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You don't have to be famous to live out your own red carpet moment. there are certain milestones in life: a ball, a wedding, a sweet sixteen, an anniversary- that deserve all the attention a starlet receives on her photographer-lined way into a Hollywood event. At these times obsess. It's totally acceptable.
I do it with my clients every time, no matter how major the event is. If it's their wedding day, engagement, birthday, I want them to feel as amazing as theylook. Together we want the photographs 'that run' in albums to reflect that.
Channeling your own red carpet moment can do wonders for your mood & mind. I've always held the opinion that any reason to dress up is absolutely reasonable. There's no reason to show up in tracksuit & scrappy T-shirt, leave that for when no one else is around.
Dressing up is an opportunity to flaunt another side of you.
In my line of work, I'm like a fairy godmother on a mission to make dreams come true. Sometimes I even get to be the designer who lends her clothes to women who are willing to look the part, that night!
Everyone has these Cinderella moments in mind. Getting there doesn't have to involve a couture dress. You can have something copied & made. That is where I can help your dream turn to reality! The trick is to find something that makes you feel beautiful. Once you're at the big event, you should look & feel so amazing that your only concern is having a good time.
Dressing up is about celebrating. It is living it up. It's what differentiates the cork-popping moments from the everyday routine of our lives. Whatever the occasion, you should dress like it means something.
Your appearance shows your appreciation for being invited.
Even if you only have a couple of hours' notice to toast a special something or other, knowing what to wear should come to mind instantly & effortlessly. The only way that's going to happen is by being prepared. Don't wait for the day before, let alone the day of the event, to syle yourself. Having -everything- ready in advance will ensure against stress & panic, ruining what's supposed to be a few hours of fun. A rush decision ends up blowing money & time. We've all been there: hours before the event, racing out & buying a pair of heels which we should not be splurging on.
Take stock, plan ahead! This is the only way to really know what you have & don't have for the party. It is important to know what you have squirreled away in your closets & drawers, in the jewelry case. No wardrobe is too small to overlook in this process.
As a stylist, one of my primary concerns is preparing every picture-perfect item necessary for a client to attend their function/wedding/engagement/gala ball...The process typically begins a month or more in advance, we select the style of the dress making sure it suits my client's body shape, skin complection & hair style. Then we pair it with shoes, jewelry & clutch that perfectly suits the occassion. The outfit must hang on the client just right, using body slimmers, nipple pads or the right bra that suits.
The point is to have these basics in your wardrobe before the invitation arrives:
1. Classic black dress;
2. Nude or black patent pumps;
3. Great gold cuff or bracelett;
4. Perfect red lipstick;
5. Fishnets & black tights;
6. An all-season wrap or shawl;
My Tiffany Cuff. The white gold & 18ct yellow gold on the Daisy design accentuates style & elegance.
Strike A Pose
With my clients, I always take photos of their look. I can see whether the flats make you look stubby in a knee length dress. You can see whether the trousers are flattering or exaggerating your flaws.
A photograph can show whether a colour washes you out, if too much jewelry is made worse by too much hair.
I always observe my clients on how they walk & carry themselves. A single dress can determine a pose or walk. During a fitting before pick up, we take photos of clients the way that looks best in the design. It's a good way for anyone to get the full picture before stepping out for the big night.
What is the best way to pose? How you pose for a picture can be the difference b/w looking your best or looking like a slouch with ten extra kilos. It can ruin the line of the dress.
The standard beauty pagent pose is one hand planted on a hip with the other arm straight down. It causes you to consider how the rest of your figure appears (stomach in, shoulders back).
Natural poses: are hands hanging relaxed at the sides of the body (not too stiff). Or one hand gracefully holding an evening clutch, while the other hangs down relaxed. Palms best face the thighs.
As for your face a chin tipped slightly up can stretch out a double chin. Keep lips partially open or smile generously. Vamp it up, but don't appear like a caricature of a drag queen or beauty pagent contestant. When in doubt smile, all the flaws disappear.
Going Vintage & Keeping Options Open!
Finding the right elements in fashion is so much about high & low dressing eg. pairing a $100 party dress with a pair of $542 Jimmy Choo heels or a pair of 180 Euro Roberto Durville heels.
When going vintage, you're avoiding 'trendy' (that's Red Carpet). Vintage is a liberating option. It's timeless!
Why Glamour?
Day-off essentials
There is something magical about Glamour. You can't sleep in late everyday & expect the good life to happen! You have to be willing to give more than 9-5. You have to chase your dreams as hard as you want them. Passion will bring you success, but it can never ever be driven by how sexy the job or lifestyle is.
Obstacles, can be people who want to knock you down. There's always competition. Try not to get tangled up in pettiness. Smile! I guess even though it's work, I have a ball doing what I do. I am living through my passion for creativity & design. It's a vicarious trip through people & places that inspire me to learn.
I am always striving for perfection. To be glamorous is to master one's life & to balance it with duty. Glamour can mean to be strong, compassionate, professional & elegant. It's the science of using your own inner power - what we call magic.
Glamour can come from the way you dress, naturally, without trying too hard. A true sense of style is not just follwing fashion, but being unique. Having a style is the best way to present yourself.
Glamour has it's place in work or play. But when it comes to the office, think chic instead of glitz.
My work uniform is a pair of black jersey pants or dark washed jeans, a drapey shirt, a little jacket/cardi or a knit wrap. In springtime my favorite look is a flowing jersey dress with wedges & possibly a belt. For winter it's a drapey knit sweater (cowl neck).
A jacket/wrap can give an outfit a complete look. My field is not corporate.
DENIM RULES:
I believe jeans can be worn in a list of scenarios. I wear them for work & play & occasionally on a night out. Denim should be used not abused.
Finding the best silhoutte for your body, is the way to go. Keep it basic. Studs, embroidery are okay. It is good to have a good pair of jeans, ready to wear. At the moment I love my Ben Sherman straight leg jeans, they'rn not dark denim but good for summer. Great fitting/looking jeans should not look like they're squeezing you out. In all, you don't need to diet. You just need a different shape & size.
Jeans are sexy & very much about fashion. Break up denim. Go with the jeans or go with the jacket. Don't double denim! My advice: stay away from coloured denim unless you're a sixteen year old experimenting with coloured denim.
FOOTWEAR:
Those who know me know I live in heels. On my days off, my thongs or espadrilles are platforms. I even went to Mount Macedon in my tough, wedge shoes. But that's me! I don't own a pair of sneakers, I borrow my daughters if I have to. Sneakers go against glamour, they should be worn for excercise only (in my book). I like keds - on my daughter.
1. Great fitting jeans (dark wash)
2. A room jersey/wool top (t shirt)
3. A wrap dress in cotton, jersey or another knit
4. A tote or other roomy bag
5. Nude lip gloss
6. An all season wrap
7. Sunglasses
8. Glam footwear (flats, boots, wedges)
Accessories are everything
Jewellery is a conversation piece. Always make sure to have on at least one piece that you love before you leave the house. It's like a talisman you can touch throughout the day.
BASIC JEWELLERY
* Diamond studs
* Hoop earrings (white & yellow gold)
* Big earrings
* Real or fake pearls
* A watch (I wear chunky men's watches)
* A simple everyday chain, with a meaningful charm
* A bracelet: bangle or cuff
* Sparkly crystal necklace or earings
Specs Appeal
Handbags
Oversized sunnies are always in my books and even if the trend passes, I wear big dark glasses.
No matter how glaring the sun, you should not hide behind dark glasses on your special day, that involves formal wear, for engagements or weddings.
For me the bolder the bag the better. I love a striking colour or notice-me details.
A woman who carreis something with bohemian accents is showing a more relaxed side. She who holds a structured classic tote demands to be taken more seriously. The girl with the latest It bag is loves being trendy. There is nothing wrong with that. A nondescript black bag indicates she is not a risk taker.
I bought my Dior Sunglasses from Paris, from SOLARIS -where you can find the ultimate sunglass collection. I had to have the latest designer pair as worn in Europe-summer 2008.
I love my Jimmy Choo bag, it's so versatile I can dress it up or go casual. It's very stylish & elegant with a relaxed shape!
These 4 pairs of shoes are essential
Bride To Be.....Accessorise your wedding look
Necklaces, bracelets and earrings do not have to match but tie your look together with a common theme. Be it complementary colours, materials or styles.
Staying in theme If you've chosen a gown to match your theme, your accessories should follow suit. Some popular directions for today's bride:
Beach bride. Evoke the sand and sea with semi-precious stones, soft coloured resin jewellery or jewellery that incorporates shell.
Going for all-out glamour. Diamonds and crystals are a glamour girl's best friend, but do keep in mind that a minimal approach works best when it comes to sparkle.
Traditional at heart. A demure style calls for classic pearls, structured bows and a fingertip or floor-length veil.
Vintage pretty. No need to need to get stuck in the past, but antique pieces can add charm to a modern gown or follow the lead of an ultra-feminine style. A brooch that fastens a sash or accents the decolletage is a popular choice.
Ballerina flat / Metallic strappy sandals / Plain knee high boots / Great black pump shoes
A shoe can completely change the look of the outfit. When the shoe & bag appear rich, the clothes can be cheaper and it's not noticeable.
SHOES are my weakness! I buy a pair for every occassion and I always buy from the different places that I visit.
Over the Top!
Christian Louboutin's new shoes are fit for a queen $8676!
