Rebecca Luke Style

Hi there. I just posted about this on Sustainable Style. Check it out. RL

Who wouldn’t want to wear the loose and easy pieces that are showing up for spring? If you are a client of mine you know that a few seasons ago, just when I made you consider how to ensure you garments fit you on the tighter side, the styles loosened up and they are even more so this coming season.

The biggest concern for most women is that these styles can make them look “bigger” or “pregnant”. While that can be true, if you select the correct pieces that have a fab fit and correct proportions, they will be nothing but super stylish on you.

The key is to juxtapose. There are three simple ways to wear this look and not feel like a bag lady:

The abbreviated, or shrunken, jacket over layers, long or short. (also see above photo)

The legging with an oversized top

The short, short, I mean short loose dress exposing your fab legs for the world to see. I love the loose short short as well which is essentially the same idea.

If you want to do a loose harem bottom (I can’t stop) paired with a loose vest or jacket, just make sure your underpinning is fits correctly on the shoulders and across the bust. It works well if it drapes on the hips. The key, don’t be afraid. If you love it, wear it.

A killer shoe is required for all lo-fi/loose looks and you can go between a platform heel and a bootie. If its comfort you want, then go with a flat open toe embellished sandal with these looks. A ballet flat will work in a pinch, however, as always, it is had to be the right one.

Almost every key designer has a “lo-fi” look, but Dallin Chase, Ports 1961 and Kaylee Tankus are standouts for me.

If you are in Seattle, Merge has had this look for several seasons and they know how to make it work for you.

The key to fashion these days is to dial it down a notch on the makeup and accessories and let the fabrics of your garment speak. RL

For help selecting key pieces for your spring & summer wardrobe, contact les Egoistes.

Photo Credits | From the Top

Dallin Chase Fall 2010, Dallin Chase & Refinery 29

Kenzo Sp 2010, Style.com, photographer, Marcio Madeira

Dallin Chase Fall 2010, Dallin Chase

Valentino Sp 2010, Trendhunter

Kaylee Tankus Sp 2010, Kaylee Tankus

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Ports 1961. I am always impressed with every aspect from the design, to fabric choices and color ways.
This season is no exception. My first of the last shows in Bryant Park, I felt nostalgic and was happy that the Ports show was kicking off my season.

With the theme word of Craeft (Craft) meaning a work or product of art, science, machine, the Fall 2010 collection accomplished what designer Tia Cibani wanted; a representation of a world where technological co-exists with the natural.
Through the use of vintage Victorian techniques of sewing and pattern making, Tia was able to showcase the classic expertise of this genre with gorgeous current silhouettes.

I fell in love with the whole collection that appealed to my personal aesthetic with neutrals upon neutral (Freesia, Chicory, Clover & Pepper) with hints of rich pop colors (Mulberry, Tobacco, Iris and Rosemary). Yummy.

The silhouettes for Fall, including Ports, are still loose with structure in strategic places such as shoulders and hips. I personally am loving this. Highlight pieces for me in the collection included the jumpsuits. I have and will always love the jumpsuit.

The shoulder necklace and leather skullcaps also intrigued me as a fresh new perspective on accessories.

I loved the hair for this show. Big, curly, 70’s and a perfect juxtapose to the function of the pieces. More coming from two weeks of New York Fashion Events. RL

For more on how RLS can help you with your style, go to lesegoistes.com.

I love designers. I love designers of all kinds and what I have always loved about my industry is the creativity it takes to come up with something cool that people will wear. Bluff NY is that team. The two designers that met at Parsons, along with a business partner came up with an idea to create shoe accessories. Inspired by the biz partner who was formally on Wall Street and had to wear boring pumps, the girls ,Jessica and Cara, started working on ways to make your  feet, shoes and boots look fabulous by simply changing the accessory.

This is not a new concept. Shoe clips were commonly used throughout history, but most recently in the 50’s and 60’s to take a simple pump from day into evening.  Brilliant, practical and dare I say “sustainable”?

I absolutely love the chains for fall over boots. I recommend wearing the pair on the same foot. This is the easy way to update your shoes ladies. And guys, I would recommend the chains for your boots too…although I haven’t mentioned that to the gals at Bluff NY yet. All the pieces are hand crafted, right in Brooklyn; and the chains are especially time consuming, but worth it.

The feathers, as well as the straps, are fab for a completely different look and I think it looks amazing over a pump, especially the super high ones. Guess what? We will have these available on the les Egoistes EGO shop as well in October. If you are interested before they go up on the site, email us at info@lesegoistes.com. I have a feeling they are going to go fast. RL

P.S. The designers Jess and Cara are super wonderful gals and we used their pieces in a shoot that should be out this winter. Stand by for those images later this season.

What Seattle Fashion Week has going for it, is enthusiasm. I was able to check out the opening night featuring emerging independent designers from Seattle. I really really want to see this succeed in Seattle, mostly because, there are amazing designers coming out of here. I also know from retailers that they would like to buy from local designers if the quality, production value and creative aspects all match the level of what can be found in NYC & LA.

The second thing Seattle Fashion Week has going for it is potential. While the designers showcased were not necessarily the top of what I have seen here, they all have a great foundation to move forward and were appropriately placed in the “emerging” category.

The entertainment at the event was definitely geared to a specific audience and didn’t feel as fashion forward as I am used to…so, I definitely think there is an opportunity for all the world renowned acts we have based here in Seattle.

My fashion picks for the evening were jackets from student designer, Becky Sullivan, men’s looks from Lavsh and springy black & white jersey pieces from a sustainable line called Salvationwear.

I didn’t get a chance to check out the rest of the shows, but I will do some sleuthing and follow up. Overall, I am ready to see these events rise to the level of what used to happen here in Seattle with “Pre-line” and shows like Arena and Stop & Go in the 90’s…RL

photo credit | Lavsh at Seattle Fashion Week 09

Its spring and you guys need color too. If you don’t want to do a colored easter egg suit ~ Cheap Monday has a great one ~  you can get color is in your kicks. Nike, Vans and Converse all have great options. Goods (Pike St & Bellevue) has a great selection of sneaks for spring. By the way, the gals will love them.  You can also check out the Vans store (Northgate & Southcenter). Other stores to check: Urban Outfitters (Seattle, Capitol Hill, University Ave), and Zebra Club (First Avenue). RL

Photo Credit: Nike dunk style in a low top.

For more about men’s style in seattle from Rebecca Luke, go to The Examiner.

I always get asked, so what are the colors for the season, and I usually know the answer right away. This spring, there is not quick and easy answer. I have seen everything from shades of orange ~ ranging from a traffic cone orange to a curry orange ~ to combos of lavender, blue, teal, hot pink, citrine green.  I think the point this season is to just to wear color.  We have our lovely first lady to look to for the inspiration that way. I love that Michelle Obama is not afraid of color.

If you are like many folks I know and just a bit uncomfortable wearing color. One way to approach is to wear accessories with color. You can wear all black and throw a bunch of color bangles on your wrist or mix a bunch of big color beads around your neck. Or rock a shoe with color while wearing all black. That is a statement move for sure.

If you go the color direction, balance the color with shades of grey and taupe. This is lovely and easy to do. You can find many grey/taupe accessories out there these days.

Boys, you can get your color with you kicks. Every shoe line from Nike to Converse and even Doc Martins have major color going. If you are ready to go for it, wear a full suit in a color. Cheap Monday has a blue suit styled for a mod fit…hot.

My homage to color this season is a dress designed by my dear friend Andrew Dyrdahl out of pima cotton and it is orange and I mean orange. You will definitely see me coming. Side note: The design of my dress is perfect for most all body types and Andrew was recognized for formal version of the dress by the cotton folks…I loved it so much and convinced him to make a daytime dress out of it. Contact me if you want more details. RL

Photo Credit: Nathan Jenden and Ossie Clark Spring 2009 via Style.com in Vogue UK and Pantone’s Color pick of the season, “Mimosa”.

Shopping in your hood is so cool. Nothing is better than running by the little store a block away from home to pick up a little something to lift your spirits….when I am in NYC, my neighborhood is Greenpoint, Brooklyn.  I have been visiting this neighborhood for almost four years and it has really become to feel like a second home.

When I am here, I have my usually stops, they are listed on the shopping page. One of my favorite shops is ALTER. The men’s and women’s stores are across Franklin Avenue from each other. I love Roy and Tommy. They are truly gifted, smart and so cute.
Last fall, Roy got me into some of my favorite pieces that I have worn a ton…they were items from Pre-Loved out of Toronto.  I had heard about them through the sustainable design circuit, but leave it to ALTER to recognize excellent design and to Roy to get me to try it on.
Pre-Loved, a Canadian based design company, creates garments from reclaimed items such as button down shirts, trench coats, vintage curtains, sweaters and wool trouser which are cut and sewn into fabulous one of a kind pieces.  I love the brand because of the obvious good design.
Tonight ALTER hosted an in-store launch event for Pre-Loved’s Spring 09 collection. I got a chance to chat with founder Julia Grieve, who is an incredible woman with loads of energy and a true vision. The story behind Pre-Loved is amazing and inspirational.  It was great to hear about the intentional design direction to make sure each garment has multiple ways to wear it.  Julia mentioned that people just started doing it, so now, Pre-Loved does it for every single one of their pieces. My favorite piece for spring from Pre-Loved at ALTER is the Zuri tee.  Loose and fun, this piece is right on style target. Thanks Roy and Tommy….fun night.

Just a note, I have my other favorite places I have to stop in every time I am in Greenpoint ~ Dalaga| Always fun for boys and girls, Haden Harnett | Must have accessories, WORD | Cute and hip bookstore, Junk | Cool vintage and antique chatchkes and furniture.
I am sure you have fab finds in your hood. Check them out, keep them around and be cool. RL

When people hear Max Mara they think different things…oh, that is BCBG, or Max Azaria…..no, gals…this is nothing like those brands. For those of you who know me, you know this is a favorite brand of mine. If you are old school, you know that your closet is not complete without a Max Mara coat. What you don’t know, is that this is no line for old ladies ~ what does that mean anymore anyway~ this line is for hip, stylish and sustainable women.

Yesterday I got a chance to peek at the entire Spring 09 collection as well as the Fall 09 early deliveries that will start hitting stores in July. Beyond the Max Mara brand, there is Sport Max, Marina Rinaldi, and the young hollywood, but super cute Max & Co.

For spring I am going to encourage the silk pieces from their runway collection, as well as, several key pieces from Sport Max including the most perfect white short sleeve blouse that has a beautiful fit. Max Mara also has some jumpsuits that are fabulous. I am crazy for their cuff bracelet made of fabric and heaped with coins and sequins as well as most of their shoes and bags this season.

For fall, they have knit pieces that are amazing and jackets and coats that have a beautiful cocoon sleeve. I will give you more fall detail soon.

What’s this about the sustainability angle with Max Mara? I heard the story a little over a year ago from the MM folks that their product is not only designed and made in Italy, it is exclusively made in one town and several generations have now worked for the company.  They have not and will not manufacture their pieces all over the world like several other well known Italian companies. Beyond that, the company is now looking into partnering on a few eco and sustainable projects here in the States. Stand by for more info on that.  Needless to say, I think they rock. RL (photo | Max Mara Runway by Lily Donaldson)

Oh my, I love this line. To me, it represents all that means to be a lady ~ especially this collection. The hem lines are longer, the shoulders more square and I must get everyone I can into the the double breasted elongated collar jacket.  Alexandre Terexov is genius with fabrics and how women, young and old, would want to wear them. My favorite textiles innovation to date, he showed an art deco cityscape in the the day on fabric and moved to a night-scape for eve. Fabulous. The drape was delicious. The designer also showed a treated chiffon fabric that he fashioned into to skirts and dresses with bustles.  The colored leathers were gorgeous and the pop colors of a saffron mustard and teal balanced well with the taupe and black. I am in love with Terexov’s treatment and draping with sequins.  There is one item that I am going to try to get all my clients to have and it is a white cashmere dolman cardigan that would pair well with any dress, pant, jean or skirt. A must have in my opinion. I won’t be able to wait till fall to seek and and find these looks. RL (photo | Art Deco night cityscape print silk goddess dress)