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

Simple1

Wed, Apr 24 2013, 11:00 pm

amother wrote:

Simple1 wrote:

I'm curious as to who gets to decide what color is in fashion that season? Like it used to be black, then a couple years ago plum purple as added to the black. Then mustard yellow. Now teal and coral. What makes a color all of a sudden pretty because it's the color of the season?

A-ha! The right question! Ready for the dirty secret?

1. fashion studies that can literally preview what people will like next year (that's a serious business)
2. manufacturers
3. celebrities (well... they dictate fads...)
4. media (movies, tv series.... BYW, ready for the 20's styles because of the Great Gatsby movie?)
5. special events

What colors will be the main ones for the Summer 2014 since the Worldcup (soccer...booooring, but men just love it) will be held in colorful and amazing Brazil?

This is interesting, especially #1. But was the black fad a frum thing or from the secular world? The stores are full of color now, but it's obvious that people were tired of black.

amother

Wed, Apr 24 2013, 11:18 pm

amother wrote:

hi frum designer!!! how did you become a designer? I would love to become one or start a line of clothes or a business or soemthing.. but I have no idea how to! or where to begin?!!

im not a very stylish person myself but ive got some great ideas and I always get a lot ofcompliments on clothes I wear or put together...

secondly,
I am very skinny, and flat and totally not curvy. I used to be a nice normal size on top but ever since I bh bh bh had kids ive gotten very flat. so what can I wear thatll make me feel more womenly? (im 5"3 if that makes a difference)
thanks

Hi there!
A-ha, another fashion lover!

Keep in mind the following: THERE'S NO COMPETITION, ALL THERE IS IS CREATIVITY.

If you're creative, there could be 1 billion people at the same business and you would still succeed. All of us, fashion lovers who want to live of fashion would like to start from the top! Right? hahah I know it. Yet, please remember that sometimes to succeed in the top, we have to learn to go upstairs from the bottom. We'll enjoy the view and learn way more. If you're in the USA and have access to Netflix I do recommend the documentary: Jiro Dreams of Sushi. (For those who do not watch documentaries: Jiro is a Japanese man in his 90's who is considered by many the best sushi chef in the world. He was raised in total misery and loved sushi. He was always told that there was nothing else to be created in the world of sushis. Jiro did not care about the logics and kept loving sushi to the point of dreaming with it all the time. He started to make sushi and believe me, his sushis are extremely simple... however... he mastered the art of dealing with details and that's what makes him who he is. Lots of more touching and insightful things in the doc. If I ever go to Japan, I'll do my best to take a picture with Mr. Jiro, he is really an inspiration)

Ok, let's go for the answers:

1. I went to Fashion school. 3 years. The women of my family sew a lot, specially my mother... dealing with machines and fabrics were a daily routine at home.
2. To start a business... you need to learn the basics. As Alexander Mcqueen used to say "In order to break the rules, we have to first know the rules"... many start ups forget these wise words... learn, learn, learn. Everyday from everyone.
3. How to begin a business in fashion? Well... do you want to be a designer, pattern maker, open your own shop, buy and resell clothes... ? There's room for everything. Let me know the details of your plans. I started mine from scratch. Best way to learn and believe me... I'm still learning... A LOT! haha
4. If you get compliments, you're stylish. You know you are Wink

5. You're a Straight body type... a few tips:
a) A-Lines and flared skirts will create some lines. Also, use and abuse of big prints, especially the ones in circular shape, as flowers and circles. Embroidery is a big ally.

b) Cropped jackets at the waistline will give you a fuller body as any boxy style will. Higher necklines are your best friends. Also, when choosing tops give preferences to the ones with details on it, such as ruffles, pockets and pleats.

c) Add belts - the bigger the better - to your fashions as they drive attention to your waistline and give you more curves. Belted jackets and trench coats look wonderful on you.

d) Lastly, knee length pencil skirts create great curves.

5. If you have access to regular websites, try to take a look at what famous Straight types are wearing. It always help since they have great Stylists. For example, Cameron Diaz (she is dressed by Rachel Zoe, best Stylist in the world) and a lady that I do admire: Gwyneth Paltrow (hope spelled her name right)

amother

Wed, Apr 24 2013, 11:30 pm

amother wrote:

I am about 5'3 and overweight. Nothing looks good on me. Any advice?

Tons of advises!

Mah frend, the tips I'm posting here are just small details... the world of Styling is huge and there are tons of info. to dress everyone, everywhere!

1. When you have time and feel very calm (blood circulates better and we can have insights) please go to your wardrobe and try to observe everything you have.
a) are your clothes mostly woven or knits?
b) colors
c) are they for your height?
d) do they express who you are?
e) are they the ones for your body type?
f) are they for your size or some sales people are trying to rush smaller sizes on you?
g) do you have clothes with prints?

The same dress that look good on a lady may not look so good on another lady. A full figure woman is a beautiful woman.

If you're an Apple shape, please go back 2 pages and see some tips for this body type and let me know if any of the info. helped you. If not, we can go in more details of how to find the clothes that will make you smile.

Consider horizontal pleats at your waist area and avoid dresses/skirts/pants that are tight. The ideal would be that the bottom piece just falls naturally from the waistline down. As a beautiful waterfall.

Please read the Apple tips and let me know what you think.

amother

Wed, Apr 24 2013, 11:45 pm

amother wrote:

Fist of all - I LOVE the way you write! Maybe you can publish a book or "rules", after all!

handbags .... why am I always leaving mine in my car because - well because ... I feel like what I have is never in?? Or I'm not sure if it's in. I am short- so I need something on the smaller side. Thanks!!

Oh! Thank you very much! Very Happy

Believe me... there are tons of books, blogs and websites about Styling, as I said above, what I'm posting here is just a tiny tip in the iceberg haha Styling is an art on its own. The interesting about this art is that the woman is the canvas and the artist at the same time.

Oh gosh! You too? We all leave them in the cars hahahaha That's so funny.

Ok... lets talk about handbags... I love satchels, I do think they're very charming but a totes is really what makes any woman happy because we can carry our lives inside it. I read a very funny comment on clutch purses "they're pretty but so unpractical that only women married to men with big pockets can go around with them without concerns. best if the "big pockets" are literally real"

hahahahhaha

I love clutches but it's true... they're sooooo unpractical... gosh... specially for weddings. They look great during the Chupah but as soon as the dance begins the first thought is: "Goodness! What do I do to this purse now?" hahahaha

Maybe one day the 80's will come back and we'll all wear those bags that were attached to belts (forgot the name) that are super-duper practical. Not very flattering, but extremely practical hahaha

For Petite ladies, you should consider making an online search for stores that carry a Petite line. There are a few nice ones. If you need help, just post back.

amother

Thu, Apr 25 2013, 2:37 am

amother wrote:

I am tall 5'6 and very slim I have a huge pouch belly though. What can I wear to cover that?

You're probably a lovely Apple.

The larger proportion of your body is carried around the tummy area without a defined waistline.

How to bring out the best of this body type?

You can embrace waist-less styles or use the help of belts for a more fitted style. V-necks or necklaces with a V or U shape will elongate your upper half and take away attention from your midsection.

What to wear?

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 or lower. Avoid cropped jackets.

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.

If you like pants, avoid the tapered and skinny styles and give preference to comfortable trousers with straight legs.

Do you have any statement necklace and earrings? If yes, wear them with a big smile.

New amother. Baby-dolls make me look fat.

amother

Thu, Apr 25 2013, 5:25 am

Green amother here. I voted hourglass. I can't believe so many people here did.

My bust is 30H-32GG depending. My waist is about 32 inches, and my hips are exactly the same as my bust.
I'm not as slim as I used to be (BH babies) but my curves keep growing.

I read your tips for hourglass shapes, but I want some tips how to stay tznius without having to wear sackcloth. I want to wear the right size clothes, have my top fitted nicely, but not them being the first thing you notice about me.
Ideas?

Now for my fashion dilemma. I have a wedding coming up, where I want to be pretty fancy, and I will be about 16 weeks pregnant. So far (at 13 weeks) I haven't put on weight but my shape is changing...
What can I wear, that won't make me look obviously pregnant, but that also won't make me look super fat.
Regularly, I would wear a dress, but I'm thinking maybe I need a 2 piece here?

amother

Thu, Apr 25 2013, 12:41 pm

Simple1 wrote:

amother wrote:

Simple1 wrote:

This is interesting, especially #1. But was the black fad a frum thing or from the secular world? The stores are full of color now, but it's obvious that people were tired of black.

Hi there! I'm back for 20 minutes.

The #1 is a "science" called Fashion Forecasting. The Fashion Forecasters put together all sort of information you can imagine about current and future events in the World in order to collect information that could lead to the prediction of what people will like in a few years.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's a risky job and a risky investment. A fashion forecasting book costs minimun $3000 and nobody can guarantee which ideas there will come to the streets. A book has... sort of 10 trends... the lucky and experienced designer will know which ones are going to sell, the unexperienced designer will pick just the one he likes the most and pray that it will the chosen by the public.

Why casinos? Just become a Fashion Forecaster! Your adrenaline will be 1000 high every day, every time!

amother

Thu, Apr 25 2013, 7:53 pm

Simple1 wrote:

amother wrote:

Simple1 wrote:

This is interesting, especially #1. But was the black fad a frum thing or from the secular world? The stores are full of color now, but it's obvious that people were tired of black.

A-ha, I almost missed a question! I got so excited remembering the fun that it is to look inside a Trend Forecasting book Very Happy

Ok, let's answer your second.

The Blaaaaaaack Color.
Fashion History: in the past people dressed from natural fibers (specially wool) and the result was: rich people could use colors and poor people would use brownish, beige clothes (straight from natural fibers without dye)... forever... and the same piece of clothing would "travel" generations of the same family. From oldest child to youngest one... No colors for the poor because it was expensive to make and maintain them. Wearing a white gown was an event to stop an entire city! That's why royalty hierarchy could be identified by the colors of clothing... only the extremely rich could wear red and other colors that caught the attention of the kings.

What about the black fad?
By the end of 1500's, Spain royalty found out about that black represented power! And the entire Spain royal house dressed black with golden details. Even children.

The fad started to spread around Europe...

Soon, black dyes were being distributed to the poor (cheaper than other dyes) and everybody knows that an old black suit looks better than an old brown suit... and everybody started to wear black.

After a while, German nobles also took a passion for black but for another reason... they said black was modest and at the time, they were super puritan Christians. Most of Europe started to wear black in order to express their religious modesty.

In the end, black became a rule. Preference for the poor and "fake modesty" for most of the rich.

But then, at the beginning of 20th Century, prosperity started to rise... manufacturers had the money to make colors and people the money to buy colorful clothes.

While European Jews had a big social influence towards the black, Sephardic who lived in Arab countries kept wearing colors because that was the social norm.

Well, this is just a tip of the History of Black Color. The full story (with paintings, names, dates etc.) is fascinating.

amother

Thu, Apr 25 2013, 8:09 pm

amother wrote:

Hello Fashion Designer!

I'm soo excited to "meet" you! At 5'3" and 160 pounds, I can't say that I'm your best looking gal out there..... I'm a size 12-14, wide on top, wide on bottom, and somewhat of a waistline. Help me look great!! What can I wear?

Thanks!

You ARE the best looking gal.

You're probably an Hourglass? Wear dresses that cover your knees (even if you were not religious I would say that) and plenty of pencil skirt that also goes below the knee.

1. Do you wear belts? If yes, go for the big ones. The thick belts. It will suit you well and bring attention to your beautiful waistline.

2. Match colors. An example: http://www.tourisme-montreal.o.....real/ - It's Oprah wearing a white shirt, a light purple/pink cardigan, a red belt and beige pants that could also be a skirt.

Oprah is hourglass + apple. Keep an eye on how she dresses. Her stylist is not afraid of colors and for our happiness, Oprah isn't either.

Also, try A-line skirts made of beautiful fabric. Coco Chanel clothes were extremely simple, but she invested all she had in the fabric! That's a tip right there... go to a fabric store and check the "luxury" fabrics... see one that you like and try to picture yourself wearing a maxi skirt or an A-line skirt made of that fabric. If you know a nice seamstress, why not try to make the statement skirt? Have you seen Dior summer 2013 collection? It has simple long skirts (I talk now as a pattern maker) but made with amazing fabric.

Remember: if the fabric is luxurious, go simple with the style. Always. And it works... did you know that Chanel is the ONLY Fashion House that makes money with clothes?