Fashion

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March 8, 2010

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The two hidden gems I found on my last visit to Calgary. Calgary is definitely smaller and quieter than my hometown of Toronto but I manage to find some great little stores full of fabulous things. The first shop I wandered into was Kismet. The word “kismet” can be found in a number of languages – Turkish, Urdu, Hindi, and Persian to name a few – and it means “fate”. Fate is synonymous with destiny, but also implies change and a power impossible to resist. At its inception, Kismet was an import-based store getting much of its chic and somewhat funky inventory from the far and Middle East. As time went by, the shop evolved into a more up-scale high fashion boutique offering brand-name fashions from about 60 clothing lines and independent designers from around the world. I was super excited to find two of my favourite lines dish jeans and nougat, available in this chic boutique and that my fate lead me there.

My next find was Rubaiyat, a store that looked more like an outdoor garden decor store than a treasure trove of quality handcrafts from the windows I’m so happy that my curiosity forced me to take a peak because I spent close to 3 hours in the store gawking at all the beautiful things. This distinctive 17 Ave gallery and retailer carries imported artifacts and crafts from Africa and Asia, as well as ornate jewelery, art glass and home accessories by local, regional and international designers. Some of my favourite lines that they carry are Aurora Lopez, Me & Ro, Jeanine Payer and Satya Jewelry. It’s like I always say step into stores that may not be all that appealing or isn’t quite your taste because you’d be surprised what you can find. If your visiting Calgary and love to discover new and beautiful things these two shops are a must-see.

 

March 7, 2010

2010 Oscars Best Dress: My Pick

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By far my favourite dress at the 2010 Oscars. Beautiful, Elegant and Feminine.

 

March 4, 2010

London Fashion Week: Being True to Yourself

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I just returned from covering London Fashion Week for my blog and The Fashion Spot. While there, I was struck by how much fashion is a part of everyday life and, more importantly, that it belongs to everyone. London Fashion is about self-expression, not how thin you are, how much money you spend, or even if you know the rules…because in London, fashion has no rules. As a native I know quipped: “You can wear whatever you like in London and somebody will think you’re cool.

In other words, all pressure is off. Practical items like shoes, coats, umbrellas, and especially scarves become fashion statements. I felt naked going scarfless amongst the swathed masses (I kept forgetting to wear one because I wasn’t used to it). Most of the woolly neckwear looked like it could have been knit by your grandmother and the look–thrown lazily around the neck–make it a style absolutely anyone can pull off and, as my friend promised, look cool.


London fashion is intrinsically forgiving. Maybe it’s the weather, or the fact that everyone is too busy to fuss much over what they wear. Loose layers and less structure make clothes flattering for all figures and even the runway shows, at least those by the female designers, featured more wearable, less body-conscious, designs that reflected and catered to the lifestyle of the modern woman: one who cares about her appearance but has more going for her than simply looking pretty.

Local London designer, Betty Jackson, beloved by women who want luxury and comfort in concert, eschewed any pretense of prettiness with her roomy, relaxed clothing that remained haute couture. Jackson has confessed to an aversion to dressing up and delivered a collection that upped the ante for casual wear. Another Englishwoman, Nicole Farhi (in business now for 27 years) featured feminine day and evening wear with silhouettes that skimmed rather than hugged the body. Her philosophy could have been the credo for London Fashion Week and for anyone seeking to attain genuine personal style:

“You should be true to yourself with the clothes you wear.”

Feature Writer
Laura Kim Connell
For Those About to Shop
 

February 2, 2010

Walking the Walk

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Toronto model Stacey McKenzie has walked the runway for international design sensations Alexander McQueen, Christian Lacroix, and Jean-Paul Gaultier. It was a tough road to those glorious runways, however, and Stacey suffered countless rejections on her way up, including one in which a model agent took one look at her book and burst out laughing, inviting his cohorts to join in the fun…all right in front of Stacey.

Walk This Way Workshops is Stacey’s effort to help other girls and women bolster their self-esteem while providing the tools that will lead to a successful modelling career:

“I promised I would use all my expertise and advice to help model hopefuls make it to the next level. That’s where this workshop comes from,” Stacey said at the Spoke Club last weekend where she presented real-life examples of various genres of modelling including high fashion (the typical tall, slim model), plus size, commercial, body parts (hands and feet, for instance) and lingerie. Stacey was adamant that high fashion is only one small avenue into modelling and never to force yourself to embody those proportions if they are not naturally yours. Cory, a featured model agent, concurred:

“We don’t tell people to lose weight. If you’re naturally meant to be a (high fashion) model, great; if you’re not, don’t fight it.” Stacey added: “Find another niche; find another avenue.”

The audience consisted of both aspiring models and curious onlookers: Alannah Verneuil won her spot in the workshop after entering a contest in Verve Girl magazine on why she deserves the opportunity. At 5′1″ she fears height may be an impediment to her desired career. She no doubt benefitted from Stacey’s assuring words: “You have to find your niche. Technically, anybody could be a model.” Tonika, who runs a hip-hop feminist collective called The Medina, was fulfilling her new year’s resolution to “be more adventurous and step outside the safety zone.”

Stacey encouraged her pupils to stay true to themselves: “It’s important to have confidence. I wouldn’t have what I have if I didn’t love and accept myself. Modelling is a cut-throat business so it’s important for you to love and OWN who you are.”

That’s sound advice we can all use.

Read more on Stacey’s workshop here.

Feature Writer
Laura Connell
For Those About To Shop
 

January 14, 2010

Figure Formula Part IV: Hourglass

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When it comes to looking your best, try one of these style strategies. You’re a perfect hourglass if you have:

  • broad shoulders and a shapely bust
  • hips and a butt that are curvy
  • a smaller and defined waist

For the hourglass shape your fashion challenge is to keep your broad shoulders and wide hips balanced, while defining your waist.

  • Make the most of your small midsection. Cinch dresses, jackets and sweaters at the waist.
  • Choose a blazer that is shaped around your torso and hits at the hip, so as not to break up the beautiful line of your figure.
  • Choose pencil skirts or high-waisted skirts that hug your waist and run smoothly to your legs.
  • Pick mid-rise jeans, rather than low-rise jeans, to create a smoother line from your waist through your hips.
  • Pick a pointy-toed shoe in the same colour as your pants to strengthen the vertical line of your hourglass shape and keep you from looking too horizontally curvy. The taller the better!

 

January 12, 2010

The Shoe Diaries: Valentino

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Walk with elegance and grace and enjoy the feminine touch with these Valentino heels. “Lace – the invention of a goddess and the occupation of a queen.” Vinciolo  

Picture Above: Valentino Lace d’Orsay
Great With: A colourful taffeta wrap dress. Think evening allure…
Cost: $962 CDN
Where: Nordstrom
 

January 11, 2010

Fashion Is For All of Us

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Many people mistakenly believe fashion is not for them. They may despise the industry for imposing unrealistic beauty ideals, or feel intimidated by the apparent glamour: Vogue editor Anna Wintour believes a fear of being wrong-footed in their style choices drives some to poke fun at fashion; like outsiders who wish they could be part of an elite club.

Ben Barry, a Canadian model agent who has gained world renown for representing models of all ages, sizes, races and abilities, is challenging the notion of exclusivity through his success at getting a diverse array of models onto the runways:

I believe fashion belongs to all of us. Fashion allows us to express our personality, moods, and desires; it can allow us to play and experiment with different looks and attitudes; and it allows us to appreciate craftsmanship and artistic vision. While all of us might not be in the fashion industry, we all have a role to play in helping create authentic images. We can support brands and magazines with our dollar. We can still play a role by changing how we think and speak about beauty each day. We can actively deconstruct the artifice of fashion images by picking them apart with our kids and friends. We can shift the dominant oppressive definition of beauty by calling our friends non-physical attributes beautiful –their laugh, heart, and mind.

Ben is at the forefront of a movement that says the aspirational can also be attainable. Instead of promoting impossible images in magazines and on runways, fashion professionals can create looks that are achievable:

When we showcase diversity in fashion, we have to remember it is fashion; diverse models should have the same glamour and artistry as the other models. Diverse images are aspirational, but they are also attainable and honest. A woman can actually look like the model, achieve her look, if she too got her hair and make-up done and put on a similar outfit. And today’s world is about authenticity; artifice feels very five years ago.

Fashion is meant to be fun and playful. It is a way for us to express our authentic selves in a way that feels good to us. Regardless of shape or size, we need to dress in a way that flatters our physicality, and we should do so within budget. Fashion is indeed for all of us: the key is showcasing on the outside all the beauty that resides within.

*You can read the Ben Barry interview in its entirety on Feature Writer Laura Kim Connell’s blog: For Those About to Shop

 

January 7, 2010

Figure Formula Part III: Inverted Triangle

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When it comes to looking your best, try one of these style strategies. You’re a perfect inverted triangle if you have:

  • an average to above-average bust size
  • broad shoulders and a full upper back
  • a thick waist with not much difference between your waist and your bust or hips
  • a flat butt or one that appears to connect straight to the back of the thigh

For the inverted triangle shape your fashion challenge is to play down your wide shoulders and widen your bottom half to balance your figure overall.

  • Start with a supportive underwire bra with molded cups to shape and smooth.
  • Avoid high necklines, which can make large busts appear matronly. Aim for V-necks, U-necks and low scoop necks to reveal a verticle line of skin at your chest, drawing the eye away from your shoulders.
  • Wear circle skirts, pleated skirts and A-line skirts that create fullness around your hips where you want it.
  • Try long chandelier earrings, which break up the horizontal line of your wide shoulders.
  • Select bold colours and wild prints/patterns – but on your bottom half only.

 

January 5, 2010

The Shoe Diaries: Christian Louboutin

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Christian Louboutin’s trademark glossy red soles give an instant stamp of fashion excellence. The designer’s ethos is to “make shoes that are like jewels” and each unique design demonstrates unparalleled quality and an innate sultriness.

Picture Above: Christian Louboutin Lady Page
Great With: Anything! Everyone will stop and stare.
Cost: $995 USD
Where: Bergdorf Goodman
 

December 31, 2009

Figure Formula Part II: Rectangle

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When it comes to looking your best, try one of these style strategies. You’re a perfect rectangle if you have:

  • a small to medium chest
  • an undefined waist
  • narrow hips
  • minimal curves
  • a slender or athletic build

For the rectangle shape your fashion challenge is to bring your shoulders further out and add curves to your hips and bottom so that your waist looks smaller in comparison.

  • Details like bows and ruffles around the neckline will help to fill you out on top.
  • Shore up narrow hips with low-slung pants and a medium-to-wide belt.
  • Choose V-necks or U-necks that draw the eye up to you chest and create the illusion of a curvy silhouette.
  • Go with A-line or full skirts that have a wide waistband and taper outward, making it appear as if you have a curved waist.
  • Wear low-rise jeans that hit at the broadest point on your body to fake the look of curvy hips.
  • Select bangles or cuffs to add weight to your top and bottom half without adding fullness to your waist.

 

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