A Bow for Spring

Spring is here and what better way to top off your new Spring Wardrobe than with a Bow! I found this one at http://portiajewelry.com/inc/sdetail/9750 for just $16. Nothing says ultra fem like a bow.


Bows can be worn as a brooch, a side tie on your waist, in your hair, or on your wrist. So have fun with!

Men: Tie a Tie

SO... guys if you can't Tie a Tie... go to the following sites and spend an hour or two practicing. It's not Trig or like taking out the trash. Women and Young Ladies, nothing says you care how your guy looks like in public like a well Tied Tie - so if he can't do it; help a boy out, because Men know how to Tie a Tie.

For Step by Step pictures on Ties go here:

http://www.neckties.com/content/howtotieatie.html

For Bow Ties go here to see a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AyaRGEDXAQ


For people who are looking to be a Fashion Stylist these are a must watch!

Think Big Things... Wardrobe Kit Part 2

This is the Wardrobe Kit section that has to do with all the Large items in a Kit. Some of these items you will not need until you start "Keying" (this is the term you are given when you're basically the boss for anything having to do with wardrobe).


Z Rack - they tend to be better then a regular rolling rack

http://www.acmedisplay.com/shop/product.aspx?id=1610


Jiffy Steamer - everyone uses this steamer

http://www.acmedisplay.com/shop/product.aspx?id=2435

Iron- this is the one I have in my kit, but anyone will do

http://www.rowentausa.com/rowenta/frame.aspx

Ironing Board

Garment Bags - Get the cheap one, they tend not to last long if you are working a lot

http://www.asseenontvguys.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=798

Combo Hangers - These are better then just having top and bottom hangers

http://www.hangers.com/style_hangers/114/combination_plastic/18-666935/combo_hanger_w/clips_and_notches/


Here is a trick for getting the last two items for free:

When ever you go shopping ask for the hangers

Anytime you go to a department store or upscale shop, ask them for a garment bag (80% of the time the will give you one for free).

Roberto Cavalli: Nice Black on Black Suit Combo

I was looking up men's collections tonight to see what I might need to pull for September. I came to Roberto Cavalli and after going past all the flashy looks. I came across this look. Now to be fair, I have pulled his Basic Black Suits in the past before for Red Carpets events and they look amazing on. Now, most people who don't know men' suits just think a black suit is a black suit - as my Mother would say,"and this is why they look like a their mom dressed them...". (I'm being nice in how she really says it.)

OK, so moving on to why I love this suit. In my line of work; it's all about how things look like in pictures. This is why people pay me and why we have tons of outlets that talk about what people are wearing. The three things that make this a great suit are:

1. The Cut - Great breaks on the pants and the sleeves are perfection.

2. Texture - Black tends to not read well in pictures, but the texture in this suit make every it all pop.

3. The Look - It has a classic look, but with a modern feel that any guy can pull off.

Men who would look amazing in this Suit:

Taylor Lautner

Bradley Cooper

Carter Jenkins

Ashton Kutcher

Michael Rady

The list kinda goes on and on...

So you want to start a Wardrobe Kit Part 1...

Starting a Wardrobe/Fashion Stylist Kit is not hard or too expensive to do- if you know where and when to shop - (shop when they are on Sale!). Some of the items are "no-brainers", but some I will let you know what I use them for. I will also place links if they're items you might not know where to get them. Keep in mind that this will be Part 1 of 5...

Here are a few items that I have had in my kit since I started and that I use all the time:

Kit Bag - this is where I keep everything

http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/platt-clc-tool-bag-42-pocket-18-slideglide-roller-reviews

Clamps - we use these for making things look fitted on photo shoots. They are about $7 for a mixed pack of 22pc

http://www.amazon.com/Mintcraft-JL-TU05022-22PC-SPRING-CLAMP/dp/B000L8C4KU

Top Stick - we use for keeping "things" in place and no wardrobe mishaps on the Red Carpet

http://www.amazon.com/Vapon-Hairpiece-Clear-Topstick-Strips/dp/B000F3DXLU

Swiss Army Knife - you will find just how often you will use this!

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Victoronox-Swiss-Army-Fisherman-Knife/7977247?wmlspartner=GPA&sourceid=44444444440260083185

Fabric Scissors - these are one of the ones I have (I have 5 scissors in my basic kit)

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/450870/Westcott-Adjustable-Tension-Titanium-Scissors-8/?cm_mmc=Mercent-_-Google-_-Basic_Supplies-_-450870&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=plusbox-beta&mr:trackingCode=4B4B0D1B-EC81-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

OxiClean Spray-A-Way

http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Laundry/Spray-A-Way-Instant-Stain-Remover/ID=prod3252374&navCount=1&navAction=push-product?V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku3251206

Shoe Horn - any size will work - you might want to get 2 - they tend to disappear on set

http://www.shoeandfootcare.com/c/shoehorns/?gclid=CJCdl8yc4qACFSQ5gwodI1f9Ag

Static Guard

Mini Sewing Kit

Wet Ones

Scotch & Bounce Lint Rollers

Basting/Safety Pins

Ziploc Easy Zipper Bags - get a few sizes - they help you organize items on set and in your kit

With these items you should be good for a basic shoot - but keep in mind that there really isn't such thing as a basic shoot. ;)

Know a Guy who's about to be a Dad... get him a Diaper Dude Bag

It must have been 7 years ago or so when I met Chris Pegula. I was working in a showroom in Downtown LA's CalMart when we started reping his new line of Men's Diaper Bags which he named http://www.diaperdude.com/. I remember thinking at the time that his bag would make a great gift for my Older Brother who was having his first kid - and my first nephew.

Since then, both my younger sisters have had one child each. Both their husbands, as well as my brother, where given a Diaper Dude bag. All of them liked the fact that they wouldn't be seen in public with a pink or fem looking bag on their shoulder. Diaper Dude has a great selection of bags for you to pick from to suit your guys look.

This is also a great gift if you don't know what to get a new father-to-be.

Top Stick vs Fashion Tape

I remember a time not too long ago when all we had to make clothing stay in place was "Top Stick". Now for those who currently rave about Fashion Tape all I can ask is,"Why pay more?"

I don't know of any working stylist in this town who doesn't use Top Stick. It has been around and a must have staple in Fashion Stylist Kits since we have been around. It is cheaper then Fashion Tape - Top Stick is around $7 for a pack of 50 vs Fashion Tape that can run $9 for a pack of 36 (depending where you go). In a busy week I can use up to 4 boxes (the most I ever used was 5 boxes on one Photo Shoot!).

For any aspiring Fashion Stylist Top Stick is something you need to know how to use...because it can be misused. Story time:

I was on a shoot recently and it was the end of the shooting day. As Talent (that's what you would call an actor or model on a working set) was getting ready to take her wardrobe off for the day; someone had placed Top Stick to secure her Wig... well everyone looked around to see who did it. As I knew it wasn't me all I could think was,"My God that is going to hurt soooo much". As the Hair Stylist tried to pull it slowly all you could hear was Talent breathing hard trying to deal with the pain as all the hairs from the back of her neck to her sideburns where being pulled. After about 5min of what I am sure was pure Hell for her, the wig was off... but some of the Top Stick was still mixed into her hair.

So what can you learn from this... here are a few rules to keep in mind:

Don't use Top Stick around the Hairline of anyone!

Before using it on anyone test it out on some NON visible part of their body to see how their skin will react. Some people have really sensitive skin.

Try not to place it on top of ANY body hair - if you can.

Remember that a little goes along way. So cut it into a smaller size if you need to.

Lastly, some fabrics don't like Top Stick. So once more, if it is a new type of Fabric that you have never used Top Stick on, test it on a place no one will see.

Oh, one last thing. The reason most of us like "Top Stick" is because other types can sometimes leave a residue behind on you, your clothing, or both... not cute.

A great place to buy Top Stick is http://www.sallybeauty.com/