The Gazette Fall Fashion Shoot

I'm no Joanna Chattman (responsible for all the beautiful photos on our website), but I brought my camera along to the Daily Hampshire Gazette Fall fashion shoot and took a couple pics. Here's a little "behind-the-scene" look at what's happening now for Fall, Fashion, and Ode.  

 

Artist Interview: Payal Luthra

Payal Luthra, designer of  luxury neckwear, is our featured artist for October's Arts Night Out.  Influenced by her New York and Indian roots, Luthra creates playfully modern pieces with respect to old world tradition and quality. Bandit cowls and equestrian inspired buckles meet fine cashmere and buttery leathers.

Copper Toned: how to create the look from our fall look book

[from the J Files]

My favorite season is upon us! There is nothing I enjoy more in New England than the warm colors of Autumn cascading down the mountains of New England. Shades of garnet, pumpkin, and amber transform the mountains from forest green broccoli-like bushels into vibrant bouquets of Fall foliage.

The Berkshires

For our Fall look book, The Dreamcatcher, we introduced a fresh face to the Ode model roster, Bridgette Fortier. Bridgette has an immaculate complexion and a natural brown tone to her skin, being part Native American. Her high cheekbones, radiant smile, and distinct profile welcomed the copper toned palette that would translate from day to night.

Charity Fall Fashion Show at Twin Hills

We love a woman with a good pair of shoes and great heart.  That's why when Jen Santos asked Ode to participate in a Fall fashion show at Twin Hills Country Club in East Longmeadow, benefiting "Dress for Success," we couldn't resist.  Champagne and maxi dresses flowed, and our beautiful models (Sarah, Kayla, Bridgette and Thurraya) rocked the runway with style, poise, and heart.  Jo Chattman, our ever-muse and artist extraordinaire, captured the love.  Thanks to all who came, saw, and cared.

September Pics: K/LLER Collection

Katie deGuzman is a goddess, and we've got the pics to prove it.   Part of the dynamic duo who created K/LLER Collection (with co-designer Michael Miller), deGuzman brought edge and grace to September's Arts Night Out event. Leather and quills.  Feathers and chains.  The perfect fusion of darkness and light.

Layer and Flow: Maxi Skirts

[from the J Files]

One trend I have totally fallen for are the way girls are wearing the chiffon/silk maxi skirt. It's a wardrobe piece that can be worn with all kinds of different accessories and shoes--and, with the added fabric, it's an interesting and pretty way to wear color. Powdery pink, rusty shades of yellow, orange, and brown, and prints dominate this category. Although, I do love the drawn out black skirts that are sheer enough to layer.

Dreamcatchers

Be sure to check out the dreamcatchers in our window this month! We took a little inspiration from the neo-native prints that are so popular for fall. Dreamcatchers were originally crafted by the Ojibwa, or Chippewa people to protect their children from bad dreams. The idea was that you could hang a dreamcatcher over your bed while you sleep, and your bad dreams would become caught in the web and disappear with the sunrise.Whether you just think they're cool looking, or you suffer from night terrors, dreamcatchers are super fun and easy to make!

Falling For Jewel Tones

[from the J Files]

Recently I was scrolling through the CFDA Fashion Awards photos--checking out all the designers and models celebrating achievements in the industry--and was floored when I saw this photo of Karolina Kurkova. I love the pop of color that the red shoes add to this jade jumpsuit. It has a throwback yet futuristic glamour it. It's made me thrilled and excited for the jewel tones of Fall.

Inspired, I've decided to incorporate more jade and red into my wardrobe this season. And the quickest way to do that is to put it on my face. After experimenting with different products, I've come up with a "how to" for any of you so too jewel-inclined:

    

Photo credit: Luca Cannonieri/GoRunway.com

Jil Sander Runway

This metallic green cat eye and exquisite red pout combination is bold way to revel in Fall beauty. To start, use your favorite complexion polisher, whichever works for you. There are so many liquids, pressed powders, mineral powders, etc. out there, I recommend just getting that face flawless!

Then swoop Chanel's Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner in Jade to the outer corners of your eyes

Here are a few different shades to try. Starting from the top left:

1. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip color in Excessive

2. Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Intense in 43 Moulin Rouge

3. NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Heat Wave

4. NARS Semi Matte Lipstick in Funny Face

I'm loving the bright cherry red lipstick from Chanel. It's long lasting and goes on smoothly. Makeup Forever makes some of my favorite products. They have a nice Aqua Liners and a great metallic blue green. If you have a hard time applying liquid, their pencils come in a kaleidoscope of vibrant colors. Their lipstick always holds up and you can wear it all day without having to reapply. NARS offers great lip color. To change it up a little try an orange red lipstick like Heat Wave, or to soften the look, try a pink like Funny Face.

This Makeup Forever lip pencil is amazing, in that it's colorless, and you can use it with any color lipstick. It acts as an invisible line around your lip to hold color in.

So, start playing. Have fun with it! I'd love to see what you come up with. And if you still need a little assistance or color-advice, you know where to find me...

-Jenessa, aka "J"

GLI Brings BEAUTIFUL To Ode

In April we teamed up with Rachel Simmons and The Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) of Northampton through our "Fashion With Compassion" program. GLI offers camps and workshops designed to teach girls, educators, and parents the core practices of emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, and assertive self-expression. Five percent of our profits for the month went toward a scholarship fund.

In July, we teamed up again for a project the girls were working on called Operation Beautiful. The mission of Operation Beautiful is to end negative self-talk or, "Fat Talk" by anonymously placing sticky notes on mirrors. Caitlin Boyle, the founder and editor of the Operation Beautiful website started with the idea that even small acts of kindness invite a smile. Girls and women tend to tear themselves down in front of a mirror, disliking body parts and zoning in on the slightest imperfection. Armed simply with a pen and paper, Caitlin would post notes in public restrooms, take photos, and upload them to her site. Word spread and soon women and girls everywhere were inspired to pay forward the compliments, some even starting clubs at school.

We went up to the Smith College campus to talk to the young ladies in Rachel's summer program about how we strive to create a space where women feel comfortable in their clothes and confident in their bodies. Together we worked on our own version of the Operation Beautiful sticky notes to display in the store. The girls came up with the affirmations on paper they hand dyed. We all had a great time creating our individual color combinations.

These affirmations continue to grace our dressing rooms and compliment women. Thanks to the girls of GLI for helping Ode's customers feel deserving of beauty, love, and inspiration. We'll see you next year!

The Dream Catcher

Think Southwest meets the stuff dreams are made of. This Fall, neo-native motifs and spirits of the old west mingle to create a wearable revery...

'Neo-Navajo'

A leather pencil skirt and a luxe cashmere poncho--a simple yet modern take on traditional wear.

Artist Interview: K/LLER Collection

For Arts Night Out this September, we're excited to feature jewelry designers Katie deGuzman and Michael Miller of

K/LLER COLLECTION