Wear Your Invisible Crown’s Spring 2013 Faves

Part 1

 

It’s preposterous how feverishly fashion moves. It’s like they’re running—not strolling—across those already zipping airport walkways, while the rest of us weary passengers are barely trekking our luggage.

 Of course, we know why the Fall 2013 Fashion Shows have to be debuted even before the arrival of Spring. Barneys and Neiman Marcus have to order and ship in fall collections months in advance. Vogue and Elle need to write columns on autumnal trends while it’s still a 97 degree day in July.  We know the drill. Modernism demands one to be ahead of time, to always look for the “next big thing” (boy, I’ve been watching too many of those Samsung commercials). At any rate, this ravenous hunt for the “next big thing” applies just as accurately to fashion as it does to technology.

          So, while the rest of the fashion velt is kvelling over Fall 2013’s mega-hot collections at Lincoln Center, I, the puny Jewish blogger, will focus on the present: The impending arrival of fresh, glorious spring. In honor of that, I would like to share with you a few of my favorite collections from Spring 2013.

Tory Burch Spring 2013 

 

“The Spring 2013 collection is about the American prep remix. We were thinking about a stylish magpie who picks up special pieces while traveling around the world and always mixes them with classic sportswear.” --Tory

The St-EYE-lista; Editor’s Edition 

Welcome back to our bi-monthly column: The “St-EYE-lista”! This column features an individual whose personal style captured our EYE and whose fashion sense can be reinterpreted for the modest dresser. From talk-show hosts to socialites and from Creative Directors to bloggers, Wear Your Invisible Crown prides itself on revealing the kaleidoscopic gamut of fashion ingénues and icons. From January until March we will specifically focus on style icons who are (or once were) Editors of prominent fashion publications. We look forward to presenting our audience with an array of style and information regarding our featured “Editors.”

Our second St-EYE-lista (The Editor’s Edition) is Giovanna Battaglia. Giovanna is the editor of L'Uomo Vogue (otherwise known as Vogue Italia) and contributing fashion editor to W magazine. Prior to her editorial role at highly prominent magazines, Giovanna was a model for Dolce and Gabbana. With drive, talent, and a sartorially keen eye she was capable of shifting her professional role and becoming the well-established fashion editor that she is today.

Giovanna’s personal style is influenced by two icons; Monica Vitti and Audrey Hepburn. The former was an Italian movie star and the latter was a British one. Indeed, Giovanna draws inspiration from fashion-conscious Italian culture as well as British classicism by mixing risk-taking accessories with tailored, timeless clothing. The juxtaposing fashion sense of Vitti and Hepburn motivate this magazine editor to create a style that is all her own. READ ON TO SEE MORE!

It’s Not Just Black-and-White, Part 1

Photo Credit: Stockholm-StreetStyle 

What do I like about Giovanna’s P.S.? She offsets the enduring appeal of black-and-white outfits with a touch of eccentricity or rebellion. Her ensembles are undeniably elegant, and by adding a pair of edgy booties, hot slingbacks, or a scarf, she earns a dozen  more “style points.” Easily.

I Don't Like Gossip Girl, but I Love Me Some Blair Waldorf Style

        My friend recently forwarded an article to me about Gossip Girl’s series finale, one of television’s most ritzy, provocative young adult dramas. Interestingly, the article didn’t focus on the actual show, rather on the flawless style of Blair Waldorf, one of Gossip Girl’s central characters.

       To be honest, my knowledge of Gossip Girls is quite narrow. I only watched half of the 1st season in 12^th grade (the first time I watched TV in 5 years—yes, I eventually succumbed to this unholy bait). However, I do possess a rather personal memory associated with Gossip Girl. Whenever this show is mentioned, I’m fondly reminded of the days my mother and I would battle over the remote.

       You see, Gossip Girl and my mother’s all-time favorite show (a Korean soap-opera with English subtitles) aired at the exact same time. When my mom won control over the remote, I’d often exclaim“This is so unfair! Why do you like this silly Korean show anyways? Huh?!”

       I’d yet to appreciate how cool my mom was back then – she became hooked on Korean culture long before the days of Gangnam Style. Take that! But, as ever, I digress.

       When I won the “remote war,” I cozily settled in for an evening of scandal and “high-society teenage politics” a la Gossip Girl. Sure the show was famously juicy and entertaining, but it was also rampant with degrading morals and distorted values. I couldn’t get over the sheer irony that I was tuning into this show at 8:00 p.m. only to open up a Sefer Devarim and Rashi a mere twelve hours later. Irony can be rad…but not this kind of irony. I slowly weaned myself off the show.

St-EYE-lista

Take 2

        Welcome back to our bi-monthly column "The St-EYE-lista!" This column features an individual whose personal style captured our EYE and whose fashion sense can be reinterpreted for the modest dresser. Wear Your Invisible Crown is eclectic. We enjoy representing styles that swing all over the fashion pendulum. Whether your P.S. (personal style) is tomboyish, retro, glamourous, edgy, or classic, we've got you covered.
       This month’s St-EYE-lista is a 21^st century Anna Karenina, Lucille Ball, Russian Babushka, and Grace Kelly all rolled into one. Did that pique your interest? Good…It totally should. Her name is Ulyana Sergeenko and she is the second wife to Russian insurance billionaire Danil Khachaturov. At first glance, Sergeenko appears to be yet another Eastern European beauty with the graceful mannerisms of a well-pampered, hoity-toity, high-society woman. Yet, upon closer inspection, one will realize that she is also a deeply creative, avant-garde artiste.  

  

       Over the past couple of years, Sergeenko has focused on developing a couture line founded in Moscow. Although she does not yet possess the fame and publicity of other European couture labels (Chanel and Dior), she is still highly illustrious in the fashion universe (especially the Russian fashion universe—Miroslava Duma and model Natalie Vodianova are dedicated followers).

 

       Sergeenko’s couture collection is a gift to all vintage-infatuated women. It's simultaneously reminiscent of Jane Austen novels, Grimm’s fairy-tales, Old Hollywood glamour, and Russian aristocracy. The silhouettes, patterns, and textures of Sergeenko’s collection emanate a certain eloquence and nostalgia, one that touches upon every woman's whispered yearning to be queen for a day. (This fantasy starts when a girl is about three and never seems to end...). In addition, although Sergeenko isn’t Jewish, her style is very modest. (Perhaps more modest than the author's? Oy vey).

Without further ado, let us revel in the womanly and aristocratic style of Ulyana Sergeenko!

 

Let’s Get Ready to Partay!

       HAPPY CHANUKAH dear readers! May we all experience genuine joy during this auspicious season. Below is a brief guide to aid you in case you become possessed with the “I’ve got nothing to wear” syndrome right before a Chanukah (or office Holiday) party. The clothing suggestions are founded on one’s “style personality.” Mix and match the various looks if you feel like it. Go ahead…It’s party time! 

The Classicist

First up is The Classicist: She is a mademoiselle who usually opts for timeless dresses and separates. How can a Classicist revamp her Chanukah party style? Sequins of course. At this point, sequins are practically synonymous with winter festivities. It is and will always be the traditional Holiday fashion. A P.O.C (pop of color) in your accessories will surely add further cheer to a sparkly outfit. Speaking of accessories, a statement-making necklace will definitely be welcome when paired with solid yet richly hued separates. A Collar Necklace is what I have in mind.

Model Hilary Rhoda (left) and blogger Jenny from JennyinJacquard wear collar necklaces with deep colors.

The St-EYE-lista:

Take 2

Welcome back to the "St-EYE-lista" column. The second individual we will feature this month is none other than the lovely Olivia Palermo. Olivia Palermo is an American socialite, model, and was an actress on the reality show calledThe City.
 

           If you have ever watched The City, then you probably think that Olivia is little more than a highly aloof, infantile witch who enjoys tearing her enemies apart (yes, that does sound harsh). Yet, truthfully, the only wicked thing about Olivia is her personal style. (Please be aware that the “reality”show was scripted and that Olivia was directed to act in a supercilious manner. TV likes to keep such minor details a secret).