Yesterday, I shared with you a bit about my new plan for the blog to be much more fashion, trend and style focused while still featuring destinations in Italy. I'll also be documenting the whole journey of "building a brand", and making a new section on the blog dedicated to what the actual process is like to creating a luxury accessory line from the ground up!
You may have read that in 2016 I'll be launching my own women's accessory line together with my husband's artisan leather company and later in the year a new men's line as well. Part of that means we actually need to create and test all of my designs to make sure they are not only durable, but also practical, functional and not ugly! On paper everything looks great, but once you start dealing with the technical limitations of the materials and things like "making a product 3D" it's a whole other ball game!
This is one of the first looks featuring two of my designs, I wanted to wear them with this beautiful custom made dress by the brand Dress Mavens. You may remember this dress from the summer time, I introduced you to Dress Mavens here and styled this lovely fucsia number for an evening visit to a castle in Tuscany.
Getting Over The LBD
I know that in general the rule is you can never go wrong with an LBD - Little Black Dress ....however, think about what happens at your Holiday Party when EVERYONE is wearing an LBD? You're all A great way to stand out and really make a statement is to incorporate color in your holiday outfit.
As much as I love black because it is slimming and flattering, I really think that this bright dress proves that color is our friend! The right color can bring out your eyes, cheek bones or emphasize your best features. You can use color blocking at the waist to create the illusion of a small waist or at the bustline to play up/down your bust size. Color also creates an emotional reation and if you've ever studied color theory or Color Therapy you know that your table cloth should be dark green/grey if you're on a diet and to stay away from reds and oranges because they increase blood pressure and appetite!
Much in the same way, your holiday look creates an impression of your personality. So, although black is sexy, you may want to be perceive as friendly, approachable, fun loving and exciting....all things that bright fucsia/pink embody!
This post features two similar but different looks, one that is a little more elegant and dressed-up, appropriate for an evening work function in a banquet hall, hotel or fancy restaurant and the other is a little toned down, easily worn right from the office to an after work cocktail. This relatively simple dress is so versatile and can easily be worn with flats to a meeting or with the right accessories for an evening of schmoozing and wine drinking.
The Reason I Dressed
I mentioned on Instagram that my husband's aunt and uncle have recently made a HUGE investment and have opened a restaurant and bed and breakfast in the Bologna countryside, Il Bucchio! They have taken a rustic villa and updated it with a contrasting modern decor and fine art accents while working with one of Italy's most prominent chefs from Bologna to create a very prestigious menu. In January I'll be doing a feature on them because I really want them to succeed and the space is PERFECT for weddings, corporate events and families visiting the area.
This holiday party was their official inauguration where their family, friends and clients from their other restaurant in Bologna were all invited to see the space, have a drink and explore the gardens.
Holiday Party Look N°1 - From The Office to the Martini
Dress Mavens makes all of their dresses made to order based on a customers exact measurements, so this dress fits me like a glove. Technically, it fits me even better than it did in the summer because I've lost 2 kilos (over 4 lbs) of weight that I put on while enjoying a bottle of Chianti Classico Wine EVERY SINGLE NIGHT while we were in Tuscany!! I enjoyed all of it, and the giveaway to win three bottles of Chianti Classico wine is still happening on the blog so feel free to enter!
One of the things that strikes me about the Dress Mavens' designs is how simple and versatile they are, perfect for the Executive who wants to be feminine and modest but also elegant enough for a dinner party! This first outfit was inspired by the idea of going right to a party from the office, because there is never time to go home and change and office Christmas parties are usually after work on a Friday.
I've styled my Fucsia color Emily dress (exact style found here) with a cooked wool bolero jacket, Tiffany loop and heart necklace, black wedge pumps and my fold over leather tote. If you love this bag I've done a post on how you can get the look here!
My belt is one of my own designs, however, I think that the final version will not be for the waist, but larger and meant to be worn with pants/jeans. I'd love to get your feedback on what you think. I'll be posting another look next week with this same belt in the hip version next week!
Holiday Party Look N°2 - Heels? Why Don't Mind if I Do!
Ok....let me be honest. I'm on a heel fix lately. My son is now old enough to walk long distances without being held, which means that I no longer need to worry about my knees / balancing / holding a young child when I'm in stilettos. So it is ALL SYSTEMS GO for spikes, stilettos, and all things elongating and sexy. I'm totally rediscovering my love of heels and a Christmas party is a GREAT EXCUSE TO WEAR THEM!!
Don't miss the opportunity to bust out of your closet the pair that you bought three years ago and have only worn once because they are impractical. If you arrive by car and don't plan on walking long distances you should go for it and hope that the wine kicks in before you start to shake your groove thing on the dance floor.
My Sicilian nonna (grandmother in Italian) LOVED IT when I wore heels as a teenager because I am so petite, so I am very accustomed to walking on my toes. Yesterday I actually created a style board inspired by one of her bags that I still have from when she was a girl that is incredibly similar to the Dolce and Gabbana Miss Sicily bag here!
For look number two I focused on accessories that were a little more lady-like and elegant, so I wore my pointy double strap black stilettos, a lapin black fur choker scarf, little black leather cropped gloves, a black velvet coat ( also styled here) and a vintage black wicker bag by the historic Italian brand Rodo, made famous in Italy for their weaved clutches. You can actually find a wide range of the Rodo handbag collection here, but this one that I found at an Italian church fundraising sale, was less than 8 euros and sells on ebay for more than 60!
My Belt!
This belt is the final version that will go into the official sample collection of my new brand of leather accessories. A single black brass belt loop in a powdered finish hides the sizing buckle underneath the leather. The leather itself is hand colored black vacchetta leather, vegetable tanned in Italy and it is lined in soft nappa leather from a French tannery with hand painted edges.
This design was actually created a few years ago for myself. My husband had created a similar design but it was a little too masculine, so I asked him if we could go to our buckle artisan in Tuscany and have them create a custom 7 cm version just for me! Out of all of my belts this has been one of my favorites for years, so I'm really excited about putting into productions.
I would HONESTLY LOVE TO HEAR YOUR FEEDBACK, about any of my designs and what you think the collection is missing as I continue to share with you. Also.... Please let me know what you think about the changes that I'm (slowly!) making to the blog and its content. You may have also noticed that recently my Instagram account has changed. I'm trying to make it a little more streamlined as I learn what works and what doesn't work on that platform.
THE REASONS TO DRESS MAGAZINE
And I'm launching a Magazine! It will be a large format newsletter that will feature articles from the blog connected to a monthly theme as well as looks from the weekly linkup. December's issue will be out next week and will feature holiday articles from over the years, a review of the Bluemarine exhibit in the Carpi Castle, some of my favorite holiday looks from bloggers I follow and a few special offers from sponsors.
I'm aiming for a monthly issue, but so far I've realized it is a LOT OF WORK!!, so it may become quarterly until I can get a handle on things!
Now onto YOUR style...
#REASONSTODRESS Street Style Linkup
[inlinkz_linkup id=591193 mode=1]
