Olsen Inspiration

Most of the photos are 3 or 4 years old, I've had them stored away in my inspiration folder for years..its amazing how their style from 2 or 3 years ago still manages to inspire me to this day.

Top 10 tips to vintage style your wardrobe

Vintage Fashion

If personal style and a touch of class are important to you and, at the same time, you want your buying decisions to be good for the planet, then you probably already have some beautiful vintage items in your wardrobe. If not, it may be time to start.

Buying vintage ticks a lot of boxes. As well as allowing you to express yourself individually (think beautiful and one-off items) you are ensuring the continued use of perfectly usable items and, as a bonus, you will probably spend less.

How to vintage style your wardrobe
Although it’s a very personal activity with no rights or wrongs, here’s our top ten vintage tips from the experts:

One – get out there and have a look
Locate vintage stores in your area (or wherever you’re shopping): try googling ‘vintage’, ‘opportunity’ or ‘charity’ shops, ‘secondhand stalls’ or ‘markets’.
Browse – you need to have a bit of time on your hands and enjoy hunting through the eclectic selection you’ll find in most shops.
If it’s your local area, you’ll soon find your favourite destinations that seem to have those quirky little items that match your own quirky style.

Two – be open to opportunity, with a twist of practicality
Don’t be too fussy. If you find something you really like, but it’s not quite perfect, ask yourself whether – with a little effort – you can fix it or have it professionally cleaned. If you want to clean an item yourself using a natural cleaner, white vinegar is excellent on many stains (test it first on a part of the fabric you can’t see). Do be realistic and discerning though. You don’t want to buy something that just sits in one of your drawers, unworn for the rest of time because the thought of fixing it is just too much. Look out for stains that can’t be removed (eg make-up or deodorant), grubby or frayed cuffs and collars that will not clean or repair.

Three – pick a style, theme or era
This is one approach. It may be that you’re just nuts about the 1950s or Katherine Hepburn’s eponymous style. You may only want to wear black and red. Sometimes a theme helps focus the mind – although beware of going over the top and looking like you are on your way to a fancy dress party.

Four – be creative and eclectic
This is the opposite approach to number three. Go for a new interpretation and combine items in novel ways. Have fun! Try things and buy things you have never considered before. You may find a cut that absolutely suits your shape and personal style, not to mention the fabrics you can find. Having an eclectic wardrobe allows you to put an unlimited combination of items together, to suit any mood or occasion.

Five – Accessorise
There are some absolutely fantastic accessories from bygone days out there – bakelite brooches, hats, gloves and scarves from just about every era, as well as belts, shoes and a wonderful selection of costume jewellery. Sometimes less is more and a small statement piece can make an outfit.

Six – Modern Twist
Supplement with current items – give it a modern interpretation and give it your own interpretation. (Another way to ensure you avoid that carnival costume look.) For example, you could mix a 1950s twinset with a sexy contemporary tailored skirt and add stylish and one-off accessories for that final touch. Authentic 1950s ‘cardigan clips’ complete with chain might just finish the outfit perfectly.

Seven – A nostalgic item from a particular period, designer or fashion icon
Josephine’s empire line, Coco Chanel’s knitted suit, Yves St Laurent’s black tie trouser suit, bell-bottom trousers and fair isle skinny knits, wonderful Victorian cotton nighties updated as dresses. Hipster mini skirts worn with suede boots, vintage scarves and belts, a wealth of vintage denim. If you come across a 1930s pink satin knee length petticoat with lace bodice and you have the figure – knockout.

Eight – Be inspired
If you are lucky enough to live in a decent sized city or town, look out for any retrospective fashion exhibitions. If the curator has done their job well, apart from the delight of seeing beautiful fabrics and prints, you can research a look or an era.

Nine – Read up on fashion history
Apart from the inspiration you can get from fashion photography and illustration (which themselves are representative of different eras), like me, you might enjoy learning about the diverse and interesting circumstances that have influenced and shaped the way we have dressed over the years. The internet, libraries and the fashion section of good bookshops are all full of fantastic reference material.

Ten – Back to basics: hair and make-up
A great haircut or bright red lipstick will make you look intentional. As long as you look like you mean it, you will avoid vintage clothing looking like you’ve just raided your grandmother’s closet – or the local clothing bank. Your look can be from a particular period (if you want to go the whole hog) or contemporary. Set off that outfit you’ve created!

BEST OF THE WEEK

You Should Know: Rihanna’s Stylist Mariel Haenn

Hey!

So with Rihanna always in the spotlight for her daring fashion choices, I thought it apropos to (finally) take a quick look at her long time stylist:

…Mariel Haenn.

The half Puerto Rican image sculptor is the stylistic force behind Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and “Hate that I Love You” videos, as well as the mastermind behind dozens of her red carpet, performance, and candid outfits:

Not limited to just Rih Rih, Mariel was recently tapped by Ciara, working with the ATL songstress for red carpet appearances as well as videos such as “Work” “Go Girl” and “Love Sex and Magic”:

Haenn has been known to work with Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Meagan Good, Keri Hilson, Angela and Vanessa Simmons and even Lauren Conrad!

In an interview with Latina Magazine, Haenn said, “At first I thought I wanted to design clothes, but styling turned out to be more exciting. It allowed me to design the overall look and help create distinguished personalities for musicians and celebs.”

See more of her work on her website http://www.marielhaenn.com/ or follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MarielHaenn.

How to Become a Fashion Model?

Do you want to be a Fashion Model? What are your chances to be in the Fashion Modelling Industry? Find out How to Become a Fashion Model by reading on…

Modelling is easy and difficult, depending on the attributes, physical assets, and luck that you have will determine how easy or hard to get in the industry. Often times, it is easier for tall women to get in if great personality is present. It is not all about the looks, it is the total package that counts. Here’s the checklist to find out if you can get in.

10 Tips in How to Become a Fashion Model?

1. PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES – Modeling is mostly looks and presentation. Modelling is selling. It is very important in the industry to have a great height, 5′8″ ft. above is the well acceptedmodelling wise. Whether catwalk, editorial, commercial, etc… Height is necessary because designers create clothes that will cater for everyone. You as a model is the living hanger on the catwalk, your job is to present the clothing well to the market specially on the runway.
2. STYLE – Personal style is obvious. You should be a model of your own, when styling is natural to you, you will be noticed by people around you. People that knows you may consider you their local fashion icon. That itself is a good beginning if you’re a natural model. You know you have what it takes a bit when you just don’t follow trends, yet you are fashionable in every way.
3. ATTITUDE - Even though height is the hardest obstacle inmodelling, short models still exist in the industry such as the legendary supermodel, Kate Moss. Due to the help of her attitude, confidence, and her personal style. Confidence and Self-Esteem is attitude. Believe yourself, and go from there.
4. PERSONALITY - It is not just that, as a model people look up to you. Make you their role model from your outfit to your personality up to your character. A great value and quality product is easier to sell than damaged goods. However, be yourself and opportunity will come to you in an unexpected way if it’s meant for you. First impressions are always important in the industry, it is a tough crowd, be strong.
5. SOCIALIZE – You don’t have to hire a marketing agency to get you into the industry, although that would be a great help. Perhaps, if you can do it in a simple and similar way on how they do it, then you save more bucks to get you shop more for styling. Socialize, attend fashion related gatherings and events. These would help you know better the people that are in the industry. Getting the attention of the fashion magazine editors will pimp you a bit in the wide public when she gets you published in her magazine. Meet fashion designers, regular party goers that might know names in the industry, it is a gossipy world so take your chance to plunge in there, it is still marketing.
6. ASK YOURSELF QUESTIONS - Yes, ask yourself if you really want to do this? This is a tough world. Therefore, you need to be strong and determined, people will tell you harsh words, criticize you, you will have to face the media if you manage to get in and the more you become successful in the industry the tougher you get drilled. So be ready and sure of what you really want. Designers will ask you to wear daring and revealing clothes, and it is your job to wear and sell it on the runway. If you don’t want to wear revealing clothes, it will show on the runway and why would they buy it if the model itself doesn’t want to wear it.
7. HARD WORK - It is not just a flashy glamorous world as you might have thought. It is hardwork. Photoshoots depends on the clients, events and gatherings that you have to be present as part of the socializing/marketing might be left and right. Travelling here and there might be tiring for you plus the non-sleep work , as well as the effort to stay in great shape, size, skin, and best look as possible with all those things happening all at the same time.
8. BE SMART – Do not rely on anyone for your success or failure, depend only to yourself. Great things happen to smart people because they know how to make smart decisions. Temptations are high in this world so keep your focus on the goal. This might bring you down if you’re lacking this.
9. RESEARCH – Know more about the new world you are about to enter. Find out the right people and their hang-outs, the places and events that can give you great opportunities to be discovered. It is essential to know about the environment before you make your move, so you will know the approach necessary to it.
10. KNOW YOUR LIMIT – If you think you have tried enough and things aren’t changing for you, it is best to re-assess your goal. There are a lot of avenues in fashion industry that you might be interested in or fit in. Styling, designing, writing, photography, etc… It is a wide wild world, if fashion is your passion you can try the other avenues than wasting your time when nothing is happening. Maybe it is not for you and theres’ something better written in your cards.

These are just few to add in your checklist if you want to be a supermodel. Start your move now as the fashion modelling industry starts at a really young age! Goodluck!

How to Dress Up That Little Black Dress

The beauty about the little black dress is that you can create many dramatic looks with it. You can dress it from office to party with the right accessories.

1. Add jewelry. Additions that work well include a necklace that fits the neckline style of the dress, a brooch pinned in a cute spot, or an updo with daring earrings. The list is really endless as far as combos go!
2. Put on pantyhose if it would even out your skin tone on your legs, and add a pair of cute shoes. The colors can easily be altered, depending on the look you're going for. Plain black and unadorned flats look more office casual while a pair of red high-heeled pumps can add a bit of excitement.
3. Try an evening look. A little bit of glitter with costume jewelry can go a long way. Accessorize with jewelery, and you're good to go.
4. Add a small clutch or handbag. A larger bag works for casual wear while a simple clutch in a dazzling color works for dressing up.
5. Wear a pair of white satin gloves and pearls with round toe pumps, if it is a shift style dress. Round toe pumps are an important bit for this look. It's very Audrey Hepburn and romantic, and pointed toes are a bit too fierce for such a soft and retro look.
6. Try a very simple pair of black pumps, preferably rounded and a pair of chandelier earring with a dupioni silk wrap. The chandelier earrings and dupioni silk wraps look great when matching and a warm color.
7. A belt at the waist creates great emphasis and interest to a plain black dress.
8. Wear coloured tights, with matching nail polish, hair accesories and/or jewellry to dress up any style of black dress.

Tips

• Always keep it clean and ironed. Dry cleaning is a smart option.
• A lint brush is your best friend! If you don't have one, buy one or try to keep your dress really clean and free from pet hair or lint.
• Change into a different pair of shoes to change the look.
• Wear it with tights in autumn/the fall and winter for warmth or even a bit of color.

Warnings

• The fit of the dress is everything since it is so plain... imperfections will stick out more if the dress is too tight or too loose, so take caution and only buy and wear things that will fit you.

DIOR HAUTE COUTURE FALL/WINTER 2010

Hayden Panettiere Spotted

Hayden in Nancy Gonzalez and Slane & Slane

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere and Seventeen Magazine Host Screening of ‘I Love You Beth Cooper’ at the AMC Loews Theater in New York City, USA on the 7th July 2009.

Panettiere looked amazing in her Andy & Deb dress. She accessorized her look with a Nancy Gonzalez clutch and Slane & Slane small bee omega earrings and ring.

Hayden Panettiere

Panettiere is wearing an Elizabeth and James dress and Guissepe Zanotti open-toe booties. She chose to finish off her look with a purple Nancy Gonzalez clutch. As always, Panettiere looked gorgeous as she smiled for the paparazzi.

Hayden Panettiere pictured leaving her NYC hotel on her way to the ‘It’s on with Alexa Chung’ show at the MTV Studios in Times Square, Manhattan.

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere outside The Ed Sullivan Theater for her appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman in New York City.