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Red Carpet Recap: MTV BMA’s

By |August 25th, 2014|Celebrity Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

mtv vmas miley cyrus jesse beyonce blue ivyLast night marked MTV’s 31st Annual Video Music Awards and also the fact that I’m way too old to be watching it.  My friends and I kept exchanging puzzled looks as one unrecognizable (to us) tween took to the red carpet after the next.  I had never been so excited to see Gwen Stefani or Jennifer Lopez as I was last night.  Phew!  Somebody we knew.  It became quite clear as to why E! has cornered the market on red carpet pre-shows.  As I quickly found myself on the brink of a melodramatic meltdown, I yelled at my TV,   “Sway, WHO ARE THEY WEARING?”  After having cooled my rage with a glass of prosecco, the actual show began.

Within seconds of the opening act, I was concerned that Nicki Minaj had somehow pirated the entire event as there was much more booty on stage than on any ship.  She became this year’s Miley while pirouetting her posterior to her current single, “Anaconda”, which left me hoping Sir Mix A Lot was somewhere wiping his own rear with all the royalty money he received from that song.  She then joined Jessie J. who forgot her pants and Ariana Grande who appears to have a perma hairstyle for their song, “Bang Bang” complete with wardrobe malfunction.  She later joined Usher for his song, aptly named, “She Came To Give It To You.”

Right around the time I’d given up on humanity and started Googling how to obtain an Australian work visa, Miley Cyrus shocked audiences again. This time, however, it had nothing to do with flagrant twerking or her wayward tongue. When she won the VMA for Video of the Year, instead of accepting the award herself, her handsome mystery date took the stage.  He identified himself as “Jesse” and proceeded to deliver a touching speech revealing that he, himself, had grown up homeless which was hard to imagine as he looked like far less homeless than the boys of Five Seconds to Summer in his well tailored suit.  He encouraged viewers to learn more about My Friend’s Place and to get involved by visiting and donating on Miley’s site.

But (with a capital “B”)  Queen B., herself, Beyonce, was not about to be outdone.  Bey performed for a solid fifteen minutes in a stunning jewel encrusted leotard before accepting the Video Vanguard Award from her husband, Jay-Z and the absolutely adorable Blue Ivy.  If all those divorce rumors do have any merit, she should have picked up an Oscar as well.

The other big “B” for last night had to be for Balmain as Jordan Dunn, Chanel Iman, Joan Smalls, and Kim Kardashian all wore the label.  Pro-tip: Do not show up to an awards show wearing the same thing as a supermodel.  While Katy Perry and her date, Riff Raff, gave a nostalgic nod to Britney and Justin, everyone’s favorite good girl wore a romper so short, she could have been a Minaj backup dancer.  Black was a red carpet favorite, but all renditions from sheer paneling to leather pants felt fresh and innovative rather than basic and boring.  Red, pink, and blue were the other colors that were most prevalent, mainly in jewel shades.  While everyone looked “nice,” I didn’t feel floored by anyone in particular… except for Amber Rose, that is.

Ban-Do:

miley cyrus jourdan dunn mtv vmaJourdan Dunn in Balmain, Miley Cyrus in Alexandre Vauthier

Anything but Basic Black:

kendall kylie jenner red carpet chanel imanKendall Jenner in Alon Livne, Kylie Jenner in Alexandre Vauthier, Chanel Iman in Balmain

Power Couples:

ireland baldwin adam levine mtv vmaIreland Baldwin in Roberto Cavalli and Angel Haze in Helmut Lang, Adam Levine Behati Prinsloo

Sister, Sister:

beyonce vma red carpetBeyonce in Nicolas Jebran, Solange Knowles in H&M Studio

Fulfill Your Destiny:

mtv vma red carpetKelly Rowland in Kaufman Franco, Michelle Williams

Soft and Subtle:

mtv vma red carpetKesha in Johanna Johnson, Jessie J in vintage Halston

Silver Lining:

iggy azalea jennifer lopez red carpet vmaIggy Azalea in Versace, Jennifer Lopez in Charbel Zoe

Animal Instinct:

2014 MTV Video Music Awards - Arrivals Nicki Minaj, Charli XCX in Moschino

Red Alert:

mtv vmas rita ora demi lovato red carpetRita Orain Donna Karan Atelier, Demi Lovato in Lanvin

Double Trouble:

kim kardashian joan smalls mtv vmasKim Kardashian West in Balmain, Joan Smalls in Balmain

Pink Ladies:

gwen stefani chloe moretz mtv vmaGwen Stefani in L.A.M.B. Couture, Chloe Moretz in Louis Vuitton

Cobalt Queens:

sarah hyland julianne hough mtv vmasSarah Hyland in Kaufman Franco, Julianne Hough in Emilio Pucci

Singing the Blues:

katy perry riff raff taylor swift mtv vma red carpetKaty Perry and Riff Raff in custom Versace, Taylor Swift in Mary Katrantzou

 You’ve Got Chainmail:wiz khalifa amber rose mtv vma

Wiz Khalifa, Amber Rose in Laura Dewitt

 xx,

WhyDid

 

 

Why Did You Wear That: It Takes Two

By |June 29th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

whydid blog kirstenSometimes you feel like a nut.  Sometimes you don’t.  The beauty of matching separates is that the ways in which they can be worn allow for a bit of creativity.  Of course you can wear them as they were meant to be- matching, or you can always mix things up and wear them as the name implies- separately.  Just as shown this week, a top can be dressed up, a bottom dressed down simply by remixing your basics.  And honestly, who doesn’t love a remix?  I’m talking to you, Too $hort.

This week was the beginning of the season wherein New Yorkers take to social media to remind you of how hot they are.  Remember when we swore we wouldn’t because the winter was so wretched?  Well, just like the Maury Show, the lie detector has determined… That was a lie!  As we strolled through the back streets of the Meatpacking District to snap these shots, It’s all I could do not to just melt into the puddle of sweat that I was becoming.  But alas, I do it all for you.  The irony in all of this being the beautiful vegan handbag I received from Like Dreams having been shot in the middle of the Meat Market.  Don’t worry, no animals were harmed in the production of this shoot… unless you count me and the blister on my arm from my curling iron.

kirsten smith nyc5

kirsten smith

kirsten smith nyc3

kirsten smith blog

kirsten smith nyc4top: similar by Parker here, skirt: similar by Parker here, shoes: L.A.M.B. similar here, clutch: c/o Like Dreams

xx,

WhyDid

Photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Now and Later

By |September 4th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithThe weather at the end of summer and the beginning of spring is more flippant and unpredictable than a woman two days into Aunt Flo.  One day you’re blotting sweat stains from a silk blouse and the next you’re wishing you’d stowed a cardigan in your tote.  Most of my summer was spent sunning my stems in denim cutoff shorts.  My jeans barely saw the light of day and probably now have perma-creases from staying stagnant in the depths of my closet.  Most people see Labor Day as the end of summer and Fashion Week as the beginning of fall.  This is when closet starved New Yorkers begin the purging of their closets.  Tiny tanks and strappy sandals are stowed and soft cashmere and slouchy boots take their place.  But before you pack away your denim cutoffs for good,  let’s examine how some of your favorite summer pieces can have an extended shelf life by working them into your wardrobe with winter wear.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

denim shorts kirsten smith

kirsten smithsunglasses: Ray-Ban, top: custom vintage (similar here), shorts: c/o Cult of Individuality, bracelets: Alex and Ani, bag: Malini Murjani (similar here), shoes: L.A.M.B. (similar here)

Stay tuned to see how to take your summer shorts to a winter staple.
xx,

WhyDid

Photo credit: Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: The Witching Hour

By |July 16th, 2013|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

kirsten smithWhile one can essentially never go wrong in a little black dress, the same ol’ cocktail attire can become a bit tired.  For a more modern take on basic black, try mixing separates in the same color- most notably in noir.  Make the look your own by adding accessories like a hat for a more dressed down take, or twisting your hair into a top knot for a more polished presence.  I once suggested another alternative to the LBD, which garnered a love/hate reaction.  And to be honest, this is a look I’ve been perfecting since senior prom.

Yes, my parents let me out of the house (and actually escorted me) to my prom wearing these very same fly-away shorts and a beaded butterfly top (dare I mention my very first weave?).  I never thought I’d see the day where these shorts would become a part of my wardrobe again, but during one of my 18,000 moves, I returned to my mom’s house in West Virginia and scoured the archives.  Jackpot.

kirsten smith

kirsten smith

kirsten smithhat: borrowed (similar here), top: American Apparel (similar here), shorts: Caché, shoes: L.A.M.B. (similar), bag: Erickson Beamon

kirsten smith fence

lamb

kirsten smith

xx,

WhyDid

Photo Credit: Michael Stiegler

Friday Frocks: Falling for You

By |September 23rd, 2011|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

It’s official.  It’s fall.  You’ve had your Pumpkin Spice latte.  You’ve put that damn wreath on your door (why did you do that?).  Now, it’s time to start dressing the part.  I love summer clothes, but I really adore a cozy fall wardrobe.  A great fall dress can transition you from the first falling leaf, the to first falling snowflake.  Early in the season, wear your fall frocks with boots/booties and a light jacket.  When the thermostat dips, layer tights, a scarf and a heavier jacket to keep you warm and stylish.

1. Sonia Rykiel Argyle Sweater Dress, $2,195, 2. Mini for Many Tin Knit Dress, $179.55, 3. MaxMara Oversized Sweater Dress, $350, 4. Torn by Ronny Kobo Mila Rouched Croc Dress, $338, 5. Oonagh by Nanette Lepore Jeremy Dress, $268, 6. L.A.M.B. Navajo Sweater Dress, $330, 7.Vanessa Bruno Athe Mohair Fair Isle Dress, $450, 8. Isabel Marant Tevai Metallic Fine Knit Dress, $490, 9. bebe Variegated Striped Lurex Dress, $98, 10. Forever21 Retro Houndstooth Dress, $19.80

xx,

WhyDid