Meet Viktor & Rolf

Viktor & Rolf – Runway Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2011

Meet Viktor & Rolf.

Viktor & Rolf are masters of monumental style!

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe 

Be inspired by Viktor & Rolf.

Viktor & Rolf took the most basic, singular inspiration: a  man’s white shirt and turn it into a spectacular collection of gargantuan gowns…

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe 

tremendous tunics…

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe 

sophisticated shirtdresses…

Photo by style.com 

feminine minis and so much more.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe 

But with those extreme silhouettes came pared down elegance that also enticed. Some pieces were quite wearable, subdued and even ‘real-life’ life women friendly.
It was in those pieces that I found the pièce de résistance pour moi.

Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images Europe 

I noted it was simple in design, classic and feminine but with a twist of avant-garde style.

Photo by style.com 

I loved the look of the asymmetrical, pinstripe tunic belted effortlessly at the waist! I knew the slim black pants and simple bustier top layered underneath the tunic would flatter my pear shape silhouette perfectly.
And the shoes, I just adored them too!

I was inspired.

Looking at these pictures opened my eyes to new possibilities of what to wear.

And what about you?

What would you choose from Viktor & Rolf, masters of monumental style? What pictures opened your eyes to new possibilities of what to wear?

What inspired you?

Let’s chit chat…

PS This post was written to encourage ‘real-life’ women to be open to new ideas, look at styles outside their ‘normal’ style box and be inspired.
When it comes to fashion, expand your mind. Look at pictures, yes even ones from Paris Fashion Week. Look at them even if you don’t ever see yourself actually wearing them!
Take it all in.
Note what styles or details you are drawn to. Then use them to be inspired, refine your look and refresh your style.
This is how you dress your best!
<3

Should I update my wardrobe with a new piece from Rachel Roy? Her Entire Rachel Rachel Roy Collection is 30% off at the Bay!

So what do you think? Should I update my spring/summer wardrobe with a new piece from Rachel Roy? This could be a great opportunity to get a new fashion savvy piece for an incredible fashion savvy price! And we all know how much us ‘real-life’ woman love that!

Who is Rachel Roy you ask?

Rachel Roy is a new contemporary designer at the Bay. http://www.thebay.com/Women/rachelrachelroy.aspx

Her fashion forward Rachel Rachel Roy collection captures a fresh and ‘youthful’ look by mixing elements of downtown cool with uptown chic – all at affordable price points. Yes, some styles in her collection are geared to younger women but there are many suitable for the modern, ‘real-life’ women 35+.  And remember ladies, in order to dress your best you always want to keep your look modern!

So let’s take a look and see…see what I’ve found, and let’s have some fun with it!

I’ve taken pictures of me, who is most definitely a ‘real-life’ woman 35+ wearing three of her pieces. We’ll compare my pictures to pictures of models wearing the same pieces on the Rachel Roy web site.  http://www.rachelroy.com/Editor%27s-Picks/110028001,default,sc.html

Now I want you to use the ‘tips and tools’ that I’ve taught you on how to dress your best. I want you to choose the top that you think will help me look and dress my best!

Remember, my body shape is The Pear. I am bigger on the bottom than I am on the top. My goal is to choose a top that flatters my body shape, fits me, embraces my feminine side and reflects my personal style. Oh, and don’t forget my budget…it is $100. In order for me to ‘shop smart’ I always want to stay within my financial comfort zone and stick to my budget.

So here are my three choices….

Should I update my leggings with the Short Sleeve Fringe Top (Reg $119 – Sale $83.30)?

Model Look : Rachel Roy model                          ‘Real-Life’ Look: Janeen Joyce

Should I update my leggings and skinny jeans with the Lightening Bolt Intarsia Uneven Hem Tank (Reg $99 – Sale $69.30)?

Model Look: Rachel Roy model                  ‘Real-Life’ Look: Janeen Joyce

Should I update my soft pants and jeans with the Striped Raglan Cardi (Reg $89 – Sale $62.30)?

Model Look: Rachel Roy model                ‘Real-Life’ Look: Janeen Joyce

So what do think? Which top piece should I choose?

Oh, and there is one other thing you should consider; something I like to teach my clients when purchasing clothes. It’s important to always…

Look for pieces that bring value to your wardrobe. What does that mean?

When you’re looking for a piece to update your wardrobe and you find more than one that you like, then look at all of them and ask, “Which piece will give me the most value?” Asking this question will help you make the right choice.

• Value is not just about the ‘cost’ of a piece but about how ‘useful’ it is to you; how often you can wear it and how many ways you can wear it.
• Another way to say this would be cost-per-wear.
• A $100 top that you wear one way (i.e. only with leggings) and only in one season will have a cpw of $20. Where as a $100 top that you wear many ways (i.e. with pants, skirts and dresses), in two seasons will have a cpw of $2! Big difference…
• So look for pieces that have great value; their cpw is very low because you are able to get multiple uses out of them.

The Stripe Raglan Cardi would be a good example of a piece that has great value. I certainly can get multiple uses out of it. Here are just a few:

So now I ask you, what do you think? Should I update my wardrobe with a new piece from Rachel Roy? And if so, then which piece? Which piece do you think helps me look and dress my best?

It would be great to hear from you!

Let’s chit chat…

PS The sale ends soon…Thursday Apr 29th. The Rachel Rachel Roy collection is only found at select Bay stores: Queen St., Bloor St., Yorkdale and Sherway.