For the Love of Fashion!

After a long and dreadful winter, the snow is finally almost gone (at least here in Michigan), the days are a little a less dreary, and even 32 degrees feels warmer.  I'm ready to take a break from my fall/winter 2010/11 wardrobe (it's temporary, we'll get back together next fall.).  You see, my relationship to clothing (including, but not limited to shoes, purses, belts, apparel, jewelry, and etc.) is like a love affair: When I first see that perfect new find, my heart starts beating and my eyes twinkle with excitement.  It doesn't matter how much it costs, because you can't put a price on true love!  I begin fanaticizing how, where, with what, and when I can wear my new found love.  If I can afford to take it home, the world becomes a better place- perfect and beautiful (at least for a few hours anyway.); and as long as I'm comparing shopping to love (I know- it's kind of sick.), the same is true when I can't have that "special" something.  I yearn to hold it, wear it, and be with it.  After a period of time, this emotion eventually cools down and my heart makes room for a new flame*. *I'm sheepishly admitting that I can relate to the character "Rebecca Bloomwood" (played by Isla Fisher) in the movie, "Confessions of a Shopaholic." So what am I "into" this week?  Crisp, clean lines and COLOR, COLOR, COLOR!!!! It's no coincidence that it's one of the hottest styles this season.  I’m a fashion designer, so I can tell you why:  1. It’s clean-up time!  As we all know, overly embellished (almost baroque), deconstructed looks were the big thing for a while.  That’s finally become completely exhausted and fashion has taken on more of a minimalist approach. 2. Less is more.. affordable.  People need more economical choices these days, but don’t necessarily want to skip out on looking and feeling luxurious.  Designers have offered strong prints, bold colors, and modern shapes this season in order to make luxury more accessible.  It’s as Coco Chanel said, “Luxury lies not in richness and ornateness, but in the absence of vulgarity.”  When times get tough, “less is more” becomes the rule in fashion.   3. We want our mojo back!  Many of us have been feeling low for a while; some of us have lost our jobs, our homes, and our world has been in a crisis.  It's depressing.  The last thing we all need is more clutter, confusion, and dreariness.  I'll cheer it again: Simple lines and COLOR, COLOR, COLOR!!!!  So check it out!  Here are Emilia's picks for the week: Albino Spring 2011 RTW Collection Albino is a prime example of color blocking- the spring collection was all about that. I don't know about you, but I WANT THAT SKIRT! Albino Spring 2011 RTW Collection  Colored belts are everywhere drawing attention the waist. RTW Sping 2011 Antonio Marras. This is one of his simpler looks this season. He's alwasy so creative and knows how to embrace the beauty of a woman. Let's face it, is there any other color that screams, "WOMAN!" more than red? Cacharel RTW Spring 2011  Isn't it a dream? I want to be on the set of "Sex and the City" right now and wear this to a diner! Akris Spring 2011 RTW collection Bright, funky colors on a classic silhouette make a bold, yet classy statement.

Farewell, Our Star!

Last week, I asked our friends and fans on facebook to share their beauty tips & tricks, but unfortunately, as everyone knows, an icon has passed away this week: Elizabeth Taylor.

Since the old-time Hollywood star was among the women who have inspired our brand, we wished to dedicate this next post to her. 

Not only did that violet- eyed beauty have all of the right elements that make a woman truly sexy, but she also managed to take it to the next level. Her beauty was considered unusual for her time: black hair, bold eyebrows, and wavy hair were not the trend during her youth. However, rather than conform to most people’s ideas of what women should look like, she embraced her unique look and made it THE look of Hollywood.  

She was feminine, different, avant for her time. She had a gaze of silent seduction and her class and elegance were powerful aphrodisiacs that made her irresistible to men; this made every woman want to be her.  She was a role model to many and we will remember her with gratitude, for she let us know that it is possible to be a shining star.

Thank you Elizabeth, you will always be with us.

AVANT CHIC’S 5 TIPS TO SEXY LEGS

Everyone knows that a woman’s body is considered a work of art, and as fashion trends change, so do the ideas of what is considered the “hottest” feature on a woman.

In the 50’s the focus was on having a small waist, in the ‘90’s it was all about having “junk in the trunk,” and we are now moving into (what I refer to as) the “LEG ERA.”

This has been an important feature that has been somewhat ignored in the past few years possibly because there is the misconception (mostly by women) that women’s  “ta-tas” are the first thing a man looks at, then the “derriere.” But, according to the article, “Top 5 Things Men Find Most Physically Attractive In Women (PG Rated),” written by Danielle Page on beauty examiner.com (http://www.examiner.com/beauty-in-jackson/top-5-things-men-find-most-physically-attractive-women-pg-rated), the “Butt” is #1 and Legs are actually in 2^nd place!

Since legs just so happen to be OUR business, Avant Chic has put together 5 tips to sexy legs:

1. ALWAYS have freshly shaved legs (I’m a men’s “Fusion” rasor fan myself..).  Let’s be honest, is it possible for a woman to feel sexy with stubbly legs even if you know that no one is going to see or feel them?

2. Use high quality moisturizers and body oils (the key is not be able to write your name on your leg because your skin is dry!). Here’s my personal favorite: La Licious Body Oil- Guava Island scent (sold at Todd’s Room in Birmingham http://www.toddsroombirmingham.com/, MI or at http://www.beautycollection.com). It smells so delicious you want to eat it (i.e. SEXY!!).

3. Know your leg type. Wear things that flatter your legs, for example, if you legs are on the thin side, use shoes that have a strap around the ankle, if you have thicker or short legs- DON’T (for more tips please email me, Emilia at emilia@avantchic.com).

4. Have a sexy walk. If you really want to bring attention to your gams, have a sexy walk.  If you’re not sure how to do that, walk in front of a mirror and practice, practice, practice!

5. “A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed.”- Coco Chanel.  “How can you dress up legs?” you ask? Check out www.avantchic.com of course  (wink, wink!)

If there’s something on our list that’s missing, you can write your thoughts on our facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Avant-Chic/138188749579566 or visit our website at www.avantchic.com and click “contact.”