A Summer in Song

With a season drawing to a close, the crisp bite of autumn on the air, I find myself looking to seize the last few moments of summer. In my opinion, the best way to do that is through the songs that have gotten you through the past few months. For me, this summer has been mellow though far from mundane, and believe the soundtrack reflects it.

The season started early this year, with the release of “Her Diamonds”, off Rob Thomas’ new album, Cradlesong. A bittersweet musing with touches of anguish and sanguinity, and backed by simple electronic rhythm, the song brings to life the meditative nuances of what is mostly a carefree season.

Balancing Thomas’ melancholy tone is Michael Franti and Spearhead, with “Say Hey (I Love You).” Admittedly, this is a bit of a cheat for this summer’s soundtrack, but I figure that the 2008 release began charting these past few months, so it still applies. Franti’s mix of reggae beats and smooth rock come together in this billboard dynamo, immediately filling the mind with scenes of simple romance and walks on warmer beaches. Simply, this song is a uniquely and distinctly happy song.

Not to be ignored or outdone, the Black Eyed Peas came up with not just a song, but a record of summery goodness. However, featured song “I Gotta Feeling” off the band’s newest album, The E.N.D. (The Energy Never Dies), sums up the spirit of the season’s energy. The wildly creative synth-hop and energetic lyrics capture a night anyone would be dream of.

Book-ending this summer’s score is “Bonfire” from Third Eye Blind. The soft acoustic sounds in this song of change and all that comes with it serves to compliment the changing of the guard as fall approaches. It holds all the hope of the stars and the defeat of the passing of time.

Mellow, yes; but far from boring. This summer in song has had a full range of sound and emotion, representing a soundtrack greater than the sum of its parts. If autumn is holding anything half this good, maybe the shorter days can’t come too soon.

Resort Report

It’s that time again, this week’s trend report is the official Oligoville Resort Report. With dozens of amazing designers presenting dazzling accessories, handbags and threads we had to pick a few of our faves to share with you.

While neutrals are present in many Resort collections, I must respectfully look the other way. Nothing against the hues, but as you ladies know, I’m just not a neutral kind of girl.

This resort reprt is all about color and  here are some of my top selections from the trends this year.

Best of Resort #1: Candy Colors

Sonia Rykiel shorts (Mimosa, anyone?)

Prada Clutch:

Ralph Lauren Collection dress:

Best of Resort #2: Turquoise

Oscar de la Renta:

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Chanel (of course) and a Frette towel:

Roberto Cavalli Ring:

Best of Resort #3: Navy and Gold

French Connection top:

Miu Miu Sunglasses:

Proenza Schouler sandal (so hot):

So those are some of my top pieces, but what about complete collections?

A savvy fashionista from NY divulges her top designers, which I must respect and agree with her insider opinion: “[My] three favorite collections shown at New York during Resort 2009 fashion week dazzled me with their lovely, feminine sophistication note. First of all I love their chromatic palettes: white and off-white, grey, rose, crimson red, midnight blue, navy and black and the subtle refinement of the delicate details: ruffles, draping and other embellishments. These are clothes to keep in your wardrobe forever and not just for one holiday.

Carolina Herrera, recently granted with Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award at CFDA, brought out an impeccable chic collection, as always, though with a cheerful, breezy note, perfect for resort: orchid print, wide-leg fluid trousers, sheath dresses with delicate frills, long gowns with bold prints…simply stunning.

Carolina Herrera Resort 2009

Donna Karan showed a romantic resort collection that included delicate pieces in soft makeup colors – blushes, pinks and nudes – emphasized by deep black. Soft fabrics and different textures are cut into gently bubbled silhouettes. Draping or feminine embellishments such as bows add a lot of chic appeal while those breathtaking one-shouldered draped gowns in jersey and silk make you wish a never-ending holiday.

Donna Karan Resort 2009

Zac Posen‘s resort collection is just as lovely and chic and, most of all, very wide-range reaching all sort of sartorial needs that might occur during vacation time. Cocktail dresses with floral prints for outdoor parties, crisp tennis whites for smart looks, loose garments for strolls on a beach and even short dance frocks or Grecian evening gowns.”

Zac Posen Resort 2009

While I won’t be sporting these looks at the lake on this holiday, maybe some of you will at more glamorous locations. These Resort picks are styles that will keep you on the edge of fashion whether you are in the Hamptons, on the beach or staying haute in the City.

XOXO

Ten Minutes with Designer Stephen Burrows

Although he’s known for his sure hand with color, for his spring/summer 09 collection, award-winning designer Stephen Burrows demonstrates that he also works wonders in white. Dotted swiss goes sexy with a clavicle-framing neckline and amped-up dots, while an airy sundress is cleverly nipped in by a sculpted obi. What I love most about this collection is the way Stephen takes the “looks of the season” and tweaks them into something completely unexpected, like the jumpsuit that manages to riff on both kimonos and 1940s chic at the same time. And not to worry, the master of matte jersey (who proves comfort and couture don’t have to be mutually exclusive!) hasn’t abandoned color entirely. A sherbet-colored kaleidoscopic print, for example, makes appearances as an entrance-making, obi-sashed gown before reappearing as a flirty skirt and ultra mod tunic. Keep reading to learn more about this master who for forty years has dressed such stylistas as Diana Ross, Heidi Klum, Gabrielle Union, and Taylor Swift–not to mention Mick Jagger and Jimi Hendrix! (All photos courtesy of Stephen Burrows.)

Oligoville: Tell us about your brand and how it is different from your competition.

Stephen Burrows: My brand is something that has evolved over the last 30 years. The aesthetic is colorful, body conscious and comfortable, and is designed to appeal to a diverse cross section of women. What sets me apart from many of my competitors is my extensive knowledge of how to achieve a very special fit in all fabrics, but most expertly in matte jersey. What also sets my brand apart is my direct involvement in every aspect of the design process, from fabric and trim sourcing, to the actual pattern-making and draping.

Oligoville: How did your career or interest in design begin?

Stephen: Both my grandmothers–maternal and paternal–were sample-hands at Hattie Carnegie. They both sewed at home, and so I would see them working with the fabrics that were popular at the time. When I was eight years old, I had a little girlfriend who lived upstairs in the house I was living in. I wanted to make her a birthday present so my grandmother helped me make a dress for her doll. I had no interest in sewing, but that was my first experience actually designing something and I really liked it. I grew up wanting to be an art teacher but being around my grandmothers exposed me to this medium of expression, and, well, I guess it really resonated!

Oligoville: Whom or what inspires your designs?

Stephen: I find inspiration everywhere–from the human body to what people are wearing on the street to whatever current events are swirling around the world at the time – everything affects the way I design.

Oligoville: Describe a typical day for you.

Stephen: Awake at 5am, check my email and what’s happening on style.com, listen to the news and the weather, head into the office where I have breakfast while reading the newspaper, and then it’s time to take care of whatever needs to be taken care of for the day to work toward completion of the season’s line! To that end, sometimes I’m sketching, or “spec-ing,” or meeting with fabric agents, reviewing swatches, working on patterns, and sometimes I’m even being interviewed! I have lunch at midday and then it’s back to more of the same. When the day ends I head home to relax unless I have a fashion event to attend in the evening. Being a member of the CFDA [Council of Fashion Designers of America], I get invited to a lot of events though I’m just not that into black tie affairs.

Oligoville: Describe your fashion style.

Stephen: I think I answered that in question one, although I might add that I have always been attracted to bright colors, the mixing of bright colors through color blocking, and exploring the limitations of matte jersey and what innovative ways I can come up with to bend those limitations.

Oligoville: Tell us about some unexpected setbacks you have faced since starting your business and what you learned from them.

Stephen: My brand is a relatively small business, and I’ve found that in running a small business, cash flow becomes extremely important–the expenditure of each dime becomes more crucial than if you’re a big name with a little more freedom for maneuvering. The biggest challenge I face on a seasonal (if not daily) basis is that of being cost efficient, and to achieve that, I work extremely hard with a small but dedicated staff to achieve all the same tasks that are accomplished by much larger teams at other design houses. Another challenge that has arisen over the past four or five years lies in building and maintaining relationships with retailers–how to get them into my showroom just to see the product. I’m still learning the best way to tackle that particular issue and, as always, it’s a process.

Oligoville: What has been the most rewarding part of your career?

Stephen: I have been so blessed to find success in this career. I am so thankful for the ability to make a living from doing something I absolutely love–to earn money from expressing myself. Also to have met all the amazing people I have, and see the places I have seen by traveling the world for my work, not to mention having been recognized by my peers for my accomplishments. It has been an honor and a true source of pride to be awarded with three Cotys and a CFDA tribute.

Oligoville: Tell us where you expect to see your business in the next five years and what are some goals that you have for your brand.

Stephen: If I could answer that question I would be psychic!  (And believe me, I wish I was!) In this economy and in this business, the first objective is to maintain a business that grows at a steady rate. Besides that, expansion is certainly on my mind, possibly into shoes and bags, and possibly to open some freestanding stores.

Oligoville: What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Stephen: Do you mean specifically for fashion entrepreneurs or for entrepreneurs in general? The best advice I could give anyone hoping to build a business on something they do creatively is to learn the business side first. Being creative is one thing, but knowing how to operate a business is another. The realization of how commercial needs must be met within your own artistic vision is absolutely necessary in order to be successful and have a healthy business in this age.

Oligoville: What song never fails to make you happy?

Stephen: “Up the Ladder to the Roof” by The Supremes, after Diana Ross had left the group. Always gets me going!

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