Fashion's Night Out! Fab Parites, Fab Looks.

Believe it or not, this was my first Fashion's Night Out, otherwise known as FNO. I hosted an event the first year, was a good Jew and went home for Rosh Hashanna the 2nd year and finally went to all the parties this year. Totally worth the wait.

I got all dolled up for the big night and then promptly changed my entire look one minute before I had to walk out the door. Of course. I ended up wearing this vintage maroon dress from the 70's that I bought at a flea market in Chelsea. $25 purchase that had to be tailored for $95. I have worn it to weddings, afternoon drinking and now FNO. Worth the price.

I added a vintage warrior belt that I purchased at Salvation Army years ago. I threw on tons of bangles, from vintage to department store, added a jean jacket with the sleeves chopped off, and I was good to go. I was "this close" to throwing out the jean jacket from Forever 21 before i had the brilliant idea to re-vamp it into a vest. Genius!

Almost immediately after arriving, I darted across the busy crowd because I saw the most amazing necklace. On a truck that looked like it should be selling food, was a bevy of amazing pieces. A traveling store! The hostess just outside the Style Liner was wearing this unbelievable one of a kind necklace. I am in love. Big and over the top, it isn't for everyone, but it certainly will put a punch in any look!










From the most amazing necklace to one of the most interesting coats I have ever seen. The first spot I hit was Moschino. This piece obviously caught my eye. Never have I seen a high fashion house selling garments with teddy bears attached to the collar. Amazing. I really need to know who is going to buy this?? It was more humorous then anything. Needless to say, it was worthy of a picture!






As you stroll down the street, you never know what you are going to run into. This time, it was an outdoor rock concert at Vince. They covered the sidewalk with grass (so cool), and set up an area for the band. It defined the whole concept of FNO, a party on every corner.... Literally.








Moulin Rouge for anyone? Yes please. Another great "experience" of FNO was a red carpet set up for everyone to dress up like their fav Moulin Rouge character and take pictures. Sound cheesy? It totally was and it was totally awesome. It was a great excuse to stop and watch everyone make a fool of themselves. Always a good time. They had actors hired to play each character in the movie plus contortionists! It was truly fabulous.

The finale of the night was a prop posed shot. The new "it" accessory of the season is wide rimmed black glasses, why not go over-sized! It is time to go BIG or go home, it is FNO!

Overall it was a great night. Heck, it is one of the biggest parties of the year in NYC. Every store has free flowing alcohol and over the top promotions going on the get you into the stores. The streets are filled with people and visual stimulation for miles. It is what NYC is all about. Next year, same time, same place.

Fall Trends 2011

Fall 2011 is just around the corner and that can only mean one thing: It is time to reinvent yourself yet another time and make way for the best trends of the season! We all know that all trends are not made for all people. It is important to pick and choose what works best with your lifestyle and personality. Price points are just numbers and there are always less expensive options to fit any budget. You can be on-point this fall, stay within your financial range and look great re-branding yourself with successful style.

The female tuxedo is a trend that loves to come round and round and round….. It is sexy and sophisticated and makes any women, no matter what age or background, an instant power player with a vixen flare. Fit is key in any tailored piece such as a fabulous tuxedo. This Alexander McQueen piece at $2,240 is super pricey, but will live on forever. Purchase a cheaply made jacket or pair of pants and you will look exactly that, cheap. This does not mean you need to spend your entire piggy bank on a tuxedo. It just means that you either A) Need to pick either the jacket or pants to save a few dollars OR B) Opt for a middle of the road price point on the full deal and realize this is an investment. A great, tailored tuxedo will never go out of style and you can wear each piece over and over, styled many different ways. This is high on the "cost per wear" meter. Meaning, you are going to wear it for years to come so if you break down how much you spent on it vs. how much you will wear it, it is worth the price.

Designer's always tell me that they never look backwards, only forwards, but this next trend proves them very, very wrong. 60's Mod is back (yet again), so pull out all of those great items that have been hanging out for years. it is time to get the psychedelic party started and the first step is looking groovy. Alberta Ferretti's Fall 2011 certainly understands this. Mod essentially means lots of color, lots of graphic, bold prints and boxy silhouettes. You don't need to overwhelm yourself in this fall trend, just opting for one piece shows you are "in the know". The younger you are, the more you can brand yourself funky with this fun trend. If you are a more mature lady, choose a top or jewelry, nothing that will completely overwhelm you.

Kooky, mixed up prints are an easy way to get someone's attention when making a first impression, but make sure you manage this trend correctly. It is a fine line between crazy and stylish!Custo Barcelona, the designer of this dress, knows how to bring crazy and realistic together. If your personality is bold and vocal, then this is the perfect trend to represent your own personal brand through your wardrobe. Always remember your destination though, wearing an overwhelming print from head to toe at the office might be a bad idea. Leave the complete look for the weekend. But, choose a top or a belt to punch up your "work wardrobe" and be the talk of the office… in a stylish and positive way!

I love fur. I know this is a faux pas in many circles and I accept that I am not always PC (ask my friends!). Obviously there are many designers that side with me because the use of fur on beautiful clothing really isn't going anywhere. Burberry clearly loves fur and knows what to do with it, as this amazing sweater suggests. The newest trend for fall 2011 is fur on clothing. Not just as a jacket, vest or earmuffs, but actually worn as an "indoor" piece. It truly is a bit over the top, but heck, isn't that what great fashion is sometimes about? Now obviously this is a pretty expensive trend if you are not wearing faux fur. Don't "go for broke" if you can't afford it, just choose a very good faux fur as an alternative. It really can make your entire ensemble look incredibly cheap so please, I beg of you, be careful in your choice. If you question yourself at all, don't buy it. You always want to look expensive and put together no matter what. Successful style may be "faux" sometimes, but never cheap.

A trendy style that almost any gal can latch onto is the longer skirt which is very big for fall. The shorter you are the more difficult it is to wear, but as long as you keep any garment on your upper half ending at your waist, you should be fine. Proportions can be your worst enemy and your best friend. Keep any purchase flowing and fun, do not opt for stiff materials. This style is great for the girl who is a bohemian at heart. You can rock it at the office when styled appropriately and still feel like yourself. The best part is that it is universally awesome in that it can be worn any day of the week, work or weekend.

A trendy fall, a trendy (re-branded) you. Style represents who you are and who you want to be. What does your wardrobe say about you? When choosing your trendy fall 2011 pieces, always keep in mind what you want to project to the world. Clean out your closet and find current trends lurking in the depths of your wardrobe. Re-work them for this season. Purchase those great pieces that will advance your current wardrobe and style. Buy what you need. Use what you have.

Oscar's Best and Worst

The year's biggest fashion show was last evening and the stars did not disappoint. There was sparkle, there was shine, there was bright, there was nude, but, there was very little risk. I guess when you have people like me splashing our opinions all over the internet, magazines and television programs, it get a little intimidating to try something new and different. That aside, stylists put their best foot forward this season with some fabulous frocks.



At the very top of my list, Mila Kunis. She was sheer perfection in this purple lace and chiffon number by Elie Saab. The fit was spectacular to start. Do you know how hard it must have been to tailor the lace on her chest?!? Not to mention that the color was stunning and romantic. Her team did a great job of truly creating a look. It is never just about one thing, it is about the entire package. Her hair and make-up truly complimented the grace of the gown. I expected something louder with more of a WOW factor from Mila, but this choice could not have been better. It certainly had the WOW without the Holy Cow. LOVE.

And now for my least favorite... Nicole Kidman's dress almost killed me. I know that Jessica McClintock is a perfectly fine designer for proms across the country, but on a red carpet for the Oscars is not a proper spot. Now truthfully this was a Christian Dior frock, not Jessica McClintock, but you could have fooled me. It was tacky and looked like an overdone bejewled gown. Mr. Dior, really? Every element of this dress made me stop and shake my head, even more so because it came from the usually incredibly fashionable lady, Nicole Kidman. Not sure what motherhood has done to her, but of late, her choices have seriously concerned me. Sorry to be harsh Nicole, you know I still love you.










Now here is the love it or hate it moment. I am not really going either way because there are things I really love and admire about this dress and things that petrify me. Mainly, the keyhole making her breasts a moving target just put her on the worst dressed list for most. Cate Blanchett is a fashion forward lady who paves the way when it comes to edgy fashion, but this frock just missed the mark ever so slightly. I think it is interesting and and beautiful, but I just wish that it had been a square cut out, not a circle! The blush color mixed with the pop of yellow is so eye catching and different. I absolutely love the almost Star Trek like cut of the dress with criss cross back, but I continually come back to the boob circle. Make it stop!

So with awards season officially over, I will now hold my judgments.... for the moment. Style is subjective and I appreciate the effort that every starlet took this year to put some fabulous looks together (even if it was the work of their stylist). Fare the well until next year!

Top 5 Trends for Spring

It may still be freezing outside, but it is time to start thinking warm! Well, at least warmer. Spring trends are starting to make their way to stops around town and it is time to choose your favorites. Every season there are a few pieces that always stand out, trends are what make the fashion world go ‘round. Knowing these trends and understanding what works best on you will constantly keep you ahead of the fashion curve. Here are the top five fabulous styles making their way down the runway for spring:

They say orange juice is good for you, well apparently so is the color. Bright, citrus shades are all the rage this spring. Out with the bland neutrals and in with fun, deliciously loud color! Aside from being vibrant and brightening anyone’s day that you may encounter, the look also allows you to never get lost in a crowd! High fashion, fabulous color, useful in large groups, the choice of orange really seems like a no-brainer. If you are overwhelmed by the shade or feel that it washes you out, choose accent pieces like a purse or jewelry to stay on trend.

This style of jeans loves to make a comeback. Much like John Travolta, just when you think they are officially over, here we go again…. High waisted and extremely tight through the thighs before flaring out to widths unknown, bell bottoms are not for everyone. It certainly explains why the trend lasts a few years and then mysteriously disappears, only to re-appear once designers have forgotten this fact again. There is a love for bell bottoms, but it is from ladies with slender, long legs. If you are lucky enough to be in this category, rock the look like it is 1975. They are fun and flirty and can instantly add a youthful feel to your look.

And yet another style that has made its way from the ‘70s into 2011, clogs. Apparently the time travel machine was large enough for a few pieces. Often looked at as an orthopedic option or service industry footwear, the clog has never fully gone away, it just wasn’t exactly “a trend”. Spring 2011 has changed all of that, clogs are in. High, low, bedazzled, studded, these shoes are out in a big way. One of the best parts of this particular trend is that they are quite simply one of the most comfortable options you can buy. Seeing as they are designed for people with bad feet or individuals that stand all day, you can bet that strutting your stuff in these babies will be pretty cozy. Looking hot and comfortable never felt so good.

Sexy and sophisticated are two words that deserve to go together and with the explosion of sheers this spring, they can. It is just the hint of skin that classy ladies all over the globe are looking to show off. No need to put it all out there, just the idea is enough to get hearts racing. Whether it is draped, flowing or taught, sheer materials give an element of sexy danger with a feminine touch to any look. Be wary of cheaper versions as they can lessen the value of your outfit. Tailoring is very important in any piece with sheer materials because it is so easy for them to fall incorrectly. So choose wisely and add sexy sophistication to any ensemble!

Jackie O made the trench coat uber-famous years ago with her easy, breezy style. Now in 2011, the coat has been revamped from its original glory. Don’t worry, the trench coat is not ever going to completely make an exit, it just has a new face. The trench dress is ready for spring! The classic ease of the coat makes altering this piece a simple and smart idea. The trench coat has always been a great option for any body type because of the body skimming style with cinched waist. Not too tight, not to loose and it accents your waist allowing your curves to shine. The trench dress will show off your shape in the same positive way making you spring ready for any day to evening event. Accessorize your look with big, bold bangles and you are officially on point this coming season.

WIN Fashion Week Tickets: Photo Contest

Enter SassnStyle FASHION WEEK Twitter Contest, and you’ll have the chance to win 2 tickets to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week FW11!!

Hosted by fashion photographer Meagan Cignoli and fashion stylist Amy Salinger.

CONTEST GUIDELINES:

1. Send a picture of your favorite personal look to Twitter account @MeaganCignoli (using TwitPic, YFrog, etc.) of you in your favorite outfit. Make sure to add #fashionphotographer to the Tweet.

2. We’ll upload the top 5 photos to visualcountry.tumblr.com and Amy Salinger's blog www.sassnstyle.com.

3. Your entry must be submitted online between 9:01 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST) on February 7th, 2011 and 11:59 p.m. PST on Feb 9 2011. Yes, you only have 3 days!

4. Winners will be chosen by a Meagan Cignoli and Amy Salinger and will be announced on Thursday Feb 10th at 9 am.

SassnStyle Twitter Contest Winner must provide own transportation to show.

Enter: http://twitter.com/meagancignoli/

Please, no images wearing fur.

January Jones: Style Star

A lot has been said about January Jones style. Love it or hate it, at least she always tries to be original! As a stylist, that is a huge plus for me. She really does always push the envelope and try to create something that sets her apart from the crowd.

Take her SAG 2011 ensemble above. I adored this Carolina Herrera look from head to toe. It is chic, sexy and stylish. The gold lace overlay gives it a classical feel with a funky and modern twist. The hair and makeup are perfection only adding to the look, not competing with it. With some of the over the top looks she has done recently, this was a nice change without taking away from her original sense of style. Yea January.

And then there was this little diddy. Now although the little girl in the "interesting" outfit behind her clearly doesn't think much of the dress, I think it is absolutely spectacular!!! The bodice, the color, the architectural feel... Phenomenal. This mint green Atelier Versace from the 2009 Emmy's is quite possibly one of my favorite January Jones looks ever. It is so impossibly different then anything we ever see on the red carpet, this factor alone should score her points. I love the structure of the top combined with the elegant flow of the bottom. It is literally wearable art. The bold hips with cut outs only make me jump even higher for joy. Love, love, love.

Alright I get it, people hated it. I can certainly understand why, but I do want to give credit where credit is due. This is a masterpiece of insane artwork. The construction of this Versace dress is so out of control that I can only imagine how fabulous it must be in person. The layers of fabric combined with the vibrant color make it a natural choice if you really want to stand out. The real question is "How do you want to stand out?" It is not always a positive to look SO different, but it did get people talking about her and she was in every magazine and newspaper. I think the real problem here was quite simple. The hemline should have matched in both the front and the back. I don't care if it was short or long, just not both! Of course there is the issue with her breasts looking like shooting targets (with a matching pair on her back), but I can overlook that and consider it part of fine art.

Surely I am going to be lambasted for loving this dress, but when I saw her walk out onto the red carpet in this va va va voom Versace dress, I was awestruck. She is truly a vision of sexy vixen mixed with hot 50's housewife. The juxtaposition of the soft retro hair to the modernity of this fringe dress is the perfect compliment. Honestly, who wears fringe except for flappers? January Jones to the Golden Globes, that's who. I will admit that it is a bit much is the boob area (although they look pretty good!), but aside from that it is one hot dress. If there had been a slight alteration the the straps, all could have been solved. They are currently angled allowing for spillage on the outside of the dress, never good. If they had been straight up and down, it would have created a cleaner, more toned down line.

So there you have it, my top pics from January Jones that stirred the pot just enough to get people talking. Love that. If there wasn't a bit of controversy on the red carpet, it would just be boring. So thank you Ms. Jones for always keeping it exciting and classy. It certainly doesn't hurt that you look like you do.

Hot Hats: Keeping Your Head Toasty This Winter

This man knows how to keep his head warm. Very warm. It may be a bit over the top, but he certainly does get that furry hats are the trend of the moment! I just think this might be overkill (yes, I meant that pun).

Now this is more like it. Fun, sexy, warm and yes, still a bit over the top. I live in New York City so if warmth means a bit over the top, I will take it. This aviator style is the new "it" thing all over the city and with good reason. It really does do its job by covering all of the necessary parts. If fur scares you, choose a faux fur for the same effect. There are also smaller versions that are not so overwhelming to your face. Choose what works for you while staying super stylish.

I love earmuffs. Depending on the temperature outside, they can be the perfect amount of warmth. Keeping your ears toasty is usually most of the battle. The other fantastic part about muffs is that they don't mess up your hair!! Yea for good winter hair. It is almost an anomaly.

It is clear that I love fur, but I know that is not the opinion for many in this world. Finding a pair that suits you is really what it is all about. Fur is fun because it adds some volume. You can go all Princess Lea without actually pinning two buns on the sides of your head.

And then there was the knit beret. I own a ton of these because my mom is the best knitting queen on the planet. I design and she creates. It really is a match made in heaven:)

The beret is fabulous for outdoors and indoors fashion. This way, it doesn't matter if you have a hat head because you are never going to take it off! It adds that boho chic element to any look. It isn't the warmest option, but if you choose a thicker yarn, it should block most of the wind and cold. Make it the pop of color in your look by picking a ruby or eggplant.

Finally, the fedora. Always awesomely stylish on anyone. It is nearly impossible not to look super cool when you throw one of these on. This wool option is great for the frozen months known as winter. It is definitely more about fashion then warmth with this hat, but sometimes I do believe in pain for beauty. My biggest gripe with this particular accessory is that when I actually arrive somewhere there is never anywhere to put it. So it is kind of a, "Does this go with my overall look?" type of piece because you will be rocking it all night long... All night... Oh, all night.....

So choose your head wear carefully and look stylishly warm for the next 4 months. Remember, the topper to your look can make or break the fabulousness. Choose wisely:)