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fashion

Famous fashion quotes – truth or soundbite?

8th February 2024 by Fiona Mobbs Leave a Comment

Like everything in life, much has been quoted (and probably misquoted) about clothes and fashion.  Some of it is good sense, some of it is rubbish – which is which may just come down to personal opinion!  I’ve picked some of my favourite quotes (and they’re favourites for a variety of reasons) which pair up nicely so see if you agree with my assessment of them.

Fashion versus Style

“Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it.” Diane von Furstenberg

As a designer, DvF should know what she’s talking about and I happen to agree with her.  We do all have a sense of style but sometimes it’s simply about being brave enough to recognise it, and stop being overly influenced by what we think is fashionable.  (That’s where I can help, of course!)

“Fashion is what you’re offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.” Lauren Hutton

Early American supermodel Lauren would know all about those fashion shows, of course.  Although I can see what she’s saying, I think you first need to understand what your own style is and what suits you.  It might be the most stylish jacket ever but if you are short-waisted, for example, it may not look stylish on you!

Image versus Essence

“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” Miuccia Prada

They say you have seven seconds to make a first impression and what you are wearing is probably a large part of that.  Evolution has taught us to read each other, initially to establish if you are a threat or not.  Beyond that, we do stereotype people based on our own previous experiences.  Think about the first impression your clothes make for you and you could be leveraging an asset you didn’t know you had.

“I think we all know boldness when we see it. Nothing makes me smile more than when I see someone being fully themselves, with their own individual style and character, whatever that is.” Angelina Jolie

Who knew I have something in common with Angelina?  Like her, I love to see someone who is themselves, is comfortable with themselves and is confident in expressing that to the world through how they dress.

Dreams versus Reality

“I don’t design clothes. I design dreams.” Ralph Lauren

You might think that’s an overstatement from a man famous for jeans and polo shirts but let’s cut him some slack: I can see what he’s driving at.  We have all looked at a beautiful dress/ pair of shoes /whatever and imagined how wonderful our life would be if only we owned it.  That’s what a good designer can do – give us permission to leave reality and dream, just for a little while!

“In difficult times, fashion is always outrageous.” Elsa Schiaparelli

And, talking of reality… I suppose you don’t have a shade of shocking pink named after you if you aren’t known for being outrageous.  I’m sure some of you will have heard of the ‘hemline index’, the theory that hemlines rise when the stock market falls, and vice versa.  Perhaps a natural instinct to express ourselves in one of the few ways we can when times are hard.  (Today it seems to be low-rise waists responding to raising interest rates…!)

Cost versus Value

“We must never confuse elegance with snobbery.” Yves Saint Laurent

YSL knew what he was talking about.  I once heard it said that a true lady or gentleman could fit in anywhere and make anyone feel at ease.  That’s probably quite an old-fashioned sentiment now but, for me, it remains very true.  Flaunting your designer labels isn’t going to make you many friends!

“I like my money right where I can see it…hanging in my closet.” Carrie Bradshaw

Even if you have never watched an episode of “Sex and the City”, you can’t have failed to notice that its star is a total clothes horse!  Whatever the latest trend, she has to have it.  If, like Carrie, you have a great job and no dependents, high end fashion may be your hobby and your enjoyment.  However, for most of the rest of us, I suspect we probably have better things to spend our money on.  Fortunately, I truly believe that it’s possible to look stylish without having a closet full of designer pieces!

Shoes versus the World

“You can never take too much care over the choice of your shoes. Too many women think that they are unimportant, but the real proof of an elegant woman is what is on her feet.” Christian Dior

What you wear on your feet does affect so much else about you: how you stand, how you walk, how comfortable you feel.  They are like the solid foundations for you to build your wardrobe on.  I believe that good shoes really are an investment and can last you for years with care.

One well-known actress put the same thought rather more succinctly:

“I firmly believe that, with the right footwear, one can rule the world.” Bette Midler

‘Nuff said!

The last word…

“Clothes aren’t going to change the world. The women who wear them are.” Anne Klein

Designing post-war, Anne Klein created real clothes for real women and was regarded as a trailblazer.  But she kept a firm grip on reality.  We can all use our clothes to give us confidence, make a great impression and ensure we feel comfortable; it is this that helps us change the world, not the clothes themselves.

Browse dozens of other fashion quotes in this interesting article from Harpers Bazaar.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/designers/a1576/50-famous-fashion-quotes/

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: fashion, quotes, style

Ethical Fashion: What does it mean to you?

26th September 2021 by Fiona Mobbs Leave a Comment

How can we be more sustainably conscious with our clothes? Use them more, recycle, and buy less

I’m no expert, but I’ve been thinking – probably before ethical fashion became buzz words – that we should use and recycle our clothes more and not consume so much.

Some of my clients know the joy it gives me to construct new outfits from items they already own, that they wouldn’t think to use together, getting a whole new look and using more of their wardrobe – also saving them money. I’m all for that, although I love shopping! I’ve also been known to recommend hiring clothes, rather than buying, although this isn’t something my clients are yet on board with. But I do see that as a shift change in the future.

I haven’t consciously stopped buying clothes and accessories myself – although Stoptober seems a great time to start – but I have been promoting swishing (clothes swapping) and altering your things to make them last longer – for around eight years now. I have surprised myself sometimes with my creativity of ideas for clients, and they’re usually surprised too, to think what else they can do with something. (Do get in touch if you have something you don’t use but don’t want to depart with – I love a challenge ….)

Federation of Image Professionals International “Virtual” Conference

I attended the Federation of Image Professionals (FIPI) Virtual Annual Conference yesterday, 25th September 2021, and it made me realise that I still do not know enough about fashion brands and what they are actually doing (not just saying) to stop depleting the finite resources of our planet. It will be interesting to see how easy it is to find this out…..

What does “ethical fashion” mean to you?

I’m interested to know what ethical fashion means to you, my reader? (It does seem to encompass many things, and has a wide interpretation to different stakeholders, so I would love to know what it means to you at this moment in time.)

For the FIPI Bookclub in June 2020 we read “Slave to Fashion” by Safie Minney, which was quite an eye-opener about exploitation of clothes makers for profit and so on. The thing is, although “ethical fashion” is becoming quite trendy, are we really making any progress?

The Challenge

I was challenged yesterday to play my part more in this industry, to help my individual clients make changes, which will all add up to something greater. For my part I will be researching brands more in terms of their sourcing of items, what materials they are made from, and how far they travel to the consumer, before I buy something in future. My favourite brands will be first to get my attention, and I hope they pass the ethical test.

Please tell me what you are currently doing to play your part in being more mindful about what is in your wardrobe, and how important the ethics of a clothing brand are to you. I think we will all be going towards “sustainable” in some shape or form, but maybe you haven’t started thinking yet how this applies to your wardrobe. If that is the case, there is no need to beat yourself up, perhaps just reading this has made you think, and that would be great, because we all have to start somewhere.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Fiona

Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

Filed Under: Blog, Wardrobe Blog Tagged With: ethical, fashion, sustainable

How times have changed: 1985 to 2020

1st June 2020 by Fiona Mobbs Leave a Comment

Today is our 35th wedding anniversary: 1st June 1985. The ceremony was planned for 2pm.

My husband and I were reflecting last night on all the changes to the buildings in that time – where we met is now a housing estate, where we had our wedding breakfast is now a block of flats, and the Church has even undergone a big transformation.

I was pondering the cost of things then (petrol 45p per litre – seen in the picture below at the garage that was opposite the church, which is now a Tesco Express): my wedding dress £150, crinolin £43.90, veil £49.95, photos £195 and my hairdo £10. We all know how prices have increased, maybe not just by inflation!

But it got me thinking about how fashion and wedding dress styles have also changed (never mind men’s suits).

I got married in the 80’s when puff sleeves and shoulder pads were all the rage. Here we are now with much more fitted and figure-hugging styles. In the last decade or so we went through sleeveless styles with lace-up backs, which has given way to today’s sophisticated yet revealing styles: intricate delicate details like lace and beading, and backless dresses.

 (2000+)

 (2020)

In truth, as in today’s world of fashion, things are becoming much more like “anything goes”, as people are choosing to wear what they like or what they know particularly suits them, so there aren’t any “right or wrongs” when it comes to wedding dresses.

Hemlines too, although ever changing like the seasons, are currently back to where they were for guests of the day in 1985.

Colours for bridesmaids have gone through a transformation as well. Whereas 35 years ago bridesmaids would generally wear the same colour and style of dress, that is no longer necessarily the case. Bridesmaids will often have a style to suit them, even if they are all in the same colour, or will have mixed colours, which again can be chosen to suit the individual. In my case both bridesmaids were similar hair and skin colouring, although in my naïvety then I chose white for me (cream would have been better I later discovered) and a “cool red” which didn’t compliment them particularly nor me. But, I wanted red, and in those days for a summer wedding red wasn’t in such plentiful supply of choice – not that I knew then about colour like now of course! Luckily, I think because we were all at our blooming best, that didn’t matter too much!

Thankfully, one of the constants, apart from the lovely sunny weather, is our love, which after all is what the wedding was all about.

If you would like help choosing the perfect outfit/s for such a special, memorable and photographed occasion, please do have a conversation with me, to see how I can help.

I recently wrote a couple of blogs about constantly changing (and reinventing!) fashion, from the 1960s to today.  You can find part 1 here.

Fiona
Your Colour & Style Consultant

07469 246722

Independent Personal Stylist – Helping you DRESS WITHOUT STRESS

 

Filed Under: Wardrobe Blog Tagged With: Colour, fashion, Wedding dresses

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