Monday, February 25, 2013

Oscar Darlings: The Re-Cap

Follow Me on Pinterest Instagram The most-watched night of entertainment is finally behind us, leaving viewers breathless with all its requisite dazzle, eye-candy, and splendor...and this year was certainly no disappointment. Starlets flocked the red carpet in ethereal gowns and strategically thought-out hair and makeup to accentuate their dresses of choice. Here are some of our favorites.....

Stacy Keibler's studded Naeem Khan creation proves that years of playing arm candy have paid off via fashion lessons well-learnt. Always poised and elegant in past years, she knocks it out of the ballpark this time with an art-deco inspired look that is modern AND romantic (that wispy back! the hair!) all at the same time. This racerback neckline provides the perfect frame for her killer shoulders and arms, along with the rest of her enviable figure. Nice job, George :)




Charlize Theron played up her other-worldly beauty to new heights with not only her new haircut, but this clean white peplum created by her "home" designer Christian Dior. The trail, cut, and embellishments all provided a silhouette that not only photographed stunningly, but flowed with equal splendor in person. She once again proves simplicity is the perfect backdrop to her grace and presence....leaving us (almost, ahem) speechless.



Donatella Versace is said to have designed Halle Berry's creation last night with her "Bond" girl history in mind, and the glittering magnificence of Halle's aura proved the seasoned designer succeeded. The dark rich hue, strategically placed lines, and strong shoulders summed up to a statuesque silhouette that will go down in history alongside her monumental past red carpet looks.




Amanda Seyfried's McQueen dress may not have photographed to its full potential, but the romantic and airy pale lavendar hue coupled with the scattered, leafy design stunned live on the red carpet. The high halter neck and wispy, romantic hair was the perfect foil to her flowy, feminine gown that held its own amongst a sea of structured, bolder looks....a breath of fresh air.




Kelly Rowland may have been criticized for overexposure, but perhaps she was just following cue from an A-list celebrity who paved the way for the statement leg last year? Another look that didn't photograph as well as it appeared in person, the movement and structure of this architecturally-inspired, asymmetrical look was a standout amongst classic shapes that ruled the roost this year. Though her bangs were a smidgen too low, the overall effect of her silhouette was bold, powerful and memorable. Bravo!




And last, but certainly not least.........the vibrant and fun Jennifer Lawrence in Christian Dior.  This bulbous gown skimmed her slimmed-down curves gracefully, and the delicate backwards necklace was the perfect accessory to her uninterrupted front. Hair and makeup was as breathtakingly perfect as it gets, allowing the relatively green starlette to naturally EXUDE youth and girly charm, even as she took a tumble receiving her award. In a relatively short Hollywood career she has added not only an Oscar, but an epic red carpet look to her resume! Highly impressive.




 Written by Saba Ali - stylist, writer, founder, and sole-proprietor of SBD - Image Consulting

Comments? Questions? Concerns? Leave below or email us at stylebydesign.sbd@gmail.com.  
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Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Transitional Chic


Follow Me on Pinterest Instagram With spring around the bend, but winter still lurking in the corner as the proverbial elephant in our closet....is it a wonder that getting dressed in the morning can be such a daunting task? How DO we get our closets in optimum shape to tackle the next few weeks of transition? Pack those fair-isle sweaters away? Trade in the overcoat for an anorak? Shove those winter boots back into their boxes? Give into retail's seductive displays of saturated, punch-drunk colors and breathable fabrics only to be unsure of when we'll actually get to wear them?

All fair questions, given we need to survive a 30-degree morning only to step out for a 70-degree lunch date later on the very same day.  But winter revelers, rejoice! It's not quite time to pack away your warm snugglies just yet.  With the ever-changing tides of not-so-fair weather patterns as of late, the list of in-between-season fashion faux paus is seemingly endless. Here are some tips to help you get a grip on the current state of seasonal limbo....

1. Layer, Layer, Layer - Sure, we hear it every year.  But what does it really entail? Coats and jackets are still appropriate, just be sure you have on something equally presentable (for a sunny afternoon where you could break out in a sweat if you didn't shed!) underneath. Ditch that topper with the quickness midday and balance your thinner layer with a season appropriate close-toed shoe (it's still a bit early to pop out that pedi) - ballet flats, smoking slippers, chelsea or ankle boots, brogues...there are plenty of on-trend options to trade in for those chunky dead-of-winter boots. Just keep that top layer within reach so you are prepared for the rapid temperature drop as dusk approaches! If heavy outerwear is not your thing, the number of layers you don knows no limits. A button-up shirt, topped with a cable knit sweater under a light parka works well, as does a long sleeved t-shirt paired with a chunky cardigan, hat, and gloves. The possibilities are endless, so take the time to experiment and come up with a clean and chic (READ: not frumpy) layered look that works best for YOU!



Layer, Layer, Layer!




Uniqlo print top
uniqlo.com



Mango coral sweater
$35 - johnlewis.com



H m jacket
$53 - hm.com





Dune wingtip oxford
$48 - debenhams.com







2.  Add Some Flow Down Below - While the lowest temperatures of the year may have had you reaching for your snuggest, warmest skinnies,  those days are behind us now! This mean a chance to change up our bottoms, given they are styled correctly and in tune to the ever-changing weather patterns.  Banking on your favorite spring and summer 2012 maxi finds, simply add some tights underneath,  a chunky sweater on top,  your favorite ankle boots down below and... voila! You have just pulled together a chic, seasonally diverse, and updated outfit....all with items from your very own closet. The look and feel of your skirt or maxi is now drastically different thanks to the key heavy outer piece and boot vs. the thin cardi and strappy sandal you rocked it with last summer. Work it!


Winter to Spring '13






Denim maxi dress
missiny.com





High heel booties
$225 - whistles.co.uk






3. Scarves Should Be Your New BFF's - Mother was right. The head and neck are the parts of the body that suffer the most heat loss, so it's natural to keep those parts bundled up for the coldest parts of the day. Once temperatures climb up to a more tolerable level, simply remove and enjoy a few fleeting moments of "spring",  as your day allows. With the wide assortment of style available now....(walk into almost any apparel store and find: infinity, chunky, knit, gauzy, printed, solid, textured, square, oblong, pashmina)....anyone can find a scarf near and dear to their fashionista/fashionister heart!




What's Your Scarf Pick?





Paul Joe silk top
net-a-porter.com



Markus Lupfer sequin t shirt
$175 - seasonsclothing.co.uk



Printed scarve
etsy.com



Printed scarve
cottonon.com



Alexander McQueen skull scarve
$250 - harrods.com



FRIENDLY HUNTING vintage scarve
$415 - jades24.com



Tube scarve
target.com



Prabal Gurung tube scarve
modaoperandi.com



H M printed scarve
$12 - hm.com



Tube scarve
laylagrayce.com




The key to any of these looks is to keep an open mind and to streeetch your current pieces to their maximum potential to get you thru the next few unpredictable weeks and months.  By expanding the scope of how you view certain pieces (maxi dresses can be worn year round!), you are opening up the door to possibilities that are easy, chic, and will also look effortlessly new...all from your very own closet!


 Written by Saba Ali - stylist, writer, founder, and sole-proprietor of SBD - Image Consulting

Comments? Questions? Concerns? Leave below or email us at stylebydesign.sbd@gmail.com.  
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