The Never-Disappointing O.P. and Her Spring Style

        In the Jewish Girl World, socialite Olivia Palermo is heralded as the fashion equivalent of Harry Houdini. She’s got more style tricks up her sleeve than the rest of us. Olivia is admired for her refined yet contemporary aesthetic, and for her feminine dresses laced with edgy urbanity. Above all, she makes modesty look like the crème de la crème of all styles; highly creative but unpretentious. Do you remember when we featured Ms. Palermo in October’s Style Icon column? (If not, then please click on the Olivia Palermo label below this post!) Although we already covered this socialite’s fashion sense, we would like to reintroduce it in light of the glorious spring season!

Take a look below and see how this style icon brings casual elegance to the warmer months.

St-EYE-lista;

Editor’s Edition

 

Photo via www.citizencouture.com
 

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. Enjoy this special one!

 

 

       There are certain runway clothing that will make your face contort into a “who-on-G-d’s-green-earth-would-wear that?” kind of expression. They just will.

       Alexander McQueen can send a gown down the runway that will make your eyes voice shock and your nose scrunch in disapproval. Well, while you’re sitting in the Front Row and clutching your poor heart, there is someone out there whose eyes are expressing rapture and whose lips are positively dancing.

“Bellisma!” she exclaims, clapping her jewelry laden hands together.   

That someone is Editor-in-Chief of Vogue Japan, Anna Dello Russo.

       Described as a “Fashion Maniac” by legendary photographer Helmut Newton, Anna Dello Russo approaches style with the sheer enthusiasm of a 5-year old girl playing dress-up. Her frocks, skirts, and shoes (she has 4,000 of those!) are ridiculously ostentatious. Exaggerated silhouettes that remind one of a vulture, hats shaped like eggs, fiercely colored shoes—this woman owns it all.

In addition, if the name "Anna Dello Russo" rings a bell, there’s a chance you heard it this past Fall. In October 2012, Anna designed a delightfully gaudy accessories collection for H & M.

We specifically chose to feature Anna Dello Russo prior to Purim, because perhaps HER everyday wear can potentially inspire YOUR costume. Who knows?

CAUTION: You’ll need just a bit of humor to appreciate this enamoring lady.

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.

 

ST-EYE-LISTA;

The Editor’s Edition

Prelude: 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.” Without further ado, here is our very first "Editor's Edition" post.

        Although the rest of the cyber universe is re-visiting last night’s Golden Globes, I’m fixating on the genuine source of creative fashion: STREET STYLE.

        Red Carpet occasions typically offer a bounty of jaw-dropping gowns, exquisite heels, and Neil Lane jewels. They are indeed eye candy, but they’re barely relevant to my own life. Perhaps one day I’ll marry the religious equivalent of Harvey Weinstein and transform into a film mogul’s wife. I’ll sport a phony tan, have a million followers on Twitter, and playfully swish my Dior gown. But until that day arrives folks, attending Boro Park weddings in TJ MAXX dresses will be the epitome of glamour for me, thank you very much.

        It is in this vein that I would like to introduce January’s first ST-EYE-LISTA; The Editor's Edition: CAROLINE ISSA. As you will soon realize, Caroline’s personal style IS highly relatable. It is eclectic and contemporary, but also extremely refined.

       Who exactly is Caroline Issa? She is a former business woman turned fashion industry maven. She holds a business degree from Wharton and previously worked at a consultancy firm agency in San Francisco. She received her initial introduction to the fashion industry when her agency sent her to consult with the company Tank, a quarterly fashion magazine in London. When she met with Tank she became quickly mesmerized with the company's creative energy. Tank offered Caroline a position at the company and she slowly yet steadily ascended to the high ranks

       Caroline Issa is currently the executive fashion director of Tank, editor-in-chief of Because magazine (a digital fashion start-up) and fashion director of the Tank Form consulting agency. She is also the darling of renowned street-style photographers (such as The Sartorialist, Tommy Ton, and Phil Oh).

       Caroline’s mother is Chinese while her father is half Lebanese and half Iranian. These multi-cultural genes lend her an exotic appearance and a truly striking smile.

Let us meet the superwoman who tackles a myriad of professional responsibilities with enviable poise and style.

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!

St-EYE-lista

       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. Since the month of December definitely calls for chic versatility (work, weekend, Chanukah soirees, and winter weddings), is there a better moment to feature the multi-faceted style of Kate Bosworth? Nope, there isn’t.

       Although Kate Bosworth is well-known for being an actress (and for her different colored eyes!) she is even more well-known for her trend-setting credentials. In fact, I barely ever watched a film that Kate Bosworth was in, but I have seen scores of her stylish snapshots in Vogue. The fashion universe constantly focuses their lens on Ms. Bosworth, because more often than not, she’ll be perfectly executing a bohemian, sporty, sleek, or luxurious look. This girl is definitely a fashion chameleon in her own right.

Check out her modest ensembles below!

 

 

St-EYE-lista  

Take 2

         I enjoy eclectic and varying viewpoints on interpretive fashion. This explains why I chose to feature two women who contrast in their age, region, and role in the fashion industry for November’s St-EYE-listas. This month's first St-EYE-lista was J.Crew’s Creative Director Jenna Lyons. She’s been in the fashion business for a good amount of years and is globally famous for her role in America’s top-selling brand. Who then is the second style icon of the month? Doina Ciobanu, a young woman in her late teens from Moldova. Now, how's that for a different point-of-view?

         Unlike Jenna,  Doina has not yet reached the pinnacle of an illustrious fashion career, but in the direction she’s headed, that should become her destiny! Doina Ciobanu tiptoed her way into fashion fame when she started her blog “The Golden Diamonds” in 2010. Since then she has been featured in Vogue Russia, Vogue Paris, Elle China, and Harper's Bazaar. Doina has also caught the eye of renowned street style photographers such as The Sartorialist. In fact, The Sartorialist’s photo was my first introduction to Doina.

Here it is:

 

I love this photo of Doina. Her striking gaze, vintage floral dress, and killer shoes truly stand out in the crowd (as does the woman in the green shawl and blue dress! Perfect).

St-EYE-lista Jenna Lyons

 

St-EYE-lista

        Welcome to the first part of November's St-EYE-lista. Remember that column? We've already featured the style renegade Alexa Chung and the "Modest Muse" Olivia Palermo. Who are we shedding the limelight on this month you ask? The inimitable Ms. Jenna Lyons, Creative Director of J. Crew. If you're like me and you tend to pore over J. Crew catalogues like they're your GED practice booklet, then you simply must read about the leading lady who works the backstage and forefront of this iconic brand.

 

 

        I can assure you that Jenna Lyons dwells on my fashion pedestal. Her tall frame is lounged across her gold throne. She sits there with her impeccable denim J. Crew jacket tucked into her silky, fuchsia evening skirt. Her eyes are framed with the ubiquitous hipster glasses and her feet are graced with patent ebony stilettos. Perhaps there is a glass of sparkling water in her hand. Or is that a martini? I can’t tell. Either way, this portrayal evokes eclectic elegance and endearing whimsy in my mind.

 

Ms. Duma and Her Coats

 

           November 1^st:  The weather slowly slips from a teasing nip of wind (or ironically not so teasing--Holler to Hurricane Sandy) to hints of winter frigidity. In other words, our fall jackets will soon be replaced by winter coats. Like journalist Amanda Fortini, I too once believed that winter coats were “the sartorial equivalent of a pie crust: an inferior exterior ruining the whole darn thing.” Your precisely coordinated outfit, your sleek pencil skirt, and your ironic sweater are all captives under the prison you call a coat. The question remains: How can you not bear a slight grievance against your winter shield?

           The answer is: Get motivated to no, not wear, but flaunt your winter topper like Russia’s ex-Harper’s Bazaar editor (currently freelance writer) Miroslava Duma. Miroslava Duma’s experimental and show-stopping personal style will be featured in an upcoming “St-EYE-lista: The Editor’s Version” column (which begins in January). Until then—let’s focus on Duma’s ability to work a winter coat like nobody’s business. Her coat collection consists of vivid color, intricate pattern, and high-end designer labels—you know, the kind of coats a university student or freshly employed young woman would surely have in her wardrobe (insert stifled snort or roll of the eyes right here).

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).

St-eye-lista Part 1

The St-EYE-lista

Welcome to our bi-monthly column "The St-EYE-lista!" This column will feature an individual whose personal style captured our EYE and whose fashion sense can be reinterpreted for the modest dresser. This month our featured St-EYE-lista is the hip Alexa Chung.  Alexa Chung is a former British model, has her own talk show, and has hosted a fashion design TV show called the "24 Hour Catwalk." 

 

 

         It may be the understatement of the year to simply say that “I like Alexa Chung’s style.” “Obsessed or “fixated” might be more apropos. Seriously. I envy Alexa’s ability to look simultaneously disheveled and posh. She can appear at a fashion event with indifferently styled hair and a devil-may-care t-shirt but still parade around in towering patent heels and a sequined skirt.  Alexa's personal style also includes a “tomboy-meets-Lolita” dimension. She tends to cross masculine tailoring or tomboy nonchalance  (think blazers or combat boots) with a sweetly girly item (such as a Peter-Pan collar or flouncy skirt).

         Alexa has taken her personal style savvy into profitable business ventures as well. She designed a collection for Madewell, fronted campaigns for Superga and Maje, and even had a Mulberry schoolboy satchel named after her. Taking advantage of her “It” girl likability and fashion sense, Alexa has recently begun designing for her brand new clothing collection (We don’t have the details on it yet…but it’s already getting us "Alexacited.")

Check out Alexa’s personal style trademarks below!