How to express your style?

 
We all speak Fashionese!
 
What is the oldest and most universal language’?

‘Even before we speak to someone in a meeting, at a party, or on the street, our clothes often express important information (or misinformation) about our occupation, origin, personality, opinions, and tastes. And we pay close attention to how others dress as well; though we may not be able to put what we observe into words, we unconsciously register the information, so that when we meet and converse we have already spoken to one another in an universal tongue’.

Clothes therefore is an universal language spoken by the world’s 6.7 billion population. This language is used on a daily basis by everyone in the world, nudist beaches not included.
 
So this got me thinking, what is my style vocabulary?
 
Like other women who recognise the importance of staying current without being a slave to every fashion trend, I believe in staying true to my own style personality. Trends come and go every season and even though I am considered a ‘fashionista’, I’m not likely to follow each and every fashion ‘must have’. It might be anti-fashionista of me to say that, but I value my style personality more than I value a fly-by-night trend that may not even be suitable for my body type, personality or lifestyle.

Therefore I’d say my personal style is really uncontrived. Especially at this time of the year when Halloween is upon us, tis the perfect time to embrace your Wild side, so ladies grab your broomsticks, black cats and decadent lace.

Which witch will you be this Halloween ?
 
Wearing hooded cloaks, red lips, dark maxi skirts, Mortisha Adams figure hugging long black dresses, and leather accessories allows you to be villainously cool, wickedly glamorous ethereally elegant.
 
This also got me thinking…What does your chosen Halloween costume say about you?
 
While we say costume choices are purely random, it isn’t really according to scientists. Halloween is an invitation to your imaginary fantasy world allowing people to hide behind a façade. As we all know Halloween gives us permission to ‘act out’ and dress up in outfits and costumes that may otherwise not be acceptable in everyday society. While extroverts are in their element, during this party season a shy person may feel more daring, especially if hiding behind a mask. So you may even find your inner diva hidden deep underneath this Halloween.

It has been said that if you dress up like a celebrity:  You aim to display a knowledge of current events, express personality traits or social issues that are associated with the celebrity in person, for example- Lindsay Lohan unleashing your rebellious nature. They say if you dress up like an animal: This symbolises certain traits or attributes in myths. An animal costume may represent some real aspects of a person’s identity or some admired characteristic .Sexy costumes such as French maids, hot nurses can represent your repressed sexuality. Whereas angelic styles like fairies or princesses conveys ones lost innocence, beauty or a return to a safer and simpler time. And evil characters, allows people to safely and creatively express their dark side without guilt.
 
Last year I dressed up as a cat for Halloween. I must say ironically I am not the biggest fans of cats, would much rather have dogs as a pet. Anyway after analysing costumes, I would say the cat symbolised freedom, beauty, (a sleek black cat) and independent, after all cats used to be viewed as Gods in Egyptian times. Cats themselves are quite resourceful and tend to give us messages of change, flexibility of adaptability. Funnily enough these are all strengths and characterises I very much display.
 
However to you a cat could be something totally different. So this season and thereafter, look at others as representations of yourself, as a mirror. Any judgment of someone else, is really a judgment on you. Viewing the world in this manner helps us grow, learn and better understand who we really are warts and all.  
 
To wrap up. ..Halloween is a fascinating time. This year look upon it in curiosity. What will you learn about your style personality? And most importantly have fun!

Priv8 Event

KemiStyle night out at the prestigious Bungalow 8 elite members club.

In association with my cousins company Modus Vivendii. To my surprise special celebrity guest appearance Mark Heyes, came to show his support.

Inspirational Images

Whether is it the colours, vibrancy or peculiar abstractness of these images....they capture and trigger something in my mind.....take a look.


















Please stay tuned, as there are lots of exciting new synergies and events taking place for KEMISTYLE over the next coming months....its going to be a busy one :-)

Its that time of the year already!

Sorry for a very very delayed post!I have been extremely busy as I am sure everyone has! Tell me, how has it all of a sudden become August??? Over the past few months, I have been sticking to my jet setting ways, and have enjoyed a fabulous girls holiday in Spain, family rendezvous in Belgium, and lovely breaks in the Cotswold's. As well as attending the likes of Royal Ascot, summer parties and the joys of moving flats.

I wanted to take this opportunity to talk to you about this seasons A/W 2011 trends.

First of all I will start with the ladies top four trends...

-Glamazon (my favourite 70's trend is back) This seasons lady who lunches, are not holding back. Think of oversized faux-fur stoles, and clutches. Jewel-toned dresses, leopard and snakeskin prints. Finish off the look with up-dos, ladylike stilettos anything luxury. This year in my eyes Pucci and Chloe stole the limelight on the catwalk.

- Tomboy Masculine tailoring this season with cropped slim trousers, boxy blazers and oversized coats. Team with chunky brogues and you are good to go. Jason Wu showcased this best with his crisp white tux jakect with black trimming.

- Whiplash For a friendly take on fetish mix victorian inspired lace with knee length leather pencil skirts, waist belts and complete the look with lux leather gloves. Stella McCartney took this look to a classy wearable level with a black knee length spilt exposed mesh lace and leather panelling dress.

- Free Spirit Clash it the aim of this trend. Johnathan Saunders and Joseph Altuzarra do it best by throwing parkas over dresses. Teamed with cropped chunky knits with fur gilets to get that bohemain effortlessly styled look.

-For the accessories trend its about statement pieces...yahh!! The bigger the better in my eyes, this includes everything from cuffs to collars, bling and block colour.

Take on board this up and coming trends and personalise them so that feel truly unique this Autumn Winter ....Please stay tuned for A/W 2011 Menswear trends. Don't worry I will not leave it as long next time!

J'aime Marrakesh!

Magical, Memorizing, Mirage......Marrakesh! It felt like nostalgia a home away from home, as soon as we landed. I felt a real sense of heritage, in this amazing city. Be it the fuse between the madness of Lagos, and my French mother tongue (literally) or the friendly upbeat people, I loved it from the get go!

The first day beaten down by the heat, 38 degrees + to be precise, all I could do was lie dormant on my sun lounger, dipping in and out of the pool, which at this point can only be described as heaven sent!

The next day it was time to visit the infamous souks. Visiting Marrakech without experiencing the Souks is like going ski-in and not seeing any snow. It is, however like marmite, you either love it or hate it! No prizes for what I thought of it then?! It truly is an experience you will not forget. The colours, the sounds, the smells, the shouting, and the mopeds whizzing down all the tiny side streets makes this place unbeatable.

This place is a labyrinth dedicated to retail. But not retail as we know it. This is retail stuck in medival times and is in no way therapeutic. Beggars walk the narrow passages asking for some coins. Snake charmers frightening the life out of you, by surprising you with a snake in your face. Monkey’s jumping on you and their masters demanding for money- once you have taken advantage of that photo opportunity. But as you walk around, it dawns on you that this is a way of life for the Berbers. You take a moment and appreciate the craftsmanship and dedication they have to their trade. Whilst walking around immersing yourself, you catch a glimpse of dusty mystical Aladdin’s caves full of caskets, north African carvings, Ali Baba slippers and magic carpets.

A few more afternoons of sun-bathing past, remember I was on holiday and had to work on my tan. One evening my girlfriends and I decided to go out for dinner. We ventured to African Chic. Marrakech has something of a reputation for its nightlife, which covers groovy Ibiza-style discos to belly-dancing. Music is at the heart of cultural life in Marrakech, and this was definitely evident in African Chic. A bar restaurant, with live music, where entertainment and partying are the major components in making it a One of a kind. The food service and aura, although in Africa lent itself to a very Latino Brazilian ambiance, a very enjoyable evening.

A few more days later its 6.30 am and the alarm rings, my thoughts exactly waking up that early seems almost illegal on holiday. We took a coach approximately thirty kilometres from the Imperial City of Marrakech, and spreading between the first foothills of the Atlas Mountains, to the Ourika Valley. Which is one of the most beautiful and best preserved valleys in Morocco.


With tiny villages clinging to the steep hillsides, waterfalls where brave young men were driving into what I could only describe crystal clear blue waters. With rocky landscapes merging with the ubiquitous desert, this was a wild and enticing combination on the edge of the Western Atlas.Teeming with vegetation, palmeraies and Berber hamlets, the Ourika Valley showcases the real beauty, magic and rich nature of Morocco. This fantastic day trip was most definitely worth waking up at the crack of dawn for it was truly outstanding with breathtaking scenery.

Only a few more days to go until its home time, which means back to rainy climates and reality. Therefore I had to take full advantage of the glorious sunshine, gorgeous couscous, tagines and Moroccan tea.

Before we knew it we were boarding the plane back to the UK. Well until next time Morocco; I most definitely will be back :-)

LFW 11

A few weeks ago, my fabulous friend and and were front row at London Fashion Week.

The Tourist

Yesterday, I saw the film "The Tourist" starring Angelina Jolie and Johnny Depp. Depp stars as an American tourist whose playful dalliance with a stranger (Jolie) leads to a web of intrigue, danger and romance, their romance evolves and they see themselves playing a danger game of cat and mouse.

The setting is seductive and exotic, Jolie is oozing with femme fatale temptation, and the styling is very complimentary to classic film noir glamour.

Her presence, grace and style is absolutely captivating in this film. You literally can't keep your eyes off her and her amazing jewellery, gowns and dresses. She looks flawless throughout, against the breathtaking back drop of Paris, and Venice.

Angelia Jolie personal costume designer Colleen Atwood, said that “Minimal Hollywood elegance” was her inspiration for the film styling.

I especially love the outfit Angelina’s character Elise wears at the start of the film. The white and camel ensemble created by costume designer Colleen Atwood . Her white dress is accessorized beautifully with a camel/taupe coloured cashmere wrap, matching to the elbow gloves and clutch, Salvatore Ferragamo pumps and Robert Procop stud earrings.

The little chic grey dress is a vintage 1950s Charles James dress. Angelina wears this dress with gold drop earrings, elbow length tan gloves and a pair of nude pumps to create my second favourite outfit from the film.

In one scene, Jolie’s character dashes off to a ball in Venice, Italy, wearing a glamorous, flowing black gown topped off with a diamond-studded choker. “The black gown was designed to evoke the grand life, and to frame Angelina Jolie’s beauty,” Atwood explains. “The necklace was created by Robert Procop from an antique tiara, and the diamonds were definitely real!” Mannnn how I wish I was Angelina Jolie!!

More than anything, the film showcases the Italian lifestyle in terms of designer dressing and fashion. We must not forget Depp, who looked dapper in sharp Armani and Savile Row suits, teamed with Ozwald Boateng shirts.