Giving Back, Forever in Style

As we head into the holiday season, the season of giving, we are faced with decisions on what to give family and friends. But what about giving back, as in giving to charities? Recently in the December issue of Marie Claire, a special feature was run on designers who donate to charities, the spread was called, 15Hereos by Design, We Salute You. Although this feature did not showcase any new trends or sneak peeks into designer’s collections, I still find it pertinent to the fashion industry. In hard economic times, it seems as if those who are already suffering suffer even more. These designers who are willing to give back make a large statement when charities are in more need of support than ever before. The featured designers are some of the top in the world including, Ralph Lauren, Kenneth Cole, Dian von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Donatella Versace, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta. The variety of charities the designers support and donate to is commendable. Raising awareness about AIDS in Africa, breast cancer, orphans in Africa, earthquake victims in Sichuan, China, are just a few of the charities that designers have made a part of their lives. One of the interviews I was most intrigued by was Oscar de la Renta. He supports New Yorkers for Children, a foundation that works to find homes for orphans and foster children and also to help them further their education through scholarships, tutoring programs, job training, and networking opportunities. I personally was touched my De la Renta’s word when he was quoted as saying, “Every child deserves a proper education and the support of a family whether it is the family that they are born into or the one that finds them. New Yorkers for Children finds these young people and gives them a family. They lend their support and their means, encouraging every child, regardless of their past, to go after their dreams and build their futures. And for me, there is nothing more important in the world than to make a child a smile.” I agree with Oscar de la Renta’s statement, seeing children faced with hardships succeed and giving them the resources to expand and enter the real world is a great thing. So as you hunt for the perfect gift this season, keep in mind the option of donating to a charity in someone’s name. Don’t forget that a little bit of help can go a long way, and that you might affect someone you don’t even know.
http://newyorkersforchildren.org/

Learning How to Jump

Recently I found myself flipping through the pages of Instyle®, the December issue. Style 100, is one the largest sections in this issue as it outlines some of the biggest fashion moments of the year. As I turned each page reading captions for each picture, I came across an emerging trend that I recently embraced. The “Evolution of The Jumpsuit,” the section was dubbed, discussed the jumpsuit trend as it has translated into 2009 fashionable terms, when compared to females who were wearing the piece back in the 1930s. The jumpsuit has evolved from the likes of Amelia Earhart to Farrah Fawcett to the designs of Stella McCartney. I personally have always been enamored with one piece ensembles that seem more complicated, and as a result I recently purchased a jumpsuit. Finding one that fit properly was the key, I searched for a jumpsuit that would fit my proportions in the waist but also in the legs. This balance was hard to come by, being a short person, but having long legs and a short waist, made my hunt difficult, but finally I found success in a strapless, drop waist jumpsuit. Being a design student the difficulties in the balance of proportion of these pieces was very intriguing. Having learned the basics of fitting and tailoring, I can comprehend the difficulties in universalizing sizes in a piece that incorporates both waist and leg measurements. Through all my research while hunting for my jumpsuit I discovered most designers used knit fabrics such as jersey knits that drape well to overcome this fitting obstacle. Knits provide more room for various sizes, allowing for more customers to fit into the jumpsuit. My shopping extravaganza turned into a learning process which once again demonstrates the complexities of the fashion business.

Never to Young to Sparkle

While the economy still stands in an uncomfortably low place it seems as if the fashion world will not succumb to that level, instead the ante has been upped as sequins become one of the most popular embellishments for this winter. Having always had this fascination with things that sparkle, the reemergence of the popularity of sequins has brought me back to the days of dress up; when as a young child no outfit was complete without something that was shiny or a little flashy. The days of dressing up as a princess or fairy are where I return to when I see sequined shoes, blazer, leggings, and pants. I cannot help holding back my excitement. In days where recess no longer exists, I find it comforting to revisit my childhood in a grownup but fashionable way. One of my favorite clothing brands, White House Black Market® has flooded their winter lines with the very garments that lead me back to memory lane. I recently received their catalog in the mail and proceeded to drool over the black sequined pumps that would look ever so festive with the sequined tuxedo blazer. When I did not think it could get any better I turned the page to find a pair of sequined pants. Although those might be a little over the top for me, the fact that they exist in a mature fashion brand makes me grin, as I indulge in things that I once wore when I was not even able to tie my shoes. Maybe it is because I cannot help but reminisce or maybe it is because I have always been attracted to things that sparkle, but no matter what, I am a fan of the sequin revolution and can guarantee, I will be counting my pennies until one of these pieces finds a home in my closet.

A Few Desirable Pieces...



*Photos Compliments of: whitehouseblackmarket.com

Seeing Red

Being a lover of fashion has currently left me in a predicament; I have an undying desire of wanting a pair of the most coveted high heels known to any fashionista. I have succumbed to the bandwagon behind Christian Louboutin. The red sole is such a trademark in a fashion world where distinction is key. I will plead my case though; the design behind each of his shoes is purely magnificent. The sex appeal and classic look are untouchable and have not been matched by any other shoe designer in my personal opinion. Even his flats ooze a certain attitude that only a select group of fashionistas could pull off (also only a certain group, with wallets deep enough to support the habit). But my desire to have these shoes makes me wonder, is it the popularity that has me drooling over them, or is something else? In October, I had the honor of assisting with the Christian Louboutin shoe signing at Neiman Marcus in Tyson’s Corner. Christian Louboutin, himself came to Neiman’s and sat down with a long line of his customers, who had newly purchased shoes. He personalized the bottoms of one of the shoes for each of his customers with a range of colored markers. Even his designs on the bottoms of these shoes, were just as mesmerizing as the shoe itself. Louboutin’s generosity and patience throughout the over three hour process was commendable. He spoke about the history of the design of each shoe, took pictures, and had friendly conversation with each of his customers. His modest and caring nature was evident as he made the experience personal for everyone. While assisting with the event, I got to handle more Louboutin’s than I could ever imagine. I, naturally, did shopping in my head picking the pair that I would want, if I had the funds to purchase such beauties. While organizing the shoes and preparing them for the signing, I marveled at all the intricate details that went into the creation of the shoes. The materials and construction were flawless. Every element was top of the line and finished without any errors or faults. These shoes are a piece of artwork due to all the hard work that goes into their magnificent construction. So after the event my desire for the coveted shoes is even more, but my understanding and appreciation of them has soared. No longer do I feel I am a follower of a trend, more of an admirer of such exclusive and marvelous craftsmanship.

A Group of Workers and the Honorable, Mr. Louboutin:

WuTastic

This past week I had the honor of meeting Jason Wu, famously known for designing Michelle Obama’s inauguration gown. Wu is a new comer in the fashion world, but at 26 he has already made his mark. Although I only briefly shook his hand and spoke with him shortly it was an amazing meeting. Standing next to someone that was not much older than I that had followed their dreams, similar to my own, and had succeeded was an incredible experience. His humble nature was captivating as it seemed he had not quite caught up to his own fame. It is not hard to see why he has become successful as a display of his newest collection was out for show at the fashion event. His clothes, in my opinion truly represented a woman’s body and the best way to display her greatest features. The colors and cuts reminded me of a young Peter Som, the silhouettes would truly compliment many different sizes and shapes. Wu also did not overlook small details as all of the seams of his garments were covered with bias tape, so no raw edges could be seen on the inside. This small attribute adds to the class of his line and look, it is an expensive addition, but well worth the guaranteed satisfaction. The inside of his garments were just as alluring as the outside. Even this very small detail reinstated his young professionalism and was once again proof as to why he was becoming an established and desirable designer. At such a young age he has already conquered many of the hurdles within the fashion industry and has a stunning line that accents his young talent. The night was truly inspirational and it was reassuring to know that although this industry is incredibly difficult, one can truly follow their dreams and succeed. His advice was simply “work hard and keep pursuing.” Sometimes it cannot be any more blatant.

Mr. Wu and I:

Bundling up with Style

As temperatures begin to drop, out come the scarves, boots, gloves, hats, and of course the winter coat. As a lover of fashion, I try very hard to even make practical outfits fashionable. Sometimes this can be very difficult considering some of the winter conditions one can face and it is forever present that the state of the economy has played a large factor in the winter coat hunt. Fashion magazines from Vogue to Harper’s Bazaar and Elle have continually commented on the effect the economy has had on the winter fashion world. For myself this winter, I was in need of a new winter coat. I began my hunt searching for the perfect jacket; sensible, classy, fashionable, but above all practically priced and functional for the winter. I already owned a black pea cot, a very classic jacket, but I was ready to branch out slightly in hopes of finding a new staple in my winter wardrobe. Camel coats have always been a slight obsession of mine, I can’t truly explain what it is, but I have always been fascinated by the richness of the color and its standout presence in a sea of black and grey. So I found it fitting that my final selection was a camel coat for the approaching winter. I don’t want to bore anyone with the details, but the coat, if I might add is quite exquisite. The silhouette is very simple, the coat hits about mid thigh, and has a single set of buttons, a simple flat collar with beautifully curved edges, and a cream lining with magenta ribbon additions. I was very satisfied with my purchase, the cut and color, are classic and the coat can be worn forever, a slight deviation from the typical pea coat but still a timeless look. But the best part of my selection might have been my surprise, when flipping through my Vogue magazine and reading the tips for buying a sensible winter coat considering the state of the economy. Their biggest suggestion, buy camel! Being on the same page as Vogue, literally, made my winter already and I have not even had the chance to wear my coat!

Simply Stated

When standing in line at the grocery store or at any major superstore, we are constantly bombarded with huge headlines carefully worded and scripted on the covers of many glossy magazines. These headlines promise to speak about gossip filled stories, new fashion trends, how to lose 10 pounds without doing anything, how to shop on a dime, and many other eye catching and questionable, yet intriguing stories. But then there is always a rebel in every group. Harper’s Bazaar® always stands alone, as its cover is continually uncluttered, just an incredibly artistic fashion photo of the cover girl. Rarely is there more than ten words in a small accompany paragraph on the cover, words that never interfere with the artistic dramatics of the cover photo. The cover always appears to be extra glossy, once again, another defining characteristic in its uniqueness on the tabloid and magazines shelves. I have always loved fashion magazines and don’t discriminate against cluttered covers, but I truly do appreciate the minimalism of Harper’s Bazaar®. What they have done, in my opinion is let the fashion speak for itself. The cover girl, needs no accompanying clever words to sell a product, the photo does that on its own. Many of us already have stressful busy lives with lots of “clutter”, we turn to magazines to relax and indulge in the fashion pages. We don’t need any more of this “clutter” in our lives; we need the fashion handed to us straightforward, with no baggage, just a fashion edge. To me the simplicity that is a Harper’s Bazaar cover, is what fashion is all about, telling you a story without, ever having to open your mouth.

First Issue of Harper's Bazaar (1867):



Modern Day Cover of Harper's Bazaar:

Accesorize to the .... Low?

Accessories are a piece of the fashion world that most of us cannot live without. The obsessions do not stop at just handbags and shoes, but recent crazes with headbands, over the top jewelry, watches, and all other extra adornments seem to always be part of a fashionista’s outfit. Personally I love accessories and rarely have an outfit that does showcase one of these pieces. But how do you coordinate everything and make it look just right, or give off the look that one is not trying too hard, the answer, simplicity. Many a fashion icons have commented on the “take one thing off before you leave the house” rule including Coco Chanel herself. Simple can easily be defined as uncomplicated and effortless. Isn’t that what we want to look like every day, as if putting together a whole ensemble is effortless and we consistently look that great? Any fashionista will tell you the whole idea of being fashion forward is to be natural and graceful with your look. To start this conquest of simplicity, it is easiest to start with accessories. As a personal rule of thumb, I always choose just one or two items that are true statement pieces to help embellish my outfit. I love wearing a large piece of jewelry or a fun shoe that accentuates the simplicity of the rest of my ensemble. But you never want accessories to compete for attention, so that is why one must stick with the simple rule and just pick one area of focus to be the accessory that polishes the whole outfit. Ultimately, in the end, “less is more,” is an easy guideline to live life by fashionably.

Tackling Fashion For a Great Cause

Fashion can easily branch across many different aspects of life and one’s interests. This past week I had the opportunity to experience two of my “loves” cross paths, fashion and football. Growing up sports was always a big part of my life whether I was playing or watching a game on TV. Fashion is also obviously a big part of my life and a large part of who I am and who I aspire to be, so when I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Becky’s Fund Fashion Show I was ecstatic that two of my favorite things were coming together for a great cause. Becky’s Fund is a charity based out of Washington D.C. that’s mission is to end domestic violence through fostering awareness, encouraging advocacy, promoting activism, and creating support. The fashion show was also sponsored by running back for the Washington Redskins, Clinton Portis and Eric Finn Custom Clothier® founder and proprietor, Matthew Eric Landsberg. All of the garments in the fashion show were custom pieces done by Eric Finn®, many of the models were current and former members of the Washington Redskins, players from D.C. United as well as professional models walking all in support of Becky’s Fund. Many of the athletes who were already clients of Eric Finn® wore their own custom suits for the show. The night was full of hope and pride in support of helping a great cause. As a fan of football it was incredible to meet some of the Redskins players who were all impeccably dressed as well as very grateful to be able to help out with Becky’s Fund. Many of the suits worn by the athletes or supporters of the charity and clients of Eric Finn® featured pinstripes as well as plaids. Every stripe of each design was perfectly matched where seams met or the cut of the jacket lay. These pieces were absolute perfection and consistently accompanied by beautiful pocket squares, tie tacks, cuff links, as well as dress shoes that personified the character of the wearer. One of my favorite unique and personalized additions to the already impeccably tailored garments was the custom initial embroidery on the dress shirt cuffs. I had the opportunity to meet cornerback for the Washington Redskins, DeAngelo Hall and as I looked down as he shook my hand, the letters, D. Hall were beautifully scripted across his cuff. Although I know such custom designs existed before this event, seeing everything in person was such a learning experience. Also it was incredible to see how the custom clothier worked with the incredibly difficult out of proportion measurements of the professional athletes. Many of the football players were not built like an average person so when making the suits, certain areas had to be exaggerated or cinched to compensate for their athletic physique. For example, Clinton Portis is 5’11”, a relatively average height, but he has incredibly broad shoulders and is very muscular, but his waist is consequently very small. The custom suit had to be cut specifically to his proportions and measurements. This is not a hard task and just adds to the allure of the fine custom suits. The night was a perfect marriage of flawless fashion and sports as all attendees and volunteers marveled at the success of the event. Overall the event was a true learning experience and it was great to be a part of helping to support such a great cause.

Riding the Wave from Generation to Generation

Fashion Cycles have always amazed me as trends continue to return in different generations. One specific cycle I find very interesting is the resurgence of the RayBan® Wayfarer. This stylish set of shades, made their debut when Audrey Hepburn wore them in Breakfast at Tiffany’s®. But to me I vividly remember them when Jake and Elwood Blues wore them in The Blues Brothers® in 1980. The sunglasses that made their grand entrance via the silver screen have now made a major comeback as one of the most popular choice of shades for the younger generation. The Wayfarer® has now graced the pages of major fashion magazines as a must have! And the basic silhouette has been copied by many discount retailers. I personally own a pair but like to attribute my purchase to my love of the Blues Brothers. But maybe what I find so fascinating about this returning trend is how it carries across generations, even with in my own family. Like I mentioned earlier, I personally own a pair but so does my older brother, (for the record, I had mine first) and so does my Mom. And her pair is a two tone brown, while mine are the basic tortoiseshell! And to top it all off I guess my Dad had us all beat when he had his pair in the 80’s! So I guess, classic is always the way to go and in my family’s case I guess we now have the inspiration for our coordination for our Christmas card.

From one sibling duo to another...