North Van designer living dream in NYC

It’s 6:30 in the evening and Laura Levine is just finishing up her day at work in the city that never sleeps.

Levine is living the dream, working as an associate designer for New York fashion house Cinq à Sept with its headquarters a few blocks from Times Square.

“I’ve kind of grown to dodge Times Square. It’s pretty hectic up there,” says Levine with a laugh.

She grew up in quintessentially quiet North Vancouver, near Edgemont Village, graduating from Handsworth in 2007. Afterwards, Levine earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics from the University of Victoria.

Her aha moment came shortly after Levine got a job in the economics field.

“I was doing basically data entry for a company and I think I just realized there kind of had to be more than just this,” recalls Levine.

With one foot already out the door, Levine told her parents she was at a career crossroads.

They had observed their daughter from a young age sketching feminine silhouettes and sewing every chance she got, turning doodles into clothes for her Barbies.

She’d dig into a dress-up trunk full of her mom’s 1970s and ‘80s fashion and repurpose the garments using a sewing machine in the basement.

Her parents knew where her heart was.

“My mom said to me: ‘You’re the youngest you are ever going to be, you might as well spend the rest of your life doing what you love.’”

The day Levine received her acceptance letter from Parsons The New School for Design, she envisioned herself immersed in the fashion capital of the world.

“I was walking around and getting yelled at by taxi drivers and being pushed around by pedestrians – that’s when you realize you are in New York,” says Levine of her first real New York moment.

Levine studied fashion in the glow of Times Square, where Parsons is located. She did the associate’s program, which Levine describes as rapid fire way to earn a fashion degree.

Parsons, says Levine, prepared her for the intensity of the fashion industry – long hours and a lot of hard work.

The instructors also taught her to think outside the box and flex her creative muscles, as she prepared to enter a saturated fashion market. Levine admits her final thesis collection was a little out there.

Assigned to create something beautiful out of controversy, Levine chose cults. To convey a cult-like, restrictive, brainwashing mindset, Levine used corsets and snug pieces done in a white palette to represent the mind-numbing.

Levine graduated with honours from Parsons, winning the 2015 AAS Fashion Designer of the Year Award, mainly because she didn’t pigeonhole herself as a design student.

Presented with different fashion specializations – print, technical, graphic, woven, knitwear, accessory, leather and lingerie design – Levine tried them all.

Levine interned and later worked for a summer at Rag & Bone, where two designers took Levine under their wings.

She watched the magic and fun unfold in the dye studio, taking paint and splattering it on fabric to see what graphics appear.

What Levine learned at that valuable Rag & Bone stint was not to design for her own style, but with other fashion consumers in mind.

Levine is currently sketching and designing full time with Cinq à Sept, which came onto the New York fashion scene in 2016 and evokes images of the happy hour scene, when “office desks are abandoned for cocktails and as-yet unknown possibilities.”

Sharing its name with the French term for the liminal moment linking late afternoon and early evening, Cinq à Sept creates feminine clothes with a bit of an edge to them, says Levine.

Actress Mindy Kaling recently was seen wearing a Cinq à Sept tunic with slits up the side. The outfit is an embroidery and studded concept Levine came up with, inspired by Moroccan tile and its geometric patterns and vibrant colours.

Kaling is known for her sense of style and exuding confidence when it comes to body image.

“It’s definitely an honour to have her wear something (I designed) and look so great in it,” says Levine.

“I think that when you are designing, it’s easy to design for double zero, but it says a lot when you can design with other body types in mind because there’s not very many people out there who are that, a double zero.”

At Cinq à Sept, Levine also designs embroideries, patches, buttons with logos or any extra embellishments.

She will do the design layouts digitally on a computer, taking inspiration from a flower, for example, and then use a stylus to draw the detail all by hand.

Embroidery and patches are en vogue at the moment, with Levine speculating that craze might have something to with the ‘70s influence on fashion for the past couple years.

Levine and her Cinq design team just had another spread in Vogue magazine. The first time Levine saw her work splashed in the fashion bible, she pinched herself.

“I definitely sent an email to everyone I know with the link,” she says. “I was really excited about it.”

Levine makes it back home to North Vancouver a couple times a year to see her family and friends. Thoughts of La Galleria sandwiches and Ambleside also make her homesick.

“I miss how beautiful it is there and the quiet – you don’t get a lot of that here,” says Levine, with a laugh.Read more at:blue prom dresses | black prom dresses

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 18:33 | コメントをどうぞ

Trinity’s Marshmallow Startup

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(Photo:prom dresses online)Many of us would admit to having a soft spot for sugar, an addiction to the sweet things in life, yet not many of us would take this love and turn it into a business. This is what makes sisters Christine and Bridget Butler unique. Their company The Marsh Sisters, founded in the summer of 2016, has a simple purpose, to create the perfect Irish marshmallow in flavours such as mojito, lemon or pistachio.

As one of the 10 startup companies Launchbox is throwing its expertise and experience behind this summer, the Butler sisters stand in stark contrast to their fellow entrepreneurs. They, aside from a fashion magazine called Frank, are the only startup not to be based on an app. Sitting down with The University Times, Christine Butler, the younger sister and a first-year science student, admits that “this is probably why we got one of the spots. There’s a big drive for tech startups at the minute, but I think the fact we were offering a physical product, and a food one at that, is what made us stand out”.

One might be forgiven for wondering why you’d even get involved in a food startup in the first place. Food is a notoriously difficult area to get started in, and one of the most competitive. The regulations, the food safety forms and the cost involved in building a confectionary company are enough to put anyone off. The stereotypical startup company is a computer science student coding a new app from their bedroom – not two sisters building “handcrafted luxe marshmallows” from their kitchen.

The Butler girls stumbled upon a niche gap with their company. “We were always making marshmallows as children, mainly as presents for people”, explains Butler. It was only last summer, however, when they decided to try and make a business out of their hobby, with Bridget suggesting that she would do the branding while Christine would make the marshmallows. “People are always into sweets, but you don’t see marshmallows out there as much as other versions of confectionary”, she says. It was only when the girls began to do some extensive research into their chosen product that they noticed “there weren’t any Irish brands”. In Brown Thomas, one of the few places she managed to hunt them down, only English brands were in stock, and they just didn’t “taste as nice”. So, as Butler points out, “there was just a gap in the market for Irish marshmallows, and we found it”.

With this simple realisation, the concept of The Marsh Sisters was born. Years of studying their mum’s “old cookbook with the original recipe,” and “staining the pages from so much flicking” materialised into something bigger: the start of an adventure to bring marshmallows firmly back onto the confectionary scene in Ireland.

Yet setting up a business, as Butler admits, was not a life-long dream of either sister, more an opportunity that came from a passion they always had: “We didn’t really think of it in terms of setting up a company, more like let’s start selling them at the local market and see what happens, and from there it’s just grown.” Whilst both sisters are excited to see the company develop, neither shy away from how difficult the reality of this is going to be with their already busy schedules. With Christine being a first-year general science undergraduate and Bridget being a full-time graphic designer, both sisters have their hands full, meaning that “the balance is hard to strike”. “College and work are Monday to Friday and marshmallows Saturday to Sunday”, explains Butler. What makes this work, however, is the flexible, fluid relationship that comes from a sibling partnership, the sort of dynamic only a business run by sisters can produce. Despite a nine-year age gap and wildly differing career paths, the Butler sisters have made the most of their partnership so far by “keeping each other grounded”. “Half the time, it doesn’t even feel like we’re working”, smiles Butler. “It’s just us hanging out and having fun, we couldn’t do it with anyone else, I mean, even our older sister told us she couldn’t work with either of us. Bridget and I just click.”

This naturally good dynamic means both sisters easily compensate each other in their respective roles, alleviating the stress of a new startup on two busy individuals. “My sister is definitely all the design and graphics as that’s her day job”, explains Butler. “I’m more the person who actually makes the marshmallows, but we take things in turns and overlap for sure. My sister might come up with a flavour but I’d have to work out a way to incorporate it into the product.”

Developing and adjusting a product takes time, but in a field that is constantly changing, the Butler sisters are intent on keeping a steady pace. One of the fastest growing areas in the food industry right now is health consumerism, with more people than ever before living the vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free lifestyle. Confectionary that can meet these requirements is in short supply, and tapping into this would be like tapping into a goldmine for the Butler sisters. “We would like to do a vegan/vegetarian marshmallow, and we’ve looked into using vegetarian gelatine, but right now it just isn’t working and it would take a bit of tweaking to get it right”, explains Butler. “It will just take time, but we do want to respond to the demands of the market, and during the summer is going to be a perfect time to do this.” The marshmallows themselves are already diary and gluten-free, which means people already perceive them as a “healthier alternative” to what is currently on the market. “This perception really boosts our product, but we want to yield this to its full potential in the future”, says Butler.

Overcoming the difficulty of making a vegetarian/vegan-friendly marshmallow will take a huge effort from both of the Butler sisters, but that is the story of this startup. From the beginning, it’s been a team effort from the whole family. As Butler points out “it was a bit daunting starting off at first, but mum and dad are both accountants, and dad has dealt with small businesses in the past”. This advice and support would be vital given the number of hurdles this startup was going to face. The sheer volume of regulations and specifications that an edible product has to meet before it can be publicly marketed are enough to put the majority of people off. Yet the Butler sisters were lucky, they had experience on their side.

With many famous technology startups having their humble beginnings in college bedrooms or people’s living rooms, the sisters’ business venture is equally as unassuming, with all of their products made in their family kitchen. “Mum was a lot of help getting our kitchen at home certified which, I mean, is obviously just a home kitchen”, says Butler. The girl’s mother had experience selling her own baked goods and as a result she knew what the regulations were for such things. She had also already had their kitchen looked at so the girls knew “it was fairly ok”. “The inspectors took a while to come out and look over it all, so it gave us time to read up on everything and ensure it was all sorted”, explains Butler. “The inspections are so thorough, they want to check where everything is kept, that it’s stored right and our method of preparation is correct.”

Just how thorough and stringent the regulations are is shown through the process of getting the marshmallows tested for their nutritional value. “To get them tested you have to have the final, final product and final packaging”, explains Butler. “If you change anything at all you have to go and get it retested which is €60 a go, and so it adds up over time and becomes very expensive.” For a product that is constantly changing and developing, this is a substantial cost. “We haven’t fully decided what we are doing with the packaging yet, we like the idea of boxing them and being eco-friendly, but we haven’t decided”, says Butler.

What also costs a lot of money is raising public awareness of the product. Even if all the legal requirements are met, getting a product out is pricey, something Christine and Bridget have found over the last year: “Wexford is our biggest market at the moment because it’s where we make the marshmallows and where we are best known.” The sisters want to break into Dublin but have found this difficult. “Getting a stall up here at a local market is about €100, which is a lot more than what we would pay back home”, says Butler. In this respect, social media has been somewhat of a saving grace: “It’s been the best way of marketing the marshmallows. We’ve had a few shops and even a blogger approach us, all of whom hadn’t even tasted the product, just seen them online.” This shows the huge influence that social media can have for such products, and Bridget, especially, has put a lot of effort into making the product look good across all online platforms. “It’s definitely paying off”, says Butler.

This is something in particular that Launchbox will be a real help with, as it gives the sisters the opportunity to focus solely on the marshmallows: “Right now they are a weekend job, but in the summer they take priority, and Launchbox gives us the opportunity to meet the right people, get funding and have entrepreneurs around us who can give us advice.”

So, if in the future you ever feel like tasting homemade Irish marshmallows, The Marsh Sisters would be a great option to check out. Their company may be small, but their vision is big. This won’t be the last you hear (or taste) from them, with exciting times ahead for these two Irish entrepreneurs.Read more at:evening dresses uk

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 18:29 | コメントをどうぞ

Shaneiva Chatfield invited to New York Fashion Week in September

Port Macquarie resident Shaneiva Chatfield has been invited to the New York Fashion Week in September after participating in her first international competition in May. At 16-years-old Shaneiva was the youngest model to compete in the World Supermodel International Finals in Macau, China on May 21. It was also Shaneiva’s first time travelling out of Australia which she described as both exciting and nerve-racking. In the lead up to the main competition on May 21 there were three hour rehearsals everyday. Placing first at the World Supermodel International Finals was not important to Shaneiva. “I think it was a great opportunity to showcase the beauty of my indigenous culture,” she said. At the competition Shaneiva wore Buluuy Mirrii clothing by designer Colleen Tighe Johnson.

She has been invited to parade the designs at the New York Fashion Week in September. Shaneiva will also participate in a photo shoot at Times Square. The words Buluuy Mirrii translate to black star. “She’s all about empowering young, indigenous people to pursue what they want,” Shaneiva said. Each one of the Buluuy Mirrii designs is created to tell a story of the Aboriginal people. Shaneiva said one of the designs she wore was about gathering of food, another about women’s business and a third about the Great Artesian Basin and the healing properties of the water. “I felt empowered and connected to my ancestors while I was wearing them,” she said. Shaneiva’s mother said she was proud of her daughter for continuing with the China competition despite suffering a severe allergic reaction to a mosquito bite.

“My whole ankle was huge,” Shaneiva said. Shaneiva continued doing rehearsals and the main competition despite it being painful to walk. Shaneiva said was was thrilled to be pursuing her dream of modelling. “I never thought I would get an opportunity to go to China and do a pageant at 16-years-old,” she said. “Now being invited to New York that’s another great opportunity.” The Chatfields thanked the Port Macquarie-Hastings community for their generous donations and support to help Shaneiva.Read more at:mermaid prom dresses | sexy evening dresses

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 18:07 | コメントをどうぞ

Hot grandma defies age with sugar-free lifestyle

Carolyn Hartz  

(Photo:orange prom dresses)Carolyn Hartz commands attention whenever she’s on the beach.

Her sculpted body and youthful looks would make one think this beauty is in her 20s. It may shock you to learn that this bathing beauty is 70.

What is Hartz’s secret fountain of youth? According to the U.K.’s Daily Star, it’s living a sugar-free lifestyle.

Hartz decided to quit the sweet stuff to fight an aging metabolism 30 years ago. The once self-proclaimed sweet addict told the Daily Mail it was difficult to cut sugar cold turkey “but I believe it is one of the most important reasons I have been able to keep myself healthy and keep my body in shape.”

In addition to cutting out sugar, Hartz also tries to keep out of the sun, knowing what damage its rays can do to her skin.

Hartz told the Daily Mail she had cancer removed from her nose when she was 30. Now she wears sunscreen daily under her makeup and never bakes in the sun.

The stunning senior has been approached by many young women seeking advice. She tells her younger counterparts it’s important to live life to the fullest and not to deprive themselves of too much.

“Don’t listen to the naysayers, be your own person. Attitude is your most important asset. Life is not perfect, accept this and grab it with both hands.”

ur most important asset. Life is not perfect, accept this and grab it with both hands.”Read more at:grey prom dresses

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 18:12 | コメントをどうぞ

What to Do If She Can’t Make it to Pre-Wedding Events

Bridesmaid duties vary from party to party, but, no matter what, deciding who will be the members of your ultimate wedding squad is quite the process. For some, bridesmaids were picked and ready to go years before she even said “I do.” For others, a lot of different factors (location, availability, personality characteristics) went into the decision making for who they wanted to standing next to them at the altar.

What happens once you move along with the wedding planning, only to find out that a bridesmaid (or two) seem too busy to attend your pre-wedding events like your one-time-only bachelorette party, your mid-weekend bridal brunch, or your engagement celebration?

Here are a few ways to handle a busy bridesmaid.

Be Specific With Your Asks

It’s important to remember that your wedding may not be the biggest thing happening in your friend’s life. She might be studying for finals, working toward a big promotion at work, or dealing with a handful of personal or family issues. If the wedding events seem too much for her to take on, be more specific with your asks. Instead of asking her to attend events that clash with her schedule, ask if she can come help with DIY projects, go with you dress shopping, or do other wedding-related tasks. That way, if she can’t make the big pre-wedding events, she can still feel included in the wedding process and be by your side.

Distribute Tasks Between Other Bridesmaids

While your pre-wedding events are a time for celebration, they are also a moment for your bridesmaids to step in and help if you need anything. Whether it’s last-minute set-up at the bridal shower, help making reservations for the bachelorette party, or just keeping you sane at the engagement party when your and your fiancé’s families meet for the first time—with one less bridesmaid around, it’s important to distribute and delegate tasks between the group.

Have a Chat With Her ASAP

You may be quick to take your bridesmaid’s absence personally, but instead of getting upset that she can’t make it to some of the most important events of your wedding, have a chat with her. Find out what’s going on in her life and see how you can make her feel a part of the wedding experience without the added pressure of being there in person before the actual day.Read more at:sexy prom dresses | one shoulder prom dresses

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 17:22 | コメントをどうぞ

Diane Kruger flaunts new designs from her Jason Wu capsule collection in Cannes

Diane Kruger has shown off her design skills by donning the fabulous clothing she created with Jason Wu in Cannes.

The model-turned-actress is in the French Riviera celebrating the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where she shares a history with Canadian designer Wu.

After meeting each other in 2009, Jason dressed her for the event the same year, and their strong friendship has blossomed into a business relationship, with the pair having teamed up on an eight-piece collection for Grey Jason Wu.

“Diane is a dear friend and someone I’ve collaborated with for many years,” he told American Vogue. “We came up with the idea of creating the capsule together during Christmas vacation in Tulum over drinks on the beach–it just felt so right!

“It has been thrilling watching this capsule collection come together in the most effortless way.”

Diane sported a white tank and oversized pinstripe flare pants from Grey Jason Wu as she stunned during her press tour in Cannes this week (beg22May17).

But Jason Wu isn’t the only designer Diane has been wearing during her trip to Cannes – the gorgeous blonde stunned in a fairy-like tiered lilac Prada gown when she stepped on the red carpet for the Cannes Film 70th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday (23May17) night. Several other gorgeous A-listers were also placed on best-dressed lists for their attire at the affair, including Marion Cotillard, Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman.Read more at:white prom dresses | long prom dresses

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 19:25 | コメントをどうぞ

Durban July style element under way

The VODACOM Durban July might arguably be the biggest race horsing event in the country, but it’s also the glitz and glamour of the fashion spectacle which draws the crowds.

With just a few weeks to go, the style element of the grand social gathering is already under way.

This is as judges of the Vodacom Durban July Fashion Challenge have already shortlisted finalists for competition.

This year’s theme is “The Colour of Magic”, and the fashion programme director, Tiffany Prior, said the quality of the entries was impressive and there was a record number this year.

“There was an amazing energy in the entries, and there was a substantial increase in the number of storyboard entries,” she said.

Scores of hopefuls submitted their storyboards in the hope of their visions making it through to the prestigious event, presented by Durban Fashion.

They were judged by a panel of some of the best in the fashion world, who had the capabilities to fully grasp the designers’ intentions from the storyboards presented in their presence.

“It is always a difficult process as we rely entirely on what the designer has managed to communicate to each judge through their storyboard,” said Prior.

The judges includes local designer Terrence Bray, Sindi Shangase, Terrence Pillay, Greg Wallis and Gold Circle’s Monica Holman.

Together, the group mulled over every storyboard submitted, identifying the strongest entries that showed a clear grasp of the theme, current trends and creative execution potential.

Prior said the national competition began with fashionistas submitting their entries at the Ice Models offices in Durban.

The entrants provided storyboards that included very detailed technical drawings of the design, a motivation to support their creative interpretation of the theme “The Colour of Magic”, and numerous swatches and samples of the fabric, trim and accessories they envisage for the outfit.

Following the entire process of submissions and judging, the top 10 have been announced.

“It took several painstaking hours to further reduce the top storyboards to the best 10, and the process of contacting the successful designers got under way,” Prior said.

The finalists are Martin Steenkamp, Yanela Mtolo, Alice Rash, Nishthi Sewnath, Tilonê Viljoen, Ntokozo Buthelezi, Wanda Majubana and Mellissa Scandarra, who are all from Durban.

The other two are Georgia Rhoda from Mbombela and Teresa Joubert from Stellenbosch.

Prior said the judges were thrilled about the overall quality of designs of the finalists.

“What was encouraging was the way that the best storyboards interpreted the theme,” she said. “They understood it was about the ‘magic of fashion’ and also read the warning that it wasn’t all about the colour red.”Read more at:http://www.marieprom.co.uk | cocktail dresses uk

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 17:35 | コメントをどうぞ

How Beyoncé’s Instagram pregnancy makes her a modern fertility goddess

Beyonce at her push party: ‘closer to a David Bailey portrait than the average selfie’. 

(Photo:prom dresses uk)Pregnancy, so they say, is a magical time. And, in a world where nothing happens unless it happens on social media, that translates into nine months of unmissable photo ops. See Beyoncé’s Instagram feed, updated this weekend with images of the singer, about eight months pregnant with twins, at her “push party” (the same as a baby shower but with partners admitted).

Not for her the demure tent dress to skim the bump. Beyoncé wears a skirt made from west African wax prints fabric, a tie-dye bikini, head wrap with flowers, cowrie shell necklace, an armful of bangles and a henna tattoo on her naked belly. The posts look closer to a David Bailey portrait than the average mirror selfie.

While the 1990s saw bump chic emerge, with Demi Moore naked and pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair and All Saints’ Melanie Blatt’s bump-and-combats look, celebrity pregnancy has recently had a behind-closed-doors policy. Beyoncé and her husband, Jay Z, shut off the part of the hospital where Blue Ivy was born in 2012. Then Kim Kardashian got pregnant in 2015, posted a naked selfie and – you know the drill by now – broke the internet.

Beyoncé responded earlier this year with a pregnant-with-twins announcement that saw her modelled on a modern Virgin Mary in her undies, with veil, beatific expression and flowers. It was compared to Latin American funeraries, Flemish portraiture and work by French artists Pierre et Gilles. It also garnered more than 11 million likes. She followed it with photoshoots of her underwater, and others of her wearing Gucci dresses, flower crowns and a “Preggers” T-shirt that promptly sold out.

Beyoncé is winning at Insta-pregnancy by turning herself into a kind of modern fertility goddess. While the push party images are designed to work for social media – bright colours, celebrity friends – they are also part of a Brand Bey game plan. The star is exploring imagery from different African countries and the African diaspora. During her performance at the Grammys in February, bump already in evidence, she was a vision in gold, complete with crown. Some likened the look to a madonna in a religious icon painting. Others pointed out allusions to Oshun, the Yoruba orisha (spirit) said to protect women during pregnancy.

With Beyoncé’s due date thought to be in early June, there is ample time to explore other orishas and – of course – gain more likes in the process. And postpartum? The perfect moment for a Carter twinstagram, surely.Read more at:prom dresses 2017

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 16:20 | コメントをどうぞ

In retrospect

If you missed jewelry designer Wynn Wynn Ong’s groundbreaking jewelry-slash-fashion show late last year, now’s your chance to see six of the best jewelry pieces from the show, plus more than 200 pieces culled from her 16 earlier collections. Dubbed Wynn Wynn Ong: Redefining Boundaries, the retrospective is currently on exhibit at Yuchengco Museum in Makati until June 15.

Writer Jeannie Javelosa, Yuchengco Museum’s curator, proposed such a show to Ong as early as 2015. She also came up with an apt title that encompasses what Ong has achieved as a creative person.

The idea became more relevant after Ong realized that 2016 marked her 15th year as a designer. Her November show last year for Metro and Metro Society added another dimension to her artistry when she was asked to collaborate with fashion designer Milka Quin to do the clothes as well. The show also featured a number of established designers, who were asked to do clothes incorporating Ong’s jewelry.

For this show, she and Javelosa concentrated on pieces on loan from Ong’s clients as well as pieces, which she felt “were the best representations of each phase or movement” in her journey as an artist.

“I also placed emphasis on my Philippine-in spired pieces like my burda barongs as well as my jeweled pieces with miniature paintings,” Ong added.

They could have displayed more since not a few of Ong’s clients were quite generous in lending their respective pieces. Although almost the entire museum is devoted to Ong’s work, she still had to be judicious in her selection.

One noteworthy addition to the collection is Ong’s collaboration with model-photographer Jo Ann Bitagcol and stylist Michael Salientes, which resulted in a series of blown up photographs of prominent personalities captured in various moods and poses while wearing the designer’s jewelry.

“The photos were a major part of my 15th anniversary celebration last year,” she said. “I had never made a look book, and it was my daughter’s idea to create a digital one that revolved around my muses. Each of the subjects featured in the photograph is someone I have either great rapport with or whom I admire for his or her passions. I was fortunate that everyone said yes.”

Compared to the collaboration she did last year, which took six months of intense work in design and on the production floor, not to mention “in-depth collaboration and a whirlwind of meetings,” this year’s retrospective with Yuchengco Museum “was quieter.” She also credits the museum’s staff for being “wonderful” collaborators.

“It involved a lot of planning, communicating with clients, and editing,” she said. “The real physical work came during the setup.”

“The past year has been wonderful, not necessarily because of the high profile public events, but because I had the opportunity to work with people I’ve come to respect and admire,” Ong continued. “I can’t think of celebrating or redefining my own boundaries.”Read more at:prom dresses uk | evening dresses uk

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 15:42 | コメントをどうぞ

The crystal craze

They’ve long been a part of alternative healing therapies but now crystals are quickly making their way into skincare. Whether its facials incorporating the soothing properties of crystal pieces or the stones themselves as ingredients in serums and creams — more brands are turning to crystals. Själ Skincare uses gemstone powders with amethysts and sapphires, Dr Hauschka incorporates black tourmaline in its products for its calming properties, while Elemis features quartz in their serum. But do these actually help?

Crystals have healing properties

Dr Mohan Thomas, Senior Cosmetic Surgeon, Cosmetic Surgery Institute, explains crystals have been used from time immemorial for their healing abilities. Gems are thought to create a protective field around the body and promote change to both mental and physical conditions. “Diamonds are the hardest gemstones and are used in skincare to exfoliate and strengthen the skin. Diamond powder is used to reduce wrinkles and restore luster to achieve youthful-looking skin. Amber is used to preserve the natural beauty, address concerns around the eye such as dark circles and removes impurities. Black Onyx nourishes the skin and reduces signs of ageing. The blue sapphire, ruby, tourmaline and citrine boosts cellular energy, microcirculation and clarity and soapstone can be used if you suffer from red, itchy patches on the skin,” says he.

Works on dry skin

For skin care, crystals are believed to release positive energies thereby pushing out the negative energies and toxins out of your body, says Aakriti Kochar, Beauty and Make-up Expert, Oriflame India. “Rose quartz is one of the most popular crystals infused in skin care, extremely good for treating dry skin. It replenishes dryness and dullness with nourishment to make your skin look supple and radiant. It also helps heal redness and sensitivity caused due to excessive dryness. Ruby crystals on the other hand are believed to even out skin tone and texture. These are found in exfoliators to help remove dead skin cells and makes your skin fresh looking. I see crystal-infused skin care products to be trending at the moment. Its background and use in the past makes it a popular choice. The Oriflame Diamond Cellular range was inspired from the same science. Diamond crystal being responsible for brightening and softening of skin texture.”

Has many benefits

Crystals naturally vibrate at a higher frequency, promoting increased cellular energy, microcirculation and clarity. This elevated frequency helps direct energy to specific areas of need, constantly adapting to your skin under any condition, allowing for maximum performance and benefits, says Dr Manjiri Puranik, Cosmetic Physician, Insta-sculpt. “When our skin cells are stimulated this helps to increase skin cell turnover to speed up repair processes and help reveal, smooth and radiant skin. The low level of heat emitted by crystals may help provide a sense of calm for the body, possibly providing favourable effects for supporting a healthy sleep cycle. Crystals aid in blood circulation, particularly microcirculation among the capillaries in the skin. It increases the motility of lymph fluid and may support normal fluid balance in tissues. They help promote inner balance, energy flow and clarity and a significant increase in overall life satisfaction.”

Good for microdermabrasion

Dr Geeta Fazalbhoy, Dermatologist and Founder of Skin & You Clinic says crystals are useful for microdermabrasion. “This is a process that exfoliates the skin using a gentle vacuum that brings skin into contact with the crystals. It can be used for various skin conditions like acne scars or to improve dull or rough skin. Crystals vibrate at a high rate so their impact on boosting micro-circulation in the skin is tenfold. They help to boost the cellular energy and promote cell turnover for a smoother complexion,” she adds.Read more at:occasion dresses | http://www.marieprom.co.uk/cheap-prom-dresses-uk

カテゴリー: fashion | 投稿者tedress 20:08 | コメントをどうぞ