Getting Nostalgic at the Oscars

As my love and adoration for fashion grows, despite the fact that I am a self-professed movie buff, I find myself looking forward to the pre-Oscar show far more than the awards ceremony itself! I don't really care who's wearing what, but watching the designer greats being paraded up and down the red carpet, is quite riveting for a fashion hopeful like myself! Unfortunately, I found the Oscar wardrobe ensemble to be about as exciting as the show itself. And with the exception of Angelina Jolie's emaciated right leg, who now has its own twitter page, and the JLo's apparent nipple slip, the entire night was a disappointing fashion snore! So let's not dwell on the recent past, but instead, let's step way back in time and pay homage to the some of the greatest Oscar dresses of all time. 

When Audrey Hepburn stepped on the red carpet, photographers couldn't get enough of this lacey little number. Audrey donned this exact dress in her Oscar winning role in the Roman Holiday . The dress went to auction a couple of years ago, and is worth an estimated £60,000! Who could forget Julia's vintage simple but exquisite Valentino gown for the 2001 Academy Awards. The dress, though understated, was brought to life when Julia took the stage and won her first Oscar for her brilliant role in Erin Brokovitch. Loved the dress, loved the speech, love the girl!

She may not have donned a little gold statue, but Diane Lane looked ravishing in her Oscar de la Renta Ostrich gown for the 2003 Academy Awards. I'm not usually a fan of women wearing colour palettes that match their skin tone, but this gorgeous gown brought out the natural tawny golds in Diane's perfect complexion. The off-shoulder design highlighted the gentle slope of her shoulders and accentuated her naturally curvy figure. 

One of my personal favourites was Penelope Cruz's shop-stopping Atelier Versace original that she wore for the 2003 Oscars. Penelope rarely disappoints when she steps onto any red carpet, but she was perfection in peach in this breathtaking work of art. 

And to round off our Oscar favourites, I'll leave you with Halle Berry's fabulous Elie Saab. The iconic satin train, and strategically placed embroidery left jaws agape on the red carpet.  This was to be the most poignant moment in Halle's professional life when she took home the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in the gritty film, Monster's Ball. 

Street Chic

Ever wonder where the term "street fashion" came from? I always did. I never really understood what designers meant when they used the term "street". To me, the streets were a place of survival, a constant quest to get the basic essentials, unforgiving and gritty. But many of the world's top fashion houses have all experimented with "street fashion" at one point or another. There really isn't an era or time period associated with street fashion, but it does seem to be generally associated with youth, or a youth movement. It's not a trend that originated in fashion houses, or with specific designers, and you don't have to learn how to become a fashion designer to harness the eclectic style that is street fashion. You just have to have a little imagination, and be a little risky!

One of my favourite street style looks, is bohemian. And I'm not talking about looking like a wandering gypsy with patchwork bohemian, I mean, "chic and sophisticated, I am a creative being and I am embracing it" bohemian. Despite what women think, it's a look that absolutely every woman can pull of. Whether you're a high-powered attorney at a swanky firm, or a Starbucks barista paying your way through college, it's a look that encourages you to let your hair down, and embrace your inner goddess.

Another signature aspect of street style, is the punctuation of colour. Since there are absolutely no rules, yellows, bright oranges, neons, you name it, it's all fair game! As long as you can coordinate with a funky colour palette,  and you don't look like a Las Vegas casino billboard, you can rock it! Long gone the days of black, grey and off whites, colour is the new couture, and as a woman of colour who loves to rock her lime greens and bumblebee yellows in the dead of Spring, I am loving it!

In the past, street fashion has often been edgy, sharp and borderline masculine, but it's finally gone feminine. There's no need to hide that girlish figure behind a harsh motorcycle jacket and a pair of doc martins. Designers are putting the girl back in girly and cranking out some salaciously feminine pieces, especially for this spring. Street means edgy, and if you want to get that certain edge in a frilly sundress, accessorize with a leather studded belt and a pair of sandals, voila, sassy street style!

Hit The Slopes in Style

It's mid February and and for Canadian students, many of us are about to go on our Reading Break, which is the equivalent of Spring Break for our neighbours down south. While American students tend to love soaking up rays on the beaches of Mexico or Florida, Canadians can't get enough of life on the slopes! Western Canada and the Laurentians in Quebec, are often inundated with university students from across the country, looking to ski, snowboard, snowmobile or anything else that involves being out in the crisp, cold powder. Whether you're just beginning or you're a seasoned veteran, everyone wants to not only have the best gear, but wants to look fabulous on the mountain.

Safety First. Okay, yes, we want you to look fabulous, but it's more important that you are wearing pieces that will keep you warm, comfortable and safe. When you're just learning how to ski or board, you are bound to spend a lot of time on your butt, so you are definitely going to want to layer up. As a rule, I always wear a base layer, a thermal layer and a fitted piece over top that hold the warmth into the other two layers.

Water Resistant Required. There is nothing chic about getting wet in the cold. Even if you're active, you can run the risk of getting hypothermia if your body isn't kept warm. It's most important to keep your feet dry and warm, so stick to synthetic fabrics, or lightweight wool like Merino. Don't wear socks that are too heavy, and don't wear 100% pure cotton, it's doesn't dry. Wearing brands like Columbia, Arcteryx and Burton, will not only guarantee your warmth, but you'll look like a pro!

Hats, Gloves and Scarves, Oh My! Along with keeping your core warm, it's important to keep your head and hands warm. I'm a huge fan of wool. It's a natural fiber and it has natural properties that make it an ideal material for the wet and cold. Vermont Originals is one of my favourite wool hat companies. Hand crafted in the USA, they feature a line of funky hats that can be designed specifically for you!

Gloves are an essential part of your ski ensemble. And too often, I see skiers on the slopes that are wearing ill-fitting gloves. There is no no need to go overboard, but there is nothing wrong with spending $40 - $50 for a pair of excellent quality gloves. Snow equipment is costly, but in order to get as many seasons out of it as possible, it's important to purchase items that are high quality!

Ugh, I have Nothing to Wear!

 It's date night. You've known about it all week, but like me, you're a woman wearing multiple hats, with a schedule that probably requires a minimum of two executive assistants to balance it, and you've given little, if not, zero time to what you're going to wear for your beau tonight! You're scrambling around, tearing your closet apart, and you're about to have a fashion meltdown! Okay girls, let's take a deep, deep breath and regroup. Here are 5 wardrobe essentials that you will help you avoid any future fashion crises!

 The Perfect Little Black Dress
Absolutely every woman must have a little (or not so little) black dress in her wardrobe. It doesn't matter if you're a size 0 or a size 16, black is ultimately flattering, accentuates natural curves, it's wonderfully versatile. You can dress it up, or keep it casual, with hundreds of different accessory options, it's every woman's best friend, and no dress is the same.




 

The Crisp White Blouse
This is a personal favourite of mine, and I cannot tell you how often I've used this wardrobe piece. I've worn it to interviews, luncheons, evenings out, formal events, you name it, my go-to white blouse has been there! It can be made of silk, cotton, polyester, it doesn't really matter. Like the little black dress, it is one of the most versatile pieces you'll ever own. 



 

The Classic Dress Pant
Another must-have, dress pants, like jeans, can be tricky to shop for. Flare, bootleg, straight leg, skinny, the options are endless. We use the word "classic" because it should be your classic style. Personally, I have a petite frame, and I prefer a classic bootcut or a straight leg. Some of you may like a trouser style pant like the one pictured here. Which ever fit you choose, a chic dress pant can be a woman's secret weapon!

 Dazzling Denim

Every woman needs a pair or two (or ten!) of fabulous jeans. Don't get overwhelmed by all of the different fits. Despite what you may tell yourself, there is definitely a style out there that will look amazing on you, it just takes a little hunting around! Check out this style guide to help you. A beautiful pair of jeans can be made to look as formal as dress pants, and be dressed down for a walk in the park with your pup.

How to Dress for Your Body

As women, we've all spent countless hours in the changing room, feeling at the end of our proverbial rope because nothing seems to fit. It's almost like every designer in the world came together in some secret meeting and conspired to make everything in their collection completely unwearable to anyone who's above a size 6. Ladies, don't lose heart, there are plenty of designs out there that practically have your name sewn into them. What it all boils down to, is understanding your perceived flaws, and appreciating the natural curve and shape of your body. If you want,  it's possible to give the illusion of a nip here, and a tuck there, all under the guise of a well-constructed garment. Once you unlock the formula for making your body look bangin', you'll be turning heads everywhere you go! 

1) The Petite Figure. We should all be so lucky to be built like mini mouse right? Wrong! Sure, it may be fabulous being a size 0-6, but if you don't know where to look, it can be difficult to find fashionable jeans, trousers, or blouses that are designed for a shorter torso, or shorter legs. No respectable thirty-something year-old woman wants to be shopping in the teen section! Simple, clean lines and well tailored clothing looks best on a petite frame. When buying dresses, keep the hemline above the knee to give the illusion of longer legs and make you look taller. If you are donning a gorgeous petite, hour-glass shape, items like a wrap-dress, a sultry pencil skirt, and a blazer with a tailored fit are essential to your wardrobe! 

2) The Pear Shape. Don't fret ladies, pears are delicious, just like your shape! Women that are pear shaped are more curvy through the hips and derriere, and smaller on top. It's important to balance out the bottom by adding shape and detailing to the top half of your body. If you are self-concious about your shape, it's best to avoid tube dresses, pencil skirts and fish-tail hemlines. These are all designs that will accentuate your behind! A-line dresses, maxi skirts,  and blouses with embellished necklines or kimono sleeves attract attention to all the right places! 

3) The Rectangle. This is a body type that is often perceived as a little less shapely. But ladies, you have no idea how many women would kill for your shape! Your shoulders, hips and waist are a similar same ratio, hence the name rectangle, which often translates into women with this shape, look good in just about everything! However, there are designs that shouldn't don't flatter like sheath dresses and dropped waistlines that make your figure look more boyish. Lower cut blouses and shift dresses best accentuate curve and shape. 

Spring 2012 - Channel Your Inner Fashionista

For any of you seeking a career in fashion merchandising, having   your eye on the latest trends is essential. Last week, we shared with you some of the exciting up and coming trends for Spring 2012. Stunning vintage pieces like cloche hats, classic pearls and fascinators, along with bold, tropical prints, boxy silhouettes and earthen toned accessories. As we inch closer to the transition from thicker winter fabrics and into breezy Spring prints, we start to get a more realistic idea of trends that actually have a fighting chance of making it from the high flying catwalks of London and New York, to the mean streets Los Angeles, Chicago or Toronto.

All About the Midriff! Dolce & Gabbana, Anthony Vaccerello and Emilo Pucci are all about abs, abs ABS! Long flowy skirts, and undersized embellished bandeaus strutted their way down the runway. So you might want to grab yourself a copy of insanity ladies and start working on those six packs ladies. Or you can flip off this trend, happily sip away at your full fat Americano and stop freaking about losing a million pounds before the summer. This look isn't for everyone, myself included! Keep the long flowy skirt, and pair it with a pastel tank or fitted corset.

How about a trend all of us shapely gals that doesn't require us to skip lunch everyday! Thank goodness for the mavens of the roaring twenties! Flapper frocks are all the rage this Spring season and guess what, you don't have to be a triple zero like the waifs pictured above, to look look the part! The subtle, yet sensual boxy, low waisted silhouette is wearable by all! Let Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli and Gucci be your muses this season. Sequins, sateens, even jersey, the fabric matters not, it's all how you accessorize it.

Is there anything sexier than a woman in a suit? Yes, a woman rocking her confidence in a short-suit! This is a favourite trend of mine that, thankfully, designers keep reinventing. A girl can never have too many suits, and in every colour. Linens are always a favourite for spring and transition beautifully into sultry summer eves. 

We're seeing stripes! A splash of colour and dash of chevron and you've got a recipe for show-stopping look. Classic design houses like Dior and Burberry draw from the Art Deco movement of the 1930's and translate the geometric shapes of the era onto frocks, crop sweaters, capes and blouses. 

Crazy for Cloche and Other Vintage Treasures!

It's always interesting every year watching accessory designers scramble to think-up the next big thing to bring shock and awe to the runways of Fashion Week. This fall season was a fury of unique and refreshing designs. Stunning Navajo beadery, delicate feather extensions, chunky necklaces and bangles could all be seen on the worlds most prominent socialites. When Kim Kardashian dons 9 inch earrings, we scrambled to jump on the trend train. But what I am loving about this season, is our new found love affair with the illustrious, notorious, sensuous roaring 20's. The era where ladies of all classes donned boxy, shapeless silhouettes, calves and ankles were as sexy as decolletage and the bob was all the rage. It was a tumultuous time. Jazz was the spoken language, and the cloche hat was the most worn accessory of the time. Cloche hats were generally made of felt, so as to ensure they conformed comfortably to the head, and maintained and highlight the integrity of the bob. Later, fashion houses like Lanvin and in-house designer Jeanne-Marie Lanvin, capitalized on the popular trend by coordinating fashion designs with the cloche being the piece de resistance. Wool was often used by couture houses in London, Paris and New York to account for the severe winter weather. In the summer, months, hat-makers often used more light-weight material like straw, or sisal. It's chicness, and versatility that has allowed the cloche to stand the test of time, and is lovingly reinvented by the likes of Bergdorf Goodman, or more affordably, Jessica Simpson.  

Do you remember how enraptured we all were with the new Princess of Wales? Kate Middleton's style is affectionately copied the world over, but if there was an accessory that took off like the concord, it was the hair fascinator. No, this is not a modern day fashion super hero! Fascinators are beautiful headpieces that are often clipped to the hair with a bobby pin, or snap barrette. They're a gorgeous alternative to a full veil for brides that want to be a little more temptress and a little less priestess on their wedding day! Spice up your favourite little black dress, or spend at day at the races with the girls. The fascinator is a guaranteed conversation starter!

Pearls are also a timeless, and fabulous way to take a favourite outfit of yours back to an era of elegance. Larger pearls are perfect for a subtle black dress, or simple soft toned tank. Smaller pearls are ideal for outfits with more embellishments like lace, sequins or crocheted knits.