It's Wednesday! So that means it's time for some style inspiration. If you're new to the blog, you'll find that every Wednesday, I like to share work from some of my favorite designers or artists, who have inspired my own style and aesthetic. 

Stella Jean is an Italian-Haitian designer who blends her cultural heritages phenomenally. Her design aesthetic has been described by Vogue as a "multicultural, eccentric mix-and-match." She tries to travel to a different place each season, and then reflects that local culture on the runway. In her Spring 2015 collection, she went to Haiti.

My favorite looks from this collection were the ones that paired sports jersey t's with bold African print skirts. I think it's a style that will come to be identified with the mid 2010s, so it will probably end up dating itself. Still, the juxtaposition of masculine and feminine in bold, bright colors leaves a memorable look that's fun and funky at the same time.

It's Wednesday, which means you know what time it is! Time for some designer inspo. 

For your visual pleasure, relish the beautiful ethnically-inspired colorful embroidery of Valentino's beautiful Spring/Summer 2014 Collection:

Adding ultra-feminine touches like an open collar shirt with dainty layered necklaces, patent leather pointy stilettos and a fitted waistcoat make the menswear trend look right for even the girliest girls.

Tribal-print jackets are a versatile way to add an unexpected pop of color and texture to your everyday ensemble. They let you add a touch of funky bohemian in a sophisticated, tailored silhouette. What can you pair them with? They work well with solid separates and look great whether you wear them with shorts, jeans, or skirts.

Take a gander at some of these chic examples below:  

Everyone should have someplace they can go for fashion inspiration. Whenever I'm bored with my closet and get caught in a fashion rut, I browse through the famous looks of past style icons to get some fresh ideas to incorporate into my wardrobe. So to make such references easier, this blog will feature a Style Icon Series in which we will explore the iconic looks of some of the world's most fashionable women.

Icons like Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, and Kate Moss have managed to create styles that women have tried to emulate for decades. But what is it about these women that makes the rest of us associate them with impeccable style? Whether it's a classic look or bombshell status, each of these women has a distinct style that others recognize immediately as "Jackie O" or "Marilyn". They've all managed to achieve this recognition by claiming a few original statement pieces as their own. And when you have a signature look that other women want to copy, you have become a certified icon.

One of the most famous style icons is of course Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Her signature look was simple: pillbox hats, ladylike dresses and suits with clean lines, white elbow-length gloves, a short string of pearls, and then later oversized glasses, trenchcoats and turtlenecks. Whether she was attending stately dinners or relaxing with family, Jackie embodied classic Americana and created a new twist on this traditional style for generations to come.


How can you become your own fashion icon? Know what works best for you. Jackie Kennedy once told Vogue magazine, "“I am tall, 5’7”, with brown hair, a square face, and eyes so unfortunately far apart that it takes three weeks to have a pair of glasses made with a bridge wide enough to fit over my nose. I do not have a sensational figure but can look slim if I pick the right clothes." Like all truly fashionable women, Jackie knew her strengths and weaknesses and played up to her assets. It's great to take inspiration from women we admire, but always do it in a way that stays true to your own sense of style. Being original (even if that means putting your own spin on a classic look) is a prerequisite to becoming a fashion icon.

These are some of the pieces I'd imagine Jackie wearing today. The black lady-like Dolce & Gabbana satchel is a perfect classic and goes with practically everything. I also think Jackie would've liked Victoria Beckham's sophisticated and feminine silhouettes. And whether it was a statement scarf or pair of gloves, Jackie had a penchant for accessorizing her ensemble with the right pieces. These Lanvin items - the yellow accented scarf and dark maroon short gloves - would add the right dashes of color to a neutral outfit.

I'm a sucker for leather. Especially black. In the right shapes and with the right mix of textures, black leather is impossibly chic. A little hard-edge, a tad goth, but when worn with the right pieces, it's nothing other than high fashion.

What makes this picture so great? The flourish of kelly green back from a long hiatus, wild patterns printed on top, statement collar necklaces, and of course, the high-waisted cut-off jean shorts we haven't seen since the early '90s. I never knew I would miss thee!


I'm totally loving these tiny bejeweled box chain purses.

CLICK BELOW for more great streetstyle shots! 

I loooved this look on Diane Kruger: simple, feminine denim Chanel dress in powder blue accessorized with a black beret, black flats, and offset with perfect cherry-red lips and nails. She kept it simple with an elegant watch and silver clutch and let the unique ensemble do all the talking.

Whether it's an interesting cut-out shape or a statement piece placed on top, the trend lately is to bring attention to the collar on bold prints.

Check out these examples:

Photos from Style.com

I love the cut-out shape in the first photo for creating a narrower, more flattering illusion while contrasting a masculine, geometric shape with a feminine print and silhouette.  The gold statement necklace in the bottom photo is a welcome surprise to what would otherwise be a normal printed button-up.

Do you shy away from long gowns because they feel too dressy? Then why not try what WhoWhatWear.com suggests and pair a belt with that gorgeous floor-sweeping frock? "Belts have the ability to ground fancy duds and make them skew a little more casual." Check out these examples for some inspiration on how to re-style that gorgeous gown of yours to get more wear out of it:





Notice how putting a belt or jacket on that long gown can dress it down and make it feel more appropriate for a not-so-fancy setting. Your best bet is to choose a belt or jacket that complements the look of the dress rather than overpowering it - so pick a belt or jacket that has similar tones or proportions to the dress you're wearing and you're good to go!

I ADORE statement necklaces - yes, all-capital-letters ADORE. They're wonderfully over-the-top and make an ordinary outfit jaw-droppingly stunning - you don't know whether they're part of the dress or what. And the best thing about them is their versatility: you can pair them with something you've worn a hundred times before and still create an entirely different look.

Here is Padma Lakshmi in a simple black gown and Chanel gold statement necklace - I love the details on her necklace, it looks like it's made of tiny gold feathers:



And Sarah Jessica Parker in an Oscar de la Renta gown with a beautiful gemstone statement necklace:



Extra points to SJP who wore the gown with a chic Theyskens Theory motorcycle jacket - the badass in me always loves seeing a little edge in an outfit :)

Loved this combo on Italian model Bianca Brandolini - orange offsets leopard so well! Alone, the dress might look a little trashy (too tight, too short) - but paired with this gorgeous boxy woven Giambattista Valli jacket, the look is elevated to eclectic chic.