Golden at the Globes 2012!

I just love this time of year! Film critics are busy at work nudging their spectacles up and down their nose. The fashion houses are in over-drive vying for their spot on the red carpet and the celebs themselves turning gowns into works of art or on occasion devaluing that art perhaps!

Lastnight was no exception.
A lot of monochromatic looks coming into force as seen on Claire Danes and Kate Winslet.

Nicole Kidman looked every inch the statuesque goddess in Versace. The gold embellishment on the dress compliments Nicole’s complexion. The ‘V’ neck and figure hugging line framing her shape to perfection.

Angelina Jolie (for me) made a poignant return to the red carpet fashion stakes in Atelier Versace.
The dramatic and angular turn-down neckline and thigh high slit to the pop of red and elegant draping from the waist - Stunning!

Speaking of making a return, although she grabbed attention I’m not sure it was the right attention for Sarah Michelle Gellar in a Monique Lhuillier gown. Perhaps I’m just not ready to embrace the revival of the over-sized tie-die look!

Michelle Williams in Jason Wu looked more matronly than Marilyn. On the back of her Munroe performance, Michelle really had the chance to wow on the red carpet but in this ill coloured gown and misplaced headband, I’m left cold.

That said my appetite is satisfactorily whetted in anticipation of the Oscars!

Stuck in a Style-Rut?

Angelina Jolie premieres her new movie 'In the Land of Blood and Honey' wearing a black ensemble from Ralph Lauren and an Ofira necklace. (below right)
As always she looks effortlessly elegant.
However, is Ange getting stuck in a ‘style-rut?

Save yourself from getting stuck.
Know your shape but keep a keen eye on trends and design lines and how to apply them to your body type.

Check mate!

The geometric patterns are on the retail stands again this Autumn/Winter and while the checkered look can be quite classic and suit a ‘straight’ figure-type really well – this pattern is really not for us curvier girls.

Now, I’m not saying throw it out of your wardrobe immediately.
What I am saying is - wear large amounts with caution.
Point in case- if you’re a little more shapely around the derriere then perhaps avoid skirts and trousers.
Try it in a fitted jacket instead…

Fame!

Okay, so I’m biased when it comes to these pin-cozies but as a dancer leg-warmers are my trusted friends.
I wear them like a big warm hug before every performance.

Does this mean that the ‘Fame’ inspired style should leave the theatre or the dance studio?
Well, as the saying goes; “Everything in moderation’!

Hitting the streets with Fame’s Coco-esqe coloured leggings, leg-warmers and dance shoes may not be the look to aesthetically represent you best in this decade.
However a more subdued version (shown here) will and does work and will keep those precious pins nice n’ toasty!

Layer Up!

The best way to make use of your multi-seasonal wardrobe is by layering.
T-shirts? Pop a long-sleeve top underneath.
That jersey dress you bought during the summer ? Pop a long-sleeve top underneath.
With the investment of a good pair of boots, some leggings, long-sleeved tops and the usual winter essentials; hat, scarf, gloves and coat and your happily easing your way into the winter months!

Colour Blocking!

2011 has been and will continue to be all about colour blocking! The trick here is to keep it to a few colours.
Go overboard with this trend and you run the risk of looking like Bobo-the-clown’s 1st cousin!

So grab your colour wallets and choose 2 to 3 of your favourites and go create your next on trend colour-block outfit!

Red On Red!

Can Redheads Wear Red?

For the most part of my life I was made to believe that as a redhead, some colours would take an allergic reaction to my perplexing flame like locks. Thankfully and in part to my training as a Colour Analyst I learned that this is simply not so.

I was asked about this recently and was a little miffed to hear that some still think it so. Now, there are boundaries to the type of red one can wear but then again there are whether you’re brunette or blonde also.

The key thing to know here is what category you fall under.
Is your colouring warm toned or cool toned?
People look out of harmony when they go against their natural colouring and for this you need to examine beyond hair. Skin & eye colour are a big part of determining your colours.

As a teenager, I was analyzed incorrectly. To take one look at me; I’m fair skinned, brown eyed and have red hair, I should have been an easy one, Autumnal, right? In fact, wrong. Until I went to do my training and came to know otherwise it was like everything fell into place when I was put into my light/bright Spring colours.

Wearing my Spring colours has had such an enormous impact on my life. In terms of us redheads wearing red, there is always going to be a shade of red that we can wear. For me, a warm red or a hot pink work very well with my colouring (eventhough I have red hair!)
A good example of a natural redhead looking radiant in red; Nicole Kidman at the 2007 Oscars.

My advice: If you have not yet had a Personal Colour Analysis done then book in with a Colour Analyst in your area. In the long term this saves you so much money because you are not spending on “1 wear” items anymore and you have the confidence of knowing you look well in the colours you are wearing. The guess work is gone!

So flame it up fellow redheads and choose your shade of red!