plush velvet...

the look of richness...sensual...and luminous...and while most think of velvet in black...velvet in color is quite stunning...it is a piece that could truly enhance your wardrobe...and the ideas?  well...they are limitless...whether you opt for a good tailored velvet blazer...which...by the way...can be worn with jeans and a t-shirt...and look well put together...or go all out glam in a velvet cocktail dress...velvet plushness is a must...

if you are adventurous...go for a sleek sexy pair of skinny jeans...in velvet...the black floral print on these is so unexpected...feminine...yet tough...the best of both worlds...

current/elliott ankle zip skinny jeans
nordstrom

but do venture out beyond your basic black velvet...like a pair of fabulous pair of velvet colored jeans...

matchstick velvet jean
j crew

if skirts are more your thing...how about a luscious olive green...mix in some fabulous metallic necklaces...simple top...and you are set...simple and lovely...

topshop velvet skater skirt
nordstrom

 velvet slippers anyone?  how perfect would these be to finish off an outfit...a perfect shade of blue...

classic velvet slippers
stubbs & wootton for j crew

and the blazer...you just can't go wrong...so many lovely colors to choose from...i actually think the colors show more of the richness of the fabric...so while i say...a black blazer is good to have...venture out...and opt for some color...

talbots orange velvet blazer
currently in my fabulous finds consignment boutique

what other choices are there?  try a lovely tunic in a velvet...pair it with some leggings...accessorize...and you are ready to go to that festive outing...whatever your choices are...scarves, pants, shoes, jackets...look for some plush velvet to add to your wardrobe...

so do you texturize?

texture...think of it as the subtlest form of patterning...it is what gives clothing its richness and visual depth...


though you may be dressed in black from head to toe...the ribbing on your turtleneck...which sets it apart from the tight weave of your wool gabardine suit...which is in turn complemented by the plushness of your alpaca overcoat and the dull shine of your leather handbag...that is texture at work...


experiment with opposites: the sheen of satin with the earthier roughness of wool; luxurious velvet with basic denim; sheer voile with cotton broadcloth...


playing with contrasting textures can help fudge colors that don't quite match...and combining items of different textures is a way to vary the seasonality and mood of your wardrobe without having to buy a lot of extras...

and if you are like me...and can't do the "all black" look...add a pop of color...for me it is either a bright colored handbag...or shoes...

so do you texturize??

some designer texture facts:
miyake - born in 1938, japanese designer issey miyake has been called a sculptor whose medium is fabric...his radical experimentation with pleated, wrinkled, and folded cloth...as well as with basket-woven straw, ikat weaves, and paper fabric...has yielded designs that seem ancient, contemporary, and futuristic...using historically japanese shapes and exotic combinations of materials...miyake subjects his fabrics to punishing treatments in order to bring out well-worn textures and richness...

fortuny - mariano fortuny was born into a prolifically artistic family in granada in 1871...exceeding even his accomplished relatives, fortuny went on to become a staggeringly creative designer and inventor, perhaps most famous for the pleated silk fabric that now bears his name....each of his silk dresses required three to four times their width in material and were stored by gathering up the pleats and tying the dress into a tight ball...making it ideal for travel...the pleats were formed by crimping wet silk between heated porcelain rods, a process which held one of his twenty patents...fortuny died in 1949, but his fashion influence lived on in the collections of such designers as balenciaga and more recently mary mcfadden, karl lagerfeld, and issey miyake...

fa la la la la...off we go to another soiree...

excerpt from our december newsletter...

fa la la la la...
(all together now!)

isn't this the most wonderful time of the year??!! even though the stores have been pummelling us with christmas thoughts since before halloween, now IS truly the time to jump into the season and let ourselves enjoy all it's goodness...

that being said, from the fashion perspective, we've been getting questions on how to update one's holiday attire...so let's talk turkey (oops! that holiday is over. oh well...) whether you're going to the office party, a dinner party, or dinner & dancing, this year's multi-tasking holiday tips (meaning, they work for men AND women) will help you get all spruced-up for the season...

*add a vest...ladies, there are so many lovely choices out there. maybe you'd like something with sparkle...or a subtle metallic sheen...or in a regal burgundy, royal blue or purple...or how about fur (faux or real)? guys, your vest can be done in the traditional holiday plaid, but would be more innovative in a rich velvet, brocade or said regal burgundy, royal blue or purple mentioned above. (however, don't try to match your lady - that's just too much!) any of these options will instantly update your look and add that special touch that says "i'm ready for the party!"

*speaking of velvet...it's classic holiday dressing. for us gals, a velvet pant and tunic or cami are luscious (and comfy too!) besides the vest mentioned above, guys look so handsome in a velvet blazer (this looks great with jeans too, for a dressy casual home party...)

*shine on...with touches of glimmer and shimmer...the operative word here is "touches". while guys are probably not going to be tempted to overdo it (a shimmery shirt or tie will probably be the extent of it), us gals have to remember not to load it on too heavily. we have all kinds of choices, from tops to pants to jackets to dresses to shoes to jewels to purses (isn't it fun to be a girl and have all of these options?!) stick to just a couple of statement items so you'll make the kind of statement that's flattering, not blinding...

*add some color...and we don't mean black! yes, traditionally it's the 'go-to' color for dressy occasions, but have some fun with your holiday attire...add a pop of bright color - guys in a great tie or bow-tie, or shirt - ladies in a 'wow' top or skirt, or maybe some fuschia satin pumps or sandals, for example...all black is just too ordinary when there are so many other options out there...

men: thought i would help you out with a few stores...

*Nordstrom has some festive vests (one in particular - a muted silver - would be great for the season) and shirts with a bit of (not too much) shimmer...

*Barcelino (one store in hillsdale mall, three in the city) has lots of great italian-made jackets, sweaters and silk shirts that are perfect for the holidays...not to mention fabulous pants, shoes, belts, you name it...you'll get fabulous personalized service too.

and above all...remember to have some fun!

voluptuous velvet...

when in doubt about what to wear to an evening or daytime holiday or winter celebration requiring a dressy casual outfit...consider wearing velvet...

velvet has lost its evening-only status over the years and is available in both jean and pajama-style pants, tunic tops, dresses, and skirts of all lengths and styles...you can dress velvet up or down just by changing your accessories...

with the addition of spandex, lycra, and other fabrics that stretch...many velvet pieces also allow you to be as comfortable as you are elegant!

caring for velvet: the best-quality velvet has a deep pile and is made from cotton or a cotton-rayon blend...acrylic is also used to make velvet...but it is less durable and the pile is easily damaged when moist...areas in velvet that show wear most after only a limited amount of use are the seat and crease areas at the hips, knees, and elbows...

check the care label on all your velvets...although some are machine- and hand-washable these days...it still might be best to have all your velvets professionally dry cleaned...dry cleaning is the gentlest method of cleaning velvet...reputable dry cleaners also have specialized equipment to help restore it after each wear...

black velvet...

what do you really need to get along in life? air, water, food, shelter, and some black velvet...yes, black velvet...along with a nice crisp white shirt...

it was a sultry actress and torch singer marlene dietrich's basic outfit - a ruffled white blouse and black velvet pants...

this go-anywhere, do-anything outfit has been reinterpreted every decade, from twiggy in the sixties to a new ralph lauren variation every season...

just years ago, sharon stone caused a sensation at the oscars when she put together a long black velvet skirt, her husband's white shirt, and a diamond-encrusted lizard pin on the back of the skirt's waistband...now that is a memorable look...

with black velvet pants or a black velvet skirt and a stark white shirt, you can go anywhere on a moment's notice...no need to fuss over what you are going to wear because, like the air you breath, it is already there...