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SPRING SHOE REPORT

Architectural, Pointed & Ankle Straps

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SPRING

SHOE REPORT

By Sara Cantu

WWD

hoes, shoes everywhere but not a drop to drink. Spring is here and our favorite designers stormed the runways with a plethora of eye-catching shoes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors to satisfy every fashionistas unique appetite for footwear. Styles from Armani, Gucci, Lanvin and Dior provided serious eye candy for shoe-lovers everywhere. From edgy, architectural shapes to pointed toes seen in decades past, spring shoe wear is here and looking hot as ever.

POINTED
Pointed toed heels are not just for grandmas anymore. Although the pointed shoe is seen as dated, their classic sophistication has been recognized in recent seasons, reaching its peak this spring. Neon shades and sleek, simplistic designs in neutral colors as seen in Christian Louboutins Pigalle pump and Jimmy Choos Anouk are hot time and time again for their versatile capabilities. However, designers are taking the point to new heights with nude and metallic cap-toe details showcased by Versace and Emporio Armani. Modern and edgy with a romantic twist, pointy tips are back and bigger than ever.

ANKLE STRAPS
If theres one attribute that can transform a shoe completely, its an ankle strap. With their leg-lengthening capabilities, ankle straps are a must-have for women craving a little extra attention on their pins. Ankle straps draw the eye to the ankle, the thinnest part of the leg, making legs seem longer and leaner. Additionally, heels with ankle straps secure the foot into the heel, minimizing those chances of slippage, a major problem when wearing sky-high heels during warm months. Lanvins iridescent heel with ankle strap is simply gorgeous and will pair perfectly with tons of different ensembles while the thick, red ankle straps Vivienne Westwood sent down her runway put a modern yet retro twist on the classic shape. Ankle straps are a trend that has had presence in the past; however, todays top designers possess an exquisite talent for transforming old ideas into new and refreshing works of shoe art.

ARCHITECTURAL
While architecture and shoes dont normally go handin-hand, springs upcoming trends in heels include a huge presence of geometrical and intricate shapes incorporated into stunning footwear. Celebrity favorite Rodartes pastel, chunky heeled shoes and Fendis funky structured heels are cool and contemporary, two qualities both design houses are equally well versed in. Alexander McQueen, whose shoes are often recognizable simply by their shape, sent beautifully dangerous wedge heels down the runway. With gold detailing and defined curves, variations of this shoe will be in high demand for spring. 18

Dress: Alexis, $770 Necklace: $97 Shoes: Rachel Zoe, $395

FASHION
BLACK &WHITE
By Sara Cantu fter countless runway shows and millions of photographs, there will inevitably be one trend each season that eclipses the rest. The color combination of black and white is a concept not new to fashion, but is the single biggest trend for spring and summer 2013. Where bold and bright colors were expected to dominate, minimalism reigned supreme. Non-fussy and incredibly chic, monochromatic garments are being incorporated into new and interesting silhouettes. Whether through clean lines or bold, graphic prints, todays designers have proven the tool to looking stylish lies in black and white. Mod is hot for spring and summer. Prada channeled the 60s with black and white styles scattered with splashes of daisies. Fendi made excellent use of their logo by revamping it to serve as a modern and sleek graphic on a sophisticated, black shift dress. Dolce & Gabbanas black and white, vertical and horizontal striped ensembles, although slightly similar to prison garb, will lend to the easy way of dressing this season. Stripes are a fantastic way to make a chic statement, as seen in Oscar de la Rentas stunning black and white striped gown. Other striped items will pair beautifully with bright pieces in the realm of a cobalt blue blazer or fuchsia cigarette pants. Alexander Wang, ever the fashion pioneer, made waves with futuristic, transparent cut-outs in black and white. Fun, black

in

and white checkerboard patterns added a dose of whimsy during the awesome escalator-driven Louis Vuitton presentation while sweet and lady-like pearl appliqus over a black strapless dress at Chanel looked fabulously modern and cool. Black mesh layered over a sleek, white, plunging V-neck dress at the highly coveted Cline was serene yet edgy. Additionally, the brands mini luggage tote in black, white and a combination of the two has been seen toted around by celebrities for months. Saint Laurents feminine twist on the classic tuxedo proved the striking capabilities of this effortlessly chic duo of color. Fashionistas obsessed with vivid color may find black and white to be bland; however, there are plenty of ways to liven things up. The term pop of color could not be more fitting for this trend. When dressed head to toe in these distinct shades, pops of color in the form of pink nail polish, red lipstick, a bright bag or bold pair of shoes will transform the look in an instant. Photography: Paul David Lopez Photography Assistant: Esmer Olvera Styling: Sara Cantu Hair & Makeup: Antonio Von Marrok Model Represented by Jacqueline Mariie, Development & Model Management.

Top: Alexis, $175 Skirt: Alexis, $470 Gold necklace: $170 Turquoise bracelet: $51 Shoes: Pelle Mode. $175 Bag: Jimmy Choo, $725

Dress: Alexis, $385 Belt:ADA, $110 Hat: Echo Design, $42 Bracelet:$51

FOR YOUR FACE SHAPE

By Sara Cantu

inger Cory Hart may have been ahead of the trend when he revealed his preference for wearing sunglasses at night. Shades are one of the few accessories that never go out of style. The most classic of add-ons, the perfect pair can transform any basic ensemble from zero to chic in an instant. Cat Eye sunglasses, ideal for a glamorous look are a cute and sassy choice while styles like aviators add edge and enable any woman to feel like a rock star. Like the vast majority of things in fashion, there are certain dos and donts to follow when rocking shades. Robert Verdi, stylist to the stars, has tips on how to select the perfect pair for your face shape.
For heart shaped faces, Verdi recommends a style that draws attention downward. You want glasses that add width to the lower part of your face, so bigger styles work well but avoid anything that sits high and wide, he told The Daily Makeover. Shapes with round edges soften the broad, upper part of the face, perfect for heart shaped face ladies. Oval shaped face women have hit the sunglasses jackpot. Angular, dark frames look fantastic on an oval shaped face. Because oval faces have balanced proportions, most frames look great so you can really play with different styles, says Verdi. Cat Eye, large wraparound glasses or oversized square glasses are all fair game for the lucky oval-faced gal.

HEART SHAPED

Choose a fun frame to soften a square shaped face. For square faces, the goal is not to find hard, angular lines that will accentuate your strong features, but to soften them with oval or round frames, says Verdi.

SQUARE FACE

OVAL SHAPED

Its best for round faces to draw attention to the top of their face for extra length. Choose a style where the arms of the sunglasses connect at the top of the frame. Since round faces have fuller cheeks, you want to pick frames that make your face look longer and thinner, says Verdi. Look for angular frames and more horizontal styles to sharpen the face and add extra length with upswept frames.

ROUND FACE

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FEBRUARY 2013

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E Fashion

New York

By Sara Cantu ach February, fashions glitterati pack their most dangerous heels to descend upon New York City for that extra special time of year known as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Over the years, this event has evolved into a true spectacle, with millions of dollars spent in the anticipation of creating a one-of-a-kind production to showcase a designers unique vision. As we prepare to view the works of American sartorial royalty Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford and Diane Von Furstenburg, we take a look back at Fashion Weeks origin and its most dramatic moments yet. New Yorks first Fashion Week, dubbed Press Week in 1943, proved to be a blessing for American fashion. Created to draw attention away from French fashion during WWII, fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert organized an event for American designers to showcase their collections to the masses. Its during this time that French fashion magazine powerhouse Vogue began featuring American fashion in its content. In the 70 years since that initial runway show, few events in New York attract as much publicity and star power as Fashion Week. Its a time for magic and mishaps. Runways and models are transformed to create a concept of the designers imagination. Inevitably, these transformations dont always go as planned. In 2012, gasps were heard around the fashion world when the front row bench of Balenciagas spring show nearly collapsed, sending fashion editors and others to the floor. Michael Korss 1990 runway show was interrupted when plaster from the ceiling of a small loft fell onto models and journalists, prompting a new rule that would force all designers to present their collections in the stable tents of the now legendary Bryant Park. Though some of Fashion Weeks most memorable moments resulted from technical difficulties, there are those that truly impacted the fashion world forever. Lee Alexander McQueen, one of the industrys most notorious and talented designers, was found dead on the morning his McQ collection was to premier on the opening day of NYFW. After the discovery, his show was promptly canceled and the fashion world was left reeling, devastated by the untimely passing of the highly respected and innovative designer. While Fashion Week has faced its trying times, there have also been moments of utter glee. To mark her 50th anniversary, Barbie, the iconic doll, showcased her closet with looks from Oscar de la Renta and Gucci during New York Fashion Week in 2012. For the first time, the world caught a glimpse of the human personification of Barbie and the glamorous and magical world in which she lives. Its moments like these that showcase the very best of fashion dreams come to life. 2013s Fall/Winter Fashion Week is scheduled for February 7-14.

Week

TREND REPORT
By Sara Cantu
s ever, the fashion world is giddy with anticipation for the return of spring fashion and the high dose of exuberant clothing that comes with it. A refreshing transformation to a runway previously inundated in dark colors and textures, spring fashion presents itself with head-to-toe prints, bright lemon hues and embellishments galore. Though a new tide of fashion is turning, now is not the time to stow away those winter favorites just yet. Leather, lace and the ever-sohot combination of black and white are a few trends being repeated by various designers from around the globe. Our most desired looks for the spring season include:

SPRING FASHION

METALLICS
Its no surprise that we love shine. Metallic fabrics seen at Alexander Wangs SS 2013 show will be seen on fashion lovers everywhere this spring. Ease into the trend by incorporating a metallic heel or shiny bag into your wardrobe. Sequins and chain links added to silver and gold pieces as seen by Rachel Zoe and Rodarte offer a lovely touch of glamour. Whats more, metallics make for fabulous neutrals, meaning no color pairing is off limits. Tip: Gold looks best with warm colors while silver looks fab with cool tones like aqua.

GREEN
Jade, turquoise and other shades of green made a huge splash during fashion week. Pantones top color for 2013, Emerald, was used in the collections of Nanette Lapore and Tracy Reese among a slew of others. Super wearable and widely available, adding green pieces to your closet to reflect this trend is a wise choice. After all, its been said that geniuses pick green. Catherine Malandrino and Carolina Herrera showcased beautiful, whimsical dresses in these serene shades. Theres also no end in sight for the color blocking trend. Combine your green pieces with shades of blue or deep purple to complete an outfit that really pops.

PEEK-A-BOO
Skin is in for spring 2013 fashion. Peek-A-Boo isnt just for the kids anymore. Strategically placed cut-outs are trendy year after year. Conservative cuts with Peek-A-Boo details as seen at Narciso Rodriguez and Michael Kors are perfect for the woman with a playful side. To avoid showing too much skin, choose a style with subtle cut-outs at the neckline. While still trendy and sassy, neck cut-outs are far more sophisticated than more flirty details like waist cut-outs. When rocking this trend, be sure to balance the look by keeping other aspects of the outfit more conservative.

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Photography: Paul David Lopez Photography Assistant: Esmer Olvera Styling: Sara Cantu Hair & Makeup: Antonio Von Marrok

Hanna is wearing a foil-print cocktail dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA

Hanna is wearing a color-blocked cutout maxi dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA

P urple Reign

By Sara Cantu Purple is hot for spring 2013. Bright, rich tones in varying shades of lush purple enable every woman to feel like royalty. Pantone LLC, the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, has unveiled African Violet as one of their top 10 shades for the new season. This list is developed by analyzing the colors used by designers in their spring collections. Pantone recommends pairing African Violet with a bright red, like Poppy Red, to create a look that is fun, flirty and spirited. Designer Tadashi Shoji, who has dressed a range of celebrities from Jenna Dewan to Olivia Spencer, believes in the power of purple. Everyone looks good in Purple, specifically Eggplant or Aubergine. Its as neutral as Black or Navy, he said.

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Resort Wear
Laid Back Luxury
By Sara Cantu

With the relaxed feeling of a looming vacation comes the exciting opportunity for fashionistas to pack their bags with the trendiest resort wear. Created for those luxurious vacations abroad, resort wear is glamorous, lavish and bright. Showcasing the easiest and breeziest collections of our favorite high-end designers, what has now become a year-round style of clothing is filled with indulgent fabrics and textures, becoming the epitome of chic.

Photography: Paul David Lopez, Art Direction: Lolo Garcia. Styling: Mary Landon Jones & Sara Cantu, Hair & Makeup: Antonio Von Marrok. Clothing and accessories courtesy of Jones and Jones. 24

America is wearing a snake-print Equipment blouse and Rachel Zoe maxi skirt.

Animal print, as ever, is a huge trend. A sheer blouse in a neutral, exotic print looks extraordinary with a bright bottom. Feminine maxi skirts with their classy and comfortable capabilities are perfect for lounging or shopping. To add some sultry to your outfit, choose a maxi with a playful and flirty thigh-high slit. While you dont quite want to pay homage to Angelina Jolies infamous Oscars gown, adding a hint of sex appeal to an otherwise safe article of clothing like the maxi will be useful during those hot and humid nights out dancing or sipping cocktails on the balcony of a five-star hotel.

Few ensembles exude the effortlessly cool vibe as a silk blouse paired with high-waist trousers. Gold chain and scarf prints reminiscent of vintage Versace have become popular in recent years. The opulent and loud graphic print makes a huge statement and adds a sassy elegance to classic silhouettes. High-waist, wide-leg trousers are the most glamorous style of pant. Worn with a sheer blouse or a plain, white tank and gold jewelry, these trousers beautifully shape a womans body and are tried and true showstoppers.

Kandra Flores is wearing a chain print blouse by Equipment, paired with trousers by Alice & Olivia.

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The 70s are back in a big way when it comes to fashion. Jumpsuits seen in the Disco era can now be seen on celebrities and fashionistas everywhere. Sexy yet sophisticated, jumpsuits are the absolute perfect resort wear staple. Choose one with a high waist and flared bottoms to create the illusion of a statuesque body shape, making legs appear miles long. Bonus points for jumpsuits in neutral colors. While it may be tempting to go bold and bright, this look can be tough to pull off but will look fabulous and classy in a muted shade like white, taupe or black.

Mirna Garcia is wearing a jumpsuit by Elie Tahari.

By Sara Cantu

JAdore Haute Couture

hile high-fashion is hard to come by in our little nook at the tip of Texas, to acquire haute couture is nearly impossible. Haute couture is the Rolls Royce, the gold standard, the end-all, be-all of fashion. Dramatic designs and painstaking craftsmanship make the highly sophisticated and beautiful haute couture the most coveted style of fashion in the world. The extraordinary lavishness of haute couture is sought-after by the worlds most wealthy. Queens, princesses, celebrities and socialites are all among the privileged with access to this elite style. There are certain qualifications design houses must meet in order to be labeled haute couture and to earn a spot as part of Pariss Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, which is overseen and regulated by the French Department of Industry. These qualifications include: Design made-to-order for private clients, with one or more fittings. Occupy a workshop, or atelier, in Paris that employs at least fifteen full-time workers. Must have twenty full-time technical people in at least one atelier. These standards are extremely difficult to meet, which is precisely why brands like Versace, Armani, Dior and Dolce & Gabbana are notorious in the fashion world. The admiration and attention they garner are due to the outstanding creativity and meticulous design placed into each garment. Twice yearly, design houses are required to showcase a collection of 35 day time and evening looks to the Paris press. Anna Wintour, along with fashions heavy hitters, gather in droves to view the latest couture collections of Frances sartorial elite. These runway shows are truly a sight to be seen. Dream-like concepts and the air of exclusivity make haute couture shows the most glamorous events in fashion. Chanel, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier and Giambattista Valli are just a few labels who have earned this highly respected classification. Over the years, the number of haute couture designers has become fewer due to the high cost of production and low profits. Oftentimes, haute couture branches of design houses account for only 10% of the brands overall income.

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Haute couture is
indeed so exclusive that

only 2,000 women

worldwide purchase it.

Interestingly, 60 percent of these sales come from Americans. Custom gowns may cost tens of thousands of dollars, taking hundreds of hours to construct by hand. Intricate detailing and top-quality fabrics along with expert artistry and one-of-a-kind designs are what drive the desire for these very special garments.

While we'd all like to believe we are doing what is best for our skin, this is not always the case. With each passing decade, skin care recommendations change. If you have been using the same skin care regimen for years, it may be time to switch things up. The Skin Sciences Institute (SSI) defines healthy skin as soft and pliable on the surface, forming an effective barrier that keeps moisture from evaporating and pollutants from invading. Here are age-specific regimens to keep you looking fabulous through your 20s, 30s, 40s and beyond.

20s

For the 20-something gal, prevention is key. Its important to arm yourself with good skin care techniques before you reach the years where skin tends to become more troublesome. This is the decade in which limiting exposure to the sun will prevent wrinkles and discoloration. Its imperative to protect your skin with sunscreen every single day. For your skincare regimen, start with a gentle, foaming cleanser to remove makeup and excess oils. Next, choose a low-oil moisturizer that contains sunscreen to provide UVA and UVB protection. This is the best way to prevent premature aging. For the party girls who enjoy their long nights, using an anti-aging serum containing Vitamin C will help fight the damage drinking, smoking and lack of sleep might cause.

Cell damage caused by the decline of hormones is the most prevalent skin issue you will deal with in your 40s. Skin repairs itself at much slower rates than in previous years so, once again, your skin care routine must be adjusted accordingly. Excess inflammation of the skin is another issue to be tackled. These signs of aging can be slowed down or even reversed with a good skin care routine. Use products with retinoids and vitamin C, as they are key ingredients proven to slow down the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Exfoliate your skin if it appears to be dry or dull. If you face blotchiness or age spots, consider using a skin-lightening agent to achieve a more even complexion.

40s & 50s

By Sara Cantu

New Year, New Skin Care Regimen

Sun damage and the beginning signs of aging are two obstacles your skin must overcome in your 30s. Use a non-foaming, non-drying cleanser to start your beauty routine, then an antioxidant rich moisturizer before applying sunscreen. Some evidence shows that moisturizer and sunscreen will work together to help reduce damage caused by sun exposure. To improve the texture and tone of your skin, add a retinoid to your regimen. This should be applied at night and avoided around the sensitive areas like the eye. As dryness emerges in the 30s, use a hydrating cream with no added Retinol. Its important not to over-treat your skin. In many ways, our skin is the doorway to our health. Adequately caring for our skin is one simple way to keep us looking and feeling happy and healthy for years to come.

30s