'80s Pop
"I always walk out of stores with blacks and grays," says Cassidy Ellis, executive producer of fashion website Moda Operandi. At our shoot, though, Ellis, 26, got adventurous, assembling this outfit featuring a bright yellow fringed skirt. "I like the contrast of the blue belt and orange bag with the leopard," she says.
Rocker Chick
"Animal prints are very elegant. They bring out your feminine side," says 26-year-old Nadia Kadynyova. The Russian-born real estate developer paired the blouse with tough-looking metallic heels and a David Bowie tee to create a visually intriguing juxtaposition of textures and shapes. "It's just the right amount of masculinity, with a ladylike touch."
Arty Mix
"I love leopard because it's not season-specific," says graphic designer Mariana Guerrico, 27, who layered the blouse beneath a paisley romper: "The floral works great with it, particularly around the neckline. Mixing colors and patterns is my favorite thing to do." Guerrico, originally from Argentina, says, "This look is eye-catching but not revealing. I have a bohemian style, so this is kind of ideal."
Uptown Smart
"I like to dress comfortably but with good fashion sense," says 25-year-old Benedita Pereira, who moved to Manhattan from Portugal three and a half years ago. "And I enjoy playing with color, especially in the spring and summer." Pereira, an actress, gravitated toward a safari-feeling outfit that enhances the blouse's yellows and oranges. "The gold camisole is a burst of color and gives the top a sense of lightness. It brightens up the whole look."
