Akris

Emerald lace trench coat at Burberry Prorsum’s spring show.

Emerald made a splash at a number of recent spring collections. Burberry fashioned one of its illustrious trench coats using a lace version of the green hue. Stella McCartney sent a few of her models down the runway in sporty, oversized emerald outfits. And though the colour spectrum was fully embraced at the shows of Vera Wang and Akris, it was the emerald pieces that really stood out. The luxe shade was even included in a few of the pre-fall collections that were just revealed, such as at 3.1 Phillip Lim, Gucci and Oscar de la Renta.

These emerald wide leg trousers from Ruche are definitely not for the shy.

A vividly lush green, emerald represents renewal and growth — perfect for a fresh start to the year. Compared to previous Colour of the Year winners such as tangerine tango, a bright red-orange, and honeysuckle, a cheerful reddish pink, emerald is more versatile and easier to incorporate into daily ensembles. Emerald green is known as a universal colour, meaning it’s flattering towards all hair colours and skin tones. So break out those pieces usually reserved for St. Patrick’s Day and work them into your wardrobe rotation.

Depending on your love for the colour, emerald can be worn as an accent piece or layered with other green tones, such as the ever popular mint, for a bold trendy look. When it gets warmer, try an emerald skirt with a pale mint blouse for a cool outfit that screams springtime. To prevent going overboard with green layers and looking like a leprechaun, find printed or patterned pieces with green shades in them. It’ll help tie the look together without being a green overkill.

Turn some heads with this verdant embellished dress from TFNC.

Jewel-tones such as emerald, ruby or sapphire, are always great options for evening outfits if you want to veer from the traditional black. To bring out the vibrancy, go for fabrics with sheen like silks, satins and velvets — emeralds will look more luminous. Just think of Keira Knightley’s slinky emerald silk dress in Atonement or Viola Davis’ green Vera Wang number at last year’s Oscars. For even more flash, opt for an emerald sequined piece.

Emerald will also go wonderfully with the neutrals that will be trendy for spring (black and white, in particularly, were huge on the runways). Michael Kors mixed black and green together in rugby striped tops and geometric dresses for a polished elegance. To make a bolder statement pair emerald pieces with bright, complementary colours such as cobalt or a deep purple.

Add some subtle glam with Simon’s emerald earrings.

If adding emerald clothing to your style is too extreme, ease into the trend with accessories. Emerald is a great colour for bags and shoes, since green is a standard colour for croc or snakeskin accessories and easy to find in stores. Plus the shade stands out even more against gold or silver hardware. Emerald costume jewelry is also a classic and nice to have for cocktail parties or dinners.

Brighten up your fingertips with green polish, such as Essie’s Pretty Edgy.

Another simple way to wear emerald is on the nails. One of my favourite polishes is China Glaze’s Emerald Sparkle, a deep green jelly with glitter. For the daring, try emerald liner or eye shadow. Green eye makeup was used on the models at Michael Kors, Stella McCartney and Derek Lam this season. The colour provides a modern balance to peach or pink cheeks and lips. Use a cream or gel liner for a more intense look and pencil for a softer one.

Daytime or evening, there are a variety of fun ways to include the Colour of the Year into your fashion repertoire.

[Article first appeared in the Jan. 16 issue of Richmond Review.]

Akris Spring 2013

Model: Alana Zimmer

Photographer: Karim Sadli

Recreate Melania’s look with an optic white Akris Punto Flared Dress from Saks Fifth Avenue and a pair of Kate Spade Lori heels in Camel Patent found at Vivi G.

Accent the look with a pair of Stephen Webster Pave Diamond Art Deco Drop Earrings and a John Hardy Classic Chain & Pave Diamond Bracelet, both found at Neiman Marcus.

150 WORTH pampers you in the final step to make your Melania look. Stop in at Colorist Hair Studio & Spa for a mani in a soft, sandy beige color, Essie’s “Sand Tropez” is perfect!

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#1. Akris Spring 2013 RTW Collection

Swiss brand Akris seems to be Charlene’s absolute favorite brand to wear since her wedding to Prince Albert in 2011. For its Spring 2013 RTW collection, the clothes were all about transparency and tailoring. Some of the looks in the first set of pictures below seem to fit Charlene’s wardrobe aesthetic, though modifications would certainly need to be made to some.

Charlene has actually already worn at least three looks from this collection since it’s debut on September 30, 2012 in Paris, shown below.

1. Gala Night of the Association Against Autism at Sporting Monte-Carlo, November 15, 2012
2. Hotel de Paris Gala Dinner honoring the 25^th anniversary of Chef Alain Ducasse’s restaurant, November 17, 2012
3. Monaco National Day Gala Concert, November 19, 2012

(By the way, Akris celebrated 90 years this year! Happy birthday, Akris!)

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 #2. Georgio Armani Spring 2013 RTW Collection

Pre-wedding, Charlene’s go-to designer was Armani. Georgio Armani has a number of collections, but today we’re going to focus on his namesake collection. The Georgio Armani Spring 2013 RTW collection was shown in Milan on September 23, 2012, and it was titled “Kaleidoscope”.  I can see Charlene with the coat from look 4 and jacket from look 8.

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 #3. Christian Dior Pre-Fall 2013 RTW Collection

A third brand which Charlene has worn on a number of occasions is Christian Dior. Dior’s Pre-Fall 2013 RTW collection was presented on January 14, 2013 at Paris Fashion Week. This collection was impeccably tailored, and I loved a number of pieces. I can see any of these working for Charlene, or other royal ladies even, with some modifications.

Tell me: can you see Charlene in any of these looks? What other designers would you like to see Charlene wear?

Photo Credits: Style.com/Didier Baverel/Getty Images Europe/WireImage

The Cut Out trend is hot, Hot, HOT! Dresses and accessories are both seeing a cut out trend, and definitely a shout out to the popular motif from the 1960′s!

Of course, now the trend is back with a modern twist from designers Ralph Lauren, Nancy Gonzalez, Bally, and Alexander Wang.
Even if you’re not a fan of the look, you can’t deny it’s chic modernity in purse form. Who wouldn’t want one of those clutches or shoulder bags for a night out on the town?

What do you think of the trend?

Until I heal from this “cut” out trend,

WaxFlowers

Tod’s Leather Travel Tote, $1,845

Alexander McQueen, $2595

Prada, $1595

Prada, $1890

Valentino Rockstud, $1895

Gucci, $1890

Gucci, $2350

Akris, $4800

Lanvin, $1990

YSL, $2450

Cult status aside, at the fin de la jour, an Hermes Birkin is an expensive, ladylike tote with little flash factor other than the cash required to buy it. Yes, it’s a great work bag and travel bag, but so are these at an average of  1/5 of the $10,000 Birkin  price tag for most of the leather totes. Exotic skins obviously cost more.