Posts Tagged ‘style’
Ode to a dress
Posted on: April 4, 2013
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When considering options, nothing compares to the style and comfort of a dress. Dresses come complete. Top and bottom, perfectly cut, matched and coordinated. Dresses always look more chic than anything else a woman can wear (in public). Dresses are cool when it’s hot. And, with tights, dresses are comfy when it’s chilly.
Dresses hide a multitude of issues. Tuck a tummy, hide your hips, lengthen your legs. Dresses are appropriate for work, play, special occasion, picnics, dances… Dresses are flexible – worn with a jacket for day, a wrap for evening.
A dress with pearls is sophisticated. A dress with a wooden bead necklace is bohemian. Blingy costume jewelry adds sparkle.
Ballet flats or stilettos, boots or booties. Ah, a dress. Is there anything it can’t do? Tomorrow, slip into a dress and see how it instantly makes you feel better.
The business of fashion
Posted on: April 2, 2013
My favourite fashion show these days is @NBCFashionStar – a competition-style ‘unscripted’ show that pits designers against each other… with a twist. It incorporates the need to have one of three retail chains purchase designers’ clothes to ensure the contestants make it through to the next round. Further, viewers can buy the selected clothes online from the retailers within minutes. Clothes available as part of the show often sell out at either Express Macy’s or Saks Fifth Avenue. This high-low empire dress by designers JesseRay Vasquez and Garrett Gerson is already sold out at Macy’s:
What I love about this is the rounded view the show gives viewers of the fashion industry. Designers are given a challenge each week and have to create ‘saleable’ fashions that the store buyers want in stock. It’s not just about fashion as art. It’s not about out-of-range couture creations. It’s about the fashion industry as a business.
The show offers a glimpse at not only what it takes to create great fashion, but also what buyers look for when considering merchandise. When a designer’s piece is selected, the successful buyer explains what made the item so marketable. And, when a designer fails to sell his or her piece, the buyers identify why the item was not picked up. This is a fascinating look at the business of fashion, from concept to sale. It is further validated when the successful designs are sold out at the retailers.
No other unscripted show gives viewers such a complete look inside an industry. If you’re interested in fashion, you should check it out. Fridays on NBC.
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French women are famously chic. It starts with their self-confidence and the way they are always appropriately dressed for every occasion. They are effortlessly elegant, perfectly poised and always au courant. Their mannerisms are refined; their deportment is flawless. And, I find them inspiring. If they have a certain je ne sais quois, it’s because of the time and attention they pay to their appearances.
Having recently done a little research into the stylish French, here are some things I’ve learned:
- Quality matters. Always buy the best clothes you can afford. It’s better to have fewer clothes of higher quality, than an overload of cheap or poorly made clothes.
- Wear clothes appropriate to the event, and when in doubt, it’s generally better to be overdressed than underdressed. (Although black tie is only appropriate for black tie events.)
- Pull together your entire look thoughtfully: top, skirt/pants, shoes, hose, handbag, jewelry, belt. Always check a full length mirror before you leave the house.
- Dress ‘up.’ Never leave the house in yoga pants or sweats unless you’re on your way to work out. Throw out all your old, misshapen, oversized t-shirts. Even if you’re just going to the mailbox or corner store, wear jeans or trousers and a nice top. You never know who you’ll see.
- Be neat and clean. Throw out anything ripped, stained or damaged. Make sure your clothes are clean and pressed. Use a lint brush. Shine your shoes.
- Accessorize judiciously. A scarf or statement necklace can complete an outfit. Wear one or the other; not both. Balance is important. Resist the urge to wear too many pieces at once.
- Put your best foot forward: shoes complete your look. Pumps, booties, wedges, platforms or penny loafers… choose the right shoe for the right occasion. Never wear flip flops (even bejeweled ones) to work. Match your socks to your shoes, not your trousers. Wear hose with pumps, and bare legs and a cute pedi with strappy sandals. Match your shoes and your belt – but it’s not necessary to match your shoes and your handbag.
Find your personal fashion style – and own it!
Chic is an attitude
Posted on: March 20, 2013
Elegant or casual? Sophisticated or sloppy? Fashionable or frumpy?
How you present yourself to the world is a reflection of your inner self. Self esteem plays a huge role in how people pull themselves together each day.
Consider this. In many cities around the world, work attire is expected to be a suit and tie, pant suit, dress or jacket and skirt. No jeans. No flip flops. No yoga pants.
So why do people come to work dressed like they are on vacation or ready to weed the garden? When you’re dressed for the gym, what makes you think you are projecting a capable, competent attitude?
Chic is an attitude – but it’s also a reflection about how you feel about yourself. Well, here’s an idea: why not get dressed to honour yourself and others with whom you will work today? Why not demonstrate that you’re worth the effort to look polished, instead of looking like you just rolled out of bed.
I know lots of people who look sharp every day. Sadly, I know more people who look like they’ve given up the will to live. You don’t need to wear expensive designer clothes, but you owe it to yourself and others to wear appropriate attire to work – and that means clothes that are clean, neat and in good repair; clothes that are reflective of your inner spirit and attitude; and clothes that reflect your confidence and competence.
After all, to quote a major brand of hair colour, you’re worth it.
Here are some great looks to inspire you>
Try a little tenderness
Posted on: March 12, 2013
Why are we so judgmental? It’s amazing to me how hard we are on each other. Every where we go, people are being judged – the way they look, how they dress, what size they wear.
No wonder we’re all a bunch of walking insecurities! I’m not just talking fashion, although it’s an easy – and highly visible – target.
How many times have you overheard (or said) something snarky about a total stranger walking down the street? It’s ironic. We cavalierly deliver such comments, yet would be devastated to be on the receiving end. We’d sure hate for the person to hear what we just said. So why do we do it? We need to be nicer to one another, and, well, cut a little slack.
So here’s a challenge. Today when you walk down the street, enter an elevator, stroll the shopping centre or attend a meeting, try to find something nice to say to the people you encounter. Brighten someone’s day. Be positive. And hope that others will do the same for you. Because we all could use a break.
This past week, I was incredibly fortunate to participate as a dresser for runway shows at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). I had a surreal opportunity to get up-close with top designer fashion as I helped out at eight runway shows.
What’s it like to be a dresser? Intense. Stressful. Amazing.
Here’s what a typical call looks like:
Arrive. Wait. Get assignment. Go to racks. Review “look” card. Understand the styling, accessories, shoe changes. Use lint brush. Meet model. Have her try on her shoes.
Dress model:
Start from the inside out, bottom up. That means hosiery first, then skirt/pants, then top. Shoes and accessories last. When pulling dresses or tops over the models’ heads, put a “head scarf” over the model’s face to protect the garment from her makeup. Send her to the runway line up where stylists, hair and makeup staff do final touches.
Whew!
If your model has to change mid-way through the show, that adds to the pressure. A game plan is needed to gently remove the first look and put on the second look. Sometimes, shoes are shared with another model, so coordinating with other dressers is important. Attention to detail is critical. The model’s finished look must match the display card, right down to scrunching gloves or tying bows on belts. Oh, and you only have about three minutes to change into second looks and get your model back into the runway line up.
When the show is over, dressers are responsible to re-hang all the clothes in “showroom ready” condition. That means all zippers zipped, buttons buttoned and snaps snapped. Looks are usually pulled together into one garment bag. The designer’s staff does a final inventory to make sure all the pieces are there, and then we are dismissed.
The entire backstage crew was wonderful to work with – very professional and patient as I learned my way. Thanks to Barbara Berman for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity as part of my studies as an image consultant through the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. It was a wonderful ‘hands-on’ experience to augment my coursework and helped me better understand the fashion industry.
NOTE: Check out all the looks from NYFW online at Vogue: http://www.vogue.co.uk/event/new-york-fashion-week
We all know the top fashion labels –and drool over the ones we covet but cannot afford. What makes luxury so, well, luxurious? Details. Fabrics. Tailoring. Finishing.
Oh, and it usually comes with a designer label and a fairly healthy price tag.
So what do you think about designer labels producing lines for discount stores? This trend started with Isaac Mizrahi developing a line for Target in 2003. At the time he was a trailblazer, taking his designs to everyday consumers. Today this trend continues with designers working with a range of stores to create exclusive lines at affordable prices. Prabal Gurung and Zac Posen for Target, and Vera Wang for Kohl’s, are examples of how top level designers have created lower priced lines for everyday wear.
I’m interested to hear what people think about this. The fabrics, details and finishing on discount lines are nowhere near the quality of couture fashion. But the labels are the same. Is this an attempt to connect with mass consumers? Or are designers just looking to make a pile of money. After all, Mizrahi’s five year run with Target garnered him about $300 million a year.
So – cheap luxury. Agree or disagree? Discuss.
Winter clearance sales
Posted on: January 31, 2013
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Now is a great time to pick up the basics on sale. As stores clear out winter merchandise to make way for spring fashion, look to pick up classic pieces that stand the test of time, such as:
- T-shirts (long and short sleeve) in neutrals: black, white, navy, beige.
- Cashmere cardigans, turtlenecks and mock neck sweaters are clearing out at great deals. Again, look for neutrals that never go out of style.
- Wool blend trousers and skirts
- Winter coats and jackets
- Scarves, hats and gloves
Some tips:
- Look for classic styles and quality fabrics.
- Avoid trendy prints and patterns that are not likely to be in style next season.
- Avoid fashion forward styles that have run their course. These are likely to be on sale at deep discounts, but it’s unlikely you will want to wear them next year as they’ll be out of style. Fashion forward styles are the most exciting but have the briefest ‘shelf lives.’
Happy hunting!
Save the tatas
Posted on: October 14, 2012
Dream collection of handbags
Posted on: October 13, 2012
- In: Accessorize | Fashion | Trends
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