Fall Fashion with Lulu E Bebe and Cosette

I am very excited to chronicle Lulu E Bebe and Cosette in my fall fashion lineup. These two stores, owned by the same owner, are located right next to each other on the corner of Lake Otis and Tudor in Anchorage, Alaska. I have been shopping at Lulu E Bebe since the store opened in 2002. Both locally owned clothing stores offer fashion-forward styles at bargain prices. I have looked through their new shipments and have hand picked my favorite outfits for fall that are functional for the Alaskan climate. 

Just because the weather outside is frightful doesn't mean you have to dress in ugly warm clothing. With autumn bringing cooler weather, but not yet snow, you can still wear the tan and purple floral print strapless dress for an office setting. If you are worried about modesty or are simply chilly slip on a light sweater such as the one shown. As the weather gets colder pair this cute number with a pair of simple tights. Tights will pair nicely with the turquoise dress as well. Be careful not to pair print or patterned tights with an already patterned dress: it makes for too busy of an outfit. Pick one or the other, prints on your clothing or prints on your legs. The coat is just too cute to pass up. It is a perfect casual jacket for winter in Alaska, it is available in many different colors. 

 Because I am a young professional I am on the constant lookout for stylish clothing to wear to work that doesn't make me look like I'm 40. I am in love with these semi-professional looks from Lulu E Bebe that are perfect in terms of fall fashion. The entire outfit on the left is just beautiful and very professional. You might see the shorts in the middle picture and think, shorts for fall in Alaska? Yes. A current trend right now is to "winterize" shorts by pairing them with tights and ankle socks. Google it, it actually is a very cute British inspired trend. And this pleated jacket on the right; oh my gosh I want to run to Lulu E Bebe right now and rip it off the rack and take it home with me. This jacket can be as dressed up or a casual as you'd like for it to be. Shown with jeans is a very causal yet sophisticated look, pair it with a skirt and some heals and you have a lovely fall office look.


XOXO

Christina

For more information on Lulu E Bebe be sure to stop by their website http://www.luluebebe.com/

And to learn more about Cosette visit their facebook page http://www.facebook.com/cosetteak

Fall Fashion Trends Found in Anchorage, Alaska

   Okay, let's talk about how exciting fall fashions are. As the season changes so do the clothes in my closet. Fall in Alaska (the little bit of it that we get to see and enjoy) is wonderful, winter not so much. Now, it's one thing to have watched Spring Fashion Week in New York City and to have seen the trends for fall, it's a completely other task to actually apply what you saw to your wardrobe, especially in Alaska. I have looked through the Nordstrom's catalog and put together my own Lookbook of items that can be found at the Nordstrom's here in Anchorage that can be worn and also be functional during fall and winter in Alaska. Also, everything I have listed is relatively good in price (by Nordstrom standards of course). 

    I am a shoeaholic and admitting it is the first step to recovery. I literally plan my outfit based on what shoes I'm going to wear. It's sad, I know. Here in Anchorage it's always difficult to find fashion-forward shoes for fall and winter that are still functional in our cold snowy weather. If you don't want to be "one of those girls" skating down the street and freezing your toes off in stiletto sandals then avoid those shoes at all costs. Instead, if you want to be current on your fashion but also be functional in winter then go for a boot. Your boots can wary in how far up your leg they go. I am inlove with these ankle boots found at Nordstrom's because they are the ultimate young professional look that can be used with a sophisticated casual look as well. I plan on wearing these boots as I start my professional career here in Anchorage. 

    

   

    

 


 

   I like skinny jeans in Alaska because they can easily be tucked into fashionable knee-length boots. If you have too much fabric on your jeans then you actually add bulk underneath your boots, and who want's their legs to look bigger than they actually are. Not me!! These grey pants look fantastic in the work scene, having a more tailored cut makes it so that you don't drown your figure in the standard wide leg business pants. 

   I have a very soft, romantic personal style. I was very excited to see soft fabrics like chiffon, and soft colors such as cream and pale pink in the catalog. Capes, drapes, and ponchos are a growing tend for fall. This loose stripped shirt fits the loose fitted trend and has a nice casual feel to it. This cape trend can be both dressed up or down depending on the fabric that is used and which accessories you pair with the outfit. This sage green cowl neck cape tee can be layered for the perfect sophisticated weather appropriate look. 

    If you have a stylish jacket then you will survive the winter in Alaska with your fashion sense still intact! I often get chilly while at work in the office. Instead of putting on any old sweater, why not put on a stylish jacket to warm you up? I have been INLOVE with the women's fitted blazers for quite some time. This is by far one of my favorite looks and is a trend for fall! It is perfect for the professional scene without overdoing it. It brings a powerful androgynous look that still has a feminine element to it. Unbutton the blazer and roll up the sleeves for a more laid back yet still professional look. 

    Both blue and creme dresses can be worn in a work setting or to a nice dinner. The key to wearing a dress during fall and winter in Alaska is that it has to be the right length: knee length. Any shorter and you look like you should be in Miami, any longer and you start to look like mother matron. If the weather is cold then both dresses can be worn with some neutral colored tights to be weather appropriate. Both could be matched with a simple pair of flats or boots. The mauve dress is something a little more flashy that can be worn when going out downtown, or on a hot date. Remember, the key to wearing a dress in the winter is, you want stylish modesty for work, but don't be afraid to let loose and let your hair down on the weekends, as long as you are wearing a knee length dress.



XOXO

Christina

Profile: Christina Roper-Fashion Blogger/Fashion Model

Today I figured that I would introduce the face behind Haute in Winterland. I am Christina Roper, a born and raised Alaskan. Though I am mostly surrounded by people who think of fashion as bunny boots and a warm coat, I thrive off of big-city fashion. My goal is to educate my readers on what new fashion trends are coming right off the runway and into everyday wardrobes, give fashion-conscientious Alaskan ideas on what to wear in our climate and where to get fashion-forward clothing in Anchorage, and to give my input on what fashion I like that other people might not know about.

I am obsessed with fashion! This love for expressing myself through what I wear formed when I got into modeling. I have modeled for numerous companies and designers. Here is a sample from my modeling portfolio.

XOXO

Christina

Chanel Previews New 2012 Resort Line

The ultra-luxurious fashion house Chanel showcased its latest Cruise 2012 Collection presented by Karl Largerfeld at the Hotel du Cap in Antibes, France. The collection just oozed French Riviera and fittingly took place there as well. Chanel's classic elegant styles were met with bold accessories to create a relaxed look for summer. The front row celebrities made for a sought-after fashion show. Celebrities included Blake Lively, Vanessa Paradis, Anna Mouglalis, Rachel Bilson, and Alexa Chung.

The show started with soft pastel colors of yellow and lilac hues. Neutral-creamy tones and the subtle floral patterns were prominent on the runway. Long flowy dresses, bold swimwear, and relaxed yet sophisticated menswear made up the majority of the show. However, the real highlights of the show were the 90 accessory pieces from Chanel Haute Joaillerie which included real jewels, diamonds, and pearls. Sparkling buttons on lean skirt suits and gowns of ivory silk paired with oversized pearls grabbed onlookers attention.

Until next time…

XOXO
Christina

Fashion Trend Alert! Shorts & Blazers

I have been crazed over blazers for months now. Since it is summer I can't wait to start pairing my casually professional blazers with shorts and pumps. Nothing says high-fashion and professional like shorts and blazers. The great thing about this trend is that you can dress it up or make it as casual as you'd like. LOVE!!

XOXO

Christina

Lanvin launches collection at H&M stores on November 23.

Let me start this post of by saying how much I ADORE H&M. Being from Alaska I'd never heard of H&M until I studied abroad in Athens, Greece where I was introduced to the wonders of H&M. However, H&M just gave me one more reason to LOVE them. On November 23, H&M will carry Lanvin's exclusive collection. The absolute essence of Lanvin will now be available in over 200 stores worldwide. Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin, has created clothing for both men and women making every single piece identifying the work of Lanvin. Women's dresses are breathtaking with joyful colors and beautiful draping and cuts. For men, Elbaz has updated the classics. Lanvin has tuxedos appropriate for daytime and jogging pants with a sports twist. 


“What does luxury mean today? Can luxury be exclusive and democratic at the same time? How can we translate the essence of luxury to a wider audience? The world around us is changing rapidly and I find myself asking these questions more and more. Designer’s work is usually tailored to a very small group of people, but the collection for H&M was about trying to translate the dream of luxury to the masses. It was almost like going back to school for me.” Alber Elbaz, artistic director of Lanvin from fashionandrunway.com.

I have browsed through samples of the collection and I am extremely impressed. I have posted some from my wishlist.

Plus-size models canon-ball across the pond

Across the Atlantic, at Paris Fashion Week, the plus-size model movement is farther along than it was during New York Fashion Week. Crystal Renn was the only notable full-figured model who was cast for Zac Posen's Z-Spoke show during New York Fashion Week. Earlier this week, Renn told People, "I'm freaking out. Zac is one of the ones you want. Zac, Calvin and Marc are the big three. I booked one of my big three." Zac Posen wants to be able to fit and have women buy his clothes who are a number of shapes and sizes. "They are making the clothes for my size and everything," said Renn. "This is how fashion should be."

Jean Paul Gaultier is no stranger to spotlighting plus size models in his fashion shows. During Paris Fashion Week Gaultier showcased his Spring 2011 Ready to Wear collection by opening and closing the show with full figured and confident Gossip singer, Beth Ditto. Gaultier also featured Crystal Renn and Marquita Pring into his rocker chic spring collection. Gaultier told reporters after the show, "What counts is personality, there is not just the one form of stereotyped beauty. This collection's pleats can be worn by any size and adapt to different body shapes."

British Vogue editor, Alexandra Shulman, would like to see more "normal" sized women on the high fashion catwalk. "Instead of a fuss being made about a few cause celebre exceptions on the catwalk," said Shulman. "What I'd really like instead is for most models to be a size 10 rather than a size 8."

Crystal Renn, one of my favorite supermodel, putting her footprint on the fashion world in a very positive way. The size 10 model, who recently documented her years of anorexia in a memoir called Hungry, broke barriers during New York Fashion Week by walking in Zac Posen's ZSpoke show. Last week, she walked in Zac Posen's ready to wear show, as well as in Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel's fashion shows in Paris. 

Renn doesn't feel out of place on the runway that is notorious for uber-slim models gliding across. In an interview with People magazine Renn is proud to be "a real breakthrough," she says. "I'm here to be treated like any other girl. It doesn't matter my size. It doesn't matter who I am. I'm going on castings like everybody else. Renn acknowledges that there are more diverse models on the runway now than there ever have been. "When I first started, the girls were all blonde, all emaciated and miserable looking. Now there's more ethnic diversity. The girls are not as skinny as before. You do see size 6s and a couple size 8s. There is more allowance for people to be different."