New York Fashion Week has come and gone but the outfit inspo is definitely here to stay. The street style in the Big Apple is always next level amazing so here are a few well-dressed ladies to help you pull together your next look…
Former magazine editor and now head of fashion partnerships at Instagram, Eva Chen can always be relied upon for ensembles with flair. Not only is she showing that dressing with a bump doesn’t mean shying away from bold prints and patterns, her ability to combine various textures has made this look one that definitely stands out from the crowd.
Nadia flies the flag for Aussie blogger style with this striking look. Try working with various shades in the same colour family to give your ensemble some cohesion.
Extend the wear of a summer dress by teaming it with a pair of jeans once the weather cools down. Add a pair of pointed pumps and cropped coat and you’re set.
Toughen up a feminine dress by adding a pair of ankle boots. A leather and shearling jacket provides the perfect contrast to the floaty nature of the dress.
You can always rely upon Olivia Palermo for a guaranteed fashion home run. A pair of knee high boots is given an on trend feel when worked back with an asymmetrical skirt. Grey hues are also always the perfect go-to during autumn/winter.
The new take on the white shirt is a little more deconstructed giving the corporate staple a more contemporary feel. When paired with wide-leg pants its the perfect look for the office.
Daring cut-outs are definitely for the fashion risk taker however a maxi length make it a little less risque. Gomez’s ankle strap heels add a sprinkling of sophistication.
Kate Bosworth is the epitome of ladylike polish in this ensemble. Monochrome with a touch of camel is always a winning colour combination, especially when it comes in the form of a gorgeous coat.
Venture further afield when it comes to coats this coming winter. A kimono style coat will keep you cosy whilst upping your style cred. Also who says you need to stick to sombre hues when the weather cools down? A pop of colour such as a pair of mustard pants gives this look a head-turning finish.
A pleated skirt and floaty blouse are given a more casual feel with the addition of studded ankle boots. It’s also hard to resist a coat with a statement fur collar to dial up the style stakes.
Ingrid Bonner is the founder and creator of Homebodii, a brand that built its reputation on its gorgeous range of bridal loungewear but has since expanded to sleepwear and occasional pieces. The range is now stocked at Revolve Clothing, The Iconic and Anthropologie and will make its New York Fashion Week debut this month. Here I chat to Bonner about what inspires her, the challenges of building a brand and her best piece of fashion advice…
How did you grow your business?
At the age of 30 I decided to make my Homebodii dream a reality. Being new to the industry and without a design background all I had was my own determination and having to juggle with a toddler on top, I needed every bit I could muster. I first launched at a local market with the help of a dressmaker. The direct feedback I received in these humble beginnings was the best market research I could have asked for and as a result Homebodii began to mature into something very special.
With determination and perseverance, Homebodii went from our spare room to a small factory and now bigger factory with our own showroom and leading national and international stockists. I managed the business with my sister Marianne for the first two years. What we did in our early days was to listen to what our customers wanted and offer an excellent personalised service. Organic growth and word of mouth has been a big factor in the success of Homebodii, coupled with being picked up by international stockists including Revolve Clothing and Anthropologie put us on the map globally.
What is it like to own your own label?
I have always been creative and I was initially inspired to start my own label because I wanted to create sleepwear that was feminine yet functional. Having your own label gives you the flexibility to express your creativity through the designs and not be constrained. Working for yourself can be challenging but the rewards outweigh the demands. I am fortunate to be able to drop and pick up my children from school.
Where did the inspiration for Homebodii come from?
I would have to say my mother, like many young girls my childhood was full of tulle and tutus, but unlike many of these girls I came away from those dance lesson days with something infinitely more powerful than fond childhood memories. You see as those ballerinas danced across the stage I watched my mother pursue & revel in her life’s passion every single day. My mother had followed her own childhood dream to become a ballerina. By making a life out of her passion my mother, showed me the joy of following your heart and own path in life.
Why do you think lounge/sleepwear has become such a big trend?
With multifunctional loungewear, you can take pieces from the bedroom to the Barre class. Loungewear has transitioned to pieces that include cami and pjs tops which can be worn as outerwear like what we have seen lately in the Pyjama luxe trend.
What tips do you have for wearing sleep/lounge wear?
Our collection is designed to make you feel sexy! We have functionality and femininity in mind with our sleepwear and robes. We suggest choosing a set of pyjamas, slip or robe that appeals to you. Ultimately we spend half our life in bed so why not be comfy but look great also?
Homebodii’s design ethos is all about feminine looks that are still high on functionality
What is your favourite product from your range?
Often when a new custom print or design is created it becomes the favourite. However, in saying that it is very hard to choose a favourite as our original designs have evolved over the years and have a close place in our hearts as they were the loved pieces that originated the brand.
What is your best piece of fashion advice?
Knowing what suits your body shape is a great tool, so try to choose pieces that not only suit your frame but also make you feel beautiful. When you put on something that makes you feel great, that feeling translates into confidence and a confident woman is sexy.
What are you most proud of with your brand?
Our Instagram is filled with photos of women wearing our garments It is very pleasing and the compliment is never lost on us. We love seeing Homebodii being worn for memorable occasions including bridal parties, Sunday lounging, on holidays and or at the races. It’s a great feeling knowing that our customers feel beautiful in our garments because we truly believe what we wear is a reflection of how we feel. We are also very excited to take Homebodii to the catwalk at NYFW this month [and be able to] showcase Australian designs on the international stage.
What are some of the struggles with having your own label?
There comes a time when your business becomes a brand. This meant for us investing in more staff, bigger infrastructure, implementing procedures and surrounding yourself with people that can elevate you and your brand. Personally when you hand over the decision making process to those in your team you have to have faith in their abilities and implementation of your vision for the brand. The future is not certain and making smart sensible decisions is vital to the health of your business.
Zimmermann presented their Spring/Summer 2016 ready to wear collection “Master and Mischief” at New York Fashion Week and had plenty of A-list guests in attendance including Solange Knowles, Gemma Ward and Jessica Hart. The show took place at Art Beam Studio in Chelsea which provided a gritty backdrop to the Victorian inspired collection. The collection was inspired by classic Australian novel Seven Little Australians and featured plenty of delicate lace, pretty florals and embossed leather accessories. Another winning collection from one of Australia’s top labels.
Dion Lee never disappoints and this collection is no exception. I wear a lot of black and white so the monochrome palette he sent down the runway definitely won’t go astray in my wardrobe. The jewelled green hue in some of the pieces was just the perfect shade for the cooler months. He also had some really amazing detail – some of the skirts look like they were laser cut with really intricate patterns and designs. I really love his unique take on fabrics. And in a nod to the 70s trend making its way into the fall/winter collections, he also sent flares down down the runway which I guarantee will be a key piece we’ll see this winter.
Zimmermann sent a very 70s inspired collection down the runway with lots of flowing dresses, felt hats bell sleeved tops and and fringing. And what would the 1970s be without a great pair of flares? Zimmermann sent the above look down the runway, teaming a lace top with black lace flares which I thought was a great pairing. You can also count on Zimmermann to always have really beautiful lace or amazing chiffon fabrics and intricate detail in their collections and this season doesn’t disappoint. They were also one of a handful of designers to embrace colour for their winter collection which I loved.
I’m starting to get inspired for winter especially with all the winter shows that are happening right now. I particularly loved the collection from Aussie design duo Tome. They sent a really solid collection down the runway with beautiful coats, pops of colour (which is always nice to see in a winter collection) and amazing lace pieces. I especially loved the above red coat which is absolutely gorgeous. It’s a standout piece for winter.
Alexander Wang sent an edgy collection down the runway. It was all about black, studs and pieces with a masculine edge. I think Alexander Wang always does great separates and I have lots of tops and jackets from his label that I consistently wear. My favourite look was the white studded jumper teamed back with jeans and I also particularly liked the white sheer dress which I probably wouldn’t be game enough to wear, but looked great on the runway!
Seeing the street style images filter through from New York Fashion Week last week has me thinking of winter dressing and most especially finding the perfect winter coat. For me it’s all about finding a well structured coat made from quality fabric. However with so many trends coming through from prints and patterns, to different hues of grey, pops of colour and classic black, I think I’m going to have trouble narrowing down a favourite! Here are some of the standout coats from the streets of New York to get you inspired…
Now that summer’s officially here it’s time to embrace all the amazing trends of the season. It’s hard to pick a fave with so many great summer trends around but these would be my top three:
Prabal Gurung
All white
I love that everything’s crisp white this season and I’m especially loving that white on white look. It’s really fresh for summer plus it suits all occasions from weekends to nights out. I think it’s a really beautiful look.
BCBG Max Azria
Pastels
I have a soft spot for pastels. I think gelato and sorbet colours are really complementary on so many different people and skin types and I think that it’s a very pretty look for summer.
Alexander Wang
Sporte luxe
I love that sporte luxe look. I’m all about laser cuts, and neoprene. It’s a bit edgy and a bit sporty for summer. It’s a nice contrast to the more feminine look of the pastels and all white trend.
