Lila Walter

After receiving numerous compliments on her unique style, Lila Walter decided to make a career of her passion. With an interest that started before she can remember, Lila has always loved clothes and creating new looks. What was once all pink outfits with rhinestones and cowboy boots evolved as she aged into what is often labeled as “cutting edge” style. Not only does she have an innate sense of fashion, Lila Walters has also laid out a clear path for moving forward in the fashion industry. Already working towards her undergraduate, Lila has been accepted to the acclaimed Laboratory Institute of Merchandising in NYC to obtain her masters degree. Lila Walters hopes to one day sell her own clothing line in her own store, with the personal mission of inspiring self-love. To stay updated on the latest fashion trends or newest styles in the fashion world, be sure to check out her website!

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There are so many cool jackets this season! 

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Texas is a great place to check out in 2020!

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Check out my latest video! Thanks! 

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Iconic Fashion Designers of the 20th Century Part I

If you know me, I love everything about fashion from the latest styles to its history. Did you ever wonder who created the fashion pieces that gave inspiration to today’s designers? Without them, we would not have timeless fashion pieces, such as the little black dress, jeans or skirts. If you are planning a career in fashion (or just a fan like me), you should check out these famous designers.

Coco Chanel — The name Chanel says it all. It is a brand that will never go out of style. We have Chanel to thank for getting women out of corsets and into suits and black dresses. Despite her success, Chanel’s teen years were difficult. At the age of 12, her father put her into an orphanage after her mother’s death. It was there that she learned to sew, and her career as a designer was set in motion. Born Gabrielle Bonhour Chanel in 1883, the nickname Coco was given to her during her brief stint as a singer. Some believe the name came from one of the songs she used to sing. Chanel, however, squashed that rumor and stated the name was short for cocotte, French for “kept woman.” She opened her first shop in Paris in 1913, and the rest is history.

Madeleine Vionnet — If you saw her designs, you would think she was a current designer. Vionnet was a designer of the 1920s and 1930s. Her daring designs had bare shoulders, plunging necks and silky materials. She cut her materials on a bias, which created a halter top and hugged a woman’s curves. Vionnet designs are classic, since celebrities, such as Cameron Diaz and Natalie Portman, wear her dresses. And you can find her collection at expensive stores, such as Saks and Barney’s.

Claire McCardell — McCardell is the grandmother of American sportswear. She was a visionary in that she designed the opposite of her French peers; her designs were more about function and comfort. Her signature designs of the 1940s and 1950s included the Monk Dress, the Kitchen Dress, and Popover Dress. She even mixed fabrics as well as separates. Many contemporary designers (e.g. Calvin Klein and Anna Sui) have cited McCardell as a huge influence on their work.  

These designers not only made beautiful pieces, but they also made fashion sleek, colorful and sporty. Could you imagine if women still had to wear full skirts to play sports? Or to just go to the movies? I didn’t think so. There are too many designers that have made a huge impact on today’s fashion to cover here. Watch for my next blog in this series!

Originally published at lilawalter.com on April 2, 2019. 

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My Favorite Ports of Call

Some of my vacations have been to famous ports of call, such as Corsica, Rome, Barcelona, and Malta. Ports of call are intermediate stops while on a cruise. The cruises themselves are fun, but the ports give you the opportunity to go ashore and check out what each city is known for, get some pics, enjoy great food and buy some souvenirs. It was hard to be bored when there was so much to see and do at each port!

Corsica, France — This island in the Mediterranean has the most beautiful beaches, such as Palombaggia with its clear water and white sand. But it also had mountains, valleys, and forests. It reminded me of California, where a short drive took you to the beach, mountains or desert. There were hilltop villages that were amazing! And you know me with fashion; I had to check out the stores. The style in Corsica was very laid back, with casual dresses and shorts. Yet, it did get really cool at night, so it’s always good to travel with a sweater.

Rome, Italy — Rome was beautiful. Everywhere you looked was a piece of history, and I didn’t mind learning about them. The Colosseum is the most famous of landmarks and is right in the middle of Rome. It’s hard to imagine this amphitheater was used for gladiator matches and chariot racing. You can’t go to Italy and not have pasta and pizza! Best of all, the shopping district had everything from high-fashion to vintage.

Barcelona, Spain —  Located in northern Spain, this city is a combination of old and new. There are old buildings and monuments and modern shops and markets. Walking the narrow streets and alleys was like going back in time — and the walls had intricate designs! There is so much to do, too. There were fiestas and festivities, beautiful beaches, and tons of shops.

Malta — Located in the Mediterranean, this group of islands makes up the smallest country in Europe. It consists of three islands: Malta, Gozo, and Comino. Malta is the largest island, with beautiful buildings and hidden coves. The Blue Lagoon in Comino has water that is so blue! Malta, like Barcelona, is very colorful, with its red-gold beaches, limestone cliffs, and deep blue sea. And the food was interesting, since their cuisine is a mix of Italian, French, Arabic, and British.

Originally published at lilawalter.net on April 2, 2019.