Posts filed under 'Features'
Your man is Really into nature, and he’s planned an outdoors adventure for Valentine’s Day this year. Problem is, hiking uphill and playing sports aren’t your idea of romance (Unless it’s a contact sport that doesn’t involve a ball!). Fret not. Just because you’re not excited about the plans doesn’t mean you can’t be excited about your ensemble.
After all, the more irresistible you look in your hiking gear, the less of a chance you’ll have to hike to the top of that hill.
"Au Natural" Gear = Printed Tee + Tank Top (layered underneath) + Jogging Pants + Sneakers.
All You Need is Love Tee | $25 at Shop Intuition
Balance by Marika Swirl Top | $26 at Nordstrom
Balance by Marika Knit Pants | $42 at Nordstrom
Puma “Bashy†Leather Athletic Shoe | $64.95 at Nordstrom
January 30th, 2006
This week, Omiru caught up with our friend Goldie Chan, a SF Bay Area based fashion designer focusing on urbanwear.
Omiru: How did you get started in fashion design?
Goldie Chan: I first started in middle school by hand-sewing garments using scrap fabric. At the time, I also experimented with different forms of embellishment, such as embroidery and painting. I have been designing my current fashion line, goldiechan clothing, since early 2005, but I have been designing in spirit since I first took a needle and roll of thread from my mother’s sewing box.
O: What was the inspiration behind your latest collection?
GC: My latest collection was inspired by the bright red, blue and checkered patterns of the Indy 500, while the cuts were based on hiphop/freestyle dancer-wear.
O: What’s your design philosophy?
I design with the fluid female (and sometimes male) body in mind. I like clean lines and pure colors as well as unexpected materials and/or decoration.
O: What trends would you like to see for Spring 2006?
I would love to see traditional flowy, sheer elements as well as the return of several pastels: yellow, green and blue.
O: What’s your favorite piece from your most recent collection?
My favorite piece from my collection is a very limited edition hooded black dress with faux burnout fur trim. It symbolizes the elegance and suprisingly fun side of my clothing line.
O: Who are your favorite designers?
Vera Wang for her elegant and always timeless dresses and unassuming personality. Calvin Klein for his innovative vision in stark ads and clothing (as well as his use of obvious sexual tension as a viable marketing tool)
O: Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I really love experimenting with new ideas and figuring out new designs from a pen or an old postcard. As I grow, I hope that I’ll meet even more interesting and innovative people to learn from.
January 27th, 2006
Straight on the heels of our recent fashion show coverage, we’ve decided to showcase local design talent. This week, we caught up with Shivani K, whose women’s clothing collection debuted at San Francisco Fashion Week. The line, which began in 2004, offers an impressive array of dazzling pieces, from a crinkled long-sleeve shirt with diamantes to a silk-lined gold lace top with chiffon ties in the back.
A Shivani K design
(courtesy of SF Fashion Week)
Omiru: How did you get started in fashion design?
Shivani K: At the end of my first year in law school, I decided to take a break because I knew I did not want a career in law. That summer I [went] to be with some relatives in Bombay, India. I needed something to pass the time, so I taught myself to create outfits. Friends of friends started to take notice, and eventually I was making so many pieces and enjoying it so much that I decided to put my efforts and resources into doing [fashion design].
O: What is the inspiration behind your current collection?
SK: Personality and feminine strength, based on the energy emitted by women in my life, from my mother to my best friend to colleagues I admire. There is a commonality among them. Each top was inspired by a different person.
O: What is your design philosophy?
SK: Luxury, glamour, versatility and longevity. [Luxury because] each piece is lined with premium fabrics such as silk charmeuse. Clothes should feel good as well as look good. Glamour because every day is important. Versatility because I believe clothes should blend into your wardrobe yet maintain their unique character. Longevity because the quality is important, and there should be an air of timelessness about piece. I also try to make pieces that can be worn throughout the year without looking silly.
O: What are your thoughts on the San Francisco design scene?
SK: I wish more well-known boutiques that carry bigger brands would also support the local design community to boost visibility…Not a lot of national attention is paid to San Francisco. There isn’t a glitzy or internationally appealing scene in this city. [Because] a lot of designers get overlooked for better-known brands, one feels forced to move somewhere like L.A. or New York.
O: Who are your favorite designers?
SK: I love the original works of Coco Chanel and Christian Dior. Their work was completely unprecedented, but what they did set them apart and steered the entire concept of fashion in a new direction. More recently, I admire the work of Rochas, Lanvin and Armani. I saw a documentary on him [Armani] once, and he said he didn’t put superfluous buttons without a buttonhole on his clothing–that pared-down and practical approach to clothing really impressed me.
O: What trends do you foresee for Spring 2006?
SK: As a caveat, I am the worst person to ask about trends because I firmly believe in the importance of dressing for your body. For spring I would like to see variety as a trend, an increase in casual flattering trousers, a continuation of tasteful lace detailing, delicate prints, pencil skirts, the return of the seamed stocking, lower necklines and sexy details on the back. The back is what it’s all about in ‘06!
For more information on Shivani K, visit www.shivanik.com
November 30th, 2005
Without further ado, we present the men’s packing list:
- Denim: For a more versatile look, go for darker washes.
- Sport shirts: Casualize them by rolling the sleeves up, just so. But please don’t pop the collar. Stripes are flattering but also very common. For a sport shirt with more personality, try a patterned shirt.
- Cargo pants/shorts: Casual bottoms provide a great foundation to the college man’s wardrobe. You can get away with wearing more dressy tops (e.g. sport shirts) without overstyling your outfit.
- Khakis: Look for flat-front pants in a color that flatters your skin tone. Generally, I find that sand colored khakis flatter more than the yellowed variety.
- Corduroy: Look for corduroy with a medium-size wale, as it’ll be more versatile over time.
- Sandals or flip flops: especially if you live on the West Coast.
- Polo shirts: For a more distinctive take on this collegiate classic, try an eye-catching color and/or a slimmer fit.
- T-Shirts: But beware of the career fair t-shirt…it’ll peg you as anti-fashion, and not in a trendy way.
- Sweaters: Have a few on hand in both crewneck and v-neck styles. For a more fashion forward look, go for a zip up.
- Casual Jacket: Try an interesting cut in a versatile color. One of my current favorites is a bomber-style jacket in black nylon.
- Overcoat: Especially in colder climates.
- Sneakers: If you’re not an athlete, look for sport sneakers with style, such as Adidas’ classic Samba shoe.
- A great-looking messenger bag or backpack.
- Blazer, Dress Shirts, Ties, Slacks and Formal Shoes: Have a couple of sets on hand for the social occasions that will inevitably arise—dorm dances, dates, and the like. Make sure to have more than one set of dress shirts and ties so that you won’t be “the guy with one set of clothes†when you review photos of your college life.
- A few good-looking pairs of PJs for when you roll out of bed and head straight to class.
August 23rd, 2005
Your best bet for collegiate style: combine style with casual comfort by looking for special pieces in established categories like denim, knit shirts, and the like. The key is to purchase versatile pieces that will take you from your dorm to class to social events.
But what should you be packing for school? Look no further, and check back tomorrow for the men’s packing list!
- Denim: A variety in different fits, washes, and colors will do you well. They’re a fashion staple for college and beyond.
- Knits: Knits are great for fitted casual tops, sweaters, and even skirts and dresses. Look for fashion forward cuts with interesting detailing. Cropped sweaters are and will be hot for Fall 05.
- Tank Tops/T-Shirts: Great for casual days, and you can dress them up or down depending on the situation. Look for fitted cuts in fashion forward colors, such as teal, white, and leafy green. Layered tees were very Summer 2004—to update the layered look, try mixing two knits with different textures.
- Camisoles: Perfect for dressing up jeans during the day, and they’re party-friendly as well.
- Flowy tops: For going out at night. One extremely common fashion formula: Flowy top + Jeans + Heels.
- Lightweight jacket(s): Cropped blazers, bomber jackets, etc.
- Overcoat: Especially in colder climates.
- Casual pants: Corduroy, cargo pants, cropped pants, etc. From Bermudas to Clamdiggers, cropped pants are not only fashion-forward, but also easily adaptable to a casual college wardrobe.
- Skirts: Mini, A-line, and Full skirts are preferred to the restrictive and formal pencil skirt. Many are found in casual fabrics, such as cotton or denim.
- Sundresses: A perfect daytime look. Wear with casual shoes so as to not overdress.
- Casual shoes: Chic sandals that are both flattering and walking-friendly. Stylish sneakers. Flip flops. Lots of flats.
- A few pairs of dressy shoes for going out.
- A great-looking messenger bag or backpack.
- Formal dresses: A few formal dresses for events like dorm dances and dates. Have one long dress and at least two shorter dresses.
- A few good-looking pairs of PJs for when get lazy and wear them to class.
August 22nd, 2005
More than anything, college style is all about looking good without looking like you’re trying too hard. And let’s be realistic–chances are, you won’t be going heavy on the Edwardian fashion or rock rebel chic clothes.
Luckily, collegiate fashion is In. Think preppy collared shirts, vests, and cardigans–and sporty chic track jackets, polos, and henley shirts.
What should you be wearing for a fresh, collegiate look? Whether or not you’ll be attending classes this fall, Style Intelligence Report has the answer for you:
Men
- Sports-inspired items, like track jackets,
- Patterned sport shirts,
- Cardigans,
- Knit ties,
- Fitted polos,
- T-shirts over polo shirts (or sport shirts), and
- Denim, as usual.
Women
- Cropped anything: blazers, sweaters, and pants,
- Henley shirts (a casual nod to Nautical fashion),
- Cardigan sweaters,
- Vests,
- Premium denim: as the prices rise, the popularity of status denim only increases,
- Oversized sunglasses with square-shaped frames,
- Plaid and Tweed, and
- Sports-inspired items (e.g. track jackets, tennis tank tops).
For more information, check back next week for our back-to-school packing list. We’ll drill down on Exactly what you’ll want to have hanging in your closets.
August 15th, 2005
Here’s an incentive to frequent the court. This tennis dress is unlike anything we’ve ever seen — sporty yet feminine, just like Ms. Williams herself — and it’s perfectly highlighted by other up-to-date yet useful accessories. Doubles, anyone?
Serena Williams Cowgirl Dress | $79.99 at
Niketown
Dri-FIT Mesh Wristbands White/Cerise/Imperial Blue | $8 at
Niketown
Ashworth ColorBlock Visor | $16.99 at
Sportmart
adidas Barricade III | $123.95 at
Zappos August 8th, 2005
It’s summer. It’s sweltering. Why don’t you go for couple of laps in the pool? Swimming burns up to 790 calories per hour and has relaxation benefits, too.
Sure, we understand why you might have some reservations. Goggles make you feel like a lab nerd all over again, and with those racing suits with unsightly prints are always so lacking in taste.
Our suggestion: Reconcile your differences with this outfit, which should appease both the underwater torpedo and the fashionista in you.
Lycra Swim Cap in Black | $8.00 at
TYR
Mirrored Sengar Goggles | $14.00 at
SpeedoUSA
Speedo Platinum Collection Halter One-Piece | $105 at Victoria’s Secret
Finis SwiMP3 Underwater Music Player | $199.99 at
Swim 2000
July 20th, 2005
The art of yoga may be several thousand years old, but that doesn’t mean you should practice it dressed in frumpy, worn-out attire.
Why not show an attitude of gratitude with an outfit that embodies joy and playfulness in a contemporary way? With the ensemble below — a canary-colored support tank, cropped pants with personality, no-slip socks and a bag in a shade reminiscent of dusk – you can pay homage to the sun’s positive energy.
Who says spiritual insight can’t be achieved in vogue?
July 13th, 2005
In the heat of the summer, the fashionista has only one goal: to look effortlessly hot.
But for most, having a firm figure to flaunt requires a bit more effort than simply frolicking in the sun. So I present to you an outfit that’s both functional and fashion-forward for your next round of sprints.
Because you never know when you’ll run into someone.
Serena Williams Collection Brazil Cowgirl Warm Up Jacket | $95 at
Niketown
Serena Williams Collection Ultra Tank | $45 at
Niketown
Dri-FIT Track Pant | $55 at
Niketown
adidas Supernova Control Women’s Running Shoe | $89.99 at
Sportmart July 6th, 2005
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