Manish Arora At Paris Fashion Week

When the catwalk features black, grey, and more black when color stomps the runway I take notice. In Paris earlier this month there was the rainbow presented by Manish Arora.

I was amazed at the beautiful colors that made my think "Tiffany Windows!" Every single look sparkled, shined, or featured beautiful stained glass looks. The models wore futuristic wigs in neon colors and some carried motorcycle helmets that matched their clothing.

In an AP interview Arora commented, "We took familiar codes of the Art Deco period and, in a word, messed them up. We pushed everything so far into the future that it's hardly recognizable." The Delhi, India, based designer explained that he was partly inspired by stills from Fritz Lang's Metropolis (one of the great silent films).

You can view the Paris runway show here:

Wearing The Military Look

Been there done that. When you reach a certain age you see trends coming in and out of style. In the case of the Military Look I've literally been there and done that. Having served in the Army for 6 years donning fatigues and camo doesn't have quite the same attraction that it does for others.

I remember when in the 80s fatigue pants were all the rage. I wore a pair of my old pants, with holes in the pockets and no longer acceptable for work. I was out and about one weekend when a man in his early 30s approached me. He chastised me for taking something he wore to defend the US and trivializing it. I calmly pulled my Army ID from my pocket. He apologized and we laughed over the incident.

So....if you decide to wear camouflage or other aspects of the Military Look make sure you do it respectfully. A way to embrace this look is to think more marching band than battle uniform. Beyonce in this Balmain jacket is the perfect balance. The style is more Crimean War than Operation Enduring Freedom.

Looking For Clothing & Jewelry Designers

Are you a designer? I'm looking for conservative clothing and jewelry designers to feature for upcoming articles. Are you a jewelry designer who has created a tea bag pin? Are you a clothing designer who has clothed politicians or their families? Think Star Spangled Ice Cream for fashion.

Send a .jpg an background details about yourself and I will contact you for more information: fasnionistapolitica @ gmail.com.

Budget Beauty Products

In these days of budget concerns many fashion fanatics are having to tighten their Zac Posen belts. There are essentials that we shouldn't live without. A good moisturizer is one. Make-up and skin care products need to be replenished. Here are some of my favorites products available at my local drugstore or online.

1. I love Fiberwig mascara. At $24 it's a purchase I have to think twice about. Now there is L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes. The price of $9 makes it my new favorite mascara. If you are unfamiliar with tubing mascaras the idea is simple. Your lashes are coated in a flexible polymer that stays and stays. I have the bad habit of rubbing my eyes during the day. I used to end up with raccoon eyes. Not now. This mascara is also really, truly waterproof. I can watch a marathon of Lassie and The Waltons without a smudge. It cleans off easily with regular facial cleanser.
2. Go pro on EBay. Not as a seller but as a wise shopper. When replenishing my daytime moisturizer or facial cleanser I put in the names of my favorites and add the word "pro" or "professional." This gives me salon size products. I pay the same for a 6 ounce size tube of moisturizer as I would for the 3 ounce size in a store. Only buy products that are brand new.
3. I'm often frustrated with foundations that seem to look great in the store, but when I wear them in the real world they look fake. I have been a fan of Almay Smart Shade foundation for a while now. It is my wear-to-work foundation. You choose from one of three shades, light, light/medium, or medium. It comes out of the tube white and transforms into the shade you need for your skin. I can use the same shade in the middle of summer as I do in the dead of winter. This foundation is a sheer coverage. It's very natural looking. Smart Shade has a SPF 15 included. There is a new Smart Shade Anti-Aging that I haven't tried yet with a SPF of 20.
4. If you have heart palpitations over the cost of eye cream don't worry, there are more affordable choices. When I travel my eyes will become puffy. I discovered Biore Enliven Cooling Eye Gel and it's now my travel buddy. It has a blend of golden root, yeast, and sugar beet extracts which de-puff my eyes. Enliven Cooling Eye Gel also has cucumber extract which is soothing. At a reasonable $10 you can keep one in your suitcase and one in your bathroom.

How To Help Haiti

Many want to assist the people of Haiti but are wary. Often when disasters happen scammers come out to take advantage of your good will. Good giving also means giving to organizations where the majority of money goes to those in need. I'm wary of "misuse of funds, cronyism, excessive expense accounts, secret consulting contracts." I do recommend one specific charity.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an exceptional organization. After the US Military CRS has one of the most effective disaster response programs in the world. The average percentage spent by charities on admin and overhead is 12.4% according to MinistryWatch. The admin and overhead percentage of CRS is 2.3%. CRS seeks to help people in the developing world break the cycle of poverty through community based programs with the local population as the central participant. This ensures that projects are sustainable through local resources and community.

Hounds Tooth Fashion

Having a graduate degree from the University of Alabama means that when I see a houndstooth pattern I think of the 'Bama football team (2010 National Champions!). It's not that I'm a big football fan. I can count on two fingers the number of football games I've seen from start to finish, but the houndstooth pattern was the signature of Coach Bear Bryant's hat. So, I often disregard coats and scarves featuring this classic pattern.

Then suddenly I began seeing houndstooth all over the place in the fashion world. This checked pattern has notched corners that suggests a dog's tooth. It is traditionally black and white. The French call it pied de pole (chicken's foot).

On the runway designers such as Alexander McQueen and Michael Kors featured houndstooth patterns. Some designers have moved away from the traditional black and white giving us red and black or blue and black patterns. Like stripes or animal print a little can go a long way. Accessories allow you to incorporate this fashion statement without investing in a dress or blouse that you may find too much. This Keffiyah (Head Scarf) is an exotic way to wear this pattern. Go for Michael Kors' houndstooth gloves for a visual punch.

French Nautical Stripes -- How To Wear Them

Horizontal striped tops are everywhere. They have been featured in Marie Claire magazine, the Air France in flight magazine, and on many runways. I sat in church this evening and saw at least five young women wearing blue and white stripes. They varied in style, width of the stripe, and cut of the top. Each person added her own identity even while they embarrassed this trend. The most impressive was the woman who wore a horizontal striped tank top under a thin, chartreuse colored wrap. The color reminded me of Absinthe and nights in French port. Très chic!

Many of us are hesitant about wearing horizontal stripes. When I shop in the big girl sections of stores I question why so many designers think I want horizontal stripes around my tummy and hips. No, I don't think so. If you have large chest horizontal stripes can create a unique psychedelic effect.

Here are some tips for captaining this look:

1. Keep it simple. Pair your striped top with simple pants or skirt. Don't be tempted to slip into sailor pants. Navy or black is the best choice to keep your look for being over done.


2. Go wide or skinny. This is the amazing thing about this type of top. A pair of simple (see above) wide leg jeans or skinny jeans balances the look.


3. Play with the stripes that work best on you. The stripes can vary from narrow to wide. You may love the wide stripes, but look better in the narrow stripes. If you are still unsure of wearing too many stripes just go for stripes on the sleeves.


4. Layer the look. Wear a striped tank under a solid color cardigan. You can also wear the tank under a blazer.

I found a great striped cardigan from C.J. Banks. The stop part has strips while the bottom is solid blue. This moves the eye up from the hips and tummy area. It's marvelous for those of us who are looking for a way to wear this look.