Fans of irony will appreciate a crisp white collared dress shirt boldly emblazoned with the words "Less is More."
But for those who wish to follow the minimalist philosophy, we would recommend applying the "Less is More "Golden Rule: wear one spotlight item, and keep the rest of your outfit simple.
"Less is More" Fashion Formula = Tank + Wide Belt + Shorts + Flats.
Women’s Classic Bold Tank | $42 at C&C California
Roma Accessories Leather Sash Belt | $98 at Nordstrom
BCBG Max Azria "Daryl" Tuxedo Shorts | $138 at Nordstrom
Desciata Shoes | $49.95 (sale) at Aldo
Posted by Melody on August 8th, 2006 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
We asked: Is the Color Purple In or Out?
You said: Purple rules! 76% are all over the royal color. Only 14% think that Purple is Out, and a small minority (10%) believe Purple is On the Way Out.
Omiru’s take: We love Purple as much as you do. Some tips on how to wear the color? While bright purple complements sunny summer days, we’d recommend choosing a more muted shade of purple come Autumn. Try a greyed-out lilac or a purple-brown hue to evoke the elegance of the royal color.
Next Question: You told us that Shorts are In. But what do you think about Short Shorts? Tell us, are Short Shorts In, or are they Out? Cast your
vote on
the sidebar!
Posted by Trisha on August 7th, 2006 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out |
Issue No. 52 of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a weekly compilation of the
cutest and coolest stuff Omiru’s Style Intelligence Report saw out there this
week.
This week, we’re going back to basics to find you the most luxuriously elegant wardrobe staples for Fall: a voluminous draped cardigan for women and a fitted henley for men.
For women:
Vince Drape Cardigan | $275 at Shopbop
Elegantly oversized details elevate this sweater from staple to stunning.
John Varvatos Henley Knit Top | $165 at ScoopNYCWith men’s clothing, the devil is in the details. What makes this henley special is the ever-so-subtle extension of the placket closure.
Posted by Trisha on August 4th, 2006 in Friday Fashion Hotlist, Men, Trend, Women |
There’s a new way to drop some pounds, and it doesn’t require giving up cookies or going to the gym. Feel instantaneously lighter by sporting designer Aylin Gould’s brand-new weightless accessories line, *Fat Free by CiCi, made of Italian lambskin, Swarovski crystals, 14K Gold and Sterling Silver. The San Diego-based designer was preparing her handbag line (yes, she’s a busy gal), CiCi by Aylin, when she decided to add accessories. Using leftover materials, she createdthe first pair of *Fat Free by CiCi earrings. Omiru had the chance to talk to Aylin about what makes her collection unique, the origin of the *Fat Free concept, and in which stores you can snag your *Fat Free goods.
Omiru: How did
your interest in fashion design start?
Aylin: Ever since I
was a little girl, I would play “dress up,†trying on my mom’s make-up and high
heel shoes. I was raised a little more
strictly than most of my friends, and there
were a lot of outfits that I was not allowed to wear in high school. I loved to sketch my own clothing designs,
dresses, tops, handbags, jeans…that I fantasized about wearing one day!
O: Why did you choose
to focus on accessories?
A: “Accessorizing
is not the frosting on the cake….it’s the main ingredient!†I almost always base my outfits around my accessories…while
most girls put on accessories as the final touch.
O: What makes your
collection unique?
A: My collection
is very unique in the sense of style, shape, and touch. The *Fat Free collection is so incredibly soft and light…so
fat free!
O: Each of your
accessories is virtually weightless. Was this feature accidental or was it
planned that way?
A: By accident! I had been designing handbags for the past
few years. Realizing how competitive the
accessory market was really made me start brainstorming about other outlets or other
items to introduce. *Fat Free was born on February
24th, 2006, as I was getting
my handbags ready for a local trade show.
Hoping to at least break even, I wanted to introduce something else to
sell. I bought some plain beach
flip-flops and applied Swarovski crystals. Surprisingly they turned out
super-cute! I thought these would be a
guaranteed sale, unlike $450 handbags!
This sparked a creative path, which led me to my leather scraps, which
are leftover pieces from my handbags. I
started cutting different shapes and then started applying the leftover Swarovski Crystals to the leather cut-outs. I then threw on some 14K gold earring hooks, and we
were “good to go!â€
O: How did you know you were on to something?
A: My first *Fat Free creation,
“Feathersâ€, was made with Turquoise Italian lambskin. I first ran to my husband to get his honest
reaction. He liked them a lot, even
though they were a bit flashy. To be
honest, I was worried they might have been a little too “crafty.†So that afternoon we took a walk through the Gaslamp district in downtown San Diego. I
was wearing jeans, flip-flops, and a black tank top….with my new Turquoise
“feather†earrings. The reaction we got
amazed us! Men and women, young and old
were throwing compliments at my new piece of jewelry! From that day
on, everything just fell into place. The
company name, logo, marketing, trademarking, packaging, line sheets, store
sales, word of mouth sales…etc. It was so nice to
see something positive out of our own company!
O: What are you
inspired by?
A: I am inspired
by color and nature. I love seeing all
the different color combinations in the sun-setting sky.
O: Design
philosophy?
A: Without
accessories, fashion would be compromised. I always add a little bit of drama to fashion, using bold colors and mixing unexpected textures and shapes.
O: If you were to add
a new accessory or product to your current line, what would it be?
A: I would add an
apparel line. Lightweight, low calorie
blouses, tops, dresses, and more. THE LOOK: modish and chic. THE FEEL: light weight, comfy yet sexy.
O: What is your
favorite piece?
A: “Angel of Heartsâ€â€¦in the MILK color! I love the idea of having accessories that
work year round! They add style and sass
to my summer tops and dresses while keeping my winter wardrobe looking
fresh! I love adding light colored
accessories to heavier/darker clothing.
O: Where can we find *Fat Free accessories?
A: LF stores
(nation wide), Gracie’s Boutiques, JEP boutiques…and more!
O: Is your line
fairly affordable or does it break the bank?
A: The fat free
collection is very affordable…all suggested retail prices are under $100!
O: If your house was
burning down, and you could only keep one thing in your closet, what would you
keep?
A: My mom’s gold locket that she used to wear
when she was in high school. It has a
beautiful flower etched into the front of the locket. Inside is a black
and white photo of her when she was in high school. The locket is so special to me…I wear it all
the time! I also love how it adds a nice
feminine touch to any outfit–even Jeans
and a T.
O: Last words?
A: Well…I’m 100% Turkish, born in Santa
Barbara, CA. My nickname is “CiCi." I studied Art with an
emphasis in Interior Design at San Diego State University.
I’ve worked in the corporate world of interior design for more than 8
years. I’ve taken elements of home
design and combined them with fashion design!
I’ve really been able to put a fresh creative twist on my designs through my previous experiences.
As for Fat
Free:……*Fat Free is loved by not only your simple “girl next door†but also
your more complicated fashion gal! The
woman who wears Fat Free is outgoing, fun, attention seeking without being
obvious, sexy, and confident. She’s a trendsetter!
See more *Fat Free by Cici accessories at FatFreeStyle.com.
Posted by Melody on August 3rd, 2006 in Designer Profiles, Features |
The key to looking fresh at work despite the sweltering heat is to keep your look simple and remember that the difference between looking crisp and feeling wilted is all in the details. To beat the heat while keeping your look professional, try:
Lightweight, Breathable Fabrics: It goes without saying that lighter weight fabrics are generally going to be cooler than heavier weight fabrics. However, consider how breathable the fabric is. Natural fabrics like cotton and linen work especially well on hot days because they absorb and release moisture quickly, allowing fabric to “breathe.â€
Simple Silhouettes: Simple, unfussy silhouettes—such as a well-cut suit or a shift dress—automatically give your look a polished feel, even when you’re sitting in the stifling heat.
Adding the Unexpected: Upon this simple foundation, add an unexpected color or detail to punch up your outfit. A bright color, an oversized collar, or a special detail like pintucking or piping will take your outfit from simply work-appropriate to stunning.
Layering: Layering becomes more important than ever when alternating between the blisteringly warm outdoors and an ice-cold air-conditioned office. Keep a fitted sweater on hand in the office to weather these temperature shifts.
Personal Grooming: Neat hair, manicured nails, and scuff free shoes—personal grooming essentials—are de rigeur. Longhaired women can pull back their hair into a ponytail or a bun for a refined look. Oil absorbing facial wipes work well to keep your skin fresh looking (and feeling) throughout the day.
We’ve used these principles to create a mini-series of heat-resistant and work-appropriate outfits for women and men. Enjoy!
For Women
For Men
Posted by Trisha on August 2nd, 2006 in How To, Men, Men's, Women, Women's |
