• Home
  • Fashion
  • Personal Style
  • Miscellaneous

garvey and p.

garvey and p.

Tag Archives: fashion blogger

Willing Whitley

18 Wednesday Nov 2020

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion, Info

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

charlotte, fashion, fashion blogger, style

For my journalism course at school, an assignment of mine was to interview an entrepreneur I admire. I was thrilled to have a chance to talk with stylist and style editor, Whitley Adkins.

Whitley Adkins is not your regular mom. Between being a teacher to her two young boys for online classes in the morning, and stylist to Charlotte’s elite by the afternoon, Adkins continuously has a plethora of things on her (very fashionable) plate.

Whether it’s running at least eight miles a day or dressing in vintage, quirky, and euphoria-inducing outfits, Adkins, 43, strives to stay energetic in all her endeavors. As one of the Queen City’s most prominent wardrobe stylists and style editors for SouthPark Magazine, she is at the pinnacle of all things fashion and has been for quite some time. Almost ten years, to be exact.

 In early November over Zoom, Adkins presents herself in the most whimsical of looks: A hot-pink-and-red-patterned Marni dress paired with a vintage pistachio green belt cinched around her svelte, athletic frame. Her wavy hazelnut-colored hair stays atop her head in a loose top-knot. In contrast with a slim face, big, brown, doe-like eyes make Adkins appear child-like and always in a state of wonder— taking everything in. Her thick and charming southern accent is as soothing as a light summer drizzle.

She is delighted to show off her outfit over the video chat and shimmies about displaying the frock in all its grandeur. But behind this busy and bustling entrepreneur is a woman who has known her career aspirations since she was a child, even if she didn’t pursue them until much later in life and even if she is still working to follow them today.

Growing up in Asheville, NC, Adkins was always surrounded by fashion and what she calls “style and taste that rivals anyone’s.” Style and taste were brought to Adkins in the form of her grandmother and great grandmother. “I was exposed at a really young age to high fashion, beautiful fashion,” Adkins remembers.

As a young child, Adkins distinctly recalls when she knew fashion was in her future. “I would go through my dad’s Town & Country subscription and cut out all the images from the runway shows, and I would make my own look-book of outfits I liked,” she says with a hearty laugh.

When it was time to go to college, Adkins was awarded a tennis scholarship to St. Mary’s College in Raleigh with plans to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill after her time at the two-year college was finished. An avid athlete throughout her life, Adkins decided to major in Nutrition with a minor in Exercise Sports Science at UNC: Chapel Hill but was met with a massive hurdle. “I cannot do math. I cannot do science,” Adkins admits with another laugh, this one more self-deprecating than the last. She realized this was the wrong path, and in a sudden change, she decided to major in Communication Studies (she still completed the Exercise Sports Science minor) towards the end of her junior year.

After school, Adkins was determined to take a bite out of “The Big Apple” and lived in New York City for two years. As a personal assistant to seven top supermodels and three prominent fashion stylists, along with always holding a steady nanny job, Adkins was extremely busy.

But it wasn’t always easy— Adkins struggled immensely throughout her time in the city. “Even though I absolutely loved it, I always joke that I loved New York City, but it did not love me back. I had three jobs and was hospitalized twice,” she says.

“The first emergency surgery was close to Thanksgiving, and I was in New York City alone. I got on the crosstown bus and hobbled off to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Santa was passing when I got there, and I was just standing in the rain,” she remembers.

After going through numerous traumatizing experiences like her apartment getting broken into or having heroin addicts vandalize it, Adkins realized New York was not the place for her. “I sat on my bed and cried. I was basically admitting defeat,” she says.

When deciding what her next move would be, Adkins was conflicted about two North Carolina cities but ultimately decided on one she would call home. “I thought Asheville would be too small, so I decided on Charlotte, which was clean and green, and upwardly mobile,” she says. One of her first jobs in Charlotte included working for the American Cancer Society as an Events Manager for the “Relay for Life” race.

But Adkins’ big break occurred when she met “serial entrepreneur” Anne Pipkin. Pipkin, the Gorgeous Glo salon owner in Charlotte, introduced Adkins to her early entrepreneurial endeavor, Private Placement— the first nanny placement service in Charlotte. “She was such a great mentor to me,” Adkins says of Pipkin. Adkins ended up operating Private Placement for eight years until she was pregnant with her second son. Pipkin allowed Adkins to “take a step back and be a mom,” but very soon after the birth of her second boy in 2011, Adkins realized that she “was not being fulfilled personally.”

“I was in my basement, and that’s when I threw myself into all things creative like painting furniture, sewing curtains, playing dress-up in my grandmother’s clothes, redecorating my house every week. And I was writing– That’s when Lucky Magazine happened,” Adkins says.

Lucky Magazine, the now-folded Condé Nast publication, was a purveyor of fun, fresh, and funky fashion— the perfect match to Adkins’ aesthetics. “They had a column on the back page called ‘My Mom the Style Icon.’ Diana Ross and Naomi Campbell’s mothers were featured, as well. I thought I’m going to send them a photo of my grandmother and great grandmother,” Adkins says.

The photo submission was very successful, to say the least. Lucky decided to publish the image in 2011, making Adkins one of the only non-celebrity contributors to the magazine’s back page. “It was like a major endorsement, and it gave me a lot of confidence,” Adkins says of the experience.

Soon after, Adkins was hearing from friends that “blogs” were the next “big thing,” but Adkins was more “confused” than anything about the notion. One day, Adkins received an email from Who What Wear, a prominent fashion blog, inviting her to a conference in New York City that the blog was hosting with, sure enough, Lucky Magazine on the future of fashion.

After attending that pivotal conference, Adkins took action to continue having her voice be heard— She created a blog entitled The Queen City Style— a name encompassing her current location and forever passion. “I think I had the first fashion blog in Charlotte,” she says.

The blog exploded, and as a result, Charlotte Parent Magazine took notice. The magazine asked Adkins to write a monthly column on “Mommy-and-me” style. “I was really advocating to look your best,” Adkins says of the column.

“Someone saw the column and contacted me and said, ‘I saw your post; can I pay you to dress me?’” Adkins says of her first professional styling experiences. Almost immediately after, Adkins accumulated clients and friends flocking to her sense of self and style.

Friend and client, Pam Stowe, sees Adkins “as part of my family now” after first meeting her at a trunk show six years ago. “She is one of the kindest people. She’s fun to be with, and she’s really honest,” Stowe says. “When my mother passed away, Whitley had a painting made of one of my favorite pictures I took of my mother’s hands,” Stowe recalls of her friend.

Vintage clothing dealer and House of Landor owner Mary Beth Paulsen feels a similar way. “She’s helped me grow my business tremendously. She did an entire vintage photoshoot for SouthPark Magazine with my stuff. It was amazing,” Paulsen exclaims.

Speaking of SouthPark Magazine, years before becoming the Style Editor for the publication, just a dream of Adkins’ was to be featured in the “Scene and Heard” column of it.

At the time, Adkins had sent SouthPark eight images from a photoshoot she had done in her home. While SouthPark had agreed to run four images initially, the magazine decided to print all eight images after being so impressed with Adkins’ vision and style. In 2019, Adkins assumed the role of Style Editor for SouthPark Magazine.

As her styling and magazine work picked up, The Queen City Style was neglected. “My styling business grew, and I did not have time to focus on the blog,” she admits. Adkins rebranded in 2020 to WhitleyAdkins.com as her website title but still keeps a section of the website dedicated to The Queen City Style. Looking back, Adkins says, “The Queen City Style was basically my own little fashion editorial since there is no Vogue in Charlotte.”

One of Adkins’ favorite concepts she’s been able to create for SouthPark Magazine was the conception of the “It List.” “There is so much art and fashion and style in Charlotte, so I pitched this idea to SouthPark,” she says. The “It List” has been a staple of the magazine for several years now, with the most recent list having all Black subjects in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The all-Black list was entirely Adkins’ idea, as well.

Another proud moment for Adkins includes when her alma mater UNC: Chapel Hill, asked her to speak for three days at the school’s interdisciplinary design program, FashionMash. When talking to the students, Adkins maintained that she’s never been “glamorized by fame or fortune,” mentioning that “if anything, I’m more drawn to people in the trenches.” But Adkins was also quick to note that everything usually comes at a price. “The first year I was on my own with my business, I also went through a divorce,” she admits.

Her advice to anyone feeling lost after school as she did all those years ago? “Please know that this is normal. The people that have it all figured out are not normal,” she emphasizes.

Though Adkins’ southern drawl is intoxicatingly calming, a shift in her voice occurs at the end of the conversation. Her passion and determination are evident when she concludes with saying, “If something excites you, do it. If you don’t get the support you deserve, just keep walking towards the light.”

Dior, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, Oh My!

11 Saturday Jun 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blogger, collection, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, happy, inspiration, London, love, ootd, resort, runway, style, stylish

Resort season has begun! These Resort collections are the clothing women can have when they are traveling. The clothes are mostly pointed towards women who travel in the winter months. The Louis Vuitton show took place in Rio, Brazil. As evidenced by the photos, the setting for the show was absolutely stunning and surreal. Oh and so were the clothes! The collection gave off a sporty feel but was polished as well. The fashion house has been experimenting with a futuristic feel as well but the contrasting black and white color scheme was really classic. The pops of bright colors was a beginning for a nice, new addition for the brand.

If there is something you need to know about me is my immense love for Gucci. Alessandro Michele breathed fresh new life into this brand, and it was something this brand needed so desperately. Everything he does inspires me like how he held the show in Westminster Abbey. Like how cool is that?! The clothes were typical Gucci style but in the best way possible: fascinating shapes and exuberant colors along with intricate embellishments. Michele made even a chin strap on a hat look classy and covetable. A CHIN STRAP!!! Anyway per usual I was blown away and could not stop saving images to upload for this post.

The Christian Dior show was very intriguing. The leaving of creative director Raf Simons has left a gaping hole in my heart and I miss him so very much. The creative team has done a wonderful job with keeping the brand together and inserting their own takes on the future of the brand like mixing prints and having more colors featured in the collections they have produced. I look forward for the future of Dior and await each collection very anxiously.

Images via Vogue Runway

Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior
Christian Dior

Christian Dior
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci

Gucci
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci

Gucci
Gucci
Gucci
Gucci
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton

Cruising Along

10 Tuesday May 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blogger, chanel, collection, Cruise Collection, Cuba, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, happy, inspiration, love, ootd, runway, street style, style

By now I am sure you all know I have quite an immense and strong love for Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld is an absolute genius and I just get inspired seeing how he inspires himself as each season continues on. This Cruise 2017 collection was no different. It was superb! As I not pay attention to my physics class, (I mean, who needs physics anyway!) I look and devour these images I find of the collection. This season the runway show took place in Cuba a newly opened country for America’s business. It was beautiful. From the pictures I can tell this has to be an amazing spot. The collection was luxe and each look was frothy and delicious in its own way. It was classic but with a twist. I know my words are not quite original but I see little aspects of Coco Chanel herself in the collection with the black accents and strong structured pants. But it was exhilarating to see those classic touches be reborn a la Karl Lagerfeld.I was totally blown away and having heart palpitations. Yeah, my love for Chanel extends that far.The sequins are bright colors and the accessories galore was more than enough to power me through the day, daydreaming about owning those garments myself. A girl can dream right? Below are my favorite looks. Enjoy.





Images Via Vogue

Ciao Bella!

31 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

autumn, blogger, collection, fall, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, inspiration, love, MFW, Milan, ootd, runway, style, stylish

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

With a heavy heart I write this post. My heart is aching for all of Brussels through this horrendous time. But I must continue in my (very late) fashion month coverage.
Versace was a more feminine look and it was quite lovely. I loved the soft ruffles featured on some looks. The colors were beautiful and bright. Salvatore Ferragamo was one of my favorite collections in my opinion. The combination of colors was so innovative and refreshing. Prada was quite a switch from their usual style. But in a great way! The textures and colors were intriguing and the accessorizing was delightful with the gloves and sailors caps. I loved the risks Miuccia took with this collection. Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini was a designer I have never looked at before this season. I am so glad I finally looked at his marvelous work. Everything I saw I wanted. It was so relevant but still exciting in today’s never ending cycle of fashion. Marni blew me away. I have always loved this brand. But this collection made my love increase so much more than I imagined. It was so intricate and had lots of variety which is always a plus. The hair and earrings were everything. Gucci. Oh my god. Every time it gets better and better. It was so marvelous. Alessandro keeps fashion fun and inspirational. Dolce and Gabbana was a fairytale. And I don’t say that lightly. Literally the inspiration for the collection was fairy tales. It was a pleasure to see references which I could pick up on like Cinderella. The clothes were decadent and it was a grand show. That concludes my work on Milan. Stay tuned for Paris! Ciao

Images via Vogue Runway

Hello From the Other Side (of the Sea)

12 Saturday Mar 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blogger, collection, fall, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, inspiration, London, love, ootd, runway, style

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Hello from London! It was a wonderful week all across the sea. First off, I have to say the Alexander McQueen show was truly mind blowing and so wondrous. It was elegant and luxurious, and it almost had an older hint at what the old Alexander McQueen used to be like when McQueen ran the brand itself. But Sarah Burton is a visionary and the show was exceptional. I love her work at Alexander McQueen, and she never ceases to amaze me. It is one of my favorite shows to date. Peter Pilotto was a combination of everything which I love. It had an Icelandic vibe which was quite enjoyable and the attention to detail in the clothing is miraculous. Simone Rocha! What can I say? It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. The colors and the softness of the looks were fantastic. Erdem was a nod to the 1930’s in a truly spectacular way. I adored the fabrics and the textures and colors that were used in this collection. Christopher Kane was fun and exciting and quite a show to be seen. It was quite different from his last collection, but I loved his inspiration which was his mother. Mary Katrantzou was inspired by a space cowboy? What? But it payed off in the end because that collection was marvelous. Preen by Thornton Bregazzi was one of my favorite shows from London. I adored his use of colors and prints and most of all… Sequins! (Check out that pink sequined dress!). That it all from London by me! See you soon in Milan.

All images via Vogue Runway

New York New York Part 3

24 Wednesday Feb 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blogger, collection, fall, fall fashion, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, happy, inspiration, love, New York, ootd, outfit idea, runway, street style, style, stylish

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Sadly, this is my last post… for New York Fashion Week! I will say I am quite sad its over. But now onto my favorites. Well Marc Jacobs was a show, a real goddamn show. It was marvelous, dramatic and gothic (in a good way). And the cherry on top was that Lady Gaga modeled for my beloved Marc! It was a really good show. My other love, Prabal Gurung, as always makes me proud to be an early follower of his. Fun fact: He was the first designer whose clothes and story behind them made me want to have a career in fashion. He truly inspires and so do his clothes, and this season was no different with the luxe materials and just all around gorgeousness. Could you tell that I loved Tommy Hilfiger? I have always loved his good ole American vibes and this season was sailor inspired, and I loved it! I would wear any one of those dresses in a heartbeat (and socks with shoes are making a resurgence as well). Then there was the Michael Kors Collection with audibly made me squeal because I was so obsessed with every look I saw. It was perfection and everything worked seamlessly together, especially those feathery jeans and that gorgeous blazer. Rodarte was amazing. So dark but dreamy. It was the perfect mixture and I was really intrigued by every look I saw. Proenza Schouler was perfect and just exceptional as usual. This season offered some much needed color and liveliness which was such a plus to an already amazing collection in my book. Ralph Lauren showcased what he does best with that classic American look. It was wonderful and I really look forward to that show every season. Rosie Assoulin. What can I say? I love her. Her clothes are playful yet grown-up and so elegant. If I was getting married tomorrow, that white dress would be what you’d find me in! And for the first time showing at NYFW, Sies Marjan was a huge hit with me and editors alike. It was a start to a very promising future. Till next time New York!

All images via Vogue Runway

New York New York Pt. 2

20 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

autumn, blogger, collection, fall, Fall 2016, fall fashion, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, happy, inspiration, love, New York, ootd, runway, style

This post is my second installment of my New York Fashion Week coverage. Every show got better as the days progressed. But now onto my favorites, I adored Altuzarra. Joseph Altuzarra is so talented in every way and I am never disappointed by his work. The shapes of his clothes are exciting and this season; the prints and embroideries he offered were delicious. Also Calvin Klein Collection was so neat and clean but it was also very different from last season. Francisco Costa tried something new with the geodes on some of the dresses, and the experiment was totally worth it. Derek Lam was feminine and strong and so beautiful. I want to own every piece (especially those fur coats). Edun too was feminine and so beautiful. The colors were so exhilarating especially that light salmon colored suit. Alexander Wang never ceases to amaze and excite. All his clothes are covetable right at this moment and he offers something everyone wants to wear whether you are extremely girly or not. For example, I would consider myself a pretty girly person but the clothes for his collection made me want to jump on the gothic bandwagon. This fall season was a little goth, but I think it has shown to be a new way to incorporate a little darkness into your closet. (In my next post Marc Jacobs and Rodarte joined the dark side too). But it is important to add that a lot of pink has been on the runway like at J. Crew and Boss. Delpozo has to be one of my favorite design houses ever; the designs are so innovative and breathtaking and this season was no different. The colors and shapes were perfection. I really really liked Coach 1941! The sporty feel is the closest I will ever feel to being athletic with the varsity jackets, and I’m ok with that! Carolina Herrera was a dream. And if someone does not wear that gorgeous purple gown to the Oscars, I will devastated. At Diane Von Furstenberg the 70’s era was in full throttle along with other collections too. Diane also incorporated some cross body fur stoles that were in other collections. One more post to go to cap off New York Fashion Week. Stay tuned!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

All images via Vogue Runway

New York New York

13 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

autumn, AW16, blogger, collection, fall, fall fashion, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, happy, inspiration, love, New York, ootd, outfit idea, runway, style

Finally, New York Fashion Week has begun! I’m so excited I can barely contain myself. These photos below are a compilation of the first two days. First of all the Saint Laurent show was held in LA this season, and it was wondrous. One of the best I have ever seen. The colors and textures were truly magnificent. One of my fave looks: The midi embroidered head to toe with feather cuffs!! My heart truly melted. I need that dress immediately. A look I’m picking up on as of now is more and more turtlenecks, this means true happiness for me because if theres one thing to know about me is that I adore turtlenecks. Only a few more things excite me than seeing a turtleneck in such an inspiring look as Saint Laurent has offered. Jason Wu was all over the place but in the best possible way. He had short dresses, long dresses, pants, skirts, you name it. But a certain look reminded me if Cher Horowitz from Clueless was present today she totally rock this look with its matching plaid jacket and skirt. BCBG was cozy and something comforting I would live in at this moment. The cold shoulder look is still here: just look at Cushnie et Ochs! Heels are back which I do not know how exactly I feel… I’ll get back you on that. But nevertheless they are back with a vengeance (and come in black Mary Jane form). And speaking of the color black: black is of course the new black. Timeless and effortlessly cool, its had an appearance in every collection big or small it plays a role. So keep tuned because Fashion month has just begun.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

All images via Vogue Runway

Gimme Me More Couture

06 Saturday Feb 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in fashion

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

blogger, chanel, collection, couture, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, happy, haute couture, inspiration, love, runway, style

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Though Couture week has come and gone I am still left mesmerized by what I saw. Yes, this review is late but these gorgeous clothes have not left my mind. First off Chanel Haute Couture was a complete dream, per usual. Karl Lagerfeld took a “green” approach this season and it was quite lovely because everything was decadent and rich and was over the top beautiful in every possible way. Though the words I just used to describe the collection do not seem eco-friendly the collection proved it was just that with healthy resources used in the collection that will last forever and are timeless just like the collection itself. Now onto Atelier Versace I rather enjoyed it and thought the clothes were executed beautifully as the unfinished suit Gigi Hadid wore was really sexy and strong all wrapped into one. Giambattista Valli Haute Couture was a fluffy (very fluffy) dream. The gowns are always a sight to see just by themselves and I just adore seeing them float effortlessly down the runway. Dior Haute Couture was wonderful due to the circumstances of having head designer, Raf Simons, resign at the helm of Dior. I thought the staff did a wonderful job and I really enjoyed what I saw. Armani Privé was intriguing due to the color choice of mauve, which grew on me more as the collection progressed. Armani is always so classic and just really pleasing to the eye. Finally Valentino Haute Couture was just so inspiring it left me breathless. The way the head designers find ways to inspire them is just wondrous. The models were ethereal and so were the ravishing gowns. Everything was just perfect.

The Display

18 Monday Jan 2016

Posted by isabellegpringle in miscellaneous

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

blogger, fashion, fashion blogger, fashionable, inspiration, love, style

As one of my final assignments in my Teen Vogue x Parsons program, I had to go to my local retail outlet aka the mall to find some displays that were compelling to me. I found the Louis Vuitton display breathtaking as always. I am always so amazed at how wonderful and different each display is. I cannot even comprehend what I see because it is so magnificent and truly inspiring and fresh. It is like nothing I have seen before. And then the inside of the store as well is beautiful with bags in small shelving units from floor to ceiling so that each accessory gets its own shining moment.

IMG_1935.JPG

← Older posts

Subscribe

  • Entries (RSS)
  • Comments (RSS)

Archives

  • November 2020
  • February 2020
  • May 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • July 2018
  • December 2017
  • July 2017
  • February 2017
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015

Categories

  • fashion
  • Info
  • miscellaneous
  • style
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • garvey and p.
    • Join 106 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • garvey and p.
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...