- Feb2220152Barbara Schwartz
Aquamarine for Spring
inRead moreEven though the weather outside may not feel like spring (at least where I live!), we can still look at colors for the upcoming season. Based on their survey of fashion designers, Pantone has named the palette for women’s clothing in spring 2015: En Plein Air, a French expression which…
- Feb102015Barbara Schwartz
Hollywood Glamour
inRead moreAs a life-long lover of old black-and-white movies, especially those from the 1930s and 1940s (Hollywood’s so-called Golden Age), I enjoy seeing many of them over and over again. The first time, I’m obviously paying attention to the plot. But in subsequent viewings, I can focus on the jewelry and…
- Jan042015Barbara Schwartz
‘Downton Abbey’ Style Encore
inRead moreWhile North American fans eagerly await tonight’s premiere of Season 5 of Downton Abbey, those who haven’t found out the forthcoming plot lines from their UK friends are wondering about the answers to last season’s cliff-hangers. For example, which suitor, if any, will Lady Mary choose to marry? What happened…
- Sep302014Barbara Schwartz
Red Alert!
inRead moreAmong the top 10 colors for women’s fashions this fall/winter are two shades of red, according to Pantone (the world’s authority on color): Sangria, described as “an exotic red that evokes a sense of glamorous adventures and faraway destinations”, and Aurora Red, “a more sophisticated shade that adds verve and…
- Feb282014Barbara Schwartz
True Blue Hues
inRead moreEven though the weather outside may not feel much like spring (at least where I live!), we can still look at colors for the coming season. The palette in the Pantone Fashion Color Report: Spring 2014 shows two shades of blue among the top 10 colors for women’s fashion for…
- Jan202014Barbara Schwartz
Radiant Orchid: The Color of 2014
inRead moreLast month when Pantone, the world’s authority on color, named Radiant Orchid, “a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple”, as the Color of the Year, it had already made its way into the spring 2014 fashion shows and was beginning to be seen on the red carpet. The company’s press release defines the…
- Jan012014Barbara Schwartz
‘Downton Abbey’ Style
inRead moreCanadians and Americans are eagerly awaiting the broadcast of Season 4 of the acclaimed series Downton Abbey, which begins on Sunday night on PBS. I am sure that viewers have been anxious to find out what will happen next in the life of their favorite upstairs or downstairs character. For…
- Jun242013Barbara Schwartz
Fall 2013 Fashion Colors: Amethyst
inRead moreAmong the top 10 colors for women’s fall 2013 fashion reported by Pantone, the world’s authority on color, is Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee). It was inspired by the acai berry from Central and South America. This exotic, rich purple, according to the Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2013, “adds mystery and…
- May312013Barbara Schwartz
50 Shades of Green
inRead moreLike our gardens, this spring’s fashions are green all over, with shades ranging from deep colors such as forest and emerald, Pantone’s color of the year, to pastels such as mint and seafoam. With so many options, you’re bound to find the perfect shade for your hair color and skin…
- May142013Barbara Schwartz
Spring 2013 Fashion Trend: Florals
inRead moreA perennial favorite for decades, floral prints were in full bloom on the runways for Spring 2013. Variations of the garden theme were seen on pants, dresses, skirts, shoes, and other accessories in soft pastels, vibrant hues, and appliqués. According to fashionmagazine.com, “Florals are all about having fun with fashion…
- May042013Barbara Schwartz
The 1920s Roar Again with ‘The Great Gatsby’
inRead moreWith jewels by Tiffany (based on designs from the company’s archives) and evening gowns by Miuccia Prada in collaboration with Catherine Martine (long-time costume and production designer, and wife of the director), Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby promises lots of eye-candy for lovers of the Art Deco style, which was…
- Apr282013Barbara Schwartz
Spring 2013 Fashion Trend: Black & White
inRead moreThe spring 2013 runways showcased black and white fashions in graphic patterns such as checks, stripes, and color-blocking along with black, white, and black-and-white accessories. Whether you like the 1960s Mod look or something more classic, wear vintage costume jewelry to refresh last year’s wardrobe with this season’s trend. You…