Well we have been very busy lately getting things to pop into place. We are moving forward with the fashion project and the ducks are starting to line up!! We are going to introduce a new member of the team to you and he (that's right) he will also be blogging away. So now you will get words of wisdom and advice from Janice, Kenny and me.
Kenneth Dunn is a great addition to our team. He is currently living in the East Bay and like Janice has expertise in retail and merchandising. If you are ever in Nordstrom's at the Westfield Center in San Francisco, cruise by Via C for a consult. I promise that if you leave with a purchase it will be something that you love and something that looks good on you. Kenny like Janice and me, will not let you leave the store with a garment or outfit that screams WHY DID YOU BUY THAT!!!
We believe in honesty in shopping. Like truth in lending, we will tell you not that one. It will not work for you. Or, try this, I think it will look fabulous on you. Okay, there are garments that they will not even let you try on. Shopping should not be a terrifying or disheartening experience.
Let's face it ladies, one of the reasons some of us hate shopping is because of the awful experiences we have had. We find a garment that we like the look of, we try it on and we look horrible in it. We got the size 10 because it is what we normally wear and we can't even get out leg in it. We do not pay attention to cut and silhouette. we just see something pretty and we go for it.
Well one of the things a specialist can help you do is avoid those "I hate my body" shopping experiences. Now Janice and Kenny are really good at making sure that does not happen to you. So if you are local, go in and establish a relationship with them now. The anniversary sale is coming and you can do a little pre-sale selection.
So here is today's bit of advice. Shopping on the Internet is convenient. However, it can also be frustrating. Every label has different sizing and just because you wear a size 10 in Calvin Klein, doesn't mean that you will wear a size 10 in Tree. You really need to try your items on for fit. You can't do that on the Internet. Now you are returning the item or wearing something that doesn't really fit well.
When someone offers to sell you a $5,000 coat out of a look book just say no! That is a really bad idea and it will be very disheartening when you have to take it back to the store because it didn't fit and they can't find the right size anywhere in the system. Or, they didn't order your size and there is no way to let the shoulders out enough to make it a comfortable fit. Real look books are for those who are dreaming and want to place large orders. They were not originally designed to be used by the general public for shopping.
If you want to see the garments in person, it is about to be trunk show season. Go check a few of them out. It is generally a great way to see more of the designer's collection than the store included in the buy.
Have fun shopping ladies!!!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
You Have to Love Them
Okay everyone, Style.com, the on-line Vogue seems to be the bible. However, it seems to be missing a few of the good book's attributes.
Today I got an e-mail and it listed the ten best dressed. To me if you are among the best dressed you hit the mark 95 percent of the time. Well there were some on the list who haven't hit the mark 50 percent of the time. There was actually one photo (n0. 10) where my first thought was OMG what does she have on!
Of course the First Lady was on the list. She was sporting a Michael Kors that wasn't bad but I really wish she would lose the belts. When you are short-waisted you need belts that are low-slung around the hip. Otherwise you tend to look like you are trying to hold up the girls with a belt. Also, it is like the mainstream press is afraid to speak the truth. The First Lady does wear some great outfits on occasion. However in my opinion she has had far too many misses to be among the best dressed.
Others on the list were okay to great. However, I saw nothing fabulous. I guess I have extremely high standards. Oh well, it is better to have high standards than none at all. So I wish Style.com and others would just be honest and stop the best dressed based on status as opposed to really being well dressed.
Here is the other deal - - - the claim is that white is the new black. The proof offered was pulled from the runway shows for fall. Well here is another news flash. Winter white has been out there each and every year. It is classic and the only reason it is being touted as the new black is because Style says so.
Guess what ladies? There is still a lot of black, charcoal grey and navy coming out also. Chado Ralph Rucci had some great winter white last year. Why was there no mention of that? Donna Karan had some great winter white pieces last year. Why no mention of that? Style would tell you to draw big red circles on your cheeks because it is the new thing and people would fall for it.
Here is my suggestion - - - find your own style. Don't be a slave to what the mags say you should be; or look as they say you should. Not one of those women have the courage to say this dress is hideous or that dress is too short for anyone to wear. Or this designer must really hate women because he is dressing them in implements of torture.
If you look good in red then wear red. If you cannot pull off anything in white other than a shirt, don't feel badly. More important, don't go and buy a winter white suit just because Style says its hot. What's hot is confidence. How confident would you be wearing a color that makes you uncomfortable?
So as women strive to be who you are. And as for best dressed, well people may not like her but Sharon Stone is always pulled together. I'd vote for her. Also, for what it is worth two of the best dressed women of all time were Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana. Katherine Hepburn was also well dressed and Princess Grace. I'll do some research and give you a current best dressed list.
Today I got an e-mail and it listed the ten best dressed. To me if you are among the best dressed you hit the mark 95 percent of the time. Well there were some on the list who haven't hit the mark 50 percent of the time. There was actually one photo (n0. 10) where my first thought was OMG what does she have on!
Of course the First Lady was on the list. She was sporting a Michael Kors that wasn't bad but I really wish she would lose the belts. When you are short-waisted you need belts that are low-slung around the hip. Otherwise you tend to look like you are trying to hold up the girls with a belt. Also, it is like the mainstream press is afraid to speak the truth. The First Lady does wear some great outfits on occasion. However in my opinion she has had far too many misses to be among the best dressed.
Others on the list were okay to great. However, I saw nothing fabulous. I guess I have extremely high standards. Oh well, it is better to have high standards than none at all. So I wish Style.com and others would just be honest and stop the best dressed based on status as opposed to really being well dressed.
Here is the other deal - - - the claim is that white is the new black. The proof offered was pulled from the runway shows for fall. Well here is another news flash. Winter white has been out there each and every year. It is classic and the only reason it is being touted as the new black is because Style says so.
Guess what ladies? There is still a lot of black, charcoal grey and navy coming out also. Chado Ralph Rucci had some great winter white last year. Why was there no mention of that? Donna Karan had some great winter white pieces last year. Why no mention of that? Style would tell you to draw big red circles on your cheeks because it is the new thing and people would fall for it.
Here is my suggestion - - - find your own style. Don't be a slave to what the mags say you should be; or look as they say you should. Not one of those women have the courage to say this dress is hideous or that dress is too short for anyone to wear. Or this designer must really hate women because he is dressing them in implements of torture.
If you look good in red then wear red. If you cannot pull off anything in white other than a shirt, don't feel badly. More important, don't go and buy a winter white suit just because Style says its hot. What's hot is confidence. How confident would you be wearing a color that makes you uncomfortable?
So as women strive to be who you are. And as for best dressed, well people may not like her but Sharon Stone is always pulled together. I'd vote for her. Also, for what it is worth two of the best dressed women of all time were Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana. Katherine Hepburn was also well dressed and Princess Grace. I'll do some research and give you a current best dressed list.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The First 100 Days
Okay, last Wednesday marked the first 100 days. While the honeymoon is not over for the First Family, I think we can all make honest assessments at this time. As this is a fashion blog, we are going to comment on - - - you guessed it, the First Lady's fashion choices.
Let me start with this. I wish I were as tall as she is and had those killer arms and shoulders. Who am I kidding. At 5'3" I'd settle for just three or four more inches. That would solve the issue with getting pants hemmed, sleeves shortened, skirts hemmed (or if there is a border on the hem, re-cut and reattached at the waist). I also do not think that Mrs. Obama is showing too much arm. As I said, if I had those arms I'd be a happy woman.
However, I have to say that I am a bit disappointed with some of her choices and I do not think she is doing the American fashion industry justice. J. Crew is great and for casual knocking around it is a good choice. Mrs. Obama has truly connected with the everyday American woman.
People love that she shops off the rack. People love that they can afford what she is choosing to wear (okay $545 Lavin sneaks are out of many people's price range). However, there are times when I truly wish she would step up to her new station and dress the part. She owes it to the American public and to the American fashion industry.
My first disappointment was on election night. It was absolutely the wrong dress for the wrong occasion. Narcisco Rodriguez is a very talented designer and if you had seen the dress the way it was intended to be worn, it is a great dress. The dress is very open in the back and there may have been a thought that to wear it without that knit shrug would have been inappropriate. Also, if I had been selling her that dress (of course for a different occasion) I would have suggested one size larger and altered the bodice to fit. It was a bit too snug around the hips.
Next disappointment - - - inauguration day (the whole day)! Isabel Toledo, who was at one time with Anne Klein, was not a bad choice. She is a talented designer. For me the ensemble was a bit too sparkly for a daytime event and was not as classic as the occasion deserved. Also, had it been in a different fabric, it would have been great on her mother. It was too old and staid for Mrs. Obama. I know I have been talking about the American designers so this next comment may sound strange.
I would have gone to Ralph Lauren or Oscar de la Renta and asked them to design a very classic double breasted coat dress. The kind Yves Saint Laurent would have designed. That whole tuxedo jacket cut, classic lapels, etc. only longer. I would have used a double faced wool or a very nice wool crepe. And yes, I would have chosen midnight blue. You know that navy that is so dark it is hard to tell if it is black or blue.It could have been lined with pashmina for warmth or we could have hunted down some snuggies. If you are under 40 you may not know what those are. They are fancy long johns designed for women.
I would have popped it with a wonderful scarf that contained shades of pale and medium greys mixed with magenta and warm pinks on a cream colored base. I would have found a pair of medium grey cashmere lined leather gloves and an incredible pair of medium grey flat or low-heeled boots. It would have been a very sophisticated pulled together look. You could have made it a bit edgy with the choice of boots, and a very modern asymmetrical brooch. Or even one with beaded chains that simply drop to soft semi-circles.
The earrings were good but again if you wanted edgy that was a place to make your statement while maintaining a classic look. These are my thoughts and there are fashion people who will not agree but I defy them to tell me that every single appearance has been a hit.
The choice of gown for inauguration night was not the best for me. In defense of Mr. Wu, he was asked to design a gown for a special occasion. Had he known it was a ball gown he may have omitted or shortened the train. Also, he would have made it about an inch shorter. Ladies if you cannot see the tips of your shoes peeking from underneath the gown, it is too long. I will say this again and again and you will believe me when you spend an evening stepping on the hem of that gown, grinding dirt into it with every move.
Now, it may have been difficult but I would have approached Oscar de la Renta and asked if I could take his citrine charmeuse one shoulder gown for a spin. It is magnificent and it is from the pre-fall 2009 collection. Clearly citrine is a color Mrs. Obama likes. It would have been a better choice than the white, one shoulder Jason Wu that did not photograph well for television. I heard comments about chenille because you could not tell that the fluffy appliques were flowers. Even I would describe it as chenille from the television shots.
I can't even begin to address the state visit to Europe. Again, she should remember her new station and step up when appropriate. However, I must comment on the blue disaster. It was edgy but in my estimation wrong on so many levels. She needs to find a stylist who will keep her personality in mind, her penchant for comfort and her desire to remain connected to everyday fashion. It can be done. I would just stop doing all of the one-shot outfits. There are garments that she cannot were to public events again for the next 4 to 8 years. That is not a statement of frugality in difficult economic times.
I loved the outfit she wore at the concert at the Lincoln Memorial. It was pulled together, not overdone and looked comfortable and warm. If she wants to stick with Ikram, out of Chicago, then someone needs to have a serious discussion with them and explain the lay of the land. Start allowing Mrs. Obama to speak with some of the top fashion designers who can dress her for those all important state affairs. Someone who can explain protocol. Someone who can work with her to establish a look. Someone who knows how to do edgy on a classic canvas.
I have had discussions with Janice and we generally agree on most of the misses and hits so far. As far as wanting to stay connected to the everyday woman, then try some designers who design patterns for Vogue home sewing. There are many; Chado Ralph Rucci, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Badgley/Mischka just to name a few.
And for her next cocktail party, again, a killer dress from Oscar de la Renta. It is a black silk faille and lame one shoulder dress. The bodice treatment is classic for a one shoulder dress and the skirt is edgier than hell. I love it. If only I had the arms and shoulders to carry it off. It would be well worth the investment. Beautiful clothes make you feel beautiful. Yves Saint Laurent knew how to help women step into their power. So do the top names in fashion today. Mrs. Obama, please give them the opportunity to work with you. I promise you will love the experience.
Let me start with this. I wish I were as tall as she is and had those killer arms and shoulders. Who am I kidding. At 5'3" I'd settle for just three or four more inches. That would solve the issue with getting pants hemmed, sleeves shortened, skirts hemmed (or if there is a border on the hem, re-cut and reattached at the waist). I also do not think that Mrs. Obama is showing too much arm. As I said, if I had those arms I'd be a happy woman.
However, I have to say that I am a bit disappointed with some of her choices and I do not think she is doing the American fashion industry justice. J. Crew is great and for casual knocking around it is a good choice. Mrs. Obama has truly connected with the everyday American woman.
People love that she shops off the rack. People love that they can afford what she is choosing to wear (okay $545 Lavin sneaks are out of many people's price range). However, there are times when I truly wish she would step up to her new station and dress the part. She owes it to the American public and to the American fashion industry.
My first disappointment was on election night. It was absolutely the wrong dress for the wrong occasion. Narcisco Rodriguez is a very talented designer and if you had seen the dress the way it was intended to be worn, it is a great dress. The dress is very open in the back and there may have been a thought that to wear it without that knit shrug would have been inappropriate. Also, if I had been selling her that dress (of course for a different occasion) I would have suggested one size larger and altered the bodice to fit. It was a bit too snug around the hips.
Next disappointment - - - inauguration day (the whole day)! Isabel Toledo, who was at one time with Anne Klein, was not a bad choice. She is a talented designer. For me the ensemble was a bit too sparkly for a daytime event and was not as classic as the occasion deserved. Also, had it been in a different fabric, it would have been great on her mother. It was too old and staid for Mrs. Obama. I know I have been talking about the American designers so this next comment may sound strange.
I would have gone to Ralph Lauren or Oscar de la Renta and asked them to design a very classic double breasted coat dress. The kind Yves Saint Laurent would have designed. That whole tuxedo jacket cut, classic lapels, etc. only longer. I would have used a double faced wool or a very nice wool crepe. And yes, I would have chosen midnight blue. You know that navy that is so dark it is hard to tell if it is black or blue.It could have been lined with pashmina for warmth or we could have hunted down some snuggies. If you are under 40 you may not know what those are. They are fancy long johns designed for women.
I would have popped it with a wonderful scarf that contained shades of pale and medium greys mixed with magenta and warm pinks on a cream colored base. I would have found a pair of medium grey cashmere lined leather gloves and an incredible pair of medium grey flat or low-heeled boots. It would have been a very sophisticated pulled together look. You could have made it a bit edgy with the choice of boots, and a very modern asymmetrical brooch. Or even one with beaded chains that simply drop to soft semi-circles.
The earrings were good but again if you wanted edgy that was a place to make your statement while maintaining a classic look. These are my thoughts and there are fashion people who will not agree but I defy them to tell me that every single appearance has been a hit.
The choice of gown for inauguration night was not the best for me. In defense of Mr. Wu, he was asked to design a gown for a special occasion. Had he known it was a ball gown he may have omitted or shortened the train. Also, he would have made it about an inch shorter. Ladies if you cannot see the tips of your shoes peeking from underneath the gown, it is too long. I will say this again and again and you will believe me when you spend an evening stepping on the hem of that gown, grinding dirt into it with every move.
Now, it may have been difficult but I would have approached Oscar de la Renta and asked if I could take his citrine charmeuse one shoulder gown for a spin. It is magnificent and it is from the pre-fall 2009 collection. Clearly citrine is a color Mrs. Obama likes. It would have been a better choice than the white, one shoulder Jason Wu that did not photograph well for television. I heard comments about chenille because you could not tell that the fluffy appliques were flowers. Even I would describe it as chenille from the television shots.
I can't even begin to address the state visit to Europe. Again, she should remember her new station and step up when appropriate. However, I must comment on the blue disaster. It was edgy but in my estimation wrong on so many levels. She needs to find a stylist who will keep her personality in mind, her penchant for comfort and her desire to remain connected to everyday fashion. It can be done. I would just stop doing all of the one-shot outfits. There are garments that she cannot were to public events again for the next 4 to 8 years. That is not a statement of frugality in difficult economic times.
I loved the outfit she wore at the concert at the Lincoln Memorial. It was pulled together, not overdone and looked comfortable and warm. If she wants to stick with Ikram, out of Chicago, then someone needs to have a serious discussion with them and explain the lay of the land. Start allowing Mrs. Obama to speak with some of the top fashion designers who can dress her for those all important state affairs. Someone who can explain protocol. Someone who can work with her to establish a look. Someone who knows how to do edgy on a classic canvas.
I have had discussions with Janice and we generally agree on most of the misses and hits so far. As far as wanting to stay connected to the everyday woman, then try some designers who design patterns for Vogue home sewing. There are many; Chado Ralph Rucci, Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, Badgley/Mischka just to name a few.
And for her next cocktail party, again, a killer dress from Oscar de la Renta. It is a black silk faille and lame one shoulder dress. The bodice treatment is classic for a one shoulder dress and the skirt is edgier than hell. I love it. If only I had the arms and shoulders to carry it off. It would be well worth the investment. Beautiful clothes make you feel beautiful. Yves Saint Laurent knew how to help women step into their power. So do the top names in fashion today. Mrs. Obama, please give them the opportunity to work with you. I promise you will love the experience.
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