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.
You look beautiful 🙂
NEW POST : THE COLORFUL THOUGHTS
LOVE everything about this look!!
TheVogueWord
TheVogueWord
Hey there, great post, your blog is really nice!
My new post is up, so please check it out.
http://missbabybluelove.blogspot.rs/2016/03/top-fashion-spring-outfits-from-choies.html
Wow, so beautiful!! I adore your heels!!!!
♘ http://www.sugarpopfashion.com ♘
Gimme gimme that clutch! haha So freaking cute though! I love how you paired it with some comfy casuals them bam shoes and that clutch, because why the heck not.
your stripe top is awesome! 🙂
xx Sera | STARDUSTBOHEMIAN.COM
Hi Ashley, love so much your red sandals.
Kisses
http://www.angelswearheels.com
Hi beautiful Ashley,
so amazing style.
I love your sandals and shirt
kisses
Maggie D.
Fashion Blog Maggie Dallospedale fashion diary
I am just in love with this blue and red combo (esp. those shoes!!!).
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Those shoes are EVERYTHING! Such a great outfit!
xo, Lily
Beauty With Lily
Loving the red accents in this look!
❤︎
Dakota D.
https://fannypacksandvisors.com
Love those heels girlie.
XO, Jessi
http://www.mywhiteT.com
Loving the pops of red with this look! Great post love. Hugs, Kait
http://www.makeminemaroon.com
Lovely look! Nice post
kisses Adela Acanski
Que preciosa la camisa y las sandalias
Una combinación perfecta
Besos guapa
https://pepavallejos.wordpress.com/
LOVE your shoes!! Such a fun look and that bag is amazing!
xx
Laura
http://www.sequinsatbreakfast.com
What a fun outfit! That clutch is to die for, as are the shoes! I swoon over anything statement worthy 🙂 And you’re a local KC girl!? My mom’s from there, I’ve spent plenty a holiday and time there – I’m from Australia, so it’s only a little dip over the ocean!
Have fun at fashion week!
http://www,blueumbrellalane.com
Em xx
Yes ma’am, I’m from KC! Lived here almost all my life- so cool your mom is from here, too! Thanks for swinging by!
Love this outfit! Those shoes are amazing!
xMC
http://mc2squared.blogspot.com
aaahh dying over those heels!
Have a great day!
Animated Confessions
This is such a great casual outfit….but it’s those shoes that catch my eye. They’re stunning!!
Jackie
Something About That
Those shoes!!! I need them in my wardrobe. They are killer!
xo,
Angela
Cute accessories! Love those heels as well. You’re rocking this look. Also, found the interview very interesting, thanks!
http://fashionradi.blogspot.com/
I love the pop of red! What a great color combination!
http://redreticule.com
So lovely! Your shoes are fantastic and the clutch is so unique!
Jennifer Ashley
http://www.prettylittledetails.ca
Great interview! I love learning where people get their inspiration from and delving deep into their minds.
Also, I love your outfit! Those red heels are gorgeous.
Connie | Sponsored by Coffee | Etsy
what a fun outfit! love the shirt and shoes!
Xx
Kali
http://www.lovelaughexplore.com
Che bella la camicia! Kiss
Nuovo look “Rosa Quarzo e Azzurro Serenity” ora sul mio blog http://www.littlefairyfashion.com
Loving this look, so comfy yet fashionable.
Those clutch is so gorgeous!
Great outfit and in love with your shoes!
Kisses Paola
The Mora Smoothie
YouTube
Instagram
Twitter
love love this look and those shoes are super gorgeous!
kisses from dubai ❤️
http://www.mahryska.com
the stripes on the shirt are amazing! ♥
lovely look!
The White Print Blog
CGrabowska’s Instagram
I want to have your shoes ! Great look !
http://www.thefashionpanda.be
http://www.thefashionpanda.be
Love the red shoes, the bag and omg the shirt is amazing. Love the vertical stripes, a speciel and perfect detail 😀
Xx Blue Ducklings
http://www.blueducklings.wordpress.com
great casual style, love the accessories so much, babe…
kisses and hello, Ami
http://www.theitalianglam.com/
I love your sandals!
Chiara
This is the perfect striped top, and I am in love with your heels!
that look is fab. so in love with your shoes
http://carrieslifestyle.com
WOW! Very chic and love your shoes! Pure love! *_*
Luna
http://www.fashionsnobber.com
Your clutch is gorgeous! Love the interview and her bag is amazing
http://leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
shirt and sandals are perfection! i can’t add more
xxx
mari
http://www.ilovegreeninspiration.com
Wow absolutely amazing look. I love how you combined the stripes and the red heels. That clutch is also stunning!
love the shirt, the SHOES, and the interview!!!
Nice look! I love how you put the heels with the comfy jeans <3
xo,
Emma
http://www.sassystreet.com
I LOVE this look! The bold stripe with those heels = perfection!
x Diana | http://www.thecolecollection.com
I love how bright and laid back this look is … perfectly springy! Those shoes are especially amaizng, I had no idea express sold shoes!
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
Hi Ashley..
I really love the style..
Look so comfy and casual
Kiss
The Fashion For Men
these red shoes are top
The striped shirt and those gorgeous sandals are such a wonderful combo ! I love this outfit, it made me fall in love !!! Kisses
Fashion and Cookies – fashion & beauty blog
You look lovely ! 🙂
NEW POST : THE COLORFUL THOUGHTS
Those heels are so adorable, and I love the clutch!
House of Illusions