Color is coming (finally!)

Spring is in the air and spring ReadyToWear 2010 is on my mind (it should so not be called "Ready To Wear" - they show it in October and I am sooooo NOT "ready to wear" it on those cold rainy days!). I digress. What was I saying? Oh, yeah, spring in the air, birds chirping blah blah blah. Really though, after all the doom and gloom of the oh-so-serious fall colors of brown and black aren't we all ready for the sky's to part, the brilliance of tulips and ranunculas, frolicking around the May pole and the whimsy of the easter bunny with colored eggs and jelly beans? You do still believe in the easter bunny, right? Seriously, when was the last time you frolicked, period????? Maybe you need to eat some more jelly beans - sugar helps.

This spring is full of the brilliance of all those symbolic colors - vibrant pinks and oranges of parrot tulips, yellow and lipstick red ranunculas, the turquoise and blue of carribean waters, greens and purples of easter eggs and jelly beans. And, of course, the more literal translations of floral and whimsical prints.

Although the fashion shows tend to ramrod spring and summer together (I think they know we just can't stand the anticipation of summer's vitamin D!), true spring trends tend to be a bit of a transition from fall (neutrals to pastels phasing into the vibrance of summer bold color). Great transitions can be found in Spring 2010 RTW shows of Donna Karan, Etro, and Julian Louie. I understand grey was created because the world needed a transition from white to black or was it black to white (which came first the chicken or the egg) . . . but I've always been an instant gratification kinda gal! Blame it on those bright yellow daffodils that tease me in January!

Words of advice? Don't be afraid of color! Color is your friend! Anyone can do black, finding your color palette is a gift . . . and it spreads like wildfire. Trust me - test it! - try wearing your same ol same ol black whatever and then try a new color outside your comfort zone. I'm willing to bet you get more looks and more compliments the day you wear color. People are just drawn to it! It's contagious - the more compliments you get, the more you're gonna wear it, the more others are going to see how easy it is and start wearing it - and on and on we go with the beauty of whimsical color!

Helpful hint: wear neutral make-up and shoes with colorful frocks (neutral shoes make your legs look loooooooooooooooong!). In other words, if you're doing a bright fuscia dress, don't be matchy matchy with bright fuscia shoes, with bright fuscia earrings, and fuscia lipstick, it's just too over-done! Took me awhile but my pal Kitty McNeil hammered it in. BTW- The opposite is true as well! If you're in the spring "transition" phase of khaki tops/pants, then add some colorful accents (large spring colored bags, bangles, necklaces, etc.) . . . . and slightly more make-up to accent your features (but not too much - leave the drama for fall/winter!).

My Spring/Summer picks for 2010?
I'm loving ANYTHING from the line of Blumarine (and Blugirl), Josh Goot and Leifsdottier. You can't miss with Caroline Charles, Christian Cota and Laura Biagiotti.

Turquoise and Orange are really big this year - Betsy Johnson (the true icon of spring whimsy!!) and and Gaultier (love the idea of denim and orange!) are great examples. But more on that in our next blog!

Fashion Shows Yes & No's # 10

NO – pretentious beee-otch-ez. No, none, nada. It’s always amazing to me how there’s always one or two people at these shows who just think they are THE bomb and believe that everyone who comes across their path needs to see and understand how incredibly important they are . . . even though they are no one that any of us really know. It seems they have no sense of personal space – except their own. They have no sense of “indoor voice” – I mean, of course EVERYONE wants to hear what THEY are saying, right? They have no sense of waiting in line – all those people standing in a row must just be waiting for them to enter first. Really, didn’t we learn all this in kindergarten: take turns, use your inside voice, "may I" "please" and "thank you" are the magic words? Maybe they’re so important they didn’t attend kindergarten. Don’t be pretentious, it's not fashionable on anyone.

Fashion Show Yes n No's #9

NO – hooting, hollering, cheering or yelling at the models. This is not a Raiders game, or your child’s first theater production. This is a fashion show to respectfully exhibit the pieces that have so painstaking been made by very dedicated and hard working designers with the hope that they will receive press and be picked up by buyers everywhere; their livelihood depends on it. The models are there to show the DESIGNS and have been given direction on the look and vibe that the designer wants displayed/photographed to best show off the DESIGNS. When you hoot, holler and yell at your friend coming down the runway, chances are they’re going to smile or laugh or just plain lose their composure and . . . there goes that photo. Do you scream and yell when you look at pieces in a museum? Do everyone a favor, clap at the end of the show and congratulate your pal for a job well done when you meet for drinks later.

Fashion Shows Yes and No's #8

YES – respect seating assignments. Ok, I know we all want a seat, and front row if we can possibly get it . . . but stealing and squatting is just downright uncomfortable for everyone. The person who has the assigned seat and/or the usher has the awkward task of asking you to move from a seat that you’re not supposed to be sitting in (and yes, don’t think we don’t notice that you’re taking the gift bag with you when you move). Don’t you feel a bit embarrased as everyone stares at you because it’s clear you are sitting front row when you should be standing back row? Or how 'bout when the person who REALLY belongs in that seat just sits in the seat next to you so as not to make a fuss but then the person who belongs in THAT seat arrives and there’s a big quandary over who belongs where. Here’s my thought on proper etiquette – sit (or stand) as assigned and just before the show starts, if there are empty seats, you may move or ask the usher if you may move. There’s a lot of time (and strategy) that goes into assigning those seats – please respect the process and just sit where you’re supposed to sit (or stand)!

Fashion Show Yes n No's #7

NO- don’t be a gift bag hog. Designers and their PR assistants spend a lot of time soliciting companies for gift items. They spend a lot of time trying to find gifts to say “thank you” for attending the show. As an attendee, it’s nice to receive these treats and can be like Christmas finding goodies in your bag. Usually simple gifts but a nice treat. Insert GREEDY YOU – do you think we don’t see you taking the bag from the chair next to you and behind you? Why do you think you’re worth more than the person assigned to that seat? Why do you think you should take two (or three or four) and leave others with none? Unacceptable and just plain RUDE.

Fashion Show Yes n No's #6 - a must!

YES – be kind to the volunteers. You see those guys and gals in all black escorting folks to their seats, taking tickets, doing their best to answer all your annoying questions – you know, the fabulous folks trying to help who you call “sweetie” “honey” “doll” and roll your eyes at acting like they should know who you are. Those, my dear, are volunteers. They do not get paid to be here. They offer to assist because they have a friend who is designing, or producing, or doing make-up, or serving beverages. Next time take a moment to ask their name, ask what school they go to, what are they majoring in, how they got involved with the show. It's an amazing concept, I know, but you might actually take interest in someone other than yourself.

Fashion Shows Yes n No's #4 and #5

NO – spraying perfume. Honestly, I don’t even think you should wear perfume but spraying it on you while you’re at the show is definitely a NO. Here’s the thing, we’re all cramped into a very tight space, air is hard enough to come by without breathing in your chemicals; some people are allergic (ever wonder why everyone sneezes around you, dear?) AND, this may be hard to believe, not all of us love the smell or taste of your eau d'too much.

YES – wear deodorant. I know the bohemian look is in but the smell is not. Many of these cool show venues are old converted churches and theaters with zero air conditioning. It is hot, there are a lot of lights and a ton of people – did I mention it is HOT – wearing deo is a must. . . . and NO do not spray perfume as a deo substitute to try and cover the smell of your B.O. It really, REALLY does not do the trick!