What did J Alex think of the Grammy's 2014?

Ahhhh it's award season!!!! Although I love watching the red carpet of any award show the Grammy's is my favorite. The show had its usually rollercoaster mood with some extremely boring parts thten jumping to an amazing performance (ie P!nk..she did amazing!). Bey's perforamnce honestly was'nt my favorite but every one seemed to love the Daft Punk, Pharrell, Nile Rodgers, and Itevie Wonder performance (that was my second fave!) Overall  I enjoyed the show, with the Tweets and IG post I was in tears the entire show (you guys are mean btw! lol). Here are some of my favorite looks from the biggest night in music and fashion.

Rita Ora in Lanvin

 

So I have mixed emotions about this look. Don't get me wrong the dress is amazing! I love that Rita didnt want to get boxed in do a gown for the red carpet but I dont totally love the color on her. I would have actually made the dress shorter, she has AMAZING legs! No need to hide them .

 

P!nk in Johanna Johnson

 

Johanna Johnson is known for her elegant satin wedding gowns with the most amazing beading I've ever seen. I loved the sweetheart neckline on this gown and the shape of it. I didnt know that P!nk was so well endowed! Amazing look!

 

 

Guliana Rancic in Alex Perry

What I loved most about this look was the color! One of my favorite stylist (and stylist to the Kardashins) Monica Rose was the curator of this look. This gown was perfect for G's slender frame. The mock neckline was also another factor that sold me. This look proved that just becuase you're     interviewing on the red carpet does not mean you cant look like a movie start. The only thing I was'nt feeling was her hair, it made her head look a bit weird or is that just me?

 

 

Miguel in Saint Laurent

 

I will say that Miguel actaully surprised me last night. I loved that he switched it up to a more "relaxed" (I use that word loosely in refernce to Miguel lol) look . Usually he's in futuristic turtle neck with a drop crouch sweat pant or a trouser with 40 zippers and a crop top (yes a crop top..people dont forget ..look it up lol). But I guess he decided to take the easy road. The pants are tailored to perfection. This is a win!

 

Robin Thicke in Giorgio Aramani

Paula Patton in Nicolas Jebran Haute Couture gown

I will always be a fan of these two. I was happy/relieved to see Paula have a fashion win. Her last couple of red carpet looks (ie the Golden Globe & SAG Awards) have not been her best looks. This gown was a win though! I'm totally in love with the aesthetic of it and the way it compliments her curves. Robin looked amazing as well. It's just something about a velvet blend suit...does something to my style taste buds :)

 

Taylor Swift in Gucci

I was literally just saying to myself that I'm tired of seeing Taylor in freaking sparkels! As a stylist I hate to see someone repeat the same aesthetic for a red capret. But this Gucci number gets a pass. This gown was made for her body. The capped sleeves, belt, and crystal mesh overlay make for a red carpet best dressed moment. But let's try something a bit edgy for our next red carpet Tay? This is your last pass from me!

 

Katy Perry in Valentino

Now off the bat I was not a fan of this look but I had to study it. The aesthetic is actually very whimsical. I love the music notes, a bit corny for the Grammys of all places to wear but it's cute for you girl. I love her high braid bun, it compliements the dress perfectly. But those sleeves were'nt needed, they dont look comfortable.

 

Pharrell

Although I could'nt find the designer of Pharrell's infamous hat I wanted to touch on his look. Pharrell has always dressed the way he felt he wanted to, no matter what the trends are. Personally I thought the hat was a bit to large for his head but I can apprecaite the look and how confidentally he wore it. No one even noticed that Pharrell wore a track jacket and jeans on the red carpet..how boss is that? Pharrell's look was different..I gurantee in a year you'll see someone wearing this exact hat.

 

Ciara in Emillo Pucci

C looked absoultety stunning! This gown was perfect for a baby bump. This look proved that style does not stop for a baby. I need her to keep this up! If she can keep styling like this through her pregnancy she will forever have a pass from me. She's wearing pregnancy so well!

 

Bey in a custom gown by Michael Costello 

Last but not least I  have to touch on my absoulte favorite look! This is not jsut my favorite look becuase it's Bey either.  This gown is one of the best that I've ever seen from Michael Costello. It gives me the vibe of an old victorian gown with the edge of a dramatic contemporary piece. I love that she wore her short bob with this look..it adds an edge that could have gotten lost with her regular long blonde due.  This was my favorite look of the night!!!!                                                                      

 

 

Trends for Spring 2014

I cant believe it's 2014 already! I literally just thought about all that I observed and learned over the past year. I saw a ton of trends come and go some I loved and hated. Now don't get me wrong, I'm an advocate for people dressing the way the want and being comfortable but some trends we just need let die a slow death. No more snapbacks, thigh-highs and Tim's ladies, Hypebeast we know bout you! No more adding spikes and studs to everything and leather sleeves, if I see one more leather sleeve I'm going to scream! I'm not going to go to on to long about 2013 trends because that's in the past. So to get you geared up for the upcoming spring season here are my favorite 10 trends! Enjoy :)

1. Who's the man?

Men's wear has been a huge inspiration in a lot of collections over the past seasons but this past fashion week I started to see more designers honing in on men's wear dress shirts. Personally I've always loved taking a mens shirt and making it my own. Tying an over sized flanel or cotton woven isn't the ONLY way to wear men's wear. Pair those skin tight skinnies or body hugging pencil skirt's with a oversized mens dress shirt. The look will have a chic effortless appeal to it. So grab one of your dads dress shirts and experiment!

1.Runway look- Alexander Wang S/S 2014

2.Street Style look (pinterest.com)

3. Look for Less- Zara



2. Tea Time!





Yes ladies, skirts that come pass your knees are in! There's nothing wrong with wanting to show off those long stems or your curvy figure but this new trend gives you the alternative. The cool thing about tea length skirts is the versatilty they offer. You can wear one to work or church with a modest blouse, cropped blazer or jacket or you can have fun with it and wear a crop top or simple bralette. Which ever look you go for make it your own. It's funny last summer I purchased 3 tea skirts just wanting a change from regular mini skirts. Kudos to me on the fashion forecasting.

1. Runway Look- Alice & Olivia S/S 2014

2. Street Style look (pinterest.com)

3. Look for Less Nordstrom Saavy dept.

3.Roses are Pink

 Plush pink, rose pink, bubble gum pink no matter how you want to put it pink is IN! Usually pink is a huge color in the spring and is always some sort of different hue. A softer, pastel pink is making a presence this season. Everywhere I turn I'm seeing more pastel pallets from couture collections to window shopping in the mall. Rose pink is not only for the spring either. I actually started noticing more and more pastel palletes this past fall. I'm assuming rose pink is here to stay till the next spring season. Play around with mixing pastel colors with dark fall colors and not just rose pink. You'll be surprised how good the colors compliment each other.

1. Runway look- Balmain S/S 2014

2. Street Style look (tumblr.com)

3. Look for Less- Zara

4.70's Swang

 

 So if you know me you know when it comes to my favorite looks and my personal style it all stems from the good ol 70's. This season (and last spring) palazzo pants (a wide leg pant or trouser) made a huge comeback. I myself have about 5 pairs and love them to death! I've seen so many variations of them this season and can not wait to start ordering more! Some women think they're to short or petite to wear a pant with such a wide leg opening which could be true but it's all about the fit. If your shorter go for a pant with a lower waist line and a slimmer leg opening. If your tall and curvy (like mua) go for a pant with a higher waist line and as far as the leg opening the wider the better! Don't feel like heels are your only choice with these types of pants either. Of course if your shorter a 5 inch pump is best but if your tall like me mix up your shoe options with sandals, pumps and even sneakers!

1. Runway look- Rachel Zoe S/S 2014

2. Street Style (tumblr.com)

3. Look for Less- Nordstrom Saavy

5.Are you the bomb?

Bomber jackets have always been a staple in american fashion (cc: flight jackets) but this season they got cooler and sleeker. Only when I started to research the trends for spring 2014 did I discover the comeback the bomber was making. I myself being a stylist didn't even realize how many clients I had styled in this trend over the past couples of months. I love the option this jacket gives. It gives the edgeness of a leather moto but the sleekenss of an actualy mens jacket. You can dress it up or down, whatever your mood is! I cant wait for this 10 degree weather to break so I can break mine out!

1. Runway look- 3.1 Phillip Lim S/S 2014

2. Street Style look (tumblr.com)

3. Look for less Topshop

6.Sheer Genius

A little bit of sheer never hurt anyone. Sheer has been here for some years but the "peek-a-boo" concept has a stronger presence this season. This is actually one of my favorite trends because it gives sex appeal without completly showing everything. From stripes, shapes, and flowers I've seen this look in many variations. You can wear this with a bra, bandeau, or cami or just wear nothing. I actaully picked up a similar top to the last picture about a month ago and I chose to just wear a bra. If i had more coverage around of nipple area I would have worn nothing! If your someone who wants more of a sexy look but still tasteful this is just right for you.

1. Runway look- Alexander Wang S/S 2014

2. Street Style look (tumblr.com)

3. Look for Less Topshop

7. The Canadian Tuxedo

So everyone knows that denim is a staple. In fact it is thee staple in everyday living, not just fashion. So you may ask why is denim a trend this season? Denim on denim is making a comeback. No matter the shade or wash. I think the less the denim matches the better. A denim on denim look is most sarcastiacally known as a Canadian Tuxedo which is not thought to be that fashionable or stylish but if your rock it right and own it anything thought to be "tacky" can be bomb!  So pull out those denim shirts from fall 2010 (I know you have one) and pair it with your favorite skinnies or wide leg jeans.

1. Runway look- Balmain S/S 2014

2. Street Styled look (tumblr.com)

3. Look for Less  Zara

8.Call the crops!

What a surprise, crop tops are in this season (I say that in my most sarcatic tone).  Weather you like it or not crop tops are not going anywhere. From a cut up tee shirt to a couture blouse they are every where. If your like me your trying to get your stomach ready for crop top season which will be here before we know it! The summers are usually extremely hot here in Baltimore so these will be worn all the time. This spring and summer try dressing up your crop top more with a pencil skirt, palazzo pant or tea length skirt. Trust me it'll bring a youthful edge to your look.

1. Runway look- Alexander  Wang S/S 2014

2. Street Style look (tumblr.com)

3. Look for Less Topshop

9. The other leather

 Patent leather is making a comeback this season and I am excited about it! Some people may look at patent leather and get that cheap tacky vibe but I get adventurist and sexy. I'm seeing it on skirts, tops , dresses and jackets. If you choose to rock this trend remember less is more. If your wear a patent leather skirt (especially a brighter color) do more of a toned down top like a plain crop top, satin blouse or even a simple graphic tee. Don't be intimadated by this trend. Make it your own.

1. Runway look- Dolce & Gabbana S/S 2014

2. Street Style look (tumblr.com)

3. Look for Less Topshop

10. What the Fringe?

 And last but not least we have fringe making a comeback. Yes you heard me correctly fringe. It seems like the 70's is making a strong impact on this seasons hottest collections. Now understand that fringe can easily be over done. If your in the spirit of this trend and are on the hunt for some pieces don't buy to much of the same color and buy different styles of fringe. Some pieces have a silk blend fringe and others have more of polyester blend, it just depends on the look your going for. Try pairing your fringe blouse with a printed silk blend pair of shorts and sexy stiletto sandal.

1. Runway look- 3.1 Phillip Lim S/S 2014

2. Street Style look (tumblr.com)

3. Look for Less Topshop