Introduction: Fashion is....

Creative. It's a the blending of color, texture, pattern and movement together to create a certain kind of style.

Fashion is...

Color. how does color really make you feel? Nervous, anxious, happy, sad? Take a moment to really consider that question. Chances are, you will be quite surprised by your answers. I know I was.

Generally speaking, “at the end of the day” something as simple as color or print, will pull a memory. It can be good, bad, comfortable or unpleasant. Most likely it will remind you of some place some thing, or someone. And, this might actually be the reason for you to think about it before you try. For many of us, we will simply avoid it or, be drawn to it.

Throughout our lifetime most of us will have an association to print and specific colors. This association can prevent us from utilizing colors or prints in a positive way. A thought, instead of listening to your fearful dark side telling you all the negatives behind colors or prints, try instead to find that happy association with what they can do. For instance, certain colors, red, green, orange, blue, can actually support you both emotionally and physically in a positive way. If you take a moment and think back to a time when the color of a field of flowers delighted you or, your school colors made you so proud to wear or, when exploring patterns, prints and colors for your new digs when you moved away from home. Many of these memories stay with us for a lifetime when, we take a moment to remember.

Solution for your aversions? Find the happy memories with those colors and prints that have challenged you the most. Then try one on, close your eyes and listen to what you're feeling. If you are still challenged, walk away and try again another day! You never know, one of those try on moments might result in something new in the closet that you will love to put on. Just an idea.....

Now, for those of you willing to consider your self image as an artist’s canvas, a blank, pre-painting canvas, let's start with either black, white or any 1 color that you have a relationship with be your template. Creamy white is a wonderful option for those who are white base opposed as it can blend nicely with most earth tones. This template will serve as your inspiration board as you thoughtfully start painting the image you want others to see. This template becomes the backdrop on which to paint your style with your colors. Keeping in mind a boldly splashed abstract would be your print. Fortunately most any color choices you choose will pop against the canvas color you have chosen as long as it doesn't become a blend of all them!

Note: I have a tool for color choosing at the end of this book as a reference or guide to remind you that YOU can and will find color and print to be a friend.

Fashion is...

Texture: What does texture stir in you? The sense of comfort your favorite blanket or flannel jammies provides? Or does it conjure up the memory of the itching sensation the wet wool from your school uniform gave you? For others it could be the sound of a textured fabric that creeps you out, think George Costanza from Seinfield, alerting all who were in the room he was coming. The particular fabric he wore for that scene, a microfiber stretch, made this loud crunching sound from his upper thighs rubbing as he sauntered across the room. Not a pleasant image or sound right?

Another obstacle about texture, is doubt. How does it look, do I look fat or how does it feel and what will others think?

In truth, without consciously understanding it, thats how most of us think as we are getting dressed!

On those days when comfort is key, then feeling hugged, cozy with embracing soft fabrics are most likely your 1st choice. However, on those days when we are feeling a bit more confident, we might choose a strong tactile texture, colorful boucle's to express our enthusiasm and positive image.

By adding texture when we dress, we make an extra effort to add dimension to our current style. We can give that individual look a little more umph. The texture you choose will give your look that unique edge which will, project confidence in your style choices.

“I’m confident with my style choices"

Thoughtful information about how some fabric may be perception and the feelings they may elicit from others.

*Cashmere, a luxury knit, can be irresistible and sensual. It can encourage unwanted touching or petting from others. It can also give the impression you are relaxed and comfortable especially if the yarn is a pastel. This applies to both men and women.

*Tweed boucle's can be perceived as prickly or harsh. Similar in fact to a succulent plant, cactus, or the quills of a porcupine, rough and untouchable. This impression can be altered simply by adding an accessory that can soften the overall look or, if the fabric has added movement in garment.

*Most silks can project a sense of lightness and independence. Not always a fabric that can or should be touched instead, only admired.

* The bells and whistle of bling and beads will often encourage a happy person confident with the attraction the loud effect will have. Although you may not fill up your dance card, you will be the delight of a party.

If you prefer not to be touched, petted or rubbed up against, your choice of fabric can be most important when choosing your style for the day or, an evening event. I'd always error on what feels good to you first then make adjustments to fit your audience. In other words, DO NOT let the audience dictate your style or the fabrics you choose. They will accept you however you are dressed if you accept accept yourself first!

Fashion is...

Pattern: Overload happens when too much pattern is shown. It’s what happens when you see stripes or plaids together. You might go to “I don’t understand, it doesn’t make sense, it doesn’t seem to match. You’re not supposed to wear a stripe and plaid together.” I'm here to tell you, when patterns and textures are mixed properly to suit the individual needs of the person wearing them, the look can be astounding. Think Carrie Bradshaw, John Legend, Iris Apfel, Harry Styles, Gwen Stefani and Jeff Goldblum.

Men do this all the time with a Prince of Wales plaid suit, a pin stripe shirt, and a paisley tie and they look great. And women, we do it too. We don’t do it much, but we like it when we see it. Think Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Christian LaCroix or Etro. Karl Lagerfeld. who led the design team for Chanel until his last days, often blended menswear fabrics, plaids and stripes, or feminine nubby boucle's with soft printed fabrics for a lining. His appreciation for textures and prints mixing the masculine with the feminine often resulted in a host of wearable accessories including blouses, skirts, belts and scarves to name a few. This allowed the collection to blend together the masculine pattern of a jacket with an opposing printed lining to create a host of wearable separates and accessories to blend together the mix of fabrics. He was not the only influential designer to push the boundaries between the masculine and feminine fabrics. Other designers over the years like, master tailor Richard Tyler, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Tom Ford, Gucci, Moschino, Missoni, ETRO have continued to experiment with the use of texture and print to express their vision.

As with texture and color, patterns will often pull an emotion from us, conscious or unconsciously, good or bad. I find wearing a mixture of prints and colors makes me feel happy and I tend to project that emotion when others see me. One of my favorite fashion icons next to Carrie Bradshaw (Sara Jessica Parker), would have to be Iris Apfel. To this day, she is and, will always be a true fashion icon. She believes a person choice of fashion represents their individual choice of style. And really, who is she or anyone else to say, " that doesn't work", therefore, why wouldn't you feel comfortable mixing whatever patterns or prints appeal to your style choices? Another trend setter who confidently wears print and pattern is Ellen DeGeneris. Throughout her tenure on TV, she has been known to wear the playful patterns of Etro from head to toe, often mixing a menswear suit fabric with a bold print and finishing the look with a pocket square. It would seem reasonable to say, mixing the patterns and colors this collection offers makes her happy and puts a little extra jazz in her dance moves!

They same thoughts can apply to men. For instance for those men who love color, texture and pattern a tie, bow-tie or a pair of socks will give the added dimension of texture to an otherwise classic menswear pattern suit or jacket. One of my favorite examples of men, my clients in particular, stretching their comfort level from the mundane, would have to be the doctors I have dressed over the years. Taking something as simple as a tie or a fun pair socks to wear under the lab coat or, on the feet can quickly change the perception of the patient being seen. It can actually make us more comfortable when we feel our Doctor is relaxed or projects a playful mindset, especially at times when a difficult medical encounter needs a little light.

“Color and pattern will dictate the attitude of how others will perceived you"

Fashion is...

Individual, and whatever style YOU want to project.

Choose, Appreciate, Rejoice, Embrace. "CARE" about the image you see in the mirror.