Panache Offblast

Before I dive into featuring a fall staple for this season (and geeking out over NFYW), I want to announce something exciting! I received an e-mail from Bloggers.com just after my first post this morning letting me know I have been featured as one of their top bloggers of the day! I’m so excited and happy to know that I reach out to people and that you all enjoy reading my blog. I work hard but at the same time I honestly love creating and sharing my posts and never consider this a hassle, chore, task, or something I need to show off. So thank you, thank you, a million times infinity!

Now who is super geeked out already about the shows that have already happened? I know it’s only been two – Nicholas K and BCBGMAXAZRIA – but holy moly were they fantastic. Nicholas K never ceases to amaze me with his draping skills, asymmetrical hems, lines, and shapes, loose fits that look super comfortable yet chic, and earthy tones that allow you to wear his pieces pretty much all year around, despite this being a Spring collection. As for BCBG, the collection let us know that color-blocking is here to stay – with tribal geometric lines and shapes, unique patterns and structured silhouettes – all in oranges, blues, reds, and yellows. I’m still waiting on the pictures to get posted online, but in the mean-time, keep watching the shows live on YouTube’s ‘Live From the Runway‘! You can even post your thoughts during the show by singing into Facebook or Twitter, and sending comments on the mini-chat underneath the video – it’s pretty neat! I’ve been doing that, so definitely do follow my Twitter here, especially if you’re unable to watch the videos live, so you can at least get an idea of what is going on!

Richard Chai is up right now – the audience is being seated! After the show, I’m off to Joann’s Fabrics to purchase some fabric for a felt hat I’m designing and making in my Clothing Construction class. I’m actually quite nervous considering the fact that I’m unsure if I created my patterns properly and I’ve never sewn before – but we will see what miracles happen, I hope (maybe Fashion Week will sprinkle some magic, creative, dust on me from the air or something!) I’ve pretty much forgotten about this rainy weather because I’m so excited about Fashion Week this year – more than usual – it’s pretty much all I can think about right now.

• If you are tall, you’re pretty much in luck – for the most part, at least. Dare yourself to wear your ankle boots with a mini dress and smooth tights to elongate your legs and accentuate your beautiful height! Just be careful, because even the lengthiest of legs can look shorter with the wrong shoes and garments.
• For those of you on the shorter side, pair your ankle booties with tights, leggings, or pants in a tone similar to your boot to create a super long leg-line. Ankle boots have an instant tendency to visually chop off your legs – so keep that in mind! Complete your look with a fitted top and/or cropped jacket to elongate your torso.
• If you’re curvy, you should go with a monochrome look on the bottom to slim and lengthen your silhouette. Pair that with a three-quarter-sleeve dress in a body slimming (not tight-fit) fabric that falls just above the knee to accentuate your curves. 
• Everyone should experiment with heel heights with any shoe, but with this particular one, I love the low heel as it looks more versatile throughout the day. Another thing to keep in mind is the length of your skirt or dress, should you choose to wear one – it should not be long or you’re bound to make yourself look frumpy which obviously isn’t a good thing!