kcfw: lauren bander giveaway

it's that time again to for kcfw! yes. kansas city fashion week is back! i can't wait to attend the shows, talk to the designers, and see their new collections. you might remember how much fun i had last spring, here, here, and here. lauren bander is definitely one of my favorite designers from the spring shows. she stood out to me last year with her carrie bradshaw meets goth girl collection. i adored her effortlessly layered tutu looks with cozy hand woven shawls. we teamed up together to get you all excited about kcfw and her presentation, by bringing you a great giveaway! be sure to enter the giveaway for one of lauren's amazing hand woven scarfs. a winner will be picked on friday, september 26th and announced on instagram and twitter. i thought it would be awesome to learn a little bit more about lauren too. so i've asked her a few questions so you can get to know her!

1. how excited are you about presenting at KCFW this year??

I am SO excited to be showing again at KCFW!  This quickly became one of my favorite shows to be a part of and I look forward to the opportunity of coming back each season.  KC now feels like my home away from home and I love being able to come back each season to show everyone my newest collection.  It makes it even more fun & exciting (and sometimes even makes me a bit nervous) that I have so many people excited to see me back and can't wait to see what I've been working on.

I enjoy working with everyone that's a part of this show so much and love that I have become friends with so many.  I've been very lucky too because a lot of my girls (my models) have been with me since my first season at KCFW and they are a huge reason as to why I look forward to coming back each season.  I couldn't ask for a better group of girls, or to be a part of a better, more giving show (they are always giving back to their community, and this season have even partnered with the Make-A-Wish foundation).  I definitely feel honored to be able to show with them and cannot wait until Saturday.

2. how many years have you presented at KCFW? 

This is my 4th season with KCFW.  My first show was in the Spring of 2013. 

3. how would you describe your new collection?

The best way to describe my new collection is that it is very me.  Spring collections are usually a little more difficult for me because I'm not a very colorful person and a lot of people expect to see brighter colors and bold prints on the Spring runways.  I personally like neutrals, especially black and other dark colors.  So that tends to make creating these collections a bit more difficult.  This time though I decided I wanted to do a spring collection I would really love, so I'm taking a slight risk and there won't be any color on my runway.  The designs though stay true to me and what I always do: pieces with an abundance of fabric, lots of movement on the runway, feminine...That part won't change, it's just that it won't be your typical spring/summer color story.  

4. what inspired this collection?

My inspiration for this collection was photos of Paris.  They have sort of an eerie feel, mysterious...but I think they're really beautiful photos.  They're a bit dark but still beautiful, sort of what I was going for with this collection.  

5. who inspires you the most?

As a designer one of my biggest inspirations has always been Christian Dior.  I love his feminine styles and the large amounts of fabrics he used.  His gowns have always been an inspiration, and what I look towards when I fall into a creative block. 

6. what is your favorite piece from the collection?

My favorite piece in the collection....this is a difficult question.  My favorite always tends to change. I'm partial to ball gowns, I would wear one everyday if I wouldn't get such crazy looks lol so those are always some of my favorites and the reason I usually have more than one in the collection.  But another of my favorite is a long, black chiffon strapless dress.  Its super simple, but I think that's why I like it so much.  I tend to like the really simple pieces, because I like to be able to layer them or change looks just by changing accessories.  

7. when do you present at KCFW?

 I show at KCFW at 2pm on Saturday September 27.

8. where are you from?

I am from St. Louis, MO

9. how long does it take you to create your lines for KCFW?

While I'm constantly thinking of new designs and what I'll do next, the actual process of creating a collection (from the idea stages and mood boards to the completion of samples) usually takes me about 5-6 months, depending upon the number and complexity of the designs.  But it is also not unlike me to throw out some pieces and start almost completely over just weeks  before, you just can't ignore when inspiration hits lol 

10. who are your top three (i'm sure you have more) favorite designers?

So of course my favorite designer is Christian Dior...but I also really love The Row (designed by Mary-Kate Olsen & Ashley Olsen) and Alice+Olivia.0

be sure to follow lauren bander:

facebook

twitter

instagram

website

i look forward to see you and lauren bander at kcfw! if you need tickets you can get them here.

xo,

cait

follow along on instagram, twitter, facebook, and pinterest. 

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kansas city fashion week: sunday show recap

although kcfw ended a few weeks ago, i am still loving the shows from sunday. i've collected my favorite looks from all the shows and broke down the design elements that make up each great piece.

i was impressed with this line immediately. from each look i was blown away even more than the last. every look was constructed beautifully and was pulled together to create a cohesive line. i was most impressed with modesty of zohreh zarrabi's collection. she was able to use fabrics and prints to create sophisticated creations without looking like costumes. i can't wait to see what she presents in september.

lb glam showcased killer accessories. the name says it perfectly, glam. the black onesies with black booties, bouffant hair and lashes, lashes, lashes. the best way to show off necklaces, belts, earrings, and bracelets. i was blown away by a very gaga inspired show. 

the sophie hines collection was full of great metallic details, light tulle layers with a hint of lingerie inspired pieces. each look was more unique and perfect from the last. i adored crimped messy hair to the layered jewelry. i would want to wear every piece because of the impeccable construction and design. 

i'm pretty excited to see what these ladies will bring to kcfw this september!

but in the mean time, go blog social is this weekend! i couldn't be more excited. it is my first blogger conference! i'm ready to learn from all the speakers and meet a ton of new bloggers. i can't wait to share with you what i will take away. anyone been to a blogger conference or go blog social and have any tips? feel free to share away.

until then follow me  on instagram, twitter, facebook, and pinterest. 

xo,

cait

kcfw: saturday night favorites

the kansas city fashion week kicked off at union station on saturday afternoon and every show was wonderful. i couldn't wait for the saturday night shows to begin. 

i was able to go to dinner at the jacobson, inbetween the shows, with my fabulous blogger friends, lauren from classy and fab girl (a special thanks for letting me use some of your pics), morgan from eeny meeny miny morgan, erin from pretty, perfect, polished, carrie from fashionable way and jana from jana style. so many past experiences and tips were shared. it was a pleasure getting to hang out together!

 as for the line of up designers, that alone got me excited to see the presentatoins. 

kate walz 

lb by lauren bander 

architexture 

koko clemence 

bywhitney

house of cochon

laura kathleen (from project runway and project runway all-stars) 

see what i mean!?

the show kicked off with the uber talented and young kate walz. she's sixteen and can totally design her little butt off. her collection was highly conceptual. each look was constructed to perfection. the whole collection had a dressy hippie concept, that was gorgeous. 

the lauren bander show was exactly what i wanted to see. i feel in love with her designs from her last collection and i could not wait to see what she had created. she even told me this was her best collection yet. and it totally is. her collection has everything; tulle, sparkle, leather, and knits. i was blown away and so happy about every look she presented. 

and the grand finale was brought by the one and only laura kathleen. talk about one talented lady, i mean she was on project runway and project runway all-stars. her collection was exactly what you would expect her to bring: chic and sophisticated. i am obsessing over the white strapless flute dress that walked down the runway, and then laura rocked it in green. amazing. the gorgeous black fabric is an amazing phenomenon called neoprene, and it's washable. i mean is that for real? it's just to pretty and perfect to wash, right?

as for what i wore - i did a quick change after dinner and i will let you in on the detes in my next post. in the mean time, mark your calendars for march 27th 5pm - 7pm. i am hosting another fabulous shopping event at ruby rouge in downtown overland park! we're are launching into spring and we want to style you. so, bring in a piece or two from your closet and i will help you style it for sunnier days. ruby rouge has some amazing new pieces! on thursday you will save 20% on your whole purchase! i can't wait to get you styled for spring!

xo,

cait

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kcfw: saturday afternoon presentation recap

saturday morning began with a great cup of coffee followed by tons of texts to my closests girls and my hubby, to make sure they thought my outfit would be just right. love y'all for the the support! i picked up lauren, from classy and fab girl and we headed to union station. 

when we arrived we were taken backstage and saw the hair in make up in action.  it was so fun to see all the hairstylists teasing and spraying and pinning, while the make up artists transformed these beautiful girls into glam girls! utla gave us an amazing (no, really) gift bags full of great new product. (don't worry, i'll let you know everything, and what i loved).

 now onto the shows. i wanted you all to really see my favorite shows and why i loved them. the presentation by andrea marie long designs was a fan favorite, starting with the designer presentation and trunk show, the night before. her models were decked out and her looks were perfectly styled, from the hats, gloves, and deep rouge lip. plus, she used a fur of her grandmothers for some of the designs ( i'm pretty sure my great grandmother would turn over in her grave if i cut up her mink coat), but i do have to say i was blown away and had no idea the fur was real. i did wonder where this girl got such great faux fur from, haha. i have very impressed with anna's vision and craftmanship. i can't wait to see what she presents in september. 

the l.o.d. designs presentation was a very happy and feminine presentation. the flowy tropical fabric paired perfectly with the structured yellow fabric used for tops and bottoms for the collection. the drapery of her fabrics was beautiful. i especially loved the accessories her models wore - huge gold wrist cuffs and ear cuffs and with green and yellow feathers attached. this line feels like it needs to go on a vacation, and it wants to take me with it. am i right?

and last but not least, oblivion clothing design. talk about attention to detail. this girl knows her way around a machine. each piece was more gorgeous than the next. i mean, look at how diverse and gorgeous all three looks are. oh and the hair, and make up. my favorite of the night for sure. lots of mini crimps, teased into perfect bouffant mohawks. i loved how original  each piece looked and felt. now, how can incorporate these pieces into my everyday life...

the full list of all the designers can be found on kansas city fashion week's designer page. all of the designers (mentioned above) made these each piece by hand, if you are wanting to inquire about any of them, drop them a line. i know they would be flattered. vintage fur anyone?

stay tuned for the rest of my kcfw recap this week!

keep up with me by following me on instagram, twitter, facebook, and pinterest to stay in the loop.

xo,

cait

kcfw: saturday's look

okay, so kcfw kicked off this week and it was absolutely amazing! i mean, it was a full four days of events and shows. i couldn't get enough. the designers were great to meet and finally see all their creations (stay tuned for everything, my favorite designs, designers, and where you can grab their pieces). i was able to meet so many kc bloggers, and i can not wait to hang out again. 

so let's get a little serious, this outfit. i'm pretty partial to it. i wish i could tell you i had this planned out weeks before, but then i would totally be lying to you, and i don't want to do that. i'm gonna keep it real, i totally waited until the morning of, and pulled it together. i knew this vintage midi skirt needed to have a moment i mean i needed to make sure that when i sat down, that i wasn't going to flash a little thigh or anything (that's not cute), right? plus i just love the color. and i was totally ready to rock the new sjp pumps from the dallas trip (yes i wore them, i had too, they're just to pretty). i then paired this structured blazer and fitted top to complete the look. and i was ready for the shows. 

blazer: bcbg (old) but similar here | top: bcbg  (old) but similar here| skirt: vintage but similar here | pumps: sjp | necklace: nachelle | rings: lulu frost

and i almost forgot, the lulu frost rings are sentimental pieces to me. the six and the four are the most meaning full numbers to me, its our wedding date. june 4th will be our third anniversary (too crazy), and i read for the third year you give leather...anyone have a good idea for a present? for leather i am thinking like a belt, watch (gave him one for our wedding), or baseball glove. haha. what would you give?

anyways back to kcfw, keep checking back all week to see my favorite shows and designers. i will let you know where you can find the looks from the runway, i want to know that info too! to insure you don't miss a post subscribe by email and add me on google + too.

until then follow me on  instagram, twitter, facebook, and pinterest to stay in the loop.

xo,

cait 

kcfw: night one

 

kansas city fashion week kicked off on thursday at stadard style on the plaza with the lauren kathleen designs. the space is great and it was such a fun night. i was so excited to be a part of kcfw this year, i wanted to wear something that showed off my style. 

i created an outfit around this peplum top (who doesn't love a great peplum top), paired it with my baldwin's (splurge, but totally love) and my favorite black blazer(i've had for years and i still love it). i wanted to keep it sassy by wearing my go-to leopard pumps (they've been repaired to stay gorgeous) and my classic tory bag (totally obsessed). 

blazer: bcbg (old) but similar here | peplum top: guess | denim: baldwin | pumps: j.crew (old) but similar here | purse: tory burch | earrings: kendra scott | bracelets: j.crew, j.crew (old), david yurman, and gift | rings: david yurman and vintage tiffany's 

it was a great event and i really felt comfortable in this look, isn't that what it all should be about. when you feel good, you look good! 

stay in the loop on the fashion week festivities with me on instagram and twitter! 

xo,

caitlin

kcfw spring 2014 kick off at standard style

thursday kicked off the spring '14 kcfw festivities and the standard style store opening (after renovations). the store looks so clean, crisp and fresh, i love it. plus the standard beauty bar is packed with gorgeous new products for you to go and try. they have great make up artists ready to help you find your best look. 

laura kathleen showcased her incredible designs at standard on thursday. i was completely blown away by the fabrics and details of every seam. her pieces are completely glamorous, and even machine washable. sounds impossible right? but it's true. laura is super sweet and was so fun to meet me and chat with the fellow bloggers. it was so nice to meet all the wonderful kc bloggers and chat about our favorite pieces. 

here's a little sneak peak of her collection. i can't wait to see the whole collection this on saturday! follow along on my instagram and twitter to catch every moment of the show(s).

ps - how amaze is the light fixture? i'm pretty obsessed. 

the merchandiser in me just loves a good visual - that wall of perfectly stacked denim. absolutely amazing.

the table styling was perfection too. 

meet some of the wonderful ladies from the kcfw kick off event at standard. 

lauren, jana, laura kathleen, morgan 

go check out their blogs if you haven't already! enjoy!

if you haven't grabbed tickets yet you can here! the shows start on saturday at 2:00pm and at 8:00pm at union station, this show will be featuring project runway and project runway all-stars designer laura kathleen. the finale is on sunday at 2pm at union station. 

doesn't the store look amazing!? i can't wait to see all the designs tomorrow. what are you excited to see?

xo,

cait

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