This is the first time Wardrobe Builder has been a COLOR.  But color is the basis of how I build a wardrobe and this Fall’s merchandise offered much inspiration in this rich chocolate.  Plus, I think fashion overplays its hand with black quite a bit.  It is the default color and often the only option.

However in color theory, brown is actually flattering to all, not black.  So if you find yourself looking to expand your wardrobe with neutral items that will enhance your face and stand the test of time – consider adding some brown hues – natural tans, cocoa, latte, cinnamon, rose brown, to dark chocolates are wonderful additions that will easily pair with black, blues, creams, and whites.

WOMEN
(clockwise from top left)
Hobbs London Limited Collection Bromley Check Trench Coat ($795) | Bloomingdale’s 14K Yellow-Gold Huggie Earrings ($1,200) | Polo Ralph Lauren Relaxed Mulberry Silk Shirt ($348) | Staud Cantilever Merino-Wool Skirt ($325) | Neous Phoenix Leather Shoulder Bag ($935) | Loeffler Randall Deidre Over-The-Knee Leather Boot ($750)

MEN
(clockwise from top left)
J.Crew Cashmere Herringbone Jacquard Crewneck Sweater ($168) | Polo Ralph Lauren Suede Shirt Jacket ($698) | Bergdorf Goodman Men’s Pebbled Leather Belt ($150) | Hereu Alda Chelsea Boot ($540) | Daniel Wellington Classic St. Mawes 40mm Watch ($229) | Peter Millar Superior Soft Corduroy Five-Pocket Pant ($170)

Summer Essentials for Him & Her

Mid-summer dressing can be difficult. It’s still hot enough to wear shorts, but if you stay outside past 6pm the breeze rolls through and all out pants! Sift through the 12 curated Summer transitional pieces, you’ll want them all.

What to Buy

/ 1 / Onia Calder 7.5″ Swim Trunks $65 / 2 / Krewe St. Louis Mirrored Seaglass Sunglasses $255 / 3 / The Face Tan-Lux Anti-Aging Rejuvenating Tan Drops $60 / 4 / Riviera Cotton Mesh and Canvas Espadrilles $75 / 5 / J.Crew Stretch Cotton Poplin Crop Pants $85 / 6 / & Other Stories Leather Snake Textured Bag $79 / 7 / Massimo Dutti Cotton/Linen Bermuda Shorts $70 / 8 / Soludos Frayed Mules $65 / 9 / Free People The Isha Tube Dress $88 / 10 / M&S Linen Miracle Tailored Fit Blazer $175 / 11 / Odette Kaj Earrings $165 / 12 / Zara Belt Bag with Ring Detail $20

Joseph Altuzarra, the “thinking woman’s designer,” has been compared to fashion luminary Tom Ford and his story is a fashion fairytale. Born in Paris to a Chinese-American mother and French father, this multiculturalism juxtaposed American ease with French sensibility. Surrounded by film and dance, an appreciation for the arts was natural; Joseph studied ballet for 8 years as a child and wrote an essay linking YSL’s Opium perfume advertisement to Toulouse-Lautrec.

A love of fashion was spurred by Art History at Swarthmore and with no formal training took an internship in NYC at Marc Jacobs before a post at the burgeoning Proenza Schouler. Joseph then proceeded to apprentice Nicolas Caito at Rochas, where he learned pattern-making and draping. Caito encouraged Joseph to go back to Paris, where he met Riccardo Tisci, creative director of Givenchy and became his assistant for two years.  At just 4 years out of college, armed with impressive experience, encouraging mentors, and clear vision he launched ALTUZARRA during the recession of 2008 – a bold and precarious year to start a luxury business. He won his first accolade in 2010 and they haven’t stopped since, winning CFDA’s Womenswear Designer of the Year in 2014, and most recently the Accessories Council’s Designer of the Year in 2017. He has designed costumes for the NYC Ballet and collaborated with J.Crew and Target. His story might seem unbelievable until you meet Joseph. Utterly kind, thoughtful, and passionate he is a grounded person in fast moving industry and this is evident in his work.

Known equally for feminine tailoring and exquisite embellishment, high slit skirts, vibrant use of color, flowy dresses, and fitted jackets are his signatures. However, his most compelling looks are usually the simplest. The fabric, cut, and details lend to their utter elegance and eventual endurance.  Altuzarra is a collection for women who are creating and defining their own leading role for their life – they are not bystanders. They are the ones confidently taking the reigns of their destiny. At only 10 years in and growing we are fortunate this fairytale has only just begun.