Kowtow Clothing - ethical fashion

It's been over a month since I posted - in this time my gorgeous daughter Francesca (Frankie) was born so things have been busy to say the least.  So, with some time on  my hands between feeding this post is about about a New Zealand label called Kowtow - of which I just bought a pair of funky pants (see pic) yesterday on my morning walk!  (it's great to be able to get back into trousers again!)  

Kowtow are all about fair trade, they use 100% certified fair trade organic cotton throughout their range.  Priced at a great price point, I will definitely be buying this label again.  Check out their unique collection here.

www.kowtowclothing.com

Fashion Fairground featured on Thread.co.nz

I am thrilled so see an article on the launch of Fashion Fairground's personal styling service here on Thread.   Every little bit of press helps to get the word out, so thank you Megan Robinson for featuring this piece. Also thanks to Wendy Brandon for shooting the photographs.

38 weeks pregnant, Stacey Gillies @ Fashion Fairground

Photography: Wendy Brandon

How to make an Envelope Cushion Cover

Envelope cushions/pillow covers are a great way to refresh the decor in a room, no need to deal with the hassle of inserting a zip.

My recent project was this little rectangular, pale pink cushion with pom pom trim.

What you need to start with:

1. Cushion inner
2. Fabric (and suitable trim, if desired)
3. Cotton
4. Scissors
5. Pins
6. Tape measure
7. Sewing machine 
8. Iron

1) First you need to cut your fabric - measure your cushion insert and add 2 cm to all sides (to allow for the seam), cut and set aside.  This is going to be the front.

2) Then cut another piece of fabric using the same width as the front piece but add 6cm to the length.

3) Cut this piece in half.  These 2 back pieces should now match the size of the front piece - check this by laying the pieces on top of the front piece and you will see the envelope effect.  They will overlap each other.

4) Neatly sew one edge of both the back (half) pieces.

5) Now lay all pieces together - good side of fabric facing inwards and pin together.

6) Sew along the edges, snip off any loose thread.

7) Turn the cover the right way and insert your cushion innner.

Done!

If you want to add a trim like I have, then you need to sew this onto your front piece after step 1.  Note - this is quite fiddly!

To see this in action, here is a Youtube clip that I referred to.

Fashion Fairground answers some questions for Professionelle.co.nz

I was given the opportunity by New Zealand organisation, Professionelle to answer some questions on how to dress while pregnant in the corporate environment.   Professionelle aims to provide professional development for working women at all stages of their careers and is a great source of information and inspiration.

Fashion Fairground styling services in Auckland

Fashion Fairground is a fashion styling service offering a unique and fresh perspective to clients. We cater to everyone, including pregnant and post-baby body shapes, delivering honest advice and direction.  Our approach means you can work with us for as much or as little as you need.

• Understand your body shape and how to best complement it.
• Learn how to dress your pregnancy bump and post baby body.
• Guided shopping (including online and recycled options).
• Find the perfect outfit for that special occasion.
• Create a new style/image.
• Advice on career dressing.

Our simple step-by-step process allows you to work with us for as much or as little as you need:

1. Consultation - An initial meeting enables us to get a sense of your lifestyle, body shape, what you want to achieve, your pain points and budget for your new image/wardrobe.  A written brief forms the basis for further discussion.  (Free, max 1.5hrs)
2. Wardrobe Edit - A full wardrobe edit (including accessories and footwear) to assess what works for your body shape and colour, where you have gaps, and what needs updating. ($80p/h, min 1 hr)
3. Recommendation - Based on the information gained from the initial consultation and from the assessment of your wardrobe edit, a concept board is created which recommends an appropriate style and some key pieces to achieve your look. ($80)
4. Guided Shopping - A guided shopping session taking direction from your concept board and budget. This can include online shopping. ($80p/hr, min 2 hrs)
5. Mix and Match (optional) - In this final step we provide guidance on how to wear new pieces with your existing wardrobe to create even more outfit options for you. Photographs are taken to capture your new looks. ($80p/hr, min 1 hr)

To check out a selection of past styling projects check out our Pinterest board here.

Please contact Stacey on Auckland, 0210 297 9065 or fashionfairground@gmail.com for further information or to make an appointment.

Fashion Fairground Launches Personal Styling Service

I’m excited to announce that after a year and a half of working on various voluntary styling projects, I have decided to take the next step by offering my services professionally as a personal fashion stylist under my blog name Fashion Fairground.

Having had requests from various people over the years and now armed with experience gained in editorial, costume, television and personal styling, I’ve decided it’s time to offer my advice in a more serious manner.

Like booking a hair stylist, engaging the services of a fashion stylist should be just as accessible. The aim of Fashion Fairground’s styling service is to bring a fresh perspective to clients providing honest advice and direction while allowing them to choose as much or as little guidance as they need, to their budget and time frames.

Added to this, I now have an understanding of dressing a pregnant body shape so this will also be a focus of my work.

Please share this post with those you feel would be interested in hearing about this new service. 

Thank you!

Women in Clothes

My summer read is "Women in Clothes" by Sheila Heti, Heidi Julavits, Leanne Shapton and many others.

This book is a fascinating read and has insights from over 600 women about why they dress like they do, what makes them choose the clothes they do and how their clothes affect them.  The book began as a survey asking more than 50 questions designed to prompt woman to think more deeply about their individual style.  It looks at how the garments we put on every day define and shape our lives.


If you like books on fashion, this one is a must have.

Dressing a pregnant body

Pregnancy shouldn't mean covering yourself in oversized clothing, and I was sure that I wouldn't be wasting my money on some of the maternity options that are out there in NZ, which, at over rated prices are downright ugly.  As I have slowly grown over the past 7 months I have gained an understanding about which parts of my body (mainly my stomach), are growing the most and how to adapt my wardrobe to this.  To give you an example, most of my underwear is no longer suitable.  Bras - I was refitted with a new supportive, clean line Freya t-shirt bra - it is fantastic.  Briefs - I have moved on from the smaller bikini and hipster style to the fuller brief (dear I say it) because these sit on or over your bump lessening the chances of ugly lines and muffin affect that a skimpier pair would do.  Full control/shape underwer is also one of my go to's, ensuring that any dresses or skirts I wear just skim over my bump and hips.  Great options are Jockey, Bendon and Fine Lines.

In terms of fabric, I have moved towards cotton/jersey fabrics that has plenty of stretch.  Many of my new pieces are from Kookai, where styles are on trend but the fabrics are comfortable.  

Here are some of my recent purchases to work with my bump - and they are not maternity wear so you use post pregnancy.

Bassike T-shirt dress

Bendon Thigh Shaper

Kookai Body Con Midi Skirt

Dressing for the office environment

Over the past 13 and a bit years of working in the office environment, from the more relaxed to the very corporate, I have seen many an interesting outfit on females.  I was goikng to give my 'Top 10 Do's and Don't's' but I couldn't quite stick to this -so here are my top 13...

Don’t:

1. Wear low cut tops/i.e no cleavage please
2. Wear heels with worn heel tips
3. Show your bra straps 
4. Wear scuffed shoes or worse holey shoes
5. Wear trainers (unless it’s casual Friday or you have just walked to work in them)
6. Wear skirts/dresses above mid thigh
7. Have a VPL (visible panty line)
8. Have the 4-boob look, especially in fitted tops
9. Wear past-it, nobbly (lint) sweaters/tops
10. Have chipped nail polish
11. Wear cheap junky jewellery ie skull heads, overly large rings on all fingers
12. Wear heels if you can’t walk in them properly
13. Wear a Kathmandu/Macpac puffer-style jacket with work attire, especially a suit.

Do:

1. Wear the appropriate underwear for your clothing i.e, 'shape' underwear for fitted dresses, skirts and pants which resolves the muffin top issue (much better than a g-string).  The right size bra – to eliminate 4 boob/sagging boobs   
2. Check yourself in the mirror before leaving home, i.e do a 360 in the mirror
3. Polish your shoes/clean your shoes
4. Bend over in your skirt at home and decide if it is appropriate for the office
5. Try and wear a belt with trousers/pants where you can – it finishes the look
6. Tuck your blouse/shirt in
7. Have a blazer on hand for those important meetings
8. Have trimmed, tidy nails
9. Wear a shoe that suits your clothing ensemble
10. Wear nude colour underwear when wearing anything white, sheer or pastel
11. Look at the senior staff in your organisation and take some cues off them
12. Keep your hair clean 
13. Maintain your feet/toenails when wearing open toes shoes in summer.

Always handy to have on hand in your drawer at work an emergency supply of the following:

• Nail polish remover and cotton wool pads
• Dry shampoo 
• Deodorant 
• Safety pins

Easy!

NZ Sale - designer brands at discount prices

Are you after the best brands at the best prices?  All while buying from the comfort of your own home?  NZ Sale is a members-only, online shopping club, each day sending you an invite to exclusive sales that includes products for women, men, kids, home, beauty, wine and more at up to 80% off the retail price.

Sales are every day, seven days a week with 60% of stock being sold in the first 48 hours.  So jumping on the sales early is recommended.  Items are sourced internationally, so although you are getting a great deal on price, delivery is a little longer than you would normally experience.  NZ Sale's average delivery timeframe is up to 21 days from the sale ending.  This is the reason behind the discounted prices.

I recently ordered a Dolce and Gabbana Perfume (NZ Sale price $99 for 100ml), thank you NZ Sale.  If you have the time, there is plenty on the site to browse.

Sunglasses for any occasion

A key part of any outfit are the accessories you put with it.   In particular sunglasses – whether its summer or winter,  the right pair of sunnies can complete your ensemble. I have been a buyer of both cheap sunnies; the $20 types and expensive brands – my ultimate pair was by Ralph Lauren which, like most people I lost.

Nowadays, being more concerned with taking care of my eyes and the skin around my eyes I have invested in a good pair by BLVCK – no longer in production from the States.  They are a black frame, a versatile and sophisticated look.  But, I want some fun options for summer so I can mix things up – so I am looking at the more mid-price brands.  Here are some I've checked out so far:

Mink Pink: AU$49.95

Le Specs: AU$69.95

Roc: AU$89.95

See more on sunglasses at my previous post here.

Rollas Jeans got to get yourself some!

Now I don't buy jeans very often and when I do I take my time over the final decision.  I had been eyeing some up I had seen on a model on Pinterest, and tried to track them down (as I couldn't see what brand she was wearing).  My investigation showed that the jeans I was after were called Rollas, an Australian brand that is doing very well in the market.  I was specifically after something high waisted and skinny.  Rollas have two styles catering for this - East Coast and West Coast - after trying on both I decided that the very very high waisted option (East Coast) was probably not quite me so I went with the West Coast.  High enough to give me the look I wanted - longer legs with the added bonus of pulling everything in so you feel nice and flat in the front - bonus!  These are such comfortable jeans, they are ankle grazers too so need to take them up and they look great with heels.

East Coast, Blue Rain

West Coast, Avalon Blue

Juna Menswear Launches in Grey Lynn, Auckland

I attended the launch of new menswear label 'Juna', Kiwi made by local designer Julie Stevens.  Diversifying from her womenswear designs, Juna is targeted at young males right through to the more mature man.  Some great wool blend pieces that hint towards the Swandri but are just that bit more sophisticated.  Read my full story here on Thread.

Searching for fashion using visual search

Image recognition is not new to us, it's most commonly used at the airport at customs, so it's not strange to see this technology has been applied to the fashion industry.  Do you ever find yourself seeing someone up the street wearing something that you really want, but don't want to approach them and ask where they bought it?  Or, perhaps it's your favourite celeb wearing a fabulous outfit that you want to know how to get hold of?  Well, this new app can help.  ASAP54 uses image recognition to identify the item (which you need to photograph with your smart phone) and searches where you can buy it.  It also provides a 24 hour stylist where you can ask them a question and get their advice as well as a social fashion community.  This UK app was launched in February in the US, Europe and Brazil and after one week the app ranked 1 in both the US and UK (Ragtrader Magazine).

There are similar apps out there, Snap Fashion and The Hunt. I've signed myself up to ASAP54 - it's free, so might give it a whirl and report back on how good this really does sound.

www.asap54.com

Styling shoot for Good & Co scarves

Good & Co scarves are designed by Kiwi girl Lilly Toogood who bases herself in Sydney.  Gorgeous photographs taken by Lilly of her travels over the years, are printed onto silks and cashmere giving a unique feel to any wardrobe, summer or winter.  Here is a selection of the photos I styled alongside Lilly and her photographer sister, Geordie of G Frames.

The psychology of personal style

I read an article in the weekend paper on the psychology of fashion and how the way that we dress affects how we feel - something that isn't really that new to us, but it's important to realise that this does actually affect your personality.   Dr Karen Pine is a world leading fashion psychologist and her research is interesting.  There is a motivation behind what we wear and why.  It's all about projecting an image, be at work or play.   One of her findings on blue jeans was that for most woman these are known as their 'sad pants', that jeans get worn when woman are unhappy.  Apparently there is a correlation between depression and wearing jeans.

This topic does lead me to a question; why do people (particularly females) copy the style of another and wear this ensemble in front of the person they are copying??  (my pet peeve!!!)  

Interesting articles below:

Is casual dress killing your productivity at work?

How to find your style

Hailwood -

I've posted before on Hailwood and I'm going to post again!  I just love his work. Prior to Christmas I popped into the store on K Road and found this beautiful print dress, named The Wave Dress.  The thing about this dress is that it fits in all the right places - the nipped in waist, cap sleeves and scooped back make this dress really feminine. This pic shows the 3/4 length style, mine is above the knee.  I've worn it to quite a few events already (giving it a little break now!) and today I am going to make another trip to the store - yep there is a sale on!  I'm sure I'll be posting on Hailwood again very soon :)

#trainisthegame

I was never one for Canterbury Clothing, the label takes me back to my university days when all the boys lived  in their 2-tone, block colour rugby shorts.  It seems however that the Canterbury of NZ brand has rejuvenated itself and interestingly has some more feminine sporty pieces for us girls.  The summer campaign #trainisthegame sees some vibrant colours coming through for running, yoga or general exercise-wear.  I am enjoying the capri leggings (with 5% spandex) and wouldn't mind one of the hoodies for mooching around the house.

Rambler Capri

Ugly Pullover Hoody

Styling shoot for RPD Models

Happy New Year!  It's been a couple of months since I posted due to busy times at the end of 2013.  It was great to spend a day styling a shoot for two great Kiwi models back in November.  Monique Hallowes and Luke Stockman from RPD Models spent some time in NZ getting some great portfolio shots taken by local photographer Wono Kim of W Studio.  The theme of summer beach fun was captured superbly by the team which also included Gee Pikinga (Make up) and Leonard Johnston (Hair).

Images: Courtesy of W Studio

My new Etsy wool coat

Don't you just love Pinterest?!  I found this coat (an Etsy number), which I know is a little late in the season seeing as its Spring but I'm sure I will get the use out of it until summer hits us.  This little find is only $NZ90 and it's wool.  I really like the shape, neckline and colour.

Talking about Pinterest, you can follow my pins here.

Photo - www.etsy.com