Alice + Olivia Spring 2013

Alice + Olivia's Spring 2013 presentation was set against a mid-60's Abstract Expressionist's dreamscape.  The color palette-soft peach, baby blue, and light silvery white- was straight out of the swatch book of a Mad-Men-era interior decorator, accented with punches of intense cobalt, kelly green, and canary yellow. The signature A+O details we have come to love and expect (peplum skirts, sequins, belted dresses) were scattered throughout, but a few new looks attracted my attention. Specifically, I fell in love with the long gowns and mod shifts with jaunty spring coats.   I can't say the collection as a whole made sense, but as usual, there were a exciting array of looks (whether they formed a cohesive collection or not). I can't wait to see these pieces come spring!

You know we have a weak spot for leopard...Oh, and that cream croc skin bag? Yeah. 'Nuff said.

This coat is amazing! I would love it with jeans and a casual blouse just as much.

There's that peplum skirt and black & white we know and love!

Monochromatic ensemble but with a great contrast of textures .

One of my favorite looks. This coat is divine. 

Ugh, I just love this silhouette! 

These SHOES...and loving the lady-like length on the dress!

Very A+O shape with the matching fabric belt. I love the underskirt peeking out below the hem.

The structured bustier atop the swirling lace and silk panels is both elegant and sexy. Love.

Lovely neckline and beading and the pool of fabric at the hemline. Reminds me of a 30's move starlet.

Wouldn't this make an amazing rehearsal dinner or reception dress?

This one, too! 

Hope you enjoyed the A+O spring 2013 round-up! Stay tuned for more!

xoxo,

Alice

New York Fashion Week: Street Style

It's that time again! Swarms of models, fashionistas, and party people have taken over Manhattan for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.  Despite a rainy start last weekend, the shows are in full swing and so far, Spring 2013 is looking great!  Expect a break-down of my SS 2013 favorites in my next post.

First, though, I want to highlight one of my favorite fashion week side-effects: street style. People bring their A-game and the fashion photographers are on high alert for the best looks outside the shows.  I have plucked a few amazing looks from the sartorial overload that is NYFW for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller

Rumi from Fashion Toast

Updated penny loafers! Tres chic.

Birds of a feather...

Never too early to rock a Chanel purse and snakeskin frock

Lots of florals and sophisticated pattern-mixing....

...and bling!

Perfect shade of orange.

(all photos above from Racked.com)

via Vogue

More florals and big bijoux! Also, the round sunglasses trend is still going strong.

 Just the right amount of skin. Love the pop of green under the soft blush blouse.

Lady-like and pattern-happy

Stay tuned for more Fashion Week run-downs of all your favorite lines: Milly, Tibi, DVF, and more!

XOXO,
Alice

Fashion's Forecasting 50 Shades of Grey

As the brooding skies and crispness of Fall rapidly approach, the fashion forecast is practically begging for 50 Shades of Grey. And if you've heard anything about the books, you're equally as anxious. 

Like the mercurial Mr. Grey, our closets know no boundaries! From classic grey houndstooth print dresses paired with delicious black patent leather boots, to sleek hug-you-in-all-the-right places slacks, we've got plenty of attention-getting options, 50 Shades and beyond.  Forget Ana Steele--with these chic silhouettes,  you will be the one commanding the attention of all those handsome Christian Grey's out there! 

Hurry Up and Live!: The Launch Party

Our Hurry Up and Live! event is shaping up to be amazing! So many wonderful people have joined the cause and we can't wait to see you there.

Join us June 14th, 5-8 pm, at The Cotton Mill for an evening of fun and inspiration.  There will be food, drinks, and an auction with fabulous items to bid on. Make sure to be present at 6:30 pm for a presentation about the Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation and all the wonderful accomplishments they have made helping the families of late-stage cancer patients to "Hurry Up and Live!"

                                       

The Cotton Mill on Channel 2: Steeplechase Style

Friend of the Cotton Mill and fellow blogger, Judson Aikens, stopped by with  WKRN Channel 2 News to film a segment on Steeplechase fashion! He had some great suggestions on tasteful color blocking, hat selection, and more. His best advice: Everything doesn't have to match, ladies! Mix playful and unexpected colors to stand out from the crowd.

As always, we are filled to the brim with gorgeous dresses and hats, perfect for a day at the races! Our hats are even 25%-50%...while they last. Happy Steeplechasing, Nashville!

The Cotton Mill presents...Hurry Up and Live! and The Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation!

We are excited to announce that The Cotton Mill is teaming up with two amazing charities, Hurry Up and Live!and the Jack and Jill Foundation to host an in-store event on June 14th.  It marks the launch of HUL!'s new lifestyle tee shirts, proceeds of which go to the JAJF.

The Jack and Jill Late Stage Cancer foundation is dedicated to "treating families to WOW! Experiences, giving children who will lose their Mom of Dad to cancer a timeout to creat indispensable memories as a family...while they can."  Founder of JAJF Jon Albert lost his wife, Jill, to Stage IV breast cancer. During her illness, Jill and Jon realized the toll that cancer was taking on their children and their family as a whole.  They decided to make their last experiences as a family as positive and memory-making as possible.  After Jill's passing, Jon was inspired to share his family's experience with others, creating a foundation to make beautiful memories for other families dealing with Stage IV cancer.

Hurry Up and Live! was founded by Nashvillian Karen Dobbs after the loss of her husband, Chip, to cancer.  She, like Jon, recognized the toll that such an illness had on herself and her daughters.  She vowed to "hurry up and live"--to live and enjoy each day to its fullest, since we don't know what life has in store. Amazingly, she and Jon were introduced and shared their experiences.  After sharing her mantra of "hurry up and live!", she and Jon were inspired to join forces. Hurry Up and Live! now has a line of lifestyle tee shirts to encourage us all to follow that wise advice. Happily, Karen and Jon decided to hurry up and live...together! They were married last fall.

Join us at the Cotton Mill on June 14th for the launch of special Hurry Up and Live! tees shirts! All proceeds go to benefit Jack and Jill.

 Thank you to our sponsors NFocus and Allegra Printing. Also, a very special thank you to Cynthia Kelley of Cynthia Kelley Communications, will be donating her time for all Publicity, Marketing and Event Management for the event.



Yestadt Millinery Spring 2012

Every year, its the same struggle. The springtime hunt that is so familiar to the Southern girl...the search for the ever-elusive perfect hat! Whether it's for Easter, Derby, or Steeplechase, a chic springtime topper is a necessity. The trick is finding that perfect balance between fabulous and frump, church lady and beach bum.

We have a solution: Yestadt Millinery! Started in 2008 by Fashion Institute of Technology grad Molly Yestadt, Yestadt Millinery uses old-school millinery techniques with a modern twist. Each piece is hand-blocked on a wooden form, then trimmed by hand in New York City at their Lower East Side studio using the finest quality materials.

YM has already caught the attention of designers like Marc Jacobs, Vena Cava, and Thom Browne, all of whom have commissioned custom Yestadt Millinery pieces for their runway shows. Their hats have also graced the pages of W, Nylon, Italian Vogue, Interview and more. Style.com just featured their Spring 2012 video look book; check it out here!

 

Cotton Mill x Yestadt Millinery exclusive!

 

This little beauty is Japanese shantung straw, making it super light and airy.  The trim is a vintage silk taffeta ribbon with hand-sewn lace details from French lace maker Sophie Halette.

 

A jaunty striped hat made of hand-sewn toyo straw, trimmed with lovely silk Japanese grosgrain. This hat is "packable" and great for traveling; wear it to the races and then take it to the beach!

Another custom piece! The trim is more vintage grosgrain, trimmed with a Sophie Halette raffia flower and velvet ric rac.

Stand out from the crowd with these beautiful hats. Come see them before they fly out of here!