Twofer Tuesday - Dip Dyeing

Hey everyone! Today, our blog is all about finding affordability in high fashion trends! We've decided to call it Twofer Tuesday!

One of my favorite trends from Menswear A/W 2012 collections was Dip Dyeing or Gradual Vertical Color Blocking! Color Blocking has become so common in clothing these days (which I love!), so whenever it's used in an interesting way, I'm all for it!

Check out these great examples from Paris Menswear collections shown back in January! :

Ann Demeulemeester

Raf Simons

Carven

Ann Demeulemeester

Raf Simons

Pretty fun, right? This trend excites me because the color combinations are endless and it can brighten up a simple t-shirt look into something a little more special! It's also easy to interpret for all seasons!

ASOS, a great online retailer (who offers free shipping always, mind you!), has plenty of dip dye options at affordable prices for both men and women!

Samual Membery Dip Dye Denim Jacket - $91.14

Boxfresh Dip Dye Bamboo T-Shirt - $58.00

Gio Gio Contraband Edren Dip Stripe T-Shirt - $46.40

Paul Smith Dip Dye Stripe T-Shirt - $62.14

Mango Dip Dye Dress - $38.09

ASOS Maxi Dress in Dip Dye Lace - $48.05

Simeon Farrar Dip-Dye Checked Shirt - $134.22

My favorite dip dye is Simeon Farrar's Checked Shirt.. Isn't it fierce? It's like a cloudy mask over the standard plaid, which adds a lot more to the look!

The best part of this trend is that you could try it on your own! I've dyed many fabrics in my sink (make sure it's metal or that it won't turn colored itself!!) and it's super easy! I'm definitely going to be trying this trend on my own and see what I come up with!

I've used the cheap Rit Dye that you can find in any super market and it's mostly true to what color it says it should be. You do always have to worry about what fabric you're using. Polyesters don't dye much (they are plastic, after all), so you might get a light version of what you're expecting, while cottons will soak up that dye perfectly! Just remember that synthetics are tough to dye, while natural fibers will dye much easier, but have different properties that will affect the overall distributed look!

If anyone has tried dip dyeing, show me the results! I'll definitely be trying this trend soon!

A.Carmen

[Images courtesy of STYLE.COM and ASOS]

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Magazine Monday - Spotlighting ELLE July 2012

It’s Magazine Monday!

Today, it’s all about Selena Gomez’s spread in ELLE’s July 2012 issue!

While Selena looks amazing, the true star of this issue has to be Balmain’s embroidered dress! How could I not be swept in when I saw this cover?

I was soo into Balmain’s A/W 2012 collection (check out my mini review on Anthony Carmen) and the embroidered stunners that were produced! The structure had me dying (of course)! I love the fact that they put Selena in this A/W dress on the beach… And it total works! Having it styled so effortlessly (beach hair and a red lip) makes it seem like it’s just a cover up for a bikini, and not a ridiculously expensive and insanely crafted piece.

Why do I love this piece so much? It’s because so much could go wrong with it. The homey hand embroidered roses slapped brightly in the middle; all of the jewels and stitching around; the overly regal and older feel… It’s all so much, but it works so perfectly together that it’s just a really gorgeous looking dress that even a young girl can pull off seamlessly.

Back to Selena, how about this color combo!

Now, I don’t know how well this matches with an A/W Balmain dress, but it’s so springy, and the colors are gorgeous together! I’m all about a high-waisted pant! Also, Selena is no giant, and she pulls them off just fine! Though, we don’t need more Jessica Simpson moments happening, so make sure you can pull them off! *Ask a friend!*

Awk! Anyway...

Okay, maybe this spread is really all over the place, but I don’t care! She looks fun! Who wears almost knee high boots to the beach? I don’t know, I’m awkward enough to try that! Summer is about color, look at Selena go! If you look good, wear it anywhere, duh! Who doesn’t get all dolled up to go grocery shopping sometimes? *Guilty!*

Other things you’ll find in this issue:

- Me moving in with Aurora Tower (Vanderbilt descendent) in her St. John eco-home! (Starting on page 147)

- RayBan’s fabulous 60’s socialite party advertisement…Why can’t we just go back in time? (You’ll learn I LOVE the 60’s!)

- The About a Pearl spread for everything white and pearly… (Starting on page 172)

Unsure how I managed to pick out all of the NY socialite/housewife aspects of July’s ELLE, but what can I say? I like sophistication!

Pick up the issue, it’s a good one!

[Images courtesy of STYLE.COM & TIMESUNION & ELLE]

A.Carmen

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Magazine Monday-Structure for Summer

Usually I'm not attracted to structured clothing as much as I am to flowy, romantic clothing. But I think an article on Vogue Magazine's website (vogue.com) changed my mind!  The article is featured in the website's "Vogue Daily" section- a collection of daily fashion articles that read more like blogs or interesting editorial commentaries than typical structured magazine articles .  

The piece is called The New Shape: Sculptural Silhouettes for Summer, written by Katherine Bernard.  Bernard tells us that although people usually prefer to dress in gauzy, draped dresses and loose-fitting tunics for summer,structured clothing is a fresh, new way to dress for the season.  And structure can be just as pretty and feminine for summer, she says.  

I'm inspired! I think that I can (and all the other romantics out there can) incorporate some  structured pieces into a wardrobe full of pretty dresses and skirts for an interesting way to change- up an outfit.

For example:

  (Image courtesy of Vogue.com)

The nude satin corset top on the left can be paired with a chiffon maxi skirt in a bright color like turquoise, with soft suede moccasins in a neutral color similar to (but not identical to) the top.  And the pretty geometric pencil skirt in the middle can be paired with a silk top in purple or green tucked in for a colorful, structured, but still sweet and summery look.

Here are some more inspirational structured-but-pretty outfits featured in the article:

(Image courtesy of Prabal Gurong and vogue.com)

I like that this outfit is structured (because of the clean lines and sleek silhouette), but it doesn't look severe. The skirt has some movement and shine and the top has some interesting texture. 

 (Image courtesy of Preen and vogue.com)

 This outfit has plenty of girly details, like the abstract print that resembles flowers and the pretty mixture of soft blue and tangerine orange.  But the dress is streamlined.

(Image courtesy of No. 21 and vogue.com)

Finally, this outfit reads polished and sophisticated.  But the red applique details on the dress and the subtle chiffon underlay give the look a sweet, feminine touch.

I hope that you are just as inspired by these ideas as I am!  Which outfit is your favorite?

xoxo Elle Michele

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Meet Elle Michele!

Hey! I'm Elle Michele. I'm a nursing student who works as a nursing assistant. We all know that nurses don't get to wear the most fashionable attire. Being a fashion enthusiast I was sad when I decided on this career, knowing that spending time putting together cute outfits every day would no longer be a part of my lifestyle. So, I stocked up on scrubs and tried to put my love of clothes and jewels behind me....

But instead of forgetting about fashion, I became OBSESSED! All I could think about were the clothes I wanted to buy, but couldn't. I was practical now. I couldn't spend money on anything but scrubs and school. I dreamed about the clothes I coveted, and I couldn't stop online window-shopping. I couldn't take it anymore!!

So I gave in and went shopping, and haven't been able to stop since then. I've been able to find plenty of uses for the pieces I purchase- even though a large portion of my time is spent at the hospital wearing scrubs. I find pure and blissful enjoyment in fashion and I don't think I'll ever be able to live without the kind of artistic and creative expression it offers to myself and to the world.

I'd describe my personal style as girly with a touch of funky. I live in skirts and dresses and I love to layer and play with color and texture. I love jewelry too. I like to mix big, bold statement pieces with delicate ones. Some of my favorite stores are Etsy, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 and American Apparel. You can also catch me sifting through the local flea market or thrift store for some unique finds.

I hope that you enjoy this blog that Anthony Carmen and I have made. We are really looking forward to this and I think you'll find some enjoyment, some entertainment, and hopefully some fashion insight within our unique collaborative fashion blog!

xoxo Elle Michele

@ellemichele88

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Meet Anthony Carmen!

Hi,

My name is Anthony! Some might know me from my other blog, Anthony Carmen, which I sometimes run when I have time! I began it to chronicle the journey of teaching myself how to sew to prepare myself for Fashion School! See, I’m a Biology BS graduate, but I moved to Philly right after graduation to follow my true passion for fashion! While I work full time in Pharmaceuticals, I also go to school part time, which leaves me constantly busy. This summer, however, I have no classes/internships to occupy me, so it’s time to hone my craft and study real world fashion while meeting and communicating with those interested in the same things! I’m currently going into my 3^rd part time year at PhilaU and loving it! Things sure have changed from the beginning of my blog life until now, and I can’t wait to share with everybody the great things I find and the insight I have into making the best and fiercest fashion choices! We want to inspire you guys daily and can’t wait to post a bunch of things that we hope you find interesting. We can’t wait for your feedback, as this will be an open forum for us to teach, as well as learn! Pretty much, we just want to have fun and post things about fashion that we love, and hope that you will love too! The great thing about collaborative blogs is we have different perspectives and can find interesting things based on our separate interests!

I'm interested in women's and menswear, (casual, primarily!) I tend to have a taste for fit and structure, but those things change everyday! Patterns and the proper use of color really draw me in, and inspire what I'm doing with my own work! As far as my designs, I'm currently working on summer dresses filled with bold floral patterns. I'm just getting around to the idea of actually sewing them; I'll try to find the time!

Elle and I have been besties for years, and she mentioned this (out of the blue) less than a week ago, and I set it all up for us! I couldn’t be more excited and I have no doubt that I will have to keep up with her fab posts! I can’t wait to openly discuss our posts with everyone else!

We’ve decided to organize this blog so we are able to cover all of the areas we wish to in a structured manner!

Let’s keep it a surprise each day, until they catch on!

For now, get ready! Magazine Monday starts tomorrow! We can’t wait!

Wait, most importantly? Who are you??

A.Carmen

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Anthony & Elle II

Ooh! Let's start by having our readers post silly friend pictures! Fashionable or not, post them! I'll die!

Meet Elle & I! :

Expect some introduction posts tomorrow.. But get to know us by our photos for now!

We're so excited to post!

(And we clearly don't know how to take normal pictures!)

A.Carmen

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Anthony & Elle

Hey everyone! I'm going to be launching a new blog with my friend Elle Michele!

Anthony & Elle will be a collaborative blog that gives insight into all aspects of the fashion industry. With my fashion school expertise and Elle's great taste and style, we hope to provide great posts on what's happening in the fashion industry and how it can inspire and be interpreted in our daily lives!

We're working out the flow, but we'll have special topics every day that each of us will post on! We will be catering to both sexes and hopefully providing well rounded information on the latest, greatest, and most interesting topics in fashion!

We're starting Monday with Magazine Monday; so don't forget to check us out!

For now, you can contact us at our email addresses:

AnthonyCarmen@AnthonyCarmenDesigns.com

ElleMichele@AnthonyCarmenDesigns.com

Or my twitter:

@Anthony_Carmen

We can't wait for this, and we hope everyone enjoys! Talk to you soon!

Remember; http://AnthonyElle.blogspot.com !

Anthony Carmen

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