Monday, September 21, 2009

a lucky girl in gaultier



When I started Hello Kelli I was committed to only posting about items that were less than $100 because my entire concept for blogging was to take ideas from the red carpet to the general public. I wanted to share fashion ideas that many of us could actually afford so we could feel that great design was accessible to everyone. I wanted to find primarily discounted merchandise and pieces from affordable retailers with price points that were within the financial reach of young females adjusting to life after college.

{Jean Paul Gaultier dress and Jimmy Choo pumps}

Recently I have taken a greater interest in studying designers and runway shows and I would like to start sharing more images and ideas from these experiences. The fabulous designers who exhibit collections during various Fashion Weeks are meant to be seen by everyone...but not meant to be owned by everyone. I want to share their ideas because I believe that these designers have the creativity and the knowledge to innovate in the fashion industry. These ideas are meant to inspire!


Critics put down the fashion industry because of the wealth and opulence, but there is beautiful art to be appreciated within this realm.
Fashion is about art and expression and sometimes you have to see what the best are doing to figure out where you fit in. Use the ideas that are out there and make them your own.


This all started because I had the opportunity to try on a gorgeous Jean Paul Gaultier dress that was on the runway for Fall 2009. The piece was stunning. The color was the deepest royal blue and the dress was thick and heavy and hugged the body perfectly. It had rounded padding around the pockets at the hips to create a unique and feminine silhouette in a way that I had never seen before and could never have even imagined. No picture could really do it justice.

Superstar designers are inspiring. These are the geniuses who create pieces of wearable art. This is who young and retail designers look to when they are creating new designs for the next season. I'm going to take advantage of the opportunities that I have to experience designer pieces in reality and understand how prices play a part in the world of fashion.

I will share with you my journey...

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the perfect boyfriend jacket


I am so excited that I finally found my perfect long blazer for Fall! Most designers are referring to it as the "boyfriend jacket" but I like to call it a long blazer because it has tightly fitted arms and shoulders that are really meant for a woman's body. I think a real boyfriend jacket would have a roomier and bulkier fit like the boyfriend jeans.

My to-die-for long blazer is the Vince Lightweight Boyfriend Jacket. I tried it on at Nordstrom and it is fabulous...just what I have been searching for for six months now! I love that it has very slim shoulders and sleeves for a perfect feminine fit. It is long enough to cover your butt so you can wear it with leggings or super skinny pants. An added little touch is that is has 3/4 sleeves so it looks super cute layered over a long sleeved tee.

Unfortunately this fabulous find is $440, so I'll have to keep an eye on it and let you know when it goes on sale...

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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

long blazers for fall



I absolutely love the long menswear-inspired blazer paired with super skinny jeans or leggings for fall. You can dress it up with pointy pumps or make it a little more comfortable with some jazzy lace-up flats.


All of these looks are available online at Urban Outfitters.

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Sunday, September 13, 2009

enjoy fashion week

{BCBG Max Azria from Style.com}

I'm unfortunately not at NY Fashion Week like every other fashion blogger in the country right now to see what the best of the best have come up with for Spring 2010. I support everyone who is there and hope that designers are giving you access to their shows so you can share your view inside the tents with the rest of the world!

I will report back about the shows as I watch collections from my favorite designers online...see you on Style.com!

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Tuesday, September 8, 2009

keds and opening ceremony collection






As I've mentioned before, designer collaborations are one of my favorite concepts in today's fashion culture. Pairing designers from different ends of the fashion industry is a fabulous idea that usually comes up with products that reach a new demographic and give new ideas about design a greater reach.

Opening Ceremony has paired with Keds, the creator of the original sneaker, to create a capsule collection of footwear that will be available in stores and online Thursday, September 10. I have images of the collection before they are available to the public!
This is such a great meeting of classic and modern! Opening Ceremony has been one of the hottest names in the fashion industry over the last few years, with one of the best collections of up-and-coming designers and innovative collaborations with fashion elite like Chloe Sevigny. The Soho store was one of my favorite places to visit when I lived in New York. Now that I've moved across the country, I'm excited to see that they have a fabulous online store as well!
The Keds and PRO-Keds x Opening Ceremony collection is a great interpretation of the 80's styles that are fashionable this Fall. The acid wash style is definitely my favorite. I've been talking about getting a pair of Keds for quite awhile now...I really just need to find the perfect pair and go for it! They are a perfect shoe for end of Summer/beginning of Fall...

If you want to find out more about the designer's inspiration for the Keds x Opening Ceremony designs, check out this fun little video online:

Opening Ceremony x Keds/PRO Keds


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fingerless gloves giveaway




I love fingerless gloves!

I discovered my attraction to them a few years ago. Something about them is just a little bit sexy and a little bit cozy. I had an exact idea in my head about what I wanted, but I couldn't find them available to buy anywhere. So I actually knit myself a pair of long cabled fingerless gloves that went past my elbows. I wore them everywhere and got lots of comments on them. I am so excited to see that the trend has caught on and now they are available to buy everywhere!
I am currently hosting a giveaway on Splendicity with Curations on HSN.com for a reader to win a fabulous winter set that includes a matching pair of fingerless gloves, a scarf, and an adorable headband. I love all three pieces and want them for myself! You can enter the giveaway by leaving a comment on my article on Splendicity. Here is the link:

Giveaway: Scarf Fingerless Gloves and Headband

Let me know if you want the pattern to knit yourself a pair of long fingerless gloves and I will go search for it in my mess of knitting materials...

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Monday, September 7, 2009

thread social on sale


Thread Social is on sale on Gilt Groupe starting today!

This is one of my favorite designers right now, so go online now to see some of their fabulous dresses on sale at up to 70% off. The styles on sale include lots of mini party dresses in bold colored patterns with tulip skirts and voluminous profiles.


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Tuesday, September 1, 2009

snood is not just a video game



Last winter it was the cloche...this winter it is the snood. Sometimes I just get obsessed with fashion pieces that have interesting names, historic significance, and an instantly stylish appearance. As the recession continues, accessories layered with clothing basics are going to be hugely in style this winter...

The snood is a gorgeous neck warmer slash hood. It is thick and tubular (like the gators that I used to wear skiing in the 80's) but is long enough to be draped over the head like a hood or scrunched around the neck like a scarf. Burberry, Stella McCartney, and Missoni have produced some wool and cashmere snoods and I expect many designers at high and low price points to follow soon...



You can read more about the Snood on my Splendicity article: Snood Is The Must-Have Accessory For Fall

Did I also mention that I was addicted to playing Snood on the computer in high school? I love that little "bloop" sound when you shoot an alien head out of a cannon.


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fall nail colors


{Image: NYMagazine}
I must have these nail colors for Fall!!

The Jin Soon for M.A.C. Cosmetics Collection is available now at M.A.C. counters and stores. Dark matte finish nails will definitely popular this Fall/Winter. My favorites are definitely the Beyond Jealous (dark blue/green at the far right) and Dry Martini (muddy gold at the bottom center).

These colors aren't available online (I just checked) so you'll have to get to a store to snag them. I hope they aren't at all sold out already...


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