Fitness and exercising has always excited me... perhaps that has something to do with me being a dancer. However, a recent injury makes me want to stress on the importance of fitness and health.
I often notice my younger brother dodging the gym... work pressure, office timings ensure that he is either too exhausted or to stressed ou to make time for himself and my constant urging quite often was akin to nagging...
i was at my wits end and close to despair. No amount of cajoling helped. If anything, it made him more defiant.
until i realized that if you’re not comfortable with talking to loved ones about the touchy subjects of health and weight loss, you can still help them lead healthier lives by practicing acts of fitness. There are dozens of small things you can do every day to make healthy living as easy as possible. Sometimes, you end up helping create good habits
The first and most important thing being that you have to stay motivated yourself at all times and set an example by doing things yourself.
Some ideas (in random order of course):
* Keep a variety of foods in the kitchen.
* Make sure you talk to them about other things besides weight loss and fitness.
* Stock kitchen with healthy cookbooks, leaving them where people can find them.
* Get the junk food out of the house.
* Plan an active activity after dinner.
* Make it a habit to play outdoor games together.
* Plan a cooking date.
* Cook at least three times a week for the household.
* If you already cook, cook healthier foods for the family.
* Maintain an upbeat attitude.
* Invite them to take part in a fundraiser that supports something important to all of you.
* Get a physical and urge them to do the same.
* Give “active” gifts, like personal training packages, a bicycle, roller blades, etc.
* Make a bet.
* Use positive language all the time.
* Be straight up and let them know you’re concerned about their health.
* Start a garden that you can work on together.
* Plan a “surprise” hike.
* Suggest walking more than driving.
* Make their exercise a priority. Wash their gym clothes without being asked, do a chore for them so they have time. Make it easy for them.
* Sneak healthy snacks and a friendly note (maybe even a love note) into their lunch, briefcase, jacket pocket or purse.
* Prepare their favorite dish in a healthier way.
* Opt for activities as an excuse to spend time together.
* Ask them to help you stay on track.
* Turn off the TV and suggest listening to music and dancing as incentives.
* Give big, positive attention to changes that are made.
* If it’s your turn to pick, choose a healthy restaurant or one that’s within walking distance.
Most importantly,
give them the confidence that you love them as they are,... love is a great positive reinforcement,
Tuesday 31 July, 2007
Friday 27 July, 2007
POWER FOODS
Power foods are a combination of low calories and high nutrients, or foods that keep you feeling satisfied. The more efficiently you eat, the more you can eat before reaching your calorie limit.
Adding just a few more power foods can make a big difference in your calorie intake and appetite.
At the top of the Power Food list are foods that contain proteins, fibers and complex carbohydrates. These foods have tons of nutrients that give you long-lasting energy without a lot of calories, all while making you feel fuller faster. However, there are power foods in every food group and plenty of options to choose from.
Grains
* whole wheat cereal
* oatmeal
* whole wheat bread, pita, bagel, pasta
* brown rice
* deli rye
* pure bran muffins
* cream of wheat
* raisin bread
Grains
* whole wheat cereal
* oatmeal
* whole wheat bread, pita, bagel, pasta
* brown rice
* deli rye
* pure bran muffins
* cream of wheat
* raisin bread
Dairy/Protein
* low fat or skim milk
* low fat yogurt
* salmon
* tuna
* chicken
* almonds
* peanuts
* walnuts and hazelnuts
* beans
* eggs
HEALTHY FOODS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED ANYWHERE
BEANS
These little guys are a major source of soluble fiber, which keeps the digestive tract moving efficiently and therefore allowing it to absorb nutrients more effectively. Fiber also lowers bad cholesterol levels in the blood. How can you use beans? Replace fatty meat with low-fat beans in some of your recipes. They will make you feel full, so you’re less likely to overeat. Add them to salad or soups. For a simple dinner idea, mix beans with brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
n addition to red kidney beans, other antioxidant champions are pinto beans,
BERRIES
Powerful antioxidants, berries help combat heart disease and cancer. Berries are filled with vitamin C, a nutrient that wards off illness and helps build up the body. And, just like beans, berries are a good source of fiber. Between strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, you’ll be doing your body a favor by tossing these into meals. Try them with your morning cereal, mixed into yogurt or smoothies, or as a low-fat ice cream topping.
TOMATOES
This amazing fruit, which we commonly call a vegetable, is easy to add to meals. No matter its classification, the fact of the matter is that tomatoes are proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers, especially those in the digestive tract, by absorbing free radicals. They provide great antioxidant protection for your body. Add to an omelet, top your salad, or toss into spaghetti sauce.
No Indian dish is complete without a seasoning of tomatoes and onions.
Want more? Make your own homemade salsa, mixing chopped tomatoes, onions and chili peppers.
People with hypertension who consumed tomato extract daily for 8 weeks experienced a 10-point drop in systolic blood pressure and a 4-point drop in diastolic pressure.
Researchers credit the lycopene in tomato extract for the potential blood-pressure-lowering effects experienced by participants in a recent study,
PEAS
Peas have a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. That should be enough motivation to eat more than just a mouthful. Sauté with other vegetables (including tomatoes) and eat over brown rice. Add peas to your chicken casseroles, soups, salads, even lasagna. Ever tried a pea soup? or a stuffing in pancakes?
CARROTS
Yet another choice that’s packed with antioxidants. Specifically, carrots contain beta-carotene, which helps promote good eye health. Of course, you can enjoy these veggies raw, and they make convenient snacks just about anywhere you go. Carrots have a pretty mild flavor, so they can also easily be incorporated into a variety of recipes; they will enhance tastes without being too overwhelming. Heat them up in your stew or soup for tonight’s dinner. Use them as soups, stuffings, salads, even juices....
Adding just a few more power foods can make a big difference in your calorie intake and appetite.
At the top of the Power Food list are foods that contain proteins, fibers and complex carbohydrates. These foods have tons of nutrients that give you long-lasting energy without a lot of calories, all while making you feel fuller faster. However, there are power foods in every food group and plenty of options to choose from.
Grains
* whole wheat cereal
* oatmeal
* whole wheat bread, pita, bagel, pasta
* brown rice
* deli rye
* pure bran muffins
* cream of wheat
* raisin bread
Grains
* whole wheat cereal
* oatmeal
* whole wheat bread, pita, bagel, pasta
* brown rice
* deli rye
* pure bran muffins
* cream of wheat
* raisin bread
Dairy/Protein
* low fat or skim milk
* low fat yogurt
* salmon
* tuna
* chicken
* almonds
* peanuts
* walnuts and hazelnuts
* beans
* eggs
HEALTHY FOODS THAT CAN BE INCLUDED ANYWHERE
BEANS
These little guys are a major source of soluble fiber, which keeps the digestive tract moving efficiently and therefore allowing it to absorb nutrients more effectively. Fiber also lowers bad cholesterol levels in the blood. How can you use beans? Replace fatty meat with low-fat beans in some of your recipes. They will make you feel full, so you’re less likely to overeat. Add them to salad or soups. For a simple dinner idea, mix beans with brown rice or whole wheat pasta.
n addition to red kidney beans, other antioxidant champions are pinto beans,
BERRIES
Powerful antioxidants, berries help combat heart disease and cancer. Berries are filled with vitamin C, a nutrient that wards off illness and helps build up the body. And, just like beans, berries are a good source of fiber. Between strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, you’ll be doing your body a favor by tossing these into meals. Try them with your morning cereal, mixed into yogurt or smoothies, or as a low-fat ice cream topping.
TOMATOES
This amazing fruit, which we commonly call a vegetable, is easy to add to meals. No matter its classification, the fact of the matter is that tomatoes are proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers, especially those in the digestive tract, by absorbing free radicals. They provide great antioxidant protection for your body. Add to an omelet, top your salad, or toss into spaghetti sauce.
No Indian dish is complete without a seasoning of tomatoes and onions.
Want more? Make your own homemade salsa, mixing chopped tomatoes, onions and chili peppers.
People with hypertension who consumed tomato extract daily for 8 weeks experienced a 10-point drop in systolic blood pressure and a 4-point drop in diastolic pressure.
Researchers credit the lycopene in tomato extract for the potential blood-pressure-lowering effects experienced by participants in a recent study,
PEAS
Peas have a wealth of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. That should be enough motivation to eat more than just a mouthful. Sauté with other vegetables (including tomatoes) and eat over brown rice. Add peas to your chicken casseroles, soups, salads, even lasagna. Ever tried a pea soup? or a stuffing in pancakes?
CARROTS
Yet another choice that’s packed with antioxidants. Specifically, carrots contain beta-carotene, which helps promote good eye health. Of course, you can enjoy these veggies raw, and they make convenient snacks just about anywhere you go. Carrots have a pretty mild flavor, so they can also easily be incorporated into a variety of recipes; they will enhance tastes without being too overwhelming. Heat them up in your stew or soup for tonight’s dinner. Use them as soups, stuffings, salads, even juices....
calling attention to style
CALLING ATTENTION TO STYLE
Luxury is being defined in new ways and that definition evolves constantly with ever-shifting demographics, socio-economics and the geopolitical climate. The definition of luxury is not only objective, but also subjective depending on the attitude of the buyer.
Statement accessories grab the limelight this season. Outsized or detail-heavy bags, bold sunglasses and bug-eyed, wide belts cinch the waist while shoes play to colourful, quirky extremes.
In terms of luxury goods, India is a booming market today…
A Versace watch, a Chanel bag, Cartier sunglasses…. The essential accoutrements to living lavishly…
In the early 1990’s, Bvlgari gave to the fashion market Bvlgari Perfume and later diversified to silk scarves, leather bags and eyeware and now to watches and fine jewellery.
It was in the early 9o’s, when watches and jewellery were given their much earned respect by the Italian fashion industry as accessories, that Gianni Versace launched his first watch collection.
WATCHES
Luxury watches are masterpieces of traditional craftsmanship. A high-end watch can have 800 or more components — many of them handmade — and hand-assembled by trained watchmakers. A standard quartz watch, in comparison, is most likely machine-made and may have only 20 components inside.
How much should you expect to pay? Depends on the watch, of course. The luxury market bottoms out at around $1,000, but many watches easily cost 30 times that. Most luxury watchmakers are Swiss, but there are a handful from other countries, including Bulgari (Italy) and Cartier (France). Considering the brand will give you a sense of history and specialty. Breitling, for example, is favored by pilots for its aeronautic designs.
Luxury watches are typically mechanical or self-wound. Luxury watches come with all sorts of bells and whistles geared to appeal to gadget geeks and sporting types. Corum's Admirals' Cup Tide 44 ($26,000) measures the force of the tide and currents, based on the current moon phase. Jaeger's Reverso line (Reverso Classique, $4,500), which allows the watch face to be flipped, was originally engineered for protection during polo matches. Sportsmen may enjoy but know they are also hefty — both in terms of price and added bulk to the watch.
Rolex's Oyster Perpetual Day/Date in white gold will set you back about $22,950. But if you want a dial with diamonds, expect to pay $25,200.
Versace has introduced a line of the 25 white and 25 pink ceramic watches with mother- of- pearl and diamonds adornments. The emerging trends, they reveal, is ceramic watches with a clear separation of movements, both quartz and digital.
WALLETS
Colorful wallets dominated 2003. For fall/winter 2003, designers like Cynthia Steffe in New York mixed modernistic silver leather with classic salt and pepper tweeds for a clean linear look. At Celine in Paris, Michael Kors used the shiny material in the form of crocodile embossed leather for great looking shoes and bags.
SILVER
Silver instantly brings to life the look and is perfectly neutral. Be it Nine West’s sexy open-toed, high-heeled pumps and sandals, DKNY’s silver-toned bracelet watches, Kenneth Cole’s or Tommy Hilfiger’s silver sunglasses. Via Spiga’s skinny silver belt or Paradox’s silver toned clutch bag in snakeskin embossed vinyl. Silver it was.
BAGS
In the Victorian era, it was fashionable to use steel beads cut from metal rods to decorate handbags. These beads could be embroidered in beautiful and intricate patterns to make bags very individualist. Hardware details like zippers and buckles were used.
Animal skin bags were popular in the 1940's with alligator, lizard, and even turtle being the skin of choice for women who led the fine life..
However, bags this year take on a patent lustre with heavy embellishments like beads, sequins, chains, metal and stones on metallic leather and fabric bases.
A Mulberry leather Bethany bag is around £350 and a Mulberry Roxanne is £595 or over $1000. A Marc Jacobs luxury leather Tote bag costs even more at £795/$1150 or Hogan's leather-and-goat-fur bag ($845.
The demand for a Hermes Birkin bag has reached such heights that
similar crocodile-skin models were offered in the US for $80,000.
Invest in a classic, quilted Chanel or the latest Marc Jacob’s bag with quieter, duller hardware. Other options are Louis Vuittons’ monogrammed Speedy bag, Balenciaga's suede shopper, or Coach's patchwork hobo.
JEWELLERY
Vintage jewellery has made a dramatic comeback as top designers featured vintage jewelry from the early 1940s and 50s in their fall 2004 collections. The catwalks of New York featured the fall trend. The Perry Ellis collection showed jackets adorned with jewellery from the 50s and 60s.
Body jewellery whipped up a storm, giving it a sophisticated look by way of sparkly tattoos in 2002. Charm bracelets followed in 2003, making it a must-have accessory.
Italian fashion lends a new meaning to innovative elegance with bracelets getting adventurous as class meets fusion with pearls, metal and cloth being used on bamboo in 2006.
Tribal art, geometrics and animal motifs set in silver and platinum using embellishments like precious stones and rope dictate a strong return to the earthy primitive ages as most international brands take to it.
Sparkling, shimmering, glitzy details are getting bigger in rings as precious stones get their place of pride in platinum and silver with the rocks too getting larger. For the male, the ring has graduated from holding traditional significance as youngsters flaunt funky thumb rings in different styles and patterns. The haute couture fashion is of wearing these rings virtually in all fingers. Black metal thumb rings are price friendly and are chic look. Guys normally prefer going in for single color rings
Over the years men's fashion bracelet has made quite an impression. These accessories bracelets for men come up in distinct metal types like gold, silver, platinum, titanium, pearl, swaroskvi crystal and diamond. Elegant and subdued, these, alongwith men cuff bracelets look urbane.
Nose rings deserve a special mention as the hottest piece of jewellery. Simple gold and silver rings that go both with the young, chic and traditional look. Cartier’s necklace, composed of a precious pink sapphire of 20.35 carats, several sapphires, colourful diamonds and natural pearls was valued at 36.41 million yuan (US$4.4 million).
The Bulgari classic, the chunky coin necklace that made its debut over 25 years ago, is more of-the-moment than ever. Coin motifs were also spotted dripping off tops at Lanvin, dangling from belts at Chanel and decorating bikinis at Versace.
Brooches, pins and buttons are everywhere. not only on your coat or jacket but also on your bag, on your belt, on your hat. Agatha's dragonfly, Banana Republic's star burst, and Pono's jeweled butterfly are happening.
SHOES
By the mid 1950s pointed toe shoes called winkle pickers with stiletto heels up to 5 inches were a common sight. There is no doubt that the trademark of the fifties was the stiletto heeled shoe, first seen in 1952 at a Dior fashion show. Suede boots come in in rich brown, leather boots in metallic effect with chocolate, bronze, copper or pewter tones. Skin textures such as pony skin are also available. Flat boots, heeled boots, wedge boots are all out there.
Walk high or low this summer, go for pretty-bejewelled flats or towering wedges. Try a splashy print on the heel, a bit of sparkle on the strap or even bold hardware to add zing to every possible accessory. Punk inspired hardware, slingbacks with the use of more metallics dominate 2003. From easy-to-wear boots that take their influence from the riding school, to sparkling sky-high sandals and shoes, footwear brought in a lot of character to ’04.
Colors got brighter (peacock-embroidered at Prada) and heels got higher (gravity-defying at Gucci). But the most modern take on this classic shoe shape is the subtle luxury of exotic skins. If you are an uptown lady, go for alligator. Versace’s glamorous ostrich stiletto pump and Roberto Cavallis’ stunning lizard heels are noteworthy skins to try.
The most expensive pair of shoes this year are Manolo Blahnik's alligator boots, which retail at $14.000 (£ 9.500)
Women love to shop. According to a survey women spend up to three years of their lives shopping and spend an average of £31,680 each on shoes and £15,840 on belts, hats, jewellery and bags.
PERFUMES/COLOGNES
A classic creator of perfumes with formulations abundant in flowers, Givenchy now conceives a world first with its Vintage Fragrances. Its perfumes for women have been exalted by a flower whose 2005 harvest is remarkable for its outstanding scent.
When it comes to accessorizing wardrobe, designer scents for guys occupy a supreme position. Perfumes for men speak about his attitude and defines a fashion statement for him. The market is flooded with a variety of cologne man perfumes.
Cologne perfumes have a higher concentration of alcohol. The terms 'perfume' and 'cologne' are often considered to be synonymous. But in reality they are different and the basic differentiation lies in the ratio of alcohol water base. When compared to colognes, perfumes are on a higher side in terms of essential oils. Also their fragrance retains for a long time and is more effective and prominent.
Prestigious fragrances are more of a status symbol indicative of richness and royalty.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece; a tasteful blend of exotic Chinese culture and modern Art Deco form. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key,is called Parfum VI. Only 173 have been made so far.
Created for Jean Patou by Henri Alméras, the cost of the raw materials going into Joy was considered to be ridiculously expensive, involving 10600 flowers and 28 dozen roses — 10 percent Bulgarian Rose and Jasmine. As a result, Joy retained for about three times what most perfumes cost. It remains outrageously costly today.
SUNGLASSES
Titanium is a big hit among sportsmen and is an epitome of style and comfort. Even if you try crushing, molding or bending it, it will take back its original form. When it comes to styling old designs like Aviator and double brow-bar are back again in fashion but with a makeover to suit the contemporary times. Today eyewear of different shapes and sizes are hitting the optical shops with Armani, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Fendi and Bausch and Lomb ruling.
Bvlgari’s Swarowski crystals shimmer from the frames, provided as wraparound or in a more contemporary style
The 360º designed by Christian Roth and Eric Domège is a favourite with Madonna. Its mask does not hide the face but defends it, offering the highest protection from uv rays in a design that shields. Big and glamorous, the strength and lightness of the titanium frame make this creation more modern than retro, future-facing, not vintage.
BELTS
Casual Belts are wider than dressy belts and usually come up in pleasant light colors while formal belts have a very shiny finish.
Three hot shades among men are black, brown and tan. Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are the brands famous in types of colored Canvas belts. Leather belts are hot and happening and go well with your funky designer apparels.
Belts differ in their price range because of the material type used in its making. Calfskin finds place on shiny dressy belts. For the highly fashion conscious and bold men, there is an exotic variety of Ostrich leather belt which are unique of its kind. While the Lizard skin belt, is considered a privilege only of the rich.
HATS
Hats added the final touch to a woman or girl's outfit particularly in the early fifties.
In the mid fifties glorious hat styles covered less in plumage and more in floral blooms appeared. Some designs consisted solely of bomb like shapes covered with flower petals, almost like a more full blown version of the swimming cap above. Later hats consisted of folds of tulle, organza, nets or swirls of georgette.
Generally hats began to lose favour in the early sixties as they were unsuitable for the new hairstyles. Summer 2005 brought in romantic cloche hats, big 'ladylike' hats that remind us of the late sixties and the seventies, sportive hats and hats with feathers...using fabrics like leather, jute and fur matching either one of the looks - bohemian, nautical, safari.
Beaver fur because it makes a hat lighter and thinner, yet holds its shape. Apparently $1,000 is a fair price to pay for a quality lid.
Actress Alicia Witt modelled the most expensive hat ever made, the $2,700,000 Champrau d'Amour, by celebrity couture hat designer Louis Mariette, at Christies in London. The hat is covered entirely in dazzling diamonds and inspired by entwined ivy and bluebells.
TIES
The best ties are made in Italy, mainly in a city north of Milan, called Como. Zegna, Armani, Ferragamo, Burberry, Krizia, Gucci, Raffaello Excellence reeked of reliability while ties that have more character are the ones by Versace, Cavalli and Fornasetti .
You have plain or polka knitted claret ties from New& Lingwood.
The six fold ties by Segni & Disegni are pure silk jaquard woven ties. Completely handmade by folding the fabric six times.
The Sterling Silver English made cufflinks are a result of the specialist, rare and highly skilled handwork of Vitreous Enamelling also known as hard enamel. Scarves in wool, cashmere, wool and silk and twill silk by Roberto Cavialli are priced beteen $50 - $200.
Cashmina and Pashmina shawls are being used in shawls, scarves and mufflers.designer scarves, stoles and warm mufflers.
Fur trimmings abounded and adorned collars and cuffs as well as being made into brooches. Stoles were worn on every occasion; they too could be of fur, but were just as likely to be of lace or a silky fabric.
CUFFLINKS
Originally, cuff links were created as a Renaissance fashion piece.
In stones, enamels, crystals, silver and wood, pearls, gold, metal and silk knot cufflinks,
One of the most expensive pairs of cuff links, sold at auction for $440,000.00 in 1987 and was a gift from Wallis Simpson to Edward, the soon-to-be- King of England. The platinum cuff links were set with diamond baguettes forming the letters E and W. Tiffany cufflinks will most likely set you back more than $200.
GLOVES
Gloves were worn everywhere in the 1950s and completed a woman's grooming. Without gloves she was not properly accessorised. Clean gloves were also the hallmark of a lady and white or cream were the most favoured gloves. Banana Republic's ivory gloves with shearling trim ($78; bananarepublic.com) are refined but festive and will make you feel like Holly Golightly. Louis Vuitton’s long leather gloves made from the softest supple calf-leather, the ultra long glove screams
L-U-X-U-R-Y!
.
Luxury is being defined in new ways and that definition evolves constantly with ever-shifting demographics, socio-economics and the geopolitical climate. The definition of luxury is not only objective, but also subjective depending on the attitude of the buyer.
Statement accessories grab the limelight this season. Outsized or detail-heavy bags, bold sunglasses and bug-eyed, wide belts cinch the waist while shoes play to colourful, quirky extremes.
In terms of luxury goods, India is a booming market today…
A Versace watch, a Chanel bag, Cartier sunglasses…. The essential accoutrements to living lavishly…
In the early 1990’s, Bvlgari gave to the fashion market Bvlgari Perfume and later diversified to silk scarves, leather bags and eyeware and now to watches and fine jewellery.
It was in the early 9o’s, when watches and jewellery were given their much earned respect by the Italian fashion industry as accessories, that Gianni Versace launched his first watch collection.
WATCHES
Luxury watches are masterpieces of traditional craftsmanship. A high-end watch can have 800 or more components — many of them handmade — and hand-assembled by trained watchmakers. A standard quartz watch, in comparison, is most likely machine-made and may have only 20 components inside.
How much should you expect to pay? Depends on the watch, of course. The luxury market bottoms out at around $1,000, but many watches easily cost 30 times that. Most luxury watchmakers are Swiss, but there are a handful from other countries, including Bulgari (Italy) and Cartier (France). Considering the brand will give you a sense of history and specialty. Breitling, for example, is favored by pilots for its aeronautic designs.
Luxury watches are typically mechanical or self-wound. Luxury watches come with all sorts of bells and whistles geared to appeal to gadget geeks and sporting types. Corum's Admirals' Cup Tide 44 ($26,000) measures the force of the tide and currents, based on the current moon phase. Jaeger's Reverso line (Reverso Classique, $4,500), which allows the watch face to be flipped, was originally engineered for protection during polo matches. Sportsmen may enjoy but know they are also hefty — both in terms of price and added bulk to the watch.
Rolex's Oyster Perpetual Day/Date in white gold will set you back about $22,950. But if you want a dial with diamonds, expect to pay $25,200.
Versace has introduced a line of the 25 white and 25 pink ceramic watches with mother- of- pearl and diamonds adornments. The emerging trends, they reveal, is ceramic watches with a clear separation of movements, both quartz and digital.
WALLETS
Colorful wallets dominated 2003. For fall/winter 2003, designers like Cynthia Steffe in New York mixed modernistic silver leather with classic salt and pepper tweeds for a clean linear look. At Celine in Paris, Michael Kors used the shiny material in the form of crocodile embossed leather for great looking shoes and bags.
SILVER
Silver instantly brings to life the look and is perfectly neutral. Be it Nine West’s sexy open-toed, high-heeled pumps and sandals, DKNY’s silver-toned bracelet watches, Kenneth Cole’s or Tommy Hilfiger’s silver sunglasses. Via Spiga’s skinny silver belt or Paradox’s silver toned clutch bag in snakeskin embossed vinyl. Silver it was.
BAGS
In the Victorian era, it was fashionable to use steel beads cut from metal rods to decorate handbags. These beads could be embroidered in beautiful and intricate patterns to make bags very individualist. Hardware details like zippers and buckles were used.
Animal skin bags were popular in the 1940's with alligator, lizard, and even turtle being the skin of choice for women who led the fine life..
However, bags this year take on a patent lustre with heavy embellishments like beads, sequins, chains, metal and stones on metallic leather and fabric bases.
A Mulberry leather Bethany bag is around £350 and a Mulberry Roxanne is £595 or over $1000. A Marc Jacobs luxury leather Tote bag costs even more at £795/$1150 or Hogan's leather-and-goat-fur bag ($845.
The demand for a Hermes Birkin bag has reached such heights that
similar crocodile-skin models were offered in the US for $80,000.
Invest in a classic, quilted Chanel or the latest Marc Jacob’s bag with quieter, duller hardware. Other options are Louis Vuittons’ monogrammed Speedy bag, Balenciaga's suede shopper, or Coach's patchwork hobo.
JEWELLERY
Vintage jewellery has made a dramatic comeback as top designers featured vintage jewelry from the early 1940s and 50s in their fall 2004 collections. The catwalks of New York featured the fall trend. The Perry Ellis collection showed jackets adorned with jewellery from the 50s and 60s.
Body jewellery whipped up a storm, giving it a sophisticated look by way of sparkly tattoos in 2002. Charm bracelets followed in 2003, making it a must-have accessory.
Italian fashion lends a new meaning to innovative elegance with bracelets getting adventurous as class meets fusion with pearls, metal and cloth being used on bamboo in 2006.
Tribal art, geometrics and animal motifs set in silver and platinum using embellishments like precious stones and rope dictate a strong return to the earthy primitive ages as most international brands take to it.
Sparkling, shimmering, glitzy details are getting bigger in rings as precious stones get their place of pride in platinum and silver with the rocks too getting larger. For the male, the ring has graduated from holding traditional significance as youngsters flaunt funky thumb rings in different styles and patterns. The haute couture fashion is of wearing these rings virtually in all fingers. Black metal thumb rings are price friendly and are chic look. Guys normally prefer going in for single color rings
Over the years men's fashion bracelet has made quite an impression. These accessories bracelets for men come up in distinct metal types like gold, silver, platinum, titanium, pearl, swaroskvi crystal and diamond. Elegant and subdued, these, alongwith men cuff bracelets look urbane.
Nose rings deserve a special mention as the hottest piece of jewellery. Simple gold and silver rings that go both with the young, chic and traditional look. Cartier’s necklace, composed of a precious pink sapphire of 20.35 carats, several sapphires, colourful diamonds and natural pearls was valued at 36.41 million yuan (US$4.4 million).
The Bulgari classic, the chunky coin necklace that made its debut over 25 years ago, is more of-the-moment than ever. Coin motifs were also spotted dripping off tops at Lanvin, dangling from belts at Chanel and decorating bikinis at Versace.
Brooches, pins and buttons are everywhere. not only on your coat or jacket but also on your bag, on your belt, on your hat. Agatha's dragonfly, Banana Republic's star burst, and Pono's jeweled butterfly are happening.
SHOES
By the mid 1950s pointed toe shoes called winkle pickers with stiletto heels up to 5 inches were a common sight. There is no doubt that the trademark of the fifties was the stiletto heeled shoe, first seen in 1952 at a Dior fashion show. Suede boots come in in rich brown, leather boots in metallic effect with chocolate, bronze, copper or pewter tones. Skin textures such as pony skin are also available. Flat boots, heeled boots, wedge boots are all out there.
Walk high or low this summer, go for pretty-bejewelled flats or towering wedges. Try a splashy print on the heel, a bit of sparkle on the strap or even bold hardware to add zing to every possible accessory. Punk inspired hardware, slingbacks with the use of more metallics dominate 2003. From easy-to-wear boots that take their influence from the riding school, to sparkling sky-high sandals and shoes, footwear brought in a lot of character to ’04.
Colors got brighter (peacock-embroidered at Prada) and heels got higher (gravity-defying at Gucci). But the most modern take on this classic shoe shape is the subtle luxury of exotic skins. If you are an uptown lady, go for alligator. Versace’s glamorous ostrich stiletto pump and Roberto Cavallis’ stunning lizard heels are noteworthy skins to try.
The most expensive pair of shoes this year are Manolo Blahnik's alligator boots, which retail at $14.000 (£ 9.500)
Women love to shop. According to a survey women spend up to three years of their lives shopping and spend an average of £31,680 each on shoes and £15,840 on belts, hats, jewellery and bags.
PERFUMES/COLOGNES
A classic creator of perfumes with formulations abundant in flowers, Givenchy now conceives a world first with its Vintage Fragrances. Its perfumes for women have been exalted by a flower whose 2005 harvest is remarkable for its outstanding scent.
When it comes to accessorizing wardrobe, designer scents for guys occupy a supreme position. Perfumes for men speak about his attitude and defines a fashion statement for him. The market is flooded with a variety of cologne man perfumes.
Cologne perfumes have a higher concentration of alcohol. The terms 'perfume' and 'cologne' are often considered to be synonymous. But in reality they are different and the basic differentiation lies in the ratio of alcohol water base. When compared to colognes, perfumes are on a higher side in terms of essential oils. Also their fragrance retains for a long time and is more effective and prominent.
Prestigious fragrances are more of a status symbol indicative of richness and royalty.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece; a tasteful blend of exotic Chinese culture and modern Art Deco form. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key,is called Parfum VI. Only 173 have been made so far.
Created for Jean Patou by Henri Alméras, the cost of the raw materials going into Joy was considered to be ridiculously expensive, involving 10600 flowers and 28 dozen roses — 10 percent Bulgarian Rose and Jasmine. As a result, Joy retained for about three times what most perfumes cost. It remains outrageously costly today.
SUNGLASSES
Titanium is a big hit among sportsmen and is an epitome of style and comfort. Even if you try crushing, molding or bending it, it will take back its original form. When it comes to styling old designs like Aviator and double brow-bar are back again in fashion but with a makeover to suit the contemporary times. Today eyewear of different shapes and sizes are hitting the optical shops with Armani, Gucci, Tommy Hilfiger, Fendi and Bausch and Lomb ruling.
Bvlgari’s Swarowski crystals shimmer from the frames, provided as wraparound or in a more contemporary style
The 360º designed by Christian Roth and Eric Domège is a favourite with Madonna. Its mask does not hide the face but defends it, offering the highest protection from uv rays in a design that shields. Big and glamorous, the strength and lightness of the titanium frame make this creation more modern than retro, future-facing, not vintage.
BELTS
Casual Belts are wider than dressy belts and usually come up in pleasant light colors while formal belts have a very shiny finish.
Three hot shades among men are black, brown and tan. Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger are the brands famous in types of colored Canvas belts. Leather belts are hot and happening and go well with your funky designer apparels.
Belts differ in their price range because of the material type used in its making. Calfskin finds place on shiny dressy belts. For the highly fashion conscious and bold men, there is an exotic variety of Ostrich leather belt which are unique of its kind. While the Lizard skin belt, is considered a privilege only of the rich.
HATS
Hats added the final touch to a woman or girl's outfit particularly in the early fifties.
In the mid fifties glorious hat styles covered less in plumage and more in floral blooms appeared. Some designs consisted solely of bomb like shapes covered with flower petals, almost like a more full blown version of the swimming cap above. Later hats consisted of folds of tulle, organza, nets or swirls of georgette.
Generally hats began to lose favour in the early sixties as they were unsuitable for the new hairstyles. Summer 2005 brought in romantic cloche hats, big 'ladylike' hats that remind us of the late sixties and the seventies, sportive hats and hats with feathers...using fabrics like leather, jute and fur matching either one of the looks - bohemian, nautical, safari.
Beaver fur because it makes a hat lighter and thinner, yet holds its shape. Apparently $1,000 is a fair price to pay for a quality lid.
Actress Alicia Witt modelled the most expensive hat ever made, the $2,700,000 Champrau d'Amour, by celebrity couture hat designer Louis Mariette, at Christies in London. The hat is covered entirely in dazzling diamonds and inspired by entwined ivy and bluebells.
TIES
The best ties are made in Italy, mainly in a city north of Milan, called Como. Zegna, Armani, Ferragamo, Burberry, Krizia, Gucci, Raffaello Excellence reeked of reliability while ties that have more character are the ones by Versace, Cavalli and Fornasetti .
You have plain or polka knitted claret ties from New& Lingwood.
The six fold ties by Segni & Disegni are pure silk jaquard woven ties. Completely handmade by folding the fabric six times.
The Sterling Silver English made cufflinks are a result of the specialist, rare and highly skilled handwork of Vitreous Enamelling also known as hard enamel. Scarves in wool, cashmere, wool and silk and twill silk by Roberto Cavialli are priced beteen $50 - $200.
Cashmina and Pashmina shawls are being used in shawls, scarves and mufflers.designer scarves, stoles and warm mufflers.
Fur trimmings abounded and adorned collars and cuffs as well as being made into brooches. Stoles were worn on every occasion; they too could be of fur, but were just as likely to be of lace or a silky fabric.
CUFFLINKS
Originally, cuff links were created as a Renaissance fashion piece.
In stones, enamels, crystals, silver and wood, pearls, gold, metal and silk knot cufflinks,
One of the most expensive pairs of cuff links, sold at auction for $440,000.00 in 1987 and was a gift from Wallis Simpson to Edward, the soon-to-be- King of England. The platinum cuff links were set with diamond baguettes forming the letters E and W. Tiffany cufflinks will most likely set you back more than $200.
GLOVES
Gloves were worn everywhere in the 1950s and completed a woman's grooming. Without gloves she was not properly accessorised. Clean gloves were also the hallmark of a lady and white or cream were the most favoured gloves. Banana Republic's ivory gloves with shearling trim ($78; bananarepublic.com) are refined but festive and will make you feel like Holly Golightly. Louis Vuitton’s long leather gloves made from the softest supple calf-leather, the ultra long glove screams
L-U-X-U-R-Y!
.
A MEASURE OF STYLE - PART 2
THE 1930'S
saw Hollywood setting standards for beauty, and every movie idol wants to have their look tailor-made by Max Factor, celebrity make-up artist.. Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein also establish popular cosmetic ranges. For the first time, branded cosmetics become a luxury.
World War II has a dramatic effect on women's position in society. Max Factor introduces stocking cream in response to shortages. Make-up fulfils an important role as an instant feminiser and affordable morale booster, and is even produced in shades to match air-raid shelters and gas masks. Red lipstick is seen as a symbol of patriotism, as women defy hardship by maintaining their appearance.
THE 1950's
An explosion of colour - in everything from films to décor to fashion and make-up, epitomises post-war optimism. A boom in the luxury beauty industry - led by Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein - ensues. Avon begins the door-to-door cosmetics routine that is the bored housewives' best friend for the next 20 years.
Brigette Bardots’ dark smouldering eyes and Marilyn Monroe look is in.
THE 1960's
The ‘Cleopatra look’ is borrowed from Elizabeth Taylor where kohl pencil lines are dramatically extended. The emphasis remains on the eyes, with false eyelashes being cited as a must-have item by fashion pioneer Mary Quant, whose hair is fashioned into the revolutionary five-point 'bob' by Vidal Sassoon.
THE 1970's
The hippie look is clearly defined as make-up gets sexy and casually messy. Major cosmetics companies continue to ignore the need for a beauty range suited to darker skins.
Eyes were emphasised with black and sometimes cat like eye make up.
The no make up look of the early to mid 70's was increasingly replaced with heightened artificiality. Models had pale skin and deep red lips. The innocent doe eyed look was gone. Fashion had come a full circle.
Disco, bellbottoms, polyester and thick eyebrows characterized the seventies with icons Farrah Fawcett and Robert Redford both receiving 70 percent of the facial plastic surgeon votes. "The seventies embodied leading ladies who had defined features like Meryl Streep and Cher," said Pearlman. "But Farrah Fawcett's delicate nose and chin and well-developed cheek bones gave her the face of this decade, while Robert Redford's nose and strong jaw line illustrated why he was selected."
THE 1980's
Vanity is celebrated and decadent. Expertly applied make-up heightens the term ‘luxury’ to the woman and luxury beauty buys gain popularity. The 'Princess Di' hairstyle introduces the common man to the term ‘luxury’.
Product use in movies and television programs, especially sitcoms and soap operas, such as the “American Gigolo”, which was a showcase of Armani designs and contributed to the global appeal of the brand.
THE 1990's
Consumers become increasingly sophisticated. The battle to rid the body of cellulite with expensive creams and body-toners dominates, while the growing interest in celebrity looks sees top make-up artists such as Bobbi Brown launching highly successful independent ranges. Meanwhile, Isabella Rossellini, famously dumped by Lancome for being too old at 43, launches her own Manifesto range, designed to suit women of all ages.
The launch of Calvin Klein’s CK One in 1993 provided the symbol of a unisex fragrance that revolutionised the fragrance market. The scent appealed to both male and female and was an instant success.
Into the 21st Century
The anti-ageing cream becomes king. Quick-fix treatments, such as collagen lip implants and 'Botox', facial skin peels and electric wave therapy, are increasingly popular.
THE 2000
THE LOOK- RICH, REBELLIOUS AND SERIOUSLY SEXY
Smouldering eyes with lashes getting longer and sexier. Lots of liquid eyeliner. Natural toned shades in brown, plums, grays for the eyes. Thicker eyebrows. Blusher is natural mainly to draw attention to either stronger lips or eyes. Berries, Wines, and Browns seem to dominate in lipstick. The ’punk-chic’ look of the 80’s is back.
Nails take a new twist. Something that was rather slow to take off but which seems to be catching on is the inverted French manicure - pale nails with dark tips, or the more glamorous deep red with gold tips.
Hair is exciting and free - longer, full shaggy looks accented by soft perms and body waves. Color is softer and less adventurous. We step away from geometric shapes to more carefree, less structured styles shoulder length for both men and women.
Fresh, clean fragrances are popular, nothing overpowering. Fracas by Robert Piguet. Favoured by John Galliano, Joan Collins & Madonna
Mystic Tan becomes the official UV-Free tan of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
2001
THE LOOK – SENSUOUS APPEAL
Shorter, layered "messy" hair. More are coloring their hair, and highlights are still the rage! Makeup is darker eyes, with brighter lip colors. The Farrah Faucett look of the mid-70's is back. Women here are going for less perms and a more natural look. The makeup is the glittery and shimmery -- especially the silvers. Also, the three-layer look is "in" here, with the lightest shadow for the brow bone, the dark in the crease and under the lower lashes, with the medium color on the lid. Lipsticks are glossy colors.
Acrylic nails are the big thing here too!
2oo2
THE LOOK – BOHEMIAN CHICA
Its either the smoky sexy look, using colors ranging from a sooty black to lavender. Or... it is natural. This consists of neutrals to contour the eye ,with loads of black mascara. Blusher is natural and the focus is either on the mouth or the eye, never both. Colors are pretty intense, ranging from burgundy to berry tones for the mouth. For the neutral look, go for glosses.
Long bangs are still popular - either long, layered or wispy. Shoulder length, loose and sexy hair with lots of swing is how it is.
Its fresh florals to exotic spices in fragrances - an eclectic mix .
2002 and 2003 ushered in luxury in styling. Celebrity endorsements became imperative for luxury brands. Chanel appointed Nicole Kidman as the face of the legendary perfume No.5.
Cosmetic surgery becomes mainstream luxury now.
2003
THE LOOK – VENUS RISING
Soft shimmery pastels rule while pinks, lilacs, peaches and browns dominate every aspect. Heavily inked eyes as black eyeliner with the 60’s influenced thick line match up with nude lips swiped with gloss. Red lips with a nice touch of shine are the emphasis with this look. Everything else is toned down.
Dusky, smoky, lined eyes, purple shades of shadow bronze cheeks tell a story of their own. Sexy, pretty and feminine. Matt, bronzed skin - sheer, light foundation.
Flat hair is out while the shag of the late 60’s is the rage- with choppy layers and sexy bangs, a little longer with softer edges and a chunkier look around the perimeter.
Square nails are replaced with a squared-oval with pale colors to make them look longer.
It's Indecence by Givenchy for that warm and sensual fragrance.
2004
THE LOOK- TEQUILA SUNRISE
Gently shimmering make-up adds glimmer without the full-on spangle of glitter. Brightly colored eyeshadow.
Lips aren’t a major focus this summer but the mouth goes deep pink
Join the marines with the season's aqua make-up shades in deep blues and light mints. The fake tan is less orange and more natural than ever before.
Going tropical is the brightest beauty trends for summer. Blend juicy orange with grenadine shades.
Interesting reds, browns, coffee colors are hot this season as 2004 is the year of the brunette. Big bouncing hair is in. Blonde seems out.
Tousled and tantalizing. Casual messy. Curls undone.
The season's obsession with flowers translated into hair corsages.
Casual curls were in while the men opted for poker straight hair.
Cacharel's Anais Anais, the ultimate floral scent, is back too.
2005
THE LOOK- THE LOVE GLOW
With clothes taking on a colorful embellished mix, make-up was subtle and quiet. Long flirty lashes, sultry eyes with a pulled out liner, slightly smoked out eyes in black, grey and browns. Very Marilyn Monroe and Brigette Bardot –casual and easy flowing, worn simply with a pale, golden tan. Pouts wore a soft sunset tones or a colorless gloss. A soft pink blusher completed the look of love.
The essential school girl accessory- the band, is back with a vengeance - be it huge and padded or thin, plastic and shiny.
Hair color is big while tone-to-tone highlights work, if at all. The lift is back with more volume.
Creed Silver's Mountain water, a unisex fragrance inspired by the French mountains creates magic.
2006
THE LOOK- CALL OF THE WILD
Arrogant and powerful… oozing attitude… Flirty eye lashes, dramatic eyeliner and red hot lips. The sultry cat like eyes with a pulled out liner, colored kajals in blues, purples and greens and a nude gloss. Bronzers are substituted with dark foundation for a tan.
Light bases, glowing skins with iridescent powders.Pouts get pooched with glossy pinks, vanilla and plums while the Oriental look ushers in the dramatic richness that only reds and dark peaches can.
Face-framing layers in this year. People are adventurous enough to add short and long layers to get that edgy look. Hair colour is ash gold for streaks and chocolate brown for full hair. Accessories make a comeback with headbands in combination with shorter bob styles to hold back the hair for a professional look, and to add a little glitz to the style. Barrettes and combs also make a splash to add some versatility.
For men, the slightly longish very shagged look takes on as does short hair with spikes and jagged fronts. Burgundy, purple, reds and platinum blondes a rage. Trends change from just a head of highlights all over to just flashes of color at the right places to emphasize the style. The salt and pepper look and just a few flashes of copper and blonde for men would also be a rage.
Nails now sport a curved, oval shape.
By Invitation only
Beauty is yet another name for luxury and opulence. Products therefore are getting more expensive by the day.
Primavera Relax Bath Oil is the most expensive oil costing $20.00 while Serums or moisturizers are typically the most expensive products within a skincare line.
Olay Age-Defying Daily Renewal Cream, which typically sells for around $5 per ounce (more expensive than caviar). Given the whopping amounts of money that people are willing to spend fighting the effects of aging, it should come as no surprise that haute couture skincare isn't cheap.
So what makes these products so expensive? For one thing, many of them are made from expensive ingredients such as crushed pearls, caviar and exotic antioxidants extracted from rare plants like the Chilean evergreen tree. Other popular components are anti-oxidants like grape seed extract, alpha lipoic acid, chamomile oils and green tea--protectants that are said to reduce skin damage from free radicals. Among the most important ingredients are customized cell messenger proteins such as peptides and epidermal growth factor that stimulate cell growth.
Celebrities like Madonna, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon swear by Tracie Martyn's products--and her $460 Resculpting Facial which involves the use of a special device that delivers electrical currents. The currents cause temporary muscle shortening, and have the effect of lifting and tightening the skin.
Dior Eyes is the first contact lense to be released by a luxury company.
The French brand has come up with two sets of contact lenses designed by John Galliano. These innovative contact lenses don't change eye colours, but rather enhance them with a special technical process exclusive to Dior. Each pair will last for a maximum of two months. The lenses are available in a silver box with a sliding case and mirror or in a pret-a-porter silver box.
While Cosmetic surgery procedures are common, it still continues to be a privilege of the super rich. A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa.
There has been an increase in number of celebrity endorsements for beauty establishing luxury in beauty. Italian luxury brand Versace has used music icon Madonna and Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Halle Berry in its print advertisements between 2005 and 2006. Likewise Sharon Stone in Dior and Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor for Elizabeth Arden, Scarlett Johansson, and Uma Thurman in Vuitton ads.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key, is called Parfum VI.
saw Hollywood setting standards for beauty, and every movie idol wants to have their look tailor-made by Max Factor, celebrity make-up artist.. Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein also establish popular cosmetic ranges. For the first time, branded cosmetics become a luxury.
World War II has a dramatic effect on women's position in society. Max Factor introduces stocking cream in response to shortages. Make-up fulfils an important role as an instant feminiser and affordable morale booster, and is even produced in shades to match air-raid shelters and gas masks. Red lipstick is seen as a symbol of patriotism, as women defy hardship by maintaining their appearance.
THE 1950's
An explosion of colour - in everything from films to décor to fashion and make-up, epitomises post-war optimism. A boom in the luxury beauty industry - led by Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein - ensues. Avon begins the door-to-door cosmetics routine that is the bored housewives' best friend for the next 20 years.
Brigette Bardots’ dark smouldering eyes and Marilyn Monroe look is in.
THE 1960's
The ‘Cleopatra look’ is borrowed from Elizabeth Taylor where kohl pencil lines are dramatically extended. The emphasis remains on the eyes, with false eyelashes being cited as a must-have item by fashion pioneer Mary Quant, whose hair is fashioned into the revolutionary five-point 'bob' by Vidal Sassoon.
THE 1970's
The hippie look is clearly defined as make-up gets sexy and casually messy. Major cosmetics companies continue to ignore the need for a beauty range suited to darker skins.
Eyes were emphasised with black and sometimes cat like eye make up.
The no make up look of the early to mid 70's was increasingly replaced with heightened artificiality. Models had pale skin and deep red lips. The innocent doe eyed look was gone. Fashion had come a full circle.
Disco, bellbottoms, polyester and thick eyebrows characterized the seventies with icons Farrah Fawcett and Robert Redford both receiving 70 percent of the facial plastic surgeon votes. "The seventies embodied leading ladies who had defined features like Meryl Streep and Cher," said Pearlman. "But Farrah Fawcett's delicate nose and chin and well-developed cheek bones gave her the face of this decade, while Robert Redford's nose and strong jaw line illustrated why he was selected."
THE 1980's
Vanity is celebrated and decadent. Expertly applied make-up heightens the term ‘luxury’ to the woman and luxury beauty buys gain popularity. The 'Princess Di' hairstyle introduces the common man to the term ‘luxury’.
Product use in movies and television programs, especially sitcoms and soap operas, such as the “American Gigolo”, which was a showcase of Armani designs and contributed to the global appeal of the brand.
THE 1990's
Consumers become increasingly sophisticated. The battle to rid the body of cellulite with expensive creams and body-toners dominates, while the growing interest in celebrity looks sees top make-up artists such as Bobbi Brown launching highly successful independent ranges. Meanwhile, Isabella Rossellini, famously dumped by Lancome for being too old at 43, launches her own Manifesto range, designed to suit women of all ages.
The launch of Calvin Klein’s CK One in 1993 provided the symbol of a unisex fragrance that revolutionised the fragrance market. The scent appealed to both male and female and was an instant success.
Into the 21st Century
The anti-ageing cream becomes king. Quick-fix treatments, such as collagen lip implants and 'Botox', facial skin peels and electric wave therapy, are increasingly popular.
THE 2000
THE LOOK- RICH, REBELLIOUS AND SERIOUSLY SEXY
Smouldering eyes with lashes getting longer and sexier. Lots of liquid eyeliner. Natural toned shades in brown, plums, grays for the eyes. Thicker eyebrows. Blusher is natural mainly to draw attention to either stronger lips or eyes. Berries, Wines, and Browns seem to dominate in lipstick. The ’punk-chic’ look of the 80’s is back.
Nails take a new twist. Something that was rather slow to take off but which seems to be catching on is the inverted French manicure - pale nails with dark tips, or the more glamorous deep red with gold tips.
Hair is exciting and free - longer, full shaggy looks accented by soft perms and body waves. Color is softer and less adventurous. We step away from geometric shapes to more carefree, less structured styles shoulder length for both men and women.
Fresh, clean fragrances are popular, nothing overpowering. Fracas by Robert Piguet. Favoured by John Galliano, Joan Collins & Madonna
Mystic Tan becomes the official UV-Free tan of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
2001
THE LOOK – SENSUOUS APPEAL
Shorter, layered "messy" hair. More are coloring their hair, and highlights are still the rage! Makeup is darker eyes, with brighter lip colors. The Farrah Faucett look of the mid-70's is back. Women here are going for less perms and a more natural look. The makeup is the glittery and shimmery -- especially the silvers. Also, the three-layer look is "in" here, with the lightest shadow for the brow bone, the dark in the crease and under the lower lashes, with the medium color on the lid. Lipsticks are glossy colors.
Acrylic nails are the big thing here too!
2oo2
THE LOOK – BOHEMIAN CHICA
Its either the smoky sexy look, using colors ranging from a sooty black to lavender. Or... it is natural. This consists of neutrals to contour the eye ,with loads of black mascara. Blusher is natural and the focus is either on the mouth or the eye, never both. Colors are pretty intense, ranging from burgundy to berry tones for the mouth. For the neutral look, go for glosses.
Long bangs are still popular - either long, layered or wispy. Shoulder length, loose and sexy hair with lots of swing is how it is.
Its fresh florals to exotic spices in fragrances - an eclectic mix .
2002 and 2003 ushered in luxury in styling. Celebrity endorsements became imperative for luxury brands. Chanel appointed Nicole Kidman as the face of the legendary perfume No.5.
Cosmetic surgery becomes mainstream luxury now.
2003
THE LOOK – VENUS RISING
Soft shimmery pastels rule while pinks, lilacs, peaches and browns dominate every aspect. Heavily inked eyes as black eyeliner with the 60’s influenced thick line match up with nude lips swiped with gloss. Red lips with a nice touch of shine are the emphasis with this look. Everything else is toned down.
Dusky, smoky, lined eyes, purple shades of shadow bronze cheeks tell a story of their own. Sexy, pretty and feminine. Matt, bronzed skin - sheer, light foundation.
Flat hair is out while the shag of the late 60’s is the rage- with choppy layers and sexy bangs, a little longer with softer edges and a chunkier look around the perimeter.
Square nails are replaced with a squared-oval with pale colors to make them look longer.
It's Indecence by Givenchy for that warm and sensual fragrance.
2004
THE LOOK- TEQUILA SUNRISE
Gently shimmering make-up adds glimmer without the full-on spangle of glitter. Brightly colored eyeshadow.
Lips aren’t a major focus this summer but the mouth goes deep pink
Join the marines with the season's aqua make-up shades in deep blues and light mints. The fake tan is less orange and more natural than ever before.
Going tropical is the brightest beauty trends for summer. Blend juicy orange with grenadine shades.
Interesting reds, browns, coffee colors are hot this season as 2004 is the year of the brunette. Big bouncing hair is in. Blonde seems out.
Tousled and tantalizing. Casual messy. Curls undone.
The season's obsession with flowers translated into hair corsages.
Casual curls were in while the men opted for poker straight hair.
Cacharel's Anais Anais, the ultimate floral scent, is back too.
2005
THE LOOK- THE LOVE GLOW
With clothes taking on a colorful embellished mix, make-up was subtle and quiet. Long flirty lashes, sultry eyes with a pulled out liner, slightly smoked out eyes in black, grey and browns. Very Marilyn Monroe and Brigette Bardot –casual and easy flowing, worn simply with a pale, golden tan. Pouts wore a soft sunset tones or a colorless gloss. A soft pink blusher completed the look of love.
The essential school girl accessory- the band, is back with a vengeance - be it huge and padded or thin, plastic and shiny.
Hair color is big while tone-to-tone highlights work, if at all. The lift is back with more volume.
Creed Silver's Mountain water, a unisex fragrance inspired by the French mountains creates magic.
2006
THE LOOK- CALL OF THE WILD
Arrogant and powerful… oozing attitude… Flirty eye lashes, dramatic eyeliner and red hot lips. The sultry cat like eyes with a pulled out liner, colored kajals in blues, purples and greens and a nude gloss. Bronzers are substituted with dark foundation for a tan.
Light bases, glowing skins with iridescent powders.Pouts get pooched with glossy pinks, vanilla and plums while the Oriental look ushers in the dramatic richness that only reds and dark peaches can.
Face-framing layers in this year. People are adventurous enough to add short and long layers to get that edgy look. Hair colour is ash gold for streaks and chocolate brown for full hair. Accessories make a comeback with headbands in combination with shorter bob styles to hold back the hair for a professional look, and to add a little glitz to the style. Barrettes and combs also make a splash to add some versatility.
For men, the slightly longish very shagged look takes on as does short hair with spikes and jagged fronts. Burgundy, purple, reds and platinum blondes a rage. Trends change from just a head of highlights all over to just flashes of color at the right places to emphasize the style. The salt and pepper look and just a few flashes of copper and blonde for men would also be a rage.
Nails now sport a curved, oval shape.
By Invitation only
Beauty is yet another name for luxury and opulence. Products therefore are getting more expensive by the day.
Primavera Relax Bath Oil is the most expensive oil costing $20.00 while Serums or moisturizers are typically the most expensive products within a skincare line.
Olay Age-Defying Daily Renewal Cream, which typically sells for around $5 per ounce (more expensive than caviar). Given the whopping amounts of money that people are willing to spend fighting the effects of aging, it should come as no surprise that haute couture skincare isn't cheap.
So what makes these products so expensive? For one thing, many of them are made from expensive ingredients such as crushed pearls, caviar and exotic antioxidants extracted from rare plants like the Chilean evergreen tree. Other popular components are anti-oxidants like grape seed extract, alpha lipoic acid, chamomile oils and green tea--protectants that are said to reduce skin damage from free radicals. Among the most important ingredients are customized cell messenger proteins such as peptides and epidermal growth factor that stimulate cell growth.
Celebrities like Madonna, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon swear by Tracie Martyn's products--and her $460 Resculpting Facial which involves the use of a special device that delivers electrical currents. The currents cause temporary muscle shortening, and have the effect of lifting and tightening the skin.
Dior Eyes is the first contact lense to be released by a luxury company.
The French brand has come up with two sets of contact lenses designed by John Galliano. These innovative contact lenses don't change eye colours, but rather enhance them with a special technical process exclusive to Dior. Each pair will last for a maximum of two months. The lenses are available in a silver box with a sliding case and mirror or in a pret-a-porter silver box.
While Cosmetic surgery procedures are common, it still continues to be a privilege of the super rich. A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa.
There has been an increase in number of celebrity endorsements for beauty establishing luxury in beauty. Italian luxury brand Versace has used music icon Madonna and Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Halle Berry in its print advertisements between 2005 and 2006. Likewise Sharon Stone in Dior and Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor for Elizabeth Arden, Scarlett Johansson, and Uma Thurman in Vuitton ads.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key, is called Parfum VI.
music trivia
MUSIC TRIVIA
THE YEAR 1965
Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s Lootera has the hits, ‘Raat se kaho ruke zara...’, and ‘Neend nigahon se kho jaati hai...’
The numero uno composers, Shanker-Jaikishan have split and S-J are composing separately under the famous baton.
Jaikishan charges a mind-boggling Rs 5 lakhs for composing Ramanand Sagar’s ARZOO. ARZOO has hits‘Ae phoolon ki rani..’ (mischievously reworked from Naushad’s ‘Hameen se mohabbat...’ in Leader), ‘Bedardi baalma tujhko...’, ‘Aji rooth kar...’, and ‘Chhalke teri ankhon se...’. Ramanand Sagar then calls Shankar to compose the mujra, ‘Jab ishq kahin ho jaata hai...’ and reveals that he has to pay the same amount for just one song!
S-J’s GUMNAAM features the cult Mehmood hit by Rafi, ‘Hum kaale hain to kya hua dilwale hain...’. Lata’s haunting title-track, Rafi’s ‘Jaan pehchaan ho...’ and Lata’s ‘Is duniya mein jeena hai to...’ are the other hits of this thriller.
JAANWAR finds another S-J-Shammi Kapoor winner with perennials like ‘Lal chhadi maidaan khadi...’, ‘Meri mohabbat jawaan rahegi...’, ‘tumse accha kaun hai...’ and ‘Mere sang aaa gungunaa...’.
Anil Biswas composes his swan song (‘Chhoti chhoti baatein...’) with Shailendra as his lyricist, and quits films to move to Delhi and join All India Radio.
Maestro SD Burman gives one of his career-greatest scores in GUIDE and sings the memorable ‘Wahaan kaun hai tera...’. His ‘Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai...’ begins with the antara, and is created, recorded and sent by Dada to the Anand brothers with the assurance “I will send you a song that the world will remember”.
‘Din dhal jaaye...’, ‘Kya se kya ho gaya...’ and ‘Tere mere sapne...’ are the three Rafi gems that he creates for posterity, while ‘Gaata rahe mera dil...’, ‘Mose chhal kiye jaaye...’, ‘Piya tose naina laage re...’ and ‘Allah megh de...’ create history clearly displaying his expertise in both classical music and folk music and expertly blending the two.
Dada’s other winner that year is TEEN DEVIYAAN. Majrooh spills the beans
and reveals that assistant Jaidev composed the basic tune of ‘Kahin bekhayaal hokar...’, but Dada also creates wonders like ‘Arey yaar mere tum bhi ho gazab...’, ‘Aise to na dekho...’, ‘Likha hai teri aankhon mein...’ and ‘Khwaab ho tum...’.
Roshan’s BHEEGI RAAT is melody revisiting, ‘Dil jo na keh sakaa...’ is in different Lata and Rafi versions, while Neeraj, the poet extraordinaire, steps into the limelight with ‘Kaarvaan guzar gaya...’ and ‘Dekhti hi raho aaj darpan na tum...’ in Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal.
Khayyam’s intoxicating Suman-Rafi duet, ‘Thehriye hosh mein aa loon...’in MOHABBAT ISKO KEHTE HAIN, Salil Choudhury’s ’spiritual Lata hit ‘Tujh bin jiya udaas re...’ and veteran Hansraj Behl’s last hit ‘Jahaan daal daal par sone ki chidiya...’ in SIKANDAR-E-AZAM endure to this day.
Madan Mohan’s NEELA AKASH is remembered for ‘Aap ko pyar chhupane ki...’. In RISHTE NAATE, Lata Mangeshkar is the only singer— a feat he again achieves in PRABHAAT eight years later.
Chitragupta delivers memorabilia like ‘Jaag dil-e-diwana...’, ‘Aaja re mere pyar ke raahi...’, ‘Haaye re tere chanchal nainwa...’ (OONCHE LOG), ‘Bahut haseen hai tumhari ankhen...’ (AADHI RAAT KE BAAD) and ‘Mujhe dard-e-dil ka pataa...’ (AKASH DEEP). In the last film, he composes the awesome Lata solo, ‘Dil ka diya jalaake gaya...’. Usha Khanna’s EK SAPERA EK LOOTERA is marked by the immortal Rafi solo ‘Hum tum se juda hoke...’.
THE YEAR 1965
Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s Lootera has the hits, ‘Raat se kaho ruke zara...’, and ‘Neend nigahon se kho jaati hai...’
The numero uno composers, Shanker-Jaikishan have split and S-J are composing separately under the famous baton.
Jaikishan charges a mind-boggling Rs 5 lakhs for composing Ramanand Sagar’s ARZOO. ARZOO has hits‘Ae phoolon ki rani..’ (mischievously reworked from Naushad’s ‘Hameen se mohabbat...’ in Leader), ‘Bedardi baalma tujhko...’, ‘Aji rooth kar...’, and ‘Chhalke teri ankhon se...’. Ramanand Sagar then calls Shankar to compose the mujra, ‘Jab ishq kahin ho jaata hai...’ and reveals that he has to pay the same amount for just one song!
S-J’s GUMNAAM features the cult Mehmood hit by Rafi, ‘Hum kaale hain to kya hua dilwale hain...’. Lata’s haunting title-track, Rafi’s ‘Jaan pehchaan ho...’ and Lata’s ‘Is duniya mein jeena hai to...’ are the other hits of this thriller.
JAANWAR finds another S-J-Shammi Kapoor winner with perennials like ‘Lal chhadi maidaan khadi...’, ‘Meri mohabbat jawaan rahegi...’, ‘tumse accha kaun hai...’ and ‘Mere sang aaa gungunaa...’.
Anil Biswas composes his swan song (‘Chhoti chhoti baatein...’) with Shailendra as his lyricist, and quits films to move to Delhi and join All India Radio.
Maestro SD Burman gives one of his career-greatest scores in GUIDE and sings the memorable ‘Wahaan kaun hai tera...’. His ‘Aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai...’ begins with the antara, and is created, recorded and sent by Dada to the Anand brothers with the assurance “I will send you a song that the world will remember”.
‘Din dhal jaaye...’, ‘Kya se kya ho gaya...’ and ‘Tere mere sapne...’ are the three Rafi gems that he creates for posterity, while ‘Gaata rahe mera dil...’, ‘Mose chhal kiye jaaye...’, ‘Piya tose naina laage re...’ and ‘Allah megh de...’ create history clearly displaying his expertise in both classical music and folk music and expertly blending the two.
Dada’s other winner that year is TEEN DEVIYAAN. Majrooh spills the beans
and reveals that assistant Jaidev composed the basic tune of ‘Kahin bekhayaal hokar...’, but Dada also creates wonders like ‘Arey yaar mere tum bhi ho gazab...’, ‘Aise to na dekho...’, ‘Likha hai teri aankhon mein...’ and ‘Khwaab ho tum...’.
Roshan’s BHEEGI RAAT is melody revisiting, ‘Dil jo na keh sakaa...’ is in different Lata and Rafi versions, while Neeraj, the poet extraordinaire, steps into the limelight with ‘Kaarvaan guzar gaya...’ and ‘Dekhti hi raho aaj darpan na tum...’ in Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal.
Khayyam’s intoxicating Suman-Rafi duet, ‘Thehriye hosh mein aa loon...’in MOHABBAT ISKO KEHTE HAIN, Salil Choudhury’s ’spiritual Lata hit ‘Tujh bin jiya udaas re...’ and veteran Hansraj Behl’s last hit ‘Jahaan daal daal par sone ki chidiya...’ in SIKANDAR-E-AZAM endure to this day.
Madan Mohan’s NEELA AKASH is remembered for ‘Aap ko pyar chhupane ki...’. In RISHTE NAATE, Lata Mangeshkar is the only singer— a feat he again achieves in PRABHAAT eight years later.
Chitragupta delivers memorabilia like ‘Jaag dil-e-diwana...’, ‘Aaja re mere pyar ke raahi...’, ‘Haaye re tere chanchal nainwa...’ (OONCHE LOG), ‘Bahut haseen hai tumhari ankhen...’ (AADHI RAAT KE BAAD) and ‘Mujhe dard-e-dil ka pataa...’ (AKASH DEEP). In the last film, he composes the awesome Lata solo, ‘Dil ka diya jalaake gaya...’. Usha Khanna’s EK SAPERA EK LOOTERA is marked by the immortal Rafi solo ‘Hum tum se juda hoke...’.
Thursday 26 July, 2007
TRIVIA
TRIVIA
In 1904, a perfumed lip salve would have cost you 25 cents and would've been packaged in an aluminum case. By 1908, it was okay for women to apply lipstick at the table during lunch at a restaurant. It was not okay to apply lipstick at dinner!
.
Did you know that fish scales were once used to give your lipstick that frosty appearance?
THE FIFTIES
Cosmetics became a necessity to every woman during this decade and there was lots to choose from.
Hazel Bishop invents the first indelible lipstick during the 1950's.
Throwaway lipstick cases introduced.
Ava Gardner endorses "Max Factor's Cream Puff Pressed Powder"
Young women craving a little of the magic of Paris, saved their pennies to buy a bottle of Evening in Paris during this decade. It was re-released in 1990, rather unsuccessfully. For some reason, it did not seem to have the same scent that women remembered.
Estee Lauder released Youth Dew to woman during the 50's. Because women did not buy fragrances for themselves, Lauder formulated the scent into bath oil and lotion.
Max Factor introduces the first cream concealer. Lipsticks and eye shadows were soon to follow. Titanium was later added to tone down the brightness of the shades, leading to softer shades
In 1904, a perfumed lip salve would have cost you 25 cents and would've been packaged in an aluminum case. By 1908, it was okay for women to apply lipstick at the table during lunch at a restaurant. It was not okay to apply lipstick at dinner!
.
Did you know that fish scales were once used to give your lipstick that frosty appearance?
THE FIFTIES
Cosmetics became a necessity to every woman during this decade and there was lots to choose from.
Hazel Bishop invents the first indelible lipstick during the 1950's.
Throwaway lipstick cases introduced.
Ava Gardner endorses "Max Factor's Cream Puff Pressed Powder"
Young women craving a little of the magic of Paris, saved their pennies to buy a bottle of Evening in Paris during this decade. It was re-released in 1990, rather unsuccessfully. For some reason, it did not seem to have the same scent that women remembered.
Estee Lauder released Youth Dew to woman during the 50's. Because women did not buy fragrances for themselves, Lauder formulated the scent into bath oil and lotion.
Max Factor introduces the first cream concealer. Lipsticks and eye shadows were soon to follow. Titanium was later added to tone down the brightness of the shades, leading to softer shades
A MEASURE OF STYLE - Part 1
Vibrant, rebellious, at times stylishly tantalising, fiery….often gently flirtatious. Be it wide eyed innocence or a quiet sexy impudence… the look has said it all. From sharply, arched brows and a heavily glossed pout to the deep allure of the exotic fragrance. The verdict is out… never before has beauty been more luxuriously packaged.
THE 1900’S
Though make-up is a taboo in Victorian society, extravagant hair arrangements are, however, considered very attractive. French hairdresser Marcel Grateau introduces his famous wave, designed to make the hair look like a rippling sheet of silk. Cologne is accepted as a healthy adornment for the senses, though vanity is frowned upon. The decision of Selfridges in London to sell powder and rouge openly proves hugely popular with women as they fight for the right to look as they please and wear red lipstick as a symbol of feminine defiance.
THE 1920's
Liberated for the first time, stylish women begin plucking their eyebrows and wearing kohl around the eyes. Applying the new twist-up lipstick in public is the ultimate fashion statement. Coco Chanel establishes the must-have beauty accessory of the century - the tan.
THE 1900’S
Though make-up is a taboo in Victorian society, extravagant hair arrangements are, however, considered very attractive. French hairdresser Marcel Grateau introduces his famous wave, designed to make the hair look like a rippling sheet of silk. Cologne is accepted as a healthy adornment for the senses, though vanity is frowned upon. The decision of Selfridges in London to sell powder and rouge openly proves hugely popular with women as they fight for the right to look as they please and wear red lipstick as a symbol of feminine defiance.
THE 1920's
Liberated for the first time, stylish women begin plucking their eyebrows and wearing kohl around the eyes. Applying the new twist-up lipstick in public is the ultimate fashion statement. Coco Chanel establishes the must-have beauty accessory of the century - the tan.
A MEASURE OF STYLE
Vibrant, rebellious, at times stylishly tantalising, fiery….often gently flirtatious. Be it wide eyed innocence or a quiet sexy impudence… the look has said it all. From sharply, arched brows and a heavily glossed pout to the deep allure of the exotic fragrance. The verdict is out… never before has beauty been more luxuriously packaged.
THE 1900’S
Though make-up is a taboo in Victorian society, extravagant hair arrangements are, however, considered very attractive. French hairdresser Marcel Grateau introduces his famous wave, designed to make the hair look like a rippling sheet of silk. Cologne is accepted as a healthy adornment for the senses, though vanity is generally frowned on. The decision of Selfridges department store in London to sell powder and rouge openly proves hugely popular with women as they fight for the right to look as they please and wear red lipstick as a symbol of feminine defiance.
1920s
Liberated for the first time, stylish women begin plucking their eyebrows and wearing kohl around the eyes. Applying the new twist-up lipstick in public is the ultimate fashion statement. Coco Chanel establishes the must-have beauty accessory of the century - the tan.
1930 saw Hollywood setting standards for beauty, and every movie idol wants to have their look tailor-made by Max Factor, celebrity make-up artist.. Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein also establish popular cosmetic ranges. For the first time, branded cosmetics become a luxury.
World War II has a dramatic effect on women's position in society. Max Factor introduces stocking cream in response to shortages. Make-up fulfils an important role as an instant feminiser and affordable morale booster, and is even produced in shades to match air-raid shelters and gas masks. Red lipstick is seen as a symbol of patriotism, as women defy hardship by maintaining their appearance.
1950s
An explosion of colour - in everything from films to décor to fashion and make-up, epitomises post-war optimism. A boom in the luxury beauty industry - led by Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein - ensues. Avon begins the door-to-door cosmetics routine that is the bored housewives' best friend for the next 20 years.
Brigette Bardots’ dark smouldering eyes and Marilyn Monroe look is in.
1960s
The ‘Cleopatra look’ is borrowed from Elizabeth Taylor where kohl pencil lines are dramatically extended. The emphasis remains on the eyes, with false eyelashes being cited as a must-have item by fashion pioneer Mary Quant, whose hair is fashioned into the revolutionary five-point 'bob' by Vidal Sassoon.
.
1970’s
The hippie look is clearly defined as make-up gets sexy and casually messy. Major cosmetics companies continue to ignore the need for a beauty range suited to darker skins.
Eyes were emphasised with black and sometimes cat like eye make up.
The no make up look of the early to mid 70's was increasingly replaced with heightened artificiality. Models had pale skin and deep red lips. The innocent doe eyed look was gone. Fashion had come a full circle.
Disco, bellbottoms, polyester and thick eyebrows characterized the seventies with icons Farrah Fawcett and Robert Redford both receiving 70 percent of the facial plastic surgeon votes. "The seventies embodied leading ladies who had defined features like Meryl Streep and Cher," said Pearlman. "But Farrah Fawcett's delicate nose and chin and well-developed cheek bones gave her the face of this decade, while Robert Redford's nose and strong jaw line illustrated why he was selected."
1980s
Vanity is celebrated and decadent. Expertly applied make-up heightens the term ‘luxury’ to the woman and luxury beauty buys gain popularity. The 'Princess Di' hairstyle introduces the common man to the term ‘luxury’.
Product use in movies and television programs, especially sitcoms and soap operas, such as the “American Gigolo”, which was a showcase of Armani designs and contributed to the global appeal of the brand.
The 1990s
Consumers become increasingly sophisticated. The battle to rid the body of cellulite with expensive creams and body-toners dominates, while the growing interest in celebrity looks sees top make-up artists such as Bobbi Brown launching highly successful independent ranges. Meanwhile, Isabella Rossellini, famously dumped by Lancome for being too old at 43, launches her own Manifesto range, designed to suit women of all ages.
The launch of Calvin Klein’s CK One in 1993 provided the symbol of a unisex fragrance that revolutionised the fragrance market. The scent appealed to both male and female and was an instant success.
Into the 21st Century
The anti-ageing cream becomes king. Quick-fix treatments, such as collagen lip implants and 'Botox', facial skin peels and electric wave therapy, are increasingly popular.
2000
THE LOOK- RICH, REBELLIOUS AND SERIOUSLY SEXY
Smouldering eyes with lashes getting longer and sexier. Lots of liquid eyeliner. Natural toned shades in brown, plums, grays for the eyes. Thicker eyebrows. Blusher is natural mainly to draw attention to either stronger lips or eyes. Berries, Wines, and Browns seem to dominate in lipstick. The ’punk-chic’ look of the 80’s is back.
Nails take a new twist. Something that was rather slow to take off but which seems to be catching on is the inverted French manicure - pale nails with dark tips, or the more glamorous deep red with gold tips.
Hair is exciting and free - longer, full shaggy looks accented by soft perms and body waves. Color is softer and less adventurous. We step away from geometric shapes to more carefree, less structured styles shoulder length for both men and women.
Fresh, clean fragrances are popular, nothing overpowering. Fracas by Robert Piguet. Favoured by John Galliano, Joan Collins & Madonna
Mystic Tan becomes the official UV-Free tan of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
2001
THE LOOK – SENSUOUS APPEAL
Shorter, layered "messy" hair. More are coloring their hair, and highlights are still the rage! Makeup is darker eyes, with brighter lip colors. The Farrah Faucett look of the mid-70's is back. Women here are going for less perms and a more natural look. The makeup is the glittery and shimmery -- especially the silvers. Also, the three-layer look is "in" here, with the lightest shadow for the brow bone, the dark in the crease and under the lower lashes, with the medium color on the lid. Lipsticks are glossy colors.
Acrylic nails are the big thing here too!
2oo2
THE LOOK – BOHEMIAN CHICA
Its either the smoky sexy look, using colors ranging from a sooty black to lavender. Or... it is natural. This consists of neutrals to contour the eye ,with loads of black mascara. Blusher is natural and the focus is either on the mouth or the eye, never both. Colors are pretty intense, ranging from burgundy to berry tones for the mouth. For the neutral look, go for glosses.
Long bangs are still popular - either long, layered or wispy. Shoulder length, loose and sexy hair with lots of swing is how it is.
Its fresh florals to exotic spices in fragrances - an eclectic mix .
2002 and 2003 ushered in luxury in styling. Celebrity endorsements became imperative for luxury brands. Chanel appointed Nicole Kidman as the face of the legendary perfume No.5.
Cosmetic surgery becomes mainstream luxury now.
2003
THE LOOK – VENUS RISING
Soft shimmery pastels rule while pinks, lilacs, peaches and browns dominate every aspect. Heavily inked eyes as black eyeliner with the 60’s influenced thick line match up with nude lips swiped with gloss. Red lips with a nice touch of shine are the emphasis with this look. Everything else is toned down.
Dusky, smoky, lined eyes, purple shades of shadow bronze cheeks tell a story of their own. Sexy, pretty and feminine. Matt, bronzed skin - sheer, light foundation.
Flat hair is out while the shag of the late 60’s is the rage- with choppy layers and sexy bangs, a little longer with softer edges and a chunkier look around the perimeter.
Square nails are replaced with a squared-oval with pale colors to make them look longer.
It's Indecence by Givenchy for that warm and sensual fragrance.
2004
THE LOOK- TEQUILA SUNRISE
Gently shimmering make-up adds glimmer without the full-on spangle of glitter. Brightly colored eyeshadow.
Lips aren’t a major focus this summer but the mouth goes deep pink
Join the marines with the season's aqua make-up shades in deep blues and light mints. The fake tan is less orange and more natural than ever before.
Going tropical is the brightest beauty trends for summer. Blend juicy orange with grenadine shades.
Interesting reds, browns, coffee colors are hot this season as 2004 is the year of the brunette. Big bouncing hair is in. Blonde seems out.
Tousled and tantalizing. Casual messy. Curls undone.
The season's obsession with flowers translated into hair corsages.
Casual curls were in while the men opted for poker straight hair.
Cacharel's Anais Anais, the ultimate floral scent, is back too.
2005
THE LOOK- THE LOVE GLOW
With clothes taking on a colorful embellished mix, make-up was subtle and quiet. Long flirty lashes, sultry eyes with a pulled out liner, slightly smoked out eyes in black, grey and browns. Very Marilyn Monroe and Brigette Bardot –casual and easy flowing, worn simply with a pale, golden tan. Pouts wore a soft sunset tones or a colorless gloss. A soft pink blusher completed the look of love.
The essential school girl accessory- the band, is back with a vengeance - be it huge and padded or thin, plastic and shiny.
Hair color is big while tone-to-tone highlights work, if at all. The lift is back with more volume.
Creed Silver's Mountain water, a unisex fragrance inspired by the French mountains creates magic.
2006
THE LOOK- CALL OF THE WILD
Arrogant and powerful… oozing attitude… Flirty eye lashes, dramatic eyeliner and red hot lips. The sultry cat like eyes with a pulled out liner, colored kajals in blues, purples and greens and a nude gloss. Bronzers are substituted with dark foundation for a tan.
Light bases, glowing skins with iridescent powders.Pouts get pooched with glossy pinks, vanilla and plums while the Oriental look ushers in the dramatic richness that only reds and dark peaches can.
Face-framing layers in this year. People are adventurous enough to add short and long layers to get that edgy look. Hair colour is ash gold for streaks and chocolate brown for full hair. Accessories make a comeback with headbands in combination with shorter bob styles to hold back the hair for a professional look, and to add a little glitz to the style. Barrettes and combs also make a splash to add some versatility.
For men, the slightly longish very shagged look takes on as does short hair with spikes and jagged fronts. Burgundy, purple, reds and platinum blondes a rage. Trends change from just a head of highlights all over to just flashes of color at the right places to emphasize the style. The salt and pepper look and just a few flashes of copper and blonde for men would also be a rage.
Nails now sport a curved, oval shape.
By Invitation only
Beauty is yet another name for luxury and opulence. Products therefore are getting more expensive by the day.
Primavera Relax Bath Oil is the most expensive oil costing $20.00 while Serums or moisturizers are typically the most expensive products within a skincare line.
Olay Age-Defying Daily Renewal Cream, which typically sells for around $5 per ounce (more expensive than caviar). Given the whopping amounts of money that people are willing to spend fighting the effects of aging, it should come as no surprise that haute couture skincare isn't cheap.
So what makes these products so expensive? For one thing, many of them are made from expensive ingredients such as crushed pearls, caviar and exotic antioxidants extracted from rare plants like the Chilean evergreen tree. Other popular components are anti-oxidants like grape seed extract, alpha lipoic acid, chamomile oils and green tea--protectants that are said to reduce skin damage from free radicals. Among the most important ingredients are customized cell messenger proteins such as peptides and epidermal growth factor that stimulate cell growth.
Celebrities like Madonna, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon swear by Tracie Martyn's products--and her $460 Resculpting Facial which involves the use of a special device that delivers electrical currents. The currents cause temporary muscle shortening, and have the effect of lifting and tightening the skin.
Dior Eyes is the first contact lense to be released by a luxury company.
The French brand has come up with two sets of contact lenses designed by John Galliano. These innovative contact lenses don't change eye colours, but rather enhance them with a special technical process exclusive to Dior. Each pair will last for a maximum of two months. The lenses are available in a silver box with a sliding case and mirror or in a pret-a-porter silver box.
While Cosmetic surgery procedures are common, it still continues to be a privilege of the super rich. A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa.
There has been an increase in number of celebrity endorsements for beauty establishing luxury in beauty. Italian luxury brand Versace has used music icon Madonna and Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Halle Berry in its print advertisements between 2005 and 2006. Likewise Sharon Stone in Dior and Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor for Elizabeth Arden, Scarlett Johansson, and Uma Thurman in Vuitton ads.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key, is called Parfum VI.
\
THE 1900’S
Though make-up is a taboo in Victorian society, extravagant hair arrangements are, however, considered very attractive. French hairdresser Marcel Grateau introduces his famous wave, designed to make the hair look like a rippling sheet of silk. Cologne is accepted as a healthy adornment for the senses, though vanity is generally frowned on. The decision of Selfridges department store in London to sell powder and rouge openly proves hugely popular with women as they fight for the right to look as they please and wear red lipstick as a symbol of feminine defiance.
1920s
Liberated for the first time, stylish women begin plucking their eyebrows and wearing kohl around the eyes. Applying the new twist-up lipstick in public is the ultimate fashion statement. Coco Chanel establishes the must-have beauty accessory of the century - the tan.
1930 saw Hollywood setting standards for beauty, and every movie idol wants to have their look tailor-made by Max Factor, celebrity make-up artist.. Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein also establish popular cosmetic ranges. For the first time, branded cosmetics become a luxury.
World War II has a dramatic effect on women's position in society. Max Factor introduces stocking cream in response to shortages. Make-up fulfils an important role as an instant feminiser and affordable morale booster, and is even produced in shades to match air-raid shelters and gas masks. Red lipstick is seen as a symbol of patriotism, as women defy hardship by maintaining their appearance.
1950s
An explosion of colour - in everything from films to décor to fashion and make-up, epitomises post-war optimism. A boom in the luxury beauty industry - led by Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein - ensues. Avon begins the door-to-door cosmetics routine that is the bored housewives' best friend for the next 20 years.
Brigette Bardots’ dark smouldering eyes and Marilyn Monroe look is in.
1960s
The ‘Cleopatra look’ is borrowed from Elizabeth Taylor where kohl pencil lines are dramatically extended. The emphasis remains on the eyes, with false eyelashes being cited as a must-have item by fashion pioneer Mary Quant, whose hair is fashioned into the revolutionary five-point 'bob' by Vidal Sassoon.
.
1970’s
The hippie look is clearly defined as make-up gets sexy and casually messy. Major cosmetics companies continue to ignore the need for a beauty range suited to darker skins.
Eyes were emphasised with black and sometimes cat like eye make up.
The no make up look of the early to mid 70's was increasingly replaced with heightened artificiality. Models had pale skin and deep red lips. The innocent doe eyed look was gone. Fashion had come a full circle.
Disco, bellbottoms, polyester and thick eyebrows characterized the seventies with icons Farrah Fawcett and Robert Redford both receiving 70 percent of the facial plastic surgeon votes. "The seventies embodied leading ladies who had defined features like Meryl Streep and Cher," said Pearlman. "But Farrah Fawcett's delicate nose and chin and well-developed cheek bones gave her the face of this decade, while Robert Redford's nose and strong jaw line illustrated why he was selected."
1980s
Vanity is celebrated and decadent. Expertly applied make-up heightens the term ‘luxury’ to the woman and luxury beauty buys gain popularity. The 'Princess Di' hairstyle introduces the common man to the term ‘luxury’.
Product use in movies and television programs, especially sitcoms and soap operas, such as the “American Gigolo”, which was a showcase of Armani designs and contributed to the global appeal of the brand.
The 1990s
Consumers become increasingly sophisticated. The battle to rid the body of cellulite with expensive creams and body-toners dominates, while the growing interest in celebrity looks sees top make-up artists such as Bobbi Brown launching highly successful independent ranges. Meanwhile, Isabella Rossellini, famously dumped by Lancome for being too old at 43, launches her own Manifesto range, designed to suit women of all ages.
The launch of Calvin Klein’s CK One in 1993 provided the symbol of a unisex fragrance that revolutionised the fragrance market. The scent appealed to both male and female and was an instant success.
Into the 21st Century
The anti-ageing cream becomes king. Quick-fix treatments, such as collagen lip implants and 'Botox', facial skin peels and electric wave therapy, are increasingly popular.
2000
THE LOOK- RICH, REBELLIOUS AND SERIOUSLY SEXY
Smouldering eyes with lashes getting longer and sexier. Lots of liquid eyeliner. Natural toned shades in brown, plums, grays for the eyes. Thicker eyebrows. Blusher is natural mainly to draw attention to either stronger lips or eyes. Berries, Wines, and Browns seem to dominate in lipstick. The ’punk-chic’ look of the 80’s is back.
Nails take a new twist. Something that was rather slow to take off but which seems to be catching on is the inverted French manicure - pale nails with dark tips, or the more glamorous deep red with gold tips.
Hair is exciting and free - longer, full shaggy looks accented by soft perms and body waves. Color is softer and less adventurous. We step away from geometric shapes to more carefree, less structured styles shoulder length for both men and women.
Fresh, clean fragrances are popular, nothing overpowering. Fracas by Robert Piguet. Favoured by John Galliano, Joan Collins & Madonna
Mystic Tan becomes the official UV-Free tan of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
2001
THE LOOK – SENSUOUS APPEAL
Shorter, layered "messy" hair. More are coloring their hair, and highlights are still the rage! Makeup is darker eyes, with brighter lip colors. The Farrah Faucett look of the mid-70's is back. Women here are going for less perms and a more natural look. The makeup is the glittery and shimmery -- especially the silvers. Also, the three-layer look is "in" here, with the lightest shadow for the brow bone, the dark in the crease and under the lower lashes, with the medium color on the lid. Lipsticks are glossy colors.
Acrylic nails are the big thing here too!
2oo2
THE LOOK – BOHEMIAN CHICA
Its either the smoky sexy look, using colors ranging from a sooty black to lavender. Or... it is natural. This consists of neutrals to contour the eye ,with loads of black mascara. Blusher is natural and the focus is either on the mouth or the eye, never both. Colors are pretty intense, ranging from burgundy to berry tones for the mouth. For the neutral look, go for glosses.
Long bangs are still popular - either long, layered or wispy. Shoulder length, loose and sexy hair with lots of swing is how it is.
Its fresh florals to exotic spices in fragrances - an eclectic mix .
2002 and 2003 ushered in luxury in styling. Celebrity endorsements became imperative for luxury brands. Chanel appointed Nicole Kidman as the face of the legendary perfume No.5.
Cosmetic surgery becomes mainstream luxury now.
2003
THE LOOK – VENUS RISING
Soft shimmery pastels rule while pinks, lilacs, peaches and browns dominate every aspect. Heavily inked eyes as black eyeliner with the 60’s influenced thick line match up with nude lips swiped with gloss. Red lips with a nice touch of shine are the emphasis with this look. Everything else is toned down.
Dusky, smoky, lined eyes, purple shades of shadow bronze cheeks tell a story of their own. Sexy, pretty and feminine. Matt, bronzed skin - sheer, light foundation.
Flat hair is out while the shag of the late 60’s is the rage- with choppy layers and sexy bangs, a little longer with softer edges and a chunkier look around the perimeter.
Square nails are replaced with a squared-oval with pale colors to make them look longer.
It's Indecence by Givenchy for that warm and sensual fragrance.
2004
THE LOOK- TEQUILA SUNRISE
Gently shimmering make-up adds glimmer without the full-on spangle of glitter. Brightly colored eyeshadow.
Lips aren’t a major focus this summer but the mouth goes deep pink
Join the marines with the season's aqua make-up shades in deep blues and light mints. The fake tan is less orange and more natural than ever before.
Going tropical is the brightest beauty trends for summer. Blend juicy orange with grenadine shades.
Interesting reds, browns, coffee colors are hot this season as 2004 is the year of the brunette. Big bouncing hair is in. Blonde seems out.
Tousled and tantalizing. Casual messy. Curls undone.
The season's obsession with flowers translated into hair corsages.
Casual curls were in while the men opted for poker straight hair.
Cacharel's Anais Anais, the ultimate floral scent, is back too.
2005
THE LOOK- THE LOVE GLOW
With clothes taking on a colorful embellished mix, make-up was subtle and quiet. Long flirty lashes, sultry eyes with a pulled out liner, slightly smoked out eyes in black, grey and browns. Very Marilyn Monroe and Brigette Bardot –casual and easy flowing, worn simply with a pale, golden tan. Pouts wore a soft sunset tones or a colorless gloss. A soft pink blusher completed the look of love.
The essential school girl accessory- the band, is back with a vengeance - be it huge and padded or thin, plastic and shiny.
Hair color is big while tone-to-tone highlights work, if at all. The lift is back with more volume.
Creed Silver's Mountain water, a unisex fragrance inspired by the French mountains creates magic.
2006
THE LOOK- CALL OF THE WILD
Arrogant and powerful… oozing attitude… Flirty eye lashes, dramatic eyeliner and red hot lips. The sultry cat like eyes with a pulled out liner, colored kajals in blues, purples and greens and a nude gloss. Bronzers are substituted with dark foundation for a tan.
Light bases, glowing skins with iridescent powders.Pouts get pooched with glossy pinks, vanilla and plums while the Oriental look ushers in the dramatic richness that only reds and dark peaches can.
Face-framing layers in this year. People are adventurous enough to add short and long layers to get that edgy look. Hair colour is ash gold for streaks and chocolate brown for full hair. Accessories make a comeback with headbands in combination with shorter bob styles to hold back the hair for a professional look, and to add a little glitz to the style. Barrettes and combs also make a splash to add some versatility.
For men, the slightly longish very shagged look takes on as does short hair with spikes and jagged fronts. Burgundy, purple, reds and platinum blondes a rage. Trends change from just a head of highlights all over to just flashes of color at the right places to emphasize the style. The salt and pepper look and just a few flashes of copper and blonde for men would also be a rage.
Nails now sport a curved, oval shape.
By Invitation only
Beauty is yet another name for luxury and opulence. Products therefore are getting more expensive by the day.
Primavera Relax Bath Oil is the most expensive oil costing $20.00 while Serums or moisturizers are typically the most expensive products within a skincare line.
Olay Age-Defying Daily Renewal Cream, which typically sells for around $5 per ounce (more expensive than caviar). Given the whopping amounts of money that people are willing to spend fighting the effects of aging, it should come as no surprise that haute couture skincare isn't cheap.
So what makes these products so expensive? For one thing, many of them are made from expensive ingredients such as crushed pearls, caviar and exotic antioxidants extracted from rare plants like the Chilean evergreen tree. Other popular components are anti-oxidants like grape seed extract, alpha lipoic acid, chamomile oils and green tea--protectants that are said to reduce skin damage from free radicals. Among the most important ingredients are customized cell messenger proteins such as peptides and epidermal growth factor that stimulate cell growth.
Celebrities like Madonna, Liv Tyler and Susan Sarandon swear by Tracie Martyn's products--and her $460 Resculpting Facial which involves the use of a special device that delivers electrical currents. The currents cause temporary muscle shortening, and have the effect of lifting and tightening the skin.
Dior Eyes is the first contact lense to be released by a luxury company.
The French brand has come up with two sets of contact lenses designed by John Galliano. These innovative contact lenses don't change eye colours, but rather enhance them with a special technical process exclusive to Dior. Each pair will last for a maximum of two months. The lenses are available in a silver box with a sliding case and mirror or in a pret-a-porter silver box.
While Cosmetic surgery procedures are common, it still continues to be a privilege of the super rich. A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa.
There has been an increase in number of celebrity endorsements for beauty establishing luxury in beauty. Italian luxury brand Versace has used music icon Madonna and Hollywood stars Demi Moore and Halle Berry in its print advertisements between 2005 and 2006. Likewise Sharon Stone in Dior and Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor for Elizabeth Arden, Scarlett Johansson, and Uma Thurman in Vuitton ads.
Cartier’s “Le Baiser du Dragon is a fusion of powerful elements including notes of bitter almond, gardenia, cedar, musk, and patchouli with the bottle being an architectural masterpiece. At $83,170.00, it is the world's most expensive perfume. The fragrance, created by renowned British perfumer Arthur Burnham, is held in a 4 inch bottle made in platinum, 24 carat gold, diamonds and rubies. Encasing the bottle in a very special box constructed by Rolls Royce coach builders, locked with a gold and jewel studded key, is called Parfum VI.
\
epression through architecture
EXPRESSION THROUGH ARCHITECTURE
Man’s existence, time and again, has been defined by and dependent upon his ability to conquer and control his physical environment.
As he learned to co-exist in harmony with nature and the environment, towns developed, commerce was created and people survived to prosper.
Architecture as an art form emerged as early primitive shelters gave way to dignified permanent strucutures blending the best of both art and science. Thus arose, distinctive designs and and style characteristics that would eventually define definitive architectural periods and styles, thereby influencing art and design for years to come.
The ultimate benchmark by which a person’s intellect, social status and professional success was measured was by one’s choice of personal dwelling and the statement made by its architectural style.
Whether we realize it or not, we judge a home by the three dimensions of interior space. These are…
• the frame of reference….the architectural envelope.
• Contrived space-the division of space within a room. This is where furniture arrangements are created.
• Integral space-the intimate space within the contrived space. This is where accessory and room details flourish.
The three dimensions of interior space are based on the principles and elements of design that the ancient Greek discovered more than 2000 years ago. These principles were used to create their magnificient architectural structures that are universally acknowledged as models of excellence in classic proportion and scale.
These rules directly influence all furniture furniture arrangements, drapery treatments, fabric selection, color distribution, accessorizing etc.
The frame of reference of interior space refers to the six planes that enclose a room…the four walls, the floor and the ceiling. Each plane or surface contains important elements that defines the whole.
A dining room ceiling, for instance, could become the focal point of the room by showcasing a beautifully detailed, classical medallion from which a traditional chandelier could hang.
Basically, each room should have one main focal point.The larger the room or the higher the ceilings, the more dramatic the focal point should be.
In a family room, the fireplace is usually designed to be the main focal point. Its architectural design sets the tone of the room and even determines the style and placement of the furniture around it.
Walls can be given greater presence with layered, multi piece crown and base mouldings, detailed cased openings and raised block paneling. In entrance foyers and living rooms, one sees beautifully carved wood pilasters attached to the walls for architectural enrichment or as paired columns. Traditional mouldings and trim details add immensely to the visual enrichment of a home.
Staircase design has also become an art over the last few years. Gracefully proportioned, intricately detailed iron railings in faux finishes or classical, iron balusters with brown glass beading. A staircase is the focal point no matter where it is located in a house, so careful consideration must be given to its design and construction.
Doors play a crucial role in establishing the overall character of a home, on the exterior as well as the interior. In fact, the front door is the main focal point so its style, design and finish must be carefully adhered to. From richly carved, wood panel doors to beautifully detailed beveled glass designs set into walnut or mahogany frames, frontdoors and their accompanying sidelights and transoms add a distinctive touch to the architectural envelope.
Windows These important design elements come in an endless variety of sizes, shapes, colors and styles, ranging from traditional to narrow, vertical single pane panels to the classical Palladian arches and the newly popular French windows.
Floors are often overlooked and their design potential underestimated. They alone connect and can unify all areas of the house so it is important that if different flooring materials are used, they harmonize well in tone and style.. Wood is generally the best choice because it is adaptable to all design styles, from traditional to transitional. Limestone and marble are wonderful style setters that add character and warmth.
The important aspect while designing a space plan is to establish the main focal point in each room. At times one might need to redesign, remodel this point of reference to give a room more character and impact. For example, if a family room fireplace has a short, shallow mantel above it, adding a longer, wider mantel with a deeper overhanging profile and decorative brackets underneath would provide a more dramatic anchor for accessories as well as draw more attention to the fireplace. In addition, adding low voltage recessed lighting in the ceiling above the fireplace would further enhance the focal point by highlighting the accessories on the mantel. Proportion, scale, balance and focal point is the key to planning as given to us by the Greeks.
Man’s existence, time and again, has been defined by and dependent upon his ability to conquer and control his physical environment.
As he learned to co-exist in harmony with nature and the environment, towns developed, commerce was created and people survived to prosper.
Architecture as an art form emerged as early primitive shelters gave way to dignified permanent strucutures blending the best of both art and science. Thus arose, distinctive designs and and style characteristics that would eventually define definitive architectural periods and styles, thereby influencing art and design for years to come.
The ultimate benchmark by which a person’s intellect, social status and professional success was measured was by one’s choice of personal dwelling and the statement made by its architectural style.
Whether we realize it or not, we judge a home by the three dimensions of interior space. These are…
• the frame of reference….the architectural envelope.
• Contrived space-the division of space within a room. This is where furniture arrangements are created.
• Integral space-the intimate space within the contrived space. This is where accessory and room details flourish.
The three dimensions of interior space are based on the principles and elements of design that the ancient Greek discovered more than 2000 years ago. These principles were used to create their magnificient architectural structures that are universally acknowledged as models of excellence in classic proportion and scale.
These rules directly influence all furniture furniture arrangements, drapery treatments, fabric selection, color distribution, accessorizing etc.
The frame of reference of interior space refers to the six planes that enclose a room…the four walls, the floor and the ceiling. Each plane or surface contains important elements that defines the whole.
A dining room ceiling, for instance, could become the focal point of the room by showcasing a beautifully detailed, classical medallion from which a traditional chandelier could hang.
Basically, each room should have one main focal point.The larger the room or the higher the ceilings, the more dramatic the focal point should be.
In a family room, the fireplace is usually designed to be the main focal point. Its architectural design sets the tone of the room and even determines the style and placement of the furniture around it.
Walls can be given greater presence with layered, multi piece crown and base mouldings, detailed cased openings and raised block paneling. In entrance foyers and living rooms, one sees beautifully carved wood pilasters attached to the walls for architectural enrichment or as paired columns. Traditional mouldings and trim details add immensely to the visual enrichment of a home.
Staircase design has also become an art over the last few years. Gracefully proportioned, intricately detailed iron railings in faux finishes or classical, iron balusters with brown glass beading. A staircase is the focal point no matter where it is located in a house, so careful consideration must be given to its design and construction.
Doors play a crucial role in establishing the overall character of a home, on the exterior as well as the interior. In fact, the front door is the main focal point so its style, design and finish must be carefully adhered to. From richly carved, wood panel doors to beautifully detailed beveled glass designs set into walnut or mahogany frames, frontdoors and their accompanying sidelights and transoms add a distinctive touch to the architectural envelope.
Windows These important design elements come in an endless variety of sizes, shapes, colors and styles, ranging from traditional to narrow, vertical single pane panels to the classical Palladian arches and the newly popular French windows.
Floors are often overlooked and their design potential underestimated. They alone connect and can unify all areas of the house so it is important that if different flooring materials are used, they harmonize well in tone and style.. Wood is generally the best choice because it is adaptable to all design styles, from traditional to transitional. Limestone and marble are wonderful style setters that add character and warmth.
The important aspect while designing a space plan is to establish the main focal point in each room. At times one might need to redesign, remodel this point of reference to give a room more character and impact. For example, if a family room fireplace has a short, shallow mantel above it, adding a longer, wider mantel with a deeper overhanging profile and decorative brackets underneath would provide a more dramatic anchor for accessories as well as draw more attention to the fireplace. In addition, adding low voltage recessed lighting in the ceiling above the fireplace would further enhance the focal point by highlighting the accessories on the mantel. Proportion, scale, balance and focal point is the key to planning as given to us by the Greeks.
Wednesday 25 July, 2007
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