Animalistic Instincts

Wild Child:

No need to rush to the salon to get the hottest nails this season, now you can do them yourself in the comfort of your own home! Sally Hansen’s Salon Effects nail strips in ‘Wild Child’ are zebra print and absolutely to-die-for. The package comes with a variety of strips in different shapes and sizes. To apply, start by removing the white piece of plastic from the back of the strip, to expose the adhesive. You then position the strip on your nail, lining it up with your cuticle, and then press down starting in the center and working towards the sides to make it stick. Once that is done you can remove the top layer of plastic from the strip and simply bend the strip at the tip of the nail so that any excess will rip off. The strips are made so that they are easy to tear and can be shaped perfectly to fit your nail. Repeat these steps for the rest of your nails and then, using the nail file provided, file down any leftovers that you don’t want, and ta-da, you’re all finished! No topcoat needed! The nail strips can last up to 10 days.

Venomous Veneta’s:

Snakeskin boots have been all the rage this season, and Bottega Veneta's cowboy-style ones are no exception. These round-toe, platform boots come in black, making them easy to pair with any outfit. For a casual outfit you could pair these boots with dark wash skinny jeans, and a button up blouse in a bold colour, such as red. For a night out you could wear these boots with a sharp dress that cuts just above or below the knee.

Quick Fix:

There is no better way to turn up the heat than with a cheetah print scarf. They can be worn with almost any outfit to add a little something extra. If paired with a blazer and jeans, a cheetah print scarf could be worn all day long, whether you’re inside or out. Just wrap it around your neck once or twice and you will stay warm and stylish all day. Louis Vuitton came out with a cheetah print scarf that really caught my eye. One of my favourite ways to make use of this beautiful accessory is by wearing it with a pair of high-waisted black pants, a neutral or light coloured tank, a jean or leather jacket, and some killer pumps. Heck, you could even add some cheetah print heels to the outfit to bring everything together.

Latch Onto This:

What better way to accessorize your outfit than with an alligator clutch? Alligator products do come at a steep price, but in the end they are worth it. Burberry has an alligator clutch that is my personal favourite. Not only is it visually appealing, but also it has four separate compartments in it, perfect for all of your personal belongings. An alligator skin clutch can be used with pretty much any outfit. Since it is so chic and professional, my advice would be to pair it with a blazer and high-waisted skirt. Pick a blazer in a nice colour such as forest green or plum. Nothing too bright and bold as you don’t want the clutch to go unnoticed. As for shoes a pair of neutral or black heels will do just fine.

Fashionable Feline:

No wardrobe is complete without an assortment of pretty belts. Since animal prints are all of the rage right now you can buy a belt in almost any animal print you can imagine. In order to keep things interesting, it’s good to own a leopard print one, as it stands out. A great thing about belts is that they can be worn in a couple of different ways, whether it’s around your waist, hips, or somewhere in between. The sky is the limit! One of the best ways to wear a leopard print belt is with a pair of low-rise jeans in your choice of wash, a sheer, button-up, white blouse, and knee-high dark brown boots. Add some gold jewelry and your outfit is complete. Michael Kors has an amazing leopard print belt.

Create a chic style without the sophisticated price.

Everyone wants to be that eye candy, or best dressed in a room, however not everyone has a budget that will allow that. Today, there are many brand names and designers, but with all the fast fashion stores that we have readily available to us, it is easy to create a mock couture outfit without paying the price of couture.

Here are five easy steps to look great while still staying on a budget.

Step one, keep your mind set on your budget and only shop at places that have the most up-to-date fashion at the most affordable prices. Retailers that fall into this category are H&M, Zara, and the brand new to Canada TOPMAN TOPSHOP. Shopping at these fast fashion retailers will keep you up-to-date with your fashion sense while staying within your budget.

Step two, follow up with fashion magazines, and make sure you know the current trends and what kind of style you want to sport “Whether it be a trendy hipster from Queen Street or a designer diva from Bloor Street”.

Step three, if you want to be an authentic and an original shopper I suggest doing a little “vintage” shopping. Head to places such as Value Village, Haute Classics and Fashionably Yours to find deals and pieces at more affordable prices.

The fourth step, knowing your fabrics and materials is a huge help in looking chic while keeping your budget in mind. Instead of purchasing real suede you can settle for micro suede which is a cheaper alternative to the suede look. Respectively, instead of spending upwards of $500.00 on a genuine leather jacket, H&M and TOPMAN TOPSHOP provide similar alternatives for a cost that will not break the bank.

Step five to staying in fashion without costing you a fortune; remember to have your own fashion sense. It is important to stay on trend with styles and fashions because they are constantly changing, but always remember to have your own creative mind. Creating a eye-catching piece does not always mean imitating what is put together in a magazine; it comes from creating an image in your mind and bringing it to your everyday life.

After following those five steps of shopping on a budget, you should find yourself looking fashion savvy and having a little more money than you expect left in the bank.

Overwhelming styles and an abundance of in-store merchandise and prices can be overwhelming for most people. Fortunately, fast fashion stores have opened their doors world wide to help people shop with ease. Although the amount of merchandise and styles these fast fashion stores offer can be excessive, it is all made to your advantage. The main fast fashion retailers, such as H&M, Zara, and TOPMAN TOPSHOP, carry many styles for the current fashion buyer, along with the basics for the not-so-fashion savvy customer. These stores gear their merchandise and styles to people aged between 18 and 28. They also have basic collections for the more mature, and “black” and “grey” labels for the more high-end fashion customer who is willing to spend more than the average consumer. Keep in mind that being trendy does not have to cost you your inheritance.

With the five steps given above you should be off to a great new start for the Fall/Winter 2012 season and even have some money left in that Prada wallet of yours. Happy Shopping!

Live and Let Live

The fashion industry has always been driven by the constant change in trends. Some last longer than others. Some become a movement. All can be predicted more than a year in advance by some of the most influential and powerful trend forecasting companies across the world. This process begs to ask the question: are these services creating or spotting the trends?
Trend forecasting companies span across all industries including interior design, architecture, food and automotive; in one word they cover everything. So if major industry competitors are all subscribing are there really trends?
Pantone specialists are entitled appropriately “cool hunters.” Companies like WGSN and Pantone are great references for designers. They provide inspiration for the fast paced industry where one wrong colour choice means thousands of dollars in lost profit. They provide a range of colour ideas that the designer can choose from and interpret. They still allow flexibility and creativity to thrive in the fashion industry. They go to the streets in over 100 cities worldwide to see what people have pulled and paired together. They seek out up-and-coming artists, travel destinations and world events that may inspire the latest runway collections.
With trend companies going to greater lengths and investors forcing designers to follow colour trends as a means of success, does all of this pressure force designer to conform? Linda Lundström, who you may know as a George Brown faculty member, adopted an acclaimed forecasting company when her company was bought out by Eleventh Floor. She explained in her draping class that she had never used trend forecasting services before while working on her label, but adopted them into her process. She continued to say that while the services create the pallets, designers are free to interpret them for different target markets.
The issue also becomes apparent with the overall cost to access these services ringing in well into the thousands of dollars. Smaller designers don’t find it in their budgets to afford these services and are therefore left behind. Luckily in the modern world, careful studying of street-style blogs and world events can provide the inspiration for free. The photographers that take to the streets each day provide the perfect representation of what the world is wearing- vintage or new. Designers in Toronto who belong to the Toronto Fashion Incubator can access seminars held by Pantone and have constant access to the books they publish. With the membership and fee for the seminar reaching just over 100$ smaller companies can afford to attend.
The need for trends and new products to constantly flood retail stores means that these companies are essential in keeping the market going. They provide information on new innovations from around the world and ideas on advertising and packaging to bring the final product to the consumer. Customized consultations are also available for designers. The companies filter through the trends and provide only details on the key details relevant for the price point and target market. In such an artistic and creative industry such direction is an asset to the artist. Allowing the designer to efficiently design a line for each fashion week or retail season means a major increase in profit and satisfied investors.
Consumers can take these companies as an advantage. Since there are so many companies making similar garments, style can be achieved at any price point. Of course the fabrics and the details may not be the same, but the colour pallet and the silhouettes are so similar that it makes dressing on a budget easier for the mass market. For designers it becomes an advantage because some advertisements are more easily obtained through magazine editorials. Since their garments can coincide with other designers who have chosen similar styling, magazines get to showcase several pieces cohesively.
With the fashion industry being the multi-billion dollar business that it is, the bottom line remains the essential ingredient in major decisions. If one decides to forego using the services of cool-hunters than one risks a design flop known to investors as an expense not lightly taken.
So the question still remains; do trend forecasting companies hurt or help the creative process? With the industry being so business-focused and the consumer empowered by the market’s saturation, any business decision that minimizes the risk of poor design choices is a no-brainer. It’s not to say that a well chosen pallet and fabric choice based on a solid inspiration can’t just as easily succeed. But with colour names like: orchid hush and quarry how can you not find inspiration in these services.

New Kid on the Blog

Avoid being a one-hit-wonder by following these five fool proof tips for success in the fashion blogosphere.

1. Express Yourself

The most crucial element of creating a successful fashion blog is being your true authentic self. Without this key ingredient your blog wont work. People have an ability to detect inauthenticity, so even if you’re really good at pretending, readers will catch on and your blog will never take off. Remember, blogging is about connecting with a wide audience and the fashion blogosphere is crammed with competition fighting for attention. The only way you’re going to stand out in the crowd is by being YOU!

Blog’s specializing in true authenticity: http://www.thestylerookie.com/; www.themanrepeller.com/

2. Let Me See Your Pretty Face

It is important to connect with readers and one of the most effective ways is by using photos of yourself in blog posts. Personal snapshots make your blog more personal and relatable. Anyone can find fashion images on the internet and post them on a blog, but only you can take self-styled photos of, well, YOU. Don’t get me wrong, there are successful blogs out there where the writer’s face never appears, however it is a really simple and effective way of standing out, if done well. If you decide to take this route then your first investment should be a high quality camera.

Blog’s specializing in self portraits: http://www.theglamourai.com/, http://www.whatiwore.tumblr.com/

3. Create Great Content

There is no point to starting your own blog if you’re not prepared to put 120% into creating great content. Not only are blogs a great creative outlet, but they can also be a useful professional tool. It is becoming more common for employers to research an applicant’s online persona and you want to insure you’re putting your best face forward. There is an uncountable number of people that have started blogs, but only a handful of them are successful. That’s because it’s hard work that requires a lot of discipline, dedication and time. When you put the effort in with your content you will reap the rewards. Best of all: readers will become loyal.

Blog’s specializing in raising the content bar: http://www.seaofshoes.com/; http://www.bryanboy.com/

4. Do It Everyday

You MUST blog every day, with the exception being that you can take weekends off. Wait! Don’t moan and complain you are too busy. The only way you can really make a go of it in the fashion blogosphere is to commit. Don’t get into this thinking it’s a free ride, blogging requires hard work and dedication. Push through those “off” days by setting up a few blogs in advance on days you’re feeling productive. Soon enough you’ll get into a routine and it will become second nature.

Blog’s specializing in consistent updates: http://www.finalfashion.ca/; http://www.thestylehouse.ca/

5. Work Hard For Your Money

Many bloggers have been able to turn their blogging hobby into full-time paying jobs; it’s not as impossible as you might think. Money follows the crowd, so once you’ve attracted enough readers the companies with advertising budgets will be close behind. You don’t even necessary have to wait for them to approach you. Get out there and represent your blog. Create a presence on other social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to help capture a larger audience. Then when you feel confident enough about your blog start approaching local businesses that might want to collaborate or advertise with you. Bottom line: put in the time and effort and you will reap the rewards.

Blogger’s that call it a profession: http://www.cupcakesandcashmere.com/; http://www.thestylespy.com/

Big Shoulders

A REVIVED FASHION TREND WHICH KEEPS ON BOOSTING YOUR EGO

Big shoulders were extremely popular in the 80s, and now they’re back; still making you look chic, sexy and tough. It’s a spicy combination! Here you will learn about how to easily handle the big shoulders trend. Bubbles, ruffles, epaulettes – you choose how to spice up them big shoulders this summer! This trend will make you the one in control. It’s time to show the world that you are the leader!

Power Dressing: The 80s
In the 80s, the role of women in the workplace increased tremendously. Their status raised and they now had more power and control. This of course affected women’s fashion and resulted in a new look: masculine blazers with oversized shoulders. Just wearing such a blazer made a woman look and feel fierce. Shoulder pads became an irreplaceable and a must-have part of women’s wear. This look was also widely spread among artists who combined it with big hair and heavy makeup to create this strong, rebellious in a way, image.

Big Shoulders’ Comeback
Big shoulders stayed in style until mid-90s. However, after that they became reduced to smaller and smaller shoulder lines. The trend to shrinking the shoulders in the last years resulted in the ridiculously tight-fitting jackets. I even remember myself a few years ago looking for a professional blazer and finding nothing but shoulder-padless jackets! But as it always happens, fashion has made its comeback! Big shoulders are in again and we see them everywhere! Especially on celebrities. Beyonce has embraced the whole Viking-diva image. Her latest tour I Am...Sasha Fierce outfits were all about showing the woman’s power by emphasizing her shoulders. Rihanna’s on it as well. She’s been numerously seen wearing blazers and jumpsuits with oversized shoulders. Anne Hathaway has even pulled it off with a dress which looked quite chic.
The point is: the 80s look is back and improved. Big shoulders are hotter than they’ve ever been!

Bubble Sleeves For A Bubbly Personality!
Here is one version of the big shoulders: round puffy sleeves which look like bubbles. They are great on tops, blouses and dresses. You can wear your puffy-sleeve top with anything you want: a skirt, jeans, or formal pants. Rihanna smartly combined her puff-sleeved purple top with a pink bubble skirt, and looked absolutely phenomenal in that outfit! What’s great about this kind of shoulders is that they may look formal and playful at the same time! Perfect for a formal dinner, a date, or a girls night out!

Romantic Ruched Shoulders
Ruched sleeves are cute and girly. They are made by ruffling the fabric and result in a “princess” look. Ruched sleeves work great for women with all body types, because the volume of the sleeves instantly makes the waist look smaller and balances out the hips. Very flattering! Ruched shoulders are especially nice on cardigans with mid-length sleeves or dress shirts that could be worn to work.

Epaulettes for Miss Tough
Epaulettes are ornamental shoulder pieces which show the rank in armed forces. They are also part of fashion! You can see them on blazers and jackets. These shoulder pieces look especially hot on leather jackets. And they sure do show your rank, Miss Tough! If you’re wearing an epaulette jacket, remember to keep it simple: epaulettes speak loudly for themselves. They are big and shiny enough to get all the attention, so there’s no need for heavy jewellery. Enjoy, officer!:)