I'm a Fashion Designer and Fashion Stylist - Ask me Anything

amother

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 7:32 pm

seeker wrote:

I sell hair accessories for girls and teens - what colors should I focus on for this summer? How about the Rosh Hashana/Sukkos season, do we know yet what the mommies and teens will be buying then? In the past I think the silvers sold great, not sure whether to get more of those or something different.

And what's trending in jewelry/accessories? I sell that, too.

It all depends of where you are and who is your main clientele.

If you live in a religious neighborhood... your customers are less likely to go into fads. They would prefer crystals, some black shiny stuff... things that are beautiful and delicate. They don't like getting a lot of attention on their accessories.

Now, if you're not in a religious neighborhood, you have 3 cards to play with:
1. fads (buy some items only because we don't know for how long they'll be required)
2. trends (lasts a whole season)
3. must have pieces

FADS 2013
- The roaring 20's accessories: pearls, lots os pearls, headpieces, exquisite rings... all because of the movie The Great Gatsby that wants to get an Oscar for Best Costume. It will be in the theaters in the second week of May.
Examples:
http://mylusciouslife.com/tiff.....tion/
http://www.jewellermagazine.co.....llery
http://en.vogue.fr/jewelry/jew.....11583
http://www.amazon.com/gp/searc.....atsby
http://www.style.com/trendssho.....ties/

TRENDS 2013
Summer - pearls and big, statement jewelry since the main fashion trend is black. Girls need colors in accessories.
Fall - Golden, blue and black pieces. I saw a lot of them on the fashion weeks pictures. Suggestions: http://www.style.com/accessori.....welry

FAD/TREND 2014
World cup in Brazil... how do you like blue, yellow and green? Jewelry? Feathers? Fruit shaped jewelry? Nothing confirmed yet... you'll only know the answer for this question in August/September when the Summer 2014 fashion weeks start. If I had to bet, I would bet on a trend since Brazil will be on the stage again as host of the Olympics in 2016...

MUST HAVE - Hats
Whatever Kate Middleton uses, buy. Specially the "fascinators", everybody loves them: http://www.polyvore.com/fascin.....+hats

Regarding must haves in jewelry... well... it really depends on your clientele... do they prefer colors or darker stones? Are they from the city or the country? It all depends on where you're located.

amother

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 8:01 pm

amother wrote:

Yay, this is fun! Okay, so I am 5"8 and 145. I guess an hourglass, except since the babes,my waist is not defined at all. Never really really was; I'm broad. Big hips but very flat belly, broad shoulders, 34 D bust. Slender arms and legs. I am light-skinned with green eyes and freckles, burn-not-tan type.

I am also a casual-lover, and am completely hopeless when I walk into clothing stores. I do know that I cannot wear cropped shirts, and tend to tunic-length things to streamline my hips. Other than that, I get a headache from the selection and head for the bookstore instead!

Help!

Am I helpless?

Hi there!
Perhaps your body is taking a secondary shape... it happens to many women... (happened to me! haha) and if that's the case, you'll need to take it easy, love your new secondary shape and harmony will come back to your wardrobe. You still need to read first the comments on your primary body type and then... read some tips for the secondary...

For example: I was an inverted triangle... then got a few pounds and my body took a secondary shape of hourglass. Until this day, when shopping or sewing for myself, I first take in consideration all info. regarding inverted triangles and only then, when I'm finally in piece with my main body shape, is that I go for the advises for hourglasses. I know it sounds weird, but as we get used to it, it becomes a second nature.

I would guess your primary body type is Rectangle with a secondary Hourglass... could that be?

Let's divide your topic in sections... it helps to analyze the ideas
1. slender arms: go for bell sleeves and any other type (bishop, kimono etc.) that falls straight... please don't stop to wear fitted sleeves, it's just that the bell (or any other sleeve with a broader hem) will suit your arms well.

2. slender legs: prefer skirts/pants that falls straight from the waist down. Avoid pencil skirts as well as skinny pants. A-lines suit you well... flared... maxis... if you're average height or tall, even a skirt by mid-calf would look good.

3. Green eyes... if you wear scarves with green details or just entirely green, they will just make your eyes greener. Or green tops (just don't use green scarf with red top or vice-versa... green and red are opposite colors and create an optical illusion that is very tiring for the eyes)

4. Why are you hopeless when walking into stores? Maybe they just don't carry anything that helps you to express your inner beauty. To find the store for you, you should take a sit on your favorite couch... take a cup of tea... look at the ceiling (looking up stimulates the imaginative part of the brain) and ask yourself: "What do I really like? Am I modern? Traditional? Is there anything that recently caught my attention?"

Think about these points... maybe you're just "addicted" to the way you dress. One interesting thing a Fashion Stylist does after taking a customer to shop is to TAKE PICTURES of the new clothes as looks. Because if this is not done, the client will just dress as before... just because she/he is used to it.

When you visit a mall, what stores make you give a second look? Think about things that you like... sports? classic music? cartoons? movies? This helps to define your personal tastes, favorite colors and clothing category (sport, street wear, casual, chic-casual, classic, romantic etc.)

Think about that and come back do discuss more.

amother

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 8:38 pm

amother wrote:

Hope I answered everyone!

Have a wonderful night and now that we're all getting ready for the Chuppah season, hope these tips will make your shopping experience a bit easier.

See you during the week!

The Frum Designer Cool

Hi, pear shaped woman from before:
Thanks for your encouraging words, I actually had tears while reading it.
I still feel lost could you please link some skirts aline,tulip, flare that you think could be good.

I had an amazing skirt a couple of years ago it was a circle skirt(flare?) from Lauren- I should have bought a few bec it's worn out completely. But in that skirt I didn't feel so heavy, I actually thought I looked good.I had diff dressmakers attempt to copy it but it never looked the same Sad

Hi there my beautiful girl, ready for the lecture? Surprised

Straight skirt - The side seams fall straight from your hips down. http://www.overstock.com/Cloth......html

Flared skirt - The hem goes rooooound, making many flares... it's perfect for Pear shaped women because they DON'T NEED TO MEASURE HIPLINE, meaning, you only measure your waistline!!!! That's why you loved that skirt, because it fitted your thin waist perfectly.
http://www.overstock.com/Cloth......html
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/os.....=2850

A-Line - It's a modest version of a flared skirt. It's more straight looking but still has an "A" shape.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/mi.....=2710
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-line

Tulip skirt - They look amazing in a Rectangle shaped women because it enhances the hip curve. Since a Pear shaped woman already has a wonderful hip curve, she should try the skirt and perhaps the opinion of a friend. Some tulip skirts are very curved because they're made with "strong, solid" fabric that holds its shape... wearing a tulip skirt, the Pear shaped woman has the risk of making her hip line looks larger.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/el.....=1218
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/el.....ck=86

Gored Skirt (Fit and Flared) - It's like a pencil skirt until mid thigh or close to the knees and then... it becomes sort of flared.
http://www.overstock.com/Cloth......html (although it's described by the store as flared... it's not a flared, but a fit-and-flare...)

Pencil: Fitted skirt that imitates the shape of a pencil (not very recommended for Pears)
http://www.jcpenney.com/dotcom.....kirts

http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/to.....=1407

Dressmaker, dressmaker, make me a dress! Music

Some dressmakers are not pattern makers... that's the catch n.o 1

The catch n.o 2 is = not even the best pattern maker in the world would cut a garment straight from the pattern. The procedure is: make the pattern, make a mock dress in cheap fabric, then the customer tries it out and all the corrections are done... then a good professional would do a second mock skirt with the alterations, just to be sure of the measurements... the client tries this second skirt and if she is happy, ONLY THEN THE REAL FABRIC IS CUT.

I was shocked by the other testimony where a beautiful fabric was cut just like that shock

In a professional world, it is unacceptable.

And keep in mind... nobody really knows what is to dress all the time. Not even the best Personal Stylist in the world has all things right all the time... sometimes a poor choice is made due to personal taste and nobody goes to jail because of that... we are all humans. Just take it easy and enjoy YOURSELF and then, enjoy your clothes, have fun with them. We all can follow some guidelines but... we're just humans.

Hope that helped! Very Happy

amother

Mon, Apr 29 2013, 8:52 pm

estie6 wrote:

I have an hourglass figure and have a midriff. I look pregnant especially when I slouch! And when im pms!!!
Any ideas on the right undergarment (girdle or hi waist panty) ?
Whats a good everyday look for midriff?
Thanks

Why not give a try to a shape wear? http://www.lavieenrose.com/web.....r_12_

However... maybe your midriff is a result of lack of water in your body... do you drink water regularly? Do you have salty food? When a person eliminates part of the weekly intake of salt, the body changes to a smaller shape...

The everyday look for midriff is: prints and drapes. Avoid solid colors, the print distributes better the attention given to your mid-section.

"Wrap dresses that create pleats at the waist will look great on you. Prints also look great. When wearing jackets and sweaters chose the ones whose hems finishes at the hip bone.

Leave your tailored or structured jackets open, as they create a slimmer figure. When using belts, try to place them a little bit above your waistline, which is usually the smallest part of your torso.

Try to bring attention to your bottom half with the help of A-line and flared skirts. Pencil skirts at the knee length will elongate your body and look very charming.

Detailed sleeves, such as bell shape sleeves or others with fuller details and embroideries will also balance the attention given to your beautiful slim arms.

Baby-dolls and empire waist look great on you while A-line and full skirts create an “hourglass” illusion.
I’m leaving now to meet some friends, any final tips?

Prints work better on you than solid colors."

amother

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 2:32 pm

Hi, thanks for your tips!

I was wondering if you could possibly give me some help in matching up outfits? Mainly work outfits. I like to buy bargains so I have all this cute stuff in my closet, but I have such a hard time figuring out what goes with what. Of course I could always do the standard colored top+black shell+black pencil skirt, but I like to layer and accessorize, and especially now in the spring/summer it's nice to use more color. Can you give some rules, like how many colors to use, which part of the outfit should be colored, what's considered neutral, which neutrals go with what, which palettes for different skin & hair colors, what to do with patterns, some of your favorite color schemes, etc? These are just idea questions, whatever you have for me would be great. If you're at all interested, I uploaded some of my clothes to www.closetcouture.com. If you're interested I could give you the link to my closet.

If it helps at all, my hair is medium-light brown, shoulder length. My eyes are hazel & my skin is medium. I'm a short apple, if that makes a difference.

Sorry so many questions. Smile

I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

tzniutfashion

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 3:20 pm

For all who are interested, I design clothing for any body type as long as I have your measurements. I can give you your own custom sloper (in laymen's term your body blueprint) that you can take to any seamstress and have them make a garment for you. I offer patterns in PDF printable in both Letter or A4 paper.

However, I would advice that for some body types, the pear, for instance, the one with a mommy-tummy, I would personally recomend wearing clothes that hide this area, by adding a lot of ease, for instance, gathers that start at the chest area down to the hem. This style is also recommended for maternity.

Thank you. Please contact me off-list if you are interested. My websites are advertised in my signature. Caveat: Nasty comments are unwelcome.

amother

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 10:52 pm

amother wrote:

I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

You know your stuff, girl! Ok... let me divide the points you touch so we keep track on all of them.

1. Bargains: why not save the money of 5 bargains and buy only one amazing piece of clothing, maybe a designer piece? It will make your life a lot easier.

2. I do agree with you. Colors are amazing. I love them!

3. "Can you give some rules, like how many colors to use" = maximum 3 for the inexperienced ones... and 4 for the ones who are totally in peace with them. It's easier to tell you which colors don't go together:

a) no to bright red and light blue (darker tones are ok but you'll remind an American flag...)
b) no to green and red
c) no to purple and yellow

Any other color can be combined according to your taste. Oprah's stylist loves colors. Take a look at her pictures in the net and maybe that will help.

4. "which part of the outfit should be colored, what's considered neutral, which neutrals go with what, which palettes for different skin & hair colors, what to do with patterns, some of your favorite color schemes, etc?" - This depends of your body type. If your larger measurement is on top, so go for a colorful skirt. If your larger measurement is at the hips, so go for a colorful top.

Check http://tommyton.tumblr.com/ and http://tommyton.tumblr.com/ regularly. They're the best "street fashion" photographers. Summer 2013 will have tons of black and white stripes and black color... but I'm sure you'll see some interesting color combinations once in a while. We learn a lot by observing people in the streets.

5) "which palettes for different skin & hair colors, what to do with patterns, some of your favorite color schemes, etc?" - Generally red hair girls avoid red tops and blonds avoid yellow tops... but it's not a law... I 've seen red hairs and blonds wearing these colors and they looked ok. Brown hair can wear everything... black hair too. Black and blond hair go great with a very bright blue.

6) "If you're at all interested, I uploaded some of my clothes to www.closetcouture.com. If you're interested I could give you the link to my closet." - Best than that: take pictures of your best combinations, print them and "scotch tape" these pics somewhere in your closet Smile

That's what Stylists do. But if you want to send me a link, please do so through the Contact Us in my website Smile

7) Hazel eyes demand purple tops, scarves and earings!

8) "I'm a short apple, if that makes a difference." That's the most important information!!! When wearing jersey knits go with prints and drapes. Skirts/dresses at knee length, avoid mid-calf skirts and... read the Apple basic guideline on my site Very Happy

Hope that helped!

amother

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 11:08 pm

bigsis144 wrote:

Can inverted triangles wear dresses? I always end up looking top-heavy.

I have an afternoon black-tie-optional summertime wedding, and I'm starting to freak out a bit because I have NOTHING TO WEAR!

Yes! Preferably with lower waist line, that will distribute the attention given to the bust area and make the torso longer. The larger bust area gives an optical illusion that our torso is short... (I'm an Inverted Triangle too).

Inverted Triangles, as Pears, have 2 sizes in their body... let me explain: While the bust area is size 10 or 12, the waist and hip lines are size 8... that's why buying dresses is soooooooooo difficult for Inverted Triangles... if she buys the dress size 12, it will accommodate the bust area but there will be extra fabric at waist and hip lines... well... you got the idea, right?

You can buy a dress that accommodate your bust area and take it to a responsible, professional seamstress to fit the waistline.

That's one of the reasons I am in love with jersey knit. It stretches at bust area and fits beautifully my waist and hips.

What I do not recommend: loose dresses... and I imagine you know why Smile

You could try a luxurious wrap dress, it's PERFECT for Inverted Triangles. It involves beautifully the bust area, embraces the waist line and falls down perfectly at the hips. I love wraps.

Dresses/skirts with pepluns are also friends to Inverted Triangles http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ta.....1_5_C

amother

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 11:24 pm

amother wrote:

Can you be my personal shopper? I hate shopping bec I get depressed that Im not a size 2 and perhaps Im not trying on the right stuff.
My body is not typical. I am bigger on top and want to look smaller and I have a belly. I have narrow hips and am longer from the waist down and have a smaller upper torso. I want to elongate my upper half. Im about a size 8 or 10 but in dresses and tops im bigger (dresses size 12 bec of my bust). What should I look for? Better yet, where should I shop? Is junees mostly for teenagers (or women who've never had kids)?? bec when I shop there the solid cotton shirts are all too small on me. I mean, I could stand to lose 10-15 but Im not fat!

If I was in the USA, for sure we could explore downtown stores Very Happy

Please be happy. Do you know why? Because you're unique. There's no "one size fits all". Which exist in the market is what we call Vanity Sizes... which are all fake hahahahahah That's why a 10 in a store is a 8 in another and maybe a 12 in a third one. Each designer creates his/her own Vanity Sizing... even I created mine Wink

The garment industry does not follow Government regulations... well... of course there are a few but none that make us work with the same size. Do you understand now why you should be happy? You are a proof that this whole shmata industry is wrong and just gambles with the customers Very Happy

Ok, I would guess you're an Inverted Triangle with a secondary Apple shape.

In order to elongate the upper half:
a) V-necks
b) low waist dresses/skirts/pants
c) pepluns

I do not know enough American stores but... Nordstrom is the stop point for every single Stylist... not only to shop but mainly to get ideas.

Regarding Junee, I like this top for Inverted Triangles: http://www.junees.com/product......id=12

Please also take a look at my website... I have a Flared Dress with lower waisline that looks good on me... well... it is fitted at the waist, involves the bust area and its flares are very rich, so it gives a nice view when we walk. Also, take a look at the wrap dress... wraps are always friendly to any body type, that's why they're so popular.

Does this help you? http://www.birdsnest.com.au/wo.....tfits

amother

Tue, Apr 30 2013, 11:36 pm

Wonderful ladies, this is my last post on this forum.
Wave

Thank you so much for sharing with me all your thoughts, feelings, doubts and suggestions.

For those who would like to keep chatting with me, you can do so at www.dellasuza.com.

It will be a pleasure to talk to you. (Don't worry, I'm "an army made of a single woman" so I'm the one who receives directly all comments made in the Contact Us space)

Hope you all had fun with this light topic and know that you all helped me a lot.

If you ever think on supporting a new designer in order to make her husband stop making what Lady Gaga would call a "poker face" every time she mentions in buying more fabric, well... now you know where to find one Very Happy

Have you all a wonderful and bright week!

Thank you again!

Esther

Hug