Flirty, Fun, & Up To No Good

Read on for the outfit breakdown, and something very special.

What I wore:

• Gathered skirt courtesy of Obakki
• geometric tights, pink square-neck sweater, platform sandals and headband: all from Target (literally in stores now, I bought them a few days ago when I was only there for tights. figures.)
• camera: canon 20D
• necklace: diamond infiniti necklace from Whitehall Jewelers

Behind The Outfit

Design house Obakki (founded by Treana Peake, wife of Ryan Peake of Nickelback) sent me a few items for my wardrobe (thank you, thank you, thank you!). One of the items was this skirt, and it was so fun to swoosh around in all day–I felt light and flirty and fun. Already of a favorite of Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Liev Schrieber and others, Obakki has been in Vogue, InStyle and WWD! I’ll just add my name to that list of fans. Because I’m in love with this skirt. I hiked it up for a more chic look, and also because I am short. (I’m 5’2″)

I paired it with crazy geometric tights because if there’s one thing I learned from Fashion Week coverage, it’s that mixing prints is The Thing To Do.

You might scoff at the brown platforms with the black tights (and black in the skirt), but I decided to go out on a limb because it needed some softness on the bottom half. The top half is balanced out with a soft knit sweater in a light pink, and large curls (thanks to my newly purchased 1 ½ inch curling iron I bought a few days ago!). I just love the headband, even if I did get a yarmulke remark from HB.

He just doesn’t know better.

Public Service Announcement! (Sort Of)

Obakki not only designs some extraordinary clothing, they also manage a charity, The Obakki Foundation, which is so amazing. It really appeals to the medical student in me.

The Obakki Foundation supports humanitarian causes by finding and nourishing creativity in all pockets of the world. It offers people hope, empowerment and the chance to learn and grow. It’s about giving people the opportunity to be creative; to use thoughts, ideas, art, and fashion to stand up and participate in improving their own lives — and the lives of their family, friends and neighbors. All proceeds go directly into their projects. Not just a percentage of the profits, not just some of the money – every dime goes back to the community. (I love that.)

Treana & Ryan Peake frequently visit Cameroon where the orphanages are located. Check out this video from their visit in December 2009:

I think it’s really a powerful idea because it encourages kids to realize that because of them, they received help. They don’t feel powerless or helpless when receiving a handout–they feel responsible. I love that there’s a psychological benefit in addition to the material benefits. When reading the pamphlet Obakki enclosed, I cried.

Please go check out Obakki and their foundation, it’s a gorgeous collection.

Obakki sent me the skirt solely for my use. I just feel passionately about the foundation and I love the collection, so I decided to write a little more in depth about both, to spread the word to you all. All opinions are my own, naturally. I’m too stubborn and headstrong to settle for anything less.

Keep an eye out for my skirt in the fashion show above! Yay!