Thank you from Style & Culture

The last few years Style & Culture Blog has brought stories and short posts on things happening in and around the fashion and beauty industry.  There have not been any posts since the Met Gala and the beautiful red carpet fashions.  I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took the time to read my posts over the years.  This blog was more about my enjoyment of fashion and just sharing some information that I found interesting.  For now, there won't be any posts as I make some dramatic changes in direction.

Thanks again for all who took the time to read and enjoy my posts over the years.  You can continue to enjoy my posts on style by visiting my website www.ivyprosper.com.

Much love,

Ivy Prosper
Style & Culture Blog

MET Gala Red Carpet 2014

Sarah Jessica Parker in customer Oscar de la Renta ball gown. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's, "Charles James: Beyond Fashion." Costume Institute Exhibit was hosted last night by none other than Anna Wintour.  This year the theme of the event was "white tie and diamonds.  It was a night of who's who in fashion and many celebs were on hand wearing some of the most interesting pieces for the night.  It was a mix of glamour, retro and the unexpected.  

Lupita N'yongo, who has become the 'it' girl on red carpets over the last few months, wore a green Prada decorated in jewels and feathers.   It was a mesh net overlay with a skin tone bodice underneath.  It became a hot topic on social media because she has been sheer perfection on every red carpet so this choice came as a big surprise.  Vogue cover models Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were also on hand, she in a blue dress with deep slit and sweetheart neckline and he wore a suit with coattails. 

Sarah Jessica Parker made a big entrance her her princess-like black and white ball gown by Oscar de la Renta.  Other notables included Jessica Alba,  who looked elegant in her deep-v lace dress and the Beckhams who looked pristine in crisp white and Beyonce who arrived with her husband Jay Z.

Beyonce. (Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Jessica Alba.

Lupita N'yongo in flapper inspired dress by Prada. 

David andVictoria Beckham looking fresh in crisp white.

Anna Wintour on her way to the gala. 

Dita Von Teese. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

Vans x Star Wars Footwear Collection

Vans x Collection of Star Wars footwear launches May 4, 2014.

Since its release in 1977, Star Wars has become a force to be reckoned with in both film and pop culture.  Its influence on art, design and movie-making is global.  Iconic footwear and apparel brand, Vans has collaborated with Lucasfilm to create a collection of footwear that pays tribute to the classic film series.  The limited edition collection features images of the iconic characters and graphics influenced by the films.  Only 300 pairs are available.

Calvin Garcia and Taka Hayashi are both designers at Vans who were equally eager to bring this concept to life.  "Being a huge fan of Star Wars and Vans growing up, I was really excited to be a part of this special collaboration," said Hayashi.  "I was thrilled to find out that we were going to collaborate with Star Wars! Working closely with one of my heroes, legendary Vans skateboarder, Steve Caballero, we created a unique customer twist on the iconic Half-Cab label which depicts two of my favorite Star Wars characters, Yoda and Darth Vader, skateboarding in outer space," Garcia added.

The timing of this collection is perfect considering the announcement that original cast members, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher will be appearing in Star Wars: Episode VII, reviving their iconic characters.  A limited selection of items will be available in stores as of May 4 and the full assortment will be available in June around the world.

Calvin Garcia and Taka Hayashi, designers at Vans worked on the Star Wars collaboration. 

The designs were simple and kept the tradition of Vans styling while infusing the small details to bring the Star Wars concept to life.  The knowledge and love the designers have of the characters benefited the final concepts.  "The Empire Strikes Back was definitely one of my favorites out of all the Episodes.  I wanted to incorporate some of the memorable characters and scenes from the movie.  My idea was to inject Star Wars characters into some of the iconic Vans prints by reworking them into a seamless look between the two worlds. From a distance it looks like the original Vans print but the closer you get, the more you start seeing Star Wars emerge." Hayashi said.

It will be interesting to see how fans of both the films and the brand respond to the items once they are available in store.  Garcia said, "I can't wait to see Star Wars fans and skateboard enthusiasts alike battling it out in these shoes, wearing Chewbacca masks and wildly swinging light-sabers around."

CLICK HERE to shop the collection.

Half Cab LX Darth Vader (Black) $140, Yoda (Turtledove) $140.

Darth Vader skateboarding detail. 

Kate Moss Launches Latest Top Shop Collection

Photo: DailyMail UK

Supermodel Kate Moss was on hand yesterday in London to promote her latest collection for Topshop.  It's been four years since she collaborated with the brand and she is excited about partnering with the brand once again.  The model looked fabulous in her gold pinstriped suit as she appeared on stage before a huge crowd of fans at Topshop's London Oxford Street store.

The collection officially launched in stores and online to much anticipation.  Many of the pieces in the seventies inspired collection are already sold out with people selling the pieces on e-bay.

Click here for the collection on Topshop website.

Kate Moss launches spring 2014 with Topshop.

Kate Moss for Topshop

Alexander Wang for H&M

Alexander Wang at the Alexander Wang x H&M Coachella Party
in Indio, CA. (Photo: Jarod Harris/Getty Images)

It's been confirmed that Alexander Wang will be creating the next designer collection for H&M.  Wang, who is also the creative director for Balenciaga, is thrilled about working with the retailer. "I am honored to be a part of H&M's designer collaborations. The work with the team is an exciting, fun process.  They are very open to pushing boundaries and to setting a platform for creativity.  This will be a great way for a wider audience to experience elements of the Alexander Wang brand and lifestyle."

The official announcement was made during a late night party hosted by the retailer and Wang during the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival in California.  H&M is credited for leading the fashion industry in doing designer collaborations ever since they launched their first with Karl Lagerfeld in 2004.  Many other retailers like Target and Macy's have followed suit.  The Alexander Wang for H&M collection will launch in selected locations and online starting November 6, 2014.

See the full show for Wang's spring 2014 collection for his own label below.

Seeing Stripes for Spring

Christian Siriano resort 2014.

There are definitely no blurred lines when it comes to one of spring 2014's biggest trends- stripes.  This nautical look comes full swing for both resort and spring/summer season.  This time around the classic stripe has been taken to a whole new level.  Not just simple black and white, but combinations of color, various thickness and angles creating a refreshing look and feel.

Joseph Ribkoff spring 2014
(Photo: courtesy GPS Radar)

Christian Siriano featured a few smart pieces in his resort collection with bright stripes in pink, yellow and green.  Wearing interesting color combinations is the way to keep it modern and playful.




Of course, sticking with traditional black and white or navy stripes maintains a classic nautical vibe and makes for an easy look for the office or other corporate environments.  Despite Siriano using brighter shades in his resort collection, he chose to stick with the traditional palette in his spring 2014 collection.

If you want to break tradition mix it up with a bold color like how Josef Ribkoff adds red stripes to the classic black and white.  This makes it both interesting and keeps it simple.  Top a dress like his with a blazer in white or black and your look is fresh.

Left to Right: Narcisco Rodriguez, Louis Vuitton, Diane Von Furstenberg, Valentino (Photo: http://www.annexmagazine.com/)