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This is Kouture Korner - a fashion opinion through les Egoistes…The usual disclaimers apply-all opinions are subjective and we could be, but will not be, accountable to anyone else's opinion but our own. Catchin' Up and Fall '05 Preview Gawd, it’s been too long. And I've been writing too many unwritten words in my head. It's jamming up my brain and it's causing this congestion that has lead to the five day flu. So, I am trusting one of my favorite peeps in the world to take what I've written and piece it all together, with a good edit, and put it all together to make, hopefully once again, Kouture Korner. Unedited, misspelled, and all the nonsense to last a lifetime. My hope is to write when so inspired via email. No drafts for me to write and re-write and sit on forever...never to be read again. Not even by myself. So are you game? Shall we give it a try? Cuz I don't want to let this go away so easily. Could be my fever talking? Or the vitamin? None-the-less. like I said, it's giving me congestion. SSSSHHH. Let's try not to talk about it, cuz I'm afraid it might just go away. |
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JAN
2005 My new assignment for Les Egoeites, (shit, spelled it wrong already.), is to write directly from NYC. Well, I lied, Brooklyn. Crooklyn. The V to the G. 2nd stop Greenpoint. It's about a ten minute walk from Williamsburg. About an hour and a half in freezing temps; The hub of the avante gard. In others words, they've got one up on Capitol Hill. Trendy enough for a nice second helping of hipster stew. My first impression of being in NYC ~ What's so fabulous? I knew I had my work cut out for me. Hell it's gone and turned itself into a mini strip mall. All the local talk has been true. GASP ~ A Gap, Victoria Secret, BeBe, and Nine West, on every corner as far as the eye can see...Once I polished off my bitter juice, I began to see all this as a challenge that could get interesting. Where can I find the diamonds in the rough of fashion without opening a Lucky magazine?! They've got it good for what's now and blah blah blah. Yawn. But I want to go further, deeper...Stand by, this is gonna be a cliff hanger. KEEP READING for the straight scoop from Fashion Week NYC EEK! FAB! The Fashion Diva herself is taking me! ....my planned trip to The Market NYC with The Fashion Diva ~ Where young designers sell jewelry, fashion and accessories directly to the PUBLIC. No retail! Right in my backyard. Nolita ~ I had a chance to breeze through this during the holidays and my eyes popped out like a cartoon character. Gotta go back and see what's hot. The price and craftsmanship were worth a second look. Fashion Tip ~ If you haven't bought your fall fashions...don't start. It's over. Spring is here. Fa. La. La. Spring is here! Tra. La. La. La. Lahhh. Wait, by the time you read this it will be July...that means New Fall 05...stand by. Geez, we have had a hard time pulling this cross-country thing together. FEB
2005 First
in order was to meet with The Fashion Diva herself
and "Amazing! Three hours caused a total revolution in my closet. No more sitting on my bed, staring at my closet wondering what I’m going to wear. (name excluded here) has pulled together many great new outfits from the clothes I already own. My closet is so organized that there is even room for my husband's clothes." This quote from The Shopping Diva herself. I was amazed. The rest was up to me. My second move… BREATH and take one step at a time. It's been a winter long process. I've actually sold some items and put the money towards new things. I'm wearing my favorite items, they are no longer hiding behind the dogs, and I can actually see what I have. Next was an idea I thought of myself. I took the idea for a trial run. I took photos on my camera phone of the Spring items I want to build my seasonal wardrobe around ~ Shoes, jackets, tops, pants, skirts ~ Whatever my favorites are. Next was, when shopping, reference the photos for colors and matching new pieces with. Let me say that the color on the camera sucks, but I've got the color in my mind. Instead of getting all impulsive and crazy with my purchases I can stay on my path. I also jumped ahead and ordered the next season's items from the Rachel Mara Collection. I took some snaps too…I'm on the look out for next season’s pieces to mix it up with. All of this may seem obsessive. However, I have totally accepted the fact that I simply enjoy it ~ It's my sport ~ a hobby ~ and I am committed to doing it more wisely. Time to go to a commercial break for les Egoistes ~ You don’t want to do this alone ~ get some help, call les Egoistes, they will help from the closet, to the list and then the shopping… |
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FALL FASHION 05 For all you dark haired gals, good news, our colors are back! The berries, the black, the brown and the peacock colors...Yes! It was telling when the top Hollywood divas showed up on the red carpets with dark hair...They knew. We are thrilled and ready for the change. Last year the eighties reigned with off the shoulder and bright neon colors, the eighties influence is still present for this fall, but with subtle and subdued black and gray. Couture waists have gone up. I like it. No more bellies hanging out. Waists for Ready to Wear won't go up super high, and we don't really recommend that. But, wearing a pant just below the belly button is just fine. Cinched waist and classic black suits with white accents. Jackets are still embellished, but it is okay to tone them down this season. Dresses | Lovely dresses. Still with a 70’s groove with higher waists. So wonderful and elegant. That's it…everything is just so pretty again And I love it. No more diggin' in your grandma’s closet for the entire look. But do pick a mean piece of jewelry out. With that, you can never go wrong. Earrings | All right, if you feel you have to do grandma's brooch thing again, I suppose you can, but tone it down. Gear up on the earrings. We think that is way sexier. Scarves | Just like this past spring/summer, wear a scarf as part of your outfit. Day or Night ~ A perfect way to complete your outfit. You can keep it simple or use an embellished or faux fur trimmed piece. We still like ‘em long. Fur | Shit, it is huge this season. You have to have heard of all the controversy with Jlo's new line, Sweetface. I have to agree. I am a true diva at heart and know how wonderful fur looks, but brand new is way too over the top and not cool at all. Buy VINTAGE fur and take it to your favorite tailor to update it. Or, wear as a vintage piece. There are several faux fur options online we found. Or, you can custom make a coat with faux fur. Stella McCartney is one of my favorite overall designers and is FUR FREE. Try it. A recent ad I saw read, "Cool isn't pretending you don't care…" Denim | We still gotta have it and will not let it go. Our favorite denim brands right now. Rogan, Loomstate and Levi's. Keep wearing your jeans fitted. But you can wear longer tops now. Thank god. The bellies and ass hanging out was getting out of control. Fellas, these are great brands for you too... Shoes | We mentioned a couple years ago that the round toe shoe was on the horizon. Now you can finally find it a plenty in the US. Fall shoes and boots are yummy this season. A 70's and 40's retro groove mixes well with what is happening this Fall. Try a medium heel shoe with a peek-a-boo toe with tights and a slim leg trouser pant… Lines we love for Fall | Vena Cava, Catherine Malandrino and Linda Loudermilk (LA) and of course, GUCCI. Remember
to support local and home grown merchants. HEY FELLAS Skinny, fitted and slightly shorter sport jackets with big eyewear. Try a skinny leg pant...we like it. If there's one thing you must have this season, it is C-o-n-f-i-d-e-n-c-e. New York guys know how to wear it well. I'm talking from the poor artist dude to the most expensively dressed wall-street weasel. You can have it too. Try the slouchy fitted look. Not too tight, not too big. Slight high waters with loafer type sneakers. Slip a pair of old school Vans on in black. The leather woven are pretty hip too. The key is to rough 'em up a bit. Not too much ~ just enough to look worn. Fresh and worn ~ Sport the coolest and most expensive pair of sunglasses you can afford. They are your trademark. My fav are Initium. You can find them at Blackbird in Seattle. As always, smell faint and good for those "let's get close moments". Watch what you put in your yap. Keep yourself lean. If you think no one's looking and no one cares about your gut, you’re WRONG. Hip
and happening haircuts for this coming season in Seattle, go to
Killer Looks, Devan
at Seven and Lara at BabaLouise
and Jerry at Lake Union Hair
Design. Here in Williamsburg the look is slightly
punk...but with a modern approach. Spunky short layers on top (I'm
not talking the American Idol look either!) that are little rambunctious...send
the right message. Make sure the hairdresser of choice who snips
away is a professional...do not try this at a Hair Master's or at
Home...I know it may be cool on the street level, but don't do it.
Our favorite hair god spends good money on his cut and color and
damn, his hair is always hot. SIDENOTE:
I had a friend tell me the other day that she was walking in downtown
Seattle on a bright sunny day when suddenly this foxy type dude
walked up to her and said "wanna get drunk"? It was mid-afternoon!
NICE ONE...It's WARM WEATHER time folks! |
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DATING
ADVICE – Grooming | Before any date or big night out, always dry brush your entire body. It makes your skin soft, takes off dead skin and is great for your circulation. Our favorite esthetician works really hard to get more of her clients to do this on a regular basis. It works. Even our married divas still do this. Once you do this, shave your legs, etc. You will feel fantastic. Generally
gals, you want to feel fantastic about yourself from head to toe,
so clean up the nails, throw some polish on.
But make sure you look natural and like yourself. If you are a
red polish nail gal, then go with
it. If not, then don't do it. The goal is to be and act natural.
That is what is going to make the date fabulous for you and him. Fellas, same for you man, not the dry brushing, but the look natural. However, make sure your hair is tight and there are no holes in your socks or undies...you never know. Finally, even if you are doing the sexy beard thing, make sure you are trimmed…no matter how cool the beard look is, no one wants to be on a date with grizzly adams. There is an art to looking casual. Colors to wear | To be sure, the eighties and nineties taught us one thing, black is basic and sexy. But come on boys and girls, COLOR is FUN, so let's use it! Here is the deal, not all colors look good on everyone and there is no way I can give you the whole color manual here, but one tip we have when trying on colors. Usually, you intuitively know what looks good on you. Just in case you are uncertain, put the color up against your face and if you see more lines and dark circles appear under you eyes, don’t do it. If you have been out partying or naturally have circles anyway, try concealer make up. (smile) Styles to wear | What is style? Who has style? When should I wear a certain style? Again, I could write a whole book, but let's define style. I define "style" as personal expression of yourself and that does not mean that you buy the same outfit on the mannequin at BCBG or Kenneth Cole and call it good. Again, comfort and fit are key. Maybe take advantage of a friend or personal shopper to help pull some looks together. The time and investment will be worth it. Nothing better than slipping into some duds that you know look good and fit well. Going with an extreme look one way or another on the first date, i.e. extreme Goth or punk, may not be a good idea. No reason to overwhelm your date. But again, if that is you, then you might as well be yourself. The
sexy stuff | Let's face it. Dating is SEXY. I
still get a flutter when I think about when my man and I were
first dating. But gals, Paris Hilton and her
posse may attract the paparazzi, but don't think wearing that
look on a date is SEXY. Wardrobe malfunctions and shorter than
short skirts are not practical for dating...well, unless you are
in Miami. Anyway, sexy comes from within. Enough
with the cerebral stuff. Again, make sure your clothes fit well
and you are comfortable. I am a big fan of good looking cleavage
and nice backs on gals. So a great top with jeans that
fit well and a fabulous sandal and vintage clutch sounds like
a perfect outfit for a gal. Guys, even if you are wearing
a t-shirt and jeans, we are all suckers for a man in a
jacket. Wear one. Guys dress up more than you normally
would, date venue dependant. She will really appreciate it. GUILTY
PLEASURES
[a noticeable amount of reality TV here...what can we say?...Nada, that is why we call this section "guilty pleasure"] Where we have been going… NYC
| We went to the hipster clubs like LOTUS –
packed on a Friday night and fun, but only if you want to dance
your butt off - and the bar at the top of Hotel Gansevoort,
where we drank fucking $15 cocktails in plastic glasses and dealt
with cocktail waitresses with attitude, and not in a good way,
sadly disappointing... LA
| HOLLYWOOD – I don’t think it really matters where
you go out in Hollywood. I always see celebrities. This time it
was Vince Vaughn and his boy posse in a margarita
bar, Velvet Marguarite. He needed a shower -
that is all I can say... PORTLAND
| Saucebox - Great cocktails, bartenders and
food. SEATTLE
| All we like here are restaurants, the clubs suck…but for
romance and a feeling that you are in a small bar off the rive
gauche...? Okay, I can't tell you. It is my special hideout...maybe
soon, but do check out: SHOPPING FINDS AND FAVS SEATTLE
~ LA
~ NYC [Brooklyn] DENVER
~ VANCOUVER
B.C. ~ Make an appointment with a les Egosites stylist/personal shopper. They can work it with any budget for the look that is RIGHT FOR YOU. For more information, e-mail info@lesegoistes.com Next
Issue ::
You can reach elle s. at elles@lesegoistes.com Kouture Korner Winter/Holiday 02 Check out the Spring/Summer 2002 Kouture Korner! ©2005
les Egoistes. |
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