Sharon Haver - FocusOnStyle.com Trends posts

The Top 10 Fashion Moments of 2011- The Year In Review

While fashion's come & go, they do serve as a sign of the times we live in and work as a time capsule of sorts full of memories, moments and merriment. Looking back at the sartorial world of 2011, what comes to mind may be the abundance of too much too fast (so much fashion, so many news outlets, too many designers) -that's why we've complied a shortlist of the good, the bad and the boring. From Missoni madness to celebrating fallen designers, it was definitely a year full of fashion surprises and feats. Fashion Designers Ride the Merry-go-Round- From who will take John Galliano's job at Dior (above, post Galliano) to the comings & goings of chief designers at Balmain, Chloe, Cacharel,

We all know one. She's up on every fashion trend, a major label queen, and loves instant gratification. She puts the most unexpected pieces together for smashing results, like the model in the Zara outfit above. But, what in living daylights to get the girl who wants everything? Something trendy, of course! Need more help gifting this season? Consult our other Holiday 2012 Gift Guides We've picked some top, of the moment gift ideas under $100... and some are SERIOUSLY under $100! None require a size and they all fit perfectly into a fashion obsessed lifestyle. She may even love these so much that she shares them on her personal style blog! SHOP: Our super cute and trendy fashionista gift

Designer influence is certainly out in force when it comes to chic iPad cases and Marc Jacobs surely leads the pack. From Marc Jacobs comes a refreshing array of covetable iPad cases just in time for the holidays. We're particularly fond of his quilted hands-free purse-like option with its decadent gold chain strap and soothing gray tone (pictured left) or in chic and elegant black. MORE: Marc by Marc Jacobs Holiday Gift Ideas After all, who says something as practical as an iPad case needn't be stylish or attention grabbing? In two statement making fabrications, Jacobs' zip-top attaché style iPad cases, above, make for a graphic option full of whimsy and practicality and could easily double as svelte clutch come party

For all their dualities, from the practical set to the sophisticated sort, the winter coat is one considerate, sartorial godsend...especially as New York City is getting its first slam of cold weather. Keeping in mind the functionality one needs from outerwear, we understand that winter weather combat gear's performance is more important when determining what one wears than judging by looks alone. And since one wears their coats consecutively more over winter months than any item of clothing, careful consideration on the look of your coat as essential as it is, has been made all the more enticing this season considering the fresh updates we've seen. As important as a shield, as easily statement making as eyewear, and a finishing touch like the right jewels, the right

While animal prints may be as banal and captive of the traditional feminine mystic as polka-dots or bows, there's no denying the subtle sexuality and graphic, ostentatious charge they can add to just about any outfit. >> SHOP: Animal Prints And this Yves Saint Laurent "Softy Chyc" animal-print calf hair shoulder bag brings home the point beautifully with its explosive print and lady-like, heritage minded shape and details. Use it to pump up just about any look from your average "Texas tuxedo" to your everyday trench coat, its destined to lift-up even the most mundane of pieces. -Naveed Hussain >> SHOP: Best Bags We've pulled together a few more options for you to consider: More Topshop...

As hard as it was trying to score this Balenciaga dog print sweater when it first came out for F/W 2000(we've never stopped looking since), an even greater shock comes at the thought of how difficult it's going to be 10 years later, now that it has been reissued for Pre-Fall 2011. As eternally elusive as this trophy sweater may be, we could in turn use it as a reference point for the decade long block of cool cult status Nicolas Ghesquiere has had us under his spell with. -Naveed Hussain Visit Balenciaga.com for more info As featured in Balenciaga's haunting Fall 2000 ad above. Shop some similar finds now: More Givenchy...

Body-defining, figure enhancing peplums have been working their way on quite a few runways over the past few seasons(including next spring) so we couldn't think of a better time to take note on how to incorporate them into your repertoire for an unexpected dose of lady-like chic. We've pulled together some of our favorite uses of peplums for Fall 2011 and jotted a few quick notes down on how to pull them off and make them work for you. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Stella McCartney (and above) For Fall, Stella McCartney managed to incorporate 80's era touchstones such as bold polka-dots, sculpted shapes and peplums for looks that were achingly feminine with a controlled sense of cool(via ingenious tromp l'oeil patterns)

Because every season calls for a bit of vintage flair we thought it would be a good time to look back at all of our favorite vintage-inspired looks from the Fall 2011 collections to cull a handy bit of inspiration to help you cultivate a look that incorporates notes from the past with a thoroughly modern sophistication. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS And since you can always use real-deal vintage pieces to pull together a completely customized look, we couldn't think of a more practical guide to get you started. From the 40's to the 70's, designers were looking at the past in ways we hadn't ever seen; here's our top picks. Miu Miu (and above) Bringing you 40's starlet glamour as

With head-to-toe prints now de riguer on runways around the world it's time to cozy up to one of our favorite fall prints and fabrications as the alluring, graphic and even sexy use of snake & python we saw for Fall 2011 felt undeniably fresh. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Use them to add texture to all of your favorite fall looks while keeping up with the trends...here's a look at how to pull it off. Prada (and above) Miuccia Prada used python coats, boots and aviator inspired headpieces to add a subversively sexy and confident bent to her otherwise ultra-femme collection of 60's inspired dolly dresses. Chloe Chloe's mad assortment of snake & python whether in print or in skin offered a

To celebrate its 30th anniversary Emporio Armani has launched a limited edition sunglass range featuring two iconic styles in a myriad of unexpected monochrome shades for men and women that have an effortlessly cool, modern vibe to them. For her comes an oversized flat-faced round silhouette while the men's offering boasts an ultra-flat tear drop shielded front with both featuring a '30th Emporio Armani' logo on the front of the frames and classic signature eagles on the temple. Use them to enhance fall's omnipresent greys & blacks as the range offers an array of effervescent colors in pink, red, purple and green as well as softer versions in shades of brown, grey and smoke. Kudos to Armani for celebrating its

While color-blocking is no new trend story, it wasn't until this fall season that we really saw a spike in contrasts with ingenious iterations from designer's the world over. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Along with some simple shopping advice, here's a look at some of our favorite uses of color-blocking that are certain to make a graphic statement this season and most probably many to come. Balenciaga (and above) Nicolas Ghesquiere has been doing graphic sci-fi couture for many seasons and fall's addition of thoughtfully color-blocked asymmetrical layered tunics and dresses made for a bold and completely modern update to his repertoire. His use of layering also made for shapes with dynamic trapeze effects full of endless layering potential as evidenced

Leather sleeved tops, jackets and coats have been at the top of our most-wanted lists for quite a few fashion cycles but it wasn't until this season that we saw the trend really gain momentum with designers using hides of all kinds from snakeskin to lambskin to toughen up and add an edgy contrast to even the most classic of pieces. >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS From heritage minded trench coats to traditional black wool toppers, outerwear of all kinds were given a dose of tough cool with leather sleeves and even epaulets like those seen at Chloe. >>MORE: Leather Style Here's a crash course on nailing the trend and a look at some of our favorite iterations of it... Chloe (and above)

After seasons of major statement making shoes with mind-boggling heel heights and preposterous ornamentation, we're really feeling the simplicity of the footwear options we saw on the runways for next spring. That's not to say that footwear has been reduced to the simplistic and merely functional, quite the contrary indeed. From YSL's shielded heeled loafers to Rochas' mirrored slides, there were plenty of options out there to lift your wardrobe's potential and your spirits too. Here's a look at the statement makers for next spring that caught our eye... >> MORE: FASHION SHOWS AND RUNWAY REVIEWS Yves Saint Laurent (and above) With heeled loafers making the top of our footwear lists this current season and for that matter, the past few season's as well, YSL's

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