Samantha Rossum wears Samantha Wills
I love this time of the year. Hot on the tail of the best and worst dressed lists for 2010, we have the award season in Hollywood and elsewhere, with all the resulting fashion triumphs and disasters, and of course more lists – usually judged by an assortment of B grade celebrities and hairdressers.
I love, love, love, those lists – not because I’m hopelessly addicted to looking at beautiful gowns (much), or get some cruel pleasure out of other peoples fashion disasters. I love them because they are funny. They are funny because, in the fickle world of fashion, it is possible to be on both the best-dressed and the worst- dressed lists at the same time. This should not surprise us, in every “panel’ there is usually at least one judge who has found themselves on at least one worst dressed list in their past.
The whole process proves one thing to me – well actually two; firstly, one man’s (or woman’s) masterpiece is another man’s catastrophe; secondly, if your stylist tries to steer you into a look that does not sit comfortably with you, get the Jimmy Choo out of there.
Inevitably, the worst dressed lists, be they for a year or an event, are filled with people who are trying out a “new look”, or who have not settled on a style that suits them. For me this is the key to the whole process of looking good for a special event, whether it is the Oscars, or your daughter’s wedding or christening.
Conversely, the best-dressed lists are populated by celebrities who know their body, understand their style, and are confident in their look. This is the essence of being well dressed – style and confidence.
A special occasion is not the time to try out a new look (unless you current look is
Cinderella before the make-over). Your stylist (and for most of us that is a close friend or the sales assistant at a trusted boutique) needs to understand your lifestyle, your personality, your current style, and what you hope to achieve from your “look” for the event. (This could be anything from making the ex-husband squirm to impressing your new boss with your maturity)
At Wilson and Hunter, we love to help our clients to find and refine their style by helping them sift through current trends to find styles that fit and flatter. Our styling philosophy is to follow fashion only as far as it enhances and excites – assisting our clients out of fashion ruts without turning them into fashion victims.
