REAL Exclusive Magazine Rebecca Z. Smith Perspectives REAL Style

Soul Takes Place This Summer

By Rebecca Z. Smith

Welcome to REAL Style, a fashion focused section of REAL Magazine where we explore the world of style and fashion. REAL style is on top of the trends this issue. Our style & fashion cred is in full gear. We continue to check out what’s what and what’s new for 2013.

REAL Style is luxury, and no one knows luxury better than Brunello Cucinelli ▬ the master of sublimely effortless luxury. Saks Fifth Avenue introduces us to Cucinelli’s newest collection in this REAL Style issue, its assertive shapes and clear-cut lines. When asked about Cucinelli, Saks Fifth Avenue’s Fifth Avenue Club and Designer Salon Sales Manager, Trissi Willis replied, “We are thrilled to be able to bring our Sarasota client this brand of extremely well made clothing which uses only the finest quality materials. It is sophisticated casual at its best.”

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For those of you who aren’t familiar with Mr. Cucinelli ▬ or Brunello as he insists on being called; he has built a utopian brand of laid-back luxury clothing according to the principle of supreme good for all. That principle drives both the quality of his products and the quality of life for the artisans in the Italian village of Solomon who craft his garments. Behind the brand’s humanistic ethos has been an extraordinary dedication to detail and precision ▬ qualities that have come to the forefront this summer.

The collection’s more mathematical angle came easily to Brunello due to his early engineering background and love for Greek philosophy. On the runway, geometrically cut garments played with angular asymmetry and proportion. As demonstrated in the photo, an ankle-length chiffon skirt, only ¾ complete in circumference, is causally layered over a knee-length skirt to create a cutout in the shape of a perfect square. This is formalwear for free spirits: a tailored tuxedo vest worn over bohemian layers and asymmetrical hems.

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This collection is feminine and easily wearable due to its fluid, lightweight fabrics and relaxed proportions. This methodical approach is also evident in the color palette, a distinctly “Cucinelli” array of muted neutrals, which serve as the brand’s unofficial logo. Play with different tones of creamy neutrals (milk, flour, rice, walnut) for a nuanced monochromatic look; like this sleeveless coat with silk inset for a layered look, reversible washed silk tank, garment-washed denim pants, braided leather belt, cashmere hat, leather fringe handbag and oxford leather shoes with monili cap toe. This intricately varied, yet harmonious palette allows for a certain ease when layering everything together.

Cucinelli represents a purity of design that flatters the body and resonates with the soul. REAL Style challenges you to take on a free-spirited style. Your soul can also take shape this summer with the discovery of your personal style; the style that best represents your qualities, attributes and lifestyle. Making REAL Style a part of your life will give you the confidence to go out there looking your best.

^[3]Rebecca Z. Smith, a fashion stylist/image consultant, is founder of We’ve Got Style and a fashion consultant in the designer salon at Saks Fifth Avenue. She offers wardrobe planning, closet consultations and is available at Saks for styling/personal shopping services. Rebecca knows fashion: the looks, the trends, the runway buzz, and how to put an outfit as well as a sustainable wardrobe together. More importantly she takes pride in knowing each client personally. This combination of professional expertise and highly personalized service ensures every client has the wardrobe that expresses their best self. For your entire wardrobe needs contact Rebecca at Saks Fifth Avenue (941) 364-5310 or 223-6643, rebecca_smith@s5a.com ^[4] or www.wevegotstyle.com ^[5].

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