Beat Blue with Blooming

Today is "Blue Monday".
The day that is apparently the most depressing day of the year, so well done to Mental Health Research UK for trying to turn us to brights to combat this, with their Blooming Monday mission detailed here: http://www.blooming-monday.com/

I am really passionate about introducing people to the colours that will not only make them look better (healthier, more vibrant) but also those that will lift their mood.

I know that colour (and as such colour analysis) works on so many levels. It is a key way we make sense of the world around us - if you're not sure what I mean by that, imagine describing the fruit in a fruit bowl without reference to colour or being in a field of black and white flowers under a black sky. Colour, in this instance, also helps to describe feelings and more such as feeling blue, looking peachy, in the pink. Colour can trigger a memory. And colour can make us associate/feel a certain way - some colours are calming (usually paler colours), some energising (usually brighter colours) and whilst there are some standard associations when it comes to a colour, the differences can be as different as we are.

If you want to know what colours are emotive to you, try this (works well for visual people but not for everyone):

Close your eyes, clear your mind, whisper the feeling you'd like to conjure up and just let the colour wander into your mind. 

Now, when you need that feeling, conjure up (or wear if appropriate) that colour!

Let me know how (if at all) this works for you!

Until next time!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807
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PS - A few weeks ago, I was invited to talk to Croydon radio on this subject and how colour can lift your mood. Listen to what I had to say here: http://www.croydonradio.com/schedule/show.php?HistoryID=210a66c9-32ba-57d2-8966-ca5d86e0fb0c

Sale shop - Shop smart

Here are a few tips on sale shopping for clothes... smartly!

It's Boxing Day - traditionally the first day of the post-Christmas sales. Some sales are so anticipated, people queue outside in the cold for hours to nab the top bargains.

However, when I'm doing wardrobe audits to weed them or find gaps (http://www.damsonbelle.co.uk/wardrobe.html), I often find that the very items left sitting in them are sale purchases that weren't well thought through.  If this sounds familiar to you, here is my five-point plan to manage this scenario for both on-line and real-time shopping:

1. Know your best colours and styles - you can grab quicker and more accurately then! (The things you regularly wear/get complimented on may give you a clue if you've not seen a professional)
2. Do a wardrobe audit (and remind yourself how much you didn't wear (m)any of your previous sale purchases!) - step 1 will help you with this too.
3. List what you might need to make outfits out of items
4. Set a budget and stick to it
5. Shop smart by asking questions like 'how often will I wear this?' every time you pick up an item

Essentially, it's about having a plan, so don't leave home without one or you'll be fooled into buying more that will sit in the back of your wardrobe with tags on! 

For more tips, check out this article: http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/fashion-blog/2013/dec/26/boxing-day-sale-shopping-tips-post-christmas

Happy Shopping.

Until next time!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807
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My Image Advent

From a Peacock to a Lamb*!

"Unique and different is the new generation of beautiful. You don't have to be like everyone else. In fact I don't think you should" 

- Taylor Swift, born 13th December. (Day 13)

Over the past 24 days I've been posting an image-fashion-style related note for advent on my various **social media platforms.

Some days came easily, others were more of a challenge but the whole activity was fun and allowed me to learn whilst being creative.

On reflection the whole experience reminds me of how I see dressing: Some days your outfit choice is obvious, other times you have to think about it a bit more (maybe you're meeting a new client, got a big meeting, doing a presentation or going for a date) but I always enjoy opening my wardrobe and creating a new look for each day...
...Do you?

If not, perhaps it's time to do something about it and call me (07887 643807)!

Check out the full advent list here: http://www.pinterest.com/dendambelle/adventchristmas-countdown-2013/ - Enjoy x

*This will make sense when you see Day 2 and Day 23 via the link above.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

**For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807
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Take the challenge, Break the rules, Have some fun!

are meant to be broken, right?!

If you've read blogs one and two of the series on the rules you'll know that after we've learnt our personal rules based on our colouring and body shape etc, we need to think about how we can break a few on the journey to discovering our personal style. So why then do many of us, not only stick to the widely held rules, but create additional ones of our own?

I suspect one of the biggest reasons is habit, which is why we get stuck in a style rut. If you're completely happy with your personal style, then that's fabulous but if not, as I like to remind us all... "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies". 
   
So ladies and gents are you ready to take the challenge, break the rules and have some fun? - Yes, then here's a few ideas for you to try (in no particular order):

1. Starting with the most ridiculous: Pick your outfit, eyes closed! Go on, I dare you to wear it :-)

2. If you're a matchy matchy kind of person, wear one piece that doesn't fit in! It doesn't have to be prominent, it just has to be done. Be brave and make it obvious enough to be seen.

3. Wear underwear completely clashing with your outfit such as a animal print bra under your formal suit... it's a bit of a cheat but its likely to make you feel more adventurous even if others can't see it *wink wink*

4. Split up an outfit that came together - sounds obvious but many don't do it.

5. Ask a friend with completely different taste to compose an outfit for you or to suggest two opposite looks that you have to incorporate into one outfit... It might scare you but it'll be fun for them!

6. Get your colours done and wear one or more you wouldn't normally wear or an unusual combination. A printed scarf is an easy way to do this.

7. List your personal style rules then break at least one... Break out of your self-imposed uniform. You may even find you like the changes.

8. Pick one item then look at/list/storyboard everything else in your wardrobe that will work with it as chances are you always put the same things together.

9. Just once, steal someone else's look - try the Internet, magazines, Pinterest for ideas

10. If you save lots of clothes for best - forget that! Wear something that doesn't get worn often, even if you have to dress it down. Take your inspiration from the 4-year old girl in the supermarket who wears her princess dress with her trainers!

By doing just one or two of these, you'll put yourself on the road to being a more interesting, daring and creative dresser (if of course, that's what YOU want)!

Do share with me how you get on, and don't forget - if you need a little help or inspiration, call me on 07887 643807 and I'll help you have fun on the journey to your personal style.

Coming soon: In the final installment, I'll share with you my experience of breaking my rules!

Until next time!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807
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The talent show!

Meeting Masato part two...

...and Introducing Lilac and Lily!

If you've read my blog - Meeting Masato (http://damsonbelle.blogspot.com/2013/07/meeting-masato.html), you'll know that I was planning on wearing one of this designers dresses to my cousin Jackie's wedding.

Fortunately I already had most of the accessories to wear with it (one of the reasons it was such a good purchase) and thought it was - as I'm sure you'll agree - stunning on its own without the need for much else.

web: www.shopmasato.co.uk - twitter: @masatostudio - facebook: masato jones

However my associate Charlotte Ralph introduced me to Dacia Halford - a bespoke fascinator maker - and I decided that I'd be interested in wearing something that complimented the dress, so long as it didn't compete with it. After seeing the dress, a couple of discussions about my personality and the occasion etc, and a few initial designs Dacia came up with the stunning fascinator you see below. 

facebook: lilacandlily - twitter: @LilacLily

It was comforting wearing an outfit knowing that I wasn't going to be seeing anyone else in it (many women's worst nightmare!), but the really great thing about it was that I got to showcase some really talented people's work. 

I hope I did the items justice... I think I did, based on the number of comments people made about them (not me, the items)!

The real reason for sharing this though, isn't about my indulgence - it's about showcasing Masato and Dacia's work (neither of whom have commissioned this blog in any way).

It doesn't have to be designer, but buying local and/ bespoke is really important for the small businesses in the fashion industry and I hope my outfit encourages more people to seek out such talented individuals and wear their stuff.

Style - You've had the keys, now here are 'The rules'!

In my last blog, I said that the first step to style is knowledge, and knowing the rules. Here, in part two, you'll discover what the main rules are.

Most people who book a consultation with Damson Belle want to be told their rules, and knowing them is the foundation for building a signature look as there is a difference between knowingly breaking the rules and simply not having a clue!

WARNING: These rules are not meant to render you powerless. You have a choice, and "it's not medicine"! 

 

Got that? OK, now read on...

... Here are some of the key ones I usually refer to in a consultation:

1. Learn YOUR rules, they are not the same for everyone! This is about understanding what works for you including - your personality, your lifestyle, and your ambitions.

2. Wear your best colours near your face. To find out what these are #getyourcoloursdone! to make shopping, wardrobe audits and dressing much quicker and more effective. 

3. Dress for your shapes (bodyshape and face shape) - and think about your whole body - rarely does anyone fit snugly into the 'pear' 'apple' 'hourglass' 'column' tags, often favoured by magazines (though they are a great starting point). Shape is more important than size - you can always de-tag and anyway, sizes vary between retailers! A style consultation will help you with this.

4. Don't have anything, eg sleeves, skirts, trousers/shorts, stop at your widest point - most women/cultures prefer a look slender, shapely and fit look (note: this is not the same as skinny)

5. Don't wear it if it makes you feel, look or act uncomfortable - this relates to you personally but also about how you'll look and/feel in a particular environment. Examples include heels you can't walk in, a jacket you can't move in , a dress you can't eat in or a skirt you can't bend/reach up in!

6. DO Wear it if it makes you feel fabulous - if it doesn't quite work...fix it or accessorise it. In other words: Go to no 7!

No 7 should be actioned with due care and consideration, and if you're clued up about rules 1-6 I promise you'll get away with this next one:

 7. Ignore rule one, and bend the rules, if it (a) fits with your style personality, and you're a 'creative' or (b) its just time to let loose! - that's what style is about... 
... but, my advice: Don't break all your rules at once!

So, if rule 7 resonates with you look out for the next blog in  the series which is about becoming truly stylish by consciously breaking the rules or letting your sub-conscious take over! Because: Breaking the rules should be an instinctive, personality choice or a conscious decision, not sheer laziness.

Would love to hear your views...Are these rules useful, do you already follow them, do you have your own?

Sign up, to make sure you get the next blog in the series on how to take on the rules and show them who's boss!

Until next time!

Denise x

For more:

• Call on: 07887 643807
• Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk
• Follow at: @DenDamBelle
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Style - In the beginning...

...There are some principles!

And some weeks ago I summed up the keys to style in the following 140 characters:

"@DenDamBelle: It takes 3 things to be #stylish imo: Knowledge (of your colouring & shape) Creativity (with what you own) & Confidence (in who you are)"

Then, just before attending the latest CMB conference, I tweeted about how I was breaking the* rules, an idea that was reinforced by style guru Sue Donnelly at the meeting.

And just this week I watched the fab Channel 4 programme "Fabulous Fashionistas"  which again talked about finding your style and, challenging stereotypes and rules.
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/fabulous-fashionistas

With all that talk of breaking rules, it seemed to me an obvious blog topic. So here we are...This is the first blog in a series about rules and how to break them.
*Note: There are the rules, and there are your rules!

Part one:

Knowledge is important because styling is about rules and knowing what fashions are out there that will work FOR YOU, but more importantly its about knowing the rules enough so you can break them well. It's often the rule breaks that allow you to be creative... 

...And being creative is critical to personal style and brand. People often ask what the difference is between fashion and style, and for me its that fashion is largely about conforming and following (trends) whereas as Gore Vidal stated "style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn" - hardly the words of a conformist and definitely an invite to be creative.

Not everyone is an out-there 'creative' dresser like Helena Bonham-Carter, Zandra Rhodes and the "Fabulous Fashionistas" but everyone can be creative with what they own and by adding their personal touches to an outfit. It comes with being more conscious, doing a little more thinking and planning (eg not just wearing the same combinations) and a willingness to play a little. And that's where confidence comes in - the confidence NOT to blindly follow the trend, replicate the catwalk/highstreet or stick with what we've always done.

Carrying this off is probably the hardest part, but throwing in some rules breaks with confidence - et voila... You have YOUR signature.

So stand tall, look like you own it and work it!

What's next:

Establishing some rules will be the subject of the blog that follows this one. The one after that will be how to break the rules. And then I'll share with you about the day I put my 'money where my mouth is' and challenged myself to step out of my comfort-zone in confidence!

Until next time!

Denise x

For more:

Call on: 07887 643807

Look at: www.damsonbelle.co.uk

Follow at: @DenDamBelle

Like me at: Damson Belle on Facebook

Join: This blog!