Tired of the Winter cold and want to feel as though Spring has sprung? Embrace make-up in pastel tones inspired by lovely garden delights.

Bright Spring shades are feminine, fun and positively glowing. Inspired by a rose garden in full bloom, this editorial from Flair Austria exudes stunning beauty.

In pastel pink, blue, lavender and peach shades, eye shadows in floral tones are the perfect way to welcome Spring colour into your wardrobe. Accompanying lip colour in luxe shades of soft pink make for a luscious pout.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! xx

Photos from fashiongonerogue.com

Exuding effortless sophistication and delicate attention-to-detail, designers added crystals and beading directly to their pieces for Spring / Summer 2012.

Crystal embellishments added texture and shine to the runways and replaced the need for dangling earrings or statement necklaces. At Chanel, iridescent pearls were sewn exquisitely into gowns, while at Christopher Kane crystal flowers encased the body with dainty feminine beauty. At Sass and Bide embellishment took a walk on the wild side, with beaded tribal patterns peaking visual interest.

Perfect for a modern take on day-time glamour, embellishment around the neckline is fresh, fun and simply… sparkling!

Will you frame your face with crystal embellishment? xx

Photos from style.com

February… the month of love; kindness; and gratitude

This month I will be celebrating the launch of caragray.com – which today has been online for just two weeks!

I would like to say thank you for all of your support and kind feedback about the collection. I have been truly overwhelmed by your response. And infinite kisses, hugs and a massive thank you to all of the lovely ladies who have purchased my artworks. See the lovely Jenny opening her package right!

As a special Valentine’s Day gift to you, for the month of February each order made on caragray.com will receive one of the ‘top 5 illustrations from Uptown Twirl’
(printed on A3 high quality art paper).

Love Cara xx

For more information on my Fashion Artworks, please visit caragray.com

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My February Inspiration…

Are you looking forward to February? xx

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www.caragray.com
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Photos- dustjacketattic.blogspot.com.au /  thealternativebride.blogspot.com.au / style.com / google images

Like shimmering iridescent mermaids or twinkling disco dancers, sequins add an unmistakable sparkle to your style.

Seen on the Spring / Summer runways of Elie Saab, Christopher Kane, Givenchy, and more; this is a classic embellishment too pretty to sprinkle. Embrace these delicate metallic plates from head-to-toe. From this season’s must-have accessory – Miu Miu’s glittery heels (pictured top) to Elie Saab’s glamorously chic bejewelled evening gowns (pictured above); sequins are a timeless feel-go fashion favourite.

And sequins needn’t only come out at night. Case in point: Anna Dello Russo’s extraordinary emerald green Dolce and Gabbana Dress (pictured top).

Some Shimmering Sequin Inspiration…

Will you join The Glitterati? xx

Photos from style.com / thealternativebride.blogspot.com.au / becauseimaddicted.net / google images

Channelling Marilyn Monroe’s classic style for Madame Germany’s February 2012 issue, Annabella Barber is every bit the darling 50’s vixen.

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Hollywood, California; Barber wears divine looks by Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Miu Miu, Hermès and more. Love Barber’s dishevelled hair and bright red lip –  perfectly complementing the bold mix of prints and block colour. Charming accessories and some seriously gorgeous shoes complete the looks…

Enjoy some California dreaming! Happy Monday! xx

Photos from fashiongonerogue.com

Grandeur, Decadence & Impeccable Beauty… embrace a luxe new style- one befitting a golden Renaissance Queen

Entricate workings of sparking gold detail will make a striking statement for Spring / Summer 2012. Heavenly gowns with elaborate detailing, silk tulles and metallic brocades appeared on the catwalks of Alexander McQueen, Valentino and at Rodarte’s Cruise presentation in Florence.

Inspired by ancient Italian Religious Artworks, Rodarte sisters – Kate and Laura Mulleavy – created a collection which conjured ethereal beauty. The ten gowns each featured a sculpted torso and a long columnar skirt falling straight to the ground. The most spectacular of which was topped with a golden sunburst crown inspired by Bernini’s Ecstasy of Saint Teresa (pictured below centre). Strong, powerful and enchantingly beautiful.

For an ever-so-slightly more modest sprinkling of golden lustre, embrace bejewelled jewellery or glistening heels.

Will you embrace luxe other-world dressing in your Spring / Summer wardrobe? xx

Photos from style.com

It was a collection that exposed the beautiful workings of Haute Couture. Sheer layers showed the delicate construction of under garments. Tulle billowed elegantly from grand ball gowns. Ladylike elegance and polished glamour, made for sensational extravagance.

A truly breathtakingly divine collection…

What did you think of the Dior Haute Couture Collection? xx

Photos from style.com & dustjacketattic.blogspot.com

Beyond the extraordinary couture pieces, it was the accessories that caught my eye; particularly, the floral headpieces which also made a dramatic appearance at Alexis Mabille.

At Alexis Mabille large floral paper headpieces and painted faces made the catwalk a memorable moment, all the while never distracting from the masterful couture pieces. Colours and tones relating to couture pieces where highlighted by these bold and bright floral accessories.

Giambattista Valli’s brilliant blooms also perfectly complimented his darling couture gowns. The headpieces matched the gown colour exactly or brought together complimentary shades in hydrangeas, peonies and feathers.

Giambattista Valli

Alexis Mabille

These brilliant blooms are quite simply stunning for spring… Happy Tuesday! xx

Photos from style.com

The Spring / Summer 2012 collections were ablaze with artistic references. At Rodarte, Vincent Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ and ‘Starry Night’ were exquisitely printed onto 50’s inspired dresses, creating breathtakingly beautiful & quite simply stunning result.

Giles Deacon drew inspiration from Andy Warhol’s ‘Silver Clouds’. Raf Simons equally created an extraordinary fashion-art moment when he turned to Picasso ceramics for a modernist take on knitwear at Jil Sander.

Sculptors were also a great reference of inspiration. At Burberry, Christopher Bailey found inspiration in the work of sculptor Henry Moore. While Mary Katrantzou explored the work of John Chamberlain’s crushed-car sculptures. Aluminium cans substituted for car parts in her beautiful abstract creations. Minimalist sculptor, Richard Serra’s metal structures were the starting point for Nicole and Michael Colovos first runway collection for Helmut Lang.

Meanwhile, Dries Van Noten collaborated with photographer James Reeve, using imagery from his Lightscapes series.

I believe fashion is an art form – especially in the case of Haute Couture. Do you see Fashion as an art form all it’s own? I would love to hear your thoughts. xx

Photos from fashion.telegraph.co.uk

Now that I have launched CaraGray.com, I thought I would share some of my collection inspiration….

Just a few of the things that inspired my fashion art pieces: From Chanel to Dior, The Eiffel Tower, Macaroons, French Architecture, High Ceilings, High Tea, The Little Black Dress, Clemence Poesy, Art Deco, Fashion Illustration, Old Movies, Old Movie Posters, Pastels, The Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Quaint Balconies, Fresh Flowers, Audrey Tautou, Haute Couture, The thought of being in Paris again soon…

I hope you are all having a truly delightful weekend xx

{for more information on my collection, please visit www.caragray.com}

Photos from thealternativebride.blogspot.com / littlebitsoflovely.blogspot.com / dustjacketattic.blogspot.com