event – CollegeFashionista

3 Bands You Need to See Live Now

If you’re anything like me, you love going to concerts and seeing how artists transform an album into a completely different experience for an audience. I’ve been to a good amount of concerts in my day and I have a running list of artists that left an amazing impression upon me. Here are my top three favorite performers, in ascending order, that I recommend you see as soon as you can, regardless of if you have even heard of them.

1—New Politics. New Politics, a “dance rock” band comprised of three male members, is a group that will definitely leave a lasting impression. The lead singer, David, has infinite amounts of energy and is known for standing on the crowd. Yes, you read that correctly. He goes into the crowd, pulls himself up to stand on the nearby outstretched hands, and continues to sing while, literally, being supported by his fans. Louis, the only member not from Denmark, is one of the best drummers I’ve ever seen. Søren is the guitarist and he supplies humor throughout the show. New Politics is currently on tour with 311 and The Skints.

2—Magic Giant. This indie-folk band from Los Angeles is a group that’s on the rise. What sets Magic Giant apart from any band I’ve ever seen perform is the love that radiates throughout the entire set. Not only do the three members dress like hippies, but they also are unable to stop showing love to the fans. At the show that I attended, the lead singer, Austin, went down into the crowd and started hugging people during the set and told everyone to hug one another. The positivity of all of the guys—Austin, Zang, and Zambricki—shows in the performances, and that’s something that just listening to an album may not portray.

3—Bishop Briggs. Bishop Briggs is my all-time favorite performer. She has the most incredible voice and hearing it live is a completely different experience than listening to her music at home. When Bishop comes on stage, all you see is a young girl (probably with either two braids or buns on her head) who is very shy and nervous. At the beginning of each song, however, her innocent smile fades away and a powerful, strong woman emerges who owns the stage, jumping around full of passion. Then, when the song ends, she’s back to the shy girl. I’ve never seen music transform a person’s disposition until I saw Bishop Briggs live. Her voice unleashes a totally different person. Not only is Bishop incredible, but her band is also a sight to behold. The band uses electronic instruments, and they are so passionate about the music. Every beat is accompanied with head bopping and swaying. I don’t think they look up from their instruments the entire show; they’re locked in. It’s intense. Bishop Briggs just wrapped up her first headlining tour, but I highly recommend buying a ticket for her next tour.

Who are your favorite performers? Let me know in the comments!

STYLE ADVICE: Pretty in Pink

Warm weather and windy days have arrived on campus, and this Fashionista could not be more ready. With our spring schedules filled with events, concerts, and parties we have to have the perfect outfits for all occasions. Spring may not be my favorite season, but it definitely has some of the best fashion during the sunny days.

This Fashionista is wearing an outfit that is ideal for any formal or casual event. Her lightweight, chiffon dress has a beautiful pink floral pattern with a sophisticated style. These colors can complement any skin tone and be worn all spring and summer long. This high neckline allows you to avoid wearing any necklaces and have the focus be on your flowy dress. To show this neckline wear a high pony with a twist of hair around the band to make the style more complete. She is wearing simple, translucent dangly earrings with a hint of pink in them. Depending on where you are headed you can wear some strappy, sandal wedges like these or even some thin heeled stilettos. Taupe wedges work great with this light dress when you’re bound to be twirling around all night. Subtle make-up with a sharp black wing and a swipe of a peach blush will give you the flushed look while still looking natural. A nude lipstick like this Fashionista’s is a perfect pair or a bright pink can add some spice to your style.

You can never be overdressed so don’t be afraid to put on a dress and heels because we all deserve to feel beautiful. You can recreate this look or use this Fashionista as your spring inspiration as we head into the longer days and later nights of spring and summer!

Sole Sessions with Steve Madden

Sponsored by Steve Madden

You can’t think about shoes without thinking about the brand, Steve Madden. The label is ubiquitous in the industry, with every fashionista owning at least one pair. Everyone has a Steve Madden story; including, the businessman and designer himself.

Steve Madden, the man behind the namesake label started the company with a $1,100 investment and a car, which acted as his initial office. Now, 26 years later, the brand and the man are iconic members of the fashion industry.

sm6

How could you not want to know more? Steve Madden is letting CollegeFashionista in on his secrets to success, talking entrepreneurship, fashion and legacies.

Join us on Monday, October 24^th from 5:30 – 6:30PM at the University of Florida for an empowering conversation between Steve Madden and CollegeFashionista’s founder, Amy Levin.

For those of you who don’t live in the Florida-area, check out a sneak peak of Madden’s words of wisdom below!

10-2016_slides_steve_05

CollegeFashionista: We know you started your business with only $1,100. What was that time like for you? Were you anxious about the risk or just excited about the possibility of success?

Steve Madden: I was very nervous! I had butterflies in my stomach every morning but I powered through it because I was focused on the big picture and how to use that money wisely. I had to make every dollar count.

CF: What advice do you have for entrepreneurs hoping to follow your lead?

SM: Be prepared to work long hours and don’t expect overnight success. People think it’s glamorous all the time and it’s not. If you are not working the long hours then no one else is. You have to set the pace for your team.

And build a good team! That’s so important. I have people that started with me 25 years ago that are still here.

CF: What skills do you think are essential to being an entrepreneur?

SM: Being a good reader of people is an indispensable quality in an entrepreneur — I have a very good sense about people, knowing what you can and can’t do, who would be a good employee, who to stay away from.

10-2016_slides_steve_07

Want to meet Steve Madden? Now’s your chance — in 140 characters or less, tweet @CFashionista why you deserve the opportunity.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: From NYMFW with Love

The second week of July marks that time of year again. Sure, you may think I mean the rise in temperature from a bearable 50° to an 80° inferno, but–in reality–I’m happy to report the arrival of New York Men’s Fashion Week. Labels like Coach, Landlord and Nick Graham headlined NYMFW 2016. The influx of dapper men rivals the aesthetic of Colin Firth in Kingsman: The Secret Service at a time when we thought there were only so many attractive faces that could coexist on one island.

Not only do the men dress to impress during this week, but the women refuse to hold back. During NYMFW this year, I had the opportunity to hang out with some of the CFDA photographers who channeled Bill Cunningham to capture the perfect street style shots as guests approached Skylight Clarkson Square. This daring Fashionista I captured wore this layered tulle skirt reminiscent of Carrie Bradshaw in the opening credits to Sex and the City.

What distinguished her outfit from the hordes of other Fashionistas lies in her rose-tinted sunglasses that show we truly can have the best of both worlds: dark and light. Instead of sporting an all-black outfit, she pulled out her inner Elton John and threw on a pair of shades that are as quirky as they are trendy. A cat-eye frame will add a professional vibe, perfect for the buyers and journalists in attendance.

The fabric of her top and layers of the tulle skirt add a juxtaposition of textiles that complements the color pop which her glasses bring forth. As for her lace-up heels, they provide an overall feminine air to the outfit—ideal for watching the show. Until next year, NYMFW.

How To: Fashion Week’s over–now what? Partner this look with a pair of platform Nike Air Maxes for a day around the city.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Give Me A Two-Piece

The one day I look forward to every single summer is none other than July 3rd. Yes, the day before America’s birthday is hands down one of my favorite days of the year. Each year, a local Long Island country radio station, My Country 96.1, presents The Fest. It is an all day celebration of all things country music that begins with something country music fans love, a parking lot party. The massive tailgate is then followed by several great country music acts.

Fashionistas from across the island travel to this concert each year sporting their best red, white, and beautiful looks to coincide with the patriotic theme of the concert. This year, I decided to center my look on one of summer’s biggest (and most comfortable) trends: a two-piece. The set I chose came from Mandee. I chose the embroidered red tube top and soft short set to stand out among the usual crowd of stars and stripes. I stumbled upon a cover-up from Forever 21 that just so happened to be the perfect match to the set. The white kimono with red tribal design is the exact inverse to the pattern embroidered on the top and shorts.

To complete the look, I added faux leather perforated booties in a cognac color. They were perfect for hanging out at the tailgate and for walking on the grass on the hill where the concert was held. Finally, I added cat-eye Prada sunglasses as a final touch. A pair of shades was incredibly necessary for this long day in the sun!

This look was inspired by the Bohemian styles represented in the Valentino spring 2015 ready-to-wear collection. The colors, patterns and silhouettes in this runway show inspired me to find a look that was reflective of these trends.

Get My Look: 1. Faux leather booties. 2. Swim coverup. 3. Sunglasses.

STYLE GURU BIO: Haylee Powell

Hi there, fashion lovers! My name is Haylee Powell and I am a sophomore at Middle Tennessee State University majoring in apparel design and minoring in well, who knows yet! One of my favorite things in the whole entire world is a wedding! I promise you I am not a hopeless romantic by any means, but I do love all of the decorations, dancing and of course the fashion! One of the main struggles I find is, what’s appropriate to wear for these little shindigs. Let’s be honest, no one wants to upset the bride on her wedding day by accidentally being way too over the top with your outfit.

That’s why I personally like to stick to more muted tones with my dresses like this one here. I love this dress because it has the right amount of everything. If the wedding takes place in a church you’re all covered but it also just the right amount of “zing” to it so you don’t end up looking like a nun! Now, if it’s an outdoor wedding, you might want to consider bringing along some cute little sunglasses to help you out. I know you definitely want to be able to see the bride and groom during the vows, so these can be rather important.

For shoes, this is where it can get a little tricky. I absolutely love a hot pair of heels just as much as the next girl, but when dancing is involved it never hurts to bring a pair of flip flops!

WHAT TO WEAR: Graduation

Creating the perfect outfit for a special occasion can seem nearly impossible. With graduation season upon us, we are forced to face this dilemma once again.

Why not go back to fashion basics and let your accomplishments do the talking?

This Fashionista used a ribbed bodycon dress and nude block heel sandals as a clean slate for accessorizing. Block heels are a lifesaver for Fashionistas who may not feel comfortable walking in this style of footwear. The stable heel will make strutting across the stage at graduation a whole lot less nerve-wracking. Just make sure to keep the height at or below 3 1/2 inches for maximum comfort.

Let’s face it there is nothing fashionable about a graduation cap, but glamorizing it, like this Fashionista did, is the best way to turn this tragic accessory into something worth posting on Instagram. A quick search on Pinterest or Tumblr will provide plenty of inspiration if you don’t know where to start. This jeweled headpiece was not accomplished quickly, but makes it so much easier for your family and friends to spot you among the other graduates.

The most coveted accessories on graduation day are cords and stoles. The more, the merrier. This Fashionista’s cords each come with a story of an organization she was a part of or an honor she earned. Let it serve as an inspiration to get involved on your own campus, so that your gown isn’t bare on graduation day.

One Simple Change: If you live in a warmer climate and want to avoid black items for the summer, a white dress in a lightweight fabric would still provide you with a clean, simple slate for accessorizing.

Step In To Spring Footwear—Cage-Heels

Sponsored by Steve Madden

As the weather gets nicer, our agendas seem to include more and more girls’ nights out. One of the hottest sandals of the season—the cage-heel—embodies all the fun, and sassiness of the perfect GNO. Getting caged in to go out has never been more in style.

Whether you are obsessed with this style or have been eyeing a different pair to “tie up” your wardrobe, CollegeFashionista will be on-hand for a spring shopping event at Steve Madden in NYC for an evening of “sole-searching” to make sure you are campus cool this spring!

Come shop Steve Madden’s latest collection, snack on yummy treats and mingle with the CollegeFashionista team. Bring your besties and get your hair and nails done on us as well! Plus, during the event, enjoy 20% off your purchase*!

Check out the “Campus Cool” event details below! We look forward to stepping out and stepping into some #RAD footwear with you!

When—April 12 from 7-9 pm

Where—Steve Madden (861 Broadway, New York, NY 10003)

RSVP: events@collegefashionista.com

*Certain exclusions apply

Step In To Spring Footwear—Sneakers

Sponsored by Steve Madden

From bloggers to models to celebrities, it seems like the latest choice in footwear for cool girls everywhere is actually inspired by the boys. Sneakers, once reserved exclusively for the gym, are a spring wardrobe staple. We love them paired with everything from shorts to pencil skirts to joggers.

Lucy Liu2

Whether you are obsessed with this style or have been eyeing a different pair to “kick up” your wardrobe, CollegeFashionista will be on-hand for a spring shopping event at Steve Madden in Atlanta for an evening of “sole-searching” to make sure you are campus cool this spring!

Lucy Liu1

Check out the “Campus Cool” event details below! We look forward to stepping out and stepping into some #RAD footwear with you!

When—April 7 from 7-9 pm

Where—Steve Madden at Lenox Square (3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30326)

RSVP: events@collegefashionista.com

*Certain exclusions apply

Step In To Spring Footwear—The Lace-Up Ballet Flat

Sponsored by Steve Madden

Spring has officially arrived, Fashionistas! And what better way to welcome the season than by stepping into style—literally. One of our favorite styles for spring footwear has to be the lace-up ballet flat. We love this feminine style that looks equally chic paired with a casual dress as it does with cut-offs and a white T-shirt.

Reina Sekiguchi 3

Whether you are obsessed with this style or have been eyeing a different pair to “tie up” your wardrobe, CollegeFashionista will be on-hand for a spring shopping event at Steve Madden in Washington, DC for an evening of “sole-searching” to make sure you are campus cool this spring!

Reina Sekiguchi 2

Check out the “Campus Cool” event details below! We look forward to stepping out and stepping into some #RAD footwear with you!

When—April 6 from 7-9 pm

Where—Steve Madden Georgetown (3109 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007)

RSVP: events@collegefashionista.com

*Certain exclusions apply