According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary “Luxury” is defined as a condition of abundance or great ease and comfort; something adding to pleasure or comfort but not absolutely necessary; or an indulgence in something that provides pleasure, satisfaction, or ease.
Luxury brings to mind the feeling of fresh, crisp sheets on a 4-poster bed at a 5-star hotel. The sumptuous bedding creates an atmosphere almost unrivalled by the delights waiting to be savoured outside your hotel room. At the end of an exhausting day of sightseeing, the fine bedding awaits you with its promise of a perfect night’s sleep, a rare comfort often unattainable at home.
Many of the world’s most iconic high-end hotels share the same linen provider, a brand synonymous with luxury since 1860. Frette, which began in France in 1860 and relocated to Italy in 1865, today serves such world-renowned establishments as The Ritz in London, Hotel George V in Paris, Savoy Hotel in London, Plaza Hotel in New York, Raffles Hotel in Singapore; The Peninsula in Hong Kong; Inter-Continental in al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia; Four Seasons; and all Ritz-Carlton hotels in the U.S.
Frette’s take on luxury expands beyond hotel stays: its fine fabrics and textures can be enjoyed in personal apparel and décor items including bath robes and linens, pajamas, clothing and accessories. The pure cashmere collection includes exquisite hats, scarves, gloves and blankets. In 2001, the company introduced Luxury and Warm: new collections of home accessories in silk, brocades, precious furs and cashmere.
Frette customers partake in an impressive and storied legacy. The history includes becoming official purveyors to the Italian Royal Family in 1881; creating the Tablecloth of the “Holy Virgin” for the altar of St. Basilica’s in Rome in 1894; dressing the banqueting room of the Titanic in 1911; and Frette products are still used on the Orient Express train.
The Fashion Spot posted this picture of the new Chanel hula hoop bag, a fine example of useless design. Karl Lagerfeld argues his creative bag is very functional: he intends for you to stick it in the sand at the beach and hang your towel over it! No wonder the best fashion blogs agree that a sandy beach and Chanel price tags do not go together.
A family member’s recent gift to my 12-year-old daughter sparked a conversation about age-appropriate clothing choices. A pair of leopard print underwear opened the door to a discussion about why animal prints are not always appropriate for children.
Just a few days later, outrage over Elizabeth Hurley’s line of bikinis for little girls broke in the news, with the leopard print pattern the biggest point of contention. Check out the video for an expert account of why you’ll want to think twice about putting your preteen or early teen daughter in animal prints or high heels.
Nathalie-Roze & Co. reported on Facebook today that independent Toronto boutique, Pho Pa, is closing its doors. She wrote: Stellar indie boutique Pho Pa has closed, after several years on Queen St. West. This is disheartening. The shop’s fiercely stylish owner/curator (Alexia Lewis) was one of the first retailers to really take Canadian fashion seriously. She’s long supported emerging local talent & gave it legit cachet. RIP Pho Pa. ♥
My sister and I used to have fun shopping at Pho Pa. You could find unique pieces that were practical yet quirky enough to make you feel like an individual, at very reasonable price tags. My sis and I have disparate styles yet both of us found what we were looking for at Pho Pa. The customer service was stellar, too, with the staff taking a vested interest in styling you and making sure you “understood” the clothing.
There’s something about an independent boutique you can’t get at the mall – styling services by the owner and founder, for instance. Maybe Alexia Lewis described you when she told BlogTO about her ideal customer: “They’ve grown up at shopping malls or making their own clothes and are sick and tired of both. They’re frustrated. Not rich. Not blenders. They just want their clothing to show who they are.”
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High heels are a sought-after staple of every fashionable woman’s wardrobe, with heights varying from a kitten heel of 11⁄2 inches to a stiletto heel of 4 inches or more.
High heels emerged as a fashion statement in the late 16th century and by the 17th century were coveted by wealthy men, women and children. At the time, high heels were a status symbol, proclaiming to the world that the wearer was free from the physical labour and demands of the lower classes.
The style and look of high heels has evolved according to needs of the time. The T-strap prevalent on the flapper-style heels of the 1920s indicated women’s increased mobility and vigorous activity, designed as they are to keep the shoe firmly on the foot.
Despite the stock market crash and the beginning of a world war, the 1930s saw the invention of both the platform and the wedge heel. Wedges shoes provide added comfort while retaining a stylish look.
In the 1950s, newly-invented stilettos ushered in an era of feminine elegance. In the 1960s, elegance gave way to youthful whimsy and designs became more playful, child-like even.
We often hear about the physical discomfort of wearing heels, but take comfort in knowing there are several benefits:
- Heels alter your posture to be more upright, causing many women to feel more ‘powerful’ and ‘sexy’
- They make you look taller
- Legs look longer
- Your calf muscle is magically elongated and accentuated
- Feet look smaller and toes shorter
- The arches of your feet are higher and better defined
- Heels may improve the tone of a woman’s pelvic floor! (betcha didn’t know that)
- They help petite women sit upright on chairs with feet flat on floor rather than dangling legs
Next Image Consulting (NIC) & From Do’s To Shoes Styling (FDTSS) are proud to announce Fashion Flip 2012– a unique ladies night out that will include a professionally executed clothing swap, complimentary food & beverage service, on site spa services, vendor booths selling jewelry, skin care products, and more. All proceeds from the event benefit Sheena’s Place, a non-profit support house that focuses on aiding people suffering from eating disorders.
Nicole Schwartz, a Certified Image Consultant, founded Toronto based Next Image Consulting. She strives to help individuals present their “best self” possible. From Do’s To Shoes Styling was founded by Jana Stern. Her sensitivity to people’s comfort levels and her sincere and direct honesty coupled with her knowledge of the female form makes Jana a five star stylist.
Inspired by the body image struggles some of Nicole and Jana’s clients face on a daily basis, Fashion Flip will be an evening filled with fashion and fund raising. Women will bring between two and five articles of swappable clothing to be exchanged for “fashion flip bucks”. The event will also showcase vendors from around the GTA.
Tickets will only be available online at fashionflip2012.eventbrite.com
You’ve probably read about Disney’s collaboration with Barney’s New York in which its characters are rendered unrecognizable in an attempt to couture-ize them for the high fashion market. After reading the well-considered rebuke from the Academy of Eating Disorders provided by Ashley at Nourishing the Soul, I have to ask: “What was Disney thinking?”
Disney made the change to their iconic figures after a Barney’s rep said their original forms would not look good in designer clothing.
Disney might be excused for being out of the loop when it comes to fashion and body image discussion, but does Barney’s not keep up with the most mainstream fashion news including Vogue’s manifesto to clean up its body image messaging and Ben Barry’s latest research that women intend to purchase more when the model looks more like them?
How many of its own clientele is Barney’s insulting by saying designer clothing only looks good on ultra-tall super-slender body types?
The ridiculous assertion that only a certain body type is qualified to model designer clothing because it “hangs better” (let’s call it the draping philosophy) is completely outmoded and has been thoroughly debunked at this point.
If you are a mother, you have the best reason to seethe at this offensive ad campaign…your children. As AED states in its release:
Viewership of such images is associated with low self-esteem and body dissatisfaction in young girls and women, placing them at risk for development of body image disturbances and eating disorders. These conditions can have devastating psychological as well as medical consequences. [Barney's] campaign runs counter to efforts across the globe to improve both the health of runway models and the representation of body image by the fashion industry.
Love to hear your thoughts.
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The significance of prom has risen exponentially over the past few decades. For many students, it is the most important night of their entire high school career. Since the dance is exclusive to seniors, underclassmen are only allowed to attend if they receive an invite. Thus, girls begin envisioning their perfect prom dress long before they are seniors.
The definition of a perfect prom dress has changed dramatically in the past two decades. The days of a big princess dress with a demure sweetheart neckline are long gone. The taffeta gowns with puff sleeves of the 80s are a source of much ridicule today. Fortunately, dresses became less elaborate in the following decade when girls began imitating debutantes. Modest A-Line gowns with long gloves became popular in the early 90s. The trend toward wearing revealing dresses began in the late 90s with front slits.
As a new century began, the slits became higher. Fashion trends shifted from formal and modest to simple and revealing. And with access to the World Wide Web, came more exposure to celebrities and fashion. Girls could now find out exactly what their favorite celebrities were wearing and mimic them. They want to look like Angelina Jolie, not Cinderella. That means wearing dresses that are glamorous enough for the red carpet. A quick online search for prom dresses will show results featuring dresses with thigh-high slits, plunging necklines and sexy cutouts. Since the styles are less formal, short prom dresses are also rising in popularity. The fabric of the dresses have also changed. Fabrics such as jersey, charmeuse and chiffon are now preferable to taffeta and satin. Girls are also more willing to try new trends such as animal prints, florals and brocade.
These dramatic changes have forced school administrators to create guidelines for prom attire. Many schools do not allow revealing dresses and there have been controversies with students who have been banned from their proms. But fashion is cyclical and demure dresses could become trendy once again. Twenty years from now, high school girls may be clamoring to wear taffeta princess gowns.
Wow! 100 years of fashion history in 100 seconds found on Youtube. Notice how the dance moves also evolve with the styles. What’s your favourite era?
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John Greed is proud to announce the arrival of popular new brands for AW12. Customers can shop for the latest jewellery collections online.
The designer watch and jewellery retailer, John Greed Jewellery invite customers online to browse a spectacular section of coveted jewellery brands online. Customers can shop for fabulous gifts for friends and family or treat themselves to a pair of Links of London cufflinks, Thomas Sabo jewellery and Swatch watches among other things.
John Greed Jewellery is dedicated to providing customers with endless choices when it comes to classic and contemporary jewellery. With the most sought after jewellery brands including Pandora, DKNY, Martine Wester, Hot Diamonds, Trollbeads and more, you won’t find a better selection elsewhere. John Greed Jewellery constantly updates their collections to bring you the latest designs inspired by all of the latest jewellery trends.
The latest stock for the season ahead includes on trend designer watches, charm bracelets, dazzling pendant, spectacular rings and much much more. Whether you want to shop online for jewellery to complement your winter wardrobe or require something special to wear on an evening, you can choose from one of the largest jewellery collections online.
The reputable jewellery retailer would like to invite customers online to shop for both traditional and trendy pieces that are hot off the catwalk. Customers can order designer jewellery online from the comfort of their own home and get the latest designs delivered direct to your door.
ABOUT
John Greed Jewellery is an official online retailer of Pandora and Links of London jewellery. Other brands from the online jewellery and watch retailer include Thomas Sabo, Police, Michael Kors, Diesel, Swarovski, Hot Diamonds, Ted Baker and a totally original and unique John Greed collection.
The shopping site is popular with fashion conscious men and women in the UK and the company is passionate about fulfilling the hottest style trends with the most reputable jewellery brands of our time.
