Designer Profile-Kate Spade

Kate Spade, (nee Brosnahan) hails from Kansas City, Missouri and attended Arizona State University where she majored in Journalism.  She is considered an “All-American” girl.

Upon graduation, she landed her first position with Mademoiselle magazine in New York City working in the accessories department.  Having a keen eye for trends she quickly blossomed and was eventually promoted to Senior Fashion Editor and Head of accessories for the magazine.

When Kate couldn’t find the perfect handbag that was sleek, functional, yet elegant in design for her own taste she decided to design her own.  Her husband, Andy encouraged her to pursue her ideas and in 1993,  they became business partners launching Kate Spade handbags.

Almost instantly women and fashion editors fell in love with  Kate’s designs. In 1997, she was awarded America’s New Fashion Talent in Accessories, and again in 1998, for Best Accessory Designer of the Year.

Her iconic logos are recognized globally and she is hailed for her use of graphics, vivid color palettes.

In 2007, the American Brand was acquired by Liz Claiborne Inc with the intention to keep Kate Spade’s core values and the aim to broaden the product line. To date there product category includes, handbags, clothing, jewelry, shoes, stationery, glasses, baby and home. They have thirty-six shops across the United States, and are sold in every time zone and on every continent.

Kate Spade:  The Classic Chic Designer

Striped for Spring Go Nautical

Personally, I love a stripe.  It has a clean straight forward look.  How about you?  Do you like stripes? Better yet, do they like you?  Some say that they cannot wear a stripe, but I say YES you can!

It’s more about the width of the stripe than the stripe.  Just make sure you choose a stripe that will compliment your overall body scale and proportion.

Nautical is always a great look for spring and this spring it seems as though they are bigger and bolder than ever!   Do you go horizontal or vertical?  Horizontal is considered nautical.

It is not the stripe as much as the size of the stripe that matters when you are choosing one.  If you are absolutely adverse to wearing a stripe, just go with a summer nautical stripe  handbag or scarf as shown and you’ll be right on trend for spring.  Just do it and remember:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Handbag Heaven-Marc Jacobs, Dolce&Gabbana. Kate Spade or Coach?

I’m paralyzed lately getting a new handbag.  I just don’t like the “slouchy” look that is all the rage.   Honestly, I love a good handbag, but I just can’t seem to part with the funds that my hearts desire is drawn to.

Why oh why do they have to cost so much money?  Do “real people” really spend this much money on these handbags or do they have an “in” that I don’t know about?  Someone tell me!  Please…I think they have a secret that no one knows about!

This season, it looks like I’m totally absorbed in Marc Jacobs and Dolce&Gabbana go figure!  Can’t you just “see” the difference!

I like purses with structure, and simple classic shape.  Don’t give me bling and I’m not into hooks and rings.  Just a beautiful classic leather bag.  No “stuff” on the outside of a bag that advertises for the designer.  Talk about “free” advertising.  How crazy is that!  Subtle elegance is high on my priority list!

Maybe someone will “gift’ me one of these one day!  Until then, I’ll have to stick to the labels everyone knows Coach, Kate Spade, and Brahmain for example. Ho, hum! As I use to tell my children, just because I like doesn’t mean I get!

How about you?  Are you drawn to accessories that are totally out of your price range?  How do you do it?  Do you go there?  I think, I really do think that there is a place that we don’t know about that sells handbags for a fraction of the cost and are as good quality as those that are thousands of dollars.  It’s called “knockoffs” or “fakes” and I won’t go there either!  Real or nothing for me!  Until then……

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

“Scouting” Trends – Camo Goes Classic

Part of the fun in what I do is watching what is happening with trends.  Sometimes trends hang around so long that they become classic looks.  That’s what has happened to “camouflage” and military inspired looks.

Here are some of my inspirations this spring:

Add some camouflage to your wardrobe this spring and you will find that you have added a “classic” to your wardrobe.  Remember when camouflage turned from mottled green to desert tan?  It’s back again this spring and we’ll see it moving into fall.

What you  might ask defines a classic?  A classic is a trend that stay around.  It is cross cultural and goes deep into all the styles.  It is interpreted and embraced by designers at all styles.  So, no matter where you shop, Target or Kohl’s, Macy’s to Neimans, camo will be seen on all the racks for the forseeable future.

As you can see, camo doesn’t just mean army green and true “camouflage” fabric.  You can add some green, khaki or desert tan and you’ll be on trend.  Get something that fit’s your body, feels good and flatters your figure and you are sure to wear it again and again.  It’s a classic remember!  Choose the right piece and it will be in your closet for years to come!

Speaking in Tongues – Your Shoes Are Talking

What do your shoes say about you?  Shoes are so much fun these days that you may forget they are speaking volumes about you!

Here are some of my favorite new shoe trends for spring!  Have fun on the weekend but remember at work your number one goal at work is SUCCESS!! Think of your next step.  Being “caged, cuffed, studded or clogged” may not get you there!

Eyes travel from bottom to top when people first meet you.  Don’t get tongues wagging at work if you are in a conservative environment with these Cage, Cuff, Stud, Stone, Clog and Wooden Wedge trends this spring.

Unless you are in the fashion or advertising industry, I caution you in purchasing this type shoe for work.  Instead, try these “work appropriate” shoes for an updated look in your wardrobe this spring.  Go for patent leather, color and snakeskin for an updated, successful business look.

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

See Style – Get Style

DSCN2386 Sometimes what’s in your closet just feels boring and has no umph.  Sometimes you just can’t see the “forest through the trees” as they say.  Pieces have been hanging in there for so long you can no longer “see” the possibilities that it holds in an up to date look.

For me this happens toward the end of every season.  I’m tired of it and ready to move on.  For this reason alone, it is important to try and have just the current season’s clothes in eye view every day.  We all want a change, something new but it even more difficult when the DSCN2396uniform of the day is in front of us 365 days a year.DSCN2395

I was in another closet last week and discovered 3 pretty normal but interesting pieces.  After pulling out these pieces and organizing the rack so I could see what was there, new opportunities came rushing in.

So as you clean your closet and transition to the upcoming season do these three things to help you “see” the possibilities.

  1. Move out of season out of your closet
  2. Arrange your clothes light to dark left to dark
  3. Separate suits and hang tops and bottoms separately in order as in #2

It is really just that easy to :

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Inspired Style-It’s Not Just The Dress

Who or what inspires you?  Are you inspired by a friend, relative, or co-worker?  Maybe you are inspired by an actor.  You might even be inspired by an activity, running, tennis or yoga for example.  Inspiration comes from many sources, but we are all inspired and motivated by something.

Connecting with your source of inspiration is one sure way to begin to understand your unique style personality.

Oscar Night is always an inspiring event for me.  I love watching all the beautiful people parade like peacocks in front of the cameras.  I imagine the weeks and even months of planning, searching and scouring designer looks for just the right piece actors (well their stylists)  go through to capture the right look.

This year it seemed as though more than ever there was something that distracted my eye and brought down the total look.  All these women are beautiful people.  All have style.  All have a certain “look”.

Sarah Jessica Parker in  Chanel.  The dress is classic Chanel, but her  bad spray tan and oversized hair piece put the whole look in danger.  Sandra Bullock, always sporty chic wore a gorgeous Marchesa gold beaded dress embracing a different spirit.  It was elegant and chic, it didn’t seem to resonate with me.  It was beautiful on her body, but I felt wasn’t “her”.  Topped off with her bright pink lips I just felt a disconnect.  I’ll bet she couldn’t wait to get it off.

The one style icon that I feel got it right from head to toe was Meryl Streep in a former Project Runway contestant Chris March design.  Sheis a Traditional Style woman.  She is a “working girl”.  I love the fact that she “is what she is” and has no pretenses.  This makes her true to herself, beautiful, aging gracefully and stunning in her dress.

You see, it’s not just about the dress.  It is the total overall look.  Tell me who do YOU think had the most fun on Oscar Night?  Of these 3 ladies, who do you feel was true to herself and expresses her Style Personality?

The next time you are inspired by someone or something, try to connect, really connect with the source of this inspiration and you will truly have an “inspired look”.  Do this and you will always:

Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Eco Couture – Go Natural This Spring

Will it EVER quit snowing?  One day soon, I’m sure but until then, I must keep “thinking spring”.  It  puts me in the mind of perfumes that waft through the air,  going for a walk  outdoors and  going “natural” with my makeup!

This spring that’s the hottest trend in cosmetics.…the “natural” look.  Getting a “natural” look doesn’t mean going w/o makeup.  Au contraire!  It takes a bit of “work” to look great “naturally”.

So, how do you wear makeup for a fresh “natural” look?  The key is in the preparation of your skin. Your skin is just like an artist’s canvass.  Start with a great MRP Program (Maintenance-Repair-Protect).

  • Maintain your skin daily by cleansing, toning and properly moisturizing
  • Repair damaged skin at night by using alpha-hydroxy and poly-hydroxy acids and retinol based products and always
  • Protect it during the day from sun exposure and extra oxidation.

Using the latest in mineral makeup is step two.   Mineral makeup has been all the rage for several years now and  comes in a variety of colors.  Because it contains natural ingredients, everyone can use it.  Even those with sensitive skin have found it to give them a great look.  When products do not have added oils, it keeps the pores smooth and open.

Colors this spring range from light pinks to soft corals.  Beautiful cheeks, eyes, lips, and nails can be yours come spring.  So regardless of whether you have cool or warm undertones, there is Great Color for you.

“Sensible” Ways to Build Your Wardrobe

One of the biggest and most inspiring challenges that I have as an image consultant is helping someone create their. unique wardrobe.  Style that is “uniquely” yours separates you from the competition and allows you to be yourself, feel confident and reach your goals.

In order to discover your unique style, I need to “get inside your head” to see who you really are.

I have trained myself to become acutely aware of what makes you “tick”.  It’s not easy, but you too can learn what it is that makes you unique through using your 5 senses!  As you hone your skills, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy and feeds on itself.  It grows as you grow in confidence.  Start by becoming more aware in the following ways and see where it takes you!

  1. Touch -  When you touch fabric, how do you respond?  Do you like the way fabric feels on your hands when you touch it?  How does it feel on your body?
  2. Hear – Does it bother you when you “hear” fabric swishing?  Remember the old warm up  suits of the 90′s?  They sounded like paper scratching and being crumpled.
  3. Sight - How do respond when you see color?  Color can make us feel calm or excited.  Pattern can speak very loudly or elicit a quiet emotional response.
  4. Taste – Sometimes color just “looks” yummy.  I know you know what I mean!  For you chocolate lovers out there, do you love deep dark chocolate or milky chocolate?
  5. Smell - Have you ever noticed out raw silk, wool or fresh cotton smells?  Fabrics have smell.  What memories are brought to mind when you smell your favorite fabric?

All of your senses fine tuned can help you choose the best fabric for your body.  That’s why I say it must “fit, flatter, and feel good” or it just won’t work!  Become more cognitively aware of your selections of fabric and you go a long way towards creating a wardrobe that will:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”

Isaac Mizrahi-Designer for Every Woman

A native New Yorker, Isaac’s creativity was instilled as the son of a children’s clothing manufacturer and a mother who was passionate about fashion.  He often created costumes for his puppet shows in his youth.

A leader in design for over 20 years, he has received 4 CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards!  His 1995 movie UNZIPPED debut the behind the seams look at fashion

Perhaps he is best known for revolutionizing the fashion industry when he teamed with Target to launch a stylishly chic collection for every woman.

Multi-talented, Isaac has created costumes for movies, theatre, dance and opera in addition to writing a series of comic books in 1997. On TV he is a favorite on the Oxygen Channel and Style Networks as well as Bravo and in 2008, Gotham published his book How to Have Style.

By December of  2009, Mizrahi launched a new collection on QVC called ISAACMIZRAHILIVE! It is a key lifestyle collection that showcases his favorites from handbags to dresses and cheesecakes.  Currently he oversees the design and development of Liz Claiborne New York as its Creative Director.

I don’t think he sleeps much, but when does find free time he loves to cook and watch the Yankees play ball!

Check out his Fall 2010 Collection now!

Isaac Mizrahi designs for every woman! I think he’d like my motto:

“Look Good, Feel Great and Have FUN Doing It!”