A day playing stylist with Karen Millen at the Crosby Hotel

Karen Millen's legacy collection

If you remember not long ago, I hosted a giveaway with a beautiful Karen Millen bowler bag, and quite honestly since then I’ve been a wee-bit obsessed with the posh UK brand. I love their mix of sophisticated and edgy pieces and more that won’t sacrifice on fun (Swarovski-encrusted high heels? Yes, please).

I would like my closet to look like this one day

And this...

Karen Millen bowler bags and clutches

SO, when I was asked to come in and style some models with pieces from their A/W 2011 collection, I jumped at the chance. I met with the team at the Crosby Hotel in SoHo to find they had everything set up — the models were just getting the finishing touches on their hair and makeup, the photographer had his set all ready, and all they were waiting for was for me to get my looks ready…The pressure!

Karen Millen jewelry

With all their gorgeous options of dresses, tops, jackets, bags, shoes, and accessories, it was a little dizzying. But in the end, I came up with three looks that I really think shows the versatility of their collection. Many of the pieces I used are from their legacy collection — pieces that have been part of their lines for decades and can still be used to make a statement even now. It was so fun playing stylist and creative director of these shoots. Check them out and let me know how I did!:


Look #1 – Sophisticated with a little edge.
I may tend to favor a classic LBD, but pair it with a buckled heel, a motorcycle jacket (a purple one, no less), and a zebra-print clutch and you take a classic look up a notch with a hard-to-ignore fashionable edge. It’s a little business…a little Don’t Mess With Me.

Sophisticated with edge

1. Limited Edition Leather Biker Jacket
2. Halter Neck Lace Dress
3. Multi Buckle Bootie
4. Zebra Print Clutch
5. Pyramid Pendant, $90


Look #2 – Glamour girl.
A little holiday partying never hurt nobody. I wanted to do a look with a little bit of holiday glam. I loved how this model’s hair worked with the look — I was just picturing her still wearing her red dress from the party the night before, waking up to get her coffee with her hair still disheveled but not without slipping on her luxurious fur first. Of course, she’s the center of attention, day or night. (PS, I’m not sure you can see it as clearly in the pic, but you MUST check out a better view of the Jeweled Box Clutch she’s holding!).

Glamour girl

1. Limited Edition Fur Jacket
2. Folded Stretch Strapless Dress
3. Tonal Colorblock Satin Sandal
4. Jeweled Box Clutch
5. Diamante Eye Bracelet
6. Diamante Eye Necklace, $160


Look #3 – The Downtown girl
. My inspiration is the city — to me, this is such a quintessential downtown NY look. It’s relatable and a bit tomboy. The snake clutch gives it a slight unexpected twist, a little more of ‘now-I’m-hanging-with-the-uptown-girls’ feel.

Downtown girl

1. Quilted Leather Jacket
2. Zip T-shirt
3. Envelope Snake Clutch
4. Fur-lined Multi-buckle boots
5. Signature Jersey Pant
6. Section Cuff, ZM007
7. Pyramid Pendant, $90

What do you guys think? How’d I do at my first stab at styling? It was such a fun experience, so thanks to the peeps at Karen Millen! Check out the rest of their dazzling styles on us.karenmillen.com (They have a promotion going on right now for 25% off dresses!).

*Disclosure: I was gifted a piece from their collection in exchange for styling…and you will be hearing of it soon too, because I am, yes, obsessed.


x
Shy


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