Step Up Trini Style

New Home

2009-07-10T12:29:00.002-04:00

This 10 weeks with blogger has been great....but alas it does not provide all the little intricacies that a fab fashion blog needs...like free Getty Images! Sorry Blogger baby! I'm OUT!

Check us out now at stepuptrinistyle.onsugar.com

Accessories at FWTT

2009-06-15T17:33:00.003-04:00

Sooo in between the countless face masks (both medical and man- i mean, masquerade), the shutter shades, the pallet stick headpieces, the foot ribbon-shoe representations, the hats and the headwraps, Fashion Week TT did yield some truly innovative accessories (if you looked close enough).

Personally, I thought the most stunning element in Peter Elias' collection were the vibrantly coloured multi-layered woven and beaded necklaces that he paired his pieces with. They seem to me to be a fresh take on the embellished sequin and diamante embellished neckline tops and dresses that have become staples of our wardrobes.

These necklaces make such a statement that they would be perfect to dress up a wife-beater skinny jeans uniform when you not feeling to put together an "outfit" but still want all eyes on you.

Elaborate corset and waist belts, still so popular were also adopted by the fashion week designers, becoming re-imagined in bright colours, or ethnic prints. I know I don't need to provide suggestions on how to wear a wide belt, however, I do need to say that if the belt is particularly attention grabbing (metallic, large buckles etc.) to take good stock of the other accessories you are wearing and edit down if necessary so as not to draw attention away from your fabulous waist adornment. I saw a pic today of a girl in (no lie) a black sequined waistcoat, shiny gold waist belt and magenta snakeskin shoulder bag, along with varied jewelry! Don't be this girl!!

I put together a little slideshow showcasing some of the handmade jewelry and accessories from the shows. Enjoy!

All pics courtesy Triniscene

TT Trendspotting: White

2009-06-15T17:16:00.005-04:00

(Oh yes...I still have more to talk about!)

We have come to view bright vibrant colours as synonymous with a Caribbean lifestyle. However, many designers used white silhouettes to illustrate their point of view at TT Fashion Week. While some designers used white palettes to showcase colourful accessories, others, like Kimya Glasgow, used the absence of colour to frame their entire collection.

I have always been a believer that this non-hue (which showed up on the runways in casual wear, swimwear, menswear and evening wear) is flattering to every skintone, attracting light and highlighting our gorgeous Caribbean features. My personal favourites were the following look from Kimya Glasgow and the white dress from The Cloth above.

Check out the rest in the slideshow below.

All pictures courtesy Triniscene.

TT Trendspotting: Jumpsuits

2009-06-11T16:47:00.010-04:00

Ok, if you hadn't yet noticed...I love a jumpsuit. I know they aren't for everybody, but I own many in a variety of shapes, lengths, colours and styles. I even have a home clothes jumpsuit! So you can imagine my EXCITEMENT at seeing how pervasive jumpsuits of all shapes, lengths, colours and styles were in the TT designers fashion week collections. Some, like St. Vincent designer Kimya Glasgow's impeccable white strapless romper above, were actually much cuter and much more flattering than a lot of those that I have seen in the States! I saw not one dhoti pants jumpsuit (however, to be clear, there were many dhoti pants!). Others were a little questionable in cut and fit (for example, the odd bunching at the crotch of the Zadd & Eastman multicolour balloon romper...hmmm reverse cameltoe is never a look....)

Here they are!

All pics courtesy Triniscene

Casual Wear @ FWTT: Not jus a baby tee and jeans!

2009-06-11T16:20:00.007-04:00

I have a personal belief, that because we in the Caribbean grow up wearing uniforms every day, this really shapes our attitude towards clothes in our adulthood. I doh know bout you, but when I was a kid I had school uniform, home clothes and party clothes (my personal fave! Who didn't love the opportunity to put on a patterned waistcoat and matching cuffed short pants an roll up in somebody 3-6pm birthday party!). Somehow, however, this culture of dressing has transmitted into my adulthood. My clothes fall into three main categories: what I wear to work, what I wear at home and what I go out in. When I buy new clothes they are almost always going out clothes because I cannot wrap my head around the idea of buying clothes for no occasion really.

When I do need to pull out an outfit to wear to a house lime, to the movies, or even just to the grocery store or errand running, I often find that I have nothing between holey big jerseys and dresses covered in sequins (ok maybe thats an exaggeration, but you get my point!) I find in my observations when I am at home that young Caribbean women seem to find themselves in this situation a lot and just pull on a baby tee and a pair of jeans for these occasions.

I was so excited to see new casual wear options emerging on the Fashion Week runways, especially from trusted and established brands like Radical Designs (I would wear those t-shirt dresses with the prints ANYWHERE...really). There were many items made in comfortable cotton jersey with trendy details like the large boatnecks and ombre colours in Meiling's MSquared line and how refreshing was it to see an actual pair of JEANS on the runway from Earth Member for Life!!! Some designers went a little further to show that the casual could also be classy and elegant with loose, flowing daytime looks in longer lengths and more sumptuous fabrics, such as this dress by Zadd and Eastman.

Styling these casual looks with a variety of tried and true everyday items like flip flops and tote bags really showed that the designers wanted their clothes to be part of the Caribbean woman's every day. Very nice!!

More in the slideshow below:

All pics courtesy Triniscene

Collection Review: Pilar by Anya Ayoung Chee

2009-06-11T13:01:00.012-04:00

On Fashion Week Sunday, former Miss T&T Universe (actually she's probably still current Miss T&T Universe as I hear we not sending up nobody this year....) Anya Ayoung Chee debuted her collection, Pilar. To say that this collection had some of the hottest buzz for the whole fashion week event would be an understatement. And designer was not the only hat Anya donned for the event! Not only was the public's eyes peeled for things to criticize in her collection, her new modeling and talent agency Fuse The Agency, had screened and selected all the Fashion Week models! Pressha!

Despite these stressful factors, I was pleasantly impressed with Anya's showing, especially considering that this her first time out the gate! My main comment was that the collection "looked like Anya", which can be good and bad. Anya has a distinctive personal style and it definitely came through in the wearable and cohesive collection, but if one were to purchase an item from her collection would one lose a feeling of individuality, because you look so much like someone else? Hmmm....

Regardless, I love the way she brought together disparate cultural elements to create her looks. Dashiki-style shirts in African print fabric were belted at the waist with Japanese style obi belts adorned with rope and paired with shorttt (saw a good bit of boomsie cheek on the runway) pants in vibrant colours, which as we all know well, always have an appeal with Caribbean women. I love how Anya included a variety of garments in the collection: dresses, shirts, shorts, and even a bright yellow jacket showing the audience that she has the potential to vary her designs and not stick to just one thing! The collection was also replete with jumpsuits: short and long (with skinny tapered legs). Anya also provides options for those of us ladies who prefer more modest fits and cuts, with full length, high-waisted skirts and maxi dresses all of which fit the models exceptionally well. (I guess running the agency has it's benefits ;) )

My favourite pieces, however, have to be the jumpsuits, particulary the strapless one that opened the show in metallic African print! I'm so excited to see fashion I actually would want to wear on the Caribbean runways (this is a first for me) and as soon as I find out where Anya will be selling her items, my name will be on the list for one of these!

Enjoy the rest in the slideshow below:

(all pics courtesy www.triniscene.com)

BTW: Congrats Sandhurst!

Evening Wear at FWTT: Not Your Every Day Grad Dress...

2009-06-11T12:48:00.006-04:00

Some truly spectacular gowns were shown at this year's event. While Claudia Pegus and Zadd and Eastman chose sleek silhouettes, others, like Peter Elias presented full skirted confections which the models made into shows of their own (I am convinced the young lady above has a side hustle as a Belle Dancer!)

My personal prize however goes to Kuumba Design's light lime green evening gown below:

The construction of the corset-type bodice is supremely innovative while the neckline and horizontal and vertical pleating are structurally fascinating. I love that it blossoms into this fairy-tale like full skirt as well. While I love the unexpected color of this dress, I can so see this as a wedding dress in an off-white or ivory!

Feast your eyes on the rest below (you can click any image for a larger view):
(pics courtesy www.triniscene.com)

Great Article on Fashion Week TT!!

2009-06-10T16:51:00.009-04:00

So I'm obviously still trolling the internet for as much Fashion Week information as I can possibly find (I am determined to recreate the experience vicariously). I came across one article in particular that made me feel as if I was in the Hyatt myself, hating on the models with everybody else (j/k...kinda). I contacted the journalist, Hannah Greenidge, whose articles have been published in some of the Trinidad's most popular daily periodicals, to request the unedited version of the article to post to SUTS. Look out for more of her work soon in the hottest Caribbean fashion and lifestyle periodicals.

FWTT - The Opening Night

The Hyatt Regency Trinidad was abuzz with fashion action recently, as local and regional designers made a statement through their ingenuity. The event was Fashion Week Trinidad and Tobago, and it was held from May 29 - June 2, 2009. The message conveyed through the artistry of these designers was that the fashion of our region is a force to be reckoned with and our designers are stepping forth boldly to take our Caribbean face to the world, with concern for the environment at the same time. One of the most pleasing aspects of the lines presented was every designer's unapologetic attitude towards being Caribbean. There was no apology for our colours, our shapes and our vibe, bearing in mind that all of these entities are open to each designer's unique interpretation.

The main team of organizers for the event included Dianne Hunte of Radical Designs, Richard Young, Rosemary Stone and Maria Farrell. On Friday May 29th, Fashion Week opened with the runway set on fire. Some of the sponsors on board had booths set up at the event. The companies represented were b mobile, UTT (the Fashion Design Programme), TRESemme and Optique eyewear. Each night, the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt came alive with a theme that tied into the main concept of 'Live Green'. The opening night was titled 'Breaking Ground'. The design houses featured that night included Heather Jones Designs Limited featuring Quel Que Chose by Reggie Matthews, DLR 'D' by Dominique La Roche, Fariiworld by Richard Hope, Michael's Vogue Designs by Michael Raghunanan, Sonia Mack, Millhouse Menswear by Gregory and Coline Mills, Brown Sugar by Judith Rawlins and CPFS (Claudia Pegus Frederick Street).

All of the collections were spectacular with some key pieces blowing away the audience such as Sonia Mack's wedding gown worn by former Miss World contestant Gabrielle Walcott. The dress gave a complimenting close fit on the top and a grand skirt at the bottom with the material overlapping in U-shapes delivering a fairy tale feel.

In terms of presentation, kudos must be given to Millhouse Menswear and CPFS. The Millhouse collection for 2009 was named 'Southern Comfort'. There was immediate presence as the first model emerged. The models came out with a slow crawl to the timeless sound of James Brown's 'It's a Man's World'. For those guys who are still skeptical about the slim fit style of pants, I recommend that you consult Millhouse Menswear to see how it's done. The designers used locally sourced wools, dupioni silks and Sea Island cotton in mainly black and white to dress the Caribbean man. In speaking with Coline Mills after the show she described the line as depicting the Mavericks of today forging ahead, despite the economic climate, the Caribbean man has a drive to move forward. Troy Seetai, one of the models in the show, remarked that he had the most fun with the Millhouse collection. He felt as though the music, the clothes, everything was perfectly in sync.

Designer Claudia Pegus debuted her collection 'Trapped' with a dramatic entrance onto the runway. To that catchy tune 'That's Not My Name' by 'The Ting Tings', models stepped out wearing elaborate gold masks. This was Claudia's ready to wear presentation for Fashion Week and there were some very interesting shapes and cuts. In particular, a funky snakeskin jacket and tube top, made for only those who could handle it. One could not help but notice the dominance of strings in the collection. In speaking with the designer after the show, she explained that inspiration came from her personal experiences this year and the trapped feeling that crime in our country has placed on the people. Nigel Celestine handled the production of Claudia's presentation.

For every night of Fashion Week there was a full house. There were many local supporters as well as curious foreigners. Against the bright green b mobile backdrop I spotted America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 winner, McKey. With her captivating height she was hard to miss as she posed for pictures in a beautiful blue design by Heather Jones. I was given an opportunity to speak with the international model who said that she was thoroughly enjoying Trinidad. With her soft, pleasant smile she exclaimed that she loved the weather and she admired the cool, relaxed vibe of the Caribbean models in the show who were able to keep a professional composure even in the height of anxiety backstage. This was her first time visiting Trinidad and she came with her mom to be a part of the Trinidad Fashion Week experience. She noted that there were designs from the show that could make a solid mark on the international Fashion stage.

Local support included former Tourism Minister Howard Chin Lee, our West Indies Cricket Star Brian Lara and former Government Minister Joan Yuille Williams. Also present was Gary Hunt Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs. As he was exiting the ballroom, I asked him what he thought about the show and his response was what I think to be the best summation of the opening night: "We are evolving."

Collection Review - Meiling feat. Anthony Reid

2009-06-10T12:20:00.013-04:00

Can I just say that I love this collection.

To use a played out phrase....talk bout grown and sexy! This was the perfect collection for that young woman trying to figure out how to structure her look to be sexy, current, but still be taken seriously! Not only were the pieces uniquely wearable, each look contained some sort of detail which captured visual interest. A couple of these details were problematic (I had to stare at the pic of the coral blazer for a really long time to realize that the hem had been sewn in that ruffle/fold and this wasn't some static-cling related wardrobe malfunction) most of them were flattering and came off effortlessly. However, most of them came off beautifully. I love the architectural folds at the necklines, dramatic open backs, and the ruffles at the hems of sleeves, tops and skirts (particularly the ruffles found at the hem of the back of one of the skirts, an interesting take on a bustle a feature I am seeing becoming popular in international designs, and obviously meant to be worn on a woman with no bottom!). I also really liked the asymmetrical cut hemlines with contrasting fabric colours peeking out from below complete with raw edges. It may not be everybody's style, but SOOO interesting.

AND THE FABRIC! Omg, I love that diaphanous almost see-through look of the pieces. And the items made in that dyed fabric that looks like a classy take on a hybrid of tie-dye and tea staining! LOVEEEE IT!!!

The menswear by Anthony Reid was also really impressive! The colours and fabrics fit easily in with the womenswear looks and were also totally wearable and current in light comfortable fabrics that look perfect for the Caribbean climate!

But my absolute number one favourite thing in this whole presentation had to be this right here:

I would wear a top with a back like this today! Like seriously please I want one. And I love the backwards placement of the chain. Omg, I just die...

Check out the front of this look, and some of my other faves from the Meiling Collection in the slideshow below.

pics courtesy Triniscene & Caribbean Fashion Style Journal

Collection Review: Sonia Mack

2009-06-05T11:58:00.007-04:00

Quick note about my collection reviews:

I don't believe that because a designer is established and well known that they shouldn't be criticized. Without criticism there is complacency. Without criticism no one can strive for excellence.

Here we go.

So if I were a Project Runway judge I would definitely be Michael Kors. His observations are always linked to some sort of reference which can range from the simple and cutting (e.g. "That was so Paris Hooker 50s") to really really mean (e.g. "She looks like Barefoot Appalachian Lil' Abner Barbie!"). Similarly, as soon as I see a look on the runway I try to make a connection as to what type of woman I can see wearing the ensemble. Such referencing is not always complimentary. (Btw, Project Runway is moving to Lifetime this year so all the Trini Fashionistas who were not able to see it when it was on Bravo can now be exposed to the fabulousness).

Sonia Mack is one of the designers who I believe was overzealous. First of all this is like 4 or 5 collections in one. In fact I thought it was four separate collections, and given to exaggerating, when I realized it was all one collection at first perceived it to be like 80 looks (more like 30 lol). Let's discuss some of these mini collections in detail:

The long handkerchief hemlines, and large face obscuring headpieces called to mind only one client for these looks in Sonia Mack's collection: sexy La Diablesse! I almost expected to see a cloven hoof emerge from beneath the skirts of the models and could imagine the stage manager screaming at them as they came on to the stage: "REMEMBER GIRLS, LIMP! LIMP!" If I were a man in the audience I would have been running to the bathroom fas fas to turn my clothes inside out!

Further, I understand experimenting with different textures and fabrics but I am totally confused by using textures that obscure the customer's figure and overtake the body like some sort of weird algae. Further, the curly tendrils that spring from many of her pieces look like they belong on the last choice costume in a sold out Carnival Band! I know Sonia Mack is a renowned costume designer as well but is this really the arena for you to show off that skill? Or do you really believe that Caribbean women should be dressing with an element of mas every day?

As for this, I can only imagine this is what Tan Tan (a woman renowned for her predeliction for curly elements on an outfit) might select to wear to Saga Boy's funeral.

And then realizing her new single status, she would then strip down to this sexy little number:

You go Tan Tan! An good man is hard to find!

And then when she finally does find her new 18 foot love, Ms. Mack has also provided a bridal look for dear Tan Tan!

But at least I can figure out clients for those looks (as fictional as they might be). Some of the other pieces of the collection just confuse me. The crocheted fringe evening wear/lingerie??? The champagne coloured satin suit that puckered at the seams? The fuchsia corset and miniskirt that found a place smack dab in the middle of a few East Indian inspired garments????? (Actually this doesn't confuse me as much. She obviously had some material left over and didn't want it to waste.) And a better question: How do these pieces relate to each other??

Honestly I think Ms. Mack needed to have decided what she wanted to make for fashion week: costumes or garments. (And then asked herself where on earth these garments were meant to be worn?) She landed somewhere squarely in between and the results were not impressive.

pics courtesy www.triniscene.com

Fashion Week Friday: What I Liked

2009-06-05T07:56:00.013-04:00

Heather Jones' military inspired blazer - LOVE IT!

So last Friday was the opening night of TT Fashion Week and as I wasn't there I really can't comment on the location, venue, crowd, food or drinks. (I'm still sour.)

Pictures gone up tho, so I can comment on my favourite part of a fashion show, the fashion.

The designers chosen to show this night for the theme "Breaking Ground" were a mix of newcomers as well as seasoned professionals. They were, in order of presentation: Heather Jones Designs Ltd, DLR 'D', Faraii, Michael's Vogue Designs, Sonia Mack, Millhouse Menswear, Brown Sugar and CPFS (Claudia Pegus Frederick St).

Immediately some issues with the collections jumped out at me. I will do an overall post later on after I have seen all the collections, detailing each of these but I just wanted to go over them quickly here. If Caribbean Fashion is ever to reach the levels of the New Yorks, Parises and Milans, criticism should be necessary and accepted.

That being said:

1. Wearability: I understand that not everyone wants to make fashion for every Tara, Dana and Harriet to wear on the street. However from looking at these fashion shows I had a very hard time distinguishing who was designing haute couture, who was designing ready to wear, who was designing Carnival costumes, and who just wanted to show off what they could do with fabric (resemblance to actual clothes being minimal).

2. Cohesiveness: I feel like a Fashion Show should be just that, a show. As such there should be an underlying theme or at least a connectivity between each of the pieces so that we can understand the designer's point of view. A couple of the collections on the first night looked as if they could not decide what woman they were designing for.

3. Overzealousness: which leads to problems in finishing and fit. A fashion collection does not have to be 45 looks! However, if it is, each of those 45 looks need to be finished BEAUTIFULLY and fitted perfectly on the model otherwise it just looks like crap! (yeah, I said it!) So if you don't have time to do 45 looks, properly steam your items, press your seams and hems so that they don't pucker (this also has a lot to do with fabric choice) or fit to your models, stick to 12 and make them IMPECCABLE! If I could pick out these flaws in the pics, I really can't imagine what some of these pieces must have looked like on the runway. And if you insist on doing long sleeved swimwear, let's not make that sleeve so baggy that it might drown a swimmer in distress when waterlogged!

4. Fabric Choice: Cheap fabric looks cheap. Talk dun.

5. Editing: Not every element you envisioned on your garment needs to end up on the final piece. Really, a burnout velvet print pajama suit with marabou feather trim? Honestly? Also I think this is important in the styling of the models as well as the sewing of the garments. Many of the accessories used either annoyed me or completely confused me For example, look at how this large coloured scarf obscures the workmanship on this dress bodice. And you going to couple that with a pallet stick headpiece? Its a wonder anyone looked at your garment at all!!

OH AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON THIS!

Oh...but this was supposed to be a post about what I liked right?

That being said, I feel like certain designers really know their client and their customer and you could just see exactly who their designs were meant to be for. Heather Jones was one of these with her signature hand painted floral motifs, and vibrantly coloured rich fabrics. Usually I am not attracted to this kind of fashion for myself but I was most excited to see some more modern elements brought into the pieces (and by that I do not mean the shutter shades that the male models were wearing....I really don't believe fashion designers should be biting the coattails of already played out trends in their presentations). Can somebody tell Madame Jones that I would like to order this here jumpsuit toute suite! (And one in white too please thanx). Also the sunshine yellow military jacket above is fabulous and impeccably styled (although I can't help but wish there was a lil hand painted scarf tied around the model's neck....hmm maybe its a lil too Bwee tho...ok forget I said anything).

I also enjoyed seeing the younger, unknown designers trying something new. This look from Michael's Vogue Designs really had nothing else to do with any of the other pieces in the collection and could have used some serious editing (read no furry collar or cuffs) but I'm loving how he is experimenting with layering and we can see from the outfit that this is a designer who can make jackets, vests, pants and blouses. (He also is the dude who makes marabou feather pajama suits...again EDITING).

I loved the two monochromatic looks in the collection by Brown Sugar. Again they fit in nowhere with the bright coloured satin dresses that dominated this show (cohesiveness people, oh and finishing too! Satin will show all flaws!) but I liked that they demonstrated that they could take a geometric fabric such as this one and do something really funky then something equally simple and classic and pull off both looks. Thumbs up newcomers!

Obviously, all pics courtesy www.triniscene.com

Compare and Contrast...

2009-06-04T12:25:00.007-04:00

Compare and Contrast this look by DLR 'D' at Friday Night's TT Fashion Week Show with the Louis Vuitton (straight off the runway looks) rocked by fashionistas Rihanna and Kerri Washington. Note the similarities (iridescent metallic bustier top/ voluminous, structured skirt) and the differences (colour, length, random tie-dye lining or lack thereof).

I honestly think this is an innocent coincidence. And hey, if you're going to channel somebody's influence in the design process it might as well be Mr. Marc Jacobs right? ;)

pics courtesy www.triniscene.com and www.theybf.com

Consider yourself invited: Launch!

2009-06-02T11:38:00.005-04:00

Remember we were the first to give you a sneak peek to the newest online shopping resource for dudes: Kultured Clothing?

Please consider yourself invited to the launch of the website next Wednesday at Drink! Wine Bar (see invi below for more details). RSVP by June 5th to info@socialitentt.com or to info@kulturedclothing.com, mention you saw the invite on SUTS and watch the velvet rope be raised for you!

Enjoy!

To all Male Attention Whores :)

2009-05-26T11:59:00.006-04:00

I think the Real Housewives of NY's Alex Van Kempen is accepting an award here at this charity event? Who can tell tho when her husband, Simon, is DEFINITELY wearing a patent pleather outfit in size extra smedium! (picture courtesy www.bravotv.com)

Last week I attended a female friend's birthday party. Eager as I was to wish her many more years of health and success I could not easily get through my greeting as I kept getting distracted by some irritating reflections of light dancing across her face. How upset was I when I located the source: the embellishments on her boyfriend's t-shirt! To make matters worse, when I pulled back I noticed he had paired this T-shirt with a blazer made out of a fabric that certainly, had a freak fire broken out at the club, would have given him the ability to stride through the flames to safety, completely unscathed, like some sort of mutant!

Dudes, I realize it has become trendy to be flashier with your clothes, and please do not think I am hating. I understand that you too must want to assert your sartorial individuality and it does not take very long to realize that chartreuse, or iridescent fuchsia catch the attention much faster than gray or army green.

My problem is this: Do you really need to be this flashy on a day which is supposed to be totally about your girl? Ladies, let's face it, no matter how hot you looking, it's really hard to draw attention to yourself when you are standing next to a man who looks like he resurrected his Original Bedazzler, to adorn his jeans! So I can't help but believe that if a man wears an outfit this flashy on an occasion like his girlfriend's birthday, then he really prefers all the attention to be on him, and she, therefore, like that braided leather cuff on his wrist, becomes no more than an accessory to accent what he is wearing.

I imagine that these are the same men who parade around on Carnival Tuesday with airbrushed abs to accentuate what they have (or camouflage what they don't)! For Carnival 2009 one dude went a step further and airbrushed a full bald eagle on his back/chest (can't remember which, hell it may have been both!) I remember thinking....dude, how EARLY did u have to wake up this morning?! Furthermore, it took me some time to realize that he was chipping down the road next to a much less airbrushed, and hence attention grabbing, female companion!!

DUDE! You have every other day of the year to flash and floss! Gisshe (yes, gisshe) a chance today nah. If you keep up with this pattern what will be next? A gold lamé suit on her graduation day? Or perhaps will she stand at the altar in predictable white while the entire congregation's eyes are on you as you blushingly walk up the aisle wearing a waistcoat made of silver sequins?

NO. Let's stop this nonsense at once!

So, next year, when babes' birthday night is upon you, how bout you do just a bit of careful editing. Instead of your outfit involving zippers and buckles and studs, how bout we stick to just one. Maybe that fluorescent t-shirt could be exchanged for something a tad more sedate. And when reaching for that white leather belt with the diamante skull shaped belt buckle....how bout you jus NOT!

On night's like that birthday party I celebrate being single in this day and age. At least ain't nobody stealing my shine! ;)

Beach House...the Aftermath

2009-05-26T11:54:00.002-04:00

Madame Socialite has posted her Beach House Review at Welcome To Triniwood! She talks about her fave looks and her...least faves.

I won't spoil the surprises.

Just click the link.

EXCLUSIVE: TT Fashion Week Tidbits!

2009-05-25T15:44:00.007-04:00

So one of my friends went to buy tickets for this weekend's events and was not only fortunate enough to meet Madame Fashion Week herself, Radical Design's Diane Hunte, but also to discuss with her as yet unknown juicy tidbits of Fashion Week Gossip.

In their own words:

Sooooo, there I was in DH Gift acquiring some tickets for the Opening Night when I meet one of my friends and I was helping them decide on which night to go to. I was giving them a run down on each and the most popular designers when Ms. D. Hunt (the woman behind FW) walks in and overhears me and then introduces herself to me.

Apparently, she was very impressed on my semi-knowledge of the local designers....lol. We chatted a bit and I asked her for some info "scoop" on FW.

It goes as follows....

General Info.

Opening Night Tickets (Friday) - $250 - cocktails & finger food
Other Nights - $100
Closing Night (Tuesday) - $100
No Photography...flash or camera phone (all photographers must be accredited)

Start Time - 7 (= trini time...which means late...lol)

Opening night promises to be a fab. night as there will be cocktails and finger foods for patrons to have before and after the fashion show. The who's who going to be here dressed to the nines....

Other nights to watch out for are Sunday and Monday where Mr. HD launches his children line called, "Boy Boy"...he may even do a lil' performance too.

Tuesday which is the closing night is going to be just as great as they supposedly take it out on the new waterfront to close off FW.

Expect designers to bring out new and fresh lines and a few "over the edge" designs, as we deal with the style craze that is sweeping Trinidad and Tobago. She also mentioned they may even have an after party on the opening/closing night but it hasn't been 100% confirmed.

Wow Trinis know how to throw an event boy! Waterfront finales? After parties? And of course no event is complete without a performance by the HD himself. I had suspected when I saw the name "Boy Boy" on the presentation schedule that Machel may have something to do with it (otherwise a lawsuit on his hands). Anyway fashion week is shaping up to be quite an event so far! Will you be there?

Also click here to read the official press release for the event.

Extras:

Excuse me? Come Again? What do u mean ASSLESS tights?

Event Planning - Beach House May 24th

2009-05-21T12:16:00.007-04:00

Every year fashion's most gifted designers produce a Resort Collection, a group of looks designed for the well-to-do jet-setter who flies away on a whim to the most exotic of destinations. Will it be Morocco this week to have a fabulous spa experience at the hammam? Or perhaps to Monaco to throw down some cash at the tables in Monte Carlo?

However, it seems to us that whenever tourists grace our shores they are always garbed in the same uniform (so wham? Because iz not the French Riviera dey cyah dress up a lil bit?)

wide brim hat (perhaps covering a fresh blonde beaded cane row that some beach hairdresser in the previous port of call ripped them off for)
Hawaiian print shirt (seemingly obscuring an impressive bright red t-shirt tan that SPF 50 is not doing much to prevent)
khaki cargo shorts
tall socks (WHY??!! WHY??!!)
the most rubbery, orthopedic looking pair of sandals money can buy

I often wonder if when they arrive, they aren't filled with shock that the locals wear (gasp!) jeans and t-shirts and aren't immediately overcome with embarassment by the inappropriateness of their attire.

Anyway, I digress.

I believe that some day soon holidaymakers are going to reclaim the days of dressing like you were 'going somewhere' and hit the Caribbean looking most fabulous and I think we should be one step ahead of them so that when they reach we shame them. We are blessed to live in a region with vacation conditions all year round. No closing of outdoor locations in September; no sky-high summer gas prices. we should dress to celebrate the fact that we are so fabulous that other ppl feel that they have to dress a certain way just to visit us!

So in preparation for Beach House in Blanchisseuse this Sunday, let us take a page from those designers who use our locales as inspiration. Instead of just reaching for the bright coloured dress and metallic sandal combo that has become the reflex go-to outfit for these events, let us embrace the theme: destination. (Btw I love theme outfits. It's really gratifying when someone picks it up and you can be like that's exactly what I was going for!)

Destination 1: Cruise

Nautical items are so common in fashion that somebody told me its considered more a theme than a trend (take a look at Jourdan Dunn on the runway for Chanel Resort 2010). The look is characterized by red, navy blue and white often with stripes. The trick, however, is to not end up looking like a fancy sailor in an old Gayelle Carnival re-broadcast from 1966!

Take a look at my suggestions below. The theme is very versatile. You can do long wide legged, pants, short dresses, and long or short jumpsuits in fabrics like dark denim or white linen. For Beach House Carnival in February, my friend wore a widelegged, strapless, button-up white linen jumpsuit that was gorgeous. When I asked her where she got it, she told me her tailor had made it. CARIBBEAN WOMEN, do not forget that your tailor (especially if you have found a good one) is one of the most powerful weapons in your fashion aresenal! All you need is a picture and some patience to achieve any look in any magazine and set yourself apart from the three girls who went to three different stores and all end up in the same party in the same top!

Destination 2: Eastern Inspired

So because of the success of Slumdog Millionaire last year Indian influence is going to be a big trend. You can see it in pop culture like the Pussycat Doll's video for Jai Ho and the designers have already begun to incorporate this trend into their runway looks. Even the Trinidadian Carnival bands are picking up on the trend with themes such as "The Silk Road", "The Spice Road" and "Kuchela" slated for February 2010.

We in Trinidad are blessed to live in a country of diverse cultures. Use this to your advantage ladies. Venture into the Indian stores (which sell a wide variety of fabulous things from clothing to home decor) and find something innovative. I am not suggesting that you walk into Beach House in a sari, however create a fresh take on traditional garb by combining pieces with contemporary items. When shopping for dresses use the inspiration from East Indian fabrics, such as metallic embroidery, rich colours and vibrant prints. Also, if you want to stick to something more traditional like a simple solid dress, channel the Eastern influence in jewelry and accessories, multiple bangles or jewelled sandals will dress up any outfit. I particularly like these ring-bracelet combos from Plum Flower Creations by Meiling Bansee.

Btw I kind of went overboard with the lookbook on this one but there were just so many gorgeous items both low and high end. Some of the dresses may be a bit dressy but I loved them anyway! I hope you enjoy!

SUTS True Shopping Story: Denim in Distress

2009-05-21T07:45:00.003-04:00

I have never been a fan of spending money on new clothes that look like they have been passed down through a family for generations or like they were the victim of a freak washing machine disaster. I despise shirts in stores like Abercrombie and Hollister with their "fashionable" holes in the collar and fraying hemlines and their obscene prices. I have never worn a pair of ripped jeans...until yesterday.

You must have noticed by now that the hottest denim trend is light denim destroyed in one of a variety of ways, be it rips in the knees, paint splatters, bleaching, or sometimes, oddly enough, tie dyeing. the style has been seen on a range of celebrities (e.g. Lala and bff Kim Kardashian) Unfortunately, some designers seem to get a little too happy with the razor blade and we end up with what I like to call fringe jeans which are about 2/3 less than a full pair of jeans in my consideration. See Taylor Momsen:

Anyway, I digress.

Now this is a very trendy trend. By that I mean the shelf life is very short and as such should be bought at a low low price despite what the good people at Balmain seem to think. So in order to try my hand at this trend I ventured to one of my favourite disposable clothing establishments. I was excited to find denim in a wide range of distress. Like the examples below, the jeans ranged from mildly-stuck-in-an-elevator-for-7-minutes-distressed (read a darker wash denim with minimal small holes in the thigh) to utter-oh-my-god-why-did-these-oxygen-masks-jus-drop-down-in-the-middle-of-my-transatlantic-flight-distress (read light acid wash denim complete with ripping throughout, bleaching and paint splatters). I opted for moderate distress, a very light denim wash with horizontal rips in the thigh and knee.

I should have known things were not going to go well when the first thing I proceeded to do was insert mih big toe straight into one of the holes in the jeans as I tried them on.

After I finished laughing at myself, I surveyed myself in the mirror. Hmm, not bad. Unfortunately my work blouse was kinda killin the funkiness so I headed back to the racks to find a top to try the jeans on with.

Steups. Why could I not find a damn ting?

Red flags started going off in my head. Obviously if out of all the cute trendy tops on the sales floor I could find nothing to pair the jeans with, when faced with the options in my much more limited cloest there would be even less. I am notorious for my impluse buys which end up languishing in the bottom of my 'new clothes bag' for months (sometimes years as was the fate of the moss green glittery crochet halter top) never having any partner to be paired with because it really doesn't fit in with my personal style, no matter how cute it looked on the mannequin. I didn't want this to happen to the skinny distressed jeans.

I liked them. I didn't love them. So I left them.

I may revisit them in future, who knows. However I don't want to discourage you from trying these funky jeans. Look through these options (I tried to arrange them in order of distress and devastation). Which do you prefer?

Tidbits:
1. Review of the MSquared collection!

2. Kanye praises paparazzi photojournalism!

3. Ghetto clip of a hot video.

Love at First Site

2009-05-20T15:58:00.003-04:00

I love cheap clothes. No, forget that. I love inexpensive clothes. There will come a time when my wardrobe is full of classy "investment pieces" that are going to last me a lifetime like uh i doh know ... a proper business suit, perhaps. However, that time is not now. Now is the age of quantity over quality (for me at least) and I would rather buy 10 things for $100 and wear each of them once than buy one thing for $100 and it be the ONLY thing I wear.

However much like the dudes who dress rhel fly but whose idea of a romantic dinner involves a Zinger, just because something is cheap doesn't mean it should have to look cheap. That's why when I shop in certain stores, I will trawl the racks for hours searching for the tops made out of the richer, woven materials as opposed to the knit jerseys or spandexes. I look for more sophisticated cuts (for example I refuse to wear any item that has ruching on it). Don't misunderstand me, nothing is wrong with these items but when these high volume stores sell them to every single woman worldwide between the ages of 15 and 30, you want to separate yourself somehow. The way I choose to do it is through fabrication.

Finally Forever 21 gets it.

Their new line, Love 21, introduced online and in select stores on Tuesday, takes cut and fabrication into consideration resulting in a much more sophisticated aesthetic than the many brightly coloured embellished neck tunic topics that have become its hallmark. Lengths may be longer, fits may be "more modest" and necklines may be a tad higher, but face it ladies, we get older every day and the earlier we start accepting it the quicker we can look fly at any age!

Recently my father looked at me as I left the house and commented, "You have plenty of dem lil jersey dresses boy." Shame. We all do. But man shouldn't be noticing them tings. The fabrics used in the Love 21 collection, while succumbing to the occasional cotton jersey usage, are more often silks, satins and chiffons.

The best thing about Love 21 though, has to be the prices. I thought that the items would be priced higher than the regular pieces but still "affordable" by fashion magazine standards (i.e. $25-$50 each), similar to their Twelve by Twelve line. I was happily mistaken. On the exact same pricing level as regular F21 (around $17-$30 each) these prices do not disappoint.

Ladies, just be aware when purchasing online. The fits are indeed more modest, so check out the sizing chart before making your orders. You can view the lookbook here, and also check out the selection of items to which new pieces are being added every day! Take a look at my faves!

UPDATED: Trini Fashion Week

2009-05-20T08:19:00.010-04:00

So a buddy let me know that the TT Fashion Week Website is now updated with this year's schedule of events and designers. This year there is a new location (where else?) the Hyatt Regency.

More interesting than that, however, is the SEXY photo teasers that have been posted on the Caribbean Fashion Week Fan Page on Facebook!

Behold the haughtness!

The creativity of our Caribbean people awes and humbles me EVERY time!

And I'm loving the buzz they're trying to build for it in the teaser below:

I can just see the Trini Fashionistas sneaking in like at the Bryant Park tents! I am particularly interested in the exhibitions, workshops and showrooms taking orders. Obviously if you want to be involved in fashion (or *cough, cough* beauty) in Trinidad this is the place to be! And where will I be??? Steuuuuppsss...

LOVING it regardless!

Platformers - more than meets the eye!

2009-05-19T08:02:00.017-04:00

I'm so excited to introduce to you guest blogger Socialite who just had to put in her two cents about her favourite shoe trend. Enjoy!

SO!

Let’s talk about these fab platforms that are out and about the place with a vengeance. Yeahhhhh Yeahhhhh we’ve heard the warnings from the back doctors n such, but lets face it they rock our worlds and beyond.

Seriously have you seen a woman’s calves in these things, FIERCE! Think about it (I mean even VS did with their flippy flop work out shoe thingie) these things give you an unbelievable leg workout; it’s like going to the gym without a gym AND in amazing shoes… We all win!

pics courtesy www.theybf.com

Amazing with skirts and the UBER fab skinny jeans (**Cough… white is the new colour of choice** cough), these shoes make me smile

Note from StepUp: I have compiled a lookbook of the hottest, sexiest, insanely expensive platforms for you to peruse. If you have a SERIOUS shoe fetish, this may be NSFW lol.(Notice Beyonce's look above will set you back a cool $928 USD and that's just starting at the feet! Eva Diva not backward herself with her $878.95 Zanottis! I hope she ask for her 5 cents change!) However to my Trini friends who think I am not able to do my 6 times table, fear not! Madame Socialite tells me that if you look very hard, you can find very funky fashionable platforms in Trinidad, specifically in establishment's that have the owner's pic in each store (hint, hint).

And if you hurry, you can make it there before their 50% off sale is over.

That's all I'm sayin! :)

TIDBITS:

1. Yeah, we want an answer to this question TOO, Fashion Industry.

2. Beyonce: "I don't know if I'm fashion obsessed." I get all my shit for free!

For the Dudes...

2009-05-15T12:52:00.010-04:00

A male friend requested that I post more male-directed fare so this is ALL you!

Introducing....Kultured Clothing: Trinidad & Tobago's Premier Online Fashion Store for MEN.

The goal of these self-titled 'fashionistos' is twofold: to address the lack of stylish options available for men in Trinidad, and to provide these options to men at a significantly lower cost than the exorbitant prices many Trini men have become accustomed to paying in order to distinguish themselves an look different from their padnahs. Their ideal client is a guy who likes to maintain his individuality but still keep up with trends.

And this is true online shopping. Prices are listed in both TT and US dollars. Shipping policies (like in the mail, read: not placing an online order and waiting for it to be delivered to your house like KFC) are clearly detailed on the website, including shipping charges ($35TT for orders below $500TT and free shipping for anything over that amount) and transit times (an estimated 5-7 business days). Kultured Clothing's return policy ( a necessary piece of the online shopping puzzle) is also clearly outlined and any item may be returned within 14 days for a FULL REFUND. The items all ship from Europe and the service is currently only available in Trinidad (talk bout individuality!). Visa, Mastercard and Paypal are all accepted.

Oh, what about the clothes? Well from a ladies' POV I'm pretty impressed. The site is divided into clear sections, ranging from the conservative to the truly fashion forward for the boldest Trini brothers out there (Silver Sheen Skinny Trousers anyone?) and the choice of sizes is wide. My personal recommendation? Check out the wide variety of skinny ties in the Accessories section. I love a dude in a skinny tie....

Ok and I know I said this would be all about dudes...but really... JEGGINGS???

Celeb Borrow Clothes Posse!

2009-05-15T11:05:00.014-04:00

So there's apparently a new celeb crew in town composed of Ciara, Kim Kardashian and LaLa Vasquez. Weird right? I mean what do all three of these ladies have in common? Kim and LaLa lurve them the athletes, Ciara prefers the beefy rappers. Kim and LaLa love the twitter....uhhh...i don't know what technological communication medium Ciara is into. Ciara and LaLa are both in the music business...I guess...

I figured it out.

Pay close attention.

Some of these things are very like the others. Is that Kim K in the offensive caged sandals that Cici rocked some weeks ago? And that fabulous jumpsuit that Ciara wore to lunch with the girls....very familiar, and much sexier on bff Kim in that promotional picture. And hold on, them bleached distressed jeans that Kim is wearing to lunch...DIDN'T LALA HAVE THEM ON JUST THE OTHER DAY???

Now I don't want to imply that these girls are rooting through each other's dirty clothes baskets (ah mean...I highly doubt Ciara and Kim K have the same shoe size, and we know that very few women fittin into a pair of Kim K jeans). The friendship may be based on their similar tastes and styles! And it must be very refreshing in a society filled with fakeness to find a group of girls so similar to you.

But really ladies, what's next? Is Kim goin to be rocking a waist-length cainrow nex week (I really do hope so!)

Kim Kardashian pic courtesy www.kimkardashian.com. All other pics courtesy www.theybf.com

Hmm and apparently these aren't the only celebs wearing the same thing these days...

Recession?

2009-05-13T18:52:00.005-04:00

I doh like to fight up to spend my money. I don't like to make anyone feel like they are doing me favours by allowing me to use my hard earned wages in exchange for their overpriced goods. Which is why tomorrow, when Matthew Williamson's summer collection for H&M debuts in stores, I will be where I am supposed to be: at work...trying to make money as opposed to spending it (for once).

For an idea of the frenzy that occurred when Williamsons's spring collection debuted at the store last month (since when spring and summer is a month apart? trying to take ppl money again...) click here (and yes you are reading that article correctly....a woman spent her UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK that day!)

Personally I believe that if I attended one of these much hyped (and rightfully so...the pieces the designer did for the spring collection went up to $350 US (for a silk maxi dress) while the price of a Matthew Williamson Collection dress - a cool $2550 ... and the collection is filled with the bright colours patterns and prints that us Caribbean women love!) discount designer events me an one of the NY fashionistas would have to get away! First of all they all goin for the small sizes I know that from jump, and if any one of those anorexics elbow me in my ribs (which I imagine feels similar to a cutlass chop), we will have a problem.

I don't like to fight up to spend my money. This is why when Topshop opened in NYC I chose to wait until the Monday after the weekend opening to go sample their wares. The result: Everything that was left could wrap round me twice.

It doesn't matter too much...I can't afford any of that stuff anyway.

I apologize for the unnecessary number of parentheses in this post.

Follow Fashion! Backlesness/ Pantslessness

2009-05-13T17:46:00.012-04:00

A lot of people are of the mindset that Caribbean street fashion ALWAYS follows the trends of pop culture regardless of appropriateness (remember the great SCARF debate of 08?) However, I beg to differ! I have picked out two trends that the Hollywood Fashionistas have only just gotten into that we in the Caribbean have been doing forever!

1. BACKLESSNESS

Young Caribbean women have been doing backless dresses/tops since 19-how-long. A backless top is like the sexy version of the mullet: all business in front, all unexpected drama an excitement in the back! I had noticed celebrities following the trend here and there like Nicole Kidman and Ciara:

GRRR those shoes!!

Ciara pics courtesy www.theybf.com/ Nicole Kidman courtesy www.skinnyvscurvy.com

But if I wasn't convinced then that Hollywood was jacking our swagger, last Monday's Met Costume Institute Gala convinced me for sure.

Not only did Ciara come with it again (like somebody tell her her back nice or something), but also Kate Hudson, Blake Lively, Kate Bosworth, K ate Moss and even Ashley Olsen!! OUTRAGE!

Okay, okay, I know we in the Caribbean didn't invent backless garments. But it was our territory and I feel like they trying to steal our shine! If the Arawaks and Caribs had felt this territorial things might have been a LOT different today! Anyway, I feel like we need to figure out a way to reclaim what is rightfully ours! How do we do this? Maximize the drama created in your backless top/ dress. I like to make the outfit as simple as possible from the front so that when I'm walking away, the drama of the back is heightened. Also look for backless items with interesting details such as fringe, beading, lace, ruffles, geometric shapes, or interesting combinations of thin straps. Also an entire back out (like Ciara's above) is a lot of skin that people aren't accustomed to seeing. So perhaps pair a dress with some leggings or a top with long pants or jeans so that your look doesn't come across as naked.

2. PANTSLESSNESS

Speaking of looking naked....

This is a trend that I am less willing to claim as originating in the Caribbean but I have to give jack he jacket...allyuh ladies did it first. You know what I'm talking about. When tunics became popular and we were never really too sure if an item was a top or a dress and we would ask a friend and the friend would give the WRONG answer (dress) and we would only really notice when we got out of the car at the party and our "dress" was chillin in the vicinity of our navel?

Or did that only happen to me....

But lately celebrities are also eschewing the pants....and not on the advice of any misguided companions either....it's because they WANT to.

I'm seeing the trend in three basic forms:

1. Thigh High Boots as Pants

For this I have to make an example of my favourite and bring my girl Rihanna to the front of the class.

What is this precisely Rih Rih? (This pigeon-toe action u have goin on here really not helping your case either.)

Thanks PacificCoastNewsOnline.com

And you, Birdie Bell, whoever you are, what do YOU have to say for yourself?

Thanks gofugyourself.celebuzz.com

And please no one point out to me that these young ladies are in fact wearing pants, because what they have there wrapped around their waists are NOT what I consider pants.

2. Leotards as Pants??

YES YOU Lady Gaga. This is all you! I really have no explanation for this. At least thigh high boots are worn on the legs. By this logic I could have left my Caribbean School of Dance classes in my turquoise blue leotard and jus walked the street like normal. In, fact no, because I STILL had on pink stockings. You however, don't (EVER!)

Thanks opestyle.blogspot.com

What kills me is she has the audacity to put a jacket on over this mess!

3. Just plain no pants.

So the day after the launch for the Matthew Williamson summer collection for H&M Chanel Iman updated on Twitter: "Why didn't i wear pants??? Umm i don't know just didn't feel like keeping them on!!"

Thanks nymag.com/daily/fashion

I love her....but she need licks. That is really just a top.

So...Caribbean ladies...about reclaiming this particular style....how about we just don't. Celebs are escorted from the hotel door to the limo door and from the limo door to the door of wherever else they are headed. We do not. I believe this is a style that threatens personal safety, and I believe you all have family members who love you. Nuff said. We have grown to have a love for leggings as a culture (and believe me they aren't going anywhere) so lets just stick to those when we wear a shorter dress. And if we ever have to ask ourselves, "Hmm, is this a top or dress?" let's just err on the side of safety and pick top. EVERY TIME. Also, when comparing, let's take our personal proportions into consideration. Just because on Susie Short Torso it appears to be a perfect dress length, on you, Lesley Long Legs, it is definitely a TOP.

THIS WOMAN IS JUS FLY

2009-05-13T09:03:00.002-04:00

I really can't handle all this flyness in the white house. Really. White House POETRY SLAM??!!!

For a shot of Miche's whole look CLICK HERE

Introduction

2009-05-01T10:06:00.004-04:00

HHEEYYY!

So I just wanted to post a little bit about the inspiration for and point of this blog. But first you have to know just a little bit about me and as usual I think that is best illustrated with an example....

The other day my boss and I were talking and I mentioned to him that I thought the most fascinating thing on the internet currently was the online catalog of the 2000+ belongings of Michael Jackson's that were about to be auctioned off (the auction has since been canceled). His reponse: "What does that say about us as a society that we consider the exploits of this bad bad guy to be the most fascinating thing on the internet today?"

Sorry, that's just me.

In today's world where everybody wants to be talking about the economy, or the swine flu, or the state of crime in Trinidad or globalization, I really just enjoy talking about pop culture, trends and clothes. Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly capable of talking about these other issues too. I just don't WANT to. Yall talk about them enough, believe me.

That being said, I don't profess to be an expert on fashion. In fact I know very little about fashion at all as a business besides what I can garner from my (other) boss' subscription to WWD. I just know what I like and I have a serious eye for detail and I pick up on trends very very easily. I actually work in the beauty industry. I was brought up with a very artistically inclined brother and always believed that in comparison I was not creative. But in this industry, that some may think shallow, I have been able to tap into my innovation and creativity. Conventional conservative thought will tell us that the pursuit of beauty or fashion as a career is frivolous and unrealistic, but in it I have found, not only my creativity, but my career, some kinda manic inner entrepreneur and many many kindred spirits. Plus ppl who hate on beauty and fashion careers jus jealous that they cant sit at work looking at sephora.com for an hour an palm it off as research :p

I currently live in NJ and thrive in NYC. However, my focus is now and has always been on the Caribbean region and I hope that comes through in my posts. Everything I do in the States has some sort of end goal based in the Caribbean. I dream to help create a real regional beauty industry, starting with my all-encompassing line of cosmetics Immortelle Beauty (a little shameless self promotion never hurt anybody!). And I am also very interested in Caribbean fashion and the promotion and strengthening of that industry.

The primary point of the blog is to illustrate and highlight trends so that Caribbean people are not on the tail end of whats going on in other countries. Obviously I can realize that there are some things that will just not work with our climate and culture. And I am not going to post pictures of $3000USD shoes without showing cheaper options.

Friends always complain about the limited access they have to stylish, wallet-friendly, classy, well-made items in the Caribbean. So the secondary purpose of this blog is to provide my readers with access to these items. Give me suggestions of looks you have seen and that you like and I will try to make them available to you. For more info just email me!

Oh, finally, everything I write on this blog are my own thoughts unless otherwise credited. (btw, lifting blog posts verbatim from other bloggers without crediting them is PLAGIARISM chicas....like allyuh figure yall are the only ones with internet!). The pics however....not so much. If you have an issue, before u call your lawyers jus email me and we go talk!

By Special Request

2009-04-30T18:19:00.011-04:00

Before I started blogging I used to satisfy my self-centered-ness by writing emails to my friends with my ridiculous musings of the day! By special request (love you Pandy!), here is one of those emails.

Oh before I copy and paste I should say that I am particularly obsessed with Rihanna. By that I mean I have an opinion on everything she does. Be warned.

we need to discuss what is goin on north of rihanna's (sizeable) forehead. It's been a few weeks now but this hair officially has got to go! Not only is it frizzin out in the barbados humidity BUT she has the sideburns slicked down in a kindy wavy relax hair slicky thing which is VERRRRYYYy reminiscent of michael jackson!!!! in fact the whole relaxy wetty curly-ish thing is mj reminiscent. lol ppl in europe once came up to her screaming "Prince! Prince!" an askin for autographs. I can imagine if they think she is mj she would be a lot more offended.....(i am COVETING the neon green skirt tho!) which brings me to a question... would u be more offended if ppl thought u looked like prince or like michael jackson? talk amongst yourselves....

Oh....and a new addition...the dude Rihanna is posing with above is the Prime Minister of Barbados. Like at the end of the day Rihanna is a reg chick an all. But can you picture me....or anybody you know....posing with Patrick Manning and doin rockstar finger signs? Think about it!

Blog Spotlight - Caribbean Fashion Style Journal

2009-04-30T18:07:00.011-04:00

I am one of those people who believes you should be able to find anything on the internet. When I put something into the search terms in Google, no matter how obscure it is, I want it to return 250,000 hits MINIMUM!

So you can understand my frustration when, going to specific websites I find no useful information. Take the official website for the Trinidad & Tobago Fashion Week for example, slated to take place at the end of May. How upset was I to discover that all the information on this website is current for the event in 2008!

Thank God for the Caribbean Fashion Style Journal. Updated often, this website not only alerts us to when and where the event is taking place, the blogger actually attends the events and takes (many) pictures so even if we didn't know it took place, we feel like we were there! He posts interviews, event reviews, and, most enjoyable, pictures of real-life Caribbean fashionistas and the fabulous things they wear to events! Blogs like this are really helping reach the Trinidad Fashion Week's goal of uplifting the Caribbean Fashion Industry to international standards.

Event Planning - HATness

2009-04-30T17:25:00.013-04:00

A friend suggested a good addition to the blog would be to take suggestions from readers about upcoming events in the Caribbean and make outfit suggestions. I thought the idea was fantastic (Thanks Tu!) especially for events that we are not so accustomed to in the Caribbean Social Scene.

One such event is this coming Saturday's celebration of Brian Lara's 40th Birthday at Santa Rosa Park! Literally a day at the races! Everybody of course is aware that race wear traditionally consists of a springy sundress and a huuuggeee hat (and yes I understand that the woman pictured is obviously somewhere in downtown NYC where no races take place....but still she looked cute and appropriate). So the question arises for young Trini women, who are unaccustomed to wearing hats to social occasions, how can I incorporate this accessory into my outfit and still look chic and modern and not look like i goin to church?

1. My first suggestion is the most subversive. Why even wear a hat? Why not just imply a hat. A feathered headband or bando (throwback!) looks very chic in either long or short hair and the feathers can match or NOT match your outfit as you see fit! They are also very trendy and different versions have been seen on celebs like one ah d Olsens dem and also on regular ol ppl like me! It seems that Pluma Designs has been producing them and selling them for $48 US each. Uhhhhh I think somebody needs to tell them that it have street vendors all over Manhattan selling the EXACT SAME THING for half the price or less (I suggest the woman on Union Square in front the sneakers store....she will make one for you on the spot). ALSO if you not in NYC there are Youtube videos which can tell u how to make your own! Jus head down Samaroo's for some feathers and some fabric glue and you can tell everybody that it is a one of a kind hand made couture creation. Check it out here!

2. If you do opt for a traditional hat design take after Jamaican singer Tami Chynn. She tweeted two pics of herself and Tessanne at the races in Jamaica last week! Check them out here and here. I love how Tami took a very traditional hat (complete with net veil yo!) in a FABULOUS colour (my trend spotting link tells me that shades of blue in the violet family are very big) which does not match her LYD. However if you look closer you will see she used funky violet eye makeup to bring the look together! Very very chic and contemporary. Also if you are on Twitter make sure to follow both @Tamichynn and @tessanne. We need to support our regional artists!

3. Do what Coco Chanel did for fashion history and put a menswear spin on the tradition! Instead of a frilly lacy gauze-y GRANNYISH hat why not try a sleek fedora or cloche. You will definitely be chanelling that 1930-s feeling and you will stand out. Any of the following, set at a jaunty (lol!) angle and paired with a long wide-legged jumpsuit would be most chic!

Oh btw, I learned this week that despite all the menswear influence, the house of Chanel has NEVER made clothes for men. All the men in the ads are actual wearing Chanel's women's designs!

picture courtesy altimiranyc.blogspot.com

Hmmm.....

2009-04-30T10:02:00.012-04:00

Sooo...I see genie/harem/Hammer/dhoti pants are still around. I thought we had decided that crotches of pants were never to reach the knee again (and by we I mean me and fashion of course...)

To me harem pants are like that really unattractive dude from primary school that you and your friends used to laugh at. And then 20 years later he turns up again and lo and behold....he's still unattractive. But you have changed in that you have shed making shallow value judgments against people... and so you start seeing him more and more and every time you look at him you start seeing the personality shining through beyond the grease on his face, and finally you find yourself in a quasi-relationship with him. But now you're worried that you're friends haven't stopped making shallow value judgments and so you limit your time within him to "alone time at home" or in reallly dark restaurants because....bottom line....yuh shame!

Then, inevitably he leaves you for some gorgeous woman who is not ashamed to be seen with him and you get really really jealous.

This is what genie pants are like to me. I thought even in the 90's when MC Hammer was the biggest thing he still looked a fool in them pants. However now, I look at them and they look soooo comfy! So I buy a pair but can't yet bring myself to wear them outside the house. They languish at the bottom of the cupboard and are inevitably donated to charity.

Then I see Angie Harmon looking like this in a look straight off the opening of Ralph Lauren's Spring 2009 fashion show and I think...she doesn't look ridiculous at all! Not only does she look totally comfortable and like all her girl parts are getting quite enough air, she also looks like she just came back from some exotic vacation an happened to pick up items from this outfit at a souk in Marrakech or at the Grand Bazaar in Turkey. I am insanely jealous! The only thing I ever pick up in a Bazaar is a hamper of Grace foods won at the Bingo stall (true story!).

Maybe I will step out of my box and try some Hammer pants sometime in the near future....

However, I would like to request that they are never EVER worn by men ever again....

Photo: Donato Sardella / WireImage

ALSO: No, tell us how you really feel about Cassie! LOL!

Ve-toed!

2009-04-30T08:59:00.010-04:00

I am picky about shoes.

Being blessed to possess a shoe size in the double digits (and no big setta height to justify it) shoe buying is not always the most enjoyable experience. What looks good in a 6.5 on the rack does not always look so hot in a 10! Lately, when I try on a pair of shoes and a ridiculous scenario involving said shoe immediately pops to mind (e.g. "Welllllll, if there's a blizzard all I need is two broom sticks and I could DEF ski to work on these bad boys!") the item is immediately vetoed.

This is why I cannot understand the appeal of the newest 'It' shoe for hot black celebrities, the YSL Caged Bootie (available of course at all the expensive uptown dept stores Barneys, Bergdorf etc). As soon as I looked at these shoes my imagination started working overtime, all sorts of craziness running through my head. Personally, when I glance down at my foot in a shoe I like to be pleasantly startled by how dainty and small they look despite the fact that this is an optical illusion created by the arch and height of the heel. I do NOT like to be alarmed because they have obviously been taken prisoner, bound and gagged (ok maybe not gagged, there is a peep toe) by a kidnapper with a long, flat foot fetish whose only ransom request is for me to "point an flex real slow!" **shudder**

More L.A.M.B....

As for the ropey L.A.M.B. version I would def feel like i stepped on some kind of carefully laid trap concealed in the woods, yet, interestingly, only my feet get caught up in the net and are now hanging upside down from tree branches. Alas, I do need my feet to escape!

Anyway as usual this is a moot argument, because even if i did like these shoes I couldn't bring myself to rest two months mortgage payments ($1590 USD for the YSL version) on it. I imagine that if I could I must indeed be a prime kidnapping target. Or Beyonce. Or Ciara. (btw I covet that dress Ciara is wearing!) Or maybe I would just have to be an ass.

But then again as I say, I am very picky about shoes. What do you think?

In addition: Could somebody please let Alicia Keys know that she can use a stylist for casual occasions to0. This should never happen again.

Be-WEAVE It!

2009-04-29T10:17:00.017-04:00

Slide 1

Last week’s biggest celebrity story was Oprah’s emphatic declaration that she does not wear a weave! I’m sure that after seeing this spring’s basket-weave themed items, she will be making a public retraction!

For those of us who don't have $2150 to put INSIDE a clutch far less to SPEND ON one... I have provided some equally fabulous, yet much cheaper woven options for you to feast your eyes upon. Even better, these items will be available for sale in Trinidad very soon along with many other affordable fashion forward pieces.

(Click image to see more detail.) Send an email to stepuptrinistyle@gmail.com for more information including prices and sizing. Also, if you would like me to do more research into this trend and provide items to you I would be glad to! Spread the word!

Extras: 1. No Rhi Rhi! We do not under any circumstances wave a rag. Not even you fierce enough to pull that one off!
2. The things that are newsworthy in the Caribbean lol...
...