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Tuesday 30 October 2012
Pinterest! @ 14:23

Social media fanatics, do I have a surprise for you!


I've finally checked out Pinterest. I might be one of the slowest ones to get on the bandwagon, but now that I've found this amazing compilation system, I'm crazy about it! I think I love it better than Tumblr, because it's like a virtual inspiration board and I have all these "boards" for a variety of specific categories. I use Tumblr for pretty things that interest me, but it's not just fashion; it's for everything from people to music to jokes to finally, fashion. Pinterest allows more categorization, which is extremely fascinating for those who hate to switch Tumblr blogs every time they reblog something different.

Check out my Pinterest space at: http://pinterest.com/essieleigh/! I've got boards entitled, fashion inspiration, body inspiration, fashion intelligence and style icons! Who know, maybe in a few seconds, you'll be as "pinned" to it as I am! *heheheh*

I have so many goals for this lovely blog right now...but nothing's getting done. I'll try my best and hopefully, y'all will find some more OOTDs, 1930's info and Tom Ford. 

Meanwhile, catch you on Pinterest! 

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Tuesday 25 September 2012
Fall Fashion Trends 2012 @ 23:45

My fabulous fashion people, where you at?

Fall has arrived! Make sure you know how to transition your wardrobe from the bright, youthful summer season, into the typically sophisticated, luxe autumn. Check out my new article for Youthink on fall 2012's biggest fashion trends! 

CLICK HERE: http://www.youthink.ca/2012-fall-fashion


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Thursday 9 August 2012
M.I.A. (NOT!) @ 23:38

Hello!

Haven't been updating for awhile now, but I've been working on projects, I promise! Getting a little bored because there's nothing new yet? 

Check out my article on inspiring fashion movies for the ultimate fashionista! I wrote it for Youthink, a local youth magazine from British Columbia. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE: http://www.youthink.ca/yt/features/fashion/top-10-fashion-movies


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Tuesday 3 July 2012
Style Stalking: The High School Fashion Scene @ 22:18

There actually is one particular thing that makes high school fun to attend five days a week, for six hours a day.  Needless to say, it really isn't the whole "learning the curriculum" kind of thing.  It's actually the high school fashion scene.  In my opinion, girls in this generation really know how to dress.  The designers are the ones creating an art, but for these girls, they put together ensembles as a way of self-expression.  Contrary to a curriculum like at school, these girls' styles have no limitations.  They dress for maximum effect, carrying out their own style like they rule the school.  Here are two girls in high school whose creative and perfectly-put-together styles I absolutely adore.  I introduce to you...Candice and Sharon.

Candice Y. shows off her summery style with cute Roxy shorts, brown booties, a simple white top  and stylish accessories to match. 

Sharon K. brightens everyone's day with a tie-dye tank, denim sorts, dainty accessories and an artistic henna design on her hand.


E: How would you guys describe your style?
C: Can I actually describe how I get dressed in the morning? It takes me a good hour everyday. I spend an hour to choose my clothes and like 5 minutes to eat breakfast and then I go to school...and I'll probably change like three times during the day.
E: Wow, that's impressive! And how about Sharon? How would you describe your style?
S: Okay, I like to wear stuff that's comfortable and loose. I hate tight clothing, 'cause I don't know but it's... it's gross. It's tight and I can't breathe. If I go to a store, I wouldn't buy the size that fits me, but a size up.
C: I think Sharon is Urban...Urban Hip.
E: Who are your style role models or inspirations?
S: Candice!
C: I steal from everyone, like from my sister Michelle sometimes if I don't get stains on it.
E: What are your opinions of the current high school fashion scene?
S: Crop tops! People are going crazy about crop tops!  It's the leggings and the crop tops combination.
C: Oh no, crop tops are so last year. That was winter. Now it's like hot shorts where it's like cut along the butt cheek line, ombre shorts and asymmetrical skirts where it's like short in the front and long in the back. Uhh, I don't know how I feel about that. I think this trend won't last very long; it's tacky and distasteful.  Earring cuffs are going to be in this summer though! So like fake cartilage with dangling things hanging from them.
S: Yea, there's definitely people wearing the short shorts and then they have huge pockets like hanging out. What is with that? And then you have your cellphone in your pockets and it's just hanging out of your shorts.
E: So Candice, I see that you tend to incorporate trends into your artsy style and you've got this mix going on. Sharon, I love seeing how you dress trends from the past.  Sometimes you're boho chic, sometimes cable-knit vintage, and sometimes, like today, tie-dye '70s. Are there any trends you two are liking a lot right now?
C: Tangerine. Tangerine is a good colour. And pastels, I like pastels but I don't own any pastels but maybe soon.
S: I'll say, it doesn't matter what I'm wearing, I always have to wear earrings. And I always try to do like a whole outfit thing, because I have so many piercings that I can try to match them.
E: You guys do a lot of vintage and thrift store shopping.  Where do you guys go and what are some tips?
C: The key is to not go to the mainstream thrift stores where people think they can get a lot of good clothing.
S: It's really just the same price as the regular clothing.  It's not always even good quality, like there are stains and stuff and it's gross.They still make it 20 bucks or something.
C: The Salvation Army but it's getting kinda sketch now. BCSPCA is good though.
E: And that wraps it up for today. Thanks so much for letting me get to know your different styles and sharing your tips!



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Saturday 30 June 2012
Fashion Knowledge: Long Live Versace @ 00:28



Today's fashion history (and fashion present) lesson is on the genius and legacy behind the ultimate glitzy fashion house, Gianni Versace.


Remember Versace? 


Yep, this was it!  The famous Versace dress that not only solidified Jennifer Lopez's glam sex appeal on the red carpet, but an out-of-the-box approach to fashion!

Seeing the Gianni Versace label in all it's glamour and luxury today, it's hard to believe that the designer that created the label had a rickety start.  Gianni Versace was born in Reggio Calabria, Italy in 1946.  An aspiring couturier, he moved to Milan in 1972 and worked for multiple companies as a freelance designer.  It wasn't until March 28th, 1978 did he launch his own label at the Palazzo della Permanente in Milan.  With his sister Donatella as his muse and model, his brother Santo handling the business portion of the label and his brother-in-law Paul Beck supporting him to the fullest, Versace, was a family business that would be a powerful fashion force.

Gianni Versace's headstrong attitude and persistent fashion ideals was a prominent part of the 1990s.  With him at the reigns of the fashion industry, Versace brought sex, over-the-top glamour and publicity to fashion. His wearers included the most popular rock-and-roll musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Prince, Eric Clapton and George Michael.  He also won the likes of supermodels, the world's most famous stars and Diana, the Princess of Wales.  Elton John even wore Versace dresses for The Sunday TImes in a spoof of Versace's previous advertising campaigns.

The first Gianni Versace haute couture fashion show was in 1990, in Paris at the famous Ritz hotel.  Only success followed that major move.  The designer had the world at his feet, making a turnover of 600 billion lire.  Although his vision for fashion was a driving might, he was earnest, telling Women's Wear Daily in 1990, "In Italy, I cannot compete with anybody.  There are only three designers who give me the energy to fight - Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix and Karl Lagerfeld."

Gianne Versace was shot outside his Miami Beach mansion and tragically killed on July 15th, 1997.  He was designing a collection with his sister Donatella Versace, and after his death, Donatella mustered up the courage to carry on and finish the collection.  Donatella was given her own line, Versus, in 1989 because Gianni wanted a different, more edgier and youthful perspective.  Having been working in that high-octane fashion house since almost right after its conception, Donatella Versace took over as the house's creative director after Gianni's death.  She has since worked tirelessly to keep the fashion industry flashy and fearless.  Even to this day, she strengthens Versace's unique fashion vision, keeps collection distinguished and ensures that the family business remains front and centre as it has for decades.

Versace's signature style is always present in every piece, no matter the collection.  The monomers of the Versace collections have glitter, slink, boldness and a mixture of curve incorporated into it.  They represent a those with a look-at-me attitude; for elites or women and men who embody the lifestyles of the fabulous to don.  Described by Donatella herself in the 2012 Style Icons issue of Hello! Canada, "Versace is about the sophisticated woman who is elegant, not afraid of her own sensuality and not afraid to dare or take risks in life." 


  

Versace and Atelier Versace Fall/Winter Couture 2012

Donatella now has the reigns and with Versace's legacy as the backbone of the business, this fashion house thrives beyond compare.

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Monday 25 June 2012
Fashion Knowledge: The Roaring Twenties @ 18:02

Hello hello,


Apologies for my being so out of touch with my blog lately.  Final exams and provincials are officially over for the grade elevens!  It's time to party...and blog!  For the grade elevens in beautiful British Columbia, our only provincial exam this year is on social studies.  And if you've been in school, you would know what a gigantic load of history is contained in that mentally exhaustive course.  I know it's over, but since we had to be tested on historical happenings from the early 1920s to the 2000s, I might as start writing some outfit-inspiring posts on fashion knowledge!


Fashion history may seen like an obscured topic to the present fashion world sometimes, after all, the limitless, forward-moving creative force is keeping designers and fashionistas worldwide up-to-date with the present and predicting the motifs of the future.  In my opinion though, there would be nothing new today without the vintage trends of the past.  The history of fashion has not only created lasting legacies for the great fashion empire but has ultimately paved the way for startling trends nowadays.


Here's to the last year of mandatory social studies in high school!


The "Roaring Twenties" is my second favourite decade, pulling up right behind the 60s.  I define it as the decade of multitudinous fashion movements.  As young teenagers were pushing away the remnants of the WWI, a culture was born.  A fun, young look was born to cover up the previous war-torn situation.


The 1920s was a decade of revolutionary
change in fashion, catalyzed by various social 
movements.  
Women were becoming more involved in the community, in terms of the workforce, activism and even politics.  They were a growing force and this factor influenced a revolving perspective towards fashion.  In 1926, a gender bending concept existed, sparking new androgynous phrases like "the Garçonne frock" and the "boyish bob."  These phrases paved the way for a different style; for instance, Chanel's masculine and unisex jumper.  The divide between opposite genders was slowly disintegrating.


The 1920s was a decade of 'modern' style.
Just about everything seemed short and abbreviated in this time period.  Say hello to Marg and Babs as they spill about the latest short skirts and shorter coats, while giving short credit about the designer who created the piece.  People were clinging to the term 'modern' to describe outfits and furniture.  It was the expression that was at the tips of everyone's tongues.    What was 'modern' at the time was this: uncomplicated straight lines, bobbed or shingled hair, shapeless clothing, drop-waist dresses, cap-like hats, boyish bodies and flat breasts.  Simplicity and freedom to move were significant concepts in the 20s.  Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was a rising star, blessing women with new, innovative designs that used jersey and kasha.  She could be said to have ruled over women's dress in the 1920s.


The 1920s was a decade that was topped
with piles of accessories.
Long strands of pearls, feathered fans
(for flirting ;)), huge plumes, plain bracelets, 
huge pear-shaped stones, evening scarves 
and cigarette holders delivered excitement 
for historians.  


The 1920s was a decade of fun and youthfulness.
A common symbol of the 1920s are flapper girls.  Flapper girls were fashionable and did everything the 'modern' way.  They were carefree and fun, wearing shapeless dresses that were shorter then average, used loads of makeup, wore their head short and smoked cigarettes to pass time.  An epitome of the 1920s, these young women encouraged others to live life more freely after the war.







Need some inspiration for a jazzed up 1920s style?  Check out these ideas below:


1920s Inspiration.

1920s Inspiration. by essieleigh featuring a black dress

Black dress
$225 - shabbyapple.com

Emily Armenta mother of pearl ring
$2,690 - ylang23.com

Rare London knot necklace
£20 - rarelondon.com

Paper hat
$15 - etsy.com

Cream hat
$255 - etsy.com

Goorin Bros vintage hat
$110 - goorin.com

White glove
$14 - costumesupercenter.com

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Thursday 31 May 2012
Hello Lovelies! @ 18:20

Welcome to my fashion blog.  The simple facts are this: Essie.16.Canada.Fashionblogger/stalker/enthusiast.  Should you want to read a thorough bio on me however, please visit the "about" page.


I'll use the first post to explain the navigational layout of this blog, just in case it confuses you (or me, for that matter).  On this blog, you'll find different editorials, all with a relation to fashion in some way, be it fashion history, style icons, blogger interviews, hauls, OOTDs, etc., etc..  It may get a bit dizzying, so I will separate the masses of blog posts into various organized categories.


Here's a list of the labels you'll see:
  • style icons
  • fashion history and knowledge
  • daily news
  • hauls and reviews
  • OOTD
  • blogger interviews
  • designer index
  • blogger index
  • starry-eyed style stalker
  • DIY
  • other
Let's see if you can catch up, so check back periodically and see if anything is new!
P.S. This virtual mind may change quite a bit as it is just starting out.  The empty pages will soon fill up, I promise!  I'm trying to tweak things and add new material as fast as I can!

Cheers,

E

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