Who is Alexander Wang?

Alexander Wang: to those who know of his edgy, quirky style, the name conjures up images of slightly masculine women's wear. But who is this young (he was born in 1984) Asian designer taking the fashion world by storm?


After moving to New York at age 18, Wang attended a top fashion college, Parsons The New School for Design, for two years before dropping out as a sophomore. In 2007, he launched his first women's ready-to-wear collection. His style of design is inspired by the 90's, French chic, and rock grunge. The clothing always had the sense that the person wearing it has just rolled out of bed, which is what makes his collections so unique.

In spring 2009, Wang launched his T by Alexander Wang line of pre-weathered cotton tees, tanks, and T-shirt dresses. Along with this he launched a collection of fabulous platform sandals.

In 2008, Wang was nominated for a 2008 Council of Fashion Designers of America in Women's Wear. He ended up winning a USD$200,000 prize as the CDFA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award winner. He was featured, as a remembrance of his victory, in the November 2010 issue of Vogue magazine in an article entitled "The Aluminati".

In fall 2008, Wang designed a collection using many black. In his Spring 2009 collection, he used solely bright colors, such as orange, dusty purple, aqua and hot pink. He announced with his collection, "They wanted color, they got color!" showing his comedic side.

After his colorful Spring 2009 collection, Wang returned to using mainly black in future collections. He is praised for his incredible tailoring skills as well as his edgy style of creation.

I couldn't have written this article without some help. Thanks a lot to Wikipedia, which supplied me with all the information as well as the photograph.

Isabel Marant Fall 2011 Collection

Occasionally, I look at a collection, and the clothes have the power to generate a real emotion inside of me. The latest collection from Isabel Marant has done that. What was the emotion? I truly felt a sense of relaxation while I explored this fabulous collection. Pictures supplied by Vogue.com - visit for full collection

This outfit strikes me as an outfit that could be worn by a single, high-power executive woman who lives in New York or a married, suburban stay-at-home mom buying groceries. The relaxed fit of the pants and the slightly baggy shirt looks really comfortable. The fabulous shoes and jacket take this outfit to the next level.

This outfit is totally gorgeous. The shirt has a fabulous combination of blues that create a one-of-a-kind look. The fitted pants accentuate the model's natural feminine shape, and would make any woman's body look amazing. I really love the diamond-like studs on the pant's pockets, because they add a sense of glam that you might not even notice if you didn't look closely at the pants. The jacket is one that any woman can wear, and the shoes are completely fantastic.

This sexy little dress is simple yet extremely classy. The dress's unique pattern really accents its simple shape. Having the dress be so short also allows the eye to enjoy the fabulous boots.

I chose to analyze this outfit because I absolutely adore the jacket. It's voluminous, yet sophisticated. It feels dramatic without being too crazy. The dress underneath is simplistic yet chique. Again, because the dress and jacket are so short, the boots are very visible and draw the eye to them, because they're so dramatic.

This all-black ensemble is one that would give any woman wearing it total confidence. The skin-tight pants truly show off the model's shape, and the black necklace adds a interesting texture. The boots look fabulous in motion because of the strings hanging off of them, and they add a feeling of drama.

Some people may look at this dress and think it's boring. I disagree! Yes, it seems like there isn't anything that makes this dress super spectacular, because it is so simple. However, I love its simplicity. The long vee-neck adds some interesting texture to the front of the dress, and I think the outfit as a whole (including the fabulous shoes) is extremely sophisticated and classy.

I love this dress because I love the Native American feel it has. The clothes of the Native Americans must have inspired this dress, because it really mirrors that look. I love that Isabel Marant has created a collection that really honors the fabulous clothing of the Native American people by taking their basic ideas and interpreting it in a fashion way. The boots also match the dress perfectly, which ties the whole outfit together.

I will complete my analysis of this collection with this ensemble, like the last one I critiqued, has a very Native American-esque vibe to it. However, this dress is also extremely high fashion. Its shape is so interesting to look at, and I love the texture added to it by the long dangling strings. Also, the knee-high boots are a modern interpretation of Native American moccasins. Absolutely gorgeous.

Feel free to comment on this collection and share your opinions. A big thanks to Vogue.com, which provided me with each picture. If you're interested in the rest of this collection, or in anything else fashion-wise, I recommend visiting Vogue.com.

Diane von Furstenberg Fall 2011 Collection

According to the esteemed opinion of Diane von Furstenberg, sophistication is the new thing for this season. Diane's latest collection takes sophistication to the extreme, with its incredible mix of colors and patterns. This collection is really HOT! Pictures supplied by Vogue.com - visit for full collection

This dress totally reminds me of the Ace of Spades - in the best way possible. This pattern is innovative, yet simple. Sophisticated, yet fun. I love how the bag completely matches the dress as well, and of course, the black boots are fabulous!

This outfit simply oozes glamour. Its simplicty in color and style, but with an interesting twist to add shape, makes this dress unique. I love the black bag and boots, and the sunglasses have the best shape in terms of what's interesting to look at.
I love the bright red color of this dress. Its style as well is very unique. What I really love about this outfit in general is that when you first glance at it, you think it's just a simple red dress, with a simple black coat, and simple black boots. It's only when you look closely at it that you discover the intricaces that make it so incredible.

I really love the color blue. Although pink is by far my favorite color, something about the calmness and coolness of blue is very soothing and attractive to the eye. This outfit, though obviously very bright and dramatic, still retains that soothing effect for me. The slightly different shades of blue in the outfit complement each other well, and I adore the accessories.

This dress totally reminds me of St. Patrick's Day. Its green shamrocks on the black background make it a one-of-a-kind design, and I really enjoy looking at it. The boots, once again, are fabulous, and the bag is gorgous in its simplicity.

I love this outfit! A combination of my two favorite colors, pink and purple, made me stop and stare as soon as I laid eyes on it. You can't deny that Diane von Furstenberg has taken colors that many people consider "little-girlish" and used them to create a sophisticated, glamourous, gorgeous ensemble that compliments the female form perfectly.

This gown is fit for a queen. The color, the jewl-like circles, and the style remind me, literally, of something someone royal would wear. Almost Grecian-like in its design, this gown flows like water, and it literally took my breath away. Also, I simply love the way the model's skin tone compliments the color of the dress; and the shoes, of course, are fabulous.

It is extremely difficult to make a dress completely non-tacky when you cover it with bright blue sequins. Diane von Furstenberg has done that with this dres. Simply beautiful, this draped ensemble reminds me of something a mermaid might slip on for a night at the Oscars. Completely glamorous, totally chique, fabulously unique, this dress is the perfect finish to my analysis of this truly one-of-a-kind collection.

Feel free to comment on this collection and share your opinions. A big thanks to Vogue.com, which provided me with each picture. If you're interested in the rest of this collection, or in anything else fashion-wise, I recommend visiting Vogue.com.

Miu Miu Fall 2011 Collection

If you're looking to add a flowery mood to your wardrobe this fall, I would definitely recommend the fall 2011 collection from Miu Miu. While not every piece actually had a floral print, the overall mood of the collection was, in my opinion, a happy one. Pictures supplied by Vogue.com - visit for full collection


This look is sophistication at its best. Can't you imagine major businesswoman wearing this outfit for a big meeting at the office - and nailing it? I can. By being simple yet interesting, this look gives off a sense of glamour as well as a sense of responsibility.


This is the floral print I was discussing earlier. With its perfect blend of colors and textures, this entire outfit as a whole is stunning. What I love most about it, however, is the gorgeous shape of the dress. That synched waist would compliment any woman's natural shape, without distracting the eye from the flowers on the dress itself.


I decided to comment on this coatdress because I simply love the shapes it has. The eye really doesn't know where to go, between the puffed sleeves, folded collar, synched waist, and slightly puffy skirt. I also have to say that the shoes are fabulous, and completely one-of-a-kind.


I like this piece. I really like how the bow-like concoctions on the belt connect it with the more floral dresses, since those bows seem almost flower-like. The colors are perfection together, and I have to say that I adore the accessories: the shoes, the bag, and the glasses are really fabulous.


This coatdress stood out to me because of its simplicity. It seems, at first glance, like a very plain coatdress; and on one level, it is. However, when you look closer at it, you notice the interesting arrangement of the buttons (one at top, four at bottom), and the accessories are very pretty. I just adore those shoes and that bag.


This dress not only has the floral element in its print, but it also has the flower-like bow on its belt. This dress is incredible, I really love it. The idea of combining these particular colors is really unheard of for me. I always thought that navy blue and black didn't really work together, but on this dress, those colors really complement each other. The white flowers are gorgeous, too - as well as the accessories.


I know most of these designs are kind of simple, but that's specifically why I love them so much. Extreme, crazy fashion is genius, of course, but sometimes a person prefers more "normal" styled clothes. This dress epitomizes that for me. Can't you imagine someone wearing this to a garden party in the springtime? I really feel that this dress is glamorous, and any woman would look fabulous in it.


This dress, though similar to the other ones I've discussed, is unique because it's like a coat as well as a dress (similar to a coatdress, but not exactly the same). It's really simple yet interesting enough to catch my eye. I mean, I don't understand how someone could dislike a dress of this quality - it's fantastic!


I simply HAD to feature this dress as my last one for the collection, because it contains my all-time favorite color: PINK!!! Besides that, the work is impeccable. The shapes of the waist, sleeves, and shoulders make this a really interesting design to look at. The colors make me feel happy, since they're so bright, and they remind me of springtime. This is a perfect representation of the overall feel of the collection.

Feel free to comment on this collection and share your opinions. A big thanks to Vogue.com, which provided me with each picture. If you're interested in the rest of this collection, or in anything else fashion-wise, I recommend visiting Vogue.com.

Who is Coco Chanel?

We've all probably heard of the brand "Chanel," founded by the world-renowned designer, Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (August 19, 1883 - January 10, 1971).
A major name in fashion, Coco Chanel was a French designer who entered the fashion industry in 1910, as a modiste (hat maker). Throughout her life, Coco would become one of the most influential and famous designers of all time; so prominent, in fact, that she was named on Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century.

Coco's style of clothing was different from many of the time because it was extremely masculine. She, herself, was quite rebellious; she dressed in different ways than other women and used material (jersey) in her designs when in 1916 it was always associated with underwear.

Ignoring the disapproval of many major fashion magazines, Coco maintained a similar wardrobe in her designs each year, feeling no need to change. "Let us beware of originality," she said "in couture it leads to costume."

Coco's clothes were made to be worn; and were, therefore, comfortable. Comfort was a concept that was not used often in clothing created by many male designers of the time. The Chanel suit, collarless, simply cut and simply decorated, is a classic that has maintained in fashion for decades for that very reason.

In 1926, Coco introduced "the little black dress," now considered a staple in any woman's wardrobe. She also wore pants when in Venice to ease travel by gondola, which showed women that pants were not simply a men's clothing item. In 1921, she launched the first ever designer scent: Chanel No 5, and throughout her life created costume jewelry and wore it regularly, for example fake pearls.

The Chanel brand has been able to continue because of Coco's successor, Karl Lagerfeld, who entered the company in 1983. His incredible genius took Chanel to new extremes. However, the name "Coco Chanel" will never be forgotten.

I couldn't have written this article without some help. Thanks a lot to Wikipedia, as well as the book Vogue Fashion: Over 100 Years of Style by Decade and Designer, in Association with Vogue by Linda Watson (I recommend this book for anyone who has an interest in fashion - it's fantastic).

Prada - Fall 2011 Collection

Aaaah....Prada. The very name conjures up images of style. Prada's fall 2011 Collection was no exception. The following dresses made me think of the 20's, with the dropped-waists, and the 40's, with the puffed sleeves. Pictures supplied by Vogue.com - visit for full collection


This look is just incredibly interesting to look at. The contrast between the simple black coat dress with the red glasses and space helmet with the knee-high snakeskin boots makes the eyes unable to rest on one thing for more than a few seconds. I love the way the helmet-like hat is completely in sync with the coat's collar, showing intense attention to detail.


This dress strikes me as extremely feminine and shapely, while still retaining an element of youth. It seems like an outfit any young girl would wear to school, but is matured by the addition of the knee-high snakeskin boots and the clutch purse.


This dress is truly sophisticated. I love that the fur is tastefully used and not overdone, because too much fur can make a dress look strange if not done right. This dress is not only fabulous on its own, but it makes the model look great as well. The shoes are simple but chic, and match the bag perfectly.



This ensemble definitely makes me think of a young schoolgirl - the straight top part of the dress goes perfectly with the slight flounce at the bottom, creating an interesting look. Again, the snakeskin boots return to remind us of the model's age.


I'll finish with this gorgeous ensemble. I love the way the colors have come together on this dress. The black makes the red buttons, belt buckle, and stripes really pop. The style of the dress is so 20's that I would almost think I'd gone back in time, if it weren't for the fabulous bag and trademark snakeskin boots. A truly fantastic outfit.

Feel free to comment on this collection and share your opinions. A big thanks to Vogue.com, which provided me with each picture. If you're interested in the rest of this collection, or in anything else fashion-wise, I recommend visiting Vogue.com.

Alexander McQueen - Fall 2011 Collection

The McQueen fall 2011 collection blew my mind. A mixture of military style leather dresses with swan-lake inspired gowns and a hint of snow queen vibe made for a one-of-a-kind collection. Pictures supplied by Vogue.com - visit for full collection


This dress emphasized the female form while still retaining an element of glamor. Hair pulled back off the face allowed the eye to only see the clothing. Don't even get me started on the fabulousness of those lace-up gray boots. This dress is, to me, a work of supreme genius and mastery beyond comprehension. I mean, come on! It's FAB!


This dress simply OOZES glamour. The shape, the color, the sleeves - this is a dress that will make any woman, no matter how her body looks, look in-CRED-ible. My favorite part is probably the jewels, feathers, and interesting criss-cross at the top. And obviously, the shoes (I love shoes).


This ensemble embodies the military/matrix vibe the collection emoted. A black studded dress, combined with gorgeous lace-up black boots, would have made a completely masculine look - the synched waist, thanks to the simplistic yet effective black belt, adds a touch of femininity to this intense creation.


After so many grays and blacks, a surprise burst of purple struck the catwalk. Again, a gorgeous dress; a completely feminine gown, truly emphasizing the female form. This would make any woman's body look incredible, which is always a plus! The fabric mirrors the feathers used on many other designs, and the shoes - OMG!


To complete my analysis of this fall collection, I thought I would discuss this fabulous, snow-queen gown that if the apex of all things fabulous. The tight-fitted bodice in contrast with the huge skirt makes the dress extremely dramatic. This outfit seems almost as if it was inspired by Swan Lake - but amped up a level or two. A stunning addition to a fabulous collection.

Feel free to comment on this collection and share your opinions. A big thanks to Vogue.com, which provided me with each picture. If you're interested in the rest of this collection, or in anything else fashion-wise, I recommend visiting Vogue.com.

Welcome to Flo's Fashion Focus!

Hello! If you have decided to enter the fabulous world of "Flo's Fashion Focus," then you must, like me, have an interest in the fashion industry. If not, maybe you were just curious! Either way, this blog was created as a forum for those of us who adore fashion (guilty as charged). I will use this blog to share my personal opinions on the "whos" and "whats" that make up fashion. Being a totally normal person whose dream is to one day work at Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, or really ANY major (or minor!) fashion magazine, I decided it might help me if I actually took the time to WRITE something about fashion.

Before you start exploring the ins and outs of my blog, let me explain how I first became interested in the zany world of fashion. When I was a much younger girl, I honestly had no interest in fashion at all. Zero. Zip. Nada. In fact, I thought fashion was ridiculous and kind of stupid. Sadly, most people do. It was only when I was 13, in the seventh grade, when my interest in fashion began to take root. How? The fabulous, amazing, wonderful, fantastic TV show, America's Next Top Model. I understand that some people will have closed out of my blog immediately after reading that I had a fashion epiphany after watching such a "shallow" show. I understand. However, I don't agree that my conversion via ANTM should be considered silly. While I do admit that the show can be utterly ridiculous, it has changed my opinions on fashion. I'm not saying that I watched one episode and BAM! I wanted to be the next Anna Wintour. It actually took me years of watching (and becoming obsessed with) the show to change my mind. I'd always enjoyed writing, and eventually I started to wonder if maybe writing for fashion magazines was something I should look into. I thought to myself "I like fashion, I like writing - should I try writing for fashion?" That was when I decided that, yes, I wanted to become a fashion journalist.

How will I achieve this dream? Obviously, I'm going to have to take classes about fashion as well as journalism before I can actually start writing for a real publication. But for now, sharing my thoughts with the cyberspace will be the PERFECT training. So, here I am! Hopefully, people will read and enjoy my blog, but if not, that's a-okay! I'm still discussing fashion and all things concerned with it, and after all, that's all I ever wanted.

Feel free to comment on any posts and visit my blog as many times as you like - FASHION RULES!

- Flo