Three Ways to Make a Fashion Statement At Your Next Party – Inspired by The Joanna Mastroianni Spring/Summer 2014 Collection

Summer is almost over and with a three day weekend around the corner, it might be one of your last chances to show off your favorite summer fashions. With the warm winds blowing and a colorful cocktail in our hands, the mind harkens back to the Joanna Mastroianni Spring/Summer 2014 collection as the perfect Barcelona inspired collection that is sure to make a statement. 

Through the use of precise tailoring and extreme cuts Mastroianni managed to create a collection that harkened back to the 40’s and the 60’s.  With dresses and pant suits that were sternly tailored on top, yet left more free flowing on the bottom.  Thus successfully softening and feminizing the look.  Using lace, sheer fabrics, and sequins, along with hand-beading to add a feminine touch and give it the air of easy and comfortable modernity. The collection featured bright and vibrant colors; aquatic blues and dashing orange.  But, the designer stayed true to her roots and displayed extensive creations in neutrals as well.  Playing between the mixing of bold colors and black and white.

Beauty for the Joanna Mastroianni Spring/Summer 2014 collection was the exact antithesis to the stern lines of the clothing.  Models walked down the runway with slicked back ponytails just perfect for enjoying the Barcelona coast!  The models’ makeup was a mixture of pink and youthful cheeks, and glowing complexions, as if water had splashed on to their faces off the beach where they may have been lounging.  Messy brows framed the models faces, and smudged black and copper smokey eyes were applied to the upper lids; lightly winged out for dramatic effect going along with modern times and the high demand for color and nail looks.  Each model wore bright yellow finger nail polish and radiant orange matte lipstick.  Each model wore bright yellow finger nail polish and radiant orange matte lipstick and each look was finished with a silver shoe with a slight platform and ankle-strap, and playful purses in the form of 1940’s train cases.

Here are a few of my favorite looks that will help you stand out in the crowd and extend your summer wardrobe through a few more months of cocktail parties and fashion events. 

The Modern Little Black Dress

This dress gives new meaning to the term coined by Coco Chanel- “Little Black Dress”.  With its top being somewhat harsh in terms of precise lines, the bottom of the dress really expresses the rather easier tone of today’s times. The dress is a new take on the tulip shape made popular by Christian Dior-all nipped in waist and flared out skirt.  But, the use of sheer fabrics with feminine polka dots and a ruffled hem really drive home that this look if definitely from 2014! Women of today are confident enough to wear a sheer fabric as a skirt.  Joanna Mastroianni really does show her awareness of the modern woman and what we like and wear in this choice.  The play on textures is great here too!  The leather and sheer fabric makes it feel rock n’ roll feminine!

Orange Is the New Black

The electric orange mini dress in this years’ Spring/Summer Mastroianni collection brought together the 1960’s shift and the hand-beading that Mastroianni is known for.  This particular ensemble shows Mastroianni’s attention to detail.  Yet the vivid orange color and ease of wear makes it perfect for any social event.  This dress is a great way to press the envelope and wear something different.  For those who are more daring this is something that can be worn in place of the little black dress.

Playing With Silhouettes

Mastroianni really showed her creative genius in creating a look that was half cigarette pant and half caftan!  The mix of patterns, contrast of the neutrals black and white, loose fitting more bohemian feel of the clothes, and even the earrings made of large balls recall looks that the fashion icon and socialite loved and wore. Overall it is a beautiful outfit that is perfect for the Summer!

See our interview with Joanna Mastroianni for the FashionMingle.net Ticket to the Tents video series featuring interviews and runway collections from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. 

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