Top Frocks: 2014 Met Gala

While everyone was celebrating Cinco de Mayo this Monday, the fashion world was celebrating one of its biggest nights of the year, the Met Gala. It's comparable to the Oscars of fashion, except it's mainly just about seeing what everyone will wear. The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute hosts this fundraiser with a specific theme each year. This year brought big changes and the Costume Institute   officially became the Anna Wintour Costume Center, because clearly Anna Wintour is the ultimate authority when it comes to fashion. The Met Gala is an event that lends itself to the avant-garde and allows attendees to push the limits a bit. It's a time when the designer is as important as the celebrity wearing the dress, and most bring the designer as their date. You know how much I love a red carpet, so I've scoured all the looks and rounded up my favorites. 

5. Hailee Steinfeld in Prabal Gurung

    Black and white dresses ruled the red carpet Monday night, but this one was definitely my favorite 

    of them all.

4. Chrissy Teigen in Ralph Lauren

    Seems like she's ended up on my list before (see: Grammys). Perhaps I should be keeping an eye out 

    for her.

3. Kristen Wiig in Balenciaga
    I thought this look was very cool and a bit risky. If you're going to take a fashion risk, it might as
    well be at the Met Gala. Also, the fashion world has been buzzing about Alexander Wang's recent
    take over of Balenciaga, so wearing this designer was a smart move.

2. Blake Lively in Gucci
    She looks absolutely glamorous, and her #2 spot has nothing to do with my recent Gossip Girl binge,
    I promise.

 1. Emma Stone in Thakoon
     I'm usually a fan of her style, which has also been getting a lot of buzz due to all her press action of
     late, so I was very interested to see what she'd choose. She definitely did not disappoint. I think hot
     pink can be super cool if done right, and she's very on trend with the crop top. I also love that she
     went with a slightly unexpected designer.

     p.s. that is Thakoon that she is pictured with

XO,

Lo

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Top Frocks: Oscars

It's heeeeere! The Oscars are like my Super Bowl. It's the perfect combination of fashion/movies/hollywood/everything I love. I thought this year was especially great films like Great Gatsby and American Hustle nominated. Ellen DeGeneres is hands down the best host ever. I mean, she's now responsible for the most epic selfie of all time.

 I basically planned my week around the Oscars, so Sunday evening I settled in with some popcorn, a glass of wine, and lots of anticipation. It didn't disappoint. Here are my favorites from the red carpet:

Honorable Mention: Catt Sadler in Pamella Roland

Sadly, she didn't get much red carpet coverage because she hosted the early stages of E!'s all-day coverage, but I really loved her gown. I though it was unique, a little unexpected, and glamorous. Sidenote: I'm also a big fan of hers because she's a fellow IU grad (Go Hoosiers!).

5. Lara Spencer in KAUFMANFRANCO

Ok so maaayyyybe I'm a little bit biased on this one, but this is truly a really cool dress! There's some very intricate beadwork going on here.

 4. Sandra Bullock in Alexander McQueen
I'm always a McQueen fan. The structural draping on this dress is gorgeous, and paired with the royal navy color it's perfect. She looks very Oscar-worthy.

3. Olivia Wilde in Valentino

Maybe a surprising pick for the #3 spot, but I think she looks so simple, chic, and a little mod. I love how she embraced her baby bump as well. I think she's very understated cool.

2. Lupita Nyong'o in Prada,

She has been one of my favorites all awards season long. This made me a little reluctant to include her yet again, but SHE WORE A HEADBAND TO THE OSCARS! I love it. I love her. I love headbands...also the color and pleating of her dress. Not to mention her speech was so eloquent, she earned some major points in my book.

1. Jennifer Lawrence in Dior (of course)

I firmly believe that if we were to meet, we'd be best friends. I'm sure you all feel this way as well. She usually wears Dior and always looks fantastic, but her red number last night fit perfectly and was perfect for the Oscar's red carpet. I'm really a fan of her back-draped necklace trend (she did the same thing last year). Perhaps I'll start rocking it myself. 

I'm sad that awards season is finally over, but it went out with a bang!

XO,

Lo

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United Colors of Fashion

Since I gave a little behind-the-scenes look at my design internship during fashion week, I thought I'd also give a little glimpse at another internship I'm working on right now. It's with a non-profit organization called United Colors of Fashion and I think their mission is extremely important.

UCOF's mission focuses on two things:

1. Empowering youth through fashion
The fashion industry can be incredibly hard to break into. Being successful in fashion requires a lot of connections, and unfortunately many young people dream of entering the industry but lack the resources. UCOF provides a free fashion education to under-resourced youth in the New York City area. Students are taught various aspects of the fashion business and matched with internships that give them real-world experience and allow them to build industry connections.

photo credit: Luan Luu


2. Curing HIV/AIDS
Sub-Saharan Africa is an area that is greatly affected by HIV/AIDS. UCOF works with the Mapetla Day Care in South Africa to bring both financial and material assistance to children living affected by HIV/AIDS, sickle cell anemia, and paralysis. You can take a look at one of UCOF's trips to the day care here.

Co-founder and President, Ciano Clerjuste, on one of UCOF's trips to South Africa.

Consider the scope of the fashion and textile industry: from the creation of a textile to a finished product in a retail store, and the million steps in between. This makes fashion/textiles one of the largest industries worldwide. When an industry has that much power, it's important to use it for good. UCOF is doing just that, harnessing the power of the fashion industry to help others.

UCOF is also launching Ombré Magazine, a philanthropic arts, fashion, and lifestyle magazine run by interns. There's a lot of exciting things planned for Ombré, so expect big things in the future!

I've been working as one of the social media specialists at UCOF, so basically I use social media to raise awareness about the organization. So here you go, spread the word!

http://www.unitedcolorsoffashion.org/


XO,
Lo

p.s. these pics are all UCOF's, I'm just borrowing :)

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Fashion Week

"Every year the women of New York leave the past behind and look forward to the future...this is known as fashion week." - Carrie Bradshaw

In the fashion business New York Fashion Week is both the best and craziest time of year. Hours upon hours of work go into a collection to be presented in a 10-20 minute show....but it's oh so totally worth it. This year I was fortunate enough to get a front row seat to the entire process through my internship at Kaufmanfranco. Yesterday was the big show, and I managed to bring you a little behind-the-scenes look.

After an incredibly late night of re-beading and alterations from the sewing team, the garments are transported to the tents at Lincoln Center bright and early so that they can be organized for the show.

This way to the runway!

 

A little sneak peek.

 This notes the order of the show and which models are wearing which looks.

A little last minute altering can always be expected...

 ...as well as some shoe repairs.

The models all in a row for rehearsal, not that they need much practice. Many are doing multiple shows this week. 

The dressers taking their spots.

The designers have time for a few quick pre-show interviews. This one was for style.com.

And then the E! network, which I was pretty excited about as I'm a little addicted to it.

Once the models started getting dressed the other interns and I headed to the front of the house.

AALLL the cameras being set up at the end of the runway.

The cameras were a-flashin' when Kelly Rowland came in to take her seat.

After everyone gets seated and settled the lights go out and then.....

Bam.

This gown was one of my favorite looks.

The pieces are of course gorgeous on the runway, but are even more so up close when you can see the intricate beading and seaming that goes into each piece. They are all so luxe.

The designers, Ken and Isaac, come out to take their bow.

To see all the looks, visit style.com.

Happy fashion week!

XO,
Lo

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Holiday Gift Guide

It's officially December which means I'm in full-fledged Christmas mode. I like to give Thanksgiving it's time in the spotlight, but as soon as December 1st rolled around I started my holiday shopping. I spent several hours this weekend scouring the web for great gift ideas, so I bring you some of my top picks.

1. Haircalf Bow Gloves, Banana Republic. I first fell in love with the leopard print but was very 

    intrigued once I sat the magenta color.

2. Antique Silver Jewelry Boxes, Pottery Barn. They have a whole collection of these and bonus: you

    can monogram!

3. Julie Vos Byzantine Cuff. We love, love, love this designer.

4. Universal Portable Charger, J. Crew. For a girl on the go. 

5. First Knuckle Rings, Catbird. I'm obsessed with "up high rings" as I've been referring to them

    (because they sit on the upper part of your finger), glad to finally know what to call then. Catbird has

    loads of interesting pieces.

6. Cedar Street Monday Bag, Kate Spade. I mean, there's gotta be a little Kate Spade on every gift

    guide.

7. Off Track Planet's Travel Guide for the Young, Sexy, and Broke , Urban Outfitters. I think I really

    need this for Christmas. Wink wink, family.

8. How to be Interesting by Jessica Hagy, Urban Outfitters. As a blogger, this is an everyday struggle. I

    know Bee will back me up on that.

1. Wool Plaid Scarf, J. Crew. Can't go wrong with a classic plaid for the holidays.

2. Clubmaster Classic Sunglasses, Ray-Ban. These just seem very hip.

3. Saddle Leather Toiletry Case, Pottery Barn. This can also be monogrammed, PB has it down for

    personalized gifts.

4. Vintage NFL Beer Stein, Pottery Barn. This just seemed very manly, and once again it's able to be

    personalized.

5. How To Be A Man by Glenn O'Brien, J. Crew. The gentleman's guide to being, well, a gentleman.

6. Alfred Sargent Chelsea Boots, J. Crew. I think by now you're probably starting to see a pattern in my

    men's guide. Just go to J.Crew or Pottery Barn and you're set.

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New Yorker

Big changes are happening at Lo+Bee! This past week I hopped on a plane and headed to New York City....for good. Ok, so that sounds a little dramatic. It involved much planning with my parents, but I did make the move with no job and no place to live. Is that a little bit crazy? Probably. The first task was to find an apartment, which let me tell you is no easy feat in the city. After a grueling few days we managed to find a place in the most perfect neighborhood...but more on that later. Right now I'm enjoying my first few nights in the city and doing a lot of hanging out on my friend Maddie's rooftop, I think you can see why.

Flying in on a beautiful fall day in New York. This was our view of the Hudson.

Cities at night are one of my absolute favorite things....especially when it's New York City. 

There's no better time to be coming to NYC. It's beautiful in the fall and the town is just gearing up for the holidays, which I'm extremely excited about. I'm no longer in the Midwest but I have no doubt that I'll be able to bring you tons of exciting adventures from my new city! I'll work on channeling my inner Carrie Bradshaw, give my wardrobe a much needed boost, and report back. Stay tuned!

XO,

Lo

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My Fair Maiden: Finale

Fiiiiiinally I'm getting around to giving you a look at the final product of my summer-long bridesmaid dress project. I made it for my dear friend Aly's wedding that was held on a beautiful fall day in Southern Indiana.

I managed to snag a few of the beautiful wedding photos, but first I took a couple boring pics at home for some close-ups of the dress. Ta-da!

 The open back was one of my favorite design features of the dress.

Shout out to the brilliant Lexi Arielle Photography who captured Aly and Will's big day perfectly. While I'm at it, Aly has a pretty sweet photography business herself, check her out at Alyson Naville Photography. The rolling hills of Southern Indiana, or "God's country" as Will likes to call it, was the perfect setting for the rustic chic wedding. 

Aly and her girls. We all got to choose our own dresses and they ended up going together perfectly! It was meant to be.

The bridal par-tay....ignore my cheesiness there.

These were all taken in Will's grandparents' back yard. Hello photo op!

So so happy that I got to be a part of this big day for two of my favorites.....and that my dress turned out to actually be wearable. I had my moments of doubt on that one, and I won't elaborate on the fact that I didn't actually complete it until two days before the wedding ;) But alas, it came through for me!

After the beautiful ceremony we danced the night away with friends and family. An all around perfect day.

XO,

Lo

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