Live as Your Limitless Self
Photos by Monica Escamillia Creative Direction by Bliss Foster Introduction by Julia Bratu Photos by Monica Escamillia Creative Direction by Bliss Foster Introduction by Julia Bratu Something reminiscent of a fairytale, RCFU collaborated with Bliss Foster to embody his conception of the project: Limitless Self. In ten unique looks, fantasy combines with reality to pair sensible and chic garments with high necklines and broad silhouettes and uniquely constructed accessories, like a multi-tiered straw hat or wire rabbit ears. A few of the more colorful designs bring us back to our childhoods, when we found ourselves playing tea party with stuffed rabbits and chasing butterflies out in fields of daisies. However, they also remind us that in this grown-up world, we can still find the beauty in the little things. Each of these looks is crafted specifically to appeal to our most nostalgic sensibilities and reveal that while we grow old, we never really have to grow up. It is with pleasure that RCFU invites you to discover your own Limitless Self. Something reminiscent of a fairytale, RCFU collaborated with Bliss Foster to embody his conception of the project: Limitless Self. In ten unique looks, fantasy combines with reality to pair sensible and chic garments with high necklines and broad silhouettes and uniquely constructed accessories, like a multi-tiered straw hat or wire rabbit ears. A few of the more colorful designs bring us back to our childhoods, when we found ourselves playing tea party with stuffed rabbits and chasing butterflies out in fields of daisies. However, they also remind us that in this grown-up world, we can still find the beauty in the little things. Each of these looks is crafted specifically to appeal to our most nostalgic sensibilities and reveal that while we grow old, we never really have to grow up. It is with pleasure that RCFU invites you to discover your own Limitless Self. view
Get Fit and Stay Cool: Athleisure
Story by Julia Bratu Photos by Monica Escamillia Over the course of the 20th and 21st century, the popularity of sportswear has been on the rise. The casual attitude we take today towards daywear is largely a result of the rising popularity of athletic clothing and sports as a leisure activity, making its way past scandal and into the hearts of modern society. Now, the athleisure trend has rooted itself in contemporary fashion culture. The best part of athleisure is that there are seemingly no hard-defined rules in order to be on trend. Sneakers and track suits are no longer only standard fare for the gym, but they can be taken out on the town and still be considered just as casually cute. Sweatpants can be mixed with casual jackets and worn out to the movies, jewelry can be mixed with a sports bra, and the sneaker is a celebrated way to demonstrate that you are ready to get up and go on any occasion. In honor of this newly established style standard, RCFU stylists personally put together a few outfits to inspire you to create your very own athleisure outfits that really shine. More outfit ideas: [slideshow_deploy id=’5168′] Over the course of the 20th and 21st century, the popularity of sportswear has been on the rise. The casual attitude we take today towards daywear is largely a result of the rising popularity of athletic clothing and sports as a leisure activity, making its way past scandal and into the hearts of modern society. Now, the athleisure trend has rooted itself in contemporary fashion culture. The best part of athleisure is that there are seemingly no hard-defined rules in order to be on trend. Sneakers and track suits are no longer only standard fare for the gym, but they can be taken out on the town and still be considered just as casually cute. Sweatpants can be mixed with casual jackets and worn out to the movies, jewelry can be mixed with a sports bra, and the sneaker is a celebrated way to demonstrate that you are ready to get up and go on any occasion. In honor of this newly established style standard, RCFU stylists personally put together a few outfits to inspire you to create your very own athleisure outfits that really shine. go wholesale
Duplicate Their Look: The Hadid Sisters
Bella and Gigi Hadid are two of the biggest models gracing the catwalks and heading campaigns for major designers. The sisters both walked in the Victoria’s Secret fashion show (2016) and are also known for their work together in the Fendi and Moschino Spring/Summer campaigns together. They’ve both won awards such as “Model of the Year”, “I nternational Model of the Year” and “Choice Model.” In 2016, Gigi walked for: Versace , Chanel, Elie Saab , Fendi , Marc Jacobs , Anna Sui , Miu Miu , Balmain , Diane Von Furstenberg , Tommy Hilfiger , go coupon Fenty x Puma , Isabel Marant , and Giambattista Valli . She has also shot editorials for VMAN VMAN , Elle Elle , Grazia Grazia , Cleo Cleo , Vogue Vogue , Sports Illustrated Sports Illustrated , Paper Paper magazine , Vanity Fair Vanity Fair and V Magazine V Magazine . Hadid has also starred in campaigns for Guess, Versace , Penshoppe , Balmain F/W 2015, Topshop , Max Mara, and Stuart Weitzman . Similar to Gigi, Bella Hadid made her Chanel Couture debut during Paris Haute Couture S/S Fashion Week, and she walked exclusively for Givenchy. She also walked for Chanel and Miu Miu at their shows in Paris Fashion Week in March 2016, as well as walking for Fenty x Puma in New York Fashion Week in February 2016. She has appeared on the covers of Seventeen Magazine Seventeen Magazine , V Magazine V Magazine , Harper’s Bazaar Harper’s Bazaar , Elle Elle , Allure Allure , Glamour Glamour , Exit magazine Exit magazine , W magazine W magazine British GQ British GQ , Flare Flare , , and Paper Paper Magazine. The stylists for RCFU chose a look of them backstage at a Tommy Hilfiger show featuring bold patterns and color block. Gigi is shown in a cropped, red/blue/white patterned top, with low-rise leather pants, over-the-knee boots, and a chunky belt. Bella is shown with a similar red/blue/white color block mini-skirt with a cropped yellow polo top — again paired with a chunky belt. The looks were re-created with similar patterns, textures, and textiles, with Stephanie wearing a blue cropped tee with a black-and-white striped envelope skirt . Kenya is styled in a bold hounds tooth-patterned jacket , along with a leather cropped tee , jeans, and black over-the-knee boots .
Celebrate Your Pride in Style
Story by Julia Bratu Photos by Monica Escamillia We take great pride in our incredibly diverse city and campus at RCFU, and strive to be sure we celebrate our differences by promoting positive depictions of people from all walks of life. Our own team is also full of people of all different backgrounds, so it is exciting to be able to take part in working on photoshoots and articles that truly make a difference in our community. We decided that one of the best ways to show our support for diversity in the Richmond area was to do a LGBTQ+ pride photoshoot, particularly emphasizing the history and importance of the pride flag, showcasing what it truly means to be a member of this beautiful and culturally rich community. The pride flag was originally conceived and designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a gay artist and civil rights activist, with 8 colors- including pink! The flag was then reduced to seven colors when it was found that pink was not a commercially available color. It would have stayed that way were it not for the need for an even amount of colors in order to cover both sides of the street during a parade to demonstrate solidarity after the assassination Harvey Milk, San Francisco’s first openly gay supervisor. So, they dropped indigo. The other colors managed to stick, and now we have the six-color version commonly seen flown today to represent the LGBTQ+ community. Each outfit that we styled was chosen to be coordinated to one of the pride colors. Although the six-color variation of the flag features red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet, we decided that we wanted to pay homage to the flag’s history so we also included pink as one of our colors. Each color has a different personality, making each look different. Each of the colors helps illustrate the strong, spirited community that has come together in the past century to celebrate our difference as one. Sources: “History of the Gay Pride / Rainbow Flag.” Flags of the World. June 28, 2015. Accessed December 16, 2016. https://flagspot.net/flags/qq-rb_h.html. “History & Colors of the Rainbow Flag – Mid-South Pride.” Mid-South Pride Inc. 2016. Accessed December 16, 2016. http://midsouthpride.org/history-colors-of-the-rainbow-flag/. We take great pride in our incredibly diverse city and campus at RCFU, and strive to be sure we celebrate our differences by promoting positive depictions of people from all walks of life. Our own team is also full of people of all different backgrounds, so it is exciting to be able to take part in working on photoshoots and articles that truly make a difference in our community. We decided that one of the best ways to show our support for diversity in the Richmond area was to do a LGBTQ+ pride photoshoot, particularly emphasizing the history and importance of the pride flag, showcasing what it truly means to be a member of this beautiful and culturally rich community. The pride flag was originally conceived and designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a gay artist and civil rights activist, with 8 colors- including pink! The flag was then reduced to seven colors when it was found that pink was not a commercially available color. It would have stayed that way were it not for the need for an even amount of colors in order to cover both sides of the street during a parade to demonstrate solidarity after the assassination Harvey Milk, San Francisco’s first openly gay supervisor. So, they dropped indigo. The other colors managed to stick, and now we have the six-color version commonly seen flown today to represent the LGBTQ+ community. Each outfit that we styled was chosen to be coordinated to one of the pride colors. Although the six-color variation of the flag features red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet, we decided that we wanted to pay homage to the flag’s history so we also included pink as one of our colors. Each color has a different personality, making each look different. Each of the colors helps illustrate the strong, spirited community that has come together in the past century to celebrate our difference as one. Sources: “History of the Gay Pride / Rainbow Flag.” Flags of the World. June 28, 2015. Accessed December 16, 2016. https://flagspot.net/flags/qq-rb_h.html. boutiques “History & Colors of the Rainbow Flag – Mid-South Pride.” Mid-South Pride Inc. 2016. Accessed December 16, 2016. http://midsouthpride.org/history-colors-of-the-rainbow-flag/.
RCFU x Jackie O
W hen we think of class and sophistication, we think of women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis , who carry themselves, their families, their successes and their tragedies with grace and dignity. Jackie O changed the ‘first lady’ game in 1961 and effortlessly set trends that we adore and mimic today. While many think of Jackie and remember the pink suit, and other iconic first lady-esque looks, our stylist Briana Thornton wanted to zero in on Jackie’s more casual and irresistibly 70s ensembles. GET THE LOOK LOOK For some sleek 70s vibes, find yourself a nice mini or midi skirt — shoot for A-line if you want to accentuate your waist. You can pair the short number with a neutral colored button down blouse or turtle neck and tie an check these guys out ascot or scarf around your neck for the perfect pop of color. You can add a block heel to the look or even a comfy pair of ankle booties. Nothing says 70s more than a wide-legged pant. For a second Jackie inspired look, find yourself a comfy pair of high waisted wide legged pants . These can elongate your legs and make your figure appear slimmer. Next, find a fitted denim shirt and tuck it in to keep a nice flattering shape, and roll up those sleeves the classic Jackie way. HAIR Jackie rocked an iconic coiffure with gorgeous volume and side swept bangs. You can easily achieve this level of boss “first lady realness” by pinning the front section of your hair behind your ear. If you want a more relaxed look, part your tresses down the middle and exude simple 70’s beauty. ACCESSORIES To truly reach Jackie’s level of fashion icon, you need a larger than life pair of sunglasses . You can choose whichever frame works best for your face, though Jackie typically rocked an oversized and round frame.
On-Trend: Head-to-Toe Nude
Photos by Monica Escamillia Our girls at RCFU decided to have some fun with one of their favorite trends: head-to-toe nude. Of course we mean nude and neutral-toned clothing, but the look itself can be just as scandalous if not properly styled. Therefore, we have provided some #OOTD-worthy inspiration for anyone wanting to try this cool and confident trend. Daytime looks [tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”14″] Night Out looks [tribulant_slideshow gallery_id=”15″] Our girls at RCFU decided to have some fun with one of their favorite trends: head-to-toe nude. Of course we mean nude and neutral-toned clothing, but the look itself can be just as scandalous if not properly styled. Therefore, we have provided some #OOTD-worthy inspiration for anyone wanting to try this cool and confident trend. site web
RCFU x Coco Chanel
Classic, simplistic, timeless, elegant, are there any words more fitting to describe Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel ? Born on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France, the mogul and empress of women’s fashion came from humble beginnings. However, with ambition creativity, she grew her own empire and set trends in motion that transcend into modern day women’s fashion. GET THE LOOK LOOK extra resources Coco helped popularize the little black dress. Her belief in the beauty and elegance of simplicity can be echoed today by slipping on your favorite tastefully sexy black dress. When looking for your perfect LBD, look for refreshing and classy cuts that show just enough skin to be alluring, but still leave a sense of subtlety, i.e. a leg sli t or Bardot sleeves . You can even go for something backless if you want to exude her timeless refinement. SHOES We all know it was our girl Coco who famously said, “Keep your heels, head, and standards high.” To heed her advice, complete your classic LBD look with black heels of your choice, whether they’re kitten sling back s or stiletto pumps . ACCESSORIES Among trends and staples like the Chanel Suit and Chanel No. 5, and the LBD, Coco brought costume jewelry and pearls to the fashion forefront. You can implement her love of lush accessories in big or small ways, opting for a dainty pearl choker or an opulent rope wrapped around your neck several times as just a few ways to style an inspired Coco look. Coco Chanel’s fearless vision and drive to penetrate a previously male dominated field of business helped redefine women’s clothing.She gave women the freedom to use fashion as a way to define themselves on their own classy, elegant and, above all, powerful terms.