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Friday, March 6, 2009

CHANEL Spring 2009 Haute-Couture Show

Karl Lagerfield"s latest inspiration for the luxury house of Chanel is monochromatic, but in white, a hue on the opposite end of the spectrum from every fashionista's favorite, black.

According to Lagerfield, white represents a new page to begin on. He says, "A white page, a linear and timeless graphic interpretation. It's like a starting point for the story of this new era, for which all the details still need to be written. That is why I chose paper as the theme for the couture collection this season. It's also the fabric that I prefer most-I love paper! Everything begins on paper. Without paper I would be lost!"
Because of the monochrome color scheme, details in texture, accessories and fabric choice is what makes each piece of clothing stand out. Floral themes are presented in embroideries and tiny details, including the hairpieces by Japanese artist Katsuya Kamo.

The paper theme of the clothes was also set off by the show's stage at the Cambon-Capucines pavilion, which was designed to look like a pop-up book. Paper flowers and floral arrangements were placed around the columns and railings in the space as well at the table set up for guests.

Guests at the show were an international array of modern fashion icons including Keira Knightley, Olga Kurylenko, Kanye West and more.

The modern collection is a tribute to Coco Chanel's wise words, "Women think about all colors, except the absence of color. For me black has everything. So does white. They are absolute beauty. They are the perfect match. Dress a woman in white or in black and all eyes will be upon her.

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Monday, February 2, 2009

Great Ideas For Trendy Plus Size Clothing

The clothing market has caught up with the demand for trendy plus size clothing. Marketers have developed fashions for all occasions that offer women with a voluptuous figure trendy plus size fashions for every occasion. Whether it’s the gym or a night out, there are choices for event in life.

WORK OUT CLOTHING

Just because you are going to the gym doesn’t mean you have to look like a frump. Demand comfort and fashion with your exercise wear. Whether it’s workout pants or swimwear, having a few nice pieces of clothing will make working out a pleasure. Keep your body in prime condition while still looking trendy.

Exercise clothing manufacturers are designing trendy plus size exercise wear in response to the new demand. One survey reports that the average American woman is a size 16, and now you can get fashionable clothing in spite of the size on the tag. Shop in stores or online for a full selection of choices.

WORK CLOTHES

The plus size models that you see sprinkled throughout magazines are proof that the trendy plus size fashion industry is thriving. Work clothes are available in modified forms for the plus size woman, with jackets, skirts, and slacks. When selecting trendy plus size work clothing, make sure that you get a good fit and style for your body. Everything from suits to dresses are available.

Pair your work clothes with some nice pieces of quality jewelry and good shoes to give that added pop. If you aren’t used to wearing jewelry, try some pieces in moderation and see how much they add to your look without a lot of effort. Scarves also make a great compliment to your wardrobe.

CASUAL WEAR

The new fashions are quite complementary to plus sized women, with tunic shirts and wraps widely popular. Another good option is an empire waist shirt. These options can be paired with a nice fitting pair of jeans for every day wear or even an evening out with friends. These styles are designed to flatter and conceal the less desirable parts of your body. Many of these fashions come with flashy embroidery and embellishments, so you don’t need to worry about it being boring!

EVENING WEAR

When picking a flattering dress to wear for a night out, go for a halter-top or an A-line dress. These styles will flare at the bottom and are available in every imaginable length. Use these for a sassy and classic look in your trendy plus size fashion closet. Every woman needs that perfect little black dress - so pick a style that makes you feel sexy. As an added bonus, the black will slim you too!

Wearing plus size clothing does not mean that you have to give up your sense of style. Shop around for the best deals and looks for you. Spending money on your wardrobe and looking great will only lead to good things in your life. If you look good, you feel good - which means you are free to succeed at whatever you put your mind to.

By: Lisa M. Earl

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What Plus Size Women Can Learn From Her Personal Style

Michelle Obama has quickly made her mark as a fashion icon. It's no doubt that our First Lady has impeccable taste. Her personal style is bold, glamorous, and sophisticated. Yet, it's still youthful and accessible. Michelle makes it look effortless, but it's not. Her choices are thoughtful and yours can be too. Here are five things plus size women can learn from her personal style.

1. Get comfortable in your own skin. Michelle Obama has a commanding presence, but what demands so much attention is her self-confidence. You never catch her slouching or trying to hide. Plus size women should take note. Make no apologies for being yourself.

2. Dress for your stature. At 5'11, Michelle is not a dainty woman. She capitalizes on her size by wearing bright colors, bold prints, substantial jewelry, and heels. These things work for full-figured women too. Use your curves to your advantage.

3. Structure, structure, structure. I have yet to see the First Lady in anything overly frilly. She wears clothes with clean lines. Her garments have lots of seaming and built-in shape. This is a great example for plus size women. Flimsy fabrics and frilly clothes typically don't flatter larger frames.

4. Mix and match high end pieces with low end ones. You don't have to go broke to have head-turning personal style. Michelle Obama is known for wearing not just designer clothes, but more affordable brands like J. Crew as well. What's most important is the style and fit of a garment, not what you pay for it.

5. Follow your gut. Intuition is one of the best fashion tools a woman has. The First Lady is no slave to trends. She takes risks and she does her own thing. She often chooses obscure designers when she can have her pick of the most talented and famous ones out there. Michelle wears what she likes and what fits her body. Her look is modern and current, but uniquely her own.

By: Yolanda Early

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Celebrities Who Have Had Cosmetic Surgery

They will deny, deny, and deny some more that they have had cosmetic surgery, but there are plenty of celebrities who have had it done. If they won't admit it through the words that come out of their mouths, the difference in their appearance tells everything. Nevertheless, there are those celebrities who will admit to having such procedures as Botox done. They don't seem to have too much of an issue admitting that because it isn't surgical.

Surgical disasters
However, there are some celebrities that are considered cosmetic surgery disasters. One of the most recent ones was Lisa Rinna and she even admitted that she thought the results were horrendous. Other celebrities include:

- Melanie Griffith with her unnaturally thick lips. Being a naturally beautiful woman, many are saying that she should not have had her lips augmented because they overshadow the natural beauty that she possesses.

- Faye Dunaway is one in which her skin has been pulled too tightly.

- Kenny Rogers is another one who has changed quite a bit due to cosmetic surgery. He definitely looks different and the opinion is not always a favorable one.

- Joan Rivers is one you can't really forget. As a matter of fact, she might be the first one that you think of when someone mentions bad cosmetic surgery. She has even made fun of herself in a TV commercial where she says, "I can't feel my face. So you do have to admire her for finding humor in it.

There are certainly more surgical disasters than this, but these are some of the most notable.

Not so disastrous
There are some celebrities who have had cosmetic surgery that isn't so disastrous. The truth is that it can help some individuals. Take these celebrities, for instance:

- Pamela Anderson is quite obvious with the breast implants and it has been rumored that she has had some work done on her face as well.

- Nicole Kidman is more on the rumor side of things, but she has changed in the past 15 years or so. She has gotten older, but her nose has changed completely. However, she is still beautiful.

- Paula Abdul has had some work done, but it isn't horrendous work. It looks as if she has had a little tweak here and there.

- Victoria Beckham is still gorgeous although she has had some work done. It is quite obvious that she is different from what she used to be. And we do know that she has had breast implants.

- Jennifer Grey had one of the most obvious changes. She had a nose job done many years ago and when she did this, it made her unrecognizable to many of her fans. It was a dramatic change in her appearance, but it was one for the better.

- There is also the Ashley Simpson nose job, which improved her looks. That was actually a wise decision on her part, although she was a pretty girl anyway.

- Marilyn Monroe is an oldie and she has been gone for quite some time, but she had had Rhinoplasty surgery sometime between being a brunette and becoming a blonde.

- Halle Berry has even had a nose job, but we all know that she is beautiful either way. She could have left her nose the way it was and everyone would have loved her just as much.

This is a good rundown of the good and the bad in celebrity cosmetic surgery. It is quite amazing the results that we have seen in some of our favorite stars. And if you wondered about any of them, now you know.

By: Amy Nutt

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Face Lift, Brow Lift, Neck Left and Eyelid Surgery

For those considering cosmetic surgery to the face or neck, a variety of procedures exist to reduce the signs of aging and restore a more youthful look to the target area. Four of such procedures include a face, brow, neck and eyelid lift surgery.

Because the results of each procedure can vary greatly, it's important for a person to educate themselves on exactly what each procedure does and how it affects the final look of the face.

This article will discuss the aforementioned procedures while indicating what type of person would be best suited to undergo such changes to the face or neck area. As always, a person should seek the advice of a licensed cosmetic surgeon for a truly accurate opinion of what procedure is best for them:

* Brow Lift: A brow lift (also known as a forehead lift) works to correct the sagging of the eyebrows which can cause a person to look mad, sad or aged beyond their years. To accomplish this goal, a cosmetic surgeon will remove the muscles in the forehead responsible for the drooping, sagging and creation of scowl lines above and in-between the eye brows to create a tighter, brighter and more youthful appearance to the face.

This procedure is generally appropriate for individuals between 40-60 years of age (or slightly younger for people in stressful occupations or experiencing early signs of aging), and for those that have significant lines or drooping around the brow area.

* Eyelid Surgery: Eyelid surgery (also known as blepharoplasty) seeks to restore a youthful appearance to the eyes by removing excess skin, fat and tissue from the upper and lower eyelids. Eyelid surgery is appropriate only for those suffering from bagginess or puffiness of the upper or lower eyelids.

It is not appropriate for those looking to correct crows feet, dark circles or sagging closer to the brows, as this particular procedure will not address those issues.

* Face Lift: This is a popular cosmetic procedure to lift and tone the skin and muscles in the face. It helps to dramatically reduce signs of aging, as sagging and wrinkles are tightened up and smoothed out in the forehead, around the eyes and in the jowl area. To accomplish this goal, a cosmetic surgeon will actually create small incisions in front of the ear, behind the ear and possibly into the scalp.

Through various tightening methods, the deeper layers of the face and possibly the neck are then lifted to create a natural, yet refreshed and youthful look. A full face lift is generally appropriate for those 40 and up, as younger patients can still get away with the less invasive 'mini face lift' for similar results.

* Neck Lift: A neck lift can be performed on its own or in conjunction with a face lift as listed above. This procedure is typically sought out by patients that complain of a "turkey gobble under the chin" or a wide appearance to the neck and chin caused by excess fat. In this procedure, extra fat, skin and muscles are removed to create a thinner and tighter appearance to the neck.

By: A Aaronson

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