Fashion Week may seem like the perfect excuse to dress up in nothing but fabulous (not quite practical) items, but I actually have a philosophy for dressing during this time. Here's a breakdown:

1. Get Noticed (in a good way): If you want to catch the eye of a street style photographer (or just stand out from the crowd), you want to look stylish, not too over-the-top, and still unique (ie: like yourself).

2. Be Comfortable: Wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident, because you don’t want to get caught tripping on a cobblestone while there are so many eager fingers on their shutter buttons.

3. Spend Wisely: If you spend all your money on designer items, you won’t have any money left for cab fare, rent, or food. Sad, but true.

I chose to put together an outfit that was stylish, comfortable, and, most importantly – affordable. The ensemble I’m wearing in these photos was under $100. Yes, accessories and all!

I wore slacks in a brilliant blue that I picked up from H&M on sale for only $15. To play up on the color block trend, I paired these bright bottoms with a colorful top that I thrifted for only $5. I really love the zig-zag pattern because it gives the whole look a fun twist. The collar was emphasized with the spike chain necklaces I picked up at Forever 21 for $4.

The white coat added a subtle touch without subduing any of the bright colors. I got it for $10 at a Goodwill back home in Virginia.

The blue suede heels with silver wedges were snagged from Aldo for only $40. I almost did backflips I was so excited when I saw them glistening on the sale rack, seriously. The wedges make them a lot more comfortable than a stiletto heel, but the suede and silver detail never let me sacrifice style in the name I comfort.

My bag is a new favorite of mine — I picked it up at Forever 21 for $15. Its neon detail is what sets it off in the best possible way. Neons continue to be a big trend, so incorporating a pop of bright color will always help you stand out from the crowd.

I try to never leave the house without shades on, and these tortoise sunnies have a slight cat-eye shape that give the look an effortless cool. I got them for $5 near Canal Street in NYC. I topped it all off with a bright-red lip and a high bun to seal the chic.

Hope this inspires you to look past the price, and remind you that you never have to sacrifice style for comfort. When you’re running around in heels and tweeting outdoors in February, dressing for Fashion Week doesn’t have to break the bank (or your ankles). Stay chic, ladies (and gents)!

(H&M Slacks, $15; Blouse, Thrifted from Buffalo Exchange, $5; Forever21 Necklace, $4; Coat, Thrifted from Goodwill, $10; Aldo Wedges, $40; Forever21 Bag, $15; Sunglasses, Canal Street vendor, $5)

Refinery 29’s first Style Blogger challenge was a fun one for me; as someone who wears almost exclusively vintage, putting together an outfit for under $100 wasn't as hard as it might seem. I’ve found that as long as you’re sticking to high quality materials and classic shapes, it’s easy to make a cheap outfit look pricey. This vintage burgundy blazer is a staple in my closet; ringing in at a whopping $9.99, I think I’ve gotten the price per wear under 20 cents. This sheer blouse is another thrift-store find, and I usually pair it with masculine pieces due to the delicate effect of the lace. I really love the unexpected detail of the scalloped neckline — it can stand on its own without the blazer. Let’s move on to the shorts, shall we? They’re from Forever21, and were surprisingly only $11.80. I’m wary of fast-fashion pieces, due to the nature of the materials used, but I liked the pleating and loose fit of these. I chose wedges for my fashion week outfit simply for comfort. I’m sure plenty will disagree, but if your feet hurt and you’re miserable all day, what’s the point? These Steve Madden shoes ($35 from the clearance section of DSW) add a lot of height to my relatively petite frame, and are comfortable enough to wear all day (and all night). As for accessories, I chose several simple, versatile pieces. The vintage clutch is big enough for just the essentials, and has a strap to be converted into a purse. The vintage Etienne Aigner belt, necklace, and vintage sunglasses are all thrift-store finds. Due to sensitive eyes, I usually have a pair of shades with me, and the ridiculously oversized shape of this 1960s pair are right up my alley.

Here are the outfit details:
Blazer: $9.99, Salvation Army
Blouse: $3.99, Salvation Army
Shorts: $11.80, Forever21
Belt: $2.99, Salvation Army
Tights: $3.99, Nordstrom Rack
Necklace: $1.99, Salvation Army
Shoes: $35, Steve Madden (from DSW)
Purse: $3.99, Salvation Army
Sunglasses: $1.00, Goodwill

When I think of the ultimate Fashion Week look, the first thing that pops into my mind is vintage. Unfortunately, since pretty much all things vintage are one of a kind, it usually makes them pretty expensive. Luckily, there are many vintage-inspired items out there that can offer a great vintage-vibe look, for well under $100.

1. River Island Bow-Neck Sleeve Dress, $35.81 from ASOS

This ASOS '60s inspired, mini is the ultimate dress for Fashion Week. It's got such a classic cut that would flatter pretty much anyone. I also love that it's a pretty simple design and in the classic shades of black and white. And the cute little bow on the front is the perfect detail.

2. LEON Slipper Shoes, $35.81 from ASOS

Since Fashion Week usually requires one to walk around a lot from show to show, heels can get uncomfortable. This is why I chose printed flats to accompany the dress. The butterfly print is so refreshing and different from usual zebra or leopard prints, and I think they fit the girly vibe of the dress perfectly.

3. Structured Cross-body bag, $19.80 from Forever 21

Now for possibly the most important item...a bag! Since an all-black outfit might fade into the crowd a bit, I thought a bright-colored bag would be a more unexpected accessory. So, what could be better than a patent-green cross-body bag? This bag is large enough to hold all your makeup, a camera for snapping looks outside the shows, and also a notebook for jotting down notes during shows.

With a nod to the '60s trend, this look feels just right for Fashion Week, and cost only $91.42...not bad, right?

A Fashion Week look on a dime...impossible, right? No way. Decked out in designer does not necessarily translate to stylish. Thrifting and finding amazing deals in unexpected places has always been an obsession of mine, and I've recently upgraded from my grandma's closet to Starstruck Vintage and Beacon's Closet, locally, where I've discovered some of my absolute favorite pieces. So, drum roll please... here is my Fashion Week Look On A Dime:

1. Vintage floral dress from Beacon's Closet, $18

2. Deena&Ozzy oxfords from Urban Outfitters, $25.00

3. H&M faux leather jacket, $35

4. Spanx tights, $12

5. Vintage sunglasses, $8, found at Starstruck

P.S.: With all the running around involved in Fashion Week this season, I found it much more satisfying to be comfortable in flats.

Every year Fashion Week comes around and everyone is thinking about what they're going to wear. Our style radars are on high alert, as we're aiming for looks that feel fashionable but still comfortable. Since most of can't quite afford to wear the latest looks from top designers, I tried to create a chic outfit that still looks a bit luxe at just under $100.

For me, it's important for an ensemble to be fashion forward, yet classic. Here, I'm wearing a classic black blouse with an edgy twist: sheer material with a tail in the back. I snagged this blouse at H&M, where most everything is wallet-friendly and it doesn’t take a lot to look sharp. I layered the blouse with a nude camisole that disappears nicely under the shirt. Then I paired it with a minimal gray skirt from Zara, which is another great resource for the latest runway trends at more feasible price.

Finding comfortable shoes are a must for Fashion Week, since there will be plenty of running around town. I would even recommend bringing a pair of flats. I looked for a stylish shoe that was going to be easy on my feet. These Ash boots were a steal on eBay. They have a high platform as well as grip on the bottom that's perfect for running around as you attend events and make your way through the crowds. For the final touch I added bold statement cuffs to complete my look. My philosophy: Your outfit doesn’t have to scream to stand out from everyone else.

Shopping on a budget can be a challenge but if you shop smart, you too can create a really inspiring outfit on a dime.

(H&M Sheer Blouse, $29.95, Zara skirt 49.90, Ash Boots eBay, $17.99, Bangles, $2)

The neutral color and light, flowing quality of this versatile barIII skirt makes it easy to integrate into many looks. For creating chic ensembles around it, I wanted each of these looks to have its own personality. They’re all stylish and easy to wear, something I try to achieve with all my looks. Experimenting with different items in your closet is a great way to find new styles within your wardrobe. Making the most out of one piece is the key to dressing smart.

Look 1: Spring Pastels
Sunglasses by Ray-Ban, sweater by Acne, bag by Jil Sander.

Look 2: Playing With Textures
T-shirt by 3.1 Philip Lim, cuff by Pamela Love, bag by Alexander Wang, sandals by Chloé.

Look 3: Leather and Silk
Jacket by Helmut Lang, top by H&M, cuff by ASOS, sandals by Mason Martin Margiela.

Look 4: Neon Pop
Sunglasses by Karen Walker, top by H&M Top, bracelet by Shourouk, shoes by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Look 5: Fashion-Forward Comfort
Sweater by Julien MacDonald, bag by Kurt Geiger, boots by Isabel Marant.

I chose the black dress from the barIII collection because I wanted something that was really versatile. The fabric is so lightweight, it’s easy to tuck into pants or shorts, or into a skirt. I wanted to represent five different occasions in my outfits — work attire, dinner out, weekend-wear, casual party, and brunch with friends. I think this shows the versatility of the piece; it was easy to change the feel of the dress by adding accessories or a vintage coat, too.

Look 1: Office Casual
Glasses by Bonlook, blouse by Forever21, belt by Forever21, tights by We Love Colors shoes by Kork-Ease.

Look 2: Brunch Attire
Vintage necklace, vintage sweater, socks by H&M, shoes by Selene.

Look 3: Out On The Town
Vintage coat, vintage belt, socks by American Apparel, shoes by Charles Albert.

Look 4: Weekend Wear
Vintage necklace, vintage clutch, cardigan by J. Crew, belt by Forever21, jeans by Daughters of the Revolution, shoes by Bongo.

Look 5: Life Of The Party
Vintage necklace, vintage belt, vintage skirt, boots by Rachel Comey.

My jaw dropped when I found this amazing printed black-and-white barIII jumpsuit at Macy’s, but I had no idea how versatile it actually was until I took it home to try on with some of my favorite pieces in my closet. When I’m searching for versatility in clothing, I always try to envision what kind of personalities the piece can exude. Is it spunky? Could it still be classic? Different looks can help you represent different facets of your style, and ultimately, your personality. It’s not just about wearing one piece five different ways, but also how that one piece helps bring out five different style personalities. This jumpsuit had a few things that made it perfect for this challenge:
1. A funky print
2. A classic color palette (black and white)
3. An amazing neckline
So, with that said, we’re off to meet my five girls.

Look 1: The 9-to-5 Overachiever
Vintage glasses, Necklace by Forever21, blazer by H&M, watch by Glamrock, vintage bag, shoes by Theyskens’ Theory.

Look 2: The Downtown Girl
Sunglasses by Alexander Wang, fur by StyleNanda, coat by Burberry Prorsum, top by BCBG Max Azria, vintage belt, shoes by Jeffery Campbell.

Look 3: The Colorblock Queen
Necklace by H&M, sweater by ASOS, rings by ASOS, bag by Forever21, skirt by Forever21.

Look 4: The Token Tomboy
Beanie by Forever21, vintage glasses, necklace by Forever21, sweater by Forever21, shoes by Jeffery Campbell.

Look 5: The Glamour Goddess
Vintage cover-up, boots by Valentino.

Even though Spokane is the second largest city in Washington State, sometimes it can be a little behind when it comes to fashion. BarIII isn't totally available yet in Spokane, but lucky enough for me there was one barIII item in my local Macy's — these printed harem pants.

Good thing, because I love pants with a print! They're so cute too with little pears and buildings on them – totally up my alley — so this challenge was pretty fun. Pants like these are more versatile than they seem — easy to be dressed up or down for warm or cold weather. I wanted to show that versatility through these looks. BarIII has so many great pieces in their new collection, I hope they come to Spokane soon!

Look 1: Bundled Up
Beanie by Style & Co., jacket by KUT Jacket, Vintage slip ons.

Look 2: Rainy Days
Raincoat by DKNY, boots by Coach.

Look 3: Vintage Vixen
Vintage top, scarf by Forever21 Scarf, vintage slip ons.

Look 4: Simply Boho
Sweater by American Rag, vintage hat.

Look 5: Casual Cutie
Top by Forever21, shoes by Born.

"Florals for spring? Groundbreaking." Miranda Priestly sarcastic remark in The Devil Wears Prada may be true, but hey, we love them anyway. Personally, my love-hate relationship with florals dates back to the days of raiding grandma’s closet. The patterns were simple, the colors drab, and don’t even get me started on the cut. However, this is 2012, and you can bet this spring offers dare-to-go-there color palettes, out-of-the-box prints, and structure with an edge. Case in point: this floral jacket from barIII’s spring collection. When given this challenge, a statement was made that turned up the heat: ‘Nobody knows how to get more mileage out of their wardrobe than a seriously savvy style blogger.’ Hopefully, the way I styled this floral jacket in five very different ways meets the challenge.

Look 1: Modcloth
Vintage necklace, vest by Topshop, cuff by ASOS, tights by French Connection, shorts by Walter Baker, shoes by Dolce Vita.

Look 2: Ladylike Ways
Tank by Topshop, skirt by Forever21, boots by Sam Edelman.

Look 3: American Heritage
Bodysuit by Topshop, vintage bag, belt by ASOS, jeans by Current/Elliot, boots by Sam Edelman.

Look 4: Downtown Daze
Tank by All Saints, vintage vest, pants by Work Custom, shoes by Converse.

Look 5: School Kid
Blouse by Equipment, jeans by Joe’s Jeans, shoes by Converse.

The Brit Bronze
I should warn you before we begin this tutorial, that I am by no means a makeup artist. When given this third challenge, I have to admit, I was frightened. Recreating a makeup look from the runway was a venture I have yet to tackle. I never wear much makeup to begin with, which is exactly why this look was the perfect choice for me. This past Fashion Week, Burberry Prorsum's runway look was simple yet sultry. The models of Burberry have a freshness about them that's hard to resist. For this look, it was all about the eyes. A subtle, smokey brown eye with a shade of taupe and a pale pink lip made up this makeup tutorial.

1. Use Cover Girl Simply Ageless Foundation in classic beige to even out skin tone. ($10)
2. Next powder on Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Bronzer to soften your skin. ($11.99)
3. Using L'oreal Studio Secrets Eye-shadow neutrals palette, use highlight color on the corner of your eyes and on the brow bone. ($8.96)
4. Blend the light brown into the lids of your eyes.
5. Gradually add the darkest brown into the outer corner of your eye.
6. Repeat the same steps for your bottom eye lid.
7. Lightly add soft Revlon Color Stay black eyeliner on top of eyelash line as well as on bottom corners. ($6.79)
8. Add some bronzer to accent your cheek bones.
9. Finish the look with a coat of Cover Girl Lash Blast Length Mascara and nude gloss ($8.79)

So, does this make me a Runway Makeup Maven? Check please.

The Couture Geisha
Asked to recreate a runway-inspired makeup look using ONLY drug store makeup and package it with a pretty little bow into a tutorial, I chose Zac Posen’s fall 2012 makeup look, dubbed “Geisha Couture.” I loved how striking this look was – the fierce red lip, killer contouring, and extended cat eyes were edgy, yet elegant. Zac Posen is known for his super feminine, dynamic designs, and this makeup look set a solid base to complement his fall collection. I took a stab at it and, besides needing a steady hand, it wasn’t hard to achieve.

1. Take a white pencil liner and fill in the brow bone, right underneath your eyebrow. This will highlight and add structure to your eyes.
2. Fill in the eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil, starting from the inner bottom area and extend out. The models’ brows were sometimes extended past their real brows, to give the illusion of wider eyes.
3. Take a dark bronze shadow pencil or eyeshadow and draw right above your eye crease (if you don’t have an eye crease like me, start in the area right underneath your brow bone). Extend into a cat-eye hook, thinning out as you reach the end of the line. The thickest part of this shadow should be in the middle of your eyes. To contour your nose bridge, fill in the space right underneath the inner space by your eyebrow, and bring it down, tracing your nose bridge.
4. Use the white liner to highlight the area right above your lash line. Use the bronze shadow as a guide, and fill in the area right below it. Extend the liner into a cat eye hook, slimming the line as you hook out.
5. Take pencil or liquid liner and trace all along your upper and bottom lash lines. Trace the outer corners and extend into a cat eye.
6. Use mascara to coat your lashes.
7. Trace your lips with a bright red lipstick and pucker up for your pictures!

I go to drugstores more for cosmetics than I do for anything else, I think. There’s such a large selection of products, and there is probably every lip, eye, blush color imaginable. I dug around in my makeup kit and found a few things to start my look.

Maybelline MasterDrama Pencil Eyeliner in Midnight Master
Maybelline Fitme! Powder in 230 Natural Buff
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 631 Sparkle Leopard
Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in 635 Very Cherry
Wet n Wild ColorIcon Eye Pencil in White
CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara in Very Black
…and for the final shots!

The Graphic Eye
Velvet Eyes by Dior is a fresh graphic runway look I’ve always wanted to try. It's all about the dramatic eyes and you only need a hint of color on your cheeks and lips to keep this look minimal while still making a lasting impression.

1. Using my fingers, I massaged Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation onto my face before starting the eyeliner.
2. The eyes were the focal point of this look and to achieve a graphic-inspired line, I extended a straight brush stroke across the eyelid using L'oreal Paris Studio Secrets Color Truth Eyeliner in Black. Starting from the inner corner, I drew a thick line along the upper lash line, then flicked the line up into a wing past the outer corner of the eye.
3. The next step is to draw in the second line just above the first line. Keep a few cotton swabs and oil-free makeup remover handy to ease mistakes and correct uneven lines.
4. For a natural, understated flush, I blended L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Blush in Barely Blushing into the apples of my cheeks.
5. The final touch was a few dabs of Revlon ColorStay Soft and Smooth in So Blushious to my lips. Working in a flirty, bright hue for spring.

Products used:
1. L'oreal Paris Studio Secrets Color Truth Eyeliner, Black
2. Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Washable Mascara, Very Black
3. Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Foundation, Light beige
4. Revlon ColorStay Soft and Smooth, So Blushious
5. L'Oreal Paris True Match Super-Blendable Blush, Barely Blushing

Clothing credits:
Zara top and shoes, Rag and Bone Pants

The Mod Cat Eye
I’m not really too savvy when it comes to high fashion, but one designer I love to check up on is Anna Sui. When given this challenge, I knew instantly that I wanted to recreate her fall 2012 runway makeup look. Anna was really influenced by '60s mod in her recent fall collection, which is something I am always inspired by as well. The runway makeup for her collection is a great modern twist on the infamous '60s cat eye, but with a little more attitude. I was so excited to try this look out on myself and to share the results with you!

1. Most girls hate this scary photo...the no makeup face. Regardless, start with a fresh, clean face.
2. Apply foundation. I used Wet n' Wild Natural Blend in Nude. I also like to use the Elf Brush to apply the foundation better.
3. This step is optional. You don't have to use eye shadow primer, but I think it helps make eye shadow even brighter and easier to apply. And this kind from Elf is only $1!
4. Now it's time to use the CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner! I used the color Blue Boom, and it's actually what was used on the runway! It's great to know that quality products can even be found in drugstores...thank god for CoverGirl. To recreate the cat-eye part of the runway look was start by coloring in my eye lids first. I made sure the color was nice and even. Then I started to slowly creep into the cat eye part. This can take a few tries to get the right result, so don't get discouraged! Practice makes perfect.
5. Next, I added some Wet n' Wild White eyeliner to the bottom of my lids to lighten them up. Then I blended them in a bit with my finger.
6. Time to add the dots under the eyes. I went to the center of the bottom of my lids for the dots. This part was my favorite.
7. The last step! Add mascara to top and bottom lashes!

Photos makeup19, modeyes1 and modeyes3 are the final results! And I'm wearing a vintage '60s dress and Nine West hat.

Products used photo:
From left to right: Wet n' Wild Eye liner in White, Elf Foundation Brush, CoverGirl Liquiline Eyeliner in Blue Boom, Great Lash Mascara in Black, Elf Eyeshadow Primer, and Wet n' Wild Natural Blend Pressed Powder in Nude.

The Natural Beauty
I've never been very interested in makeup (I actually didn't even own any until four years ago). I try to stick with relatively simple, natural looks — clean, bright skin, a couple of coats of mascara, and sometimes a swipe of red lipstick. I knew that for this challenge I wanted to pick a look that I'd actually wear in real life. The makeup in the Louis Vuitton spring 2012 show was absolutely perfect for me. I really loved the focus on very natural, pretty skin, and over-the-top lashes. Finished with a coat of peachy pink gloss, this look is perfect for spring and easy to recreate.

1. Start with a clean, moisturized face. I applied a bit of anti-redness cream (from L'Oreal) because I'm battling a sinus infection that's left my skin red and blotchy.
2. Using a foundation brush, apply your foundation. Because the skin on the models at the Louis Vuitton show looked very dewy, I used a liquid foundation that wasn't heavy, FIT by Maybelline in shades 120 and 125.
3. Cover any small imperfections or dark circles with concealer. Tap a little bit onto the back of your hand and apply with a concealer brush or your pinky finger. I used Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in shade 245.
4. The models at the Louis Vuitton show barely had any blush on at all — just a little color on the apples of their cheeks. Tap your blush brush into your blush and blow on it lightly to remove any excess. I used Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush in Santa Rose.
5. Apply a bit of highlighter or sheer shimmery shadow to your cheekbones, chin, and bridge of your nose with a fan brush. I used the white shadow in the Rimmel Glam Eyes Quad.
6. Apply a white eyeshadow across your eyelids from the lash line to your crease. I used Rimmel Glam Eyes in Royal Linen.
7. Using a eyeshadow blending brush, apply a light brown shimmery shade to your crease, focusing the color in the outside corner of your eye. I used Rimmel Glam Eyes Quad Eyeshadow 002 Smokey Brun.
8. Line your eyelashes. I used Almay Liquid liner in Black.
9. Apply a bit of shimmery white eyeshadow to the inside corner of your eye, tear ducts, and the very center of your lid. Blend. I used the white shade in the Milani Runway Eyes 07 palette.
10. Put on two coats of a lengthening mascara, focusing on the outside corner of your lashes. I used Rimmel Lash MAXXX in black.
11. Apply a coat of sheer peach lip gloss. I used Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipgloss in Pink Benefit. If you want to keep things natural looking, stop here.
12. Fake eyelashes in the outside corners of your eyes really make this look stand out. I used a set of double lashes in the very corner of my eyes. I used KISS eyelashes.

Products used:
1. Rimmel Glam Eyes Quad Eyeshadow 002 Smokey Brun
2. Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipgloss in Pink Benefit
3. Milani Runway Eyes in 07
4. Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in shade 245
5. Rimmel Lash MAXXX in black
6. Maybelline FIT foundation in shades 120 and 125
7. L'Oreal Studio Secrets Anti Redness
8. Rimmel Glam Eyes in Royal Linen
9. Almay Liquid Liner in Black
10. Rimmel Lasting Finish Blush in Santa Rose
11. KISS Eyelashes

Ouftit:
Blouse: vintage
Headband: created with a vintage rhinestone applique, from Etsy

Vintage Fever Breaks Out In Spokane

Attention! Spokane has been hit by an epidemic — the vintage-craze epidemic! It's been anticipated for a while, but experts weren't sure if such a thing could spread into Spokane, but it is now official with the recent addition of Spokane Vintage Warehouse. Opening only a few months ago, the love and respect for vintage clothing is finally starting to seep into average Spokanians’ lives. Those who have been affected by this epidemic long ago will no longer have to scrounge thrift stores for vintage goods. Now they can be found in this awesome place.

Owners John and Heather have noticed the epidemic finally taking effect after all these years. When first starting a different vintage store in the '90s, they noticed not many were interested in dressing in such clothes. But finally, the word is starting to get out that VINTAGE IS IN. Could the Vintage Warehouse be the start of a new beginning here in Spokane, Washington? People like us can only hope and dream that this vintage craze will become more and more of a reality.

Discovered: BOND Hardware

Photographing street style this past Fashion Week, I was drawn to the neck of a edgy fashion-goer named Dana. I quickly learned that she had made the collar I gravitated toward. So, of course, I had to venture over to her studio in Brooklyn to see the collection firsthand. BOND Hardware is a newly launched accessory line by designers Dana Hurwitz, a fashion design student at Pratt, and Vince Barilea, a graphic design student at the Art Institute. In their words, "Inspired by fashion, fetish, and found objects, the collection is a reinterpretation of the necktie — a modern approach that suits you." Each piece is composed of repurposed hardware materials, finished in New York with jewelry techniques for comfort and wearability. It's edginess meets minimalism, and it's something we've never seen before. I was lucky enough to leave with my own doorknob piece that sits high up on my neck just like a bow-tie would. Consider these up-and-coming jewelry designers exposed. http://shop.bond-​hardware.com/

Bond Hardware: You're bound to want some around your neck.

Alexandra Grecco’s Catwalk Dance

While the name Alexandra Grecco may not ring a bell now, she’s well on her way to becoming a commonplace name in the fashion world. I’ve been following her line for a year now, enamored with the impeccably tailored, ultra-feminine pieces that define her work. A former ballet dancer, Grecco’s designs are reminiscent of something you might see in a dance studio: Ethereal fabric, pastel hues, and delicate details. Though her aesthetic has evolved since her first collection from higher hemlines and cut-out backs to sophisticated silhouettes and full skirts, she’s consistently provided well-constructed, ladylike pieces with quirky details. I’m always impressed with her ability to give floral prints and scalloped hemlines an elegant twist.

Her fall 2012 collection was one of my favorites, from the cascading ruffles to the structured capes. She’s currently expanded her line to include hairpieces and outerwear — the perfect accent to her pieces. Grecco is currently working on expanding her brand and pursuing new projects, and I’m more than excited to see what she has to offer in the future. http://www.​alexandragrecco.com/

Everlasting, Everlane

A few weeks ago, I attended a pop-up event by a startup lifestyle company named Everlane. The event featured tees, sweaters, bags, and accessories (belts, bowties, and iPhone cases). Immediately, I was drawn to the rack of clothes, and, surprisingly, the fabric of their T-shirts was just great to touch — it was definitely a higher-quality material. The sweaters were intriguing, as well; Simple in design, the usual sweater fabric was reversed to have the softness on the outside. If worn, I imagined that it would be yearning for human contact. And of course, the accessories! The belts they were showing had a simple, clever design — a unique single-piece buckle that could be paired with any of their leather belts. The result was a less monotonous bump and more customized sleekness.

All these pieces were designer-quality goods, and for less than $100! Someone from the Everlane team greeted me and explained their store concept. Every month they showcase a new collection and get us the lowest price because there's no physical store or middleman. They sell directly to the consumers. Thus, a high percentage of the cost is removed. But what I found most inviting was that the shopping experience was personalized and collaborative. The team wanted our feedback on current items, future products, fashion philosophy, general taste, and lifestyle. It's refreshing to know they really cared about how we felt about clothes, and not just what we'd buy (or not buy).

Everlane may not have the trendiest items of the moment, but they do have essentials that are meant to be a permanent mainstay in your wardrobe. And like any design, good design is always meant to last.

(photo credit www.everlane.com)

Rolando Santana Plans To Go Beyond Blahnik

Contemporary womenswear designer Rolando Santana has inspired the fashion industry with collections marked by feminine, classic designs sealed with expert craftsmanship. This past New York Fashion Week, I had the honor of attending the Mexican-born designer's fall 2012 runway show. The collection featured shimmery golds and vibrant red furs, and the mix of hard cuts and flowy fabrics brought about an edge that could not be duplicated. However, with all of the glamorous gowns and chic cocktail dresses gracing the runway, it was easy to miss one of the most breathtaking elements of the show — the shoes.

Rolando Santana has collaborated with Manolo Blahnik for his past two runway shows — the heels are high and the designs are flawless. The booties from his fall 2012 collection featured gold stilettos on black almond-toe suede booties, the perfect hybrid of the designer's exquisite taste and Manolo Blahnik's commitment to timeless elegance. Still, Santana has expressed his interest in creating his own line of shoes — and he isn't stopping there — and we could be seeing jewelry as early as September 2012.

"The pieces in my shoe collection will vary for next season, and I will experiment with different types of heels as well as a great new flat shoe. Jewelry has always been on my mind, and this season I hope to have the time to experiment with pieces that are modern yet have feminine details that can relate back to my ready-to-wear collection," says Santana.

I'm more than excited to see how the designer integrates his unique vision into delivering accessories that are most likely to become standout pieces in anyone's closet, including mine.