography to really capture the beauty of the collection. It was a tough thing to pull off but these photos are perfection. It’s like a Willy Wonka fiesta at the zoo…on acid…in the best way possible.

Julia Saner for Valentino

This was my favorite dress from Valentino’s Spring collection and it also happened to be the first look to walk down the runway…worn by none other than Julia Saner herself. I love the look on her face in this photo because it’s like someone caught her off guard while reading classic poetry…all while wearing Valentino of course.

What’s Happening This Week on Gilt

If you were wondering why I have been posting about Gilt’s sales within the past couple of weeks it’s not only because it’s my favorite members-only flash sale shopping site (that’s part of it of course), but I have been selected to be a Gilt Brand Ambassador. Very exciting!

Because Gilt is such a popular designer sale site, they have a waitlist to become a member. Being a a Gilt Brand Ambassador, I have an exclusive invitation for you to join right now! Click here to become a member.

So each week, I will be giving you a sneak peak at my favorite sales happening on Gilt.

Here’s what’s happening this week…

  • Valentino Pret A Porter (1/18)Valentino may be known for its signature red, but get yourself some tops and dresses in all sorts of colors at this luxury label’s sale. Subtle ruffles and asymmetric necklines, combined with the finest in Italian and French tailoring, make these figure-flattering pieces timeless and chic.
  • L.A.M.B. (1/19)- There’s no keeping a low profile in Gwen Stefani’s sky-high heels and bold graphics. This latest lineup includes pumps and cage sandals anchored to mega platforms, slouchy booties and a sexy, triple-lace oxford.
  • M Missoni (1/20)- As I like to say, you can never go wrong with Missoni. Shop the brand’s signature zigzag patterns and pick up some pieces to brighten up your wardrobe. Everyone needs some Missoni in their life and why not get a great deal on it?
  • Thigh-High Sky-High (1/21)- Shop a variety of one of this season’s biggest trends, over-the-knee/thigh high boots, all in one place. Find your favorite brands like, Pour La Victoire, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Modern Vintage, and much more!

So what are you waiting for, join now and get shopping!


Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Golden Globe Awards (Part 2)

Carrying on from my previous post.

[I promise there are more winners in this post…and by winners I mean best dressed]

**Click photos to enlarge

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

I thought I was dreaming when I saw Angelina step on the Red Carpet in COLOR. I mean, this is truly a historical moment. Let’s all embrace this…and hope she continues to wear more color on the RC because she looks stunning in this emerald green. Go Angie!

Anne Hathaway in Armani Prive

Let me start off by saying you cannot go wrong with Armani Prive. You have to have a really terrible stylist to make Armani Prive look bad. Thankfully, Anne has a really awesome stylist (who happens to be Rachel Zoe) therefore this dress on this girl was fool-proof. Absolutely gorgeous. Perfection from head-to-toe. Best dressed of the night.

Christina Hendricks in Ramona Kaveza

I understand it is not easy to find a suitable dress for a woman with a large chest, but she makes the WORST choices when it comes to the red carpet. It’s like someone with linebacker shoulders wearing a halter top! I’m also not a fan of the red dress, with the red carpet AND the red hair. Plus the frizzy hair so close to the ruffled shoulder is all wrong.

Elisabeth Moss in Donna Karan

She tends to look angry and a bit frumpy on the Red Carpet but she really got this right. Although it was one of the many green dresses on the RC last night, Elisabeth really rocked this look. Love the detailing in the bodice, it’s a beautiful shade of green and she looks really happy and confident. Always a plus!

Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung

I had no idea who this was because I haven’t seen True Grit, nor do I care to see movies with such a drab color scheme, but I am definitely keeping this girl on my radar. Young girls often go too mature or too childish on the red carpet and her overall look was perfectly age appropriate. I also love me some Prabal on the RC 🙂

Jennifer Lawrence in Louis Vuitton

It wasn’t my favorite of the night but it works for her. She looks pretty. It’s nice to see some Louis Vuitton on the Red Carpet. But that’s about it.

Julianne Moore in Lanvin

Officially convinced Julianne’s goal is to be on the worst dressed list at every event. Well congrats Ms. Moore…you win! [for worst dressed of the night]

Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta

I would have hated this dress on anyone else but it totally works for her. The color and ruffles are youthful but the silhouette is sophisticated, so for a young woman like her it’s perfect. She always surprises us on the Red Carpet (which I love) so she gets an IN from me.

Leighton Meester in Burberry

Okay so I know a lot of people hated this but if you have seen Leighton’s previous Red Carpet choices, you should be bowing down to her for choosing this dress (trust me, it could have been much worse). I actually love this dress. I would definitely wear it. Love the slit. LOVE the bag. And I can’t wait for new episodes of Gossip Girl.

Olivia Wilde in Marchesa

First to arrive on the Red Carpet, and I couldn’t stop thinking about this dress throughout the night. A lot of people said it was too much. She’s a young, GORGEOUS, talented actress and she’s at a prestigious awards show in Beverly Hills…there is no such thing as too much. I am obsessed with this dress and I’m obsessed with Olivia in this dress.

PS. If you know where I can get Olivia’s gold spiked Christian Louboutin shoes, tell me…because I need them

Photos: Getty Images (taken from The Cut)

Red Carpet Fashion: 2011 Golden Globe Awards (Part 1)

If you didn’t watch the Golden Globes last night, you didn’t miss much. If you didn’t watch the Red Carpet, you missed a lot…one of the best I’ve seen in a while actually. That doesn’t mean I don’t have any worst dressed picks…because I do.

Let’s begin the judging, shall we?

**Click photos to enlarge

Claire Danes in Calvin Klein

I applaud her for trying this pink color, because it’s not an easy color to pull off. However, it does remind me of my Barbie accessories from childhood.

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein

First of all, I thought this was Kate Bosworth for the first few minutes. Then I put my glasses on and realized it was Emma Stone. I want to like this. I really do. But either her hair, her skin or the dress has to be a different color. I can barely make out the difference between the 3.

January Jones in Versace

Being the face of Versace, there was no doubt in my mind January would wear Versace…specifically something from Spring 2011. That fringe-filled collection was beautiful but I didn’t think I would see much of it on the Red Carpet. I hated this when I first saw it on her but it’s starting to grow on me. She chose the right hair and makeup for the look. It’s a lot of chest but it works. I also always applaud a risk taker!

Jennifer Love Hewitt in Romona Keveza

Prom 2001…topped off with beehive hair-do.

**Update: $99 gown sale at David’s Bridal

 

Julie Bowen in Tadashi Yoshi

I actually love this dress. It’s a lot of ruffle but the silhouette looks fantastic on her. My only comment is that a slightly darker version of this would look better with her skintone and hair color.

 

Michelle Williams in Valentino

If this made anyone’s best dressed list, I have lost all hope in fashion. Daisies on the red carpet are a big NO. This may work to a ladies-who-lunch garden party…but that is the ONLY time it would work.

 

Mila Kunis in Vera Wang

I love the green on her, even though it was kind of over done last night, but the hair ages her a little. I was also sick of the French Twist hair-do about 15 minutes in to the Red Carpet coverage. Overall, she looks pretty.

 

Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf

See my tweets from last night below

 

Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham

I love you Sandy but none of this made sense. Even if the faux bangs were of appropriate length, the stick straight hair was way too harsh with the lightness of this dress. It’s a pretty dress but I would have rather seen it on someone like Dianna Agron (especially so she’ll stop wearing Carolina Herrera and other “mature” designers).

 

Tilda Swinton in Jil Sander

I don’t understand this woman. She looks like a creature from Lord of the Rings. With or without the Jil Sander ensemble.

 

Be looking out for part 2…coming soon!

 

Photos: Getty Images (taken from The Cut)

Upcoming Event: Valentine’s Day Sale at Nika

Nika le butik, an upscale boutique in Park Ridge, is having a huge sale event during Valentine’s Day Weekend. On Saturday, February 12 and Sunday, February 13, you can shop amazing deals at up to 85% off the entire store…including new Spring items!

Other details include:

  • Free gift with purchase
  • Sponsors, Alternative Clothing and Bobi, will be giving away free clothing at random
  • Small bites and mimosas offered throughout the day
  • Chocolate bar (are you enticed yet?)
  • Complimentary hand massages from celebrity masseuse, Debbra Turnbow
  • Complimentary makeup applications from Anthony Valentino Salon

For more information visit www.nikabutik.com