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.

People are Funny about Money

We can talk to our friends about ANYTHING! People share intimate details about their sex life and would even give graphic insight into what their bowels are up to these days. God forbid some one brings up money! It's silly really. It's more probable that someone would open up to you about their pierced clitoris before they even begin to utter a word about their finances.

Well I am not one to stay quiet about anything (a blessing and a curse) and I want to say what people are scared to. I graduated with honours for my Bachelor of Arts degree 6 years ago. I had 2 years of work experience before any medical student my age even completed their internship. How is it logical, that they are paid more than I am today? How can we talk about diversifying the economy and branching away from the norm when we only reward the stereotypical "high status" jobs?

Almost all of my friends are doctors. That's what happens when you go to SAGHS. They are all intelligent, confident and hard working. We all are intellectually compatible and share similar lifestyle interests. Do you think that one of these friends would ever be asked to work for free? Why is it then, that in Trinidad, it is acceptable that professionals in the creative industries are asked confidently by our leaders to work for nothing more than their name in fine print?

Soowan Bramble
Gary Jordan Photography
www.flickr.com

Following a publication made on catalogs.com, a fashion model was listed as the top job to have in the fashion industry. Every Trini fashion model reading this just spat out her drink. I know girls in Trinidad with fantastic talent when it comes to modelling. Shan Fernandez, Soowan Bramble and Danielle Tardieu Moze are some of my favourites. These are some of the faces that you see everywhere! Down to on fete tickets you see Lisa See Tai! Every fashion show, every ad, every promotion- These girls are working their tight asses off. It is a shame that sometimes they are asked to work for free! Worse- that they have to run down people to get the payment that was promised to them in case of a paying job! (Trust me- I have been on the other end of that phone-call when models are calling and asking for payment. Ah. The beloved internship) It is no wonder all our talent jumps at any opportunity to go abroad! Why would anyone want to stick around where they aren't appreciated? I bet if Soowan became the next Victoria Secret Angel that EVERY local company would be desperate to get her face on their product. *Cough* Anya *Cough* Bmobile*

Danielle Moze
Photography by Barry Williams
For J'adore Accessories

I had a quite honest and open conversation with a very experienced young woman in the field who shared my sentiment. We have both spent thousands on our education (as have many other local designers and creative minds) and have developed an admirable work ethic as a result of the many obstacles that present themselves in such an industry. It is not right that we continue to accept this half-assed respect.

I urge all members of this industry- photographers, stylists, models, designers, graphic artists, MUA's, Hair stylists, painters, illustrators, pattern makers, garment technicians, DJ's, MC's, singers, writers, actors, dancers-- if you have a skill that you have polished through years of education, formation and diligence, raise the bar. Do not accept less than what you are worth. The world as we know it has evolved through design and imagination. Your thoughts are invaluable. If we continue to be shy and not stand up for what we truly deserve, this industry will never grow.

To see the top 10 best Careers in Fashion in USA seehttp://www.catalogs.com/info/bestof/top-10-careers-in-fashion