Becoming Billie

Normally I encourage people to be themselves and find their own style but last Saturday evening I found myself totally absorbed by someone being someone else, as I watched Nina Kristofferson sing and and essentially become Billie Holiday.

A must see show!
http://ninakristoffersonsbillieholidaystory.com/

If you must be someone else, best to become someone with bags of style and Lady Day definitely had a signature sound and look. Musically Billie was said to fight any attempt to change her songs or how she sang them; and style-wise Ms Holiday had an iconic look too.  Billie wore the fashion of her day but her personal style was defined by a flower in her hair - her chosen iconic look. One story tells us she once performed with blood running down her face as she pinned one to her head. 

Talented and tragic, the Beautiful Billie
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Holiday

As well as taking on Billie's songs and mannerisms, by adding a flower to her hair for her show Nina really channelled Billie but as she lets her hair down and moves from a sparkly electric blue dress to a trendy Masato tee she becomes Nina again.

It's amazing how wearing the clothes of an era or the signature of a person transforms you, and therefore don't ever forget how much your personal style defines you.  

What's your signature style?

Denise x

The lovely, talented Nina - Go see her show!
Buy the tee here: http://www.shop.masato.co.uk/search?term=hattie

Meeting Masato

Having seen the lovely Sarah Jane Honeywell in a Masato dress that she was to later auction for charity, I decided to follow the designer on Twitter (@masatostudio)

Though I like to look, I'm not normally one for designer wear - but I decided to check out their designs on the web as you do! Typically however, a dress (several actually!) did catch my eye - with it's deep rich purple tones, softening circles and feminine cut - and I posted it on Pintrest: http://pinterest.com/pin/114841859220529766/ with the phrase "If only... So Classy"

So there I was, checking my tweets last week when I see that Masato is doing a sale and you guessed it, I went the site again. Next thing you know I'm making enquiries which lead to me visiting the studio, justifying it with the sentence: "well, I'm just looking as I do have a wedding to go to soon"!

Luckily (- it was a budget-blower!) the one I saw on Pintrest didn't quite work for me (darn you small bust!) but another one fitted as if designed just for me (Oops..) and the damage was done!

It's definitely worth it though. And, whilst in the studio I also got to see sketches of what Masato was working on, try on 'test' dress and suggest the colour it should be produced in!

Here's the lovely, talented man himself:

Read about Masato here: http://businessboombolton.com/2012/04/25/fashion-designer-masato-interview/ Buy Masato here: http://www.shop.masato.co.uk/

PS - I have not been sponsored by Masato to do this blog! I'm just chuffed with my lovely new dress and impressed with the service - from Mike picking me up at the station to my personal hand-drawn picture.

PPS - You will see the dress in it's glory in another blog... I need to accessorise!

A sunshine dress!

Hari's story

• The challenge:

I was contacted by Hari's mum as they were struggling to find something special for petite (as it turned out more petite than even she realised!) Hari to wear to an important event. They also had limited time to shop together as Hari didn't live at home in London, and only weeks until the big night.

• The solution:

We decided the best option was for me to go virtual shopping for them.

• The steps:

Hari completed a detailed questionnaire about her measurements, her preferences and her budget; and sent me a picture of herself. 

I then set about finding some options for Hari searching on-line and in the shops. Rather than the high street, I focused on boutiques and vintage outlets (as vintage close often come up small) and was able to come up with a number of options - most in line with Hari's preferences, but I also a few ideas of my own.

I emailed the choices to Hari who picked some favourites. I then arranged for Hari to try them on.

Hari in another lovely dress, but not quite the 'wow' factor!

• From the search to the choice:

Hari came to see me one weekend to try on a few dresses I'd ordered and picked up for her. One of the dresses was sticking out of its box and Hari looked so horrified by it that I shut the box and got her to try on her preferred styles.

Finally I asked Hari to try on the 'wildcard' dress that I thought would work but wasn't what she'd suggested.

We went from the horrified look at first glance to Hari not wanting to take it off for her bowling trip with friends!

But, it didn't stop there as the dress needed adjusting as it was still too big.

Seven layers of sunshine!

• What happened next?:

I arranged for a seamstress to alter the dress which was much needed as it was still a little too big and a whole lot too long!

I also helped Hari with her accessories.

• The end result:

Hari loved her dress, looked amazing, and bagged the award for Business continuity Student of the Year.

Simply stunning.

And here's what another client said about Damson Belle's virtual service (a lovely surprise, and completely unsolicited I promise you) - http://msalliance.me/2013/07/20/ill-need-a-handbag-to-match-the-shoes/

If you have a special occasion, if no-one else can help you too, it's time to...

Call me on 07887 643807

Catwoman in Pyjama's!

#Justforfun I recently asked the people on my Twitter feed...

“If you could get away with it, what mad outfit would you wear to work/school run/a posh restaurant?” 

Whilst the question was intended to be fun, the answer may give us a more serious insight into a range of things such as how we are feeling at the time of the question and our real style personality.

For example at the time I originally asked the question, my response would have been a Halle Berry-esque Catwoman catsuit (read into that what you will!) but right now, the answer would be my pyjama’s because I’m feeling tired and want to curl up in a huge comfy sofa. Interestingly though, those two responses also reflect my style personality as a Dramatic Natural, whereas the idea of wearing a fairy costume or going naked would never be options!

And that leads me to ask, why not? Eg is the idea of going naked (even when no-one would see us) a sign that we don’t want to feel exposed for example? And is the idea of dressing up like a superhero or baddie about wanting to feel powerful or dangerous? (Answers on a postcard please as they say!)

In other words what we wear (I believe) tells us a lot, and can be used to express something going on inside, hide, or shout out a non-verbal message.

With that in mind, what would your answer be to the question at this moment, and why?

Fashion takes us back!

I recently held the honour of being #bizoftheweek on Twitter on the #BeckBromFL. Each day I tweeted around questions, tips and thoughts about image, style and fashion.

Whilst the tips and thoughts were often retweeted, the real interaction came as a result of the cheeky questions entitled #Justforfun.  A few of them will form the basis of my next few blogs, starting with the question:

- Which fashion item would you erase from your photo album? -

The responses did make me laugh, and I'm sure those who shared did too. Mentioned was a kaftan and curly perm, hot pants, headband and ra-ra skirt, a leopard skin coat, MC Hammer trousers and shell suits.

Though funny now, each outfit would (most likely) have made the wearer feel right on trend at the time, and I'll bet just reading that list has taken you on a trip down memory lane... It's funny how a picture (even one that remains in our head!) of us in an old outfit can transport us back years and remind us of a range of things - from what we were up to and with whom, to what we were listening to. 

In chapter 7 (The Traveller in Time) of the book 'The Thoughtful Dresser' we are told that...

..."We can date old photographs by what people wore, how they styled their hair" and that "how people are dressed is the most reliable indicator of different periods in history".

An item/ style/ period may return - hot pants from the 70's to Kylie "Spinning around", the 60's and the 20's as currently in favour; but always with a twist. And whilst an item might return, even then it will have us talking about how it was 'the first time around'.

Given that nobody wanted to erase anything 'current', it does make me wonder - what will we think of what we're wearing now in a few years time, what current styles will be recycled from the noughties, and what memories will they trigger?

So to my final thought on the subject: If the picture actually made you smile or brought back a good memory from a period in your history, it's not really that bad and really shouldn't be erased. Rather it should be smiled at and celebrated.

[Note: Sadly, in my case, my 90's graduation outfit - which was the wrong colour and style for me - simply makes me cringe but it still makes my parents smile so I'm stuck with it!]

Denise x

Please click on the link below and Enjoy (the full video is at the end)!:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2035110/Now-thats-fast-fashion-Couple-model-100-years-style-100-seconds.html

Which decade would you erase your pic' from?!

So this year, So Now!

You probably know that emerald green is the colour of the year, but more than that - it really is a colour for the moment.

In the last few weeks I've met jewellery expert @KellyLCasey whose favourite stone is emerald, Caro Emerald has released a new album and Bette Midler was in the Metro yesterday* talking about (amongst other things) colour and fashion, and wearing - yes, you guessed it... emerald green!

As Spring continues to elude us, emerald green is a colour deep enough to not look out of place in the 'autumnal' weather whilst at the same time nodding us towards an appreciation of the growth of flowers and plants springing up around us.

Although it is a clear step away from black, worn in the right place with the right complimentary colours - emerald can act as an alternative neutral, eg with a pale green top if you have light colouring or contrasting tangerine if you have a warm undertone. 

And if that all isn't proof enough that emerald green is THE colour of the moment, did you know the gemstone for the month of May is emerald?

If you’d like to know how to incorporate this stunning shade into your wardrobe (and yes, it can work for everyone), then email me at denise@damsonbelle.co.uk for your FREE guide on how to feel energised in emerald!

Denise x

*http://metro.co.uk/2013/05/28/bette-midler-being-a-grandparent-is-great-but-im-not-ready-to-be-one-just-yet-3807653/

Frame includes - Earrings: Stella & Dot, Claudia Galanti at Cannes 2013

"Who first beholds the light of day

In spring's sweet flowery month of May

And wears an emerald all her life

Shall be a loved and happy wife"

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!