Defining Style

Leading Fashion Houses are expanding in Australia due to brand-conscious Chinese tourists visting here.  Aus will become a luxury market as it is cheaper for tourists to buy here than in mainland  China.  As China has very heavy luxury taxes, Australia will benefit as Chinese are willing to spend their last dollars on status symbols rather than other items.  Whereas Australians will prefer to buy fakes in China, local Chinese will buy the luxury brands.

As a result many french designers have opened new stores here including the newly refurbished Chatswood Chase and Westfield Bondi Junction.  So even if us Aussies aren't investing in designer fashion, rest assured that tourists will bump up our economy.

Posted by Image Consultant, Robin Powis from Defining Style.

I've talked about the 'Lipstick Indicator' as an indication of the downturn in the economy, but now it's lingerie.  Apparently women are still willing to pay for luxury items like lingerie to make them feel good in the current economic climate.

Sales of vintage lingerie is in demand with lacy lingerie, corsets and the fashion knicker along with the T'-shirt bra.  Corsets are in demand as they lift your bust and hold your tummy in.   Shapewear is also selling well as women follow the celebrity trend of looking svelte.   Hosiery holds up well in winter as the much loved patterned tights allow women to keep warm while looking chic and modern.

Posted by Image Consultant, Robin Powis from Defining Style

What's old is new again.  Today's men are returning to what their fathers and grandfathers always did, shave with a safety razor.  Men are discovering that  you get a better shave and it's better for your skin.  In the long run it's cheaper as the cost of safety razor blades are much less than cartridge razors.

So guys throw away your disposal cartridge razor and learn the art of shaving with a safety razor and a badger hair brush.  Why not indulge in a pastime and take pride in your impeccable grooming.

Don't forget to always shave after a hot shower, use a shaving cream, use less pressure with your razor, and ensure your razor is sharpened.

Watch the women line up to get closer!

Posted by Robin Powis, Image Consultant, Defining Style

It wasn't that long ago I was talking about the rise of lipstick sales as an indicator of financial downturn.  Well now they're saying it's the width of women's shoulder pads.

Shoulder pads have returned with French designers and celebrities showcasing the look.  But it's not so much as a power statement as a statement of defence against the current economic climate.

Shoulder pads originated in the economically challenged 1930's and 1940's when the war was on and women took on a bit of a masculine role.  After World War 1 the shoulder look continued to prevale as it made women feel like the war was over.  They wanted to to feel confident and excited and look for some opportunity in the doom and gloom.

In the 1980's the shoulder pad was the icon as women's confidence increased as well as their earning power in the corporate world.  From 'Working Girl' to 'Dynasty' women wanted to make their mark.

So why should you wear the look, it does make your waist look smaller and if your shoulders are sloping, it  creates balance to your body shape.  But if you have square shoulders, then beware, you'll look like a footballer!

I also wonder if its the fashion houses forecast new trends to keep interest in fashion alive and boost their sales.  Either way, what's old is new again.

Posted by Robin Powis, Personal Image Consultant
Defining Style

I  had the privilege to hear dynamo Angela Vithoulkas speak at Network Central this week.  What an amazing and powerful woman.  Angela is the Director of Vivo Cafe Group and she won the Telstra Business Women's Award in 2007 for the NSW Yellow Business Owner Award.

I don't know how such a gorgeous looking woman can work a 14 hour day, run a dynamic business with superb coffee and customer service and still be vibrant and alive.  I guess you either have it or you don't.

Robin Powis, Personal Image Stylist, Defining Style

I don't get it.  I know it's all the rage but how does rows of rows of oversized Boppy Pins look stylish.  It used to be they were invisible but now they are the favoured recession hair accessory.  And the bigger the better.  I guess it's what old is new again.  The Bobby Pin was named when women first started 'to bob' their hair early last century.
Posted by Robin Powis, Personal Stylist, Defining Style

I guess sometimes we don't realise how lucky we are.  If we are meant to be happy, why do so many people spend their time miserable?  We see something we don't like and we see the glass half empty.  Why not look at the issue and look for a way round it.  The glass in then half full.  Why not spend each day being grateful for what we have in our life instead of what we don't have?
Posted by Robin Powis, Personal Stylist, Defining Style

Today more than ever it’s so important we let our young girls enjoy their youth and not grow up too soon.  As advertising and marketing push for the perfect body, what effect is this having on our girls?  Even from a young age and from way back when the Barbie Doll has been a little girl’s dream.  Now there is every style of Barbie you can think of.  What sort of role model does this make for our daughters?

 Barbie was first developed in 1959 and had a ponytail and a striped black and white bathing suit. Barbie made her first appearance as a “teenage fashion model,” although her now famous proportions were not very teenage.

If a real woman had the proportions of Barbie, her body would suffer from chronic diarrhoea and eventually malnutrition.  Researchers have generated a computer model of Barbie and have concluded that her:

• Back would be too weak to support the width of her upper body
• Body would be too narrow to contain more than half her liver and a few cms of her bowel.

Mothers today have a responsibility to let our young girls enjoy their youth by

• Being a positive role model
• Encourage physical activity
• Encourage other qualities apart from your appearance
• Love yourself.

Posted by Robin Powis, Personal Stylist, Defining Style

 

 

 

As the economic downturn continues it’s only natural that women seek comfort in feel good items that cost less.  Women are less likely to indulge in a new outfit; however a lipstick or a gorgeous accessory is a quick luxury-hit for a little outlay.

 

Food and fuel prices might be rising, but it is going to take much more to deter a woman away from buying her makeup and feeling great.  Women would rather go without lunch than their makeup which is not only a great pick me up but a life necessity. 

This echoes the ‘Lipstick Indicator’ that women turn to less expensive indulgences, such as a lipstick, when they feel less confident about the future. Originated by Estee Lauder after 9/11, when lipstick sales in the US doubled as women couldn’t handout thousands for a designer outfit, but they would pay $30 for a lipstick.

Women are saving money by spending their money on gorgeous accessories to go with their old outfits. Makeup and accessories have the benefit of not only suiting your colouring and personality but update your wardrobe for the current season. 

Another economic indicator to watch this winter is women’s hemlines which are tipped to fall.  The hemline indicator states that the shorter the hemline, the stronger the economy; the longer the hemline, the weaker the economy.  

Posted by Robin Powis, Defining Style

With gloomy economic forecasts are you ‘wishing and hoping’ for a worthwhile year and planning your way to get there.

How positive is your outlook?
Do you have a lot to feel blessed for?

Do you need to:

Put more into your every day life

Change your routine?

What do you want to achieve in 2009 for

Yourself

Another

The planet?

How do you plan to spend your ‘Me Time’ in 2009?

• Regular breaks to help break down tensions
• Quality time with your friends
• Long and lazy lunches with your loved ones
• Pamper yourself in a relaxing bath
• Enjoy simple things like listening to music
• Read to delight not only your soul but ignite your brain
• Enjoy the sunshine and smell the roses
• Regular exercise or a massage to keep you healthy.

Why not start 2009 with something simple like adding a walk or early morning swim to your daily routine. Small steps are easier to stick to and make more of a difference than you think. Slowly work your way into the heavy stuff. 

Life is short so enjoy it now, don’t let your favourite things sit in the cupboard:  

Wear clothes that make your heart sing

Use your best china and crystal.

Posted by Robin Powis, Defining Style

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