Showing posts with label 1980's model. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1980's model. Show all posts

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Style Maven Series: Carol Alt


1979 was a fabulous year; It's the year I was born, US & China began diplomatic relations, Margaret Thatcher becomes the First Woman Prime Minister of Great Britain, Mother Theresa was Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
AND it was the year Carol Alt burst onto the modelling scene on the cover of Harpers Bazaar (Italia). She is a Multi faceted and talented Maven who has an amazing career as a model with over 700 magazine covers to her credit and countless editorials, ads and features.
This is one of the most iconic Sports Illustrated images I remember.

She is also an actress, and author 4 times over writing about her passions: Fashion and Raw Food.
She is an entrepreneur with a RAW & NATURAL line of skincare products called RAW ESSENTIALS.

She told me "We are the ONLY chemical free skin care line on the market. That’s good for healthy bodies because everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your body; which is why women are having problems with breast cancer tumours from paraffin, because paraffin’s mimics hormones. We are also results driven. We get unbelievable results. Our results are so fantastic that the photographers taking the before and after pictures said “these are the best before and afters we have ever seen!”
I asked Carol; If someone was going to try RAW ESSENTIALS what should they start with? Carol suggests "Start with a scrub, it is good to get rid of the old dead skin cells and bring up beautiful young skin. Then a moisturizer. We have a sensitive skin moisturizer and an anti-aging moisturizer. Your skin will never get oily because the oil in our product is “raw oil”. It is in a form that the body can understand and utilize immediately."

RAW ESSENTIALS WILL BE FEATURED IN GREATER DETAIL IN AN UPCOMING BLOG - PURCHASE IT HERE

Carol LOVES FASHION and since being in the business since 1979 she has acquired a collection of pieces, gained invaluable knowledge of design, textiles and the business of fashion and seen trends come and go (and perhaps come back again). I had the chance to chat with Carol via telephone recently and ask her my Style Maven questions.

LISA: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?

CAROL: I’m a classic Sexy, I like tailored. I love the female form and I think it should be shown off. I like simple, sleek, chic, classic sexy things that show the form off. There is a problem with that because some people cross the line and it becomes trashy. There is a very fine line of just being a classic, simple, sleek, sexy dresser and I don’t over do it with accessories.

LISA: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

CAROL: It depends what we are talking about. If it is dressing for an evening I like my simple black dress. I also have the simple black dress in lots of different colours. For day, I think anything paired with a nice pair of jeans is fine. I think dressing up jeans is great. I LOVE, LOVE White Shirts (fitted). I have different versions of the fitted white shirt. I think it's great for people who don’t have a lot of money to spend or don’t have the excess money to have a lot of different things. You can wear a pair of jeans and if you change your shoes and bag people think you are dressed completely different. Things that aren’t as expensive as say your blazer or your silk shirt.

LISA: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

CAROL: LOVE IT!!! last night I wore a vintage piece to dinner.

LISA: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

CAROL: I like what suits my body, I don’t really care what is in fashion. I really like to wear things that look good on me. Ultimately if they look good on you people are going to ask you where you got it anyway. I have a girlfriend who is a Vintage shopper and she dresses me. Her name is Melanie and she picks all my pieces for me. In a sense I am somewhat spoiled because she knows me better than I do.
She is into designer pieces and likes picking designer pieces. For the AMFAR gala I wore a gold Gucci vintage gown that she had picked out for me.

She also has picked me up little Vintage sweater vests, not your typical vests but really unique styled sweater vests that you would wear open over a white shirt and jeans in a very soft brown knit. She also picked me up four Vintage shirts that are long, stretch jersey knit that I wear over stretch pants. I have no clue who they are, there were no labels in them at all. I really don’t care about labels, as long as it is a beautiful piece and looks good on me.


LISA: What are you wearing this Fall/Winter? Tell our readers the key elements for your F/W 2012 wardrobe?

CAROL: Unfortunately the platform is back so it makes all your other shoes look old if you don’t get a pair or two of platforms. It is unfortunate because I am 5’11”. I’m getting a couple of pair of platforms. I still like a sleek look and my skirts a little bit longer, it’s much more sexy and of course always a tailored jacket. I’ve gotten a couple of really short that I will wear over stretch pants but into boots. I am doing a real mix, I am finding at this age I don’t really care what people think. It allows me to experiment a little bit more because I don’t care.

LISA: If you could give women 1 piece of STYLE advice, what would it be?

CAROL: Simple. Just Simplicity.


CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE ~ Carol's Closet:














EVOLUTION VINTAGE Pick's for Carol:

VINTAGE FAUX FUR JACKET - SAKS FIFTH AVENUE 70's

VINTAGE CHRISTIAN DIOR CROP COAT 80's

VINTAGE RIDING JACKET - NAVY

VINTAGE Late 70's/early 80's EVENING GOWN - ROBERT DAVID MORTON for NEIMAN MARCUS

1990'S RICHARD TYLER SILK BLAZER

VINTAGE 80'S BACKLESS COCKTAIL DRESS


Saturday, January 8, 2011

Style Maven Series: IMAN


IMAN has been on the fashion scene since her arrival from Somalia in 1975. Her first modeling gig was for VOGUE in 1976. It did not take long for the fashion world to take notice of this exotically beautiful woman. She spent 14 years at the top of the business adored by many of the world's most amazing designers from Gianni Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Halston, Calvin Klein, Donna Karen, and Thierry Mugler (just to name a few). My personal Favorite was her Thierry Mugler shows of the early 1990's.





She continues to Model but she is MUCH more than an exotic beauty. She's a Mother, Wife (of musician David Bowie), Designer, Entrepreneur, TV Show host, Author ("I am IMAN" and "The Beauty of Color"), Humanitarian and FASHION ICON! (confirmed once again when she WON the 2010 CFDA - Council of Fashion Designers of America 'Fashion Icon' AWARD)


Iman was approached by HSN execs in 2007 to start a fashion line based on her style, marketability and high profile. Iman started her GLOBAL CHIC COLLECTION with a collection of caftans (which she collects and LOVES). Iman's Global Chic collection has evolved into one of four best-selling items among more than 200 fashion and jewelry brands on HSN. Her line includes clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. I appreciate that IMAN designs the things she loves and uses. She actually wears and uses items from her collection and you can too. SHOP HER COLLECTION

In 1994 she started a line of Cosmetics with a focus on the needs of ethnic women and being able to provide them with the various shades that were missing from the market. As of 2010 Iman Cosmetics has reached the $25 million dollar a year mark, based around reasonably priced items for sale at large retailers (WalgreensTarget / DrugStore.com). Her vision started when she began modelling in the late 1970's and there was no foundation to match her skin tone. Her products run from $7.99-$14.99


What is unique about her website is that you can "Meet your Match". You compare the current foundation shade you are using from top brands (M.A.C., L'Oreal, Revlon, ect) and match it to the equivalent shade via Iman Cosmetics. Give it a try HERE



In addition to running a global beauty brand and creating a fashion/accessory line she is now also host of the BRAVO TV show: "The Fashion Show: Ultimate Collection", season two with fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi.

I love her no non-sense approach with her critiques to the designers. She illustrated her eclectic style sensibilities wit her wardrobe for the show. I was so impressed to see her wear a 1990's era Azzedine Alaia leopard print dress in one of the episodes. A nod to fashions rich history.

She is a busy lady with a BIG heart! She represents and works for several causes, including: Keep a Child Alive, Children's Defense Fund, Stand for Children, For All Kids, Action Against Hunger, and SEVERAL Others. She represents not just by writing a cheque but by investing her time, contacts and resources to making a difference in the lives of others.


I had a chance to ask IMAN a few Style Maven Questions;

LISA: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?

IMAN: I love fashion but I don't like to be trendy. My personal style is classic and timeless just like a great black cashmere sweater or hermes birkin bag.

LISA: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

IMAN: I love pants so they are a staple in my closet from skinny to wide legged ones low to high waisted. I love the mix of the high and low as I constantly pair my Chanel, YSL and Alaia's with my IMAN Global Chic from hsn.


LISA: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

IMAN: I live for vintage! first because it flatters my figure and secondly it is unique and you will not see it coming and going. One of the first things I do every morning is go on 1stdibs to scour the vintage clothes and accessories.

LISA: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

IMAN: I don't wear only designer vintage but I do have some like Ossie Clark/Galanos/Balenciaga but unknowns as well if it looks good on me I am getting it.

LISA: What are you wearing this WINTER? Tell our readers the key elements for your Winter 2011 wardrobe.

IMAN: Lady luxe is what I am craving this winter and kitten heels. Nude coloring still my fave. I am also feeling fur as I think it is the new knitwear. Structured and modern... fresh but pulled together.

IMAN Style Sample (Click on images to ENLARGE):



It's my hope IMAN puts Evolution Vintage on her list of Vintage eBoutiques to scour for her next fashion treasures.

My Vintage Style pick for IMAN.








Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Style Maven Series: Kathy Ireland


Kathy Ireland is known to many as the face (and body) of Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition and model through the decade of the 1980's. To me she is the ultimate MOMpreneur and Mogul.


She started her company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide in 1993 with a line of socks by Moretz. Now Ireland, who is the CEO, sells complete lines of clothing, home furnishings, books, exercise videos, flooring, lighting, and window treatments that are all meant to be stylish yet affordable for working women and mothers. Collaborating with other corporate partners, Ireland's $1.4 billion dollar (in annual gross sales) label offers 15,000 different products. Visit www.kathyireland.com




Most recently she has added a bridal collection of gowns and a line of hair extensions to her list. Her motto/vision: "finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.”™




Kathy is a married mother of 3 children and is one of the most generous and kind celebrities. She uses her time, money and resources to genuinely help others. This video is but a fraction of what she does and who she helps via her philanthropic efforts.




I had the chance to ask Kathy my Style Maven Questions:

LISA: Can you describe your personal Style aesthetic AND attitude about fashion?

KATHY: Because in the last century, I worked as a model, my fashion aesthetic is eclectic. My passion for fashion comes from a desire to serve. So many women feel left out of the fashion world. My goal is to make fashion inclusive. Beauty lives in every shape, size, color and age. Lets celebrate that truth! When I designed my very first collection, there was a battle to include products for women to who larger in size. That made me furious. Why should choices be limited? There is no shame in weight gain. When my weight is higher than I wanted to be… my fashion style doesn’t’ change. I always support body cooperative dressing. I love fabrics that flatter and forgive. I embrace my body and it’s curves. They are God given. I love color. I wear beige, but it’s not my passion. If the outfit is beige… accessorize with bold jewelry, tops of color from hand bag to shoes and scarf! Whatever your size or shape, please, don’t be afraid of color. Colors make us radiant. Don’t ever try to use fashion to make yourself disappear. Love your body as it is and never hide, be proud of who you are. That doesn’t mean, we can’t always be healthier and make progress… but, love yourself as you are, starting now.


LISA: What are the key components / pieces in your closet?

KATHY: Jeans with a touch of lycra… a blazer, a simple white dress, a vintage sweater coat and colorful blouses that will take me anywhere at any time. I love to layer. Sometimes I’ll wear a blouse over a dress to give it a jacket feel. Jewelry, handbags and shoes change everything. I have some cherished clothing and accessories that are vintage and precious. A boa, a 1920’s dress that makes me feel as though I just walked out of a George Hurrell portrait and again, our collection of jewelry and hand bags which freshened everything, and I always have pairs and pairs of socks. In boots, socks are so comfortable!


LISA: How do you feel about Vintage Clothing and Accessories?

KATHY: You already know I love vintage. I adore it! We cannot have an appreciation for that which is new, without paying respect to vintage. Timeless. Classic. Inspiring. Forever. Those are the adjectives that vintage congers up for me. You will always find vintage inspiration in everything I design.



LISA: What are your favorite Vintage pieces (Clothing and/or Accessories)? Do you only wear designer vintage?

KATHY: I wear vintage wherever I find it. I love mixing it with things that are new. As I said at the beginning, my fashion style is eclectic. Long live vintage and hopefully our designs today will become vintage tomorrow. Thank you so much for walking with me on twitter and allowing me to participate in your glorious blog.


LISA: What are you wearing this fall? Tell our readers the key elements for your Fall/Winter wardrobe .

KATHY: Knit dresses, long sweaters, two belted cashmere coats, linen shirt and a few great pairs of jeans. I also love some short vintage, print dresses and our entire new collection of social occasion dresses from kathy ireland Weddings by 2be My favorite colors this season include… purple, olive green, beige, camel and jewelry to add that special sparkle.


Kathy also pulled Vintage items from her personal collection and supplied Evolution Revolution with these exclusive photographs. She is VERY Vintage Glam and reminds me of the silver screen siren Ava Gardner --



KATHY (Click on images to enlarge):










Here are some of Kathy's Looks:






Kathy you inspire MOMpreneurs and women worldwide with your dedication, hard work, style and kindness ~ A Mother, a Mogul and a MAVEN.


EVOLUTION VINTAGE'S PICKS FOR KATHY: