Cost-per-Wear

Most of the time “shopping” is not compulsory but is made out of fun or out of boredom. When we are sad we like to buy nice dresses or bags for ourselves to feel better. When we are happy maybe we want to do the same thing again.

Photo by Dolce Vita

  

That is why the experts suggest staying away from the shops when your feelings are so uncontrollable.

However there are ways of clever shopping. One is the “Cost-per-Wear” method. It is easy to calculate. 

And here is the magic formula: The cost (price) of the item / the number of days that you will wear or carry it = the result (Cost-per-Wear)

If you buy shoes for 500 euro and wear it 100 days a year, it will cost you 5 euro per wear. However if you buy a very low price t-shirt for 20 euro and wear it once a year, actually it will cost you 20 euro per wear!!! 

So buying cheaper items may not always be advantageous as long as you don’t wear them enough. That is another dimension of finding out the real value of an item. Now it is your turn to make your Cost-per-Wear calculations and to find out how many “luxury” cheap items you have actually…

Ex-lovers under the heels

Miami hosted a very interesting exhibition a few weeks ago. It is over but the designs worth to mention. The exhibition is called "12 Shoes for 12 Lovers".  

Chilean born artist and designer Sebastian Errazuriz designed 12 shoes based upon the memories of his 12 previous relationships. The artist defines the exhibition "as an attempt to go through the reminiscence of former lovers who are the inspiration for each shoe sculpture".

The sculptures are accompanied by personal photos and stories in which Errazuriz reveals a glimpse of each relationship.

Sebastian Errazuriz

However I decided to try something different before I started writing the article. As a person fond of psychology and art, I decided to analyze the sculptures/shoes just by looking at them without reading the stories.

In each design or art of work actually we see what is deep inside of the artist. We see the glimpses of his memories and feelings. Each artist doesn't accept this or prefers not to talk about it explicitly. But the reminiscence of his former lovers or his private life is the core of that exhibition of Errazuriz and it made the designs more interesting for me. 

I just tried guessing what the artist lived and felt by looking at the sculptures. That is why I started with the "Heart Breaker". It is the sculpture/shoe I loved the most and somehow it gave me the feeling that she was the most beloved one for him.

And the second sculpture that attracted me: Gold Digger. Aesthetically I found it very appealing. And as a writer of a fashion blog, I would say I would like to see almost all his designs in shoe shops too. You cannot find more creative and more meaningful shoes.

However it would be wrong to take the exhibition just in terms of love and sex relation. Because after reading the stories actually you see the absurdities that challenge everyday life as the designer cited.

From now on I can talk about the stories as well. Because I read them now all. And my guess for the "Heart Breaker" seems to be right. Those who wonder about the story can read the manuscript in his instagram account @sebastianerrazurizstudio.

I want to go on talking about the absurdities he tries to tell us. Actually they are easy to see even if just by looking at the sculptures and the names. After you read the short stories it becomes clearer. Let's start with the Gold Digger. Here is the story:

Here we see a little bit Daisy of the Great Gatsby. Those who read the book of Fitzgerald or watched the movies will understand what I mean. Those women who are the slaves of power and money cannot be defined with a better term than the gold digger. Do we see here a subtle revenge of the designer from the past as well?

I will leave the analysis of the other sculptures to your imagination. That one is called "Cry Baby".

And here is the "Hot Bitch".

 

 

AS FASHION OBJECT?

After a short psychological analysis it is time to talk from the aspect of fashion. Shoes are the most important object in woman fashion. It changes the way your outfit looks. How about such shoes? 

Personally I don't find them unwearable or too crazy. Under jeans or mini dresses and skirts it might make any woman look different and cooler than her peers.

I find "The Ice Queen" and "The Virgin" as great wedding shoes.

By the way the story of "The Virgin" is also thought provoking...

And for summer dresses "The Honey" is the best.

"The Rock" might be used as winter boots. But most probably just by Lady Gaga.

For those who are interested in the stories, the story of the woman who inspired the artist for the design "The Rock" ends like that: "I loved her so much. Always will..."

Ottoman Victorian

In the recent years there was a new trend in Turkey. After a serial about the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century, a new trend in jewelry appeared in the country.

The rings, earrings, pendants and armbands reflecting the time was really popular among women.

 

That trend seems to be loosing its effect recently. However the jewelry worth to be mentioned.

  
Let’s start with the rings. There are two main stones that we see more often: Emerald and ruby.

 

The material used is mostly silver.

It is possible to see multi gemstones and pearls as well.

Tear drop cut is one of the mostly used styles in that type of jewelry.

Tulip shaped earrings or pendants are popular too.

Sometimes some figures are added too. Above are the angels and a flower...

 

  

Actually that style is really similar to the Victorian style jewelry. 

Gold coloured sets are for gold lovers...

 

Black or White

Black is a winter colour and white is a summer colour! At least we are conditioned like that. However this year that perception changed.

Photo by Valentino - Fall/Winter 2013-14

Many designers combined black&white together in their designs.

By Moschino

Especially graphic designs are very popular.

Christian Dior Autumn/Winter 2013-14

In cold winter days it is also possible to see just white clothes.

By Jason Wu

Would you like to look like a snow queen? You have the possiblity this winter...

Photo by Valentino - Fall/Winter 2013-14

Romantism in fashion

Styles can be named according to the years such as 50's or 60's style... Besides dates some people also might give a name to the styles such as Jacqueline Kennedy. She has a unique style. And one of my fashion icons.

I haven't seen any dress on her which is not elegant. Even in winter! Sometimes we think winter is a pause in fashion. However it is not. It is possible to look elegant even in winter as her by adding some accessoires and jewelry.

I used the term "romantism" in the title because I believe she had a romantic style too. The pearl necklace and the bateau neckline of her dress enhances the romantism.







Her couturier Oleg Cassini's designs for the First Lady which is called "The Jackie Look" is accepted as the biggest fashion influence in history.

 


Cassini's choices such as A-line or sheath designs still dominate the fashion today.





Boxy jackets and oversized buttons are some of the most important characteristic in "The Jackie Look".

And the gloves...