You Were Born to CREATE!!

Fashion is all around us, in the snow-capped mountains, the red dirt that is sprinkled over Delicate Arch in Arches National Park and in the ocean waves that crash upon the sands and beaches.  Others have gone before us and created their version of fashion as an art form that rang true to them.  Many have poured their souls into their creations, allowing us to catch a glimpse of something within them that they hold sacred but are sharing with us for a brief moment.  Fashion is an art, an express of one’s self.  Even if we don’t create a piece that we are currently wearing, we agree to allow that piece of clothing that someone else has created to define us for that moment.  We choose what to put on and what to pair with it. 

I have been pouring myself into fashion lately and upon receiving my newest addition to my fashion books family, 

Fashion Design, Referenced written by Alicia Kennedy and Emily Banis Stoehrer, I am allowing myself to tap into my creative side.  I am challenging everything that I thought I knew in the past and opening my heart to new inventions.  I realize that I have not created my own unique clothing pieces- yet.But I am taking the artistic liberty to arrange my clothing in a way that beseeches my style.  Every woman owes herself that spark of brilliance and creativity. So, my challenge to you this week is to go out and create your style!  Make it your own, relish in your creative spirit and allow that glorious woman inside to sparkle and shine for the world to see who you really are.  

The Magic of Photography

Photography has never been my strong suit. I have modeled for years and been in front of a camera, but to be behind the camera and see what it takes to really make an image look great is quite fascinating.

Pixalbay.com

This photo uses the rule of thirds. Notice that the tree is not in the center of the photo but rather on the side- If we draw a grid on this photo we will see that the red tree is on the right third of the photo. It creates a new and interesting angle to draw the eye to the focal point but also allowing the eye to follow the tree around to the other mystical treasures that the photo holds.

Rule of Thirds
Mudassir Ali

Leading Lines are fascinating, aren’t they? Look at all these lines, straight and curvy that draw your eye down the path to a certain location. What a fun way to picture something. It is as if you are taking the journey with those in the photo.

Rule of Leading Lines
Jennifer Murray

This picture is just beautiful! This little girl is in a world all her own as she collects the leaves that are freshly fallen from the surrounding trees. Can you smell the leaves? Can you feel her whimsy and adventure? I sure can! This is a great photo of depth of field. Look at how this little girl and her red wheelbarrow are front and center and everything else seems to suggest depth and distance.

After seeing these photos taken by other, I had to create some of my own. Here is my poor rendition of these same 3 rules.

How enchanting and empowering to know a little more about how the eye of an expert photographer works. Although my photos are lacking in expertise for sure, they gave me the opportunity to experience these 3 rules. Now you go out and try it for yourself- see if you come back having learned a new skill.

Wearing white after Labor Day?

White flowy maxi dress

Can I wear white after Labor day? The answer to this age old question is of course! Many people have heard this phrase thrown around and it seems to stick in some minds. To dispel any misgivings about this subject, lets talk about how this phrase began.

The old adage got its reputation from the early 1900’s when elite groups would take the summers off to vacation in areas which were warmer, putting away their neutral toned clothing and bringing out their lighter, whiter, summer outfits. When summer was over, the whites were put away and the ordinary wardrobe was pulled out, thus marking the beginning of the school year and normalcy. The “you can’t wear white after Labor Day,” rule was created to separate the old money elitists from the new money group. “It [was] insiders trying to keep other people out,” according to Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, in an interview with Time, “and outsiders trying to climb in by proving they know the rules.”

This phrase no longer applies. It is completely acceptable to wear white after Labor day. As a matter of fact, it is encouraged. You will find many a stylish gal wearing a white wools, cashmeres, jeans, and fabulous down-filled parkas in the New England area and other areas around the world.

So be brave, pull out that fabulous white fur coat, or those white jeans you have been saving and strut your stuff for the world to see how chic and fabulous you are.

Reverse Engineering: Typography

Beauty Magazines have some of the best Typeface options. They appeal to your sense of fashion and beauty. The draw you in, quietly saying, “pick me up, I will call to your feminine and creative side”. When we do pick them up we find so much more than what is on the cover. But let’s be honest, would we even open the book if it didn’t appeal to us in some way? The typeface used in this example is one of many that understands the use of typeface and how to draw your customer in. This Vogue Magazine with Kim Kardashian is her 7th time on a cover of a Vogue magazine this time on Vogue Taiwan, published by CONDÉ NAST PUBLICATIONS.

Vogue is known for their Modern Signage. They print it in Bold and Black letters so their readers don’t have to look far for their fashion fix. Along with being stacked full of amazing and colorful ads, Vogue is one of the leaders in fashion advice and their covers never disappoint.

To contrast the black, modern, trademark name, they place a simple word in a beautiful script- written in white ink. It contrasts the name but also draws your attention to the model (Kim Kardashian) on the cover. They continue the script type at the bottom left of the magazine with the highlight of the magazine and it’s cover model.

Both of these are eye popping and contrasting to draw in the interest of all those that look at this magazine cover. Without all these designs together, the magazine might seem like a simple picture with little interest for the reader. The Magazine’s interest is to create an interest- not only in the magazine purchase, but also to entice those who read this to trust the sources within. Each sponsor who enlists their ads in this magazine knows that they will always be seen by many readers because Vogue never disapoints!

Fashion is My Passion

Fashion is part of the world around us, it is in the trees, the mountains, the oceans, and the cat tails that wave in the wind. Fashion is inspired and only limited by our imagination. What we believe we can create, can be brought to life all the through the magic of our artistic minds.

Contrast

The red, black, cream, and white all create a visual masterpiece for the viewer. All are such bold colors with such a drastic contrast between them and when put together artfully, they create a classic piece of beauty.

Alignment

The word placement, alignment of the lipstick tub, even the alignment of the sunglasses edge was well thought out as this ad was created. This alignment is neat and clean and precise giving the viewer a sense of a clean and well adjusted ad, leaving the viewer to believe the company is also well adjusted.

Proximity

The skin color of the woman, down to the very details of using someone with a cool skin tone to represent this lip color was not lost on the creators of this ad. The proximity of the gold sprinkled throughout the piece, the placement of the red next to the lips, but not so close as to merge with the actual lip but creates a nice flow for the viewers eyes. Even the name has a perfectly centered proximity to the ad.

Repetition

When spacing the letter, this was artfully done to cause the viewer to view each letter individually but as a whole as well. The spacing is repeated between each letter creating the semblance of balance and oneness all at the same time.

Color

This ad is something that would draw the attention of a viewer from across the room. The colors pop right off the page and the color of skin next to the color of the lip shade accents that color perfectly. Any woman would want to purchase this color because she would truly feel like a goddess when she wears it.