Beyond Fashion...

Beauty is such a complex state of being. To be beautiful is mythic, fictitious - an illusion so to speak. The concept of beauty is very subjective as is apparent in the saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," which is somewhat true if one includes personality, character and the 'it is what is on the inside that counts' clause in the measurement of beauty.

However, I am talking about the superficial definition of beauty – physical beauty. Physical beauty is rare and wonderful, and almost all women work to acquire this. Why? Quite frankly, because beauty presents opportunities and to pretend otherwise is foolish. I am in no way advocating hand-outs based on physical appearance or double standards between the beautiful and unbeautiful. I am basically stating a sad truth which is: looks matter first. However, once your looks have gotten you to the door, you must have something else to offer beyond that – whatever that might be, brains, character...something else. However, it is the getting to the door that I choose to focus on today.

For any woman, being beautiful is a complex business and if one is to be successfully beautiful, like any business it requires vigilance, calculation, and a whole lot of hard work. I am coming to this realization as I am leaving my early twenties ;-) (with every passing year, there is only one secret I am learning to keep – the secret of my age) that things that came naturally in the past are becoming strange bedfellows to me.

Going are the days when I thought I would never weigh more than 120 – no matter how hard I tried to gain the weight. Going are the days where my skin glowed with the exuberance of youth and lack of responsibilities. Going are the days where the only reason I needed to wake up before 9 was for class and even then I could choose not to go without the fear of unemployment. Going are the days where the question was not "to be or not to be," but rather "to buy a new outfit or not to buy." *Sigh. *

Those days are gone.

Appearance involves calculation. Now, I pay more attention to what I eat, I actually go running not only because I enjoy doing it, but also because it is becoming a necessity. The word diet has been added to my vocabulary, I pay an unhealthy attention to beauty product labels now and I take my vitamins (6 different vitamins daily). You could say I am going through a quarter- life crises but I am not. For me, going through a quarter-life crises would be to buy the car I really want (Mercedes G500) and deal with the financial consequences later. Or you could say I have an 'obsessive-compulsive' disorder, but that is not it either.

It is just that I have embraced the words of Helena Rubinstein that states there are no ugly women, only lazy ones.

VIVE LES COULEURS!!!

The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.

Fashion is Architecture. It is a matter of Proportions.* Not only the pattern, but the fabric, cut and print make the clothes. The name of the game this spring is Flirty! Flirt! Flirt! Accentuate your winning parts (neckline, shoulders, ankles, calves). Don't whore it but definitely not a crime to flaunt it!

In my world hot pink is the new black! Vivid colors have become a fashion statement. Ralph Lauren defines it as Colorfully Composed – I say wear the damn rainbow if you please. The best color in the whole world is the one that looks good on you!

In a season where anything goes, it is pretty hard to commit a fashion faux-pas....

--Flats are still a given and heels can be clunky, wedge or platform.




--You can layer it up or bare it all (in a conservative way of course)

--We tomboys must indulge as menswear is now women's domain. Menswear have become a fashion statement and now, he is not the only on turning heads in the slim-cut, custom made pin stripe suit. Katharine Hepburn surely would be proud!



--Hippies and Parisians can cause a stir...go global or retain the classy-chic, riche look.

--And pants can be wide legged or skinny.

In sum, Style is an expression of one's individuality mixed with charisma whilst Fashion is something that comes after style. As spring brings with it immense opportunities to showcase a style your own, it is imperative that whatever look you choose to own and project should be done with taste.

Vive les couleurs de printemps!



*Coco Chanel

Don't Meet Me @ The Crossroads

Ever been @ a point in your life where it seems like you're just going through the motions waiting for ONE great thing to happen?

No, not a hopeless state as you have options. Yet these options seem to be lost in a maze somewhere out there.

...Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy Comes in The Morning. Psalm 30:5.