Trend Report: FW18 Musts with Dani Michelle
Even if you don’t know Dani Michelle by name, you’re definitely familiar with the products of her impeccable aesthetic. She’s been a professional stylist in Los Angeles for the last ten years but has most recently turned her attention to solely concentrate on outfitting her celebrity clientele, creating some of our favorite outfits as worn by Erika Jayne, Kristin Cavallari, Amanda Steele, and the Kardashian-Jenner sisters.
The decision to work full-time on styling her clients was an easy one for Dani, who loves the one-on-one relationship she’s come to build with each woman. “We get to collaborate to express their personality, mentality, and their individual style. It is with styling that we get to use fashion as a way of creating a message and visual emotion that expresses who they are as an individual. I am so proud to be part of people’s stories…”
Part of her success, of course, comes in keeping up with trends. “It's important to know fashion from previous decades and past runways to reference even when you're discussing the right glam to coordinate,” she explains. That means keeping up with new collections, frequenting Fashion Weeks, and seeing what styles are making their marks. In this exclusive for Good Times, Dani lets us know what needs to be on our radar for the upcoming season. The takeaway for the top trends of fall and winter 2018? “Nostalgia,” says the stylist. All things in fashion, both the good and the bad, come back around, after all. Here’s what’s hot again, according to Dani!
#1 Animal Print
“Animal print hits close to home because it’s a trend that really has never gone out of style. This season though we are seeing not only the classics, but also colorful animal prints and even looks that layer print on top of print. Some of my favorites were from the Tom Ford and Balenciaga runways. I think whether you opt to do animal print with just a great jacket or blouse, or you style with a total look, you’ll always win. The secret is just making sure it’s the right style of spotting—refer to the runway for examples of what works.”
#2 The Full Leather Look
“Kourtney Kardashian wore a brown leather dress by Area last month that nailed this trend. The idea of these structured leather looks for fall is just so sexy and cool. I love the strength, but this is also a style you can achieve with vegan and faux leather too. My fashion runway favorites were from Tod’s and Marc Jacobs.”
#3 Logomania
"I love that big logos are in again. Some recent runway collections that added logos on the front of their looks are Off-White, Versace, Prada, Fendi and Vuitton. Fendi has really succeeded at bringing back their tribute FF logo, but there are other brands that are doing a good job at making their coveted logos a must-have trend again. Along with the double FF for Fendi, we’re familiar with the double CC for Chanel, the LV for Vuitton, the branding on Dior. My favorite is finding vintage pieces by these brands with the stylish logos on them. Right now, I’m in love with a few vintage dealers that source these rare 90s and early 2000 pieces that nail the look for my clients. The trick is finding logo-detailed pieces that feel nostalgic, not contrived!"
#4 Tweed
"Use tweed to add an unexpected 90s feel to more traditional and luxurious looks. I love when you can integrate and mix tweed into your outfit in a cool way. We saw a tweed blazer paired with patent leather shorts on the Saint Laurent runway, which felt super sexy and strong. Kourtney Kardashian nailed the trend too, wearing a tweed mini dress in NYC mixed with other fabrics and styles—like an oversized fur coat and edgy moto boots."
#5 The Strong Shoulder
"I've always loved a strong shoulder look, and this season the trend continues. From Saint Laurent, to Isabel Marant and Alessandra Rich, designers revealed collections that included a nod to that oversized shoulder from the 80s on the AW18 runway. What I love about this look is that it really exaggerates the curves of your body. It makes the waist look super small and your legs look nice and long. And as a woman wearing it, you’re sure to feel not only powerful, but super chic. Kylie Jenner did it right in Dundas at her 21st birthday."
