Japanese retailer UNIQLO joins forces with Finnish design house Marimekko for a new summer capsule collection inspired by the joy and optimism of Nordic midsummer.

Dubbed “Joyful Summer” the UNIQLO x Marimekko collection features seven bold prints designed by four Marimekko designers (Fujiwo Ishimoto, Maija Isola, Maija Louekari and Annika Rimala). The designs combine Nordic style and Japanese elements rendered in juicy shades from the Marimekko archives.

Marimekko is a longtime favorite of mine so the second this collection launched I was adding to cart.

Founded in 1951 by Armi Ratia it was one of the worlds first lifestyle brands. Ratia had a remarkable ability to capture the spirit of her time. She presented the world with her much-welcomed vision for optimism and personal joy.  The journey began with a simple dress in captivating prints. A bold and carefree celebration of individuality, the dress became an instant classic. Over the years, the Marimekko dress has remained an empowering uniform for independent women everywhere, always current yet true to its original concept.

Since then, Marimekko designers have created some 3,500 print designs. These designs have graced everything from dresses and bags to ceramics, fabrics, and more. Proving their timeless appeal, the iconic prints have been reborn time and again in thousands of imaginative color palettes. And each year, new pieces of printed artworks are introduced to an ever-evolving collection.

UNIQLO and Marimekko have teamed up several times over the years but I think this may be their best collection yet.  Ligh,t airy and perfect for summer these silhouettes are instant classics.

What I’m Wearing: UNIQLO x Marimekko Open Collar Short Sleeve Shirt | UNIQLO x Marimekko Denim Long Skirt| TOPSHOP Belt| TOPSHOP Woven Shoes| Tommy Bahama Basket Handbag|

CLICK to SHOP the Uniqlo x Marimekko Capsule Collection:

This week The House of CREED Launched a brand new fragrance, CREED VIKING Cologne.

The new launch is the first extension into CREED’s Viking fragrance profile. The original Viking was launched four years ago. Encased in a vibrant red wrapped bottle and adorned with a long ship, the men’s fragrance invoked Iceland’s relentless volcanic landscape with a fruity floral profile of citrus accords. Now, for 2021, the luxury perfume house has followed with an ambitious sequel – the Creed Viking Cologne.

The new fragrance is UNISEX, encased in a spirited orange wrapping and adorned with the same iconic Viking ship. It is lighter, cooler and less dense than the original Viking. The formula combines notes of zingy citrus fruits like lemon and pink pepper, lavender, nutmeg, and rosemary. Which settle into a woody base of dry sandalwood, patchouli, and earthy vetvier.

To celebrate the launch CREED hosted a with a virtual concert named Valiant Sounds which showcased native Icelandic artists Junius, Gugusar, Logi Pedro and Young Karin.

Listeners were invited to watch, listen and receive a sample of the new fragrance.

CREED sent me an exclusive viewing pack which included Viking Cologne, Einstök Ölgerð Icelandic Beer, Snacks and a 66° North (Icelandic Clothing Company) Belt Bag- everything you need for a music festival!

As the concert began I set the mood with a spritz of Viking Cologne. Then cracked open a cold one, let the tunes fill the air and was wowed by the mystical landscapes of Iceland.

Now, THIS is the way to launch a fragrance! Fully immersed in the land that inspired it!

If you are looking for the perfect summer fragrance (and a great music festival) you have found it.  Give Viking Cologne a spritz and then head to CREED’s website to check out the concert.

Get the full Viking Cologne experience, CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONCERT

Viking Cologne is available online at CREED and in CREED Boutiques at Forum Shops and Crystals as well as Neiman Marcus. 

 

Summer is here and there is an increased demand for easy, stylish, single-item outfits- which means it’s the season of the dress.

From floaty and forgiving house dresses to flirty floral retro patterned A-line frocks and romantic prairie silhouettes, fluidity is the key to summer 2021 dresses.

Roomier fits that emphasize comfort, easy 70’s lines and nightgown inspired shapes. Items have a little or a lot of volume, yet are tailored in all the right places. Body-con takes a backseat unless you’re wearing a tube skirt with an oversized tee or a tight knitted top with a voluminous bottom.

Comfort?  Ease? I am so here for this!

The great thing about this new fluid relaxed style is that these summer dresses remain a great solution for feeling put together while knocking out Zoom calls, running errands, or relaxing with a book. And the thing about dresses is that they’re even easier than putting on pants or a full ensemble. A dress is one and done! Comfort is key in selecting a dress this season—no tight waistlines or deep-v plunges here—it’s all about a dress that you can move about easily in.  So simple, so effortless, and so chic.

This brings us back to how important practical comfort is for getting on with modern life. It’s fantastic that fashion is on our side.

What I’m Wearing: Temperley London A Line Dress| Tommy Bahama Macramé Bag| Free People Boots| Vintage Belt|

Click to SHOP Fluid Summer Dresses: 

I’m flipping out over the Batsheva dress I got for my birthday.

One of my favorite designers, Batsheva’s unconventional designs strike a chord that no other designer has ever reached. It’s a vintage meets runway aesthetic that is so perfectly weird and has been called “Amish Punk”.

For those of you unfamiliar with the brilliance that is Batsheva, here’s a bit of backstory on how it all began…

In February of 2016, Batsheva Hay, a former lawyer with two young children, decided to have a favorite vintage dress remade.

Designed by Laura Ashley, the dress, blended a folksy craft aesthetic with dreamy romanticism.  Calf-length with long sleeves and a slightly tapered waist, it was made of a dense corduroy printed with green leaves and purple roses. But the fabric at the armpits had frayed, and been torn beyond repair so she had a pattern maker help her to recreate the dress. The new design made the sleeves puffier, added a collar, a more corseted waist, a high neck and additional ruffles. She had it made in several fabrics and wore her dresses all around New York. They garnered so many compliments that she decided to turn her love for vintage into a career.

Batsheva Hay’s subversive twist on frumpy 80s Laura Ashley style has been making fashion headlines ever since. Her vintage inspired prairie-meets-party dresses have quickly obtained cult-like status in the fashion world.

To me her designs are something straight out of a Fairy-tale.  Clothing that characters in your favorite books would have worn. Season after season I can’t get enough of it!

BATSHEVA’s collections march to the beat of their own drum, ignoring trends, she creates what inspires her.

The designs have personality, are chic, uber comfortable and attention grabbing. Just ask the 5 ladies (and one guy) that came up to me in the grocery store to ask me where I got this dress when I made a quick stop after taking these pics.

The second I opened my beautifully packaged box from MATCHES FASHION containing this beauty I was in love. It’s from the BATSHEVA SS21 Collection (LOOK 14). It features a wonderful oversized collar, sleeves with just enough puff and this GOREGOUS wallpaper print that reminds me of Aubrey Beardsley’s 1800’s illustrations.

I ripped the package open, stripped down and tried it on right away in the middle of my living room. It fit like a dream- no alterations involved and makes me feel as if I belong on the set of “The Nevers” in the best way.

Playful, camp and unconventional yet refined and elegant at the same time. The silhouette is perfectly balanced.

Now that things are opening up expect to see me in this on the chicest repeat ever.

OH Batsheva Hay you fantastical magician how do you do it?

What I’m Wearing: Batsheva Face Print Midi Dress | Chloe T-Strap Heels| Vintage FURLA Bag| LIPLAB by BITE Custom Lipstick in Skinny Marg|

CLICK TO SHOP BATSHEVA SS21:

Luxury Fashion House Coach celebrates PRIDE month with it’s annual PRIDE Capsule Collection, “Pride Is Where You Find It”.

“Pride Is Where You Find It” is a campaign that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. It advocates that every person should be seen as who they truly are regardless of sexual orientation, race or identity. It is a celebration of optimism, inclusivity, self-expression and authentic self-expression.

Each year during the month of June the world flies their rainbow flags, douses themselves in glitter and celebrates PRIDE month.

Rooted in the fight for equal rights and to commemorate the Stonewall Riots, PRIDE month is not only a time for celebration but also an opportunity to raise political awareness of current issues facing the community.

This year marks the 52th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. The riots were a series of demonstrations carried out by a group of drag queens in 1969 in response to the police raid of the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village, New York.

It was this that led Brenda Howard, the “mother of pride”, to organize the first LGBT Pride march.  Today festivals, concerts and parades take place all around the world.

I couldn’t wait to get a peek at this year’s collection so I headed down to the Coach Boutique at Grand Canal Shops inside the Venetian Resort Las Vegas just as the boxes were being unloaded off the truck.

Although the full collection doesn’t launch until May 26th the boutique gave me a first look at some of the colorful key pieces and I’m sharing that first look with YOU!

For this year’s capsule collection, COACH gave their signature C-logo a rainbow overhaul on everything from sneakers to slides, belt bags, totes and tees.

The iconic PRIDE rainbow flag integrates seamlessly into classic COACH designs which allows ally’s to rock these pieces, show their support for the LGBTQ+ community and make a chic statement all year long.

COACH Lowline Pride Low Top Sneakers $150.

Crafted with COACH’s Signature canvas and smooth leather details. These sneakers employ signature CitySole technology for a comfortable step all day long and a TPU heel counter for ultimate support.

COACH Rainbow Puffy Quilted Quilted Belt Bag $225.

Made with ultra soft Nappa Leather, this fun spin on the “sold out everywhere” quiltie bag features an easily adjustable rainbow web strap.

COACH Rainbow Pool Slides Men’s $95 and Women’s $85.

Crafted with COACH’s Signature canvas, they feature a contoured footbed and rubber sole to provide all-day comfort.

COACH Rexy Tote in Signature Rainbow $195.

This Canvas tote fits a 15 inch laptop and has an easy snap closure. With PRIDE messaging printed on the bag’s interior.

COACH Signature Rainbow Hitch Belt Bag with sports strap $495.

The full COACH PRIDE Collection launches May 26th.  Get yours at COACH Boutique at Grand Canal Shops inside the Venetian Resort.