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Showing posts with label Richie Ortega. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richie Ortega. Show all posts

Friday, November 23, 2012

what's your number?



Numbers play an important part in our lives; guiding our days, weeks, months, and years.  They also tell us lots of other things like our age, cholesterol count :(, weight, and size!!!



While talking about our next blog entry, a follow-up on our “dress me up with my love” post, Tata asked me a simple question.  “Why did you decide to have a dress made this time, instead of buying one like you usually do?” The answer was easy.  I told her that this time, I wanted a dress that was made to fit me, instead of my trying to fit into a dress. I didn’t want to carry several sizes into the dressing room to see which one would look best on me.  I didn’t want to guess if I was a size 6, 8, or 10. I just wanted to be my size.



I also wanted expert advice on how to dress for my shape.  Here are the top 3 things I learned from this experience:



1.  Separates rock! 2 pieces are better than 1!

2.  Create a figure 8! Emphasize my waistline.

3.  Accentuate the positive! Show off my 2 best features: my shoulders and collarbone.

The dress is shaping up to be just as I had imagined.  And as luck would have it, the color we chose for my skirt matched the dress code color card (a new wedding trend?) that was sent together with the wedding invite.
    


Richie's sketch for my outfit :)


Looking forward to wearing this dress 2 times on the following dates: 11.27.12 and 12.21.12!

anna


4...3...2...1...



For some, a tattered 40-year-old gown might equate to junk that should be cleared out. In my sister’s case, it boiled down to a potential profit of 100 bucks at a garage sale. Luckily, I dropped by said garage sale and for 0 pesos (also known as theft), and with a panicked survivor’s instinct, I rescued my mom’s castoff gown from the 1970s.



Yes, I saw the cloth was torn and frayed in many parts, but I also saw that it had once been very beautiful. And as I slipped it on, I was surprised to discover that it fit me to a T, just as though it had been made to measure. All it needed was some TLC. So I tagged along with Anna and asked Richie if she could work her magic.








When Richie oohed over the crinkled silk and floaty design, I knew my mother’s gown was in good hands—and that it could reach its version 2.0 in the care of someone who saw what I saw: a sentimental bit of style that was dusty, damaged, and priceless.





tata

    


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

dress me up in my love


anna:  Ok! I have to get over it at some point. This is my new body.  As much as I would love to be the size I was when I got married 15 years ago, it just isn’t happening.  I have changed.  And change can be good, right? 

As I process this new stage of self-love, life goes on, and another formal (and happy) event is coming up. What do I wear?!? Tata, help me!!

tata:  You have come to the right place, my child. :D And now I’m super excited! Buy one? Have one made? Let’s start there…

anna:  I think this time I’d like to try having something made by an expert who might teach me a thing or two about dressing this new, old body of mine.  Can you recommend someone, please?  Do you think I should see Richie? I know she’s a friend and I always admired her work.

tata:  You read my mind! I love how Richie knows how to celebrate real women’s bodies, and how she really highlights one's best features—all in a really delightful way. And since you’re already a fan of her work, I think you get what I mean. But first thing’s first, do you have any idea of what you want? Not a design that she’ll copy—but more of the look and feel you’re after. How formal do you need it to be, etc.

anna:  Great!! My goal is to feel comfy and cozy, yet pretty and put-together. I also would like the top to have the dainty details in a slightly vintage and ladylike fashion, paired with a skirt that is simple and modern.  It’s for a wedding in December and I think what’s appropriate is something full length but not too formal since I don’t have a major part.

tata:  Ah, separates! And smart—with your look there’s no need for a fancy necklace.  

anna:  Perfect! That way I can use the pieces for future events too!  I’m excited!  Really looking forward to having someone give me expert advice on dressing my new shape, too.

tata:  Yay on all counts! I know you want separates but lookie here! Totally love how this is formal, pretty, and playful at the same time :) Lol not listening to directions! But you know, just to inspire you…



(Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhuillier)

anna:  I think that’s really pretty. Yup good for inspiration. But not so comfy-cozy. :D So far I’m liking these. 

(photos from www.instyle.com)

tata:  Oooh! I like! And I like them for you :) You might even get away with wearing flats hehe. Here’s a collar treatment you might like. Just humor me because I can never pull off designs like these because of my body type!


(dress by Shoshanna, www.shoshanna.com) 

And just for fun, here’s a link to a feature I wrote about a fashion show I attended in Cebu. 




These debutant gowns are gorgeous—but gosh, the bodies one needs to pull them off! Hahaha… I think it will just help you see how far we’ve come. (Happy sigh) It really feels so good to be comfy in our own skin!