South African Fashion Stand Out....

There are some places that, when you observe the fashion sense, you just know you're not in some place like.... North America.   The style is that unique.  Maybe there's more to the tone of style than just clothes, it's the culture, the music, the ambience, the people.  Is there one word to describe all this?  South Africa is such a place...

timeslive.co.za

 

designindaba.com

  

sandtonmagazine.com

timeslive.co.za

glamour.co.za

Till next blog.....

Cutting Edge Shoes - It's About Time

It's about time there are shoes with innovative designs!  Now we have to wait until they become mainstream to be able to afford one of them...  I'll take all of them please!








 

  

by Liceu Baix, barcelonacollective.com

  

by Borne Alt, barcelonacollective.com

   

by Raf Simon, garmentory.com

  

by Freda Salvador, garmentory.com

Until next blog!

The Hawaiian Perspective

Hawaii is a very beautiful island.  It's one of the destinations at the top of my list when I dream about places I'd like to visit.  Although, the long flight over the ocean would be very trying for me;  I'd be wearing the life vest the airline provides for the entire flight (lol).

Hawaiian clothing is just as attractive as the island itself. The distinctive prints and bright lively colors reflect the people who wear this island's fashion.

kealopko.com

honolulumagazine.com

mauinow.com

thefashiontag.com

 

womthrough.com

Till next blog!

Lace Up Your Look

I was cruising Facebook when I saw a post liked by a "friend" from the Fashion page.  What I saw were a few gorgeous shoes highlighting an unconventional material - lace.  They were, and are, phenomenal.  What can be so feminine than a lace shoe with 2" heels?  If you get a chance, take a look at Fashion on Facebook.  This page has a lot of posts of colorful trendy clothes paired with shoes and other accessories.

www.es.weddbook.com

http://a-listfashionwholesale.com

www.ebay.co.uk

www.dhgate.com

Till next blog!

Details, Details, Please!

When a new fashion season comes around, I'm looking for a new look, something that stands out, something that I haven't seen before.  It doesn't have to be a complete overhaul of a garment or accessory, it could be just one different detail on a traditional piece of clothing or a shoe.  What is fashion without a bit of a surprise, and a pleasing one at that?

 

I am soooo happy with the unusual details on the pictures below.  It made my day to discover them. 

Wesley Snipes, www.stylemounties.blogspot.com

Notice the change in the shirt collar, the squaring of the ends instead of points?  Isn't that fantastic?

www.asos.com

The crisscross lace detail on this blouse is absolutely lovely!

Pleated dress by Georgia Hardinge, www.coolspotters.com

 This dress is unique and refreshing.  Pleats on dresses are in for fall/winter 2011.

Bag by Alexander Wang, www.zappabag.com

Shoes by Giles, www.fashiononlogie.com

The belt theme for both the bag by Alexander Wang and the shoes by Giles is very innovative. I'd like to know how one opens the bag without too much trouble though.

Till next blog!

Stars Wear Boho Chic

Many stars wear the boho chic look.  Boho chic clothes...one of my favorite looks, started in the early 1990's.  Bohemian style clothes are hippie inspired clothing according to www.wikepedia.org.  The 1970's was a time of freedom, a time of change, a time of great music.  The clothes reflected this, and there were some unusual color and print combinations used for the same outfits, but I believe dressing in that decade was especially fun.  What I love, according to Savannah Miller (the actress Sienna Miller's sister), is that a bohemian chic woman or man is "...a profound romantic..." and lives outside of the box. 

Quick history lesson time!  The original Bohemians were travelers from Central Europe (the French translates Bohemian as Gypsy or Roma people).  Many elements of bohemian chic clothes date back as far as the pre-Raphaelite time (mid to late 19th century)!  I have to investigate that one.

Holly Robinson-Peete, www.bvonbeauty.com

 

Sandra Bullock, www.whosdatedwho.com

Jill Scott, www.celegritynewsflash.wordpress.com

Nicole Richie, www.bellyitchblog.com

Garcell, Beauvais-Nilon, www.bvonstyle.com

Till next blog!

I Counted 32 Shades of Blue!!

Last week I discovered over 11 shades of pink.  This week I counted 32 shades of blue from a list I found through Google!!  I was expecting to find about 11 shades of blue, not 32!!  Whoa!  I'm in my element.  Blue is my favorite color.  Blue is a shade that gives an air of coolness, airiness (as in the light blues), royalty (the deep shades).  I'm not going to list all 32 shades of blue I found (should I?), but I'll list 16 of them.

1. Sky blue  2. Baby blue  3. Cobalt  4.  Neon blue  5.  Navy  6.  Azure  blue 7.  Denim blue   8.  Prussian blue  9. Steel blue  10. Aqua 

11.  Cerulean blue:                                                          

Vintage silk scarf top, www.stylehive.com

12. Brandies blue:                                                  

Slouch bag, Tory Burch, www.toryburch-shoe-sale.com

13. Powder blue:                                                            

Crochet scarf by I Should Koko, www.etsy.com/shop/ishouldkoko

14. Cornflower blue:

 

Pebble Print flats, www.sambag.com.au

15. Night blue:                                                            

by Donna Karan, www.stylebop.com

16. Periwinkle blue:

Men;s vintage 80s Guayaber shirt, www.rustyzipper.com

Till next blog!

I'll Wear These Bright Hues If...

Canada Day was this past Friday, and as I grow older, I appreciate being a Canadian.  Belated Happy Canada Day!  For the US, Happy Fourth of July!  You all know (well, the Canadians anyway) that the Canadian flag is red and white.  I have no problem with that.  I have a problem with red clothing though...let me add orange to the list.

Nothing against those who love those colors.  I just find red and orange very loud and demanding attention, and I'm kind of low key.  My challenge today was to find red and orange clothes that I would consider wearing.  The solution for me?  Both red and orange fabrics must be combined with other colors.  That I can live with.

Pleated striped tee by Ellos, www.avenue.com

www.thisnext.com

by Valentino, www.thisnext.com

Stargazer print dress by Ali Ro, www.shopstyle.com

Designers, just add a little more length to the dresses for us modest women.  

Till next blog!

Kudos for African Designers

According to one website, African fashion designers are on the cusp of going international.  No wonder.  There's a great amount of talented designers creating beautiful garments with both traditional and international fabrics and silhouettes.I was in heaven looking at the designs online!  Some of the designers have already shown their lines at fashion weeks in South Africa.

http://sophisticatedafrican-wordpress.com

by David Tlale, http://fashionjunkii.onsugar.com

This is just a taste of the art coming out of Africa.  Some names of top African designers the rest of the world has to be introduced to:  ChiaChialondon, Tiffany Amber, David Tlale, Thula Sindi, Deola Sagoe, St. Genevieve, Christie Brown, and Marie Christine Quenneville.  Google each name to see their work.  You won't be disappointed!

Till next blog!

It's Sweater Weather

I'm sitting by my glass balcony door right now and feeling the cold.  It's sweater weather again folks!  I love sweaters, they're so comforting and warming.  There are so many versions of the sweater for women.

Fashion designers, I think there's a niche still open.  I had a time looking for unique stylish sweaters for men.   Maybe men don't buy anything too different from what they're used to seeing and wearing currently.   Argyle, solid dark colors, and horizontal stripes are some of the popular sweater styles for men.  Maybe I should work on designing unique sweaters for men myself for fall/winter 2011...

Billabong Yorkshire Sweater, www.dogfunk.com

BKE Speckled Cardigan, www.buckle.com

Element Snuggle Sweater, www.dogfunk.com

Dunmoran Hoodie, www.activejunky.com

Ergo Sweater, www.bizrate.com

Sport Obermeyer Quandry Cardigan, http://skiandsnowboardstore.com

I don't know about you, but I think some of the very style forward websites have some unusual names.  Maybe I should change SK Clothes to something more catchy...
Till next blog!