Summer’s here and boy, is it hot! Well, I guess it depends on where you are but for the most part, the heat waves seem to be right on schedule. You can opt to stay inside and chill out with the air conditioner on full blast (and pay for it when the electric bill comes) OR you can go dress yourself up for the summer and have fun outdoors! Guess what I suggest?
Here are some tips on how to dress for the heat and maybe get some longing stares down your way.
• Sweat much? Don’t wear silks or heavy linens. Opt for cotton and light fabrics instead. While these materials may NOT stop your glands from producing sweat, stains will not be much of a problem.
• Time to ditch the black and other dark colors. It’s common knowledge – white and other light colors are necessary to beat the heat while staying hot.
• Let the breeze in. Forget tights and body hugging clothing. While they may accentuate your curves, they just might make you feel irritable and uncomfortable all day. Instead, opt for light breezy designs that will let the air in and make you feel cool all day long.
• Go bag shopping. That is, if all that you can find in your closet are big heavy bags. You may not think much about the bag you lug around but during summer, a heavy bag can make you feel warmer and more uncomfortable. Buy a couple of smaller bags that you can use instead.
Any other hot summer tips?
June 28th, 2009 in
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Who is your favorite model? Do you lean towards waif-like creatures (think Kate Moss) or do you prefer a woman with a whole lot of curves?
In Australia, believe or not, they prefer models who have a little bit of weight in them. That is not to say that plus size is the trend – although I seriously wouldn’t mind if this happened. However, Australian fashion designers have admitted that they have had to tell models that they are “too thin” and that they need to “put on more weight.”
This is quite contrary to what we are seeing in the international fashion circuit, where thin and thinner is what people want. Indeed, the pressure of going size zero seems to be getting to some Australian fashion designers. According to Damien Woolnough, the online editor of Vogue Australia, many Australian designers are now following the lead of the international community and that models AND clothes are ever shrinking.
Still, there are those who think that Australian fashion will be able to resist the international trend. Priscilla Leighton Clark, the owner of Priscilla’s Modelling Agency and judge on Australia’s Next Top Model, says that she thinks that her fellow Australians prefer sporty bodies rather than pole thin ones. As such, she thinks that the country will be able to resist the “zero size pressure.”
I really hope so. I may not live down under and may not be affected by what happens in the fashion world there, but hey, realistic sizes are always my thing. After all, not everyone can be a size zero, right?
The world of fashion is an ever changing landscape. While we do have certain fashion designers who have made names for themselves and can be considered fixtures in the fashion world, there is no doubt that new talent crop up all the time. These are the people that you should be on the lookout for if you’re the type who likes fresh ideas.
The Council of Fashion Designers of America awarded nine upcoming fashion designers, who are to receive financial assistance from Swarovski Crystal. Here are some of my favorites.
Alexander Wang
The label Wang launched in 2005 while still attending Parsons The New School of Design is steadily expanding. There’s been a full womenswear collection since 2007 and come July there’ll be men’s. Wang, a 25-year-old California native, says he’s appreciative of the recognition he’s received. (His runway shows are hot tickets: Sarah Jessica Parker attended the last one.)
Thakoon Panichgul
Thakoon Panichgul is, at 34, a veteran of the council’s emerging designer category — he was previously a nominee in 2006 and 2007. And while he has steadily gained buzz, it was first lady Michelle Obama, who wore a Thakoon dress at last year’s Democratic convention, who really ramped up his name recognition.
Patrick Ervell
He envisions a look in American men’s sportswear, one that’s more modern than the Americana epitomized by a more traditional designer like Ralph Lauren. His own personal uniform is “Levis and a T-shirt.”
Chic women’s fashion, the person who dresses the First Lady, and men’s sportswear. What else do you need?
June 20th, 2009 in
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The subject of race is just as sensitive as the issue of sexuality (as displayed in public). The recent fashion show held in Sao Paolo, Brazil took on both issues at the same time with no qualms.
The Sao Paolo Fashion Week kicked off with two of the most beautiful models today: Gisele Bundchen and Jesus Luz. In case that second name triggered bells and you just can’t figure out where you saw it before, that is the name of Madonna’s “toyboy.” Well, they were photographed kissing after a concert by the Material Girl in Brazil, but Luz has denied any deep attachment to her. In any case, his pay and career have only become better for the association.
Anyhow, this year’s fashion week in Sao Paolo is rather controversial, not only for the amount of skin shown, but also for the color. For the first time, quotas have been set in place. The rule is that at least 10 percent of the models participating in the show have to be black or indigenous. It used to be that less than 3 percent of the models were black – a disparity since the population in the country is about 50% of African descent.
Naturally, there were mixed reactions to the quotas. Some say that this is a good start, although there really shouldn’t be quotas and that what is needed is a full inclusion of black models in the industry. Others quietly say that the reason for fewer black models is the fact that the clothing are designed for the sleeker bodies of Caucasians and not the more muscular bodies of blacks.
In any case, this really ought to be a great thing for the fashion world, race differences aside.
If there is one thing that trendsetters have in mind, it is that they want to look unique. I know many people whose worst nightmare is showing up at a party (or any gig for that matter) and finding another girl wearing the same exact same dress. Wake me up!!!
That is why I love going for the vintage look. The idea behind vintage is that while you get that unmistakable aura of something coming from a time before now, you tend to get pieces that are not likely to have been replicated, right?
Well think again. I would be the first to admit that the chances of finding two similar (or maybe even the same!) items of vintage clothing are quite high. Sad to say, vintage clothing is not always one of a kind.
But what if you really have this thing going on for vintage? Should the chances of bumping into someone else wearing the same dress put you off?
My answer’s a definite no! Instead, why not follow this tip from Mary Kincaid of Style Hive? She suggests going for hand-painted vintage clothing, for the very reason I have outline above:
Let’s not kid ourselves…not every piece of vintage clothing we see is totally unique. When you’ve been buying and wearing vintage clothing as long as I have, you occasionally find yourself shopping the thrifts or online sites and seeing something very familiar. It takes just a moment and then you realize you either have the exact same item in your own closet or you’ve sold it in the past. And I’m always surprised how frequently this actually happens. So that’s why I’m a complete sucker for any hand-painted vintage pieces–each one is totally unique. And there’s something very special about wearing a custom-made piece that exhibits someone’s artistry.
Indeed, hand-painted anything normally offers that one of a kind look that many of us look for. Start your hunt now!
“It’s an honor to have been selected by Mr Armani to represent the Emporio Armani Underwear brand and to execute his vision with the incredibly talented team of Mert & Marcus”
Posh Spice is now officially an icon, as Victoria Beckham has landed a 3-year deal with Emporio Armani lingerie, for a cool $20M.
Hubby David, who’s been doing the men’s underwear line for a while, was apparently thrilled with wifey’s pics and no doubt, the tidy $40M they’ll both be making.
Luckily she hasn’t been looking as emaciated as usual, and Victoria says that she’s been “working hard” i.e. the airbrush hasn’t been hard at work.
“You know, I’ve been doing a lot of running. Because obviously, you think I look okay, but if I’m going to be taking my clothes off I will need to tone up a little bit, so I worked hard to have the confidence to do it,” she said.
I love sunglasses for three very good, easy reasons:
1. They can snazz up an outfit or look in an instant -Without glasses- ordinary Olive/ with the new Oliver Peoples - Jackie O!
2. They are the cheapest form of wearing a designer label - $250 for the latest Prada shades, $800 for the latest Prada bag
3. They serve a practical purpose - Protecting your peepers from the sun while holidaying in Martinique or from the undesirables while on a sidewalk cafe in Paris.
On Vogue’s website, I found a great article on the latest sunglasses trends, and the retro styles were decidedly my favorite for the season. Here are my picks!
1. Ray-Ban Clubmasters - I love the candy summery colors of this Retro style, like the red ones pictured above. They’re much cooler than the Risky-business-Wayfarers I think, and can instantly make you feel and look like a Hollywood ingenue. From $120 at Ray-Ban.
2. Lacoste Limited Edition Capsule Eyewear - Stretchy Lacoste shirts are a useful weekend staple for any girl’s closet, and their limited edition sunglasses made for their 75th Birthday are a great accompaniment. I especially like the clean, understated look of these pristine white ones. The men’s versions are even more retro, with a CHiPs feel. Sooo worth pulling over for!
3. Lulu Guinness Ingrid Sunglasses - I love, love Lulu’s ladylike styles which make me want to don a shift dress and have tea and mini sandwiches with my French poodle. These Ingrid sunglasses have the most adorable polka dots which are perfect for the summer. Around $150
With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, Fashionistas will be happy to know that there will be an event not just about planting trees, recycling or turning off your lights. On Thursday, April 23rd in New York City, the 3rd Annual Fashion show called “Project Earth Day” will take place, showcasing the latest in eco-friendly fashion and sustainable practices and design.
Instead of the usual dreary stuff we normally associate with “green” clothing, expect to be wowed with creations fashioned from sustainable materials like organic cotton and hemp, soy, bamboo, corn, wood pulp, recycled items and biodegradable textiles. Apparently, last year’s show was a huge success, and this year’s show is meant to be even better.
Organizers of the event are the Emerging Green Builders (who are part of the U.S. Green building council), young professionals and students dedicated to green building of the future. The fashion show will also include a competion featuring students work, who stands to win a mentorship and cash prize of $1,500.
“…In these modern times, individuals, companies, and even countries often consume more than they produce, using resources and creating waste in disproportionately large shares. This has seemed to work until now, but things are clearly not as they seem. The time has come for us to shift the weight and take a step back to consider a different reality – one where size is relative and small changes can have a huge impact. True sustainability is ultimately a carefully achieved balance between commerce, humanity, and the environment…”
This exciting event will take place from 6pm on Thursday, April 23rd at Open House, Mulberry Street NYC. To purchase tickets, click here.
I love the idea of green undies. I suppose it’s because they are the one article of clothing closest to our skin, and when one reads all this awful stuff about how these ordinary products are actually treated with scary chemicals and made under dodgy conditions, it makes sense to be extra careful.
So when I found out that Marks and Spencer, one of my favourite brands of undies since I was a child, had built what is probably the world’s most eco-friendly factory in Thurulie (not far from the capital, Colombo), Sri Lanka, I was excited and pleased. It’s amazingly a 100 per cent carbon neutral, 100 per cent green, 100 per cent ethical factory - in a lush, green, tropical setting that looks more like the latest eco-friendly boutique hotel rather than a factory. Apparently, after seeing Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, M & S chairman Sir Stuart Rose made a plan to actually do something about climate change through his business, creating a “5-point 100 step initiative” which involves things as simple as reducing plastic bags and hangers to building amazing factories like this.
The undies are very reasonably priced too. Like the “Per Una” Organic briefs above (panties) which range from £2.00 - £6.00 or under $12. Bras are no more than about £15 or $30.
One of the things I noticed immediately during the Oscars were Angelina Jolie’s supersize-me emerald earrings. Even the hubby, who rarely notices these things, was like “Whoh! Those can’t be real!”
Apparently, Angelina took a lot of time hunting for the perfect pair to wear for Oscar night, wanting it to be a real show stopper. Well, she obviously did the job (with $2.5 mil beauties by jeweler-to-the-stars Lorraine Schwartz) and along with Kate Winslet, who also donned large chandelier earrings, now started a fashion trend because statement earrings are now officially HOT for 2009.
Why? Well, the economic downturn is to blame (again), because look-at-me earrings can revamp a look instantly, so you can recycle an outfit and freshen it up with bold accessories - the eighties also have a big influence here. Think bright, glam and bold…okay, not flawless gargantuan emeralds, but you get the idea.
Other statement earrings seen on the catwalk were Chanel’s Mademoiselle offerings and Louis Vuitton’s colorful beads.
