NOLAFW: A Compelling Voice

(French Connection jumper + bangle, Express necklace, BCBG pumps)

Die for these.

This past week was the highly anticipated inaugural NOLA Fashion Week!

Since I live, work and go to school in Baton Rouge, an hour away from New Orleans, I missed out on more events than I would have liked to. Even though I came straight from the office and headed back to studio after to work some more (god I cannot wait to graduate), I was sure not to miss Creating a Compelling Voice, a discussion on national blogs and local fashion. The conversation was on everything from business tips to cheeky exchanges of blog name regrets. The panel of bloggers leading the discussion were incredibly relatable and offered great advice... and their style? Amazing. Check out their blogs:

Christine - My Style Pill, Lindsey -Saucy Glossie, Keiko - Keiko Lynn, Bobby - This Fellow

Btw, the NOLAFW event was held at the insanely fabulous Martine Chaisson Gallery on Camp Street. (The owner, Martine, is a gorgeous, accomplished women in her 20s! So impressive to own a gallery of that caliber at that age. Hats off to her - she's living the dream!)

Keiko + Bobby, on the far end, are the cutest couple! And can we just talk about how awesome is the name Keiko?

With Juley from Swank Heights, Kelby from Kelby Floyd and Rachael, part founder of NOLAFW, from Ordinarily Urbane

Blogging is serious business.

Katie from Style Cakes + Kelby

Gambit Reunion! Remember this?

With Juley + Lindsey from Saucy Glossie / Micah, my long time hairstylist and owner of 1699

One of my best friends. Love him to pieces.

So sad that the week had to come to a close. The shows were flawless (check out a sneek peek here, courtesy of Ordinarily Urbane). The parties phenomenal. Everything exceeded expectations which were already high! Hats off to everyone who had a hand in making it all possible and a big thanks to Andi Eaton, Rachael LaRoche and Nicholas Landry, founders of NOLAFW, for dreaming big! Cheers guys! Cannot wait 'til the next one.

xx rk

Images: NOLAFW, Lux Photographie

As the Sun Sets

(Zara top, F21 skirt, Club Monaco Belt, Michael Kors watch, Marc by Marc Jacobs shades, Burberry heels also worn here)

I absolutely love the color of this silk top from Zara. I was lucky to snap these photos just as the sun was setting, enhancing its golden color. The skirt is so playful, and the belt adds that extra needed pop.

I'm in front of my favorite building in downtown Baton Rouge, the Shaw Center for the Arts by Schwartz/Silver Architects. The sun-kissed channel-glass reflects light beautifully and it's seductive form is truly a one-of-a-kind. If you are wondering, the castle-like building seen in the pictures above is the Louisiana Old State Capital. Mark Twain loathed the sight of it, "It is pathetic that a whitewashed castle should ever have been built in this otherwise honorable place." Today, however, it is a state treasure and I think nicely complimented by the adjacent Shaw Center.

Today starts the kickoff of NOLA Fashion Week and I'm so excited! Unfortunately I can't make the events/parties until later on in the week, due to school and work... but I can't wait to share this event with you all through upcoming posts.

Happy Monday! xx rk

a Thank You note.

I have been way overdue to mention some Studio Swag features from fellow bloggers! I appreciate all the LOVE and I want to send it right back! THANK YOU guys for all the support!

First off, remember this gorgeous necklace from Studio Swag's first GIVEAWAY ever? Here is winner Carissa from La Petit Poucet wearing the bib necklace in her post Teenage Dream. I love how she effortlessly incorporates the regal necklace with a relaxed outfit. Flawless! Thanks Carissa for entering! xx

Be on the look out for future Studio Swag giveaways! :)

A few more THANK YOUs:

• To Amanda from Amanda's Project 26 27 28 29 who listed me as a source of inspiration along with the likes of Karla from Karla's Closet (my ultimate fave). Super sweet. Read post here.

• To Meli Mel from Operation WANDERLUST for mentioning me as a Fashion Blogger fave along with Rumi, Emily, and my girl Juley :) You can find that post here.

• And last but not least, to a dedicated reader and fellow blogger, Julia, who has devoted an entire blog to being thankful, The 'Thank You' Project. She's committed to living a conscious life and recognizing all the small things to be grateful for. My kind of girl! It's such a great read + great blog, and because of her I wanted to make this post! Recently Julia received success with a radio interview with 99.3 You can hear that interview here.

Again, a thousand thanks! Please let me know if there are any more that I may have missed! xx

image: le petit poucet

#LAisthenewLA

All the buzz around New Orleans right now is the upcoming NOLA FASHION WEEK (March 21-26). During The Gambit's CUE magazine photo shoot earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet Rachael LaRoche, a fellow blogger and one of the founders of NOLAFW. When talking about the event, her enthusiasm was infectious and exciting! This Fashion Week is an opportunity to showcase the creative talents of our Southern based (or born) designers and to give the city of New Orleans the national recognition in fashion it deserves.

#LAistheNewLA is offering workshops to educate southern fashionistas about the business of fashion and beauty. The two-day event held during NOLAFW offers four class tracks hosted by industry insiders including designers, entrepreneurs and stylists. The event closes with a bloggers panel open to all workshop participants. If interested in attending any of the workshops or simply want to learn more about NOLAFW, check out Nola-FashionWeek. The organization will be donating $1 for every ticket purchased to the Tsunami/Earthquake Relief Fund. Check out previews of the collections to walk the runway at their official Tumblr site here.

So excited, I cannot wait!

image: NOLAFW

Miyake 132.5

Issey Miyake's 132.5 collection is an experiment in how to develop a garment out of one piece of fabric, an approach that he deems a social responsibility for the material's environmental toll. "We used to have to pay to get materials," Miyake says. "In the twenty-first century, we will have to pay to get rid of them." The designer developed a polyester made of recycled PET drinking bottles, which helped reduce carbon emissions by 80% compared to traditional polyester production.

In efforts of finding the simplest solution to wrapping a three-dimensional form with a two-dimensional material, Miyake investigates a folding technique (a fascination he's developed since his 1993 "Pleats Please" collection.) Miyake enlisted Jun Mitani, an engineering professor, to help create origami forms using an algorithm. "My application develops the 3-D model and the 2-D pattern at the same time, " Mitani explains. "The flattened patterns do not look wearable even to me, " Mitani says. "I think this is Miyake's magic."

The team settled on ten patterns that would lend themselves to clothing shapes, which can be seen in the collection. Next month, Miyake will release a folding lamp using the same technique.

images/references: Metropolis Magazine, ecouterre.com

Bless Japan.

I just want to give a moment of prayer for the thousands who have lost their lives in the earthquake/tsunami that has struck Japan's coast. I have walked around with a heavy heart since first witnessing the devastation, as we all have. I hold Japan very close to my heart as it is my birthplace and where I grew up as a kid. The destruction and ravaged landscape is beyond and hard to imagine.

Although daunting, I believe in the nation's resiliency. As we go on with our daily lives here in the states and else where, we must not forget the battle Japan faces in these early months and for years to come.

The most we can do to help right now is to donate. Please help by donating to the Red Cross here or

text "redcross" to #90999 to donate $10.

image: boston.com

Happy Pardi Gras!

Some of you may not know, but most New Orleanians leave their Christmas trees up through Mardi Gras and just change out the ornaments for the season. Yesterday for Lundi Gras, my mom through a party, and this was her tree. It literally looks like Mardi Gras threw-up all over it, but the more ridiculous the better ;)

Originally I am from New Orleans, but have been living in Baton Rouge for the past couple of years for school. Even though they are only an hour apart, it sometimes feels like they are worlds away. For instance, I actually had to go into work today, whereas in Nola, the city is completely shut down. This past weekend while in town for parades, my bf and I ate at Mulate's where the server asked if we wanted to-go cups for our beer. My bf didn't know why I was so surprised since we both grew up there, but sometimes I forget how unique our city actually is. lol

Just wanted to share a few pics of NEW ORLEANS in the spirit of Carnival Season...

My first job ever when I was 14 was at Randazzo's King Cake Bakery. I swear to you they are THE best.

Even though you may not celebrate it where you live, it's just about letting loose + enjoying life. So hope you are able to take some time out of your day to get in the spirit! Even if it is for a little bit! ;) Cheers!

HAPPY PARDI GRAS, EVERYONE!

images:new orleans cuisine, blog.nola.com

Downtown Chic

(Reformed dress worn as a top, Zara balloon shorts, Jeffrey Campbell architectural wedges, Banana Republic tote, gifted Marc by Marc Jacobs sunnies)

I wore this dress as a fitted top to compliment the volume in the balloon shorts. The loose fitting shorts allowed me to bunch and conceal the dress underneath without compromising the shape.

Remember this Christmas Wish List? I guess he got the message ;)

Today was my last day of school before Mardi Gras break. Whew! Finally get to take a short breather from studio and celebrate the carnival season! Much needed.

Wishing everyone a fantastic weekend!

xx rk