- By Kat Tanita -

In the basement of Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence, Italy, amongst 17th and 18th century Fiorentine masterpieces, The Museo Salvatore Ferragamo is commemorating the 50th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death.  As one of their most beloved leading ladies – as well as loyal customers – they’re celebrating her life with an exclusive book simply titled Marilyn, as well as an exhibition sure to garner the attention of Marilyn Monroe lovers the world over – and honestly, who isn’t a fan of the vivacious bombshell?

This multi-media exhibition showcases 50 of the leading lady’s most recognizable ensembles (including the iconic white dress from the “The Seven Year Itch” which just sold for $4.6 million at auction), while compelling and beautiful unseen photographs, letters, movie clips and hand written journals fill up the rooms.  As Salvatore Ferragamo compared Marilyn to the Greek Goddess of beauty, Aphrodite, it’s no wonder she owned an extensive collection of Ferragamo pieces.   In fact, he personally designed 40 pairs of shoes – 30 of which are featured throughout the exhibit – for his favorite blonde starlette.  Unlike his notorious Vara design, he instead created a “sexy, with a high heel” shoe (4 inches to be exact) perfectly reflective of Marilyn’s persona.

Throughout the various displays, curators Stefania Ricci and Sergio Risaliti have artfully given all of us an alternate view of the ultimately short, but compelling life of Marilyn Monroe.  They’ve highlighted her intelligence, passion and drive and created an intimate portrait of her talent, beauty and glamour that has truly captivated the heart and essence of this forever to be remembered Hollywood icon.

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Kat Tanita is the founder and editor of With Love From Kat; a New York based style blog.  She is also a social media consultant for luxury fashion and décor companies while also a contributing Writer for OliviaPalermo.com, @glitterguide, and @madebygirl.  You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @KatTanita.

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- By Stacy Igel - 

Leave it to Helmut Lang to update the traditional jean jacket into this season’s hottest fashion-forward item. We adore the sleek, asymmetric silhouette for its always figure flattering drape while staying ultra-cool with it’s moto design.  Pair this showstopper with your favorite flowy dress or simply, a pair of black skinny jeans and a white tee.  It’s not summer just yet, so having a layering piece that can take you from the office to a night out is essential – and with this denim number, you’ll be ready for whatever the night (and weather) throws at you.

Stacy Igel is the founder and creative director of the young contemporary brand, Boy Meets Girl®.  She is also the host of Behind the Seams™ with Stacy Igel as seen on Lockerz.com & MTVu.com.  Stacy is a frequent lecturer on subjects including social media, branding and entrepreneurship in fashion, and she is deeply committed to a number of charities, including the Young Survival Coalition and BullyBust. You can follow her on Twitter @stacyigel or at her blog. 

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Hi Everyone!

Mr. Butler and I are enjoying this lovely spring weather!  I’m wearing a sweater from Zadig & Voltaire, my shoes are by Andrea Carrano, and my sunglasses are by Wunderkind.

Have a great evening!

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- By Sara Micelotta -

If Indie group MGMT comes to mind when you hear the name MSGM, its most likely because designer, Massimo Giorgetti, is not your average fashion designer.  Yes, he may share his top influences with essentially every other fashion designer in existence (who doesn’t idolize Yves Saint Laurent and Coco Chanel?!) but that’s just about where his mainstream impression ends.  In addition to being skilled in designing contemporary women’s and men’s clothing, Giorgetti is both a modern art enthusiast as well as a DJ, which he brings with him into his workshop.  After years of working for retailers, wholesalers and designers, Giorgetti capitalized on an opening in the Italian marketplace and debuted his first solo collection in the Spring of 2010, taking the Milanese fashion industry by storm.  Although MSGM’s silhouettes are rather classic, their prints are anything but ordinary; if you don’t believe us, see the Spring/Summer 2013 women’s collection—one might even say that jaguars are the new floral! Still not convinced? Even MSGM’s menswear collection features unconventional prints, wide-striped button downs and camo-printed pants—must-haves for every male fashion enthusiast.

Despite being headquartered and entirely produced in Milan, MSGM’s wonderfully playful dresses, skirts, pants and tops can be found in more than 300 retail stores throughout the world. With a collection that screams glamorous, its obvious why Giorgetti has women everywhere begging for more.

Click to shop our favorites from Spring 2013:

 

Hi Guys!

Here are some great shots Johannes recently took, strolling through DUMBO.  I’m wearing a skirt from Zara with a top from Kelly Wearstler and a Tibi jacket.  My bag is Louis Vuitton, my boots are Christian Louboutin, and my sunglasses are by Wunderkind.

Have a great day!

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Photos courtesy of Johannes Huebl

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See Olivia’s interview with VOGUE ITALIA above

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- By Stacy Igel -

If there was one trend from the Spring/Summer 2013 runways that transcended it’s own perception, it was ruffles. Typically known for their frilly girly-ness – such as the kind one would perhaps find on a five year olds party dress – the ruffle had a major facelift, taking on a more structured, architectural shape. The result: a modern and fresh feel you’d be hard pressed to find on any five year old’s dress.

As with any statement making look, there are some things to keep in mind when rocking this trend. In general, accessories should be keep to a minimum; ruffles like these are their own accessories. Always keep balance and proportion in mind, both in fit and in what you choose to pair the trend with. Tailoring is a must for petite frames to achieve the perfect fit needed, and avoid being swallowed by these statuesque ruffles.

When it comes to specific pieces, it can be tricky to choose the proper accompanying item.  We’ve put together a few examples – and some styling tips – to guide you:

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Stacy Igel is the founder and creative director of the young contemporary brand, Boy Meets Girl®.  She is also the host of Behind the Seams™ with Stacy Igel as seen on Lockerz.com & MTVu.com.  Stacy is a frequent lecturer on subjects including social media, branding and entrepreneurship in fashion, and she is deeply committed to a number of charities, including the Young Survival Coalition and BullyBust. You can follow her on Twitter @stacyigel or at her blog. 

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Popped by the MOMA last night in the garden.

My shoes are Aquazzura Madison pumps with a Topshop skirt. The top is from Tibi with a belt and jacket Zara. I added a pop of color with a blue clutch, mine is Miss Dior which is part of Dior’s Fall 2012 Collection.

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(Please note similar items were selected when actual item is not available)

-By Jillian Magenheim-

Upon entering the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s latest fashion installation, “Punk: Chaos to Couture”  one is faced with a floor to ceiling projection showing manic moshers rocking out in the late 1970′s.  The video is flanked on either side by mannequins facing each other with gorgeous Guido Palou head pieces to artfully replicate the wild and crazy punk hair style we all know and love.  While one of them is clad in an all red buckled Galliano ensemble the other is in head to toe Vivienne Westwood, they give not so subtle hand gestures to each other and I realize I’m about to fall down a rabbit hole into a mixed-media wonder world of punk rock.

Depending on your beliefs (and where you’re from) Punk was originated in New York City at clubs CBGB and OMFUG in the East Village in 1974 as well as in London on Kings Road in 1975.  While the culture of Punk may have been created in NYC it’s style which became the expression of their attitude was created in London.  Pioneers like Malcolm Mclaren, Vivienne Westwood, Blondie, The Clash, The Ramones, Richard Hell and Patti Smith lead the charge in this multi-dimensional and defiant counter culture.

 Mannequins clad in Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren. Photo courtesy of Betty Sze for Models.com

As you journey through the rooms, the exhibit increasingly unfolds itself to the captive viewer.  Appropriately, the room set to initiate you into the punk-rock world is dedicated to Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm Mclaren – who according to Chrissie Hynde (lead singer of The Pretenders) “Punk would not exist without them.”  Mannequins are clad in everything from studded leather moto jackets, safety pinned ripped mini skirts and defaced printed tees all perfectly complimented by ripped fishnets. They stand in a circle as a 360 degree cubed video display hangs above them depicting a man in a latex costume as sounds of whips play through the speakers.  To top it off, there’s a replica of Westwood’s famous store, bringing us back to 430 Kings Road and allowing for the entire room to speak to the uprise of rebelling against British proper.

 DIY Hardware. Left: Gianni Versace.  Right: Dolce & Gabbana 

Extending throughout the remainder of the exhibit, a DIY theme is expressed in four different ways.  The first is DIY Hardware.  It’s here we start to leave the world of punk “chaos” behind and enter into the idea of punk as couture.  The first hallway is lined with designs – both gowns and separates – by Giovanni Versace, Christopher Kane and Riccardo Tisci all of which are slathered in brass metal rings, metal safety pins embellished with crystals, literal balls and chains and gold metal studs used as embellishments as well as functionality.  The hall closes with a Dolce & Gabbana almost ethereal black tulle and lace gown thats cinched with a 6 inch wide silver metal plated belt complete with padlock and key.

Turning the corner, you’re faced with DIY Bricolage.  As the punk culture left nothing to waste, they faceted clothing from all types of mediums elevating them into works of art.  For example, crushed porcelain plates are wrapped in silver wire and turned into a vest while Gareth Pugh created voluminous garments that seemed to be made of textured leather rather than what they actually are – black plastic garbage bags.  Paper mache became jackets, white plastic shopping bags are turned into bathing suits, while pressed bottle caps are exquisitely turned into pencil skirts thanks to Prada.

 Left: Prada in DIY Bricolage. Right: Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel in DIY Destroy 

The remaining two spaces showcase DIY Graffitti and the most punk of them all, DIY Destroy.  The artful graffiti takes many forms: stamped bathing suits, printed graffiti murals that look like artful crayon drawings on Vivienne Westwood ensembles, paint splattered Ann Demeulemeester column dresses, and graffiti blasted Dior ballgowns that stole the show.  All of these pieces stand out on their own and yet are relatively similar as they all don a swirling vortex of colors, shapes and prints.   Lastly we come to the room of deconstruction – the ultimate emblem of punk culture, the uniform of the kids who first ventured into CBGB all those years ago.  This theme of urban decay and government stagnation is loud and clear as Yohi Yamamoto, Commes des Garçons, Rodarte, even Calvin Klein and Chanel present to us wool felt and mohairs, sparingly threaded to show as much skin as possible along with classic ripped denim jeans and cotton tanks paired with combat boots and shredded wool sweaters.

 The grand finale. Photo courtesy of Betty Sze for Models.com

As you come across the final mannequin in the exhibit, it sports a frontless Maison Martin Margiela “gown”.  As it quite literally flips you off, how could anyone help but smile at the lifeless doll in front of them, as the images of the amazingly inventive and imaginative collection of designs they have just had the opportunity to view so up close and personally dance through their minds.  While separately there is certainly chaos amongst the designs – once the pieces are put together, there is an artful cohesion to it all.  A passion for the abandonment of rules, the bravery of being an individual and under no circumstances conforming to anyone else’s ideals of what is right and what is wrong.

PUNK: Chaos to Couture runs through August 14th.  For more information, visit MetMuseum.org

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Feature image courtesy of the MET. 

Jillian Magenheim is the Editorial Coordinator for Oliviapalermo.com.  She’s a New York City based editor, writer and blogger with a true love for fashion while remaining a foodie at heart.  Follow her thoughts on Twitter @magenhaz

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- By Andrea Mestrovic -

We take note when big consumer brand executives leap out on their own; so, when fêted J.Crew alum, Marissa Webb, debuted her S/S13 collection, we were in the front row, with high expectations.

Webb studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Upon completing her degree, she joined J.Crew and spent the next twelve years perfecting her skills with the retail giant – most recently as the Head of Womenswear and Apparel Design.

For her debut collection, Webb successfully found the equilibrium between free flowing, feminine softness, and tailored, masculine architecture. The collection is unquestionably made for a certain type of woman – one who is confident, unique and has a strong sense of personal style. Her clothes are unadorned and straightforward, yet particularly commanding in conveying confidence. For Spring/Summer 2013 she gives her audience a blend of mischievous leather, dramatic prints, and lively sequence.

Webb’s inspiration board for her Spring 2013 debut collection.  Photo courtesy of Shanna Ravindra.

Apart from the striking aureolin neon pieces, Webb presents a number of black and white separates that are easy to repeat-wear. One of our favorites in this collection are slim fit “Binta” leather moto shorts with side welt pockets and topstitch detail, paired with a whimsical, soft and sheer, snow white blouse. Another standout is the silk georgette ”Ada” blouse  with a double sash and french seams. The “Genevieve” jacket, made of Italian cotton linen, with a convertible shoulder peplum, also make our top pick list.

Marissa Webb presents a collection that is unforced, natural, and particularly easy to wear. The color codes she chose to work with are easily transferrable for Fall. We are thrilled about the launch of her new on-line shop and eager to see what she will be showing in the seasons to come.

Click to shop our favorites from Spring 2013: 

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And check out the looks we love from Fall 2013:

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Andrea Mestrovic is a multi-lingual, multi-talented, but modest multi-tasker who has lived on both sides of the Atlantic. Andrea has a sure-footed instinct for discovering magnificent finds all over the globe. You can follow her on twitter @AndreaMestrovic or read all her posts on oliviapalermo.com/author/andrea

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