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from the editor

When one of my beloved readers contacted me with an ingenious idea to put together a fall issue, I knew that I had to make it happen. I instantly reached out to some of the best bloggers and fashion industry professionals that I’ve encountered over the past year, and was shocked by the outpouring of support. When we partook upon this journey, we knew that it would be quite a bit of work, but we had no idea that it was going to be so much fun! Like the issue itself, this fall is all about taking a risk. From bold animal prints and show-stopping fur accessories, to blue eye shadow and harness jewelry, don’t be afraid to make a serious style statement this season. Our cover girl, Eryn Woods, epitomizes this notion. She has garnered a cult following for her strong vocal abilities, pleasant disposition, and daring look. “Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.” (Gianni Versace)

-James Michael White

top trends

Patchwork fur scarf, LANVIN, $7,795, kirnazabete.com. Jeweled fur earmuffs, LANVIN, $1,255, bergdorfgoodman.com. Polina goat fur boots, ALEXANDER WANG, $925, net-a-porter.com. Fox fur shoulder bag, MICHAEL KORS, $2,595, saksfifthavenue.com. Fur mittens, BALENCIAGA, price available upon request, brownsfashion.com. 

-James Michael White and Nina Oduro

Leopard coat, BALMAIN, $14,385, mrshe.se. Leopard-print silk-georgette dress, ROBERTO CAVALLI, $2,370, net-a-porter.com. Leopard-print rabbit fur vest, DRIES VAN NOTEN, $1,395, brownsfashion.com. Leopard-trimmed leather gloves, MIU MIU, $540, net-a-porter.com. Luggage satchel in leopard calfskin, CELINE, $2,500, nordstrom.com. Leopard pumps, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, £560, matchesfashion.com. Leopard head bracelet, KENNETH JAY LANE, €290, pret-a-beaute.com.  Leopard bag, YVES SAINT LAURENT, £2,115, matchesfashion.com. Ubai leopard print wallet, JIMMY CHOO, $625, net-a-porter.com.
-Mary Jo Matsumoto

the new hues

-James Michael White

horse+nail

When designer Lindsey Hufnagel set out to make her fall 2010 collection for Horse+Nail, she was heavily influenced by the equestrian horse tack.  Inspired by a variety of colors, prints, and leathers, she created an eccentric range of pieces that epitomize the essence of rocker chic with a hint of urban glamour.  Horse+Nail’s signature bag, The Scout, is crafted from the highest quality lambskin and features the ubiquitous horse tack as well as silver and antique gold chain embellishments.  Adding the small fur tail tassel accessory to The Scout bag provided “an extra element of drama and luxury” explains Hufnagel.  As a designer who started her line in an effort to follow her creative vision, Hufnagel has stayed true to her motivations.  “I believe strongly in following my intuition when it comes to designing and styling.  Horse+Nail was a risk I took with confidence, being that the use of horse tack is so different than how it has been utilized in the past with handbag designs” says Hufnagel.  Eager to continue making standout pieces that are well made and carefully thought-out, Hufnagel wants to put her study of men and women’s eveningwear at Parson’s to use in the future, but in the meantime, she’s on to shoes.  “I think shoes will be my next addition to Horse+Nail.  A girl can never have too many shoes!” Currently Horse+Nail bags are available for purchase on shopbop.com, but a few boutiques across the nation will be carrying the fall collection by the end of the year.  Hufnagel’s interest in pleasing her customers has also influenced her to sell the handbags directly from horseandnail.com on a customer-made-to-order basis.  This way, she says, customers walk away getting, “exactly the bag they desire.”

-Nina Oduro

harness hauteness

The nowness of harness jewelry has truly become one of my favorite trends for the coming season. It enhances the most demure of minimalist mavens and lends an air of eroticism to a coveted style staple…the little black dress. Available at shopbop.com in the form of a full body draping, the harness accessory should be worn with sheer, gauzy fabrics. Beware of pairing this look with busy patterns, lace, or bulky garments. Take heed to trying this trend with liquid lame or metallic blouses. The walking disco ball statement has never been in style. The beauty of this accessory essential is its ability to enhance the silhouette of the female form. Remember, less is more when daring to wear your harness hauteness. -Raygon Fields

footloose

To keep our readers informed of the latest shoe do’s and don’ts, we interviewed a shoe addict, Jenny Jiao, for her take on fall’s trends.

Ola: Designers have extended the leopard craze into all types of eye pleasing prints this fall. With so many to choose from, what advice would you give shoe hunters on picking the right pair?

Jenny: I think there’s a fine line between trashy and classy when it comes to leopard. When you have too much leopard or leopard paired with something that is already over-the-top, it becomes all too easy to fall into the fashion victim category. Subtlety is key – look to leopard to kick things up in an otherwise demure style. 

Ola: When most of us think about clogs, we envision clunky wooden shoes worn by the Dutch on old windmill farms. However, the Swedish heeled versions are refreshingly chic and offer a stylish alternative to flats. What’s your verdict?

Jenny: I have to give clogs two thumbs down, way down. Since when are blocks of wood fashionable, stylish, chic, or a good idea?

Ola: At odds with the sky high heels and platforms, is the re-emergence of the kitten heel. They do offer a nice pairing with the 60s inspired full skirted silhouettes, a la Mad Men. Will you be wearing the kitten heel this fall?

Jenny: My shortest heels are my 70mm (2.75 inches) Simples and I don’t think I would ever go any lower than that. To be honest, I don’t think there’s ever a reason to wear anything below 70mm…even if you’re tall and/or work in an ultra-conservative setting. If you go any lower, you might as well just pick out a pair of stylish Christian Louboutin flats.

Ola: Designers are keeping the eyes of shoe addicts hooked on boots through embellishments, like fur. What embellishments are you looking out for this season?

Jenny: I’m all about the studs. I feel like studs are the perfect way to be stylish and have fun at the same time. Unlike fur, studs also don’t come attached to a particular season which means year-round bang for your buck.
-Olabola Awosika

face forward

The onset of fall is such a good excuse to try new looks and break free from your summer beauty routine. While flipping through all of the September issues, surfing the web, and hitting beauty counters, I’ve noticed a strong 70s boho glam and 90s minimalistic influence with a nod to the 80s in the beauty trends straight from the runways.

TREND #1 - THE STRONG BROW

Eyebrows are what gives your face its “frame.” If you are blessed with a naturally fuller brow, keep them clean and pristine with your preferred method of hair removal. If you’ve tweezed or waxed your brows into oblivion, fear not! Simply fill the sparse hairs with a complimenting brow pencil. Be sure to use short feathery strokes and a stiff angled brush dipped in a complimentary powder to build up the shape of your brow and to keep the pencil in place.

TREND #2 - DARK LIPS

Please don’t let the photos of the models deter you from trying this trend. Unless you’re daring enough to try a very dark, vampy mouth, I would suggest a deep berry or wine stain or sheer lipstick. Makeup artist Bobbi Brown is showing her new “Black Velvet” collection to suggest that deep berries, wines, and eggplants are beautiful options for all skin tones.

TREND #3 - FRESH FACE

A fresh face is always on trend in my book. Some interpret “fresh faced” as no foundation at all. So not true! The “no makeup” looks you see in magazines all involve foundations, powders, lipsticks, concealers, etc. The trick to the look for most people is to find a foundation that blends flawlessly into your skin. A little eyeliner drawn very close to the lashes and topped off with a coat of mascara will make your eyes stand out. Skin enhancing shadows applied from the lash line to the crease will warm your lids. Add bronzer with a fluffy brush to enliven your skin. Shade lips with a lip color the same shade or a shade deeper than your lips. Pair this look with the “strong brow” to achieve the quintessential "model-off-duty" face. 

TREND #4 - BLUE EYES

Blue shadows will make your eyes look alluring and sultry. Deep navy, shimmery turquoise, shocking cobalt and all other shades of blue in between, will work on all skin tones. It’s a matter of finding your favorite. Most women are not going to go as bold as these looks from the runway, so opt for a jewel toned sapphire eye liner to capture this trend.

TREND #5 – SLEEK HAIR

As seen at Gucci, straight, sleek, and flowing hair is back in for fall. If you can't visit a salon regularly, this is an easy style for you to maintain yourself. Simply use a quality blow dryer and/or flat iron along with a thermo-protection product to coat and protect your hair from breakage.

-Sondra Lewis

date night

We are eagerly anticipating what looks to be another stunning film from director Darren Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream, The Wrestler) with Black Swan. A regal Natalie Portman plays Nina, a ballet dancer cast in a New York production of Swan Lake, who lives with her domineering mother, also a former ballerina (Barbara Hershey). Nina soon begins an unusual and mysterious alliance with her chief rival (Mila Kunis). Aronofsky has stated that he saw connections with his previous film The Wrestler (which earned rave reviews and actor Mickey Rourke an Academy Award nomination) and initially, during the conception process, they were aligned: "They are really connected and people will see the connections. It's funny, because wrestling some consider the lowest art — if they would even call it art — and ballet some people consider the highest art. But what was amazing to me was how similar the performers in both of these worlds are. They both make incredible use of their bodies to express themselves." One only has to look at the terrific trailer for some impressive visuals (filmed by Matthew Libatique) and its Polanski-influenced ominous feel. It's also nice to see the return of Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey in what looks to be Portman's best role since Closer. It's getting rave reviews out of the Venice Film Festival. We can't wait!
-Jeffery Berg

pop princess

A BCBGeneration bag, all black, chains and studs – is what you may find up-and-coming artist Eryn Woods carrying on any given day. Her current bag of choice isn’t too far-removed from what her fans, and fans-to-be, should expect on her debut album: an 80s inspired project meant to fill a musical void Woods yearns for. Cyndi Lauper meets Madonna, with a twist of Gwen Stefani. But make no mistake about her admiration - she’s offering up her own take in the music scene and makes no bones about it. “I am who I am. Take it or leave it,” said the 22 year-old Shreveport, LA native. “And I’m going to prove that there is still good in this world. You don't have to give up your morals and values to be successful," said Woods. Five years ago, she would have never imagined her passion would have taken her this far, but she said it hasn’t been at the expense of losing herself in the business. “All I can say is make sure you always remember who you are and where you came from,” she said. “It’s important to keep your head on straight because there are people in this industry who don't give a lick if you fall flat on your face, as long as they get out of you what they want. So always stay strong and humbled - you will get to where you are destined to be.” Currently, Woods has a blog, which she started for fans to get the chance to know her and relate more to her music. Fantastic Break-Up, It’s Me, No Rush, Freeway, Get it, Get it, and Uh Oh have all been released on iTunes to hold fans over until her first album drops. Woods said the currently unnamed album, with 10 to 12 tracks, should be released by the spring/summer of 2011. In the next few years, she plans to share her sound internationally, and while making moves, expand her talents into modeling, television and movies. With a production deal with Pharsound Productions, Woods definitely wants to prove that her come-up story is a dream, but one that’s tangible. “I have grown so much, I've had to deal with certain situations that no 22 year-old should ever have to deal with, and do a lot of this on my own,” she shared. “Five years ago, I was just graduating high school and all of this was just in my dreams. Never did I think I would actually be living my dreams - but that wasn't going to stop me from trying.”

-Danielle Walker 

mommy and me

-Rachel Cheng