Fashionista Feature: Cherith

This week's featured fashionista is one of my favorite people: my sister! Cherith's style is fearless, trendy and fun; she has a real gift for experimenting with colors, prints and textures to create bold and unique looks. Believe me, I'm not gushing just because we're related--the girl seriously knows how to dress. Just keep on scrolling:

1. Name/Age/City: Cherith/21/Dayton, Oh

2. Describe your fashion style in 5 words: Bright, Colorful, Vibrant, Fun and Me

3. Who are your favorite style icons? I honestly don't have a style icon but I do really like Elle Varner's look. I love how she incorporates different prints into her wardrobe.

4. Favorite stores to supply your fashion habit? I do a lot of online shopping on sites like lulus.com, asos.com and forever21.com.

5. Worst fashion mistake you ever made: It's a tie between tube socks with Vans and white leggings with a denim mini skirt. Yikes!

6. Secret fashion look you wish you could pull off? I wish I could pull off the Versace dress Jennifer Lopez wore to the Grammy's in 2000. That was a true show stopper! lol.

7. Lazy day--what are you wearing? Yoga pants, Converse, a cute tee and a baseball cap.

8. Fashion trend you want to go away. I really dislike leggings and shirts with that cross print all over them. I'd like that to go away forever! Ha!



A Gathered Event: Runway Boutique's Vintage Showcase & Fashion Show

If it's about style, we love it. So naturally, we were ecstatic to attend Runway Boutique's Vintage Showcase and Fashion Show. Los Angeles fashionistas, if you haven't shopped at Runway Boutique, you are seriously missing out on beautiful clothing, wonderful customer service, and engaging and exciting events. The ladies at Runway are bomb! I have shopped many-a-store as an admitted fashion addict, and this store is top-tier for the caliber of vintage fashion, contemporary pieces, custom accessories, and eclectic finds they stock. Trust me, Runway has been the cause of several near-accidents on La Brea Ave due to their catchy window and street displays, which showcase luxury items, print mixing, and mint-condition vintage finds. Yes... I’m guilty of illegal U-turns in a fit of fashion lust! Some of the best pieces in my closet have been supplied by this very store. Really, I can't lavish the compliments enough. Trust me. Shop here. You will thank me later.

As for the fashion show, I was no less impressed. The event was intimate, taking place in their store with its signature catwalk as the main stage. DJ Cannon Cody had heads bopping, and special guest Andrea Derujinsky featured famous artwork by her father Gleb Derujinsky. The iconic art was created from Gleb's time as a photographer at Harper's Bazaar (1950-1968). The clothes were dynamic, colorful, funky, artsy, sophisticated, and one of a kind. I have no idea how they find this stuff, but I'm happy I can buy it! If you’re not in LA, and you can’t buy it, then be inspired by it. Check out the slideshow*, event and lookbook pics, and their website for more style inspiration. You can also follow them on instagram @fashionfatima or twitter @rboutiquela for more Runway Boutique style and news.

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

*Apologies for the "ungathered" slightly blurry slideshow pictures. There were unfortunate technical difficulties, and a diva had to downgrade to the andriod. I would have loved to capture the clothes brilliance in full force, but luckily we captured beautiful still shots below.

The Gathered Fashion Spread (April 13, 2013)

Happy Saturday! Here are your hot looks of the week. The lovely Queen Aftan shared some pics of Atlanta fashionistas!  Check these ladies out for style inspiration. Have a banging outfit you are wearing out and about? Submit your outfit to thegatheredlady@gmail and you may be featured in our weekly fashion spread!

Easy Upgrade: Scarves!

Hello Spring! This is one of my favorite seasons. The warmer weather means I can start showing more skin and wearing bright colors, but there is still time to get my "summer body" ready. One accessory that can be utilized during transitional weather is the scarf. These bolts of fabric can liven up a plain dress, give charm to an old favorite and add sophistication or funk to your wardrobe. Every fashionista should own a few good scarves in varying lengths, textures, designs, colors and fabrics. If you tend to dress more conservatively, scarves are a great way to experiment with color, prints and patterns, without sacrificing major money.

One of the ways I like to pair scarves with outfits is based on length and pattern. If the scarf is monochromatic, you can use it to compliment and tone down a potentially busy outfit. Conversely, patterned scarves are a wonderful way to add interest to more modest silhouettes and basic colors.

Here is a handy list of numerous ways to rock a scarf. Go beyond scarf basics and try wearing them on your purse, as a head wrap, in your hair, or as a pocket square with a crisp blazer. Your creativity can be endless with this accessory. Do you have scarf fever? Share your pics with us at thegatheredlady@gmail.com, and if we love it, we'll share it!

How to Rock... the Panel Dress

The panel dress takes the art of illusion to a new--and fabulous--level. Gaining popularity in the last couple of years, it exaggerates curves (in the good way), while being versatile enough to be appropriate for just about any occasion. I’ve read that they can make you look up to two sizes smaller, and while that particular claim sounds a bit optimistic to me, this dress style will make you look great, as long as you know how to wear it properly.

I recently purchased this version of the panel dress by Voir.

To successfully rock the panel dress, you need to remember that the statement piece of this outfit is the dress itself. The lines of the dress are specifically designed to draw the eye and keep it moving from top to bottom, making you look taller, leaner and gorgeous. You don’t want to do anything that breaks up those lines, which means no heavy sweaters or blazers. You also don’t want to distract the eye with too much jewelry. You may have noticed my intense love of big cuffs and bracelets, but this look calls for more restraint when it comes to the accessories. Remember, you want all eyes on your dress (and how banging your curves look in it), so all of your choices should support that goal. Think thin earrings with some length to them that emphasize your neck and shoulders, along with a delicate bracelet. If you absolutely must have an added pop of color, your shoes are a good place to get it. Focus on a tall pump that will elongate your legs instead of a strappy shoe that will cut you off at the ankles. Snag a clutch on the way out the door, and you’re all set! If you want to see just how amazing this look can be when pulled off, check out Kate Winslet looking quite radiant in Stella McCartney.

Do you have a panel dress that makes your curves pop? Send a picture of how you rock this trend to thegatheredlady@gmail.com, and if we love it, we'll share it!