Does SIZE really MATTER?

Because I always thought that great Style has No Size.  Go Figure – you don’t have to be Twiggy to be stylish.

I think attitude has a lot to do with it too. Kate Moss might say “nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” but I think it should be “nothing feels as good as feeling good about yourself.” Let’s have a look at some stunningly SEXY….smallish PLUS sized ladies comfortable in their own skin who can give any of us a run for our money in the style “with attitude” department.

The "Queen" herself.  Photo from Images
I would curtsy to the “Queen” herself.  Photo from Images.

Of course there’s a PLUS side to being thin in the advantage that clothes drape well on smaller sized bodies.  That’s why almost every model you see strutting down the runway is stick thin (except for Giselle who has an amazingly toned body).  But that doesn’t make you a stylish person.  It makes you a fashion(able) person.

Amazing Adele - beautiful dress at the Grammy's.
Amazing Adele – rocking a beautiful dress at the Grammys.

So could skinny finally be on its way out? Realistically, no.

Even Supermodel Lara Stone who is, by normal standards, very slim, admitted: “A lot of people say it’s nice to see someone who won’t break in half when you touch them.  But I am still a woman and a person, and if you’re compared and confronted with your colleagues and they’re half you size you think, “F***, I’m really fat!”’

But is seems that the fashion world is slowly making progress by beginning to accept more varied body shapes (it’s about time – women come in all shapes & sizes), and that there remains plenty of opportunity to embrace women that really look like women.

Photography: Solve Sundsbo
                                                    Photography: Solve Sundsbo

 

Style – Timeless Textures & Pleasing Prints

Pretty or Princely in Paisley.

It mostly reminds me of wearing flannel pajamas. paisley 1 paisley 2 paisley 3 paisley 4 paisley 5

It’s a print pattern that dates back to ancient times, appearing on fabrics all around the world.

The Beatles popularized it as psychedelic on their 1968 pilgrimage to India, where it was everywhere, but in fact paisley derives from the “town of Paisley”, in central paisley 6Scotland, a centre for textiles where paisley designs first were produced.

The New Oxford Dictionary defines paisley as ‘a distinctive intricate pattern of curved, feather-shaped figures based on a pine cone design from India‘ .

 While many people may dislike paisley, the new look of this pattern with different style and color combinations  works winningly for everyone. The current paisley is vibrant and epitomizes spring with its lush colors.

Whatever its origin, wearing curlicued teardrops makes a woman or man stand out wherever they go.

It’s nice to know some things never change….or maybe change if only slightly.

style & substance – Grey Matters

50 Shades or more.  Okay, so I’m just one more person making a play on words of “that” book and I haven’t even read it.  But the title did get me thinking of all the glorious variations on this timeless hue.  Grey is classic like black and white –a wardrobe staple that never goes out of season. A neutral (never boring) shade that can be worn with almost every color and dressed up with accessories.  It suits almost every skin tone too.  It’s a great basic to any outfit.grey clothing

Some name droppingFeather, Heather, Dove, Gunmetal, Charcoal, Pebble, Pewter, Platinum, Oyster, Pearl, Cement, Ash, Nickel, Mica, Iron, Hematite…..any more that you can think of?

A grey bag goes with everything.
A grey bag goes with everything.

style & substance – The BIG FIVE of the Fashion Kingdom

Interesting facts about some of the most popular luxury fashion houses:

1)      Hermès:

Details, details.
Details, details – jungle love

The majority of Hermès is still family-owned (71% is family; 29% is public shares), which means it has the luxury of taking risks when it wants to and staying the course when it doesn’t.  The length of thread necessary to make 1,000 Hermès scarves is equal to the distance between the earth and the moon.  One silk moth yields one scarf.

The Kelly bag (named after Grace Kelly and the second most sought after bag after the Birkin) is made with 36 pieces of leather and 680 hand stitches.

Hermès start in fine jewelry came from working with silver to trim saddlery – so the house’s first clients were horses!

2)      Louis Vuitton:  The Louis Vuitton brand is not just one of the most popular brands in the world, but also one of the most valuable.  Focus on its heritage as a travel brand helps it to retain its core customer–the jet setter. What you probably don’t know is the fact that every single one of the Louis Vuitton handbags is handmade and this is definitely something that justifies the high price some of their items have. But it gives you a great feeling knowing that what you wear has been created especially for you by a person with passion for design.

Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas
Angelina Jolie for Louis Vuitton Monogram Canvas

Automobile collectors probably know this, but what most women don’t know is the fact that there is an event called Louis Vuitton Classic that is sponsored by the brand and concerns automobile collectors. They also sponsor events that deal with sailing such as The Louis Vuitton Cup, an event that regards international yachting. I bet you never thought about that when you were dreaming of that beautiful Louis Vuitton bag.

3)      Chanel: It is no secret to anyone who calls themselves a lover of fashion that Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel is thought to be one of the most influential figures in fashion history.  She has been credited as the person that gave the “little black dress” its fame. But there is also talk that she started the trend that made sun tanning popular. Rumor has it that in 1923 she was on a cruise bound for the Cannes and by mishap got a bad case of sun burn. She was able to somehow make a bad tan look fabulous, thus starting a trend in favor of sun kissed skin.

Kim Kardashian
Kim Kardashian

Marilyn Monroe’s favorite scent was Chanel No 5. which led her to become the official face of the fragrance. This is arguably one of the first records of a celebrity endorsement.

As everyone knows, Karl Lagerfeld is the current Head Designer and Creative Director of Chanel and a legend in his own right.  He is considered one of the most acclaimed fashion designers in the world.  Known for his bold designs and constant reinvention, he’s been hailed in Vogue magazine as the “unparalleled interpreter of the mood of the moment.”

4)      Guccigucci belt

The loafer
The loafer

In the grand Italian fashion, Gucci as long been known for its leather goods, and 2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the house’s iconic loafer.  Over the years the preppy staple has been loved by such boldfaced names as Sophia Loren, Jodie Foster, and Jane Birkin (Hermès named their most popular bag after her) who famously wore the shoes with wide-legged white pants and a barely there lace crop top.  The brand is celebrating in style by issuing new versions of the classic, including patent leather in a full spectrum of colors, including orange, coral, blue, green, yellow and red.  Long live the loafer!

5)      Dior:  J’adore!

Charlize Theron in Dior
Charlize Theron in Dior
Dior Saddle Bag
Dior Saddle Bag

Christian Dior had a love for architecture and this is one of the features that inspired him to make clothes that showed the female body’s ethereal appearance. He designed clothes that showed the width of the hips and gave importance to the bust area.

Christian Dior believed in luck. In fact, he believed that the most important feature that kept him going and made him successful was good luck.  It worked.  But he was also known to be very superstitious and he never began a couture show without having consulted his tarot card reader.

In 1949, Dior was the first couturier to arrange licensed production of his designs. Having realized the importance of the complete look – and that the New Look could not be successfully achieved without the correct Dior shoes, gloves and hat.

On February 12, 1947, Dior showed his debut collection, presenting 90 different looks.  The opulence of his designs contrasted with the grim post-war reality of Europe, and helped re-establish Paris as the joyful fashion capital it had once been.  The house was inundated with orders and world-famous stars such as Rita Hayworth and Margot Fonteyn bought and wore pieces, raising Dior’s profile significantly. Dior was even invited to stage a private presentation of the collection for the British royal family – although King George V  reportedly forbade the young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, from wearing the New Look in case it set a bad example at a time when rationing was still in force.

In 1955, a 19-year-old Yves Saint Laurent (does that name sound familiar?) became Dior’s design assistant. Of course the rest is history.  Recently after long speculation on who would finally replace John Galliano ( who got fired from the job) at Dior, the word had finally gotten out – it’s Belgian designer Raf Simons who made the cut as the new Artistic Director of women’s Haute Couture for the house of Dior.

Don’t you just love fashion!

style & design – the wonderful world of WOLFORD

wolford stockings3I can’t imagine a world without Wolford!  I’ve never enjoyed wearing stockings so much and they’ve made it difficult to go back to basics.  Wolford is a remarkable brand onto themselves.  A stunning range of fashion tights & hosiery incomparable to anything else on the current market.  Basically no other stocking can compare. They make a fashion statement on their own.  Instead of putting your stockings on last, you put these on first and then find something to go along.  Most likely people won’t be able to take their eyes off your legs so you can stick on the plainest dress or skirt overtop and it will look great. wolford1

Wolford is known mainly for glamorous legwear but they’ve grown to include an international premium brand of ready-to-wear, lingerie, swimwear and accessories.  The company whose head office is located in Austria,  spans over 60 years and  fulfills their claim of being both unique and unmistakable.  For instance their sought after bodysuits do not have any seams. wolford stockings2

In the late 1990s, the company’s advertising campaign was shot by the photographer Helmut Newton.

Shapewear
Sexy Shapewear

Rachel D. from Los Angeles, Ca has this to say: The gentleman who gave me my first pair of Wolford tights sparked a serious and expensive addiction.  These beautiful patterned tights are warm, cozy and totally sexy.  I went back and bought a pair of twenties-style fishnets that make me feel like a million bucks.    Sexy legs deserve the best in hosiery. Wolford is the only way to go!

Luz C. from Brooklyn, N.Y. writes:                   Once you go Wolford, you’ll never go back. I’ve had some pairs for years and washed them many, many times without ever seeing a degradation in quality or durability. I would say if you can swing it price-wise, they are one hundred percent worth the cost. I would always prefer to pay more for something of good quality that will last a long time than pay a low price for something of poor quality that I’m going to have to replace ten times.

Poster with bodysuit & stockings
Poster with Wolford bodysuit & stockings

Vancouver Location is at 753 Burrard St. (between Robson & Alberni).

style & design – Fabulous & Fashionably Fala

Let me introduce to you Fala Chien Fala2 fala3 fala4 fala5 Fala7 Fala8 Fala9 Fala10 Fala by fala Fala by Fala Chien

Fala is a fashion designer with her own line, a friend and someone I worked with at 4th Ave. Boutique.  She’s a quadruple threat….young, smart, talented and beautiful.  Fala currently spends her time jetting between New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai & Taiwan.  She recently showcased her newest collection at New York Fashion week where she garnered attention from the media and was named new up and coming designer.  You go girl!

Fala’s signature: simple, playful garments, each with its own unique personality like dresses that can be worn inside out, dress and jacket alter-egos with adjustable sleeves and other adaptable combinations. As Fala says, “fashion should be fun and playful.”

ABOUT FALA CHIEN – As a professional woman and a fashion designer, Fala understands the difficulty of balancing strength and femininity. This is the reason Fala is inspired to design clothing that make women feel both sexy and powerful at the same time. Her aim is to present clothing with “multi-wear” functionality that can be worn from morning until night. Simple yet Detailed.  After ten years of working in various areas of the fashion industry, Fala debued her brand during Vancouver Fashion Week in 2008. Since then, she has been featured in several prestigious international fashion shows, and has often appeared in fashion magazines and newspapers worldwide. In addition, “Fala” by Fala Chien has become the brand of choice for many celebrities when they attend movie premieres and fashion events. From New York to Hong Kong, one can detect the newest collection from “Fala” by Fala Chien in many local prestigious boutiques & shops. I’m so proud of you Fala & I love my clothes made by you.fala12

like this coat made by Fala which I love
In my Fala designed wool coat

fala pink

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