while style spotters flitted off to fashion capitals around the world, i sat in my dorm room aimlessly clicking through the seasons fashion shows via the world wide web. as depressing as the thought of not ACTUALLY being able to see the creations in person, watching the shows live in pajamas while cuddling under my blankets might have been enough incentive. i may or may not be very obsessed with the latest spring collections. here are some of my top designs.

ALBERTA FERRETTI- bold colors, tropical tones, cut outs and tribal patterns. the knee length cuts and maxi fits lead to a great palate and relaxed look. 

BCBG MAX AZRIA- one of the top trends, color blocking, is a main focus of this design execution. the flowing dresses, sheer rain coat and lightweight draping leads to a comfortable fit with a pop of color. 

FENDI- the sheer, the black, the swirls, the structure. the smoldering vamp version of a mod silhouette. fendi perfectly executed the 'attention to detail' with low cut swirled gowns and 1940's inspired chest cut-out dress. 

GUCCI- leave it to gucci to bling it out'. the simple striped pattern tends to speak miles when made of metallics, silvers and bright golds. your eyes get lost in the optical illusions embedded in the designs as they are perfectly placed on the right parts of body.

3.1 PHILLIP LIM- to neutralize the palate and welcome a new year, philip lim sticks to pastels, whites and light greys. the clean lines and loose structure leads to a sophisticated pep in one's step. the striped tops are interestingly modern and lend a virginized homage to the darker bondage trend.

best shots of new york city fashion week fall 2011:

PHOTOS COURTESY OF : VOGUE / JAK&JIL / STYLE.COM

FOLLOWING ARTICLE FROM COLLEGEFASHIONISTA.COM:

Plaid has been around for centuries. It has been worn to identify specific mid-nineteenth century Scottish clans, was used as a favorite in Queen Victoria’s interior decorating plan and is even traced back to Celtic populations in 400 BC. Today, the plaid movement has surfaced in fall ready-to-wear runway shows such as Tory Burch’s head to toe look, Rag and Bone’s patterned cape and Thakoon’s bold asymmetrical dress. It is evident the influence the striped tartan pattern has on contemporary culture. Plaid is a fierce statement that can be incorporated into any stylistic decision, whether transitioning from summer to fall or just adding an accent to an outfit. I met this stylish Fashionista biking through the quad today. Emily executed this ageless look by pairing a patterned dress with down-the-front button accent and a pair of apple red Ked inspired sneakers. While the look appears simple, the pop of color, bold pattern and added ruffled chest is enough detail to make a lasting impact.

Name: Emily Marzolph - Major: Anthropology - Year: Senior

College Fashionista: Tell us about your outfit today?

Emily Marzolph: I got my red sneakers from Target and since it is such a beautiful day out, I opted for my simple plaid ruffled dress from Delias.

CF: Who are your stylistic influences?

EM: Zoey Dechanel is definitely one person that I look to for ideas pertaining to my wardrobe. I am very into the timeless vintage look.

CF: What are some essential items in your closet?

EM: An essential item I can’t live without is a great dress. Dresses can be casual and easy to wear, but also dressed up if need be. I love to wear any kind of flat, particularly Keds, and incorporate bold pops of color such as teal and gold into my wardrobe. With my shorter hair, I like sporting chandelier earrings as opposed to studs. Particularly this fall, I am very excited to wear boots and skinny jeans. A good boot can go a long way and really tie a look together.

CF: Who is your favorite design powerhouse?

EM:  Definitely Coach. I like the Coach collections that are more spunky. The collections that are poppy and more modern really stand out to me.

How To: To emulate Emily’s patterned look, cinche this lightweight plaid cotton dress with a skinny belt and add these brown suede booties from H&M. To carry the plaid craze into a more formal look, pair a strapless plaid dress cut in a unique silhouette with a pair of black pumps. To accessorize with plaid, rock a pair of bold colored Toms shoes or wrap a light patterned scarf around your neck. This trend will not only help you transition into the fall weather, but will leave you flexible to more daring patterns in the future.

emily was the topic of my second full feature. she immediately stood out to be because of the bright colors and adorable vintage inspired bike. i always look strange standing on the quad searching for emerging fashion trends on campus, but once i finally spot someone, it is very worth it. thank you for all of the support and check out my weekly feature EVERY WEDNESDAY! 

1. check HERE every wednesday to catch my latest report!

2. check HERE every day for all posts on my campus! (university of illinois)

3. check HERE or click on the PHOTO to read this weeks post / see more photos via the site! 

this autumn, when the leaves start falling from the trees and the campus lights up with mustards, chocolates and deep reds, the first thing to go from our wardrobe are those gladiator sandals, strappy heels and t-strap flip flops. cover up those toes and transition into the latest autumn boots - all under $50! match a pair of lace up plaid booties with a comfy knit and deep burgundy corduroy leggings or for a more tough laid back look, throw on a pair of studded combat boots and a faux fur vest with leather trimming. check out these top boots under $50 for the upcoming season

[click the picture to see this spread on polyvore]

1. PLAID PUMPS ($45) - Not Rated

2. ALLEGRA SUEDE PEEP TOE WEDGE LACE UP BOOT ($48) - Asos

3. NOT RATED SUEDE HEELED BOOTS ($50) - Not Rated

4. WRAP BUCKLE BOOTS ($40) - Wet Seal

5. STEADY AS THEY GO DISTRESSED BROWN BOOTS ($46) - Threadsence

6. STUDDED WORKMAN BOOTS ($33) - Forever21

7. AUTOGRAPH FAUX FUR CUFF LACE UP BOOTS ($35)

it's a new week and that means a new collegefashionista post. this weeks fashionista i met walking through the quad. as it was my first article, i was very nervous what to expect and how to actually conduct the interview. cici was adorable and could not have been more perfect for my first feature. she was open and outgoing to the idea of the interview and her knowledge of fashion and trends really helped my reporting come easier. please read the article and enjoy. thank you for all of the support and check out my weekly feature EVERY WEDNESDAY! 

1. check HERE every wednesday to catch my latest report!

2. check HERE every day for all posts on my campus! (university of illinois)

3. check HERE or click on the PHOTO to read this weeks post via the site! 

FOLLOWING ARTICLE FROM COLLEGEFASHIONISTA.COM:

As campuses across the nation take that cumbersome leap from summer to fall, there stands a challenge to simultaneously transition your style and mirror the fluctuating temperatures. While Missoni previously reigned with her signature zig-zag knitwear, her throne might soon be debunked. As Marcus Lupfer emerges with unique embellished knitwear for his Resort 2012 collection andPrada parades around the perfect chunky cable-knit cardigan for the fall season, we start to question why we haven’t pulled out that knit sweater sitting at the back of our closets all summer. I met this adorable Fashionista walking on the quad on her way to class. CiCi completely nailed the awkward metamorphosis into the fall weather by pairing a simple H&M dress with a throw over knit. Adding tights and bold Doc Marten inspired boots bound the look together as well as kept her legs at a comfortable temperature.

Name: CiCi Guo

Major: Economics

Year: Freshman

CollegeFashionista: What trends are you personally excited for this fall?

CiCi Guo: I think this fall is all about the layering and I am excited to combine lots of different elements into my wardrobe. I am very into chunky rings embedded with large stones, big cross necklaces and large black sunglasses.

CF: Who would you say your stylistic influences are?

CG: Anne Hathaway is very classy and has a beautiful style and Lady Gaga inspires me to be confident in what I wear. She has great styling ideas everyone can pull a little bit from.

CF: Who are your favorite design powerhouses?

CG: Prada and Versace.

CF: What are some essential pieces in your fashion closet?

CG: I love the styling influences of the gothic culture and like to incorporate these items into my wardrobe such as chunky combat boots, dark tights and lots of black. A good red or black nail always ties a look together.

How To: To emulate CiCi’s weather appropriate look, think layers. Throw on this lightweight double layered Free People dress from Asos and cover it with a simple knit pullover from Nasty Gal. If you are inspired by CiCi’s gothic influences, try a fierce deep red nail by Essie and throw on a cross necklace from Forever21. Polish off your look with a pair of heeled Doc Martins. This style will not only leave you perfectly comfortable in the changing weather, but also leave you perfectly fashionable.

Style On,

Jessie Whitman

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

[click HERE for more photos from this post]

i adore layering and i absolutely love to stay warm. i will forever be in debt to whoever found a way to combine these two loves. we like to call this the all hailing KNIT. otherwise known as the cuddling tunic, the jump-in-a-pile-of-leaves sweater or the curl-up-with-a-book pullover. this fall is a perfect time to invest in that ideal knit. pair it with a pair of skinny jeans, combat boots and a scarf or layer by throwing it over a maxi-dress. here are the top ten knits of the season.

                                                                                             

[click the picture to see this spread on POLYVORE]

1. FUNKTIONAL DOLMAN SLEEVE SWEATER ($110) - American Rag
2. CHILVERS CASHMERE AND MOHAIR-BLEND SWEATER ($925) - The Row
3. DOO. RI EXAGGERATED CABLE SWEATER ($945) - La Garconne
4. HOODED CABLE-KNIT WOOL PONCHO ($1,390) - Temperley London
5. ASYMMETRICAL LOOP KNIT TUNIC ($275) - Helmut Lang 
6. BOIS ALPACA-BLEND CABLE-KNIT CARDIGAN ($1,925) - Missoni
7. ROBYN HANDKNIT CREW ($269) - New Scotland
9. VPL SHIFTED KNIT PULLOVER ($385) - VPL
8. FRINGED CABLE-KNIT CARDIGAN ($67) - SuperTrash
10. THAKOON ADDITION BOATNECK SWEATER ($460) - Thakoon

i could not be more obsessed with the thakoon sweater. the asymmetry and color really stand out and i would love to rock the helmut lang around campus. when looking for YOUR knits this fall, try to find unique, bold styles that will really make you shine. no one wants to look like they are wearing 'grandma's finest crafts work'. as the leaves begin to fall, remember: layer up, knit up and keep warm. 

big news! i am now one of the newest STYLE GURUS on my campus for COLLEGEFASHIONISTA.COM. this has been in the works for quite a while, but i wanted to make the big announcement as soon as my first post went live. i will be writing for the 'fashionista/o spotlight' column EVERY WEDNESDAY. i am ecstatic to begin working with the site and can't wait to see where this opportunity takes me. through CollegeFashionista i plan to search for the most daring trend setters and bring them to light. be very excited for what is to come. i hope you all support me and follow me through this journey.

1. check HERE every wednesday to catch my latest report!

2. check HERE every day for all posts on my campus! (university of illinois)

3. check HERE or click on the PHOTO for my FIRST post! 

EXERPT FROM COLLEGEFASHIONISTA.COM:

"...Style is very personal and every individual needs to own it in his or her own way. I jokingly call my style chameleonista. Versatility at its finest. My style tends to change every day. One day I might wear a floral maxi dress with a straw fedora, hitting the boho-chic vibe and the next I might wear oxfords, skinny jeans, a sheer blouse and a blazer, embodying a men’s look for the day. I thrift- hard. Most of my clothes are from thrift stores that I have sewn, revamped or re-purposed into something else...."

READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE

forever21 tank, shoes / vintage belt / handmade skirt

i was very excited to be able to finally wear the skirt that i sewed myself. i am such a procrastinator it took me an entire summer to finally finish this simple skirt. i really like it. turned out great. my wonderful and beautiful friend amanda tiberi (check out her art HERE) has agreed to be my honorary photographer for the school year, so expect many more outfit posts. 

this entire campus is empty, the house is eerily quiet and no one is walking around the quad. welcome to staying on campus over labor-day weekend. there is also no food in this house. i was starving all day until i decided to binge eat an entire pizza, so now i am sprawled on the couch slowly dying. hopefully i can get most of my work done before the holiday is over. 

1. PLEASE click HERE (facebook) to 'like' and comment the collage and make me a FINALIST!

2. click HERE (polyvore) to check out the clothing featured in the collage.

shopAKIRA.com - "fashions night out" - this weeks is all about FNO. paint the town red with a peek-a-boo dress in a bold neon. make a statement with sky high leopard heels, a bedazzled clutch and a house of harlow necklace.

1. AKIRA NEON SHOULDER PAD DRESS, ($40) - Akira
2. LEOPARD PUMPS, ($230) - Akira
3. BLACK LABEL CLUTCH HANDBAG, ($57)- Akira
4. HOUSE OF HARLOW 1960 GEOMETRIC NECKLACE, ($75)- Akira

I JUST STARTED A LOOKBOOK

click HERE to check it out. 

forever21 silk button up blouse, feather necklace, suede lace up heels / akira white lace shorts

i am finally back on campus and very ready for school to start.

i am very happy and the weather is beautiful.

everything seems to be falling into place.