Vogue covers keep inspiring us. This one shot by Kai Z. Feng for the Australian edition of the magazine of the beautiful Katie Fogarty. Image via fashion gone rogue

It's all in the detail

Image Source: Jak and Jil Blog

Lately I have been in love with collecting fashion books. They are an amazing alternative (along with fragrances) to owning a pice of luxury without having to splurge, additionally they make for an amazing accent to any room. Fashion and design go hand in hand. The latest addition to my collection? The 40th anniversary Roberto Cavalli album. How do you obsess over fashion on a budget?

Interiors we love

Images courtesy of Domino Magazine, September 2008

We were just thinking an inspiration wall would be most appropriate. 

Summer TV

what are you hooked on during the summer months?

Seasonal Themes

You have seen some of these dresses before. In the BT interview and then the Bellissima Alberta Fashion Week Show in May.  I love how sporty chic they all are. Joseph Ribkoff did a really great job with the theme of the season. Very Prada. We love it!

The Anorak

The perfect jacket for spring and summer. It's super light, looks very effortless and is amazing to travel with. This Bellissima version also has a hood you can wear out or zip up in the collar pocket. One of our season's favourites.

Bellissima Fashions F/W 2011 behind the scenes

Time is flying in the world of fashion. Today we shot the new campaign for Bellissima's Fall/Winter collection. As usual I am amazed at the turn around of these things. Before we have a chance to fully start enjoying the season a close end is marked with the selection of images for the winter windows.  In Fall you can expect big changes at Bellissima, the stores are getting revamped and the logo is undergoing a transformation. Like all things, the company is growing and exploring new directions and avenues for exposure. We are very excited to announce our new addition to the Bellissima family, Maggie, from IModel Management here in Calgary, she was a pleasure to work with. As usual the rest of the magnificent team was present, Jennie Lyle did the styling, Alicja Wilkosz did maekup, Jereme Bokitch from HedKandi maned the hair. Ania B from Sophia Models International came back again as one of the models, this time. Shea Kerwood was our creative director and Jason Eng shot the vision into a cohesive image. To witness a photoshoot from the beginning stages to the final product is quite an amazing thing to watch. We hope you enjoy the sneak peek of our day with Bellissima and can't wait to show you the full campaign, as well as the lookbook, which was also shot last week. Stay Tuned!

love and other disasters

Just saw this amazing trailer for a new documentary. 'LOVE ETC. is a witty, poignant and humorous exploration about the universal stages of love, depicted through five real stories over the course of one year in New York City. Young, old, gay, straight -- everyone has experienced love -- and the joy and frustration that come with it. From teen romance to a decades-long marriage; newlyweds to a recent divorcee, and even a bachelor so frustrated in his search that he chooses to have children without a partner, LOVE ETC. documents the intimate journeys of engaging characters aged 18-89 who reflect the city's diversity, and takes an honest look at life's most challenging pursuit' (from youtube.com). visit http://loveetcthemovie.com/ for more info. what do you think?

I have to post this amazing cover of the June 2011 Vogue Italia photographed by Steven Meisel. I have been thinking about it since I saw it a month ago, so I took it for a sign. Full figured women are very well received in today's ideals of the stick thin model, especially on a renowned cover like this one. For the full editorial click here.  

Image Source: fashiongoneogue

Calgary Stampede 2011 Royal Style

Let’s throw up our white cowboy hats and say welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Image Courtesy of Derek Boniecki

The Calgary Stampede takes place once a year, since 1886, over the course of ten days in July, which attracts millions of people from all over the world to participate in the festivities. This ten day event which runs July 8th through the 17th, includes rodeos, parades, live country music, good food and good company. This year Prince William and his wife, Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge will be making their first royal engagement as a married couple on a trip to Canada. 

Catherine was recently spotted leaving Lock & Co. Hatters, causing much speculation about what she will be wearing to the stampede. Lock & Co. Hatters, an institution specializing in hats, has praised the Duchess for her “impeccable taste.” Established in 1676, the store is still around on St. James Street in London, and caters to perfecting the fit of a hat for both men and women. When I was a young girl studying and working at the House of Worth, I would gaze into the windows and be transfixed by the astonishing way hats were made by hand. I was excited to hear that she was seen there and am also speculating if either of them will be wearing a hat made by Lock & Co. to the Calgary Stampede; perhaps one of their famous Stetson hats. Or a hat by Sylvia Fletcher's Couturier Millinery line, exclusive to Lock & Co. 

When the couple lands at Calgary airport on July 7th, they will be honored with a White Hat Ceremony which has become a tradition for all well-known people who visit Canada. During this tradition Prince William and his wife will be presented with white cowboy hats. And with her love of hats and fascinators, I’m anxious to see what else she has up her sleeve to wow us.

I hope that the couple has an amazing time on their tour through Canada. Maybe Kate will stop by Bellissima, which has its flagship store right in Calgary. As she loves fashion that’s affordable and on trend. She has such a perfect figure, but how can she not be tempted by the traditional pancake breakfast at the Calgary Stampede. 

Love, Carole

Starting with a white canvas...

Someone once asked me to define white. After quite some time, I decided to do some research on the subject. I found this, “The basic compound for reflection of color is white. In other terms, white strikes us as a deep and absolute silence" said by Wassily Kandinsky author of Concerning the Spiritual in Art.

You should think of a white outfit as your own personal canvas to enhance your image. Now that we’re in the first stages of summer, I would hope that you have gone through your jewelry boxes and drawers, where your summer favorites are hiding. Sort out the pieces that mean something to you and anything long place on a hook in your dressing room. Any colored bangles or cuffs, keep readily accessible. Those long earrings or clip-ons that have special meaning can now be kept near your lipstick or bronzers. Your belts hung next to your chains, and your summer hats should be steamed and stuffed with tissue to bring back the shape. Many of our purchases should be spontaneous and not necessarily just a trend of the moment. The scarf we once used to cover ourselves , can now be used as a fabulous accessory.

So I give you our white canvas and these are some of my suggestions:

Some of us prefer silver to gold and with gold popular this season, paler than seasons past, it’s great to mix long or short chains in either of the color. Wear alone for a cleaner look or with white long beads to add to make a different mood. All metal jewelry looks great depending on your preference.

Women I style, I always desire something BOLD. A great necklace or a fabulous cuff is a great investment piece especially if it has something white in it and you want a summery feel. Tribal influenced costume jewelry creates a fashionable look as wood and horn make a statement and your look becomes your own.

There is bright white and milky white and this is where I suggest nude accents. Mother of pearl is timeless, pearls any size any length. In having accessory fashion events there will always be a mannequin covered in pearls. I always smile to myself that a variety of women are attracted to this area, after all Audrey Hepburn will never go out of style. Diamonds shine even more when wearing white whilst chunky brights gives one a feeling of Latin Passion.

I would say that turquoise and coral seem to be the colors of choice that have grabbed attention for Summer 2011. Having one piece of these colors whether it’s a pair of earrings a chunky ring or a long necklace will turn your canvas into new painting and you will feel like a million dollars.

The talk of being minimal is for some that is a different conversation and certainly not for all. But MOST women who want to feel special so here you have many options to think about.

Congratulations are in order for Anne B accessories to have been chosen to have her collections in Bellissima. This will please a loyal customer who might be with a friend wanting to buy a great “make a statement” with that perfect WOW piece.

Love,
Carole

My own blog coming soon but please follow me on twitter @yellowgarb