Fringe Benefits: What's the biggest trend of Spring 2015?

With Spring 2015 Fashion week shows now buried in our memory archives (who can even remember what underwear they put in this morning, far less what they read about last September?) the emergence of the top trends are to us anew in magazines, store shelves and Instagram posts of the people shopping and sharing their hauls. I recently spent a cumulative three weeks in London where I perused several shop windows and high fashion boutiques, looking for wardrobe inspiration. Had my eye on this super seventies style gold cross body bag at Miu Miu but £840 was a smidge out of my modest budget, so I stuck to looking and touching.

What stood out unavoidably was the time warp! Every where I looked I saw bohemian elements and groovy seventies swag. Can you dig it?

Long Layered Necklaces with single pendants.

 

Bellina boho pendant necklace US$8

www.NoMoreFashionVictims.com

Fringed everything! Shorts, backs, jackets, shoes, you freakin name it.

 

 

Shop this look on www.NoMoreFashionVictims.com
Sanianitos Flower Crown US$30
Michelle Ferrer Necklace US$89.20
Z&L Fringe Shorts US$53
Jacqueline Renee Beaded earrings US$15

Colourful Crotchet with mirrors and pop poms and all kinds of character

 

 

Pom Pom Bag $US44.61
on nomorefashionvictims.com

The Curse of Black Friday

Today I heard on the radio that Price Smart (a membership warehouse club in Trinidad) is having "Smart Friday" today to join in with all the post Thanksgiving day sales like the US folk. The less than eloquent shoppers that they interviewed talked about how they stood outside the doors in thick crowds, waiting to be let in so that they could take advantage of the discounts. One man in particular talked about how he did not really need a Flat Screen TV since he had one in both his bedroom and living room, but he decided he would get one anyway because it was cheaper today and he would put it in his daughter's room. I'm sure she is about 7 years old and needs not to be watching any programmes that air after she retires to bed. Another shopper talked about how he wanted a 47 inch TV set but they were all sold so he bought the 55 inch which was out of his budget, but hey, it's smart Friday. I don't know about you, but that does not sound too smart.

The real curse I see is that people are zombiefied and run to the store to spend their hard-earned money carelessly because they have been possessed by the notion that Black Friday Markdowns equal life. They buy so many unnecessary things- things they would not buy on a normal day even if the prices were the same as the marked down equivalent. All the hordes of clothing and electronics only end up in a pile at the back of a closet because (and this may come as news) people don't need so much clothes! When clothes and other items are so inexpensive, we detach a sense of value from them. They become disposable. And that's what we eventually do with them, dispose. That super cute cropped top you got at $3, and $1 each if you bought two, will end up choking a turtle or blocking a waterway.

Don't think I don't appreciate a good dip in price! (You have any idea what a stylist/ blogger in Trinidad makes? It's truly sad.) I love a good bargain! However, a bargain is not a low price on a good you never needed/ never wanted to begin with. That is money out of your pocket and into the garbage. A bargain is when you get an unexpected lower price on an item you really desired, that would add great value to your life.

I say, take advantage of the sales, yes! But do so by looking for the things that you have on your list since July, but could not afford until now. It could be one single piece! It could be a great coat that even though after the discount is still more than an average coat, but it's a coat that fits you impeccably. A coat that is made from breathable fibres, yet keeps you totally warm and cozy in the coldest temps. A coat that looks great with your tulle skirted party dress and your tennis shoes. A coat that you will have forever and ever. That's a bargain.

Break the curse. Don't be a sale zombie. No More Fashion Victims!

nomorefashionvictims.com

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Gifts that Give

 Christmas is very commercialised, let's face it. When the fable of St. Nicholas came around, I don't recall him jumping through the chimney with an iPhone for Daddy and Louboutins for Aunty Joan. The gifts are supposed to be for the chillun'. Nevertheless, I'm not going to pretend that I don't get excited when I see my friends and family scribbling my name on a card attached to a giant shiny box. It is what it is.

If it's one image I can always easily flash to, is that of tired children in sweatshops working their fingers to the bone so that I can get a top for $10 and have it delivered before the 24th. If Christmas is for the children, I hope we all keep these little ones in our minds. When the vibrant "Sale" flags wave at us like some sort of insignia these coming weeks, I urge you to think about the real fashion victims; the people who must suffer to help these giant corporations meet the demand for their under-priced goods.

 I know that everyone has bills to pay and expectations to meet, and the cheaper alternatives of fast fashion are more attractive to our budgets, but I urge you to look for gifts that give this Christmas. Give things that show love, care and thought. How about a meal for your sister's family, if you know she has to scramble to cook on an evening after getting in from Port-of-Spain traffic. How about you treat all your nieces and nephews to a picnic, or trip to the zoo? Instead of buying 25 gifts for each member of the family, why not play Secret Santa and each person buys one really special piece for one other, so that each of you gets something great, made with love from a local artisan or designer? What about a piece of art from a young artist? (Could be worth quite a bit one day)

Want to give it a try? Check out some of these markets and sales for those really special gifts.

PAINT + JEWELS, studio sale featuring Ashley Thompson and Micha Gomes
Dec 5th and 6th Diego Martin





Chez Nous Christmas Showcase (Art, Clothing, Home Decor, etc)
The Verandah Retsaurant, Rust Street, St. Clair
30th  Nov, 7th December

UpMarket
Woodbrook Youth Facility and Trinidad Country Club

Meiling Pre-Collection Sale up to 50% everything at the Boutique
6 Carlos Street, Woodbrook
(New Collection Premiers Wednesday 19th Nov)

The Holistic Market

More is More: How to wear your statement Jewellery

We all have them- basic T-shirts, simple shift dresses-- They are elegant and timeless pieces that recently have been pushed to the back of your closet.

I say it over and over again, that these investment pieces are the foundation of your wardrobe; they can be worn countless ways and paired with each other to create new looks. Yet, we are in a really glamorous time in fashion, where everyone seems comfortable in neon and fringe and embellishment that we once reserved only for Carnival. How can we adapt our basic staples into this new flashy trend?

Accessories of course!

The Jacqueline Renée Spiked Collar shown above is a definite statement piece! Usually less intimidating than out-there clothing, are the unique accessories that you can transfer from outfit to outfit. Use oversized collars to dress up white blouses, dresses or even bikinis!

Click here http://bitly.com/1uV5KY5 to check out more of these amazing hand-made collars from Jacqueline Renée

Accessories from Jacqueline Renée and Cocoa Vintage on this simple Victoria's Secret look to show how you can take it up a few notches.

The same Jacqueline Renée Collar with some Bohemian inspired Flowered Sunnies makes what was a cool casual look even cooler.

Going for a more dressed-up look? Your Jacqueline Renée Spiked Collar can even add some dimension to a black maxi dress!

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Slow and steady wins the race: The Slow Fashion Movement

"Consumers throw plenty of used clothing directly into the trash, from soiled and threadbare socks to tattered bras and underwear and stained shirts, alongside perfectly usable textiles and clothing. Though these numbers include all textiles like sheets and towels, they're astonishing nonetheless: Every year, Americans throw away 12.7 million tonnes, or 68 pounds of textiles per person, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which also estimates that 1.6 million tonnes of this waste could be recycled or reused." Elizabeth Cline

I hand washed some clothes today.

In the past, my closet was a mountainous stack of jersey tops and blue jeans that could easily find themselves flung into a washing machine with some Colour Catcher, and then carelessly thrown into a dryer where they became misshaped by the heat and tangled by the tossing. Who cared anyway? No item cost much more than a sports bar meal and I had probably already gotten my wear out of the pieces that were ruined.

Fast Fashion has created this way of thinking. Clothing is just an accessory. It's what we wear today and tomorrow we can get something else. There are countless chain stores and even boutiques that sell factory-made cheap styles that look great on Friday night, but barely make it through to Saturday Morning.

When I was learning about Fashion Styling, and how to sort a closet effectively, I used my own wardrobe as the Guinea pig. Sorting through and getting rid of the junk food, I realized that my clothes did not speak for me. These garments though pretty to the eye, had no real value nor love. Here I was supposed to be going out and telling people that their clothing and their image reflect who they are, and my clothing was saying that I was easily replaceable, socially unconscious and worst of all, that I was not special.

After years of us lapping up the sugary carbonated drink that is Fast Fashion, the Slow Fashion Movement has emerged; a shift in the way we shop and look at clothes. The idea has been greatly influenced by the way we now look at food; comparing junky, toxic fast food, with healthful, home-cooked meal that may have taken a bit longer and cost a bit more, but has left you feeling and looking better.

Take a look at all the benefits of Slow fashion here:  https://www.notjustalabel.com/editorial/slow-fashion-movement

I hand washed some clothes today. It was a beautiful custom-made bustier from Van Der Vlugt and a linen and lace cropped top from Meiling. They are pieces that definitely cost more than their counterparts at Forever21 or Charlotte Russe, but they are pieces that make me feel special. I feel like I am a part of their history. Designer Darcel de Vlugt measured me and fit me several times so that the boning would fit the curves of my body perfectly. When I bought the cropped top I admit I was a bit daunted that I just spent so much on a single article of clothing, no matter how beautiful it was. My friend saw me in it one day and said "I love Meiling! My mother still has all the clothes she wore from even before she was pregnant and they are still perfect." That for me is priceless.

Clothes should be more than a look. I want to pass down these things to my daughter. I want my jewellery to tell a story. I want my clothes to say more than "Blowout Sale". For me, it means that I will be shopping locally; seeking out the designers who are so involved in the end product, that when they see me in their work, they beam with pride. It definitely means that my closets will be less than stuffed, but at least it's only the best food going into them.


At the Coterie this past Friday, I had a look at what I consider to be some of the best fashion brands in the Caribbean right now. Head over to Vamp Boutique on Mucurapo Road, Port of Spain to see and purchase unique and loved work from Meiling, Aisling and Micha Gomes Jewellery.

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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 

Customer Service Trini Style

It is so normal now to encounter less than fantastic customer service anywhere in Trinidad. I am floored when a store clerk smiles at me without prompting. Seriously- I always need to let them know that I really didn't expect them to do that. The poor customer service is almost now acceptable, as I believe we have given up the fight for courtesy. Yesterday I was perusing a home store, looking for a house warming present, when I noticed a shadow creeping quietly behind me. I turned every corner I could suddenly, hoping that the figure to whom it belonged would show itself. A bit dramatic, I know. It was a floor attendant. She made me feel like I was prey and she would pounce on me at any time with her talons wrapped around my neck. It really got me thinking about all the different types of poor customer service that we encounter here, so I've listed the popular scenarios that I have been in. (Do feel free to add!)

1. Stalkerazzi
This is like the attendant I had yesterday. They follow you around without uttering a word!! The least they could do is ask if you want help! I get so nervous around these people that I ask about products that I don't even want! " Umm.. does this come in green?" I'm not stealing! You're making me feel like I'm guilty of a crime I don't intend to commit! I usually leave immediately.

2. Social Butterfly
Ever walked into a store and your bubbly "Hello there" receives a talk-to-hand-I'm-on-the-phone? I understand to a point if the place is quiet and you may have to call your boss to clarify something, but I would appreciate if you end your call and at least wave at me. I once had an attendant in a clothing store stop me mid-sentence so that she could answer her cel phone- which she pulled out from her bra. True Story.

3.Emo
You know when you open the door to a shop, feeling excited because the window display had just what you needed, then the moment a gust of air from inside hits you, you feel a heaviness? You look behind the cashier's counter and see a big swell up face, gazing at you with scorn. You try to cut the tension with a little smile and greet, but the level of cut-eye made you swear you heard a steups. I really feel some people don't want customers! I get that you are tired and not in the mood to serve people, but this is how your employers get money to pay you. Don't tell me you don't want to get paid!

4. Loud and Proud
The worst is to go into a store where the floor staff is made up of bosom buddies who find it the best time to talk about their personal lives across the floor. I once went to Mezzaluna for an overpriced salad. It took such a long time to even place my order because I literally had to wait for the cashier to stop chatting away with one of the cooks. They were cursing and laughing scandalously, as though this was some sort of comedy tent starring Leary Joseph. This is not unusual. I experience it ALL THE TIME! "Whey she dey? I eh wukking nobody shiff! So she betta come fass cuz she ha a customah." Seriously? Send them a text message. I know you have a phone in your pocket.

5. Authority Complex
These are the employees who are excited by a little power, and find joy in asserting their position. I once walked with a friend into Zita's in Trinicity Mall, and my friend touched the fabric on a dress that was on display. The attendant pointed at a "Don't Touch" sign in the back and shouted "What happen? You can't read?" Well I'm never going there again. This is the same kind of complex that I would see at Public offices that close for lunch, the extra long lunch breaks with no consideration for the waiting patrons, the visible liming and chatting we see between workers when they tell us to be patient, the lack of care and sensitivity when responding to requests for advice and guidance-- It's gross.

I'm not saying that working in customer service is easy. I do it for a living, and it does call for you to employ patience, understanding and constant practice of interpersonal skills. I reject the common comment, "I'm not being paid to smile". Truth is , you are! Furthermore, you shouldn't have to be, smiles should be free and easily distributed.

I think you may be surprised by the reactions you get from store clerks if you take the initiative to greet them first and make small talk. It's sort of like a cycle, it doesn't matter who's polite first, what matters is that is goes around. There will of course be the stubborn few who seem mad at the world, but let's try not to let them spoil our shopping experience!

Our Urban

Many lust after the shopping experiences of the chic Europeans and the exotic Middle Easterners, just to name a few. I was overwhelmed and exhilarated to attend classes smack dab in the middle of Oxford Street, London, where I filled up on long walks and feasted my eyes on quirky window displays during my lunch hours. Everyone remembers the scene in Sex and the City when Carrie sashays between aromatic brown spices and sparkling hooked shoes in Dubai. Many Trinidadians travel to Miami to line up in the excitement of snaking queues for annual sales and Holiday discounts. But what about Downtown Port of Spain, our own shopping hub?

Stuck in bumper to bumper traffic between Charlotte and Queen Street this week, I paused to look at my surroundings with fresh eyes. The city is breathtaking. In this small congested labyrinth of narrow streets and bustling pedestrians, is the simultaneous unraveling of thousands of activities that that feed one another.

Within inches of each other one can find electrical appliances and spotted mangoes for sale. Mothers leading children along the crooked pavements, mindlessly step over the dips and holes. Everyone is in a hurry. Everyone is carrying much more than they can hold. Stretched black bags and stryfoam containers with left over lunch. Drivers ignore the traffic signals and all rush to squeeze into the narrow streets. You can smell the drains, the food, the people, the plastic. The shop signs are all dull and weathered. Old men with hardened faces appear relaxed amid the chaos, casually smoking cigarettes and carrying on conversations without being distracted by the noise. People shouting, cars screeching, music blasting from pirated CD Salesmen. The air is hot except for the brief burst of coolness that escapes from every other open door along the pavement. Dipped chain link fences around the much too small car parks. Countless shops all looking the same, yet selling unimaginable varying random knick knacks. Fierce looking faces, kind looking ones and ones you can't read. People averting eye contact except for the idle men who want the women's attention to tell them what they like. Piles of garbage swept up and left in heaps along the drains. Car horns. Laughter.

It's so much that I can't even write it all down. It's overwhelming yet strangely heartwarming. This is the city of a developing nation. It is part of who we are. It is gross and fantastic all at the same time. I know a lot of people from different parts of the world read this blog, especially from Canada, USA, India, Australia, Germany and France. Thought I would share this experience with you.