Menswear with a Twist

Posted in Art, Brooklyn, Culture, designer, downtown raleigh, fashion, Fashion Blogger, menswear, Model, nc, ncsu, nyc, project runway, raleigh, southeast fashion, Street Style, streetwear by fashionstoppe

Ciao, friends & fashionistas!

First of all, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!

Second of all, let’s talk fashion and the process.

Prompted by recent events*, I am being encouraged to follow through on things I never have before. For example, tonight I realized I have five unfinished drafts just waiting to be shared. *Face palm*. I have advised many aspiring designers on visionary and creative movements, but only recently began sketching designs. I definitely haven’t mailed any Christmas cards yet and there is a mysterious pile of laundry in my room I should probably investigate. Whether it is a written draft or mental idea, self doubt or laziness, my trend is to begin in my element, quickly stop trusting my instincts at the first gust of self doubt, and subsequently, abandon all movement, casting it aside it like last season’s runway line. Time to leave this trend behind <boy, bye!> and embrace lasting style, for today and 2017.

What makes the creative process so dynamic for me are the experiences that inspire movement, life, and the elusive whisper of something unseen. What inspires you? I invite you to take a look at some of my fave looks from this shoot with Dinah. Below, observe several looks infused with varying prints and solids perfect for the modern workplace or out and about. Cropped tops, wide leg, contrasts, accompanied by a dash of eclectic, incorporate a structured masculine line with a softer, feminine twist to create an unusual blend of self expression, style and direction. Both ready to wear and office artsy looks offer several shades of blue, peach, and earth tones.

I hope this inspires you to be bold this season and follow the unspoken voice that prompts you toward all you are meant to be because <you’re fabulous!> & all of the exciting things to come your way.

Thanks for stopping by, fashionistas! Cheers and until next time, xoxo FS

*Why it takes tragedy to inspire movement, I am at a loss. Inspired by one of the dearest, colorful and most beautiful of souls, I gravitate toward fashion as a form of self expression, connection, forward change, new ideas, and more. My thoughts and prayers are with anyone experiencing a loss. If you’d like a specific prayer or encouragement, message me and I will reach you back! ❤ Love, FS

1Feb2016

Fashion Faves

Posted in Art, Brooklyn, downtown raleigh, fashion, Fashion Blogger, Model, nyc, Street Style, streetwear by fashionstoppe

Hello, fashionistas! :]

Cheers to a new and fabulous year ahead. I hope you are feeling inspired and rejuvenated for an enlightening 2016. If not, I do hope you find some restoration soon – you deserve it!

To start off the year, I want to share with you some of my fave go to looks-some for winter, going out, and pieces that speak to my heart! I believe what and how you wear something affects who you are, how you feel, and where you are going, whether it’s a conversation with a friend or your personal journey. Sometimes it’s whimsical, others reflective, perhaps mournful, silly, experimental, loud, distracted or successful. Are these things you think about when you get dressed? Why do you wear what you wear? :]

I’ve been incorporating color into the looks-something that has taken me several years to transition! Black has been my go to for a long time. While I will always love a chic, timeless, or edgy black ensemble, I’m so glad I invited some color back in. 🙂

One thing I will add for us to dwell on as we enter 2016…you are Loved* no matter what! Also, you have a unique and beautiful purpose** now, before, and ahead. Something I wonder about personally day to day, (i.e. what is my purpose in life?!) but we can meditate on these versus as we adventure through life. If not, please enjoy, I hope you are inspired by the fashion. I would love to hear what inspires you!

*”For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8

**”For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

Photos from Dinah Pittman

xoxo Fashion Stoppe

26Dec2015

A Brooklyn Style Snapshot

Posted in Art, Brooklyn, catwalk, Culture, designer, fashion, Fashion Blogger, Graffiti, Model, ncsu, nyc, runway, Street Style, wolfpack by fashionstoppe

Hello, Fashionistas!

Earlier this year, I had the privilege of falling in love-with Brooklyn! The borough’s artsy vibes mixed with wonderfully edgy fashion gave a new meaning to inspiration. –> Fun fact, did you know that the original meaning of ‘inspiration’ comes from the Latin, ‘inspirare’, literally, ‘to breathe into’, and figuratively, ‘inspire, excite’*? (Thank you, Professor Seiger!) Meaning, what if every breathe we took came infused with energy, life, spirit, colors, vibrancy? The catwalk would probably explode with excitement. I would probably explode with excitement. It would be worth it.

Back to Brooklyn! The Borough of Inspiration. I regret that I did not truly capture everything, but I invite you to browse some of the photos below. If you live in Brooklyn, you will probably wonder, where are the chic skinny black pants, loose but perfectly draped charcoal, white shirts, combat boots whose destiny is somehow both stealth seduction yet seamless, city street navigation? Not to mention the edgy couples who share each others’ skinny jeans and color boards, whitewashed jeans and fitted jackets, multi color patterns, hats hinting at a story, energy escaping the fabric, poise and color like a Mary Poppins meets Oscar de la Renta street painting, lights and smoke, endless cropped tops and basketed bicycles. I assure you, they exist! True Confession on the missing photos: I was too shy to ask enough people to take their photo. I know!! The worst. I guarantee I stared at way too many people, hoping they would read my mind and strike a pose. It didn’t work. Sigh. Next time, I would ask 100 people. Until then, hope you enjoy! 🙂

Thank you, Brooklyn, for keeping it 100! Until we meet again.

-xoxo Fashion Stoppe