The Hoard Gazette

Happened to come by Gary Harvey's website...

And I'm really loving the styling and look for London Fashion Week.
It's in Flash format (I'm lazy to show some pics), so go see for youself.

Gary Harvey Creative


He headed Levis creative direction from 2000-2005 (I like the direction then)

Labels: style tips, trivia

Yes, the vintage revival storm has swept through us for awhile now, feeling it's aftermath and what's left of the trend-followers (though it is between the seasons & looks now).

Vintage is still in, and will always be.

Due to it's wonderful ability in flattering women's silhouette.
Romantic flowy chiffon (or something close for a fraction of the price), high waisted dresses, high belts and what not bold prints that hold the attention and lengthen one's form/height.


Above: 1970s, Classic silhouette as defined by Clark for Radley clothing line

But do we know who to credit this style inventor to?
Thanks to a few designers of the era. One of them Ossie Clark.


Left: Clark's graduation collection as featured in August 1965 issue of Vogue
Right: Ossie Clark and McDermott back in R.C.A days


History - Ossie Clark
Raymond "Ossie" Clark, was at the forefront of England's fashion scene in the 1960s to late 70s. Most of his career, with wife & textile designer partner Celia Birtwell, he dresses the rich and fashionable.

Celia designed romantic, nature-inspired prints on textile for Ossie's tailoring, which accentuated the female form and swayed the then somewhat conservative world's imagination & attention, to dresses.

He graduated with a first class degree from the Royal College of Arts and captivated the fashion media with his graduation collection. Soon after, he got himself into the features of British Vogue.
He first began his career designing for Quorum, which featured the works of young talented designers.


Trouser suit as worn by Twiggy, with sharp contrasty tailoring.


I shan't go on with the history of an autobiography isn't the aim of this article but to render credit to the man and a sharing of his classic works which have defined the style of the 60s-70s era.


Left: Celia Birtwell's signature textile pattern 'Floating Daisy', coupled with complementary grid patterns
Right: Chiffon dress with floral print



Above: Celia's textile sketches with design ideas


Delicte & complex - Simple chiffon dress endowed with a spiral of ruffles giving an illusion of layers of fabric


Left: Skirt of this dress is cleverly pieced together from two different lengths of fabric


Left: Clark's 'Dress of the Year'
The ensemble embodies three of Clark's favourite design elements: a Celia Birtwell print, trousers for women, and ruffles to break a garment's surface. Prudence Glynn wrote in The Times,'This outfit exemplifies the 1969 look at its most appealing and its most subtle'.


Variety: Sharp Suits/Dresses

High slit skirt with Celia's signature fabric as suit





Above: Ossie Clark designs for French clothing manufacturer Mendes

Innovations: Exotic Animal Skin On Classic Shapes
Ossie with innovative and adventurous use of snakeskin and mix of materials for garmenfor



Top: Twiggy with Ossie designed snakeskin coat lined with fox fur.
Below: Exotic snakeskin use on classic bombed jacket shape

Hope you've enjoyed the Designers learning journey with me. Will write more as I find the time to learn & write altogether.

Pictures & History: Victoria & Albert Museum
Reference: Wikipedia

Labels: designers, style tips

According to product tests results, October 11 2007 by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:

More than half of 33 brand‐name lipsticks (61%) contained detectable levels of lead

Among the top brands testing positive for lead were:
• L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” – 0.65 ppm
• L’Oreal Colour Riche “Classic Wine” – 0.58 ppm
• Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” – 0.56 ppm
• Christian Dior Addict “Positive Red” – 0.21 ppm




Health Hazards
Exposure to lead can cause:
Learning, language and behavioral problems- lowered IQ, impulsiveness, reduced school performance, increased aggression, seizures and brain damage, anemia, and, after long exposure, damage to the kidneys.

miscarriage, reduced fertility in both men and women, hormonal changes, menstrual irregularities and delays in the onset of puberty in girls.

Pregnant women and young children exposed to lead are particularly vulnerable. Lead easily crosses the placenta and enters the fetal brain, where it interferes with normal development.


A quick list of lipsticks with grossly high amounts of lead:

Lipsticks with lead levels higher than 0.1 ppm
Maybelline NY Moisture Extreme Scarlet Simmer 0.11 LʹOreal CT 08/27/07
Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor Maximum Red 0.12 P & G CA 08/23/07
Peacekeeper Paint Me Compassionate 0.12 Peacekeeper MA 08/27/07
Maybelline NY Moisture Extreme Midnight Red 0.18 LʹOreal MN 08/26/07
Maybelline NY Moisture Extreme Cocoa Plum 0.19 LʹOreal CA 08/23/07
Dior Addict Positive Red 0.21 LVMH CA 08/23/07
Cover Girl Continuous Color Cherry Brandy 0.28 P & G CA 08/23/07
LʹOreal Colour Riche True Red 0.50 LʹOreal MN 08/26/07
Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor Maximum Red 0.56 P & G MN 08/26/07
LʹOreal Colour Riche Classic Wine 0.58 LʹOreal CT 08/27/07
LʹOreal Colour Riche True Red 0.65 LʹOreal CA 08/23/07


For a copy of more extensive products and information of toxic lipsticks, view this report by: Safe Cosmetics http://www.safecosmetics.org/document.cfm?documentID=107

Usatoday Online

Labels: beauty and makeup, style tips, trivia

So finally, a decent storage solution for your shoes.

Equipped with a certain measure against the SMELL.

Labels: style tips

Festive Attire (Semi-formal style)

Well, the festive season heralds its occasions & outings.
All of which are usually, a joy to attend.

Yet, sometimes they also bring with it a fair share of headache.
In terms of wear. Attire that is!

I recently received an invite to a party with FESTIVE ATTIRE as the dress code.
Casual, chic, black tie, formal etc. those I know.
But... what the hell is festive attire?


Alright, let's break it down and analysis this.

1) Firstly, I think a key decision factor is - WHO is the organizer? Is it a for leisure occasion? Work related? Or purely the informal fun-type? Of course, if it involves WORK, and more so, the BOSS, the style has to be some notches more formal, yet not the killer black tie/ cocktail dress formal.

2) Festive attire calls for semi-dressy fabrics, such as a silk, satin or velvet skirt/pants worn with a silk/satin/metallic/velvet blouse. Velvet dresses (long or short), if they are not so dressy that they fall into the formal or cocktail categories, will also be appropriate. Going a notch down from that look, also appropriate is an outfit consisting of wool or knit skirt/pants paired with a sparkly sweater or faux-fur trimmed one, jacket, or other dressy top. Festive also invites you to wear holiday colors and dressy accessories (jewelry, shoes, etc.). Be true to your own coloring. If the classic holiday colors of red, green, gold, etc. do not look great on you, do NOT wear them. Black is always classy.

3) Holiday time brings up the subject of holiday sweaters, you know the ones embroidered with images of Santa, reindeer, gifts, etc.? Yes, they can be festive; but they can also be frumpy or little girlish. So if you do, wear them with caution.

4) Lastly, while you want to dress several notches up, don't go overboard and wear a chiffon cocktail dress or a fully sequined or bejeweled outfit. Those are too dressy for the festive category. A sweater or dress can have a smattering of sequins or rhinestones and be considered festive, but a garment completely covered in sequins or jewels falls into the cocktail or black-tie range.


On another note, heres Oprah online magazine's take on Festive attire. That is, the normal party style.


FESTIVE ATTIRE (PARTY STYLE)

Translation: Be playful. Pick a hotter color than usual and take a chance on flamboyance with rows of ruffles, lots of leg, shoulder-sweeping earrings, even a tiara.

Variations: If you're happier in a low-key mode, do a single showy item (bright silk wrap, antique kimono, a little tasteful glitter) with simple black silk.

Happy party times!

Labels: style tips

Accessories are meant to complement. Shine. Add the oomph of excellence & glamour to your outfit. Be it a drop dead dress you're about to parade at dinner or just the lazy Sunday top & denims you're out with. They add life (brimming or lack of) to the overall look.

I hadn't the time to surf for too many examples, but here's some pics I came by:

Diva stlye.



















Always the epitome of divalicious. J Lo seen here donning a flowy white dress that complements her buxomy figure. She wears striking jewelry that complements her deep v-neck dress. Very dramatic & eye-catching. (Though I wouldnt recommend such long plunging necklace if you weren't a mountain of asset, as it leads the eye to the bosom)
















Jennifer Lopez seen here with simpler touches.
Striking contrasty earrings (to her pink dress) and a big rock ring.

Contrasty colored earrings bring attention to the face, great if you don't want the focus to be on your bod, say if you're on an "off-form day/period"

Glamourlicious puss.




















Catherine, ever the sex-puss. Those lips!

Since shimmer is one of the themes of fall/winter this season, why not don it in a dangerous red?
Catherine seen here with common themed shiny bracelets and sparkling rings.
Neck accessories avoided or kept minimal as the dress is ALREADY shiny and eye-catching.
To clutter more adornments at the scoop-neck would be overt.

Don't overdo unless you wanna be an auntie or a traffic light.
Something like why mini-skirt with heels is avoided, unless you wanna appear.. slutty, which is unprofessional. Well unless its your profession =)

That's it for now, more to come!
PS: Do write to me if you have other contents or ideas & would like to contribute.


Jem

Labels: fashion, style tips

Well, if you don't know. Here's a quick & easy way.
You could do it for your gfs/bfs thereafter.




** Make sure printer is set to 100%
** Ensure that in printer 'page setup' area, print size is not reduced
** Sizer should measure A to B: 3 1/2 inches long.

1. Cut out ring sizer
2. Cut a slit for Slot "A"
3. With the numbers facing out, wrap the sizer around the finger where the ring will be worn.
4. Pull the pointed end Tab "B" through Slot "A" until the sizer is snug, making sure to allow size for the knuckle.
5. The number aligned with Slot "B" is your ring size.
6. If the measure lands between two numbers your size is a half size Ex: Between 5 and 6 ring size: 5.5. If half sizes are not available, order the next largest size

Labels: style tips

1) Wear V-necks, long necklaces, low-slung belts: anything that draws the eye up and down the body. Avoid boatnecks, chokers, tightly cinched belts, and ankle-strap shoes: These create horizontal lines, which make you appear squat. It's similar to the idea that pinstriped pants make you look longer and sailor-striped tops make you look wider.


low-slung belts & pin-striped pants: make you look longer

2) Stick with matte fabrics like cotton and wool. Skip satin and other light-reflecting materials, which enhance your body size.


left: cotton or linen are matte materials that do not reflect much light, making you look slimmer
right:if you're svelte, flaunt it with shimmery silk/satin!

3) Pair flesh-tone heels with all skirts. Heels always make you look slimmer; a pair that matches your skin tone makes legs look like they go on for miles.


light or flesh-toned heels go with all skirts
far right:gold tints that match your skin color are timeless

4) Wear a curvy jacket. A jacket that nips in at the waist creates an hourglass figure without hugging too tightly, says Rubin. Layer over a cami that falls a few inches below it for a lean look.


he slim look: various jacket styles with a shorter cami inside

5) Balance full with fitted. Pairing a flowing top with loose fitting pants only makes you look heavier. Better to match a big top with narrow bottoms or a body-hugging shirt with something roomier down below.


Even vintage wear obeys the convention of balance, with belts in the mid-point, thus emphasiszing the waist. There is a balance between lose, fit then lose, from top to bottom.

Contributor :

Sharon Tupac
All images from www.shopbop.com

Labels: style tips