Our beauty Standards

Lupita Nyong'o has been named the Most Beautiful Woman of 2014 by People Magazine in their annual list, a major contrast against last year's title holder, Gwyneth Paltrow. Whether it was a strategic and intentional move to go with a black woman who made her mark with a performance in a movie about slavery is irrelevant, because she really is stunning to look at. Yet, this façade about what the media deems beautiful seems to be just that to me- an illusion.

I'm guessing that the People list is supposedly a reflection of public ideas and feelings, and not at all about creating celebrity buzz and molding an impression of the way America thinks. So they name Lupita; a dark skinned African woman with barely any hair, and Mindy Kaling; a short, thick, dark Indian girl on their list of most beautiful, yet everyone seems to be chasing the latest bleaching creams, longest weaves and strongest diet pills known to man.

I see the Instagram posts with Lupita's face, and the comments about how gorgeous she is. Yet, I can't help but feel that she stands out to so many people solely because she is so different from all the other faces that have been labelled "Most beautiful". Does anyone really want to look like her? Is Lupita our new standard of beauty or are we all just falsely trying to prove the point that we appreciate and celebrate non-traditional concepts of beauty? Are Indian girls all over the world looking at Mindy Kaling and saying, "Gosh, I need a tan so I can be nice and Bronze like Mindy! I need to eat some more to get curvy like Mindy!" I'm guessing No. Yet, when she is celebrated for her looks we are all jumping up and clapping in agreement. But we still are chasing Rapunzel locks, thigh gaps and lathering on sunblock. (I have a friend who drives around with a black jacket draped over her to prevent any sunlight from penetrating her windscreen and God forbid, activating her melanin. I Love you still. But that's fucked up.)

My point is, that we are excitedly calling these women beautiful, and holding them up as symbols of pulchritude in our new age, yet we do not look to them as models for our "changing" standards of beauty. For years the media has been "embracing" curvy figures with the growing popularity of women like Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez. However, despite their round backsides, they both have rock hard abs and are not what I would ever call Plus Size.

We want to appear accepting and open minded but are we really? Do you think that the standards of beauty are really changing, or are we just pretending that they are so that we appear less shallow and to have a less than archaic way of thinking?

The irony is that a lot of us really do look like Mindy and Lupita! Yet we do not find ourselves beautiful. The real life Lupitas are dying to look like Beyonce and the Mindys want to look like Aishwarya Rai!

Sticker Shock

My boyfriend found a receipt from my latest shopping expedition at Meiling's, and had a slight panic attack. He could not believe what I pay for clothes. Later this same week, I was planning with my mom what she should wear for an upcoming event and when we got to price-point, she too was not on the same page.

When I teach style to different groups, we discuss the difference between investment pieces and fashion pieces. Investment pieces are those garments that act as the building blocks of your personal wardrobe. They are the staple pieces that can be paired countless ways to create new looks. They should also be of the best quality and perhaps therefore cost the most of all the items you stuff n your drawer.These are pieces like solid shift dresses, black trousers, pencil skirts (One of the most expensive things I own is a plain black pencil skirt from Adolfo Dominguez) and classic blouses. Investment pieces, like any investment, should be maintained well. Alter them to perfection so they fit you impeccably. They should also be hand washed or dry cleaned according to specific label requirements to last you years.

PLEASE note that higher price does not necessarily mean higher quality. Look for quality first, THEN peep at the price tag.

"Fashions fade , Style is eternal." If your investment pieces are the foundation of your personal style, then the trendy seasonal looks are like the throw pillows and temporary accessories of it. These fashion finds are where you can bargain hunt and get away with less than perfect quality. This is what you go to F21 and Asos for. (I have repeated bought f21 basic tees for US$3 and after one wash I need to buy another. Basic tees are investment pieces.) Fashion pieces are the flavour of the month. Your iridescent totes and lacy peplum  tops with aztec prints. Your Nicki Minaj moments. Basically it's anything that you can only see yourself wearing a couple times. A fling. HeeHee.

So where do you draw the line with your shopping? How much would you spend on something? When do you pull out the credit card? Is it on the sparkley sequined mini you can only wear once (because after you post 10 selfies of yourself in it on Instagram you know you can never wear it again), or on a tailored blazer for work? I want to know what you think is too much. TT$1,000 per item? TT$300? Who are you go-to designers or which are most frequented labels?

 I advise consulting your monthly budget and see what you can spare each month. Then buy one item every 2 months. It's better to spend more on clothes so frankly you cannot afford to buy too much! Cluttered closets are the eighth deadly sin. After you have acquired the top ten wardrobe basics, then you may adorn (sparingly) with fashion pieces. And when these fashions fade, please deliver them to the Salvation Army.

*My go-to labels are Calvin Klein, Banana Republic and French Connection for a great balance between price and quality.
*I will not spend more than TT$2,000 per item.

Pop Hop, a Launch and Runway oh my!: Busy weekend for Trini fashionistas

Whatever plans you made for next weekend; CANCEL THEM. There are at least three much anticipated events happening on the 12th and 13th of April.

Can we also talk about how cute the poster is?

First off, is the cleverly named Easter Pop Hop Shop by Team M at Meiling's on 6 Carlos Street from 4pm to 8pm. I have regrettably missed every shopping event that this group has thrown because of work, but not this one! The fantastic list of designers include some of my faves; Anthony Reid, Meiling, Rachel Ross, Sanianitos, Shannon Alonzo and Zee D. They ask that you come in Easter Headgear, so I cannot wait to see what people are going to turn up with. If you need more info, check out their Facebook Event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/419103741567651/









On Sunday the impressive Charu Lochan Dass opens her boutique on Gallus Street Woodbrook, her second branch following her store in Princes Town. To celebrate the opening she is having a special launch at the location. I for one am over the moon about this expansion, since it all goes a bit fuzzy for me once I speed past Chaguanas. Finally I will be fitting myself into some of her exquisite pieces!

After you post some selfies at Charu's, quickly get over to NAPA for Runway Shift! Cocktail hour is at 6.30 and the show starts at 7.30pm. Finally after a 9 month long screening process, 5 designer finalists will be showing their mini-collections to Simply Runway customers and the fashion public. They are competing for three three-month rent free Spots at Simply Runway Accents. The aim is to move local fashion from Runway to Retail; a stifling transition for many aspiring designers in the Caribbean.The initiative was conceived by Simply Runway Owner, Candice Baccus, and after a year of detailed planning and coordination, I am very happy to see this monumental day come true. Young, up and coming designers really struggle with the retail aspect of their business, and I hope that this project stirs a revolution in the business of Trinidad-made fashion. The finalists are all CAFD graduates; Adrian Foster, Anicia Brooks, Lisa See Tai, Mary- April Coutou and Megan Charles. I know have my favourites, but I am looking forward to see what each designer has come up with.  Oh , and btw, I'm the MC, so come say hi.
To follow up more and to find out where you can get tickets,this check out the page : https://www.facebook.com/runwayshift