Clockwise from top left: Spring 2011 Viktor & Rolf, Prada, Jason Wu, Moschino, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Sonia Rykiel (images from fashiongonerogue

I know, its hard to get psyched about warm weather when you’re about to go out and shovel your driveway, but hear me out. All that nautical stuff in stores  is totally wearable now. It’s actually quite fun because it’s  unexpected to see sailor stripes layered in winter-friendly ways.

So, how do make your stripes work without looking like you’re about to set sail? Think a furry vest over a Breton stripe tee and skinny jeans. A tailored peacoat can layer over a bright orange tee, denim short shorts and tights. Or throw a long chunky cardigan over a fitted striped t-shirt dress, add ribbed tights and winter-friendly Hunter wellies or oxford booties.  Ooooh, or go stripe on stripe! Throw a long sleeve striped sweater over a striped oxford shirt with leggings, knee-high socks and your fave’ tall boots.  Right? Are you loving this yet?

Cheers!

Photo via zombieandcandy.com

Martin named her debut collection Void as she took inspiration from “the physical adaptations of the animals of the abyss”. Not sure what that means? Take a look and see from our sneak peek below!

Styling by Meagan Cafarelli

Photography by Rachel Schwarz

Make up by Erica Stewart

Hair by Phillip Nathaniel Saunders

Models are Erin L./Wings, Paige K./Wilhelmina s2, Katie Ha./Wings

So, what can you expect? Think ballet meets pilates. A little dance, a little balance, a little bit of weights and a whole ‘lotta results. Apparently you can see a difference within ten classes. Loving that!! What kind of results, you ask? More toning, less bulk. Specifically, it will target your abs, hips, arms and badonkadonk – women’s hardest areas to target.

So, go crazy this holiday season because after the New Year, its time to Barre it all!

H&M is  pairing up with Marie Claire magazine and offering a nice 25% off discount on purchases made from 7-10pm. So excited to see all the new merch!!

Then Madewell has teamed up with Lucky for a special shopping event from 6-8pm. They’ve  even brought in their editors who will be on hand to help customers shop and offer their expert opinion on things stylish. Think DJ spinning, tasty treats to nosh on, a discount on purchases and a swag bag to boot! You can RSVP by clicking here.

So, if you had plans, cancel them because tomorrow night is a night to shop. H&M may be invite-only, but Madewell is open to all!

xo

Now the question is, what to wear? Well, its going to be evening. It’s a gala. It’s a fashion show. Which are all great reasons to really have fun with your outfit, take a risk, dress up, and try something new. Its the perfect time to really get inspired by fall trends! You may not be a model on the runway, but you can at least look like one.

Read on for of-the-moment looks inspired directly from this season’s biggest trends. And then get to shopping!

Tip: If you really want to be spot on with your look, stop in one of the local boutiques participating in the show. That includes Short North favorites like Ladybird, Jinny, Milkbar, Rowe, and Voodoo Denim Lounge.

Military Chic

DKNY Sequin-embellished T-shirt dress, $390 - net-a-porter.com; COSIMA JACKET, 195 GBP - toast.co.uk; Roll Top Ankle Socks, $6 - topshop.com; BRIDLE LEATHER LACE UP ANKLE BOOT, 550 GBP - uk.burberry.com; Grape Suede bag, $495 - mulberry.com; Jules Smith The Queen Bee Knuckle Ring, Jewelry for Women, $145 - karmaloop.com; Auguste Earrings, 76 GBP - kabiri.co.uk

Lady In Red

Sleek Minimalism

Open Back Crop Tee w/ Shoulder Pads, $53 - idontlikemondays.us; Tibi Leather shorts, $585 - net-a-porter.com; calvin klein heels, 120 CAD - gravitypop; Pour La Victoire Elton Cross Body Bag, $295 - shopbop.com; Etten Eller necklaces, $235 - barneys.com; Sappho Cosmetics – Pure mineral makeup – Products, $25 - sapphocosmetics.com; TEMPTU Under Eye Concealer 106 Light, $28 - sephora.com

Classic Camel

Aside from that though, there are a handful of other trends that are going to be everywhere starting now. So, here’s your handy dandy list of what will carry you stylishly thru the season.

1. Camel - it’s the new black! Ok not really, because black is still major, but when is black not big for fall? But I digress. Camel is just a refreshingly new option for fall. It’s so sophisticated, so understated, and gorgeous on all skin tones. How to wear it? Head to toe!

Michael Kors Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

2. Military – This trend has been around for several seasons, so if you’ve already invested in the military jacket or skinny cargo pants, bring them out again! Other key items that make up this trend or epaulet details, lace up or combat boots, utility bags and mixing tones of army green and gray.

Reed Krakoff Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

3. Minimalism – After the crazy 80s and 90s having their moment in recent seasons, we’re entering a time where clean, sleek, simple lines are a welcome (and rather chic) change.  Think less is more. Not less clothing – that’s definitely not where this trend is going. But rather less embellishment, less fuss. More classic pieces reinvented with a modern twist.

Stella McCartney Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

4. Lace – If you buy a LBD this season, make it a lace one. There are so many gorge’ ones to choose from. What is refreshing about lace this season is that it comes in so many variations, from super sexy to prim and proper, so it can really suit anyone’s style preference. Not feeling the lacey blouse or dresss? Go for a lace tight!

Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

5. Animal Prints - a personal fave’, animal prints are great for accent pieces such as a cropped sleeve jacket, a clutch, flats or pumps. Plus the print is a perfect accent to all the other trends happening right now.

7. Red - Ok, even if you buy that lace LBD, you should also get yourself a red dress. This color is AMAZING with camel and also has a timeless retro sexy vibe when paired back to animal prints. But if you don’t want to invest in article of clothing, try a red lipstick. Just let an expert help you pick the correct shade for your skin tone, please! The wrong shade will make your teeth look like you’ve been brushing your teeth with coffee and red wine  for years.

Tip: For fair skin, go for yellow/orange undertones. For darker skin, go for blue based reds.

Zac Posen Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

8. Velvet – This is one of the ‘it’ fabrics this season, coming in luxe tones like deep blue, chardonnay, and forest green.  And in a season where layers and textures are key, this is the perfect fabric to add more dimension and interest to your outfit in a really stylish, timeless way.

Karen Walker Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

9. Capes – I have definitely had a friend or two laugh when I tell them capes are in right now, but seriously, if you try one, you’ll get it. They are so effortlessly chic. It’s the kind of piece that won’t want to take off when you get where you’re going, unlike your average bulky fall coat.

Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

10. The Maxi – (Excuse the late addition! How could I forget the Maxi!) Think of the maxi as the new mini. I love this look paired with lots of cozy layers and tough, masculine boots. It’s a totally throwback to the 90s grunge look… except it’s a little less grunge and a lot more refined. If you’re a little petite thing, I’d say stear clear of heavy layers to avoid the whole drowning in fabric thing. Try pairing back to a tucked-in paper-thin tee, cinched waist and of chunky heel boots for added height  instead.

Richard Chai Love Fall 2010 Ready-to-Wear

All photos from Style.com

The Short North will soon welcome yet another independent boutique to its roster with Homage, a vintage-inspired t-shirt company.  It’s pretty safe to assume that anyone living in Columbus is familiar with them, since an ever-growing percentage of Buckeye fans can be seen wearing their super soft tees on game days. But in case you aren’t familiar, do yourself a favor, go to their website, or better yet, stop in their new store at 17 E. Brickel St. when it opens Friday, September 3rd and get thee a handful of deliciously comfy tees.

While Homage is made up of an insanely creative team of people, the founder and true creative visionary behind the brand is Ryan Vesler, a natural-born hustler, a sucker for nostalgia, and complete workaholic. During  a moment of downtime between meetings,  trade shows, thrift store shopping and preparing for his grand opening , I was able to catch up with him for a little Q&A.

What are you wearing?

Short shorts

What are 5 things you’re obsessed with right now?

Taking people back to the good ol’ days

Typography

Cycling

Vintage tees

The Ohio State University

What’s on your wish list?

To take our show on the road. We want Homage to arrive on campuses all over the country… And to take a vacation.

Do follow fashion trends? Do they affect your product?

I don’t pay attention to fashion. We create a product out of feeling, not trends.

Where are your favorite places to shop?

Thrift stores, flea markets, candy stores.

What’s the feel of your new store?

Old school, classic, fun.

Will you carry other brands?

A few things here and there, but mainly Homage.

Why open a store now in this economy?

We have a unique story to tell – A retail store is the perfect place to do it.

There’s a lot of talk about American Apparel (their t-shirt manufacturer) going bankrupt. What does that mean to you?

They will pull through.

Is Dov Charney the perf the media (and his advertising) makes him out to be?

Dov Charney is a maniac (in the best possible way). Keep in mind that maniacs are the ones who change the world.

Tell us a secret you haven’t told anyone else

The rah rag is going to change the world.

What the theme song of your life be?

Brother Johnson – Get The Funk Out Of Ma’ Face

‘You don’t like my music

You don’t have to use it

Funkin’ is a thing that all of us release

You don’t have to get it

All you do it let it

Then you’ll know exactly how to groove’

So,  yesterday I set out for the Summer Flea not just for fun, but with a mission – buy as many Homage tees as I can find for my fiance. Once I accomplished my goal (I snatched up 10 new tees!) I spent the afternoon wandering around  the rest of the market and was totally impressed. Great vendors, creative displays, awesome prices. There were hipsters, artists, yuppies, kids, pets, old crazy folks – a totally eclectic crowd showed up to shop.  Congrats to Flea organizers Nikki Portman, Erica Anderson and Tony Collinger!

Here’s just a few pics that captured their flea-market fun.

The lovely Allison of Ladybird below with a vintage sequin jacket I probably need to buy

Honey Rose & K accessories designer, Meredith Piccin (left) and her  team

Covetable hand-painted fabric brooch by Appolonia Dominic

SKBG Photography – I bought the framed pic up top!

Scarlett, a truly unique little artist offering “free art”  - and also a Tarot reader in training!

I think they moved the entire inventory over from Milkbar – so much to choose from!

Crazy adorable stuffed creatures by 5 Orange Potatoes

Handmade children’s clothes, accessories and more by Four Munkees

My sweet little niece, Tori, modeling Four Munkees accessories. They asked if she could stay and model all day!

And a slight overstatement from these guys below