I may not get an official spring break now that my college days are behind me, but I’m more than happy to celebrate the official farewell to winter that comes with March with a little shopping spree on holiday wear. Boohoo’s vacation + swimwear collection is pretty killer, and includes this bold blue + white striped shirt and embellished clutch. I grabbed a pair of One Teaspoon super shredded boyfriend jeans and all the red I could find: some serious red fringe sandals (a great dupe for the Aquazzura Wild Things you’ve been seeing everywhere), a bright (but cheap!) red lip, and a dainty red Kendra Scott bracelet.
Shop the look:
A striped shirt like this goes so many places: the office (tucked in with trousers, maybe a blazer thrown on top), the beach (hello, perfect cover-up), date night (as shown here), and super casual brunches with pals (half-tucked in the front with sneakers). Have I told you lately that I love versatile pieces?
Kansas City Fashion Week is this week! I’ll find myself down at Union Station Friday + Saturday covering the shows and taking in what’s sure to be another great KCFW season. In town? Check the KCFW schedule and buy some tickets; you have so many options from Wednesday to Saturday.
I got the chance to interview the talented Ami Beck of Dolyn Bags. She’s featuring her collection at the Wednesday night kick-off party and was kind enough to sit down + answer a few of my questions.
LSR: Ami, I love that you’re a local girl + are showing at KCFW this year. Talk to me about when you started designing.
AB: I like to think I’ve always been a designer! Since I was a young teenager, I’ve been making bags out of t-shirts and jewelry out of anything I could find. I specifically began my focus on leather bags in August 2012 when I returned to school to study fashion design.
LSR: Ah, the childhood dream realized and revisited; I love that. Inspiration is so important in driving us to pursue our passion– what inspired you to become a designer?
AB: Being a designer always struck me as being a very freeing and exciting occupation; continually changing and innovating. It was always a wish of mine, but I didn’t think anyone would take me seriously– so I first earned a degree in Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University. I was inspired to return to school to study my true passion after realizing I have sole responsibility for creating my life. Might as well make it look like what I want!
LSR: So true; no one else is going to make your dream happen! Have you previously shown your work at KCFW?
AB: I actually launched Dolyn Bags onto the Kansas City market exactly a year ago during KCFW. That was my first experience with my products on the runway. It was absolutely exhilarating. This year my bags and models will be on pedestals during the kickoff party for KCFW. What a way to celebrate!
LSR: How fun! The cocktail party is always an amazing way to kick off KCFW. So after launching your line at KCFW last year, it seems like a no-brainer for you to return this season, yes?
AB: Right– I am obsessed with the KC fashion community. Anything I can do to be a part of it and celebrate all the local talent while showing off what I’ve been working on is an absolute dream.
LSR: It’s truly one of my favorite events of the year; there are so many different designers to take in! I always try and ascribe one word to a designer’s collection when I’m covering the shows; it helps me to focus my thoughts later when I’m recounting the event on LSR. Do you have a word you would use to describe your collection?
AB: That’s a hard question! How about two: sass and class.
LSR: I like it! Where do you draw your inspiration from when you design?
AB: Inspiration comes to me randomly. There are hundreds of bags I would love to make. I usually come up with my favorite ideas when I am completely relaxed and doing something not related to bags at all– like when I’m eating. Or watching Disney movies.
LSR: The muse strikes when it strikes! I’m the same way when it comes to writing and creating looks for LSR, so I understand. What’s your favorite thing about being a designer and showing at fashion week?
AB: My favorite thing is that it’s a blast and I love meeting all the other designers. It feels like I am long lost friends with all of them and just love to see what everyone has been working on. Designers– especially KC designers– models, bloggers, dreamers, business owners, etc., are my people. They provide a huge dose of heart and ambition to this city.
LSR: I agree- the people make it great. What makes your latest collection or design aesthetic stand out?
AB: I have a way of adding some exotic skins or color blocks to stately, classic pieces to make them stand out. At the end of the day I want to be a brand that offers gorgeous, staple bags to my consumers. When I can take the same silhouette and make them really sassy, I definitely play that up for KCFW for the Awe Factor.
LSR: I love that! Mixing timeless with trends is a killer skill. Last question: what is your favorite thing about Kansas City?
AB: KC has all of the heart, talent, and ambition of any big city, plus so much kindness and willingness to collaborate. We are the best kept secret of the U.S.
Ami’s a KC girl like me, you guys– she gets it. Major love to her for indulging me in this interview + make sure you check out her collection if you’re attending the Bubbly & Bow Tie kick-off party on Wednesday!
Linking up with Beauty By Miss L, Style Elixir, Elegantly Dressed and Stylish, Her Heartland Soul, Walking in Memphis in High Heels + The Fashion Canvas, I Do DeClaire, Two Peas in a Blog, Style Nudge, Mama and More, Shopping My Closet, Pumps and Push Ups, Chic Street Style, and The Pleated Poppy.
Ami sounds so nice and down to earth. Her bags are beautiful, thanks for sharing. I love that she thinks of designs while watching Disney movies and such. Loving your red shoes and that clutch is amazing!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Ami is a doll! Love her drive + talent!
Such a fun outfit!! I love those heels and clutch and love that you kept it pretty minimal with the clothes so that the accessories could really pop! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I let the accessories do the talkin’! 🙂
So fun to read about Ami! Her bags are gorgeous! I’m loving your clutch and those fun sandals!
Jill
Doused In Pink
That clutch is so fun! Loving those heels too! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Those purses are really lovely – great interview!
Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
Ami does a great job of weaving classic and cool- I love her stuff!
this shirt is so awesome, you know how much I love stripes.
xo
PinkSole
I love how bold the stripe is- and vertical feels cool right now. Thanks, Rachelle!
OKAY!!!! Outfit ENVY!!!!
I adore ALL of this!
xo, Shell
http://acourageousbeauty.com
Thanks so much, Shell!
Love the outfit…especially the color matching
Amazing photos
xx
https://theonethattravels.wordpress.com/
I love the red elements in the shoes + bag, too. 🙂
I need those shoes in my life!!! So fun!!
So fun, right? And a fraction of the Aquazzura price!
Love the pops of colour in your outfit, and I’m very enthralled by all things fashion week. Some day I must attend one!
You definitely need to attend a Fashion Week- they are so much fun!
Ami is beautiful, stylish and down to earth, also very talented. Great interview.
I am dying over today’s outfit. I need feather heels like yours and one of those bracelets. In my post today I also styled distressed blue jeans with an oversized button down shirt.
I love destroyed denim, too- so fun to wear! Thanks for swinging by, Ada!
Oh-la-la..those heels!! So fierce!
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
Thanks, lady! I’m planning on wearing them with just about everything. 🙂
Great interview, love the bags! Your look is adorable, love the bold stripes with the pretty clutch!
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
Thanks so much, lady! 🙂
Bye Winter, HELLO darling sandals and cute outfits with color. LOVE this angel!!
Yes, bring on SPRING! 🙂 Thanks, lady!
So happy winter is winding down and we’re getting into spring fashion! Love this colorful look on you, lady!
Baubles to Bubbles
I’m definitely ready for a season shift, amen!
I LOVE this top and how you styled it! What fun heels and clutch!
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
Really fun, right? Looking forward to wearing these pieces more all spring + summer!
OMG you look every inch Spring perfect – love the ripped jeans with those flirty heels!! Have a lovely week!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Thanks, dollface!
OMG you look every inch Spring perfect – love the ripped jeans with those flirty heels!! Have a lovely week Ashley!
Rebecca
http://www.redtagchiclosangeles.com
Love so much this color contrast, lovely !!
Melange-Boutique Blog || Instgram
Thanks, lady!
Love Boohoo! The clutch and top are to die for! Also, thanks so much for sharing the interview! Such a great read and she sounds like a fab designer!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
Boohoo has some serious cute stuff! And Ami was such a treat to interview. 🙂 Thanks, lady!
How patriotic of you! I love your red heels.
xx Kathryn
http://www.chicandshimmer.com
It IS a pretty patriotic look! Would work for Memorial/4th of July!
How cute do you look, Ashley?! Everything about this look is perfect — the shirt, the clutch and those fabulous shoes! Love it!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde’s Moment
Thanks so much, babe!
Such a fun top, and loving the pop of color with your shoes <3
Green Fashionista
They’re so loud + fun, I love ’em!
Mmmmmm. Those shoes. Could they be anymore perfect? Also, they could not be more Ashley if they tried!
The Adored Life
That shirt is amazing!!!
XX
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: MY CONTOURING MAKE UP!!
Those lovely red high heel fringe sandals are a must have. Boyfriend will go ga ga over them. I already have them on order. Have fun at KC fashion week.
I love those heels, and that clutch! Great outfit, girl!
http://www.livinginsteil.com
Those jeans are amazing and SO you! Love them paired with those sassy heels – I need to get myself a pair of those!
Hope you have a blast at KCFW (as usual ;)!
xo Mary-Katherine | http://www.goldhattedlover.com
Those sandals! And, I enjoyed reading the interview and those bags are really cool!
Lisa
Daily Style Finds
such great heels!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
I love your clutch!!!
Do U Know Luigi Borbone?
Great post
MyLyfeMyStory
Those shoes are hot!
That stripe button down is amazing, I love it!! Great interview with Ami Beck, so much props to her for following her dreams and making it like a girl boss!
xo, alice / T Y P E N U
Love the colors of your outfit! Xx
xoxo – Life’s True Treasures
I love this look–everything about it is so fun and so spring-ready! Those shoes especially…. love those. Great interview too, I love learning about other awesome KC locals!!
Gorgeous outfit! Love the shirt and the shoes xx
moorizZLA
That beaded clutch might be one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen! My closet says that I need it lol.
She Likes to Shop
This outfit is so cute and I love those shoes! What a great pop of color!
Nicole
Nicole to the Nines
Ohhh this is one of my favorite looks of yours!! Loving the distressed denim with the stripes and those killer shoes! I have been eyeing a similar pair. Fun interview!
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Those shoes are adorable with that striped top! I officially need a pair!
Love the shoes!!! They are georgeous!!!! Are they comfy?
Preparadas Listas YA
Lovely interview! Also- very cute outfit! I love the pairing of the shoes and the clutch with the toned down cool hues of the outfit.
xo
Nataliya
Style Tomes || Instagram
Looking classy and beautiful. Love your sandals.
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
Wow! you look so pretty <33 Lovely blouse 🙂
http://anna-and-klaudia.blogspot.com/
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One of your best look and these sandals…. TDF!!!!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
My Facebook
Loving this whole vibe, girlfriend – those shoes paired with that top is a killer combo!
What a fun top! I wish we still got spring break in the real world haha!
http://www.amemoryofus.com
I love that bag. It makes such a statement.
Firstly, your outfit is so cool! Such a relaxed, neat vibe to it. Love the red heels. Great interview too!
https://forsevenseasons.wordpress.com