Author: Jenna Stern

FASHION NEWS: Velvet Brigade

Fashionistas, do you dream of having your name on a piece of clothing one day? Get your pencils and sketch pads out and take note from today's success story, Velvet Brigade. Velvet Brigade is a new- emerging retailer that is merging fashion designers like never before. Anyone can submit designs to the website and then the voting process begins. The designs with the highest votes get produced and sold.

As a fashion student, I believe in Velvet Brigade's mission and empowering young designers to have their work produced. I was fortunate enough to interview one of the founders, Lindsay Welsh McConnan and hear more about this emerging business. 

CollegeFashionista: What is your fashion background? 

Lindsay Welsch McConnan: I have always loved fashion, but thought I wanted to be a doctor until I hit college. I don't think I even realized that people had careers in fashion. It was too good to be true!

CF: How did you educate yourself for a career infashion did you attend buissness school, or a design school?

LWM: I moved to NYC upon graduating from college and started off in fashion marketing. After a few years, I realized that I wanted to learn how to run a fashion business, but didn't have the training, so I applied to go back to business school. After graduating from the Graduate School of Business at Stanford, I worked in fashion on the operational side for a few very large retail companies.

CF: What steps did you take to make Velvet Brigade come to life?

LWM: Most importantly, I found my partner, Jena. We had worked together previously and had a great respect level for each other. Being an entrepreneur can be lonely and daunting at times, so having the companionship and collaboration of a trusted partner is extremely helpful.

We also needed the support of our friends, family and colleagues in the industry. We can't go about this alone, but arelucky to have lots of people rooting for us and offering a helping hand. Every bit of advice counts, and our social and professional networks have been key. From manufacturing partners to technology to marketing, all of our partners have come to us through word of mouth.

CF: Where do you see Velvet Brigade 5 years from now? 

LWM: I dream that Velvet Brigade will be a transformative fashion brand that will truly level the playing field for aspiring apparel designers. I dream that we will be able to launch the careers of the world's next design superstars, and provide well-deserved recognition to designers who may have been previously frustrated by their professional opportunities in the industry. In addition, I hope that Velvetbrigade.com is a place where fashion lovers can interact online and engage together in creating a brand that means something to them. I hope that people feel proud and inspired when they wear clothes by Velvet Brigade designers because they are supporting a brand that reflects their ideals about how fashion should be created.

CF: Any last words of wisdom or advice for all the CollegeFashionistas out there? 

LWM: I would tell them to keep up the good work! I don't think I dressed as sharp as any of the CollegeFashionista readers when I was an undergrad. I had trouble getting my hair out of a bun. If they truly love fashion, they should continue to find outlets for their creativity and never give up on pursuing a career in fashion. Life is too short – and fashion is too fun.
 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Color Blocking with Maxi

The sun is shining and it finally feels like spring outside. Were taking out our sunglasses and sandals from the back of the closet and putting away our swing coats and fur until next winter rolls around next year. While a majority of our winter garb is being stored away, maxi dresses can still hang around this season.

Today's Fashionista wasn't ready to bare it all and took to the streets in her maxi dress. 

To imitate today's Fashionista try Bloomingdale's Aqua brand for reasonably priced options. To imitate the color block concept in her look, turn toward's Kate Spade’s latest spring campaign and their Jeanette color-blocked classic preppy dress. 

The take home point this week is turn towards your maxi dresses and color blocking hues for your wardrobe. 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Pretty In Print

Today's Fashionista is just that…pretty in print. Her casual knit dress has an intricate pattern that caught my attention while jotting to class. This season is all about pattern, print and clashing them all together. The featured Fashionista shows us how to wear pattern in a subtle way but to twist things up mixing two prints can be very fun.  Anna Sui’s spring collection showcased mod '60s-esque prints and patterns. Alice + Olivia had prints this season as did Betsey Johnson.

To stick on a budget today's Fashionista purchased her frock from Forever 21. But if you are willing to splurge try one of the above collections noted. 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Let’s Talk Trench

We all know trench coats thanks to Burberry, creating this famous staple that most Fashionistas dream about owning in their wardrobe.

Although we can fantasize about wearing a Burberry trench there are suitable cheaper options that will leave you just as chic. Today's Fashionista proves the power of a trench while walking the streets of New York City. Her coat immediately makes her look polished and clean. 

If you are looking for this iconic piece try this one from J.Crew or Forever 21 for an even cheaper option.

Whatever option you scoop up wear it with confidence and wear it all the time. This piece works with any season and is something you won't have buyer's remorse over.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: In The Nude

Have you looked into your closet lately and been unsure of what to wear? 

Go buff with a nude colored hue like today's Fashionista. This week’s Fashionista nails the monochromatic look with her nude dress, cardigan and pumps. More so then ever matchy-matchy looks are totally in. 

Trying to imitate this look? On a buget head over to Urban Outfitters for a dose of nude or looking to splurge try this  Posted on Author Jenna SternCategories UncategorizedTags , , Leave a comment on STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: In The Nude

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Shearing It

It's a time of fashion freedom, the weather is just chilly enough to wear a a cute jacket but warm enough to ditch your bulky coats.

It's time to pull out your favorite outfit toppers that weren’t practical to wear a few months back.

Take today's Fashionista for example. Her shearling jacket caught my eye from across the street. The boxy menswear-inspired cut creates a sharper silhouette then most jackets and sets her apart on the fashion streets of NYC.

The best thing about a statement jacket is just that. It makes a statement and the rest of your look can remain relatively simple. For those early morning classes when you just can't decide what to wear. A chic jacket. For those late nights cramming at Parsons. A chic jacket. 

It's pretty much a no brainer why a statement jacket should be in your wardrobe. My favorites this season are this Juicy Couture knit- shearling trim spring jacket. And Splendid makes another interpretation of the shearling jacket that is flawless not to mention price friendly.

Hint: If you can't get enough of the shearing trend try these Dolce Vita shearling booties from Shopbop. 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Shade On

Spring is finally here and that smell of this fresh season is filling the air of NYC. 

With the turn of the season means new accessories. Let's ditch those chunky scarves and make room for your sunglasses collection.

Today's Fashionista nails it with her rounded- retro looking shades. She found a shape that works best for her face and stuck with it. Shopping for sunglasses can be daunting with so many options and colors. How can you decide what looks best?

Let's break it down. First of all it has to do with your face shape. Round shaped faces look best with slightly angular frames. Heart shaped faces rock aviators best. If your face is oval shaped try donning colored frames or a wrapped style as these are most flattering. Square shaped faces look best in a retro- cat eye style. And, lastly a oblong shaped face would be accentuated best with a ray-ban classic style pair of shades.

The universally flattering style is what I like to call the “squargle” a rounded pair of shades slightly angled at the corners like a square.

Splurge on these Prada shades that will fabulously take you from day to night. Don’t want to break the bank, save with these everyday shades from Forever 21. 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Married To The Maxi

This season hemlines are getting longer and longer then ever before. The maxi has been all over the runway from Paris to New York to London. Designers Badgley Mishka, Phillip Lim & Marc Jacobs have featured floor sweeping hemlines in their recent collections. Goodbye micro-minis and hello maxis.

The maxi is the perfect layering piece that can take you from day to night, dressed down or up. Seasonly, the maxi can be worn year round, in the warmer months and layered when its chilly outside. Today's Fashionista has her maxi dressed casually layered under a sweater, scarf and topped off with leather boots. When sporting a maxi, its best to stick to solid colors.

I recommend turning towards navy like today's featured Fashionista. My favorite maxis this season? Check out Free People to get that hippie chic look or Velvet by Graham & Spencer for a simple clean look. Whatever you do, take it to the floor. 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Hair Peace

Spring break is here, though the temperature outside tell us otherwise. Spring is the perfect time to play up the texture of knits in unique outlets. Think like your sweater but re-vamped. Today's Fashionista was spotted with a knit bow headband made out of chunky knit sweater material. She jazzed up her outfit with a statement headpiece. Countless varieties like today's Fashionistas are out and about in boutiques, department stores, and everywhere in between.

So, how do you narrow it down, what to choose? Stay away from anything that reassembles anything unflattering like a pom-pom, instead stick to a clean, classic statement, like a bow. Not having the best hair day Fashionistas? A headband is the perfect , practical solution to stay cute from day to night on the go.

Want to get the look? Look no further than Etsy– the global marketplace of all things handmade, vintage, and fabulous. Choose to stand out Fashionistas, don a hair piece.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Fur Is The Limit

There’s just something about fur, that makes us all want it. If your not into real fur, go faux. Same chic look, cruelty free and usually inexpensive too. I caught this Fashionista outside school donning a gorgeous chocolate brown faux fur coat that perfectly skims just above the knee. When donning faux fur stick to neutrals, which look best. Wanna get the look? Look no further, turn heads on campus in this beautiful black faux fur peacoat from Urban Outfitters. Or looking for something more neutral, try this amazing caramel colored faux fur coat from Shopbop. Fur either its real or faux is a showstopping piece,the streets are your runway. choose fur to keep you warm when the tempetures in New York city drop down below!