The Return of…. Teal! Jewel tones and Classics Rule Fall Dressing

Back in February, American fashion designers brought out some unexpected colors at the fall 2010 shows, namely jewel tones There was EMERALD GREEN aka ‘Cuckoo for this Color’ SAPPHIRE aka ‘Yodel Me on my Cell’, and my absolute favoriteTEAL aka ‘ SKI TEAL WE DROP’.
THIS IS NOT A MISPRINT, TEAL IS A KEY COLOR FOR FALL DRESSING. Until last February, it’s a color I'd formerly associated with beyond-ugly bridesmaid dresses in the late eighties.
This time though, TEAL is looking infinitely better second time around.
THE SECRET TO WORKING TEAL INTO YOUR WARDROBE IS TO TAKE IT IN SMALL DOSES. PAINT YOUR NAILS AND OR TOES, OR TIE ON A SCARF OR A PAIR OF LEATHER GLOVES IF YOU WANT TO INVEST MORE INTO THIS TREND.

WHY IT MATTERS: My current fixation on teal is that it may be the bridge that takes us from the tail end of the eighties trend into the new, ladylike classic dressing we’re longing for.

THE GLOSSY MAGAZINE ADS HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO SHOW US THE DIRECTION WE’RE GOING-IN. JUST FLIP THROUGH A FEW HIGH END MAGS SUCH AS VOGUE, HARPER’S BAZAAR AND MONOCLE, AND YOU’LL NOTICE THAT MANY ADS FEATURE THE “CLASSICS”. Incorporating a little bit of one of the jewel tones completes the picture of easy, lady-like style, which is how we'll be dressing for fall.

It’s no secret that we’re going to be in a recession for a long long time.
WHAT’S RESONATING NOW IS THE CLASSICS BECAUSE THEY MAKE US FEEL SAFER AND MORE SETTLED. It’s hard to stress when you’re in your closet, looking at your FOREVER PIECES.
I will NEVER get rid of my YSL Trench Coat, Helmut Lang pinstripe pantsuit, Vuitton ‘Jeune Fille” LV monogram bag, or my small, ‘classic’ square cut solitaire diamond ring.

Here’s a shopping list of the top classics that accommodate a wide spectrum of price points. While intended for women, quite a few of these are unisex.
1. Stubbs & Wooton slippers
2. Sperry Top Siders
3. J.P. Tods Driving Shoes
4. A Vuitton ‘Speedy’
5. Hermes’ ‘Birkin’ bag and H-belt
6. A perfect trench coat from: Burberry or Michael Kors – take your pick
7. A black mink jacket – mine’s from Revillon
8. A tube of red Lipstick by CHANEL’s ‘Shanghai Red’, or REVLON ‘007’.
9. Carrera's Classic racing sunglasses, now available at www.solsticestores.com
10. If you’re a man, a navy double-breasted blazer.
*David – it’s time to start wearing that Burberry one you have in your closet!


Back to the original inspiration - I’m now a fan of Suzi Weisse-Fischmann, OPI’s Executive VP & Artistic Director, and have started to follow her blog, www.suzisbeautyblog.com, because she give out insightful style tips on how to participate in the latest fashion trends. Best of all, it will only cost you $7 and change to pick up a bottle of the latest color.

For easy shopping, visit www.opi.com. You can even “try-on” the color without ever having to leave your house – can’t beat that!

Lazy Girl Hair – We Love You, Nexxus, Menscience, Hermes & Jones NY!

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

I won’t make any bones about it – when it comes to hair, I am the ultimate lazy girl. A year ago, I went over to visit Oribe and Zaki at the Oribe Salon in SOBE. When Oribe asked me what we were doing, I replied, “whatever you think will look good and require the very least amount of work.” He laughed and directed a member of the team to cut it really close and really cropped [think Jean Seaberg].
I loved the cut, and it's smashing on Madonna's ex-girlfriend? Ingrid Casares. Ingrid can pull it off in her androgynous pant suits, but I'm not longing for this mannish look - a little too Helmut Newton for my sensibilities.

A few months ago, after watching yet another installment of ‘MADMEN’, I decided to embrace retro – when it came to my hair. My goal would be to grow my no-particular style hair into the shape that looks great with a basic set, some teasing and serious hairspray.

To get there, I had ERIN SIMMONS, the owner of the AVEDA SHINE Salon, and an Aveda “Master Stylist” start shaping it in that direction. Amazingly, though there wasn’t very much of my hair on the floor, when she was done, my hair had the right shape. One more inch and a half, and I will have arrived.
In the meantime, it’s all about “pushing the hair into place” and since I refuse to handle a blow dryer, I’ve had to investigate some new products.
Just in time, Kaplow PR contacted me about some new NEXXUS products that would do just this.
Erin and I tried 4 squirts of the clear, slightly sticky VERSASTYLER ARTISTIC DESIGNING LOTION. Like a miracle, it shaped my newly trimmed hair into the shape I wanted.
The key is to let it dry for 15 minutes or so and then brush it with a rubber styling brush. Once done, spray it down with NEXXUS COMB THRU NATURAL HOLD DESIGN AND FINISHING MIST.
Nothing is forever, so yes; it will fall apart in a Bikram yoga class or when you go running. The process is so easy thought, that it’s not a big deal.
Now, if you don’t want to redo the process after a workout, there’s what I’m tagging as “the Hermes/guy option”. The model in the Hermes ad shown merely tied a scarf around her slicked-back hair and she’s ready to go out to dinner. The only styling product you need for this is your man’s MENSCIENCE Androceuticals ‘Styling Pomade’, which you can work though your hair, wet or dry. While Hermes is any fashion –loving girl’s first choice, I’m happy with my Jones of NY scarves. Should they get stained or wet from an unexpected rainstorm, my heart wouldn’t be broken as it would be if my Hermes got wet and the dye ran. Don't forget the finishing touch, two coats of NAILTINI Nail Lacquer in 'Bordeaux' with a coat of SALLY HANSEN Insta Dry, and you'll look as if you're off to Capri, ready to jump on a Vespa with a handsome Italian playboy.

RESOURCE LIST
For Hermes scarves, visit, www.hermes.com

For Jones of New York scarves, visit www.JNY.com

For Nexxus Salon Hair Care, go to www.nexxus.com

For Menscience products, that are created for men, but borrowed by all the girls, explore www.menscience.com

Nailtini and Sally Hansen are available at Beauty 360 and CVS, respectively. Nailtini polishes are also available on www.QVC.com

To make an appointment with Erin Simmons, go to www.shine-salon.com