Monthly Archives: August 2010


Twilight’s Influence on Fall Fashion

Twilight has influenced fashion in a subtle way for Fall 2010. The movie Twilight has a fierce fan following and is one of the most googled movie’s of present day. Twilight has become so popular that a spoof movie is hitting theaters this month called “Vampire’s Suck.” Not only have vampires invaded the pop culture du jour, they have inspired designers in Paris, Milan and New York; whether the designers are aware of the movie or not.

Twilight influenced fashion was seen throughout this Fall’s runway shows in the form of head-to-toe dark styles as well as accents to other trends for Fall such as minimalism and vintage. Black lace is one of the hottest Fall trends and can be found on everything from pencil skirts to vampire style, velvet jackets in deep maroon. Designers such as Alexander Wang are showing deep red dresses accented in lace evoking feelings of vintage fashion worn by Hollywood style vampires. Moschino, Burberry and Jean Paul Gaultier are showing black dresses with lace accents that can either be worn vintage style with a lady bag and classic make-up or Twilight inspired with a black clutch and the new make-up trend of wearing deep, dark red or purple lipstick without eyeliner and blush.

Black lace blouses are being shown with black leather skirts and pants evoking a bad-girl, evil look when worn with dark lipstick and pale make-up. The look reminds Fashionistas of the vampire attire from Twilight. Capes by designers such as Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent can be thrown over Twilight inspired outfits for a dark, nighttime look that reminds Fashionistas of the time when San Francisco was invaded by vampires in the Tom Cruise movie, “Interview with the Vampire” from 1994. The image of a vampire flying over the Golden Gate Bridge, wearing a black cape, dressed in 1800s vintage attire with a pale face, launches Twilight inspired Fashionistas into the current vampire look for Fall. The modern vampire trend, inspired by Twilight, plays with modern vintage styles from the 1950s and 1960s by adding a dark shadow with the use of black lace, velvet and dark lipstick.

The Twilight influenced fashion trend for Fall may not be for every Fashionista, but we might find ourselves inadvertently wearing the trend while mixing lace together with a minimalism look or trying out the new make-up trend for Fall.

The head to toe Twilight look will fade once the popularity of the movie becomes hidden by the glitter and glam of the next movie du jour. For this Fall, Fashionistas who would like to have a little bit of fun can play with the Twilight vampire trend and buy pieces that can easily be incorporated into their current wardrobe. A dark red velvet jacket trimmed in black lace can be worn casually over jeans or in a formal environment over a dress. Lace boots can be worn during the day with a skirt or pair of jeans as well as paired with a black dress and deep purple lipstick for the overall vampire look. Whether or not you choose to play with this trend is up to you. It will fade in about a year or two, so why not play with it and have a little bit of fun? Happy shopping and stay fabulous.


Men’s Fall Fashion Trends: Corduroy

Men who love fashion are in for a treat this Fall! Corduroy is back and it is being shown on more than just pants. Corduroy is finding a dressier, crispier life for Fall in the form of structured, slim pants and form fitting blazers. Men will be able to wear corduroy for office casual looks without worrying about looking too casual. The cords are small which gives corduroy a finer, more structured look that is modern and cool.

Gucci gave men a wide variety of corduroy for Fall with different cuts of slim pants hitting at the top of the ankle as well as just below the ankle bone. The pant cuts are classic yet slim  and give men a thin silhouette. Designers are showing deep navy, dark military green, rich browns and black on corduroy pants giving men dark pants to pair with cozy cardigan sweaters, cashmere pull-overs and crisp cotton shirts.

Etro, Ralph Lauren and Dolce and Gabbana have created both pants and blazers for men made from corduroy for Fall. Blazers are being shown in form-fitting cuts as well as more casual and forgiving cuts in casual browns and washed corduroy. Men will be able to find blazers that can be worn to work and out to dinner as well as the perfect casual blazer for the week-ends. The one fashion rule men will need to follow this Fall is to stay away from pairing the corduroy blazer with corduroy pants. The blazer will work great with a dark pair of jeans for the week-end or paired with crisp, gabardine pants as shown on Gucci’s runway.

Corduroy swings in and out of style every Fall so men might be able to save some money this Fall by what women refer to as “shopping your closet.” Take a look inside your closet and see if you have thin corduroy pants stored in the back. If not, this is a great season to buy a few pairs of corduroy pants and at least one blazer. The corduroy look for Fall is a great way to look polished yet still feel comfortable. Corduroy is also a classic fabric that can be worn season after season. If you are looking for an investment, stick with classic colors such as black, chocolate brown and navy. Stores such as Banana Republic and Macy’s have corduroy blazers and pants at reasonable prices. You will never go wrong! Happy shopping!

 


Melissa Elia Founder of Mayssa Fragrance Interview

The San Francisco Bay Area is home to a few niche perfumers who create beautiful fragrances that may or may not get noticed beyond the local level. Niche perfumers are increasing in popularity as consumers become bored with “macro-perfumers” making fragrances that all smell alike and follow the “fragrance fashion trend du jour.”

There have been endless fragrance launches over the past ten years that mix and match the same scents over and over again; many of which have celebrity names attached to the bottle just to boost sales of the same boring liquid. The allure of boutique or niche perfumers has increased as consumers have realized there is a whole world of creativity out there that has yet to be sniffed. One of the local, San Francisco Bay Area perfumers worth noticing is Melissa Elia, creator of Mayssa Fragrance.

Mayssa Fragrance founder Melissa Elia created a light, floral fragrance out of love and passion.  Elia was in a classic love story with a man who spoke about future children and their future names. The girl’s name was to be Mayssa (pronounced may-ee-sah). When the relationship ended, Elia knew she needed a way to mend her broken heart. Her passion had been her love affair with a man; it was soon to be replaced by her passion for fragrance.

Melissa Elia always knew she had an inner desire to start and own something. Her entrepreneurial spirit kept bringing her into the fragrance world. Elia began to meet professionals in the fragrance industry and this was her cue to create her own fragrance.

Melissa Elia knew what fragrances she liked and what she did not like. She began purchasing essences and oils and mixing them together in her own kitchen.  Through trial and error, she narrowed down the ingredients that she and her friends liked the best. This is how Mayssa was born. Once Mayssa’s recipe was complete, Elia began to create shower gel, soap and lotion in her kitchen to complement the Mayssa perfume.

Launched in 2003, Mayssa is a beautiful, wearable combination of green, floral and citrus notes. The heart of the fragrance takes Fragrance Fashionistas through a flower garden filled with jasmine, rose and lily. The basenotes of Mayssa are smooth cedarwood and musk. Melissa Elia successfully created a light, everyday fragrance that can easily be worn to the office during the day as well as for an evening out on the town. She used a mix of synthetic and natural oils that are high in quality and long lasting.

Mayssa soon became popular and Melissa Elia realized she could no longer create the perfume in her own kitchen. She began to shop around in search of a perfumery that could produce her fragrance in small or large batches while maintaining the high quality mix of ingredients she demanded. After about a one year search, Melissa Elia found a local company in Livermore, California that could mix her perfume with high quality ingredients and create small or large batches depending on the needs of the business.

This beautiful fragrance is increasing in popularity as more and more Fragrance Fashionistas discover Mayssa. While Mayssa is currently sold in boutique hotel spas and online, the fragrance line is set to expand and be distributed nationally. Mayssa will continue to be a niche perfume while benefitting from national exposure and sales.

Melissa Elia is a true entrepreneur who found her passion and followed it. She is an inspiration to anyone looking to start a company and follow their dream.  Mayssa will not be the last perfume the fashion and beauty world sees from Melissa Elia. She has plans to create a men’s fragrance as well as continue to expand her Mayssa product line. She is definitely a business woman to follow, watch and learn from.

Mayssa

Mayssa Fragrance Line
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Mayssa Fragrance