Playing Dress Up For a Living

As a child, fashion never came as easily to me as learning how to ride a bike and conquering my backyard did. A tomboy at heart, how I dressed myself was last on my list but one thing that always took my heart were colors. I loved how they worked together and pairing unique combinations. This subtle admiration is in fact one of the key elements towards styling trend-setting and complimentary outfits, yet I had no knowledge of it. Looking back on my high-water bootcut jeans and mud-engrained t-shirts, I could say a lot has changed but one thing that has stayed for the long run is my unique interest for color schemes; I think that one trusting element has kept all my projects relevant. So if you feel like you may not be the best wardrobe stylist or you just are not that adequate to put together your daily outfits, start with the basic color wheel concept. It will be your best friend through this process. Choose the colors across from each other like you would a cute guy across a coffee table (complementary colors), and choose the two next to you like your first friends in preschool (analogous colors). Lastly, if the guy in the coffee shop just isn’t your taste and you were a little socially handicapped in preschool, no problem, choose one color and two shades to match it (tri analogous). Everyone has a chance to be fashionable and tasteful in what they wear, it just takes a little educating. I hope this helps!

Stay colorful and beautiful gals!

xoxo

-A

Valentines Day

Hey gals! Tis the season for bitter pink candies and the extra tug you take at your poor zipper. Everyone would love to be spoiled with flowers and cuddles in February but nothing is better than focusing on yourself. I have been single for eighteen years now and have had my fair share of third wheelin it but knowing that I don’t have to constantly mold my personality to the liking of someone else is refreshing. Being independent is just as refreshing as taking a big deep breath of clean cool air. Someone who is a perfect example of this is a girl I worked with today. Being deeply invested in the fashion industry I directed her poses, facial expressions, wardrobe, makeup, hair, photo, and edit. Here are a couple of my favorites from the album. Enjoy!

Stay confident and independent gals!

xoxo

-A

[http://allysonbiersack.wix.com/photography#!f-a-s-h-i-o-n/csym]

Never Too Late For Fall 2014 Color Trends

Quoted by Leatrice Eiseman, the Executive Director of The Pantone Institute: “Sangria, an exotic red that evokes a sense of glamorous adventures and faraway destinations is enhanced by Aurora Red, a more sophisticated shade that adds verve and spark.The grown-up reds are followed by two extremes of the purple family that intrigue the eye and inspire the imagination. Mauve Mist, a romantic and elegant purple shade, reminds us of the deco era and stimulates a sense of femininity and empowerment, while Radiant Orchid, a captivating and adaptable shade, enchants the complete spectrum. Pair either with Cypress, a majestic and powerful green; indicative of its name, this shade has a towering presence and serves as a stunning perennial.”

I love the wording and detail that Eiseman goes into to give you an emotional correlation to colors. The colors we wear can have a psychological effect on perceived view of our day, mind set, and even our mood. The fact that she made these shades of red so appealing inclined me to put on a red/plum lip today for the cold weather.

Stay informed and on trend with your color schemes gals!

xoxo

-A

[http://www.pantone.com/pages/fcr/?season=fall&year=2014&pid=3]

Purple Maroon Stones

Like the tints of purple in an amazing article of clothing we are drawn to certain things that create this feeling of lust. Whether it be in a material item or a person, there is lust behind everything. Like fashion, we create these emotions. Emotions that tide our attitude which in turn tide our outfits.

I’m a freshman at VCU and have met my fair share of not so amazing guys on campus just looking for one thing and we all know what that is gals. It’s sad that I’m actually shocked when I meet a nice guy on campus that doesn’t have hidden ulterior motives. However, its safe to say that we are only here for four years and we need to get all these feelings out somehow. A friend of mine told me, “you will never be around this many beautiful people with so much potential and limitless opportunities, so just embrace it.” Sadly, some of us get attached. Wrote a poem for you gals. Enjoy!

Purple, maroon, pink soft, but violent. Yearning to tell a story. Creeping up the long side of his neck. Like stones to a path all simultaneously assorted to hint at something more.

Always getting too invested in the wrong people.

Always letting the small stones trip me into a web of feelings all polar opposite in an immense piece of art.

Concentrating on his familiar lips but glued to his unfamiliar marks.

We see the things that we know will hurt us the most because it is our heart helping us disassociate the wrong people from our lives.

Don’t turn my heart to stone, don’t leave me alone

The waves come crashing down on me

Under the moon is where we will be

Stay strong gals

xoxo

-A

The “Rich” of Richmond

Tapping into my favorite homegrown boutique, Rumors, on West Broad I stumble upon a trend-setting shopper. The outfit she displayed eloquently offered a cute schoolgirl look yet pulling that Tumblr trend of casual Adidas. The prim and crisp use of a gray trench paired with contrasted black and white emphasizes the simplicity of the outfit yet still gives a taste of effort. The interconnectedness of modern pieces and constructions mixed with throwbacks from that classic schoolgirl look just brings forth the fact that trends ALWAYS come back and studying older fashion is still relevant.

How can you fashionista’s adopt this look? Easy! Focus not on the obvious but the texture first. This trend-setting shopper displayed a small amount of texture while still pulling off a fluid outfit. The granular look of her gray trench helped tide the look into something mature but at the same time kept it elementary. Secondly focus on the silhouette. This particular outfit is top heavy with emphasis on elongating the leg. Again drawing back to the schoolgirl look. Grab a cute and simple over sized comic tee and toss a structured trench to pace the outfit. Keeping in mind that neutrals are your friend and a little pop can help keep your outfit relevant. To achieve that full schoolgirl look, knee-high socks are a must! Once you add the socks, you’re ready to go!

With any outfit, confidence is key. A stylist can pull several outfits for you, which they seem fit but if you don’t feel confident in them, then their work is pointless. Confidence is fashion. Dressing up not only will make you look good, but at the same time it will give you confidence. Confidence is key to any outfit and if you don’t feel it, then the outfit is not right for you. You should smile and strut. Smiling releases endorphins and instantly brings your mood up. So smile and be confident!

Stay cute and eloquent gals!

Xoxo

-A

Last Minute is Always the Best

I decided within the hour to pull together a quick fashion shoot with a good friend/photographer and it ended up turning out great! Last minute can sometimes seem hazardous and messy but can work out!

Styling/Makeup/Hair by me:

Jacket: Forever 21, Jeans: Express, Unitard: Forever 21, Shoes: MissGuided, Lip: Rebel (Mac) mixed with black, Sunnies: CottonOn.

Photographer: Eman El Saied [http://www.emanelsaied.com/book-ii]

Stay Adventurous and Spontaneous gals!

xoxo

-A

VCU Spotting

Spotted this stunner while walking to one of my classes and had to take a photo. A yummy mix of anthropology pieces and thrifts to combine this textured-easy-day-look. An elegant cluster that simultaneously and harmoniously flows.
Stay bohemian and beautiful gals.
Xoxo
-A

Well Qualified and Under Heard

I think it goes without saying that we all want our sales associates to be well qualified in fashion and styling but are nine times out of ten never provided with that. H&M however has always had a plethora of trendy and hip employees. Every location I’ve been to in my area (Washington, D.C. Area) has had employees that have been almost over qualified for the position. I can not express how highly I view H&M. Had to express my opinion on them today because I was so pleased.
Shop H&M gals!
Xoxo -A

Accessories Haul

Trying out some new simplistic accessories all available at H&M.

Texture Over dose

I usually tell clients that less is more when it comes to styling a cute outfit but now I’m starting to realize that a little more texture never hurts! This is my latest winter bundle of texture!
Stay textured gals!
Xoxo -A

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