SUN KISSED!

Warmer weather is finally here and it is so important to enjoy it while planning proper sun protection to shield ourselves from the sun’s harsh rays.  One may think wearing sunscreen is enough but wearing a hat to protect our face, ears, hair and scalp adequately is also essential.  Your eyes need to be shielded from the harmful rays as well.  Wearing sunglasses with 100% UV ray protection is undoubtedly your best way to keep your eyes safe all year around as the sun’s reflection on snow in the winter can be just as harmful as water reflection can be on a lake or the sea in the summer.  Needless to say wearing a stylish hat and sunnies will also give you that desired movie star appeal!

Diane Kruger

Ralph Lauren

VIP Shopping Spree

In November 2011, Bizou ran a contest with divine.ca  for a  2 night/3 day VIP Shopping Spree adventure in Toronto, valued at approximately $ 8000!   The winner, Élise Lapointe, and her trip companion, Josée Lapointe, both from Québec City stayed at the prestigious Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto.  In addition to the provided shopping money, they also each received a $ 150 Bizou gift card to be spent at our Queen Street boutique, as well as valuable shopping advice from Marie-Andrée Guimont, stylist for divine.ca.  Our lucky winners thoroughly enjoyed their time and VIP shopping spree in Toronto last April.

Toronto Shopping Spree

The winner (Élise Lapointe), the stylist for divine.ca (Marie-Andrée Guimont), winner's trip companion (Josée Lapointe) and the Communications/Marketing coordinator for Bizou (Antoinette Thibeault).

Toronto Trump Tower Hotel

The prestigious Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto

The prestigious Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto.

Queen Street boutique

Bizou's Queen Street boutique.

Tonronto Shopping Spree

Bizou's Manager (Brittney Friesen), Bizou's supervisor (Neva Moss), the winner (Élise Lapointe) and the winner's trip companion (Josée Lapointe).

TOP 10 Wardrobe Basics

In spite of all the clothing bought throughout the years, the walk-in closet we so waited to have, seasonal wardrobes and the best of intentions… we all end up saying, sooner or later, « I don’t have anything to wear ».

That being said, there are in fact some key wardrobe pieces every woman MUST have in her closet.  What we could call The Urban Survival Kit, to be used for any and all occasions or events.

The TOP 10 all-time stylish lady staples:

  1. Little black dress (The LBD, for the style savvy)
  2. Crisp, well-cut white shirt
  3. Black trouser suit
  4. Pencil skirt (or A line, depending on your silhouette) in a neutral color
  5. Good pair of perfectly fitting jeans
  6. Cashmere scarf or pashmina
  7. String of pearls (real or faux)
  8. Hoop earrings
  9. CZ stud earrings
  10. Flattering lipstick or gloss that makes you feel like a million bucks!

The verdict is in; no woman shall be style-deficient with these indispensable wardrobe basics!

Color Blocking Trend, the Hot Mixes

Color Blocking is all the rage!  Until now, we’ve mostly seen bright hues being mixed in classic Mondrian style.  But now comes Color Blocking with a twist, combining brights with neutral tones.  This unexpected pairing creates an eye-catching color twist with a definite plus.  Think about pairing a fuchsia blouse with emerald or cobalt blue jeans, with a taupe or ivory scarf and nude pumps (your best choice to create an appealing look).  Or top a tangerine jumpsuit with a grey or white jacket, and wear delightful purple sandals.  The trend can also be worn as pastels, imagine a yellow sorbet-colored dress with lilac or baby pink shoes.

The same style rules apply as with classic color blocking, no more than three solid colors (okay, four, if you insist and feel whimsical!), or risk looking like a Christmas tree.  All you need to do is call on your imagination to match colors you like and show a very trendy version of yourself to the world.

 Color Block

Your dress style, a reflection of your personality

The old saying « The clothes make the man (or woman) » is just as relevant and accurate today as it always was.  Scientific research has shown that the first seconds of an encounter set the pace and tone of a relationship as the image you project is immediately analyzed and judged, leaving a permanent   impression with the other person.  Knowing this, wouldn’t you want to make the best impression possible?  We are not talking here of taking on a style that is not you, but rather to present the best possible image of yourself, to your greatest benefit.

Whether you are going on an interview for a new position or a special date, you want to put your best foot forward and present an image that is in perfect alignment with your personality.  So forget about clothing, accessories and jewellery that don’t feel like “you” and go for a current style that is totally you and says “Here I am, this is me!”, because you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

Makeover example :

Métamorphose

Photo: Kristin Burns

Springtime!

Ever heard of a makeunder?  Well, this may be the perfect time for one, with spring’s fresh faced beauties all over the runways and magazine covers, it may be just what the doctor ordered. Getting rid of heavy outdated hair, makeup and clothing to make place for a new hair color and cut and light, airy clothing… the perfect way to peel away the layers and let the bright new, free-spirited you, shine on!!!

Old Hollywood dreams

Surprise, surprise … whites, creams and blushes were a sign of the times, and the pulse of fashion, on Oscar’s Red Carpet.  Channeling old Hollywood glamour, the grandes dames of the movies came in full regalia to celebrate the night of all nights.  Of course, there were also some requisite shots of color … but not as many as for the more ‘playful’ Golden Globes ceremony.  Although some plums, fuchsias and burgundies, along with some pleasantly vivacious reds made a remarkable entrance, the tone, and spirit, of the evening was truly to hark back to a time where movie stars looked like Greek goddesses draped in the palest of colors to feature their pristine beauty.

Discreet make-up and hair were the canvas for the ‘understated’ bling: The Fred Leightons, Chopards, Neil Lanes, and relative newcomer, Lauren Schwartz, of the glamour world, clad the ladies in the finest pieces of master jewellery.

Top designers such as Gucci, Armani and Louis Vuitton would not waste this unique opportunity to showcase their talents and show the world they are still the top of the heap, the unparalleled magicians of Haute Couture, and they haven’t!

Screen Dreams

The Golden Globes’ red carpet was chock full of the color green. No longer just the color of hope, it is now the color of haute couture glamour as well.  Be it lime, emerald, olive or forest green, the dashing ladies of the Globes wore it with aplomb. Green was also notably glimmering on magnificent pieces of jewellery – emeralds – we are guessing!

Deep reds, bordeaux and burgundies were also very present. A perfect backdrop for the platinum and diamond jewellery the ladies wore with so much elegance.

This year’s unmistakable trend of choice, nude and blush colors, was all over the red carpet in many incarnations reminiscent of the bygone days of Hollywood sirens. Elegance and poise helped these gowns prove that nature is often the best source of inspiration for fashion designers.

Upswept dos and well-coiffed locks completed these evening looks by highlighting these fabulously festive gowns.

Score one for Red Carpet Season. Let’s now see what the Oscars will have in store for us …

Golden Globes’ red carpet was chock full of the color green. No longer just the color of hope, it is now the color of haute couture glamour as well.  Be it lime, emerald, olive or forest green, the dashing ladies of the Globes wore it with aplomb. Green was also notably glimmering on magnificent pieces of jewellery – emeralds – we are guessing!

Deep reds, bordeaux and burgundies were also very present. A perfect backdrop for the platinum and diamond jewellery the ladies wore with so much elegance.

This year’s unmistakable trend of choice, nude and blush colors, was all over the red carpet in many incarnations reminiscent of the bygone days of Hollywood sirens. Elegance and poise helped these gowns prove that nature is often the best source of inspiration for fashion designers.

Upswept dos and well-coiffed locks completed these evening looks by highlighting these fabulously festive gowns.

Score one for Red Carpet Season. Let’s now see what the Oscars will have in store for us …

Exotic styles now at your fingertips

If someone had told you ten years ago that searching for and acquiring an exotic looking ensemble would only be a click away, what would you have said? With prominent designers like Marchesa, Cavalli and Kors showing pieces inspired by faraway lands on the runway, a resounding yes is today’s answer!!! Museum genre jewellery with antique finishes and unusual stones abound as we dream of visiting the cave of Ali Baba. Wearing these readily available fashions is now a reality without having to search the four corners of the world.  Ikat, Navajo and Indian Paisley prints and fabrics are almost as easy to find as stripes and plaids in our local boutiques. Adding to those pieces, exotic jewellery and accessories lends an air of sophistication and worldliness easily to any outfit in a jiffy!

No need to travel the world to look like a globetrotter, you only need a little imagination and whimsy to make your look positively refreshing and different.

 

Marchesa Couture Plunging - V Caftan Gown
Marchesa Couture Plunging – V Caftan Gown Source: neimanmarcus.com
Alexander McQueen - Kaftan Style Dress
Alexander McQueen – Kaftan Style Dress Source: zestypink.com

 

Marchesa Couture - Floaty Caftan Dress
Marchesa Couture – Floaty Caftan Dress Source: neimanmarcus.com

 

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