This ‘shoot from Nikki just prior to Wrestlemania was such an amazing departure form almost anything we’ve seen her do before! I applaud the unique vibe of this set; it’s hungry, gritty, dirty…and yet, unlike other divas’ we’ve seen explore this type of setting, she still manages to interject a shot of high fashion into her styling. It creates this wonderful cataclysm of slick polish and grimy, relentless effort. The lighting in this shoot ranges through various shades of red, blue and lilac and is completely gorgeous! I’m especially a fan of the lilac shade – it gives a super cool electric, neon energy and beauty to the shots.
Her first look might be my favorite – although it’s got some stiff competition! :) She pairs an artfully ripped and knotted lace-up tank in a light heather gray with charcoal knit shorts. The gray shades work brilliantly with the lavender light, and convey the steely, focused vibe of the ‘shoot perfectly. She throws us the first of her couture curveballs at the finish, though, by completing this look with heeled ankle booties. I love the textured leather and the sheen, as well as how she connects them back to the vibe of her outfit with striped socks! She also get Fierce points for the practical but powerful braids that make her look like a warrior princess!
Next up is a striped brassiere set beneath a torn mesh tee. I find the latter piece distracting, which is unfortunate because I love the look of the brassiere! I might have gone with simpler cat-scratch style tears to for a less complex visual, even though it would have hidden the brassiere more. I’m wild over her safety-pinned shorts, though! Done in her trademark red, they convey intensity and a Rocky-like determination to rise and succeed, in spite of worn-to-shreds gear. Her military-style boots accentuate this vibe flawlessly, adding the perfect exclamation point to this outfit.
Her next offering is a bodysuit, again in her signature shade of flame. I’m borderline on the cut of the front, but from there on, I’m all in! The open-cut back is so hot! And her suede, hardware-embellished booties? Yes, please! She adds even more edge and attitude with a wide, black leather choker. I'm intrigued by her use of the body harness - leaving it open adds movement and softens the overall effect in an interesting way. I would have been interested to see how it compared if done in black instead of natural. Her poses in this section are A+, adding a driving artistry and insistent fashion industry vibe to the basement-gym theme.
Her last outfit expands on that theme. The monochrome look combines a bodycon romper with lace-up detailing at the sides and over-the-knee boots. The minimalist pairing gets shot of fierceness from its incorporation of an ultra-wide waist belt, a theme which a number of designers explored this spring. The unusual setting and props (how many times do we get to see divas play around on a pair of rings?!) let her push some boundaries in terms of poses, which works incredibly well.
The 'shoot is cohesive, despite its four separate looks. The theme is clear and communicated fantastically well, melding sport, sultriness and style in a surprising and alluring way. Brava.

Emma explored some casual looks before returning to fierceness during her Emmalina era. She and Renee did a twinsies look, pairing distressed blue denim with an Elton John baseball tee. Both ladies completed the look with boots. While I love the classic color combo and the laidback vibe, both of these feel just a bit bland to me. I'd have loved to see a spicy detail - fiercer boots, a half-tucked shirt and a statement belt...just a touch of something. Emma does essentially that in her next outfit, pairing a "love" tee with distressed denim and lace-up booties. I love the extra punch the shoe choice adds! Peyton Royce (at right) stayed simple and minimal with a cropped white tank and skinny denim. Boots finish off her unexciting look. Billie Kay (at left) got more creative with a tied white shirt topping worn denim. She went for strappy sandals as an exclamation point, along with a slim metal collar. Her look is casual, but polished and interesting, primarily due to her unique choice of top and just-right combo of uncomplicated but trendy pieces.
Emma was back to the bikinis in this leaf-print halter two-piece from Show Me Your Mumu. The scale of this print is excellent for her - not too massive and overwhelming, but still bold. The peach-cobalt-mint-emerald color combo is super pretty and fun. The verdant setting really makes it pop, too! Among my favorite shots from the Emmalina era is this next one: a wedgewood blue v-neck bodysuit, paired with the same lace-up booties Emma rocked during her night out with Billie and Peyton. She gets huge props for her dark, smoldering make-up that makes this gorgeous, bright summer scene come alive with fierce, sensual energy. Denim shorts could be added to this look for casual styling, while a sheer maxi skirt would work as a fashion-forward alternative, depending on the event. If said event was such that a sheer-over-bodysuit approach would be frowned upon, a pleated mini skirt would be super cute and bring movement and volume to  this sleek bodycon piece.

This recent look of Barbie's is daring as it stands, but is easily re-imagined in a more demure way that still maintains the fashion-foward vibe. It's the addition of a nude cami below that makes all the difference (you can play down the peekaboo aspect by layering white, gray, ivory or black below). Then, you can have at you with any manner of lace that floats your soap - a tank, a peplum top, a blouse. Especially that whole blouse thing! There are SO many gorgeous blouses out right now - absolute confections of pieces that a get a modern update and informal twist when paired with skinny jeans. Don't just stop at lace pieces either; consider eyelet, crochet or broderie anglaise, ruffled or embroidered/embellished pieces and combinations of the above. Finish the look with ankle strap sandals, as Barbie has (feel free to cuff or roll full-length denim to a shorter length to show off the shoe more) for a flirty vibe or add some extra edge with fierce pointy-toe pumps. The coup de grace of the look is the pop of color from a bright bag. Get your Nikki vibe on by choosing and iconic red, go Barbie with neon rose or be daringly summertime-ready with bright turquoise, lime or lavender (or yellow, of course :)). I you don't happen to have a bright bag atm, no prob - add your brights via your shoes, or jewels: statement earrings, a bold bracelet (or pile of them), a go-big-or-go-home ring. If you're tucking your blouse in, a bright belt will work as well. For chilly nights, toss a trench coat, or blazer over blouses. A long cardi dangling off one shoulder makes a sexy alternative topper for cami's and tanks and similar shoulder-baring styles. I hope this inspires you to give a femme-meets-bright look a try sometime soon. Happy styling loves!

OMG remember these? I'm so behind on Masterposts, I probably need to do another round of them by now. Le grand sigh. Back during her Emmalina tease, Emma was slaying us with scalding fashion. Among that panoply was this tie-dye dress in lovely shades of aqua, navy and golden yellow. You can probably guess which part of this look got my attention. The shoes!! lol Anything yellow is certain to catch my eye...and likely my love as well. While I'm not a huge fan of the scallop hem on the side of the dress, any look that uses this much color competently is a definite win to me. The pairing is sassy, joyous and super fun! There's some spring style inspiration in these for sure! Aqua-blue shades were on Emma's radar for sure - she showed off this strappy bikini in front of a surfboard earlier this spring. I love the delicate quality of this design - it's not often you get a bikini that will stay in place but also looks feminine and this one pulls that off. Her next one is a simple but sexy strappy iteration in a soft terra cotta color. The shade is quite unusual and it suits the earth-tone rocky backdrop of the shot perfectly. I wish Emma had explored the Emmalina character further - it really allowed her to show off a completely different side of herself, which was super fun to see. Maybe she'll go back and forth between the two periodically now - kind of like a Gollum-Smeagol thing...but without the whole live-fish-eating, ring-obsessed, murderous psychosis. We've seen Emma do prints quite often, but this bold floral is quite a change from her previous bright, graphic or tropical choices. Those were playful and lighthearted. This one is moodier and more sophisticated. The cutout fronts adds a coquettish touch and, although I could have done without the double side slits at the front, I really love how well Emma pulls this off. Sometimes more mature looks and come off awkward for people who are very comfortable with more whimsical styling, but Emma handles both with competence. Her next bikini is similar to the terra-cotta-on-the-rocks piece, but with a brighter, cleaner color palette and a bold, diamond print. I adore the melon-and-coral combination - they're exactly the kind of shades I think of (and reach for ;)) as quintessentially summer! And this uncomplicated print is tons of fun!

There are a number of snaps from Wrestlemania week and events that just didn't quite fit anywhere else, so I've collected them all here into a salad of Wrestlemania fashion - with plenty of dressing (ha ha...see what I did there? :) ...Ok, yeah...it was a bad pun...but you love me for them :)). Prob about to be the tastiest salad you've ever had, right?
If you saw this and thought "Hey - Mandy and Lana buy their boots at the same place!", well....yep I had that same though too :). Mandy reminded us that she's the Gold Standard of WWE by rounding off this white crop top and blush pencil skirt combo with metallic gold ankle booties. As with Lana's outfit, these seem like a bit too brazen a way to finish the look, at least in this material. I'd love them in beige suede, though! Then again, I could totally see this color and silhouette paired with her ring gear. So, the boots themselves = yaas, the circumstances = less yaas. Minus the boots, I like the way this look works on Mandy. It fits her trendy, sexy style, without being overblown and I like the minimalist influence of the unadorned silhouettes and fabrics. As a side note, it's quite similar to the look Maryse wore for Axxess. I wonder if the French Queen is giving Mandy some style inspiration? Hmmm  :)
Charlotte's cutout floral dress was her look of choice for both the Rick Flair statue unveiling and her Toys R Us meet and greet. This is a gorgeous dress, playing on the season's dark floral trend, a look that made waves in the fall and has stayed strong through the spring. The wide-ranging mix of colors in the print keeps the styling fresh and garden-y, but less starry-eyed than a light-background print. The side cutouts give an extra dash of flirty-ness, while the sheer lacy details the edge of the bodice bring an interesting extra dimension. Charlotte plays that up nicely by echoing it in her shoe choice: black ankle strap sandals with sheer fabric at the vamp. This is a wonderful summer dress than could be lightened up more with bright accessories (yellow sandals, aqua bag), as well as working its way into fall when topped with a blazer or motorcycle jacket.
Stephanie also attended the Rick Flair statue reveal and, like Charlotte, chose a dress for the event. This checkerboard print isn't my favorite per se - possibly due in part to the somewhat drab sage-gray color - but I absolutely love the way the print is used on the piece to create shape. The smaller scale in the middle accentuates the waist, while the larger rint at the bottom enhances the a-line shape and adds to the hourglass visual. So, despite my lack of excitement about the pattern, I think the piece is wonderfully conceived and a fantastic choice for Stephanie. She completed the look with one of her favorite pairs of sandals, her St. Laurent Tribute sandals in black. She also gets fierce point for the super cute braided ponytail!
Maryse created a fabulous layered effect by wearing her ivory capelet dress from BCBG over this sheer-printed sheath dress. I'm wild over the unique way she used these two pieces together - what a great way to get more out of your wardrobe! And the look is amazing; the extra dimension the underlayer adds to the cape dress works flawlessly and looks incredibly chic! She finishes this masterpiece with her Valentino Rockstud pumps and a neutral bag with a chain handle for a bit of extra edge. Equally appealing is the black monochrome outfit she wore for a business summit with Alicia. Maryse paired a simple v-neck peplum top with flowing wide-leg pants. Note the difference in the look they create compared to, say, a leather legging or a mini pencil skirt. The look comes off polished and professional. It's a crucial part of being a fashionista to dress appropriately for the occasion, whatever it may be and Maryse is a master at it! She finishes the look with a barely-visible pair of black embellished sandals that we'll be getting a better look at shortly *wink*.
Comparable to Maryse as a fashionista is Foxy, with an equal innate grasp of the right look for an event. She, too, went with an all-black look and wide-leg pants. She topped hers with a v-neck blouse as well, but added a beautifully tailored jacket and statement necklace. My favorite part of her look is the dash of quirkiness thrown in via patent leather oxford flats. That is trademark Foxy! I love how she always throws a curveball into her fashion and never lets it get boring.

I thought I'd take a little break from FashionHap Catch-ups (huff huff puff puff) and do some Inspiration Board before we gte too far into summer for them to be workable. Besides, I miss writing them :) So...here ya go!
I do a lot of living in pants. But, sometimes, it's just fun to change things up and wear a skirt now and again - you know, to keep your fans guessing ;)...or just to amuse yourself, push your boundaries or stave off boredom. It's hard to find a simpler or cuter rendition of a skirt than this one that Cathy wore to the Wrestlemania Golf Tournament. Firstly, pleats have made  a serious comeback lately, so the trend box gets checked off. (No pleats? Don't freak. Keep calm and reach for ruffles instead - like pleats, they add volume and movement on the bottom. Or skip all the folding and frills and just go with a classic A-line silhouette.) Next important detail: the color combo! Black with light beige is an iconic combo (so feel free to use it liberally :)). This warmer caramel hue adds a rich, earthy new twist to that pairing. Chocolate, bittersweet and tan will all give you a similar vibe. Thirdly: note the texture mix. Cathy pairs the softness of a knit tee with smooth leather, which creates in interesting visual contrast. Suede will do something similar, albeit with a more luxe feel. Twill will work as well, giving a polished, classic vibe. Lastly, your shoe choice will say a lot with this simple outfit. Cute and sporty? Do sneakers. Chic and casual? Go with block-heeled mules or flat slides (no flip-flops puuuhleaase ;)). Quirky starlet? Reach for an ankle booty. There are lots of functional options to make this one your own, lovelies. So, pick your passion and do you...Cathyily...Cathyesquely....Cathy-like-ly....whatever. You, with inspiration from Cathy. :) Happy styling!

Divas and former divas were pulling out all the stops for WrestleMania Day. Not only did we see some great gear, we saw some great looks from participants and lookers-on alike as they arrived for the big day.
Barbie slayed a coord set comprised of a bandeau top and high-waisted pencil skirt. Snaps (which appear to be functional as well as decorative) on the latter allow the wearer to control the height of the side slit - which is a fabulous design idea. Barbie left hers high enough for drama, but without getting into questionable territory, which I approve of highly :). She finished the look with simple yet sexy black ankle strap sandals. I love the way these work here - there's some space between the hem of her skirt and the top of the ankle strap that keeps the proportion of the look just right, which is an important consideration for wearing strappy heels with midi hemlines. Her smooth, straight hair looks polished and refined. I'm a little less enthralled with her next piece, an ivory mini dress from Windsor Store. The super-high side slit takes a bit too much risk for my liking, even with the lace-up details. Her pairing of light neutrals, though, via her nude sandals, is a solid combination.
Lana's glittering, poof-shouldered a-line mini is by Sherri Hill and Lana clearly had fun twirling about in it! The strong-shoulder is spot on-trend and, along with the multi-patterned sequins, makes this one BOLD dress - not that that's surprising from Lana. I like her choice to offset the formality with boots...just maybe not glistening silver boots :). It seems like an over-the-top choice that puts this look into space alien territory for me. I'd have grounded it more with black boots, or gray suede as a second choice, and a simpler bag as well. That being said, this is Lana and she loves to be brave with her fashion, which sometimes means we get results like this. If I had to choose, I'd rather her take risks that ocassionally don't pan out than be staid...so, carry on Lana Queen!
Mandy surprised me by really dressing up for Wrestlemania Day. I'm not sure whether she had an additional event to attend, just felt like being fancy or felt that Wrestlemania was worthy of this level of formality..or all three. Either, I don't care - my surprise is a pleasant one. I love the minimalism and soft drape of this black gown. The cutouts and unusual neckline create an appealing geometry on her body, highlighting her curves without looking overblown. I would have preferred a sandal or lace-up bootie to these round toe pumps for a little extra va-voom, but I love her choice of a massive watch as her main accessory - it adds a contrasting dose of informality to her dress. Her long and loose hair is the perfect accompaniment.
I can't help but love Alexa's sheer-striped dress (from Aqua x Bloomingdales. ID by fashionofthedivas.tumblr.com). It's a perfect blend of cute and couture that completely suits her. She has an incredible knack for choosing clothes that really fit and express her personality! She sparkles it up (of course!) with a pretty crystal statement necklace that adds just the right dose of shine to the texture of her dress.