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/

Sotto Chiave Python Shoulder Bag... Is it love?

Is the Sotto Chiave Python Shoulder Bag by Salvatore Ferragamo Love? YES it's LOVE! This Bag is the only thing that will make everyone of your girlfriends envy you when they see it on your arm. Can you say this about the guy your currently seeing (odds are...NO).

It has all the makings of a great relationship story to. It came from Italy and you met at http://www.neimanmarcus.com/ while you where looking for something new in your life. As you felt the Black lucido python your hands knew it would last. Your eyes caught sight of the Nickel hardware with brass finish and the Front flap with turn lock closure Gancini detail told you it would provide you with lasting security you didn't even know you where looking for. Finally, when you picked it up to see how it would look next to you; the Braided shoulder straps sent a tingle down your back. You never had a chance...

Now you look at the price and reality kicks in... at $4,250.00 it has to be real love.

A Sandal for anytime this Spring!

So, I got a call while I was on set today to do a private dressing for a client I love. She is one of my Fav people to work with. She has no attitude when it comes to labels and she trusts what I pull for her.

Now to give you a little background on her. She is a women who is always on the move due to her line of work (which tends to keep her on the road 3 weeks out of each month). When she is off she tends to want to spend time with her friends and family.

This tends to leave her with very little time to do her own seasonal clothes shopping. So when she told me where she was going and what she would be doing I went to work - online first since they are open 24/7. The first thing I looked for was for her shoes. Why the shoes? Well, she only likes to take 2 to 3 pairs with her when she travels.

As I was looking, I came across http://www.shoes.com/ and this is where I found a pair of sandals that would totally work for her and cover her needs: CARLOS BY CARLOS SANTANA Women's Tango.

They work for her in so many ways:

To the airport - for when she needs to take them off with ease for the check point.
When she needs to take a client out to a casual lunch, but still wants a bit of style.
Going out to dinner all she needs is a Black Dress, Earring, and a Ring and she is good to go.

With Denim, Wrap Dress, or Gown. These sandals will work with any look she or you want to style up!

Kelly Osbourne, 25 & looking her age

I have to admit that I was never a real fan of Kelly Osbourne her looks always seems like she was trying too hard or as if she just put on whatever was on top of the dresser...

With that said I have to give this women (Yes, women. At 25 you are no longer a girl) props for how far she has come into her own. I recently saw images of her and she looks like someone I didn't even think she would ever be. A women who dresses her age, looks healthy (and by this I mean someone who is not on drugs and getting some sleep), and has this glow like she has some sense of who she is (which always helps anyone to look good).

A look I would love to see her in would be from the Carolina Herrera Fall 2010 Collection.

The tone of Red would work well with her skin complication. The cuts would show off her new body in a simple yet chic way. Lastly, this is a dress that she could easily make her own with the right Accessories, Hair and Makeup without it looking like she is trying too hard.

On the path Miss Osbourne style is currently on, it would be great see how it evolves going forward!

Maggie Gyllenhaal should give Christian Siriano a call...

Season after Season it is part of my job to look at the collections and see what is going on in Fashion and with the collections. As I came to Christian Siriano Fall 2010 collection it looked like "his" collection. Meaning that you could see his point of view in every look he put out.


But there was one look, that when I saw it, all I thought was,"Maggie Gyllenhaal should give Christian Siriano a call for this look." Weather it is for an Editorial, Film, or Red Carpet event...


Maggie has an amazing frame and complexion and with the color and cut of this gown; she would instantly give off a timelessly graceful look without even trying.

A touch of Gaga everywhere I turn

It seems that everywhere one turns in Fashion you can see a touch of Lady Gaga in the air... So here are just a few items The Lady might just want to add to her up coming winter wardrobe:

An outfit for the Farmers Market by Jean Paul Gaultier.
A Golden look for when she goes to her mailbox by Dolce & Gabbana.
And for when she needs to go up to the roof for a quit break the Chanel Fur Suit should keep her warm.

Alexander McQueen Fall 2010

When I first started out in the Fashion World I remember thinking of all the great designers I was hopefully going to meet on day. Going to school at M.U.D. I would pick up all the Fashion Magazines that I saw come in from the EU. Once I stated interning as a Fashion Stylist, more importantly as a Celebrity Fashion Stylist, I began seeing up close what I was seeing come down the Runways of New York, London, Paris, Milan, and all over up close and very personal.

One Designer who was always hard to pull, but so worth pulling from was Alexander McQueen. I remember he was always high on the priority list of designers to pull from (no matter who I was assisting at the time and who they where dressing). At every shoot that McQueen was on the racks people would want to see and try it on (even when they knew it wouldn't fit them...). As I came into my own as a Stylist my Clients where a bit too conservative to want to try on any thing by McQueen. Once in a while I would get an amazing client who did want to take a walk on the McQueen side.

I always loved the collections this man put out. His last one was no less then great. Everyone was a true work of art. The one I am looking froward to see who will wear it on the Red Carpet is this one above. Only a strong women with a true sense of who she is and how to carry this look will be able to do it right!