Pure Inspiration: How to Get a Handle on Trends
Swallow pin (the real thing in diamonds!) from Jewelry-Wholesalers.com: $2,900
Everyone out there who adores fashion but feels overwhelmed trying to sort through the blogs, shopping sights, online mags, print mags and books that chronicle planet fashion, please raise your hand. Mmmhmm, I thought so. Me, too. So last week, I took an idea from one of my fashion icons, the great Dianna Vreeland, and started an inspiration board. Gimme a sec, I am going somewhere with this.
It’s not just the time it takes to blast through all that fashion dicta that is a problem, it’s trying to make sense of what might work for you and what should just be left to recycle bin. Physically sitting down, tearing out and pinning to a cork board any print image and that truly elicits a response is not only fun, but it illustrates what you might have been craving without realizing it. (Note for iphone/laptop diehards: you could also do a computer version with downloaded pics, but the physical cut and pin is more decorative and more tactile, if less portable.)
Here’s what I found. After sorting through images from four recent magazines and three catalogs, I narrowed it down to the usual eye candy I enjoy: a heart charm from Roger Vivier, a cake with such outrageous flowers it looks like an Ungaro print, glittery Louboutins, a vintage-y swallow pin from Sonia Rykiel, inspirational pics of Michelle Obama and Dara Torres (that 6 pack!). I also found a new trend… I love the new thick strapped/shoe bootie heels. What??
Rosebud Slingbacks: $278.00
Friends, I am a true blue pointed toe, stiletto heeled, delicate Manolo/Prada/Gucci girl, so how did this chunky, strappy cone-heeled shoe sneak onto my radar? No idea, but I love it with a floaty dress, tailored shorts and jackets, soft bubble hemmed skirts. Thanks to my low tech inspiration board, I am clear on what trends make sense for summer and what is just white noise.
Guess I have some shopping to do.
Fabulous Sylvia Weinstock’s book on cakes, the flowers just kill me–found on Amazon.com.
Over the top Glitter Sling Back Heel Louboutins: $775
