Mandela Tribute Fashion Style

Mr. Nelson Mandela passed away Thursday, December 5, 2013.  Sad day, although, at his age, we know he would soon pass.  A wise and intelligent man of good character and integrity who loved people. 

The South African fashion designers featured below (they are just a few of many) may not have become as successful as they have today if it wasn't for Mr.Nelson Mandela and others fighting for their rights to be treated as equals.  This post is in memory of him.

David Tlale, www.loverista.com

Design Indaba, www.designindaba.com

Thula Sindi, www.missakake.blogspot.ca

Kottin and Twille, www.fashionghana.com

Laurence Airline, www.bellaniaija.com

Till next blog.

Native Design So Chique!

I love Native American designs.  There's something about the art, designs and prints that shows a connection to nature, and yet these same designs can be modernized to be wearable in urban settings. Plus the designers love to use a lot of color, which I'm much in agreement with.

One of the four Native designers featured today, Sho Sho Esquiro, is a Canadian Native woman from Yukon, Canada (yay!) who has recently shown her collection at the NYC Couture Fashion Week this year.  One of her designs, the yellow dress, is pictured below.

By Sho Sho Esquiro, indiancountrytodaymedianetwork

Penny Singer design, beyondbuckskin.blogspot

By Linda Day Peters, newsamericanfashion.blogspot

Patricia Michael 2010 collection, fashionwindows.net

I have to talk a bit about Patricia Michael as she is the first Native designer to compete on Project Runway!  She participated in season 11, which I haven't seen yet.  I'm having a hard time finding Project Runway on networks in the eastern standard time zone in Canada. I'd love to see her creating on the show! Can I buy the dvd anywhere?

Till next blog!

Thrift & Vogue - Dress Rich, Pay Less

Thrift & Vogue is a fashion blog on dressing stylishly for very little money.  It can be found on Facebook, and Stephanie Joseph is the author.  She lives what she blogs about!  I've seen posts of pictures of her wearing great and expensive looking outfits which she bought at thrift stores, and you'll never believe how much she paid for each piece! She's one lady who knows how to find quality bargains. 

If you don't have time to shop, but need a particular look for a special event or for employment, why not contact Stephanie Joseph to do your styling for you.  This stylist will have you looking good in no time at a fraction of the cost!

Thrift & Vogue Facebook page is

 https://www.facebook.com/thriftandvogue.

Suit by Girogio Armani, bought for $6, Thrift & Vogue

look from thrift shop inspired by Beyonce, Thrift & Vogue

International Concepts sheath dress, $4.50, Thrift & Vogue

I have to tell you that the International Concepts sheath dress Stephanie bought was originally $89.50.  She bought it for $4.50 at a thrift store!!!!  Fantastic price and the dress is gorgeous!

Till next blog!

Sweater Weather's Here Again

It's sweater weather once again.  Can any one of you believe that it's already November 2013?  A lady I was talking to recently said that the year now feels like 6 months instead of 12 months.  I agree.

It's now time to bundle up, wear layers, drink hot chocolate (and coffee...let's not forget soup).  I'm going to make the best of this fall and winter season keeping warm and fashionable in sweaters. Have to buy a couple more of them...  Here are a few gorgeous sweaters for men and women.

By Clare Tough.  www.stylebop.com

By Romeo & Juliet.  www.loehmanns.com

By Givenchy. www.shopfashiondesigner.com

By Krisvanassche.  www.commentsjunkie.com

By Designer Home.  www.casual-wear.net

www.mymatshop.com

 Till next blog!

A Confection of Mixed Prints African Style

I attended an African wedding this month through a friend I met in September. The bride and groom were a handsome couple, loved the wedding gown and the suit. The traditional African dresses many ladies were wearing (I'd call a lot of them gowns, many had floor length dresses) were beautiful, colorful, some with prints.  The head wraps were regal.  The men were looking good, most of them in suits. I was not dressed as lovely as the ladies were, but I enjoyed the ceremony. Unfortunately, I didn't think I could take pictures of these women as it was a church wedding where the groom was a minister's son.  

Which led me to this week's post.  Looking for African gowns, I came upon these delectable outfits in beautifully printed fabrics.  The ones with multiple prints are even more exciting and engaging.  I think future fashion trends will embrace print mixing for commercial clothing.

www.naijalife.freehostia.com

www.hairpik.com

www.weddingdigestnaija.com

www.bellanaija.com

www.munalucibridal.com

www.fabmagazineonline.com

Till next blog!

Looking Ahead to Spring 2014

 I viewed some videos showing collections for spring 2014 presented at  Fashion Week in New York, Milan, Paris and London.  I'd say overall, the design influences are the 60's and the 70's with a twist.  I don't have a problem with that at all.  

You know when you see something that just gets your attention, causes you to think "Wow!"?  These dresses did that for me. They're so unusual and lovely and feminine.  I'm not sure if I see 60's and 70's influence portrayed in these dresses though; correction - I do see a bit of these decades' influences.   I also see dresses that are trail blazers and will influence future designers.

Vera Wang spring 2014, www.vogue.com

Calvin Klein spring 2014, www.fashiongonerogue.com

Fendi spring 2014, www.fashionista.com

Lela Rose spring 2014, www.style.com

Till next blog!

Marie Osmond's Simply Classic

I found out early this week that Marie Osmond has a talk show, called Marie, on CTS in the Toronto/GTA area.   I'm so glad for her.  I used to watch the Donnie and Marie talk show some years ago (anyone remember that show?).  I loved it.  I've always loved the Osmonds, their humor, their closeness, their songs and shows, their friendly smiles.  

Marie has gone through some hardships, but look at her now with her own show. Wishing Marie much success! Let's admire her current classic style.

www.exposay.com

www.stylebistro.com

www.stylebistro.com

www.icurrentfashiontrends2.blogspot.com

Till next blog!

Avon Fashion Bargains!

 

I've bought from Avon for years.  The items I mostly bought were perfumed powders, lip balms and make-up.  Recently I've been buying Avon rings, I've got a thing for rings.  I love the convenience of shopping from home, ordering from the catalogue and waiting for the arrival of my purchases at my door via the Avon lady.

Avon has included clothing among it's merchandise for quite a few years now, and the clothes are chique and affordable.  If you go to the website, or if you have the catalogue, you will see that there's a clearance sale, and the prices are great for most items.  Here's a few of my picks of the great deals.

Cowl neck a-line dress, $16.99  www.avon.ca

Asymmetrical dress, $16.99  www.avon.ca

Crochet back dress, $19.99  www.avon.ca

Chained mule, $16.99   www.avon.ca

Metallic crochet flats, $12.99  www.avon.ca

Enjoy shopping from home.  Till next blog!

Designs by Project Runway Alumni

Ever wonder what previous Project Runway contestants are up to?  What they're designing, or if they're still designing?  I do occasionally.  I've been searching in vain for which channels in the Toronto/GTA area (I live in Ontario, Canada) would show Project Runway season 11. Season 12 is being aired now in the US, so Canada, as far as I know, is a season behind.  So I've resorted to watching my old VHS tapes of previous seasons of Project Runway (yes, I still have a VCR!  If it ain't broke, don't replace it, at least don't throw it out, lol).

I remember the good old days of watching seasons 1 to 10 on first Bravo then the Slice channel.  Which led me to wondering what previous contestants were up to now, or shortly after completing the show.  Here are some lovely designs by 5 previous contestants from Project Runway seasons 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6.  

 Mychael Knight (PR 3), andreaserrano.com

Daniel Vosovic (PR 2), danielvosovicny.com

Daniel Franco (PR 1&2), danielfranco.com

Irina Shabayeva (PR 6), zimbio.com

Korto Momolu (PR 5), kortomomolu.com

Excellent work!  Here's to hoping that the parts of Canada that are deprived of Project Runway 11 will soon be able to see it or purchase the dvd.  

Till next blog!

The Cool and Calm Color Green

Green is a cool and calm color.  I don't see people wearing green clothes much though.  It's not a common color for garments.  Well, maybe green clothing will soon become a must have item one day.  It's such a nice shade.

Are you melting today like I am?  North America is going through one serious heat wave right now.  I'm posting green and white print dresses and a green dress with lace because, not only are they pretty and I'd like one, the visual gives me the impression of cool air, circulation, freshness and calm.

www.discountdressup.com

www.woosters.co.uk

by Max Studio, www.eBay.com

by BCBGMAXAZRIS, www.uuclothing.com

 Till next blog!