5 Steps on Dressing Like a Runway Girl!

In the spirit of New York Fashion Week, lets talk runway!

5 Steps on Dressing Like a Runway Girl

Step 1:

Think like a runway girl. 

Your life is no longer a monotonous day, filled with dreaded steps. View your life as a stage, and you are the star. Walk a little straighter, strut a little harder, and be fierce!

The attitude you feel, is projecting much harder than you realize. 

Step 2: 

Clothes, shoes, accessories!

Analyze your wardrobe by Season. Put away all your Spring/Summer wardrobe, and display only Fall/Winter wear. Creating an entire outfit contains: shoes, accessories, socks, bag, and outfit. Organize a look together, with the accompanying shoe below it. Runway Backstage is chaotic, but the clothes are not. Life is also chaotic, so stay organized!

Step 3:

Hair

Don't forget your hair! Your hair is a crucial part of your look . You can be as eccentric as you wish, or as minimal as you desire, but don't forget it!

Most people do not realize, how powerful their hair style is. A lot of your character projected, is influenced by how you style your hair. 

A short bob, cut with straight lines, creates a harsher look, and makes you look powerful, while long soft waves, creates a more romantic softer look. 

Step 4:

Make up!

Know when to add drama to your face and when to pull it down. One of my most favorite qualities on the runway, is the use of the most natural make-up juxtaposed to the most theatrical. Make up is not always about making yourself prettier. Sometimes it is about creating a vibe, or "character". 

When people normally put on their make up they are thinking about hiding imperfections and fooling the world that  they are some how flawless. What about character?

Why not approach make up in a more theatrical way? What do you feel today? Sexy? Modest? Sweet? Powerful? Crazy? 

Step 5:

Nails!

If I am completely honest, I do not like nail polish. However, I cannot tell you enough, your nails are part of the entire look. Whether it be the most minimal nail, to the most dramatic, the attention to these small details, bring your look to the next level. A tiny bit of color on the tips of your finger, add just the right touch of movable color. 

Enjoy!

xo,

Maya

3 Ways to Use Fashion to Celebrate Your Body Shape

It is a common misconception that fashion is meant only for the skinny tall girls. Runways and Magazines showcase models that are thin and tall simply because it is the"easiest" body type to dress. It is a body type that is no fuss, quick, and easily "fashionable".

Does this mean everyone else, with their unique body shapes, are not physically capable of fashion? So many times people have the mind set to change their body shape in order to fit the "fashion stereotype". Whether it be through dieting or plastic surgery, there is a universal obsession to fit one specific shape of beauty. The reality is, fashion should be "used" to celebrate you. Don't change yourself to fit fashion, shape it to fit you.  Celebrate your body, personality and your individuality. It is a tool that enhances your features, and identity. Finding what suits you, is as important as finding who you are. 

Here are 3 of My Favorite Ways to Use Fashion to Celebrate your Body Type.

1.) Beauty Hunt

The first thing to do is to spot your strongest features. What do you like about your body or a certain facial feature? Perhaps they are your beautiful blue eyes, or long legs, make a mental note of what part of you makes you feel confident. Once you find at least one beauty spot, it is time to work around it, as if it is your start line. This is where you want a invisible spotlight to showcase the spot you are confident. This is the core of your visual confidence and focusing on it will grow your confidence encouraging you to see more positive aspects of yourself. 

For example, if you like the shape of your lips, showcase them by coloring them a soft pink, or red, and get inspired to match that shade with either your shoes or nails. Keep everything else one color or neutral, and you will be surprised how the positive confidence you have for your 'lips' will also attach itself to other parts of your body adorning the same color. 

2.) Contour Yourself

Contour is well known in the use of make up, but most do not know that the same concepts can also be used in fashion. Basically the key aspects of contouring, is "shade" what you dislike, and highlight what you like.  It is a simple, visual illusion "trick" that boosts your confidence while reducing negative body image.

For example, if you are self conscious about your "thick" thighs, try to find jeans that are shaded darker on the places you want slimmer and lighter near the ankles. 

 "Ombre" shirts or dresses are also a smart way to visually play with your upper body.

 

If you are self conscious about your large breasts, wear a ombre top  that is shaded darker on top and shades lighter towards the bottom. Similarly, if you dislike your protruding waistline, try an ombre that is darkest along the waist.

3.) Fashion Fingerprint

The ultimate goal is to find a "look" that you can confidently call your your own. It is customized to your shape, size, age and personality. It is like a fingerprint, and no one can pull off this look better than you. 

This is a combination of multiple factors.

 Firstly, you need to know your body type, and what type of shapes work well with you. 

Secondly, know what colors enhance your skin tone, hair color, eyes, or personality. 

Lastly, don't be afraid to combine, mix, and experiment with different styles that break popular trends. Anything is a possibility as long as you believe in it.

When you finally find your fashion fingerprint, it changes your perception on how you react to trends, or body image. Instead of wanting to be someone you see in magazines or runways, you see the clothes in relation to how or if it works with you. The power is in your court, and now you will make your own fashion choices. 

Exercising like a Super Model?

Ballet?

Mary Helen Bowers, is probably most famous for her work with Natalie Portman as her personal Trainer and Ballet coach for the Academy Award winning movie, Black Swan. However, she is also responsible for the fantastic figures of many models, including Victoria Secret.

It is no surprise to me that some of the most beautiful women in the world including, Charlize Theron, and Miranda Kerr all workout to some form of Ballet. Ballet is a hidden secret to achieving a leaner, longer, more beautiful you. It stretches your body in every direction, adding muscles to places you didn't even know you had. 

If you are a fashionista, desiring that model figure, check out Mary Helen Bower's Ballet fitness videos, or try a Ballet class.