Retail Therapy: Fall Fashion Trend Report. Exclusive Trend & Personal Style Interview with the Womenswear Buying Manager of My-Wardrobe.com

Introducing the newest addition to Rich Skinny Pretty: Retail Therapy! RSP is delivering exclusive trend & personal style interviews with the CEO's, VP's, product managers and buyers of the hottest retail Web sites. Who better is there to ask when it comes to the finding out what the season must-haves are?

For our very first Retail Therapy feature we scored an exclusive interview with the Womenswear Buying Manager of My-Wardorbe.com. With brands like Marc by Marc Jacobs, Preen, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Halston Heritage, Mulberry and See by Chloe what is there not to love? Plus, My-Wardrobe.com includes a Daily Buzz highlighting the site's hottest of-the-moment items while staying right on trend. Wondering which coats or booties top the list? Well, here you go:RSP: Title at My-Wardrobe?
Ellie: Eleanor Robinson, Buying Manager Womenswear

RSP: Describe the kind of girl that shops My-Wardrobe...
Ellie: Everyone! Everyday luxury is our motto. Women choose us because we carry beautiful luxury womenswear but always have our customers’ practical lifestyle needs in mind. We offer a range of pricepoints and through our daily buzz and my-tv features we help our customers understands the season’s trends and how to make them fit with her life.

RSP: What is this season's to-die-for must-have item?
Ellie: Another season, another got-to-have-it Mulberry bag. I adore the Tillie shape and I already have a tan one that I've worn to death this summer. Navy is such a chic color in a handbag and the croc-effect suede is so decadent. It goes great with an all-black outfit or with jeans.
RSP: Describe your personal style in three words...

Ellie: I’m a Magpie!

RSP: What are your three favorite trends for fall?
Ellie: Gemstone colors, leather and heritage

RSP: Your favorite day look?

Ellie: You can never be too glamorous for a day’s work at the my-wardrobe offices! This outfit hits the mark perfectly. The leather skirt is an easy way to buy into the fetish trend. The a-line shape and the length are very flattering and the combination with this Marc by Marc Jacobs knit really softens the look. I’m obsessed with oversize clutch bags for day. Not having heavy straps digging into your shoulder gives you a much lighter look yet this DVF one is roomy enough to throw all my daily essentials into. As RichSkinnyPretty readers will know burgundy is THE color of the season and what better way to wear it than with these Camilla Skovgaard shoes. I’ll be keeping them under the desk though, when running to the tube it’s Converse all the way! This amazing Anton Heunis necklace really finishes the look. In fact there’s nothing it doesn’t go with! We’re very proud to be stocking this brand exclusively.

RSP: Your favorite evening look?

Ellie: With a small baby at home I don’t often get the opportunity for nights out! When I do it’s usually a casual dinner with girlfriends over a bottle of wine. I love this Preen dress in printed silk. The loose 70s shae means I feel so relaxed and comfortable in it but the fabrication means it’s still utterly luxurious. The Moschino Cheap and Chic boots and Anya Hindmarch bag accentuate the 70s vibe of the dress but are both hard working items in their own right. I rely on great staple accessories like these to see me through all kinds of occasions all winter long.

Bisous ♥

Inside the Showroom: With Fashion Designer of Tristan + Trista Los Angeles

Once again leave it to RichSkinnyPretty.com to nab an exclusive interview with a fashion industry favorite, Kristine Megrikian. This style darling is the vision and designer behind tristan + trista Los Angeles. Megrikian keeps the line ultra-femme with romantic, ethereal and tailored avant garde pieces. What makes the collection such a hot ticket? tristan + trista mixes contrasting textures such as draped silks with tough leather. Va va voom, now we're talking my kind of style.

RSP: What should we know about tristan + trista? What kind of woman wears tristan + trista?
Kristine: As the designer, each collection is a direct reflection of periods in my personal life and I am quite certain periods of every woman's life. At times, she is in love where she sees the world in a very romanticized manner. The Spring 2011 reflects this period in my own personal life. Hence, I felt the need to show the purity of being in love, the feeling of complete innocence. At other times, she might feel more self confident and assertive which is a reflection of Fall 2011. The pieces in this collection are more edgier, stronger, and the woman wearing the pieces is confident with her sexuality and femininity figuratively speaking. Whatever the mood, the line is meant to show the beauty of what it is to be a woman. Hence the woman wearing tristan + trista isn't afraid to wear her life on her sleeve. She welcomes life and she isn't shy to wear clothing that reflects her mood since isn't it true we dress according to how we feel?RSP: Which piece is your favorite from the tristan + trista Spring/Summer collection?

Kristine: The "Tulip Skirt" is pure heaven! Pictures do not do justice to how ethereal and mystical this piece looks in person. It is truly a piece of art. It's so delicate. It screams innocence, romance and love in its purest sense.

RSP: Describe your personal style in three words...

Kristine: Romantic, Intelligent and Classic

RSP: What is the biggest must-have for summer?

Kristine: The Baby Doll Dress is the must must have for the summer. The dress comes in two version: Sand Linen with black over lay lace or white silk linen with a distressed silk organza overlay. Either one is the ultimate must have cute flirty dress for the summer.

RSP: What is your most prized fashion possession?

Kristine: A personal secret - I treasure the custom pieces made for me by my mother and grandmther for special periods in my life. The first is my sweet 16 gown completely haute couture. Very much like a doll dress, the top is a bustier with a short puffy skirt all made from ivory french lace and silk satin. The second is my prom gown designed by myself. Also haute couture, this dress is ivory again. Also fitted bodice with hand beading by my grandmother and a ballerina tutu skirt. I looked so adorable, one of the deans during prom walked up to me and gave me a wand with a star on the top since I looked like a fairy. Needless to say, my date and I made it into the prom magazine with a large photo. Last but not least would be my wedding gown; still to be determined =). I plan on one day displaying these prized possession in my home or studio.

RSP: What can we find in your closet? (Please include specific items, accessories, brands, favorite pieces etc)

Kristine: Alot of my own personal pieces only because I don't have to go out and spend money which leaves me with cash to spend on the Christian Louboutins =).

Bisous ♥

"Who's your daddy? Is he rich like me?" - The Zombies

Bisous ♥

"Girls, girls, girls. I like 'em, I like 'em. They make me feel so good." - Dirt Nasty

I've said it before and I will say it again, RSP isn't about your typical Rich, Skinny and Pretty Paris Hilton wannabe. Instead it's about everyday women and everyday style. In addition to featuring girls just like you and me, RSP delivers exclusive style interviews with the women making power moves in the fashion industry. That's right, the ladies who are making things happen. That includes publicists, photographers, stylists, designers, bloggers, models and basically anyone else that I find fascinating enough to share with you. (Pictured above: Mele Vasquez, model. Audrey Kitching, blogger and designer. Bebe Zeva, blogger. All have been featured on RSP. Look through the archives to read the exclusive interviews).

So without further ado, this week I'm introducing you to Erica Lynn of FashionLushxx. This little style powerhouse is on her way to big and better things so go ahead and thank your lucky stars for the introduction. So if you don't know, now you know...

Meet Erica

RSP: What can we find in your closet?

Erica: Oh lala this is fun. Lots of vintage, worn in harley and elvis tees, shoes out the ying yang... all in plastic boxes with photo's on each box (ocd much?). Vintage designer purses, way more character in my eyes- mostly vintage Gucci, Chanel, & Louis. I love jackets as well, I just scored the most amazing BCBG worn in denim jacket with leather sleeves. My other favorite jacket is a downsized military jacket (army print) with an asymmetrical cut. I could go on forever with this. Basically I have more clothes than what is sane and I don't like to get rid of anything because it will either a) come back in style or b) I will reconstruct into something awesome and more wearable.

RSP: Describe your overall look.

Erica: I can best describe it as this... I like to sleep in. That being said, unless I decide to pick out my outfit the night before... which I do not do, then I would say my look is most likely messy yet ironically put together. I don't concentrate on matching, or what looks cohesive.... BUT it all just sort of works... and I always wear heels. I wouldn't say I walk out of the house looking like a complete mess, I guess they would call it careless chic?

RSP: Favorite designers?

Erica: As for designers... I am a huge fan of Phillip Lim, I love his spring line, referred to as the "puzzle piece" collection. It is so innovative and leaves a lot of room for creativity (not to mention he also graduated from CSULB). Props. Another big one for me is Chanel, I adore Karl.... I don't even need to think I need to expand on that one. Kermit Tesoro is a recent obsession of mine, you need to look this one up, his skull carved shoes and his wax drip dress are delicious. Lastly, I am a huge mk&a fan, all the way back to good old full house, so I got to say I am a huge fan of Elizabeth & James. The close have the best cuts and lines, and the fit is absolutely impeccably... yet could you really expect less from those two?
p.s. one more thing I am a huge shoe fan and I got to give Jeffrey Campbell props, he is the man. Ok, now I am done (sorry for le rant)

RSP: What is the biggest TREND or MUST- HAVE ITEM for fall?

Erica: Sky high CHUNKY heels (think Jeffrey Campbell Lita). I love heels but I am just over stilettos (for now) Wedges are also completely acceptable in my eyes. I also love knee high socks for fall, you can still wear a mini without looking under dressed. Another trend which is not yet recognized, but should be is flared jeggings... or flared leggings. Straight jeans/pants are out. The new silhouettes is skinny skinny leg and a big old flare. I actually designed a pair myself that are black and white Missoni inspired fabric... and if I could wear them everyday... I def would.

RSP: What is your most prized fashion possession?

Erica: Well this one is hard, cause- not to boast- have some great things in my closet. Yet since I have to pick just one I will go with my Chanel riding boots from the 70's.

Shop Erica's designs here .
Bisous ♥