Life of a personal stylist: What I learned from the V&A Gabrielle Chanel Exhibition

I’ll admit – I love heading into London, and while most of the time I am there at my studio helping clients, I sometimes get the opportunity to have some time for inspiration.

One of the more recent examples of these is visiting the V&A Museum and their Gabrielle Chanel exhibition. It focused on the influence this world-renowned fashion designer had on the fashion world.

Here are just some of the most important influences in the modern fashion world that we owe to Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel.

1. The Little Black Dress (LBD): A Timeless Classic

Coco Chanel's revolutionary impact on fashion is perhaps most evident in her popularization of the Little Black Dress (LBD). Witnessing the 1926 design showcased in Vogue, I couldn't help but marvel at how this simple yet elegant garment became a symbol of sophistication and versatility. Chanel's LBD challenged prevailing norms, offering a more accessible and functional option for women. As a stylist, I understand the power of a well-chosen LBD – a wardrobe essential that effortlessly transitions from day to night, epitomizing timeless style.

2. Chanel Suit: Redefining Elegance and Comfort

The iconic Chanel suit, a two-piece ensemble consisting of a collarless jacket and a straight-line skirt, showcased Chanel's commitment to redefining women's fashion. The suit provided a comfortable and stylish alternative to the corseted and restrictive clothing of the time. Chanel's emphasis on elegance without sacrificing comfort resonates in my work as a personal stylist, reminding me to prioritize both style and ease in every client's wardrobe.

3. Innovative Use of Jersey Fabric: Practicality Meets Style

Chanel's groundbreaking use of jersey fabric in women's clothing was another revelation at the exhibition. Prior to her influence, jersey was primarily reserved for men's underwear. Chanel's visionary use of this fabric allowed for comfortable, unstructured designs that appealed to modern, working women. This emphasis on practicality and comfort echoes in my stylistic choices, emphasizing the importance of clothing that not only looks good but feels good too.

4. Costume Jewellery: Making a Statement

Chanel's bold incorporation of costume jewellery was a testament to her innovative spirit. Faux pearls, oversized brooches, and long necklaces became staples of her collections, transforming accessories into statement pieces. As a stylist, I draw inspiration from Chanel's fearless approach to accessorizing, encouraging clients to embrace bold jewellery as a means of personal expression.

5. The Quilted Handbag: Timeless Luxury

The Chanel 2.55 handbag, with its quilted pattern, chain strap, and signature CC logo, represents timeless design and luxury. Introduced in 1955, this iconic accessory set the standard for handbags and remains a coveted item. Chanel's emphasis on quality and enduring style serves as a reminder to prioritize investment pieces that stand the test of time.

6. Empowerment of Women: Beyond Fashion

Chanel's impact extends beyond aesthetics. Her designs liberated women from the constraints of corsets and extravagant clothing, providing a sense of independence and self-expression. As a personal stylist, I find inspiration in Chanel's commitment to empowering women through fashion, influencing my approach to styling as a means of enhancing individual confidence and identity.

There are few designers that make such a mark on the world of fashion, and Chanel is among the top tier.

What are the top designers you find inspire your wardrobe?

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW CAN I ADD MORE COLOURS TO MY WARDROBE?

As spring is welcomed here in the UK, the colours are bright and abundant. This is usually the time when people yearn to add colours to their outfits. If this feels alien to you, and you are wondering where to start with colours, then I am here to help.

If you are just beginning to dip your toe into adding colours to your outfits, or haven’t yet tried to do so and are feeling overwhelmed, then here are my tips for adding colours to your wardrobe.

Play with colours that match your neutrals

If you want to make your colours feel appropriate for a look, investigate the colours that work with your neutrals. As a part of a colour clinic with us, we provide the base neutrals and complementary colours to work with them in your very own colour palette. This can be taken with you in your handbag so you can quickly pick and choose colours that go together.

If you don’t yet have one of these, here are a few of my favourite complementary colours that go with specific neutrals:

Colours that work with black:

Considered one of the most versatile neutrals, black is in fact one of the hardest colours to wear. Breaking up this basic colour with an additional colour within your colour wheel will make a huge difference to your look.

Some of my favourite colours to put with black are:

• Dusty rose

• Fuchsia

• Green

• Metals (copper, gold, silver, platinum)

• Lilac

• Red

Colours that go with navy:

Navy is a great base colour in particular for professional outfits as it isn’t as harsh as black.

Some of my favourite colours to put with navy are:

• Pink

• Red

• Orange

• Lime green

• Mustard yellow

• Gold

Colours that go with beige:

Perfect for the warmer months, beige is a light, airy colour that can be an excellent neutral in your wardrobe.

Some of my favourite colours to put put with beige are:

• Rust

• Aqua green

• Burgundy

• Olive green

• Mauve / lilac

• Pastel pinks

source: In an Elegant Fashion

Start with the extremities

There is nothing more daunting than an entire outfit full of colours. This is why for those of you who want to dip your toe into adding colours to your looks may be stepping back.

The first way to approach colours can be starting with your extremities – such as your hands, feet or head.

These smaller areas of your body can take on a little dash of colour, while the rest of your body remains neutral, permitting for that colourful flash to be more approachable.

Shoes & bags are often the best place to start as they come in so many different colourways and patterns. Shoes can be covered gently with wide-leg trousers or bootcut jeans meaning the colour peaks out.

Bags can be swapped out easily between outfits (as long as you remember to swap out your essentials!) so you can play with whatever look you feel like. Take a bold bright bag one day, and more composed look with a colourful handle the next.

Another option is to add a colourful headband, scarf or earrings, which can also quickly and easily be swapped depending on the occasion.

Break up the colours with your layers

Now you have your neutrals and your accessories set, you can look to adding additional pieces to your outfit. You can break up the colours in your outfit by wearing layers such as a blazer, a jacket, or even hosiery.

For example, if you want to bring a dash of colour to a summer dress, you can pair a neutral dress with a colourful blazer. You could also add an underlayer to your dress such as a thin long sleeved mesh top in one of your colours.

For your two-piece, why not add a colour through a slogan tee under your neutral suit? Pick out the colours from the tee and pop on a pair of shoes or a bag which has a colour that is in it.

Monochromatic looks

Just like your neutral suit feels less daunting than a bright one-off dress, you may find that monochromatic looks can be an excellent solution for adding colour to your outfits.

Picking one colour and seamlessly utilising it across your outfit can be a beautiful way to make an outfit feel approachable yet bright and inviting.

Consider a green suit, or match a pink dress with pink shoes and accessories. Picking out different levels of the colour can make it more dimensional as a look, too.

If you are looking for someone who can help you discover the perfect colours for you to add to your looks so you can shine, our colour clinics can be an excellent solution.

And if you can't meet us in person, we could help through our Online Colour & Style Clinic.

PERSONAL SHOPPER ADVICE: WHAT'S NEW THIS SEASON?

With February fast-approaching, this means Fashion Week is coming to London from the 17th – 21st February to showcase the Spring/Summer trends to look forward to.

With the catwalks filled with warm-weather looks, you may be wondering what new items may work in your current wardrobe that you may want to invest in.

While I work around the ethos of a sustainable and capsule-like wardrobe, there are sometimes seasonal pieces that certainly feel right to add to my wardrobe. As long as they work alongside at least 3 of my current outfits, and make me feel great (and will last!) then they are worth purchasing.

Being a considered shopper makes each season more exciting as you take a moment to consider if the pieces you quickly react to will have a long-term effect. This is one thing to bring into your mindset each time you go shopping – give yourself the time to question if you have pieces that work with that garment, or if you love it enough to make some!

With this in your mind, let’s share a few of the new season favourites I have found.

Baggy jeans

I shared a guide to the top jeans to suit your body shape (which you can download here) last year, and baggy jeans are one of the most approachable pieces. They are often comfortable, and work beautifully on a range of body types.

If you are an hourglass or a triangle you will want to make sure you have a waist height that comes in at your natural waist. Tuck in your shirt, blouse or light jumper, and then add a belt to really level up your shape!

For an inverted triangle shape, a pair of wide-legged jeans that fall more on the flared side are a great option for you. Pop on a pair of heels to lengthen your legs and a form-fitting top to finish off the look.

Or try a pair that have a little bit of volume or pockets to the front will make a definition to your hips. And a square neck top, a crossover body bag and a pair of platform sneakers to make this cool-girl look complete.

Oversized Blazers

My favourite piece to have in any woman’s wardrobe – the blazer! This season it is coming in an oversized form, which can be comforting yet sometimes tricky to wear depending on your personal style and body shape.

Blazers can upgrade any look, and add that extra layer of warmth that can be so needed in the spring in London. With an oversized blazer you have more freedom for the layers underneath, and you can also play with the shapes and fits of the clothes you choose.

For example an oversized blazer that is just shorter than your skirt, with tights, boots and a comfy jumper is a great brunch or date night look. While the same blazer can be worn with a detailed blouse, your favourite wide-legged trousers and your heels for a day of meetings.

For a few ways to play with blazers and how to style them, click here.

Going Sheer

Now, bear with me here, but the sheer trend that has been shown across countless catwalks can be a great additional layer to add warmth, intrigue, or style to your outfit. While the catwalk stylings feel less approachable (but if you love it, go for it!) adding a covered layer beneath the sheer garment is a great way to make this trend-setting garment more likely to work in your wardrobe.

If you want to add colour to a look, for example, but you want to keep your neutral tones across your look, then adding a sheer long sleeved top over your vest will perk up the look in a flash.

For the sheer skirts, you can add these over another skirt of a similar length, or add definition to your waist by adding the skirt over a full length dress.

Sheer pieces are also great for adding texture, definition, and flair to your outfit. If you are cautious of going fully sheer, you can find several fashion houses that have added a sheer element to a piece such as the bottom of a midi skirt or in panels to just show a little skin.

So, what do you think of these three spring/summer seasonal trends? Will you be trying a few of them in your wardrobe? If you feel a little overwhelmed by all the changing trends, and don’t know where to invest and where to walk away, I offer a Personal Shopping experience, so you and I can go together to view and select the best items to match your style, needs, and body shape.

PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: HOW TO FIND THE PERFECT HANDBAG

As accessories go, you can’t get more diverse than the handbag. From clutches to briefcases, backpacks to crossover body bags, you can discover a huge array of styles, colours, patterns, and designs to add to your outfit. But how can you find the perfect handbag for your style?

In this article I’ll share with you my top tips to finding the right handbags to suit your needs, personal style, and lifestyle.

Matching your handbag to your lifestyle

The first important part about shopping for your perfect handbag is to match it to your lifestyle, and how differently the handbag will support your needs throughout the day, week, or month.

Let’s think about being a working mother – your working bag will require space for your laptop, folders, documents and needs to look professional; while when you are picking up the kids, or having family-time over the weekend, your bag needs to hold snacks, drinks, nappies, games and a lot more – without damaging your shoulders!

I understand that lifestyles are hugely varied, but in this article I will share insights from a variety of clients I have worked with in the past, and the handbags I recommended to them based on their needs. You can mix and match the ideas below based on how your lifestyle looks.

Handbags for work

If you are a professional working person, and tend to commute to the office, your bag needs to reflect your needs. I like to recommend to the clients I work with who have to go to work, with commuting to and from the office being a big part of their lives, a large enough shoulder bag to carry their essentials.

The Briefcase

While you can find a classic black leather briefcase style bag with plenty of zip up space for your purse, make-up when you need to do touch ups, as well as large enough for your laptop, stationery, and so on. In the mid-range price, this Aspen Leather Shoulder Workbag by Osprey is perfect, or a designer option could be this Mulberry City briefcase (in black or charcoal).

Briefcase by Mulberry

But if you want to add a little flair to your outfit for work, you can do this through a colourful and enticing briefcase – with all the bells and whistles you need, but a touch of fun. This vegan leather Luca Laptop Bag by Flanella Smith is available in lemon yellow, sage green or navy and is a fab way to bring that colour pop to your classic corporate outfit.

Luca laptop bag by Flanella Smith in yellow

Day bags

If you prefer something a little more casual that will fit all of your work essentials within it, then you could invest in a “day bag”. These bags have more pockets than the briefcase, and perhaps have the hand held and over the shoulder option for a little change up to the outfit. I love this Chloe Medium Edith day bag which feels very 70’s in the styling, whereas this Michael Kors day bag in cream works beautifully for a chic look, with the added bonus of two sections within the bag.

Day bag by Michael Kors

Bags for Mums

Mums need a little more robust, larger bags than those for the work place as we need to be able to bring quite a variety of things with us to locations we are visiting! From snacks to nappies, the bags need to make sure we’re able to quickly take care of our little ones, without losing our personal style along the way.

Large satchels

Satchels are a great option for Mums on the go, as they remain stylish and offer a large amount of pockets, zips, and variety. When you place the satchel as a cross body option, this also helps make sure you’re not leaving all of the weight to your side, and you can easily run after children or pick them up without worrying about your bag falling off your shoulder. The 15 inch Batchel by Cambridge Satchel is available not only in the classic brown leather colour, but also red, black, navy, green, blue and many more – so the world is your oyster when choosing the colours that match your personal style.

This large DKNY satchel with three compartments is a dream for Mums with more than one child, or for going out with kids and the whole family for an event. Pop the snacks in one area, your purse, phone and personal items in another, and then toys in the middle!

DKNY Satchel with compartments

Backpacks for Mums

If you need to have both hands free or prefer to have the weight of your bag over both shoulders, you can’t go wrong with a backpack – it’s a classic for a reason. This Aurore backpack by Aruku has a beautiful tiger pattern inside and is a fun, good-sized bag for a Mum – and has the extra bonus  of a safe zip section by your back.

Green backpack by Aruku

However, if you prefer more compartments and organisation in your backpack, look for an option that has multiple zip areas or even separators. This Tiba + Marl Elwood woven backpack not only has 2 front zip-up pockets, but it also comes with a batching purse and internal padded laptop sleeve, two large internal elasticated pockets and a smart phone pocket – the organisation options are endless!

Handbags for special occasions

Now, I’ve talked about the day to day lifestyles we lead, but what about the one-off special occasions or date nights? This is where you can reduce the size of your bag, and up the level of personality!

Clutch bags

Clutch bags are great for evening events and events that you are attending that need minimal extras to take with you. These bags are often just big enough for a phone, your small purse, and maybe a lipstick for when you go to powder your nose. However, what they don’t have in size, they have in a huge array of patterns, fabrics and colours! From animal print zip up clutch bags to pastel clutches with metal accents, or even a glitter rainbow clutch – you’re in for a treat when looking for a clutch bag – but remember, check that it will be the right size for your essentials before investing!

Rainbow glitter clutch bag by Kurt Geiger

Small crossbody bags

If you need a little more space, and  a way to pull in your outer wear as you travel to your event, a crossover body bag is a great option, and also comes in a large range of patterns and colours. While I love my classic black – because it goes with everything, I also occasionally bring a little fun through the colourful collections I have. You can add a little flair to your crossover body bag with changing up the straps – some designers, such as Elie Beaumont – offer this as an addition to your bag, so you transform your outfit in a snap.

You can also play with the way you style your crossover bag and flip it – to just one shoulder! The great thing about the size of most of the crossover body bags in fashion is that they don’t take over the outfit, like this small yet stylish chain mini crossover bag in dusky pink by Tommy Hilfiger, as it has the chain styling for a bit of an edgy look.

Tommy Hilfiger crossover body bag

Do you love your handbags, or are you just beginning to take an interest in them? I hope some of these options inspire you to invest in this diverse and fun accessory.

If you’re unsure on the best pieces for your lifestyle, whether it’s accessories or your wardrobe, I’d love to help – I offer clients a completely bespoke personal service including personal shopping and style coaching, and I’d love to help you!

COLOUR ANALYSIS: THE 18 SEASONS METHOD AND HOW TO DISCOVER YOUR COLOURS

As a personal stylist, colour is one of the most important parts of my work with my clients. Colour can completely transform how our skin looks in dramatic ways, and I use my colour analysis service to do this for my clients. We work together to discover their seasons, and the colours that they can gravitate towards to help them feel their best whenever they next go shopping.

Now, when I talk about the “seasons” you may be thinking – well there are just 4, right? Well, there are 4 main seasons and then their underlying notes which in fact makes it 18!

Don’t worry – you don’t have to know all of them, for you, you just need to know which one is the best aligned to your skin tones and therefore the colours that match you best.

I wanted to share a few insights into the colour analysis method, and help you dip your toe into discovering the colours that best suit you, but of course, if you’d like to have the knowledge of the colours that help you feel most confident, I’d be delighted to help.

Let’s dive in!

The four main seasons in a colour analysis

Before we dive deeper into the palette that work best with you, we need to find out the general features that characterize every season, and that you can find in yourself, and your natural colours:

Spring

Springs have a warmer undertone, with bright and light features. They are actually just like spring – bright, varied, and with strong colours working well for them. However, they need to stay clear of muted, dark and colours with cool undertones, as these will take away from their features.

Best metals: yellow gold and rose gold

One of my Spring clients.

Summer

Summers have a cool undertone with soft, and once again light features. Think soft brown or blonde hair, your classic beachy boho tones with cooler features. Colours that work beautifully on summers are pastels, softer tones, and mother-of-pearl shades. Nothing too vivid, harsh, or strong in terms of colours should be worn by Summers as it can wash them out.

Best metals: silver (possible antique) and platinum/white gold

One of my Summer clients.

Autumn

Autumns have deep and warm undertones, and soft contrasts. Think of all the beautiful colours you see in Autumn and these are the tones that work best on this type. Whether it’s deep greens, oranges, or the reds you see as the leaves turn – these colours should be welcomed in your wardrobe, while brighter and cooler colours should be passed by.

Best metals: gold (possibly antique) and copper

One of my Autumn clients.

Winter 

Winters have the cooler undertones with deep and bright tones. Winters do not just have lighter skin and bright eyes, they are often with olive skin and dark hair, but the contrasting features are the most obvious to spot when it comes to winters. Colours that work beautifully on winters are bright icy greens, blues, blacks and even many shades of pink, from fuchsia to sorbet pink. You can also step towards the wintery colours of deep purple and emerald green.

Best metals: silver and white gold

 One of my Winter clients.

The 18 sub-seasons of a colour analysis

Now we know the 4 main seasons we use for a colour analysis we can jump even deeper into the undertones we have.

Let’s be honest – we all have a range of skin tones, hair and eye colours, and therefore, putting us into just 4 options is restrictive. That’s why we have more options to help me discover the truly perfect matches for my clients.

The way I do this is through using the subgroups of each season:

·       Spring: Light, Warm or True, Bright

·       Summer: Light, Cool or True, Soft

·       Autumn: Deep, Warm or True, Soft

·       Winter: Deep, Cool or True, Bright

So while three different people may all belong to the same season, they might have different colourings, different level of contrasts and hue. Think of Jodie Foster, Emily Blunt and Kate Winslet, all summers but with different palettes. And this happens with all the 4 seasons, and these sub-seasons help us discover the specific palettes that will be the most appropriate for your skin tones, which is not just clothes, it includes accessories, make-up, hair colour (should you wish to change it!), and jewellery.

Now this way we have 12 main groups of colours. Then why do I say I work with 18 seasons? Now things get really complicated, I know. the thing is, while (based on my experience) the majority of people fit in one specific sub-season, others can have a mix of features (ie. Warm skin undertone but cool eyes and hair, or warm hair but cool eyes and skin undertone) or a predominance of one particular characteristic (i.e “warm”) that place them in between two seasons. These are so-called “neutrals”, and they can be:

• Spring/Summer (or Summer/Spring)

• Summer/Autumn (or Autumn/Summer)

• Autumn/Winter (or Winter/Autumn)

• Winter/Spring (or Spring/Winter)

• Autumn/Spring (or Spring/Autumn)

• Winter/Summer (or Summer/Winter)

Why is that? There can be varied reasons: some people can inherit a mix of features from parents/family members and have in them a balanced mix of those, which provides them with a wider range of opportunities in terms of which colours suit them; others can experience a transitional phase due to ageing, when hair naturally change, as well as the skin and the eye colours (getting softer), and this makes them shift from a brighter season (for instance) to a softer one.

It truly is transformative – and while I would say that because I love my job – it is always so wonderful to hear from my clients when they see the transformations in front of them, saving themselves wasted money on shopping trips with clothes they just don’t suit, and make-up that they love to put on.

Colour can bring us joy, change our mood, and as you can see, transform how we shine! I hope this insight into what goes into a colour analysis and the depth we go to so you can discover your best colours was beneficial! If you’d like to know more or book your own colour clinic, I’d love to help.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: NEW YEAR, NEW WARDROBE?

As we head into a new year, often we may feel refreshed and invigorated to stick to goals we have set ourselves! If one of your resolutions is to feel more stylish, confident, or even work on making new connections, get a new job, or build your business – one way to start can be understanding your wardrobe and style in a better way.

Where to start with a new personal style

The first step to discovering your new style, is to understand what you want to portray through your fashion. A few questions I always ask my styling clients are:

• What are the first few words you’d like people to think of when they see you?

• Who are your style icons or inspirations?

• Do you feel a certain way in particular colours?

When you know these, it can help you start developing a sort of style mood board, which is what I create with my personal styling clients on Pinterest, to help you see a selection of options in one space that will help you with future purchases.

Remove items for your wardrobe that don’t fit within your style

When you know the type of style you want to portray through your clothes, that you feel confident in and showcases the personality you’d like to convey, you can then start to edit your current wardrobe.

Having a wardrobe detox helps with several things when it comes to developing your personal style:

• It will save you time each day – no more wondering what will go with what!

• Your wardrobe will work smoothly together as full outfits that you can mix and match easily.

• You’ll no longer have any clothes that you don’t feel comfortable in – removing items that don’t fit you is one of the most important parts of this process, as well as the ones you don’t love or feel confident in when you put them on.

Once you have a wardrobe of items you already own, that work within your style you can move onto the next step – finding new items that work with your current ones!

How to find clothes that work with your personal style

Now you have a wardrobe that you can maximise outfits from, that makes you feel your best, and you have a curated mood board for your style inspiration, you can begin your shopping journey!

As a personal shopper myself, I am sure you wouldn’t be surprised to hear that I think making a shopping experience fun, enjoyable and functional is the most important part of your shopping experiences! You’ll want to make sure you do a few things before heading to the shops (whether online or in person).

• Note which items you want to purchase to create outfits from your current pieces in your wardrobe.

• What new items do you want to get to create new outfits?

• What is your budget for this particular shop, or perhaps your quarterly shop? Knowing your finances that you are happy to spend each season for particular items will make sure you know what you can invest in and what you need to save for.

• What colours do you want to add to your wardrobe, if any?

• Which accessories would be a great addition to your collection to help develop fuller more diverse outfits? Whether it’s a belt, a bag, shoes, jewellery, or hair pieces, accessories can transform a look and finish an outfit!

When you have a plan, and an understanding of the style and messages you want to convey through your styling choices, your shopping experiences should be more economical and more useful for you. When we reactively buy because of new year’s sales, a sudden need for something quickly, and without thought, it can cause us to buy items that we ultimately don’t wear. Fast fashion, trends, and garments that don’t last cause us to spend our valuable money on pieces that don’t suit our style for the long term. Taking time to consider what you want your style to showcase, why you want to create that style for yourself – perhaps for your work wardrobe, your confidence, journeying into a new age bracket, or merely to feel great – can truly make a huge difference to how you feel.

Clothes and fashion should work for you – not against you. I hope you will walk into the new year with more confidence and joy each day, and if you’d love help to do this using fashion as one of the tools to manage this, please get in touch.

PERSONAL SHOPPER TIPS: TOP WAYS TO ADD COLOUR TO YOUR WINTER OUTFITS

We all tend to wear darker colours in winter, and it is true that in fashion it can be tricky to find bright colours during the winter months, but wearing our colours is something that we should always do, so how to do that?

Whether you are looking to embrace colour in new ways into your wardrobe, or are a colour-lover and want some on-trend colours to add to your collection, this article will help bring some fun & colour to the grey months of winter!

Colour trends for 2021

While I don’t condone following trends flippantly, when it comes to finding the colours that may inspire you to add some new options to your winter wardrobe that will bring fun & personality to your day to day outfits, discovering new colours through the trends we see can be a good way to get started! Here are a few of my favourite colour trends for Autumn/Winter 2021 to try!

Yellows for Winter

One of the brightest and most fun-filled colours, yellow, was a big hit on catwalks for Moschino, Marc Jacobs, and even Dior were showcasing this fun colour on their Fall/Winter 2021 shows.

Yellow can be a tricky colour to work with depending on your season (the colour group you fall into depending on your skin tone), so look out for the yellows that work for you. From sherbet yellow shoes, to designer bright yellow suits, you’ll be dancing as if you were basking in sunshine in this colour!

Pink hues to try out

Pink is a great colour (for those who like it) and it really is a fun, upbeat colour with a huge range of different shades and tones – whether it’s an incredible shocking pink dress or baby pink bags – add this quirky fun colour to your winter wardrobe to feel a touch of brightness.

Jewel Tones – Purples and Greens

The jewel tones of previous years continue to be on-trend this Autumn/Winter and have packed the runways. These are accessible, easy to find, and will work throughout the seasons, when you choose the right tones for your skin. You can even go all out and clash the purple and green colours together to create a statement look. Try bringing a satin green skirt into your wardrobe, or a deep purple knitted jumper into your wardrobe to add the jewels to your outfit!

If you’d like to know which colours work for you, so you can try trends that will feel great, find out more about my Colour Analysis Services (available in person and online).

Start small – adding colour through accessories & jewellery

One of the most impactful parts of our wardrobes, that are often not invested in, are the accessories! You can transform an outfit with just a belt or a pair of shoes, you can elevate your brunch outfit ready for a date with just the addition of jewellery, and when it comes to adding colours these can be the quickest and most effective way to do it, particularly if you are new to colour.

Another great thing about using jewellery and accessories to add colour is that they are often work-appropriate no matter the office requirements.

Here are a few of my favourite colourful accessories and jewellery to add to your winter wardrobe to perk up your outfits and mindset, in a flash:

• Colourful earrings – earrings are a great start to adding colour, whether you’re just adding a little dash of colour through some colourful studs; some small hoops are a slightly greater option; or going all out with statement earrings, these can easily be added or taken away from an outfit.

• Statement bags – I am a lover of showing personality through my bags, and you really can have the whole spectrum of these excellent (and useful) accessories! Finding a colourful crossover body bag is a great option for day to day or running around, whereas if you go to the office regularly and are in the market for a new larger option with bags(!) of personality, why not get a colourful one?

• Upgrade your rings – yes, rings really are a way to add the finishing touches to your outfit and why not make them colourful and quirky? They can be anything from finding a colourful gemstone such as sapphire or emerald, or even full rainbow; to more original ideas that really make a statement! Just like all of these accessories, they are easy to take off if the occasion doesn’t call for them, so you can show off your personality as and when appropriate.

These are just a few of my favourite ways to help my clients dip their toes into adding colour to their outfits, and I hope they have inspired you to just get started by adding accessories or jewellery with a touch of colour this winter, however, now you’ve started on the colour train, let’s try out a few other ways!

Next Steps to Colour in Your Wardrobe – Your Coats!

Next steps to your colour freedom without feeling overwhelmed is with your coat. You can pop on a big blast of colour which, yes, may feel like a lot of colour at first, but the good news? You can keep it unbuttoned to show neutral tones underneath, and take it off when you arrive at your destination. What I love about adding colour with a coat or jacket is it is a statement – you will showcase your personality in a flash, but there is the ease of being able to take it off and be ready for meetings should you feel you have to stay in classic colours.

Consider light blues which work well with navy tones (and work into the monochrome trend, really well!), as a gentle start into colourful coat options; or you can try out a pink (also available in purple, and blue!) option to embrace the 2021 Winter trend! While if you love the autumnal colours and want to bring them into your wardrobe, you can try out a bright orange coat which really is a statement piece.

Consider the shapes of your coats and jackets, as well as the colours, as they play a huge part in the confidence we will feel when wearing them.

A little jump into colour - Knitwear

Now that the weather is so much colder, you may be considering investing in new knitwear and snuggly items to keep you warm, and if you are looking at the classic darker tones, greys, and deep browns, I would love to challenge you to find just one (or two) colourful knitwear items to play up your outfits.

This can feel like a big step, that’s why it’s my next step in my colour transformation for you – as it is shown in a much bigger block, but it can easily be removed, covered by a coat or jacket, and played down with neutrals, navy, and black on the bottom half and in your shirts or blouses so it doesn’t feel as overwhelming.

Play with the colours within your season as a part of your colour analysis, and if you haven’t got one of these handy go-tos for colour, put the colour next to your face and see how you feel about it alongside your skintone – while this isn’t the fool proof way to know your colours, it’s a good starting point to feeling your most confident in the colours you choose. Start with items that are going to be pieces you may take off when you get to work or meetings, or perhaps are your seeing friends outfit additions, so you can dip your toes into colour without feeling completely overwhelmed by it. Things like cardigans, cropped jumpers, or v-neck jumpers that have just the colour around the neckline, can be a good start.

These are just a few ways to add colour to your winter wardrobe if you are feeling unsure about adding colour through your traditional items of your outfit, such as trousers, shirts, and so on. I hope this has inspired you to add a spark of colour to your wardrobe, and if you are feeling unsure or overwhelmed about where to start, please get in touch about my colour analysis or personal styling services.

PERSONAL STYLING TIPS: 7 PERFECT PARTY OUTFIT IDEAS

Parties – let’s face it, dressing up can be a big headache if you are unsure on what to wear. Whether you already have a fabulous wardrobe or not, the dressing up side of parties, particularly during the festive season, can become tricky.

In this article, I wanted to share 7 of my favourite party outfit ideas that are headache-free and some that may already be in your wardrobe!

Try out a suit

Something I think will always be “on trend” is wearing a suit! If you have a colourful, well proportioned suit, you can transform it for each and every occasion as you see fit.

When it comes to dressing for a party with your suit, over and above the office-look, here are a few ways to play with it:

1.       Add some sparkle – whether it’s with a sequined cami top under your blazer, or with a sparkly pair of earrings, add a little sparkle to make your suit more festive.

2.       Add colour – if your suit is in a more formal, classic colour such as black, brown, or navy, adding some colour will make it more party-appropriate. If you can, I’d recommend finding a colourful blazer to go with your suit trousers, but you can also find colourful luxurious trousers in a velvet or satin, which can be a great switch-up.

3.       Add party heels! Finally, the quickest way to change up your suit for a party is adding a pair of beautiful heels. Think stilettos that peek out from your trousers for a perfect look, or for more comfortable option a pair of sequined block heeled boots.

If you want to try out a blazer that is particularly fun, festive, and party ready, as well as feeling totally personality filled, then now is a great time to get one. Perhaps invest in a colourful suit, or one in a fabric like velvet – go all out, it is the season for fun!

A classic Little Black Dress

A go-to on anyone’s essentials list for easy to throw on looks is the Little Black Dress. I shared some insights into how to style a little black dress for any body shape here, and if you want to have something simplistic and easy to put on that you’ll feel great in, then the LBD is a great option.

However, if you want to add a little fun and festivity to the look, you may want to play with your outer wear and your accessories.

Transforming your little black dress can be as simple as adding the right jewellery for your festive party look, to adding fabulously quirky disco boots, or even a cape! If you want to turn up feeling warm as well as festive and have that moment when you slide off your coat to show off your outfit, then a warm fluffy coat can be a good option.

Co-ord sets for Christmas

Co-ords, much like the suit, are very on-trend and will be a really easy way to make your outfit work for you in a flash. Think a skirt and top combination in the same colours or patterns, but that can be worn separately, too. The reason I love co-ord outfits is that they are so easy to put together in a rush. However, they can sometimes feel a little more “trendy” depending on where you get them, so perhaps less appropriate for a sustainable wardrobe. My top tip for finding a co-ord that would work for your Christmas parties but also for future wears, is to make sure it is in a colour that is within your palette and fits your personal style.

They can also feel a little casual, so make sure you look closely at the fabric options, if you want your look to work for a more formal occasion. For example, this recycled polyester deep purple crop top and midi skirt co-ord can be a good option for parties and separately for future events.

Festive Jumper – but styled up!

For a less formal event, or one with a little fun, you can go for a fun festive jumper that’s elevated and can be reused for future. The one thing that can happen when you are getting fun Christmas jumpers is you only wear them once – which isn’t incredibly sustainable. However, if you find a festive yet sophisticated jumper or cardigan, then you can still have that fun, without wasting money or harming the environment.

A few festive tops that I found are:

• Pearl embellished jumper – a great option for fun, quirky, yet sophisticated looks.

• Sequinned blouse – now, this is very sequined and glittery, but it can work really well for a festive event, as well as a party throughout the year as it isn’t “Christmas” themed.

• Black and silver v-neck jumper – this is more casual in terms of the look, but paired under your favourite blazer and with a satin skirt, you can dress this up very easily.

• Short sleeved navy glitter polo neck – and if you’re indoors so don’t need too many layers, this short sleeved glitter polo neck in a lovely warm fabric, can work well.

Cocktail dress

This style of dress is an elevated version of the Little Black Dress. Think different colours, fun elements such as ruffles, and will fall above the knee. When you go looking for a cocktail look, you can be a little more formal and consider that this outfit may only be worn for parties or dates, due to the length it may not be suited to black tie or formal events.

The great thing about cocktail dresses is they can come in a huge variety of colours, fabrics, and designs so finding one that suits your personal style is the most important part of this process. You may already have a cocktail dress in your wardrobe, so throwing it on with some jewellery, a clutch bag, and your heels will be one of the simplest but most effective looks.

For an elegant and easy look that is just below the knee and in a demure style, try this lilac cocktail dress with faux wrap top and pleated skirt – it has a gentle shimmer so can be easier to approach than a more festive option.

If sparkle isn’t something you gravitate towards, then this black almost grunge styled dress with ribbon detail and autumnal flower design is right up your “rock chick” cocktail look.

Sequined Dresses

For a sparkly, festive, glitter-fest of an outfit then you really can’t go wrong with a sequined dress. Becoming even more popular this year, I have seen plenty of beautiful sequined dresses that will work for any occasion. The great thing about sequins is they will sparkle and light up your day – however, they can sometimes look a little cheap, so if you are going full sequin and need to buy a new dress to treat yourself to this fun style then invest in a good quality dress.

Whether it’s a silver sequined mini dress with voluminous sleeves & a pencil skirt,  a colourful rainbow-like sequined dress with a higher neck, or an almost 20’s inspired sequin fringe midi dress, you will find a great selection of options.

Styling a sequin dress can be a little more tricky, so let the dress do all the talking and let your accessories complement it. For example, dark tights and a black pair of heels if you are wearing a shorter dress (and to keep your legs warm) or a pair of simple strappy heels – and you are ready to rock the dance floor!

Try out a jumpsuit

If a dress just isn’t your style, or you want to be able to throw on a full outfit that is ready to party all night in then you can’t go wrong with a jumpsuit! We are lucky enough to have a whole host of options for jumpsuits at our fingertips, so if you are opposed to the classic dress style, this is your year to try out the jumpsuit!

A few jumpsuits I have found online that would be great for any party, are:

·       For the smart/casual party – Try out this fun wide-legged gold-polka-dot jumpsuit. It’s fun, sparkly, and comfortable too! 

• For the unique black-tie event – this incredible white (also available in yellow and black) cross-halter jumpsuit is beautiful. No need to add a necklace, as the neckline is doing all of the work. Add some bangles and rings and you’re ready to drink cocktails and eat canapes.

• For the festive party – if you want to feel festive, but don’t want to wear a Christmas jumper, then I have found this velvet deep burgundy jumpsuit!

• For the girl’s night out –for a fun, flirty option for any type of party with the girls or over brunch, this elegant one-shoulder cape-detailed jumpsuit in salmon is beautiful.

• For the theatrical event – I can’t say how incredible this art-deco inspired bronze jumpsuit is (it is a big investment, however) and you will definitely make all the eyes in the room turn. It has long pleated sleeves that go all the way to the floor, so perfect for a theatrical event, particularly if your company is hosting a themed Christmas do this year – or just to feel fabulous.

I hope this 6 Christmas party outfit ideas have inspired you to get all dressed up! If you are looking for the perfect gift for under the tree for that loved one or friend that deserves confidence in all that they wear, I’d love to help – I am offering Christmas vouchers this year that can cover a particular service, or go towards a service so they can treat themselves to wardrobe happiness in 2022.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW TO LOOK AND FEEL CONFIDENT, FROM THE WAIST UP

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS: HOW TO LOOK AND FEEL CONFIDENT, FROM THE WAIST UP

With the recent announcement meaning many of us will be continuing to work from home for a while yet, I wanted to share some more tips to help people look and feel their best for the online meetings we will continue to be hosting!

Brighten up your mindset with some colour

Winter is often a time of year when many of us feel quite grey and perhaps even a little moody. For those of us without the joyous snow, it has been rainy and cold which means plenty of layers and perhaps our summery florals & colours are impatiently waiting to be pulled out for summer. My thoughts on winter are that this is the time of year that we most need colour in our wardrobe, and I feel this couldn’t be more needed than while we are staying at home. With an addition of colour to your outfit you will start to feel more uplifted, and they will also help you stand out when on a large online meeting!

You’ll want to know the best colours for your skin tone but a few ideas I can suggest for online meetings are pinks, blues, oranges, and bright yellows – they stand out really well on camera.

You could even go for a really bright and fun pattern like this jumper from House of Sunny, which will definitely perk you and your fellow online meeting attendees’ up!

Boost your confidence with a touch of make-up

Working from home can feel like bliss for those of us who had to get up hours in advance of starting work to not only get the kids ready and commute to the office, but also for the extra time-savings of no need for make-up. However, make-up can be a wonderful confidence and mood-booster. Whether it’s a colourful lipstick, or a dash of eyeliner, or even just a sweep of mascara, they can go a long way to helping boost your mood and help you look put together if you are asked for a surprise online meeting that you thought would be just a telephone call!

Go for an easy to apply, long-lasting lipstick in a shade that works for you, or a water-proof mascara that can survive the rain if you nip outside for a breath of fresh air on a walk or jog during the day.

Add an accessory

My final tip for boosting your confidence from the waist up is to add a favourite accessory to your outfit. Something that has sparkle, a lovely memory, or feels special to you. From a colourful silk scarf, to a fun pair of earrings, you can bring an accessory to your outfit quickly and easily to upgrade your casual work from home look to a professional business meeting outfit.

If you are feeling a little uninspired or overwhelmed on how to feel more confident when you attend online meetings or events, then I’d love to invite you to join Mel Byron and me for our “Confidence and Style from the Waist Up” webinar on 18th January where we will help you elevate your look and learn how to speak with professionalism & confidence.

PERSONAL STYLIST TIPS - HOW TO PACK SMART

HOW CAN YOU PACK SMART TO BUILD CONFIDENCE ON YOUR HOLIDAY?

With the country coming out of lockdown, and many of us yearning for even a few days away from the day to day lives we have been leading during these uncertain times, you may be thinking of taking a short break. The most important part of making a trip the most enjoyable experience, other than the location and the company, is, in my opinion as a Personal Stylist, a selection of clothes you feel great in.

In this article, I wanted to share a few of my tips to help you pack smart, and make your break the most enjoyable it can be.

Make sure you really need the item/s you are taking

Research is a key element of planning for a holiday, the same goes for packing! Make sure all of the items in your luggage will actually be useful where you are going. What are you planning to get up to during your time away? If you are planning lots of walking and rest, you probably won’t need the stilettos. If you are looking to break by the beach with cocktails and date nights with your loved one, then the walking boots may be taken out, and the stilettos put back!

Really research what you will be expecting from the location you are visiting, the weather that may be expected, and what you are planning to get up to, to help you maximise your luggage space.

Only take items that bring you joy

The clothes you want to take with you are those that really make you feel great. Ask yourself if you will wear the item, and take the first response as your true answer. If there is doubt, then don’t pack it. Make sure that you feel comfortable, confident, and know that the items you are taking are joy-bringers. Don’t pack items you haven’t worn for ages (unless, of course, it’s a bikini that you loved on last year’s holiday!)

Capsules are essential

It’s best to have less in your baggage, than a confusion of items. Making a capsule packing structure will help you to see multiple options of outfits from only minimal items. Bring clothes that work together in palette, and ones that you know you wear together regularly. This will help you maximise space and prevent stress when picking out your clothes.

Plan your outfits

If you have the time, I highly recommend you plan your outfits, especially those that are for fun nights out or special occasions. When you plan ahead, your stress levels will dramatically reduce, and you will find you will feel joyous about what you pick out of your holiday wardrobe for each of the events you have prepared for!

Tissue paper is a great way to prevent creases

The old trick of using tissue paper (the type you wrap with) is actually incredibly beneficial! For some breaks, especially when you are visiting somewhere for only a small amount of time, you will not have access to an iron. You also probably won’t want to spend your valuable time getting those creases out of your beloved items! One way to stop the creases is to use tissue paper when you fold your clothes, especially those that crease easily.

Have fun

After all this time in lockdown, and only just being able to take breaks around the UK, the last thing I recommend for packing smart is to have fun. Embrace the time you have on your holiday, and let your clothes bring confidence, joy, and the ability to truly enjoy your time away.

 What are your tips for packing smart?

LIFE OF A PERSONAL STYLIST: MY INTERVIEW PUBLISHED IN XEL MAGAZINE

XEL Magazine just published my interview and I am very excited to share it here

Stefania Bartolomei and her journey to tailor-made success with One of a Style

At XEL Magazine we are celebrating independent business owners with our very own Independence Week. Issue #3 is all about recognising the success of independent business owners on their journey to entrepreneurial success.

We chatted with Stefania Bartolomei who is the business owner of One of a Style, a company based in London which recognises the customer's needs when tailoring fashion to their own individual style and needs.

How do you plan on taking your company forward? Have you got any exciting plans?

I have many exciting plans, like workshops and events! I prefer to keep the details secret for now, but I can tell you that one of my upcoming project is to write a book, that will be very different from all the styling books written so far!

What inspired the name of your company?

My business name plays with the words “one of a kind” and “style”. I believe that everyone is unique, so their style can be unique as well. I wanted to give a clear message, that I really work for clients and that my consultations are truly based on clients' personality, lifestyle and look, and not on fashion trends or on my own style.

What is your backstory? What inspired you to start your own company?

I have a background in fashion. I studied at University of Fashion in Florence (Italy) to start working straightforward in fashion companies, from textile to apparel. I loved fashion for its creativity, and the infinite combinations that can be created with fabrics, colours and shapes! The fashion world is very complicate, though, and very often you are judge for what you wear, how you look and even what you eat, rather than for your abilities.

So, after a while I started feeling that I wasn't fitting in that world any more, and that I wanted to start working on the customers' side! Besides, I always had a natural attitude to help people with their look and shopping choices, and after some researches I found out that I could make a real profession out of it! So in 2011 I attended a first course in personal fashion styling, at the London college of Fashion, yet it took me 5 years to take the courage to quit my job, move to London and start my own business.

Has it been a long journey to get to where you are today?

Well, not really, if you consider that when I moved to London I didn't know anybody and that, in the meantime, I've also become mom! Running a business is difficult, it requires great determination, original ideas and, of course, knowledge (while many believe with just passion you can go everywhere!), but play the cards well, the results can arrive very soon. This is what happened to me, thankfully!

What advice could you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Well, I see many people giving up at the first difficulties, so my greatest advice for them is: If you really have passion for something, do everything you can to make it happen! It is very important to do what we love, and to love what we do in life! But you need to be prepared and ready for a journey that is not going be easy.

How would you say your business is different compared to other’s in the same sector?

I have a strong background in fashion and a great understanding of fabrics and garments, and with my consultations I offer true valuable advice to my clients, that not everyone has the chance to give. Also, I believe that my Italian origin gives me a natural sense of style and good taste. So combinations that are very easy for me to create, for instance, are absolutely surprising for my clients..

What has been the highlight of your business career so far?

Well I have to say I've had many important and rewarding moments, but one that I remember with great fulfilment is when, as new mom, and still breastfeeding, I accepted a request from a client. I was feeling nervous at first, after months of maternity leave and also because I had to take the baby with me (surprised? This is London and that's possible!) but she insisted on working with me and I thought it could have been the opportunity for me to slowly get back to work.

Not only I've been able to manage the sessions, the whole experience went incredibly well and after just a few weeks the client texted me saying that she was feeling much more confident, she was getting many compliments on her look and also finally was dating someone (what she wanted to achieve with my consultation)! The incredible thing is that, while usually I help clients to feel more confident thanks to my advice, that time I felt more confident myself and, even if challenging, it gave me a great push to get back to do what I love!

Where do you plan on taking your business?

I most certainly will get to train aspiring stylists one day, maybe I'll set up an agency in collaborations with other professionals..who knows? But at the moment I am happy to work with clients myself, I still feel like I want to be in first line.

It's looking to be an exciting time for Stefenia and we look forward to seeing what's next on her fashion journey to tailor-made success.

PERSONAL SHOPPER ADVICE: HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING SUIT

After last blog post I realize I was addressing my 3 tips to women only, so I decided to release a new one giving this time 3 tips useful to men.  For who doesn't know yet I am, in fact, a personal stylist/shopper who works both with men and women; I've had male clients, indeed,  who were asking my help because their were struggling to find something appropriate (whether it was for budget, or quality, or simply in line with the event coming) , so why not to give them the some hints? 

I also realized that in my last blog post I was referring to Western weddings; always better to specify, as in the Eastern culture most of the habits and traditions (and the colour meanings) can be very different. 

Said that, here are my 3 tips for men, who are attending one or more weddings soon and need to find an appropriate suit, and the accessories of course, for the occasion/s: 

tip #1 is about the style of the wedding, where the location can be a big clue (villa or country house?! Castle or restaurant?!); this is a detail that can make the difference in the choice of the outfit's style!

tip #2 is about the accessories features, so bear in mind that shoes and belt must be always in the same colour, and knot tie/bow tie, handkerchief and cufflinks represent the accent to every men outfit, so it is high recommended to choose them carefully, coloured (not matching with the suit's colour) and, above all tie and handkerchief, must be coordinated. An outstanding outfit is not just done by the dress but by the whole set of elements and embellishment. So one of the key word to get an outstanding outfit (and so presence) is : coordination!

tip #3 is more than everything the answer to a question many clients asked her : can we wear white or black at a wedding? The answer is slightly different from the one I gave to my female public, but again If you wish to know the answer have a look to the video :-) We don't want to spoil you everything, do we?! 

So, enjoy the video, and for every question, or if you need a private consultation or personal shopping session with me, just contact me at stefania@onefoastyle.com.

PERSONAL SHOPPER ADVICE: HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR OUTFIT FOR A WEDDING?

Summer 2017 is approaching and so the Wedding Season (as most of the weddings are celebrated in summer indeed!).

Stefania, image consultant - founder of One of a Style - wants with this video share 3 tips for guests (women) who are attending one or more weddings in the coming season, to help them with their selection of dressed and outfits. 

This idea came after as she dealt with lots of clients in the past who asked her consultation to find dresses and accessories to attend weddings. It is clear that this is not an easy subject and that most people (especially women) get lost, and sometimes crazy, in their seeks of an appropriate outfit for the occasion.

1st tip Stefania gives is about the location and venue, and so the style, of the wedding (villa or country house?! Castle or restaurant?!) that can make the difference in the choice of the dress'style!

2nd tip is about the accessories features! An outstanding outfit is not just done by the dress but by the whole set of elements and embellishment. She suggests to find metallic accessories (gold / silver/ rose gold...) that can be easily matching between them and with all the colours of the spectrum for a dress! A smart choice above all if you have more than one wedding/even in a single season, so that you can change the dress but leave the same accessories (shoes, clutch, jewellery).

3rd tip is more than everything the answer to a question many clients asked her : can we wear white or black at a wedding? If you wish to know the answer have a look to the video :-) We don't want to spoil you everything, do we?! 

LIFE OF A LONDON STYLIST: MY INTERVIEW BY AN ITALIAN TV CHANNEL

Here a skype interview released by an Italian TV Channel (RTV 38). 

Pity it is in Italian, but I hope someone of you will be able to understand it. It explains a bit of me, my job, how and why I decided to start my business. Enjoy!

EVENTS: THE POWER OF COLOUR

"the best colour in the world is the colour that looks good on you" C.Chanel

Yesterday, Thursday the 12th, there have been a workshop organized by Stefania Bartolomei, about the colour as powerful styling tool!

Of all the styling tools, colour is maybe the most underestimated, yet it has the great power to affect not only our look but also our mood.

As the right colour can, in fact, confer us a healthy look, enhancing our features, making our eyes shine bright and our skin looks like porcelain, so the wrong colour can wash us out, highlighting the eye circles and the skin flaws. We perceive the effects that colours have on us, but most of the time we are not aware of it and we think that the causes of our look, whether it is good or not, are entirely of physical and mental status nature.

Being conscious of what our best colours are can really have an effect on our attitude. as I always say : when you look good, you feel good! And when you feel good, you have more self confidence, so you can be successful and get what you are aiming to, that in the social life as well as in business.

Let's go deeper now into the technical side of the workshop and its subject.

As you probably know, one of the services that Stefania offers to her clients is the colour analysis; the seasonal color analysis (to be precise) is a scientific way to determine's people best colours. 

As in nature, the seasonal colour analysis is based on the 4 seasons : spring, summer, autumn and winter.

These seasons recall the colours that we can find in nature, from spring, with its bright, powerful and warm colours , that become softer and lighter in summer, to autumn, with everything getting warmer and deeper, to the winter, with its crispy and sharp colours and its high contrasts. 

spring

summer

autumn

winter

The colour drapes, used for the colour analysis, recall the properties of the seasons in nature, reproducing the same general characteristics. 

spring

summer

autumn

winter

The same characteristics can then be found in our own features. So, generally speaking, people with light soft coloring would most likely belong to summer, while people with dark colours and high contrasts in their features would most likely belong to winter.

But it is not easy to recognize all this values in ourselves and there can be also exceptions. So it must be clear that this are general rules and that the only way to build up our palette of best colours, in the end, is to have a professional colour analysis.

During the workshop Stefania shown the effect of the colours on our features, whether they are good or wrong, explaining how to recognize our features through 3 values:

• temperature (warm vs cold)

• brightness (soft vs bright)

• light (light vs dark)

giving eventually practical examples on how to make the most of our colours through the use not only of clothes but also of accessories, make-up and hair colour choices. 

At the end of She also did a funny "celebrity game", where people were called to guess the properties, and so the season, of some star, among which Lucy-Liu, Amy Adams, Cate Blanchett, Julia Roberts and so on... this was lot of fun! 

The workshop has been a great success! The atmosphere was cozy and nice and seen the great enthusiasm shown by the public Stefania will surely plan another one very soon! 

In the meantime, if you want to find out more about the subject and discover what is your season and what are your best colours book your session with Stefania writing at stefania@oneofastyle.com 

Special thanks go to : Veronika Damiani for the make-up of the models; Laura & Kim for being my models.

LIFE OF A LONDON STYLIST : VISITING TRADE SHOWS

There's always something new to know about fashion... new trends, new brands and new connections! Visiting this trade shows, even as image consultant and not a buyer, can be very interesting and gives you new inputs and ideas for your clients, and even new connections, that are always important! 

And I am very happy and proud to see lots of Italian names to thrive among the PURE LONDON's stalls today with their genuine made-in-Italy products.  This is not a good moment, the fashion marked is full of valuable and fierce competitors and it is very difficult to conceive innovative and unconventional ideas with; but I've seen good proposals today, for quality and originality, between lots of cheap and, I daresay, dull products. I really hope that the buyers had noticed the same , choosing their suppliers wisely!