#shegotstyle: Elements of Personal Style with @nikelab x @sacaiofficial and @champssports
Fashion and style are often looked at as two different entities - fashion is the business, while style is more a question of personal taste. As my style continuously evolves, it always remains intrinsically different. In the age of blogging and social media, I've often felt both a sense of kinship with fellow fashion weirdos but also, a bit outcast when it comes to what generates likes, hearts and emojis. Prevailing trends have become somewhat homogenous, across Instagram, Pinterest and influencers. Can there be early adoption in the style world anymore thanks to the internet? Is personal style still personal, or is it all for public display?
Fashion and style are often looked at as two different entities - fashion is the business, while style is more a question of personal taste. As my style continuously evolves, it always remains intrinsically different. In the age of blogging and social media, I've often felt both a sense of kinship with fellow fashion weirdos but also, still a bit of an outcast when it comes to generating likes, hearts and emojis. Prevailing trends have become somewhat homogenous, across Instagram, Pinterest and influencers. Can there be early adoption in the style world anymore thanks to the internet? Is personal style still personal, or is it all for public display?
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
Growing up, I was always most happy when I was taking style risks. Within the risks, there are always a few elements that I take into account when selecting pieces and creating looks to the pieces that I select still fit into my overall signature look. The "athleisure" trends is something that was always organic to me, mixing skate shoes and sneakers with dresses, long before Vogue and Chanel followed suit. Sporty spice elements and comfort are necessary in all almost all of my ensembles. "High and low" dressing, wearing high fashion brands and more accessible labels, is now de rigueur. As Zara outfits and Nike sneakers are oft paired with Chanel bags and Celine glasses (guilty). Finally, I like special pieces and texture. The mark of an interesting outfit is always in the mix of textiles as wearing the same fabric head to toe, even in different colors and patterns, seems a bit safe. Adding a fur, leather or suede elements to say, neoprene or cotton adds dimension and interest that I love.
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
Keeping all these elements in mind, I was ecstatic when I heard that Japanese brand Sacai was collaborating with Nike Lab, Nike's most progressive and fashion forward label. Chitose Abe, Sacai's founder and designer, used to work for Comme des Garçons, under one of my idols - the legend Rei Kawakubo. Abe's designs are often made with interesting and unique textiles, incorporating cool details and plenty of movement. It's a much more progressive brand choice than other athletic wear collaborations as of late. The first iterations of collection caught my eye, but I didn't have a chance (or at the time, the $$$) to invest in a few pieces. Naturally, I was over the moon when a package from Nike Lab showed up on my doorstep a few weeks ago.
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
The packaging itself is special, as my jacket came in a large, cloth garment bag and hanger that was branded with the collaboration's logos (Nike always remembers these small touches). Inside was Abe's unique take on the infamous windrunner, Nike's marquee lightweight jacket. The hood and body of the jacket is completely covered in faux fur made from acrylic and polyester, while the arms made of ripstop fabric feature prominent Nike branding.
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
The actual shape of windrunner is different too, as it's loose fitting with a trapeze coat type of cut similar to the swinging jackets of the 1960's. There is a elastic cord with toggles along the bottom hem of the jacket that allows you to adjust the flare of the trapeze shape, but it's most fun to wear the jacket unbunched at the hem so it flounces as you walk (or spin - you definitely need to spin in this jacket). The loose fit coupled with the heavier weight of the faux fur means that when the jacket is worn open, it hangs off the shoulders, allowing for more movement, rather than a snug fit.
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
Styling the jacket, especially given the volt (neon lime green) and midnight blue colorway, was a bit of a challenge. I wanted the rest of the outfit to echo the three main elements of the Nike Lab x Sacai jacket - high fashion, sporty styling, and a textural melange. I decided to pair the bright jacket neutral colors and relatively basic silhouettes rendered in interesting fabrics. My top is a black Elizabeth and James crop top with a mesh insert between the bust. Since the jacket is so detailed and covered up, I wanted to show a little skin to balance it out and wear black so the colors popped against the top. The shorts are by Rick Owens and are made of cream silk with a drop crotch silhouette. They're simple, but interesting and not always the easiest to wear when you're thicker in the thigh department like me. Much like the top there is a sheer element as the shorts are somewhat see-thru and the length also allows me to not be so swallowed up by fabric - long, wide pants felt too heavy paired with the jacket. To add a little more interested and cover myself up a tad, I wore Pretty Polly tights under the shorts. They tie the top with the shorts as the tights are both black and sheer and give a bit of a graphic, streetwear element to the look.
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
The shoes are the Nike Roshe Run Print and are courtesy of the fine people at Champs Sports. The sneakers, like the rest of the outfit besides the jacket, are black and white with some visual interest thanks to the print. I was originally planned to wear black and white block heels, which also works for the look, but decided against it to show that even a short girl can wear such a voluminous piece like the windrunner without having to add extra inches. Since we shot in daytime on an overcast day, I kept my Celine sunglasses handy.
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
Personally, I love the jacket. It allows me to make a personal style statement without having to even open my mouth. It's impossible to be a bad mood when you wear the windrunner because it's so unique and equal parts utilitarian and ostentatious. Fashion should be fun, and personal style should make you feel happy, empowered and most importantly, like the very best version of yourself. After all, who doesn't want to look like an high fashion muppet? Grover wishes he could be this chic!
Photo by Pierre Richardson.
The jacket retails for $800 US but is unfortunately completely sold out on Nike.com. However there are a few popping up on eBay if you're so inclined. The shoes are available at Champs now for $80 US. More outfit images and the Polyvore shopping guide for the rest of my look is below, using a mix of exact and similar items. Thanks for reading and let me know how you would style the Nike Lab x Sacai windrunner or if you'd be daring enough to wear it yourself!
Hello, World!
All photos by Pierre Richardson.
shegotstyle: Super Red in SoHo
What's your power color? For as long as I can remember, mine has always been a shade of obnoxious cherry red. My business cards, my favorite shoes, my website branding - I always gravitate to red. So, after many months of debate, I finally decided to dye my dark auburn locks a bright red, just to switch things up and to see if red is my truly my power color. Despite a few mishaps due to my clumsiness - the white jacket pictured became red all along the collar thanks to night of dancing - I literally sweat my hair color out - I love it. I feel like a better, more confident and honestly, despite the color being "fake" - a more authentic version of myself.
This past Saturday, I was running around SoHo and the East Village and had time to grab coffee from my god, La Colombe, with my friend and fellow creative Corey Chalumeau. Corey's been shooting street style for awhile now so naturally, we turned our catch up session into a photoshoot. It was the first hot (20 degrees celsius plus!) day on the East Coast so I took advantage by doing minimal layering. The skirt I purchased from downtown boutique Blue and Cream after a shoot with Revolt TV during NBA All-Star. The mesh tee I picked up at Nike Lab during NBA All-Star as well while the Helmut Lang blazer is a staple in my wardrobe whenever I travel because it is so versatile. My lipstick is actually the same one that Agent Carter actress Hayley Atwell wears for her role. I ordered it a few months ago and it just so happens to match my hair perfectly - talk about a happy accident! Check out the details and photos below. More style editorials coming soon, stay tuned!
Details
Photography: Corey J. Chalumeau
Hair: Original box color by myself - Vidal Sassoon VS pro series; red color gloss by Lyndsay Musso at Self Salon Brooklyn.
Sunglasses: Celine from Tina Catherine in Chelsea.
Blazer: Helmut Lang from Jonathan+Olivia in Toronto.
Top: Nike Women from 21 Mercer/NikeLab.
Bra: La Perla black lace from La Perla in the Meatpacking District.
Skirt: A.L.C. Clift Skirt from Blue and Cream.
Rings: Maison Margiela from FarFetch.
Bracelet: Nike FuelBand gifted from Nike.
Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame.
shegotgame: Soccer Jerseys Are My Graphic Tees
Ah, January - the coldest month (at least here in Canada) - is also the time of year when we're supposed to put into action all of our hopes, dreams and resolutions of the new year. Mother Nature, you can be quite the little bitch. It's only fitting that I received these images from last summer from my friend and former theScore (RIP) co-worker, Michael Andrew Reid, during the coldest week of the year. But in keeping with goals and personal resolutions (I will blog more, I will do my hair at least once a week...the usual), I figured why not lift frosty spirits and focus on a warmer, slightly less layered time and outfit.
As a sporty girl who works in fashion (or a fashiony girl who works in sports, depending whom you choose to ask), I love integrating not just athletic wear but actual jerseys into my regular wardrobe. I'm also a bonafide jersey collector - I tried to quit a few times, but why fight what you're good at - right? Soccer jerseys have long been the mainstay of men for mixing in a sporting shirt into a casual outfit as they fit much like a regular shirt, albeit in a performance material. They're much more tailored than say an authentic hockey sweater, and much less long than an NBA jersey. But why let the boys have all the fun? The World Cup led to a lot of fun jerseys mixed with some boring, basic ones but all in all - there was plethora in the streets of Toronto (I live by Little Portugal aka the all green and red everything neighbourhood) and New York City. One of my favorites was this Team USA soccer jersey as it had a few of my sought after elements when it comes to the overall aesthetics of athletic pieces - bold colours, clean lines, effective logo placement, and flattering fit and colours. As a Canadian girl of French heritage, the tricolour (ha!) and unabashed lover of New York, Americana, and captain Clint Dempsey, the US jersey was the right choice for me.
I hunted far and wide (okay, Nike and Moddell's in downtown and midtown NYC) for my own Nike Football USNMT Road World Cup jersey. I thought about going men's, women's or kids - but the women's sold out, the men's silhouette was too long and boxy so the kid's jersey fit just right - as did the reduced price point. I've had my eye on the perfect, unstructured white blazer season after season and I finally found the perfect one in this boxy, rouched sleeve blazer by Helmut Lang at Toronto's own Jonathan + Olivia. I went in a purchased it before we started the shoot for about $200, instead of the retail $670-$750 because there was a pale peach foundation spot on the garment. After I consulted with my dry cleaner (I had gone to check it out the day before and consulted it with my guy Wayne, who I see more than father) I purchased the jacket knowing he could get it white and right. I paired the jersey with my favourite distressed Lee jean shorts by Fruition LV, which at this point were beginning to fray a bit too aggressively on my rear, so I put on my Nike Pro Combat 3 inch shorts underneath for coverage and comfort. After all, denim on pale skin in hot weather, isn't so comfortable, so the shorts wicked any sweat and kept my keeps from making appearance on Ossington Avenue. Keep your cheeks on the beach, ladies. I added a pair of black thigh high stockings and my black leather Browns Shoes stiletto over the knee boots that I bought back in 2011, that so happen to be trending now AGAIN to edge the outfit up a bit. Pro tip: if you have athletic thighs and calves like me, try a stretch leather boot instead of one with a zipper! I wore my usual gold and rose gold jewelry - my Nike Fuel Band, Maison Martin Margiela ring (they came in a set of 4, I've lost 3 - help!), various rings a Balenciaga "inspired" cuff from Quebec department store Simons and my wolf ring from the Campbell River Museum - my birthplace. The bags are by Mishka NYC (thank you!) and Zara. My hair was cut and blown out in a Bardot-esque (my Frenchie-ness, yet again rears it's head) by Palm Sunday finished off my white acrylic nails that I miss everyday. The flushed face is courtesy for the worst summer stomach flu of my life - Jesus be a make up artist!
I feel like the Lang jacket really brought it all together to take it from cut offs and a tee to a more sophisticated place. This is roughly what I wear on a daily basis in the summer, give or take stiletto boots for a more sneaker. Next time you reach for a graphic tee and heels, why not a try a jersey instead to add a little sporty spice to your life, or some stiletto boots if you're feeling more posh than sporty. Let me know what you think of the look and you can shop the pieces and similar styles below.
Blog: Redux
Blogs are the new black, so it seems. I've been on the internet, documenting moods, outfits, grievances, adventures and generally over sharing since high school. After awhile, it all seems a tad self indulgent - especially when you don't have the right structure in place (I have Wordpress fatigue).
Thanks to my new, much cleaner site I'm feeling fresh and new and have found it necessary to have a platform to share my personal and professional life in more than 140 characters or a filtered image. I feel very blessed and empowered that I was able to make my dream career a reality thanks to hard work and as I continue to evolve as a business woman, I want to share it with other. Also: shoes. So. Many. Shoes
Here on the MeganAnnWilson.com blog, you'll find client highlights and placement, behind the scenes looks at what I do everyday (hint: it involves a lot of coffee), media updates (both myself and clients), outfit tips and tricks, lookbooks, editorial shoots and more.
When it comes to navigating my blog, it's all about categories. You can find all sportsand client related information under the #shegotgame tag. Fashion and personal style posts live under #shegotstyle, while any press appearances are marked as #shegotpress and finally, mail and products are tagged as #shegotmail.
If you have any ideas of what you'd like to see or what you want to know, please feel free to drop me a Tweet, comment, or email.
xo,
Megan
