At about 6:45, I finished my paper and coffee and got ready for my daily run. Just like I did the day before, and the day before that. In fact, I've got a little streak going that I have no intention of ending because of my sore leg and the light rain coming down.
I'm a runner. I have been for more than 30 years. Actually running might be too strong of a word. Sometimes my 10-minutes-per-mile pace is more of a fast walk. But whatever you call it, I enjoy doing it, and I'll keep going, rain or shine, whether they name a day for it or not.
As I pulled on my cap, laced up my running shoes and grabbed my two Beagles' leashes for my morning run, I thought about why I do this. What makes someone like me, who wasn't a runner in high school and isn't going to win any races, go out and do this to myself? A lot of greater runners/philosophers than me have tried to answer that question.
For me, there are several reasons.
First, I enjoy the simple act of sweating, getting the heart pumping and running myself close to exhaustion. Whether I run three miles, six or 13, I enjoy running. That probably sounds weird to a non-runner who thinks you have to have a ball or keep score to make it worth the effort. But I enjoy the act of putting one foot in front of the other because it doesn't require a scoreboard, a partner or teammate or any equipment other than a pair of shorts, socks and shoes. I'm basically a minimalist when it comes to running. I listen to an iPod sometimes and always wear a watch, but that's about it for gadgets. Just the basics.
For me, running is a solitary escape. I rarely run with anyone and don't like races. I have my best runs when I'm lost in thought. Plotting my day, replaying the previous night, getting ready for a meeting in my head. I even wrote this column while I was running. Sometimes I'll get so lost in my thoughts that I hardly feel like I'm running. Most days, of course, it's not so easy.
My Beagles seem to like to run, too. Actually, Willie, my 8-year-old male, is like me. He often doesn't WANT to run until he's out there doing it. Then he makes it look easy and can run as far as I want to go. Most of the time, I have to bribe Willie with a treat and even carry him downstairs to coax him into joining me. Gracie, my 3-year-old female, loves to run. She always waits for me at the top of the stairs, barking as I carry Willie down. She can't wait to get going.
This morning, I took them three miles together in a cool, light rain. Then I dropped them off at the house and ran three more miles. The rain had stopped by the time I was done. And this blog post was finished, too. Easy. I gave the run a B-plus.
I dutifully write down every run I've ever taken, grade it, and even mark down a few notes about the course or which dog or human I ran with. I have 16 years worth of running diaries stashed away — unfortunately, I tossed out the first 15 years of running history during a move — and can tell you all about almost every run I've ever been on during that span.
Weird, I know. I lot of runners are like that. Part of the allure of what we do is the routine. Getting dressed, going out over and over again, day after day. Stretching after you're done. It gives a little predictability to a sometimes-chaotic world. Or if life gets a little boring, you run a different route and add some variety.
So I ran again today, and I'll do it again tomorrow, most likely.
In fact, I have run for 59 straight days. The Seattle Times asked employees to compete for a few weeks in something called Spring Training. I signed up almost as an afterthought, but it was the motivation I needed. My competitive juices were flowing again, and for a while I was running an hour and lifting weights for an hour every day.
2012年6月7日星期四
2012年4月12日星期四
Our world is flat
Cinderella would have never got her Prince Charming had it not been for her glass shoes. From fairytales to everyday life, shoes have been women's obsession since time immemorial. From Mary Jane worn in Northern America and Europe since the 1930-40s to the slender stilettos which staged a major comeback after 2000, shoes continue to be associated with a woman's personal style and panache.
The luxury market in India is expanding its domain from the consumer of high-end brands to the rapidly growing tribe of brand conscious converts who have lately been acquainted with luxury. The overall luxury market in India, estimated to cross the $8 billion mark this year, witnesses an annual growth of around 20 per cent. However, the apparel and accessories category (which includes footwear) in India grew at a faster pace of 30 per cent in 2010 over the previous year, according to a report on luxury by AT Kearney.
Generally men dominate the footwear market in India, but when it comes to luxury shoes it is women who put their best foot forward, according to store managers.
While the stiletto remains a timeless aspiration, the flat shoe (also those with a slight elevation at the heel) comes to most women's rescue. Its practicality and usability score over the over-hyped heels. “Indian buyers prefer flats and the store has a couple of options for a consumer who isn't fond of a stiletto,” said a supervisor at the recently launched Christian Louboutin store at DLF Emporio in the capital.
Being no stranger to the French brand worn by Hollywood A- listers such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, Renee Zellweger, and other celebrities such as Madonna and Nicki Minaj, Delhi is certainly going in for the red-soled ‘deluxe' indulgence like never before.
Interestingly, the store also showcases its range of not-so-high options such as the Metal Nodo, which is a pair of golden ballerinas, and Vaudoo-black patent leather flat sandals with pink stressed organza.
The other flat-style options include Tonguissima-nude leather with a pink gold mirror finish and potpourri and Balinodono-ballet shoes with leopard printed silk satin. However, the Glanol et Raglan and Vol au Vent, both in black, seem specifically suited for the Indian woman. Complimenting the saree, these sandals are a perfect match with traditional wear as well. “I'm looking at the collection and am surprised that we have such a variety to choose from in flats and heels. I am a school teacher, so heels are a big no-no for me, I'd rather try the flats on,” said Kavita Khullar who walked into the store with her daughter.
Its line of Bollywood-inspired shoes called ‘Bollywoody' has embroidered hot pink suede, specially designed for the Indian buyer, as opposed to the European choice of basic black. The colours have been chosen keeping the Indian buyer in mind. The Torero is an embroidered turquoise crepe satin with black embellishments standing tall on 150 mm of heel. With a price range starting at Rs 30,000 for a pair, the store offers an array of shoes, including the dramatic Asteroid, a peep-toe metallic pink leather with zebra print and spikes on its toe. However, their classic Pigale is the most popular.
The luxury market in India is expanding its domain from the consumer of high-end brands to the rapidly growing tribe of brand conscious converts who have lately been acquainted with luxury. The overall luxury market in India, estimated to cross the $8 billion mark this year, witnesses an annual growth of around 20 per cent. However, the apparel and accessories category (which includes footwear) in India grew at a faster pace of 30 per cent in 2010 over the previous year, according to a report on luxury by AT Kearney.
Generally men dominate the footwear market in India, but when it comes to luxury shoes it is women who put their best foot forward, according to store managers.
While the stiletto remains a timeless aspiration, the flat shoe (also those with a slight elevation at the heel) comes to most women's rescue. Its practicality and usability score over the over-hyped heels. “Indian buyers prefer flats and the store has a couple of options for a consumer who isn't fond of a stiletto,” said a supervisor at the recently launched Christian Louboutin store at DLF Emporio in the capital.
Being no stranger to the French brand worn by Hollywood A- listers such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, Renee Zellweger, and other celebrities such as Madonna and Nicki Minaj, Delhi is certainly going in for the red-soled ‘deluxe' indulgence like never before.
Interestingly, the store also showcases its range of not-so-high options such as the Metal Nodo, which is a pair of golden ballerinas, and Vaudoo-black patent leather flat sandals with pink stressed organza.
The other flat-style options include Tonguissima-nude leather with a pink gold mirror finish and potpourri and Balinodono-ballet shoes with leopard printed silk satin. However, the Glanol et Raglan and Vol au Vent, both in black, seem specifically suited for the Indian woman. Complimenting the saree, these sandals are a perfect match with traditional wear as well. “I'm looking at the collection and am surprised that we have such a variety to choose from in flats and heels. I am a school teacher, so heels are a big no-no for me, I'd rather try the flats on,” said Kavita Khullar who walked into the store with her daughter.
Its line of Bollywood-inspired shoes called ‘Bollywoody' has embroidered hot pink suede, specially designed for the Indian buyer, as opposed to the European choice of basic black. The colours have been chosen keeping the Indian buyer in mind. The Torero is an embroidered turquoise crepe satin with black embellishments standing tall on 150 mm of heel. With a price range starting at Rs 30,000 for a pair, the store offers an array of shoes, including the dramatic Asteroid, a peep-toe metallic pink leather with zebra print and spikes on its toe. However, their classic Pigale is the most popular.
2011年8月12日星期五
Horseflesh and High Society
They started descending from the clubhouse 20 minutes or so before post time, owners and breeders and racing officials and whoever else secured a much-coveted pass. They parted gamblers and picnickers and strode purposefully into one of the most venerable enclosures in American sports, the paddock at the Spa.
They have ostensibly come to watch the horses saddled for the ninth race here Wednesday, but the $3,000 suits on the men and the hats and high heels of the women tip off that there is a whole lot more going on. The bronze statue of Sea Hero, the 1993 Kentucky Derby and Travers Stakes winner, in its grassy center is a nod not only to the history of this racetrack, but to its aristocracy as well.
Sea Hero was owned by Paul Mellon, a man of letters, a philanthropist, an art connoisseur and a sportsman of the kind that are rare these days. In 1971, his colt Mill Reef had captured the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and Sea Hero made him the first owner to conquer horse racing’s three most prestigious races.
“I have been an amateur in every phase of my life; an amateur poet, an amateur scholar, an amateur horseman, an amateur farmer, an amateur soldier, an amateur connoisseur of art, an amateur publisher, and an amateur museum executive,” he wrote in his wryly titled autobiography “Reflections in a Silver Spoon.” “The root of the word ‘amateur’ is the Latin word for love, and I can honestly say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the roles I’ve played.”
There were plenty of folks enjoying themselves before the ninth race and one of them, Cot Campbell, the managing partner of Dogwood Stable, was a gentleman who, indeed, had relished the many parts he has played over 84 years. He wore seersucker and a smile as bright as his pastel tie.
He has been a water ski show master of ceremonies, a sportswriter, an apprentice mortician, an advertising copywriter and an author, as well as one of the pioneers of syndicated ownership, selling pieces of horses to various owners. His autobiography is wryly and reflectively titled as well: “Memoirs of a Longshot.”
Now, Campbell greeted his partners and competitors as his colt, Mine Train, circled the tree with a slightly askew white and red board hammered in its bark and No. 1 painted in red.
With 17 minutes to post, a bell echoed from the winner’s circle, a nod to the time before public address systems existed and reminding horsemen and horseplayers a race was nearing.
Three minutes later, 10 small men in a rainbow of Day-Glo silks and goggles hanging from their necks paraded in and fanned out to the various numbered trees to meet their trainers and owners. Campbell threw an arm around his jockey Ramon Dominguez, who was wearing the green and gold colors of Dogwood.
“Riders up,” the paddock judge Neal Cutrone called in the voice of a high school principal.
Dominguez and his brethren were launched into their saddles. Ten horses with 10 smiling jockeys on their backs circled the paddock once and headed to the track.
“You on the winner today, Ramon?” a horseplayer shouted from the other side of the rail.
Dominguez, rocking atop his colt, smiled.
Campbell and the other owners and their camps followed them. They could not see the bugler Sam Grossman, but they heard him blow the call to post.
There were smiles and shivers and a transcendent moment enjoyed. Hope, as they say, sprang eternal with seven minutes left to post time. No one had yet lost.
They have ostensibly come to watch the horses saddled for the ninth race here Wednesday, but the $3,000 suits on the men and the hats and high heels of the women tip off that there is a whole lot more going on. The bronze statue of Sea Hero, the 1993 Kentucky Derby and Travers Stakes winner, in its grassy center is a nod not only to the history of this racetrack, but to its aristocracy as well.
Sea Hero was owned by Paul Mellon, a man of letters, a philanthropist, an art connoisseur and a sportsman of the kind that are rare these days. In 1971, his colt Mill Reef had captured the Epsom Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, and Sea Hero made him the first owner to conquer horse racing’s three most prestigious races.
“I have been an amateur in every phase of my life; an amateur poet, an amateur scholar, an amateur horseman, an amateur farmer, an amateur soldier, an amateur connoisseur of art, an amateur publisher, and an amateur museum executive,” he wrote in his wryly titled autobiography “Reflections in a Silver Spoon.” “The root of the word ‘amateur’ is the Latin word for love, and I can honestly say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the roles I’ve played.”
There were plenty of folks enjoying themselves before the ninth race and one of them, Cot Campbell, the managing partner of Dogwood Stable, was a gentleman who, indeed, had relished the many parts he has played over 84 years. He wore seersucker and a smile as bright as his pastel tie.
He has been a water ski show master of ceremonies, a sportswriter, an apprentice mortician, an advertising copywriter and an author, as well as one of the pioneers of syndicated ownership, selling pieces of horses to various owners. His autobiography is wryly and reflectively titled as well: “Memoirs of a Longshot.”
Now, Campbell greeted his partners and competitors as his colt, Mine Train, circled the tree with a slightly askew white and red board hammered in its bark and No. 1 painted in red.
With 17 minutes to post, a bell echoed from the winner’s circle, a nod to the time before public address systems existed and reminding horsemen and horseplayers a race was nearing.
Three minutes later, 10 small men in a rainbow of Day-Glo silks and goggles hanging from their necks paraded in and fanned out to the various numbered trees to meet their trainers and owners. Campbell threw an arm around his jockey Ramon Dominguez, who was wearing the green and gold colors of Dogwood.
“Riders up,” the paddock judge Neal Cutrone called in the voice of a high school principal.
Dominguez and his brethren were launched into their saddles. Ten horses with 10 smiling jockeys on their backs circled the paddock once and headed to the track.
“You on the winner today, Ramon?” a horseplayer shouted from the other side of the rail.
Dominguez, rocking atop his colt, smiled.
Campbell and the other owners and their camps followed them. They could not see the bugler Sam Grossman, but they heard him blow the call to post.
There were smiles and shivers and a transcendent moment enjoyed. Hope, as they say, sprang eternal with seven minutes left to post time. No one had yet lost.
2011年4月11日星期一
SIC Student Government sponsoring athletic shoe drive
The Southeastern Illinois College Student Government is inviting the entire college district to participate in a recycling drive to turn used athletic shoes into affordable rubber products.
The project was conceived as a way to get community high schools involved with the College and the student government organization. All district high schools were invited to participate in the project, and the top three high schools in terms of donations will receive trophies. Also, if schools have more than one organization that participates, a certificate will be presented for the top organization within that school.
Student government then decided to enlarge the project by opening it up to all the public residents of the college district. The organization hopes for a large show of support from the community and high schools alike.
Many shoe companies are striving to improve recycling around the country and the world. Shoes are most commonly recycled to create three different products: grind rubber, grind foam and grind fiber. These three substances are used for a great deal of recreational facilities, including outdoor basketball and tennis courts, running tracks, soccer and football fields, playground surfaces and gym floors.
For those interested in donating, there are currently collection boxes set up across the camps. Then, the final collection day is set for Saturday, April 30. On that day, shoes will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the event of good weather, the collection will be held in the southernmost parking lot of the SIC campus. If there is inclement weather, the collection will be held in the lobby of the nearby Visual and Performing Arts Center.
All shoes donated should meet the following requirements:
-- Athletic shoes only (no boots, sandals, etc.)
-- No cleats or spikes
-- Shoes must be cleaned
-- Shoe strings should be tied together
The project was conceived as a way to get community high schools involved with the College and the student government organization. All district high schools were invited to participate in the project, and the top three high schools in terms of donations will receive trophies. Also, if schools have more than one organization that participates, a certificate will be presented for the top organization within that school.
Student government then decided to enlarge the project by opening it up to all the public residents of the college district. The organization hopes for a large show of support from the community and high schools alike.
Many shoe companies are striving to improve recycling around the country and the world. Shoes are most commonly recycled to create three different products: grind rubber, grind foam and grind fiber. These three substances are used for a great deal of recreational facilities, including outdoor basketball and tennis courts, running tracks, soccer and football fields, playground surfaces and gym floors.
For those interested in donating, there are currently collection boxes set up across the camps. Then, the final collection day is set for Saturday, April 30. On that day, shoes will be accepted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In the event of good weather, the collection will be held in the southernmost parking lot of the SIC campus. If there is inclement weather, the collection will be held in the lobby of the nearby Visual and Performing Arts Center.
All shoes donated should meet the following requirements:
-- Athletic shoes only (no boots, sandals, etc.)
-- No cleats or spikes
-- Shoes must be cleaned
-- Shoe strings should be tied together
2011年4月7日星期四
Vivienne Westwood Spring 2011 Shoes
Jelly shoes are the funniest and most stylish accessories of the moment. Check out the Vivienne Westwood Spring 2011 Shoes collection to join the frenzy launched among high street fashionistas who are eager to sport comfy and revolutionary footwear models.
The Queen of Punk, designer Vivienne Westwood is reluctant to come to terms with the limitations of conventional fashion industry. Her aim is clearly to leave a legacy that marks the evolution of contemporary style and allows all fashionistas to take full advantage of the infinite color and fabric palette. This season the acclaimed trendsetter enchants the fashion pack with yet another parade of the beloved Melissa shoes.
Those who are familiarized with the brand new concept of extremely wearable and comfy jelly shoes will have the privilege to complement their blooming season wardrobe with these footwear models. The bubblegum scented rubber and the hue palette used to breathe life into the classy stilettos, wedges and ballet pumps makes these stylish accessories too-cool-too-miss fashion staples. Vivienne Westwood with her Anglomania shoes decorated with the signature ribbons, skulls along with other Punked-up details will tame the cravings of all trailblazers for shoes that speak for their style-consciousness.
Think big when selection the hottest accessories that could boost the prominence of your casual chic or formal outfits. In spite of made of rubber these footwear models look stunning and all event-appropriate. Wear the neutral colored ones for more formal events, whereas the bold and bright designs will be just perfect to show off your fondness for the eclectic style wave. Vivienne Westwood channeled much of her loyalty to alternative designs into these ingenious and sight-pampering high heels. Hearts, skulls and stars are used to make these accessories all age-appropriate. Play with the visual effect of rainbow colored shoes and pierce them into your upgraded wardrobe. Match the right shoe designs to your walking skills.
Whether you're keen to pamper your feet with flats or would like to take a chance on wedges the point is to feel confident in your skin and wear only those accessories that allow you to preserve your fashionista reputation. Avoid looking frumpy and explore the fabulous experience these colorful and comfy shoes offer. The classy designs make the rubber flats and Mary Jeans simply irresistible. Test your styling skills and discover the complete range of Melissa shoes available online or at specialized stores. Let the jelly shoes mania launched by Vivienne Westwood trap you into a mesmerizing realm where neutral colored accessories are not an option.
Check out the Croco Mary Jane Heels that look dazzling decorated with this crocodile effect. This shoe design will be available in blue, tan, brown and even pink. Additionally drop a glimpse also on the Temptation Heels crowned with acrylic buckles and two thick straps. Wear your favorite Melissa high heels with confidence and don't forget to wide the color scale you're working with to preserve the versatility of your outfits. Complete your shoe collection with these exquisite style items and pay your tribute to the style vision thought up by the prominent designer by sporting these accessories all throughout the season.
The Queen of Punk, designer Vivienne Westwood is reluctant to come to terms with the limitations of conventional fashion industry. Her aim is clearly to leave a legacy that marks the evolution of contemporary style and allows all fashionistas to take full advantage of the infinite color and fabric palette. This season the acclaimed trendsetter enchants the fashion pack with yet another parade of the beloved Melissa shoes.
Those who are familiarized with the brand new concept of extremely wearable and comfy jelly shoes will have the privilege to complement their blooming season wardrobe with these footwear models. The bubblegum scented rubber and the hue palette used to breathe life into the classy stilettos, wedges and ballet pumps makes these stylish accessories too-cool-too-miss fashion staples. Vivienne Westwood with her Anglomania shoes decorated with the signature ribbons, skulls along with other Punked-up details will tame the cravings of all trailblazers for shoes that speak for their style-consciousness.
Think big when selection the hottest accessories that could boost the prominence of your casual chic or formal outfits. In spite of made of rubber these footwear models look stunning and all event-appropriate. Wear the neutral colored ones for more formal events, whereas the bold and bright designs will be just perfect to show off your fondness for the eclectic style wave. Vivienne Westwood channeled much of her loyalty to alternative designs into these ingenious and sight-pampering high heels. Hearts, skulls and stars are used to make these accessories all age-appropriate. Play with the visual effect of rainbow colored shoes and pierce them into your upgraded wardrobe. Match the right shoe designs to your walking skills.
Whether you're keen to pamper your feet with flats or would like to take a chance on wedges the point is to feel confident in your skin and wear only those accessories that allow you to preserve your fashionista reputation. Avoid looking frumpy and explore the fabulous experience these colorful and comfy shoes offer. The classy designs make the rubber flats and Mary Jeans simply irresistible. Test your styling skills and discover the complete range of Melissa shoes available online or at specialized stores. Let the jelly shoes mania launched by Vivienne Westwood trap you into a mesmerizing realm where neutral colored accessories are not an option.
Check out the Croco Mary Jane Heels that look dazzling decorated with this crocodile effect. This shoe design will be available in blue, tan, brown and even pink. Additionally drop a glimpse also on the Temptation Heels crowned with acrylic buckles and two thick straps. Wear your favorite Melissa high heels with confidence and don't forget to wide the color scale you're working with to preserve the versatility of your outfits. Complete your shoe collection with these exquisite style items and pay your tribute to the style vision thought up by the prominent designer by sporting these accessories all throughout the season.
2011年4月5日星期二
Head out on to the nature trail...
Head out on to the nature trail...
Nature has always been a big inspiration for spring trends but, this season, designers have gone wild for it.
Forget dainty blooms and freshly mown lawns and think bountiful, overgrown wilderness.
Catwalks came alive for spring with bold fruits, super-sized blooms, birds in flight and even a flurry of insects and bugs.
Celebrities Alexa Chung, Rihanna and Lily Allen have all been sporting garden-esque print gowns on the red carpets.
Essentially, this is a trend that's all about having fun with prints – an injection of these larger-than-life patterns is the easiest way to wake up your wardrobe this season.
British summertime is officially under way so take inspiration from the great outdoors.
Tangerine, lime and lemon aren't only the new hot colours for this season, the fruits themselves are going it large in delicious prints.
While Prada had fun with bold bananas, Stella McCartney wowed with citrus fruits and things got a little juicy at Betsey Johnson with strawberry, pineapple and grape references.
Fruity prints will be adding a retro edge to spring pieces on the high street.
Go as bold as you dare with this look, from dainty berries and cherries to super-sized lemons and apples. Think Katy Perry kitsch and you're on the right track.
If you like the concept but think you'll look more ‘fruitcake' than fruity fashionista, use accessories.
And if Charlotte Olympia's £950 fruit platforms push your budget, try the affordable range of fruity trinkets and charms on the high street to add a quirky edge.
Watch the birdie... butterflies and birds are the carefree way to do this season's natural selection.
Alexander McQueen's catwalk gowns and heels flaunted life-sized butterfly appliqués and Miu Miu showcased a graceful swan print dress. These prints are much more subtle than other nature-inspired trends – look out for dainty versions, such as repetitive mini swallow patterns or sheer, delicate butterfly looks.
And forget structured workwear style pieces, this trend works best with casual looks like floaty summer dresses or blouses for a nod to Seventies hippy chic.
If you want to be more adventurous, fly with bolder bird of prey prints.
No matter if you have an aversion to creepy crawlies, insects are this season's surprise fashion hit.
Fun and unusual, even arachnophobics can indulge in this quirky print trend.
From teeny ladybirds and dainty dragonflies to eye-catching bugs and beetles, it all works – just make sure your insects are colourful.
Go too monochromatic or dark and you're at risk of stepping into spooky Hallowe'en territory.
This season's insects are ideal for curvy girls who should avoid extremely busy prints and opt for scattered print styles to flatter your figure.
There's only one way to come up smelling of roses this season... with super-sized blooms.
These floral prints are so lush, they look like they've been grown in a hothouse.
Erdem, D&G and Cacharel's catwalks were blooming with vibrant colour using bold florals and the high street have followed suit with overgrown bloom prints.
Just like a wild bouquet, this is one trend where mixing up your blooms by clashing two different prints can work really well.
Just make sure the colours and tones still complement each other, without being too matchy-matchy.
Take inspiration from Alexander McQueen's applique and try pop-up flower details on occasionwear dresses or shoes for a real summer talking point.
Nature has always been a big inspiration for spring trends but, this season, designers have gone wild for it.
Forget dainty blooms and freshly mown lawns and think bountiful, overgrown wilderness.
Catwalks came alive for spring with bold fruits, super-sized blooms, birds in flight and even a flurry of insects and bugs.
Celebrities Alexa Chung, Rihanna and Lily Allen have all been sporting garden-esque print gowns on the red carpets.
Essentially, this is a trend that's all about having fun with prints – an injection of these larger-than-life patterns is the easiest way to wake up your wardrobe this season.
British summertime is officially under way so take inspiration from the great outdoors.
Tangerine, lime and lemon aren't only the new hot colours for this season, the fruits themselves are going it large in delicious prints.
While Prada had fun with bold bananas, Stella McCartney wowed with citrus fruits and things got a little juicy at Betsey Johnson with strawberry, pineapple and grape references.
Fruity prints will be adding a retro edge to spring pieces on the high street.
Go as bold as you dare with this look, from dainty berries and cherries to super-sized lemons and apples. Think Katy Perry kitsch and you're on the right track.
If you like the concept but think you'll look more ‘fruitcake' than fruity fashionista, use accessories.
And if Charlotte Olympia's £950 fruit platforms push your budget, try the affordable range of fruity trinkets and charms on the high street to add a quirky edge.
Watch the birdie... butterflies and birds are the carefree way to do this season's natural selection.
Alexander McQueen's catwalk gowns and heels flaunted life-sized butterfly appliqués and Miu Miu showcased a graceful swan print dress. These prints are much more subtle than other nature-inspired trends – look out for dainty versions, such as repetitive mini swallow patterns or sheer, delicate butterfly looks.
And forget structured workwear style pieces, this trend works best with casual looks like floaty summer dresses or blouses for a nod to Seventies hippy chic.
If you want to be more adventurous, fly with bolder bird of prey prints.
No matter if you have an aversion to creepy crawlies, insects are this season's surprise fashion hit.
Fun and unusual, even arachnophobics can indulge in this quirky print trend.
From teeny ladybirds and dainty dragonflies to eye-catching bugs and beetles, it all works – just make sure your insects are colourful.
Go too monochromatic or dark and you're at risk of stepping into spooky Hallowe'en territory.
This season's insects are ideal for curvy girls who should avoid extremely busy prints and opt for scattered print styles to flatter your figure.
There's only one way to come up smelling of roses this season... with super-sized blooms.
These floral prints are so lush, they look like they've been grown in a hothouse.
Erdem, D&G and Cacharel's catwalks were blooming with vibrant colour using bold florals and the high street have followed suit with overgrown bloom prints.
Just like a wild bouquet, this is one trend where mixing up your blooms by clashing two different prints can work really well.
Just make sure the colours and tones still complement each other, without being too matchy-matchy.
Take inspiration from Alexander McQueen's applique and try pop-up flower details on occasionwear dresses or shoes for a real summer talking point.
2011年4月1日星期五
Trendy colors, innovative cuts -all about youthful elegance
GUCCI, PRADA, Missoni, Ferragamo, Bottega Veneta, Pucci, Fendi, Versace, D&G and Armani showed strong heritage collections at Milan Fashion Week last month.
These luxury brands had fresh offerings of colors that sang, styles that swung both ways and accessories that exuded quality and fine craftsmanship. It was all about youthful elegance—a fashion paradox.
Italian masters tweaked clever and covetable clothes with real or virtual embellishments such as lace, very large sequins that resembled capiz shells, fur immersed in color and bags and shoes that are destined to be bestsellers.
While the blueprint was always conservative, the execution and styling were trendy. The tricky marriage of contemporary and classic is something Italian brands have perfected, especially when it comes to leather (shoes and bags), fur and fabrics.
These retail items may now be available in Manila through Adora at Greenbelt 5, the flagship Makati store of Rustan’s and the Greenbelt 4 name brand boutiques by Stores Specialists Inc.
These luxury brands had fresh offerings of colors that sang, styles that swung both ways and accessories that exuded quality and fine craftsmanship. It was all about youthful elegance—a fashion paradox.
Italian masters tweaked clever and covetable clothes with real or virtual embellishments such as lace, very large sequins that resembled capiz shells, fur immersed in color and bags and shoes that are destined to be bestsellers.
While the blueprint was always conservative, the execution and styling were trendy. The tricky marriage of contemporary and classic is something Italian brands have perfected, especially when it comes to leather (shoes and bags), fur and fabrics.
These retail items may now be available in Manila through Adora at Greenbelt 5, the flagship Makati store of Rustan’s and the Greenbelt 4 name brand boutiques by Stores Specialists Inc.
2011年3月31日星期四
Go au naturel this spring
Forget dainty blooms and freshly mown lawns and think bountiful overgrown back garden.
Catwalks came alive for spring, with a fully fertilised reference to all things natural – bold fruits, super-sized blooms, birds in flight and oh-so fashionable bug infestations.
Celebrities Alexa Chung, Rihanna and Lily Allen have all been sporting garden-esque print gowns on the red carpets.
Essentially, this is a trend that's all about having fun with prints.
Steer well clear if you're more of a wallflower, an injection of these larger-than-life patterns is the easiest way to wake up your wardrobe this season.
British summertime is officially under way so take inspiration from the great outdoors and pack a punch with your favourite print. Whether you're a fruity girl or a floral fanatic, there's a mini trend to suit.
If you usually stick to block colour, go wild this season and follow fashion's nature trail. No hiking boots necessary.
Fruit cocktail
Tangerine, lime and lemon aren't only hot colours for this season, the fruit brigade have made their mark on prints too.
While Prada had fun with bold bananas, Stella McCartney wowed with citrus fruits and things got a little juicy at Betsey Johnson with strawberry, pineapple and grape references.
These mouth-watering fruity prints add a retro edge to spring pieces. Think Katy Perry kitsch and you're on the right track.
Go as bold as you dare with this look, from dainty berries and cherries to super-sized lemons and apples.
If you like the concept but think you'll look more ‘fruitcake' than fruity fashionista, use accessories. And if Charlotte Olympia's £950 fruit platforms push your budget, try the affordable range of fruity trinkets and charms on the high street to add a quirky edge.
Winged wonder
Creatures of the sky will have you flying to the top of the style charts this summer.
Butterflies and birds are the carefree way to do this season's natural selection.
Alexander McQueen's catwalk gowns and heels flaunted life-sized butterfly appliqués and Miu Miu showcased a graceful swan print dress.
Fear not if you feel like a shy fashion chrysalis, these prints are much more subtle than other nature-inspired trends with repetitive mini swallow patterns or sheer, delicate butterfly looks.
Forget structured workwear style pieces, this trend works best with casual looks like floaty summer dresses or blouses for a nod to Seventies hippy chic.
Watch the birdie; if you want to go more adventurous with the aviary obsession, you'll be tweeting for joy with bolder bird of prey prints.
Bug life
No matter if you have an aversion to creepy crawlies. Keep the bug spray and fly swat at bay because insects are this season's surprise fashion hit.
With flowers and fruits big on the nature trail of prints, it's no surprise that insects have crawled their way into this season's fashion agenda.
Fun and unusual, even arachnophobics and insect squealers can indulge in this quirky print trend.
From teeny ladybirds and dainty dragonflies to eye-catching bugs and beetles, just make sure your insects are colourful. Go too monochromatic or dark and you're at risk of stepping into spooky Halloween territory.
This season's insects are ideal for curvy girls who should avoid extremely busy prints and opt for scattered styles to flatter your figure.
Floral bouquet
There's only one way to come up smelling of roses this season… super-sized blooms. These floral prints look like they've spent a Mediterranean summer growing in a hothouse.
Erdem, D&G and Cacharel's catwalks were blooming with vibrant colour using uber-bold florals, and the high street have followed suit with overgrown-style prints.
Just like a wild bouquet, this is one trend where mixing up your blooms by clashing two different prints can look like a professional arrangement if put together well – just make sure the colours and tones still complement each other without being too matchy-matchy.
Take inspiration from Alexander McQueen's applique and try pop-up flower details on occasionwear dresses or shoes for a real summer talking point.
Who needs a man to buy you flowers when you've got a whole fashion garden to pick from?
Get the look
Soon-to-drop Natalie Portman accessorises her bump in a Mamas & Papas denim shirt. Be quick, her maternity staple is currently on sale half price at £18.
Buy it now
Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis is putting his business acumen to good use with the launch of his new lingerie destination, Boux Avenue. Launching April 1, the brand has a focus on fit with sizing options ranging from 30A to 40G initially, and later all the way to K.
Catwalks came alive for spring, with a fully fertilised reference to all things natural – bold fruits, super-sized blooms, birds in flight and oh-so fashionable bug infestations.
Celebrities Alexa Chung, Rihanna and Lily Allen have all been sporting garden-esque print gowns on the red carpets.
Essentially, this is a trend that's all about having fun with prints.
Steer well clear if you're more of a wallflower, an injection of these larger-than-life patterns is the easiest way to wake up your wardrobe this season.
British summertime is officially under way so take inspiration from the great outdoors and pack a punch with your favourite print. Whether you're a fruity girl or a floral fanatic, there's a mini trend to suit.
If you usually stick to block colour, go wild this season and follow fashion's nature trail. No hiking boots necessary.
Fruit cocktail
Tangerine, lime and lemon aren't only hot colours for this season, the fruit brigade have made their mark on prints too.
While Prada had fun with bold bananas, Stella McCartney wowed with citrus fruits and things got a little juicy at Betsey Johnson with strawberry, pineapple and grape references.
These mouth-watering fruity prints add a retro edge to spring pieces. Think Katy Perry kitsch and you're on the right track.
Go as bold as you dare with this look, from dainty berries and cherries to super-sized lemons and apples.
If you like the concept but think you'll look more ‘fruitcake' than fruity fashionista, use accessories. And if Charlotte Olympia's £950 fruit platforms push your budget, try the affordable range of fruity trinkets and charms on the high street to add a quirky edge.
Winged wonder
Creatures of the sky will have you flying to the top of the style charts this summer.
Butterflies and birds are the carefree way to do this season's natural selection.
Alexander McQueen's catwalk gowns and heels flaunted life-sized butterfly appliqués and Miu Miu showcased a graceful swan print dress.
Fear not if you feel like a shy fashion chrysalis, these prints are much more subtle than other nature-inspired trends with repetitive mini swallow patterns or sheer, delicate butterfly looks.
Forget structured workwear style pieces, this trend works best with casual looks like floaty summer dresses or blouses for a nod to Seventies hippy chic.
Watch the birdie; if you want to go more adventurous with the aviary obsession, you'll be tweeting for joy with bolder bird of prey prints.
Bug life
No matter if you have an aversion to creepy crawlies. Keep the bug spray and fly swat at bay because insects are this season's surprise fashion hit.
With flowers and fruits big on the nature trail of prints, it's no surprise that insects have crawled their way into this season's fashion agenda.
Fun and unusual, even arachnophobics and insect squealers can indulge in this quirky print trend.
From teeny ladybirds and dainty dragonflies to eye-catching bugs and beetles, just make sure your insects are colourful. Go too monochromatic or dark and you're at risk of stepping into spooky Halloween territory.
This season's insects are ideal for curvy girls who should avoid extremely busy prints and opt for scattered styles to flatter your figure.
Floral bouquet
There's only one way to come up smelling of roses this season… super-sized blooms. These floral prints look like they've spent a Mediterranean summer growing in a hothouse.
Erdem, D&G and Cacharel's catwalks were blooming with vibrant colour using uber-bold florals, and the high street have followed suit with overgrown-style prints.
Just like a wild bouquet, this is one trend where mixing up your blooms by clashing two different prints can look like a professional arrangement if put together well – just make sure the colours and tones still complement each other without being too matchy-matchy.
Take inspiration from Alexander McQueen's applique and try pop-up flower details on occasionwear dresses or shoes for a real summer talking point.
Who needs a man to buy you flowers when you've got a whole fashion garden to pick from?
Get the look
Soon-to-drop Natalie Portman accessorises her bump in a Mamas & Papas denim shirt. Be quick, her maternity staple is currently on sale half price at £18.
Buy it now
Dragon's Den star Theo Paphitis is putting his business acumen to good use with the launch of his new lingerie destination, Boux Avenue. Launching April 1, the brand has a focus on fit with sizing options ranging from 30A to 40G initially, and later all the way to K.
2011年3月30日星期三
No shirt, no shoes, no class
LBCC is a school rich with student diversity. Every student contributes a different style to the school making it more colorful and multi-factious.
Each student has the opportunity to express oneself as they please. Many identify themselves with the fad they express. Without the variety we all possess on campus, the school just might be boring. The person and there style is what gives that extra touch we need on campus that makes our school glow.
As of now LBCC does not possess a dress code prohibiting student's freedom of fashion on campus. Students are able to dress freely without having a consequence. But would a dress code be needed for LBCC? Is the way students are dressing prohibiting them from learning?
The truth is we don't think it matters. It doesn't seem to be a big issue as long as it does not offend other students. The clothing does not make the student. We do not see how a fashion can affect a student's academic capacity.
The capacity is within the student and there should not be any other factor that a student might be critiqued by. We should all be proud that LBCC does not have such standards that prohibit us from our expression, as some of us recall the uniform look some of us adopted in elementary making us feel imprisoned and just simply bland. Imagine going back to a white collard shirt and blue bottoms.
We're pretty sure nobody wants to go back to that.
This is why as students we should not abuse this right we possess on campus. Common sense should be used we obviously know that a bathing suit will cause controversy and even racy t-shirts can cause a stir.
Yet we see students doing it everyday. Someone mentioned how they can not stand seeing how girls dress up for school looking like its saturday night and they are ready for the club.
As much as some students might not like this, there is nothing that can be done because it is that person's right to wear whatever pleases themselves and not anyone else.
As long as everyone respects each other and every one's unique way of dressing we have nothing to worry about.
We can all continue wearing what makes us who we are. And enlighten LBCC with our colorful clothing that paves the way to new students and the new trends that are here to come.
Each student has the opportunity to express oneself as they please. Many identify themselves with the fad they express. Without the variety we all possess on campus, the school just might be boring. The person and there style is what gives that extra touch we need on campus that makes our school glow.
As of now LBCC does not possess a dress code prohibiting student's freedom of fashion on campus. Students are able to dress freely without having a consequence. But would a dress code be needed for LBCC? Is the way students are dressing prohibiting them from learning?
The truth is we don't think it matters. It doesn't seem to be a big issue as long as it does not offend other students. The clothing does not make the student. We do not see how a fashion can affect a student's academic capacity.
The capacity is within the student and there should not be any other factor that a student might be critiqued by. We should all be proud that LBCC does not have such standards that prohibit us from our expression, as some of us recall the uniform look some of us adopted in elementary making us feel imprisoned and just simply bland. Imagine going back to a white collard shirt and blue bottoms.
We're pretty sure nobody wants to go back to that.
This is why as students we should not abuse this right we possess on campus. Common sense should be used we obviously know that a bathing suit will cause controversy and even racy t-shirts can cause a stir.
Yet we see students doing it everyday. Someone mentioned how they can not stand seeing how girls dress up for school looking like its saturday night and they are ready for the club.
As much as some students might not like this, there is nothing that can be done because it is that person's right to wear whatever pleases themselves and not anyone else.
As long as everyone respects each other and every one's unique way of dressing we have nothing to worry about.
We can all continue wearing what makes us who we are. And enlighten LBCC with our colorful clothing that paves the way to new students and the new trends that are here to come.
In Praise of High Heels
Even before Cinderella's step-sisters tried to squeeze their feet into her glass slipper, women's shoes were already the schizophrenic icon of female subjugation and folly, as well as sexuality and power.
Folklore around the world has various versions of the Cinderella story, dating even as far back as the ancient Greeks. The female foot has been bound, twisted and fetishized over millennia, and this practice continues today with the eternal popularity of the high-heeled shoe.
On Saturday, a Singapore radio station, will stage a Stiletto Race at 11am at the Singapore Flyer, where participants will have to run 100m in three-inch high heels. The race is akin in spirit to similar events in Milan, New York, Sydney and even in Tenerife, where the race is run by drag queens.
At the peril of sprained ankles and shattered tarsals, there will emerge an eventual winner on Saturday. But of what? Of negotiating urban terrain in impossible footwear? It is a Pyrrhic victory, some cry, one that reinforces the stereotype of the woman as a hobbled, tethered creature of man's and now her own volition.
Feminists have long vilified the high-heeled shoe as the devil's work, leading many strong and successful women to have a somewhat conflicted love-hate relationship with their vertiginous indulgences in luscious Pierre Hardy or the latest Giuseppe Zanotti number.
Feminist arguments aside, any woman in high heels understands the power she immediately wields. Her posture changes as she straightens up, her back arches and her shoulders are pulled back. She is automatically elevated, physically, to stand shoulder to shoulder with a man, if not towering over him. High heels, with a suit, convey sexuality, femininity and power - an intoxicating combination in the boardroom.
However, Elizabeth Semmelhack, curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, in an interview with Collectors Weekly last year, expressed her reservations about this common perception: "It seems like what wins for women in the culture is not the Harvard education that you have and how many cases you correctly argue in court; it's whether or not when you walk into a room, you make all the men want to drop to their knees. For me that's very problematic, because if the high heel is an accessory of female power - and if the definition of female power is sexual - that power has a very short shelf life."
Semmelhack is right, but only up to a point. Shoewise, a woman's power is derived not just from her high heels, but from the fact that she has many choices today. No woman lives in stilettos exclusively. She is likely also to own sneakers, flip-flops and ballerina flats, among others. Her shoe collection reflects her many personality aspects and roles - as CEO, mother or sportswoman.
High-heeled shoes have long signified power and status, even among men. In the French court and in Europe of the 17th century, men wore heels to mark themselves as part of the elite (prompting women to hike their heels up even higher). In the early 1700s, Louis XIV, the Sun King, who wore heels as high as five inches, decreed that red heels were to be worn only by nobility and that no one's heels could be higher than his.
Today, with more women earning their own money, heels have inadvertently become a sign of empowerment and emancipation. It is little surprise, therefore, that this trend has dovetailed with the rise of the celebrity shoe designer in the 1990s. The high-priced creations of Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik go beyond mere footwear, approximating near works of art.
While my Chinese ancestors had their feet cruelly mangled in lotus shoes, women today enjoy the benefits of 21st century engineering and research that have created towering wonders that raise us up even as they encase our feet securely and safely.
Most importantly, a woman wears high heels today because she is allowed to celebrate her sexual power. In the past, her sexual appeal came from the perception of frailty symbolized by restrictive footwear and curtailed movements.
So the fact that we can take part in stiletto races today is progress indeed. There is also smug satisfaction to be had in the knowledge that very few men can sprint 100m in high heels with the same balance, style and power as we can.
Drag queens excepted, of course.
Folklore around the world has various versions of the Cinderella story, dating even as far back as the ancient Greeks. The female foot has been bound, twisted and fetishized over millennia, and this practice continues today with the eternal popularity of the high-heeled shoe.
On Saturday, a Singapore radio station, will stage a Stiletto Race at 11am at the Singapore Flyer, where participants will have to run 100m in three-inch high heels. The race is akin in spirit to similar events in Milan, New York, Sydney and even in Tenerife, where the race is run by drag queens.
At the peril of sprained ankles and shattered tarsals, there will emerge an eventual winner on Saturday. But of what? Of negotiating urban terrain in impossible footwear? It is a Pyrrhic victory, some cry, one that reinforces the stereotype of the woman as a hobbled, tethered creature of man's and now her own volition.
Feminists have long vilified the high-heeled shoe as the devil's work, leading many strong and successful women to have a somewhat conflicted love-hate relationship with their vertiginous indulgences in luscious Pierre Hardy or the latest Giuseppe Zanotti number.
Feminist arguments aside, any woman in high heels understands the power she immediately wields. Her posture changes as she straightens up, her back arches and her shoulders are pulled back. She is automatically elevated, physically, to stand shoulder to shoulder with a man, if not towering over him. High heels, with a suit, convey sexuality, femininity and power - an intoxicating combination in the boardroom.
However, Elizabeth Semmelhack, curator of the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, in an interview with Collectors Weekly last year, expressed her reservations about this common perception: "It seems like what wins for women in the culture is not the Harvard education that you have and how many cases you correctly argue in court; it's whether or not when you walk into a room, you make all the men want to drop to their knees. For me that's very problematic, because if the high heel is an accessory of female power - and if the definition of female power is sexual - that power has a very short shelf life."
Semmelhack is right, but only up to a point. Shoewise, a woman's power is derived not just from her high heels, but from the fact that she has many choices today. No woman lives in stilettos exclusively. She is likely also to own sneakers, flip-flops and ballerina flats, among others. Her shoe collection reflects her many personality aspects and roles - as CEO, mother or sportswoman.
High-heeled shoes have long signified power and status, even among men. In the French court and in Europe of the 17th century, men wore heels to mark themselves as part of the elite (prompting women to hike their heels up even higher). In the early 1700s, Louis XIV, the Sun King, who wore heels as high as five inches, decreed that red heels were to be worn only by nobility and that no one's heels could be higher than his.
Today, with more women earning their own money, heels have inadvertently become a sign of empowerment and emancipation. It is little surprise, therefore, that this trend has dovetailed with the rise of the celebrity shoe designer in the 1990s. The high-priced creations of Christian Louboutin and Manolo Blahnik go beyond mere footwear, approximating near works of art.
While my Chinese ancestors had their feet cruelly mangled in lotus shoes, women today enjoy the benefits of 21st century engineering and research that have created towering wonders that raise us up even as they encase our feet securely and safely.
Most importantly, a woman wears high heels today because she is allowed to celebrate her sexual power. In the past, her sexual appeal came from the perception of frailty symbolized by restrictive footwear and curtailed movements.
So the fact that we can take part in stiletto races today is progress indeed. There is also smug satisfaction to be had in the knowledge that very few men can sprint 100m in high heels with the same balance, style and power as we can.
Drag queens excepted, of course.
2011年3月22日星期二
Mad Men January Jones Poses for Versace Fashion Sunglasses
Mad about Mad Men? Then you definitely know about January Jones! She is so chic, elegant and sexy! Now Versace has launched a new line of eyewear named after January Jones for spring. Among various fashion sunglasses in this spring, January J will very competitive with its simple but elegant design.
Donatella Versace, as a Mad Men fan, has a great admiration of January Jones's temperament.
"She is chic and elegant but deeply sensual too—it is a dramatic combination. January has been a good friend to the house of Versace and she looks wonderful in our Spring/Summer accessories campaign, so I thought it would be fun to name my new eyewear collection after her," Versace said in a press release.
The January J. collection includes three styles- two styles of fashion sunglasses and one optical style, each with medusa head metal detailing on the front of the temple.
The ad has been injected with the 50's and 60's star glamour, looking rather appealing. Unlike others like D&G, Versace launches the black-and-white campaign, set in London. For the Spring/Summer 2011 campaign, January Jones wears nothing but a pair of sexy high-heeled shoes, oversized fashion sunglasses, and a delicately placed handbag. Photographed by Mario Testino in London, January Jones looks incredibly beautiful and charming.
"Versace is an iconic brand that has always represented women in the most flattering way," Jones said in a statement. "Its appeal to me is that they make women look and feel sexy, classic, and timeless."
It is said that the January J collection will hit stores in April. For those who are into fashion sunglasses, it may be a great option.
Donatella Versace, as a Mad Men fan, has a great admiration of January Jones's temperament.
"She is chic and elegant but deeply sensual too—it is a dramatic combination. January has been a good friend to the house of Versace and she looks wonderful in our Spring/Summer accessories campaign, so I thought it would be fun to name my new eyewear collection after her," Versace said in a press release.
The January J. collection includes three styles- two styles of fashion sunglasses and one optical style, each with medusa head metal detailing on the front of the temple.
The ad has been injected with the 50's and 60's star glamour, looking rather appealing. Unlike others like D&G, Versace launches the black-and-white campaign, set in London. For the Spring/Summer 2011 campaign, January Jones wears nothing but a pair of sexy high-heeled shoes, oversized fashion sunglasses, and a delicately placed handbag. Photographed by Mario Testino in London, January Jones looks incredibly beautiful and charming.
"Versace is an iconic brand that has always represented women in the most flattering way," Jones said in a statement. "Its appeal to me is that they make women look and feel sexy, classic, and timeless."
It is said that the January J collection will hit stores in April. For those who are into fashion sunglasses, it may be a great option.
2011年3月20日星期日
Sample sales and discounts: March 21-27
BGN Paris: March 22-26, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 202 W. 40th St. (suite 902), at Seventh Ave. Women's jackets, tops, pants and dresses are up to 90 percent off. Items from past collections and current merchandise are available.
3.1 phillip lim: March 24-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 260 W. 39th St. (17th fl.), btwn Seventh and Eighth aves. Women's and men's ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes are well below retail prices. Proceeds go to the American Red Cross to aid Japan's relief efforts.
Dolce & Gabbana and D&G: March 24, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; March 25-26, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 W. 18th St., btwn Sixth and Seventh aves. (fourth fl.), 877-70-DGUSA. Women can grab up cocktail dresses, tailored pants, jackets bags and shoes from Dolce & Gabbana and dresses, jeans and accessories from D&G. Men can find suits, shirts, pants and coats from Dolce & Gabbana and shirts and jeans from D&G.
3.1 phillip lim: March 24-25, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 260 W. 39th St. (17th fl.), btwn Seventh and Eighth aves. Women's and men's ready-to-wear, accessories and shoes are well below retail prices. Proceeds go to the American Red Cross to aid Japan's relief efforts.
Dolce & Gabbana and D&G: March 24, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; March 25-26, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; March 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Metropolitan Pavilion: 123 W. 18th St., btwn Sixth and Seventh aves. (fourth fl.), 877-70-DGUSA. Women can grab up cocktail dresses, tailored pants, jackets bags and shoes from Dolce & Gabbana and dresses, jeans and accessories from D&G. Men can find suits, shirts, pants and coats from Dolce & Gabbana and shirts and jeans from D&G.
2011年3月15日星期二
Prom attire: Making the grade on a budget
Maria Vriniotis has dreamt of her prom night for years. That is why she volunteered to head the graduation committee at Windemere Secondary. She wanted everything to be perfect.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shopruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional grad-type dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-the-thigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shopruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional grad-type dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-the-thigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
2011年3月8日星期二
Prom attire: Making the grade on a budget
Maria Vriniotis has dreamed of her prom night for years. That is why she volunteered to head the graduation committee at Windemere Secondary. She wanted everything to be perfect.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shop ruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional gradtype dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-thethigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
SUITS YOU: TIPS FOR BOYS
Kyle Vucko, Vancouver-based cofounder of an online custom menswear line called Indochino.com, says if guys want to look good in a suit, they should make sure it fits.
"You can get somebody in a cheap suit that is well cut and it trumps somebody who is wearing a $2,000 suit that doesn't fit well," he says, adding the style now is for a slim silhouette.
He gives some pointers on how to achieve a great look in a suit.
. Avoid the football look by making sure the shoulders of the jacket fit the natural curve of your shoulders.
. Create a nice curve through the torso by bringing it in tighter at the waist. If you have very broad shoulders, reduce this curve so you don't look like an inverted triangle.
. Give the illusion of a balanced body using the break in the leg of the trousers. The break is where the fabric naturally folds just about the ankle. The longer the leg, the more important the break is. It creates the illusion of a shorter leg. If the leg is short, however, no break gives the illusion of length because there is nothing interrupting the view from the shoe to the waist.
Most girls do, but perfection can be expensive. It's easy to find your dream dress if you are willing to spend more than $500. But what if your budget is significantly less than that?
Aside from the Cinderella Project, which does a fantastic job providing dresses to girls who can't afford to buy anything, a little creative shopping can make dreams a reality for those with limited resources.
Cassandra Ly, the student council president at Windemere, went to a BCBG outlet store in the U.S. She bagged a strapless, lilac chiffon gown for just $40. She scooped two pairs of shoes for under $50. She also scored a short dress for the early fall photo shoot through the online store shop ruche.com for $32.
"I really wanted to make sure I didn't spend a lot on grad clothes," she says. She preferred to use her money on the events.
Ly's friend Emily Chan is still looking. She wants to find something unique and affordable, so she went shopping on Main Street hoping to find something by a local designer or vintage. She wants a long gown, but found that the boutiques mainly stock short ones, and the long dresses in the vintage shops were "a bit too vintage-y".
Her limit is $150 and she hopes to find something that falls off the shoulder in a bright blue or purple. Le Chateau and BCBG are a little too mainstream for her tastes. But for others, the BCBG store on Robson has a whole floor dedicated to dresses. Some sale items come in under $150.
"I'm a little anxious," Ly says about not having found her dress yet. "I want to get this out of the way so I can focus on other stuff."
Klay Kaulback may have the answer to her quandary. He owns the designer gown rental shop Du Jour Boutique on Abbott St. in Gastown. Unlike bridal rentals, Du Jour deals in dresses that are appropriate for galas, and he says he has some gorgeous dresses for prom night.
"We don't do the traditional gradtype dresses," he says. No big poufy numbers or super-clingy, slit-to-thethigh pieces.
"Ours are more classy. Super sweet and kind of sexy and fun."
For example, there is a Sue Wong gown with petals all down the skirt and an aubergine-toned short Sue Wong with a jewelled belt and feather skirt.
"It's stunning," he says, adding he also carries Laundry, Betsey Johnson and JS. These dresses sell for up to $550 new, but girls can rent them for $130 or less, which includes cleaning. It's an affordable option, especially since few girls will ever wear their prom dresses again. No one else would have anything like them.
Joy Mauro, owner of the Turnabout consignment stores, says the south Granville and south Surrey locations also have some great options for frugal grads.
She has a stunning Marchesa gown (the designer behind the dress worn to the Academy Awards by True Grit star and Oscar nominee Hailee Steinfeld). The gown retails for $1,200, but you can snag it at Turnabout for $396. That's a great discount, but if it's still too steep, there is also a D&G dress for $289, a Diane von Furstenberg for $129 or BCBG dress for $69. If one of them fits, you've got a bargain.
Turnabout also features a large selection of accessories including shoes, clutches and jewelry.
Maria Vriniotis, who's still trying to find her dress, could do worse.
For guys, prom night should be considered more of an opportunity than an expense. This may be the first suit they own, and if they select it carefully, they can easily use it for years.
Kyle Vucko, co-owner of the Vancouver-based online line Indochino, which allows clients to customize their suits for both fit and flare, says guys have a tendency to dress like a peacock at grad, choosing something flamboyant like a silver vest. But since this may be their first suit, he recommends guys buy a basic black or navy suit for prom night and jazz it up with bright accessories, maybe a pink or purple shirt or a colourful tie. For style, he says to go slim.
"There are a lot ways that you can very cost effectively make your outfit look really unique and really colourful, but still add all of these pieces to a wardrobe you can use in the future," he says.
"A lot of that stuff put together gets you close to $500. To rent it would cost $200 to $300, and you don't get to keep it."
It should be a night to remember, but not for putting you into debt.
SUITS YOU: TIPS FOR BOYS
Kyle Vucko, Vancouver-based cofounder of an online custom menswear line called Indochino.com, says if guys want to look good in a suit, they should make sure it fits.
"You can get somebody in a cheap suit that is well cut and it trumps somebody who is wearing a $2,000 suit that doesn't fit well," he says, adding the style now is for a slim silhouette.
He gives some pointers on how to achieve a great look in a suit.
. Avoid the football look by making sure the shoulders of the jacket fit the natural curve of your shoulders.
. Create a nice curve through the torso by bringing it in tighter at the waist. If you have very broad shoulders, reduce this curve so you don't look like an inverted triangle.
. Give the illusion of a balanced body using the break in the leg of the trousers. The break is where the fabric naturally folds just about the ankle. The longer the leg, the more important the break is. It creates the illusion of a shorter leg. If the leg is short, however, no break gives the illusion of length because there is nothing interrupting the view from the shoe to the waist.
2011年2月27日星期日
Keri Hilson goes for a blend of edge and grace
These days, pop stars' outlandish get-ups sometimes eclipse their music, making them seem more like sideshow attractions than serious musicians. So it's almost a surprise to know there are still some singers who can maintain enviable chic.
Keri Hilson is one of those singers. The 28-year-old stunner turns a few heads when she walks through the pool area of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for an interview on a recent sunny weekday morning.
Hilson commands attention not only for her looks but also for her place in the R&B and pop worlds as a songwriter and Grammy-nominated singer. (She was in contention last year for best new artist and best rap/sung collaboration for "Knock You Down" with Kanye West and Ne-Yo and performed at this year's official post-Grammy party alongside the Roots.) It also doesn't hurt that she is statuesque, has a perfectly coiffed bright honey-blond bob and has limbs so long and toned that she hardly needs the extra height her Report Signature 5-inch black platform wedges give her. (And, OK, maybe wearing a fuchsia bodysuit at 10 a.m. could also have something to do with all the necks craned in her direction.)
Hilson's lithe 5-foot-9 frame came from a childhood spent swimming regularly in her hometown of Decatur, Ga. At 14, she went on to compete in the U.S. Junior Nationals. Her involvement in swimming and basketball also dictated her early look, influencing the self-proclaimed tomboy to sport baggy pants and plaid shirts rather than the look-at-me platform shoes and fine jewelry she dons today.
"Growing up, I was a lot more boyish," says Hilson, who at this point has swaddled herself in a bathrobe for warmth, cloaking her Brian Lichtenberg body suit and black suspender trousers from Hollywood Boulevard boutique Lallure. "I only shopped in the men's department of Rich's and Macy's. My mom would drop me off in the men's section and do her shopping in the women's section."
Hilson's preference for men's khakis, plaid button-down flannels and polo shirts as a teenager was also a reflection of the musicians (and fellow Georgians) she listened to growing up. "TLC had a lot to do with bringing back the tomboy look," she says. "The '90s was an era of mixing masculine and feminine. You might wear a cutoff shirt and show your girlie parts but then sag your jeans. I always loved the blend of hard and soft. Like, 'OK, if I'm showing this, then I'm not showing this.' "
It wasn't until she dived head first into music -- majoring in theater and performing regularly at Emory University -- that her current look started to emerge. "My style is always a good blend of edge and spunkiness and grace," says Hilson, who loves really bold, angular prints and is obsessed with houndstooth. She collects it in all forms, including scarves and armchairs, and has worn the print in every one of her videos. She even incorporated it into album covers and the background of her Twitter page.
Hilson describes her day-to-day look as "spunky with hard lines and polish." Case in point: She favors Dsquared's sharp street-aesthetic, oversized sunglasses. (Gucci sunglasses are also a mainstay, but at the moment she loves a huge square pair from Grey Ant), flat boots from Miu Miu and accessories from designer Melody Ehsani, with whom Hilson collaborated to create a gold "No Boys Allowed" pendant in honor of her new album.
Onstage -- where she has been a lot lately, promoting the new album and the single "Pretty Girl Rock," an anthem encouraging women to be confident with their looks -- Hilson's style is drastically different from her everyday look. "Onstage, I'm the superhero version of myself," she says. "When I perform, there's more leather and a lot of black, very strong pieces." The style is more an extension of her sound than a costume teetering on performance art, a la Lady Gaga or Cher.
"I dress a lot stronger because that's the way I feel my music is. In my everyday life, I'm more relaxed and carefree, but when it comes to music and relationships, I am really strong-willed. My [onstage] clothes are almost like putting on body armor," she says. There's that hard and soft again.
One of her softer, more fashion-y moments came at last year's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, which she attended with designer Chris Benz, wearing a single-sleeve, brown, blue and marigold circular print dress from Benz's spring 2011 collection.
"It is very ironic," Hilson says through a characteristic wide grin. "My family laughs all the time, they ask me, 'Hmm, do you really like those heels? Or are you just buying them just because?'
"I say, 'No, I actually really like them, thank you.' I can appreciate them. I don't like the way they feel, but I can appreciate a good heel. The tomboy part of me is still very much present, but as undertones. I'm grown now, and I want to look womanly."
Keri Hilson is one of those singers. The 28-year-old stunner turns a few heads when she walks through the pool area of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel for an interview on a recent sunny weekday morning.
Hilson commands attention not only for her looks but also for her place in the R&B and pop worlds as a songwriter and Grammy-nominated singer. (She was in contention last year for best new artist and best rap/sung collaboration for "Knock You Down" with Kanye West and Ne-Yo and performed at this year's official post-Grammy party alongside the Roots.) It also doesn't hurt that she is statuesque, has a perfectly coiffed bright honey-blond bob and has limbs so long and toned that she hardly needs the extra height her Report Signature 5-inch black platform wedges give her. (And, OK, maybe wearing a fuchsia bodysuit at 10 a.m. could also have something to do with all the necks craned in her direction.)
Hilson's lithe 5-foot-9 frame came from a childhood spent swimming regularly in her hometown of Decatur, Ga. At 14, she went on to compete in the U.S. Junior Nationals. Her involvement in swimming and basketball also dictated her early look, influencing the self-proclaimed tomboy to sport baggy pants and plaid shirts rather than the look-at-me platform shoes and fine jewelry she dons today.
"Growing up, I was a lot more boyish," says Hilson, who at this point has swaddled herself in a bathrobe for warmth, cloaking her Brian Lichtenberg body suit and black suspender trousers from Hollywood Boulevard boutique Lallure. "I only shopped in the men's department of Rich's and Macy's. My mom would drop me off in the men's section and do her shopping in the women's section."
Hilson's preference for men's khakis, plaid button-down flannels and polo shirts as a teenager was also a reflection of the musicians (and fellow Georgians) she listened to growing up. "TLC had a lot to do with bringing back the tomboy look," she says. "The '90s was an era of mixing masculine and feminine. You might wear a cutoff shirt and show your girlie parts but then sag your jeans. I always loved the blend of hard and soft. Like, 'OK, if I'm showing this, then I'm not showing this.' "
It wasn't until she dived head first into music -- majoring in theater and performing regularly at Emory University -- that her current look started to emerge. "My style is always a good blend of edge and spunkiness and grace," says Hilson, who loves really bold, angular prints and is obsessed with houndstooth. She collects it in all forms, including scarves and armchairs, and has worn the print in every one of her videos. She even incorporated it into album covers and the background of her Twitter page.
Hilson describes her day-to-day look as "spunky with hard lines and polish." Case in point: She favors Dsquared's sharp street-aesthetic, oversized sunglasses. (Gucci sunglasses are also a mainstay, but at the moment she loves a huge square pair from Grey Ant), flat boots from Miu Miu and accessories from designer Melody Ehsani, with whom Hilson collaborated to create a gold "No Boys Allowed" pendant in honor of her new album.
Onstage -- where she has been a lot lately, promoting the new album and the single "Pretty Girl Rock," an anthem encouraging women to be confident with their looks -- Hilson's style is drastically different from her everyday look. "Onstage, I'm the superhero version of myself," she says. "When I perform, there's more leather and a lot of black, very strong pieces." The style is more an extension of her sound than a costume teetering on performance art, a la Lady Gaga or Cher.
"I dress a lot stronger because that's the way I feel my music is. In my everyday life, I'm more relaxed and carefree, but when it comes to music and relationships, I am really strong-willed. My [onstage] clothes are almost like putting on body armor," she says. There's that hard and soft again.
One of her softer, more fashion-y moments came at last year's CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards, which she attended with designer Chris Benz, wearing a single-sleeve, brown, blue and marigold circular print dress from Benz's spring 2011 collection.
"It is very ironic," Hilson says through a characteristic wide grin. "My family laughs all the time, they ask me, 'Hmm, do you really like those heels? Or are you just buying them just because?'
"I say, 'No, I actually really like them, thank you.' I can appreciate them. I don't like the way they feel, but I can appreciate a good heel. The tomboy part of me is still very much present, but as undertones. I'm grown now, and I want to look womanly."
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