messtyle
Womens style
As we almost close the door to winter 2015 from jackets, trench, heavy colourful scarfs and knits, we say Hello to Spring Summer 15/16. With new season comes new trends and new sense of style
Every so often, whether its change in the weather or little monotony setting in, we effortlessly want to renew our wardrobe as this season kick start we taking you back in to 60’s, 70s and 80’s. From Bohemian influence done luxuriously, The attention is on soft sophisticated fabrics such as delicate lace dresses, breezy cheesecloth and soft suede A-line skirts. The colour palette is fresh and neutral, yellow and of course roomy denim. Autumn may have brought us roper plaids, but for spring it’s all about the tiny check. The must-have off-the-shoulder trend is showcased in fluttery dresses and tops, while tailored suede skirt makes the perfect style statement for the transition into spring styling. yet Head-to-toe white , yep it isn’t about the rules of when you can wear all-white its about how you wear them with mixing texture, multiple pieces and teaming various shades.
Mens Style
As more than ever this season spring summer 15/16, Menswear reach new heights this season with powerful colors and sharp suiting. In colour department indigo, lighter gray, checked are well in this season . also wear the same suit in many different ways to go from office to fine dinning. Also Navy, charcoal, and black suits once again a smart option and yet keeping it with in tradition.
IFFM Awards Night and Equality Fashion Show
The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne after many years, but the exuberance and live colours still remain true. Styled by Ramzy was honoured to attend the IFFM Awards Night and Equality Fashion show where Bollywood’s biggest stars were celebrated with a runway fashion show.
Held at the National Gallery of Victoria, the spectacular night featured a powerhouse guest list such as style icon Sonam Kapoor and bollywood legends Anil Kapoor, Simi Garewal, Imran Khan and Kangana Ranaut.
The night had a remarkable line-up of designers for the fashion show from local to international designers within the theme Equality. Designs from Anamika Khanna, Gaurav Gupta, Richard Nylon, Roopa Pemmaraju and Susan Dimasi were all showcased.
High profile models were on the catwalk, with none other than Sonam Kapoor wearing stunning designs as well as Melbourne’s own reality star Lydia Schiavello from Real Housewives of Melbourne.
The night was a beaming success and a true reflection of the ongoing strong relationship between Australia and India with our mutual love for fashion, movies and culture.
Fashion Show
♣ Styled By Ramzy ♣
♣ images By – Reza Seedin ♣
– all images are subject to copyright –
SITTING WITH JOHN CALDWELL. WE DISCUSS THE IMPORTANCE OF DRESS FOR SUCCESS AND KEEPING YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE. AS THE AGE-OLD ADAGE SAYS… DRESS FOR THE SUCCESS YOU WANT!
SO WHAT DOES JOHN HAVE TO SAY ABOUT HIS OWN STYLE
1: What influence do you feel fashion has had on your life?
As a society, we’re taught not to judge a book by its cover, yet we often do. Fashion has influenced me in this way throughout my entire life. I speak often of my experiences growing up and the challenges I faced. I came from a very poor family and often I was the only kid in school without shoes. It was rare that I would be able to have my own clothes as I usually had to dress in my older sister’s hand-me-downs. I was subjected to horrendous bullying in school and a lot of that was due to my appearance. I recall one instance where I was on a school camp. I had only one outfit for the whole trip and it was one of my older sisters t-shirts. It was miles too big for me. I remember walking across the mess hall during dinner and my shirt had become untucked at the back. I hadn’t noticed until a teacher pointed at me and said “what are you wearing? Are you wearing a dress?” with that the whole hall erupted with laughter and I was humiliated. An older student had seen what had happened in the mess hall. That night he was kind enough to lend me some of his clothes for the remainder of camp. I have never forgotten what that boy did for me. The immediate rise in confidence and self esteem was astounding. This was my first taste of what style could do for your character.
Fashion is important for many reasons, including being a form of personal identity. Fashion allows people to express their individual style and personality. I don’t think it’s until you are denied the right to do this that you can truly appreciate the role fashion and style play on your self worth and confidence. One thing I have come to appreciate is that clothes are a very intimate thing.
I wasn’t bullied because I didn’t have the latest trends I was bullied because I was poor and the clothes on my back were just a representation of that, they were not a representation of who I was. As I got older I mused on my past experiences and while I truly believe beauty comes from within I also recognise how important it can be for your appearance to reflect who you are as a person.
One of my favourite quotes is that by Miuccia Prada, “Fashion is the first step out of poverty. You have nothing and then you put something on. It is one of the first things you do to elevate yourself. … — there’s a resistance to fashion — an idea that to love fashion is to be stupid. Clothes are very intimate. When you get dressed, you are making public your idea about yourself.”
Fashion continues to influence my life daily. As a professional and the face of my company it is important that my style reflects my brand and culture. I am very comfortable in my own skin and being able to explore my style palate is something that has helped me establish myself both personally and professionally.
2: What do you feel are the must have pieces every young professional should have in their wardrobe?
Every young professional needs to invest in a custom or measured suit. Nothing says professional like a flawlessly fitting suit. It tells the world you’ve got sense and a sense of style. Most importantly, it tells your boss that you’ve got an eye for detail.
A Navy blazer. I have 10 of these. I like to think of the navy blue blazer as the male equivalent of the little black dress for women. You can dress one up or down and it can be worn just as easily in the summer as in the winter. It quite literally goes with everything.
A solid bag. Your bag speaks volumes of you, so choose wisely. You want to look and stay organised. Nothing says fresh out of school like a backpack and nothing says underprepared like a man without a bag at all. Solid leather is always a safe bet.
3: How would you describe your style?
Fashion can be two things. It can be as simple as something you put on to make yourself feel beautiful, or as dynamic as something illustrative of culture, time and its transformations. I am somewhere in the middle. I have my staples that make me feel like me but I often team them up with riskier, on trend options.
4: Who are your favourite designers?
Easily recognisable for its classic English style, my absolute favourite is Burberry. Despite having one of the most recognised trademarks with the iconic Burberry check, they have managed to maintain a high level of brand integrity. I also love its affordability. Others include Hermes, Gucci and Christian Louboutin.
5: Do you think there is truth behind the concept “Style because your personality isn’t the first thing people see.”
Absolutely, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Unfortunately it is human nature to make snap judgments about each other. When you enter a job interview you may only be in front of the interviewer for half an hour. It is impossible for every detail of your personality to be depicted in that time frame – yet it could be the most important half an hour of your life. Style is all about putting your best face forward and making sure you visually leave them with a great sense of who you are.
6: Has fashion impacted your career path?
Fashion has undoubtedly impacted on my career. Not only has my own personal journey of self expression through style helped me reach great heights but I have also made a living out of it. My company recruits for some of the country’s most respected fashion designers, brands and retailers.
7: When it comes to interviewing candidates for executive roles what is it you look for in personal presentation?
Undoubtedly I look for confidence, and then I look for alignment to the brand they will potentially be representing. It is imperative that you get to dress in a way that professionally encompasses everything that is you. I can tell straight away if someone is trying hard to look a part of a brand that is not right for them. If you are uncomfortable internally you look uncomfortable externally. The best advice I can give anyone going for a role in the fashion industry is to go for roles that are synonymous with who you are.
Another important factor is personal grooming, especially fragrance. Too much can be distracting and too little… well we all know the impression that can leave. When you enter into an interview you want to be remembered for all the right reasons. Visually stimulating the interviewer with your style is the first tick, then it’s all about making sure you are well prepared for the interview questions.
8: What is your take on having a stylist? Should all CEO’s have one?
Yes! I absolutely love the fresh ideas my stylist brings to the table. It is quite hard to expand your sense of style especially when you are time poor. Stylists are extremely creative and a good one will get to know you and what works for your personality.
9: What are a few success secrets you can share with us?
Think positive! I am a big believer in this. What you put out, you will receive in return. Feel confident, feel beautiful, and don’t sweat the small stuff.
10: Who is your celebrity style icon?
Justin Timberlake, Josh Duhamel and David Beckham have had a few moments of genius.
11: What is the one piece from your wardrobe that you can’t live without?
My orange Burberry trench. It was one of the first Burberry pieces I purchased many years ago. I don’t think I will ever part with it.
♣ Photographer – Greg Desiatov ♣
♣ Hair & Makeup – Mishel Vounatsos Bratsos ♣
Indeevari Yapa Abeywardena, better known as the gifted fashion designer behind INDI by INDI revealed her exclusive celebrity designs at the recent Ponds BB + Privilege Launch.
INDI by INDI strives to create wearable modern fashion and is one of Sri Lanka’s well-known fashion designers. She has garnered national attention from other fashion designers, celebrities and fashion media platforms for her impressive designs and remarkable creativity in bridal gowns. Her strong attention to detail and practicality for the modern woman has made INDI a favourite among critics and her exclusive clientele.
INDI by INDI have been displayed at Colombo Fashion Week, Graduate Fashion Week in London, I Love Runway, Truman Brewery Exhibition, Alternative Fashion Week and Asian Fashion Week. Reaching new heights, INDI by INDI has featured exclusive designs at Ponds BB + Privilege Launch in Colombo with remarkably detailed garments with intricate designs.
Congratulations to the signature label on its great success at this event, INDI by INDI will continue to provide beautiful garments for women across the world.
♣ Styled By Ramzy Team ♣
Photographers –
♣ Jehan Seedin Photography ♣
♣ Dylan Seedin Photography ♣
♣ mirandaSAKHINO ♣
Andrew and Miranda, the power couple behind one of Melbourne’s best known style blogs – StyleGallivanter.com, recently took Canberra’s Fashion Week (Fashfest) by storm, with the launch of their very own design label mirandaSAKHINO. Their stunning Resort Collection can only be described as Mad Men meets Bridgitte Bardot in Marrakech, and was undoubtedly a crowd favourite. As the models strutted on the runway with their larger than life hair, oversized scarves and cat-eye sunglasses, we could only but anticipate a great show. There was an abundance of golden sheens and pastels translated into animal print, fully accessorized in traditional African millinery including turbans and shimmering head baskets. I knew this pair had more than achieved their mission when the audience gasped in unison as the last look came out. This show-stopping creation was definitely nothing short of regal; a modern, cosmopolitan version of a Nubian princess indeed, encased in a remarkably structured, vibrant, giraffe print two-piece.
The eponymous contemporary label mirandaSAKHINO represents a fusion of races where fashion is used to interpret cultures, and as a tool to restore the harmony between stories from different worlds. In the collections, Miranda draws on her Afro-Euro heritage to fuel her creative inspiration. This results in a perfect blend of African and Western fashion that calls for the respect of both worlds. The label offers pieces that appeal to the modern, refined, cosmopolite who is style-conscious, loves fashion and values the clothes’ timeless nature and functional wearability. Miranda and Andrew manufacture locally (Australian-made), designing and printing their own fabrics too. The brand is environmentally conscious and uses sustainable fabrics.
From the many outstanding reviews, it is clear that mirandaSAKHINO were a favourite, and this was well deserved. From blogging to designing, we can only look forward to seeing what the future holds for this trailblazing duo, as they go where not many bloggers have gone before. The style world better take note.
The mirandaSAKHINO Resort Collection will be available for sale in September 2015.
♣ Styled By Ramzy Team ♣
Photographer: Andrew Kibuka