The Rise Of Trendy Tech

iPhone Couture: The Rise Of Trendy Tech 

Moschino $95 Windex iPhone Case 

When was the last time you intentionally left your house without your phone? Exactly. I can't imagine going a full day without mine, it's just not realistic. At just 19 years old, I have pretty much been exposed to cell phone culture my entire life.

I will never forget the receiving my pink Motorola Razr for my birthday when I was in the fifth grade... I still stand by my claim that it was the ~*coolest*~ phone ever. 

Luckily I have evolved with technology and proudly consider myself an iPhone addict, along with seemingly everyone else in the world.

After shattering my screen into what looked like Charlotte's Web I have reluctantly been using the über-protective OtterBox Defender Series case. It's perfect for if you are one of those people who are prone to dropping their phone multiple times per day. It took me way too long to come to terms with the fact that I am one of those people, hence aforementioned shattered screen. HOWEVER, if you aren't too worried about dropping your precious cargo, there are endless opportunities for you to turn your boring phone into your hottest accessory.

Moschino Ready-To-Bear 

Moschino Mirror 

Moschino Creative Director Jeremy Scott is a pioneer of trendsetting technology and always amuses on the runway with phone cases ranging from a Barbie Mirror to a Teddy Bear. He recently debuted a fresh new Windex case for S/S16 after clearing being inspired by the super chic cleaning isle of WalMart.

Stella McCartney Grey Shark 

Stella McCartney Red Lips 

Stella McCartney has proven herself to be tech-forward with her famous Shark iPhone Cover, which is absolutely perfect for your inner JAWS fanatic. The Red Lips iPhone Cover  is also one her biggest hits and happens to be a favorite of mine. 

Marc Jacobs Silver Foil 

Marc Jacobs Thumbs Up

Marc Jacobs boasts quite a collection of fun iPhone cases, my favorite being the Silver Foil case. If you're looking of quirky, check out his Thumbs Up case in a Frankenstein-green color perfect for Halloween. 

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Have a fun tech-trend that you think I should feature? Did I leave out one of your favorites? Share everything with me by emailing ashley.fashionspeak@gmail.com 

Milan Fashion Week S/S16

I would be lying if I told you my heart didn't break each time I've seen a picture on my timeline of a celebrity, blogger or socialite standing in the middle of my beautiful city for Fashion Week. I can't help but think, "They don't know it like I do!" as I sit in my desk cranking out college work.  I haven't stopped thinking about Milan since I left which makes Milan Fashion Week a touchy subject for the ol' emotions to deal with. As I mentioned on Twitter, I would do unmentionable things to be in the city during this extra-special week but to be clear, every week feels like Fashion Week in Milan. So maybe I shouldn't fret too much since I got to witness this firsthand. However, after live streaming all of the major fashion shows in between my school and internship work, I have a newfound motivation to make it to Milan Fashion Week -- sooner than you may expect. Until then, here is my roundup of the top S/S16 shows in Milan thus far:

Prada 

Photo courtesy CR Fashion Book 

Miuccia Madness: This collection is the epitome of perfection with quirky prints and unexpected colors uniting for a cool-girl look suitable for anyone with a sense of passion. Prada has reached global success because of the consistency in aesthetic that keeps people wanting more each season. This year was no different which is why it lands the number one spot on my list. For a look at the full collection, visit CR Fashion Book. 

Emilio Pucci

Photo courtesy WWD

One of my class assignments when I was studying abroad in Milan was to go into as many Italian designer stores as I could and get a deeper understanding of what the brand really felt like, beyond the pages of a magazine. I will never forget going into Emilio Pucci's store on Via Monte Napoleone and feeling an overwhelming sense of pride, as if Mr. Pucci was standing right beside me the entire time. The Pucci craftsmanship is unmistakable, particularly for me after having such a moving experience when I was in Milan. This deep appreciation was further solidified after seeing the stunning S/S16 collection hit the runway. For a look at the full collection, visit WWD.  

Fendi 

Photo courtesy Vogue.com

Karl baby, KARL! As creative director for Fendi, Mr. Lagerfeld has launched the brand even further into superstardom than it was prior to his takeover. Each year Fendi produces a collection that impresses me with their iconic leather, fur and laser cut fabrics. The S/S16 collection far exceeded any of my (very high) expectations. What I noticed about this collection is how approachable and understandable the clothes are for a fashion outsider to relate to. It combines outlandish street wear with ultra chic fabrics and intricate cuts to produce an outfit every woman will soon be craving to get her hands on. For a look at the full colleciton, visit Vogue.

Trends: To Wear or Not to Wear?

Karl Lagerfeld once said, "Trendy is the last stage before tacky."

If you don't want to be tacky but you do want to be trendy, what do you do?! What do you wear? Let's decipher Mr. Lagerfeld's legendary words, shall we? 

Today marks the very first day of Fashion Month and by the time you read this NYFW will be in full swing. This means that trends will be established one runway show at a time when designers reveal their latest and greatest pieces for the next season. What's equally fascinating is that soon after Fashion Month ends, fast fashion stores like Zara, Forever 21 and H&M will mass produce cheap versions of the most popular looks seen on the runway. The next time you're in one of the aforementioned stores, take note of the clothes and accessories. There is a consistency in the materials, the cuts and the overall vibe of everything inside the store. The most recent trends that I have seen on sale in every store from ASOS to Armani have been all about the 70's with suede and fringe appearing many pieces. Here are a few examples of the 70's trends that dominated the runways during Autumn/Winter Fashion Week earlier this year: 

Suede trench coats at Fendi 

Fringe at BCBGMAXAZRIA

Suede and fringe pieces at Burberry Prorsum

So now back to Karl Lagerfeld's statement on trends such as the ones pictured above. Do we wear them or do we stick to our own classic style? Two words: do you. Wear what you love. Wear what flatters your figure. Wear what makes you happy. This is why I love fashion with an undying passion. It's fun! It is always, always changing which means if you aren't loving a certain trend (looking at you, Mom Jeans) then chances are it will probably be replaced by something brand new in a short amount of time. Fashion Month is upon us and it is the perfect time to watch all of the new trends appear, replacing the looks of last season. What are you hoping to see on the runways?

Designer Series: MaxMara

I know all of you may not enjoy the cold winter months (let’s be real – December is fun and then I’m over it) but I know one thing everyone can agree on: a well-made coat is something worth celebrating. Remember when Kim Kardashian first began wearing seriously good outfits thanks to the genius that is Mr. Kanye West? I remember. I do. There were a few solid looks in the beginning but I soon grew tired of her over-exposed crop top and pencil skirt combo. However, the one thing that Mrs. West always gets right is her coat. I actually love when she comes to New York in the winter because I know the paparazzi will snap her in a massive yet perfectly tailored MaxMara number. 

MaxMara was established in 1951 and soon became one of the first fashion houses to utilize industrial processes to create luxury garments. This notion sparked the very beginning concepts of ready-to-wear collections as the clothes were produced on a large scale without forfeiting the craftsmanship and high-fashion aspect of it. This proved to be a successful direction for the brand as it now boasts a presence in 90 countries with roughly 2,250 stores. 

When I strolled into a MaxMara store near the Duomo, I was promptly greeted with a mega-exclusive collection on display. Because the 2015 World Expo (focused on sustainability) is being held in Milan, almost every Italian brand is trying to promote it. MaxMara had on display a collection of their most iconic coats in grey, beige, and red. An extremely nice sales associate explained to me that these colors are very distinct to the brand and are very important to the brand’s history. Who knew? The collection is only to be sold in Milan and only for the duration of the Expo, from May to October. 

Designer Series: Armani

Every day I wake up in Milan reminding myself that I am in fact waking up in Milan. The fashion capital of the world. The cultural hub of Italy. The city that has something for everyone, especially people like me who think about fashion every second of the day. Giorgio Armani is a constant reminder of my current reality in this city of chic. I am studying in his very footsteps at The University of Milan. I walk to class with Mr. Armani each day. I see him everywhere... On the train, on the street, in the stores, and in the attitude of the Milanese people. His brand identity has infiltrated the city to an unbreakable level. 

2015 campaign celebrates 40 years of Armani

The people watch every move Armani makes, hoping to reach the level of class and sheer elegance for which the brand is renowned. Each collection exudes a look of sophistication in a way that is approachable, making the clothes appealing to all ages and all backgrounds.

The legend himself: Mr. Giorgio Armani

I can't help but think of Armani every time I see an Italian man wearing a perfectly tailored suit or when a woman is wearing a dress so delicately cut and sewn that it looks as though it descended straight from heaven. Armani's innovative designs and creative mind reintroduce Italian fashion with each and every collection, changing the way the world dresses. It is no surprise that Armani has dominated the industry for the last 40 years and with that I say... Here's to the next 40. 

Designer Series: Emilio Pucci

EMILIO PUCCI 

Emilio Pucci is a major icon in the Italian fashion industry. Although he is from Florence, his designs rule the runways of Milano fashion week each season inspiring other designers to recreate his famously delicate silhouettes. I was a fan of Emilio Pucci long before I knew I would be in Milano this summer. I am in love the femininity that is a constant theme in the collections. The looks shown are always delicate and ladylike which is something I find refreshing in the midst of our normcore street style era.

I have been in Milan for almost three weeks now and every time I step out of my room I witness a wide-ranging variety of fashion. The looks here are so incredibly well-done and put together I have to take a moment each day to pause and consider how amazing the Italian style is. I often find summer fashion the most difficult for people to maneuver because there is a very fine line between provocative and "just trying not to die of a heat stroke so I'm wearing as few clothes as I can," but not for Emilio Pucci. In his latest collection, he has demonstrated how to dress with class and elegance even when the Milanese heat tries to drown you in a pool of your own sweat. I promise this happens.  

Since I am currently in the fashion capital of the world (saying that never gets old), it is only right for me to share what I am witnessing firsthand. Emilio Pucci Spring 2015 Ready-to-Wear collection by Creative Director Peter Dundas has successfully influenced the fashion of the Milanese. When I watched this show live online I immediately became obsessed. The flowing gowns in this collection have ornate prints worthy of being in an art museum. Each model had a complete look that encapsulates what summer in Milano feels like. The colors, textures, and silhouettes are the epitome of classic Italian style. The women here do not use the summer heat as an excuse to wear clothes that reveal too much. They simply choose the right materials like the ones seen in Emilio Pucci's Spring 2015 collection. 

Designer Series: Prada

In 1978 Miuccia Prada took over her grandfather's business, Fratelli Prada. She transformed a small leather goods shop in Milan to a multinational empire that influences the fashion industry beyond comparison. Prada received her PhD in political science from the University of Milan (where I will study Italian fashion this summer) and she had virtually no experience in fashion design. In 1985 Prada positioned herself for success when she created the nylon tote handbag. It was bold of her to use nylon over leather, the material of choice at the time. This risk paid off securing her place as one of fashions greatest innovators. Prada's aesthetic is defined by the quirky patterns seen in her earliest ready-to-wear styles. After the success of her early collections, the triumph continued with the 1992-1993 launch of Prada Men and Miu Miu. Prada Men is one of the finest menswear labels in the world today with garments so meticulously executed, the pieces exude perfection. Miu Miu, often referred to as "Prada's little sister," dominates the runways. Femininity, youthfulness, vibrancy and a hint of rebellion are all characteristic of Miu Miu. With this diffusion line, Prada proved herself as a designer who can successfully distinguish the styles of two separate labels. Miuccia Prada is a powerful force of fearless creativity and one of today's brilliant minds. 

Spring 2015 RTW

Prada Men's SS14

Miu Miu FW14

Spring 2015 RTW