Raf Simons' Floral Prints are Masculine

Raf Simons Floral Prints Capsule Collection for Mr Porter
Raf Simons' floral prints may take some time to incorporate into men's wardrobe.

What is wrong with a man wearing a floral print shirt? Only that he has the confidence enough to pull it off.  And that's what fashion has been all this time in menswear. This season, it was Mr. Simons turn to design a 13-piece capsule collection that will only be sold exclusively at online luxury men's retailer, Mr Porter. The collection consists of shirts, t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, high-top sneakers, and a bomber jacket, all of which are designed in vivid floral prints any men could actually wear. 


What I alway admire about Mr. Simons interpretation on menswear is that he always knows just how much to exceed and keep minimal. He seems to have a limit as to wear he'll cross the boundary, something that has gained him some more followers in men's fashion. Any type of feminine prints may be a subject of worry for other men, but Mr Porter knows exactly who they're selling too - the stylish and confident man who knows who he really is. As a customer, I particularly would be interested in purchasing a t-shirt or white button-down floral shirt to include into my special collection of designer pieces. One thing for sure is let the prints do most of the work and tone it down with neutral (black) shorts or trousers and cool shoes as Mr. Simons would have in mind - minimal. 


Yes, it may take time for most men to shift into this new type of era. Pink became a color most men got comfortable wearing over the years. But Raf Simons may become the greatest designer he is already, in giving men the confidence to pull of these floral print numbers. 

Links a la Mode #3: Once More

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Blast From the Past

Ever since the cave people started wearing loin cloths and furs, we humans have had fashion history. This week's roundup delves into the past and how it has inspired our future. From the swinging 60's impact on sunglasses, to a look at Eurovision's pop music style evolution. For those of us who can't get to the MET one blogger shares her experience and for those of us who haven't yet seen the Great Gatsby, we have a look into Gatsby style in the mix there as well. So get your cup of tea, reflect on years gone by and check out these links!

Links � la Mode: The IFB Weekly Roundup

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Carine Roitfeld and Amanda Seyfried Model for Givenchy Fall 2013 Campaign

Amanda Seyfried appears all high-end model in Givenchy's Fall 2013 Campaign
Amanda Seyfried appears all high-end model in Givenchy's Fall 2013 Campaign.


Carine Roitfeld has practically become part of the Givenchy family, or more like a mother to the brand. Riccardo Tisci has always had a huge talent as the head designer for Givenchy, portraying that tough high-end semi-gothic look he's seen in the brand. This is why many of his special clients and celebrities like Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, Rooney Mara, Amanday Seyfried, and much more have been a big supporter of the brand. 


Wearing a Givenchy item is like gaining confidence in who you are. There is something in it that makes you feel special, fashionable, and people questioning you, "Where did you that cool shirt?" "Oh, thanks, it's Givenchy," which sounds so much better when you say it in a tough french accent. Say it!


For it's Fall 2013 campaign, Carine Roitfeld (french accent) collaborated once more in styling Riccardo's collection, and being responsible for showing off a very different Amanda Seyfried. Doesn't she look all high-end model? I thought her physical edginess fit perfectly for this brand. She's already the model for one of Givenchy's perfume ad where she appears much more like an actress compared to this campaign. I personally think other models may have found another competition for a brand, because Amanda is really selling it here. Maybe, mama Carine was responsible for the magic shot as well. 


Carine Roitfeld (left), and her daughter Julia-Restoin Roitfeld (right) in Givenchy's Fall 2013 Campaign.
Carine Roitfeld (left), and her daughter Julia-Restoin Roitfeld (right) in Givenchy's Fall 2013 Campaign.


Also, not only did Madame Roitfeld style the campaign, she was also photographed for the campaign. Fair and square I would declare. Why not just help for the photoshoot, but be in it? Oh, and with her daughter too, Julia-Restoin Roitfeld. They both looked stunning in the campaign. A total perfect image of what a Givenchy lady looks like. It may be true, French women know how to work it better.


Fashion Note: If you're not familiar with Carine Roitfeld, which you should, she was once the editor-in-chief of Vogue Paris from 2001 to 2011. She later resigned from her position due to some special projects she had in mind. In 2012 she became the founder and  editor-in-chief of her famous seasonal magazine, CR Fashion Magazine. She is also very well known for being an editor with a unique taste of style.





Gap Men's Colored Slim Khaki's Are Worth a Try

Gap men's colored slim khakis


Spring is the time when you get to dress in more colorful outfits - not that you can't in the winter - but, more people are open to do this in the spring/summer time. Lately, I've been trying to search for a good pair of pants that won't break the bank. I was debating whether to purchase or not a pair of Gucci mustard colored pants, which retailed at $740. Not too expensive for a pair of pants, huh? I was just fascinated by the choice of colored trousers in Gucci's Spring 2013 menswear collection. The colors for me happen to be so vivid yet masculine.


I've owned a pair of men's Express chinos - various neutral colors - which I still happen to love for its slim fit and lengthening effect that I feel makes me look taller. The colors are fresh, and the pants are nice, but the Express man is more of a urban city guy who tends to keep his patterns and colors toned down. I wanted something more vivid. I am also a fan of H&M's pants, but I am the type of person who likes to experiment with different brands. I was seeking for something fresh in my closet.


I had been hearing great reviews by recent customers who had visited the Gap store at a near mall where I live. I decided to take a quick visit to the store and see what they had available. I was impressed by the various menswear colored pants (khakis) Gap had available in their store. I decided to try on a pair and was very amazed by how well they fit. The colors were the type of hues I was seeking forth in. Also, the fit felt slim-relaxed, which I refer to being comfortable, lengthening, fresh, and slim, not tight. I personally liked the pants, and I purchased it. 


I also went online to see if they had more colors available. And guess what? They happened to have a sort of similar pair of mustard khakis, but in canary yellow, as they named it. There are various colors of them available online. Immediately as I saw it, I came up with an outfit I could pair these pants with. What I love about Gap's pants is that you can go any way you want to - dress, casual, or semi-formal - for any necessary occasion. Put on a nice a blazer, jacket, or layering shirt, paired with any accessories, and your outfit is done and clean.


Gap men's colored pants - outfit collage
Gap mustard colored khakis // Levi's vest // Gucci horsebit white loafers // Luis Morais bracelet // Gucci sunglasses // Anderson's leather belt


In conclusion, I am not a regular Gap customer, but I also happen to like their assortment of shirts and polos, besides their khakis. I thought it was very casual and pleasing for the young and average male customer.  I might as well return soon to see what else I can get inspired by.


Are you a regular customer at Gap?

High-Waisted Skirts Some Ideas On Various Styles



Love those high-waisted skirts? These are amongst the best looking skirt patterns which if worn rightly can give you an ultimate appearance.
Cute high-waisted skirts models
Skirts are definitely a piece of fashion clothing that is always in vogue. Be it any type of skirt, don it and you will get a fresh young look. Skirts are amongst the wardrobe must haves for women. What makes them different is the truly feminine look they give to a woman wearing it. From those formal straight fit skirts to the flared and layered skirts, there are number of patterns in this women's clothing. High-waisted skirt is one such piece of fashion wear that gives you a classy look.

Celebrity Style High-Waisted Skirts
For a party, you can pick the one in jazzy shades like red or hot pink. Beige or off-white colored pleated skirts with stiff fabrics like cotton and cotton blends is perfect for semi-casual attire. You can pick those in shades of gray, navy and black for the ultimate formal attire. For casual wear, you can go for sheer and lightweight fabrics.
Trendy high-waisted skirts gallery
For a formal event, you can go for the A-line or pencil fit skirts. The horizontally layered skirts with a broad waist band are simply awesome as evening wear. The small and broad-pleated skirt also looks unique. A casual skirt can be the one having pockets at front and a thin contrast colored belt. The skirt which is body fitting till hips and flares below looks very cute, especially the one with floral prints or plaids. The balloon pattern in these is one of the funkiest options to go for.
beautiful high-waisted skirts collections
A mini skirt that is high-waist is perfect fashion apparel. Apart from this you, can go for the one with slits, buttons, zipper and unique waist band patterns. These skirts which are of knee length or 1 - 2 inches above/below knees are perfect for formal wear. Those of a shorter length are best as casual wear.

Best Beach Wedding Hairstyles


Beach Wedding Hairstyle for Straight Hair
Wedding on a beach, as the cold water touches your feet and the silver sand recedes below, is a dream comes true. But, let's get real; your dream can turn into a nightmare when the breeze decides to play with your hair. So, to make your picturesque dream come true, you need to select an appropriate beach wedding hairstyles.

Beach theme wedding hairstyle picture
Romantic and dreamy beach wedding hairstyles. The princess looks for a fairy tale wedding is a great look and goes with the theme too. A simple coif with sweeping sensual curls just cannot go wrong. Wear a diamond or a floral tiara with it, as you are ready to go. Another dreamy look is a loosely tied bun, with curls floating down on your shoulders. Wear a tropical flower behind your left ear. Beach wedding hairstyles with flowers accentuates the feminine side in a very poetic way.
Beautiful Beach Wedding Curly Hairstyle
Classic beach wedding hairstyles can never go wrong. You can try the beach wedding hairstyles for long hair for this look. Since you have long hair, the chances of them getting tangled because of the wind are higher. Straighten them, this way they won't give you much trouble. A chignon, which will show off your nape, is the best way of getting the sophisticated look for your dream wedding.
casual short beach wedding hairstyle
Modern beach wedding hairstyles are slightly unconventional. For instance short hairstyles with bangs, is not something you'd see in a wedding. A tightly pulled ponytail at the back or a plain bob is all it takes to make a bold fashion statement at your wedding. Wear a satin hair band, keep the long locks flowing down your back and walk down the aisle with confidence to make the day memorable.

Breezy beach wedding hairstyles. For a relaxed breezy look, pins up your hair, with a pin that's made of seashells or a star fish. You don't have to spend hours and hours on fixing this hairstyle. All you need to do is pin up a few strands and leave the rest. Keep it as casual as possible. This will give you an innocent look.

Dior's Cruise 2014 Sensual Freedom


Raf Simons seems to really be making a dramatic triumph at Christian Dior. His couture collections have been selling like pancakes � take in mind one couture dress can cost you more than $80,000 � and his two most recent ready-to-wear collections have been another huge success. I believe most of this had to do with his decision to reinvent the House of Dior by taking Monsieur Christian Dior�s past work and interpreting it in today�s modern world. John Galliano did a great job with his Edwardian inspired looks Christian Dior himself was very fond of in his designs. But in today�s society, everyone moves fast, leaving the past as a simple memory. We want to be shocked. And this is exactly what Raf Simons is doing � taking the past to a whole new era of minimalistic beauty, and surprising us each season with more designs we don�t know if we should rewind or forward.


Simons� talent is no doubt a designer with special attributes. There are only few designers in history who have changed the phase of a brand. Tom Ford became a well-respected designer for making Gucci into an international luxurious beast anyone wants a piece of today. I see Raf Simons molding Dior into a much larger empire than it already is now. There are people who still criticize the new Dior as dead and ugly. My opinion would be to open your mouth unless you have tried the dress, for each piece is a magical work of art. If you ever get the chance to see Simons� new collection, take a closer look at the details and craftsmanship. You�ll see the Dior we�ve all been waiting for.


Dior Cruise 2014 - Sheer Dresses - Runway to Style Freaks Fashion Blog


As you may tell, I have become a huge Dior fan after Raf Simons took over. I had been a fan when he was at Jil Sander and have always been fond of his menswear collections. I guess its Simons himself who I�m actually keeping up with. 


For Dior�s Cruise (Resort) 2014 Collection, Monaco gave Simons the honor of presenting his first Cruise collection for the brand. What did I think about the new cruise collection? A total shocker. Simons brought out a more sensual side to the Dior woman. This is what a special cruise collection should be about � freedom, femininity, luxury, and seduction. All was available here.


His interpretation of the various sheer dresses had somewhat an architectural form as I like to refer to. These dresses are simply made for the luxury customers who appreciate detail in the best of ways. It is those small brushes of details that make a treasure much more valuable. And I loved the effect of a little see-thru moment; heats things up.


Dior Cruise 2014 - Bar Jackets - Runway to Style Freaks Fashion Blog


If anything you should be familiar with Dior, it should be its famous bar jackets � smaller at the waist, wider at the hips � that make any women love her curves.  He added vivid colors � blue and red � and prints, which modernized the original suit silhouette with slimmer versions of pants. Another surprise I got from Simons was his unique taste for lace. He made sure his cropped lace tops looked tough sporty without appearing too girlish as one is used to seeing. What I loved about these tops is that they didn�t resemble the average fabric (lace) design one is used to viewing. If seen closer, they look as if they had been a special order for Dior. The material felt tougher with luxury. 


Dior Cruise 2014 - Couture Cropped Tops - Runway to Style Freaks Fashion Blog


I wonder what kind of woman wouldn�t mind wearing Dior�s cropped tops. You could tell right away these silk tops screamed luxury. But more than luxury, they felt couture. The colorblock, couture effect, and embroidered tops could become the next big trend to wear soon���couture cropped tops. 


 Dior Cruise 2014 - Zipper Dresses - Runway to Style Freaks Fashion Blog


By far, Simons� most sensual designs were his zipper dresses, which came with two sides to close from. But more than the silk bras and undies model wore, these dresses were the most erotic part of Dior. The flow of the silk fabric made everything move with much more freedom.  It is up to the woman who wears them to decide how much closure she wants to go to. Simons only made the beginning of a summer relationship more intense. How far would you be willing to go?


Dior Cruise 2014 - Dior Luxurious Dresses - Runway to Style Freaks Fashion Blog


With the construction and patchwork of these vibrant colored dresses, the question is which will Jennifer Lawrence soon be wearing? This is what has made Simons� dresses more demanded by many celebrities. His choice of colors he designs with transmits a serenity, classic, and modern femininity to the Dior Lady. In short terms, they're the colors of luxury and minimalism. 

*This post is one of the winners of IFB's Links � la Mode*

Choose the Perfect Gothic Wedding Dresses for Women


Winter flower lace up Gothic wedding dress
Gothic wedding dresses should be planned keeping the entire theme in mind. Many women love to go in for the medieval ages look since most medieval dresses are in white. Gothic wedding dress is not about being nice and prim and proper, these are about being wicked and flaunting your style quotient.

Use the basics of Gothic fashion below to find the ultimate Gothic wedding dresses.

Gothic wedding dresses

You need to remember that Gothic fashion is all about being dark and dramatic and apart from black, you can go in for deep colors such as red, a deep purple or even a dramatic blue. The right fabrics for the Gothic wedding dresses would be rich and heavy such as velvet or satin. Gothic wedding dresses should be long and flowing and you can also opt for a variety of necklines such as the Victorian neckline or any other plunging necklines which you would dare to wear!
Deep purple elegant Gothic wedding gown model
Gothic fashion ideas need to be handled well so that you look beautiful with a touch of naughtiness as well! Therefore, select your elements carefully in order to avoid looking completely out of place! After all, it's your wedding day; you need to look fashionable and stylish as well. Use the right accessories to add more dimensions to the Gothic wedding dresses.
Red roses Gothic wedding gown
Use the right accessories to add more dimensions to the Gothic wedding dress. Over the top bustier and fishnet stockings are all a part of Gothic fashion. Team these up with satin gloves and stiletto heels. You can also add a touch of elegance with chandelier earrings.