Things to do for a monsoon bride
2014 July 28. | Szerző: shannon
Monsoon weddings may be a hit as they score high on the romantic factor, but they spell skin and hair problems for the brides. To get a radiant skin, girls should adhere to certain rules like shunning oil and going for less cosmetics.
Keep the oil at bay: Oil secretion is accelerated during the monsoons, so make sure you wash your face with a mild face wash around three-four times a day. You could also use a gentle scrub with mild beads once a day. It is important to recognise what suits your skin and what doesn’t well ahead of your wedding day.
Go pro-protein: We know how all that pre-wedding anxiety makes you want to eat literally everything off the shelf. While comfort food may calm your nerves for a while, your skin is far from happy with your food choices. Maintain a balance by eating foods that are rich in protein such as salmon, eggs, carrots, dark green veggies, nuts and low-fat dairy products.
Get your fix of skin pampering: While you’re busy running around on last-minute errands and making sure everything is in place, your skin is begging for some spa indulgence. Unwinding with a relaxing facial regularly will ensure that you, as well as your skin, feel like a million bucks on the day you are to wed. However, a word of caution, get these facials done by professionals.
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Go easy on the cosmetics: While you are the bride and understandably want all eyes on you, applying heavy makeup is a big no-no. Using non-greasy makeup will lend a clean matte finish to your skin. Additionally, opt for water-proof brands as the increased moisture in the air means you stand the risk of looking like a painting gone wrong.
Keep an eye out for those nasty fungal infections: While you may be out shopping or enjoying dinner at a restaurant with your to-be husband, the rain may catch you unawares. Although it is oh-so-romantic to get drenched in the rain with your significant other, fungal infections will definitely make you regret it later. Bathing with lukewarm water and using anti-fungal creams and soaps and talc will ensure your skin stays healthy.
Elemis Biotec Sonic Skin-Radiance Facial
2014 July 24. | Szerző: shannon
Elemis has developed five, result-driven “Biotec” facials using a fusion of three targeted stimuli — actives, touch and electric technology — to enable the skin to renew and repair.
Dodging the chaos of Causeway Bay’s shopping district, I make my way to 10/10 Space to meet Helen Brown, senior UK and international trainer, who is in town to introduce the facials.
First up is a skin consultation. Brown positions my face in front of the skin imager to detect imperfections such as dehydration, oiliness, enlarged pores, UV exposure, and signs of ageing. The skin around my cheeks and eyes shows dehydration, with a few oily parts (extreme dehydration causes the skin to over-compensate with oil, she explained). She advises hydrating the skin with moisturiser every day, and exfoliating, as my skin has some blocked and enlarged pores.
She opts for the Elemis Biotec Sonic Skin-Radiance Facial to re-energise my skin. The facial begins with cleansing and toning to prepare for the treatment. The first part of the facial is exfoliating the skin using ultrasonic peeling technology.
Brown works the tool across my face and neck with upward and sideways strokes. Apart from the high-pitched noise and the vibrations, the sensation is much like an electric shave, and there isn’t any pulsing or prickling.
A hydra active gel soothing mask is then applied to my face, and around my eyes. Cooling eye pads are placed on each eye to relax them.
Brown also uses Elemis Skin Lift Touch therapy, a series of massage techniques to relax and prepare the skin for the ensuing treatment. While I wait for the mask to settle, I am treated to an exceptional neck and shoulder massage, which unknots my shoulder muscles and sends me off into a relaxed stupor.
My brief nap is interrupted by the cool sensation of galvanic rollers. The second electric technique used for the facial, the galvanic current, is a two-step technology which is said to use the current from positive and negative charged ions to push bio-active formulas deeper into the skin. A Pro-radiance Illuminating Flash balm finishes off the facial. The immediate results are quite noticeable — plumper, cleaner, fresher skin, which feels extremely light and soft. It has hydrated my skin, without making it oily, and lasts for the next few days.
Messy, wavy hairdos replace sleek sculpted look
2014 July 21. | Szerző: shannon
Now seems to be the time to bid adieu to perfect Victorian ringlets and immaculately tied French knots and go all messy with respect to hairstyle.
Fashionistas and filmstars ranging from Bollywood divas like Deepika Padukone to those from Hollywood like Cheryl Cole are preferring stunningly messy dos, a transition from neatly styled tresses.
“A messy hair bun does not imply a look achieved out of the turmoil of wind, it is still fundamentally a bun but the thing is to keep the hairdo as natural as possible. The idea is to work with the hair and not against it,” says celebrity hairstylist Rod Anker.
Anker, who was recently appointed as a brand ambassador of haircare brand Schwarzkopf Professional lists boho chic braids, messy hairbuns and natural curls as three most popular hairdos for the season.
“Girls do not want the conventional straightening or neat buns anymore. Rumpled up pixie look, random twists and turns to a messy bob, asymmetrical side bangs with natural wavy look are very popular with women who visit us,” says Hassan, a senior hairdresser at Anker’s Monsoon Salon. The vintage braid or the French plait, say stylists is also seeing a return but with a twist. Also wavy hair accompanied by a side swept fishtail braid seems to be another latest trend for fashion forward women.
“A lot of girls are going for buns and plaits nowadays. Earlier, a lot of them feared that this would add more years to their age by giving them a mature look but now with a ruffled tinge to the bun, wavy and scrunch look back in fashion, they are no longer shying from them,” says Jeet Singh the head hairstylist at Showstopper Salon in Preet Vihar.
Anker says there is talk about bohemian chic “It is a more 70s look hair style with a natural make up and nude lips. One hair style is a combination of neat and clean with a little bit of texture through the braids and not over done with the messy hair look,” he says.
Also women, say stylists, are experimenting with their hair owing to the rise in their awareness of internationally popular hairstyles and even hair colours. “Creative chunks especially in deep red or burgundy and champagne highlights are also a lot in demand” says Hassan.
Anisha Khanna, a masters student from Jesus and Mary College says, “I am a big fan of updos where twirling the hair and braiding them are involved. I want to look different and I do not care if I do not fit a quintessential homely girl type. I know the ombre hair colour technique is really in and I intend to try it out soon.”
How to take a good selfie for your Facebook profile picture
2014 July 17. | Szerző: shannon
Let’s face it; first impressions do have tremendous staying power and profile pictures can make or break first impressions. Find out how you can pose your way to that perfect profile picture that’s bound to invite a deluge of ‘likes’, with a handful of tips and tricks.
Needless to say, girls love their pictures and quickly step into the ‘secret-angle’ that always works for them. The perfect click is nothing less than a fun game with ample factors to be played around with.
The basics: Don’t think you can fool people with a fake smile. A fake smile has no takers. When it comes to expressing your emotions, your eyes can be truly revealing. As pretty as you might be with that lovely broad smile, don’t just rely on your pearly whites. This also means you got to know your smile. Sometimes a lop-sided or half smile fits just right. You can choose to flash your teeth but don’t overdo it. Let your upper teeth show but don’t open your mouth all at once.
Pouts don’t work for everybody. They surely are an attention seeker, but not all attention is good and you certainly don’t want to feature on someone’s ‘fail’ list. Some women or even men just have pout-perfect lips and can pull off such pictures effortlessly. Even if you get down to giving it a try, something could go amiss. Any discomfort on your face or in your body language is captured as is, so it’s probably best not to risk it.
Make-it-up: It’s safe to say, another very dear friend of a girl is her make-up. Make-up defines your features and with some camera-friendly techniques can do you proud! You’ve heard this before – while applying foundation, don’t cake up thinking your dark circles and spots will be completely hidden. Excessive make-up can just make you look outlandish. You could look out for studio-finish foundations.
You may have often noticed this annoying shine in your pictures. It’s the oil glossing out on the flash. If you suffer from an oily T-section, it would be convenient to brush on some loose powder or dab it off with some oil-blot sheets. Blot-sheets also spare you from the sweat that turns up as unnecessary shine in pictures.
Focus on either your eyes or your pouty lips. The prospect of using eye make-up may be quite enticing, but try not to get carried away; do it up as per the occasion. Eye-make up also comes into play if you are being clicked for a close-up. Paying attention to your eye-brow arch and shape is necessary. Usually, mascara works really well to make your eyes look bigger. It’s safe to go for one simple colour and spread it out just below the eyebrows. With lipsticks you have got to be careful. With darker, bolder colours, your teeth end up looking a shade yellow unless you have sparkling white teeth! Pinks, whether light, shimmery or matte, can save your day. If you are a diehard red lipstick fan, pick out the perfect shade for your skin tone and more importantly your teeth shade.
Touch it up: The right angle is one key factor that can change the way people look at you in a picture. Tilt your head slightly on either side. This is particularly helpful for anyone with a double chin. You would get a flattering angle if you’re not facing the camera directly. If you can edit your own pictures that could be quite a life saver. Ensure you are exposed to the right light and are not against it. Lighting, if treated well can compliment your face instantly. At times, close-ups work better for some of us, while others are better suited to full profiles. A last minute teeth-glossing secret is to wet them with water right before your click.
This should get you all set, for a 100+ likes on your profile picture and tons of friend requests.
Jun Artajo: Young blood in fashion industry
2014 July 14. | Szerző: shannon
I HAVE already heard the name Jun Artajo before. However, I only got interested about his story when I learned from another Davao City-based designer, Yvette Celi, that Jun is still such a young designer but he is already starting to etch a name of his own in the local and international fashion scenes.
So, I immediately looked for his Facebook account (thanks to technological boom and to Mark Zuckerberg for creating FB) for me to be able to ask him if I can feature him. It’s a good thing that he allows friends of friends to search for him on the said social networking site.
Read on, and get inspired with the insights of this young professional designer who is a proud Dabawenyo.
FN: When did you start showing interest towards fashion design?
Jun: During high school, I tried designing my classmates’ prom gowns, and I also gave some of my closest friends a customized hand-embroidered handkerchief. I never considered that, though, as the sign.
Well, I grew up in a family business which caters corporate wear and office uniforms. Basically, it was my daily meal to be in a pile of sewing machines, sounds of cutting fabrics, and clientele having their garments fitted. It was during my 2nd year in a Computer course in University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) when I finally decided to pursue an Art course, there I found Philippine Women’s College of Davao offering their pioneering batch of Fashion Design degree (that time it was Fashion Illustration and Styling). I enrolled and pushed through with my journey in squeezing my creative juices out.
FN: When you were still in college, what do you consider as the turning point which further pushed you to go on with your career?
Jun: In my learning years, there was that thing I called constant interest especially that fashion and art were my basic influences, and I always knew art is a very broad course as well as fashion. I also realized that my father is a tailor and my mom used to create garments as well, I found them as my inspiration towards pursuing my course. Passion wasn’t there yet but perseverance was. Interest in dissecting art and fashion, and places where it started were more of what also pushed me through.
FN: How long have you been in the fashion industry already? How do you find it?
Jun: It’s already four years since I graduated BFA Fashion. Since then, I have always been in competitions and short courses, accepting made to order apparel, and teaching to future fashion design professionals. How was it? Honestly, it wasn’t really easy. Competitions here and abroad were very tough and the design concept from other countries is unpredictable. Also, dealing with clients was not easy as I cater varied types almost every day.
FN: For you, what is your niche in the fashion industry? Why?
Jun: I think, I’m passionate in dressing up future brides and making them the most beautiful on their most memorable day. Honestly, I’m a jack of all trades from headpieces, apparel to shoes. I know how to construct them all because it’s more fun to spill out creative juices when you know how to create them.
FN: What is your inspiration/where do you draw you inspiration from in coming up with your designs?
Jun: Nature has always been my inspiration. The places where I have been to and the people surrounding also inspire me. It’s good when inspirations come from it as you know how it feels like, what it looks like, and the connections between them.
FN: So far, what do you consider as your greatest achievement in the fashion industry? Why?
Jun: To be a Philippine representative in the 49th Japan Fashion Design Competition where I was able to bag 2nd prize and special award recognition by Senken Shimbun and Women’s Wear Daily Japan. After that, everything just came. I became part of MANILA WEAR Design Team with Philippine’s Top Designers and Upcoming designers headed by New York-based Filipina Designer JOSIE NATORI. I was also invited as one of the International Designers for 1st Alaska Fashion Week held in Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Lastly, last February, I was invited to present my Abaca and Jute Creations in the 3rd International Fashion Showcase-London Fashion Week held in London, United Kingdom.
FN: Being one of the most successful young designers of the country, what do you think could be your biggest contribution to keep the local fashion industry vibrant?
Jun: Bringing my creations that embody the Dabawenyo aesthetics and materials that are endemic in my hometown such as abaca, coconut and jute is one way of keeping the local fashion industry vibrant. Also, by helping my fellow aspiring designers in joining competitions with their own concepts and product developments.
To the aspiring designers, I’d like to tell you that you must always believe in your instincts. Follow your struggles, design doesn’t come in a flash, it takes a lot of time, yet it’s easy to find one. Being a fashion designer is also about inspiring your fellowmen and helping out pursuing their dreams as well.
Get glowing skin with these tips
2014 July 11. | Szerző: shannon
There isn’t an elixir which will help you get glowing skin in a day but following a good skincare regimen definitely will! Here are a few steps which will ensure that you have glowing skin always.
Drink lots of water: Every system and function in our body depends on water. Skin is no different. Dry skin has less resilience and is more prone to wrinkling, so ensure you take in enough water to reach your skin and keep it hydrated. Two to three litres a day is usually about right.
Multi-task: Looking after your skin doesn’t have to stop at home, so carry a multi-tasking quick-fix with you in your handbag for dewy skin on the go. A water spray can be used to cool and calm even the most sensitive complexions. Not only does it tone the skin, but it can also be used to set make-up and refresh skin on a hot day, as well as soothing and softening skin on the go.
Always remove make-up: It sounds obvious, but one in five women still admit to sleeping with make-up on when away from home. During summer nights, one is naturally warmer and sweatier and if make-up is left on overnight, and bacteria is more likely to develop, leaving pores blocked and resulting in an increased chance of waking up with bad skin outbreaks.
Stick to products meant for your skin: The internet can give out weird and wonderful information, but not all of it is accurate. Be aware that not everything you read will work. A common mistake is using toothpaste on spots – toothpaste is meant for your teeth which are one of the hardest surfaces in your body. Using a product on your skin which is actually intended for the teeth will damage your skin and cause it to completely dry out.
In Bed With Rita Ora: The Star Shares Her After-Hours Beauty Routine and the Prince She Parties With in Her Dreams
2014 July 9. | Szerző: shannon
What products do you take on tour to guarantee a good night’s sleep?
I always travel with these four things: a lavender pillow—it’s really good. It’s silk-covered and it’s got lavender leaves in it. It makes me go to sleep. A candle, a blanket, and a rose oil to keep my skin moisturized.
What is your go-to rose oil?
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery [Concentrate].
What about a favorite candle?
I’m not that picky. I mean, Jo Malone is always great, or Diptyque.
Do you sleep on a certain side of the bed?
Yeah, I’m always on the right. I’m always anywhere close to the door. It’s just so I can get out quick if something happens.
What kind of sheets do you curl up in?
Oh, gosh. Growing up I didn’t even think I had an option—I just got what I was given. I guess just really nice cotton. Ralph Lauren sheets are always nice. I don’t like anything stiff.
What do you wear to bed?
Chanel No. 5. No, I’m joking! Honestly, though, nothing. I don’t really like wearing clothes in bed.
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Is a sleep mask the one exception to the naked rule?
Sometimes. If I’m in a hotel and the curtains aren’t too strong. I like [the room to be] really black and dark. And my [sleep masks] have lavender in them.
Is there a certain hotel that you sleep better in than others?
The [Mercer Hotel] is good because they have electric blinds that go zzzzzz and it blacks everything out.
Fancy.
Yeah. You don’t even have a curtain. It’s like the shield in I Am Legend.
What’s the best the party you’ve ever been to?
I was at a person’s country house…I’m not going to say the name because, you know, it’s private. But literally, when you’re in the middle of the countryside in a field, there are no noise complaints, no one can hear you, and you can stay up until whatever time. It was a ball. We had a massive party in a barn. It was incredible. And we slept in a tepee.
How was sleeping in a tepee?
So good. It was the best night of my life.
What is the craziest dream you’ve ever had?
Oh, my God. So I had this dream the other night. Basically, Kate [Middleton], the baby, and the royal family went on holiday, and for some reason I was best friends with Prince William. He came to pick me up—and I’ve never met Prince William—in his matte, black Porsche. No, it was an Audi two-door, actually. And he said, “The family’s out. I’ve only got one night to party. Let’s go.” I was like, “Cool! Let’s go!” And then I struggled to get in the car because it was so low, and then I got into the car and I was like, “William, why is your car so low? I can’t even, like, get down!” And he was like, “Just get in. Let’s go. Close the door.” So we got in the car and we ended up at my friend’s house and everybody looked at me like, “Why did you just walk in here with Prince William?” And I’m like, “Yooooo, Prince! The kid’s out! Yes!” It was so weird, and then I woke up. It wasn’t even like I fancied him or anything. But, you know, everybody wants a prince as a friend.
Related:
http://avakhan.website-australia.com/2014/07/07/couture-fashion-week-a-la-versace/Fashion Talk with Laura Byrnes: Exclusive Interview with Pinup Girl Clothing
2014 July 4. | Szerző: shannon
Located in the heart of California lies the best selection of vintage designs and representations of the retro era, Pinup Girl Clothing. As one of the best places to shop, they offer an extensive selection of timeless classics that have been modernized to captivate your inner and outer hauteness. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with the woman who started it all, the amazing Laura Byrnes. Here is what she had to tell me…
(Q) Hello Laura. How are you? It’s great to finally talk to you. I am a big fan of your work. First and foremost, I just want to say that everything at Pinup Girl Clothing is just so fabulous. It’s almost as if it brings me back to a different time. The timeless designs are classic, but yet have such a modernized appeal to them which I truly love.
Hello Sarah. I am great. Thank you so much.
(Q) For all of those fashion fanatics reading this interview, can you tell them a little more about Pinup Girl Clothing? I am also curious to know, what inspired you to create this store? Tell me a little more about this…
We started in 1997, but we didn’t launch the website until 1999. I was pregnant with my first daughter in 1996 and I received some baby clothes from my aunt for my baby shower. I thought they were gorgeous and adorable. It turned out they were homemade. I was so intrigued that I decided that I wanted to make clothes for my baby. So, I had my husband’s mom give me a couple of sewing lessons, so she did. After I learned the basics, I decided to get a sewing machine and just started progressing from there. So, at first I was just making baby clothes. Once you learn how to make a pattern for baby clothes, you tend to learn more from there. Babies are great to start on. I truly recommend that if anyone wants to sew, definitely get a baby.
(Q) Hahaha, that is so cute. I love this story!
They are little barrels with arms and legs. You don’t have to worry about their shape. You can learn from there. I didn’t start out using a lot of fabrics, while learning to sew, so in case I would mess it up because if you mess it up, you can start over. So, from there, I started making my own clothes. It was the late 90s and I’m a punk rock chick, and I couldn’t find anything in the stores that fit my style, so from there I decided to make clothes for myself. I have been into fashion since I was 13. From that point, I actually got pretty decent. I was starting to make my friends clothes. It just kind of snowballed from there. The first 2 years, one of the reasons we didn’t launch the website was because I was very busy, doing commissions for people. I was making clothes. I really enjoyed swing dancing designs. If you have ever watched the movie Swingers, it is pretty much the precursor to big pinup, vintage scene that is happening now.
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It just kind of grew from there. So, then I launched the website. We grew really slowly. We were making clothes custom up until about 2003, I think and then we switched to production. We did that because we were getting so busy and at that point we were losing money. Trying to do so many custom pieces, it took too long so sew each piece and we only had 6 in-house seamstresses. They were constantly busy. We did everything from clothes for burlesque dancers to swing and exotic dancers, you name it. So, we just kind of grew from there. It’s interesting, I remember getting interviewed by a local paper about vintage inspired clothes. They called me up and proceeded to ask me questions. One of them was something along the lines of “what are you going to do when this trend is over?” and I told them that I don’t think that this is a trend. There is always going to be a market for well fitting, classic, high quality clothing that flatter people’s figures.
(Q) Most definitely. It’s “in” forever. I agree with you.
Exactly. So basically, the classic 50s silhouette has actually never gone out of style. It’s been reinterpreted, but there has never been an era since then when the basic shape disappeared. Even what Dior was doing with the wasp waist. If you read his biography, you will realize he was born in 1905 and his mother was a Victorian woman. And she in the early turn of the century would wear corsets and very structured clothing. Dior was inspired by that. You know, the corseted waist and he just put full skirts on everything along with the corseted waist. That was his innovation. The fitted bottom full skirt, fitted waist, aesthetically has not gone out of style since the 50s. Maybe in the 70s people were going in another direction, but even then you could find the wrap dress. But that is how we started.
(Q) I have to tell you Laura, I truly love that you got so in depth with this. When it comes to fashion, you truly know what you are talking about. That is so impressive.
Thank you. I am obsessed when it comes to fashion. I take it very seriously.
(Q) You know, I can tell by not only talking to you, but looking at your website and your work. It shows in your work, as a result. So, I wanted to tell you that I am amazed at how gorgeous the designs are. I wanted to ask you, currently, what are best selling pieces right now?
We have a lot. We actually got to a point where we had to separate the lines. Internally, we have a category called “Classics” as these are styles we cannot keep in stock. They sell out so quickly. We started to budget to keep those in stock as much as possible. I would say the top sellers would be the “Monica Dress”, which I find amazing because if you look at the Monica it is this super sexy, fitted wiggle, cocktail dress and you think to yourself where would I wear that? It is our top seller right now.
My “Laura Byrnes Trousers” were a sleeper in the beginning. At first I think people were afraid of them because it’s so hard to find a good fitting, pair of pants. I think women wear jeans because they will accentuate and mold to your body over time. Denim tends to give over time, so it kind of keeps that shape. People buy denim because it’s easy and they can get it to fit. It is really hard to find a pair of good fitting trousers. I just want to say that we are so lucky to have such a strong social media following. We interact with them, as much as they interact with us. We love our customers as much as they love us. When the customers started posting photos of themselves in the trousers, it was amazing to see. The woman in the 2X looked amazing and the woman in the extra small looked amazing. I love to see women of all sizes wear them. We did the trouser in about 9 different colors and patterns so far, I think.
The “Vamp Dress” along with the “Vamp Top” which is a basic wiggle dress, with a cute bra top. We can’t ever keep it in stock. So, to be honest, we have quite a few top sellers, but the trousers, the Monica dress, the Vamp dress, and top come immediately to mind.
(Q) That is amazing. I was going to tell you too that I absolutely love the Birdie Dress, the Jessica Dress, the Heidi Dress, and the Vamp Dress along with the Gia Dress. All gorgeous. I wanted to ask you, where do you get the inspiration to name these dresses?
The very first dress I named was when I realized I had to go into production. I had to stop making custom because I was going to produce my very first line of dresses. I had to choose 6 or 7 styles at that time, so I was sitting with a friend of mine at a diner actually. We were talking about how we wanted a basic dress. The “Nettie Dress”, a cute little sundress with spaghetti straps. The woman I was having dinner with was named Jeanette, but we called her ‘Nettie’ for short, so I am drawing out the dress. She says to me that she always wanted a dress made out of the candy dot. You know, the candy sheet of candy dots? Well, I thought it would be so cute to have little dots of all different colors. So, she came up with the print for the very first Nettie. That was when I said to her that this will be called the Nettie Dress. So, we named that particular dress after her.
I love it because usually when manufacturers do a design they give it some sort of weird letter or number designation. I am a very visual person and I am terrible with spreadsheets and numbers. I can do geometry and all of that abstract math. I find it easier to identify the dresses by names. So, we started naming them after models, friends, and even customers. The “Heidi Dress” is named after pinup model Heidi Van Horne who was modeling for us at the time. We have so many dresses named after our models. We have a “Micheline Dress” as well as a “Masuimi Dress” and much more. The “Ella Dress” is named after a customer. I’ve named a dress after my sister, as well as, my mom. A lot of our dresses are named after people we know, etc.
(Q) That is amazing!
Yes, it is a great way to identify the dresses. We also try to envision the person inside of the dress. Sometimes it will be a classic celebrity. For instance; the “Sophia Dress” was named after Sophia Loren. The “Rita Dress” was named after Rita Hayworth. So, we imagine and envision the woman in the dress and that is basically how we kind of do it. It’s very creative and a lot of fun. It’s also very easy to remember.
(Q) Wow, that is amazing. I wanted to tell you that your styles are so cute and timeless, but I truly see a modernized appeal that is so unique and haute.
I am always inspired. In fact, I have a ton of reference material. I actually collect old magazines, catalogs, and so on. It’s very easy to open up those books, take a look at a vintage dress, and copy it. But to me, it’s well, 2014. Hahaha. There is a lot of variety and different styles out there, but I find it easy and fun to take them and update them for the modern woman. Sometimes the styles from that generation were odd. If you look at the sleeves on some of the dresses from that time, you will notice how some are almost down to your elbow, so it’s not really a half sleeve or even a quarter length sleeve. I don’t know what kind of sleeve it is. So, when I see a beautiful vintage dress and I get inspired, the first thing I correct are the sleeves.
(Q) That is fantastic. You are truly talented.
I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I consider myself to be a designer. I learned to make patterns and from there, I executed those patterns into my designs. I don’t consider myself to be a manufacturer.
(Q) You know, that doesn’t sound arrogant at all because you are just telling the truth.
Well, sometimes women kind of get shamed for telling the truth. I don’t know if you have ever noticed that.
(Q) I have noticed that. I think that definitely has to change.
Initially and also as a designer, I have had some dresses that were very close to inspirational pieces. Sometimes you look at something and you think you can do something to better to it. To me, if you are going to call yourself a designer what you need to be doing is taking your own inspiration and creating your own items. It is ok to base it on anything. No one creates something from nothing. When I read about Christian Dior, he was heavily influenced by my other favorite designer Charles James. He isn’t as well known because he was very difficult to work with. Dior had the personality. Charles James was an engineering genius, but he was difficult. He always came in after deadline and over budget. When you look at Charles James work 10 years before Dior, you can see what Dior took inspiration wise and as a result, he credited him. So, to me everyone takes inspiration from something or someone. You want to be identifiable. When you see a woman walking down the street wearing our dresses, you can tell it’s our dress. We wanted the dresses to be modern, but also harken back to its roots and original silhouette from the middle of the century.
(Q) That is amazing. You know, I wanted to tell you that the first thing that I noticed about Pinup Girl Clothing is the fact that you have collections, as well. Everything from ‘Party Glamour’ to ‘Spring Fling’ etc. I am looking at all of the dresses and they are so original, so classic, and so unique in a sense where it’s current and haute. I also love the fact that you use all different kinds of patterns too. I also love the fact that you use models with all different types of body types, as well. There is nothing more shameful and sad than fashion and brand discrimination.
I have a little problem with that, with discrimination. I hate hearing when it does come up. When mainstream designers are asked about it, they always come up with the crappiest reasons. They are just cop-outs. They say “well, that’s the sample size and that can’t change.” Why do you have only these models that are tiny? The magazines say “well, we have to use a size 0 because the samples from the designers are a size 0.” It is just wrong.
(Q) I agree with you 100% Laura.
It’s like a whole entire circle jerk just circling the drain. They always go with a size 0 and don’t know why. I’m sorry, but you know why. You know why? I will tell you why. Because it’s all about high-end fashion and the only people who are buying it are very rich people. Very rich men, in particular with their very rich girlfriends or wives. Do these very rich men require their women to be that size? They are dressing their trophies. The consumer, the average woman who is buying clothing is all different shapes and sizes and that is the reality of it all. I recommend the book “The Theory Of The Leisure Class” by Thorstein Veblen. He is the man who coined the term conspicuous consumption and he speaks about this in his book that whenever the elite do something, everyone below it starts to copy it because they want to be seen as better than they are and it creates this kind of feedback, this kind of pattern of the only thing anyone ever wants to do. Then, people are scared to change it. Going back to the models, if they use a model that is a different size (say a size 10) than the average model (a size 0), what is going to happen? Well, the truth is the woman who is the size 10 will be happy and she is going to look at that size 10 model and know how the clothing is going to fit her. To me, it’s logic and has always been logic.
(Q) That is so amazing and I have to point out that I love the way that you think, as well. You definitely lay it out there in a sense where you can speak for the vast majority of status quo society. We live in this society where people believe a woman should be a size 0. Sometimes even lower than that to look beautiful.
Women should be “screw you”. We don’t sit there and criticize men. We don’t sit there and say in order for men to be accepted they should be this height or this size, etc. No one sits there and criticizes the man if he doesn’t have a wash board stomach. It just doesn’t happen, you know. The fact is, women are pressured. When a woman starts criticizing another woman it is one of the most damaging things ever. This creates tension among women and how they view each other. Then, they try to police and judge other women. When something goes against what is accepted as normal, they find themselves feeling inferior. When society in general turns against someone because of how they look, that is wrong.
(Q) Most definitely.
When I started my company, I didn’t start it to become rich or famous. Sure, it was nice to have the means to put food on the table and a little bit of money into my daughters college fund. I didn’t come from a family with money. I started it because I just wanted to be secure and just be happy. I also started it because I wanted to make other people happy. In fact, that has always been the ultimate goal for me. I want my customers to be happy and it certainly doesn’t make them happy to only see one type of woman to represent a brand. You hear all of these people making excuses for why this is happening. So, I felt that if I was going to do this and I was going to sell clothing in all different sizes, I had to put my money where my mouth is and feature models of every single size.
The same goes for ethnicity, as well. I see people who make excuses why they won’t use a model of a certain ethnicity. To me, that is an element of racism there. They are afraid of using a model who is not white is going to bring down their brand. “Oh no, it’s going to appeal to the urban people” and so forth. No, it is not. Use the Latino models, use African American models, use everybody. Using all ethnicities will bring you a lot of customers and I welcome anyone and everyone to shop with us.
(Q) That is so great. For all of those fashion fanatics and enthusiasts reading this interview, what would you like them to know? What is next for Pinup Girls Clothing?
We try not to think too far ahead. We are always constantly creating something new. This year has been all about polishing everything. We are working effectively, as well as, efficiently. Getting everything done that we need to do. Our customer base in the last two years has really expanded. It has been great, but does take a toll on our production capacity to keep up. So, this year we have been concentrating on increasing production and so, we do look ahead, but we kind of let our instincts and our customers guide us. For instance; we hear from customers “well, why don’t you have this?” or “why don’t you have that?” One thing that is coming up soon is that we are launching a maternity line within the next couple of months.
(Q) That is amazing!
I was pregnant in 2012 and in 2013, so every time I posted a photo of myself in Pinup Girl, fans and customers would ask for a maternity line. Some of the clothing already works, however; once I got a little bigger, I had to alter some of the styles. And as a result, everyone suggested that I start a maternity line. So, that is what is coming soon and I am very excited about it.
We would also like to open up a couple of new stores. That is on the back burner right now. It is something we want to focus more on in the future. We are kind of just letting our instincts guide us. We also don’t believe in growing super quickly.
Keep coloured hair vibrant
2014 July 2. | Szerző: shannon
We offer some top tips on battling the hair fade courtesy of top salon colourist Jack Howard.
It’s a problem faced by women the world over – how to stop your hair colour fading. There is nothing worse than taking your time to pick the perfect shade with your colourist, sitting in the salon chair for hours and then handing over, usually a staggering amount of, your hard-earned money just for the shade to disappear down the plug hole when you wash your tresses. So what steps can you take to prevent such a disaster?
Jack Howard in Britain’s leading Balayage expert and the International Colour Director at Neville Hair & Beauty. He’s worked with the likes of Britney Spears and Poppy Delevingne in the past, so is up on caring for coloured hair. First up, Jack dismissed claims that red tresses are the worst for fading.
“Fact: red hair colour fades as much as other coloured hair, but because it’s a much brighter shade than blondes or brunettes, it can be more noticeable,” he explained to Cover Media.
“Invest in good colour locking products like Kerastase Thermo Heat Protector – their sun range will help as it has UV and UVA protection. Another tip is to rinse the colour in white vinegar as this can help to prevent the fade in coloured hair. Make sure that you keep red hair in the best condition possible, especially in between salon touch-ups. I’d recommend using colour refresh shampoos like Shu Uemura as this will keep your colour looking vibrant every day.”
The star colourist also gave some tips on maintaining blonde locks. Here it’s brassiness which is the real enemy, but Jack insists if you get things right to begin with that shouldn’t be something you’ll even have to consider.
“First of all ensure that your shade of blonde is the right colour in the first place,” he advised. “If it’s the right blonde for you it shouldn’t go brassy at all – it’s all about the right level of lift in the first place. Again, using the best aftercare products (and colourist) will keep your blonde looking beautiful.”
Many women mix up their hair as often as they do their wardrobe, but it’s also easy to get stuck in a colour rut. If you’re all about the change or more cautious when it comes to your hair, Jack has some tips of the looks which are going to be big news over the coming months.
“This year clients are saying goodbye to foil highlights and that boring regimented look; it’s all about A-list glamour and natural sun kissed colour which you get with the Balayage technique. For brunettes the key colour is ‘Bronde’ – a hybrid of blonde and brunette. It’s the colour du jour – you’ll look like you’ve just stepped out of a Céline ad!” he smiled.
LFW Winter/Festive to see Sonaakshi Raaj’s fusion line
2014 July 30. | Szerző: shannon
Designer Sonaakshi Raaj with sister and muse Malvika Raaj, was present at the curtain raiser of Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014, at the Palladium Hotel, Mumbai.
Sonaakshi Raaj is geared up to showcase her latest fusion line ‘Rebel With A Cause’, at Lakme Fashion Week Winter Festive 2014.
‘Rebel With A Cause’ – The newest collection by Sonaakshi Raaj is a dichotomy of opulence and luxury, yet being edgy. The essence of the line is to create glamorous ensembles catering to women’s couture wear, with a design philosophy that is distinctly feminine and refined.
Malvika Raaj looked stunning dressed in Sonaakshi Raaj’s creation. She sported a nude and metallic black hand embroidered mesh work backless tunic with palazzos.
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The key concept of the collection is the usage of traditional drapes and silhouettes, with a twist for the new age woman, who likes to experiment and is no longer bound by the stereotype. By combining tailoring with drapery, the garments are meticulously crafted to styles that are luxurious yet understated, with strong emphasis on fabric, cut and colour.
Says designer Sonaakshi Raaj, “This season, my line is intricately designed as a toast to the bold, beautiful and independent new age woman, who knows her mind and is not afraid to experiment and create her distinct style statement.”
About Sonaakshi Raaj:
Designer Sonaakshi Raaj is a graduate from SNDT University holding a Degree of B.A. in Apparel Manufacture & Designing.
The Label came into existence in 2009, by winning the University’s Best Collection Award. Thereafter, bagged the 1st position by winning the prestigious “CMAI APEX NATIONAL AWARD” for the “Best Upcoming Designer of the Year.”
Sonaakshi Raaj is predominantly recognized as the Sari-Gown specialist and has been rated as the top 25 young designers on Vogue’s radar. She is a pioneer in her field with her highly popularized Sari-Gowns and contemporary Indian wear for the new age women.
Sonaakshi is one of the very few Indian Designers who has been featured for her popular work on the website of Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week.
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