A Final View of 2012

As I sit with my laptop, evaluating my year and what is to come in the next, I grin and grimace (if that is possible) at the same time. From the family perspective it has been pretty good, mostly highlights with of course a few moments that rocked my world in a negative way. As for business, has it been productive, engaging and do I still feel as passionate about it as I did twenty plus years ago? Am I taking care of myself like I should be physically, mentally and spiritually? Do I still like the person that I am? Have I given back to the community and my fellow man in a way that I feel makes me worthy of starting each day? From a fashion perspective (cause you know I gotta bring that up), have I continued to reinvent my style and dress in a way that fits my lifestyle and age? 

As 2012 comes to an end, I reflect on a few very common themes I have heard from clients over this past year:

• My hair has changed and I don't want to spend a lot of money on it or time fixing it. 
• I am not happy with the extra 5-20 pounds I am carrying, but it is what it is! 
• I am so tired of wearing the same 5 things and need "desperate" help. Desperate was a recurring theme this year, which is harsh, but I keep hearing that word used by clients.
• My husband needs your services but doesn't have time, or will make the time.
• I cannot find a good fitting pair of jeans that aren't less than $100 and I won't spend that! Incidentally, I agree.
• I want to learn to accessorize, but how?
• I need a "look book" of coordinated outfits from my closet to help me.
• What do mean you no more "matchy matchy" and what is blending of tones?
• I can't believe what a difference having my clothes tailored has made. I love the fit and how it has been redone!
• When is your book coming out? All I know is that I promise it will definitely be in early 2013!

As we all view 2012 from behind in the mirror, take a final look, smile and whip your head forward with a plan to tackle just one of the fashion lifestyle concerns you have in 2013!

From my closet to yours, and a happy and healthy New Year to all - Suzanne 

Designs and Designers - How to Work With What You Have

When we're little, most parents tell us we can do anything, and be anything. For some, that path is clear, and others not so much. Most of the clothing and jewelry designers I know are very creative people, and they love what they do, although I have found a great many of them who have done a variety of work before finally realizing they have to have a creative outlet and discovering that design is what they love. They have to love what they do - it's not like everyone wakes up one day, designs a shredded or bedazzled t-shirt and sells it to Saks or Nordstrom so they can sell it for $200. That's a rare occurrence, and is the reason shows like Project Runway are so successful.

I read an article today about a designer whose entire line disappeared on the way to Paris Fashion Week, and it made me think of all the hard work and creativeness he put into his line only to have it disappear. And it's not like he can just run out and get another one, he has to create and sew another one. I hope he still has his patterns...

You might be asking why I think this is sad - if he's showing at Paris Fashion Week, he must be somebody already, right? I've seen so many different designers, on lots of different runways, and I know that to get where he is now is not easy or inexpensive. And then there's that creativity aspect. Most designers start in the big houses, working in design or manufacturing and putting in long hours learning the business and the operational aspects of what it takes to start a design house of their own, all the while drawing and sketching, and working on their aesthetic. Not everyone can do it, and I've seen a lot of garments and jewelry that look great, like they would stand up to repeated cleaning and wear, and some that have loose or hanging threads, clasps that don't work or loose stones.

When you come across items you like, take into consideration that construction issues are easily fixed by a good tailor or jeweler. Most jewelry stores can fix clasps, loose stones, and any other issue a piece of jewelry might have, including adding or removing length so it hangs properly on you and complements your neckline. Tailors can strengthen a seam, or make construction adjustments so your garment looks like the designer envisioned on their sketch pad. Some jewelers and tailors will make a copy from an image or a picture, but like the designer whose line disappeared, re-creating the designs never quite meets the expectations or tweaks of the originals, and sometimes it's more fun to work with what you have in front of you to get what you want.

Updating Your Wardrobe to Make it Say WOW!

One of the many things I do consistently with clients through the years is updating through alterations items in their wardrobe. I find that most clients have wonderful garments that with a little bit of tweaking fit into their present lifestyle. It may be a matter of a hem, a nip on the sides, a change in the collar, updating the button or removing pleats. This applies for both men and women.

For most men, the simple removal of a cuff at the bottom of a pant or tapering a jacket lapel makes all the difference. For women who have hung onto their suit jackets, simple removal of shoulder pads or updating the buttons generally does the trick. I have been known to have a client remove the sleeves altogether, taper the sides closer to their body and make it a vest. Simplifying the button color to appear monochromatic is another way of updating a garment. Just because a garment comes with a particular button or belt, that does not mean they have to be used. G-d knows, I have seen some buttons and belts on garments that have left me shaking my head or giggling under my breath!

I can't tell you the positively shocking responses I have received from clients after having their garments tailored. I use a wonderful tailor who works hand and hand with me to create new looks for clients. One of my favorite examples is from this past spring with a client who is quite petite. She has a cute shirtdress with breast pockets and a regular button down collar. The collar was very masculine and closed off her neckline. I recommended the tailor change the collar to a mandarine neckline, which visually was more feminine and comfortable. I also wanted to give the client an opportunity to wear a chunky necklace to soften the appearance of the shirtdress. Breast pockets appear best on women that are small breasted. The detail is of the flap and button is perfect.

What about dresses that are too short at this point in our lives? The quick and easy solution is to make the top into a tunic! Think in terms of what you may want to wear the tunic with - jeans or leggings? Remember to have a pair of pants on before shortening the dress. Also keep in mind that you do want your back end covered. Have the seamstress mark the garment all the way around. For some of us, our back ends may have a little more padding and may cause the fabric to creep up ever so slightly. Get my drift? Lastly, for dresses that are too short to wear but have a fitted bottom on the thighs while being fuller in the body, think in terms of a tunic style top again. Place the narrow fitted bottom on your hips and have the seamstress take the excess out through the middle out. It will change the silhouette dramatically and makes a sassy updated look.

I can't say enough about starting in your closet by evaluating each garment to see if it can be altered to fit and look better for your present lifestyle! If you have a question about an item and are not ready to part with it, bring it to your tailor and discuss the possibilities.

I'd love to see your redo's, so send me a snap!

From my closet to yours-

Suzanne