The Summer Wind Down

My family is from the south, and with a Grandmother from Texas I choose to stick by the tried and true rule of not wearing white after Labor Day; well “summer white” that is. The one thing that people get wrong about wearing white after Labor Day is that it’s not so much the wearing of white, but the weight of the fabric that you are wearing.

Heavy wools, knit sweaters, corduroy, and other heavier weight fabrics are perfect for fall and winter in crisp whites, creams, and off white. 

As we wind down for summer there’s still plenty of time to get some wear out of your summer whites. For example, you can try pairing your white shorts and heels with a button-down shirt as I have done here.

Pairing a pink and white striped button-down shirt with white shorts is an easy way to style an outfit for late summer. The addition of white Christian Louboutin heels, a straw hat from Goorin Brothers, and the multi-year it-bag from Cult Gaia elevate the look to casual summer chic, all while keeping you a bit warmer on cooler summer nights. This look can also pair nicely with a blazer.

The week before Labor Day is the perfect time to take stock of your summer wardrobe and pick up additional pieces on sale. You can also take a look ahead to see what you may be lacking and prepare your wardrobe for fall and winter.

Your closet will thank you!

Fenty is coming . . .

Rihanna, the QUEEN and everyone’s best friend in their head keeps breaking barriers in the fashion and beauty industry, and with her latest venture she marks MANY firsts.

Today, LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the world’s largest luxury group announced the creation of a new luxury Maison by Rihanna. 

In doing so, Rihanna becomes the first woman to create an original brand at LVMH, the first woman of color to lead an LVMH maison, and it will be the first new house created since Christian Lacroix in 1987. 

Robyn Rihanna Fenty declared, “Designing a line like this with LVMH is an incredibly special moment for us. Mr. Arnault has given me a unique opportunity to develop a fashion house in the luxury sector, with no artistic limits. I couldn’t imagine a better partner both creatively and business-wise, and I’m ready for the world to see what we have built together.”

The new Maison, named Fenty, is centered on Rihanna, developed by her, and takes shape with her vision in terms of ready to wear, shoes and accessories, including commerciality and communication of the brand. Fenty will debut this Spring 2019. 

The journey begins at www.fenty.com.

Changes Coming to The Somerset Collection

The Somerset Collection is my FAVORITE place to shop, and I am beyond excited about the changes coming its way!

There’s a lot to check out and BUY! Check out the listing of new stores coming soon, as well as the stores already introduced this year, store expansions, and store remodels and relocations!

New Stores:

• Zara - 30,882-square-foot, two-level store, opening mid-October adjacent to Macy’s on Somerset North, first and second levels. This is Zara’s first store in Michigan, and one of the largest stores at Somerset Collection. Zara will carry a full line of women’s, men’s and children’s apparel and accessories.   
• Bally - 1,200 square feet, opening October on Somerset Collection South, first level. This is Bally’s first store in Michigan. Bally is a Swiss luxury brand established in 1851, anchored in an exceptional heritage of shoemaking. Today, the brand offers unique and vibrant designs across footwear, accessories, ready-to-wear and eyewear. 
• Tesla - 2,220 square feet, opening this October on Somerset North, first level.  This is Tesla’s first gallery in Michigan, and is a showroom for the luxury electric cars and accessories.  
• Rolex - 1,261 square feet, opening in November on Somerset North, second level. Rolex presented by Tapper’s, a locally-owned luxury jeweler, is adding an exclusive boutique for its Rolex watch collection, the only of its kind among their stores in Michigan.
• J. McLaughlin – 975 square feet, opening this June on Somerset South, second level.  Founded in 1977 by brothers Jay & Kevin McLaughlin, J. McLaughlin is a modern classic American sportswear and accessories brand for men and women recognized for a distinctive flair for color and signature portfolio of prints.
• Del Toro – 1191 square feet, opening this holiday season on Somerset South, first level.  Del Toro is a luxury lifestyle brand based out of Miami, Florida. Originally a men’s brand, Del Toro now produces shoes and accessories for both men and women. Del Toro was founded in 2005 and originally sought to fill a void in the marketplace for affordable customized velvet slippers.
• Lovesac – 1,290 square feet, opening this fall on Somerset North, third level. Lovesac is an alternative furniture store, featuring high quality sacs, sectionals, bean bags and bean bag chairs. 
• See’s Candies – 1,392 square feet, opening this holiday season on Somerset North, third level.  See’s Candies is a 90-year-old chocolate shop offering candy treats and gifts in their signature black-and-white-brand. 
• Sugarfina -  600 square feet, opening this holiday season on Somerset South, second level. This is Sugarfina’s first store in Michigan. Sugarfina is a candy shop offering a range of high-end imported sweets from chocolate & caramel to gummies & fruit. 
• Timberland – 3,254 square feet, opening this October on Somerset North, second level. Timberland is an American outdoor designer wear, with a focus on footwear.  
• Verizon Wireless – 1,902 square feet, opening this October on Somerset North, third level. Verizon Wireless is an American telecommunications company, offering wireless products and services

Details about stores already introduced this year:

• Altar’d State - 5,000 square feet, opened this April on Somerset North, second level. This is Altar’d State’s first store in Michigan. This is the exclusive location for this women’s clothing and accessories brand, known for its faith-based roots and mission. 
• Alex and Ani - 912 square feet, opened this May on Somerset North, first level. Alex and Ani is a jewelry store known for making meaningful and eco-conscious accessories.
• A Pea in the Pod Maternity - 1,600 square feet on Somerset Collection South, third level. The luxury source for trendy maternity clothing and accessories. 
• Vans - 2,726 square feet, opened this July on Somerset North, second level. An American apparel company known for their tennis shoes and other products including casual clothing and backpacks.
• Shinola Detroit – 2,410 square feet, opened this spring on Somerset Collection South, first level. The Detroit-based design brand is known for its dedication to thoughtful manufacturing by creating jobs and making watches, bicycles, leather goods, journals, jewelry and audio equipment of the highest quality. The Somerset Collection features their “build your own” watch bar.  

Details about store expansions:

• Salvatore Ferragamo - expanded by 1,579 square feet to 3,589 square feet, opened in June on Somerset South, second level.  Ferragamo has expanded to add ready-to-wear to its Somerset Collection store, the only location for this luxury brand in Michigan and the first store outside New York to feature the new store design. 
• Forever 21 - expanded by 4,037 square feet to 9,778 square feet, on Somerset North, first level. Due to success and demand for more merchandise, this popular fast-fashion brand is vastly expanding its presence at Somerset Collection. 
• Lush Cosmetics– tripling in size to 2,500 square feet and relocating to Somerset North, first level. Lush is a popular cosmetics brand known for effective products from fresh organic fruits and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.  

Details about store remodels and relocations:

• Tory Burch - will open a remodeled, 2,500-square-foot store on Somerset South, first level, in October. 
• Coach - remodeled its 2,632-square-foot store on Somerset South, second level.
• Abercrombie + Fitch - opened its remodeled, 7,014-square-foot store in July on Somerset Collection North, first level. This is Abercrombie’s first new concept store.  
• Pandora - remodeled its 1,066-square-foot store on Somerset North, first level.
• Papyrus - moved to a 1,035-square-foot store to Somerset North, third level. 

A$AP Rocky X Guess Collaboration Coming March 10!

GUESS Originals is teaming up again with A$AP Rocky for the Spring 2017 capsule collection, GUE$$ Club and I AM COUNTING DOWN! 

The collection features bright and vibrant colors, and is giving me all the 80's vibes I remember growing up! It's very logo centric and features oversized denim jackets and t-shirts. There are also exclusive pieces for us fashionable ladies. 

The collection just looks FUN, and is sure to be a must have for the coming, warm summer months! 

The GUE$$ Club Spring Collection will be available on March 10 at select stores like my FAVE Opening Ceremony! Be sure to check it out!