Yesterday I attended a Style Workshop at Westfield Geelong, featuring Westfield Geelong’s Fashion ambassador, Nadia Coppolino and hosted by Fashion Stylist for Westfield Victoria, Lucy Kiraly. Lucy showed us some of the hottest trends for AW 2012 and how to Style each trend to suit your body shape, she also answered a few audience questions.
There were two models showcasing the seasons’ trends, Kerrie and Julia. When Lucy introduced them, she described them as (Julia) a skinny woman and (Kerrie) a ‘Real’ woman. If you have read one of my earlier posts, you will know that I hate when people refer to curvier woman as being ‘Real’ women. It makes me cringe.
There were seven outfits for each model, but because the event organisers were telling Lucy to wrap it up, there wasn’t enough time to show them all. (even after going overtime by 30 mins!)
The first outfit Lucy styled on Kerrie was ‘Lady like and the trench.’
Kerrie wore ivory cotton pants with a white buttoned shirt both from Sportscraft as a base. Lucy then showed us how to style it different ways, just by changing the accessories!
Cotton pants Sportscraft $129.95, shirt Sportscraft $99.95, Trench Trenery $249, Tan leather ballet flat Trenery $129, Leopard scaf Sportscraft $49.95
Lucy’s tip: Nadia asked if women were going to buy a trench this season, should they buy black or tan. Lucy said tan and that it should be the colour of ‘beach sand’ as it’s more flattering. Also, that you should steer clear of trenches that are more of a ‘wet sand’ colour.
Obviously I won’t write about all of the outfits, or this post will be a novel, so I will just write about/add photos of my favorites.
The first outfit that Lucy styled on Julia was ‘The Coat’. If you invest in one item this season, make it a good quality coat. There is a huge range of beautiful colours available at the moment, which you can style many different ways. Make the coat the focal point by wearing jeans or black pants/skirt and a black top, or wear it with clashing colours, for the colour blocking trend.
Fine wool rollneck Country Road $129, Ponti skirt Country Road $99, Pattern tights Glassons $9.99, Twill orange coat Country Road $399, Orange bowler bag Colette Accessories $59.95, Prada sunglasses Sunglass Hut price unknown
Lucy’s tip: A woman in the audience asked Lucy about fuller figured women wearing a coloured coat, if they want to hide their tummy. Lucy said that wearing black under a coloured coat gives the outfit ‘depth’, and to always wear dark colours on parts of your body that you don’t want to bring attention to. She also mentioned that if you are curvy, wear your coat open because it draws the eyes down and will make you appear slimmer.
Capes are big again, for AW12 and the blue Glassons cape that Julia modeled is gorgeous, it was my most favourite piece from the whole workshop. At only $89.99, it won’t break the bank! I loved it so much, that I plan on buying one in the next couple of weeks.
Blue cape Glassons $89.99, black bag Valleygirl $19.95 worn with Ponti skirt, fine wool rollneck and blue ballet flats (Glassons $29.95).
Some of other outfits/trends showcased were; ‘Jackets and winter shorts’, ‘Print clash’, ‘Texture and shimmer’, and ‘Colour blocking’.
Lucy’s tip: I asked Lucy if Colour blocking with makeup has carried on from SS11/12 into Aw12. She said that it is still a popular trend and that if you colour block with makeup, keep your outfit neutral.
Another thing that Lucy mentioned that I thought was interesting was that matching colours is out this season, instead wear different shades of the same colour.
My Tip: If you decide to wear this trend, always wear the darker shade on your bottom half. Lighter colours near your face are more flattering.
I purchased a VIP ticket to the event, which included VIP seating, a $20 Westfield gift voucher and gift bag. Before the show started guests were treated to canapes from local businesses in Westfield Geelong and a bottle of San Pellegrino mineral water. The ticket price was $2o and all proceeds were donated to Westfield’s community partner, Gateway Support Services.
XO XO Cotton Candy Diva
side note: all photos that appear on this post were taken by me and are copyright of Evelyn Robinson Photos. Please do not take them or use them anywhere online without my permission. thank you