By SMITH Trunk Show!

Come by the Cotton Mill, Tuesday March 20th for a By SMITH trunk show! Designer Smith Sinrod will be in-store from 10 am-5 pm, showing the fabulous new Spring 2012 collection in-stock right now at the Mill. She will also be taking special orders for Fall 2012! Smith's designs are playful and chic, using gorgeous Thai silk in bright colors and often adorned with her trademark geometric motifs.  After graduating for the University of Alabama's apparel design program, Smith launched her line in 2010. Despite being a young brand, By SMITH  has already made a splash at fashion weeks all over the country. Come by the Cotton Mill and see for yourself what the buzz is about!

 All pieces bought on Tuesday will be 10% off; as a special bonus, the Cotton Mill will be donating another 10% to the Nashville Fashion Week's non-profit fund, the Nashville Fashion Forward Fund. Administered by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennesee, the NFFF is awarded annually to help kick-start the career of a local designer who has demonstrated experience in a fashion-related field.

Here is a sneak peek of what you might find on Tuesday:

Designer Smith Sinrod

All images via By SMITH

Nicole Miller FW2012

Nicole Miller is known for some fabulous design details.  Ruched dresses, metallic stretch material, an amazing understanding of a woman's curves, and some gorgeous graphic prints now and then. She brought them all and more in her Fall 2012 collection.  The prints this season were large digital motifs on silk and chiffon.  Bohemian band groupie plus flower child pretty much sums up the look; dissect each runway look and you have some very lovely separates that could be easily blended into one's wardrobe to fabulous effect.

Pair NM's suede t-shirts and silk blouses with some amazing skinny jeans and ankle boots. Wispy floral dresses will swirl beautifully around your mid calf boots and sheer stockings; add a Mongolian lamb vest on top for a more Boho style. Don't be afraid of the skinny velvet pants! So chic and luxurious, dare to wear them with a loose silk top and sky-high heels to balance the proportions. Jewel tones were key on the fall runway; rich mustards, teals, and purple create a gorgeous palette. Top it off with a velour felt wide brim hat to complete the look!

NYFW: Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2012

   As it does every six months or so, Fashion Week stomped into New York City like a 17 year old Russian model clomps down the runway. Even if I wasn't in tune with the fashion cycle, I would have sensed its arrival by the conspicuous lack of cabs in Manhattan over the weekend, models swarming the streets of SoHo, and the general sense of panic in the garment district. Although I wasn't personally invited to attend any events at Lincoln Center (an oversight, I'm certain), I do like to keep up with my favorite designers and see what might potentially make its way to Nashville via The Cotton Mill come fall 2012. 

  Starting off my fashion week commentary with the DVF show is a no brainer.  Her show is a perennial favorite at NYFW, teeming with fashion power players (and personal friends of Diane) such as Barbara Walters, Rachel Zoe, Oscar de la Renta, and Anderson Cooper.  Don't be fooled by the hype. The grand dame of fashion, who is currently the president of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America), lives up to her reputation; she rarely fails to present a cohesive collection and always designs with a woman's shape in mind. This collection is no different in that regard, with lots flattering drapes and sophisticated color blocking. It was light on prints this go-round, and wrap dresses too, but fear not, loyal shoppers. The retail gods will surely have their say and it will be interpreted into the famous style for the masses. 

  Here are some of my favorite looks from the runway. I adore the unusual mixing of color: light mauve and deep raspberry, mustard yellow on canary yellow on hot pink, red and aqua (a favorite of mind already).  Take a look!

xoxo,

Alice

Grammy's 2012: Best and Worst

The Grammys this year started out on a sad note after the tragic death of Whitney Houston.  Lots of stars opted for somber black, perhaps in honor of the fallen diva. So sad. If you haven't seen Jennifer Hudson's Grammy tribute, singing "I Will Always Love You", You-Tube it immediately. It will give you chills.

The night did manage to go on and styles ran the gamut from totally crazy (ahem, Nikki Minaj...) to sleek, sexy, and sophisticated. Let's start with the best:

Rihanna killed it. She joined forces with Giorgio Armani to create this super sexy plunging-neckline gown. Simple and effective.

I think Adele looked fab in both of these Armani gowns, but needs to be careful of aging herself. I get that she goes for a vintage look, but you're only 23, girlfriend! Go easy on the bouffant!

Taylor Swift went super glam in a Zahir Muraad gold gown.  The beading! The color! Good job, T-Swizzle!

Kate Beckinsale kept it short and sweet. 

Miranda certainly got the memo on the gold and nude color scheme for the night.  This actually

 isn't my favorite look for her, but I think she is so adorable I threw her in the mix anyway.

Oh, and Blake? Speaking of adorable...

Joy Williams of the Civil Wars looked very old-Hollyhood in her gown. Great choice with the hair and makeup, as well.

Kelly Osbourne certainly redeemed herself from her Golden Globe style debacle with this glittery Tony Ward gown. Lovely neutral gold with a figure-flattering drape. 

Carrie Underwood in a Gomez-Gracia gown. Love the cut-out back on this. I can only imagine what these sequins sewn on tulle must have looked like in person.

Um, what a hilarious pairing. Who made the seating chart? I wonder what they talked about...

(PS: Gaga is wearing Versace)

Now, onto the worst. And there were some weird ones, y'all. Be prepared...

Oh, Fergie, Fergie, Fergie.  These go well beyond acceptable amounts of VPL (visible panty lines). Without the peekaboo granny panties, this Gaultier dress would have been lovely. Just not feeling this one.

I don't know who this artist is, but now I will remember her...for all the wrong reasons. 

Ok, Nikki Minaj, we get it. You are SO out there. But this Versace nun habit should be taken out to the garbage. Perhaps you should leave the theatrics to Gaga.

And there we have it! See you at the next awards show! And keep a look out this week as I blog about New York Fashion Week 2012.

xoxo,

Alice