I am loving Marc Bouwer’s Fall 2011 Collection because it is so feminine and chic. I would wear every garment in his fashion short film. Madam, I will take one of everything! He makes a woman look pretty and she can still keep her clothes on and show her curves. I love it!
He is so talented and you know what he has a line on QVC.com. Yes he does and I love it. We often hear how designers only focus on Runway well this gentlemen has a line on QVC called M by Marc Bouwer and the sizes run from XXS to 3x. This couture inspired sportswear line is available to a variety of sizes of women and this brings the cost down as well because there’s more quantity. Fabulous!
The two videos below are from his Runway shows if you are not familiar with him. If you would like to check out the line that he does for QVC please click this link M by Marc Bouwer.
Mark Bouwer Fall Fashion Runway 2011 Fashion Featuring Selita Ebanks
His Spring Collection that was shown last fall is so fresh, it makes you want to see the green grass and the array of flowers in the front yard right now. But until then enjoy his collection in this short film.
Mark Bouwer Spring Fashion Runway 2011
Note: Designers create there lines a year in advance so they are working on Spring 2012 right now.
Today was a busy day at work but and the weather has been all over the place so I have had to really go with the flow in my outfits. So I am really loving this crochet skirt, it’s comfortable but fitted. The argyle sweater just works with the white ruffled blouse. I’m loving it and an added plus for the slimming effect of the skirt.
Outfit in Review
Ruffled white Blouse – Chadwick’s
Argyle Sweater – Izod
Crochet skirt –
Accessories
Tights – Walmart
Black shoes Worthington by JC Penney
Handbag – Kathy Van Zeeland – I had to wear this bag again, it’s one of my favorites.
Jewelry
Heart charm bracelet -gift
Garnet cross – gift
Gem sterling bracelet – Thailand
Watch – Paris Hilton
Ring – Paolo Valentini
After my last week’s Friend Friday post, Nothing Compares To Me, I continued to think about body image; and how no matter what size a woman is, she should be accepted and feel good about herself. So many women, thin or plus size, feel that there is some flaw that makes them unattractive. Models in the fashion magazines are looking thinner and thinner. No wonder why we have so many issues with body image.
When will the fashion industry start to truly show all sizes and shapes of women and men in the media?
I came across the article, Beauty and the (Media) Beast by Layla Revis on Ogilvy’s WomenOlogy, the Anatomy of Marketing to Women website. It was good to read an article about body image from a person who works in the marketing industry. We often here that sex sells and Ms. Revis straight up stated that “we have been lied to.” It’s a known fact that the media industry uses sex to sell everything from fragrance to handbags. What is profound is that Ms. Revis shows fact that the more sex in advertisements, the lower the brand recall. Did you hear that? The lower the brand recall.
According to Revis
“In fact, a study conducted by Steadman found that brand-name recall was significantly lower in sexual advertisements than non-sexual advertisements. Still, we can continue to tell our clients and our kids that same played out line.”
So the media industry is pushing sex in their advertisements which paints a body image of what the consumer should try to imitate. These so-called standards or fairy tale high expectations are unachievable and a complete facade.
Revis in her article mentioned the famous video below from the DOVE Campaign for Real Beauty with Ogilvy that went viral in 2004. It’s been almost seven years and we are dealing with body image now more than ever.
It is a shame that even with a viral video that is so pivotal and groundbreaking that we still see models that have low BMI’s and are under body weight.
There’s nothing wrong with being thin if you are at a healthy weight for your height and body frame. What is wrong is that all sizes are not represented on the fashion runways and in fashion magazines.
Chanel Designer Karl Lagerfeld in 2009 said of women complaining about only seeing skinny models on the runway “that the women complaining about too-skinny models were just fat and jealous.” Well in 2010 Mr. Lagerfeld did a photo shoot for V magazine of Burlesque star, Miss Dirty Martini whom happens to be a plus size.
Stylist.com
He still looks like he is defending thin models because she does not have any Chanel clothing on, only accessories. If he felt that she was worth photographing, he would have put some clothes on her. The Chanel fashion shows that I have seen did not show any models wearing what she is wearing on in this shoot. Does he really have a changed heart? I suspect not!
Designers are creating fashions for women. Don’t they realize that if they tap into the market of misses and plus sizes that it’s a win-win situation here.
Many sources state that the average American woman is 5′ 3.7 tall, weighs 152 pounds and wears a size 14. This corresponds to a Body Mass Index of 26.3. In comparison, Revis said in her article, “the typical model 5′ 9 and 110 pounds, which would mean a BMI of about 16. Far less than the 18.5 BMI which is considered to be underweight.”
Women, whether thin or plus size, want to see models that look like them so that they can picture what the clothing will look like on their bodies.
I have hope that one day we will see all sizes of women and men walking on those runways and strutting their stuff and feeling proud.
According to Merriam-Webster Self Esteem means: a confidence and satisfaction in oneself. However, when a young girl or a woman sees a tall, but underweight girl on the runway, her confidence and satisfaction in herself can be destroyed. The fashion industry has created a fake reality on the runway that many women are believing to be true. It is time to bring the real reality back to the runway by including women in every size range.
Well I know it’s a lot of pictures but it was such a lovely day and being outside without a coat felt almost odd. That top picture actually reminds me of my Dad’s influences with this hat, I do miss him but he will always be in my heart.
Anyway I am loving this outfit guys because you know how it feels when it clicks. This outfit clicked in a good way.
The gray and purple colors just flow together so well. As you know I am big on accessories because I think it takes my outfit to another level. The sweater I bought on sale at Chadwick’s for about $17.00 is so different with the layering fabric in the front and there’s a flap collar in the back, I should of bought another color when I had the chance but that’s okay.
I styled my hair two different ways. The first way was with the hat and the second was with the Butterfly chop sticks.
I am feeling pretty good with 30 for 30 and the remix goes on.
Day 14 Outfit Review
Sweater – Chadwick’s
Pants – Jones New York Signature
Lilac Turtleneck – MetroStyle
Accessories
Scarf -gift
Multicolored Bracelets – gift
Elephant Bracelet – Kenneth J. Lane (Kenneth Jay Lane)
Drusy Ring – QVC
Watch – Eclissi
Butterfly Chop Sticks – Claire’s
Earrings – Sincerely Southwest
Hat HSN.com clearance section
Handbag – Kathy Van Zeeland
Black shoes – Worthington JC Penney
I didn’t realized that the sweater that I have on was a junior size but thank heavens it does fit.
The weather has been all over the place so deciding what to wear goes day by day.
Outfit in Review
Ruched Turtleneck – MetroStyle
Sweater – Pink Rose
Pants – Jones New York
Black flats – Worthington from JC Penney
Watch – Steel By Design
Bracelet – Thailand Artisan Design
I feel like I am wearing a tuxedo without the jacket. I love the ruffles in the blouse and the casualness of the black cardigan sweater. The red satin shoes have become one of my favorites they are so pretty to me. The pants I have on were bought from Sears when they were closing down one of there stores so the cost was minimal. It’s great finding good deals.
Day 12 Outfit in Review
Ruffled lattice blouse – Chadwick’s Black Cardigan – Carolyn Taylor Gray with black stripe sheen pants – Sears Red Satin shoes – Wild Diva
Accessories Black and silver cross – Jacqueline Kennedy jewelry (replica) Multicolored floral cuff – Charming Charlie’s Pink Watch – Paris Hilton -free with Cologne Cameo Bracelet – M&M Scaglamileo Drusy Ring – QVC
Learn More About JT Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is a place for life long learners. The Bubbling With Elegance And Grace team was created 14 years ago. A passion for fashion sparked a lifestyle blog for our Elegant Community to enjoy. We are thankful and in gratitude to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for those who have been with us from the beginning and those who have just started riding with us on this lovely journey.
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