CocoGarcia

To Spanx or Not to Spanx?

Some of us love these foundation garments and some of us hate them. So much so that yesterday the WSJ saw fit to comment extensively.  I love camisoles, bodysuits and slips, hate bras.  How about you?  After embracing Spanx in a variety of styles now I've discovered TC Shapewear, total control and comfort in a lighter easier fabric that moves with you.  Samples of these wares will be at my upcoming trunk show in the studio for shoppers to check out.  A little smoothing of my ripples always appeals to me, as long as it is comfortable.  What works for you?

Today is All Soul's Day

Sarah Ban Breathnach in Simple Abundance reminds me that "today is All Soul's Day, a solemn day set aside since the Middle Ages for remembrance of the beloveds who no longer laugh and cry with us on Earth."  And a marvelous day for contemplating care for our own souls.  How are you caring for yours today?

Happy Halloween!

Michael Jackson's Fashion Comeback

This is it! If you love fashion finery don't miss Michael Jackson's lasting impression "This Is It."  Of course the pop king's music, singing and dancing are superb as one would expect.  But it's the clothes that got me.  Just a glimpse of the garment edges that would have been for the actual performance with Swarovski crystals and LED lit pieces.  The rehearsal garb was magnificent in its own right.  Sparkle and glitter juxtaposed with supremely tailored jackets, a magnificent use of color and silhouete, with a dash of Asian in baggy trousers and beautifully painted bright silk tailored shirts.  Of course, embellished jackets galore.  And those sequined socks.  The clothes make watching "This Is It" quite mesmerizing.  It is sad.  We all missed a great concert.  Michael Jackson's concert of a lifetime.  And his fashion comeback.

Fashion's Effect on Foreign Affairs

Blue is a color of sincerity.  It also works as a power color.  When blue nods towards green it offers subdued invitation to collaboration.  Remember Michelle Obama in teal at the Democratic National Convention?  Notice Hillary Clinton's elegant and dramatic use of color and swath to envelop her brave presence today in troubled parts of our world.  Quite an effect even in a thumbnail photo from today's NYT and WSJ!

New Services at CocoGarcía: Style Coaching and Shopping Support

For some time now I have been publishing this CocoGarcía blog on style for women of a certain age, celebrating middle essence and authentic self-expression, sharing my discoveries.  Now CocoGarcía enters a new phase offering more customized services like style coaching and shopping support, to provide you with a great roadmap for your own personal collection and authentic look.

• Book a CG Wardrobe Session that takes into account your lifestyle, preferences and budget to build a plan for punching up your look to support your personal goals.  Initial two hour session at $250 and one hour update sessions at $100.
• Shop privately with personal assistance in the comfort of my studio with perks like complimentary on-site alterations services.
• Shop with your CG Style Coach along on important shopping expeditions for special occasion wear and strategic wardrobe building.  Shopping support at $100/hour.
• Use CG Shopping Support for hard to find clothing and gifts, saving time and effort.  Shopping support at $100/hr.
• Attend complimentary private showings at the the CG studio to keep up on what's available and take advantage of special opportunities for improving your own personal collection.

What's next?  You can start with the Fall/Winter 2009 Doncaster Trunk Show presented by CocoGarcía this Saturday November 14 thru Saturday November 21.  Contact me today to confirm a viewing date and let's begin working together on your authentic look! 

A Woman's Nation Changes Everything

News flash:  The Battle of the Sexes is over!  It has given way to Negotiations Between the Sexes. In her email message today Christiane Northrup summarizes key points emerging from "The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Changes Everything."  Surprise, surprise, our leading institutions have not kept up with social changes among women and families.  A world designed to support married for life households with a full-time breadwinner and a full-time homemaker is now overrun with single parent and dual income households and a workforce that is half women.  Women's earnings are on the brink of totaling a full half of the nation's payroll.  A tipping point?  In full contrast to the Mad Men fantasy on television, we now live in a woman's nation.  And it does change everything.  What does this mean?  John Podesta, Pres/CEO of the Center for American Progress comments "everything has changed...and so much change is needed."  Are we hearing the beginning of a policy conversation actually relevant to our lives?  I hope so!  Take the time to check out this report and raise your voice in commentary.

Making Shabby Chic Again Gives Me Hope

Last week the New York Times announced that Shabby Chic was back, reconstituted for the current economy.  What a relief!  Because as soon as I can I will be ordering two big easy chairs for my new home studio so clients can sink into luxury and comfort while contemplating their wardrobe choices in the personal shopping environment I'm creating for them.  Great upholstered furniture immediately came to mind.  Where would I go but Shabby Chic?  No need!  Welcome back Rachel Ashwell.  Somebody gets it.

Eileen Fisher Catching Up With Style-Driven Women Over 50?

Who writes this stuff?  Do they have any idea how old I am, how much money I'm capable of spending on clothes, let alone how I want to look and how hard it is to find what I'd like to wear?  Today there is a story on the exciting make-over of the Eileen Fisher clothing line, of course directed at attracting younger customers despite their fear of alienating longstanding i.e., older customers.  Lo and behold fashion observers are shocked to note that the make-over is actually appealing to their core base, women over 50!  Style-driven women of a certain age?  Could this be the label we need to get the fashion goods we seek?  Stay tuned!

Travel, Enjoy, Repeat

Two friends just returned from a week in Paris.  Well traveled mavens as they already are, neither of them had ever been to this city of light.  They returned ecstatic from enjoyment with one major conclusion.  Paris merits a 2 week stay every October for the rest of their lives.  Whatever is going on in your life, remember to favor pleasure and repeat joy.  What else is there?