The Somerset Collection's The Perfect 10 : October 2017

This month's specially curated items from The Somerset Collection's The Perfect 10 has me ready for fall! It's one of my favorite seasons, and one where you can really hone your fashion sense. With pieces from a variety of stores, there's sure to be something for everyone. The rich tones remind me of the changing trees of Michigan, and one of my favorite fall activities; apple picking! There's something great about layering and letting your personality shine through. Check out my favorite items below, and check out all of this month's selections here. 

Leather Flounce Jacket, White House Black Market, $450.00

The Giant Reversible Tote, Burberry, $1,150.00-$1,795

Isabella Asymmetrical Wrap Dress, BCBG MaxAzria, $198.00

Changes Coming to The Somerset Collection

The Somerset Collection is my FAVORITE place to shop, and I am beyond excited about the changes coming its way!

There’s a lot to check out and BUY! Check out the listing of new stores coming soon, as well as the stores already introduced this year, store expansions, and store remodels and relocations!

New Stores:

• Zara - 30,882-square-foot, two-level store, opening mid-October adjacent to Macy’s on Somerset North, first and second levels. This is Zara’s first store in Michigan, and one of the largest stores at Somerset Collection. Zara will carry a full line of women’s, men’s and children’s apparel and accessories.   
• Bally - 1,200 square feet, opening October on Somerset Collection South, first level. This is Bally’s first store in Michigan. Bally is a Swiss luxury brand established in 1851, anchored in an exceptional heritage of shoemaking. Today, the brand offers unique and vibrant designs across footwear, accessories, ready-to-wear and eyewear. 
• Tesla - 2,220 square feet, opening this October on Somerset North, first level.  This is Tesla’s first gallery in Michigan, and is a showroom for the luxury electric cars and accessories.  
• Rolex - 1,261 square feet, opening in November on Somerset North, second level. Rolex presented by Tapper’s, a locally-owned luxury jeweler, is adding an exclusive boutique for its Rolex watch collection, the only of its kind among their stores in Michigan.
• J. McLaughlin – 975 square feet, opening this June on Somerset South, second level.  Founded in 1977 by brothers Jay & Kevin McLaughlin, J. McLaughlin is a modern classic American sportswear and accessories brand for men and women recognized for a distinctive flair for color and signature portfolio of prints.
• Del Toro – 1191 square feet, opening this holiday season on Somerset South, first level.  Del Toro is a luxury lifestyle brand based out of Miami, Florida. Originally a men’s brand, Del Toro now produces shoes and accessories for both men and women. Del Toro was founded in 2005 and originally sought to fill a void in the marketplace for affordable customized velvet slippers.
• Lovesac – 1,290 square feet, opening this fall on Somerset North, third level. Lovesac is an alternative furniture store, featuring high quality sacs, sectionals, bean bags and bean bag chairs. 
• See’s Candies – 1,392 square feet, opening this holiday season on Somerset North, third level.  See’s Candies is a 90-year-old chocolate shop offering candy treats and gifts in their signature black-and-white-brand. 
• Sugarfina -  600 square feet, opening this holiday season on Somerset South, second level. This is Sugarfina’s first store in Michigan. Sugarfina is a candy shop offering a range of high-end imported sweets from chocolate & caramel to gummies & fruit. 
• Timberland – 3,254 square feet, opening this October on Somerset North, second level. Timberland is an American outdoor designer wear, with a focus on footwear.  
• Verizon Wireless – 1,902 square feet, opening this October on Somerset North, third level. Verizon Wireless is an American telecommunications company, offering wireless products and services

Details about stores already introduced this year:

• Altar’d State - 5,000 square feet, opened this April on Somerset North, second level. This is Altar’d State’s first store in Michigan. This is the exclusive location for this women’s clothing and accessories brand, known for its faith-based roots and mission. 
• Alex and Ani - 912 square feet, opened this May on Somerset North, first level. Alex and Ani is a jewelry store known for making meaningful and eco-conscious accessories.
• A Pea in the Pod Maternity - 1,600 square feet on Somerset Collection South, third level. The luxury source for trendy maternity clothing and accessories. 
• Vans - 2,726 square feet, opened this July on Somerset North, second level. An American apparel company known for their tennis shoes and other products including casual clothing and backpacks.
• Shinola Detroit – 2,410 square feet, opened this spring on Somerset Collection South, first level. The Detroit-based design brand is known for its dedication to thoughtful manufacturing by creating jobs and making watches, bicycles, leather goods, journals, jewelry and audio equipment of the highest quality. The Somerset Collection features their “build your own” watch bar.  

Details about store expansions:

• Salvatore Ferragamo - expanded by 1,579 square feet to 3,589 square feet, opened in June on Somerset South, second level.  Ferragamo has expanded to add ready-to-wear to its Somerset Collection store, the only location for this luxury brand in Michigan and the first store outside New York to feature the new store design. 
• Forever 21 - expanded by 4,037 square feet to 9,778 square feet, on Somerset North, first level. Due to success and demand for more merchandise, this popular fast-fashion brand is vastly expanding its presence at Somerset Collection. 
• Lush Cosmetics– tripling in size to 2,500 square feet and relocating to Somerset North, first level. Lush is a popular cosmetics brand known for effective products from fresh organic fruits and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics.  

Details about store remodels and relocations:

• Tory Burch - will open a remodeled, 2,500-square-foot store on Somerset South, first level, in October. 
• Coach - remodeled its 2,632-square-foot store on Somerset South, second level.
• Abercrombie + Fitch - opened its remodeled, 7,014-square-foot store in July on Somerset Collection North, first level. This is Abercrombie’s first new concept store.  
• Pandora - remodeled its 1,066-square-foot store on Somerset North, first level.
• Papyrus - moved to a 1,035-square-foot store to Somerset North, third level. 

Spring 2018 : alice + olivia

Even though I live in the midwest, I always say that I’m really a New Yorker. Michigan may be home, but New York is my heart, and like any good New Yorker AND fashion lover I get excited about New York Fashion Week! Not being in the city I love has in no way hindered my following of all things fashion and with the onset of live streaming and press kits, I get the chance to fulfill my fashion dreams from a few hundred miles away.

For Spring 2018 I tried to really hone in on my favorite lines and what they were doing for the coming season, and alice + olivia as always is on the top of my list! The pieces from this collection spoke to me in a new way and honestly I could see myself wearing lots of them. As a public relations professional at a museum, I have the leeway to get funky in my dress; and with many events to attend, standing out is always a plus. And, alice + olivia does that for me. 

alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet’s Spring 2018 collection represents artistic optimism. Set in Bendet’s reimagined version of the Chelsea Hotel, the collection is featured in the rooms of the modern artists that she envisions inhabiting the hotel today. For Bendet, the collection inspired art and art inspired the collection. Bendet collaborated with a group of female artists who came together to create an interactive gallery of fashion and art. Each artist designed a “room” where their work set the stage and tone for the collection to be showcased.

The looks are styled with a juxtaposition of romance and rebellion. Soft floral prints are paired with pops of neon and studded leather chokers. Colored snakeskin plays against rainbow metallic stripes. Solid color dressing creates the new power statement in bold color hues. Rock n’ roll meets the bohemian romantic in organza, chiffons, and lace. Robes and kimonos punctuate in colorful prints and patterns.

This is quintessential uniform for the artsy intellectual living in a world where she wants to uplift others and be uplifted.

Check out some of my favorite looks and thoughts below! 

This ensemble would be cool for both work and a night out! I'd even wear it on a random weekend, because every day should be a day of glamour. This ensemble tells the world who you are, and you don't even have to speak!

Nothing says Spring like florals, but while these also have a romantic appeal the colors pop in a way that gives them edge. It's feminine, but powerful. A great combination!

The world does indeed need more sparkle and more color! I particularly love how any of these pieces works individually and together. 

LOVE these pieces and particularly the green ensemble! I would also be willing to break the look up and wear the robe with jeans. It would be awesome to elevate a simple look to another level. 

All of these looks give me fresh tropical vibes, especially those with the leaf print. They would be perfect for summer soirees and even a chill day that includes shopping and a favorite spa treatment. The other two looks are giving me rocker chick vibes and take no mess-ness! And any time you can rock a "Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History" shirt is a good thing!

Purple and peach seem to be all the rage this season, but these options have subtley nature that makes them easy to wear, but will also make you the center of attention.

Photos courtesy of alice + olivia.

Come Through Christian Louboutin!

I absolutely LOVE Christian Louboutin! Adore him actually! As a person that grew up with narrow feet, his shoes almost mold to my foot and even the 5 inch heel feels like walking on a cloud! The inclusion of ALL skin tones in his Nude Collection makes me appreciate him and his designs even more, because with the collection, launched in 2013, the idea of a “nude” shoe became a possibility for more than just a few.

The latest addition to the collection is the Cherry Sandal with a platform, block heel and the Chisteriva, a stiletto with ribbon that wraps around the ankle. The new styles will be available in seven shades, ranging from $875 to $895. You can find out more and pick up the shoe you know you NEED at here.

Photo courtesy of Christian Louboutin.

Photo courtesy of Christian Louboutin.