patterns patterns patterns...

patterns can speak volumes...they can be bold or demure, sublime or ridiculous...

they can even convey different interpretation of the law...

narrow stipes? banker...
broader pinstripes? gangster...
broad stripes? convict...

they can camouflage (the soldier's fatigues) or announce (the tourist's hawaiian shirt)...there are "no-pattern" patterns, like the subtle striping on a shirt or the small arrows of a herringbone tweed, which add texture to a garment...bold patterns, often found on bathing suits, can diminish or accentuate lines of the body...larger patterns will tend to make you look larger; smaller ones do the opposite...vertical lines elongate; horizontal bars widen and shorten...

they can be used to distract - a patterned scarf around the neck draws the eye to the face...

but they can also call attention to flaws we might rather hide...so use patterns as you use color: as an accessory...your mistakes will be less expensive...and your triumphs? fabulous...of course...

"some people were born to push the envelope of fashion and some to lick it..." ~ duff, mtv vj

pattern types:

floral - subtle in a scarf, or wildly feminine when done up big on spring and summer dresses...

animal prints - they're wild by their nature...but we've seen so many stylish people wearing them (particularly leopard) over the decades - that they have become classics...



plaid - because distinct plaids were associated with various scottish clans, wearing them became a dangerous political statement and was once prohibited by british law...now they deorate everything from umbrellas to dog collars...



stripes - horizontal, they seem nautical...vertical, they are more businesslike...while they can look fresh or refined...be careful not to cover yourself in them...stripes are tiring to the eye...



polka dots - comical when large, demure when tiny...they are best used sparingly - on silk scarves for example...as they can attract a lot of attention...

fashion funnies: what's that smell?

happy saturday! fashion funnies day! i laughed when i saw this comic strip...as i have had several conversations with different fashion bloggers this week about keeping or getting rid of all the fashion magazines that accumulate...

do you keep or toss?



if you have something to submit to fashion funnies...please do so via email to me...credit will be given to you & your blog/website...for those that have sent in comic strips...thank you!

what fabric is that?

fabric...in the beginning, there were animal skins tossed over cro-magnon shoulders...or maybe an insouciant fig leaf tied just so...now we have fibers whose names sound more like the contents of a test tube than something you'd want against your skin...

fabric is important...

fabric determines the warmth, comfort, cut, and, along with workmanship, the price of a garment...more than color or style...fabric can tell you what time of day a piece of clothing is to be worn...or in what season...or even what activity you will be engaged in while wearing it...

we use fabrics to send signals...

a worsted wool suit, with its strong, crisp lines...says you're in control...a soft angora sweater telegraphs a more sensual message...

fabrics is also one of the main factors in determining whether your clothes will travel as well as you do...when wearing a wrinkle-resistant wool or synthetic in a jersey or crepe, you'll disembark from the plane looking pressed and ready...in delicate silk or linen, you may end up looking like a pile of laundry...and with a seasonless fabric...a tropical wool or matte jersey...you can travel around the world...

men's corner: pick your pocket...

you may be thinking - who wears a pocket square these days? the pocket square may have been a neglected male accessory of late, but in truth, it can make a tieless man look more professional, a suit and tie look more thoughtful, and a man in jeans more sophisticated...if you feel that your polo shirt/blazer combo might be too casual, a pocket square could be just the answer...not sure how to pull this off?

read on...

matchless...the pocket square should not match, but complement your tie, or if going tieless, your coat or shirt...it should be visible against your jacket...don't be afraid of a pattern - paisleys, polka dots, geometrics or abstracts - go for it!


material facts...linen and silk are the most commmon; in fact, white linen is a staple that is almost always appropriate...raw silk and cotton madras look great in the warmer months...a silk square is perfect with wool or cashmere in fall and winter...


making the fold...from the "puff" worn by fred astaire, the straight fold worn by ronald reagan (and the guys on mad men), the traditional triangle, and you won't believe how many other options...there's something for every man...check out this cool website for instructions on how to fold your square to suit your personal style...

it's all in the mix...

mixing is not about having a lot of clothes...it's about being resourceful...it can allow you to create the maximum wardrobe with minimum investment...

how?

start with a solid wardrobe of quality basics that are built predominantly around a single color...then try mixing in the unexpected...deconstruct a suit...try wearing the jacket with other skirts and pants...same with the bottom components...the skirt or pants can work with a variety of sweaters and tops...

if you have a few things of value that are just perfect...you will reach for them over and over again...and feel good about wearing them in different ways...

mix unexpected colors, textures, patterns...mix attitude...

a blazer worn with a t-shirt has a whole different personality than one worn with a blouse...and different jewelry or shoes can change a dress dramatically each tme you put it on...

the beauty of true versatility? anything you wear a lot - no matter how pricey - will get cheaper every time you put it on...

"when i have a few clothes i manage better than when i have a lot, because i use my imagination" ~ ines de la fressange, fashion designer and former chanel model

short black blazer - three different looks...

brilliant belts...

belts can do amazing things to a body...lengthen a torso...shorten a torso...create the illusion of a waist...

belts can also add instant pop to an outfit...

choosing to "buckle up" whether to create an illusion or simply to accessorize an outfit is done easily with the belts in the jana kos spring 2010 collection...10 beautiful choices...and as i've said before...jana manages to turn a belt into a fabulous piece of jewelry...

these are available now...so if you see one that you can't live without...contact me =)

carved horn belt
natural hand carved horn with elastic and double strand belt
(is reversable to solid black belt)


urban stretch belt
african croc liquid blk/gold leather with matte gold buckle and elastic trim


shield stretch belt
snake italian patent leather in black with black 3" crochet elastic w/antique nickel hardware and closure


celebration belt
patent croc black leather with jet & siam swarovski crystals and sardonyx-black onyx stones in gold buckle


filegree belt
croc wash leather in mint with mother of pearl natural patina cabs & white opal in antique nickel buckle


slick stretch belt
wash metallic leather with matte silver buckle and elastic trim


stone buckle belt
patent lamb leather in copper with catseye orange, tiger eye stones and pearls in antique brass buckle


ornate stretch belt
wash metallic bronze leather with antique brass hardware and copper metallic elastic


studded belt
luscious leather in navy with multi color studs in nickel buckle


mother of pearl belt
metallic perforated lamb leather in silver with mother of pearl in nickel buckle

jana kos spring 2010 collection
trunk show - redwood shores, ca
february 10 - 21
by personal appt only

the making of couture...

i spent the last three days at an aici (association of image consultants)conference...what a great educational conference! the classes were incredible...and i was able to meet some fabulous women and men...from other parts of the states as well as other countries...all with the same passion that i have in making my clients look their best...

every class ended with me walking away with so much information and tips/tools to use with my business...and more importantly with my clients...

i have to say...the one class that i truly could have sat for hours more to listen and learn from...was on the history of haute couture and its influence today...taught by melissa leventon, who is a professor at the california college of the arts in the fashion design and visual studies department...her master's degree from the university of london is in the history of art/history of dress...she has curated costume collections at museums around the world...

a few months back i posted on what is haute couture...i have to admit that the whole history of it...and even more...the making of it completely fascinates me...

and melissa had fabulous pictures... =)

i came across this clip in the making of chanel couture...sometimes comments and such are made in the pricing of garments...not necessarily couture...but even in just a good quality jacket...for example...often times...people do not realize the work behind the scenes that happen to make a quality piece of a garment...i have seen this same attitude in jewelry..in fact...wendy brandes wrote an exceptional blog post on get smart (about manufacturing) with several links to prior posts she did along the same lines...

you want good quality...you are going to need to spend a little more...

take a look at this fun clip...in the making of a chanel couture...how fascinating is that??

fashion funnies: bad hair day...

ever have one of those days?

twisting balloons...

look how far twisting balloons has come...

this is what i love about fashion...there truly is no end to the possibilities of a creative mind...

although...i think these would be difficult to sit in =)

which is your favorite?

men's corner: pancake collars...

i have always said...it is the small details that can make or break an outfit...and men...there are style mistakes made that greatly affect your "look"...but...never fear...there are easy easy fixes...as well...

take your collar for instance...

when you're not wearing a tie...the collar on your dress shirt flattens out and sinks beneath the lapels of your jacket...

the look? sloppy...



the solution is simple...first, look for dress shirts with firm collars that stand up on their own, framing your face...

and second...use collar stays...you know, those little plastic things...every proper dress shirt has slots for them...

the look? impressive...

all puffed up in down...

my favorite section of the ny times is the fashion & style (big surprise...right?) and of course...i can never get enough of bill cunningham "on the street"...he basically rides his bicycle around ny city and captures people and fashion on the streets of ny (yes...i would love that job)

this last week bill cunningham did a segment on puffed coats...i have to admit...i did not realize there were so many different styles out on the streets...but the pictures prove otherwise...and he tells the history of the first down coat...interesting listen...

i seem to have been surrounded by this theme of puffed coats...as i've read about them in different blogs...my favorite being taffetadarlings AND the lovely stacy from taffetadarlings even posted a pic of herself in her puffy coat...even though she had a bad dinner experience...doesn't she look adorable?

our weather here in northern california does not really get cold enough to warrant the need for a puffy coat...but if it did...i would be sporting that red number in bill cunningham's video...nice pop of color on a gloomy grey day...

speaking of being surrounded by talks of puffed coats...my girlfriend treated herself for christmas & news year's by traveling to italy...(i know...can you stand it?) and she said that it was strange to see the puffed coats in almost every store front window...

hmmm...guess it is all the rage...do you like??

photo by lorena...in italy!

the art of scarf tying...

one of the easiest ways to spruce up an outfit is to "tie one on" by adding a scarf...one of the most frequently asked questions by my clients..."how do i wear a scarf?"

with just a bit of instruction...you can master the art of scarf tying, and really jazz up your outfits...first of all, many of us have trouble just getting our square scarves in the right shape for further styling...the diagram below shows just how to do that...it's actually quite easy - so practice this fold first...



look how beautiful my friend linda (and her outfit) looks with her vintage vera scarf...



the scarf as belt - this is a fun way to use the scarf, particularly in the spring and summer months...however it works in the winter months as well...(watch colors & weight of fabric)...it's simply a matter of passing the scarf through your belt loops and finishing with a basic knot...



take a look at the instructions below and have fun with this look...

fun times in santa fe, nm...

as some of you know...i had the wonderful opportunity to visit santa fe, nm for the first time a few weeks back...the trip was primarily to view the jana kos spring 2010 collection...which was...and is...fabulous!

these previews are fun...not only in viewing the "new" that is to be the next season...but also a chance to hang out with my fellow wardrobe stylists...many of whom have become dear friends of mine...

i thought i would share some of the pics from the trip...showing a taste of what i enjoyed during my time there...

sitting by the cozy fireplace...waiting to go out for dinner...

our one free day we ventured out...for shopping (of course) and came across this beautiful church...i love looking at beautiful buildings, museums, churches...don't you?


love the front doors

so beautiful...

manger scene...notice the chihuahua?? who knew...


i am in awe of stained glass windows


all dolled up and having fun at the cocktail party...aren't my friends lovely??


my lovely friend adena (and business partner) at the preview...


my beautiful fellow wardrobe stylists and friends


our last nite out for dinner...boy did we cover a lot of topics during dinner...

fashion funnies: hourglass to timeless...

i adore comic strips...about fashion...how can they not make you smile and perhaps not take things so seriously? so i thought that i would make this a regular feature on my blog...i'm thinking saturday would be a good day for it...=)

and i'm calling it: fashion funnies (thanks adena)

if you come across some...and would like to share them on this blog...i would love it...and of course...credit will be given where credit is due...

have a fabulous saturday!!

untamed optimism...

put on your rose colored glasses and get ready for better days ahead...

the 4th and final color group of the jana kos spring 2010 collection...but definately not the least...

as the economy rebounds from this debilitating recession your wardrobe needs to reflect a more positive attitude and a belief in our future...feather weight crinkled indigo separates have an all american appeal...comfort is key in this collection with loose fitting knit denim separates, elastic banded skirts and soft blouses...incorporating fresh petal pink in frosted linen into your spring wardrobe is sure to cheer up even the gloomiest day...exquisite european jacquards in pink and indigo add texture and opulence to this playful combination of wardrobe essentials...optism is the best weapon against adversity...

knit denim in loose fitting cascade front knit cocoon
loop trim front shell
knit denim pull on pant

wave jacquard (from italy) jacket trimmed w/crinkle fabric
tie dye knit top
crinkle pant

transferred rib cardigan set (also available in black or copper)
frosted linen (from italy) skirt in multi rows of horizontal seams w/wide box pleat trim at hem

frosted linen (from italy) jacket
retro flower print in silk crepe de chine w/ruffle front and drawstring at waist (also available in leopard print)
stretch denim jean


bubbles jacquard (from france) jacket w/curved seam detail and nickel zippers
v-neck front rib chevron sweater
chalk stripe pant
mother of pearl belt in silver perforated silver leather

this amazing collection will be shown in redwood shores, ca from february 10 - 21, 2010...by personal appointment only...

have you booked your appointment??

and...if you are not able to attend...but see something you like...i would be happy to take your order...

more of the jana kos collection...