2011: A Look Back

Our catalog team traveled around the world…

free-people-2011

…and us bloggers got to go to our shoot with Sasha Pivovarova in NYC – definitely a highlight of the year!

free-people-2011

We worked with so many beautiful models…

free-people-2011

We debuted FP Spun and Vegan Leather, and launched a special line of Limited Edition Dresses! We celebrated with pop-up shops in NY and LA, where Jade Castrinos performed at our store.

free-people-2011

free-people-2011

free-people-2011

free-people-2011

We fell hard for extreme flares, monochromatic dressing, birkenstocks, turbans, sweater dressing, fancy collars, western boots, friendship bracelets and bright nails, flatforms, mixed prints, color pops, polka dots and more…

free-people-2011

free-people-2011

We were influenced by decades past…

free-people-2011

…and by trends like mod and grunge.

free-people-2011

We brought you festival coverage from Pitchfork and Outside Lands

free-people-2011

We shot our July catalog with Alexandra Valenti and the Happen-Ins, and we had such a great time we went back and threw a party to celebrate the catalog release! We also threw a party at our 5th ave store for Fashion’s Night Out and had a blast.

free-people-2011

We made so many lovely blogger friends!

free-people-2011

Many crafts were made, and we held our first crafting events in Cambridge and NYC!

free-people-2011

free-people-2011

And, some new furry faces popped up in the office :)

happynewyear

2011 was a good year :) Here’s to making the next one even better!

Happy New Year!

xoxo

Free People

Get the look: Behati Prinsloo

The Iron Lady directed by Phyllida Lloyd premiered this week in New York City; a film that takes a look at the life of Margaret Thatcher, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, with a focus on the price she paid for power.

Celebrities rocked the red carpet but one lovely lady in particular stood out – The beautiful model Behati Prinsloo created an immaculately cool Free People look that’s easily achievable yet attainably innate. We fell in love with her grunge but yet elegant look! Real style comes from within and she sure shows that.

Here’s how to get her look

 

The items: floral shirt tail pucker dress, sheer stripe pullover, cropped biker jacket, vegan 3 eye gibson shoe, perfume amulette necklace

Office Style

It’s been really slow around the office this past week. A lot of employees are off on vacation, surely enjoying a nice local or some quality time with friends and family. Those of us who stuck around for the holidays are feeling a bit wacky from all the emptiness. Headphones are on, and there’s a muted quietness everywhere. Everything just seems a bit off and quirky.

Picture 013

Picture 024

The never-fail Floral Shirt Tail Pucker Dress

Picture 028

Picture 007

There are still a few pairs of the Gavin Ankle Strap Platforms left if you hurry!

Picture 015

Picture 018

Picture 027

Vintage Coco Chanel

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”

~Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel was a pioneer when it came to elegance and sophisticated French fashion.She gave women that breathtaking allure with her attention to simplicity and her trademark Little Black Dress, which has become a staple. Chanel has made an impact on my life and Karl Lagerfeld has continued to do so, one of my favorite shows to date is the Fall 2011 runway show. So when our vintage buyer sourced some rare Coco Chanel vintage jewelry, I was a little bit taken aback. They sure do dazzle with elegance!

Coco Chanel and Jeanne Moreau 1957
Chanel Runway Fall 2011
coco chanelFree People vintage Chanel Charm bracelet earrings
coco chanel

 

Go see the shop Vintage Chanel

Thursday Poll: Volume and Print

The Free People girl is not one to shy away from a statement. She’s bold, she takes up a lot of room, and she’s not afraid of color. She likes to push the limits, and that’s exactly why we have the most amazing collection of printed voluminous pants on the site right now. These pieces flip the rules on their head, and draw attention to the bottom half of an outfit. A few, with their flower child bohemian vibe, live in the Nouveau Boho trend while others are funky and psychedelic. We’re loving the can’t-miss-it look. Which statement, printed bottoms do you like best? Read More

A Bloggers Diary

“In this modern age everything, everywhere seems to lead the senses outward and away from oneself.  Don’t be afraid of quiet. Find the time for peace and introversion, and life will have new meaning.”

 ~ “The way of Tea” by Aaron Fisher

This Holiday I spent some quality time with my family.  They flew here from Wales and brought with them a new light; I took a step back and soaked in some quiet – we  took peaceful walks  around New York where my eyes were wide open looking for unexpected beauty. And, we snuggled on the sofa with our tummies full of hearty foods until we drifted asleep. Christmas goes way too fast, don’t you think? But hey, another celebration is soon to come, New Years Eve and then a brand new year to look forward too!

bloggers diary

bloggers diary

Braid Tutorial with Dennis Lanni and Noot Seear

I have a special treat for you today! The amazing Dennis Lanni, who has done the hair for a number of our catalogs (including May and July, pictured above), demonstrates how to do one of his favorite braid styles on model Noot Seear. Hope you like!

Lazy Afternoon

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!! I thought I’d share a few photos from my weekend, I couldn’t have asked for a more relaxing and fun couple of days with family and friends.

christmas2011

christmas2011

re-stringing dad’s guitar…

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

christmas2011

Best gift? My dad saw here on the blog that I wanted a vintage camera strap, so he gave me his old one that he has had for years :)

christmas2011

Also really loving this book of photography by Linda McCartney – it begins with her life as a rock photojournalist who was house photographer at the Fillmore East and photographed legends like the Rolling Stones, Neil Young, The Doors, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, before meeting and falling in love with Paul McCartney.  Paging through the book is literally like a glimpse into her life as she saw it through her camera lens – really beautiful.

christmas2011

christmas2011

What was the best part of your holiday this year? I’d love to hear about it :)

Dress Up: New Years Eve!

Our dress buyer picked out our 3 top New Year’s Eve dresses… Here’s how we get in the mood for New Years Eve!

With the Long Sleeve Embellished Party Dress, listen to Pattie Smith and drink white wine. underneath the dress we would wear lace. Dress your eyes with a dark eye shadow and smear on some pretty light pink lip gloss. Spray a touch of Coco Mademoiselle around your neck,l and finish the look with a great cuff. Ready to Celebrate!

Our buyer loves this dress because: “the fabric. it’s great quality and body con in all the right ways. Long sleeves make it feel like you’re not showing too too much”

long sleeve embellished party Dress Lace high waist panties  mesa verde cuff

Be Devilish in Red

Our Modern Day Flapper Dress is sexy but sweet. it swings delicately from your body. To get ready in this dresswe want to be in a kind of sexy mood. Burn a Baies Diptyque candle to set the mood and listen to Fleetwood Mac,drink red wine and dance around the room.  Spot your lips with a subtle lip colour, accessorize with a few bracelets and a signature ring, and you’re ready for a romantic night!

Our buyer loves this dress because: “great color options, we can totally see this all dressed up for NYE. A modern flapper look with faux fur, heels and lots of accessories!”

modern day flapper dress tap short moon wave bangles bora bergamo onyx ring

Stand out in the crowd

Our Sequin sway dress is a show stopper. to wear this dress you have to ooze confidence. Get in the confident mood and listen to Led Zeppelin, enjoy some Champagne and wear a sexy scent like Tom Ford Back Orchid. Paint your nails a sparkling black and be sassy! Be ready for a night out on the tiles.

Our buyer loves this dress: “Great option for a little sparkle. We love the open back for a little added sex appeal”

black

Blackheart sequin dress seamless romper sliver warrior ring