Event Planning - Beach House May 24th

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!

Event Planning - HATness

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