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!

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 

How to Design your Makeup Look for the Road

As the month of March comes closer, more and more ladies are frantically fingering their keyboards as they scroll and click on every YouTube tutorial they can get their hands on to inspire their makeup for Mas!

I designed my first Carnival costume this year, for the new band Passion. Of course I will be playing in my designed section! I, however, was facing the same quandary- What to do to match my face to my costume?!!

I could style the shit out of everyone else, but when it comes to myself I'm always indecisive. I decided to call up Mario Francis; AH-mazing Makeup artist with an eye for the uber glamorous, and ask him to create a face inspired by costume. Of course, in true Stephanie Fashion, it came with a long list of must-haves.

In a Facebook message I said to him:

" The costume is not for pretty Girls.

 It is for Sexy Women who know who they are and are unapologetic about it"

I wanted her to be Glamorous and ooze sex appeal. I wanted people to look at her not because of what was on her but because of her confidence. It had to be beautiful yet edgy. Effortless, yet masquerader. Here's what turned up!

Photography: Eustace Dyer
Makeup: Mario Francis
Model: Kerisse Sammy
Design and Styling: (Me) Stephanie Ramlogan
Costume Section: Zeal
Band: Passion

So to my Zealots who have registered in this section, here's some inspiration for you!

And to all you other ladies out there looking to find a face for the costumes, here's my advice: Try not to match the makeup to the look of the costume, but to the feel of it. Is it bold or quiet? Is it ethereal and mystical, or glamorous and diva? While it's fun to bedazzle our whole faces, think of something practical that sweat won't destroy. Your makeup look should make you look beautiful while still making it's own statement. Don't let it wear you. Your natural beauty should still be the centre focus, but play up your best assets with sparkle and colour. Play yuh mas!! See you on the road!

Trend Alert! : What the Golden Globes are telling us about 2014 fashion

First major Red carpet of the year! The Golden Globes last night had much to look at, besides the fantastic  2013 movies that were celebrated. (God, what a good year for Art.)  Fashion-wise, there was a lot said about what trends we are to expect for the rest of the year.

1. Get Red-dy

I know the Pantone Colour of the year is Radiant Orchid, but just like with their predictions for Emerald last year, it's not happening. It was clear at least from last night, that Red; berry red, ruby red, lipstick red, blood red, you name it, is what's happening.

2. Show some leg!

Since the infamous Angelina Jolie thigh high slit a couple years ago, the most popular erogenous zone is definitely the legs! We saw super high slits as well as modest mullet style gowns and tea length hems. Whip out your fanciest shoes and call up your pedicurist. All the attention is going to the lower half.

3.More is more

Glitter and tulle and crystals oh my! Over-the-top ladies everywhere will start blending in. Perfect for our own Carnival season, ultra dressed up looks are in. Expect a lot of 3-D embellishments and volume.

4. Sportsmax

Sportswear inspired silhouettes are making their way into even formal affairs. I'm loving the boxy crop tops and look of comfort in the glamour arena.

 

2014 Style Resolutions

Together with all the promises to stop cursing, smoking and eating KFC, it may be best to throw in some style resolutions for 2014 too. The Caribbean is known to have quite an impressive number of Fashion Laggards, adopting trends and fashions only after ensuring that everyone else already likes it. God forbid we START  a trend. It's out with the old and in with the new.

1. Ditch your Little Black Dress

We live on islands. It's summer 24;7, 7/52. Black is for sunless folk. The new LBD is the Little Bold Dress. Get simply cut, but superbly fitting sheaths in the colour that lights up your eyes! Go for curve skimming silhouettes in colourful prints and optical illusions.

Regina Salomao 2014

2. Cut your hair

Unless you are getting creative with face framing styles, and rocking different updos on a daily, why is your hair cascading past your boobs? Leave that for the mermaids who have no bikini tops on. Get with the programme. Super-long hair is so 1970's. Where your hair stops, is where the eye will be drawn. Your hair ends around your waist, well you better skip that doughnut, because you are asking everyone to look at your mid-section. Your hair ends at your shoulders; you're asking people to notice your fantastic smile.

3. Learn to sew

I'm not saying to go take a draping course at FIT, but spend an evening with your Grandma, or pick up a book that teaches you the basics. Learn how to form a dart, hem jeans, attach buttons, fix seams, etc. How many times have you turned away from buying a fab outfit because it was a little too big, or too long? This ends in 2014.

4. Buy Local

2013 showed us that Trinidad's got Talent. So many Trinidad based designers showed us fun, stylish and well-made collections. Keep following this blog to learn about different designers. Their work is at great prices, and often custom-made for you! Put down the credit card and step away from the laptop. Give the online shopping a lil rest.

5. Reuse, Re-wear, Recycle

I'm not a fan of buying an outfit to wear once. It's an absolute waste. When you're out shopping, only purchase pieces you can imagine yourself wearing at least 3 times. I know with the advent of Facebook photos and Selfies that you don't want to be caught repeating an outfit- but hey, if Kate Middleton can do it, who are you? Find ways to turn pieces into something else. Wear a pencil skirt over a body con dress and it becomes a top. Layer. Tie. Wrap. Accessorise.

Go Shorty! It's trendy to be petite in 2014

One of the first rules of Styling, is to use optical illusions to make your client long and lean. This is one of the most flattering things you can do for your body. What I have been noticing though, is a bunch of Spring 2014 fashion trends that do the opposite- they actually shorten the leg line! Is this some sort of revolution, leading to a new concept of beauty? I certainly hope so!

Midis!

Midi and tea-length skirts hit between the knee and ankle. Thought before to be quite unflattering unless you're of Giselle proportions, these shortening styles are all over the runways!

Alice and Olivia

Jil Sander

Marni

Getting Strappy with it!

Before Victoria Beckham made pumps and pointy toes popular, all girls were rocking metallic strappy sandals with everything. They're Back. The most popular variety are those with a nice big ankle strap. The light footed shoe pairs unexpectedly with the clean and futuristic looks of 2014. We're also seeing the trend in chunky styles that even more so cut off the long flow of a leg-line. but we're seeing a lot of them! 

image courtesy vancitybuzz.com

Paired with a midi

Roll it gyal

Remember when it was super lame to roll up your jeans like if there was a flood in your garage? Well, now it's cool. Gotta love fashion. Rolling up your jeans is one of the quickest way to make your legs look short and make you look squat, but paired with some high ankle strap heels, it's the newest way to be a fashionista. To lengthen the rest of you so you don't go totally into midget-mode, don't wear handbags that hand below your hip. Also, look for styles that bring attention to your face like collar necklines on shirts buttoned all the way up. Also, opt for darker colours below and brighter ones above.

Image courtesy fashiondivasdesign.com