A French Designer of Ballerina Pumps Creates with Charity in Mind

December 26, 2013 Fashion Blog No comments

The Brand FRENCH SOLE, has Teamed-Up with the London high end Dress Line Beulah to create a Classic Shoe for Charity

In Paris, there is a very popular ballerina shoe designed by French Sole. One of the best-loved styles is the classic “Loveheart” which has a scooped out front with a heart sewn on the front, as you can see in the picture above. Over the years it has come in various color combinations and materials. Founder, Jane Winkworth, has teamed up with the Blue Heart Campaign. This campaign was started by the London based high-end dress design, Beulah.


The Blue Heart Campaign founders,Lady Natasha Rufus-Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan, set up the Campaign to fight against human trafficking, particularly of women. Besides raising money, Beulah also actually employs the formerly trafficked women to work on their garments and dress bags. Last year, Beulah designed a silk dress with a blue heart in an effort to raise funds for this campaign.


The collaboration between Beulah and French Soles is a lovely, versatile, and well-made gray suede shoe with a royal blue velvet heart on the front. The lining of blue hearts is the logo of French Soles. Twenty five percent of proceeds go to the Blue Heart Foundation. Beulah founders proudly assert that:
“French Sole and Beulah share fundamental ethical values that hope to change the exploitation of women and child workers in the fashion industry and halt the disgrace of human trafficking.”
Good for them. Now let’s see more Couture Designers do the same!!!

Certain Retail Brands at the Malls did not Fare so Well this Christmas, while Amazon.com had it's best Season Ever.

 SHOPPERS ARE DOING MORE OF THEIR SHOPPING ONLINE IN 2013

                       HERE ARE THE LATEST STATISTICS 

 The 2013 holiday shopping season is in the books, for the most part, and it's becoming more apparent that having an effective online presence is crucial for retail success. Fewer people are actually going out to brick-and-mortar retailers, which is the result of a combination of factors.

The convenience of online shopping is the most obvious, but people have known this for a long time. Online-only promotions, free shipping deals, and online "doorbusters" being offered are quickly making the holiday trip to the mall not worth the effort.

The dataAccording to ShopperTrak, year-over-year store traffic declined by double-digit percentages for the last three full weeks leading up to Christmas. This includes a drastic 21.2% year-over-year drop in the week that ended Dec. 22, which includes the last weekend before the holiday. 

However, sales did not decline quite as much. Actual sales only fell 3.1% year over year, which indicates more spending by the average consumer. Still, the massive decline in foot traffic through stores has to be worrisome to retailers, especially those without strong online sales to make up for it.

Some had good traffic, but at what cost?The decreased traffic was a good thing for shoppers who did go out. Many stores were offering some of the best deals of the season in a last-ditch effort to boost sales. For example, Abercrombie & Fitch was giving shoppers 50% off their entire purchase just before Christmas.

While these discounts surely lured in some last-minute shoppers, the companies that offered these types of discounts will certainly feel the pain in their profit margins. In fact, Abercrombie warned their shareholders back in November that this holiday season would bring lower sales because of the need to offer promotions. The company adjusted its yearly guidance down to $1.40-$1.50 per share, from $3.15-$3.25.

Who is winning the online battle?While Abercrombie and several other retail brands may be suffering, there are some retailers who have embraced the shift to online retail. The sales are definitely out there to be had. Overall holiday sales rose 2.3% from 2012, which, combined with the decrease in sales at physical stores, means business is quickly shifting to virtual storefronts.

Amazon.com , the king of Internet retail, said the 2013 holiday season was its best ever, with more than 36.8 million items ordered on Cyber Monday alone. In the week before Christmas, the company added more than 1 million new memberships to its Amazon Prime service, which guarantees free two-day shipping on items. The online sales volume this year was so great that it overwhelmed UPS, which missed many holiday shipping deadlines. 

Aside from Amazon, there are plenty of traditional retailers that are doing a great job transitioning to an Internet-based business model, with some growing quicker than Amazon. Urban Outfitters has done the best job in this department, with an average annual growth rate of more than 65% over the past decade when it comes to online sales. The company sold about $663 million in merchandise online last year, compared with just over $7 million in 2003. Other companies such as Macy's, T.J. Maxx, and Gap have also seen their online business grow tremendously. 

Best Buy has done a particularly good job of transitioning its business online, as well as maximizing its in-store business. Over the past few years, the company has reduced and restructured its stores and has implemented price-matching and free shipping programs in order to compete with Amazon. In fact, the difference in price between buying an LCD TV in a Best Buy store as opposed to at Amazon has dropped to less than a 1% difference, making it more practical to buy in store than in years past.

by Matthew Frankel, The Motley Fool Dec 29th 2013 2:00PM

Gotta Love Joan Collins. She Still Looks the Same at 80 Years Old!!

 Hard to Believe This Woman is 80 Years Old

"Much of fashion today is designed by men with no idea of what actually works for real women. They design for very tall and skinny teenagers, and if your bosom is more than a 32B, then forget it.

Sadly, the average dress designer does not think about the older woman when sketching collections. So I've always dressed to accentuate my assets just as the glamorous queens of Hollywood always did. Whatever you buy, think flattering, not fashion.'  Joan Collins

Great advice, I think..

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2522208/Joan-Collins-guide-looking-stylish-women-ages.html#ixzz2oqsdhaJC
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

What a Waste of a Perfectly Good Birkin Bag!!! Kanye's Christmas Gift to Kim

WHAT TO GIVE THE WOMAN WHO HAS EVERYTHING?  A HAND-PAINTED BIRKIN BAG?

I am definitely not one to promote Kim Kardashian, so please don't think I am doing so in this article.  But, I couldn't resist commenting this time, even if someone does get the wrong impression. Here is a picture of Kim and Kanye with Kim wearing his Christmas gift. Kanye had the Birkin bag painted by the famous artist George Condo, (I've never heard of him) as a Christmas gift. But, Kim already has 10 of them so what else can one do to top that? If you ever read about what it takes to make a Birkin bag-hours of intensive labor by highly trained and devoted craftsmen in France-this is just a shame!!!  And, I definitely think the picture is inappropriate to be just "wearing around"

Then again, I am Over Fifty, so perhaps the younger generation likes this? I will have to get some reviews and post them. If you read my website, I am about changing the culture of the United States.  Not only does it have to do with raising the self-esteem of women over fifty, but it has to do with values. What about a donation to a Charity? Each Birkin bag averages about 12,000 dollars Does Kim really need 11 Birkin bags? And, where is their baby?  Who leaves the baby at home the day after Christmas? 

Am I missing something here?

Michael Kors was the first Designer to Use Instagram. He Had Lots to be Thankful For On Thanksgiving

How Michael Kors Made an Impression on Thanksgiving

A week before Thanksgiving Instagram announced that it would be selling advertising.  The Friday after Thanksgiving, Michael Kors was the first Designer to post on to Instagram. When everyone else is posting photos of turkeys and stuffing, how do you stand out?  You post the above picture and tack on some Thanksgiving message, like "Thinking of all of  you on Thanksgiving! #CelebrateWith....

This post received 66.3 thousand hits. The brand took advantage of the opportunity to stage their holiday theme. Their hashtag (#) CelebrateWith.. was used again the next day and garnered over 6 million impressions on Instagram alone.

The lesson: any brand can capitalize on the holiday season and find a unique way to engage with an eager audience who is preparing for a big purchase. In posting a photo that "stood out" he created a converstation which is always good for business!!!

Stay posted to find out how his sales went this holiday season.  I think they were big.  

Merry Christmas to All. What a Wonderful Day to Be Grateful For All that We Have. What a Wonderful Day to Consider Those People who are Not so Forutunate

How lucky are we to have friends, family and the where-with-all to share presents with loved ones. When I was young, my dad would drive down on Thanksgiving and Christmas to the Homeless Shelter and hand out money to the people there. I was always so impressed that he did that. This year I found myself wanting to do the same thing. I am always hesitant to give to Charities like Red Cross because you read about all of the abuses that occur with the money, and how it never gets to the people who need it. But, if you go there and give it personally to a person in the shelter, you know that no “administrative costs” will be deducted. Next year, I am going to find out where I can go to do the same thing. In fact, maybe I will do it tomorrow, except that I have a virus of some kind and I am not sure I will be up to it. If I do, I will blog about it. In writing an article for today,Christmas, I searched the internet high and low to see what Designers, who charge an arm and a leg for their clothing, donated to charity. I saw that in France, some designers made edible Christmas trees that were to be auctioned off. Victoria Secret was tricked into starting a campaign against rape when an activist group posted something on their behalf. People were so unhappy when they found out Victoria Secret had not initiated the Campaign that Victoria Secret soon adopted it as their own. “PINK loves CONSENT is our newest collection of flirty, sexy and powerful statements that remind people to practice CONSENT. CONSENT is a verbal agreement about how and when people are comfortable having “sex”. Okay, so they were more or less forced in to it, but at least it’s out there, thanks to the women’s activist group FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture

Other than this campaign, I really couldn’t find many others. One campaign is on my Blog of today Decemeber 25, 2013. In fairness to those I did find, I will list them. This is not to say that others are not contributing, it’s just that their presence was not that visible on my Internet search. These are:Ralph Lauren, Michael Kors, Angela Missoni, Kenneth Cole, James Ferragamo, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenburg, Donna Karan, Nicola Bulgari, Allesando Bennetton, Christopher Bailey (Burberry), Giorgio Armani, Frida Gianni (Gucci), Patrick Robinson (Gap) Donatella Versace, Neiman Marcus, and Valentino.Rock stars do it all the time. They do it together, individually, and various other ways that make lots of money. I don’t understand why Gucci, for example, can’t make a purse that is beautifully made, etc, and then donate a portion of the proceeds (heck, all of the proceeds) to their Cause. This is something that is definitely changing in our culture, since Lance Armstrong came out with Live Strong (what a shame about Lance!). However, among the designers, none have come out with anything “cool” or “trendy”. This also begin to make it “cool” and ”trendy” to stand up for a cause, something that is definitely lacking in today’s culture.This could be a win-win for any designer. Not only is it great PR, but it obviously would help some cause a lot.
Let me know what you think, or if I am wrong.

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December 25, 2013 Fashion Blog No comments

A French Designer of Ballerina Pumps Creates with Charity in Mind

The Brand FRENCH SOLE,  has Teamed-Up with the London high end Dress Line Beulah to create a Classic Shoe for Charity

In Paris, there is a very popular ballerina shoe designed by French Sole. One of the best-loved styles is the classic "Loveheart" which has a scooped out front with a heart sewn on the front, as you can see in the picture above. Over the years it has come in various color combinations and materials. Founder, Jane Winkworth, has teamed up with the Blue Heart Campaign.  This campaign was started by the London based high-end dress design, Beulah.

The Blue Heart Campaign founders,Lady Natasha Rufus-Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan, set up the Campaign to fight against human trafficking, particularly of women. Besides raising money, Beulah also actually employs the formerly trafficked women to work on their garments and dress bags. Last year, Beulah designed a silk dress with a blue heart in an effort to raise funds for this campaign. 

The collaboration between Beulah and French Soles is a lovely, versatile, and well-made gray suede shoe with a royal blue velvet heart on the front.  The lining of blue hearts is the logo of French Soles. Twenty five percent of proceeds go to the Blue Heart Foundation. Beulah founders proudly assert that: 

“French Sole and Beulah share fundamental ethical values that hope to change the exploitation of women and child workers in the fashion industry and halt the disgrace of human trafficking.”

Good for them. Now let's see more Couture Designers do the same!!!

A New Book by Julia Twigg, a British Professor of Sociology, "Fashion and Age: Dress, the Body and Later Life" is Released July 4, 2013

Sociologist, Julia Twigg's new book does not bode well for older women dressing fashionably.

JULIA TWIGG IS A SOCIOLOGIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT IN ENGLAND. HER BOOK IS BASED UPON INTERVIEWS WITH 20 OLDER WOMEN, INCLUDING: THE DESIGN DIRECTOR OF MARKS AND SPENCER, ASADA, JAEGER, THE EDITOR OF VOGUE, ALEXANDRA SHULMAN, THREE OTHER FASHION EDITORS, AND INDIVIDUAL STORIES OF WOMEN IN THEIR LATER LIFE.

One of Twgg's premises is that women in their 40's to 60's are self-styling, but that women in their 70's and 80's are still concerned about looking age-appropriate. The younger women who are more stylish, also have more disposable income than the older women who have less money. I don't agree with this.  I think that there are many older women who have LOTS of money, but there is no one out there designing for them. Other than: Not Your Daughter's Jeans, Chico's, and Eileen Fisher!! 

Another general thesis is that as we age, we become more alienated from the fashion world wearing more somber colors with less ornamentation. This I would agree with. Her research discussed below helps explain why this is so.

Astonishingly, Twigg found who companies that make a lot of money from older shoppers, and, in fact are designing garments specifically to fit older women, didn't want them labelled or targeted at this market – or even using older women as models – because they are stigma!!. THAT HAS GOT TO CHANGE!!!  I have noticed this when looking at Chico's or Eileen Fisher Ads, that they TOO are now using younger models.  At a conference at the Royal College of Art in October, 2013, it was revealed that a leading clothes manufacturer, which had participated eagerly in a project designing comfortable, attractive clothes for older people, refused to be publicly associated with the project. (THE NERVE!!)

I think most of us would agree that fashion offers all of us the opportunity to create a better version of ourselves; maybe richer, definitely slimmer, and invariably younger. At the same time, there are moral rules governing the clothes we wear, especially as we age. Short skirts, low necks and sometimes even sleeveless dresses are taboo, presumably on the grounds that the older female body is not beautiful and that it should be kept under wraps. 

Basically, women are in a double bind according to Twigg and me. "They must avoid trying to look too young, however, they must also not look too old.  One interviewee suggested that society does not want to look at older women as exemplars of fashion and beauty. It's really true....but I hope things area changing.  In the meantime, Vogue may talk about older women, but it doesn't show them. "Older" for Vogue means over 30.  THAT definitely has to change!!

Fashion and Age: Dress, the Body and Later Life

By Julia Twigg
Bloomsbury, 184pp, £65.00 and £19.99
ISBN 9781847886965 and 6958
Published 4 July 2013

"The Idiosyncratic Fashionistas" hit the United States. Personally, I Think they Should be Called the Idiotic Fashionistas

First it was the Fabulous Fashionistas from London, and Now the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas are Here in the United States

On my front page Articles of this Website there is an Article about the Fabulous Fashionistas from London who I love, and I don't. They are these wonder women rebelling against the stereotypes of Aging Women. They wear creative clothing and lots of color.  My article about those lovely ladies was about the fact that as fun as they are, I think it makes somewhat of a mockery of older women.  Their clothing is not always stylish and somewhat garish.

These ladies, the Idiosyncratic Fashionistas, are poor copy.  Their clothing is: only attention seeking; lacks any taste whatsoever; and definitely subject to ridicule.  I understand the point they are trying to make, because the purpose of this blog is the same. To celebrate diversity and to live every moment to the fullest.   However, I think these women are really tasteless and they do not really help the image of Aging Women.  It almost seems like a publicity stunt.  What do you think? 

"NEW YOU" A New Magazine Really Targeted toward the Blossoming Woman over Fifty!! The Features Really Are Geared to Women Over Fifty

NEW YOU Magazine, with its Fourth Issue, looks like a True Pioneer in Magazines. 

NEW YOU The Future of Beauty and Anti-Aging  is a brave new magazine  From the past 3  issues (I missed the first) it actually looks like it is geared to Women of Distinction, over that    certain hump, over fifty, or whatever you want to say euphemistically or not.  There is even a Medical Editor who is a physician, someone who actually knows what she is talking about in   terms of Anti-Aging. As a Registered Nurse, I can tell you that the topics and the information in  NEW YOU ARE relevant to the Aging Woman who is sick and tired of Bazaar and Vogue that act like we will stay 30 forever.  Stay Tuned.

***Caveat...Kris Kardashian is on the cover this month.  Not one of my favorite people, I don't know about you. Anyway, she is nauseatingly photo-shopped (or photo-chopped as I like to call it.) I am hoping that was just a blip in poor judgement as again, I do not think she represents the mentality of the "conscious woman" of today who is over Fifty who wants to Age with Style and Dignity.

THE BEAUTY OF BOTOX: BOTOX IS MY FRIEND!!

December 28, 2013 Fashion Blog No comments


This is an up-front and personal look at the effects of Botox. Call me brave or call me crazy, I wanted to show you, my followers, how effective it can be. I give my Doctor a dollar amount and tell him that he can inject wherever he wants ,but that is my limit. So, here you can see what I get for 400 bucks!!! I do this every four months so it’s about $1,200.00 a year. My Doctor is the best. His name is Lawrence Osman and he is located in Woodland Hills, Ca.

WORTH EVERY PENNY, don’t you think???

There are now other products to use besides Botox. There is Dysport, which lasts longer, and I guess one could even do a facelift. For your information, the makers of Botox, Allergan, know that there are other alternatives out there, so they have started a program called Brilliant Distinctions which gives you reward points after so many units of Botox. If you are interested, you can Google Brilliant Distinctions to see what the latest incentive package is being offered. One tip for those who are wanting to try Botox. It is not uncommon for women to want the eyebrows lifted, which not only makes you feel like someone just opened the shades and light is pouring in your eyes;
but, it also gives you a very startled and unnatural look, I think. It leaves you with no ability to move your eyebrows or at least some of the forehead. So, in my opinion, I would save money and the appearance of “overly Botox-ed” and not have the eyebrows and forehead lifted.

" The Fitness Guru", Kathy Smith also has Tips on How to Exercise the Brain

AT 61, SMITH IS NOT JUST ABOUT FITNESS, BUT SHE ENCOURAGES WOMEN TO BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT THEY DO HAVE,  INSTEAD OF BEING DISAPPOINTED FOR WHAT THEY DON'T HAVE

"MORE" Beauty Contest Winners Over 50 (this time 70!)

More Conducts a Beauty Search Every Year. Nearly 1500 women met the challenge and Four were picked as winners.

This is one of the finalists.

Making the most of her 70s

Evelyn Harris
Age 71

Why she feels more beautiful in her 70s
“I have lived a lovely, joyful, sad and magical life, and I feel that is reflected in my face. My son Josh, a Navy SEAL, died in Afghanistan five years ago, and we lost my two-year-old grandson, Beau, to a metabolic disease six years ago. But I’ve found so much happiness as the mother of three, a grandmother of two other boys and wife to my husband, Sam, who has been my wonderful, constant companion for 49 years.”

Why she loves living in the South
“Since 1975, I have lived on a farm in Lexington, North Carolina, a town where people care about one another and are not shy about saying it. What
a precious thing!”

Want Advice On How to Age Gracefully: Check Out These New Books Recommended by the Wall Street Journal

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL PICKS THE 2013 BEST BOOKS AS THE TOP GUIDES TO LIFE AFTER FIFTY: Billy Crystal, Mireille Guiliano and others offer advice on how to live healthier and happier.

There's no better season than the present to read books that bring good tidings, tested strategies and sound advice about how to live healthier, happier lives in the year—and years—ahead.

Here are their recommendations for the year's best books for staying fit in all ways as you explore the territory ahead. by Diane  Cole 

Belly Laughs

"Still Foolin' 'Em: Where I've Been, Where I'm Going, and Where the Hell Are My Keys?" is comedian Billy Crystal's autobiographical musings on aging, decade by decade, and the perfect antidote for milestone birthday blues. Having trouble deciphering text and Facebook abbreviations? Invent your own, says Mr. Crystal, starting with GNIB ("Good news, it's benign"), OMG ("Oh, my gout") and WAI ("Where am I?"). He also has a full chapter on "The Five Stages of Forgetting Things"—a blank page.

Be prepared for some coarse language and a few rants too many, as well as a bit too much about his starring roles in films you may have missed. But his theme is on target: Whatever decade of life you're in, humor is the best strategy for keeping your own foibles—and everyone else's—in perspective.

Rewind to the Future

In her informative and witty "Counterclockwise: My Year of Hypnosis, Hormones, Dark Chocolate and Other Adventures in the World of Anti-Aging," journalist Lauren Kessler sets out to find "the best research and the worst scams" in the wannabe-fountain-of-youth marketplace.

"What exactly is possible in this brave new (scientific, medical and commercial) world full of tantalizing research, bold promises, controversial therapies, and perhaps a bit too much wishful thinking?" she asks.

She consults with plastic surgeons, seeks out medical tests that may (or may not) shed light on how her cells are aging, grows grumpy on a calorie-restriction diet, and investigates unsubstantiated claims of a multiplicity of vitamins and herbal supplements. Her conclusion: Ultimately, nothing beats "the sweaty truth" of exercise.

Mental Gymnastics

And don't forget to exercise your mind. "Our brain's health may be the most powerful indicator of how long you will live," begins "Your Best Brain Ever: A Complete Guide and Workout" by Michael S. Sweeney with Cynthia R. Green. It's a research-filled yet highly approachable guide to the scientific why and the practical how of keeping your brain in top shape whatever your age. The authors' "fitness regimen" for maintaining neural health through the decades can be summarized as: use your brain matter, or risk losing it. But they also provide numerous practical strategies for maintaining neuroplasticity—essentially, the ability to keep on learning and adapting—primarily through continued social, intellectual and physical engagement, but also via numerous "brain booster" exercises.

A Glass Half-Full

In "Up: How Positive Outlook Can Transform Our Health and Aging," physician and medical researcher Hilary Tindle promotes pragmatic optimism as a powerful tool for improving not just how we look at life, but how we age through life. No, it isn't about being a Pollyanna. It's about being "up"—cultivating an outlook and attitude that favors possibilities. Beyond the behavioral impact, Dr. Tindle presents an impressive array of research to show how the psychology of outlook affects the biochemistry of aging, down to the cellular level. Finally, she provides a practical seven-step plan for helping the glass look less empty, more full. Think of it not as a workout, she suggests, but as working "up."

A Guide For Guys…

At more than 500 pages, "A Man's Guide to Healthy Aging: Stay Smart, Strong and Active" by Edward H. Thompson Jr. and Lenard W. Kaye covers almost everything you need to know, but might be afraid to ask, about keeping fit mentally, physically, socially, intellectually and sexually through the decades. The authors directly address the necessity of a book focused solely on men: Because many men equate seeking medical help with weakness, they are about 50% less likely to seek out health services than women are.

Chapters give equal weight to mind and body, openly discuss issues of intimacy and aging, explore the stresses and costs of masculine stereotypes and present the latest medical and psychological advice for navigating a healthy course.

And One For Gals

"French Women Don't Get Facelifts: The Secret of Aging With Style and Attitude" is best-selling author Mireille Guiliano's latest follow-up to the series that began with "French Women Don't Get Fat." Her style is chic, her attitude is self-declared French. (And there are recipes!) Some of the advice is familiar (stay active, seek out new interests, most of all be comfortable in your own skin, even if it has a few more wrinkles). But her grooming and fashion tips on keeping hair, makeup and wardrobe both agelessly attractive and age-appropriate are choice and delivered with charm.

"This book isn't about actual face-lifts—or about not having them," she writes. "It is about face-lifts in the sense of aging with attitude and the decisions one makes through the decades." Sit down with the book as if with a girlfriend over coffee or a glass of (French) wine.

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB20001424052702303763804579181721429104110

George Clooney on the Cover of W Magazine!! I think he likes the Fashionista's

What else needs to be said?

December 13, 2013

Michael Kors was the first Designer to Use Instagram. He Had Lots to be Thankful For On Thanksgiving

December 27, 2013 Fashion Blog No comments


How Michael Kors Made an Impression on Thanksgiving

A week before Thanksgiving Instagram announced that it would be selling advertising. The Friday after Thanksgiving, Michael Kors was the first Designer to post on to Instagram. When everyone else is posting photos of turkeys and stuffing, how do you stand out? You post the above picture and tack on some Thanksgiving message, like “Thinking of all of you on Thanksgiving! #CelebrateWith….


This post received 66.3 thousand hits. The brand took advantage of the opportunity to stage their holiday theme. Their hashtag (#) CelebrateWith.. was used again the next day and garnered over 6 million impressions on Instagram alone.

The lesson: any brand can capitalize on the holiday season and find a unique way to engage with an eager audience who is preparing for a big purchase. In posting a photo that “stood out” he created a converstation which is always good for business!!!


Stay posted to find out how his sales went this holiday season. I think they were big.




Read More

Keep Your Eye Out for Carolina Herrera for This Spring!!!

Elegant, Feminine, and Luxurious Fabrics Make for A Wonderful Carolina Herrera Spring Collection

It will take some guts to wear a couple of these.

Have You Ever Wondered Where the Word "FASHIONISTA" Came from? Well, You Are About to Find Out.

A TRAGIC STORY GIVES RISE TO THE TERM "FASHIONISTA"

Gia Carangi 

Stephen Fried is an American journalist educated at the University of Pennsylvania.  He does investigative journalism and writes non-fiction. The first book he wrote was Thing of Beauty: The Tragedy of Supermodel Gia which was published in 1993. This was a biography of the model Gia Carangi, who was immersed in the fashion industry .

Some in the fashion industry refer to Gia as the first "Supermodel". During her years as a fashion model, she appeared on the cover of Vogue Magazine in America, France and Italy and numerous other Magazines.  Sadly, she became addicted to heroin. Her career began to decline and she contracted HIV.  She died of AIDS at the age of 26. (What a tragic story)

During the time that Mr. Fried was writing about Gia, in the late 70's and early 80's,  she was sitting for photo shoots. There was no way for him to refer to all of the people sitting at the magazine or print ad. Eventually, he became tired of "listing all of the fashion editors, art directors, hairstylists, makeup artists, all their assistants, and models." He comments that it "was like a small army of people descending on the scene."

As Mr. Fried was researching this time period he also remembered that the Nicaraguan Revolution was also occurring.  The Revolution was brought by the Sandinista National Liberation Front, also referred to as Sandinistas. Their revolution against the Somoza dictatorship was well publicized throughout the world.  Among Mr. Fried's journalist friends the term "ista" was added to many things as a  joke. And so it just sort of happened. In order  to short-cut having to name the "small army" of professionals at a photo shoot, he called them "fashionistas"!!

"A Lexis/Nexus search demonstrated that this word was used three times in 1994, 26 times in 1995, 54 times in 1996 and 74 times in 1997." Then, in 1999 the Oxford English Dictionary announced that "fashionista" was officially going to be included as new word!!! It is defined as: "a person in the creation or promotion of high fashion such as a designer, photographer, model, fashion writer, etc..  Also, a devotee of the fashion industry; a wearer of high fashion clothes.

So, now you know. Sad, but true!

Ralph Lauren Introduces the Soft "Ricky" Bag Honoring his Love for his Wife, Ricky

Ralph and Ricky Lauren , A Couple who Inspires All of Us to Dream About Our Own Soul's Journey

"...my clothes are the kind of clothes that mothers and daughters can wear, in terms of concept...It's not about age. Its about taste, and its about lifestyle. I believe women of all ages can wear anything."  Ralph Lauren

Many hours I spend at book stores combing through Fashion magazines from Italy, France, England, Australia,or wherever to see if I can find ANYONE who looks over 30.  This past weekend, I was at Barnes and Noble for at least 2  hours and the only photo that caught my eye was that of Ralph Lauren with his wife, Ricky. In the article, he basically gives most, if not all of the credit to his success to Ricky. Unabashedly, he states that he doesn't know where he would be without her. And, there was a gorgeous picture of Ricky, who now must be at least in her late 60's and probably close to her '70's

Ralph has designed and created a handbag which he has named the "Ricky out of deference to his lovely wife.  It struck me as how odd it  was to see the marriage of two such high profile people that has lasted as long as theirs, since 1964 ( that's almost 40 years).  But more than that, there was a photo of Ricky, a beautiful woman, not young, with whom he is still so madly in love. It was such a stark contrast from all of the other magazines I had been perusing where EVERY woman was young.

Ricky is not trying to "look young", and is not wearing clothes that are "too young" for her. It piqued my interest and so, I downloaded some photos of Ralph and Ricky so that I could 

put on my blog an elegant woman who is stylish, fashionable and not "young." She and Ralph look so happy together.  It made me sad that all we ever really see is something like  the National Enquirer pointing out someone's cellulite, or some other flaw. 

One of the things I do with my clients as a "light worker", or as a "Shaman in training" is: I try to envision my client's soul on it's "epic journey" in this life time. In other words, I try to help my client create a map, not in the mind, but in their soul, of their purpose in this lifetime. This is not about being a designer, or being rich, or even famous, but it is about feeling that you are fulfilling the dreams you born with. This picture left me with the feeling that these two people have created their dreams in this lifetime, and isn't that what all of us really want ?  Rarely do we get this from our media.  But here, we have: a couple together out of love. You can feel that Ralph is respectful of his wife who may be  "getting older" but you can feel that he feels she is just as beautiful, if not more. We also see a woman who is aging and yet still so sophisticated, beautiful and comfortable with herself. And yes, she is wearing beautiful clothes that are highly fashioned and she still looks elegant. 

Louise Hay, an Abused Child and One Time High-Fashion Model Healed her Life and Millions with Her!!

Louise Hay, despite a physically and sexually abused childhood, managed to become a High Fashion Model. However, when she was told she had cancer, she was ultimately led to the path of healing her childhood trauma, and the cancer without medical intervention. Louise Hay has influenced millions of people around the world how to heal themselves, and has been a great promoter of other healers as well.

Louise Hay, one of today's most inspirational women in the world, came by her wisdom the hard way. Most of her childhood was spent with either physical or sexual abuse by her step-father or the neighbor who raped her at the age of 15 Her self-esteem got lower and lower, and very little went right for her.   

At the age of 15 she moved out of home. She got pregnant at 16 and gave her baby girl up for adoption to a loving couple. She then went back home and took her mother out of the house and from under her step-father's abusiveness. She set  her mom up in an apartment and got her a job, at which point Louise and a friend left for Chicago.  

A few years later Louise left for New York where she incredulously became a high-fashion model. Despite working for the biggest designers, her self-esteem was still very poor. Instead of being proud of herself, she found more ways to criticize herself. As she says:"I refused to recognize my own beauty." She married a well-educated man  from England and had a.wonderful life They traveled around the world, met royalty, and led a life that many would only dream of.

However, fourteen years later when her husband left her for another woman, she coincidentally started on a new path that would change her and many others. She began attending meetings at the Church of Religious Science and soon found herself training in the ministerial  program. 

From all of the spiritual work, including Transcendental Meditation, she was inspired to put together the book Heal Your Body, which was originally a simple list of metaphysical causes for physical illnesses in the body. 

Unfortunately, or fortunately,  she was diagnosed with cancer in the Vaginal area. Having been battered and raped as a young girl, she was not surprised that cancer manifested in this area. Her belief was that cancer was a "dis-ease" of deep resentment that had been held for such a long time that  it literally ate away at her body. She knew that if she changed her mental pattern she could heal herself from the cancer.

Through her work at the Church, she came to realize that it was essential for her to love and approve of herself.  In her biography and the movie released about her life, she reveals how she went about letting go of the blame and found forgiveness. She also did many things, which at that time, were very unconventional. Some of these included; changing her nutrition, seeking psychiatric counseling and doing "self-love exercises". After some months of rigorously changing her mindset, the doctors found that she was entirely cancer free.

Later, Louise became involved in helping men with AIDS for which she received notoriety from Oprah and Phil Donahue. Shortly thereafter, the little book, You Can Heal Your Life landed on the New York Times best seller list. More than 50 million copies have been sold around the world and it has been translated into over 30 languages. 

In 1984, Louise Hay established Hay House Publishing Firm which has attracted many writers of inspirational, motivational and healing topics. Hay House now accounts for more than 130 authors. In 2004, Hay House organized a Convention of Speakers known for their Inspiration and Spirituality.  The convention is called "I Can Do It", and it moves across the country attracting more and more people all the time. Today, Hay House also has its own radio station and millions can tune in to hear these inspirational leaders as well as Louise. Needless to say, not only has Louise Hay personally helped many, but through her publishing company, Convention, and radio station, she has brought help to millions of people.

It's Always a Good Time to Say "Thank You"

"Thanks so much"

"If the only prayer you ever said your whole life was "Thank you, that would suffice" according to Eckart Toile. Why should this simple act mean so much? Expressing gratitude is good for you in so many ways: 

Gratitude reminds us to recognize good people in our life.  They range from loved ones to those that render a kindness to strangers. Treasuring goodness in every form brings more of it  in to our experience.

Gratitude turns bad things into good things.  Challenges keep life interesting, enhance judgement, and strengthen character.

Gratitude reminds us of what is important:  Being grateful to have a healthy family and friends, a home and food on the table puts smaller worries in perspective.

Gratitude reminds us to say thanks... it takes just a few minutes to say, "Thank you". Call, email, stop by to say thanks... it takes just a few minutes to express our reason for doing so.  People like being appreciated.  It creates a satisfying beam of mutual happiness that shines on.

A Couple Good Tips.

Create a morning gratitude session:
take a few minutes each morning to close your eyes, silence the "to-do" list and give thanks to whomever or whatever is cause for gratitude. 

Learn a Gratitude Prayer: 
Many songs and prayers, religious or not, serve to remind us to be grateful. Find one or write one yourself and post it in a highly visible spot.

Thanks to Leo Babauta for his words of wisdom!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

MAYBE COMFORTABLE SHOES WILL MAKE IT TO THE RUNWAY AFTER ALL!

LAST YEAR  CELINE PREMIERED A FUR LINED, AND JEWEL  ADORNED BIRKENSTOCK-LIKE SANDAL ON THE RUNWAY, DESIGNED BY PHOEBE PHILO. 2014 WILL SEE MORE OF THESE COMFORTABLE BUT HIGHLY STYLED SANDALS.   FINALLY!!

 Last season a flat sandal that looks like a Birkenstock but featured a mink lining, which sold for around €700 (£600) or about $1,000.00. It's not the sexiest-sounding shoe, but the design, by Céline's Phoebe Philo, was already on course to become this season's watercooler shoe. So will it have a knock-on effect on the humbler classic Birkenstock?

This Spring, 2014, Givenchy  is premiering another line of comfortable sandals.

If Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci has anything to say about it, 2014 will be the year of the rubber-soled Teva hybrid.

MAYBE ONE DAY WOMEN WILL FINALLY HAVE STYLISH AND COMFORTABLE SHOES!

Maybe we ladies will finally be able to be Stylish and Comfortable!! 

HAVING TROUBLE RELATING TO THE STYLES OF TODAY? DON'T FEEL TOO BAD.

"STREET STYLE" IS BIG THIS SPRING. ANOTHER DESIGNER DOESN'T GET IT EITHER.

Looking at all the Styles for this Spring, is perplexing. Fifteen or even ten years ago., I would have been mortified to be seen in anything so "out there"and, not just "out there like in the 60's, but to me, it doesn't celebrate the female body, it feels somewhat insulting. Then I saw an article written by Courtney Love, not my style icon, but she had some valuable things to say.  She said that:"I have been in the Fashion Game for a lot of years, so I used to see trends start via the street and then go to designers. Designers copying street trends is fine, but it's not, to me, as strong as trends that start on the street."  Aha, an epiphany.  These "crazy" looking clothes are designer's attempts at copying Street Art. In my opinion it should be left in the street!!

Feeling very depressed that I can't relate, even the slightest bit, to this coming Spring season's clothing, I found something written by Jean Touitou.  jean founded the clothing line A.P.C. (Atelier de Production et de Creation) in 1987. His style was reactionary to the over-style money focused, gaudiness and excesses of the 1980's. His style, a timelessness chic, has not only persisted, but it is growing with new stores opening in Paris and New York. In the Magazine Style.com Print, on the very last page, I found the most  wonderful article written by this designer of women's clothing..

 THE WORD ON THE STREET by Jean Touiton

"The thing is, the street has no effect on me. It just tells me what not to do.  Rarely am I inspired by it nowadays, except by older people,or by workers. I mean, hipsters look terrible with their hipster signifiers, fake ghetto-nouveau dudes are pathetic, and with their hooker shoes and pricey bags make me sick. What else is left.

If I were in England, school kids could inspire me, because they've got it. They've got it.  They bring a kind of freedom, thanks to their uniforms. But most people are just prisoners of their own gimmick..."I am the punk character, your're the hippie one, oh, her comes a grungy fellow.."
There isn't  any invention-at least, I don't see any....

To find inspiration from the street today you have to look beyond the people that are simply imitating high fashion.  It is only there that you might find something." 

THESE ARE TWO OF A.P.C.'S DESIGNS FOR SPRING
 2014 READY TO WEAR COLLECTION..




PERSONALLY, I FIND THEM A BIT  BORING , BUT HIS FOLLOWING IS STRONG. HE HAS THREE STORES IN, LONDON, PARIS, AND NEW YORK, AND ONE OPENING IN CHICAGO.