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Archive for the ‘Trends’ Category

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Unintentionally Chic

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on November 11, 2010 at 5:03 am

I work in an office that likes to offer themed dress days as the holidays near.  Today happened to be ’80s day.  As I passed one of my co-workers in the hall, I could not help but turn to admire her ensemble.  While I am quite certain that her intention was to look as ridiculous as possible, she accomplished quite the opposite.  She was in fact, unintentionally chic.

Leopard print often bores me in traditional tan and black.  Green, however is a completely different story.  Over these fabulous leggings, she wore a denim mini and neon yellow top.  Her long brown hair was tied to the side, perfectly completing the theme.  All throughout the day, I could not help but think of her fabulous accident.  In fact, she looked as if she had stepped out of a Betsey Johnson ad.

My experience today has brought me to the conclusion that fashion is such a powerful and never-ending force, we may not always need to try as hard as we think.  This is certainly not to say that we should just close our eyes and put together whatever happens to fall out of our closet.  However, if we just loosen up a little, we may find new and exciting fashion possibilities beyond our wildest dreams.

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Ancient Inspiration

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on October 23, 2010 at 6:39 pm

Watching a recent episode of Project Runway, I found myself paying more attention to Heidi Klum’s ensemble than what was being put onto the runway.  Her judge’s chair seemed to resemble a throne as she sat proudly in a gold shimmering top, neckline adorned with blue and silver jewels.  Where had I seen this look before?  Ancient Egypt, perhaps?  With her glowing skin and perfectly styled bob, Heidi did in fact, resemble an ancient queen.

After thoroughly admiring the star’s look, I began to wonder what other modern twists on ancient beauty graced today’s fashion world.  Badgley Mischka’s most recent collection features a seductively fluid gown in light aqua.  The one shoulder detail is wonderfully reminiscent of a Roman toga, especially with coordinating gold jewelry.

A few collections ago, Alexander McQueen presented a collection taken straight from the Dark Ages.  Several pieces resembled fashion forward armor, complete with feather adorned helmets.  One exquisite gown befitting of a medieval princess revealed delicate chiffon peeking through a beautifully sculpted robe-like garment.

After browsing a plethera of collections, I found more ancient Egypt and a few Grecian inspired pieces.  Beautiful draping and shining embellishment is certainly no modern idea.  In fact, the roots of nearly any spectacular garment can probably be found at the Smithsonian.

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Conelly Cocktail: The Perfect Accessory

In Events, Fashion, Trends on September 24, 2010 at 4:22 pm

As we have all learned from over a decade of watching Sex and the City, no fashion event would be complete without the perfect, pretty cocktail.  From Fashion’s Night Out to the VIP Model Behavior Soiree and especially the runway shows, colorful liquids have always gone hand in hand (quite literally) with dazzling fashion.

A sponsor of Fashion Week Tampa Bay, Conelly Cocktails is to drinks as Audi is to cars.  A Conelly Cocktail is comprised of the perfect combination separated in two different cans.  One contains the exact measurement of spirits needed while the other provides a tasty fruit juice mixture.  Together the result is a high-end soiree for the mouth.

In delicious flavors such as Mai Tai, Planters Punch, Ladykiller, Sex on the Beach and Tequila Sunrise, a Conelly Cocktail served in a sparkling martini glass will prove the perfect accessory.  After all, it is called a “cocktail dress” for a reason.

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Va Va Voom Your Look with VA Cosmetics

In Events, Fashion, Trends on September 20, 2010 at 12:51 pm

No chemicals… no dyes… and no preservatives. It’s taking over the beauty industry faster than the speed of light (exaggeration much.. but you get it). It’s called “mineral makeup” – cosmetic products made of all natural, finely ground minerals from the earth. Unlike traditional makeup, it’s all natural baby! If you haven’t updated your makeup to mineral makeup yet, then it’s time to va va voom your look, ladies -Va Yourself!

Skin care educator and creator of VA Cosmetics, Sneha Dixit has been committed to sharing her professional makeup expertise with women for years. Sneha has taught many women an efficient approach to applying makeup and having a natural flawless makeup look. In addition to providing useful beauty information about keeping your makeup bag tidy and clutter free. We women will clean our bags thoroughly every week or two but wouldn’t it be more practical to simply keep our bags (including our makeup bags) sparkling clean all the time? The key to having your bag sparkling clean is quality not quantity! It’s better to have the essentials instead of the unnecessary.

VA Yourself Cosmetics offers high pigment, long-lasting colors based on a beautiful palette. To keep harmony with nature, they create healthy mineral makeup and paraben-free lip shines. Their products make creating a gorgeous look so easy while enhancing your natural inner and outer beauty. They carry a great variety of different lipstick colors. Perfect, since I always carry three or four different ones at once. My outfits and mood usually determine my lip color though, lately it’s either a refreshing, fashionable nude lip color or fierce wildfire red lips. The VA nude shimmer lip shine will be added to my makeup bag in no time. I love how their nude shimmer will create the illusion of fuller lips. You can purchase Sneha’s products on the VA Cosmetics website or during any of her personal makeup and skin care lessons that are held throughout the year.

Be refreshed… be beautiful… and be ready to va va voom your look with VA Cosmetics! The perfect way to look fabulous for Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2010!

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Andrew Ashton of LaPosh Styles Fashion Week

In Fashion, Trends on September 13, 2010 at 2:31 pm

The main focus of a fashion show is always the garments.  From exaggerated shoulders to sequined military jackets, we are all dying to see what will be next on the runways.  As important as the clothes, however, are the other components that make up a look.

If a model were to step into the spotlight with sloppy, untouched hair, this could easily disrupt the beauty of her dress.  From Paris to New York, all collections must have coordinating hairstyles.  Thankfully, Tampa Bay has Andrew Ashton.

Of LaPosh Salon, Andrew Ashton is the magic behind the beautiful models of Tampa Bay.  Soft curls with that pink lace top, edgy volume for the black leather piece, sophisticated chignon for the chic, tailored dress.  Andrew can achieve any look for any design.

The runway extravaganza for Tampa Bay will soon be upon us.  As you study each garment with delight and awe, do not forget to take notice of the hair, styled with perfection by Andrew Ashton of LaPosh. Also, catch Andrew and his team on Studio 10 this Wednesday, Sept. 15 at 10am. They’ll be taking runway hair and make-up to every day wear!

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Oh, What a Night!

In Designers, Events, Fashion, Trends on September 12, 2010 at 2:30 pm

We certainly had a great night of shopping, cocktails, and fashion. Fashion’s Night Out was everything and more that it set out to be. The Fashion Week Tampa Bay team and I spent our shopping night at Neiman Marcus at the International Plaza. The store was closed off and welcomed the Bay area’s most fashionable attendees.

As we sipped on pink martinis and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from Capital Grill, our eyes wondered seamlessly through all the events. We started out on the first floor and tapped our stilettos to the band, 10th Concession playing in the middle of the cosmetic section of Neiman Marcus and sampled some of the upcoming fall seasons products from Chanel and Bobby Brown.

Women took playful photographs in the ladies shoe department and tried on boots for the fall.

As we worked our way upstairs, enchanted by the hundreds of white butterflies above us on the escalator to the second floor, the sound of Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ filled the room.

Neiman Marcus treated attendees by presenting a runway show that showcased some of fall’s must-have trends including fur coats, trench coats, lots of leggings and suede boots. This sure inspires one to shop!

Fashion’s Night Out is not only driven to help the fashion industry and economy, but it is shopping for a cause. By purchasing a Fashion’s Night Out t-shirt, the proceeds were donated to the NYC Aids Fund. Where will you be wearing you Fashion’s Night Out t-shirt?

Thank you to everyone who participated in Fashion’s Night Out 2010. Fashion Week Tampa Bay would like you to tell us where you spent your night shopping and about your purchases!

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Get VERTICAL for Fashion Week!

In Fashion, Trends on September 9, 2010 at 9:48 am

There was a time when I believed all high-fashion magazines had to be New York-based. To my surprise, that all changed the first time I scanned the pages of VERTICAL Tampa Bay.  This local high-fashion wonder includes stunning ads for high-end department stores such as Neiman Marcus, breathtaking layouts  for editorials, invigorating articles and photo shoots that are more than worthy of any Conde Nast publication.

The most recent summer issue features a wonderful swimsuit editorial along with beauty tips, refreshing recipes and designer ads so vibrantly colorful, you may think you are dreaming.  This virtual magazine is truly amazing and even offers a complimentary subscription.

The face behind the fabulous?  Leslie Joy Ickowitz, a distinguished member of the Tampa Bay publishing community is the driving force behind Tampa’s first virtual magazine and certainly possesses the talent and ambition to set the fashion standard for Tampa Bay.

With delightful pages of fashion to accompany the much anticipated Fashion Week, I can’t help but wonder: Could Tampa Bay be the new NYC?  Take a look for yourself, and get VERTICAL!

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Freeway Fashion: Style Saviors

In Fashion, Trends on September 7, 2010 at 9:26 am

When it comes to style, even the most fashion forward can use a little help from time to time.  Have you ever wondered how that woman seen at every single event always looks like polished perfection?  However convincing she may be, it is quite likely that she does not actually have an infallible sense of style.  In fact, she may very well be a client of Freeway Fashion.

Lead by the incredibly talented Laura Hunt, who has succeeded in everything from modeling to consulting, Freeway Fashion offers expert styling services which include color and wardrobe analysis, personal shopping and complete makeovers. Laura remains at the forefront of the styling industry, traveling to Fashion Weeks across the country and abroad to scout the latest in designer clothing.

What sets Freeway Fashion apart from other image consultants is the fact that they do not just pack up and leave once the lip gloss is applied.  Freeway Fashion comes complete with an expert team of image consultants, journalists, marketing professionals, photographers and videographers to expose your fashion event in the brightest possible light.

Joining this year’s proud list of sponsors for Fashion Week Tampa Bay, Freeway Fashion will be coming to Tampa Bay for what is sure to be an unforgettable event.  Why not contact Laura Hunt for some assistance in creating an unforgettable look for yourself?

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Heal Your Hair

In Events, Trends on September 2, 2010 at 2:22 am

Do you ever find yourself reminiscing about when your hair was a virgin? That is, to hair color. After years of coloring your hair and other chemical services your hair has experienced, the nutrients have washed away, likely leaving your hair feeling dry and dull. That’s why Heal5ium, a sponsor of Fashion Week Tampa Bay, has created an extraordinary professional hair care product that will heal, treat, sooth, repair and nourish your “experienced” hair.

Heal5ium makes professional hair care science both beautiful and beneficial by infusing their products with 25 natural healing and soothing ingredients.  The products are made up of ingredients like soy, sea kelp, grape seed extract, marigold extract and rice bran oil, just to name a few. Natural blends are vital in maintaining a healthier hair and scalp. The line consists of shampoo, conditioner, treatments and styling products that all encompass the same common goal, to heal.  Heal5ium features 5 exclusive complexes of hydration, proteins, oils, amino acids, and vitamins.

Perhaps you find yourself unsure as to why protein or hydrating the hair is so important to healthy, smooth hair. The protein ingredient within the Heal5ium products will help smooth the hair and strengthen as well. Other ingredients like amino acids help improve blood circulation in the scalp.

Although there are 25 natural ingredients in every product, using this product will not create residue or unwanted product build up. Each product is lightweight and water-soluble. The ingredients are also combined with React Technology to replenish hair’s nutritional needs.

Peroxide developers in chemical services, such as, coloring, highlighting, and relaxers cause the most cuticle damage to your hair. Therefore, the React Technology in the Heal5ium shampoo’s are based on which peroxide develop group volume was used in your service. If you are unsure what peroxide was used on your hair, consult your hair stylist.

Conditioners are formulated to cater to your hair’s quality, hydrating and strengthening when nutrients are conditioned into the hair shaft then into the scalp. The products are reasonably priced averaging $25 a bottle. For a professional product this is a great price where other professional hair care products average $38.

So ladies and gents, as you get ready for the Fashion Week Tampa Bay festivities and your treated hair is feeling mistreated, rescue it with Heal5ium professional hair care products to put the nutrients back into those lovely locks.

For more information visit www.healiumhair.com

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Chuck Taylor Reincarnated

In Designers, Fashion, Trends on August 21, 2010 at 8:33 am

Converse was once just a ordinary canvas sneaker with a rubber sole. They were first produced in 1917 and called  the “All-star”, until being popularized by professional basketball player Chuck Taylor, which soon made the sneaker known as the ‘Chuck Taylor’ or ‘Chucks’. After years of the traditional black canvas, rubber sole with the Converse star logo on the side, the Chucks have been reincarnated with some funk.

While window shopping at my favorite shoe department: Nordie’s, I came across these all black canvas sneaker with an all black toe and a studded tongue. As I examined every detail on this trendy sneaker, I noticed a familiar star logo… OMG…these are Chuck Taylors. It didn’t stop there, Converse’s new collection had color, glitter and much more. So, I did what any shoe lover would do and tried them all on.

I tried a grey and baby pink ruffle slip on Chuck. The canvas was grey, they had no laces and pink ruffles trimming the shoe lace loops. They were very pretty and feminine. After trying on other sneakers in hot pink, glitter, studded, low and high-top, I came across the ultimate Chuck Taylor. An ‘XX Hi’ knee-high sneaker. This knee high shaft updates a classic lace-up style designed with a back zip entry for easy on-and-off wear. Talk about taking sneakers to the next level.

After driving my shoe guy Victor crazy, I decided to go with the all black canvas, black toe and studded tongue Converse. However, I still have my eye on those ‘XX Hi’ knee high sneakers. That will be on next week’s shopping list!

For more Converse styles visit www.converse.com or www.nordstrom.com