Why the Over-65 Crowd is Conquering Fashion.... an article from Fashionista.com

Fashionista.com just came with an article about Fashion and older people that I, as a social scientist and a fifty plus woman found very interesting.

Why the Over-65 Crowd is Conquering Fashion tells about how brands are embracing senior models, targeting the senior citizen demographic, why is this happening and what to expect from now.

With the help of Ari Seth Cohen who begun in 2008, his blog Advanced Style,  has been profiling the inspiring street style of every day senior citizens (it’s basically the Sartorialist for the elderly set) and the site’s success – Cohen recently released a book and has a documentary in the works – goes to show that more and more people are beginning to pay attention to this older demographic.

We can read things like these:

“Older people make up the largest part of the population and they are tired of being ignored,” Advanced Style’s Cohen told me. “Media either tends to ignore the senior set, or casts aging in a negative light. But with the internet and blogger boom images outside of the fashion industry have become very influential. Now, brands have taken notice and are realizing that they have to market towards ‘real’ people.” And increasingly, ‘real’–as in ‘average’–means older.

What’s more, being ‘elderly’ doesn’t mean what it used to. “

“I have seen campaigns use older models in a very patronizing way,” Cohen said. But in 2012, that no longer flies. The elderly today are not just white-haired grandmas and grandpas: They’re vibrant, empowered individuals with a life and style all their own (though, of course, they may still be grandmas and grandpas)."

I think it's so interesting that I higly recommend you to have a, even if brief, look to it.

notes of violet, star anise, licorice, mandarin, iris absolute...

Just received it today courtesy of Apothica.

Thank you so much!!!!

one thousand posts..........

I never thought I would get this far......

.....and since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few representing things that inspire me in life... also as some music...

always effortlessly elegant and classy...

I am a person with no fashion icons. I might like some outfits, but I’m not a celebrities follower and I don’t try to redo theirs styles.

However there’s someone that I feel as one of the most fascinating women of fashion universe and always captivates me - Giovanna Battaglia!

Something that makes Giovanna different from other editors and fashion insiders alike is her ability to re-work her clothes.

One wouldn't catch Anna Wintour or Carine Roitfeld in the same outfit twice, but for Giovanna she definitely has her wardrobe favourites and staples. Giovanna is able to transform the same pair of pants into two completely different outfits with different vibes.

She is often pictured with her knee-high black boots or birkin bag and grey turtlenecks amongst others. And she's definitely not afraid to show what she loves by re-wearing and re-working her pieces.

Giovanna has a penchant to wear labels often thought to be slightly unsexy however she’s able to do it in such a manner which is far from frumpy.

Always effortlessly elegant and classy she keeps people guessing as to how she's going to wear her pieces next.

She always keeps it simple and fresh, layering different key pieces together to create a seamless outfit.

It also doesn't hurt that she can show off those legs in a pair of killer heels and short skirts.

Her minimalist style with makeup kept to a minimum and subtle accessories are always tasteful and she always knows what works on her.

If only I could have a bit of the same ability to mix and match and transform a look by putting on new shoes, jacket and some accessories...

But then again, Giovanna is Giovanna just because of that!!!!

(pictures found in Google’s images search and Giovanna’s FB page)

currently reading…

Unfinished Business: What the Dead Can Teach Us about Life

by James Van Praagh

Time to Step Out to Fight Diabetes!

Hunter's wish...a cure for type 1 diabetes...walk video.

Watch "Hunter's Diabetes Story" video on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnJsm8vqLJs

Also check Hunter Sego steps out to fight Diabetes here.

Make some difference!!!!!

"Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner"

Because I feel deep in me the problem, with a family member with Alzheimer's, Mother, as most of you know, my featured cause is Support Alzheimer's Research with things that can promote awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Awareness should result in more research and recognition. Stronger Alzheimer associations are better able to meet the needs of people with dementia and their carers.

September 21, has been designated at World Alzheimer’s Day, when activities focus on world awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.

Every year on 21 September Alzheimer associations across the globe unite to recognise World Alzheimer's Day in many ways and 2009 is no exception with memory walks, open days, lectures, training courses, entertainment and conferences taking place internationally.

The theme for World Alzheimer's Day™ 2009 is "Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner".

TO – 09/11 – Let’s shut the guns and hear the drums with "Ten Billion Beats"… a bit of animal print…

Peace TO Earth
Goodwill ON Humankind

Join with the world in a creative cadence of celebration.

10 Billion Beats is a Global Intention Experiment that will use drumming to send a wave of positive intention around the world. It will follow the sun for 24 hours – circling the Earth through each time zone moving from east to west – starting at 7:00 PM, Sept. 18, 2009 (please note -- the date will change to Saturday Sept 19, as we cross the International Date Line).
This event is for everyone who is crazy enough to think they can change the world and everyone else for whom they want to change it. That includes you. The idea is admittedly huge.

This is a grass-roots movement – it is not a commercial event – it will only work if people like you get excited, if people like you participate, and if people like you tell others about it.

Join the world in a creative cadence of celebration.

Be the intention. If you don't feel you can drum for any length of time. You can clap along, tap your toe, or dance to the rhythm while you hold the intention in your mind, propel it with your heart (your heartbeat is a drum too), and contribute your spirit. You will be the intention.

For more information go see “Ten Billion Beats”

Get with the beat and be the wave!

Today it rained a lot as you can see behind me in the pictures and the forecast is for more rain tomorrow.

Are women more feline than ever in this urban jungle?

black shoes - local store

black pants - Vero Moda

black tank - Zara

animal printed cardigan - Mango (new collection)

cocktail ring - gift from Hubby

bracelet - Bijou Brigitte (S/S 2009)

“chandelier” earrings – Stradivarius (new collection)

brown fringed bag - Friday's Project (S/S 2009)

lipstick - Esté Lauder

perfume - Paris from YSL

I haven't been with time to check all your blogs, but I hope I can catch you all this weekend.

Have a nice one!

inspiration board...

You might not always like me, the things I do or the way I do them. But these are my things, this is the way I do them and I am me.

(via i wrote this for you)

(Image credits: style.com, instyle.com, desire to inspire, and some other that I do not know)

TO – 05/12 – when is too much too much…. colour?

Today I went to my hairdresser

Well, you know I’m a person that doesn’t talk about my work nor complains. What for?
Because complaining, justified or not, about the workplace leads to no good. In fact, it can be downright toxic and can make a department a terrible place to work.

But lately I’m not feeling happy at my work. It has been some legislation that made some restructures on my career. And when those things happen not everyone has luck, the system is not fair.

Now I think I’m not paid according to my profile and colleagues with similar positions get more than me and I have not got raise.
Whatever the reason can be the truth remains that I’m not happy with my salary.
So it makes things look worse than they are and it also destroyed all my hope that things can get better.
Because the situation looks so hopeless, I’m becoming less creative and innovative. What’s the point of coming up with ideas and implementing them???

Well, I think I must train my own ability to be positive or I might end thinking that “Everything sucks and you can’t convince me otherwise!”

Too much colour is mostly bad when its poor colour

black ankle boots - local store
black wide-legs pants - C&A Clockhouse (F/W 2008)
golden belt - El Corte Ingles
red blouse - local store
black basic shirt - Vero Moda (F/W 2007)
gray blazer - Acetato (S/S 2009)
necklace - gift from T.
brooch - gift
bracelet - gift
cocktail ring - gift from Hubby
lipstick - Esté Lauder
perfume - Amor Amor from Cacharel

I’m obsessed with…

Inspired by gorgeous Marian, I decided to talk about one of my present obsessions.
So I’m currently obsessed with… shoes!!!

I have not a collection of shoes, but I’m lucky enough to have a few that are interesting. However a true fashionista knows that shoes are never enough.

I’ve been seeing on the Internet, in some on-line stores such great shoes for Spring/Summer 09.
However most of them don’t ship international, or don’t ship to my country, or if they do the post costs are more expensive than the piece price, or even the price tag is too high for my budget.

Nevertheless I’m showing you a few shoes I’m in love with, these ones from GoJane. I only hope that if I’ll go on my “shopping trip” to mainland I could find something similar to calm my passion.

metallic cross strap stud heel

perforated stud shield heel

pleated crinkle ankle wrap heel

yellow crinkle patent cut-out design heel

orange crinkle patent cut-out design heel

fringe t-strap heel

today’s mood… it was raining... and Mother wasn't well...

We will make you comfortable before you leave.
Not for your memory.
But for ours…

Ian Aleksander Adams’s Photography in Where We’re From

TO - 01/23 - it’s the crisis… but don’t stare at me… it’s just a hat…

Britain has officially entered recession for the first time since 1991, after the economy shrank at the fastest pace for nearly 30 years in the fourth quarter.

The United States, Japan and Germany are also in recession.

Here central bank predicted the country's economy will enter recession in 2009 for the third time in six years. (Great...)

We are one of the European Union's smaller economies, representing around 1 percent of the bloc's total gross domestic product.

I think we should be grateful if we have good health.

We have also bad news in the world of fashion, Chanel cancelled Mobile Art Tour.

Conceived by Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld and Iranian architect Zaha Hadid, the exhibition of works by 20 artists including Daniel Buren, Yoko Ono, and Wim Delvoye, and installed in a handbag-inspired, pod-like structure designed by Hadid, was widely considered one of the most ambitious, if not ostentatious, collaborations between the worlds of art and fashion. The show has already been seen in Hong Kong, Tokyo, and New York, but nobody was counting at that time with the economic situation; stops to London, Moscow, and Paris are being cancelled. Chanel has not disclosed the project's costs.

So the Mobile Art Tour ends its short life. After all the uproar it caused in New York, where he held a big party for the opening, we see as Chanel is also not immune to the crisis (as happened to Louis Vuitton some days ago).

But according to sources from the French firm, because of the current economic situation, it has been decided to stop the project and dedicate this budget to other areas of research and development.

Apparently, no one is immune.

Source

Hmmm… would I be able to do my “shopping trip”??? Lord knows.

black ankle boots - local store
black short carrot-top pants - from my boxes
black turtleneck - Zara
red and black plaid coat with faux fur collar - Tally Weijl
white wool scarf - gift from Hubby
gray handbag - Mango
black hat - mainland store
bracelet - gift from Hubby
cocktail ring - gift from Hubby
perfume - Noa from Cacharel

today’s mood…

Who you would want to be should not be nearly as important as who you are right now.

Ian Aleksander Adams’s Photography in Where We’re From

searching for spring 2009 fashion trends…

When this time of the year comes I start to do my searches about what are going to be the trends for Spring, so I can start organizing my pieces, seeing if there are some in my boxes that can be recycled, the ones from last year that can be worn and what are the trends that can be incorporated in “my style” and what I would buy if I would go to mainland in one of my “shopping seasons” that I’m always talking about.
Despite we didn’t think if we are going to mainland soon or when we will do it, I’m already doing my “homework”.

So today I’ve been “googling” some “fashion trends spring 2009”. I found this article from which I’m taking some parts -the ones in italic:

Be Bold - While we may feel like wearing black in these tough economic times, 2009 is all about bold and bright colors.

Colour-happy fashionistas, like me ;), will dress from head to toe in eye-popping colours like daffodil yellow, vermillion orange, (orange is going to be a hot colour of the spring and summer season, sure to make anyone stand-out), verdant green, hibiscus red, bold fuchsia, hot pink, wild violet and cobalt blue. Whether you go intense all over or simply go bright with an accent, just look to the crayon box to follow this trend.

Glitz and Glamour - Whether they cover an entire garment or are just sprinkled throughout a look, sequins should be very popular. Also bringing sparkle and shine to your closet are metallic fabrics.

This spring, it'll be time to shine. The season's clothes aren't content with quietly wandering into rooms. No, come spring, dresses and blazers will be blinding, courtesy of sequins.
Metallics will shine for spring, although predominantly silver and gold, you can find other neutral colours in metallics, such as bronze or pewter, as well as colours with a metallic finish. Neutral metallics are great for accessorizing because they go with anything, and they're not just for evening anymore although some metallics definitely should remain evening attire.

Sheer Genius - Sheer fabrics can add a touch of sexy sophistication to your closet. You'll see the sheer trend as inserts on classic pieces and in whimsical layers.

Women will be wearing designs featuring layer upon layer of translucent clothing, revealing their body with equal doses of subtlety and taste. Sheer fabric items will be all the rage this season. They are sexy and edgy. A word of caution, do not forget to wear something underneath these items.

Neutral Territory - In direct opposition to the bold color trend we see beige making a surge.

Well, I’m not thrilled about pastels at all and I’m not seeing some of those in my wardrobe. However, I might look for ways to integrate some in funky ways to accessorize and/or as shoes.

Baggy Bottoms - Whether you like it or not, the wide-leg look is in; bell-bottom jeans and flowing trousers were seen all over the runways. For a dressy interpretation look for loose-fitting silk pants.

Wide-legged pants make a comeback and the slouchy silhouette, when sporting this trend, remember the golden rule of proportions - go big on top or bottom, not both. It's tricky to wear this trend all over, so opt for a menswear-inspired blazer with a slouch paired with slim jeans or baggy harem pants with a fitted top. That’s my opinion.

Flower Child - The hippie look is ready for yet another comeback. Flirty, flowing dresses with embroidery and jewel details will be making a reappearance in 2009.

Pretty florals will be popular this Spring. Only this season the floral prints are being presented in a different way. Many leading designers are showing floral prints that are more blurred than usual on their women's clothing.

I also read about other trends, like ruffles, statement necklaces, bow belts, one piece suits, all-white outfits, harem pants, cropped pants, jewelled-necklines, blazers, more gladiators, zipper accents…

I still have to search about legs wear, but searching for the colours I saw that...

The Top 10 Spring 2009 colours for women are (source):

PANTONE 18-4043 Palace Blue

PANTONE 15-3817 Lavender

PANTONE 14-0754 Super Lemon

PANTONE 15-1626 Salmon Rose

PANTONE 18-2328 Fuchsia Red

PANTONE 14-1307 Rose Dust

PANTONE 16-5804 Slate Gray

PANTONE 16-6339 Vibrant Green

PANTONE 16-0435 Dark Citron

PANTONE 14-5714 Lucite Green

So, what do you think of my fashion's Spring 2009 trends finds? Any insights?

Favorite Things 2008 - Just a look to a few...

Thanks to the coordination efforts of the lovely and talented Grayburn from Grayburn, a group of bloggers come together and post their favourite things of the past year, 2008.

Well, I am happy to say that I had the opportunity to participate in this event.

It's really hard for me to catch down the choices in order to pick my favourite things of the year.
2008 was an appealing, sore, yet dynamic year for me, a lot of people and things have received the right to enter in my category of favourites.

I feel that I'm doing harm to some great people and things by not talking about them, but it could turn into a boring never ending post.

I could talk about the great people I found through my blog.
I could talk about some fashion trends like the maxi dress, the leather pants, lace, tartan, and so on.
I could talk about some beauty products I discovered like the Chanel nail polish or the Jasmin Noir perfume from Bvlgari.

But I’ve decided to tell you my favourite trends of 2008 in… shoes (may The Despotic Queen of Shoes forgive me)

Gladiator Sandals

There were flats, and then they grew heels, and they grew even more heels, and so on. There were so many versions of gladiators that were produced too. Thus, 2008 was really the year of the gladiators (in terms of shoes). I had my share of gladiators and I’m happy that they are still around even if a year has passed.

Shoes Bright Colours

These couldn’t make me happier, as you know I love (now) colour. While many women rightly argue that bright shades aren't as easy to wear, I'd happily trade off some versatility for a bit of personality.
After a year or two of shoes in neutral shades dominating the market, Spring of 2008 brought us a dizzying array shoes in bright colours. Pink pumps and outrageously orange stilettos were everywhere, but clearly, the footwear gods decided that what we all really needed was a pair of yellow shoes. The trend towards brightly-coloured footwear carried into Fall, as purple shoes became all the rage.

Menswear-Inspired Shoes - Heeled Oxfords

The menswear-inspired footwear trend really started catching Fall/2007, but in 2008 heeled oxfords were hotter than ever.
I felt in love by them and it was a great journey until I finally could have ones.
But I made it. And I’m happy I did.

So, thank you my dear Grayburn from Grayburn for organizing this event.
And you, please also visit the lovely following bloggers who as well participated in it:

Beautiful Makeup Search

Beauty 411

Beauty Talk

Beauty Tyrant

Binary Star

'*:.blu3.:*'

For The Love of Beauty

Grayburn

Life Of A Ladybug

lily loves mac

Make Do Style

Miss Whoever You Are

Perfume Shrine

Platinum Blonde Life

Slap Of The Day

The Beauty Alchemist

The non-blonde

Urbane Girl