Style Harmony

Tags: cropped jacket, Denim jacket, spring trend 2011, summer trend 2011

Even stars need makeovers especially since they are public figures. What more us, ordinary folks. Talent alone is not enough; they need stylists to amp up their image to increase their star power in view of fierce competition and media glare. It is always interesting to watch the transformation of ordinary folks to mega superstar. Still hot on the American Idol Season 10 which just wrapped up recently (Scotty WON!), I was bowled over my Carrie Underwood, former Idol Champion, in her short geometric sequin dress. She looked stunning, and even more so in that mini white shorts and off-shoulder silver glittery top she wore during her performance. Just some years ago, she had real BIG hair (she’s country!) and wore prom glittery dresses which made her looked 10 years older. Now, she has been transformed from a southern belle to the glamorous artiste that she is today. Kudos to her stylist! Carrie’s new image is sleek, sexy, fresh and elegant.  Celebrities also need to update their image to stay relevant and modern for their adoring fans and to get more publicity. With more publicity, of course comes more business opportunities. Carrie Underwood is now the top earner of all the Idol winners! Current season winner, Scotty McCreery, is only 17, still at school. Obviously, when he first entered the scene, he was your typical American country small-town boy in his Abercombie & Fitch baggy tees, jeans and flip flops! Oh gosh, wearing flip-flops to an audition that could change your life forever?? But that’s what teenagers wear, sporty, laid-back and very casual. But now that he is a champion idol, his stylists are working hard to revamp his image to be more marketable and to look like a celebrity. Observing his personality, roots and personal values, I would recommend an elegant style for his new image. He does possess a natural confidence, is gentlemanly and meticulous (noted the way he carefully selected songs that highlighted his best strengths). These are traits of the refined, polished and elegant man. It is also a style which is most suitable for people who are public figures and often need to attend opening nights, be on stage and network with important folks. The elegant male style consists of well tailored or bespoke suits, fine quality materials like silk, wool, high grade cotton (Scotty said he only sleeps on egyptian cotton!), subtle prints like pindots and pin stripes. Colours would be neutrals e.g. navy, gray, camel, black, charcoal and taupe. He looked exceptionally good in blues (see his CD cover on top). I believe once his image is refined into the elegant gentleman that he truly is, he will have a bright long career ahead of him! So if you are thinking of a change in career or a promotion, ask yourself “Is my image helping or breaking my goals?”

Scotty_After

Scotty_Before

Carrie_Before

Carrie_After

Tags: american idol, carrie, elegant, image, makeover, scotty

Wear

* Slim skirts with buttons in a vertical design details to elongate the hip
* V-neck tops to widen the shoulders, thus counter-balancing the large hips
* T-strap shoes to elongate the feet
* Boat necks to widen the shoulders
* Inverted pleats to flatten tummy and thin the thighs
* Colourful patterned top to draw attention upwards, away from the hips
* Short skirt to elongate the legs
* Open toed shoes to make the feet look longer

Tags: elongate, figure, short legs, wide hips

Did anyone of you watch the Singapore Star Awards show on 17 April? I watch award shows simply to see who’s wearing what. This year’s show exposed much more skin than ever before with tight minis and plunging necklines. Here’s my own fashion police report on the fashion hits and misses:-)

The Hits

• Rui En, my best dressed celebrity. She very much personified the woman in-charge in her tailored, masculine-looking Hermes pant suit ala Katherine Hepburn. Being the non-conformist that she is, her outfit certainly sparked her individuality and made her stand out from her competitors. Her bold eye makeup which is a hot trend now, complemented the strong fashion style. In terms of image, I guess if she had wanted to project a credible and capable persona, her colour and style choices were on spot. However, she should have worn covered platform shoes (open toes is too casual for this style) and shorten the length of her pants slightly and remove the tank top. Although I love the edgy leather Gautlier accessories (that amped up her sex appeal!), she should lose the bracelets and just wear a ring; the accessories were an overkill.
• Jeanette Aw was stylsihly chic in black. Her makeup was flawless. Her tasselly dress made her look refreshingly different from her usual princessy gowns. However, I don’t think the huge diamante skull earrings were right for her. Her face is too sweet and demure to carry it off. A geometric style earrings would have been better.
  

  Rui En

The Misses

• Quan Yi Fong, the veteran talk show host came with platinum blonde hair and a bright red micro mini back-baring dress. Props to her for having the courage to wear such a bold statement dress on national TV. But the dress ceratinly did not do her any justice. Firstly, it was too too short even for a celebrity! Secondly, her body is just not toned enough to be able to carry off that dress. You could see her cellulite on her upper thighs! I have nothing against cellulite, but it doesn’t make a pretty picture on screen and in  print. Her black safety undergarment peeking out in pictures was just tacky. I am sure every woman would want to look fabulous, so every little details matter. Especially so when you are a public figure. Sorry, she was my worst dressed.
• Joanne Peh in Givenchy’s latest Spring 2011 collection. Her outfit was right off the runway. Although she has the figure to carry out such a silhouette, the frilly details at both sides of the vest widens her waist and made her look shapeless. Her hair was messy in a “not nice way”. It would have been better if she had pulled back her hair into a sleek pony tail as the outfit already had too much going on, with the lacy top, mini skirt, sheer long skirt and a vest with ruffles at the waist. The all-white ensemble gave it an air of sophistication, so a neat sleek hairdo would be better. Her open toed strappy heels looked tacky. Black or white ankle booties would be perfect.
• Fann Wong, the fashionista got it wrong this time with her daring cleavage baring Gucci jumpsuit. Ok, folks, if you have a really small bust like Fann, plunging necklines would emphasise your small bust. With no extra bra support, she looked like a boy actually, from the neck down! Just not flattering at all. The 1950′ hair and strong makeup were just too much. When you wear a bold outfit, your hair and makeup should be kept simple. Just a bold red lipstick or eye makeup would suffice.

Fann Wong

Who were your best and worst dress celebrities?

Yi Fong

Tags: fashion, hair, makeup

The jumpsuit is so popular this season. I think it is a great alternative to the predictable maxi or cocktail dress for an evening event. A solid colour silk jumpsuit (like emerald green or orange!) with a cocktail ring, chunky bangles or just a long strand of necklace with platform shoes and snakeskin clutch will look fabulicious! You definitely need high heels as the silhouette is not kind to women with shorter legs or larger frame. Reality TV star, Kim Kardashian has a super well-endowed behind plus she is short. She was snapped wearing a light coloured jumpsuit which made her behind looked larger than ever. The loose drapey fabric enhances her big butt. Women with big butts should at all cost avoid gathers at the waist and pants that tapers at the hem as this creates a wider hip. Perhaps Kim would look better with the jacket on. On the other hand, her sister, Kourtney, looked incredible in her tan coloured jumpsuit which hung straight from the widest part of her hip. Wearing pants that hang straight from the hips will elongate  and camouflage your wide hips, thus making it look slimmer. And the flare cut counterbalances her wide thighs by adding volume at the opposite end of her legs.

Are you a fan of the jumpsuit?

Kim

Kourtney

Tags: big butt, jumpsuit, wide hips