Fashion and the Movies- no one does it better than Audrey

Ever wondered where the concept of the Little Black Dress (LBD) came from? 

Well this week we’re going to be looking at the life and times of one of the greatest Fashionistas of the century. You know who I’m talking about and no its not JLo. It is none other than that darling of darlings, the style star that made the LBD a staple of every woman’s wardrobe- Audrey Hepburn!

Famous for her elf like beauty and impeccable taste, Audrey Hepburn changed the face of cinema and style by merging these two great arts through her charming stage presence and confident feminine attire.

Born to a Dutch baroness and Irish father, Audrey spent her younger years in war torn Netherlands dreaming of one day setting the stage afire as a prima ballerina. She studied ballet and after the end of World War 2 moved to London where she worked briefly as a model and then finally to America to begin her glorious love affair with movies and fashion.

She debut as a doe eyed princess in Roman Holiday and since then charmed audiences with her expressive features and trendsetters with her effortless grace.

Audrey’s true fashion aha! moment arrived in the form of a strapless white bustiere gown that she wore on the set of her movie Sabrina. Yards of the most beautiful detailed chiffon, this masterpiece of a dress enveloped her like a cloud of luxury and cemented her as a favourite of Fashion mogul Givenchy, also the designer of the magnificent gown.

Now before we go any further let’s take a minute to look back on our youth. Remember stumbling on some picture of your mum in the sixties, at some shindig laughing with pure abandon? think hard about what she was wearing.  An LBD? giant sunglasses? A colourful summer dress maybe? All these trends were inspired by Audrey’s most famous movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

As the opening credits in the movie roll by and the camera zooms in on Audrey Hepburn in her black evening dress, elbow gloves, giant dark glasses, pearls and diamond hairclip eating her morning bagel in front of Tiffany’s, women across the world felt a connection to her and since they couldn't capture her free spirit instead imitated her as well as they could in the choice of their clothes.

So the next time you’re running out the door to a cocktail party in your LBD or slipping on your huge white sunglasses as you lay on the beach, take a moment to think about the timeless beauty and grace of a true fashion icon, whose vision for glamour made these wardrobe choices a possibility for you. 

With that my beloved  fashies I must leave you now. Off to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the one hundredth billionth time! Remember if you’re looking for some glam inspiration, then look no further because Audrey’s your gal!

Keep it Fierce and fabulous dear ones. Until next time! Dooi (goodbye)!

Fashion etiquette for weddings

           What’s appropriate and what’s not.

Ta-dum-da-da! Ta-dum-da-da! Recognize that tune my lovelies? No? Well that glorious anthem is none other than the Bridal March by Richard Wagner popularly known today as ‘Here comes the Bride’.

Why this sudden insanity about brides? Well reminiscing on my own glorious wedding day, sighing with pleasure at the memory of its most exquisite details and shuddering at some unpleasant tid bits, I thought what better theme for our little tête-à-tête than Fashion etiquette at weddings!

So this week we’re going to talk about how to get you appropriately glammed for someone else’s special day.

Two colours you should absolutely not wear to a wedding? White and black.

No it’s not an old wives tale; White is an atrocious colour to wear to a wedding. Why you ask? Well that’s because it’s just for the bride!! So if you like the gal and even if you don’t, be a dear and stuff your bum into something, anything other than a pretty white dress.

What’s worse than wearing white? Wearing black! It’s a wedding not a funeral so if you know what’s good for you stay away from everything black except bags, shoes and accessories. Remember weddings are a happy occasion so put a smile on your face and a bright frock on your frame and you will look just about right to go to any wedding event.

So what can you wear?

Well while anything too tight or revealing is inappropriate, lovely flowing fabrics in bright colours are the ticket. Keep those happy thoughts in mind and pick out something printed, fresh and simple. Pair it with some killer accessories and you’re good to go!

Speaking of killing it…..

If you want to be killing it on the dance floor, ditch those traditional high heels for a comfy pair of flats. While sandals are too casual to wear to any special occasion, bright or metallic embellished ballet flats are a perfect way to stay comfortable and glamorous while you work it on the dance floor. Single men watch out!

If you’re reading this as a bride to be, trust me honey you will have at least one person wearing white hoping they won’t be noticed and secretly praying they will, at least a dozen ladies shamefully wearing black and an even greater number flashing their moneymakers or trying to get behind the bar with the bartender.

Whatever happens remember it is your special day and no matter what all eyes will be on you. So take a deep breath, let all the bad stuff go and enjoy your wedding like it’s the last party on Earth!

Single ladies, how bout exercising some of that girl power we like to talk about so much? Think about the bride before you go and do something crazy on her wedding day. Remember we all have the right to be fierce and fabulous especially on our special day!

Body Bedazzle!

How to dress your body shape

Another week’s  gone by and amidst endless amounts of vacuuming, laundry and pretending to work at the office I was at my wits end trying to decide on what glittering gem of wisdom to pass it on to you this morn.

Just as I was about to overdose on cheerios and the style channel, I stumbled on a book given to me during my fat days called The Body Shape Bible by style gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine.

This book helped me figure out how to dress and define my body and I’m going to use it to show you how to do the same!

Body shape no 1: the Apple

If you’re n apple shaped lady I’m sure you’ve been called cute and cuddly more than a number of times. If this is true and you’ve succumbed to dressing like a teddy bear then despair no more, A line bottoms and fitted jackets are your salvation.

What makes an Apple? Well that’s when you carry most of your weight around your midsection making you appear round. A serious confidence buster but trust me you can look just as fabulous as the next gal.

Enhance that dainty bosom with some push up bras and wide neck tops and mould the shape of your bottom half with some A line clothes and you’re sure to see a whole new side to dressing up!

Body shape no 2: the Hourglass

With a body that must women would kill for, you my hourglass beauties are the luckiest! With ample bosom, curvy hips/ bottom and slim legs, if you’re feeling fat and lumpy then you’re definitely wearing the wrong clothes!

Remember to shimmy into some form fitting attire and by form fitting I don’t mean two sizes too small! Be smart about it and pick items that cling to your sexy curves.

Low tops and figure hugging dresses are sure to make the boys gaga over you and you gaga over your new style! After all our girl Marilyn Monroe was an hourglass babe too!

Body shape no 3: the Pear

With a small upper half that ends in a ballooning lower half met in the middle by a tiny waist, the pear is one of the more feminine yet more difficult shapes to dress.

With slender arms and muscular back coupled with that itty bitty waist, you can sure as hell rock anything daring top wise.

Just make sure you keep the bottom part hidden away with some straight leg trousers and skirts and try to stay away from anything patterned or loudly embellished in that region.

Body shape no 4: the Rectangle

Are you that tall lanky girl who was called a boy in high school? Well put those silly insecurities aside because with those long limbs you can wear just about anything!

Short shorts or long flowy dresses, you can now don whatever your heart desires. Just be sure to wear it with your head held high. Remember with the right patterns and hues you can equal any model on the catwalk!

That’s all for this week fashy’s. Now run along to the mirror, figure out what body type you are and begin your transformation into a true fashionista! Will be counting on you to keep it fierce and fabulous until next time!

In this day and age- crimes of fashion are being committed relentlessly  F&F aims to reduce the rate and to help people everywhere to see the error of their ways and finally understand what Fashion really is all about! :)

Keep your eyes glued to this blog fashy's! more updates and ideas to come!