FIFTYFABULOUS, Stylecuratrix: Prada

Showing posts with label Prada. Show all posts

Tuesday, 22 March 2016

GIRLS DAY OUT

Cape Town is abundant with shopping malls and streets, and when two Stylistas set out to play, with both having a penchant for fashion and extravagant shoes, the only constraint would be wearing the wrong footgear! Beware when going out shopping not to destroy your venture by wearing uncomfortable shoes. Hence my decision to step out in wedges that provide ultimate comfort. Ever heard anybody say "I'd rather be dead than seen wearing ugly shoes?". I could do more justice to the culottes by stepping out in high heels, but wasn't in the mood to squeeze my already tormented feet into a mould that resembles the pyramids of Giza.

There is a certain stage in your life when comfort starts taking preference, especially after having subjected your poor feet to the misshapes of certain sought after shoes..... painted Red on the soles for extra dazzle. It might be cute to succumb to the luring aspects of those triangular shapes walking on stratospheric heights, but it's poor punishment to your feet. Take my word for it, been there, got the T shirt. And the surgeon's knife to undo my indiscretions of the past...... It's hard to find a shoe that is both befitting to a shoe fanatic and allowing your feet to be enveloped in it's natural shape. So for now, I am settling for comfort.

So what's the style point of departure ? When wearing culottes, you need height. Strutting the cropped pants with flat shoes is like squashing a chocolate cake into a pizza shape, so the solution is to find balance between a slight heel that instantly gives a more slender look to the legs. If higher heels is not an option for you, opt for culottes that are slightly skinny and tapered down, and be mindful of the length by carefully studying your profile before you embark on a mission. Best is to take a photograph to look at yourself and adjust the length from a distance. Perspective, that's what it's all about. The kimono jacket is a staple item in my wardrobe, and this cropped version in animal print Suedette by Michelle Ludek, is a perfect workable piece. To get an honest picture, I admit that I look somewhat shorter than my statuesque 1,78m in my lower heels. Shop Michelle Ludek at the Watershed, V & A Cape Town.

Cullotte - Country Road

Shoes - W Collection at Woolworths

Kimono Top - Michelle Ludek

Tote - Michael Kors

Sunnies - Prada

Make Up - Bobbi Brown

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY

If you have an entrepreneurial mind, the window of opportunity is lost if you don't act on it immediately, as it represents a brief moment of chance allowing you to take advantage of something that you could benefit from. With that said, it brings me to the print of window panes. I've taken to the opportunity not because fashion dictates that I should, but because I simply like it. I adopt trends that suits me, and interpret it in my own personal way to create a look that is appropriate for my body shape and to match the occasion. This is not something I would wear to a meeting with council or when I attend court, as it shouts and makes a loud announcement saying I am adventurous as opposed to I am serious. The window pane print allows you to have a little fun, and represents a not so subtle departure from the concept as I combined two different prints with polka dots to top the crown. Take this as a challenge to grab such opportunity, be it in your closet or in business....

Coat - F&F

Pants - Studio W

Top - Studio W

Shoes - Manolo Blahnik

Handbag - Prada

Neckpiece - Vintage

Tuesday, 1 April 2014

GEOMETRY AND FASHION

Mathematics has never been my favourite subject, but it doesn't mean that I have to dislike geometry. My fondness for this print is encouraged by the fact that heavy winter textiles allow you to go a little bold. The design of the coat was spurred on by the fact that the particular fabric was intended for upholstery, and not for garments. Much to the horror of Belle Epoque's principal designer, she succumbed to my request, and skilfully created this beautifully constructed over sized coat, giving it an edge with plain Black cuffs, in the softest faux suede imaginable. If you have the ability to assemble your own clothes, don't shy away from curtaining or upholstery material for winter, as the sheer weight of the heavier cloth gives architectural structure to winter coats. Be a little daring by adding a third colour and don't let the cold deprive you entirely of summer's joyful kaleidoscope. How do you wear geometric print?

Coat - Belle Epoque

Skirt - Studio W

Turtle neck - Primark

Lace print tights - Primark

Over the knee boots - Witchery

Gloves- Prague street market

Sunglasses - Prada

Bag- Boy Chanel

Thursday, 20 February 2014

A LITTLE BIT OF VINTAGE

Cat eye sunglasses, reminiscent of the 60's, flair skirts, Cobalt Blue and lace, with the Blue being electrifying, regal and strikingly bright. A little bit of vintage. It speaks for itself. Nothing is more feminine than lace, and with that said, I rest my case.

Skirt - Asos

Shoes - Valentino

Top - Platinum Fashion Mall

Handbag - Prada

Pashmina - Siem Reap Market

Sunglasses - Dior

Saturday, 8 February 2014

HIGH ON HEELS

There is nothing that gives you a quicker lift than stepping into high heels.....and doing it in Black & White. I literally elevate myself into the height of a statuesque performance when I feel under dressed, by simply changing the shoes. The power of heels gives instant confidence, no matter how shabby or chic the rest. Today's outfit focuses not only on the elegance of heels, but concentrates on how simple and basic items can be turned into a statement look. The concept of monochrome is a trend that never dates, and which can be achieved with relative ease. We all possess something in Black & White, and all you have to do is to assemble it as if it was made to match. The beauty of dressing in monochrome tones is that you can virtually add anything in the same colour combination, adding up to the potency of the look. I just about unpacked everything in two tones, assembled it together on a flat surface, and voila, a whole new look. You need not spend a fortune on current trends to create this look either, now go on, start a monochrome challenge and let me know what you've made of it........

Blazer - Oasis

Pants - Studio W at Woolworths

Shoes - Topshop

Handbag - Chanel Boy Bag

Sunglasses - Prada

Shirt - H & M

Saturday, 28 September 2013

MILAN FASHION WEEK - WHAT TO WEAR - OUTFIT 1

Street style photography has manifested itself so firmly as an independent industry, that it's hardly possible not to consider this form of media when attending fashion events. Unlike any other event, there is no dress code, yet nobody arrives looking overdressed or under styled. I still find it difficult to decide what to wear to Fashion weeks as one is inevitably permitted to be a little avant garde, yet one should not look like a spectacle. I suppose it's all in the eye of the beholder, but one cannot dress to the occasion unless you have some idea of what is worn by others. First and foremost, one should be comfortable in what ever it is you decide to don. If ever you're indecisive about what to wear for such an occasion, take to the Internet for style cues, by simply looking at street style blogs and posts of digital media to find an idea of what to wear to such an event. My idea to wear a full skirt was born locally when I saw a women wearing a skirt as big as a satellite dish, looking like a diva from the 50's, hence my full skirt with box pleats. This trend is something that was seen on every street corner, each and every one being worn in a different style and length. Some were fuller than others, and some so short you could see into the future. I settled for something in between, leaving something to the viewer's imagination. I must say, considerable self control was exercised not to add a pair of earrings, but considering the size of my neck piece, I decided to go minimalistic ....

Top & Skirt - Belle Epoque

Shoes - J Renee

Accessories, various from Prada to Vintage

Monday, 1 July 2013

WINTER STAPLES ELONGATING THE BODY

If all else fails during winter, resort to layering with your favourite staple. A coat length just above the knee is extremely reliable and most suited for the unpredictable Cape of storms, never mind the fact that it is a hot trend! Our current weather changes at least three times a day, almost as temperamental as a menopausal women. Since you never know how hot or cold the afternoon would be, (much like hot flushes) you should not let the morning's rain and wind deter you from covering up in layers, hence my pea coat from my favourite Italian store, Piazza Italia, combined with multiple trends including layering, prints, and heavy statement neck pieces! My recent visit to Europe, frolicking the clothing stores, brought me to the conclusion that if there is one staple that we should invest in if you haven't already, it's this kind of coat. It looks equally perfect dressed down with jeans and ads instant glamour to your looks if combined with heels! The mid length also tends to elongate the body if by any chance you are horizontally challenged! Needless to say my fixation with animal print is continued in this blazer, representing multiple different prints combined with leopard. It also promotes the concept of different prints worn together, as the sunglasses deviate from the print on the blazer although it is in the same colour scheme. I added a touch of Turquoise to break up the monotony of winter's darkness.

Pea coat - Piazza Italia, Florence

Blazer - Jenni Button

Top - Zara

Pants - C & A

Clutch - Prada

Neck Piece & matching bracelet - Honey

Sunglasses D & G

Shoes - Dorothy Perkins

Thursday, 15 November 2012

BERRYLICIOUS

Winter shopping list.....

Occasionally, I return to the favourites and revisit colours that featured in the 80's. Much to my delight, fashion repeats itself from time to time! ( Yes, I've been around the block!). With a career that demands Black almost to be worn like a uniform, and lawyers being strongly associated with it, it is extremely exciting to venture down the colour wheel and slide into the warmer winter shades. It follows naturally that come weekends or after hours, I head directly towards the brights, and move away from the rigidity of all Black, creating something more dramatic without being to serious. Burgundy is seen in different tones this year, my favourite being the one leaning towards berries. Whether it is Plum, Merlot, Cabernet, Ruby or just Burgundy, a berry flavour will ad some spice to your winter wardrobe. Isn't this one of the most beautiful biker jackets? I tend to look for less masculine lines adding some femininity to the look, and this one fits perfectly........