From left: Calvin Klein Collection, Christian Dior, Rick Owens, Valentino

Leather is undoubtedly one trend that has been showing up in all forms. From the likes of Valentino with their detailed laser cut leather floral dress to Christian Dior’s chic twisted leather off-the-shoulder top, it is undeniable that designers are finding new ways to diversify the possibilities that leather has to offer. Lucky for us the outcomes look soft and spectacular.

I can’t explain why a material that helps  your body stay warm and insulated is such a popular trend this summer, perhaps Rooney Mara, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, is to blame? Whatever the reason may be, in the summer months leather can be just as luxurious and stylish as it is in the winter and fall. A great place to start incorporating this trend into your wardrobe is through your accessories. If you are looking to give your summer look an ultra chic makeover, adding a new shoe or handbag to your wardrobe can really spice up any look.

Open Runway has a plethora of beautiful soft leather choices to choose from at our design studio. With all the inspiration coming off the runway, I designed some of my own favorite looks that I hope you love, as well.

The options are endless with Open Runway’s design tool. Play around and have some fun making gorgeous leather shoes and handbags all customizable to your own tastes and preferences!

All my best,

Madeline

xx

With all the hype from the new and exciting drama “The Hunger Games,” Hollywood’s up and coming star Jennifer Lawrence has taken the world by storm. The Hunger Games earned $155 million its opening weekend, topping record books and falling right behind huge hits such as Harry Potter.  The Kentucky native was first thrust into the spotlight after her Oscar nomination in 2010 for her lead role in “Winter’s Bone.” There she quickly caught the eyes of the public, when she strutted the red carpet in a tight and sexy red Calvin Klein dress.

Accompanying her rising fame, her wardrobe has made a big hit with the public, setting her out to be a new fashion icon. With the craze of fans and the eyes of all, Jennifer is switching up her looks left and right, and embracing different sides of her feminine appeal. In just one day, the rising actress wore three different outfits!

When she turned up for an appearance on the Late show with David Letterman, Jennifer wore a Raoul pre-fall frock, with strappy Jimmy Choo Sandals. The perfect combination of simple and chic!

Later, she sported a slim fit lacy Prabal Gurung dress, and the same Jimmy Choo pumps! I loved how she paired two very different looks with the same shoe!

Finally, at the opening premiere of The Hunger Games in NYC, Jennifer wore a plunging green Calvin Klein dress, switching up the silhouette and pairing it with a different pair of strappy pumps!

Want to get the ‘It Girl’ look? Head to the Open Runway design studio and create your own ‘it girl’ designs! if you’re not already part of the Fashionocracy, join with registration code myrunway. Share your designs with @Openrunway on Twitter and they may show up on the Open Runway Facebook page! Can’t wait to see the new and improved ‘it girl’ looks!

xoxo ~ Lydia

Living in Boston, I am now for the first time experiencing the craziness that accompanies St. Patrick’s Day. This weekend the whole city will turn green as we celebrate Irish culture and party like there’s no tomorrow!

Celebrities are already taking to the look, making sure to show their true color (green!) and get into the spirit!

Kate Moss (picture cred: marieclaire.com)

Jennifer Connolley (picture cred: Marieclaire.com)

Kim Kardashian (picture cred: wonderwall.com)

Not wanting to be the odd man out, I have been rushing around, throwing outfits together left and right, getting into green mode. Don’t have anything green? Click to our design studio and take a deep breathe, there will be no pinching this year! With all different shades and textures of this bold color, Open Runway has made it easy for you to rock the green in so many ways!

I was so excited I decided to make my own green creations! I can’t wait to see what other fabulous designs are sported this weekend!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Xoxo, Lydia

Hello shoe and handbag crazies! My name is Lydia Gerard and I am one of the new interns at Open Runway! I am currently a first year student at Northeastern University in Boston, majoring in International Business with a minor in International Affairs. I’m 100% obsessed with shoes, and honestly have way too many in my small dorm room to even walk (sometimes). As a stress shopper (a destructive combination), the worst end to a shopping trip is not being able to find something that really ‘wows’ you, and makes you happy. I love the ‘do it yourself’ approach Open Runway has given customers, so you will never walk away unsatisfied! Say goodbye to long hours of shopping and broken hearts!

Since before I can remember I have pored over fashion magazines, creating collages, and blogging about new trends and styles. Right now I am overly excited about feminine style re-emerging, with pleats, bright colors, and a 50’s take on feminine beauty. We have officially moved forward, no longer thinking of traditional modes of femininity as disempowering, but embracing outer beauty as well as individuality and equality.

If I had to describe my personal style, it would be a mix of tribal and earthy designs, with a floral vintage spin. I am very petite- only 5’1, and love to wear chunky heels or platform booties to stand tall. Coming from Dallas, TX, my taste growing up was geared heavily towards respectful and appropriate attire, but now on my own, I am ready to explore the fashion diva within, fully enact with wooden bangles, studded handbags, bright scarves, and different shoes 24/7!

I’m so excited to be a part of the Open Runway team and can’t wait to blog and gossip with you about new style trends and fashion news!

xoxo ~ Lydia

It is no mystery that one new trend for spring are bright neon colors. The vibrant color palettes have been showing up everywhere from the runway to the red carpet.

Some of my favorite designers that have taken these aggressive colors and really put a much gentler touch on their sometimes harsh effervescence…

From left: Balenciaga, Rag  & Bone, Nanette Lepore and Alexander McQueen

Now, it is your turn to flash a little color on your feet or on your arm as the warm weather quickly approaches. If you haven’t already, request an invitation to our site, at www.openrunway.com so you can get started on making your own designs.

After you’re in, the options are endless. Open Runway has an entire palette of colors perfect for making that in-your-face statement your wardrobe needs like Orange Patent,

…Green Snakeskin,

…Cobalt Blue Suede,

…and Chartreuse Leather!

Log on today to start creating your new shoe for spring or that must have handbag you have been dying to find, but can’t quite find the perfect combination of material and color.

At Open Runway you are your own designer. No more compromising your creative desires or those small styling touches that turn your closet from oh-so-mainstream to all-my-own! The power is invigorating and fun, don’t believe me?! Try it for yourself at our Design Studio, where your fashion desires are just a few clicks away.

Join the Fashionocracy!

xx

Madeline

Open Runway wanted to send a special thank you to all those who made our personalized shopping launch event a success last month! The event was located at Venture Café in the Cambridge Innovation Center, organized to perfection with a display of Open Runway shoes and handbags, as well as computers set up for our guests to design their very own creations right then and there!

Studded Shoes and printed handbags plastered the countertops, models roamed the room showing off the latest in Kevala designs, and people anxiously awaited to create their own personalized productions, pouring through the leather swatches to create the perfect design. Complimentary drinks were served and there were even cookies in the shape of stilettos- stylish and sweet!

We co-hosted the event with  Kevala (keva.la), a new online fashion site that curates uniquely designed dresses from around the world and together we ran a contest to discover Boston’s next “up and coming” fashion designer!  The contest was to design the best shoe or handbag to go with this dress below. Each design was printed and displayed across the room, and the contest looked to be close!

Marvel Sheath dress designed by Michelle Rodrigues . Available at Keva.la.

The judges included Amy Allen, who writes for stylishyear.com, documenting her attempts to never wear the same outfit twice, and Renata Certo – Ware, who works at Emily Muller apparel and writes for Stuff magazine. They scoped out the top picks and quickly searched for the queen of all designs, finally deciding on a simple yet elegant and individualized winner. The peeptoe sandal, designed by Jim Smith, sported a blue butterfly print and a shiny metallic strap- adding to the spunk and uniqueness of the shoe! Congratulations Jim!

Butterfly Peeptoe winner!

We received really great feedback from everyone who came out to the event! Guests wanted to see MORE designs, more materials, and more of OpenRunway. They loved the easiness of the site, the platform to accessorize for any occasion and the feeling of individualizing your wardrobe with the styles available.

Thanks again to everyone who attended the event! We value your opinion and it was great to see such great support! We can’t wait to show you more options and look forward to watching our customers become fashion designers!

When the seasons begin to change, doesn’t it make you want to change your wardrobe too? For me, winter makes me want to bundle up in fur, wear diamonds around my neck and bows on my feet; three things no girl should live without. Luckily, at Open Runway you can design your very own personal pump, stiletto or flat with a pretty and perfect bow right atop your toes!  There is no faster way to feel girlie than by wearing a bow, especially when it happens to be tied right on top of your favorite pair of shoes. Check out some of my designs and a few designer examples and show me some of your favorite designs on Facebook or Twitter! Like us or follow us @OpenRunway to send me your favorite looks! I look forward to admiring your designs!

Madeline

xx

Last month, Open runway paired up with The Swapaholics to bring our Boston Fashion Week Design Contest to life.  Participants were encouraged to submit handbag and shoe creations using Open Runway’s design studio.  Submissions were posted to The Swapaholics Facebook, where the top shoe and top handbag that received the most “likes” won a $100.00 gift certificate toward Open Runway. Congratulations to our winners!

Jamie Platt designed this "Belted Shopper" out of Disco Gold leather with dark olive and warm honey accents on the pocket and straps. A pop of Chartreuse Leather for the drawstring adds some flair! Polished bronze colored hardware completes her design. Congrats Jamie!

The Rebel Chanel" Shoe, designed by Erin Cummings. Coco meets a biker. Demure spectator flats with a bronze embellished twist. Suitable for work, or out, in the "new neutral" color palette. Constructed from dark olive and dusky gold leather, a winning color combination in this design contest! Congrats Erin! You can find Erin on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/shop/petalandpink or check out her blog, Petal and Pink at http://petalandpink.blogspot.com/!

Normally, I reserve loafers for my Grandmother (no offense G-Ma, they are comfortable so I’ll give you that!). However, the loafer has gotten a makeover for fall 2011.  The lifted loafer is all the rage right now- wear it as a platform or peep-toe, add on tassels or wear it in this seasons hottest suede colors.  From elegant to in-your-face, loafers can add some flair to an otherwise plain outfit.

Katie Holmes loves her loafer pumps- perfect for all occasions! Photo credit: www.makeuptalk.com; www.coolspotters.com)

What do you think about the loafer look? Would you rock it out, or is this trend better suited for Grandma? Comment back to let us know your thoughts!

VentureFizz spotlighted Open Runway in a blog post yesterday, check it out for yourself here!  VentureFizz is a one-stop destination website that allows you to find ALL that is BUZZING within Boston’s technology community. Open Runway would especially like to give Keith Kline, the founder of VentureFizz, a warm thank you for being so supportive to startups. As a result of the post we received a number of beta testers for the site!  Thanks VentureFizz!