Nothing is more fashionable then the Met Gala…

Posted in Fashion, Pop Culture by msiwak

Sorry, it’s been a while! My schedule has been way hectic between homework and classes, assignments, writing jobs, spring break and my internship search, and unfortunately, this blog sort of got cast aside for the time being. But, fear not! Because, I’m back! And hopefully with regularly scheduled posts! Yay!

And since tonight is the pinnacle of fashion events for the year, I thought I’d post my red carpet review.

This year the theme is Manus X Machina (aka the intersection of fashion and technology) and I know visiting the exhibit will be on the top of my NYC plans this summer for sure. Here’s Vogue’s exclusive peek at the exhibit. Can you say gorge??

And on top of that, the documentary about the gala prep (First Monday in May) will be released on iTunes tomorrow– so excited for that. #fashionobsessed

Now onto my review:

Oh wow, first arrivals and killing it: Anna Wintour in Chanel Haute Couture and her daughter Bee Shaffer in Alexander McQueen. Both stunning. But when can Miss Wintour do wrong with fashion??? (The answer is never.)

There’s something about Alicia Vikander’s Louis Vuitton dress that I kind of like…. I’m normally not a fan of the mismatched look, but there’s something here that is so edgy and it does fit with the gala theme that just works…

Poppy Delevingne’s Marchesa dress is gorge! The whole look is ahmazing, but then again Marchesa is one of my all-time favorite formalwear designers. I’m not a huge fan of the chunky necklaces though…

Co-chair Taylor Swift in Louis Vuitton: love it! I haven’t been the biggest fan of her new platinum ‘do, but here, it’s growing on me as it perfectly matches the vibe of her edgy dress… and THOSE SHOES.

Love Karlie Kloss’ cape over the dress. Super sophisticated, but as soon as she removed the cape, it becomes a super sleek, tailored dress with cutouts galore. Stunning. And for the after party, Brandon Maxwell literally just cut off the bottom half– and it still looked just as amazing.

Heartthrob status on Nick Jonas. That is all.

Rose Byrne gives Old Hollywood glam here and I’m digging its vibe from the classic silhouette, and simple hairstyle.

Selena Gomez in Louis Vuitton just doesn’t work for me. One, it looks a little too informal for this famous gala. Two, it more closely resembles the punk theme a few years ago. And three, the other Louis girls have way better gowns tonight.

Chloe Grace Moretz stuns in this gown. I’m obsessed. More than that, I want it. That is all. Hair, markup, wardrobe is pure perfection on the teen.

From Selena Gomez’s bridal gown from last year, Vera Wang has taken a page from past Gala hits for Rita Ora this year. I just feel like it’s too much of a repeat from prior years, but it is impeccably tailored.

Saoirse Ronan has gone— I don’t even know how to explain this. Yes, it’s high fashion, but does it have too much going on, I wonder? Between the feathers, the brooch, the collar– I wonder if it’s all too much together.

Like a high fashion version of the Hamilton ensemble outfit. Is SJP trying to predict Tony noms for the show??? (which are announced tomorrow morning) But seriously, all I see HAMILTON. Someone please back me up– right???

Kendall Jenner: the one Kardashian-Jenner sister with a bonafide career and she has the worst dress of her sisters… How did her sisters who are only really known for their E! show and social media get gorgeous custom Balmain gowns?? I just don’t understand.

Hailey Baldwin looks like a glittery referee with Angelina Jolie’s leg slit, and I’m not feeling the look. Last year, I loved her Topshop mini, but she’s gone downhill this year.

Kylie Jenner: congrats on being the best dressed Kardashian-Jenner sister at the gala! Her Balmain gown is impeccable and the bob shows a simplistic elegance that we’ve never seen on Kylie– but it looks ahmazing: welcome to the #BalmainArmy, Kylie.

Love Demi Lovato’s black, gold and silver sequined gown with the slicked-back bob. Looks so chic.

Zoe Saldana’s TRAIN, oh my gosh! Truly stunning. The showstopper of the night for sure!

Kerry Washington debuts her baby bump tonight and some awesome purple hair! Love the dress, mesh gloves and the purple hair! A fashionista per usual…

Jourdan Dunn: love her Balmain gown and her highlighted bob!

Luptia N’yongo looks like a Disney princess in the emerald Calvin Klein gown! Gorge.

Wow, love Karolina Kurkova’s Marchesa gown! Truly stunning.

High fashion it couple alert? Congrats to Zayn on his first Met Gala and I’m kind of digging the cool, edgy vibe of the “robot” arm thing? It looks super haute couture. He looks like a badass in Versace. But, Gigi decided to play it really safe and matronly– in other words, boring. I’m sorry, she’s 21: you should be taking fashion risks, like your boyfriend.

Matching baby bumps for Emily Blunt and Olivia Wilde! Both beautiful gowns, but meh, not very exciting.

Beyonce in Givenchy wins. Per usual, Givenchy knows how to create a showstopping gown and so does Mrs. Carter.

I don’t care it’s it’s Kanye West– you don’t wear RIPPED JEANS and denim jacket to the MET GALA. Are you crazy, Kanye? And Kim’s look is too… blah, not a fan.

I sort of like Kate Hudson’s gown? It’s very high fashion, yes, but I think it’s a little to many weird cutouts and pieces hanging off that take it to a level that I’m not a huge fan of… And the shape and color is reading bridal to me?

Blake Lively is normally one of my style icons who can do no wrong as is Burberry, but this is just…. eh…. I don’t like how the photographers captured the train tulle thing. From other angles, it looks so elegant, but here it looks like way too much. But, great, sleek hair, makeup and earrings.

How iconic for Marc Jacobs to walk the carpet with Bette Midler?? Legend. And he did a great job with her couture dress and headpiece.

Overall, some good, some bad, some meh– but all in all, there was no shortage of high fashion, which is just as I like it.

Those are some of my thoughts! Check out all the arrivals on Vogue for more fashion goodness.

24Nov2015

What it’s like to attend the British Fashion Awards 2015

Posted in Fashion, Miranda Goes Global by msiwak

So, for all my fashionistas out there reading this, as you probably all know: tonight, Monday was the British Fashion Awards. It’s such a huge deal for the fashion scene in London, and I’m so glad I was able to attend! Let’s debrief the coveted night, shall we?

(For a look at all the amazing fashion, check out this gallery on ELLE! Note: I know I normally post red carpet fashion reviews, but since everyone was dressed so ahmazingly, the review would have been boring. So, settle for my inside, firsthand peek at what the event is actually like!)

By the time I arrived to the London Coliseum, the street was blocked off in anticipation and a queue formed down the block for non-famous attendees. As I positioned myself in line, I looked around at the fashions around me: stunning, both men and women alike. It really is true what they say about London being one of the most fashionable cities– this event brought out the most stylish of ensembles from everyone in attendance.

I’m on the red carpet!

Feeling official.

I wait in line (there was a slight delay in programming). And finally the red carpet beneath my feet leads me to the official sign where all the paparazzi photos are taken from (see above.) Pinch me, I must be dreaming. I follow the crowd, walk inside and up the steps to the balcony. Upon entering the room, I’m struck by how gorgeous the building is, and then right in the center of the floor were hundreds of guests eating dinner and mingling (see below.) I couldn’t stop staring at the sheer amount of gorgeous gowns and tailored tuxes.

I find my seat: Row D of the balcony, not too shabby. I take a seat and am so excited for the show to start.

A view from wayyy up in the balcony…

British comedian Jack Whitehall starts the show by discussing the immense talent of British designers, the true legends in the room (cough cough Lagerfeld) and poking fun at some famous attendees (Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell included.)

Comedian Jack Whitehall starts the show with some jokes!

With every moment that went on, I couldn’t believe that I was really here with these hugely influential names in front of me, all together celebrating the bright talents of British fashion.

Rosie Huntington Whitely and Nick Grimshaw, the first presenters! Love her dress, btw!

The runway show to celebrate 2015 in fashion. I honestly thought the construction workers were going to pull a Magic Mike type of thing: they did not.

Surprise! Lady Gaga sashays down the catwalk to accept the award on behalf of Tom Ford.

Congrats Jourdan Dunn on her Model of the Year award! And Oliver Rousteing of Balmain presented it to her, selfie stick in hand, and asked her to twerk instead of giving her speech.

ANNA WINTOUR.

PINCH ME I MUST BE DREAMING… That legend and icon Karl Lagerfeld was really in the same room as me.

Another icon, Naomi Campbell presenting Burberry with the Creative Campaign award for its outstanding social skills.

The British public have spoken! They named FKA Twigs their style star. And she was so sweet dedicating the award to her mum and grandmother who has “sassy legs.”

The British public have spoken! They also named Gwendolyn Christie their style star. And she is so tall in real life.

Karlie Kloss makes an appearance! Woo, that makes two of us from my hometown in attendance!

Celeb crush of all time? Mr. Orlando Bloom.

That’s a wrap!

One last view….

I grab my goodie bag and follow the crowds out of the building to the tune of Justin Bieber’s “Sorry.” I walk outside where suddenly I’m being pelted by raindrops. I scurry down the street and find that a pub has an overhang I can stand under until my Uber driver arrives. Many people have the same idea, including one winner from the night. Guess who? CHRISTOPHER BAILEY, aka the genius behind Burberry’s biggest moments, AND he was standing right beside me for a moment in time. I still can’t believe THAT happened.

Ah, that was such an incredible night to celebrate the best of fashion here in London. I had an incredible time and truly enjoyed every moment of it. Definitely one of my favorite nights in London all semester and a memory I’ll always treasure…

1Aug2014

Getting Fashion Inspiration from TV

Posted in Fashion, Pop Culture by msiwak

It’s no secret that “Pretty Little Liars” is one of my all-time television guilty pleasures. But as much as I live for the drama of the plot, I’m obsessed with the wardrobe put together by costume designer, Mandi Line. (You may recall her work from MTV’s “Faking It”, Abc Family’s “Greek”, “The Clique” movie, Lifetime’s “Drop Dead Diva,” among others.)

My personal style as inspired by PLL: I’m mostly a Hanna or a Spencer, though Aria has some pretty cute pieces.

Here’s what Mandi Line said about our favorite Liars’ signature looks:

Aria’s (Lucy Hale) eclectic, trendy style

“Aria wears trends but she doesn’t do it because they’re cool, she does it because likes them.”

Spencer’s (Troian Bellisario) old-school, preppy style

“I want to make sure her story looks like she stole something from her mom’s closet, yet she went shopping and topped it off with something classic. I always say Spencer is classic with a twist.”

Emily’s (Shay Mitchell) athletic, simplistic style

“Emily (Shay Mitchell) to me has had the biggest arc of all the characters because when she came out with her sexuality, she also came out with her strength to speak what she was feeling through her fashion.”

Hanna’s (Ashley Benson) trendy, girly style

“Hannah, or Ms. Ashley Benson, is probably the funniest and most wild one I have. She always wants shorter, sexier and higher heels. Over the seasons she has gotten more risky.”

Check out Mandi Line’s full interview with Huffington Post here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/07/pretty-little-liars-best-dressed_n_4549404.html

The four girls have very distinct plot lines, something that is shown through their wardrobe. Hanna is very glamorous, trendy, and girly. Spencer is classic preppy. Aria is the eclectic risk taker when it comes to fashion (i.e. wearing multiple prints and making it work). Emily is the athletic tomboy, which is the polar opposite of Shay’s real-life glam style.

Which Liar are you most like? An Aria, Hanna, Spencer, Emily, or a mixture?

13Jul2014

My Favorite Things (Pinterest Edition)

Posted in Fashion by msiwak

Pinterest is easily one of my favorite social media sites. I love pinning fashion ensembles, beauty tips, crafts, hairstyles, jewelry, shoes, and much more. So, read on for a list of my all-time favorite pins.

I’d love to wear this to class this fall. #perfect #preppy