USC's Fashion Board Presents: Fashion Week!

The time has finally come for the annual Fashion Week at USC presented by the USC Fashion Board. Held from April 11-14, the week is packed with events everyday leading up to the finale fashion show on Thursday night. Below is the schedule of events:

MONDAY, April 11

Kickoff event on Russell House Patio - 11-2

* Fashion show Ticket Sales ($7 advance/ $10 at the door)

* Fashion Week Merch sales: koozies/ FW Tees/ Fashion Week wayfarers/ Eco Bags

* Raffle for prizes and free tickets to the Fashion Show

WEDNESDAY, April 13

Bagel Breakfast Sale/Bake sale - Greene St and the BA

* Will be selling bagels/cream cheese and baked goods on Greene St. from 10:00am-2pm and at the BA 8:30am-2pm.

* All proceeds will go to the Fashion Board at USC Scholarship Fund.

Fashion Symposium Featuring Jess James, Style Girl and creator of Style Swap.

7 PM at the Public Health Auditorium

* Q&A afterwards

THURSDAY, April 14

FASHION SHOW - 701 Whaley

*Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm

*Tickets $10 at the door, $7 in advance

*Booths with merchandise from boutiques not featured in the show

*Booth featuring Fashion Week Merchandise (Koozies/Tees/Fashion Week wayfarers/ Eco Bags)

FRIDAY, April 15

USC FASHION WEEK SEND-OFF WITH VINEYARD VINES - Greene St., Russell House 11:00am-2pm

*Get free promotional items from Vineyard Vines

*Hang out, play games and win cool prizes

*Celebrate a fabulous week of hard work & fashion!

This is definitely a week you do not want to miss here at USC and in the greater Columbia area. Can’t wait to see you out there!

Charleston Fashion Week (Day 2)

Charleston, SC has history, culture and for five years in the running, a fashion week. Presented and sponsored by the Art Institute of Charleston, Charleston Fashion Week showcases local retail stores as well as two competitions for emerging designers and local models.

On the second day, March 23, 2011, the two retailers showcased were Tommy Bahama and House of Sage. It was a packed house filled with great fashion and fun! Here are a few of the great fashions of the night from the runway:

But the runway wasn't the only place you could see fashion. Take a look at some of the trendy patrons with Savage Style!

Stay close for a recap post of Charleston Fashion Week coverage!

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Bonjour Paris!

Paris Fashion Week has come to an end, and with that bittersweet sentiment comes the end of yet another fashion season. Paris is absolutely one of my favorite weeks of the year, mostly because all of my favorite houses show in Paris—Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Yves St. Laurent just to name a few.

CHANEL

This season Karl Lagerfeld seemed to draw inspiration from a dark and apocalyptic future for the Chanel collection. The smoky color palette and masculine fit was very evocative of a mood quite different from the sophisticated femininity that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of Chanel.

Keeping with what seems to be a trend within his collections of late, Lagerfeld chose to show the collection with a relatively low heel. In fact, most of the girls paraded down the catwalk in tough biker boots with slouchy socks around the ankles.

A bit of classic Chanel femininity was introduced towards the end through the evening wear, which was done in black lace.

YVES ST. LAURENT

For the Yves St. Laurent collection, Stefano Pilati took his inspiration from Bianca Jagger and the YSL archives. Clinging to the YSL “Opium,” which he began exploring through his Pre-Fall runway looks, Pilati crafted a collection that was quite evocative of the house during the early 1960’s and moving even into the '70s.

The color palette was monochromatic with shots of color here and there, but filled with variations in pattern and texture. The aesthetic was the perfect balance of conservative and profane.

Click here to see Chanel, YSL and the rest of the Paris collections in their entirety.

I hope that you have enjoyed my coverage of the shows this season. Until we meet again, wear something that makes you feel - and look - magnifique!

Croissants and Corsages,

Marquis

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Milan at a Glance

Alright you faithful followers of fashion, I know that you have been anxiously awaiting news from Milan and I apologize that my schedule prevented me from getting it to you sooner, but here it is! I’m coming to you with coverage from the big girls—Gucci, Fendi, Prada. (Do I hear a Fergie song somewhere in the background?)

GUCCI

First we visit Gucci where Frida Giannini gave us sophisticated 70’s glamour. Rich jewel tones were inflicted upon expertly handled fur pieces and elegant chiffon dresses. The look was bold and strong while remaining incredibly feminine and sexy. This seems to be a talent of Giannini’s. This was truly a collection built for my aesthetic. Filled with skins and furs like python and fox as well as the plumes of our air born friends - it was Wild Kingdom meets Glamourtown!

FENDI

The color palette stayed quite saturated as we moved on to Fendi. The design duo of Lagerfeld and Fendi took their inspiration from painters. Sticking with the trademark of the house, the furs were exquisite, i.e. I was in love. Again, we entered the wild as sable, mink, chinchilla and fox were all compiled to create one monstrously bodacious beast of beauty. However, there was more to Fendi than just fur this season. The girls marched down the runway in wonderfully tailored wool pieces as well as knit leggings that added a pop of color to the collection. Being the sucker for detail that I am, I loved the bits of ruffle that were applied on the fronts of blouses, adding just that extra touch of whimsy that I look for in a collection.

PRADA

Miuccia Prada stuck with what seemed to be the trend of the week and embraced the world of fur and skin. For this season's Prada collection she even added a third element—scales! Channeling the liberated woman of the twenties and sixties, Prada set out to explore the clichés of glamorous femininity. The furs, sequins and skins that she implemented for this collection were incredible. There was even a nod to St. Laurent’s famed Mondrian dress of 1965. The color palette was a bit darker than the previous two collections but there was still a generous amount present. Of course the stars of the collection were the bags and shoes. The girls marched down the runway clutching the bags to their bosoms like the precious treasures that they are.

Want more coverage from Milan Fashion week? Look no further! Also make sure you check back soon for my reviews from my favorite foreign fashion capital — Paris!

Feathers and Fur,

Marquis

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Over the Hill … as in Dunhill

There isn't much to say about the Dunhill collection except that it was a lovely display of timeless, classic, well tailored menswear — a collection worthy of our loyal male followers!

It started with traditional suiting and took a dive into a more casual mood before evolving into full on evening. And sensing that you guys wouldn't be interested in reading paragraph after eloquently written paragraph about the clothing, I am going to keep the copy to a minimum and leave you with some inspirational images.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the entire Fall 2011 Dunhill collection!

Now that we are “over the hill” the next time we speak it will be in Italian. Off to Milan for more fashion coverage that you won't want to miss!

Cufflinks and Cummerbunds,

Marquis

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Sartorial Summons

For his Fall 2011 collection Giles Deacon took his inspiration from the law — literally. It all started with the invitations which were designed, envelope and all, to be exact replicas of an official court summons (which I hear caused a few invitees to experience waves of terror!).

Deacon also drew inspiration from time spent in the Victoria and Albert Museum researching Victoriana and Edwardiana. This research, along with the designer’s use of law as a muse, was reflected in his usage of high collars and a bold black and white color palette.

As the collection progressed, texture and color were introduced.

As a perfect compliment to the collection the models were given matching red lips and nails. Sophy Robson, the hottest nail girl in London Town, was summoned yet again to manage the manicures. Last season’s Eek Manicure, one of my personal favorites, is still being worn today so I wonder if this season's vampy matte crimson talons will latch on.

Review the entire collection but move too slow and you may get a summons of your own - for a fashion violation!

Red lips and wing tips,

Marquis

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