Fashion In Living Color — A Rainbow’s Worth of Style Finds
There’s a spirit of liberation and adventure that accompanies the summer season — everything seems brighter, livelier, more exciting and uninhibited… To capitalize on that effervescent energy, it’s time to pack away those drab charcoal, heather gray, oatmeal, navy, hunter green, and funereal black wardrobe pieces and accessories, and instead embrace the joy of vibrant, intense, fully saturated color. While they’re on trend this season, you don’t necessarily have to embrace fluorescent finds (though, if you want to make the jump, check out our “Neon Brigade” piece); instead, you can opt for rich reds, aquatic turquoise and teal shades, sunny yellows, and gorgeous jewel tones like sapphire blue, tourmaline pink, and emerald green. The key is simply to embrace color with the wide-eyed excitement you’d expect from a pre-schooler opening his first pack of crayons.
Live your life to the fullest and dress accordingly with these vivacious style finds, certain to energize any ensemble.
Nnomae Grace Clutch, $159 for large size. Available at Nnomae.com
Up-and-coming, Sydney-based brand Nnomae specializes in luxury snakeskin clutches that look elegant but youthful, relying on sleek shapes, sharp lines, and ebullient colors. Whereas authentic snakeskin clutches typically bear price bags that range from $500 to upwards of $3,000, Nnomae’s selections range in price from $139 for small clutches to $329 for more heavily embellished, beaded evening pieces, making them a way more accessible alternative for the average consumer. The Nnomae Grace clutch (pictured above in the fuchsia, turquoise, and lemon shades) is unassuming in its elegance, conveying poise without seeming aloof or haughty. Measuring 33cm in width, 18cm in height, and 3 cm in depth, this hand-crafted python clutch folds over to create a standard envelope-like shape, secured in place by a concealed magnetic snap closure. The texture of the python is surprisingly soft and yet the scales are plainly visible to the eye, adding a richness to the minimalist design. The Grace is — simply put — a style saving grace!
Clarisonic Mia 2 Skin Cleansing System in Island Coral, $149. Available at Clarisonic.com
I’ve often extolled the virtues of the Clarisonic Mia Cleansing System – how the oscillating hairs in the brush head manage to remove more dirt and grime than you ever could tackle manually, how it manages to remove any lingering makeup even after you’ve wiped your face with countless towelettes, how it comes with a “timer” so that you adjust your cleansing routine to span an entire minute rather than rushing to do so in 15 or 30 seconds, and how is leaves the complexion feeling softer and more radiant. The Clarisonic Mia2 is, of course, the second generation of portable cleansing brushes, and it comes with two speeds so you can personalize your cleansing experience. Those of you who are style-minded will appreciate that it comes in a range of perky colors, including the new Island Coral shade pictured here.
May 28th 9:27 a.m. watch, $39. Available at May28th.com
You may not be able to tell the time by looking at the position of the sun in the sky but, at the very least, you can determine the hour by looking into a watch that’s almost as bright as the sun. This cheerful watch from My 28th will revitalize any ensemble with its yellow plastic band, measuring 9..5″ in length and its round plastic face, which features white polka dots against a yellow backdrop.
Rebecca Minkoff Multi-Weave M.A.B. Mini Bombe, $550. Available at RebeccaMinkoff.com
If you consider the iconic Morning After Bag a tad too large for everyday use, you’ll appreciate the Mini Bombe, which is 20% smaller than the aforementioned style but is nearly identical in terms of its design details. The M.A.B. Mini Bombe, then, measures 13″ in width, 7″ in depth, and 9″ in height, and is equipped with sturdy top handles with a 6.5″ drop and a removable shoulder strap. Size aside, what makes this bag so spectacular is its color-blocked woven leather surface, which incorporates the colors you might associate with a Southwestern sunset.
Jean-Michel Cazabat Winona Sandal, $320. Available at Jean-Michel Cazabat NYC Flagship store. Call 646-669-8508 for more details.
This two-toned sandal will have you walking tall-literally. Featuring a wooden platform and wooden block heel, the Jean-Michel Cazabat Winona sandal features a purple leather strap along the toe and a considerably wider orange band hugging the base of the ankle.
Mikuti Limited Edition Musa Bangles in Mint & Canteloupe and Pink & Gray, $170 per set. Available at Mikuti.BigCartel.com
Handmade by Kenyan artisans using recycled aluminum and glass Czech seed beads in stunning hibiscus pink, aqua, mustard yellow, canteloupe orange, and mint green shades, the new Musa Bangle colorways from socially responsible brand Mikuti demonstrate just how much fun style lovers can have with tribal jewelry. The Mikuti Limited Edition Bangles are sold individually for $95 each or in pairs of contrasting shades like the Mint & Cantaloupe and Pink & Gray duos shown here.
Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars in new Summer 2012 shades, $55 each. Available at Converse.com
Few sneakers are as closely linked to laid-back, all-American style as the Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars. This season, the beloved canvas hi-top kicks are available in eight new shades, among them: Aruba Blue, a light aqua; Iris Orchid, a bright lilac; Classic Green, a grasshopper hue; Nectarine, a perky peach; and Dazzling Blue, a Prussian blue tone.
Donatienne Tawny Handbag, $750. Available at DonatienneHandbags.com
Giddy up, y’all! Tap into your line-dancing, horse-riding, hee-hawing cowgirl with the Donatienne Tawny tote, which features cascading fringe along each of the side panels. The supple leather tote boasts a classic rectangular shape, measuring 21″ in length, 14″ in height, and 8″ in depth, along with two slim tubular shoulder straps, and comes in rich primary shades like red and yellow.
Wildlife by Heidi Klum Bold Marquise Earrings, $48.35. Available at QVC.com
Tomorrow, Thursday June 28th, supermodel and Project Runway host Heidi Klum will return to QVC to unveil the newest additions to her Wildlife by Heidi Klum jewelry line. Among them, you’ll find these marquise earrings, which feature a faceted surface and come in basic white or black for those lusting after an Art Deco effect, as well as in coral or turquoise for those who desire a beach-y vibe.
