Calvin Klein Watches - $199 - $350

Calvin Klein "Ray" Watch - $199

           Calvin Klein makes a classy selection of craftily made watches. The Swiss pieces are mostly stainless steel but come in a variety of size and styles to suit the angry teen to the angry old man with the fabulous diva sitting pretty right in between. Some of the watches are really classy and artistic, like the Calvin Klein "Ray" Watch.  Although I did scoop this bad girl up, I've been looking for a watch I can throw on at anytime.  My department at work produces all the advertising and packaging for Calvin Klein. Any box, bag, poster or billboard or commercial you see comes from the people in my office. If we're lucky, samples come around. I posted some photos on my Instagram yesterday, so thought I'd share my finds in full. That said, my watch collection just got a decent upgrade. 

            Before I started looking into watches, I had no idea of what one cost. Watches are supposed to be part of a "collection" so you should be willing to spend a little bit of change to get a true collection started. A good watch should last you forever, you kinda want to hand these things down. I rarely know what I've picked up, but when I can, I Google it to see the worth. It's not that the worth defines a product, the the price gives you an idea of the esteem and class of the product (or at least what the producers think the value is).  I think it's brilliant of a company to give its employees things, so that we can tell the public about the product. These aren't the first watches I've gotten (I've also bought some at sample sales) but I really do love them. They're just well made and presentable. The name Calvin Klein is both ordinary American and high-end depending on who's checking. So... I just recommend a Calvin watch if you're in the market. Something new *shrugs* Check out the goodies I scored.

Calvin Klein Collection Fall 2013 Runway (Men + Women)

I think the one of the dopest things about Calvin Klein Collection is that the men's and women's lines are designed by two different people. Fransisco Costa is the designer for the women's line and Italo Zuchelli  heads the men's line. Somehow, they match perfectly and it's always amazing <3 

This collection feels like "Batman Marries a Princess". The colors are so dark, but the construction of the clothing seems so classy. The leather dresses are long and flowing instead of tight and slutty --as is very easy with leather. From a company who practically founded "sex sells" I admire Calvin for always presenting a classy collection with a sexy allure. The men's collection features fabrics of an amazing texture (it always does), so although simple, even a sweatshirt has personality. Calvin does a phenomenal job with outwear, in my opinion, especially men's. I love how some of the outfits look relaxed, while the suits are pristine and practically perfect.

The collection is classic, simple Calvin. All of these are pieces that would stand the test of time in the back of your closet --one of the reason I love Calvin. The collection transcends time. Always quite the marvel, I'd say. No matter who disagrees.  

I hope you enjoy the videos/photos of this iconic American brand.  

Women's Fall 2013

Calvin Klein "Vivian" Heel ($77-$140)

I wrote about these in my last post, "#WhatIWore - Holiday Party + Music Showcase 12.14.12"  but... have to copy/paste: The open-toed, stappy heel has an amazing shape & makes any foot look good. It's also a small platform with an amazing cushion so it's super comfortable.  Isn't that all I have to say? 

Oh... the damage: I got this at a trunk show so, super cheap for me... but this shoe will run you anywhere from $77 - $139 depending on the style and website. Unfortunately, these aren't on Calvin's site. The Vivian comes in a mess of different colors, patterns and textures. Browse below :)

Tan Suede, $76.99 SHOP NOW

Blue Suede, $119.00 SHOW NOW

 

Black w/ Gold Shimmer, $129 SHOP NOW

Black python patent, $139.00 SHOP NOW

Orange Suede, $100.99 SHOP NOW

Tan Python, $129.00 SHOP NOW

#WhatIWore - Holiday Party + Music Showcase 12.14.12

Vintage Louis Vuitton Zip-Up Jacket

      Sometimes, my favorite thing about a hectic life is finding a way to get around to so many different events --with different crowds and expectations-- and still look fabulous. My work holidat party was this passed Friday, as was my first showcase at Paul Robeson Theater. I needed to wear something that could translate to both events, so I went "chic."  My definition of "chic" lies somewhere between "I'm too too good to be here" and "I dressed down just for you." I wanted too look ultra classy because I was going to be sipping champagne with my bosses, but while I'm on stage, I don't like wearing a costume. I wanted to look as normal & natural as possible. My biggest concern with dressing for the stage is that I want people to be impressed by my art, not my outfit. --I'm certainly my toughest opponent.

 I wore a one piece, pants suit I got at Forever21.  I bought it about 4 years ago when I interned for Baltimore's Fashion Week. It's a strapless outfit, but has a one shoulder sleeve that you can either wear on the direct shoulder or cross over. I always try to get pieces that can do more than one thing. That way, the outfit reinvents itself --making it's lifespan a bit longer. The weird/new/striking sleeve also helped me cut down on accessories. Since my top was doing a lot, I didn't have to do much else. When you're really on a rush, choose an outfit that'll do all the work for you.

Keep reading for more photos & details about my outfit :)

Spring '13 Runway Shows

I'll keep adding as I watch :)

No commentary included as I consider this ART, so our opinions don't really matter.
 

Enjoy the shows. 

Calvin Klein Collection

Calvin Klein Jeans Footwear

We had a trunk show @ work today
 & needed some new (flat) shoes I could wear to the office
without looking like a child or a hoodlum. 

Reasons:

           1: There aren't enough flat options for women. Most look lame & old-lady-ish. B: Men get it easy at work. I be uncomfortable some days, even though I pretend not to be. Third: I needed a shoe that would look good with leggings/straight legs. Also: We wear all black most of the time, so I needed more options to rotate with the clothing I already own. Sometimes, the shoe changes the entire outfit. I was hooked by the androgyny of the boots shown below. I can wear this same exact outfit with some heels & change the whole feel. Ya diggggggg?!? 

Here's what I got: 

The lace up ones are suede. 

The boots are a grainy leather (& they reminded me of Timbs). 

Both by Calvin Klein Jeans

(Click "Read More" for more photos.)

Night Outfit: Silver Spoon June Mixtape Release Party @ Katra

Dress: H&M

Feather Earrings: H&M

Cross earrings: Betsey Johnson

Watch: Skagen

Bracelets & Rings: Various, including Calvin Klein

Silver Necklace: Givenchy        

Purse: H&M

Shoes: Aldo

         Sometimes, the jewelry says it all because the dress won't  speak for itself. Whenever in doubt, I count on my accessories to create the outfit for me. I had no idea what to wear to Silver Spoon June's mixtape release party at Katra so I went for all black. All black works because no one knows if you've worn that dress out (whether you have or not). Most black dresses ultimately look the same until you get up close. If you want to make a statement with the "little black dress" opt for ones that have intricate details or tailoring that you can only see in person/up close. The dress I wore last night was a sweater night with see through patches. It can work well as a shirt if I put a tank underneath, but tonight I wore a slip to convert it into a slutty *cough* I mean, sexy dress ;) Look at the pics below to see the transformation. 

           I wanted to be low-key, but still stand out. So this was the perfect combination. I knew there'd be plenty other black dresses, but no accessories like mine. I also knew I was going out to a club and... I was more on business than anything else. So, I wanted to look like I wasn't supposed to be there. The bag I brought out was technically too big for the club, but... with a pair of flats, business cards galore and a clementine in case I got hungry, I needed room. It also gave me a...umm.. don't give a fuck vibe. Paired with the leather, open-toe clogs, I felt a little "rock star" coming on --and who gives a fuck less than rock stars? 

           As for the accessories, I piled them on.  I usually do, though. I like to mix gold and silver because it seems most people are afraid to. Also, I can never make up my mind so I wear both. The feather earrings were perfect in giving a soft touch to all the heavy metal (I'm such an effin rock star) I had on.  I also wore studded black belt you can't see in the photos simply because I felt I was too heavy on the top... meaning my outfit wasn't balance. Sometime your shoes do too much, or your earrings, or whatever. You have to balance the attention. Adding a belt allowed me to differentiate the top of my body from the bottom and provided that "hour-glass" curve we women of color tend to pride ourselves on :) Still, when I held my bag down by my waist, the bracelets and fringes from the bag helped with the overall balance of the outfit.

w/o accessories.

 W/ Accessories

Work

Top: Thrift
Pants: 7 For All Mankind
Shades: Ray-Ban
Bag & dark blue jewelry: My mom's closet
Blue stone jewelry: My aunt's store in Santo Domingo.
Watch: Skagen
Rings: (Bands) Calvin Klein Jeans, (stones) little sister score.
Wedges: Miss Sixty
Change Purse: Burberry

         So. I woke up late. 8:30am. Which was actually pretty early in comparison to what I used to do (like a week ago). That gives me 30 minutes to get out of the house. & I'm usually between 15-20 minutes behind schedule --I like how "behind schedule" sounds vs "late". When ever you're this late, you've got to simply make everything go what what's ready. The bag, I used yesterday so everything had to match with that. 

         What makes you late most of the time, is changing bags. And then you forget to switch shit over and you will  forget something and have to go back in the house 12 times --like I did a week ago. (I'm coming to this revelation as I write.)  With that said, I went for the neutrals because you can basically throw on anything. No matter the shade of brown, all browns go together. Anything "earthy" can just be thrown on with one another. I chose the wide legged pant for the 70s vibe it carries that compliments to rest of the outfit. 

         The shades, well... you always need a safe brown pair. I recommend these or another form of tortoise.  Tortoise is pretty sick no matter how dark or light.