The Style Factory

The most remarkable thing about style is that there are no limits. It has the ability to highlight ones most creative side. Simply by putting clothes together a story is told. People of all ages, races, and genders can express themselves freely through the use of clothes.

Ironically no matter what country you are in there seems to be a universal feel to some styles. Some how no matter how individualistic we all are there is something that someone  else can identify with and love. Style unifies us in a sense. It makes us all relatable and interesting at the same time. However, when we are introduced to certain styles that are out of the norm we cling to it. The unfamiliar in style is actually appealing. People adapt to what they do not know and embrace it to make it their own. 

Profound isn’t it? The pictures above are from WWD.COM and were taken in London. The style in these photographs brought a familiar feeling to the surface. This just confirms even more that our style u n i f i e s us! It brings us all together and it makes us one. We see the world as THE STYLE FACTORY.. perfect in its creativity !

THE BARE NECESSITIES! 

At the core of having great style is being comfortable in your own skin. When you look at yourself in the mirror at your purest state you should feel beautiful. Clothes can’t give you confidence and you should never hide behind them. It is always apparent who is using clothes to hide insecurities.

Rihanna is… to The Style Factory what confidence is all about. Have you ever noticed how she appears to be confident in everything she has on? We believe that is because she is comfortable in her own skin. Can you look within yourself behind the hair and makeup if you are a female.. and still be comfortable with what you see? 

How you feel about yourself without being dressed up is how people will see you when you are dressed up. Don’t hide behind your style. Let it be an addition to who you are. Be great, be you, be confident !! THE BARE NECESSITIES is all you need.

Source: GQMAG for the pics!

Thierry Colson’s RTW Spring 2013

There aren’t too many occasions where I see diversity on the runway. Not limited to the color of models skin but also in weight, height, etc. Designers have this ideal in their minds of how they want their models to look because they believe that’s what true beauty is. Or maybe they believe high fashion only looks great on a certain type of person. I wonder sometimes who classified only one type of person to be the worthy ideal? There are times where that one person steps outside of the box and shows the world a different side of beauty.

There is something extremely beautiful about Thierry Colson’s RTW Spring 2013 collection that was shown in Paris. I am not sure if it is the diversity in models or the designs that I like the most. After further consideration I would have to say that I like them equally the same. The models are a reflection of the clothing and the same is true in reverse. This collection was so diverse that any person could wear it. It was filled with what I interpreted to be tribal prints. Every piece that was shown embodied some sort of ethnicity and culture. Africa seemed to be a major inspiration for the designer.

What was most beautiful to me was the head wraps that were worn on some of the models heads. I believe that designers don’t just inspire what is worn on the streets, but I also believe that the biggest influence to designers is what they see on the streets.  In addition, cultural influence plays a major part in what designers manufacture.

As designers their jobs are to think outside of the box and create a story that we all can understand with clothing as their only source. To me the story the designer wanted to tell is clear.  The entire collection exuded unity. However, I don’t want to impose my opinions on you! You decide by looking at the pictures above, what you feel that story is.

Source: WWD.COM

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LA STREET STYLE!!

Style is derived from a mere thought. The way you see yourself has an instant effect on what you choose to wear every day. Some may just be better storytellers than others when it comes to their personal style. I truly do believe that the greatest story one can tell is the one that he or she tells with the clothes they wear.

Meet Terrance! He is one of the greatest storytellers in the Los Angeles area. His style says that he truly is free. Diversity and uniqueness are the two words that fit his style best. Not afraid to step outside of the box, Terrance owns what he has on.

Many in the Los Angeles area know Terrance for his great style. If you take a look at the photographs above and compare them you see that they all are very stylish but singular. Almost as if he was styled by someone else and is being paid to tell a story some designer wanted him to tell. Believe it or not he styled his self. The story that he tells every day isn’t some replica of something he saw on television it is his own. Here at The Style Factory that is the message we want you to understand, being you is the best thing you can do. Trying to imitate someone else is the best way to lose the spirit of what makes you astonishing.

There should always be a parallel in style and attitude. Do not simply copy what you see on television or on a friend. Their story is not your story and after all, freedom of style is what fashion is all about right? 

THE BEAUTY OF SIMPLICITY

There is something to be said about the beauty of simplicity. Many people think they have to be complex in all they do to exude beauty. Whether it be in the amount of makeup they wear, loud colors, hair extensions, etc.. everything that they do is complex. We see celebrities taking it to the extreme on a daily basis and since they are some of the most influential people in the world we believe that is the standard.

When did it stop being ok to create your own standard? Follow your own intuition just at these stars do. I found a photo of Lady GaGa and it gave me so many different emotions. Throughout her career she has changed her style almost a million times. People have been watching her not only because she is talented, but because she is always changing her style and giving us all something to look at. She is unique and she follows the beat of her own drum. That is the essence of what The Style Factory is about. 

I find it to be extremely intriguing that now that has changed her style and it is simple but elegant she again is being praised. I agree with the world on this one, she is amazingly beautiful and it looks like there was finally no gimmick. What should we take away from this? One thing I want you to take away if you don’t take anything else from this blog, that it is ok to be who you are. Even if it is simple, because sometimes the most beautiful things are filled with simplicity. Be true to you because you are beautiful. 

Picture from www.Justjared.com

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A Refreshing Blast From the Past!

Fashion is reinventing what makes it such a great thing. Louis Vuitton RTW Spring 2013 collection is very reminiscent of a great era, the 1960’s. The collection was mixed with a variety of patterns and colors. Every look he presented on the runway was presented with two models at once. In my opinion Louis Vuitton wanted to make sure that we got more than enough of the greatness of the collection.

The fashion industry is one that is always growing and changing. Yet, designers such as Louis Vuitton find a way to bring us a refreshing reminder of why we all love fashion so much.

In this collection there appeared to be a huge Chinese influence. The designs were also comprised with handbags and hair bows. From start to finish I found this collection to be a breath of fresh air!!

(Source: wwd.com)

Style as I see it is at a twisted view. Not compromising or yielding to the normalities of the times. Our style is as refreshing as the very first breath we take at the start of a new day. Your styles tells a story and you can create a new story every single day. It fosters an extreme amount of confidence, sets the tone for our dreams and can catapult us to new heights.

Looking at this photograph you may be wondering what is the story behind the model, Marie Kanu’s style. Luckily, I styled her myself so I can tell you what message this particular style was meant to convey. She is the essence of The Style Factory, showing many different elements of herself while being true to herself. With one glimpse at what she has on you want to know more about her. Her style is a reflection of her hard work and beauty. 

I styled her using her clothes from her closet. I wanted to highlight her curves in a classy way, which is why I chose the fitted dress with the lime green to accentuate her curves. In combination with a stripe blazer to add a sense of sophistication. With a touch of blue on the high heels brings it all together in a unique way.

What do you see when you look at Marie?  In all three frames she is exuding strength and  beauty. Now think of what others think when they see you. What story are you telling? Is it true to who you are? Is your style conveying the right message? 

Model: Marie Kanu

Photographer: Mark Owens

Editor: Laval’s Photo Designs

Makeup: Brunette Chiffon

Stylist: Brunette Chiffon

Clothes: #Forever21

Shoes: Steve Madden

There are no barriers in style. Fashion style is not limited to gender, race and contrary to belief it is not limited by size. What we wear speaks volumes about who we are before we even speak.

This gentlemen goes by the name KlockWork. He describes his self as “ProFlyssional.” He believes that it is imperative to be both, fly and professional since he is always striving to reach greatness.  KlockWork embodies elegance, professionalism, and individualism with everything he wears. 

Many people get lost in the crowd because they are hindered by mediocrity. We were not made to look the same or tell the same story with the clothes we wear. Mr. KlockWork understands this idea. As a matter of fact he owns it.  

Understanding what your personal image says about you before you even say a word speaks volumes to self awareness. He definitely understands who he is and could easily create a brand for his self.  KlockWork’s style says, “Professional and Fly=ProFlyssional .” Ask yourself what does your style say about you?

Model: Brent aka KlockWork

Baltimore fashion by way of SC

Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2013 Collection in Paris

This collection can be described in one word, androgynous. The embrace of masculinity with a feminine touch set the tone for what is to come. The show opens with mainly dark colors for the clothing but towards the end there were a few bright colors implemented.

Saint Laurent’s collection was about the power that a woman possesses in my opinion. Every look on the runway included a hat. Subconsciously that could reflect that women can wear the same hat as a man does. Thus, promoting the strength of a woman.

I see a company that is moving in the right direction these styles could easily be sold to consumers worldwide. 

(Source: wwd.com)

“The LOVE Activist”

This fashion forward beauty goes by the name The Girl Wit The Fro! In this photo she is a great illustration of the Zeitgeist which is freedom in self expression. There isn’t anything about her that says “conformity.”

In this picture she is wearing a Karl Lagerfeld dress with a pair of vintage boots. When I think about what beauty is, I think of there person who creates beauty for themselves.

She isn’t the tallest person, model thin, and she doesn’t conform to what society says her hair should look like. Her fro plays a big part in who she is.  Nothing about any of those elements are what society defines as beauty. The power of this day in age is the ability that we all have to express ourselves through our own fashion style. We create stories for others to read with what we put on everyday.

The Girl Wit The Fro has a look in her eye of beauty.. in fact she is beauty. Creating her own style and inspiring others and myself to look within me to find my own definition of beauty!

New York Street Style