A Postscript to the Fashion Revolution Week

I don't usually write about sustainable fashion in my blog as I have my newsletter 'sustainably chic' dedicated to subjects as such but as a tribute to the Fashion Revolution Week (www.fashionrevolution.org), which doesn't really end as long as you believe in the vision of the global movement and participate in taking actions by starting to ask your brand / retailer the one basic question: Who made my clothes? (alongside with Where is it from?)

Among the tragedies and catastrophes which are happening every other second, the Tazreen fire and the Rana Plaza disaster were nothing short of catching the attention of conscious consumers who love fashion. Fast fashion has put profit and convenience over ethics and humanity. Brands and factory owners seem to be nonchalant about the safety and well being of the garment workers who certainly deserve every right to a fair wage, decent working condition and minimal dignity.


I am pleased to see that pressure on global fashion brands to become more transparent is working when they are asked to publicly acknowledge the people behind the scene who make our clothes, and you may see the latest report on the Fashion Revolution website. I urge our fashion consumers to look at fashion in a different way and to be part of the change of this culture of excess and buy only as needed and have meaning, things that are available and affordable and doesn't come at the cost of people or our planet.


Thanks to the instigation of Fashion Revolution, the latest global movement which raise awareness about the conditions in which our clothes are produced and that we are buying in huge quantities, only to be discarded as trash within weeks. It is our duties to put a stop to the social and environmental catastrophes in our fashion supply chains. Fashion is now produced as trends, rolling blocks of as little as 3 week lead times. The fashion giants and business magnate benefit from the fast fashion industry while we, as consumers, have to do well to keep up with the joness, both financially and physically, without considerin the workers who participate in the manufacturing process and the amount of pollution ensued as a result. 


Would I stop buying clothes? No but only when I absolutely need to and definitely not at the expense of the human and environmental sacrifices associated with it. I don't follow the pace fashion giants dictate and I am taking the slow and steady route, appreciating the skills, the time and efforts people have contributed in the process from sourcing to final production.


Here are some of my personal epiphanies from participating in the many workshops, film screenings and panel discussions on the subject of sustainable fashion:

• always go for clothes made out of organic cotton, silk and recycled fabric

• high fashion = sustainable fashion

• make sure the clothes that I buy don't come at the cost of people or the planet

• consider the cost per wear and make your investment work hard by wearing them again and again

• think of the current status of the landfill before buying / dumping

• buy less and buy better (if at all)

• take a stand against disposable fashion, impulse buys and fast fashion fixes

• rather than buying anything new, fall back in love with the things I already own

• look after your clothes to extend their lease of life

"Buy less, choose well, make it last." ~ Vivienne Westwood

'Je ne sais pas' (Part 2)

Welcome back to Part Two. So more on the effortless style of the stylish french women who seem to be renowned for their abilities to make the smallest / plainest details look amazing and for getting more out of their capsule wardrobe with less. 

As an advocate of sustainable fashion, I don't encourage my clients buying fast fashion (or buying more for that matter). I tend to look out for investment buys albeit a little bit more expensive and accessorising is a big part of the game. A piece of jewellery, a scarf, a hat, a bag and beautiful shoes can literally transform an outfit which otherwise look bland. 

I am pretty sedentary and being sportive is probably inappropriate for my style but Parisian women tend to look great in sportswear, when mixed with scarves to add colour to a basic top / dress, fill in the neckline of a classic trench, or simply for the casual denim weekend look. 

For a 'je ne sais quoi' look, don't worry about getting everything 'perfect' or overdone. Just add some subtle touches to the classic looks, buy and wear accessories in multiple ways for different effects. Instead of buying 10 bags from a chain store (especially if they are on sales), have just one or two classic and timeless ones which go with just about everything you own. 

Standing out doesn't mean wearing loads of different colours like a clown. As long as you have identified your neutral colours, just add a splash of accent with your accessories would do the trick. Do you know of a french woman who hasn't had a scarf of some kinds? How about sunglasses and belts that make a bold statement without being overly trendy?

I am a big spender on accessories myself as I believe they work hard to represent me and not the trend. I don't care what the 'must-buy' items are in magazines or on mannequins if they don't represent who I am and what I like. 

Here are some suggestions you might like to try out for yourself:

• swap your beanie for a beret
• swap a glittering dress for a plain LBD with a statement necklace
• swap a mini for leg lengthening trousers
• swap a sexy low cut party dress for a white blouse and get a balayage
• swap a high / low light for your natural hair colour (or simply grow grey!)
• swap your bomber jacket for a single breasted trench or a blazer with waist shaping
• swap your full make-up for a light, natural looking one
• swap quantity for quality

And last but not the least, make sure you have the following basic items in your closet:

• a blazer (jacket) which is versatile enough for multiple looks
• a trench coat
• v-neck sweater of high quality
• jersey tops
• jeans in a darker shade
• a simple LBD (not necessarily black but a neutral colour for your skin tone)

Are you having fun emulating the french way of dressing?

Je ne sais quoi! (Part 1)

You might have come across the phrase 'Je ne sais quoi' million times over but do you really know what it means? Yes, it is french and is literally translated as 'I don't know what'. It is a description of a french style which is elusive, charming, natural and imperfect; an antithesis to what the Americans (and the Brits) aspire to in terms of fashion. It is the freedom (think of Coco Chanel who started the striped tops / wide leg culottes for comfort), the honesty, the realness that are being expressed in their styles. I am not french but I do appreciate the mindset of the typical savvy french women, who don't follow the trend / rules but shop with style discretion, who know what they want, who are educated and who know how to dress as an art. Above all, they have the confidence that keeps their styles grounded and desirable, unafraid of getting caught off guard in photos. 

As a Personal Stylist, reading up on the trends and predictions is part of my job but I don't follow (seasonal) trends or try copying a celebrity's style. I suppose it is pretty self explanatory that I am never a follower and never will be. To be quite frank, I don't see how following others could give me a sense of belonging and I'd rather be my authentic self and prefer to develop my own unique style, even if that takes more effort to think independently and critically. Not an easy converter, I don't like to be confined to a particular style, but to celebrate my attributes (both good and bad) and intelligence instead. 

An attractive woman is someone who exudes alluring qualities and age has absolutely nothing to do with it. I don't really care what others think when it comes to my way of dressing and maybe that's one of the reasons why I seem to be so confident in the way I carry myself. Now that I am almost 50, I don't rely solely on my appearance for confidence as I did in my 20's but embracing the wisdom and personal power gained and accumulated over the decades.

Based in Hong Kong with such a heavy American influence in all facets of life, it is not easy to find inspiration in terms of french fashion but resources are aplenty if you care to look. I have a couple of books by Ines de la Fressange which I highly recommend. A session of window shopping at Uniqlo could point you in the right direction as the two have been working in collaboration for years, bringing to Hong Kong a piece of modern parisienne way of living. 

So how do you dress like a Parisian? Here are some tips to get you started.

• a plain white shirt + any seasonal trend elements
• a knit top + statement accessories
• a LBD that shows off your assets and follows your body shape
• pair something budget / basic with something more upmarket (to dress up / down)
• mix and match using what you already have in your wardrobe
• Follow the mantra:  

1. Don't try too hard.
2. Don't follow the trend.
3. Show off your assets.

Watch out for the next blog for more style tips to be Parisian Chic!

Fashion stylist vs Personal stylist

I have been asked a gazillion times over what exactly I do as a Personal Stylist; and whether I work for celebrities and the likes. Hence I wish to clarify once and for all and tell the difference between a Fashion Stylist and a Personal Stylist, in the hope of a better understanding of the roles played by respective parties.

A Fashion Stylist is someone who works with models, celebrities, bigwigs, fashion designers, photographers, creative directors and editors in the 'glamorous' fashion world. She is responsible for creating style plans for high-profile clients and for filming, who knows how to draw and illustrate her concepts to the team members with whom meetings are held frequently and at a spur of the moment. If you work for a celebrity, you are adjusting your time to his / her schedule. 

By choosing to become a certified Personal Stylist, I have a much 'easier' life than the former. First off, my clients work with my schedule which means I have absolute control of my time and whereabouts. I get to reach out and meet more 'regular' people (women in my case) which are the majority of the populations after all. With personal shopping as part of my services, I get to source and turn my office into a swanky boutique where I sell the unique pieces which I bought with my clients in mind. I also get to be an entrepreneur too as I build my image consultancy business from scratch, learning and failing along the way. 

I am not interested in high fashion or celebrity styling but to help women developing their personal style and looking great. I am more interested in colour combination, and the psychology of it, revamping wardrobes for women who have too much but nothing to wear, and holding their hands during our shopping appointments when my clients only buy what they need and what suit them. It is about saving time and money in the long term when you no longer spend on clothing which ends up hanging in the closet and long forgotten. Above all, I get the best satisfaction when my clients learn their best colours, their style personalities and hopefully be more interested in sustainable fashion as opposed to fast fashion. 

So which one of the two careers would you choose?

shopping faux pas

In retrospect, I came to realise the culprit of my uncontrollable shopping habit to be my OBSESSION(s). I have a diversity of interests ( a scanner) and being a perfectionist, I like to see myself master something within a relatively short period of time so that I can move on to the next thing on my list. Being unaware of my obsession has brought about numerous impulse purchases and I have boxes and boxes of 'stuff' hoarded in my tiny living space gathering dusts to show for it. Either I am not keeping pace with the learning curve or I have simply bought too much without much thinking.



I have no intention of getting rid of them mainly because I have hopes of using them in the near future; never mind the investment made upfront. I have fantasies of a life when I will be using the 'tools' to support  and justify that lifestyle which might never manifest. What makes me think at the outset that I could be an expert in everything that appeals to me even just for a second only if I have the right tools and stuff in my arsenal?



It is literally impossible to be a pro in everything within the span of our lives. Let's stop buying things for a future lifestyle and just get on with what life presents us at this very moment. 




Similarly, why do we waste money (and time) on clothing that we don't wear? I swear there are bound to be at least a few pieces with tags still on lurking behind your wardrobe space. Here are the most common reasons which are by no means exhaustive to ruminate upon:

• it was on sale and you didn't want to miss out on such a 'bargain' (but does it go with anything in your wardrobe?)
• it was a designer label item which you believe would elevate your status quo if you own it (double bonus if it was on sale too) and to fit in
• you imagine your future self (self-deception) / lifestyle that may never exist and it is just a fantasy after all
• you simply love something too much to risk spoiling it (with spaghetti sauce?) and therefore save it for a 'worthy' occasion
• you shop under the influence of drug / alchohol, or when you are depressed 
• it doesn't fit properly even though you love the look and feel of it
• you copy others' style which isn't yours
• you follow and combine too many trends at once 
• not having a 'go-to' outfit on hand when you can't decide what to wear
• unaware of how your body has changed over the years

As we evolve from the historical times when foraging for food and shelter were the absolute necessity for survival, the trait seems to carry forward to the shops, firmly believe that owning something new would solve most of the problems.

As a Personal Stylist who is proud of my style, here are some tips of smart shopping I wish to share with you:

• first thing first, be authentic. Ask yourself if the item is compatible to your lifestyle, when you are going to wear it and how you will wear it.
• stick to a colour palette and mix and match with a handful of separates (a Personal Stylist can help!)
• always shop your own closet first and play with what is already existing for different looks and levels of refinement
• do not fall into the trap of  'season must-haves'; adapt your look to your own style instead
• be aware of what to accentuate and what to conceal whenever you try something on
• get comfortable with what suits you and what you stand for
• get your garments altered can make or break an outfit
• never buy things which are nonreturnable (or wait it out for a week or so before you make that purchase)

I hope you won't make the same mistakes again in your next shopping spree and be happy with everything you buy and wear them as frequently as possible to make them worthwhile!

Marketing...is not rocket science!

I had never understood the discipline of marketing when my old friends picked it as their major at university until NOW. It's all about psychology really as it is the strategies people use to make money out of consumers who don't know better! We live in a world filled with 'empty'  consumeristic promises which we buy into unfortunately, being constantly bombarded with messages which shape our mindset both consciously and subconsciously, and we end up looking for material stuff we never need in the first place. What if we all ask ourselves the question: what will happen if I don't buy it? before parting our money or credit card? 

I must admit I have come a long way from being a hardcore shopaholic to a minimalist (in progress). I pride myself walking out of the mall unscathed these days, thanks to my training as a personal stylist and my inclination towards second hand shopping. I am becoming more waste conscious and I find that the 'need' can more often than not be deferred and I usually forget what I thought I needed soon after I walk out the shop. It is crucial to differentiate needs and wants and make it a habit to ask yourself the question above.

Thanks to my knowledge about colour and style, I can always create a stylish and contemporary outfit from my existing pieces without resorting to buying something new to keep up with the latest trends. I can now stop buying  and spending and having a wardrobe of clothings that I love, which makes choosing what to wear in the morning effortless. Of course my job as an Image Consultant requires keeping myself up-to-date with trends which I read about in magazines, but I have literally unsubscribed from most email promotions and deleted my online shopping accounts except Amazon (which I use for books and CDs which I can't find in Hong Kong). Instead of buying a new piece of garment, I spend my money on a new hairstyle or colour, or a lipstick to update my look.

The purpose of marketing is to convince us that we can have anything we want by making the purchase, to buy a better version of ourselves based on our beliefs that we are not good enough; which is absolute bullshit to start with. Why should we consent the corporate giants to decide for us what we need and how faulty we are? Rather than being lured into the trap, make do with what you already have, knowing full well that we can never buy a better version of ourselves because we are simply enough.

From my own observation, people who have the extra money to spend tend to lose control of their preferences. Their choices are mostly dictated by others who have something to gain from the sale. They strongly believe that anything more expensive (by comparison) is always better in every way but in fact it is pricey because it is more expensive to produce. Do you make choices which is authentically yours or those of the salespeople? Are you manipulated by all the glossy images and promises circulating around incessantly preying on your vulnerability?

Accept what IS and get over it YOUR WAY!

How many phases exactly does a woman go through during her lifetime, assuming she is still sound and kicking at 70? I made a fuss about turning 30 with my first tattoo, I changed career at 45 and become a Personal Stylist, I am about to do something drastic in a couple of years to celebrate my existence for half of a century...but there is no denying that we are all getting old-er, regardless of how much we spend on botox, tummy tucks or youth regenerating skincare. There is no going back, period. It is not a concept I can easily accept but maybe I can make the process a tiny bit more bearable by changing my mindset and adopt a different lifestyle???

• be more in tune with the natural surrounding: easier said than done considering I am based in HK so getting out of this concrete jungle for a sabbatical at least once a year is crucial to my physical and mental  wellbeing
• hydration is king: I always have my refill tumbler in my bag wherever I go and lots of green tea during the day
• stay calm and de-stressed as much as possible: nothing really is worth sweating about if you look at the bigger picture
• keep learning: I am currently addicted to crossword puzzles which I find so so challenging for someone who loves words; and I come to realise there is so much I don't know!
• keep up with technology: not something I am particularly interested in but there might be something that make my life easier...the Moleskine Smart Pen set I bought for my birthday is kinda fun!
• seek inspiration: from magazines, books, movies, exhibitions, networking events even just to get ideas and to stay current
• no one is an authority: mine is just one of the many ways of doing things so don't claim to be an expert in anything! No-body knows it all!
• get out of your comfort zone once in a while (or more frequently): I am willing to try anything new to boost my business...podcasting, video on Youtube, etc...
• the older I get with every birthday, the more I learn to recognise my faults. I admit having messed up and I am not proud of it
• I have found the most important qualities to have are: being flexible and resilient...nothing is set in stone and I am trying to get over unpleasant experiences as quickly as possible
• hobbies are life-savers and I have quite a variety of them at different times of needs: cross-stitch, writing, crossword, reading, and more
• be more selective in the kind of jobs to take and people to spend time with to minimise the chance of resentment later on
• downsizing is the key: I am a minimalist in progress and I am writing about it in my newsletters / blogs
• the world doesn't revolve around any of us! DO get this! 
• It is okay to re-invent yourself many times over after midlife...I 'am' an English teacher, a personal stylist, a writer, and who knows what in the near future???
• I don't care about what others think...in fact I never do.
• I don't get out of my way to get someone's attention. I don't 'buy' companion or friendship for that matter either
• And there are things I don't mind paying a little extra for at this age: extra legroom / space when I travel, decent hotel accommodation, quality food (preferably organic), quality and workable skin-care products, and anything that might help with my business moving forward

I am sure there are plenty more to go on as the days pass so keep an eye out for my next installment of my ageing journey!

Cheers,

Rosa