What a relief to see our old favourite in the spotlight again for the winter 2005-2006 fashion season. As we breathe that sigh of relief one must surely ask herself the obvious question: has black ever really left us? Was navy or brown ever the new black? As fashion designers tempt us to delve into colourful new worlds, aren’t we ever true to that wonderful absence of all colour? Or is black the presence of all colours? Whichever scientific or philosophical approach you chose to follow, one thing is certain: black is officially back! In case you didn’t already know.

Rumour has it that black goes with everything. Perhaps there is some sadly accepted truth to that rampant rumour since it seems to be a widely accepted norm, but I have found that there is a good chance we have all been mislead. One can easily challenge this age-old regulation of fashion simplicity by looking into a mirror while sporting black pants combined with a lime green top. Forgive me gentle readers, but if I am to be honest I must tell you, the combination is simply indescribably nauseating. Please honour the beauty of lime green by paring it with grey, turquoise, or forest green or just the right shade of blue. One must not dishonour colours such as lime green or the black by forcing them to be seen in public together. Fashion is the one place it is completely acceptable and advisable to segregate on the basis of colour. Feel free to carry a eucalyptus bag while wearing grey trousers with a pale pink sweater. Adding a scarf which beautifully gives permission by marring the three colours will make any lady, who is able to wear pink gracefully, look simply smashing.

So, what can the elegant lady of the coming season wear with that black which is back? The answer is basically anything which won’t make you look like a peacock wearing her mourning clothes. Black is so elegant on its own. Save black for when you feel elegant, or understated and confidentorfat. Black looks wonderful on its own, with toast, cream or with any shade of grey. Don’t be afraid to pair it with navy. If the combination didn’t stop Yves St. Laurent, it shouldn’t stop you either. Just be careful not to wear it in a way which appears to be a mistake: you know what I mean, the manner of combination which leaves all those who gaze on your person wondering if you got dressed with the lights off. If you wear black trousers and a navy top, just be sure to balance the look with something black near your face which says “I meant to do that”. Another elegant way to soften black is to pair it with a chocolate brown; this combination lends a day look to a night-time colour.

What luck we have this season to find our old friend officially back. How lovely it is to see it back with its old friend azure blue. Plum and winter white are on offer for the more neutral among us and red strikes the fancy in everyone. Ladies, it is going to be a beautiful winter!

Jennifer Marvin is an American born Parisian fashion designer who grew up in the mountains of Colorado passing wintry days at a sewing machine under the guidance of her mother. Jennifer’s passion for creating and manipulating fabrics into wearable art took her from her family’s Colorado ranch to London and finally to Paris where she now considers home. Her work has been published in British Vogue magazine, sold on the most fashionable street in Paris and auctioned for charities such as Seeds of Peace in New York City and The committee for Missing Children International.

Jennifer Marvin, Paris
http://www.jennifermarvin.com
44 rue des Meuniers, Paris France 75012
Phone/Fax: 011 33 143 43 44 91

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As any young freelance designer in Paris will tell you, you must approach design houses in Europe with an answer to their plea for something new and different, innovational and having never been done before. It makes one question weather beauty and wear-ability is no longer important so long as the press makes a comment or two even if those lines in the press are unflattering. After all, there is no such thing as bad press, right?

Interestingly enough, it seems the streets resonate a different attitude as reflected on the bodies of the people who are actually buying the clothes. By in large, it appears people want to look attractive and feel comfortable even as the fashion houses struggle to give the public exactly what they don’t even know the want yet. In fact, society may never want it.

The profession used to dictate what the public will wear. But the times, they are a changing. The public will not bend to fashion rules set out by creative directors tucked away in their ivory towers. The power has shifted, and the educated masses are interrupting a long held pattern. They want us to listen. They know what they want. They want to be surprised each new season, but pleasantly; as a thoughtful lover who remembers you love yellow roses, not an angry slap in the face from someone who is trying to convince them that they “love it”.

It is our job to find out where the key to their hearts is tucked away, find it, interpret what we find inside, and then entice the fashion disciples to choose what they will define as the look of any season. The trick is to interpret the social energy and create a fashion philosophy which reflects the wearers own. That means designers and trend reporters have to tap into every trend from music to the economy to politics with a global perspective. Clients are no longer buying into the “emperors’ new clothes” doctrine; “just trust the experts and wear it weather you like it or not” philosophy. They want real clothes, and they want their attire to reflect their beliefs without having to utter a word. They want their garments to live in synchronicity with their core values.

It is a big job, and finding the synchronicity between the trend setters and the old-school fashion houses is not an easy fit. Luckily, as people begin to discover and trust their own intuition, there are more choices for shoppers to adopt a personal representation. With the interesting new “non-trends” emerging on the horizon; consumers will have even more choice as their buying power increases.

As fashion creators in the world, it is our job to do more than cover bodies so they don’t get arrested in countries where garments are required. It is our duty to listen, hear, and let the public know we understand them and care about what they think. Not just in words, but through our gifts and offerings to them each season.

Jennifer Marvin is an American born Parisian fashion and accessories designer whose impeccable reputation is supported by international devotees. Her exclusive handbags, wedding gowns and made-to-measure pieces are hailed as rare treasures. Her work has been featured in British Vogue, auctioned by Sotheby’s, and sold on the worlds most fashionable streets. Jennifer Marvin serves an a consultant in fashion branding, market, color and trend forcasting globally.

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Daahling, your handbag is like your best friend ~ it will never tell where the two of you have been! Bling, much like your best friend, will make all of your handbags special and brighten up your life at the same time.

Daytime handbags might be the ones you are most reluctant to display with bling, depending on where you work. Remember that times are changing and many business workplaces allow you to freely express your individual fashion taste. Even if you work in a suited environment, you can subtly add a bling garnish to the most sophisticated bag or briefcase. A vintage cameo broach applied somewhere on the strap or bottom corner adds an air of elegance and class. A small earring gem dangling from the zipper is always acceptable and nice eye candy to cheer you up while you work. Additionally, you can creatively sparkle with bling on the inside of your bag while keeping the outside appropriate for your business day. A jeweled wallet, make-up case, or pill box will dazzle your spirits each time you open your bag, and remind you that evening fun will soon begin.

Handbag totes are a stylish way to carry essential extras that tend to bulge your standard bag. They can be casual, business, or fun, and you can find them in a wide variety of patterns and materials from straw to leather. Totes with a smooth surface can be decorated with adhesive backed crystals and hearts by simply peeling off the back and sticking them on the bag. Try cutting a sheet of rhinestones into your initial, or if you are the artistic type, you will have lots of fun designing an original work of bling art! For surfaces that are not smooth, jeweled clip-on earrings can be simply clipped onto the straps, and brightly colored pierced earrings can be attached to the zipper pull and left dangling.

Evening Bags are great fun to shop for and will accentuate your outfit with a wide variety of styles. A small clutch is always chic if you do not need to carry much. These can be found in smooth leather, reptile skin, canvas, or even transparent plastic. A light weight chain handle that tucks inside makes it easy to convert to a shoulder bag, leaving both hands free to handle all important things that comes your way ~ like wine or hugs! If you need to carry a bit more than lipstick, look for a bag with several compartments that will allow you to tuck in your cell phone and other essentials you simply cannot leave home without.

Evening bags can be found with just a touch of bling or totally covered in glitter, beads, jewels, or embroidered flowers and initials ~ or with all of the above! If the bag you love does not already come adorned for evening, simply add your own bling! Jeweled pins and earrings make it simple and quick to dress any bag for evening to coordinate with your latest outfit. Take good care of your handbags and they will last a lifetime, Daahling ~ just like your best friend!

Daahling, please visit Ms. BB at http://BlingSpa.com for lots of beautiful Bling Handbags, more Bling Makeovers, and Bling Therapy with healing gemstones. Ms. BB can also be found at http://BlingBlingMarketplace.com where the In-Crowd shops for handbags, jewelry, and Bling for everything!

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