And Speaking of Pink

If the recession to you means giving up lunch at Balthazar in favor of brown bagging it, opting for the drug store brand of nail polish over Essie or switching up your summer getaway from the Hamptons to Ocean City, then you may be interested in Rock & Republic’s new recession friendly line entitled “Plain Wrap”.

WWD reports on Rock & Republic’s initiative to create a new line aimed at a younger demographic as well as current devotees that won’t leave your wallet high and dry. The Plain Wrap line is a take on the “Recession Collection” which offered debuted this spring. It included Rock & Republic favorites, only more subdued and at 22% of the flagship line.

The Plain Wrap line will range from $35 to $198, considerably more reasonable than their $385 Berlin jeans. While I love the way Rock & Republic jeans fit me, I’m not ready to spend that kind of money on one pair of jeans. But now I can have my cake and eat it too!

The interesting thing about the collection though, are the kitschy sayings that are featured prominently on each item. Each item is labeled in capital letters. For example the hoodies have the word “HOODIE” across the bottom and the jeans have the word “JEANS” on the back waist band. With that said, the pieces are all still simple with no embellishments, gaudy stitching or bright colors. The entire collection is less rock and roll than the eponymous Rock & Republic but is still glamorous without being overly so.

The new collection will feature t-shirts, jeans, hoodies and windbreakers for both men and women, with leggings and tank tops exclusively for women {WWD}. Shoes will also be an integral part of the line with navy blue pumps with the word “STILETTO” down the side and sneakers reminiscent of the classic favorite, Converse, with the word “sneaker” emblazoned on them.

Michael Ball, founder and creative director of the company told WWD: “This is a new initiative with a new perspective for the consumer that wants fashionable basics with staying power”. When the line hits stores in August, it will cater to a realistic consumer. Because really, how many of his can say we have an extra 400 bucks to spend on a pair of jeans. The plan is for the collection to grow and amass even more products in seasons to come.

Once released, you will be able to shop Plain Wrap at Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales. And for those of you who prefer to shop on the world wide web, the label will also be available on the Rock & Republic website among the more expensive, classic line.

-Alix

The glitterati were out in full force last night for the culmination of Cosmogirl, Seventeen and Universal Motown’s “Ultimate Prom”. If you didn’t watch the Ultimate Prom reality series, you’ll have the chance to watch the star-studded concert that I was lucky enough to attend online.

Every year, mypromstyle gives one high school in New York City the prom of their dreams. This year’s lucky high school was New York City’s High School for Fashion Industries. The Ultimate Prom competition takes three extremely talented student designers (Havanna, Laquasia and Larissa) and has them compete for the chance to design a prom dress for a celebrity to be worn on the red carpet on prom night.

This year, that celebrity was Kat Deluna who rocked an awesome strapless blue sweetheart dress designed by Larissa (the ruffle queen!). Larissa parlayed her personal style, which she describes in her mypromstyle interview, into the winning dress. When watching the online mini-series, her love of fashion was overtly obvious and her talent enormous. The dress fit flawlessly and the embellishment was right on, absolutely something I would wear to my own prom (oh, sweet nostalgia). Larissa’s eclectic style held its own last night with her shoes that were to die for, I mean really… Larissa if you’re reading this, please hit me up with where you got those babies!

At 7 PM, the celebrities began arriving on the red carpet where I had the chance to chat with them about their sartorial choices, upcoming projects, and juicy prom stories. Tina Parol was the first to arrive in a blue bebe cut-out dress. But it didn’t stop there. Leave it to Tina to layer a pink animal print petticoat underneath for a little added oomph. She also layered rhinestone skull necklaces for a little edge. Ironically, to her own prom Tina also wore bebe…”a pink dress with Doc Martens“. And if you’ve heard her new single “Who’s Got Your Money”, let’s just say her prom date wasn’t exactly a keeper… more like a cheater.

Jimmy Robbins’ Gucci jacket and black converse were the perfect mix of high-end and laid back. The song he performed was inspired by a girlfriend… “you know those songs that every time you hear it, you just think back to sitting on a couch with that person…”. After wrapping his album, he added one final song which he wrote in one day. His CD is set to come out in September and he’ll be keeping this summer with a Simon mall tour. And sorry Zac Efron but I think Jimmy might just give you a run for your money.

Victoria, the daughter of Countess Luann de Lesseps from the Real Housewives of New York City rocked an Intermix frock on the red carpet. As a sophomore in high school, this was her first prom ever and it’s sure to be one to remember. After spending a season in the spotlight on the Real Housewives, Victoria has adjusted to fame just fine, that is, after she got used to having her friends watch her life on television. Ally, the daughter of Jill Zarin from the Real Housewives were a great blazer from Topshop (where else), a Walter dress and Alice & Olivia for Payless shoes (which I have and adore, yay!). The boys from “Forever the Sickest Kids” or more colloquially, FTSK, were little balls of edgy energy. Clad in plaid, skinny jeans and long hair, the boys serenaded us with the National Anthem, made up wild stories about their own prom (except for Caleb who admittedly did not attend his prom) and were all around awesome and fun. I can’t wait for their album to come out on July 7th!

Katrina Bowden of “30 Rock” played host for the night along with Gossip Girl’s Connor Paolo. Katrina graced the carpet with a gorgeous, purple Alice & Olivia number, Stuart Weitzman shoes and a ban.do headband (ASOP showed them love earlier this month!) which has been seen on Taylor Swift. Her own prom was “so-so… nothing like this!” and she couldn’t wait to get inside to start the show! Connor on the other hand made his emcee debut. After leaving NYU earlier this year (sad face) he is pursuing his acting career and starts filming the next season of GG in the upcoming weeks. You know I loved him (hehe)… and his suit was fabulous.

DJ Cassidy arrived in red and black along with O’Neil McKnight whose album he produced. Neil was also sporting red and black but DJ Cassidy swears it was a coincidence. Cassidy topped of his outfit with a killer white fedora and headed inside where he said he would not be DJing but rather, singing. Ryan Leslie stunned in a Costume National metallic jacket. He wore an American Apparel t-shirt underneath “because [he feels] it’s important to wear things that are accessible to everyone”. His patent leather oxfords and custom jeans were the perfect choice and his outfit looked beautifully cohesive and chic. His plans for the summer include relaxing in Saint Tropez with a “special someone” that he told me to look out for inside. His sunglasses were asymmetrical, one frame was slightly larger than the other, SO unique. He’s absolutely my new fashion icon (too bad Costume National doesn’t make that jacket for women). And regarding his own prom…well he was on his way to Harvard by that time. After graduating a year early, he may have missed his prom but he DID come out with an ivy league degree and a spot-on fashion sense…do they teach that at Harvard?

The crowd nearly lost in when Akon showed up. After spending all day in the studio, he decided to go for a low key look because as he put it “this is their night, this is for them”. His new album “Freedom” is in stores now and he’ll be going on tour in the near future. When I asked him if he’ll stop in New York, his answer was “of course!”. Finally, Kat DeLuna dished about her upcoming tour (check myspace for the dates) and her sheer amazement of Larissa’s talent. She knew when she saw the finished dress that it was the winner. She said the dress is “totally her style” and couldn’t wait to perform as this was her first prom!

The concert was amazing but how could it not be with a group like this? Congratulations to the graduating class of 2009!

-Alix

A girl can never have too many pairs of shoes.

As I scan the sales floor at Nordstrom, I can’t help but stop every time I see a pair of Sam Edelman shoes. I wander into Urban Outiftters and again, I’m greeted by a killer pair of studded wedges by none other than Sam Edelman. As I loiter in the shoe department at Bloomingdale’s, I’m attracted to a pair of gladiators embellished with gemstones by, yes, you guessed it… Sam Edelman

The same Sam Edelman of “Sam & Libby”, that cutesy line that you probably wore during your younger years, came back in 2004 with a line of women’s shoes that are bold, funky and perfect for any occasion. His shoes are known for their reasonable price points but more so for their whimsical designs, versatility and sheer comfort. Many applaud the construction of the shoes and embrace his heels for the sake of actually being able to walk in them.

You may remember Miley Cyrus’ blue suede fringe boots or Rachel Bilson in Sam’s “Gilda Gladiators”, of which Vanessa Hudgens and Katherine Heigl are also fans. Do you happen to remember the wonderful Balenciaga boots the Olsen’s were constantly being photographed in? Sam Edelman’s take on them were just as fabulous without costing you your college tuition.

Edelman’s designs run the gamut from bohemian to grunge to modern and sleek. This season, Edelman plays with bright colors, gems and interesting embellishments. Patent leather is everywhere, and snake leather is also used in many of his designs.

In Sam Edelman’s Spring 2009 collection, there is sure to be something for everyone. Regardless of whether you’re looking for a great shoe for work, a day at the pool or a night on the town with your friends, you’re sure to find just what you need.

-Alix

What?! You darn right I am! Follow me Sugar…

If you’ve been with A Stroke of Pink since her sweet lil pink birth back in November, you know that for several months we’ve been craving an opportunity to flaunt our Diva MOJO on Mark Burnett’s new ABC reality show for entrepreneurs - The Shark Tank! If you’re just catching a ride on this lil pink caboose, no worries… read up - LPE Escapes The Shark Tank & follow the next chapter in our continuing saga to see the vision for A Stroke of Pink reach her full glory!

The beauty of launching my dream & spending EVERY dime I had {literally, every dime!} to do it, is that I now have nothing to loose & EVERYTHING in the world to gain!

Gone are my concerns about equity sharing - bring on the partners! Gone are my fears about treading unfamiliar waters - TeenVogue embraced us, CosmoGIRL & My Prom Style befriended us, & Marie Claire’s regular love “tweets” consistently garnered new ASOP followers courtesy of ASOP @ Twitter!

And I’ve even replaced my oh-so sensitive nature with a EXTRA durable layer of storm-resistant skin to weather whatever cRaZiNess is tossed my way - I’m a big girl, I can take it!

I/we have a mission, to change the world by empowering young fashion dreamers committed to being the BEST they can be in ALL aspects of their lives, which includes embracing their social responsibility to our [very needy] planet.

Nothing can detract me from it. N-O-T-H-I-N-G.

So Mark, bring it on baby! I may not have been up to the challenge 8 months ago, but today, I am suited-up & ready for my swim in the Tank!

Can I get an amen somebody?!:-)

Luckie.

When you take celebrity collaborations, 80’s styles, charity, and an H&M price tag, you get “Fashion Against AIDS”, a fabulous campaign dedicated to educating teens about AIDS. For the second year, H&M has garnered an impressive array of names from the world of fashion and music to contribute in an effort to top last year’s incredible 15 million dollar donation to HIV/AIDS research. 25% of the profits from the line will be donated and the merchandise is now available in the H&M “DIVIDED” department {H&M}.

This year, Designers Against AIDS, YouthAIDS, UNFPA and MTV Staying Alive Foundation {Nitrolicious} have come together to take part in the project which is aimed at education and prevention. In 2007, the CDC estimated that in the United States alone, 468,578 people were living with AIDS which was 20,000 more than the previous year, and the numbers continue to grow. The total number of people living in the US with HIV/AIDS is approximately 1.1 million {Avert}. The numbers are very real, yet education about AIDS is severely lacking. The Fashion Against AIDS campaign is an opportunity to reach out to a generation that is largely in the dark about the HIV/AIDS virus.

The designs are overtly 80’s inspired, much like the rest of the “DIVIDED” line at H&M. There’s no lack of neon and fun prints. T-shirts, tank-tops and hoodies are all part of the collection and better yet, every piece is made from 100% organic cotton. The celebrity designers include Dita Von Teese, Katy Perry, Róisín Murphy, Estelle, Cyndi Lauper, N.E.R.D. Robyn, Yoko Ono, Yelle, Moby, Katharine Hamnett, Dangerous Muse, Tokio Hotel {Nitrolicious}. Every designer contributed a different, original piece.

Katy Perry’s message is scribbled across a t-shirt and reads “It’s What’s On The Outside That Counts”. Róisín Murphy’s t-shirt helps to promote the message: “Protection is Power” while Robyn’s reads “Protect Your Body”. N.E.R.D’s design features a retro graphic and the phrase “Use Your Brain”. Each piece of the collection has a tag that reads “This might be the most important piece of clothing you’ve ever had your hands on” {H&M}.

So why not head over to H&M and help support a cause that afflicts such a large percentage of Americans every year.

-Alix

You’ve heard it before and if you’re like me, you’re sick of people telling you that your lofty aspirations of a career in fashion are just that… lofty and unlikely. “You know, fashion is one of the most cutthroat industries, I’m not saying that you can’t handle it but… why don’t you just become a doctor?”

For those of us who live, breathe and dream fashion, a career in any other industry is not and never will be an option. How can you even imagine a September not spent in the tents of Bryant Park or a morning devoid of Women’s Wear Daily. For those of us who wouldn’t dream of missing Anna Wintour’s “60 Minutes Interview” and would willingly translate “Coco Avant Chanel” from French to English, just to be in-the-know, have many options apart from that editor-in-chief position at W Magazine that are more than realistic. And what better time to start considering options than now?

The internship phase of our careers is the perfect time for experimentation. Participating in different internships is like trying on a prom dress: you may try 25 different dresses before finding that right one or you may be lucky enough to find that one dress that you just KNOW is right. I’ve compiled a list of different career paths in the fashion industry and encourage all of you to put yourself out there, compile a professional resume, explore Ed2010 and land that dream internship that will put you on the path to success in an industry that is often considered impossible to break into.

Fashion Design - If you’re the artistic type, the kind of girl who has been playing with paper dolls from the age of six or sketching dresses in the margins of your notebook throughout High School, you may be perfectly suited for a career in fashion design. By taking a few apparel design classes at your local community college, you’ll be able to test drive the field and perhaps you’ll be the next Betsey Johnson!

Business - If you’re always coming up with ideas or consider yourself a leader, you could be an entrepreneur in the making. In the age of the internet, it’s all about with being the first to think of an idea and then being able to execute it.

In 2000 Dani Levy, founder of DailyCandy, decided to put her idea to the test and it took off. On an even larger scale, how would it feel to be the next Ralph Lauren?

Journalism - The term “fashion journalism” is a catch-all which includes all aspects of fashion publishing. Writers (yes, bloggers count!), Reporters, Critics and Editors all fall under this category. Some of the most revered Fashion journalists of our age are Anna Wintour of Vogue, Joanna Coles of Marie Claire and Anne Slowey of Elle. As blogs become increasingly influential, we have started to recognize bloggers such as Camille of Childhood Flames and Susie Bubble of Style Bubble.

Production -At this point, IMG is basically a household name. Mercedes Benz Fashion Week would not exist without the production team at IMG, and we couldn’t have that could we? Many people and many tears go into producing a fashion show. If you consider yourself a taskmaster, why not get involved with the production of a fashion show at your college?

Modeling - What would the fashion industry be without models? We encounter these super humans everyday from advertising on billboards, in magazines, on the web, to photoshoots in our glossies and on the runways. Kate Moss or Heidi Klum ring a bell?

Public Relations -When it comes to Public Relations, Kelly Cutrone, founder of People’s Revolution has gotten alot of attention as of late as a result of MTV’s “The Hills”. But not to fear, you don’t have to be that tough to make it in PR. If you’re outgoing, and consider yourself a people person you just may be perfect for this field.

Marketing - Ever wonder how that indie designer initially got noticed? Or how every magazine you read seems to hit right on home? Fashion Marketers learn about consumers in order to target them with the right products, information or people. The “Brand Ambassador” trend has been taking the fashion world by storm. As new brands emerge, they look to college age students with large social networks to promote the product. If you think you’d be interested in something like this, take a little gander at Craigslist and keep an eye out for these opportunities.

Photographers - Without photographers, images would be inexistent. And without images, how would the public consume fashion in the way we do now? Photographers are artists and Steven Meisel is a testament to that, Amen.

Retail - Retail includes everything required in running a store. From sales associates to managers to buyers to window designers. Tim Wisgerhof is the Artistic Director for Saks Fifth Avenue and among his responsibilities are designing the windows which we droll over every Christmas, Gingerbread latte in hand.

Makeup/Hair Stylists - Alexis Vogel, Bobbi Brown and Ken Paves are among the many beauty gurus that are responsible for the wonderfully bold hair and makeup that you spot on the runway and in photo spreads and the perfectly demure look that always seems to be just right for a day of work or a night out on the town.

Styling - Fashion stylists put it all together. If you have a keen eye and a knack for putting outfits together, styling is the perfect avenue into the fashion world. Rachel Zoe anyone?

Event Planner -And finally, what would the fashion industry be without the wonderfully lavish and exciting parties and events? David Tutera IS the “party planner”.

So good luck girls, we’re in this together!

-Alix

Recently while frolicking at my favorite bookstore, Borders, I noticed a new magazine that was virtually screaming my name, Boho Magazine - a new american spirit!

What?! Could it be, a magazine dedicated solely to my enduring bohemian nature?! Why yes, indeed!

Every splendid, RECYCLED PAPER {go GREEN!} page contained goodies that only a TRUE Boho Chick could vibe to!:-)

Clearly, Boho Mag is the lovechild of a group of eco-conscious creatives that take care to deliver a boat-load of green goodies in oh-so-cute girly fashion!

From the cutest organic Live Green tee {$32} available via Vintage Blue, to the Boho read of the month - Born Again Vintage by Bridgett Artise {adorable website by the way!:-}, to a very bright idea - offering Boho readers an opportunity to design the mag cover {pg. 58 & PURE genius!} - congrats to winner Maddie “QueenMaddy” Schwartz, to the RAWKING style feature starting on pg. 62 {frock #4 is my fav!}, to highlighting World Changing Chicks… I loved it all!

Ahhhh {Luckie exhaling!}, finally a magazine that looks at life through a shared earthy lens! Oh yeah… there’s a cool, green-inspired Boho blog too!

So if you are a fellow Boho Girl, aching for a magazine that speaks to your inner green spirit & funky, independent style, you’ve found your home - Boho Magazine!

Gina, well done girl!:-)

Luckie.

Welcome to the future of fashion. Introducing StyleCaster. StyleCaster is revolutionizing the fashion industry by offering a one-stop website for your shopping, beauty and fashion news to save you from the hours you spend picking through your Google Reader every morning.

As a Junior Team Member, experiencing StyleCaster first hand has been amazing. I finally understand what the fashion world has been buzzing about for months. Stylecaster tailors its content to “fit your fashion DNA”. With every click of your mouse, stylecaster is working to tailor the site especially for you. Where else can you find a daily e-mail including the weather and outfit suggestions for the day? That way, when you’re getting dressed, there’s no need to log on to weather.com and proceed to watch the minutes go by as you stare at your closet deciding what to wear, whether you need a cardigan, or how heavy of a jacket to bring.

The utility of the site is combined with the luxury of fashion tips, tricks and news from industry leaders. Under the newsroom tab, the team at StyleCaster updates you with the latest fashion and beauty news so that you’re always in the know. On Stylecaster, users have the opportunity to view clothing, shoes, accessories and beauty products and then purchase them from different retailers. The site is constantly being updated with 360 degree styled looks which are all shot in a state-of-the-art in house production studio.

The community aspect of StyleCaster makes it an interactive forum for discussion and sharing. With writers producing the latest fashion reated content and users essentially sculpting their very own fashion profile, everyone benefits. By giving users the opportunity to pick and choose their style influences, Stylecaster ensures that it’s fans are always up-to-date, and thus, the fashion world continues to evolve.

On its youtube channel, StyleCaster features emerging talents in the industry. Models, designers, stylists, writers and the like get the chance to have their voices heard and showcase their talent. The video tab on the StyleCaster website features backstage looks at designer shows, event coverage, interviews and short films highlighting people of interest. Kate Ciepluch, fashion director at Shopbop has contributed to StyeCaster with a plethora of articles and Abigail Lorick (you may have seen her designs on Gossip Girl), has been featured in a short film under the video tab. They are among StyleCaster’s many influential fans.

While the site is still in a private beta testing stage, ASOP readers are invited to join early with VIP access. So don’t take my word for it, why not get in on the action for yourself and start experiencing the future of fashion?

-Alix

Dark washes got you down? Well fret no more because summer is here and you know what that means… white jeans!

White jeans have always been a summer must-have but this year, they’re all I’ve seen. Boot leg, flare, ripped, wide-leg, capri, skinny, whatever your forte, you’re sure to find the right pair for you. When you’re tired of paring your heels with a pair of “Joey Dark Laguna” True Religion’s, your heretofore uniform for summer nights on the town, ditch the dark wash and trade ‘em in for crisp, refreshing, white styles.

Back in the day, white jeans could be spotted on fashion icons such as Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn. Today, celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Kate Bosworth, and Victoria Beckham have been seen stepping out in this fresh summer look. Kate Moss works them out with a white tank and denim vest, supermodel Claudia Schiffer pairs them with a tucked-in cream button down and blue scarf around her neck, while Hilary Duff rocks them with a pair of heels and gray cardigan. How you wear them is up to you but the first step is finding the right pair.

As always, 7 For All Mankind masters the not-too-Janis-Joplin flare with their classic “A pockets”. J Brand, my favorite of the high-end denim bunch, has a sleek pair of skinny jeans with zippers at the ankle in classic J Brand style. And as always, I turn to Forever 21 for an awesome pair of slightly frayed white skinny jeans which have found a happy home right in my own closet.

I’m not gonna lie…finding the right pair of white jeans isn’t easy. You’ll probably have to try on a number of different styles and brands before you find the right ones but it WILL be worth it. When accessorizing, be careful not to go overboard but a great pair of sunglasses or head-scarf would look great with a peasanty top and gladiators. When the sun goes down, break out your favorite heels and play rocker girl with a sequined top.

So what are you waiting for, start trying on!

-Alix

The girls over at ban.do have been hard at work since 2008 creating delightful headpieces fit for the bold fashionista inside all of us. Yes you, I know she’s hiding inside of you, that crazy girl who’d wear a peacock on her head and flaunt it like she means it.

What started as a minor business venture by two Los Angeles stylists, Jen and Jamie, has now become the craze that has taken the fashion world by storm, ban.do. The girls love color as well as being the center of attention, as evidenced by their audacious, eye-catching designs.

Each piece comes with a fabulous haiku and when you pay a visit to their site, you will greeted with a plethora of haikus to satisfy your inner poet. The ban.do black label is “the cream of the crop” {ban.do}, equivalent to a couture collection. Each piece in the black label is either one of a kind of limited edition and are handmade with vintage materials.

The namesake of the company, ban.do is their line of vintage inspired pieces. While they are not one of a kind, they are all handmade and completely unique. The heart by ban.do line is perhaps the most interesting. Every piece is $50 or less so you can own your own little piece of couture for a price that won’t leave you with an empty wallet! The girls are also hard-at-work designing pieces to suit every occasion be it your birthday, your wedding, or just a day in the office. They’ll even go as far as to create your very own custom headband so you can feel like a Gossip Girl any time.

Not surprisingly, ban.do has been featured in Lucky, Seventeen, People, Life & Style, and Nylon to name a few {ban.do}. Taylor Swift and Zooey Deschanel would testify to the sheer wonderful-ness of the headbands and Daily Candy even nominated them for their annual Sweetest Thing Awards in which they highlight theirs (and our) “favorite designers, tastemakers, and all-around geniuses” {DailyCandy}.

So now that April showers have dissipated and May is upon us, why not head over to ban.do for their May Sale! All floral pieces are 25% off including the hallowed black label and belts, yes that’s right, they make belts too.

Between the flowers, feathers, jewels and other embellishments, Blair Waldorf hasn’t even met a headband that could match the artistry and time that goes into each of these pieces.

-Alix

The KEY to having abundance folks is giving. Yep - GIVING.

Really, even though your mind {and wallet} may be saying otherwise, there is ALWAYS an opportunity for us to give, do or be something that aids a person in need.

This morning I am totally digging the Yellow Bird Project on full blast at I ♥ Daily!

What’s the deal? YBP collaborates with musicians, designs MEGA cool tees, sells them online & donates ALL the proceeds to the charity selected by the respective artist! I love it!

Check-out the newest tee designed by 3 year old Neptune, daughter of indie rockers Murray Lightburn & Natalia Yanchak {The Dears}, benefiting The Pablove Foundation.

Continuing in the same spirit of fashion + giving = GOOD KARMA, is one of my favorite projects, Stone Lily’s The Giving Ring.

At TGR you purchase an exquisite, custom designed Columba {dove} ring & choose a beneficiary project to receive 100% of the net profit! From Thailand to Russia to Dafur to Haiti - your gift can touch lives around the world!

At the end of the day, we are all in this together my friends!

Tweet-tweet!:-)

Luckie.

With the impending summer season fast approaching (90 degree weather in March?!), it’s time to get rid of those black tights, bring your sweaters to the attic and make room for a new wardrobe. My favorite thing about summer clothes is that they take up about half of the room than do winter clothes, and you know I’m stuffing twice the amount of outfits into my filled-to-the-brim closet.

This summer though, you’ll have to make room for the new Marc by Marc Jacobs swimwear line. Following in the footsteps of Betsey Johnson, Michael Kors, Ed Hardy and the plethora of other designers with swimwear lines, Marc Jacobs has jumped on the bandwagon for the first time and the results are to die for.

If you’re that girl who cringes at the mere sound of “bikini season”, cringe no more because Marc Jacobs swimwear line has something for everyone. After
pairing up with Swimwear Anywhere Inc. {Ocean Bunny} Marc Jacobs came up with a fashion-forward collection of bathing suits and cover-ups that are perfect for a day at the beach, a barbeque with friends or even a quick trip to the store.

The bathing suits come in bikinis or one-piece styles with a number of interesting quirks such as cut-outs, bandeaus, one-pieces.

The bandeaus are perfect for a tan-line free day by the pool and I even envision wearing the one-piece as a tank-top with a pair of shorts and gladiators. For $138, the cover-up which can double as a chic and easy dress is worth every penny if you add up the amount of compliments you would get when rockin’ it. The cuts are modest and not too revealing so you won’t have to worry about doing any of the fun summer activities you love. For an adventurous fashionista like you, ASOP reader, what could be better?

-Alix