Cardigan Empire

Salt Lake City Fashion Stylist

Personal Trend: Art

“flattery and criticism [should] go down the same drain”
Georgia O’Keefe
I swoon for Georgia O’Keefe.  Not her oversized flowers, although I respect the movement to amplify details.  I am drawn to the abstract rhythms she finds in desert bleached bones and empty city skylines. 

Rather than following an empty trend based on someone else’s adorations, I’ve taken one of my favorite works of art and assembled an ensemble.

What artists and works of art inspire you?

Let Cardigan Empire refine your signature style.  Find inspiration with a complete Fashion Package: combining a theoretical look book & a practical virtual shopping session
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Fitting Room Friday: Sophisticated Summer Trends

Traveling from Tacoma, Mrs. Kirsten allowed me the pleasure of styling her with some of the summer 2011 edition trends.
Mrs. Kirsten’s Diagnosis: Mature, Lower, Romantic, Warm & Fresh
 Summer Trend 1: Flares
(Blazing Blouse, Climate Control Cardi, J Brand Love Story Petite)
After season, season, season of skinny silhouettes dominating runways, the 70’s inspired wide leg and flare has made its triumphal return.  Prolific in denim, it also flatters in twill and summer friendly linen. But while the leg line universally flatters straight and curved, tall and short, select your rise carefully.  While a high retro rise might look lovely on a linear, the uninterrupted contrast between a lower figure’s narrow waist and voluptuous bottom could create an unfair comparison.

Summer Trend 2: Green
(Phoenix Rising Top, Shape Suggestion Skirt)
Apple, aquamarine, blue-green, fir, grass, jade, kelly, lime, moss, olive, peacock, sage, sea, viridian, willow, whether you favor its association with ecofriendly habits, capitalistic currency, or its calming consequences, green is summer 2011’s chroma of choice.  Warm skin tones with yellow undertones may favor moss, Warm and Fresh could opt for apple.   Cool and Brilliant complexions may choose to compliment with blue-tinged emeralds or spruces while Cool and Delicates  experiment with paler shades of mint.

Summer Trend 3: Pattern Play

Mix a bold extroverted print (such as a floral) with a soft spoken, shy print (like a small polka dot, stripe, or even a texture like lace). This strategy keeps prints from bickering and competing with each other for leadership.  Next make sure the pieces of clothing share a color story.  They can either include marks of the same hue or they can descend from the same color family.

Summer Trend 4: Colorblocking
(Winner’s Circle Tee, Climate Control Cardi, Plait & Pleat Skirt)
If you’re not into mixing patterns or prints, one can utilize color blocking into their summer wardrobe. Color blocking is great for someone who is not as bold or daring when it comes to mixing prints, so instead they can mix color. The trick is to pair the colors in a fashion in which they complement each other. For example, you could do a hibiscus red blouse paired with a brownish maroon skirt. The skirt off plays as a neutral. Make sure the colors are either grouped next to each other on the color wheel or you can go opposite, like a navy blue pencil skirt with a lovely satin one-sleeve tangerine tone blouse. Make sure you know what fits you properly and what colors complement your skintone.
Summer Trend 5: Espadrilles
To finish any of these looks off? A espadrille wedge. Whether you select a leg lengthening neutral or a saturated statement, these will keep the look fresh and playful.
Thanks to my super stylist interns
MacKenzi for assisting in styling Kirsten

And Martha for helping me research our Summer 2011 trends.
Feed me fashionably fresh