The Wiseling Blog

Trend Watch: Geometric Prints

The holidays are over, and we can’t help but to look ahead to spring and warm weather trends. But there are still a few months before everything thaws. Luckily, this fall/winter trend will still be relevant as the days grow longer and the snow melts. Geometric prints were seen on a multitude of runways for fall, most notably at Basso & Brooke where the bold mix of geometric shapes completely sold us on this trend. 

1. Basso & Brooke 2. Peter Pilotto 3. Pierre Hardy 4. Marni 5. Kenzo 6. J Crew 7. Brahmin 8. Andreia Chaves

Did we miss a trend? Let us know in the comments. 

Trend Watch: Oversize Coats

This season, bigger is better, with larger-than-life clutches, ruffles, and prints dominating the runways and the streets. Perhaps the most noticeable and timely of these big bold trends is the oversize coat. Seen at Acne, Chloe, Jil Sander, Balenciaga, and many more, these warm winter staples came in a range of colors, textures, and prints. Better yet, just think of all of the layers you’ll be able to fit under them when the temperature dips. 

1. Balenciaga 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs 3. Kenzo 4. Stella McCartney 5. Diane von Furstenberg 6. Hakaan 7. Celine 8. Marni 9. Isabel Marant

Trend Watch: Cap Toe Shoes

Vintage inspired shoe trends can be a little iffy (Marc Jacob’s pilgrim shoes?), but these are as chic as they were the day Coco Chanel came up with them in 1957. We are talking, of course, about cap toe shoes. We saw them this spring and were overjoyed to see designers continue to embrace the mixed material footwear for fall. 

1. Louic Vuitton 2. Stuart Weitzman 3. Versace 4. Christian Louboutin 5. Kate Spade 6. Giuseppe Zanotti 7. Nicholas Kirkwood 8. Dieppa Restrepo 9. Kenzo 10. Marni 

Trend Watch: Tall Black Boots

When it comes to boots, this fall is a season of extremes. In stark contrast to the ankle boot trend, we are seeing oodles of sky high tall black boots. To-the-knee and over-the-knee boots were seen at Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Nina Ricci, and Givenchy. Sleek, sophisticated, and in that perfect shade of multipurpose black, these boots are definitely worth the investment.

1. Alexander Wang 2. Gucci 3. Dorothy Perkins 4. Tory Burch 5. Givenchy 6. Marni 7. Valentino 8. Balenciaga

Trend Watch: Metallics

Perhaps inspired by the Olympics, designers had their eyes on the gold (and silver and bronze, for that matter) when creating their fall collections. Shiny metallic pieces graced the runways at the likes of Ralph Lauren, Rag & Bone, and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few. Not to mention the pantsuit at Marni that redefined “gilding the lily”. The trick to pulling off this trend is to buy your metallic treasures in luxe fabrics and tailored silhouettes to avoid looking cheap. Play dress-up in a mixed metallic brocade dress or, do as Anne-Catherine Frey did at Paris Fashion Week, and pair a golden skirt with a casual tee and booties. Either way, you’re sure to get a gold star.

1. Marni 2. Rag & Bone 3. Temperley London 4. Topshop 5. Rochas 6. Balenciaga 7. 3.1 Phillip Lim

Trend Watch: Oversized Clutches

Oversized clutches were seen under the arms of many a trendsetter and tastemaker this past fashion week. This sophisticated trend is perfect for carrying magazines, your iPad and any other necessities formerly reserved only for briefcases, boho bags, and backpacks. We love the oversized clutch as the ideal piece that can take you from carryall during the day to bold statement at night.

1. Australia Fashion Week 2. via Vogue 3. Topshop 4. via Le-21ème 5. via Stockholm-Streetstyle 6. Marni 7. Asos 8. via La Modella Mofia 9. via Neiman Marcus 10. via Vogue 

Trend Watch: Color Blocking

We are huge fans of cyclical trends, and this one wins the gold.  In a range of flattering neutrals and warm fall yellows, oranges, and rusts, these color blocked treasures are sure to get plenty of use now and later and later and later and…

1. BCBG Max Azria  2. Romwe  3. Romwe  4. Marni  5. Equipment  6. United Bamboo  7. QSW  8. Jason Wu  9. Narciso Rodriguez  10. Romwe  11. Yuya Kubohara

Trend Watch: Sporty Chic

Why just cheer for your favorite Olympic athletes?  With this sleek trend, now you can dress like them.  From dresses to shorts to shoes and more, the options are as limitless as they are cool.  Just make sure to stretch first.

1. Alexander Wang  2. Markus Lupfer  3. Diane von Furstenberg  4. Whistles  5. Alexander Wang  6. Stella McCartney  7. Marni  8. DKNY

Behind the Shop Scenes with Out Of A Strobe Vintage

What does style mean to you?

Kimmy: Looking and feeling comfortable and confident. It should reflect your mood and personality. Whatever I wear I make it work. In my experience it’s better to take time to buy good quality pieces because it’s easier to get dressed in the morning. Keep clothes basic but spruce up with vintage, vintage, vintage, accessorizes, bags, a hat and good footwear. My pet peeve is cheap shoes. I cant stand them!

I love fashion and have worked in the industry for a long time working in production, visual merchandising, and as a stylist both in High Street and High End. I have learned not to waste so much money on High Street brands and stay away from stores like Primark. I understand these stores for budget sense but not for individuality. As long as you’re taking inspiration and are putting your own personality into what you wear it will always feel good. And everyone should think about my favorite fashion quote by Yves Saint Laurent: “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” 

How would you describe your personal style?

Kimmy: I have never thought too much about my style as it’s stayed the same for a long time now. I tend to dress for comfort and how I feel that day, but I do get bored very easily. This is also why I wear tons of vintage. The weather is a big factor too as I am always out thrifting. I like to dress boyish as it suits my shape and look. Baggy t shirt, jeans and a hat are the norm.  I dont like being neat and tidy. If I wear a dress, I have to have wear brogues or chucks and team up with a hard wearing fabrics like leather and denim. If i wear jeans and a baggy t-shirt, I dress it up with a blazer and wedges for a night out. I love contrasting textures. I indulge in expensive shoes and buy good quality pieces that will last me years. I always look on eBay for designer labels that maybe I can’t afford to pay full price.  I am always on the look out for Vivienne Westwood, A. Wang. YSL, Chanel, Burberry, Marni and Celine.

To  add some zing, of course I wear a lot of vintage. I archive the special pieces for renting out and for my own personal projects. I take inspiration from everything, but I do love the 60’s and 70’s rock girls like Anita Pallenberg, Franisce Hardy, Bridgette Bardot and Stevie Nicks. Men, I just love Bowie and Keith Richards - epic in every way. 

How long have you been collecting vintage pieces? 

Kimmy: Oh god, for years now. My Granny would take me round the charity shops from the age of 10, and I loved her style. She got all her clothes from charity shops but she seemed to get all the hippy stuff and she looked great. My mum would buy floral dresses from Laura Ashley and amazing suits from Jaegur. I loved dressing up in all her clothes. I started hoarding them when they thought all the clothes started to date or were worn out. I loved the worn out looked. The more holes the better. I am obsessed with unique bizarre pieces like the horses head jacket i just found, My collection is expanding. I also collect novelty sunglasses.

What led you to start Out Of A Strobe Vintage?

Kimmy: I moved from London where I worked for fashion label PPQ working as production manager there. My boyfriend lived in Hamburg and I could not bear to be apart from him so I moved. I ran out of money quickly so I started to sell some of my clothes and people went wild for them. This is when I started Out Of A Strobe Vintage.

Are there specific things you look for when curating the items in your shop?

Kimmy: I look for a mixture as my customers are from all over the globe. So it has to be mixed seasons. There are certain items that people want all year round. The cute floral mini that can run through season to season. Blazers that can dress up and smarten any outfit. I try and find unsual peices too.  But all the stuff I buy is everything that I would wear.

What do you feel is the most important part of starting your own online shop?

Kimmy: For me it has to be passion and willingness to go out of your way for your customers. It’s a lot of work but i would not do anything myself apart from the pictures which my boyfriend takes. I collect, alter peices, there is quality control, styling, lookbooks. It all takes time and it’s constant, and you have to love it of course.

What is your favorite item at Out Of A Strobe Vingtage right now?

Kimmy: Everything!

See the more photos from Out of A Strobe’s gorgeous lookbook and make sure  you visit out the online shop here.