THE CHRONICLES OF A LITTLE PINK JACKET

Grab a latte and kick off your stilettos- it’s story time with Dressed to Death. 

Once upon a time, there was a young lady who lived in the beautiful metropolitan city of Los Angeles- the skies were always sunny, the street style was forever epic, and the sushi was killer. During the year of 2012, this young lady landed her first job related to the industry of fashion, at the oh so fabulous Nordstrom (the Chanel boutiques always had a stellar selection). She found herself based in menswear (who would have thought), where she put her prior knowledge of design to good use, and learned how to assess, measure, and style, gentlemen for all occasions. One day, while leaving the e-Bar with her usual ‘quad shot espresso over ice’ in hand, she was unexpectedly bumped into by an ‘energetic’ little boy. The moment forever burned into her memory- the dramatic gasp and dropping of the mouth as her caffeine fix splashed across her ivory blazer like the most unfortunate form of abstract art. She cried a little inside, took a deep breath, and then turned a negative situation into a positive equation.

Ruined Blazer + Sleeveless Dress = Expedited Shopping Session

I’ll end the fairy tale narrative and confirm the obvious- yes, the young lady was yours truly. With roughly half an hour of a lunch break remaining, I asked myself what store I would be able to go to, knowing with certainty that I would easily, and quickly, find something that suited my needs. The answer? Zara. Upon entering the store, it only took a matter of seconds before a vibrant pink tweed, mid-thigh length jacket with bracelet-sleeves, caught my attention. I practically ran to it (thank you, Prada, for creating ballet flats that double as emergency running shoes), snatched up my size, asked the cashier to cut off the tags as I swiped my card, and I was out the door just as quickly as I had came in. Mission accomplished.

The purpose of this seemingly random story? Being based out of a segment in menswear, where suits, ties, and dress shirts, were the main attraction, I was encouraged to maintain a business savvy, yet trendy, appearance. I learned to further cultivate a segment of my style that was more reminiscent of Jackie O- timeless, streamlined and refined. Not only was the cultivation of my style a key aspect during this time in my life, but working for Nordstrom was an amazing experience that I will be forever grateful for. I saw my manager of my department as my mentor- he taught me the ‘tricks of the trade’, introduced me to his own personal clients during Nordstrom exclusive events, and helped me further develop, and nurture, my relationships with my own personal clients. More than that, he taught me to believe in myself, my capabilities and my passion. The little pink jacket is a nostalgic reminder of all of the above.

In a wardrobe full of neutrals and pastels, my little pink jacket is definitely a statement piece that catches the eye. With it’s brightness in color, some may argue that it’s neither a timeless, nor staple piece- I beg to differ. The streamlined cut of the jacket opens doors to an endless amount of possibilities- it can be paired with shorts, skirts, or a personal favorite- cigarette pants. The lack of metal embellishments or closures allows an individual such as myself, who typically refrains from mixing different metals (i.e. gold, silver, rose gold, etc.), to accessorize without feeling restrained. The tweed fabric can be easily mixed with a variety of other fabrics- from silk chiffon to basic cotton. It can be paired with edgier pieces for a ‘Chanel in the era of Lagerfeld’ vibe, or with pastels and neutrals for a toned-down feminine take on ‘Chanel in the era of Mademoiselle Coco’.

Many garments and accessories in our wardrobes may have a story behind them- a story that brings back a flood of memories, feelings and emotions. This jacket may not be my favorite piece from my wardrobe in terms of versatility or comfort, but it’s one of my favorites in terms of the story that lies within it. With that being said, I propose ‘The Chronicles of a Little Pink Jacket’.

It began it’s story with a young lady who was on a journey of finding herself in Los Angeles, California. As she begins her newest journey of starting her blog, it is currently nestled safely in her wardrobe closet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The question is, where will it take her next?

Care to share a wardrobe piece with a unique story?

original post and additional photos via www.dressed-to-death.com

A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE: AUDREY HEPBURN

Audrey Hepburn in How to Steal a Million, 1966

“The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman grows with the passing years.”

-Audrey Hepburn

The enchanting image of Ms. Hepburn is one that will remain etched in our memories for the remainder of time. Her sophisticated demeanor, and appearance, coupled with her innocent and playful sense of humor, lives on through various classic films that many of us find ourselves familiar with today, even decades after their initial release. Yet, even more so than being a notable, and award-winning, actress of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Audrey Hepburn was, and remains, an icon in every sense of the word. The leading lady would have turned eighty-five years old today, and with that, I propose a day of remembrance and tribute to a woman who inspired, and touched, the lives of so many throughout her lifetime and thereafter.

Perhaps it was the minute details of Audrey’s birth that served purpose, and precedent, for the unpretentious characteristics that later defined her humble morals, ethics and philosophies. She was born the daughter of a baroness, as Audrey Kathleen Ruston on May 4, 1929, yet was born, nonetheless, as a child of the German occupancy in Belgium- titles of the political and superficial type were irrelevant in such times. By the age of fifteen, Audrey exemplified early inclinations of the humanitarian sort by using ballet as a means of gathering money to contribute to the Dutch resistance. After various small roles and appearances in theatre and ballet, Hepburn eventually made her ‘debut’ on Broadway in 1951, starring in the play Gigi- a catapult, if you will, into her graceful acting career. Over the coming years, Audrey’s slender frame danced across the silver screen in notable films such as Roman Holiday, released in 1953, and Sabrina, released the following year in 1954. It wasn’t until 1961, that one of her most identifiable roles was debuted to the world- she starred as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's, 1961 (Getty Images)

Breakfast at Tiffany’s gave birth to one of the most iconically timeless looks of film and fashion history- the ever so elegant ‘little black dress’. It has been cited as one of the most memorable little black dresses of the twentieth century, and quite possibly the most of all time. The work of art was created exclusively for Audrey by Hubert de Givenchy, whom, it should be noted, claimed Audrey as his personal muse. While the look of the black sheath dress and multi strand pearl necklace with diamante hair ornament from Tiffany & Co. has been emulated by a vast amount of individuals, I must pose the question as to whether there will ever be an individual who possesses the ability to even come close to imbuing the same poise, and confidence, that Audrey did while wearing the original ensemble featured in the film. I think not.

While not only a poised style icon, who, it should also be noted, was inducted into the Hall of Fame by the International Best Dressed List, she was a sensitive humanitarian, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She made various trips to countries throughout South America, Africa, and Asia during her lifetime, with the goal of helping the impoverished, and seemingly forgotten. Her aversion to frivolity, her philanthropic endeavors, and her philosophy that, “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others”, have served as a reminders that there is far more to life than merely living within the confines of your own self-existence and vanity. Even in her old age, she still possessed subtle, yet overpowering, natural beauty- yet, the stereotypes of superficiality, monetary stature, and success in the film industry, neither engulfed, nor phased her, as she full-heartedly embraced the poverty-stricken children of the aforementioned countries.

I am an individual who believes in focusing on the positive, and with that being said, I should hope that the following is not taken negatively. I find it unfortunate that so many individuals of our current, and future, generations have lost sight of what true, and natural, beauty is. For that very reason, I believe that a valuable lesson can be learned from the way that Audrey Hepburn chose to live her life, because in my personal opinion, she was not only an icon in every sense of the word, but also, beautiful in every sense of the word. Beauty is not merely things that are aesthetically appeasing and symmetrically sound, but beauty is something that must come from within. The genuine want and inclination of wanting to help others- beauty. To live honestly and genuinely, without being ostentatious or arrogant- beauty. To fully embrace the natural beauty of not only yourself, but of all individuals around you, with disregard to the idea that there are physical attributes that can be considered ‘flaws’ or ‘unsightly’- beauty.

Whether you’re a classic film fanatic, a humanitarian, a style enthusiast, or simply, a human being, I ask that the next time you see, or hear, about Audrey Hepburn, you remember that she was not a mere ‘pretty face’ of Hollywood’s Golden Age, but she was a kind and ethereal soul, who had reverence for the world and the people who were citizens of it. Happy Birthday, Audrey.

What is your favorite film featuring Ms. Hepburn?

original post and additional photos via www.dressed-to-death.com

CULTIVATING YOUR CREATIVITY IN A WHIMSICAL WONDERLAND

Cheshire cats, teacups and hookah smoking caterpillars? Oh my! Yes, I am making reference to one of the most creative, enticing, and whimsical fairy tale films of all time (drum roll, please)- Alice in Wonderland. While Alice herself may have been neither the picturesque, nor stereotypical Disney princess, she was a seemingly simple girl with an extraordinarily active imagination that more than made up for her lack of possessing the regal title of "princess". At this point, I’m sure many of you are wondering (1): Is this is a film review, and/or (2): How on earth does a children’s fairy tale relate to the fashion industry or personal style? Well dolls, Alice in Wonderland can teach you everything that you need to know about freely cultivating your style and understanding the minds, and creative thought processes, of fashion designers throughout the industry. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, so bare with me.

As a child, I spent countless hours getting lost in my favorite Disney films at my grandmother’s house; my infatuation with the plots, characters and ensembles only grew exponentially with each tedious ‘rewind’ of the VHS tapes. Princess Jasmine was my exotic, yet all too familiar idol, so naturally I was over the moon when my aunt brought me a ‘magical flying carpet’ from Bahrain. Although, unlike Aladdin, I could never seem to master the art of flying, or much less get off the ground- epic fail. Snow White taught me that it was acceptable to embrace my naturally fair skin, while Cinderella subliminally taught me the disturbing lesson that some social circles will accept ‘outsiders’, only after they receive materialistically-based makeovers from fairy godmothers (a personal stylist of sorts). Yet, regardless of the positive or negative lessons learned from these fairy tales, I ultimately aspired to emulate and replicate the iconic characters in their form of dress. I was successfully able to do so through store-bought costumes that were nearly identical to the garments featured on the original films, but looking back, I realize that those costumes were a grave form of consent to conformity and mere imitation.

I personally believe that as we grow and mature into adulthood, we begin to stray from the childlike behavior of mimicking our surroundings and slowly begin to develop the skills, and desire, to create our unique identities through personalization. Since my own childhood, I have evolved into an individual who ceases to replicate the dress, actions and mannerisms of others, but instead, I openly embrace whatever inspires me and alter it in a way that best suits, and coincides, with my own style and sense of being. It was only recently, while choosing an outfit for my younger sister’s Wonderland themed party, that I came to the pleasant conclusion that Alice in Wonderland still serves as a wonderful platform for imagination and creative ingenuity- for both myself and designers alike. Yet, it's key to note that I came to this conclusion after making the decision to create an outfit that embodied an Alice in Wonderland vibe, as opposed to merely purchasing a ready-made costume.

The film is filled with outlandish backdrops, brimming with characters of the edgy and eccentric type, and sprinkled with bits of a bohemian flower child’s essence- it is eclectic, to say the least. As it relates to style, Alice in Wonderland teaches us that our stylistic eccentricities should be embraced and that we should allow our imaginations, and creativity, to flow naturally. Alice created a world in her mind where she was riddened of restraint and free to explore the imagined realities of her wildest dreams. The characters of Wonderland were not mere replicas of what we see in real life (e.g. The Cheshire Cat versus an ‘average’ cat), but instead, they were altered and transformed into something that spoke uniquely to Alice’s heart and mind- projected images of her ‘style’, if you will. Style and expression of oneself should follow this same ‘Golden Rule’. Why must there be the need to replicate and duplicate what is already pre-existing, much like the store-bought costumes?

Designers and photographers throughout the fashion industry have not only taken Alice in Wonderland as a form of inspiration for collections and editorials, but they have taken inspiration from everything around them- it’s simply a matter of finding a muse. Once again, we reach the conclusion that fashion and style are built on the fundamental concepts of inspiration, imagination, beauty that is in the eye of the beholder, and emotions. While some of you may view Alice in Wonderland as a quirky film from your childhood that you have long forgotten, others, such as myself, may feel divinely inspired to brew a pot of tea and get straight to work on a flower halo, all the while sporting a flowing maxi dress and a miniature tophat with shabby chic undertones. I will never tire of the images and scenes that come to mind when I think of Alice and Wonderland, but I refuse to ever make the mistake of purchasing a ready-made costume ever again. Why get lost in the flock when you can get lost in your own creativity?


Note: All references are to one of the earlier versions of the film that most of you are familiar with- it was directed by Clyde Geronimi and released in 1951. While the 2010 version (directed by Tim Burton) is fabulously psychedelic and full of visual eccentricities, I’m an old soul with an appreciation for ‘originals’ (Sorry, Johnny!).

What is your favorite inspirational film from childhood? Other thoughts?

original post and additional photos via www.dressed-to-death.com

MY MOTHER'S WARDROBE: AN EXTENSION OF MY STYLE

As a child, did you ever delve into a family members’ wardrobe and have a full-fledged dress-up session? I’ve heard countless, and might I add, humorous stories from friends about invading the wardrobes of their older siblings. Unfortunately, I don’t get the pleasure of reminiscing over ‘that time my older sister nearly self-imploded upon finding me prancing around in her Dior haute couture from the then-latest spring collection’ because I, ladies and gentlemen, was an only child until the age of twelve. So, who’s wardrobe is a young, curious, and artistically-inclined little girl supposed to raid without an older sister to victimize? Well, as you smart snickerdoodle cookies may have guessed (or read from the title), it was none other than my mother dearest (cue the innocent smile and batting of the lashes).

In elementary school, I was bound and determined to make her maxi length wool wrap skirt (with brilliant black and burgundy color blocking) ‘work’ on my tiny frame, while simultaneously in attempt to balance in her three-sizes-too-big black supple leather pumps with gold hardware (which I unfortunately outgrew by the age of fifteen). I also developed a secret love for her blouses and sweaters. I was so enamored by the vast amount of fabrics, colors and cuts- I could never seem to resist grabbing one and slipping it over my head, occasionally being blessed by her signature scent, which I still find blissfully nostalgic. With the sweaters, I learned at a young age that there was a sort of statement to be made by something that was casually oversized. Yet, at other times I felt that they needed to appear more ‘tailored’, and so being the little problem solver that I am (and one who loves a challenge), I learned to strategically tuck, pull and synch in a way that produced a look that I found the most visually appealing. It’s an indubitable habit and technique that I consciously use until this very day.

Now, with regard to my philosophy on how exactly I see my mother’s wardrobe as being an extension of my own sense of style, it’s rather poetic, if I do say so myself. I established in my previous post how style is a form of individual expression, and to further my philosophy- I believe that in similarity to individual beings (in terms of their personalities and mentalities), personal style may mature and evolve over time, but there will always remain innate characteristics that resonate forever. My mother being my prime example- over time her wardrobe has remained consistent and unchanged in the sense that she fills it with an overwhelming amount of neutral staples that have a major versatility factor, jewel toned pieces for an ‘understated and elegant’ vibe and statement pieces that are strategically timeless, as opposed to being merely trendy*. Although, her physical wardrobe was, and is, only a portion of the equation that has contributed to the development of my own sense of style.

As a child, it was as if she had unconsciously used a form of Pavlovian conditioning by her very presence and appearance (the conditioned stimulus, if you will). In my mind, she was the picturesque ideal of the poised, elegant and refined woman that I naturally aspired to be (aspiration being the unconditioned stimulus)- hence, it only seems natural that throughout the years I have subconsciously adopted not only her demeanor and unique mannerisms, but also certain aspects of her style (the conditioned response). She has been my inspiration in every way imaginable since day one, making it seemingly logical that she also play the role of my true style icon. I have not only adopted her stylistic preferences for clothing and the like, but most importantly, I have adopted the philosophy that style is not just about a choice in clothing- it is about expression, confidence, emotions and the story being told. Forever grateful.

Who's closet did you play in as a child? Thoughts or Stories?

original post via www.dressed-to-death.com

MY PHILOSOPHY ON STYLE

I would suppose that it only seems logical that my first post on the blog be in some form of an informal introduction. Yes? No? Either way, I’m sticking to my shiny toy guns and going with it. I think that it is clear to those of you who are reading this that I have an especially high regard for style and fashion- and if it wasn’t clear before, it should be now. With that being said, my passion for these drastically different, yet complementary, concepts is built on the fundamental philosophies that regard the very essence of their raw core and purest form of meaning. Let me further clarify.

It seems in this modern age that the terms ‘style’ and ‘fashion’ have come to be used interchangeably- the reason for which, I can only assume is that they both pertain to, and are centered around, clothing and the like. For the sake of keeping this a (relatively) short and sweet introduction, I will define the relationship between style and fashion in the most simplistic way I see possible, and through an example that many of you can find yourselves familiar with.

“Fashion is what you buy, style is what you do with it.”

Voila! A mere twelve words, or (a shocking) forty-one letters, used to identify and concisely differentiate between two concepts that I could quite honestly spend days ranting and raving about (yes, without sleep). The world of fashion is built, and nurtured by designers who have taken it upon themselves to follow their existential calling, and turn their dreams into tangible and wearable realities. As consumers of fashion, we analyze these pieces, whether it be the moment they hit the runway or as we’re casually browsing through them on store racks, and then we select what we feel best coincides with our own personal sense of ‘style’. With that being said, we have officially arrived at our key topic- the philosophy of style, or more precisely, my philosophy on style.

Style is a form of self-expression. Yes, we have all heard it countless times- so many times in fact, that it almost begins to seem cliché and jaded (I can’t be alone in thinking this). Yet, I still stand firmly behind the idea that one’s unique sense of style becomes a part of their individual identity and vice versa. Furthermore, in regard to my philosophy, I firmly believe that it is an innate attribute to one’s identity that is ineludible and can be neither forsaken, nor avoided.

Consider the example of one who claims that they have an utter disregard for fashion and the industry as whole, and hence, chooses ensembles that they claim merely serve the purpose of cloaking their bodies for the sake of avoiding indecent exposure (disregarding memembers of nudist colonies). Then, consider the example of one who is claiming a place on the opposite side of the spectrum- they are the artistic, whimsical, fashion-obsessed type that loves adorning themselves in avant-garde ensembles that seem as if they were taken from backstage at a Cirque du Soleil performance. Regardless of their views on fashion or how much of an ‘effort’ they make in choosing their ensembles, both individuals are making a conscious choice in what they wear when they dress themselves each day- hence defining and curating their own unique sense of style.

Essentially, this introduction to Dressed to Death serves as my first premise in explaining my philosophy on style and aims to authenticate the argument that each and every individual possesses it, and for that reason, I also believe that each individual’s sense of personal style should be embraced- without judgement or discrimination. In the same sense that I believe that every individual is entitled to embracing their sense of style without judgement, I also accept that there are individuals who have a philosophy on style that differs from my own. I understand that some of those individuals may continue on as self-proclaimed ‘authoritative figures of fashion, trends and style’, and therefore, may also continue to judge and ‘dictate’ what they find acceptable or not. With that being said, I am not one to dictate or judge the expression of others through their choice clothing and the like, I am merely an observant enthusiast with a passion for analyzing the world of ever-changing fashion and the philosophy of everlasting style.

What is your philosophy on style?

original post via www.dressed-to-death.com