artsy chic
Ruth Barzel: I’m thrilled that Cathy and Alicia are joining Stylebook and already have a question for them! I recently had the good fortune to meet a lovely woman who’s an attorney on the Hill. She’s looking to add a creative dimension to her life and, to that end, is launching a business to bring women on the Hill together for fun, friendship, and fashion by introducing them to independent designers. I’m going to be her first featured designer! Her business launch party will take place at her home later this month. It will be a cocktail party, and she’s asked her friends to all come in their best business attire and model my jewelry at the event. A photographer will also be there taking photos for her soon-to-be-launched website. So, what should I wear? I need to look “artistic” but also (of course!) chic, put together, and photo ready! Note: I already have a lot of clothes and would prefer to work with what I have in my closet rather than buying something new.
Cathy: Instead of going straight to your favorite LBD, try getting creative with some separates. After years of dresses being in the spotlight, skirts are feeling fresh for the warmer months. I’m envisioning an a-line skirt with tucked in or cropped top (and I don’t mean belly-baring but with a hem that ends right around your skirt waistline). Pull out your pieces that are high quality and have bold details such as an interesting cut, cool texture such as summer-weight leather or subtle print, but that are also simple enough to let your jewelry be the star of the show. Add your favorite jewelry pieces from your own collection, a cool pair of shoes and a fabulous handbag and you will stand out as the chic artist that you are!
2 Comments
Hi Cathy. Thanks for the excellent advice! I love the overall direction you suggest. The only problem is that I don’t have these specific items in my closet and would like to avoid buying anything new right now. Instead, I was thinking of wearing a gray jersey Tori Richard maxi dress I bought at Hysteria early in the spring that I haven’t had a chance to wear yet. The dress is lined so I don’t have to worry about it being too revealing or wearing uncomfortable “shapewear” (yuck!) underneath it, and I didn’t get it hemmed so I can wear it with my new Sacha London beige suede platforms that I recently got at Kiskadee and that are comfy enough to stand in for hours. Then a statement necklace in a nice bright color and —as you suggested—a leather jacket in case their is cold air-conditioning. What do you think?
That sounds like it fits the bill, Ruth. These high quality and simple pieces will make your jewelry (and you!) stand out, love it!