All I want: Long, slightly
witchy, maxi dresses.
December 2nd, 2011 By

I may live in LA these days, but the evenings get chilly (not to mention my nearly arctic office). I really just want to be swaddled in as much fabric as possible, particularly when it’s generously cut and not curve-hugging (it is the season of cheese plates and brownie platters after all). I’m seriously considering through my wallet behind this silk velvet maxi dress from British-based Toast (one of my favorite websites, ever), since it’s a bit more affordable than this Lindsey Thornburg number. But there’s something easy-going about this t-shirt version from Splendid, too. And did I mention this particularly witch-y iteration care of Topshop? Want that too. Rob, well, he’ll hate it, but it looks nice and comfortable to me!

clockwise, l-r: SILK VELVET MAXI DRESS, £245.00, Toast; LINDSEY THORNBURG LONG DARBY DRESS, $620.00, Shopbop; BOUTIQUE VELVET MAXI DRESS, $350.00, Topshop; SPLENDID SCOOP-NECK MAXI DRESS, $121.00, Neiman Marcus.

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Maxi Dresses for Spring March 26th, 2011 By

If you don’t own a maxi dress yet, now is a great time to start shopping for one.  Maxi dresses have become a wardrobe staple for spring and summer over the years because they are comfortable and ideal for hot weather since fabrics tend to be free-flowing and lightweight.  If you’re still not convinced, we have chosen our favorite maxi dresses in various prints that are great for traveling, strolling along the beach, or an evening out with friends.  When shopping for your next maxi dress, choose styles that are fitted around the waist for a pulled-together look, and accessorize with a chunky necklace, an oversized bag and a pair of your prettiest sandals.

Halter Maxi Dress, $98.00 at Victoria’s Secret

Halter Maxi Dress

Bebe Cascade Print Maxi Dress, $299.98 at ItzaGreenThing

Bebe Cascade Print Maxi Dress

Tory Burch Maxi Paisley Silk Gown – Purple Ker, $550.00 at Saks Fifth Avenue

 Tory Burch Maxi Paisley Silk Gown

Trina Turk Acapulco-Print Maxi Dress, $189.00 at Neiman Marcus

Trina Turk Acapulco-Print Maxi Dress

Printed Floral Maxi Dress, $350.00 at ADASA.com

Printed Floral Maxi Dress

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Long Skirts for NYE December 28th, 2010 By

I’m taking a quick 3 day trip up to San Francisco to ring in the New Year with some of my best girlfriends.  Completely stumped by what to wear, I’ve thought of a few options that would be both warm and different from my usual uniform of skinny jeans and party tops (we call the sparkly ones “Dallas tops”).  The first option I’m exploring is the concept of the long skirt.  In truth, I haven’t bought a long skirt in over 10 years, and if you’ve seen me wearing one lately it was most likely a repurposed maxi dress.  But here they are again, circling back around.  The long skirts I’ve seen around town have all seemed comfortable and fresh.  Here are a few I’m eyeing:

I love the sheer detail of this.  Probably the easiest to wear, and dressiest.

I think this works well with my laid-back nature, but it needs some extra sparkle to be NYE-worthy.


Probably the hardest to wear, and I’m going to have to put some thought into this one if I am actually going to pull the trigger; perhaps a winter white blazer with gold accessories? I’m digging the ’90s vibe.

Ok, this isn’t a skirt but I just saw it and had to share.

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Retail Interview: Gypsy 05 February 22nd, 2010 By

Caitlin and Justin Frech of Gypsy 05 at their L.A. Headquarters

Caitlin and Justin Frech of Gypsy 05 at their L.A. Headquarters

I had the opportunity to go to the Los Angeles headquarters of Gypsy 05 and meet with Marketing Manager, Justin Frech.  He gave me the inside scoop on this hot brand, which is a favorite amongst celebrities like Paris Hilton, Miley Cyrus, Zac Efron, Alessandra Ambrosio, Taylor Momsen, and Olivia Munn. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of the new collection; and while I can’t give anything away about the new designs, here’s what I can tell you about this awesome, eco-friendly label:

How Gypsy 05 got started:

Brother-sister duo Dotan and Osi Shoham are the masterminds behind the label.  Dotan brings his many years of experience in the dye industry, and Osi takes the helm as lead designer.  They launched the brand in 2005 because they saw an opportunity to bring a unique vision to life: SoCal bohemian-inspired clothing with an emphasis on comfort.  What began mainly as a t-shirt company has now evolved into dresses, pants, and accessories.

How they developed a following:

For being relatively new to the scene, Gypsy 05 has an impressive list of celebrity clientele and a loyal following.  Perhaps the one design that put them on the map is their hugely-popular cotton maxi dress.  Today, their continued success can be attributed to the quality and comfort of their designs, and word of mouth is a powerful PR tool (also check them out on their facebook fan page).  Celebrity clientele, who are photographed in the designs on a regular basis, keep coming back for more.  Gypsy 05 has also developed relationships with stylists and wardrobe assistants, who have featured their designs on TV shows like Gossip Girl, The Daily Ten, and American Idol.

Where their inspiration comes from:

Born and raised in Israel and currently living in southern California, Osi draws much of her inspiration from her natural surroundings.  The ocean, nature, and respect for the environment are apparent in the colorful, flowing designs of each piece.  Tie dye and organic shapes are signatures to the collection.

On being eco-friendly:

All of their products are made locally in the Los Angeles area using eco-conscious manufacturing processes.  They use organic fabrics whenever possible, and the color process uses low-impact dyes and water-based printing.  As far as they know, they are the only clothing manufacturer in the United States that have installed solar panels to power their office and factory.  100% of their headquarters’ operations is powered by the solar electricity that these panels generate!

What looks we can expect to see this summer:

We can expect to see a lot of their signature prints in the form of flowing silk mini-dresses and jumpsuits.  Updated versions of their sportswear have already been pre-released with huge success.  And in a new twist, some shredded, rocker-inspired items are also being added to the Gypsy 05 summer collection.

Hints at their fall collection:

Staying true to their origins, Gypsy 05 will be releasing fall pieces featuring more bold colors and tie dye prints but will be branching out into new silhouettes.  Expect to see a combination of silk, jersey, and cotton fabrics, and as always, comfort and eco-friendliness will remain at the center of each design.

Where you can buy:

To purchase these products online, please visit the Gypsy 05 Official Site.  Fine department stores Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus also carry Gypsy 05 clothing.

What is Gypsy 05′s besobe so natural.

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Gypsy 05 Organic Maxi Dress

Gypsy 05′s Organic Maxi Dress in Tie Dye is one of their best-selling looks!

allie_jumper

Gypsy 05 Allie Silk Jumper

The Allie Silk Jumper is an example of some of the new styles Gypsy 05 is releasing for spring and summer 2010.

sweatshirt

Gypsy 05 Cut-Off Sweatshirt

Gypsy 05′s cut-off sweatshirt is another best-selling item.

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Gypsy 05 Jade Silk Peasant Dress

The Jade Silk Peasant Mini-Dress is one of my personal favorites.  The silk fabric makes an easy transition from day to night!

- Caitlin for beso

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