Fashion blog by: Madisson Stanley
The Material Girl Collection was created by Lourdes ‘Lola’ Leon and her mother Madonna and was launched Aug. 3, 2010. Material was to be designed for and distributed to all Macy’s department stores. To give a number, 75 stores were signed off to have shops installed or ‘a store within a store’ as they’re normally referred to, and 120 were allowed a showcase with a moderate assortment. Our Macy’s located in Metro North Mall just wasn’t one of those ‘lucky stars’.
Usually I wouldn’t cover something that wasn’t local or easy for my readers to access, but this is by far my favorite collection that’s been growing since the day it hit stores. Material Girl clothing is available online with the same in- store prices and deals, so it’s possible to get your hands on these items, you’re just going to have to play it fast and loose with sizing.
First things first, Miss Lola is a fashion blogger herself, you can check HER out at; blog.materialgirlcollection.com. What I love most about her blog is she’s super on top of things. Every post is up to date on what’s happening in fashion, it’s not just self-promotion, she includes her personal favorites and introduces up-and-coming designers as well. She also has an entire sidebar dedicated to fellow bloggers. She chooses a celebrity icon every once in a while to hone in on and admires their personal style as a whole. To name a few of the honorable mentions, they include; Rihanna, Model Abbey Lee Kershaw, and the face of Material Girl itself, Kelly Osbourne. Lola is about self-empowerment and being true to your own individuality, which you don’t see a lot of in collections like these that just get thrown together and are factory distributed. It’s not about everyone being a carbon copy of what they think fashion is supposed to be, it’s being yourself starting with your clothes.
Back to the collection; it includes apparel, intimates, shoes, and beauty products. When I researched the prices, I rejoiced. Apparel is never marked over $70 and the cheapest item I found was down to $7 and it was still a great article of clothing. Beauty ranges from $7-$20, even those gift bundles with the perfume and lotion that are usually astronomically priced during the holidays. (I’m talking to you, Justin Bieber.) Intimates range from $5-$30. Shoes run nothing over $80, which as I’m sure you all are aware by now that I am a shoe hoarder and this makes me very happy. So not only is this collection ideal for any girl who already would look into clothes like this, but if you’re just looking to try to switch things up a bit from your norm, you could buy out an entire new wardrobe for basically $100. Who doesn’t love affordable fashion?
With Lola only being 16, she has an idea of what high school girls are seeing, and her designs are appropriate for ladies well into their 20s. So remember that time when you borrowed your sister’s new blouse that you swore you wouldn’t let anything happen to? Yeah, you can buy her a new one now, even if you’re just a few years too late.
The newest edition to the collection is the beauty products, which I was really impressed with. Although I haven’t had a chance to try them out myself, I still like the fact that she went the extra mile and chose to carry a line of scents and polishes. The makeup I’m skeptical about because I’m picky when it comes to shadows. But the scents are so enticing; “midnight magnolia’ and ‘wicked watermelon’ make me want to spray myself immediately just to smell how delicious they actually are. I also have a picture of polishes below that are my personal favorite from the assortment.
Now I don’t usually cover things like intimates because it’s a “to each his own” kind of thing. But all I really have to say is the spread is appropriate, it’s functional and it’s a happy medium. You no longer have to make the decision of Wal-Mart or Victoria’s Secret; you get the same look for the better price. Each item has a fun print and can be comfortable for any body type.
Now there may not be a huge selection of shoes as I would like, but they still have variety, and each shoe was made for versatility. You can choose from your everyday flats or boat shoes to knee-high boots and platform pumps. There’s something for everyone and any outfit you put together in the collection.
Last but not least, the apparel, the most important part. It was honestly love at first sight for me when I saw the first pictures released on a fashion blog of clothes that are in this collection. Currently, Material Girl has been updating its fall wardrobe with all of essentials, the hard stuff. Chic Faux fur vests, Leather boots, skirts, jackets, you name it. You’ve got your blacks and browns mixed in with your prints, leopards and florals to mix with your bolder colors like hot pinks and reds. Glitter accents, statement pieces doused in studs like belts, your winter knits built for layering. Cape coats for when it really gets ugly outside, and a cute sheer top to go underneath that goes perfectly with your brand new cross-body satchel. Everything is made to be mixed and matched together to fit each and every one of their girl’s personal style. I urge you to take a look around on the website, and dare you to find something you don’t like. This collection is ideal, not just for me, but for any girl who wants to flaunt what they’ve got even when they’re on a budget. Cause we’re all just material girls living in a material world, and after this article I think everyone can conclude I am a Material Girl. But are you?
Amen fashion,
Madisson
Photos from: www.macys.com