Sunday, June 30, 2013

Designer: Nikita Sing


Looking for new ways to spice up your style? Simply swap where you wear your jewelry. Since they can stretch and shrink to fit any size, Nikita Sing’s elastic slip-on accessories make perfect convertible pieces.
Here are a few ways to experiment with this eclectic line:
·      Crown yourself in an eye-catching headpiece. Loosen your collar, let your hair down, and get creative with your necklace – convert it into a headband for an image that’s both easy-going and dramatic.
·      Start the day off with a headband and choker combo – but if you want an instant change, pull your headpiece down around your neck for a layered look.
·      With T-shirt and tank top weather just around the bend, we’re ready to bare our arms and flaunt some bangles. But ladies, why not show off those legs, too? Give your skirts, shorts, and sandals a little extra sparkle by switching bracelets and anklets.
Nikita Sing
ANDREA BRACELET
Banish negativity and get a boost of energy from this smokey quartz and turquoise stretch bracelet. Feel extra protection from the golden spike beads. 

- Turquoise, smoky quartz, antiqued gold beads

- Stretch fit
 Nikita Sing
GABRIELLE EARRINGS
Skulls and crosses are still trending. These large gold hoops feature crystal crosses, a sure sign your accessories are heavenly.

- Goldtone metal, crystals

- 2" wide
 
Nikita Sing
MADONNA BRACELET
Skulls and crosses are still trending. This gold bead ball bracelet features a miniature crystal cross and antiqued gold angel wing. A sure sign your accessories are heavenly.

- Goldtone metal, crystal

- 7" long
Nikita Sing
RATANA EARRINGS
Channel your inner Asian princess with these drop earrings featuring gold filigree, turquoise beads and gold spikes. A wow factor of 10.

- Goldtone metal, turquoise

- 3" long; french wire 
Nikita Sing
CAMILLA EARRINGS

Tough girl chic! These large gold hoops feature bullet beads that show your tough but feminine accessory sense.

- Goldtone metal

- 2" wide
 
Nikita Sing
HARPER EARRINGS
Channel your inner Asian princess with these drop earrings featuring gold filigree, white howlite and gold spikes. A wow factor of 10.

- Goldtone metal, howlite

- 3" long; french wire 


Nikita Sing
CHAKRI EARRINGS
Channel your inner Asian princess with these drop earrings featuring silver filigree, round turquoise beads and silver spikes. A wow factor of 10.

- Silvertone metal, turquoise

- 3" long; french wire

Nikita Sing
ANGELA NECKLACE
This gold bead ball necklace features antiqued gold angel wings. A sure sign your accessories are heavenly.

- Antiqued goldtone metal, crystals

- 42" long

You can also find me at: http://www.facebook.com/JustFabMe


Thank you The Style Hub for the article



1920's Icons in Fashion History

I have noticed that many of the fashions from the past are slowly coming back.  You can see it in the clothing, hairstyles and the jewelry that people are wearing today.  Example of this is the elegant Louise Brooks hair style.  It is easy to style and it is always modern and crisp.  

I found this article that goes into more detail on the styles of the past.  I hope you enjoy reading this article. 

1920s Icons in Fashion History
C20th Fashion History

By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com

Hollywood and Royal Influences on Fashion and Glamour

Communication both spoken and visual was very good in the 1920s and 1930s and a new set of film stars who also became admired fashion icons emerged.  Consequently fashion ideas passed on quickly across the world.  Hollywood was producing silent films that entranced cinemagoers and by the time of talking films, even more cinemas sprang up in towns across America and Europe.  For a few coins escapism to a world of glamour was possible.  Movie stars in addition to royalty became adored fashion icons.

Going to the movies was a night not only for the pleasure of seeing a romantic film, but also a journey to glamour and the inevitable role reversal that watching a film engendered.  Women wanted to look like their fashion icon screen idols, wear the hairstyles, make up and clothes that their favorite star, who obviously belonged to a very modern advanced world wore.  Film goers wanted modern looks like their 1920s icons on screen and the royal idols in the papers.

Famous screen icon idols of the early years of movies included Louise Brooks, Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Claudette Colbert, Ginger Rogers, Katharine Hepburn, Rudolph Valentino, Cary Grant and Clark Gable.  Dietrich and Hepburn in particular gave credence to women wearing trousers as they both enjoyed wearing them so much.  The similarity between Claudette Colbert shown here and Louise Brooks is noticeable, whilst men everywhere donned the moustache so favored by Clark Gable.

It Happened One Night

Claudette Colbert and Clark Gable Movie Poster
 Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert Movie Poster of  the film.

In the 1920s and 1930s American fashion began to assert itself and soon gained world recognition.  Hollywood was instrumental in providing the world with the latest looks for concepts of dressing with feminine allure and glamour.  Women demanded the same exciting new fashions and beauty tricks and products as the film icons and stars wore and so costumers and beauty experts became important in their own right.

The signature fashion and beauty looks of both Joan Crawford and Greta Garbo are credited to MGM's Gilbert Adrian, then head of costume at Metro Goldwyn Mayer.   Elsa Schiaparelli for example designed clothes for over 30 films with many costumes being worn by movie fashion icons of the day.  These designers were all icons in their own right as well as serving the elite of society of the day.  Schiaparelli along with Vionnet and Chanel are mentioned on relevant pages on site.

Along with movie stars famous personalities set fashion examples.  In both the UK and the USA royalty were feted and filled newsreels with their appearances at events whatever side of the Atlantic they photographed. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Princess Marina and the Duchess of York, later Queen Elizabeth consort of George VI all attracted news and views on what and when they wore certain clothes.  In their day they were thought every bit as much fashion icons as Princess Diana, Princess of Wales was in her era.  One of the social highlights of 1920 was the Olympic Games in Antwerp.

Louise Brooks 1920s Fashion Icon
Louise Brooks is one the most famous fashion icons of the 20th century and of the 1920s.  You may not know her name, but you will know her face.  Her distinctive black helmet like bob cut hair often worn with bangs or a fringe as we would call the curtain of hair today was her trademark.

Louise Brooks
This picture is typical of the appearance of the Louise Brooks hairstyle still popular among fans today, as it is so easy to style whilst looking crisp and modern.

The silent camera loved her freckled pale face and the dramatic physical features of her head were well suited to movies made only in black and white.  Likewise Louise Brooks suited silent films best, as one look from this 1920s icon could convey more than a thousand words.   Louise Brooks made only one talkie.

She was a gifted actress and appeared in 24 films between 1925 and 1938 starring with names such as W.C. Fields, Jean Arthur and William Powel.  Her best known role was as Lulu in Pandora’s Box in 1929.  Her parallel stage career enabled her to have a social life with the wealthy.  Louise Brooks mingled with the socially eminent and the artistic and glamorous elite of the day.  She mixed not only with movie stars, but also intellectuals such as F Scott Fitzgerald who brought attention to the sophisticated aspects of a new post war society that emerged in the 1920s.

When her film career waned Louise Brooks had years of poverty and was disregarded as an actress.  In later life through the 1950s to 1970s she became a well known thought provoking essayist, often writing for film magazines as Louise Brooks.

Louise Brooks was the famous flapper of her era.  She was a model as well as an actress and frequently appeared in advertisements.  Louise Brooks had short hair, a short skirt and wore make up.  She bore no resemblance to anything vaguely Edwardian and embodied the spirit of the Jazz Age.  The flapper era worshipped young people and Louise Brooks was the Madonna of her day with her signature image of the perfect flapper look. 

Louise Brooks
Modeling 1920s Boudoir Pyjamas


Greta Garbo 1930s Fashion Icon

A complete contrast to Louise Brooks is Greta Garbo who was one of the most prominent and best loved stars of all the 1920s and 1930s icons.  Many a costume history book touts her as an intriguing fashion icon of mystery and allure.  Her softer look was total different to Louise Brooks, yet was full of femininity and captivation that sat happily alongside that of the flapper.

Greta Garbo was born in 1905 as Greta Lovisa Gustafsson in Stockholm.  Born of impoverished parents she first went to work at age 14 in a barber's shop, but later became a model.  Keen to act after featuring as a bathing beauty in a film Garbo studied acting from 1922 to 1924 at the Royal Dramatic Theatre, Stockholm.

Mauritz Stiller an important Swedish director gave her a role in Gösta Berling's Saga along with the stage name Greta Garbo.  He ensured she could act for cinema screen using her instinctive playing to the camera.  Then in 1925 Garbo was also given a contract at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the USA when Stiller went to work for MGM.  She made 27 films, but her greatest success was as a talking actress because of her smooth feminine seductive voice.  Garbo is remembered for not only her great and unusual ethereal beauty, but also her voice. 

She continued to make successful films until 1941 when after the flop film Two Faced Woman she retired at 36 to become a virtual recluse.  Greta Garbo lived out a secluded life in the city of New York where anonymity was easy.

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor

The abdicated King Edward VIII, later Duke of Windsor revived le beau monde or the refined beautiful world of ‘fashionable society,’ in the 1930s. The British monarch King Edward the VIII abdicated his throne to his brother who became George VI and who was also the father of the present Queen Elizabeth.

After his marriage in 1937 to American divorcee Wallis Simpson, as his wife as the Duchess of Windsor, he lived in high style.  He was already a fashion icon and had been for many years noted as always being immaculately groomed by choice rather than by position.  As a couple they both loved fashion and being thought fashionable.  He had strong preferences in dress and was a fussy immaculate dresser who led many styles of the era.

On the wedding day of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Wallis wore a dress designed by Mainbocher.  The rest of her trousseau was designed by Mainbocher too although she wore clothes form many designers including Schiaparelli, Chanel, Molyneux, Vionnet and Givenchy.

Duke and Duchess of Windsor 1936
In this wedding day image the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson wears a full length gown in palest blue (said to match her eyes) and designed by Mainbocher.

Photographers followed the couple across America and Europe to catch a glimpse not only of any interesting happenings between the couple, but also because they both wore fabulous clothes and jewellery and with improved communications a world audience eagerly awaited their every move.

The Duke changed rules about clothing simply because individuals followed fashions he set which were often for his own practical purposes.  He had a tuxedo made in dark blue as the construction and cut details showed up better in photographs. 

Wallis Simpson

Paris based artist Elsa Schiaparelli invented the concept of the ‘evening suit’ consisting of a plain simple gown worn with a heavily embellished or elaborately decorated evening jacket.  The jacket sometimes sported appliqué or beadwork or even hand painted unusual joker motifs.  An example of this is the famous dress worn by Wallis.  Dali hand painted a quirky lobster on a gown made for Wallis Simpson.  Both Wallis and the Duke were international fashion icons and feted in Europe and America.

The Queen Mother

The Duchess of York's Wedding Dress

Lady Elizabeth Bowes Lyon was born in London, UK in 1900 and died in 2002 as Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother. 

She married the Duke of York on January 13 1923.  On marriage she became the Duchess of York and fulfilled her first marital duty by bearing him two girls in the early years.  When her husband was crowned George VI in 1937 after the abdication of Edward VIII she became his crowned Queen Consort.  Her first daughter Elizabeth became Queen of Great Britain and the Commonwealth in 1952 and was crowned in 1953.

This is the wedding photograph of the Duke and Duchess of York on their wedding day.  The dress was designed by Madame Handley Seymour a former London court dressmaker to the dowager Queen Mary.  The dress followed the essential fashions of the day.

Duke and Duchess of York's Wedding 1923
The wedding day 1923

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Recollections Victorian Styled Clothing for Women
For more images on 1920s  go to:-

1920s Fashion

In 1923 the fashions of the day were not only straight and fairly shapeless, but had also cast aside the frills, fabrics and bows of a lost era.  The classic simplicity of the much copied designs by Chanel did not suit the rounded curvy figure of the duchess.  She looked far better in softer more feminine clothes as many other women did than the boyish fashions of the day.  Motherhood rounded out her figure even more and although she was charming, pretty, captivating and the right material for a wife of the grandest sort, she was not a naturally glamorous chic woman compared with picture perfect contemporaries of the era.

The continental Princess Marina the Duchess of Kent (shown below) exuded a classy style that was hard to beat.  Likewise early on comparisons were made between the then Duchess of York and Wallis Simpson, the amour of the Prince of Wales.  The latter woman made the famous remark 'you can never be too rich or too thin', which is one the Duchess of York would certainly have felt directed at her.

Norman Hartnell and Cecil Beaton Make a Mystical Image

In an effort to establish a distinctive fashion style the new King and Queen soon summoned Norman Hartnell into royal service.  Norman Hartnell had a dressmaking business operating from four small rooms in Bruton Street in London.  On his first visit to Buckingham Palace in January 1937 the new King showed him several Victorian Winterhalter paintings leaving Hartnell with a strong an impression that they should be the source of inspiration for designing the new Queen's evening gowns.

The Queen's new crinoline style evening gowns were first seen in public in November 1937 and they flattered her enormously, bringing an elongation to a body not as model like in real life, as sketches by Hartnell suggested. 

In the summer of 1938 Queen Elizabeth's mother, Lady Strathmore died.  A state visit to Paris was already planned and after a brief delay it went ahead a few weeks later.  In that time Hartnell and his team worked around the clock to to reproduce a new wardrobe based on more than 30 designs already prepared in a range of colors.  The new order was now made up totally in white, an alternative royal mourning color.

The Queen Elizabeth charmed the Parisians with her fresh perfect complexion and the layered white floaty dresses in styles that suited her and made her look a picture of assured confidence in the French sun.  The theatrical sentimental styles suited her well and she never abandoned them once their success was well established.  She became a fashion hit and once Paris applauded her she never looked back.  Her style was established and she thrived on it. 

Parisian approval and a realization that the calculated sentimental look had worked, was more than enough for any Queen.  She understood public relations and thereafter continued to dress in a style that suggested wholesomeness, steadfastness, warmth, sweetness and lovability. She became what she invented, a picture that said goodness and stability.
Inevitably photographs of her by Cecil Beaton wearing the Hartnell creations helped create a more enigmatic vision in the public's eye.  It is alleged that she was not averse to a little airbrushing to help define her waistline in the cause of good public relations.  She may not have fitted the same mold as other fashion icons but even in her 100th year people loved to see what outfit she would be wearing at an event.

Princess Marina

The continental Princess Marina the Duchess of Kent exuded a classy style that was hard to beat.   Here is Princess Marina in her elegant wedding gown, which is so classic in fashion style it could easily be worn today.

Princess Marina
Shown here in her elegant wedding gown,









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Thank you YouTube and Pauline Weston Thomas.

Friday, June 28, 2013

Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egypt

The type of clothing materials that the ancient Egyptians made their clothes from are not that much different from the clothing of today. A variety of textured linens were used to create the clothing, such as coarse and fine textures. The way they designed their clothing was meant to provide comfort during the dry climate.

The Scottish were not the only individuals to wear a kilt, ancient Egyptian men often wore short skirts of the same name. This was typical throughout the Old and Middle kingdoms. Women put on dresses with a straight fit that were held together by straps. The kilts came in a wide-range of options. Men who came from wealthy families wore kilts with pleats, while longer kilts were made for older men.


When it came time to doing manual labor, the men wore a loincloth while they worked, while the women put on short skirts. Women also wore beaded dresses, but only those who possessed noble recognition. As for the little ones, during the summer, they ran about without any clothes on. When the winter season settled in, they covered up in cloaks and wraps.

During the period of the New Kingdom, noblemen added a long robe that was placed over his kilt. The women during this time placed a shawl over their long pleated dresses. Members of the royal family dressed differently than the people they ruled over. Some of the kings and queens during ancient times were dressed in ceremonials garb with a lot of decoration, such as sequins and feathers.

On their feet, ancient Egyptians often walked about barefoot; sandals were worn during special engagements with the king possessing the most decorated of them all. It was not uncommon to see the king wear gloves as well.

The common people of the land wore their hair short. Young girls often wore pigtails, while the boys completely shaved their heads. Sometimes, one branded clump of hair was worn to one side of the male appearance. Both men and women wore wigs during this time, which were fashioned from sheep wool, as well as human hair. These wigs served two purposes: protection from the heat, as well as decoration. They were also worn during get-togethers. Just like today, the ancient Egyptians also wore hair extensions and kept their wigs in special boxes.

It didn't matter what social class you belonged to, everyone wore some sort of jewelry. Some of the popular pieces during ancient Egyptian times included bracelets, anklets, earrings, as well as armlets. Both men and women wore these. Some pieces served different purposes. For example, rings and amulets were looked upon as a way to keep evil spirits away, as well as prevent injury. Wealthy individuals wore collars made of jewels or beads, as well as pendants. Their jewelry was created from silver and gold, while the less fortunate wore pieces fashioned from copper.
© 2007 History Of Fashion. All Rights Reserved.



Thank you History of Fashion for the article and YouTube.

The Emerging Trend of Mens Jewelry

MAY 26, 2011 | FASHION TRENDS, MENS FASHION, MENS JEWELRY

As our lives are becoming more technologically involved, both males and females are getting more and more time to work on their looks. Thus, as we progress into the 21stcentury, even men are now getting involved in enhancing their looks. For this reason, the trend for men’s jewelry has been spreading all across the globe just as fire spreads in the wood.

Although the demand in this field is an emerging one, men still are available with a huge variety of assortments that are being offered by a number of manufacturers. These include wallets, cufflinks, necklaces, rings and so on. Initially, men’s jewelry included cufflinks and wallets only. However, as time progressed and fashion evolved, more items were included within this category.



In the beginning, the trend of jewelry for males was started by the young generation within this category as a representation of status. However, as time travelled, this trend was adopted by males of all ages and groups. More commonly, this trend is found to be adopted by males belonging to the music and sports industry.

Furthermore, the trend was adopted by the elite class males as a means to boast their status among others. The reason for this show-off was that the jewelry that this class of males wore was filled with highly expensive jewels, such as diamonds of all sizes and so on.

When searching to buy a piece of men’s jewelry there are a variety of options from where you can buy it. Male consumers have an option for buying jewelry online or from any local vendor in the city. No matter from where you buy the jewelry, you need to ensure that it has a delicate design, keeping in line the masculinity factor, and also that it matches the dressing.

The most commonly used items within the men’s jewelry include necklace pendants. Necklace pendants have substituted the simple pendant free chains. The pendants used in men’s jewelry have a different look as compared to the look of the pendants used in females. Unlike the pendants used in female jewelry, the pendants in male jewelry are simple and bold. In other words, they are not flashy and delicate.



Apart from this, the males are also provided with a variety of shades and designs to choose from. Thus, when going to buy a pendant necklace, one is always available with an endless number of pendants, each having a unique color and shade to choose from. Apart from this, bracelets have also received a lot of fame within the men’s jewelry.

Bracelets also have a huge variety of designs and colors available within its category. Commonly, bracelets made out of stainless steel and at lower prices are the most popular choice amongst the males. A value added feature that is being offered in this item is the specialty of engraving.

Engraving involves writing things such as name and the like on the bracelet. This customization process has enabled the bracelets to be used as a gift.

Men Jewelry at JustFabulousMe.
House of KL
TAYLOR RING
Small details make a big difference. The Taylor Ring is crafted from PVD and enhanced with a striking tribal design. It's effortlessly stylish and sure to keep the conversation interesting.- PVD
- Approx. 1/3" wide
- Available sizes 10 to 11

House of KL
ELI BRACELET
The Eli Bracelet has a unique blend of gritty biker attitude and exquisite leather & silver artistry to make a one of a kind statement. Wear it for a feeling of relaxed elegance and confident strength.
- Leather
- 1 2/3" wide
- Snap closure
House of KL
JOEY BRACELET

Add classic polish to your work wardrobe with the Joey Bracelet. Comprised of stainless steel with a cz design, this bracelet is elegant yet understated.
- Stainless steel, cz
- 1/2" wide
- Hinge closure




House of KL
PEDRO BRACELET
The Pedro Bracelet is comprised of black leather and twine. Pedro has a uniquely organic and eclectic look.
- Leather, twine
- Button & loop closure
House of KL
DANA RING
The cool black edging and gold toned inlay give the Dana Ring its superb versatility. It's all you need for an effortlessly polished look. 
- Stainless steel
- Approx. 1/3" wide
- Available sizes 10 to 12

House of KL
DONNY NECKLACE
The Donny Necklace has a masculine exoticism for casual, confident looks. Comprised from rugged leather and adorned with a free form silver key, this is the perfect piece to show off your carefree vintage attitude.
- Leather
- Key is 3" long, leather is adjustable in length

Lara Hennessey
ROMEO RING
The iconic engravings give an undeniable edge to the Romeo Ring. The Roman numerals make it a classic masculine accessory.
- 14 gauge hypo-allergenic aluminum
- 1/3" wide
- Adjustable fit


Lara Hennessey
HERALD NECKLACE
We all love a hero, whether he's a personal hero or a national one. The Herald necklace features roman numerals stamped on a slab of weathered silver hanging from a gunmetal ball bead chain. You'll love its carefree vintage attitude.
- 2mm stainless steel, gunmetal
- 24" long chain
- Ball chain closure
Manic Trout
CARMEN CUFFS YELLOW
For the business man with a sweet side, the Carmen Cuffs will add a little color and give your dress shirts elegantly balanced visual appeal.
- Silver plate; lucite
- 3/4"


Thank you to for the article.





Our Interns Go Bold for Summer

Lately, the Kitsy Lane Team’s Interns have developed a taste for the finer things. And to indulge our fancies, we’ve refreshed our summer faves with bold, black touches and gold sophistication.
TREND SPOTTING: BLACK & GOLD
Go Bold with Black & Gold SALE ENDS 07/05/2013
Who said you had to go bright to go brilliant? Ground vivid hues in deep black shades, refine your palette with a warm metal sheen, and make one bold statement.

Athria
DAGMAR EARRINGS
Subtle glamour are the hallmark of these drop earrings. A pave teardrop dangles from a bezel set faceted black onyx.
- Gold vermeil, CZ's, black onyx
- 3/4" long
- Post back
- USA

House of KL
CHARLOTTE NECKLACE
Where geometry and elegance come together for a sparkling effect. This necklace features multiple strands of black seed pearls with a center gold and CZ pendant. - Seed beads, goldplate, CZs
- 14" long, with 2" extender
- 1" wide pendant
- Lobster clasp closure

KL Collection
BLYTHE BLACK
Enamel has made a comeback. Eye catching trio of gold hammered bangles with black enamel hexagons.
- Metal, enamel
- 2 3/4" diameter






House of KL
AYSEL NECKLACE 
Raise your style game with this mixed metal, multistrand necklace of goldplate, silverplate and hematite hammered discs. 
- Goldplate, silverplate
- 17" long; 19" longest strand
- Lobster claw clasp

House of KL
FELINA RING
The Felina eternity ring shines with 5 marquis shaped rutilated quartz stations betwixt matte gold vermeil twists. What an exquisite and regal ring that's easy to wear. What's not to love?
- 14kt gold vermeil, genuine rutilated quartz
- 1/4" wide
- Available sizes 5 - 8

Hard Couture
MARY BLACK
Ever wish you were a guest at Downton Abbey? Well here's your chance to wear some of their style. Inspired by fashion trends from yesteryear, these earrings bring a contemporary twist to Downton.
- Silk, cotton, goldtone metal
- Approx. 3 1/2"
- French wire



KL Collection
CARMINE BIB
Two of our great loves, black and lace, are perfectly combined to add just the right amount of drama to the neckline. Comprised of jet black enamel & filigree detail, Carmine flaunts an edged up style that looks great with every outfit.
- Silvertone metal, enamel
- 14" long with 2" extender
- Lobster clasp closure



KL Collection
BRANDI GOLD
The downtown chic Brandi Bangle combines three great loves: gold, braided leather and sparkling CZ. This bracelet is in a class all by itself!
- Gold tone metal, leather, CZ
- Approx. 2 1/4" diameter
- Loop closure

Thank you The Hub Style at KitsyLane for the article