This is the fifth Fashion Maniac post in the series. To see the post on kicks and handbags click here, on rocking scarves, click here. And rain gear, click here. For workplace, click here.
Features Editor: Claire Geist
All Photography & Managing Editor: Cheryl Gorski
Stylist: Molly Hoeltke
Casting Director: Christopher Connolly
Make Up: Dani Weiser
Hair: James Hickey
Fashion Maniac: Buffalo’s James Scissorhands by Claire Geist:
Amazingly, clothes don’t always have to be bright and colorful. By taking away the color, one pays more attention to shape and pattern, making black and white a surprisingly chic option for spring. By taking inspiration from Tim Burton’s cool classic “Edward Scissorhands”, you can find that pale is beautiful. Black and white can be made extremely romantic by paying attention to structure, or rather, a lack thereof. Less rigidity means more freedom, which is what spring dressing is all about!
Not only are black and white universally flattering colors on just about everyone, they also set an excellent balance to a bright accessory option like a pair chic red flats or brightly colored bags.
Click to enlarge
Splashes of unconventional color and romantic playfulness make florals one of the more classic prints for spring and summer. Aside from the fact that flora are the quintessential symbols of rebirth and femininity when the weather is warmer, floral prints also provide for some excellent punches of lovely color.
When looking to the runways for Black & White inspiration, check out Michael Kors, Venexianna by Katie Stern, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Oscar De La Renta, Alexander Wang or Isaac Mizrahi. At Michale Kors, white dresses were paired with chic lucite baubles, setting off a super clean ensemble with smooth texture. Keep lines smooth, patterns sweet and hair loose, and anyone can look fabulous in a black and white ensemble!
There is definitely a bit of an art to mixing up contrasts. However, going edgy or going romantic doesn’t have to be an ordeal when you know what parts of your get-up should be accentuated.
Look to Anna Sui for some of the most fun, energetic and ‘flouncy’ looks of the season when it comes to florals. Bright colors mixed with almost muddy undertones make a wonderfully romantic and earthy palate that can easily be recreated with the right know-how for bouncing around town. Prada, DKNY, Richard Chai, and Etro were all lines that embraced florals as main themes for their collections this spring, and the key to pulling these fabulous prints off is to look at the size of the print and the shape of the garment.
Try ‘flowy’ pieces with a light shoe or barely structured sandal, or really go the extra level and kick off your shoes in the grass!
Flounce and flow play up the girl-factor in any garment, but when light fabrics like chiffon or silk are paired with florals, things are brought to a whole other level. Pair light florals with more structured pieces to add some edge, or even add some hardware the equation with some hardware by means of a belt.
Which brings us to our next focus: belts. Not exactly something you think of for spring, but everyone needs one in their closet and they bring a surprising amount of edge to an outfit depending on what you’re going for. Try layering an array of different textured belts with a dress by wrapping them around your waist to make an A-line even punchier. For men, having a belt with a decent amount of hardware with give a similar effect when they’re paired with crisp basics and well-tailored pieces…or you could go all the way and layer a few small belts as well with your jeans.
Mixing contrasts gives a rounded edge to any outfit, and playing up these two aspects of hardware and florals definitely get the job done. Don’t be afraid to experiment, and your look will be to die for!
Special thanks to : Francis at the Rice Mansion! Doug & Tracy at Herbly Wonderful
Steve Phillips of The Lodge Auction House, J Michael of Garden Escapes , Maureen Bartley of Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market , for helping make this photo shoot happen!
LOOKING FOR MODELS! ACTING A+ christopher.connolly@mail.com
BOOKING APPOINTMENTS FOR HEADSHOTS SIGN UP NOW!
CONTACT info@cherylgorski.com 716-903-0600
^James:
White Shirt and Suspenders: Mali vintage re-designs
Pants Living Dead Souls, Urban Threads
^James:
Black Leather Vest: Mali vintage re-designs
Belts: Stylists’ Own
Pants Living Dead Souls, Urban Threads
^Kimberly:
Blk sundress w white embroidered flowers – “do & be” at Deja Lu
^Kimberly :
White Lace Dress – Vintage
^Rachel:
Dress Black & white floral – “fumbling foe” at Deja Lu
^Rachel:
Dress Blk/grey floral – “lani” at Deja Lu
^Necklaces and earrings:
“Pure Noa” available at Deja Lu
Rings and Hair Pieces: Available at Urban Threads
Topiaries available at HerblyWonderful.com
Flowers available at Maureen’s Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market
CONTACT INFO:
Cheryl Gorski | Photographer & Creative Director | 716-895-1689 | 716-903-0600 | info@cherylgorski.com | Also on Facebook specializing in: Fashion, Headshots/modeling/acting, Editorial, Portraits, Bands/ CD/ Press Kits, Corporate events, Web photography, Run-way
Claire Geist | Features Editor | 716-390-9192 | morningbell@roadrunner.com | Blog address: http://faboomadness.blogspot.com/ | Specializing in: Modeling, Photography, Styling | Writing for Seventeen Magazine
Molly Hoeltke | Fashion Stylist | www.mollymaureen.com | 716-348-2362 | mhoeltke@gmail.com | Specializing in: Photography and Film, Commercial and Editorial Spreads.Stylist | 716-348-2362
Christopher Connolly: Casting Director | 716-445-1142 | christopher.connolly@mail.com | Specializing in: Fashion Merchandising, Men’s Fashion, Promotions, Networking, Linguistics
Giovanni Centurione | 347-962-6162 | Marketing Buffalo and WNY’s Hottest TV Show coming to MY TV-Buffalo (WNYO) Spring 2010! Currently searching for sponsors who need exposure. www.whatshappeningbuffalo.com | g_centurione@yahoo.com
Dani Weiser: Makeup Artist www.hollywoodmakeupartist.net, 716-348-1239 | Make-up teacher, weddings, T.V., Film | Print and SFX. Please call for any questions.
James Hickey: Hair Stylist & Painter jameshickey@buffalo.co & www.chezannsalon.com 716-901-4499 Specializing in: Cut/Color, fashion photo shoots, run-way, weddings & social events, oil paintings/ custom interior design paintings.
The Lodge Auction House & Banquet Center | Stephen L. Phillips, Lisa W. Eoannou | 212 Cazenoza St. | Buffalo, NY 14210 | www.thelodgeauction.com | 716-826-0168 | Specializing in: Estate & Business Liquidation, Antique Consignment, On-Site Auctions, Estate Sales
J Michael Landscape Architect | Owner of Garden Escapes of Buffalo | 716-400-2397 Specializing in: Charleston Style Gardens, Quaint Courtyards, Entry Ways, and Water Gardens
Tracy & Doug Gaus of Herbly Wonderful.Com | 3701 Pearl St., Batavia NY 14020 | 585-343-9227 | herbs@herblywonderful.com | Specializing in: Herbs, Flowers & Heirloom Vegetables, Teas, Spices, Herb Blends, Weddings, Events, and Topiaries
Maureen’s Buffalo Wholesale Flower Market | www.maureensbuffalowholesale.com | Address 441 Ellicott Street Buffalo NY 14203 | Phone 716-852-4600 Specializing in : Pick your own flower market, Full Service Florist, Weddings, Parties & Events, Deliveries & Rentals
Thanks to Matthew Mooney for giving us a (scissors) hand!