V-Style

Vanessa Valiente on The E! Channel

Turn to the E! Channel Thursday Morning, September 24th, 6am-9am to check out, That Morning Show. I will be discussing scarf trends for fall with a sneak peak of a Spring 2010 goodie. My segment will on around 7am.

Yachtfest in San Diego, September 2009

With summer coming to an end you can't help but feel a bit melancholy, but if you are in San Diego cheer up because summer is closing on a yacht. It's that time of year again, Yachtfest!!

Every year Yachtfest is the weekend to see and be seen as the stylish folk all come out to celebrate high fashion and adventurous vehicles. With a Saks Fifth Avenue "All Decked Out" fashion show, superyachts galore and specialized planes flying over, you really can't ask for a better party. Did I mention there will be booze and food? There will be, yes.

I always say nothing better than a fashion show except a fashion show on a yacht. For tickets to the September 17th opening party click here.

A Conversation With Designer Francisco Medavog

Last week I interviewed my friend Francisco Medavog. You may know him as a vintage couture collector that provides Decades with gorgeous merchandise. Or perhaps you saw one of his vintage collections in a Museum. What you may not know is that he was a promising young designer until 1997 when his friend and muse died. Although his love for fashion, sewing and collecting continued he would not make another garment for eleven years.

In spring of 2008, Francisco was encouraged to audition for Project Runway. He created a couture garment in three days and met with Tim Gunn. "They loved me and my designs, but he said Project Runway does not begin careers." Fransisco was told to start designing again and then come back. It would take another year before he designed again.

In March of 2008 Francisco attended a house warming party of mine and was intrigued by my dress. He loved the look, but wanted to elaborate on it. Spurred by the support of his partner and a chance meeting with a socialite wanting him to make her a dress, he designed a dress that was inspired by my party frock. It was not until I interviewed him that I discovered this. Consider me flattered!

From there he designed a collection for Hispanic Fashion Week in San Diego titled Grecian.E.tronic and a line of bathing suits for San Diego's Bikini Week titled Cleopatra 3000 A.D. But the hot news is Francisco's trip to Europe this fall. He will to design a 2010 collection, titled TENOCHTITLAN 3000 A.D. Why he is going to Europe to design a Mexican collection is beyond me, but I hear the creative process is a fickle mistress. Consisting of 100 pieces plus fifteen gowns, Medavog describes his upcoming collection as "rock&roll red carpet inspired by Mexican culture."

After this collection shows his garments will be sold privately, meaning no mass production. His goal is to create one-of-a-kind dresses for celebrities and socialites. "I want people to want it and wonder why they can't have it." Needles to say, for Francisco fashion design is a creative goal driven by ego instead of good old-fashion monetary greed. Can't wait to see what's to come.

Feathers & Flowers by Fine Line Accessories

I adore feathers in fashion. Feather earrings, feather prints, feather headbands… perhaps that is why I am aroused by Fine Line Accessories.

Fine Line Accessories is a collection of feather and flower delights for bridal, head wear, baby and jewelry too boot. Her custom jewelry and accessory collections are one of a kind, hand crafted and made of high quality materials. We have all seen similar creations around town (whether it be a trunk show or a beach boutique) and half of them look incredibly cheap.

Fine Line accessories are exceptionally well made, elegant and fabulously unique. When I opened the box with my Strut headband inside I didn’t know what type of quality I would encounter. Inside I found a high quality accessory that was also comfortable – no headband head ache even after a three-hour outing.

The gem behind these high quality pieces of gorgeous is Renee Martin. Renee has been handcrafting jewelry and hair accessories for herself and friends since 2006, but it was not until this year that she founded Fine Line Accessories. Bringing her designs to a wider audience, Renee focuses on high style and fashion for females ready to make a stylish statement. 

San Diego's Fashion Consultant

There are many men and women who are in need of a fashion consultant if not a personal shopper or closet organizer. To find out if you are one of them go ahead and take this quiz:

1) When you are picking out your attire in the morning you:

• A. Settle for the pants you wore yesterday because you couldn’t find the pants you wanted to wear.
• B. Take an ungodly amount of time because you don’t have anything to go with your new shirt.
• C. Dread it, nothing seems to look that good.
• D. You create a comfortable and stylish outfit in a matter of minutes that leaves you feeling great and looking better.

2) When you are in a mall you:

• A. Try to avoid buying anything; you don’t have the room in your closet.
• B. Become frustrated with the crowds and retail associates.
• C. Avoid it. You can’t stand shopping – you never get the right thing anyway.
• D. Hit the stores you love and come home with a new style or classic piece that works perfectly with your wardrobe.

3) Getting dressed for a night out means you:

• A. Rummaging through your closet looking for … something.
• B. Put on a pretty good garb, but realize you don’t have the right shoes to go with it so you start over.
• C. Put on an outfit you think won’t offend anyone.
• D. Pick out a sharp outfit you haven’t worn in a while that people think is new at the party.

4) How often do you get compliments on the way you dress?

• A. Every now and again.
• B. Usually on just one item I am wearing.
• C. Rarely, and if I do I get the feeling they are just being polite.
• D. All the time. 

5) When you think about the way you dress you:

• A. Would like it better if you could find all the clothing that you own with greater ease.
• B. You are okay with it, but hate shopping for it.
• C. Don’t like it.
• D. Smile. You feel great about it.

Mostly As

You may be in need of a fashion consultant, but you most likely need a Closet Organizer. Contact Vanessa Valiente if you are in the Southern California area or input Closet Organizer and your city in any Internet search engine.

Mostly Bs

You may be in need of a fashion consultant, but you most likely need a personal shopper instead. Contact Vanessa Valiente if you are in the Southern California area or input Personal Shopper and your city in any Internet search engine.

Mostly Cs

You most definitely need a personal fashion consultant. Contact Vanessa Valiente if you are in the Southern California area or input Fashion Consultant and your city in any Internet search engine.

Mostly Ds

You are fashion savvy, or at least think you are (wink). To continue your style success keep reading V-Style for your fashion updates and new ideas.

Cure Your Recession Depression at Shecky's Girls Night Out

If the economy has got you down and you're in the San Diego area May 14th grab your best girlfriends and de-stress at Shecky's Girls Night Out, an event where you can sip cocktails all night long, grab chic fashions at amazing prices, sample new products and score fab freebies inside Shecky's Famous Goodie Bag.

Date: Thu., May 14th, 2009
Time: 5pm-10pm
Place: San Diego Air and Space Museum
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park

 

General Admission:  FREE for Shecky's Insiders (Insiders are subscribers to Sheckys.com)

 

Famous Goodie Bag Memberships:  $15 Limited Time Offer! (regularly $25 | $35 at the door)

 

For details and tickets, visit Shecky's Website.

 

How To Wear Color Block Heels

The color block heels are one of the many interesting choices in shoes this year. I must say I am so pleased with these spotlight shoes that are prancing out of boutiques and stomping down the runway.

PIctured above are some of the runway goodies. From left to right: Dolce&Gabbana, Dries van Noten, Prada.
Second row: Thakoon, Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana. 

Due to the trendiness of the color block shoes be cautious when choosing a pair. No need spending money on things that will date you or on something that wears you. Valentino did the best job of embodying this trend.

Often the color block shoe will look too cartoony and a bit cheesy. One pair that you need to be careful with is the buzz brand Pour La Victoire. I prefer the neutral toned instead of the popular in your face purple version. One is chic, the other cheesy.

Try pairing the neutral pair of Pour La Victoire with a solid colored dress in a bold dress like this BCBG frock from Bloomingdales. You can also make a funky look by pairing it with a dress in an unrelated pattern that picks up on its grey and white tones. This Vince dress does just that.

San Diego's Hot Body Pilates Lives Up to Its Name

It says it all in the name. I always knew Pilates was the cat’s meow, but couldn’t tell you why. Ergo, I jumped at the chance to review the downtown San Diego Pilates studio that trains some of San Diego’s Padres, Hot Body Pilates.

I had the pleasure of being trained by Certified Pilates Instructor and founder of Hot Body Pilates, Kloey Hanson who immediately impressed me simply by looking at her. Flat stomach, ripped arms, high bum (yes I looked) and an all-together long and lean figure.

Besides being attractive and sculpted, Hanson was warm and welcoming while introducing her self and getting thorough answers out of me about my body’s past.

“Have you ever broken any bones?”

“No.” I say, but then I go on to tell her that I am incredibly sore from my horse back riding lessons two days ago, I sprained my left ankle a couple years ago and I think I pulled my groin twice. We discuss all this before delving into my current fit level.

“What do you do for work outs?”

“I run a couple times a week.”

“Do you ever do ab work?”

Does it look like I do ab work?

            “No.”

She takes all this into account before giving me a small taste of Hot Body Pilates.

I loved it. Seriously loved it and I adored the personal attention. I can’t imagine doing Pilates without her correcting my positions, telling me to breathe, pushing my shoulders down and all the other twelve things you have to remember in order to do Pilates correctly to get the desired results.

Pilates is about re-training your body and forcing your muscles to flex, move and stay in that long flat way that looks so freakin' attractive. I won’t ever do another sit up again. I know now the evil of my ways.

I also learned why people couldn’t just go to a chiropractor to fix back problems, how an overweight person can began Pilates, and how rehabilitation can be accomplished through Pilates. Oh yeah, and did I mention it can make your body incredibly svelte.

The best part was how knowledgeable and articulate Kloey was in explaining everything. She also showed me HOW and WHY what works and what doesn’t.

“Do feel how that strains you there? That’s bad.”

“See how my stomach pops out when I do it wrong and how flat it is when I do it right?”

“If you are uneven here you are strengthening your already stronger side.”

She even confirmed what my ex-boyfriend told me, my right shoulder is higher. Why? Because like most women I carry my gigantic purse on that shoulder and scrunch my neck so it won’t fall off. The way to fix this is too elongate my neck muscle and strengthen my lats. Oh… I can’t wait to go back.

If you are interested in trying Hot Body Pilates, they are running a January special ($55/hr) to inspire your new year’s resolution for that hot bod. Men and women welcome.

 

New Year, New Look: San Diego's Personal Stylist

Happy New Year!  This time of year is when I get dozens of inquires from men and women about hiring a personal stylist. There are those who have resolved to evolve their look, their wardrobe and their attitude. The eagerness to change, grow or simply update is such an exciting client to have. Each person's reason to hire an image consultant can vary, but the result is the same: an up dated and attractive you.

Do you need HELP with your WARDROBE and CLOSET?

After a consultation that delves into the look you want your wardrobe to portray, here are the services I offer…

CLOSET OVERHAUL:

         I will help you eliminate what doesn’t go with the look you want and identify the clothing that still works.

CLOSET ORGANIZATION:

         Once we have decided what to keep in the closet I will organize your clothes, shoes and accessories so that everything is orderly and accessible to you.

PERSONAL SHOPPING:

         I find the key pieces your wardrobe is missing. I can shop with you or I can shop for you and then bring the purchases to your home or office.

CREATE OUTFITS and PORTFOLIO:

       I will create outfits out of your existing wardrobe and new purchases, take pictures of each combination and make a portfolio of the photos so you can refer to it at any time.

EVENT STYLING:

         If you need help creating or purchasing an outfit for a special event like a holiday party, New Year’s Eve, Work Party, a Speech, etc.

You may chose as little or as many of my services as you like. Contact me to schedule a complimentary consultation.

 

The Perfect Wedding Gift For Your Husband: Boudoir Photography

It is my firm belief that every woman should have the experience of being desired for her sex appeal as well as being respected for her brain.

Which is why I fell in love with the idea of Boudoir photography. Whether it is a gift for your fella or for yourself, a camera session with your half naked self is quite the sexy and empowering event.

It is the esteemed photographer Helene Cornell that has brought the Boudoir photo session to San Diego. With a strong background in print, wedding and film photography, Helene has brought class and zest to ladies in lingerie… or whatever.

As a side note, Helene and her female beauty team of hair, make-up and wardrobe do an amazing job of making you comfortable, interpreting your ideas and helping you look your most gorgeous.