With summer coming to an end and the winter months rolling in quickly, our skincare regimes need to be kicked into high gear. The drying effects of heaters and wind as well as changes from a light summer diet to a stodgy winter one can take its toll on several factors including mood, skin and hair. We’ll start with skin and readdress the mood and hair factors!
Here are 3 simple rules to follow to save your skin from drying, pores from clogging and general aging.
1. Seek experts help
With the summer glow disappearing, it’s likely a lot of us will be loading on the makeup to try and maintain a healthier and less pale complexion. It’s also likely you’ll spend a lot more time on public transport than walking in the cold, which again leaves your skin open to impurities in the air. Winter month lead to an increasing need to go for a professional pore cleansing every 6-8 weeks – think of it as a hair cut: it’s not cheap, but the long term benefits are worth it.
2. Keep a military-style home regime
If you really can’t justify the facials, make sure you’re at least religious about maintaining your daily skincare regime. Within your AM/PM routine, you should ensure you follow all of the following steps – Cleanse and exfoliate to purify, moisturise to hydrate, solve specific skin concerns such as redness, itching and acne and apply a mask for a healthy new glow.
3. Lifestyle choices are key
Limit alcohol and sugar intake and sleep by 11pm every (ok, most!) nights. Alcohol can negatively impact the skin and may contribute to broken capillaries, acne, and interruptions in your skin care regimen. Exercising regularly and enjoying a healthy lifestyle will also help to beat the winter blues, so your mood will be lifted as much as your skin rejuvenated.
The wonderful Divine Caroline, a website dedicated to women (a must read for all ladies of all ages) recently released an article about the top iPhone apps for fashionistas. Essential? Of course not – but they’re fun and (mostly) free so let’s see what they boiled down to:
4th Place – Stylish Girl
Stylish Girl is your fashion store, your closet organiser, packing list, shop assistant and is your penultimate personal stylist. It also sends you a daily dose of fashion news. The app allows users to photograph their wardrobes and ‘drag n drop’ pieces together without having to dig through piles of neatly organised clothes. When you’re out shopping it can even act as a great buy it or leave it tool – does it match with enough of your existing wardrobe? (Which would probably still be followed by a big fat yes!)
3rd Place – Style.com
Style.com has access to pretty much every last runway show from New York, London, Milan, and Paris. Great for killing time on a long commute.
2nd Place – ShopStyle Mobile
According to one self-proclaimed shopping addict, it’s the one app that’s “totally indispensable for bargain/comparison shoppers.” Do a keyword search for clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery, you name it; then narrow your results by price, colour, label, or what’s on sale.
1st Place – Lucky at Your Service
Lucky Magazine released their digital shopping concierge in March 2009, where shoes featured in their magazine can be found and tracked down to the store that supplies them closest to you.
Once you’ve found your favourite you can select your size and colour and the heels, wedges, boots or whatever other shoe you desire will be reserved for you to pick up within 10 minutes. Lucky – why aren’t you available in the UK?
Being able to mix and match pieces in your workwear wardrobe with those you would normally wear on a night after work can sometimes be tricky. Read on to discover how you can ensure you step from the office to a party with minimum effort, and maximum style.
1. Shirt
a work shirt is one of the most versatile pieces in your workwear wardrobe. With a quick change from your work trousers to a pair of straight leg jeans tucked into boots, you can go from the office to drinks with friends in no time at all. Complete the look with a matching handbag, and chunky beaded necklace.
2. Skirt
coordinate your workwear skirt with a few key pieces from your wardrobe to create a smart evening look that’s perfect for going out with friends and family. Switch your flat shoes for a pair of new season heeled sandals, and change your shirt to a flowing georgette top. Add some sparkle by wearing coordinated accessories, and if it’s a special occasion, take a clutch bag to complete your look.
3. Trousers
The best way to dress up your workwear trousers is by trading your shirt for a colourful floaty top. We love georgette this season and fabrics that skim the body are perfect for creating a stylish weeknight look. Add a pair of heeled court shoes and matching bag and you’ll be ready to go.
Putting a new twist to the ethical fashion movement, Money Laundry is a new American Men’s t-shirt brand that creates their products from recycled US currency.
It is said to be the first-ever clothing line made from recycled money. Through a patented process, Money Laundry created “Money Thread,” thread recycled from real US currency, used in each custom piece of clothing included in the line. Each design also draws its graphic influences from US currency from the 19th and 20th centuries.
At the launch of the collection at Magic: Las Vegas, designers Eric Denman and Christina Anderson said “We are extremely proud of the craftsmanship and design that goes into each and every piece in the Money Laundry line.
“The Money Thread process is something that we’re excited about, and that we feel makes us stand out from the crowd. We’re excited to share this with the world at Magic: Las Vegas.”
In addition to the unique influences drawn from US currency, each piece in the Money Laundry line is hand dyed, and custom washed, made in the US from 100% cotton. The Money Thread is then hand stitched. Each item in the product line is completely unique.
The Money Laundry line will be included in an upcoming travelling pop-up gallery show showcasing money-themed art, launching early 2010 in New York City.
I found this video on YouTube of a quick interview with Julien MacDonald, who’s catwalk show was set in an English Country Garden but reflected ‘under the sea’ materials and colour schemes. Vivienne Westwood also comments about coming back to England for more fashion shows – check out the video and the transcript below:
This is “Scuba Chic” – the latest in the catwalk designs. Set in an English country garden background JUlian MacDonald has revealed his latest spring/summer collection – Underwater Love.
The Welsh Designer said he got his inspiration for the designs from a deep sea diving trip to the Red Sea.
“Well all of a sudden I was diving underneath the ocean with tanks on my bank and basically I really love and got inspired by scuba suits – the suits you wear when you go diving.”
His underwater theme is shown in his bright colours, wet suit designs and outfits designed on fish scales.
“The clothes are expensive but if you got St. Tropez you want to wear very ‘expensive’ colours. The colours are very intense. There are intense reds, washed out pinks and white. White really is the new black of fashion.”
Keen to get a first glimpse of next season’s style were former spice girl Gerry Halliwell, Girls Aloud singers Sarah Harding and Nichola Roberts.
Following on with an English theme was the doyen of fashion Vivien Westwood, choosing her colours to reflect the English weather. She says she may make London Fashion Week a permenent fixture:
“I might come back to England as more and more designers are coming back to England you see.. And it makes a difference who’s there as well.”
We know now from London Fashion Week (and for quite some time before that) that the fashion world has a recyclable nature. It has always baffled me that I saw my mother in skinny jeans, high waist trousers, bee-eye sunglasses and the occasional quiff in her hair. And all those times I saw her, I repeatedly thought to myself that she needed some fashion guidance.
But I was wrong and mum – I’m sorry!!
Although she may not have been wearing them at the peak of their fashionable days, they were pieces that, in her eyes, were timeless – pieces that have been and will be resurrected for years to come. The question of course lies in 1) Who decides when these items come back, and 2) Why do I all of a sudden long for a heavily shouldered blazer when I didn’t about a month ago?
My investigation led me to the Wikipedia article for one James Laver. James laver was a museum curator at the Victoria & Albert as well as a pioneering fashion historian. Although he was not directly involved with the museum’s fashion exhibitions, he had an interest in dating images accurately through the clothing depicted within. He believed patterns of economic and social factors where what developed fashion tastes. So “Laver’s Law” was born, which sought to explain the fashion cycle and the general taste to a timeline. It was first published in 1937 and went as follows –
Indecent – 10 years before its time
Shameless – 5 years before its time
Daring – 1 year before its time
Smart – ‘Current Fashion’
Dowdy – 1 year after its time
Hideous – 10 years after its time
Ridiculous – 20 years after its time
Amusing – 30 years after its time
Quaint – 50 years after its time
Charming – 70 years after its time
Romantic – 100 years after its time
Beautiful – 150 years after its time
Does it work? Seems to – 70 years since the shoulder pads first appeared in Dior’s clothing, they are once again “charming”.
Canadian designer Mark Fast is not an unfamiliar name to most fashionistas. His signature tight knit dresses are a constant edition to articles in Vogue, Grazia, Glamour and more. Although his designs have previously been associated with thin, slender figures, he’s broken that mold this year at LFW, where his team of stylists decided to tackle the ‘too thin’-catwalk-model stereotype. They hired 3 sizes 12-14 models in their London Fashion Week catwalk show yesterday.
This is not just a publicity stunt – Mark Fast is involved in “All Walks beyond the Catwalk,” a fashion initiative that endeavors to change the perception of industry standards for young designers and the somewhat elitist vision of beauty within the fashion industry. It was created by Caryn Franklin who works with designers early in their careers to “break the mold of what is seen on the runway.” Models include women ages 18-65 and in sizes 8-16.
Supporters include British Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, who attended the All Walks beyond the Catwalk launch party and is infamous for her strong opinions on size zero garments. Her opinions were made clear to designers when a photo shoot with established star models resulted in them struggling to fit into the clothing in their studios.
I’ve decided that although I can’t be at London Fashion Week (sigh), I will live vicariously through the LFW website to spot new designs, key autumn/winter pieces and generally ramble on about this year’s designers.
London Fashion Week began this weekend and the first thing to catch my eye was a young, Greek designer named Mary Katrantzou.
The gallery of her catwalk encompasses bold graphics, flattering shapes and most importantly, is very modern and stylish. Find out more about her from her profile information below and be sure to visit londonfashionweek.co.uk for all the latest news at the show.
Designer name:
Mary Katrantzou
Origin:
Athens, Greece
Design background:
Mary attended Rhode Island School of Design and then completed both her BA and MA at Central Saint Martins. She has previously worked for Sophia Kokosalaki and freelanced for Bill Blass, amongst other designers.
Name three things that are inspiring you this season:
“Vintage perfume bottles, 18th century portraits and Victor Skrebneski.”
What are your design signatures?
“A hyperrealist aesthetic, bold graphics and industrial jewellery.”
How would you describe the Mary Katrantzou woman?
“She has a liberated spirit and a strong sense of style.”
What is your most recent London discovery?
“Gordon’s Wine Bar/Cave.”
This year marks London Fashion Week’s 25th anniversary. What were you up to 25 years ago?
“I was about to be born!”
Over the last 25 years, London has built a reputation for outstandingly original fashion. What is it about the capital that makes London fashion so unique?
“It has a great energy and a fantastic support system for new designers to push forward.”
Claire’s blog, “The View from Here” is approximately 2 years old and was created by a stylish girl because, in her own words, “you don’t have to be stupid or shallow to take an interest in what you wear”. Claire is a student at Oxford and writes with arefreshing sense of familiarity all appreciaters of fashion can enjoy. I’ve asked Claire a few questions about her blog, style and aspirations here:
1. Why blog about fashion?
I started when I started reading other blogs and wanted to comment. I keep on blogging because I find it interesting to read other, “normal” people’s takes on fashion, so if I enjoy that, then other people might enjoy reading my blog.
2. What is the most timeless item of clothing you own?
Hmm tough one! Possibly my green cocktail dress, I can’t see it ever dating.
3. What is/has been your favourite fashion event?
I’ve had a super-fun pampering evening courtesy of Aussie hair care. Read about it in the “Aussie Pampering Session” blog post
4. Does style run in your family? Who is your most fashionable family member/friend?
Style only really goes in the female side of the family!! My Mum is pretty stylish and has some great staples (she used to be a stiletto queen) and apparently my Grandma was also a shoe fiend in the day!
5. Have you ever worked with any designers? If not, who would be your dream match?
I’ve never worked with any designers but I’d love to work with King Karl, because I’d love to see his creative process, or with Jean-Pierre Braganza because I love the sculptural clothes he makes.
6. If you created your own collection, what item would you work on first?
The shoes. Easily, the shoes!!
7. What’s in your handbag?
I’m super organised, so diary, umbrella, sun cream, phone, purse, keys, oyster card, lunch box, tissues, red lipstick (just in case I have to go out formally in the evening)
8. What’s your oldest clothes item?
Thing I bought from new – black, velvet H&M blazer (approx 6 years ago). Vintage item – red sequinned gown, I think from the 1980s.
9. What’s the funniest/strangest/best comment you ever got on your blog?
I love comments like “That outfit makes you look awesome!”. It just gives me a little flutter of happiness!!!
10. Finish the sentence – “The best thing about my style is…”
“…I vary what I wear alll the time and don’t feel consigned to a single style!”
Crystal Renn, the size 16 model for Evans, gave Celebs on Sunday these 5 tips for curvy girls to look their best. Pick your best assets and flaunt them!
1. If you’ve got a tiny waist, then a cinch belt is a must. And if you’ve got great legs, then go a bit shorter with your skirts. There’s always something that’s worth playing up.
2. I think curvy women look great in statement pieces. You don’t want to go too little and dainty. Make the most of the fact you can pull off, say, a piece of statement jewellery in a way that a smaller girl probably couldn’t.
3. Tailored shapes can really change your appearance. Personally, I love big bell-shaped coats and dresses, but there will always be a shape that looks really good on you.
4. Make the most of your individual style. I don’t like anything that’s too girly or pretty, so I’ll toughen up a little dress with a leather jacket or some leggings (Evans do some great ones). Identify what works for you and go with it.
5. I love 50s-style underwear, the kind that comes up to your waist with a little bra. I think it’s flattering in all the right places and a great way to get a man’s attention. I hate thongs – a guy must have invented them because they’re so uncomfortable it’s unbelievable.
