IMPACT: more than just the font

Impact has made a huge comeback in the past few years-- and I'm not just talking about the block lettering. Mesh, neon colors, beanies, wedged sneakers, sweats; for lack of better words, I think intimidation is quite on trend this season, but I don't mean that in a bad way. 

Jeremy Scott Ready-To-Wear, 2014

Two or three years ago, my college campus was filled with double-breasted pea coats and brown leather riding boots. There were Revas aplenty and almost all of the beanies were crocheted or knit. And don't even get me started on Le Pliages. Though these items have not been fazed out completely, there has undoubtedly been a surge in louder and more "in-your-face" fashion. Colors are louder. Tops are cropped. Prints are verbally abusive. 

But is that really a bad thing? Poise and demurity have had their time in the spotlight. Maybe it's time for grunge's less-angsty, more-kickass twenty-something year old sister to join the ring. 

There are a few no-brainers for this trend. From the start of his career in the late 90s, Jeremy Scott has always been known for his louder and more outlandish designs. In 2008, his collaboration with Adidas really put him on the map (I'm sure you've seen it-- the sneakers with wing flaps... or bones... or teddy bears). Though he's had his share of controversy, Jeremy Scott is definitely one of the first names that pops into my head when I think of this trend, and is definitely a source of inspiration for many of the trending pieces right now. 

 McQueen, NYFW 2014

 McQueen Ready-To-Wear, 2014

Another more established, but equally in-your-face name in the fashion world is none other than Alexander McQueen. In a word, his 2014 collection is unapologetic. Black leather, white fur, wide cuffs, chunky footwear-- oh, and everyone's wearing helmets. If this doesn't scream Sparta!, I don't know what does.

The beauty of fashion is that, with each and every trend, there is a multitude of interpretations; one is bound to catch your eye. This spring, the 3.1 Phillip Lim collection had a calmer inspiration, with many of his pieces coloured in earthen tones and natural patterns. The shape of his pieces-- boxy and masculine-- exude that same sense of edge. He used combinations of transparent, thin and silky materials to form a more mature, but just as sultry response to the ever-popular crop top. Black mules, bedhead hair and iridescent metallic makeup completes Lim's equilibria between delicacy and nerve. 

3.1 Phillip Lim, NYFW 2014

Images obtained from jeremyscott.com, style.com 

The Blowout

Finally, after years of failed attempts and one particularly scarring round-brush incident, I have successfully used a hairdryer-- might I emphasize, only a hairdryer-- to style my hair. That's right-- the elusive blowout. Performed by hairstylists countless times a day, but a seemingly irreplicable task at home, the blowout is a coveted skill, capable of masking otherwise mundane haircuts till the dreaded first post-salon shower. 

I have no one else to thank besides Anna Lee Fiorino (annarunswithscissors) and her ever-informative Youtube video. 

FYI, I used CHI Silk Infusion as my styling product and different round brush (though I would not recommend it). I'm definitely interested in the round brush Anna Lee recommends, but I would have to check it out first, and perhaps give myself a few months/ years of solemn coveting, before I can take the leap and invest in one.