Malta Fashion Week 2015 - What's On & What To Wear

 By: Unknown    08:41  No comments

So it's that time of year again - when Malta devotes an entire week to celebrating and showcasing local fashion and some international fashion too. For those who don't really understand what Malta Fashion Week is, you can read this post I wrote a few weeks ago that elaborates a bit more on the whole affair. Then hop on back here to learn about the calender of events for 2015 and if you're a woman - what to wear to said events.

CALENDAR

If you're somehow connected to the event then it kicks off with a private launch party on the 8th May. This usually involves a bit too much celebration and somewhat of a hangover the next day.

9th May Day 1

The official open-to-the-public event kicks off the next day with two events. At Pjazza San Gorg in Valletta, a stunning open-air photography exhibition will be officially opened, exhibiting some stunning works by both local and international photographers.

Across the sea, in the evening at 20:00 at Pjazza Tigne a fashion show promoting the stores of The Point will take place 

What To Wear

- This show will be presenting many different high street brands with highly different collections so I think this will be a fun one to have a bit of 'fashion fun' and experiment a little.

10th May Day 2

On Day 2 it's all happening at MCC,  at 17:00 prospective brides and wedding aficionados are in for a treat as CF7, Farage, Bridal Creations' and Ivory & Co are all going to be dressing the fashion week models in one beautiful gown after another. This is a good opportunity for any bride-to-be to see a huge variety of different styles of gowns in one place. If you ae a bride-to-be try and get a feel for which style you think you might like to wear and what would suit you. It's also Mother's day so this might be a nice one to bring mummy along as a guest.

Later on, in the evening, one of my favourites of the lot - it's the New Designers Show - time to see what Malta's emerging, new talent has to offer.

What To Wear

This is rather a long day and my guess is a lot of you will be coming straight from Sunday lunch sooo I suggest something loose and comfy to hide any food babies. 

• I hate wearing white to weddings but this ain't a wedding so this white skater dress from ASOS would look perfectly pretty and it's only 26 euros plus all White is one of the major, major trends this Spring/Summer. 
• If white doesn't tickle your fancy Yellow is another mega-hot colour trend and this top with it's lovely gold collar is really, really pretty - wear with white / black trousers or even a midi skirt and something interesting on your feet.
• Another option is this lovely dress from LULU Boutique in Malta

11th May Day 3 

And on Day 3 it's a double bill at Ordanance Street by Ferragiu and Nilara. Ferragiu is a young brand that is offering high end, exclusive designs using luxury fabrics, her last collection was very interesting so ddefinitelyone to watch out for. Nilara is presently mainly known as a very popular shop in Malta selling mainly attire for evening parties / weddings, for this event a big heads up - she is launching her couture line at Fashion Week, I was lucky enough to see some preliminary sketches and they look fabulous. 

What To Wear

The mood and vibe of this event is likely to be a bit more formal, so I suggest something a bit smart, perhaps a smart jumpsuit and blazer or a dress and blazer, and I also suggest adding a very nice bag

• I love this blazer from FENDI, it's not cheap but something like this will last forever. 
• Much more affordable and still lovely is this black blazer from House of Fraser

12th May Day 4

And on Day 4 it's two shows once again. At the Malta Society of Arts Nadege Renee Cassar will present her high end, innovative jewelry designs. Right after, at the Malta Chamber of Commerce, it's a triple bill by Maltese designer Marco Parascandalo, Julia Boikova and Indian designer Sai Suman. Marco already has quite a following in Malta and a little birdie told me he's heading in a slightly different direction this time round sooooo I'm definitely curious. 

What To Wear

With a varied and interesting mix of designers, this one is a bit harder to get a feel on what the vibe will be like but my guess is that for this one it's time to pull out something a bit interesting and different - let's have some fashion. 

• This culottes jumpsuit is a great little piece and you can easily add a hat or a fur stole to give it a bit more edge. 
• These patched jeans from All Saints are also great.
• On the high-end side this leather jacket has stole and twisted my heart into little bits

13th May Day 5

Caroline Hili is up next at the Barakka Lift, Lascaris Wharf. Her collection last year was a very big hit so expectations are high for this one.

What To Wear

For some reason I'm finding this a bit difficult to decide, a lot of the guests will be dressed smartly but Caroline loves innovation. I'd say go for something that embraces femininity and expresses your individuality. 

• I love, love, love this dress from All Saints. 
• I'm also in love with these ultra-stylish trousers.

14th May Day 6

The highly imaginative Ritienne Zammit is showcasing at the stunning Grandmaster's Palace followed by a private event organised by luxury multi-brand store Sarto at an undisclosed location. 

What To Wear

This one depends on whether you're attending both shows or not. For Ritienne's show something eclectic and interesting would be perfectly suited but the Sarto events calls for something a bit luxurious, slightly more formal.

• It's a classical piece but I find this monochrome shift dress really, really interesting and it's just 12 gbp
• If you can afford it, this jumpsuit will make you feel like a million dollars

15th May Day 7

And on the last day of fashion week we play host to a select group of International Designers and there are designers flying in from London, Paris, Serbia, New York and Nigeria - bound to be a highly versatile and interesting show.

What To Wear

Again this has a very varied lineup but traditionally the crowd for this event tends to be quite smarty dressed so I'd say leave the jeans at home for this one. 

• If you're in the mood for something pretty I really like this dress from ASOS but hurry, some sizes are already sold out. 
• If you're in the mood for trousers these palazzo pants from River Island Malta are fabulasticcccccccc.

Right after fashion week on Saturday 16th the Malta Fashion Awards happens - all the designers from the week just passed present a small subset of their collections along with hair shows and of course award presentations.

HOW TO GET TICKETS?

Now for the important bit: 

• Tickets for the fashion week events are free but highly limited so get booking from here for any of the ones that tickles your fancy. 
• Tickets for the awards aren't free but there is currently an early bird offer and get this from right here.

That's it folks - if you're heading to any of the events give me a holler - let's grab a drink and take a selfie

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Outfit Post : Christmas Day

 By: Unknown    10:01  No comments

As I've discussed in the What To Wear on Christmas Day post, the Christmas Day outfit is never an easy one - what with lots of running around from family to family, to grandparents, to friends and just general movement from place to place plus some places might require more of a 'dressed up' look, others a more casual..it's a hard one to figure out. I had a number of different people to visit so something somewhat comfortable was a must, I decided to go for a monochrome look, somewhat classical yet still fun (at least fun for me) and comfortable..notice no heels in sight.

Outfit Details : Cardigan : Max&Co / Pussy Bow Shirt : MEXX / Bag : Coccinelle / Skirt : ASOS / Shoes : Nero Giardini at Stivaletti / Necklace : Chanel / Nails : Femme Beauty Attard / Hair : Toni&Guy Hilton

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What To Wear : Christmas Lunch & MEN

 By: Unknown    06:02  No comments

Christmas Lunch is a tough one for both men and women - it's Xmas so there has to be some sort of 'dressing up', however it's also the time for eating and enjoying family and this means there has to be a good measure of comfort. For some of us, the days tend to be long and involve switching from one event to another. I've already written about what women should wear - now it's time for MEN.

I'm not differentiating between outfits for those eating in and those eating out, as I said, since a lot of people hop to more than one event, chances are that they'll need an outfit good for both situations..

• Don't Wear a Rude/Religious Slogan T-Shirt

Christmas is a day for being at peace with others and spreading happiness, don't try to antagonise anyone.

• Don't Wear Jogging Trousers

Chances are that your family members will be dressed smartly on this day, don't be the only one wearing joggers and trainers. Opt for a pair of smart chino-style trousers instead.

• Don't Wear Tight Shirts

Christmas Day Lunch inevitably leads to a temporary expanding of the stomach...add that to an already tight shirt ..and we've got buttons popping all over the place.

• Patterns might be a good idea

A lot of men I know are very talented at spilling sauce and other liquids onto their clothes...a multicoloured pattern is better at disguising such incidents than a block colour outfit.

• Opt for a blazer

The great thing about a blazer is that it can be removed after it has served its purpose and made a great first impression.

And here's some outfit ideas I've put together - hope I've been useful...

From Top to Bottom

CHRISTOPHER RAEBURN Bi-colour quilted bomber jacket / PAUL SMITH PS Broken-stripe intarsia wool sweater  /  TOPMAN Premium Printed Longline Long Sleeve Smart Shirt  / FAR FETCH straight cut jeans / NEW LOOK Dark Brown Chelsea Boot / INCOTEX Slim-leg corduroy trousers

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What To Wear : Christmas Lunch & WOMEN

 By: Unknown    01:35  No comments

Christmas Lunch is a tough one for both men and women - it's Xmas so there has to be some sort of 'dressing up', however it's also the time for eating and enjoying family and this means there has to be a good measure of comfort. For some of us, the days tend to be long and involve switching from one event to another.

I'm not differentiating between outfits for those eating in and those eating out, as I said, since a lot of people hop to more than one event, chances are that they'll need an outfit good for both situations..

• Don't Wear any Tight Dresses

For one thing, it's really not the right occasion for such an outfit, for another, you will feel restricted especially if there are any kids in your family you might want to play with.

• Do Dress Up

Even if you're only staying in, christmas day is a chance to get a bit dolled up and look your best, you'll be happy when you see the photos.

• Don't Wear Cheesy Xmas Sweaters

Whilst I love Christmas Sweaters, I tend to reserve them for boxing day / secret santa girl parties at home or other casual xmas-related events.  If you really want to wear a Christmas Sweater on Xmas day - at least don't wear one that looks like it was bought in a dollar store and team it with something extra chic like a pretty, glitzy skirt or brocade trousers.

• Don't Put Cleavage On Show

This is not the day to promote boob 'ogling'

What To Wear

Below are a couple of things I picked out, in general terms, I like the idea of a long sleeved dress with black tights and ankle boots, a smart sweater worn over nice black woollen trousers or a very nice pair of jeans (in a dark wash). I also like the idea of wearing red but I also love monochrome and patterns.

I love ankle boots with thick heels - I think they're the best thing since sliced bread, they're sleek, they look polished and they're COMFORTABLE.

Nicole Fahri Cable Knit Jumper at House of Fraser / Nero Giardini boots at Stivaletti / Polo Ralph Lauren Patterned Cardigan at House of Fraser / Patterned Dress at ASOS/ Monochrome Jumper at MAX&Co. / Leather Bag at Coccinelle / Red Wrapover Dress at ASOS

P.S. You might want to check out - What to Wear to Xmas Staff Parties

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What To Wear : Xmas Staff Parties - Day-to-Night - Women

 By: Unknown    01:00  No comments

It's the festive season - which means lots of parties , lots of events , and lots of clothes necessary. One of the hardest parties to dress for is the Staff Party - there are so many hurdles to overcome in terms of looking smart but classy, not revealing too much skin, not seeming boring - it gets further complicated at those staff parties that are day-to-night events.

I'll be tackling all kinds of Xmas parties but starting with day-to-night staff parties for women - a couple of dos and don'ts

Dos

Wear something smart and classically styled - black dress can easily take you from day- to night - wear it with a cardi for the morning part and then switch to a fur coat in the evening.

Go for understated jewellery - don't let it become a focus point

Go for toned down makeup - since this is a morning event minimal makeup will look better - keep a lippie on hand and update for the evening part though.

Dont's

Wear a micro mini skirt
You don't want to send out the message that you're looking to pull a colleague

Show off Too Much Cleavage
Same as previous :)

Wear Extremely High Heels
Don't be the tallest person at the party and do wear shoes you can spend a day in.

Show up in the morning wearing a body con dress. There might be activities to participate in - ensure you're at least somewhat comfortable.

Wear anything resembling kids clothes - you don't behave like a kid at the office - don't resemble one at the Christmas Party

I've put together a few dress that I think are great ideas for this event and a lovely faux fur jacket that you can smother yourself in at the end of the night.

MAX&Co. Dress / Nero Giardini Ankle Boots / Ginger Soul Patterned Dress / Mod Cloth Black Coat  / MARC BY MARC JACOBS Earrings / Coccinelle Shoulder Bag /Armani Jeans Flare Dress

Don't forget to enter my EYBROW EXTENSIONS COMPETITION

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Random Post : Knowing Your BRA SIZE

 By: Unknown    01:00  No comments

At some point in my life, probably somewhere in my late teens, I read somewhere that a large percentage of women wear the wrong bra size..I wanted to make sure I wasn't one of them so of course I researched the topic and found out how to figure it out. For some reason, I assumed all other girls/women must have done the same. However, I recently found out that actually here are a lot of women out there who aren't aware that there's somewhat of an equation to know your bra size which is a shame as this is very important knowledge for a woman and can make a wealth of a difference both to comfort and posture. Bad posture as a result of a bad bra can lead to back and neck problems etc etc and yes the wrong bra size could result in sagging boobs.

So how does this 'equation' work ? It's quite simple....first of all remove your bra and all clothes and grab a measuring tape, when taking any body measurements, take care to hold the taps parallel to the ground and measure in inches.

1. First Measurement is to get the band measurement i.e the 32 /34 /36 /38Measure the area just under your bust, hold the tape somewhat snugly and exhale. Round to the nearest number. If the number is even, this is almost definitely your correct size, If it’s odd, you will need to try on the number before and the number after to see which fits best. Your band size is the sum of this calculation.
2. Second Measurement is to get the cup measurement i.e the A / B /C /D /E...Measure your fullest pat of your bust and again round to the nearest whole number.
3. To determine the cup size, subtract the first band measurement from the second cup measurement.

Less than 1 inch size is generally an AA.

Approx.  1 inch = A

Approx.  2 inches = B

Approx.  3 inches = C

Approx.  4 inches = D

Approx.  5 inches = DD

Approx.  6 inches = E

Approx.  7 inches = F 

Approx.  8 inches = FF

Approx.  9 inches = G 

Approx.  10 inches = GG

Congrats you have obtained your guideline bra measurement. Now this doesn't mean you can avoid trying on a bra...this measurement should only be seen as a starting point but the next step is to get yourself down to a lingerie shop and experiment with a few sizes. 

ALWAYS try on a bra before buying 

This is how to wear a bra correctly:

• Alter the shoulder straps accordingly so that they fit over your shoulders. 
• Fasten the bra on the first i.e. largest fastening - bra straps loosen so when buying you should always start off with the largest fastening and work your way over time to the smallest . You should be able to slide only one finger underneath the band.
• Check that the shoulder straps are at the right length, they should not slide off and neither dig into your flesh. 
• The back of the bra should be level with the front.
• Position your beasts by lifting them towards the middle of each cup.

NOTES

• Your breasts should sit midway between your shoulders and elbows. 
• If you feel the band is not tight enough, try on a smaller band but with a larger cup size and vice versa. For example, if a 34B is too big for you, move to a 32C. 
• If a bra feels too small it might be either because of the band or because of the cups so experiment with different sizes in both areas.

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What To Wear : How to Wear : Shopping and Wearing Catwalk Designer Pieces

 By: Unknown    02:15  No comments

Malta Fashion Week has come and gone and whilst we sit down lamenting the fact that there isn't a nightly fashion show to attend, an outfit to plan or a post to hurry up and write, we must not forget the fact that that we are left with something great - brilliant new collections by many talented local designers.

A lot of Maltese people don’t quite know how to shop from a local designer, some don’t understand how to go about it and others don’t understand how to wear the pieces. Truth be told, shopping off a catwalk is a very new concept to Malta and like with everything else there is a time period in which people need to be weaned into a new idea.

It is important to understand that there are different designers – some designers design pure ready-to-wear collections, this means you can simply take an outfit and wear it exactly as it was worn on the catwalk, these pieces are highly wearable and usually not overly outrageous. Caroline Hili, Charles and Ron, Mosca, CF7, Danijela Bozic (International Designer), Marco Parascandalo are all designers that exhibited at this year’s fashion week that showcased many pieces that fell in this category (although some of them did have a couple of more outrageous designs). These designers are very important to our fashion industry and they present us with more choices to shop from other than simply always buying mass market brands.

Then there were other designers (Rosemarie Abela, Ritienne Zammit, Judy Clark (International Designer) ) that designed more outrageous designs, designed to be regarded as inspirational fashion ideas, as highly artistic pieces designed to evoke the senses if you wish – there are very few people who would wear such head-to-toe looks (internationally, Anna Dello Russo and Rihanna are probably the most renowned for this) and very few occasions were even such people who enjoy getting in character for a night and wearing something outrageous, will actually do it. In Malta, fashion week is probably one of the only occasions were one can really give up all the rules for a night and enjoy wearing fashion as art.  

In the top picture, in the leftmost pic (both fashion week outfits), I wore just one piece from the Charles and Ron Summer 2014 collection whilst in the second picture I decided to go all out and wear Ritenne Zammit head-to-toe. Had a lot of fun wearing both and I really enjoy supporting and wearing local designers to local fashion-related events but such a head-to-toe look is only appropriate for something like fashion week and even then might not appeal to more conservative tastes.

Anna Dello Russo - head-to-toe Prada

Rita Ora in Alexandre Vauthier and Rihanna in Lanvin

 Anna Dello Russo in Fausto Puglisi

Does this mean these more outrageous pieces are not sellable? Noooo, it simply means you have to stop looking at the look head-to-toe and instead take the time to regard each element in the outfit as a separate piece, start thinking about how you could style these individual pieces with basic elements already in your wardrobe. For example - a knitwear dress from Rosemarie Abela’s collection does not have to be worn over a huge wide skirt and paired with an artistic hat – it can simply be paired with leather trousers / black jeans, a leather jacket and plain shoes. The important thing is not to be scared to try something new, as much as I think high street brands are great and give us common folk a chance to wear latest trends at affordable prices, I also think that sometimes they inhibit our creativity and limit our appreciation for more unconventional designs.

As a side note and parting thought, I really fell in love with Judy R Clark (International Designer)’s collection especially her frock coats with pheasant feathers – I asked her if she had ever actually sold a coat with feathers and the answer was yes, apparently she has and the person buying wasn't buying it to model in a photo shoot or a costume party but to a gala party – so just goes to show, fashion is all about expressing yourself and having fun.

To go about buying any catwalk pieces you might wish to own, the best thing is to contact the designer, either through email/phone/facebook (let me know if you need any contact details) – don’t be scared to ask prices, and don’t be scared to explain that something isn't affordable or you don’t like it quite as much upon close inspection – everyone understands that people have different tastes and budgets.

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What to Wear Post : To Malta Fashion Week and Other Fashion Shows (May/EVENING/MEN)

 By: Unknown    07:17  No comments

As mentioned in my previous posts in anticipation of Malta Fashion Week, I have dedicated some posts to offering some style advice on ideas what to wear to Fashion Shows in Malta, in particular Malta Fashion Week.

Today's post is dedicated to men and EVENING fashion shows - what should a man wear to such an event ? 

In each of the previous posts, I harped on a bit about finding a way to make an outfit a bit unique and I still believe that, whilst I appreciate that some men might simply want to blend into the crowd, I know there are a lot of you just itching to up the style takes. Recently, at various events I've attended I've been really pleased to see Maltese men go all out in their outfits so I'm quite excited to see what I spot at fashion week.

I think there are going to be three different 'categories of men' attending these events:

• Those that got dragged by their partner
• Those that are working (photographers/journalists/sponsors etc)
• Those that love fashion.

To those men in the first category - I appreciate you really don't want to be here, let alone get noticed, so my advice to you is to stick to something simple..don't wear baggy jeans and a t-shirt or you will definitely get noticed, same with black tie or anything overly formal. If you want to wear jeans, no problem, but pair them with a smart blazer and a shirt/interesting t-shirt; it's also fine to wear a suit with no tie if that makes you feel more comfortable and less inconspicuous but no ten-year old 3-button jacket suits please. A nice shirt and a simple, smart, pair of trousers will also do the trick. Just make sure everything fits right, is ironed and is not stained.

Second category men - I expect a bit more from you guys, especially the photographers who after all are there to shoot fashion. I do appreciate that the photographers must be comfortable and able to move freely so not expecting to see anything overly stiff and I doubt any of you will be wearing blazers.  A patterned shit...maybe a loose-material-knit-tie or a coloured belt ..maybe even a casual bow-tie - these are all great ways to jazz up an outfit that don't realyl add discomfort. If you wear jeans, avoid overly baggy styles, go for something that fits well and is hemmed correctly or rolled up for skinnier styles. One last piece of advice for photographers - IF YOU PLAN ON SITTING ON THE FLOOR DON'T WEAR WHITE/CREAM.

Sponsors and journalists - you guys have no comfort excuses so you should look like you at least made a little bit of an effort.  Patterned/coloured footwear is again an interesting choice, bow-ties and pocket squares always look great paired with a shirt and blazer and clashing patterns are always lovely.

The third category - I get the feeling you guys need no advice. I find that most men that love fashion are excellent at making it work for them in a way that is unique to them, they know when to break the rules and when to follow them. If any of you guys really need ideas, here goes - blazers with shorts, patterned blazers with clashing patterned shirts, matching or mismatched pocket squares and bow ties, caps of all sorts, coloured brogues or loafers, bright summer scarves and last but not least coloured belts that do NOT match the shoes - all of these are style elements that I would love to spot one of you wearing at fashion week.

And for more inspiration check out these pics that I scoured foreign fashion weeks for

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What to Wear Post : To Malta Fashion Week and Other Fashion Shows (May/EVENING/Women)

 By: Unknown    10:02  No comments

I still remember attending my first fashion show at the first Malta Fashion Week (2011)...back then, I wasn't really involved in the scene as much, I had only been working as a fashion stylist for about a year and my blog was still in its infancy stages. I agonised over what to wear to the events, wanted each outfit to be perfect but was really confused as to what other people would wear..Malta has always had its own fashion rules so I wasn't too sure that looking at street style pics of foreign fashion weeks would help. In the end, I settled over an outfit and had a marvellous time. I also realised, that there really was no dress code and people wore a variety of different things ..and most of them looked good..so maybe I should have worried a little less. However, I know that telling someone not to worry and wear what they want is a bit useless as women especially, fret over these things so instead ..I'm offering some advice..for what it's worth :)

Today's post is dedicated to women and EVENING fashion shows - what should one wear to such an event ? 

As previously mentioned, the first thing I start with is WHO the fashion show is exhibiting & WHERE - Malta Fashion Week's first evening event is the NEW DESIGNERS on the 24th May. Since this is a designers' show, if you happen to own a piece by any of these designers then I suggest you wear it as this is a really nice tribute to them. Next  thing to consider is the WEATHER, end-of-May-evening is likely to be a little bit chilly so we can easily wear blazers / long sleeves / shawls / capes.

At a fashion show, I find one either wants to blend in or stick out...I prefer the latter option as I see it the right time to experiment with fashion and try out something new, I find a lot of people are scared of getting it wrong which is why they go for the former option. It is worth pointing out that we are not celebrities getting ready to go on the the Academy Awards Red Carpet. There are no fashion police, no journalists snapping away ready to comment on our outfits. Sure there will be some people who will pass judgement and might remark to their friends but chances are you'd never hear these remarks good or bad and anyway people will pass judgement whatever the case. Fashion is an art and whilst there are some basic body-type rules ...all art is subjective at the end of the day.

To cut a long ramble short, DON'T BE SCARED and have fun. Now for some ideas - I keep saying to start with something basic and add interesting things and the same idea can be applied here as well. For example, a white shirt and black trousers / black skirt is the most basic of outfits and since these shows are in Valletta, if you work there, this might be a good way to do a day-to-night outfit change. Adding interest to a white shirt and black trousers/skirt outfit is really easy, a bright coloured blazer & chunky necklace is one option, swapping plain black heels (if that's what you were wearing at the office) for bright heels or ankle boots will also change the vibe from formal to edgy. Swap a plain black bag for a little jewelled clutch and layer on some bracelets.

Dresses will always be popular at evening fashion shows but I suggest trying to go for something more interesting than just a dress and pair of heels, this year an interesting way to wear a dress is with sneakers (major, major trend) but I have a feeling I won't see much of this style :) brogues might be easier to digest and are also brilliant. An interesting pair of patterned, sheer tights is also fun ...sweaters have made a comeback (wear them with a skirt or patterned trousers and possibly even under a blazer). Another element is to think of using headwear - hairbands, headpieces, turbans, all these increase the style factor of an outfit.

Now for some general rules&tips : wrinkled clothes major no...dresses/trousers needing to be hemmed major no....too tight anything major no.....wear makeup, you'll probably have your photo taken at some point and you don't want to looklike a ghost...arrange your hair, even if just to pull it back....no leggings unless under tunics/long tops, i.e no leggings instead of trousers...no chipped nailpolish (hands/feet).

With all this wisdom in our minds ....See you at Malta Fashion Week #mfwa2014

P.S Don't forget to enter my competition to win two tickets to the MALTA FASHION AWARDS

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What to Wear Post : To Malta Fashion Week and Other Fashion Shows (May/Daylight/MEN)

 By: Unknown    05:02  1 comment

As mentioned in my previous post I have started a new series of posts on what to wear to fashion shows, these posts will be delving into different months of year and different times of day and BOTH MALE AND FEMALE outfits.Today's post is dedicated to MEN and daylight time - what should one wear to such an event ? 

To recap what was said in the female version of this post, the first thing I like to consider, is designers and location, Malta Fashion Week kicks off with a morning show exhibiting two local designers CF7 and Ritienne Zammit. The day is likely to be very hot and sunny and as I always say..sweat is very unattractive so no warm jackets / blazers / anything too warm and although I hate laying down rules since this is probably going to be a daytime event on a sunny day, please do not even think about wearing a black suit.

My wisdom and advice to you on this occasion is to try and come up with an outfit that has something a bit unique, an outfit that signifies a sense of personal style. If you're new to this, the trick is to start with a basic outfit that you feel comfortable in ..e.g. denim jeans (well-fitting ones please) and possibly a patterned shirt / bright polo-shirt or simply a logo/graphical-print t-shirt and then start adding and altering. Different layers add interest to an outfit so you can for e.g. add a denim waistcoat / add a summer scarf / roll up the sleeves of the shirt / add a cool material belt / layer a shirt over the t-shirt / a cool pair of shoes....and much much more. For those intending to brave the heat and wear a blazer, choose one made of a lightweight material such as cotton or linen and remember blazers and shorts look awesome together.

Re footwear, this is the time of year to ensure you have shoes that fit the occasion, sneakers are all the rage at the moment..so a funky pair of Nikes or Vans-slip-ons will look cool and stylish as will a pair of interesting espadrilles but this might also be the time of year to invest in a lovely pair of coloured, leather brogues esp if you've perhaps left your younger years behind you. 

I've roamed the internet for some examples of well dressed men and here's a few

And since I've just attended the Sarto Garden Party..one of my fave dressed men was Peter Carbonaro.....I thought I'd show you his outfit.

If you need ideas as to where to shop from I'd suggest the following local shops : Bortex (Gagliardi) / Armani Jeans / Tommy Hilfiger / Aldo Shoes / Zara Man / Topman / Mexx / Massimo Dutti

and some online ideas ...click on the product to go to the retailer

Check out the female targeted version of this post right here

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Trends Post : How to Wear a Little Black Dress in Spring/Summer

 By: Unknown    23:15  No comments

For many women the Little Black Dress(LBD) is that goto item in their wardrobe that calms their fashion fears and keeps them safe in the knowledge that they will always have something to wear. You can wear it time and time again, switch a scarf or accessory and it will look different. However, when spring/summer and the warm weather hits, many people panic thinking that that LBD must now be banished to the back of their wardrobe and not seen again until the cold weather spell hits again..and in the meantime fashion crisis hits.

Then of course there's another subset of womenfolk, the ones that do not only wear black dresses as a fail-safe option but think there is nothing classier than a black dress, nothing nicer and as a result wish to wear little black dresses to every formal occasion all year round. 

One of the questions I get asked most is Can I wear a black dress in the morning? followed closely by Can I wear a black dress in Summer? My answers - 1) Depends on the occasion - 2) Yes. 

Black dresses in summer are not as many state a big fashion faux pas..it all depends on how they're worn, the trick is to inject some colour somewhere. A black dress is always classy and one thing to keep in mind that even were sleeveless/strapless dresses are concerned, there is such a thing as summer and winter dresses. A winter dress is made of thicker fabric, whilst a summer dress is usually made of lightweight material and feels and looks fresher and less stiff. So don't wear winter black dresses in summer. 

For evening dos, simply team your black dress with something bright and colourful - pair of coloured shoes (even bright gold can work), a coloured necklace, a coloured bag...If your hair is dark in colour, then maybe put it up (so as to avoid having too many dark colours near each other) and add a paid of coloured earrings. You can also add a bright coloured, patterned shawl ...even simply wearing a bright lipstick will make a difference. There's also the possibility ob buying a dress that already has some colour like the one in the pic above.

Regarding black dresses in the morning, this gets a bit trickier...morning formal occasions such as holy communions, christenings, weddings are somewhat bright and cheery occasions and a black outfit might appear a bit too sombre and dark at such an occasion. Injecting A LOT of colour will help, having one coloured accessory is probably not enough here, I would suggest wearing bright shoes AND a bright bag (different colours for more fun appeal) and maybe even a bright necklace...and what about a bright elegant belt ? It might be too warm for a shawl but if you find a lightweight chiffon one..this will also look very nice.

With all this in mind check out some lovely black dresses I spotted at Armani Jeans at The Point.

This post is a collaborative post between Caroline's Fashion Styling and ARMANI JEANS Malta, ALL content represents my opinions and styling ideas. 

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What to Wear Post : To Malta Fashion Week and Other Fashion Shows (May/Daylight/Women)

 By: Unknown    09:58  No comments

It used to be the case that what people hassled about most was what to wear to weddings...morning weddings in particular, whilst a lot of women still hassle about this, there's a new kid on the block competing and that's the fashion show. What with there being an influx of them this month, I think it's time to pay this kid some attention. 

So first of all, this is going to be a series of posts not just a one-time thing...and we're going to examine different months and different times of day and BOTH MALE AND FEMALE.

Today's post is dedicated to women and daylight time - what should one wear to such an event ? 

The first thing I like to consider, is what the fashion show is exhibiting and where the location is - for example....Malta Fashion Week kicks off with a morning show exhibiting local designers in the main streets of Valletta. Since this is a designer's show, if you happen to own a piece by any of these designers then I suggest you wear it as this is a really nice tribute to them. If not, then lets examine the situation - end of May is likely to be hot and sunny during the day so lets leave the jackets at home...daytime in Valletta is not a formal event so lets leave the cocktail dresses and suits at home - which leaves us ...well....completely open actually. 

Now the trick is to go for something a bit 'different'. Start with something basic that you feel comfortable in ..e.g. a white dress, a denim dress, a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt and then start adding. Think about having lots of layers so try adding a waistcoat or a cropped jacket, add a chunky necklace or two AND a scarf, put your hair in some cool up do and add a pair of statement earrings, a bold coloured lipstick or an interesting hairband. Then start thinking about the shoes. I've read that shoes are the one thing that people look at most at fashion shows and that makes sense since your eyes tend to get drawn towards the floor. So this is the time to invest in some statement brogues / patterned wedges / really cool wedge sneakers...whatever rocks your boat. Don't be afraid to experiment ...a pretty dress and bright gold wedge sneakers will look amazing at such an event. 

One last piece of advice - since we're talking about May in the morning I would suggest not wearing head-to-toe black and going for some colour and maybe some bright and interesting patterns. Remember this is a fashion show not a wedding, so don't stick to stupid rules like no long dresses or matching shoes and bags. Oh and very last thing don't neglect the bag...bags say a lot about a woman and an ugly bag can subtract some serious points from the overall feel of an outfit.

I created this layout with a couple of things I see appropriate so you get the gist :) Much much more to follow (the photo is clickable and takes you to the store).

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