How I styled the fall segment

When Twin Cities Live asked me to style their fall fashion segment, I built every look around one rule: fall is about texture, not costume. Here is what each model wore and why.

The camel pencil skirt

A fitted black top, a camel skirt with tonal embroidery, a black western belt and tall black boots. The skirt is the color story, the belt is the hardware, the boots make it a cold weather outfit without a coat.

The black shirt dress

A long black shirt dress belted at the waist with a wide tan belt, black boots and a burgundy calf hair bag. One color head to toe reads tall and calm on camera, and the bag adds the only warmth it needs.

The satin bomber

A black satin bomber over a white tee, black trousers and pointed flats. This is the easiest look to copy: your most polished jacket over the simplest thing you own.

The patchwork denim

A long denim coat with contrast stitching over a dark tee and patchwork jeans, with work boots. Denim on denim works when the two pieces share a wash family and one of them is doing something unexpected.

Me

All black, a soft knit, a crisp trouser and a little leather, with one bold belt. On camera, black stays out of the way and texture does the talking.

Three things to take from all of it: pick one color story, mix at least two fabrics, and give every outfit a single piece that is clearly the point.