JOY

Joy Bryant is on this month's Elle magazine. While I'm not crazy about her weave in the shoot, I couldn't help but pull up some flawless photos from the past and share.

MILAN KNOWS PRINT: FENDI SPRING/SUMMER 2011.

Rich colors, intricate texture, and gorgeous shapes. Hands down, Fendi's RTW was my favorite Italian spring line this year. The clothing is creative and expressive, the perfect inspiration for an artistic-type who is looking for a stand-out summer wardrobe. Perhaps the best thing about this line is that it doesn't compromise any class or taste by showing too much skin-- proof that you can make a bold impression and still keep your integrity intact.

More MILAN KNOWS PRINT here.

HOWTO: WEAR YOUR DOCS FOREVER.

Doc Martens were a huge trend last year, but I believe in their lasting power. I bought my Docs bright and early before fall hit in 2009 and stopped wearing them this year until recently. These things have the durability to survive just about anything, so long as you don't follow the so-called "trendsetter's" method of outfitting Docs. In other words, I recommend that you don't do the following: 1) insist on only wearing Docs with a floral dress, 2) insist on buying Docs that have a hideous floral print, 3) insist on buying neon/fluorescent/bright shiny Docs, and/or 4) insist on wearing Docs with crazy color outfits to match your neon/fluorescent Docs.

Pay close attention to the colors on your outfit and the color of your Doc Martens. Don't make the boot stand out any more than it already does. Choose a subtle, dark toned (or black) Doc that allows for the rest of your outfit to look great. The best thing about Doc Martens is the posture and added confidence boost that they automatically give, so allow them to work their magic by showing off your legs and the rest of your outfit. And finally, don't assume that last year's floral dress + Doc trend is the end all be all outfit for these boots. Doc Martens look great with cigarette jeans, textured leggings, and short shorts as well as dresses.

[Sourced images, from top to bottom: Hipinion, Elle's Fashion Blog, Chictopia, and Faded Youth.]

SPRINGTIME IN PARIS.

Parisian style is poppin' this spring! I'm impressed, the use of color in these photos is fantastic. Watch the video in full screen to catch all details.

Added: RIP Elizabeth Taylor.

MILAN KNOWS PRINT: BRIONI, MISSONI AND VERSACE 2011 SPRING RTW.

Apologies for being absent for what felt like a decade. CB is back and badder than ever with s'more MILAN KNOWS PRINT. Here, class meets sass and funk. Here are a couple of my favorite pieces from Brioni, Missoni and Versace's spring shows.

Brioni Spring Ready-to-Wear 2011.

Missoni Spring Ready-to-Wear 2011.

Versace Spring Ready-to-Wear 2011.

MILAN KNOWS PRINT: ETRO SPRING 2011.

Ethnic funk with a lingering sizzle. Etro brings a wide array of African-inspired print to spring and summer fashion. From florals to zig-zags to intricate texture, there's something for everyone in this mix of cohesive crazies.

Click for more on MILAN KNOWS PRINT.

[Sourced images: ELLE.com]

MILAN KNOWS PRINT + PATTERN.

It's MLK weekend! Let's take a moment to thank Martin for the extra day off. For me, the "three day weekend" concept equates to hours of quenching my thirst for an interest that I may have set on the back burner. This weekend, that interest has been keeping up with today's definition of style. I'm not a huge fan of the latest trends, mainly because they inhibit my ability to push my style limitations. But on occasions, there is one trend that takes a necessary risk to introduce a new approach to style, and for this reason, it's important to observe trends and take note of when and how they may surpass a season.

In the January issue, ELLE listed "Mexican Riviera" as an up-and-coming trend that will be prevalent in spring and summer fashion. Among the pieces in this trend were incredible prints that skillfully blended color, pattern and texture into a gorgeous silhouette. Brilliant print overload isn't just found in "Mexican Riviera"-inspired pieces, though. And the style that should be noted is not the very specific idea of what is Mexican. That will come and go. Let's pay closer attention to prints and pattern, and how to couple them with solid color.

When flipping through the Spring/Summer collections for 2011, I concluded that the Milan shows kept it real. From Etro's ethnic to Missoni's mayhem to Moschino's Americana (featured in this post)-- each designer draws from a traditional notion of identity and transforms it into a slightly more accessible piece of modern fashion. Milan inspires and challenges what is considered "timeless style" by looking to very specific inspirations and coloring outside the lines with them. And while lot of people have complained about some of Milan's costume-like attire and mind-boggling pattern usage, there is enough variety for every individual to appreciate at least one look that opens him or her up to new horizons.

Milan's spring shows represent a sort of punk scene in the fashion industry, but certainly not in the cliched "dark and angry anarchist" way. Today, Milan's outfit stands out, it questions us and keeps us curious for more. And because CAKE BATTER is oh-so-hardcore, we're dedicating a series of posts to who we think are Italy's best designers and the brilliance that they have showcased in their spring/summer lines. MILAN KNOWS PRINT will feature the aforementioned designers' use of print and pattern, along with Pucci, Fendi, and a couple other innovative Italian lines.

For now, here is a closer look at Moschino:

[Sourced images from elle.com and fashiongonerogue.com.]

FLASHBACK: KATE MOSS, BURBERRY, AND OTHER TESTINO SHOTS.

Mario Testino is likely one of the best fashion photographers the world has seen. There aren't many who are as skilled at capturing the beauty behind style and influence, the two components that combine to create the celebrity phenomenon. Here are a look at black and white pieces from his immense body of work, including a previous Burberry campaign and other random shots that caught my eye.

VALENTINO SPRING 2011 CAMPAIGN.

“This is a very feminine, stylish campaign, with a light, playful twist that reveals the Spring 2011 collection’s airy atmosphere and captures the brand’s lifestyle.”

[Valentino’s Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli tell Style.com.]

Following a highly successful Spring 2011 RTW show, Valentino has revealed its campaign. Black and white, delicate, and feminine, the campaign photographs will feature top models Freja Beha Erichsen, Caroline Brasch Nielsen, and Julia Saner (Saner is photographed below). Valentino's spring pieces were a hit mainly because they showcased timeless style and beauty. I personally love the intricate ruffled pieces, the pops of solid red clothing, and the varied fabrics that still managed to be cohesive. The new ad's photos capture the collection well by simply trusting the beauty of natural light.

HIROSHIMA BAGS.

I saw my friend with a Hiroshima bag and was mesmerized. Incredibly well made and gorgeous, soft leather texture. Needless to say I am jealous. Oh well.

[Source image from Hiroshima Singapore Facebook group, includes a bag from the latest Hiroshima spring/summer line.]

RODARTE SPRING 2011 COLLECTION.

Metallics combine with vibrant florals and wood-like textures. Brilliant! Here are some of my favorite pieces from the Cali duo's collection.

[Images from nymag.com]