Bella Goes Gala

Say YES to the Dress: I'm wearing my Gala dress by Karina Dresses, with its cheery red/black/grey/white ditzy print, a sweetheart neckline and wrap around skirt that hugs the curves and forgives the lumps. With a nod to Advanced Style fashion icon, and newest model for the recent Lanvin campaign, Tziporah Salamon, my outfit makes me feel gorgeous and confident. I am wearing fashion that feels good!

Use coupon code ROSC30 when you shop Karina Dresses for $30 off your order now

Colorful, Confident, Ethical: Fashion at its Finest.

And why shouldn't it? The new dress is made in the U.S.A. by people earning a living wage, and all other elements are quality pieces, acquired from secondhand sources.
 
Advancing MY Style:  While I've been a regular reader of Advanced Style for years, it wasn't until I read this fantastic interview of Tziporah that I became a huge fan of  the Tzip. You can see more of this women's incredible style HERE.

Tziporah Salamon mixes her vast collection of antique/vintage garments with a timeless style. Combining ethnic, European and American elements with ease, this woman has inspired me to add more ethnic and world culture classics to my usually Anglo-phillic wardrobe.

Tzip adds ZEST: Fearless, colorful + full of gorgeous character, Tziporah Salamon is a style inspiration for women of all ages.

Faux fur, real wool,  real leather and breathable micro-fiber = genuine fun.

The dress was a prize from being one of 10 winners of the Karina Chronicles' Frockober video contest (you can see my prize winning video HERE) and I knew I'd love the print, as I'd been eyeing the ditzy fabric for a while now, but wasn't so sure about the Gala. I'm not a "wrap around" sort, and I've only just recently warmed up to the sweetheart neckline (I now can boast 4 dresses with this face-flattering neckline.) But it was a freebie, so I took the plunge and ordered the Gala.

Party ON! I love the way the wrap around can be adjusted to my ever fluffy, uh I mean fluctuating waist line, and the slightly raised shoulders look so friggin' FASHION-ABLE. Even my "double hour-glass," the second set of curves (aka the muffin top, ) looks pretty damn good in the Gala, so I've got reason to feel festive and celebrate.

The jacket is a vintage score I found last summer and bought it inspired by the incredible Tzip (yeah, I've just coined her a new nickname) It's vintage wool and trim with the neatest silvery clasps. I feel a bit Tibetan or Mongol influence in the piece but it is however, a USA made garment from the 1970's.  Regardless, I love it. And love how the vintage faux fur cap and jacket add an international ethic flair. Lovely details are the floral trim on the jacket, and is the silvery clasps closures. Taking a cue from  those elements, I added a thrifted cut-out leather/rhinestone cuff  with a rose motif and pinned a vintage ivory rose brooch onto that.

It makes it official: I am a Citizen Rosebud, and blooming madly!

Galalala! Feeling #lucky in my fabulous Tzip inspired ensemble

Now Wearing: 

• vintage faux fur pill box hat, thrifted
• vintage rosebud resin brooch, thrifted
• vintage wool ethnic style jacket, thrifted
• the Gala dress, c/o Karina Dresses
• arm candy: vintage rose brooch pinned
  on a thrifted cut out  rhinestoned leather cuff, both thrifted
• black tights
• Miz Mooz boots, Labels Consignment

#SHOPSECONDHANDFIRST

 Disclosure: Karina Dresses is a blog sponsor and I received compensation for this post.

Linking up to Patti + pals for Visible Monday