There is nothing better that getting style tips from a Fashion Insider.  And this week we are all  very very very lucky, because I had a not-to-miss Q&A with Silvia Bianchi, General Manager for Neil Barrett, Milan.

Take careful notes! And thank you Silvia for your precious suggestions!

Can you describe your personal style? I love mixing male style with sexy details. I like to find the right proportions in a look. Imagine your body divided in two parts: below and over your waist. If you show one part you have to cover the other.  I like to wear very short skirts with a shirt, or long pants with a sexy top. And I never forget high heels.

How does Milan inspire your day-to-day style? Milan is a great inspiration, it is always looking forward, a step ahead. Every day and night it is playful to find something special to wear and being different. Milan gives you the opportunity to show your personality and is very demanding: always surprise with clothes and accessories, never be ordinary.

How does your job inspire your style? I loved Neil Barrett's style even before starting working here. I am very lucky to work for a fashion brand that I love – a philosophy and a style can determine every choice here. At Neil Barrett the focus is in the details: details make the difference in a dress, in shoes, in your house and in your life.

What do you think about the current summer bold color trend? Are you wearing it? How are you wearing it?  It's a few season that the fashion world is talking about color blocking and unexpected colors. Designers are very playful about it. They are making bolder choices introducing electric blue, brilliant yellow and emerald green (my favorite color in our spring summer collection). It's easier to wear black or white to be ultimately elegant, but using colors in the right way is an interesting exercise in every season. I love yellow flat sandals, emerald green dress and a hot pink bikini.

How people in Milan are wearing this summer bold colors trend? In Milan nobody is afraid to wear something bold or colorful, but without crossing the line of elegance. Especially during Milan Fashion Week, people wear looks often more interesting than the ones showed on the runway! Designers and fashion blogger take inspiration by street style like a real red carpet.

What is/are the must-have pieces for this summer in Milan? This season offers wonderful geometric prints. The main theme is somewhat classic, but with a touch of bold. In winter the must was a Celine bag. This season everyone has chosen Stella McCartney or a bold colored clutch, funnier for a night out. During a summer day I would rather use big sized bags to carry everything for the city. I like to carry big bags at the beach as well to be always ready to go to a pool party! 

What are some of your favorite places to shop in Milan? And online? I like to go around the city to discover new shops and new brands. If you follow the trends of the top fashion brands, then you can play them out with the new talents. In Milan I like Clan Cafè in the Brera district, Antonioli in the Navigli district and Agent Provocateur at Rinascente. Online I opt for net-a-porter.com, luisaviaroma.com and other main Italian brands’ online stores. And of course neilbarrett.com!

calzedonia.it

Today is the day that in Milan everybody – and I literally mean everybody and the city becomes a “ghost city” for the entire month of August – goes in vacation, as it is the first weekend bridging into August. All my friends back in Milan are ready to leave for the beautiful beaches in Italy, or are already travelling to do so.

So, thinking about vacation time and tanning on the beach, I am thinking also about beachwear!

And in Milan everybody LOVES Calzedonia’s swimwear – which is unfortunately not available in the US. I have been a dedicated and loyal fan of their collections since they opened in 1986 in Italy and season after season they have become the most trendy, fashionable and successful Italian brand for hosiery and beachwear. So as I am not in Milan, I have missed my yearly Calzedonia’s beachwear shopping, but my mother was so nice to send me one J

Calzedonia Store - Corso Buenos Aires, Milan

Calzedonia’s beachwear for Summer 2012 is all about bright colors! My favorite collection is the one called “Raffy”, simple styles and young lines for an easy to wear bikinis to comfortably fit the body. Patterns are declined into three different models: push-up, bandeau (my all time favorite!) or triangle tops. And you can choose whatever color you prefer, as each pattern is offered in every color of the season. Raffy collection is a timeless trend for all women, with different body types, as you can mix and match different styles for top and bottoms and different sizes as well.

Calzedonia Store - Corso Buenos Aires, Milan

Below some examples of the swimwear collection for this Summer. It is not easy to find a definite one trend for the swimwear this summer, the brand likes to present various offers from bandeau bikinis (the most popular trend and I would say also the most comfortable for tanning), triangle bikinis, to more edgy paillettes bikinis. What do you think? 

http://mtroppacioccolata.blogspot.com/2012/05/lestate-2012-secondo-calzedonia.html

The bikini my mom sent me :) http://mtroppacioccolata.blogspot.com/2012/05/lestate-2012-secondo-calzedonia.html

http://mtroppacioccolata.blogspot.com/2012/05/lestate-2012-secondo-calzedonia.html

http://mtroppacioccolata.blogspot.com/2012/05/lestate-2012-secondo-calzedonia.html

The brand launched a campaign for this Summer to recycle old swimwear, in collaboration with "I: collect Ag", a company that operates in the field of environmentally compatible recycling.

http://shopsandthecity.blogosfere.it/2012/04/nuova-vita-al-costume-calzedonia-lancia-loperazione-riciclo.html

Until June 30, all types of swimwear for men, women and children, regardless of brand - and not necessarily purchased from Calzedonia - would be revived in the form of insulating material for buildings, share rubbery carpets, upholstery. But even stuffing of toys, bags or rags for cleaning.

Green initiative, among many others that occupy the front pages of newspapers in this period, which also brings an economic advantage to those who embrace it: for every old lady costume, whole or bikini, which will be returned, there will be a discount 5 euros on the purchase of a new bikini. An interesting idea without any doubt.

http://www.fabsugar.com/Spring-Street-Style-Asymmetrical-Skirts-22602656

I am trying to show post after post how in NYC the bright color trend is a big thing. And colors have been showed off in various types of outfits, from shorts to shoes, from accessories to dresses. But a huge trend building up on the bright color trend is the asymmetrical skirt. Being quite an unusual fashion piece, an asymmetrical skirt is not easy to choose and not that easy to wear. Most of the ones I saw here in the streets of New York are pleated bright color skirts worn in a quite simple and easy way: bright asymmetrical skirt, a simple t-shirt or a tank top, a pair of sandals and a statement bag.

But I prefer asymmetrical skirts worn with high heels. This because the cut of the skirt would stand out to be very floaty thanks to the posture given by wearing high heels. Like dresses, skirts are one of the most feminine and elegant pieces in a woman’s wardrobe. I believe all of you would agree with me in saying that there are days when you want to feel special, girlish and feminine and wearing a skirt gives that additional non-so-che.

http://www.peoplestylewatch.com/people/stylewatch/gallery/0,,20612242,00.html#21187624

I know it does not have anything to do either with Milan or New York. But it definitely has to do with the bright color trend. And with style. And if you have followed me on my blog up to now or my Pinterest board you would surely know I am a big fan of Kate Middleton's style. She is always impeccable in her choices, elegant, simple but never boring – always up to the last trend.

On July 19, 2012 the Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a private showing of a photographic exhibition in occasion of the upcoming London Olympic Games. Kate wore a simple electric blue Stella McCartney’s Ridley Stretch dress, a piece from the designer’s fall 2012 collection. The bright electric blue form fitting dress is great in its super simple lines and its most distinctive feature is the darts on the outside of the fabric. The main accessories was a Olympic symbol recalling Cartier statement necklace. As usual, Kate has a inclination for subtly giving a nod to the occasion through her choices (blue in fact recalls the color of the UK Olympic uniforms). 

The piece is priced at $885 on the Stella McCartney US, but of course, as it happens with most of the outfits or accessories worn by Kate Middleton, it is no longer available on the UK McCartney site.

Not only Kate’s decision to wear a bright blue dress is following this Summer big hit trend, but wearing Stella McCartney makes perfect sense, as she designed Team GB’s Olympic uniforms.

And I came across this super detailed blog entirely dedicate on the daily Duchess's outfits: whatkatewore.com

I received a very specific fashion question from Camilla: What to wear and how to incorporate bright colors to a professional outfit for a conference she has to attend in New York in August?

And here is my answer, Camilla: I would keep it quite professional, but trendy at tasteful at the same time. For an occasion like a conference, interview or client presentation you really can't go wrong with a silky blouse— mid-length sleeves will add a little polish if you're wearing a skirt— and I would wear it in a neutral color (I suggest the basic white). The skirt should me in my opinion a basic color, too. I love the classic and endless black-and-white contrast. As it is summer you could opt for a light-weighed chiffon black skirt, effortless yes elegant. To add a pop of color, I would wear the trend in your accessories choice. I would personally go for a bright color bag toad a pop of color and incorporate the bright color trend we are all in love with!

To get a visual inspiration, I believe what Anna Kendrick wore at the High LineCoach Summer party was a great outfit and easily replicable.

http://fashionlynne.blogspot.com/2012/06/anna-kendricks-black-and-white.html

Don’t forget the shoes! If you are choosing a bright color bag, you could follow two strategies from here. Either pairing a color-blocking shoe if you feel particularly bold! Purple or electric blue would be great as a color blocking contrast if you carry an emerald green bag. Otherwise you can opt for what Anna Kendrick chose, that is a neutral wedge – always classy. The shoe should be either a ballerina flat or a simple wedge over a stiletto shoe, simply because they're easier to run around in.

Camilla, I believe this outfit idea is great for your occasion and it is quite easy to replicate! What do you think? And if you go for it, please send me a picture of your outfit and we can share it on my blog! 

Enjoy J

My best friend Benedetta in Milan is a true fashionista. She is always on top of every trend and as long as we have know each other, we have always shared the same taste in fashion and often bought the same clothes without even shopping together! As now we are living in two different cities, the way we can share our fashionable findings is sending pictures of our new purchases to each other and this blog is becoming quite handy also to share with other fashionistas as well.

The other day Benedetta sent me an email saying that she bought this fabulous pair of “sneaker heels” and I was curious to see the pic, and here it is!

A white sneaker with a neon pink pump drawn on it! I haven’t seen them worn here in NYC, but she told me that in Milan is becoming a trend. The brand  Be&D has introduced the “sneaker heel” that plays tricks on the eyes with a hot pink silhouette of a sexy stiletto along its side. Unlike other heel lace-ups, these shoes are actually real sneakers; meaning your feet will be planted safely on the ground at all times. Some might argue that Be&D is running along the same lines as faux evening wear, such as “à la tuxedo” T-shirts, but Benedetta and I like them a lot as a clever, clever, and fun alternative to this season's trend high fashion sneaker, featured in various fashion magazines as well. 

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/bazaar-blog/were-obsessed-be-and-d-big-city-sneakers-022812

So, if you want to give a twist and not wear your colored Converse this summer, go for this fun pair of sneakers. The price is pretty affordable too, Be&D Brightlight Big City sneaker, $128, on beandd.com. You can view the Moda Operandi video below directed by Bettina Santo Domingo and including all the graphic-printed sneakers in the Be&D collection. Enjoy!

In my previous post about colorful flat sandals, Cécile asked me if I could pick some high street options that could be as trendy and fun. And here are my favorites:

http://www.stevemadden.com/Item.aspx?id=94493&np=710_390

This pair of flats is quite similar to the Balenciaga ones I bought, here I chose green, but it is offered in dfferent color as you would see from their website and the price is $79. The brand is Sam Edelman, a brand I discovered here in NYC. He is an American shoe designer and I believe his collection follow carefully the trends of each season, and then he adds a special "edgy" and "rock-and-roll" touch to it. He has a lot of celebrity fans, like rachel Bilson, Lauren Konrad and Kim Kardashian. And I found out that one of my favorite style icons, Kate Moss, is a huge fan, and I ran into this great yet wearable outfit with the designer's embellished flat sandals.

http://www.shoespotlight.com/2008/06/20/kate-moss-loves-steve-madden/

The next options are from TopShop, a brand that we all know of and has always great eclectic findings to add to our wardrobe. I selected two pair of flats. The first one here below is a coral greek-like chiffon sandals, which I believe are quite dramatic for a summer evening and very playful, even to wear with a simple jeans short, or a total white or black outfit.

http://www.topshop.com

This other pair is instead super simple and super chic, and recalls the Fiona Jimmy Choo Sandals i previously posted in yellow (but for your reference you can find the same style in gold as well). And the price is great, too: £10 on the UK website!

http://www.topshop.com/

Chinese Laundry is another great brand and e-commerce to find budget-friendly shoes, but still very very fashionable. Here I chose the basics white and black sandals, at a very great price of $39.99.

http://www.chineselaundry.com/chineselaundry/sandals/gotta-have

Last but not least, my favorite pair of Aldo collection: a bright pink embellished T-strap sandal (in other colors as well), a style that  was seen on both Blake Lively and Solange Knowels. A colorful embellished sandals can add a little edge to every outfit.

http://www.aldoshoes.com/ca-eng/women/sandals/flats/89568953-cheshunta/55

http://trendmill.com/celebrity-style/13546-blake-lively-in-red-balenciaga-sandals-by-stalker

http://fashionbombdaily.com/2012/05/14/splurge-solange-knowless-mothers-day-azzedine-alaia-studded-suede-flat-sandals/

Hope you enjoyed this selection!

http://www.efashiontrend.net/bourbonnais-shoes-ballet-flats-and-sandals-made-of-pvc-for-spring-summer-2012-color.html

I have been anticipating this trend in a couple of previous posts, but now the time has finally arrived to talk about Bright Color and Neon Sandals.

In New York everyone – and I am not exaggerating – is wearing flat sandals in every possible color and style. There are so many styles this season to choose from — two-strap, T-strap, ankle-wrap, and gladiator — so the trend here in NYC is to opt for a fun style with bright colors to celebrate the warm weather. Trending this season are attention-grabbing neon jelly sandals, to subtler classic thong sandals, tricolors sandals and T-straps.

Colored flat sandals are chic, comfy, and very versatile, and you can wear them anywhere: work, weekends, nights out, Sunday brunches, summer weddings… They work both for more casual outfits – like shorts and tank – and for more elegant ensembles – like long summer dresses. To prove it, here I a sharing with you my two recent purchases of the “flat sandal fever” – a trend that I am really enjoying a lot!

This above is my first purchase: Jimmy Choo’s Fiona Flat Sandals in bright yellow. I believe they are super chic and classic, with a very simple and elegant crossed design. I believe they really can be worn with anything and they can pull out also the most casual of the outfits.

For my second purchase I opted for very bold Baleciaga Eletric Blue Flats, adorned by the distinctive “studs” of the Giant Balenciaga bags. These sandals are really edgy and attention grabbing, but I love them!


What do you think? I would like to read your comments on this!

http://blog.denimtherapy.com/denimfashion/

Summer has really arrived in New York, and the weather is getting warmer and warmer. Of course this means people are dressing very comfortably to bear the highest temperatures. In the streets I have been seeing everywhere tank tops, flat sandals and shorts. What I noticed is that a lot of ladies are ditching the classic jeans shorts for something a little different, and trendier. Colored shorts are a popular trend this summer – as we saw in my earlier post on colored jeans – and it’s really an easy trend to try.  

I love shorts paired with flat sandals, either neutrals (to focus more on the color of your clothes and giving the impression of a “longer” nude leg), or colored to bring an additional touch of color (contrasting or complementing with the rest of your ensemble). I personally don’t like shorts paired with high heels – sometimes it is just too much.

So here some ideas taken from what I saw in the streets in NYC on how to style a pair of colored shorts. The options are limitless. Here are three ideas to try, and let me know what you think about them.

1. Bright on bright
Pair your favorite colored shorts with a contrasting bright top. Add a neutral geometric or ethnic necklace and neutral flat sandals for a great and polished summer look. If you feel very bold, you could also add a third color block with accessories, shoes or a bright bag.

2. Color and print
You can easily pair your colored shorts with a fun, printed top: floral, stripes, leopard, geometric or any other print you might like to complement or clash with the color of your shorts. And don’t forget your flat sandals! 

3. Basic and color
I believe colored shorts paired with a classic jeans or white shirt or blouse is the quintessence of a stylish ensemble. I love simple and endless looks, and I believe this is the easiest and chicest to wear. We can go back to inspirations from the 60’s and 70’s fashion, to add a little vintage vibe. And again your favorite summer sandals and you are all set with a really polished look that looks great both as a daywear or evening wear.

In Milan, colors are not just for accessories: home decor as well is jumping into the bright color trend this summer. Here you can see one example of a white table in a home decor Milanese boutique, beautifully laid with dishes, glasses and cutlery in our favorite bright colors of the season: tangerine, red, acid green, purple. What I like the most is the fact that there is not a "one tone" approach with the white table, but they have used all the possible colors, clashing one against the other, but perfectly resembling the bright colors of the rainbow. I personally love bright color home decor, especially for the kitchen and bathroom, and when I moved to New York I really bought everything in different bright or neon color, and I love how the nuances perfectly complement each other in a bold home-color-blocking way. 


In April 2012 in Milan there was a very popular Home Design event, called Fuorisalone, which gathers interior designer, companies and simply home decor lovers in one of the most famous design districts of the city: via Tortona. This year I unfortunately missed it because I was here in New York, but I came across this comprehensive visual summary of the Fuorisalone event trends - and the brights and neon colors can be easily spotted.

http://www.kikocosmetics.com/eshop/it

When I moved to New York one of the first things I wanted to do was to get a manicure and pedicure here. Why? Because there is this myth about New York perfect manicures and pedicures, fashionable nail polish and the fact that you can get it almost everuwhere at anytime. OPI and Essie here are the top nail polishes and they offer different collections inspired by the colors of the season.

Also in Milan you can get great manicure treatments and there is a great nail polish that you cannot find here in New York – yet. KIKO Milano is a Milan cosmetic brand that is very popular in Italy. It offers from makeup to skincare, from face and body treatments to nail polish. High quality at very affordable prices. For example, a nail polish is €2.5 or lipsticks €3, pretty affordable!

Their concept quite recalls the MAC one, with an infinite range and shades of colors for each product. But it has a vibe of Italian style. And it is a nice way to try out new colors or new products without spending a fortune and without give up to quality.

A great Italian brand, highly professional, good quality products and an unbeatable price tag. I recommend you go try this brand. It has everything you would find with the other high end make-up brands such as MAC, Chanel, Dior, YSL, etc..and you can get the same results. It is also a great find to enrich your make-up collection with new colors and limited edition products, such this nail color summer bright color edition.

http://www.mandulis.net/2012/03/06/kiko-cosmetics-radical-free-nail-polish/

KIKO Milano is available for online in the following countries - Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Portugal & UK at www.kikocosmetics.com.

http://verycoolcoco.blogspot.com/2012/04/colored-and-cuffed-ecco-il-jeans-di.html

Summer is officially here, and even though the weather is going on and off these days in New York, the bright color trend does not stop at all. And in this last couple of days, maybe because the temperatures dropped a bit, after a spree of colorful dresses and shorts, ladys in the city chose not to give up the trend because of the bad weather, and are wearing the "everywhere seen" fashion trend of the season: Colored Jeans.


We've spotted them on celebrities – even one of my newest style inspiration Kate Middleton sported at the beginning of the season the famous coral jeans while playing a game of field hockey with UK's Olympic team – and when a trend is seen on the A-listers we all know it will spread very quickly. And if the trend is fun and easy-to-go-for like the colored jeans, the look will be replicated even faster.
On the streets colored jeans really can instantly boost any outfit out, whether you dress them up or down. And here a few examples of what I saw the trend on the streets - and I believe these can be good examples on how to wear it. 


Colored jeans & Neutral
You won’t go go wrong if you pair a pair of colored jeans with a black, white, cream or tan top. Any pair of bright jeans would look awesome with a white button-down dress shirt, a sheer black silk shirt, or a cream-colored cardigan sweater. This technique is a good way to feel out your new pants and ease into wearing them.

                                          

Color-jeans-blocking
Colorblocking is a really cool trend, but I believe it is a very bold choice, and only the boldest fashionistas can really pull this off. As far as I saw on the streets, as long as you pair your colored jeans with another solid, bold color, you’ll look trendy and fun. When colorblocking, I think it looks the coolest when you combine pastels with other pastels, and bolder colors with other bolds. In the example outfit below, it is a loud electric blue and yellow blocking. 

Colored Jeans & Print
This styling tip is my favorite: pair your colored jeans with a bold print. Polka dots, nautical stripes, floral prints, leopard print or geometric prints would all look really playful and a real stylist looking outfit. This outfit below represent one of the looks I saw the most on the streets: striped blouse or t-shirt and colored jeans.

http://oliviasstyle.blogspot.com/

I believe Olivia Palermo has a great style and it's usually hard to pick favorites among her many outfits. I think she has great styling skills, very eclectic and beyond the basics of what it strictly fashionable in a season. There is always an additional surprisingtouch, and she’s a New Yorker, so I think she represents a good part of the true fashionistas of the city. Of course, she is very familiar with high-end designers, but she's also choosing Zara and Topshop for low-cost but nonetheless chic finds. I believe it is that kind of fashion strategy that she made her one of my favorite to watch. 
Olivia has launched her own style blog this summer, and I’ll pay extra-special attention on what she suggests week after week. I chose a couple of her look of this summer, that are a great example of her style, as well as her interpretation of the bright color summer trend I am exploring, from red-carpet moments to easy-chic outfits with her own styling twist. In her first look, she is wearing a bright light blue top and white shorts, topped with a vintage blazer and accessorized with gold jewelry, a plumed clutch and strappy matching bright light blue sandals. 

http://www.vanityfair.it/starstyle/i-like/2012/06/8/convivio_2012_red_carpet#?refresh_ce

In this second look she is at the charity event "Convivio" just happened in Milan, and she hit the red carpet in a long-sleeve bright red maxidress, burgundy belt, suede clutch and patent leather sandals.
The third look I chose, she is at New York Faberge's event and she’s wearing a relaxed bright striped blouse, black and white separates and vibrant colored Manolos completed the ensemble.

http://bellapetite.com/celebrity-petite-fashion-style-olivia-palermo-at-faberge-opening.html

In Milan, the bright color trend is all in the accessories. Chic Milanesi cannot give up the beloved monogrammed Italian designers bags, with the famous and ultra-recognizable logos like Fendi or Gucci. People in Milan are well known to opt for the classic beige/neutral nuances (like these monogrammed classic Fendi bags), declined in all possible materials from classic leather to canvas.

But this summer next to the classic color collections, designers and boutiques have introduced also the boldest colors of the season. In this pic for example, a bright yellow patent leather Dolce&Gabbana “Sicily” bag, paired with matching yellow ballet flats. This bag and shoe choice would usually be paired with very understated colors for the clothing outfit, for example all black, or black-and-white, or denim and white.

The mainstream color blocking trend in Milan is majorly focused on accessories, rather than on matching together contrasting color in clothes, or adding complementary colors for accessories as seen in New York City. The bold choice in Milan is adding color to a neutral outfit through accessories.

And matching the color of shoes and handbag would be the best way to experiment the trend. There was a time when matching your shoes and bags color used to be a hard and fast rule. Even though most stylists may say it can feel somewhat old fashioned, I believe matching shoes and handbag creates a unique and chic fashion statement, and it also adds more personality to a more basic outfit. And it certainly gives an instant polished and timeless look, whatever color you are choosing. I believe it is one of those timeless fashion choices especially if shoes and handbag color match exactly. 

Bright color is apparently not a trend to follow just for ladys this summer in New York. Also gentlemen, in their own way, can try it out. And for today's Father's Day, Saks Fifth Avenue suggests the best fashionable present for fathers of every age: bring a pop of bright colors in a man's outfit with bright and neon color socks! 
Of course these are designer and tasteful collection of fine socks, from single-colored to bold patterns in a huge array of brights, from cotton to merino and cachemire-silk. Great present idea.

http://images.thesartorialist.com/thumbnails/2012/06/60812Colorblock6639Web.jpg

One of the things I did before coming to New York to, at some extent, see what was going on in the city and its inspirations, was following The Sartorialist. I love his pictures and his eye. He takes pictures of people who are dressed in a way that catch his eye in New York's streets and in the various cities he visits. Today, he posted this great pic of a girl dressed in bright colors in New York - following the trend I am exploring here. The girl interprets the color block trend with a simple t-shirt, but neon yellow, an asymmetric flowing electric blue skirt and an emerald green shopper. The quintessence of the bright color blocking trend. In the street of New York this summer. 

As my journey goes on, the color-ful trend is really visible everywhere in NYC, especially as we are approaching into full summer (even the heavy rain does not stop the trend on the streets!).

So far, I have recorder one-color dresses as a impact-ful choice for any kind of occasions: you can wear it as a fashionable and easy statement during the daytime.  Or as effortless and elegant full-color evening gowns to attend an awards show. In both cases the trend we are discovering in its essence is the go-for choice: vibrant, energy and eye-catching nuances.

In New York, designer brand are displaying the trend also in the stores and in window shops. When I walk to NYU on 42nd street, I always stop by to check Alice & Olivia's store on 40th street. This is a line that I was not very familiar with -- in Milan it is not that popular as, for the same segment, there are Italian designer that are much more popular, like Patrizia Pepe or Twin Set. I personally appreciate the basic palette of black-and-whites enriched by all pops of color. My favorites: playful day dresses and embellished party dresses for the evening. The other day I stopped by the store and I saw that the the raks in the store were full of super colorful (also neon) tops, pants and dresses, in every bright color of the season, from hot pink to yellow, from green to tangerine. Alice & Olivia is presenting the bright color trend as one-color dresses, or bright separates paired with complementary white or black selections. Molto chic!

http://www.aliceandolivia.com/

http://www.vogue.com/culture/article/getting-ready-for-the-2012-tony-awards-nina-arianda-james-corden-cristin-milioti-and-jeremy-jordan/

Yesterday night (for the first time live for me) I watched the Tony Awards on TV, at New York’s Beacon Theatre. I am a huge fan of Broadway shows and I was very anxious of viewing this event live. Previously I could usually just view some extracts uploaded on YouTube.

A part from enjoying a lot the great performances of the Best Musical nominees, I was very happy to notice the full color blocking trend I am exploring in my comparative research and running on this blog. The bright color trend was a fashionable choice among nominees, and I could see that the trend was embraced especially with simple monochromatic gowns of the it-colors of the season. I particularly liked Once's Cristin Milioti's simple chic emerald green Jason Wu strapless silk chiffon gown, elegantly draped on the bodice, accessorized with a gold clutch and green jewels. In my opinion, the best dress of the night.

http://fashionbombdaily.com/2012/06/11

Audra McDonald, Tony Award winner for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical, went for a one-bright-color choice as well: a effortless yet elegant one-shoulder electric-blue dress, accessorized with very simple understated jewelry.

Another proof that here in NYC the one-bright-color trend is very fashionable and is worn a very simple, sleek and visually powerful way - a real must, also on red carpets, this summer.

Tangerine is the color of the season. 17-1463 is the code of the color that the firm Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color, has indicated as the color of the year 2012: "Tangerine Tango". We have seen it everywhere, from runways to red carpets. From clothes to shoes, from makeup to accessories. It is the it-color of the season.

Tangerine is a high-impact, vibrant, seducing deep orange shade. It reminds of the color of the sunset, warm and energy. I spotted in Soho this woman wearing a long jersey tangerine dress, with a simple white cardigan. I liked the simplicity, yet visual impact of it.