Do not be a Fashion Faux- Be Fabulous January 31, 2007

We all have or had a fashion faux-pas moment, but this is stuff that I still see on the street. Somehow I am hoping I’ll never see it again. But…no… Just this morning, in SoHo (NYC), in just a 4-block walk to an appointment, this is what I came across:

- A fur scrunchy! Please ladies! With so many hair options and accessories nowadays, you still need buy them?! And wear them?! Just burn them please. Ew!
- Red cold feet, and more red frozen feet. Wearing no socks when it is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (O Celsius) or lower, must be uncomfortable and just looks painful. Please wear socks or opaque tights and keep your bits toasty instead of frosty!
- Black sheer tights and white sneakers! Come on! We all know that you are a hard “working girl”, but this look does nothing for you. Wear loafers or flats to walk comfortably and keep the sneakers for the gym. Just the gym please.
- Large logos on clothes, bags and coats. You should only have this look if actually someone is paying you to be a walking advertisement. And even then, you should expect to be in a magazine or a style show as a ‘Don’t’. Sorry.
- Super tight, painfully tight jeans. Please guys, keep all this sexiness for the bedroom and buy something that fits nicely, unless a flat bum is the look you’re after.

So, lets get rid of the scruchies, the super tight clothes, the big logos and the sneakers/tights combo. You will definitely look much better, and you’ll get noticed more for the real reason: YOURSELF. Not for your wardrobe mistakes.

Stay warm folks.

SALES SHOPPING: Stay comfy, warm and stylish January 28, 2007

Oh well, winter is finally here and we all have to wear too many layers, and yes it can be a drag. But not anymore. Check out these tips and stay warm & comfy, while looking stylish and glamorous all the same. Remember the best time to buy a coat, winter accessories or boots is January, when everything is on SALE! Just seek out for classic but trendy designs.Same goes with accessories and boots.

Fur Hats (the fake-fur ones, can be as nice):
Well that’s a fashion trend that has proven itself with time. It was ‘in’ then, and it will be ‘in’ tomorrow. Just keep it simple and not poofy, and when you choose this style abandon all others (not too much jewelry, no colors, no other frills). And: the fur has to match the color of your coat or at least compliment the color. Example: Tan coat? Black or off white hat.Black coat? Black, tan or grey would look nice.Check out:www.fabulousfurs.com

Color coats
When it is very cold,we tend to be all ‘gloomy and grey’, so why not buy a fun color coat? There are alot of sales out there, but you can start from a department store to get variety. Seek out for classic colors, so you can look hip next year too: red (bright or dark), dark green or a nice midnight blue.
But if you still like a dark color, try some brightful details, like this guess coat at burlington coat factory

Boots
Ah! That’s another one. Every year all of us need/want/can’t live with another new pair. So, lets buy them on sale. Here I would suggest that you look for an expensive brand, as they tend to have designs that last longer, and they have beautiful details, and leather. I still have a fantastic pair of Nello Nembro red ankle boots that I bought 5 years ago, and people on the street stop me to ask me where they are from.

Here’s a nice “dorado” one that I’m buying from bluefly.com

Stay warm!

Colormania! January 25, 2007

When talking to people and looking at the trends everyone is focusing on the ‘safe’ options: black, brown, the metalics, beige, white, and grey. But bag choices should not always be monochromatic and certainly if the bag is the focal point of one’s outfit, color is the way to go. For those of us who like a little bit of color now and then, there is always something out there. Yeah!

Color for accessories is what the ‘black uniform’ is for work. Just keep the rest monocromatic or if you can do it work with supplementary colors to get the funky look you’re after. Want to wear a red bag? Pair it with a ‘navy’ look. Want to carry a fresh lime one? Try wearing it with a dark chocolate skirt and a simple top. And if it gets complicated you can always contact me!
And remember: YES, YOU CAN ALSO WEAR COLOR IN WINTER!

What to keep and what to lose? January 20, 2007

This is a question that I have heard more than 10 times the past couple of days. Sometimes a trend is here only for a few months and sometimes a trend becomes an ‘all time classic’ way. Let’s see what you can do with what you already own and still get the ‘look of the moment’ for spring/summer 2007:

Keep:
- Romantic blouses
- White dresses
- Skinny jeans (well, if you must, you’re allowed…for now)
- Walking shorts, if you keep the look classic and the shorts no shorter than mid-thigh (remember: too short, too skimpy and too ragged are just painful for the rest of us)

Loose:
- Skulls (enough already! Soon they will make toilet paper with a skull pattern…)
- Leggings (they were bad in the ’80s and they’re still bad in 2007 and they’ll always look bad unless you’re in a dance class)
- Head scarfs (unless you’re driving around in a convertible and you don’t want to mess up your ‘do!)

See? Easy - peasy.

They met - they talked - what happened: Museum of the City of New York, 2/13/07 at 2.00 p.m. January 20, 2007

Laird Borrelli, Jason Palmer of www.bagshop.com, Clair Watson, Dana Palzkill, Robert Bryan, fashion journalist (former fashion menswear director of the NY Times), and Eric Javits all met for a round-table discussion at the Museum of the City of New York on Jan. 13, 2007. What they talked about? Hangbags of course.

The panel was open to the visitors of the Museum and we learnt alot from the ‘hangbag’ experts. A few topics and ideas that went around the table and we all agreed with are:
- Everybody is making an ‘It’ bag these days, and everybody wants to be part of an ‘elite club’. That creates long waiting lists, people are spending their monthly wages for the ‘It’ bag of the moment. It is possible that we are ready for something new.
- The bag has become the focal point of an outfit and over time bags got names. This doesn’t happen with other accessories (yet, may I add?)
- The ‘It’ bag has become a necessity not only for the consumer, but mainly for the fashion houses.
But, what makes a bag, an “It’ bag?
- Individuality
- Authenticity
- Uniqueness
- Great design, great detailing
- It is a viable product (which means, alot of celebrities carry them and get on the waiting list, and other smaller firms copy the whole of part or the design).
- Beauty

So, where is the market going now?
- People have started getting designer bags with their initials on them
- Increase and development of the middle of the range market ($200-$500)
- Craftmanship design is searched by the educated consumer
- Interest in exotic skins like aligator, snake etc. (oh dear!)
- A bag should combine 3 qualities: function - quality - style.

That’s all folks. Happy handbag shopping!

Valentine’s Day is Coming up January 17, 2007

Yup. It is close. Very close. And a lot of you are wondering what to get that very special person in your life, or how to show them what your intentions are if they are not the ‘very special person in your life’ yet. But flowers and candy, are well…done already! Here are some ideas to get you started:

If your significant other is a girl:
- Red hot lipstick. If you’re confused, just go to a Sephora store near you and the lovely sales associates will help you out. I really like anything Guerlain.

- The red Fendi bag. Oh! It is so delicious. Start with www.neimanmarcus.com

- A nice coral necklace, which she can use also in the summer and works with everything. For affordable options try Urban Outfitters or www.anthropologie.com

- Red ballet flats. she’ll be impressed with your fashion-savvy choice. Lots of options, but for the budget concious, I would try www.gap.com

If your significant other is a man:
- Farenheit Eau de Toilette by Christian Dior. A classic but remarkable scent in a classy red bottle.

- ‘Do the “red” thing’. At Gap stores and you’ll also feel good about yourself.

- A Ferrari? In red maybe? If you can’t afford the real thing, try a ‘mini-me’ version, at www.trendtimes.com

- How about a couple of vintage red cufflings? www.cufflinks.com has alot of options. I like the ‘red sushi’.

Girls Only! Eye-Candy Accessories January 13, 2007

Well, yes we all love some eye-candy and the new hot designer accessories and the place to get it. No worries, knock-offs are everywhere around us and if you like something from this list, just drop us a line and we will direct you to the ’sourse’.

What I love this season in shoes, bags, and a little bit of this and a little bit of that:

• Pierre Hardy platforms (and they are comfortable too)
• Cristian Louboutin flats (yes they make flats too, for those of us that live in a city and have to walk everywhere)
• Green bag and beach bag by Balenciaga (I want both…)
• Prada sandals (if we can’t afford the dress, we’ll buy one from H&M and pair it with a fav pair of those)
• Chanel yellow clutches (oh! lala!)
• Bottega Veneta pink bag (it will look fab with a white or a flowery dress)
• Diane Fon Fustenberg beachwear (for those lazy afternoon at the Hamptons or elsewhere..)

Museum of the City of New York: ‘Purses from the permanent collection’ until January 28, 2007 January 13, 2007

Check out this fab exhibition on bags from 1870-1970.Click here
Did you know that the 18th and 19th century ladies’ purses when they routinely made their appearance, passed through generations as fond keepsakes? Also, did you know that in the beginning of the 20th century the larger bags began to seek careers in businesses dominated by men?

The precursors of today’s icons of NYC status and style are showcased at the MCNY until Jan. 28, 2007. For those that would like to hear more about it from the insiders there is a panel discussion at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday 1/13/07; Laird Borrelli, Jason Palmer, Clair Watson, Dana Palzkill, Robert Bryan and Eric Javits explore the frenzy that surrounds the status handbag. Free with the Museum’s admission.

Have you thought of working with a personal shopper? It saves time and money! January 13, 2007

Alot of people think that personal shopping is only for the very rich, the very rich and famous and anyone that can afford BERGORF & GOODMAN, Bloomingdales or other high end boutiques/department stores. Not any more! You can also work with a personal shopper and see how much time, energy and money you save in the end.

We will meet with you, consult your wardrobe and discuss what works for your body type, your lifestyle and your needs. After that we can advise you on what to buy to make what you have work better, or shop for you. We work within your budget and always seek out for those well-hidden knock-offs.
To inquire more send us an email at: ivi@ivi-varda.com

For Girls Only: very 2007 January 11, 2007

Girls! Welcome to the world of personal shopping! No matter what your size and lifestyle is, there is a trend out there that will compliment your style and update your wardrobe. Don’t think that you have to spend lots to get that look that everyone aspires to. Just a couple of key pieces and you’re ready!

When you go out shopping look out for the following ‘hot’ items:
- anything white-gold
- bright and short for night
- metalics (a pair of pumps, a bag, a belt, a scarf)
- wide-leg jeans (yes, skinny will be out soon. Phew!)
- flowers and flower patterns
- lemon yellow paired with grey/black/white
- a slouchy embelished hobo (the Chanel one is awfully cute)
- flaunt fetish shoes
- short leather top / jacket
- mensware