Chameleon Fridays » Style

Go Bold For Winter: Hot Winter Fashion

admin — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:32:51 +0000

Last year, the fashion scene was dominated by bright and primary colors with bold designs. This year’s winter fashion trend however is deviating from that but that doesn’t mean that winter fashion will be dull and boring. The hottest looks for winter right now still demand bold colors, clean structured shapes and daring combinations of different pieces.
Best Colors for Winter
Gray will still be a dominant color this winter but it would compete with fresh and daring colors like tomato reds, teal greens, indigo blues, subtle combinations of honey and apricot as well as the rich colors of aubergine purple.
Gray is still in for this winter and goes very well with other hues as well as a nice background for this year’s bold colors. However, say goodbye to last year’s dark slate grey and instead choose soft, silvery tones of grey. More and more of this silverfish grey is coming out and is usually accompanied by soft tones of rose quartz, lavender, lemon chiffon, pale taupe and other beige colors. You could also opt for creamy tones for they provide a good canvas for the rich colors that are in fashion for 2008-2009 Winter.
Structured, Bold Designs for Winter
Color is not the only way to make a statement this winter for more and more fashion designers are going for the shape of clothing to catch attention. Pyramid shaped coats, clothing with emphasized shoulder lines, hour-glass shaped coats and dresses and tulip shaped skirts are being seen on fashion runways and magazines these days.
The billowy, soft silhouettes of previous seasons are gone and structured shapes are the way to go. More and more emphasis is being put on the shoulders with wide shoulder lines as well as emphasis on the shape of the body with body-hugging clothes.
Just remember that if you go for bold designs, you should keep ornaments and colors at a minimum, opting for mono-colored clothes or less decorative ornaments. If you find that the shape is too daring for you but you still want to be trendy, then compromise by going for simple, clean cuts with variations of large collars. You could try knitted or furry, modern or vintage styled collars just as long as they are big. Also, make sure that the collar is in contrast with the rest of your clothing and this could be achieved by using collars with different texture, color or fabric.
Leather and biker inspired clothing is back for this winter so go for the romantic biker look. You can wear biker jacket with shiny zippers that are made of glossy leather. Just make sure that you soften the look up by wearing fur, knitted clothes or playful skirts in various colors.
Dresses and skirts are still in this winter but more and more fashion designers are leaning towards dresses. Prints and patterns that are trendy for this winter are arabesque and geometric prints. However, it is important to realize that if last year was all about gaining attention through loud and colorful patterns, then this year is all about emphasizing fabric, shape and texture instead of highlighting the print or pattern.

British Fashion Awards 2008 – “I’d like to thank………….”

chameleonfridays — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:16:48 +0000

2007 Model of the year, Agyness Deyn with Daisy Lowe

The British Fashion Awards return this evening, and as usual, the event will be attended by huge array of celebrities, key industry figures and lucky fashionistas that got a golden ticket. The British Fashion council, who host the event, first introduced the Designer of the Year award in 1984 and then the British Fashion Awards in 1989.

The awards are about recognising not just existing and established designers, but new and emerging talent within the industry, as well as the models that represent them. Stephen Jones has been announced as the winner of the BFC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design in advance, with the remaining ten awards being revealed at the ceremony.

Hilary Riva, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council, said:

‘The Awards celebrate the extraordinary talent within the British fashion industry, as highlighted in this year’s nominees shortlist. I would like to thank Swarovski for their support of the British Fashion Awards 2008 and for their sponsorship of the ‘Emerging Talent Awards’, which will help to support two of our newer talents as they establish their careers and businesses.’

Financial backers of all things fashion, Swarovski (great cororate branding there) are sponsoring the event and VP of communications Nadja Swarovski stated;

‘Swarovski is honoured to support the British Fashion Awards for the third consecutive year. This prestigious annual ceremony creates a platform that supports, recognises and celebrates the ongoing creativity and talent in the industry. This year, we are introducing two new awards, The Emerging Talent Award for Ready to Wear and The Emerging Talent Award for Accessories. We hope that this recognition and the financial support will enable up-and-coming designers to grow, while allowing their creativity to flourish.’

The 2007 winners were;

Designer of the Year – Stella McCartney
Red Carpet Designer – Marchesa
New Generation Designer – Christopher Kane
Accessory Designer – Tom Binns
Best New Retail Concept – Marc Jacobs
Menswear Designer – Christopher Bailey for Burberry
Model – Agyness Deyn
Designer Brand – Anya Hindmarch
BFC Award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design – Dame Vivienne Westwood
BFC Enterprise Award (sponsor: Swarovski) – Erdem
Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creation – Michael Howells

2008 winners to follow!

Barbie becomes a living doll – Fashion Icon at 50?

chameleonfridays — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 18:44:13 +0000

There are plenty of women that would love to have their own clothing line. Launching your brand, on your 50th birthday, may well be all of these dreams comes to fruition. For most of us, this will never be a reality, but If there is anyone who can have what she wants, it’s Barbie.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, Vera Wang and Jeremy Scott no less, are helping Barbie (that’s Mattel then) to design the collection. What is different about this launch however, is that the clothing line is for actual people.

The February 2009 New York fashion week will unveil the collection, which will also include a wedding dress and a cosmetics line.

Is this a good thing? Turning up to an event with the same outfit as someone else, bad enough. But what if the ’someone else’ is a plastic doll? Worse still, her version of the outfit was made to measure! Social suicide indeed.

Here is Barbie, in her outfit for the Go Red for women charity event.

Vogue – Fashion Magazine

chameleonfridays — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:41:14 +0000

Recognised as THE fashion magazine, if it’s in ‘Vogue‘ it’s IN. Vogue is the fashionistas bible, as it shows the upcoming fashions a season in advance. Although the high street now has an incredibly fast turnaround from catwalk and fashion weeks to it appearing in store, Vogue is still at least three months ahead.

Vogue was started in 1892 by Arthur Baldwin Turnure, being published every two months. When he died in 1909, it was bought by the publishing giant Conde Nast. The magazines was slowly grown by the publishers and saw and unexpected increase for subscriptions during both the depression and World War ll.

In the 1960s, Diana Vreeland took over as editor-in-chief but more importantly was a well known ‘personality’. She changed the focus of the magazine to feature contemporary fashion and embraced the ‘free love’ spirit of the time by controversially featuring articles on sex.

Vogue changed to a monthly magazine in 1973, when Grace Mirabella took charge, giving the magazine a fresh style and direction to reflect the changes in society.

In 1988 The current editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, is a huge celebrity in the fashion circuits, often labelled the most ‘influential woman in fashion’. In Anna Wintour turns up to one of your fashion shows, overnight the brand is a success. The film ‘The Devil wears Prada’ is allegedly based on her.

Other Vogue ‘brands’ include Mens Vogue (launched in 2005) and teen Vogue, not to mention the various country specific magazines, such as the UK (Alexandra Shulman is the current editor-in-chief since 1992), Italy and more recently India (2007).

If you want to know what to wear to look ‘on trend’ Vogue is your new best friend. However, if your circle of friends is more high street, pulling off PVC three months before it hits the shops may make you uncomfortable, go for ‘Glamour’, ‘Red’ and ‘In-Style’.

Selling your clothes = Credit crunch fashion

chameleonfridays — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:04:08 +0000

Traditionally society wore their clothes and then either threw them away or sold their ‘designer’ and ‘vintage’ threads to specialist stores.

Then we had eBay and royal mail exploded with global purchasing and suddenly these items were a little bit more available. Market forces drove prices down and you didn’t need to live in central London to purchase quality second hand clothes.

However with a recession looming, everyone has had to become a little bit more fashion savvy. Quality rather that fast/cheap/third world fashion and selling the good stuff on. Most of us have jobs/lives and although there is a pretty penny to be had on eBay, who has the time to get to the post office? Step in these stores, as featured in The London Paper, undercutting the 60% commission charges for selling your clothes and making your purchasing feel a little bit more refined than eBay. You’ll also make some cash, thus giving more money to spend, boosting the economy. Win, win!

Bang Bang

Bang Bang is one of the West End’s best-kept secrets. There are two shops – Goodge Street and Berwick

They accept high street, designer and even unwanted vintage, and thanks to the stores’ central location, you can expect your stuff to get snapped up fast.

Best of all, Bang Bang buys your stuff up front – so you get the cash immediately rather than waiting for them to shift your style mistakes.

You get only 30 per cent of what they hope to sell it for, but it’s the only place we know that will sell on your cheapie high-street clothes.
21 Goodge St, W1, 020 7631 4191, 9 Berwick St, W1
Commission taken 70%

The Closet Bureau

How come nobody thought of this before? The Closet Bureau is a chi-chi new website that takes designer fashion and sells it for you on eBay.

Founder Sophia Greene (a fashion PR, naturellement) was inspired by her own mama. “Because they didn’t know how to use eBay, my mother and her friends would take their clothes to dress agencies, on a monthly basis, where they were charged up to 60 per cent commission for selling the clothes and got little back,” says Greene. “We charge 35 per cent and take care of everything from cleaning to photography and shipping.”

Besides shouldering the admin, Greene knows all the insider eBay tricks. In fact, this canny clothes horse once sold a pair of Louboutins she bought for £200 at a sample sale for £1,200 . We’ll have a bit of that.
www.theclosetbureau.com, FREE collection from Zones 1-2
Commission taken 35%

Writen about in Vogue here

Seconda Mano
Don’t be confused when you arrive at Seconda Mano on Upper Street. The ground floor is a hairdresser, but below stairs you’ll find a cache of second-hand designer treasures (well, we say second-hand, but most of it is unworn).

Seconda Mano will sell your unwanted clobber at 50 per cent commission. It sounds like a lot, but their prices are quite high so if they sell your stuff you can still make a tidy profit.

They take clothes, jeans, shoes and accessories, but everything must be in mint condition, preferably with a designer label attached. In other words, that ill-advised Topshop playsuit need not apply.
53 Upper Street, 020 7359 5284
Commission taken 50%

Cheryl Cole – Vogue cover girl

chameleonfridays — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:46:12 +0000

Ms Cole has seen her star rise to dizzying heights since she took on he role of X Factor judge. Now the fashionistas have taken note and invited her to grace the cover of Vogue (the Herve Leger dress featured certainly went down well). We already checked her fashion credentials months ago here.

Generally this ‘honor’ is reserved for the most famous UK and international celebrities, there was very public disagreement when Coleen McLoughlin (wife of footballer Wayne Rooney) was featured in the magazine. Fans of the magazine felt it ‘lowered the tone’ and Coleen didn’t even make the cover.

This will be a huge step of fashion recognition for Cheryl (her stylist has done an amazing job) as only a few years ago she was heavily criticised for her ‘tacky’ advertising campaign with husband Ashley Cole for the national lottery (featured right).

Possibly the most recognised British ‘fashionista’ Victoria Beckham, only made the cover this March, despite years of fame in the Spice girls.

A source confirmed: “Cheryl has been approached about Vogue and she is very excited.

Not sure if it’s the groundbreaking Itailian ‘All black issue‘, but it’s certainly a new direction.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment – FAQs

chameleonfridays — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:05:58 +0000

This article tries to answer as many of the most common questions about Brazilian Keratin Treatment as possible. The links below will take you to the most relevant section to your quesiton. But first, the most common issue:

What Shampoo should I use?

A Good Shampoo for Brazillian Keratin Users

The best shampoo to use must be a sodium chloride (salt) free shampoo and, ideally, suplhate free. Most of the shampoos in the market contain sodium chloride. Eluence produce a shampoo at £20.

It is the Sodium Chloride which is bad for the BKT treatment as it washes it out quicker, which is why swimming in the sea a lot of sweating too much can also be a problem for BKT users. Swimming in a pool is problematic if there is a high chlorine content.

General Questions

What is Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

What happens during a Brazilian Hair Straightening Treatment?

How long does BKT last?

What does hair look like after is has been treated?

How much does BKT Cost?

Can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment at home?

I have very curly hair will Keratin Treatment give me straight hair?

What is X-Tenso and Yuko?

Which is best BKT or Yuko/ X-Tenso?

How to treat your hair after BKT

Does it matter if I get my hair wet after keratin treatment?

Can I go swimming after BKT?

How soon should I wash my hair after BKT?

Do I have to wait 3 days before wetting my hair after keratin treatment?

What shampoo should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

What conditioner should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

What to do after Keratin Treatment?

What not to do after Keratin treatment?

Health Questions about BKT

Is Brazilian Keratin Dangerous?

What Chemicals are in BKT?

Are there problems with Keratin getting into your eyes?

Brazilian Keratin Treatment and Sodium Chloride, what is the issue?

Keratin Treatment and formaldehyde, what is the all the debate about?

Does your hair fall out after BKT?

Are there any problems associated with using Keratin?

How many times can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

Can keratin treatment be done again before it washes out?

Can I get my curls back after having my hair straightened?

What is Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

o Brazilian Keratin Treatment has numerous names including:

• Keratin straightening

• Brazilian blow out

• BKT

• BKST

• Brazilian Keratin hair straightening

• Escova progressiva (the Brazilian name)

• “the permanent blow dry”.

It is a treatment that is designed to give hair that “just out of the salon, blow dried look”.

In brief it works by applying a product, Keratin to the hair and then sealing that product to the hair. The net result is that hair is normally straighter (as if it had been blow dried straight).

For more details see here and a video here.

• If a person has the BKT treatment the net result is that they will generally have straighter, more shiny, more “healthy looking” hair.

What happens during a Brazilian Hair Straightening Treatment?

* During a treatment the hair is first washed, with a clarifying shampoo, to open up the cuticles. Then the treatment is applied, which contains the Keratin. Then heat is applied through straightening irons. The heat seals the Keratin into the hair and so removes the frizz.

How long does BKT last?

o Between two to four months. BKT is not permanent and is eventually washed out.

The more the hair is washed, the quicker the keratin will be washed out.

o If hair is washed one a week it may last 4 months, if its washed 3 or 4 times a week then it may last two months. For this reason three months is the most common average for the length of a keratin treatment.

What does hair look like after is has been treated?

o BKT normally makes the hair look shiny and more healthy. Surprisingly the hair can also feel softer. Keratin provides a lot of nutrients for the hair, hence it looks so good afterwards.

How much does BKT Cost?

o Its not a cheap treatment and costs vary, depending on the salon, from £200 to £500 per treatment.

Can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment at home?

o No. The procedure involves a very long and detailed hair straightening process using irons and driers. It takes over 2 hours, and this is not something somebody can “have ago at”.

DIY is not a good thing!

I have very curly hair will Keratin Treatment give me straight hair?

o Possibly not, it will depend on the exact hair type. If its incredibly tightly curled hair then you may end up with soft curls

What is X-Tenso and Yuko?

o These are both Japanese hair straightening products. They work by applying a chemical to the hair that stays on the hair for the rest of its life. The hair is permanently straight and will only return to its natural method as the hair grows.

Which is best BKT or Yuko/ X-Tenso?

o They are very different treatments and it depends what you want. The former allows for flexibility and a more natural look, the latter is a longer lasting treatment.

Does it matter if I get my hair wet after keratin treatment?

o Yes, initially. BKT is not permanent and comes out in the wash; the less the hair is washed the longer it lasts.

o For the first 3 to 4 days after Brazilian Keratin Treatment the hair should not be washed, and then it should only be washed with a sodium chloride free shampoo and conditioner

Will sea water damage my hair after BKT?

o No, but it should be avoided. Sea water, which is salt water (and salt is Sodium Chloride), washes the keratin out of the hair quicker than normal water.

For this reason swimming in sea water reduces the life span of a BKT treatment.

Can I go swimming after BKT?

• Brazilian Keratin Treatment is washed out more rapidly by sodium chloride and chlorine. Sodium chloride (salt) is in sea water and chlorine is in most swimming pools and spas. So if your going to swim, and want to keep the BKT effect for as long as possible try and cover your hair.

How soon should I wash my hair after BKT?

o About three to four days after the first treatment

Do I have to wait 3 days before wetting my hair after keratin treatment?

• Yes, a minimum of three days, possibly four, depending on your hair type.

What shampoo should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

It must be a sodium chloride free shampoo. Most of the shampoos in the market contain sodium chloride; Eluence produce one at £20.

However, the same product can be purchased for just £7 from this site. Even though the postage and packaging is expensive its still very cheap. If you can buy several you will get a very good bargain.

What conditioner should I use after Brazilian keratin treatment?

o The conditioner, like the shampoo, this needs to be sodium chloride free. As the sodium chloride washes out the keratin faster.

The conditioner can also be bought cheaply from this site.

What to do after Keratin Treatment?

* Do keep your hair dry

* Blows dry your hair after washing.

* Do wear a silk scarf to pull your hair away from your face.

* Do use a shampoo without Sodium-Chloride (Sulfate-Free) on your hair at all times.

What not to do after Keratin treatment?

* Don’t do any of the following for the first 3 or 4 days:

1. wash your hair

2. Tie your hair into a pony tail.

3. Use hair clips.

4. Do not place your hair behind your ears.

5. Do not exercise or sweat.

6. Do not use hair bands.

7. Do not use your glasses to hold your hair back.

8. Do not use sprays, gel or mousses.

Is Brazilian Keratin Dangerous?

o No. There are two types of BKT. BKT with formaldehyde (commonly referred to as just BKT without an reference to the formaldehyde ) and BKT without formaldehyde, commonly referred to as BKT formaldehyde free. Some people do not like the formaldehyde product, due to the nature formaldehyde – it is a potent chemical.

What Chemicals are in BKT?

o BKT contains ether, Keratin, and more often than not formaldehyde. Unless its specifically states its “formaldehyde free” then it will almost certain contain that.

Are there problems with Keratin getting into your eyes?

* During the treatment it is a possible that you could get the product in your eyes, much like there is with any bleach, shampoo, or conditioner. During the treatment its possible the fumes given off could go in to your eyes.

This is not problematic, any more than getting shampoo in your eye – merely wash it out.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment and Sodium Chloride, what is the issue?

o Sodium Chloride, which is salt, is found in both sea water and most shampoos. In its self it is harmless and will not damage the hair, however it does wash keratin off quicker than normal water, reducing the life span of a BKT treatment, therefore is should be avoided.

There are shampoos available that do not contain sodium chloride.

Keratin Treatment and formaldehyde, what is the all the debate about?

• BKT has been available in the UK for the past few years, famously used by Girls Aloud; it has been in the US for much longer.

The primary chemical in BKT is Keratin – which holds the hair. However, most BKT treatments also have formaldehyde in it.

• Formaldehyde is not a nice chemical, and has been linked to cancer. There are no known cases of death or even illness from its use in BKT, and the concentrations are so low, and the exposure so minimal it is unlikely to have an effect for the customer. The stylist, on the other hand, has regular exposure to the chemical, on a daily basis and for this reason some hair dressers simply will not work with it.

Does your hair fall out after BKT?

o No, not all

Are there any problems associated with using Keratin?

o No, none, other than you have to wait for several days before washing it. The hair actually looks and feels better after the treatment.

How many times can you use Brazilian Keratin Treatment?

o As many times as you want, as it is not harmful for the hair

Can keratin treatment be done again before it washes out

* Yes, can easily be done every month (funds permitting), as BKT does not harm the hair.

Can I get my curls back after having my hair straightened?

o Yes. If you’re using BKT once it’s been washed out the hair will return to normal.

Agent Provocateur – Peaches Geldof – Season of the Witch

chameleonfridays — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:55:46 +0000

Agent Provacateur launched their Autumn/Winter lingerie collection today, with both Peaches Geldof and friend Daisy Lowe (girlfriend of producer Mark Ronson), modelling in the new campaign.

The adverts titled ‘Season of the Witch‘ show Peaches posing in suspenders and a black see through negligee, whilst she ‘tempts’ a model with a cherry.

The company have been quoted stating “She’s hot, young and of the moment. She’s got an edginess about her and we like the face of the firm to have that hint of danger. We’ve no doubt she’ll be a huge success.” Updated photographs available here

This is much needed new publicity since Peaches married Max Drummey in a suprise wedding ceremony last month, and dominated the papers with the impromtu nuptials.

The campaign is a number of high profile lingerie ranges being launched this season, starting with the D to G, because we’re more than a handful advertising and later this month the Sexy Science by Dita Von Teese, both by Wonderbra.

London Fashion Week – Ban on size zero rejected

chameleonfridays — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 16:26:17 +0000

When the London development agency and the British Fashion Council, set up their independent model health inquiry last year, no one could have guessed the rejection their recommendations faced. Following the death of Brazilian model, Luisel Ramos in 2006, the size zero debate was brought into the public consciousness. The BBC were quick to pick up on the issue, commissioning a documentary by Dawn Porter to highlight the issue. ITV responded with a Louise Redknapp programme and many other media sources were keen to distance themselves from the negative press.

One of the 14 recommendations put forward by the inquiry board was to implement a system of compulsory medical tests for models, and subsequent model health certificates (MHC). These would enable the catwalk shows to promote their endorsement of healthy models. However, the organisers of the Paris, New York and Milan shows refused to implement the scheme, forcing London to pull out, fearing models would boycott the catwalks if they went ahead. The British fashion council are now encouraging modelling agencies to act responsibly, through the endorsement of the Association of Model Agencies (AMA).

The head of the British Fashion Council, Hilary Riva, published an open letter today stating; “The Model Health Certificates continue to create very specific challenges. From our conversations with our international counterparts in New York, Milan and Paris it has become clear that they do not recognise the need for an international health certificate. In summary, Model Health Certificates are an unworkable solution based on concerns in principle and practicalities of implementation. The BFC now feel that we have taken this as far as we can within the remit of our organisation. We are not a regulatory body and we have access to limited resources. We believe the AMA should take the lead role in developing and encouraging an international network, to set best practice in each market and develop a version of the MHC which will be a useful tool for models who work internationally.”

The clothing brand Nolita, took the dramatic step of using anorexic model Isabello Caro across billboards in Milan and subsequently, the 2007 Milan fashion week showed much more shapely models. The lesser known Madrid fashion week in 2007, bandne girls with a body mass index of below 18 from its catwalks – 18.5 to 25 is considered the “normal” range.

Sadly this year, it seems ’size zero’ is last years news, supporting the health of models is apparently no longer ‘in vogue’. Fashion to die for.

Hello – Geri Halliwell Strips to her bikini

chameleonfridays — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:06:52 +0000

Geri Halliwell, of the Spice Girls fame, has stripped off to a bikini for Hello magazine’s current issue. The article is accompanied with Geri commenting on her discomfort and self consciousness stating, ‘I haven’t been willingly photographed in a bikini for seven years – and I don’t think I’ll do it again.’

There is no doubt that Geri looks amazing in her bikini aged 36, putting women half her age in the shade. However, it wasn’t that long ago Geri was doing sterling work as a UN ambassador, in an attempt to be taken more seriously. It is also a concern that a woman who was so publicly open about her eating disorders, is verbally uncomfortable about the shoot.

What message does this send to the legion of old and now new spice girls fans regarding publicity. Whether you like it or not, you have to take your clothes off to sell pictures? Is this the girl power the Spice Girls so animatedly promote? Hello?

For tips on looking good in your own swimwear see, swimwear trends or swimwear styling for your individual shape;

Tall

Petite

Large Bust

Small Bust

Large Bottom Half (hips/tums/bums)

Small Bottom Half (straight and flat hips/tums/bums)

Tags: celebrity+style, fashion+news