GIVEAWAY: Festival Fashion Shopping Spree

With festival season in full swing Fashion Junkie has an offer you can’t resist. I’ve partnered with one of my fav British high street brands, Oasis, to offer two lucky readers a $500 shopping spree and two tickets to Pitchfork Music Festival!

Ready to win? Just like @OasisFashion and @PitchforkFest on any social media platform, then post a picture of you rocking out to your favorite song with the caption #FindingMyOasis #FashionJunkie

The competition is now open and will run until midnight on July 7th. Click here for T&Cs

Photos by Craig Arend

PRE-FALL HERE WE COME!

Last Thursday I was invited to the Ritz-Carlton Residences for an exclusive press preview of Donna Karan New York Pre-Fall 2014 Collection.

Known for her modern urban sportswear, this collection was titled “The Seduction of a Shirt”. Karan went back to the basics starting with the classic white shirt. Despite it being Pre-Fall, all the clothes were refreshingly seasonless with a ‘buy now wear now’ attitude. With minimal prints and color palette (chalk, teal, black and putty) the interest came from pairing and layering different textures of fabrics to create incredibly chic yet deceptively simple collection.

Donna Karan’s pre-fall collection is now available at Saks Fifth Ave.

TALKING TRENDS: Normcore

It’s a fashion movement were its participants aim isn’t to stand out from a crowd but to actually blend in. It’s like enough already with the peacocks desperate for attention! It’s turned fashion week into a circus with all street style photographers snapping at anything that shines like a magpie. Aren’t we so over everyone trying to out do each other with the most over the top outfits.

But I digress back to this new trend known as “Normcore”. The term was coined in a trend forecasting report by the NY agency, K Hole -where it states “Normcore moves away from a coolness that relies on difference to a post-authenticity coolness that opts in to sameness.” It goes on to say “The most different thing to do is to reject being different all together.”

I love the philosophy behind the movement however don’t necessarily love ALL the looks. Having Jerry Seinfeld, with his ill-fitting jeans and uncool sneakers, as a style icon, for me, is pushing it. Some of the mall clothes and suburban looks are just too 'hardcore' for me.

I’m personally drawn to the retro sportswear aspect of the trend with Adidas Stan Smiths, Nike Air Max sneakers. Also love the no logo sweatshirts and boyfriend jeans, it’s all about the comfy cas vibe and not looking like you’re trying too hard. The 90’s, which is now starting to look retro, is a big influence and I even think there’s a hint of the 80s British subculture, casuals, with this look.

Everyone’s been talking about it including the NY Times, Vogue, Elle, Lucky, GQ and it’s even made it’s way across the pond with London’s Evening Standard and UK Guardian. However despite all the press I don’t think this trend will last long with the fashion crowd, as most of us want to look stylish or chic not 'normal' so enjoy it while it lasts!

My fav Normcore looks, which some might argue isn't hardcore enough to be true Normcore!

NEW WORK: Today's Chicago Woman's Magazine

TCW MAGAZINE, trend report
Photographer: Kristyna Archer
Stylist: Jessica Moazami
Hair & make-up: Carley Martin at Factor Artists
Model: Liga at Factor Women

LEFT TO RIGHT: Look 1 Leather peplum top, $1,495, by Alexander Wang available at Neiman Marcus. ‘Rose on Canvas’ print trouser, $225, by Ted Baker available at Bloomingdale’s. Flower bracelet, $6.80, by Forever 21. Look 2 Zip Coat, $595, by Milly available at Nordstrom. Floral print top $500, and matching Shorts, $450, by Leur Logette available at ikram. Floral necklace, $450, by Gerard Yosca available at Elements. Floral slip-ons, $575, by Givenchy available at ikram. Look 3 ‘Raglan Sleeve’ dress, $395, by Milly available at Bloomingdale’s ‘Annalie’ heels, $395, by Vince available at Nordstrom. Necklace, $450, by Nest available at Neiman Marcus. Look 4 Black mesh top, $90, and floral Skirt, $56, both by Topshop. ‘Laney’ black heels, $134.95, by Joe’s available at Nordstrom.

BEHIND THE SCENES...

THE STEAL: Saint Laurent

With designer sneakers all the rage here’s one of my fav and it’s on sale, 40% off! 'Classic Court' lambskin leather high top sneaker originally $640 now $384 by Saint Laurent at Nordstrom.