A lesson from Misha!

Style clues - What's your giveaway?

I've been really busy so didn't plan to do a blog this month, but then I met the lovely Misha whilst collecting brunch and this one was formed!

Misha perfectly captures my view that whatever you're doing you should find a way to embrace and/ inject your personal style (even if that's just your hidden bright red knickers or leopard print boxers!).

Under Misha's plain black uniform hides her cool tattoo, but I couldn't see that... It was her bright red lips, piercings, quiff and bow ABOVE her hairnet that gave a hint of her personal style.

The Misha you see...

... And what lies beneath!

Thanks for the inspiration and for letting me take your picture Misha!

Denise x

A big fat PS - If Misha can do it in a hairnet, what's stopping you?...
... find a way to embrace and/ inject your personal style EVERY DAY!

About the boys

I do try to reference gentlemen in my blogs as much as possible but recognise that they're largely quite girly - so this blog is about addressing the balance and letting the gents taking centre stage for a change.

A number of my CMB colleagues have reported an increase in the number of guys they see, and I'm chuffed that more men are seeing the value in what I do. 

My oft used themes about image and confidence, image and job prospects, and image being a reflection of the inner you, are universal and relevant whether you are male or female.

Personally, I love doing consultations for men as (in my experience) once they get it, they just seem to go for it; but it it could be argued that its harder for guys to break out of their expected and/ self imposed uniforms of jeans & t-shirt or suit & tie combos.

But watch and learn from these guys...

What you see above is a real show of individuality, how to wear colour, accessorise and how to rock a trend...

Fellow men - see, it is possible! Ladies - this is what I'm talking about!

Go try it,

Denise.

Note: A couple of these boys were bashful and asked not to be identified... Bless em!, and Thank you for letting me take the pics anyway.

Today, it's Springtime...

...officially, even if the sun doesn't know it!

With the change in season, Mirabelle knows that it's time for a change so she's had a makeover.

It can be good to review our look occasionally, but we may need to be careful not to interfere with our personal brand (at least not too drastically, unless that's the plan).

A change in the colours you wear, updating your make-up or changing your hairstyle are some of the ways we can do this.

Mirabelle still looks the same essentially, but her colours have been softened to be more springlike; and as such might change how she is perceived or what statement she makes.

What does her new look say to you, and do you like it?
What could you do to update your personal brand without compromising your essence?

Do tell!

 

- And if you need help, don't forget that's what I do! -

http://www.damsonbelle.co.uk/home.html

PS - I know it's still cold, so here's a reminder about how to dress for 'Springter': http://www.damsonbelle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/its-springter.html

It's Springter...

A colourful print for Springter!

...It may be Spring, but gee it's cold!

It's officially Spring - the daffodils are blooming, but. ..it feels more like winter so how do we style for the season whilst keeping out the chills?!  Chances are - much as we'd like to hibernate - you have to leave the house some time, so here are my top six tips on dressing for a snowy spring:

• Layer up, with the light on top - Wear a spring outfit with thermals, jumpers and leggings underneath... Angela Weyers of 'My Stylist London' called it 'thermal chic'!

• If like me, you're not quite ready to ditch the winter coat, play with 'softening' accessories like a beret rather than a beenie!

A deep floral touch!

• Introduce florals in your deepest shades - florals are very Spring but don't have to be in light and pastel shades.

• Lighten up! - Go for spring shades in cosy fabrics such as a woolly cardi' (remember some of us need to wear pastels with bolder colours, others can go tone-on-tone)

• Change your make-up and/ nail varnish - I've gone from my deep plum winter lippy to a more spring-like pink lip gloss (just make sure it's in your shade!)

• Shop! - The shops are full of new season styles (as they should be, of course)... Go shopping wrapped up, but think of and prepare for warmer days.

Denise x

Me - 'layering' the tips!

PS - Thank you Phineas & Ferb for the title idea!

Moustaches and Make-up!

FACT: 
What we wear on our face can have just as much impact as what we wear on our body!

Hopefully when we meet people, the first thing they focus on is our faces as they look at our ours for signs of sincerity, and at our mouths as we speak.  As such our face has a powerful role to play in our overall image.
For gents growing or removing a beard or moustache can make a statement, update or completely change their look, and for women - make-up can do the same.

This weekend a very good and talented friend of mine painted my face. It was important to me that it made the right statement, was in the right colours and in the right proportion.
Moreover, it was something I'd never had done before so it made me feel quite adventurous!

If you're not quite brave enough to have your face painted before you go shopping, how about a different lipstick or a beard trim?
Simple changes like this can make a positive difference - to how you look, and feel... especially if the compliments roll in!

I think she did a great job, and lots of people made positive comments.
What would you be painted as (if at all)?
And if not a face paint, what else could you do to liven up your look?

Would love to hear your comments.

Denise

The Trend Challenge

 

With so many trends emerging each season, it can be hard to know which ones to go for or how many to wear without looking like you're trying too hard.  As such, some people therefore chose to ignore them completely which is fine so long as that's not a response based solely on fear (or laziness).

A survey by Groupon indicates that more than 52% of women are stuck in a style rut they'd like to get out of, and by adopting a trend a season is a great way to do this.

Wearing the colour of the moment or the 'in' look can send the message that you are socially aware, adaptable and creative... not to mention stylish!

The other challenge of course - especially if you've got a 'dramatic' style personality - is to not look like a clothes rail by wearing all the trends at once! This season the spectrum of trends goes from pastels to bright neon, volume to structure, and clashing and matching (phew).

But remember, you don't have to start from scratch, start 'shopping your wardrobe' and add a few accessories or make a few simple changes like changing buttons or adding a trim here and there. And why stop there, what can you get from your mum or nan's collection!

Whichever approach you go for - and whether you upcycle or do a complete ravamp - the main thing is to make sure you wear the trends YOU love and the ones that suit you.

For help and advice on what will work for you with a personalised style report for this season call Damson Belle on 07887 643807 or join Mirabelle's Club!

Take the trend challenge!:

Below are several examples of trend combinations. How many trends can you see in the three outfits? - Email me at denise@damsonbelle.co.uk or comment below, and I'll let you know if you're right! Have Fun, D x

All looks and items listed at http://denise-12.polyvore.com/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2219141/Just-like-Kate-Middleton-half-British-women-wear-type-clothes-make-day.html

A night of Noir and Wildfire!

The Mutsaa Mutsaa Fashion & Beauty Cocktail Party:

Launch of 'Wildfire' and showcasing 'Stephanie Demelza B collection.

This time last week I was 'working' as a stylist/dresser at a fashion show taking place in London, with event
producer and designer Mutsa Mankola of fashion label "Mutsaa Mutsaa", and designer Stephanie Bunt.

Mutsa - The lady herself!

I arrived at the Hilton Courthouse Hotel to a lobby full of models, make-up artists, a hair stylist and photographer for the day, Rico.

Once the room was set up with tables full of make-up and rails full of clothes our first task was to help decide which of Stephanie's outfits the chosen models would wear. All the outfits were black hence the 'noir' of the title and ranged from a short frilled dress to split Alladin-style trousers. Choosing who wore what was about making sure we showed the pieces at their best... the models themselves were well taken care of with the eyeshadows and hair tongs! The most coveted piece (by both the ladies and gents) - in other words, I wanted to wear it! - was a fierce hooded black jacket.

Designer Stephanie, with some of the girls modelling the 'Noir' collection... including my jacket!

We then matched Mutsa's wonderful and vibrant creations from her new "Wildfire" collection to the models, organised accessories and kept everyone energised before Mutsa took everyone through their 'walk' down the runway.

Mutsa Mutsaa style - I'd wear it all!

Despite a few challenges along the way (as expected we needed pins and a sewing kit), the show itself was flawless and went without a hitch ending with clapping that was heard down the hall.

From set up, through watching Cassandra with a blusher brush, to helping the models get dressed in between shows - it was a brilliant experience. Thanks to social media I'll be keeping in touch with everyone, including my fellow stylist Kirsty Tye.

Behind the scenes

So if you need a model, make-up artist, hair-stylist, bespoke outfit or stylist... let me know and I'll connect you!

For all the pictures of the event, like Rico's facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/RicoEdPhotography
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.423198964424602.95452.203497569728077&type=1
W: http://www.rico-edphotography.com/

For more from Mutsa, go to:
W: http://www.mutsamutsaa.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/mutsamutsaa


For more from Stephanie, go to:
W: http://www.stephaniedemelzab.com/
http://www.facebook.com/stephaniedemelzab?fref=ts