StyleJunkie Feature - Fresh Fashion Local

Name: Nadira Kharmai,
Age: 20
Stats:
- Grand Valley State University lacrosse team
- Local model and fashion show producer
- Former host of GVSU's premier fashion talk-show, "Hot Valley"

Fashion inspiration
Simple, Gabrielle Chanel. Her mantra of pure simplicity is my fashion inspiration The collection, now conducted by Karl Lagerfeld inspires me to fuse preppy looks with classic pieces to create new age trends.

To-die-for Couture Designer
JASON WU! I'd KILL for one of his flashy little cocktail dresses. Wu’s spring collection at NYF is incredible. He has an eye for fresh elegance with a twist of romantic style. He also rocks sequins in all the right ways.

Best bang for your buck designer
Paper Denim and Cloth. The collection is known for soft and durable clothing that lasts. Very artsy and not many people wear their stuff around these parts.

Forever fashion staple
Low-rise dark jeans are slimming on any body type and can be doctored up with embroidery and sequins. If you’re aiming for a more casual look pair the jeans with super high heels and a sexy or billowy top.

"Aww hell no" fashion don't
CROCS, unless you're a gardener or working in a hospital, please refrain from wearing Crocs. Also – never wear five different trends at once!

The future of fashion
I'm hoping designers such as Jason Wu, Betsy Johnson, and Christian Audigier can stir up something unique and reasonably priced for all of us without millions of dollars. I’d also like to see Betsy Johnson and Christian Audigier’s west coast style blend with the mainstream style that controls the Midwest.

Spring '09 fashion predictions
More floral patterns along with polka dots. I have a feeling polka dots are going to be huge and hopefully cancel out the plaid phase still looming over us.

Hot or Not? Fur Bracelets

Ecstatic as always to see my weekly Style.com email sitting patiently in my inbox, i rushed home to pour myself a glass of vino and kick back for some good fashion reading. Halfway through the rundown i noticed a small brief touting a new trend about to hit the fashion radar for pre-fall.

I'll give you a hint, the trend is hairy, fluffy and detached from your outfit. Give up? It's an enormous fur bracelet (come on people!)

Now, I'm not sure how i feel about slapping a big furry bracelet around my wrist, all i can think about is unknowingly dipping my fabuloso bracelet in tapioca pudding during a lunch meeting. But, what do i know? I could be completely missing the point here.

Feel free to leave comments coaching me on how to successfully flash around the fur bracelet, i'm all ears! :)

--Style Junkie

Stylehive

Hey everyone!

Interesting new fashion web site that only encourages fashion addicts like myself by providing members with real-time updates of who's buying what and where in the "hive." It's all kind of confusing at first so let me break it down for you:

1. Join Stylehive.com

2. Research other hivers that have the same style as you do and shop their hive!(each member has links to their must-have clothing essentials!)

3.To be a fellow hiver you must also research fancy frocks that fit your style regimen and bookmark the clothing web site so your Stylehive friends can cash in on your finds.

4. Create a fashion diary and connect with other fashion obsessed members! We always love new fashion friends!

5. Add big-name retailers to your hive and be the first to review "just-in" looks.

6. Have fun! I just became of a member of Stylehive and I've really enjoyed perusing the site and gawking at the millions of rockin' handbags, shoes, jeans, blouses, and dresses.

P.S. When creating a user name on that site the word "bee" needs to be at the end of your screen name and i didn't know that so my user name is "lynsey03" - If anyone from Stylehive reads this post please contact me and let me know how to change my user name so I'm not viewed as the resident "stylehive dork." - Thanks!

What is Fashion?

What is fashion? Is it spending thousands of dollars each season purchasing a new wardrobe just because you have the means to do so? Is it obnoxiously parading around in public displaying three or four different "popular, like OMG!" brands?(a.k.a brand whoring) What about buying fake impersonations of those "popular" brands just so you can pretend that you actually have the funds to purchase that product?

As you may have noticed by my dripping sarcasm, none of the statements above capture the words "fashion" or "style." I've been thinking about this question a lot lately. What is fashion? How do we define fashion and most importantly, how do we define style?

The dictionary reads:

Fashion - a prevailing custom or style of dress, etiquette, socializing, etc.

Style - an elegant, fashionable, or luxurious mode of living.

Do i agree with the dictionary? Not really, you see fashion may be defined by the couture gods every season, but style is defined differently by each individual. I'm reminded of the quote from Coco Chanel, "Fashion fades, only style remains the same."

That said, personal style is important to your very existence. Don't go through the motions people! If you fancy scarves, then find a way to work the beautiful prints into your outfits two, maybe three times a week. Perhaps you are addicted to bold, gold accessories - then go for it sister! Who cares if Vogue says "gold is out out out! for the season. Take that one trend that defines your style and stick with it. Too many times i see women who become slaves to the season trends, spending gobs and gobs of money on pieces of clothing that do not define their personality in any way.

I am inspired by the people in my life who dance to their own "fashion" tune. For example, every day i come into contact with a woman who fully embraces her own personal style. She doesn't have a large wardrobe nor the funds to gallivant around the local boutiques every week, but she does invest in pieces that speak to her. Would i purchase the bold patterned blouses or tunics that she does? Probably not, BUT -- do i secretly steal a glance in her direction every time i catch her in the elevator see what she is wearing? You bet your Jimmy Choos i do! She is constantly mixing up the her small wardrobe by belting, scarfing (is that a word?) slipping on a unique necklace or jeweled cuff and throwing in some patented leather flats now and then for good measure. Brilliant.

Now is the time to define your personal style! Think back through the years to pieces of clothing, accessories etc. that complimented your eyes, cheek bones, boobs or butt. Next, pull those old relics out of storage, dust off the moth balls and incorporate your treasures into your next few outfits. And remember, fashion isn't for everyone else, it's for you!

Here's to looking fabulous!

--Stylejunkie

P.S. Your bank account will thank you!