
September 2009 Archives



Personal style is not a thing that can be acquired
overnight. Sad (or maybe just frustrating) but true.
After all, the way that you present yourself is an inevitable statement
about how you want to be perceived -- be it low-key and casual, or high-fashion, high-cost, and high-heeled. Of course, style evolves. I mean, a quick glance back through your Facebook photo archives from last month (or even - gasp! - last year) may reveal some shockingly unflattering sweaters (why did no one tell you?!) or "unique" hair
experiments, or straight-up unfortunate footwear disasters. (Hi, anyone remember THESE?) Let's face it: Often, what we wear is reflected by trends
that are unfolding in the world around us - and these days, thanks to blogs, gossip magazines, and reality television, the effects of the immediacy and
influence of pop culture can take on very visceral properties when it comes to...
how you get dressed in the morning. Which is totally cool, because a) you know
what? Back in the day, those shoes were probably cool,
and b) no one's putting a gun to your head and forcing you to dress like
whoever happens to be on the cover of the latest In Touch. Trusting your instincts is a huge factor in
developing your own aesthetic.
However. It can be fun to remember, too, that there are other sources from which to draw some inspiration as well. (Fashion did exist before The Hills, don't forget.) Which is why we at TIZA are introducing a weekly discussion of fashion in some of the most sartorially inspiring movies of all time. Yes, there will be Audrey. But there will also be Sofia, and Wes, and Anjelica, and much, much more. First up?
COCO AVANT CHANEL
Audrey Tatou stars as the young designer in Sony Pictures Classics' Coco Avant Chanel
For our inaugural column, we just couldn't resist a discussion on the recently-released biopic about one of the industry's most iconic figures: Coco Chanel. Of course, these days we all know her as the woman who would eventually be responsible for some of the most beautiful dresses ever created, basically ever. But, as the film (which stars Audrey Tautou and was released on September 25) points out, Coco was not really the type to be often seen strutting around in lacey dresses and low-cut tops; actually, Chanel (who originally aspired to be an actress) spent a great deal of her time dressed in trousers, a simple, white button-down blouse, a hat, and occasionally, a tie. You could call it a very chic, very sophisticated, and way-ahead-of-her-time sort of tomboy look. She used the resources she had (in this case: some old guy's clothes) to develop a style completely unique to the time period -- and which, incidentally, still holds up today. In many ways, the resulting aesthetic has probably influenced basically every runway look ever to follow Coco's first collection down the catwalk. Suffice it to say, the lady certainly was doing something right. Just look at the evidence:

Or, for the more ladylike among you:

And if you're still not convinced, just stay tuned for next week's edition of Fashion in Film, where we will present you with yet more fashion inspiration.
New York, NY - September 22, 2009New Brunswick, NJ - September 24-25, 2009
Columbus, OH - September 28-29, 2009
University, MS - October 1-2, 2009
Orlando, FL - October 6-7, 2009
Tallahasse, FL - October 13-14, 2009
Austin, TX - October 22-23, 2009
La Jolla, CA - October 28-29, 2009
Los Angeles, CA - November 4-6, 2009
ROCK'N'ROLL CHIC, HOMECOMING STYLE

Maybe you are not the kind of girl who is into dresses involving too many sparkles, chiffon layers, or even pink frills. That is okay. There are still many options for you. Case in point: Kristen Stewart, the 19-year-old Twilight star, may portray your everyday jeans-wearing, fleece-ridden, Vampire-smitten teen in the wildly popular film series -- but in real life, the California native has a definite hard-rock edge to her look. She's proven herself the master of adding a personalized tough-girl touch to some of her red-carpet party-dress looks. (See above.) But even this style doesn't require a hard-ass sensibility or a bad attitude: it's all about balancing the balancing the soft and hard elements.. Even a super-feminine dress (short usually works best, in this case, and beading, bright colors, and bold patterns are good too) can be tempered by pairing it with an artfully tousled mane, as well as angular or contrasting shoes and accessories. A leather biker jacket (which, by the way, goes with basically everything) and thick layer of black eyeliner never hurt either. Of course, the primary goal here? Be yourself, experiment, and don't forget that even punk-rock girls are allowed to have a little fun.
**Click on the links for some inspiration from TIZA

Chloe Sevigny
Can
we just talk for a second about how Chloe Sevigny was totally passed over in re:
the nominations this year? Her character on Big Love is easily one of the best in television these days -- not to mention the fact that the girl works Mormon-chic like nobody's business. Clearly, however, Sevigny wasn't too torn up about the snub: This
polka-dot number is subtle but fun, and perfectly suited to her figure to boot. She also makes excellent use of the shocking red lipstick.

Again with the Big Love girls! I love
everythinng about Goodwin's look here: the color, the cut, the simple, and in some angles almost
pixie-like hair. Maybe she's taking notes from her co-star?
Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore always loves a good princess
dress - and this one (thank God) is a good one.
She looks radiant but not overdone. Not an easy feat, either. I believe even Ms. Barrymore has had a few run-ins with the cupcake dilemma in previous years...
The Grecian goddess look is a very tricky
one to pull off. After all, it is a fine line between "gown" and "sheet." And
yet, Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester hits the nail right on the head. As usual.
Sigh.
THE LOWS
Padma Lakshmi
Padma Lakshmi is beautiful, smart, funny,
nice-seeming, and has a well-documented love of food. So we will forgive her this
one monstrosity. But TIZA girls, please take note: Fake roses cannot just be
thrown onto any old dress. And if you are going to use them, perhaps you can at
least do so to cover up the part of your straps that were apparently attacked by dogs immediately preceding this event?
Classic case of the Fake Flesh in Weird Places problem. Usually one finds this more in the winter Olympics than on the red carpet, but... to each her own? Also, is it
just me or is does Wilde's dress seem slightly reminiscent
of Bjork's most notoriously avian-inspired look? (Sans said look's auadacious awesomeness, unfortunately.)
Sarah Silverman
How is it that Silverman could make a
fake-mustache look good last night, but was unable to pull off a seemingly
simple blue dress?! Answer: Too much rouching in all the wrong ways. (That was not a rhetorical
question.)
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
January Jones
Mad Men star January Jones's look is
definitely adventurous. There's something almost "futuristic robot-wife" about
it. The problem is that I can't decide whether or not that is a good thing! What do you think?

Today
marks the end of
Proenza Schouler

Colorful, funky and fun. Perfect attitude for your debut back-to-school entrance.
A

Not your
grandma's sweater vest...
Marc by
Marc Jacobs

Exemplary
mixing of patterns and colors. As usual. (Bow optional.)
Lacoste
For rainy
days?
For
tennis tryouts?
Alexander
Wang
Knee
socks: Cool again!
Troop
Jason Wu
If you
are looking to do first-lady chic... Jason Wu is your man.
Staying afloat on fashion is kinda like trying to swim in a velvet gown with a six foot train. Purely pointless.
Upcoming fashion events to watch for via Internet... September 10-17: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, New York 23-30: Milan Fashion Week-Milano Moda Donna October 1-8: Paris Fashion Week January 28-31: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Berlin February 11-18: Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week, New York March 25-30: Moscow Fashion Week presented by VISA Get ready gals, we've got serious seas to sail. Hmm...what would a fashion-savvy pirate wear, anyway? |
| Get a sneak peak at fall fashion trends right here at Tiza. This autumn, get tough with the eighties rock star look. You'll be head-banging like a pro in no time wearing one of these righteous rocker dresses. | ||||||
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As you may have heard by now, some serious drama went down at MTV's Video Music Awards the other night. (Oh, Kanye...) Luckily, Taylor Swift bore the on-stage interruption with characteristic class. Also: style. Here are TIZA's picks for the ten best dresses that made their way onto the red carpet.
Not a pity
vote! Swift's dress is perfectly glamorous, playful and (importantly!)
age-appropriate for the occasion. Excellent use of bangles.
2. Alexa
Chung
Is it just
me, or is MTV personality Alexa Chung channeling Jenny Humphrey with the whole
good-girl-gone-goth look?
3. Leighton
Meester
Speaking of
Gossip Girls...Leighton Meester once again strikes the optimal balance of uptown
chic-meets-downtown glam
Pulling off
the pre-attached dress-plus-capelet combo look is no small feat. But Amerie
rocks it. Great color, and even better job accessorizing: note the simple hair
and makeup + appropriately utilized ankle bracelet (which helps balance those
wings up top!).
5. Beyonce
About to
approach dangerous territory, length-wise, but I dig the style and color.
6. Solange
Knowles
Getting
experimental with the ruffles! In a good way.
7. Rose
Byrne
Actress
Rose Byrne knows how (and when) to work this playful party dress.
8. Miranda
Cosgrove
Disco-ball
chic as it should be.
9. Amanda
Bynes
Perhaps a little serious for the occasion, but who
can resist a flattering, skintight LBD?
10. Lady
Gaga
Um, points
for creativity? (Only recommended for the mind-blowingly adventurous.)
Previously, we covered the pre-event preparation you should consider before stepping out of the limo in your fabulous stilettos. Now that you know how to stand pretty, it's time to walk the walk. Remember the following: Now that you know your shoes well, wear cushion where needed for extra comfort. Stretch out your ankles before the big event and throughout the evening. Head to the ladies' room and take off your heels to relieve your toesies for a few. You'll be back on the floor fully charged in no time. When actually walking from point A to B, take small, slow steps. There's no rush and this ain't the walking you learned as a toddler. It's a whole new ballgame. Remember heel to toe. Place your heel on the ground first, followed by your toe. It looks like a natural step. Don't plop your feet down flat footed. You'll look like you're trying to stomp on a bug. Not cool. When your weight is completely on the ball of your foot, shift your weight forward and lift the opposite foot for the next step. Your line of balance is strongest on the inside of your feet. So, don't hold your weight on the outside of your feet, but rather use those ankle muscles and keep your heels close together. This not only perfects posture, but prevents rolled ankles. Watch for spillage. Look out for spilled drinks and floor debris. Unlikely you'll slip on a banana peel, but a fancy little napkin daintily dropped on the floor can cause serious damage. Phew. We've learned a lot. Time to hop in this hot hot heels and get moving! |
Celebrities make walking in heels look like cheesecake (not that they touch the stuff). But behind every step lies neatly disguised hours of painful practice. Seriously, high heel walking should be an Olympic sport. We understand that. So, Tiza's here to help with tips on how to walk in heels, look hot mid strut, and save the sprains for the soccer field. Practice, practice, practice. Oh, did we mention practice? Get comfy in your shoes BEFORE the big event. Avoid the stiff-kneed robotic walk by spending time in your heels at home. For the seriously uncoordinated, tie pillows around your torso and wear a helmet. Kidding. Kind of. When buying shoes, consider height. What are you used to? If you've worn nothing but sneakers for years, go with a lower heel with a sturdy strap--something that stays bound to your foot when you lift it off the ground. If you're a high heel expert, exercise your right to a few extra inches, by all means. But use caution. The most super of models still fall down. Consider terrain. Where will you be trekking? Through potentially hazardous parking lots or slick tile floor? Make sure your shoes have adequate traction. Perhaps a bit of rubber sole. Practice walking down your driveway or spin around in the kitchen. Again--pillows if necessary. Practice walking up and down stairs. Very vital. Alright. You're prepped. Tune in next time for fine-tuned stiletto techniques for the big event. |









