January 22, 2014

Celebration: Karla's 21st Birthday


Today the 22nd of January, it's Karla Bosch's 21st Birthday!
Wish her a Happy Day by sharing &/or commenting on this post.

January 21, 2014

Your Body Shape – Tall Men: Key Pieces PART I


Introduction

In part one of our guide to dressing as a tall man, we outlined some general guidelines that this body type should adhere to in order to balance their often long and lean frame.

Although personal taste will dictate the way you dress or your personal style, depending on your body type there are also certain techniques that can be adopted to highlight the parts of your body you feel most comfortable with, whilst shifting attention away from those parts you don’t.

Tall men should look to break up the vertical lines and ‘linear’ silhouette produced naturally by their body – this helps to keep the upper and lower halves in proportion.

We will now aim to completely break down the tall man’s ideal wardrobe; detailing the key pieces that should be considered and providing inspiration as to how these can be paired together to create stylish and interesting looks.

Legwear

As highlighted, the ideal cut for taller men is straight or slim. Skinny fits will not only draw unwanted attention to leg length but will shape them to appear even longer. Tapered fits also emphasise length; the narrowing shape creates an imbalance with the upper body.
Straight and slim fits don’t widen or narrow the leg too much, keep your top and bottom half in proportion and are classic cuts that will never go out of style.

When considering leg length, always try before you buy because there are no set guidelines that all brands adhere too. Many will adjust inside leg measurement depending on waist size (i.e. the higher the waist size the longer the inseam), whilst a 34 from one brand can be closer to a 36 in another.

Topman Off White Slim ChinosTopman Mid Wash Coated Vintage Slim Jeans

It is imperative that you get the break right on your trousers as a taller gent. 

Little or no break can be perfect for those that want to introduce a statement sock or go sockless (breaking up the vertical line further) in spring/summer, whilst pooling material around your shoes is not only a sartorial faux pas but will draw the eye down – emphasising your leg length and even your shoe size, for those that are concerned.

Mid and low are the ideal jeans/trouser rise for tall men; a high rise will simply elongate the length of your legs.

If you are a shorts man, stick to knee length or just above – any shorter will only emphasise leg length. A couple of turns on the hems of your shorts will add subtle bulk/width to the leg and help break up the vertical line.

Allsaints Mitre Shorts
Topman Block Stripe Shorts

For those with longer torsos, why not try a pair of statement shorts/trousers – whether printed, patterned or coloured – in order to draw attention to your lower half?

Alternatively, white trousers and jeans are a timeless spring/summer option for those with long, skinny legs that will add bulk due to their colouring, keeping your top and bottom half in proportion.

Tops & Shirts

Asos 3/4 Sleeve T-shirt With Grandad Neck And Contrast SleevesAsos 3/4 Sleeve T-shirt With Bound Scoop Neck
Finding the correct fitting shirt can be a difficult task for the majority of men, but for a tall man it can seem much harder. Sleeves finishing short of the wrist, excess material around the chest and stomach and a struggle to find a shirt long enough are all problems regularly faced.

The key is not to go oversized. Buying the next size up may seem more comfortable and a wiser decision but it will just appear badly fitted. 

Many designer and high street brands now produce specialist ‘long’ sleeve/body ranges – such as MOSS, Next, Burton, M&S, Debenhams etc. – meaning there is no excuse for you not to look as sharp as possible. Find time to try a number of styles and avoid ‘boxy’ cuts.

Signature White Shirt

A wide range of t-shirts and tops is crucial in any wardrobe. Short-sleeved and elbow length styles will help to break up the length and vertical lines created by your arms, whilst something as simple as giving your sleeves a couple of turns or pushing up long sleeves can add definition and bulk to skinny limbs.

In terms of cuts and necklines, wide crew and scoop neck styles will emphasise shoulder and chest shape, thus adding width to your top half. If you are concerned about the length of your neck, avoid lengthening v-neck styles and instead opt for polo shirts – they will naturally add width and bulk to this area.

Allsaints Steady 3/4 Sleeve Henley

Colour (both bold and neutral), prints and stripes (horizontal/vertical) can all be integrated nicely into this section of your wardrobe and used to draw attention to your upper half or add width/length as required.



To be continued... 


Courtesy of FashionBeans.com


January 10, 2014

Pantone: 2014 Colour of the Year


Pantone Reveals Colour of the Year for 2014:
PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid
Expressive, exotic Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and warmth
CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 5, 2013 – Pantone, an X-Rite company and the global authority, today announced PANTONE® 18-3224 Radiant Orchid, a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple, as the colour of the year for 2014.
“While the 2013 colour of the year, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the colour wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”


Radiant Orchid for Fashion
Radiant Orchid’s rosy undertones radiate on the skin, producing a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. A dazzling attention-getter, Radiant Orchid permeated the runways during the spring 2014 fashion shows and is already making its way onto the red carpet. Fashion designers featured in the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Spring 2014, including Emerson by Jackie Fraser-Swan, Juicy Couture and Yoana Baraschi, are incorporating Radiant Orchid into their spring collections and variations of this hue will carry into men’s and women’s clothing and accessories throughout next year.






Radiant Orchid for Beauty
A modern and surprisingly versatile shade, Radiant Orchid enlivens the skin, making all who wear it feel more healthy and energetic. Blending both cool and warm undertones, purple is an appealing hue for distinctive combinations and flattering to many hair, eye and skin tones.

This multifaceted hue is seductive when combined with red and pairs well with its sister shades of lavender, purple and pink, which provides an assortment of lipstick and blush options. Radiant Orchid’s exuberance also acts as a brilliant finishing touch to nails.
Radiant Orchid for Interiors
Spruce up interior spaces by incorporating this eye-catching hue in paint, accent pieces and accessories. As adaptable as it is beautiful, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows.

Likewise, the vibrant color is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergizes almost any color palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces.


Cross-Referencing to Other PANTONE Libraries
PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid can also be cross-referenced to all other PANTONE Libraries including PANTONE PLUS for graphic design. For cross-referencing information, see www.pantone.com/ColoroftheYear.



Courtesy of Pantone




October 24, 2013

Meet: Atelier Kathy Wilson



Kathy Wilson is a women's and men's custom and contemporary clothing line founded in 2009.

" I design out of my home studio in Brooklyn. I sketch and drape on my dress forms here. Then I get my samples done and take sales appointments out of my showroom in New York’s garment district. I generally have clients that see my work and then make a request for a suit or a dress. Then I ask them what their budget is because I want to make sure I go under budget. I proceed by asking them what they like and don’t like about their body. I ask about fabrics, colors, cuts, and then I take their measurements. I create three sketches and then they get to pick which one they want to make. Sometimes, they make all of them. " - Kathy


The company was profiled on Season 2 of the critically acclaimed series, "All On The Line With Joe Zee" for Sundance channel in December 2011. Kathy Wilson's clients include Stevie Wonder (2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner), Michelle Pfeiffer, Sophia Bush, Chris Jacobs, Diplo, Masi Oka, Adam Lambert, and more.
In 2011, Kathy was recognized as an emerging Asian American fashion designer by the Asia Society. At least 5% of Kathy Wilson's profits annually will go to the Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth (GAPPS).
They are proud to be made in New York City.



http://kathywilson.com/










Prom Look 2013: Jenique & Rico



Its this time of the year where, like us South Africans call it, Matric Farewells (proms), are all over South Africa on the going! This year I decided to pick one couple that is in my  Facebook friends list and do a article about them, about for ex. who they are, where they're from and WHAT they are wearing!

Wanna know what Jenique Fourie (18) and her partner Rico Joubert (19) wore to SOMERSET WEST PRIVATE SCHOOL's matric farewell?

Jenique:

Earrings: YDE (Young Designers Emporium)


Dress Designer: Angie Fashions



Shoes: Foschini



Rico:

Suit, Tie & Shirt: Markhams


Shoes: Markhams



No farewell is completed without a photo or two with the parents...



Location: 
Strand, Wes Kaap, South Africa

Photos by
Chantall Marshall Photography & Design

https://www.facebook.com/chantallmarshallphotography