| Fashion News Arkansas |
Fashion gift ideas from the fashion pros
Tuesday, December 11 2007, 01:03 AM EST
Contributed by: Sharon Mosley
SHOPPING TIPS We're all looking for fast ideas, fast gifts and fast fashion this time of year. So when stylists like Finola Hughes, host of the Style
Network's "How Do I Look" show, and Carson Kressley, star of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," talk about their favorite fashion picks
for holiday giving, it's time to listen up and take some notes.
"Nothing says a great gift like personalization," says Hughes, who likes the possibilities at RedEnvelope.com. She also likes the personal touch of
some of her whimsical jewelry collection available at QVC.com.
"I have a very cute sterling key necklace that women die over," she says. "It's extremely popular."
Hughes also suggests dressing up your wardrobe or those on your gift list with special accessories.
"This season, every woman should have a brightly colored velvet clutch," she says. "The trick is to move away from boring old burgundy and
emerald greens and find other non-traditional colors like citrine or fuchsia."
She also likes to comb the thrift stores and eBay searching for special pieces: "Find a nice vintage rhinestone anything," she says. "This is the time
for sparkle!"
You can also give the gift of this actress and style expert's fashion advice by subscribing to her "Style Kick" magazine on Verizon Wireless. "This
will beam fashion tips straight to their phone throughout the year."
Another savvy style setter, Kressley, has teamed up with TJ Maxx to offer his unique ideas on gift giving during the holiday season. And he knows
just what to give that special guy on your list.
"From my many years of experience on 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,' trust me, I know what men want," he says. "It's the practical, yet
fashionable items that he just never gets around to purchasing for himself."
Kressley's gift list for guys include shaving and manicure kits, Italian leather wallets, designer silk ties "that truly stand out," stylish leather
briefcases or laptop cases, designer watches, cardigan, crew or V-neck sweaters in solids and patterns - "even cashmere," thirsty terrycloth
bathrobes and slippers, and golf or ski accessories.
"Finally remember, make it easy on yourself," he adds. "This is your holiday season too."
And to make it even easier, Kressley suggests buying prepackaged gift sets such as pajamas, lingerie, soaps and spa products, shirts and tie sets,
and watches all boxed and ready to go with a festive ribbon and gift card attached.
"The look is holiday magic and what could be easier in terms of gift giving?"
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters
Association.
The Ebony Fashion Fair, the world's largest traveling fashion show, will be presented Dec. 7 by the Friends of Omega Foundation at the Embassy
Suites in Rogers.
Proceeds will benefit the Northwest Arkansas My Kid Biz Financial Literacy Program of The Friends of Omega Foundation. The goal of My Kid
Biz is to provide sound, actionable educational programs with a direct focus on financial literacy.
Dinner and fashion-show tickets are available for $ 60. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $ 100 and include dinner, the fashion show
and an invitation to the postevent VIP reception. Generaladmission tickets, which do not include dinner, will be available for $ 21 only to
University of Arkansas undergraduates and high-school students with valid identification.
Tickets are available by calling Carla Hartaway at 841-9393, Tamanda Khanga at 919-478-5833 or Darius Hicks at 704-293-8298; Ernestine
Gibson at 236-2888 for student tickets; or Tim Howell at 236-1377 for VIP tickets.
The releases of new fashion and beauty-related books show no signs of slowing down. It seems not a week goes by that some author wants to
show everyone how to dress, wax eloquent on the history of fashion, or just have a little fun at the fashion world’s expense.
Which is actually a plus for those of you still grappling with what to get your fashionable aunt or fashion-challenged friend for Christmas. Here are
a few books you might consider as fullfledged gifts or stocking stuffers. Closet Control: The Ultimate Guide to Revitalizing Your Wardrobe and
Revolutionizing the Way You Store It by Barbra Horowitz (Sterling, $ 22. 95 ). The title is self-explanatory: Readers will learn how to organize
their closets and will be urged to either get rid of their unused stuff or revitalize it. Dyeing, cutting and sewing techniques for restyling are included,
as well.
Star Von Bunny: A Model Tale by Kym Canter (HarperEntertainment, $ 19. 95 ). Y’heard the stories of those yard ornaments and toys
“kidnapped” by pranksters who then mail the owners photographs of their little darlings at various landmarks ? This book sort of reminds me of
one of those stories. Except that Canter, creative director of luxury fashion house J Mendel, actually owns this stuffed bunny, which she bought
some 20 years ago. Von Bunny has taken on a life of its own with a model-actress career that has gotten her in snapshots with such celebrities as
Bono, Mary Louise Parker, Rosario Dawson and Beyonce. The book is “part memoir and part modeling portfolio.” Brenda Kinsel’s Fashion
Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style ! (Chronicle Books, $ 22. 95 ). Kinsel, a professional image consultant whose expertise has been featured by
InStyle magazine, The Oprah Winfrey Show and National Public Radio, gives “women over 40 the tools they need to update their look and
catapult themselves out of their fashion ruts in one short month,” according to its news release. Harper’s Bazaar Great Style: Best Ways to Update
Your Look by Jenny Levin (Hearst Books, $ 24. 95 ). This book, backed by a longtime fashion-magazine icon, uses practices and photographs of
stylish female celebrities to show readers how to get a classic look that’s just right for them.
The Black Dress by Valerie Steele (Collins / Design, $ 19. 95 ). Steele, director of the Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology ) in New
York, takes readers through a historical romp featuring the dress that became Coco Chanel’s original definition of chic. Yes, there are plenty of
photos, art reproductions and illustrations of dresses and their designers, from Rubens’ decidedly pre-Coco Portrait of Veronica Spinola Doria and
Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to modern-day singer Rihanna wearing Diane von Furstenberg.
Details Men’s Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You by Daniel Peres and the editors of Details magazine
(Gotham Books, $ 30 ). The men of Details — of which Peres is editor-in-chief — offer tips on shopping for clothes and dressing. Included are full-
color illustrations and explanations on what clothing works, and why. Rules of Style by men’s fashion icons from Hilfiger to Armani are thrown in.
GETTING YOUR GOAT Cashmere has emerged as one of the headline trends for fall ’ 07. But how does one distinguish the real stuff from the
impostors ? Raffi Shaya, designer of the upscale cashmere collection Raffi and RS, offers a few tips for cashmere Christmas shopping: Pull the
fabric gently at the sides and release. High-quality cashmere will instantly return to its original shape.
Feel the fabric. If it feels coarse or fuzzy, it is poor quality. Cashmere should always feel soft, smooth and luxurious.
Look for a sweater with longer fibers. This will ensure that it is crafted with a strong yarn, which will pill less.
Know the origins of the cashmere. Expensive, high-quality fabric is taken from the underbelly of the goat, while cheap fabric is taken from rougher
areas such as the back. Look for sweaters that are twoply. One-ply is cheaper and has less weight.
Color is key. A sweater that is deep and rich in color is a superior item, as high-quality yarn holds color better. After handling the product, rub
your fingers together and check for a greasy residue. This is caused by a percentage of cheaper lamb’s wool that is incorporated into the garment.
DRESSING ROOM PICKS The fall clearance sales have begun ! Here are some recent finds. A Josephine Chaus sleeveless turtleneck top. I love
turtlenecks in general, layering turtlenecks in particular, and I found this black one at Marshalls in Lafayette, La., for $ 12. 99. Since we have no
Marshalls here and you can’t shop there online, go to herbergers. com, do a search and get it for $ 29. 99. The silk-rayon piece comes in a variety of
colors and features a deepribbed bottom. A piece I’d been eyeing for a couple of months: J. C. Penney’s a. n. a. Pointelle, Cowlneck Tunic sweater,
originally $ 44. I scored it on clearance for $ 19. 99 at Penney’s in Lafayette. Go to jcpenney. com; it’s now $ 12. 99- $ 14. 99 there. It comes in
Misses, Petite and Women’s Plus sizes and in three colors: Red, Ivory and “Garden Orchid” (purple ).
Spiegel’s Turtleneck Tunic, a ribbed, dark-red turtleneck made of silk / rayon / cashmere knit. Originally $ 49, it was on clearance for $ 24. 99. If I
were to grade it, I’d give it a B. I know ultralong tunics are in, but they stop being flattering when they get to be near-kneelength. It’s still available
in XS and M. Dressing Room is published biweekly. Send news releases to Helaine R. Williams, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P. O. Box 2221,
Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail: hwilliams@arkansasonline. com
Shortcuts to holiday style
Tuesday, December 04 2007, 01:52 AM EST
Contributed by: Sharon Mosley
SHORT SALE The holidays are the perfect time to get a little dramatic and have fun with fashion. No, it doesn't mean you have to light up the
room with Rudolph's red nose blinking on your Christmas sweat shirt; however, it does mean that when you make an entrance at your next holiday
cocktail party, you'll get even more attention than those other reindeer in the headlights.
But who has time to think about making an impression at this time of year? It's time to party and here's how to take a few shortcuts to make a
dramatic statement fast:
- If there is one thing you buy for your holiday wardrobe this season, it should be on the short side, a short tunic dress or a short bubble dress. Just
because you don't have great legs doesn't mean you can't wear the short items. Pull on a pair of dark, opaque tights and you'll be set. Leave the
pants at home.
- Let the wild side take over and wear your animal prints, only one piece at a time of course. A great leopard-print coat, a cheetah-print dress or a
pair of zebra-print ballet flats will really give your holiday party wardrobe a roaring sense of style.
- Go big on the jewels. Every fashion drama queen likes her bling, and if you can't shine at this time of year, when can you? Go for the glitter - the
oversized cocktail ring, the rhinestone brooch, the stone-encrusted cuff - the bigger the better.
- The knock 'em dead coat is another sure way to add some drama to a holiday wardrobe. You'll know this one when you see it - you'll need to have
it and you'll wear it for years. Remember, though, this kind of special coat will make a grand entrance. Once you take it off, make sure you've got
some other "drama" underneath.
- Get exotic with your handbag. Another accessory that gets glammed up for the holidays is the handbag. Whether it's a little jeweled clutch or a
hand-embroidered cocktail bag, it adds just the right touch of drama to any outfit.
- Wear killer shoes. You don't have to torture your party feet with sky-high stilettos; you can be just as comfortable and stylish in a pair of killer
ballet flats or kitten heels. There are many glam boots out there, too.
- Scarves, wraps, shawls or fur collars are also fun ways to give holiday wardrobes some glamorous flair. And if you're at a party where the
weather is a little on the chilly side, you may not even want to take them off.
- Mix it up. Don't be afraid to throw on a sequin T-shirt over your black skirt. Or layer a furry vest over your everyday turtleneck. Button up a
velvet tunic and wear it with your jeans and boots.
The best shortcut? Have fun with your wardrobe and do something a little unexpected. After all, you may like being a drama fashion queen all year
long.
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters
Association.
Tuesday, December 11 2007, 01:03 AM EST
Contributed by: Sharon Mosley
SHOPPING TIPS We're all looking for fast ideas, fast gifts and fast fashion this time of year. So when stylists like Finola Hughes, host of the Style
Network's "How Do I Look" show, and Carson Kressley, star of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," talk about their favorite fashion picks
for holiday giving, it's time to listen up and take some notes.
"Nothing says a great gift like personalization," says Hughes, who likes the possibilities at RedEnvelope.com. She also likes the personal touch of
some of her whimsical jewelry collection available at QVC.com.
"I have a very cute sterling key necklace that women die over," she says. "It's extremely popular."
Hughes also suggests dressing up your wardrobe or those on your gift list with special accessories.
"This season, every woman should have a brightly colored velvet clutch," she says. "The trick is to move away from boring old burgundy and
emerald greens and find other non-traditional colors like citrine or fuchsia."
She also likes to comb the thrift stores and eBay searching for special pieces: "Find a nice vintage rhinestone anything," she says. "This is the time
for sparkle!"
You can also give the gift of this actress and style expert's fashion advice by subscribing to her "Style Kick" magazine on Verizon Wireless. "This
will beam fashion tips straight to their phone throughout the year."
Another savvy style setter, Kressley, has teamed up with TJ Maxx to offer his unique ideas on gift giving during the holiday season. And he knows
just what to give that special guy on your list.
"From my many years of experience on 'Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,' trust me, I know what men want," he says. "It's the practical, yet
fashionable items that he just never gets around to purchasing for himself."
Kressley's gift list for guys include shaving and manicure kits, Italian leather wallets, designer silk ties "that truly stand out," stylish leather
briefcases or laptop cases, designer watches, cardigan, crew or V-neck sweaters in solids and patterns - "even cashmere," thirsty terrycloth
bathrobes and slippers, and golf or ski accessories.
"Finally remember, make it easy on yourself," he adds. "This is your holiday season too."
And to make it even easier, Kressley suggests buying prepackaged gift sets such as pajamas, lingerie, soaps and spa products, shirts and tie sets,
and watches all boxed and ready to go with a festive ribbon and gift card attached.
"The look is holiday magic and what could be easier in terms of gift giving?"
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters
Association.
The Ebony Fashion Fair, the world's largest traveling fashion show, will be presented Dec. 7 by the Friends of Omega Foundation at the Embassy
Suites in Rogers.
Proceeds will benefit the Northwest Arkansas My Kid Biz Financial Literacy Program of The Friends of Omega Foundation. The goal of My Kid
Biz is to provide sound, actionable educational programs with a direct focus on financial literacy.
Dinner and fashion-show tickets are available for $ 60. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $ 100 and include dinner, the fashion show
and an invitation to the postevent VIP reception. Generaladmission tickets, which do not include dinner, will be available for $ 21 only to
University of Arkansas undergraduates and high-school students with valid identification.
Tickets are available by calling Carla Hartaway at 841-9393, Tamanda Khanga at 919-478-5833 or Darius Hicks at 704-293-8298; Ernestine
Gibson at 236-2888 for student tickets; or Tim Howell at 236-1377 for VIP tickets.
The releases of new fashion and beauty-related books show no signs of slowing down. It seems not a week goes by that some author wants to
show everyone how to dress, wax eloquent on the history of fashion, or just have a little fun at the fashion world’s expense.
Which is actually a plus for those of you still grappling with what to get your fashionable aunt or fashion-challenged friend for Christmas. Here are
a few books you might consider as fullfledged gifts or stocking stuffers. Closet Control: The Ultimate Guide to Revitalizing Your Wardrobe and
Revolutionizing the Way You Store It by Barbra Horowitz (Sterling, $ 22. 95 ). The title is self-explanatory: Readers will learn how to organize
their closets and will be urged to either get rid of their unused stuff or revitalize it. Dyeing, cutting and sewing techniques for restyling are included,
as well.
Star Von Bunny: A Model Tale by Kym Canter (HarperEntertainment, $ 19. 95 ). Y’heard the stories of those yard ornaments and toys
“kidnapped” by pranksters who then mail the owners photographs of their little darlings at various landmarks ? This book sort of reminds me of
one of those stories. Except that Canter, creative director of luxury fashion house J Mendel, actually owns this stuffed bunny, which she bought
some 20 years ago. Von Bunny has taken on a life of its own with a model-actress career that has gotten her in snapshots with such celebrities as
Bono, Mary Louise Parker, Rosario Dawson and Beyonce. The book is “part memoir and part modeling portfolio.” Brenda Kinsel’s Fashion
Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style ! (Chronicle Books, $ 22. 95 ). Kinsel, a professional image consultant whose expertise has been featured by
InStyle magazine, The Oprah Winfrey Show and National Public Radio, gives “women over 40 the tools they need to update their look and
catapult themselves out of their fashion ruts in one short month,” according to its news release. Harper’s Bazaar Great Style: Best Ways to Update
Your Look by Jenny Levin (Hearst Books, $ 24. 95 ). This book, backed by a longtime fashion-magazine icon, uses practices and photographs of
stylish female celebrities to show readers how to get a classic look that’s just right for them.
The Black Dress by Valerie Steele (Collins / Design, $ 19. 95 ). Steele, director of the Museum at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology ) in New
York, takes readers through a historical romp featuring the dress that became Coco Chanel’s original definition of chic. Yes, there are plenty of
photos, art reproductions and illustrations of dresses and their designers, from Rubens’ decidedly pre-Coco Portrait of Veronica Spinola Doria and
Audrey Hepburn’s Givenchy dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s to modern-day singer Rihanna wearing Diane von Furstenberg.
Details Men’s Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You by Daniel Peres and the editors of Details magazine
(Gotham Books, $ 30 ). The men of Details — of which Peres is editor-in-chief — offer tips on shopping for clothes and dressing. Included are full-
color illustrations and explanations on what clothing works, and why. Rules of Style by men’s fashion icons from Hilfiger to Armani are thrown in.
GETTING YOUR GOAT Cashmere has emerged as one of the headline trends for fall ’ 07. But how does one distinguish the real stuff from the
impostors ? Raffi Shaya, designer of the upscale cashmere collection Raffi and RS, offers a few tips for cashmere Christmas shopping: Pull the
fabric gently at the sides and release. High-quality cashmere will instantly return to its original shape.
Feel the fabric. If it feels coarse or fuzzy, it is poor quality. Cashmere should always feel soft, smooth and luxurious.
Look for a sweater with longer fibers. This will ensure that it is crafted with a strong yarn, which will pill less.
Know the origins of the cashmere. Expensive, high-quality fabric is taken from the underbelly of the goat, while cheap fabric is taken from rougher
areas such as the back. Look for sweaters that are twoply. One-ply is cheaper and has less weight.
Color is key. A sweater that is deep and rich in color is a superior item, as high-quality yarn holds color better. After handling the product, rub
your fingers together and check for a greasy residue. This is caused by a percentage of cheaper lamb’s wool that is incorporated into the garment.
DRESSING ROOM PICKS The fall clearance sales have begun ! Here are some recent finds. A Josephine Chaus sleeveless turtleneck top. I love
turtlenecks in general, layering turtlenecks in particular, and I found this black one at Marshalls in Lafayette, La., for $ 12. 99. Since we have no
Marshalls here and you can’t shop there online, go to herbergers. com, do a search and get it for $ 29. 99. The silk-rayon piece comes in a variety of
colors and features a deepribbed bottom. A piece I’d been eyeing for a couple of months: J. C. Penney’s a. n. a. Pointelle, Cowlneck Tunic sweater,
originally $ 44. I scored it on clearance for $ 19. 99 at Penney’s in Lafayette. Go to jcpenney. com; it’s now $ 12. 99- $ 14. 99 there. It comes in
Misses, Petite and Women’s Plus sizes and in three colors: Red, Ivory and “Garden Orchid” (purple ).
Spiegel’s Turtleneck Tunic, a ribbed, dark-red turtleneck made of silk / rayon / cashmere knit. Originally $ 49, it was on clearance for $ 24. 99. If I
were to grade it, I’d give it a B. I know ultralong tunics are in, but they stop being flattering when they get to be near-kneelength. It’s still available
in XS and M. Dressing Room is published biweekly. Send news releases to Helaine R. Williams, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P. O. Box 2221,
Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or e-mail: hwilliams@arkansasonline. com
Shortcuts to holiday style
Tuesday, December 04 2007, 01:52 AM EST
Contributed by: Sharon Mosley
SHORT SALE The holidays are the perfect time to get a little dramatic and have fun with fashion. No, it doesn't mean you have to light up the
room with Rudolph's red nose blinking on your Christmas sweat shirt; however, it does mean that when you make an entrance at your next holiday
cocktail party, you'll get even more attention than those other reindeer in the headlights.
But who has time to think about making an impression at this time of year? It's time to party and here's how to take a few shortcuts to make a
dramatic statement fast:
- If there is one thing you buy for your holiday wardrobe this season, it should be on the short side, a short tunic dress or a short bubble dress. Just
because you don't have great legs doesn't mean you can't wear the short items. Pull on a pair of dark, opaque tights and you'll be set. Leave the
pants at home.
- Let the wild side take over and wear your animal prints, only one piece at a time of course. A great leopard-print coat, a cheetah-print dress or a
pair of zebra-print ballet flats will really give your holiday party wardrobe a roaring sense of style.
- Go big on the jewels. Every fashion drama queen likes her bling, and if you can't shine at this time of year, when can you? Go for the glitter - the
oversized cocktail ring, the rhinestone brooch, the stone-encrusted cuff - the bigger the better.
- The knock 'em dead coat is another sure way to add some drama to a holiday wardrobe. You'll know this one when you see it - you'll need to have
it and you'll wear it for years. Remember, though, this kind of special coat will make a grand entrance. Once you take it off, make sure you've got
some other "drama" underneath.
- Get exotic with your handbag. Another accessory that gets glammed up for the holidays is the handbag. Whether it's a little jeweled clutch or a
hand-embroidered cocktail bag, it adds just the right touch of drama to any outfit.
- Wear killer shoes. You don't have to torture your party feet with sky-high stilettos; you can be just as comfortable and stylish in a pair of killer
ballet flats or kitten heels. There are many glam boots out there, too.
- Scarves, wraps, shawls or fur collars are also fun ways to give holiday wardrobes some glamorous flair. And if you're at a party where the
weather is a little on the chilly side, you may not even want to take them off.
- Mix it up. Don't be afraid to throw on a sequin T-shirt over your black skirt. Or layer a furry vest over your everyday turtleneck. Button up a
velvet tunic and wear it with your jeans and boots.
The best shortcut? Have fun with your wardrobe and do something a little unexpected. After all, you may like being a drama fashion queen all year
long.
Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters
Association.
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