Welcome back!!!

February 2010 was my last blog. I started a new job for a furniture manufacturer and thought I was out of the fashion industry. My private clients started to dwindle so I just figured this was just another one of those phases in my life.

I went on a double date a few weeks ago and as the four of us sat at the dinner table, the two men and my girl friend started talking about their experiences being dressed by me. All 3 of them were dressed head to toe by Katya, and I must say they all looked great. They were laughing, imitating me when they tried to pick something out on their own and how I would "shoot it down", one of the guys swore I had eyes in the back of my head. He was at one end of the store and I at the other, he was looking at a jacket and he said I shook my finger at him from behind my head, like "don't even think about it". It made me feel so great sitting there listening to them sharing their stories. I guess it makes them feel special to be dressed by someone. I wouldn't know because no one has ever dressed me, except my gay uncle Sebou when I was 13.

Fashion moment #2, the girls and I were going to the Prince concert and we stopped at the Coffee Bean and "A" complemented "TT" on her jeans, when she promptly said "Katya made me buy these" and the "A" said they look great! Then "Q" said "I don't buy any tops without Katya" and "A" said where did you get the top you're wearing now, she said "Katya got it for me". "TT" was telling a story about when we went shopping and she wanted to buy a Theory maxi dress that I though looked awful on her plus is was almost $300. She looks great in short dresses, so why would she want this schmata which makes her look short and heavy? She said it was comfortable. Comfortable? Sweats are comfortable, PJ's are comfortable ~ but WE don't buy $300 dresses that make us look fat!

I suggested (insisted) if she really wanted this "make you look short and fat maxi dress" go to Old Navy and for $25 you can have it. Which she did and was shocked I knew it would be there. Of course I knew it would be there. I know what most stores will have before it's in the store. It's usually exactly what they had last year with just a few tweaks. See the dress to the left, this is what TT tried on, but keep in mind, this model is over 5' 9", anorexic AND see how she's modeling the dress out and flowing it to one side? That's because if she just stood straight, she would look wide. But women all over LA, shorter than 5'9 heavier than 125 will see the label "BCBG", buy it and walk around LA looking like they are in a moo-moo (notice that is the same sound a cow makes).

Then the girls and I were at Starbucks and I can't remember what we were talking about when one of them said, "you should start blogging on your fashion blog again, I miss it". I thought really?? Hmmmm

So here I am, back sharing my opinions and ideas about what I think looks best on you and me, despite what is "in".

My most recent rant.....cork and twine. I need some heels that aren't too dressy, not too casual and go with everything black does not go with. I need something brown or light brown/tan. I went to DSW and there was nothing that wasn't cork or twine on the heel. Now let me say a bit about these two selections. They aren't bad, but I just don't like them. Twine will get dirty in a minute and it's almost impossible to clean them. Cork just looks clunky and chunky - it's not a clean look to me. Also, I have a quality problem, I am 5'9 and most of the heels out there are so tall that they make me 6'1 and I don't feel like towering over everyone. The other BIG issue I am having is all these heels are strapped around the ankle. Just do a quick search on sandals and it looks like every designer was told, "that shoe looks great - now add a bunch of material and straps all over the top of the shoe and ankle". Now, unless you are skinny, I mean Olive Oil skinny, these shoes make your ankles look thick, and they shorten your legs. My goal when shopping for any clothing is always this: look my best, not spend the most $$ and comfort = if the shoes are killing me, I will wear them once and throw them out. Here let me give you an example of the shoes that are out there:

Do you remember the show "Land of the Lost"? It was about a father and his daughter and son, they were on a white water rafting trip, they went down a waterfall and ended up in the past where dinosaurs lived. Remember? They befriended a pro-magnum monkey boy named Chaka - I always thought his named sounded like mine and it embarrassed me. I digress - anyways remember the sleastack? They were these monsters that were very thin with fish like heads and they wore platforms. Well these shoes make me feel like a sleastack!

I am on the hunt for comfortable, tan/brown, sexy, slightly casual heels under $125. I've gone to DSW, Nine West, Piper Lime, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom. If anyone can find them, it's me. I'll be sure to report back real soon.

Even Oprah is doing it!

Cleaning out her closet that is! Her most recent issue is about cleaning out her closet. She's such a copy cat!

I've been cleaning out my closet since February 2009. I moved out of my house the last week of February 2009. I didn't have the time or energy to organize what I wanted to keep or dish. So I moved all my clothes to my new place here in Woodland Hills. I don't have half the space for all those clothes and as I was putting everything into my new place, realized I had a bunch of stuff I don't wear. I put all the things I wanted to sell at a garage sell in storage bins. Not thinking I worked most weekends so when would I have this garage sell? Plus, I hate garage sells. Then summer hit, I took all my summer clothes out, and also realized I have stuff I don't wear. Into storage bins they went. I'm diligent about organizing my clothes, if I haven't worn them in 2 years, if I know I don't feel good in those clothes, or they don't fit and can't be altered - then they go! I've made mistakes in my shopping, buying things because they are a good price.....2 pairs of Michael Kors suede boots, one brown, one black. Worn them one time!!! Grrr I hate it when I waste money like that. I know better now.

So with all this, my closet now looks beautiful, my drawers are organized, everything is item organized, and color coded, so beautiful!!! I'm keeping my closet doors open, just to bask in it's beauty. It's a Virgo dream.

I have bins and bins full of clothes, shoes, handbags, accessories, etc. all waiting to go.

I'm having a private sale - not a garage sale. I envision a beautiful day, a platter of pastries and good coffee, a backyard filled with clothes, and women finding treasures and a good deal.

March 7, 2010 10am-2pm. If you'd like to come, email me and I'll send you directions. fashionkatya@aol.com

Finally Inspired

Funny - this is the longest I've gone between blogging on this site since it's inception.

My 2nd to last blog was about staples and standards, then I was supposed to come back to you and tell you what you could add to these to spruce up your wardrobe. A ton of purple and teal was invading my department, and I just couldn't get on this bandwagon. Purple was in when I was in 7th grade, and it should have stayed there.

I never got inspired, until now.

I have two items on my mind which I think every 20-70 year old, up to a size 12 should have. Boyfriend jeans and leggings.

Boyfriend Jeans:

Now please don't look at the way they are being worn - just look at the jean. Not too tight, can be a bit looser than this.

I was not going to give in to this phase, I thought it would be out before it's in. I was at Old Navy one day during summer, don't ask me why, most of their stuff is craply made. I came across these BF jeans. They were $40 and no where on them did they say "Old Navy" so I tried them on and they looked cute. I wore them all summer long with flats, flip flops, heels, dressy tops and t-shirts. Finally comfy jeans that looked cute.

I thought they were going to be put away with the rest of the summer clothes, until one day I saw them on a girl in the mall. She had cute/girlish combat boots, white socks showing at the top, BF Jeans and a short chunky sweater. TOO CUTE! So there it was, my BFJ's were going to last for the winter. I have similar boots, I have white socks, I have cute short jackets and sweaters, plus funky belts.

You should get a pair, but please, not too tight, they should be sort-of baggy. Also, if you are short, have them hemmed so you only roll them up twice, no more, or else they will be bulky on the bottom.

Leggings:

I have no pics yet, I am trying to find them dressed like I like.

I was against leggings, they show every darn dimple and curve that I don't want to be seen. Until I went to Zara. www.zara.com

They have the most amazing leggings. They are thick and tight, they suck stuff in and smooth stuff out. I still won't show my butt, but at least if the wind kicks up I won't want to be sucked into a sink hole.

So far I've worn them with my riding boots. Please, please, wear them with flat boots. Unless you are going clubbing, or a super hot date and want to get lucky that night, flat riding boots are the way to go. At the knee or over the knee (the latest style). I stress the flat boots because the leggings are sexy, they are, trust me. So leggings with high heels or tight small tops = trampy.

I wear them with sweater dresses (which are mini's), I have a 3/4 length light fabric trench I wear them with as well. Now today I saw the cutest thing. A girl at work was wearing them, with her riding boots, with an over sized jean shirt, I think it's called chambray - it's very light, and she had it open a bit and wore a white tank underneath. Super cute!!! This is my next look.

So the thing to remember with leggings, they must be thick - not thin or see through, tight, and buy one size smaller than you think you are.

You do not have to be skinny to wear them. You just have to have the right tops that cover your butt and upper thighs.

I'll be looking for some photos, but until then, happy shopping.

Where it all started

This last week has been a history lesson for me, on where this fashionista got her start.

I went to see "September Issue" with my friend Quincy. For those of you not familiar with this movie (I really wasn't either) it's about the real life "Devil Wears Prada" Anna Wintour, the Editor-in-Chief of Vogue. It's a documentary about the 2007 September issue of Vogue - the biggest issue ever, which takes approximately 5 months to create. While watching the movie, I have to be honest, some of the fashion portrayed was so over my head, very Couture. I am your everyday woman stylist, that's really my niche so far. Avante-guarde, cutting edge is not my thing - at least not yet.

When we got out of the movie Q shared with me the meaning of this movie to her; her father was a photographer, did some shoots for Vogue (he was mostly an album cover producer/photographer) and they would comb over each Vogue issue and look at the photos as art. (Q forgive me if I am not telling the story correctly) Then I mentioned how my Dad was a clothing designer and had a showroom in the California Mart when I was in elementary school. I started to remember how my dad would bring home swatches of fabric and samples of the clothes he would be sending into production. How I wished I could fit into those clothes, but for once in my life I was too little. Then I had a flash back of designing clothes for kids: I was in 4th or 5th grade, I was frustrated with the jeans they had at this "hip" store for kids. All they had for design were a star on the pocket, and I wanted more. Satin was very in at the time as were rainbows, moons and stars so I drew several pairs of jeans with satin pillow stars and moons on them. The stars and moons would be raised and puffy, like a little pillow. I remember thinking, these would sell!!

Fast forward to today. I attended my Fathers, cousin's, wife's funeral in Glendale. She was a huge socialite in the Armenian community (she was Persian Armenian, I am Jewish Persian - they are Christian - same but different) anywhoo, I think it was held at the biggest Armenian Church ever. The place was packed, standing room only. I went with my Grandma (Dad's Mom) and my Aunt (Dad's sister). During the service, most of it was in Armenian, all I could understand was when they said her name and Jesus name. I was left with my mind to wander. Every time I get around a large group of Persians I am fascinated by their mannerisms, their formality and their sense of style. I mean you could pick out the non-Persians from a mile away, they were dressed appropriate (it was noon) but simple. Not the rest of our gang, from the young to the very old, there was Dior, Channel, Prada, Christian Louboutin and more. I was sitting there next to my Grandma and realized RACHAEL ZOE HAS NOTHING ON MY GRANDMA! My grammy was accessorised to the hilt! She had two rings on each hand, one small real jewelry and one big - I mean big, costume, fashion rings. She had bracelets on both hands, a long necklace, a french manicure, a black cardigan which had ruffled pleats on the sleeves and down the center. Now look, this woman is in her late 80's, she's getting injections in her eyes so she can keep her eye sight, one eye is no good, she lives on her own, no one dresses her. She was her own fashionista! I got a big "ah ha" sitting next to her.

When I was younger my Grandma used to say to me "terrem merra coocheek or terrem merra bizourge" which means your butt is small or your butt is big. She would tell me when I was too skinny or too fat. She was always fussing over me, telling me how models wear their hair and I should wear it that way - she's say "cut hair like this - very model". It used to bother the crap out of me. My dad would ask me what I was going to wear before we went to a function, and then tell me "you are NOT wearing that". Oh I hated the fuss the Persians made over our appearance. And look where I am today!

I don't mention my Mom much with all this glitz and glam. She wasn't glitzy - she was classic. She was more focused on my manors, my grades and how I treated my friends, (I didn't listen to her much). My Mom used to put her hair in a bun, put on a bit of green shadow (70's my friends), mascara, a light lipstick and she was stunning. All that Persian glitz would have looked silly on her, she didn't need it. She's a natural beauty.

So there's a bit of my history.

Staples and Standards

Fall season is upon us. It's coming. The day before Halloween you'll be thinking to yourself, when is winter coming? Then the day of Halloween there it is. It happens every year for us Californians.

Before you starting shopping for fall clothes and getting caught up in all the purple and teal that is out there. Ask yourself this question, how are my staples? Are they in good shape? Do they need updating or replacing? Make sure your staples are clean, hemmed properly, in style, don't look worn out and then you can go and add fun colors and a few trendy items.

Now most people have either black or brown in their wardrobe. Some have both, but most have a majority of one. I do have brown and creams, but all my staples are in black.

Here's what should be in your closet right now, if it's not, these are the first things you should look for.

To make it easier - I am going to assume your choice is black and not brown.

Staples in Black:

Slacks = nice, dressy, wool gabardine, fully lined. Depending on your shape, slim leg or boot cut is good. Big wide legs are out. I have 3 pairs, all slightly different styles.

Coat = one 3/4 length (unless you are under 5'2, your length should be just above your hips) wool, double or single breasted. Be careful not to buy one too cheap - target etc. They tend to pill if they are made cheaply. It's worth it to spend some money on this coat, it should last you for at least 5 years.

Skirts = I have a wool mini I wear with tights and flat riding boots. 1 pencil skirt, wool gabardine. If you are 5'7 or above, a long straight wool skirt looks great with a bulky sweater that sits just above your waist and riding boots.

Boots = one pair of good, flat, just below the knee boots - riding boot style. These are great to wear with dresses and skirts, add in some fun patterned tights.

Shoes = ankle boots, flat and high heeled.

Sweaters = I have several black sweaters: small cardigan to wear with dresses, bulky cardigan for warmth, thin layering v-necks, crew necks and wrap sweaters - all in black.

Tights = thick opaque, sheer, and fun patterns.

Shirts = long sleeve t-shirts = preferably from JCrew

So search your closet and see what you have that resembles this list. If you are missing them, go out and get them. Nothing else. Then once you have them, let me know.

My next blog is about how to add to these staples for a fabulous fall wardrobe.

September Schedule

Tuesday 1st 10-6

Wednesday 2nd 1-Close

Thursday 3rd OFF

Friday 4th OFF

Saturday 5th 1-Close

Sunday 6th 1-Close

Monday 7th OFF

Tuesday 8th 10-6

Wednesday 9th 1-Close

Thursday 10th 9-5 (My Birthday)

Friday 11th OFF

Saturday 12th OFF

Sunday 13th 12-Close

Monday 14th 11-7

Tuesday 15th OFF

Shopping

I believe shopping is an art. I mean shopping well. Getting the most for your money. Some people know how to do this well, some just don't care - because money is no object, and some just don't know how. I am blogging for the "just don't know".

I was at a few stores yesterday, and could not believe the sale prices. They were slashed low, low, low. If you didn't know, all fall merchandise is now coming into the stores, so they have to move the summer items out. Some of the summer items are old, been there forever, no one wanted them, and they haven't moved since the beginning of summer. You do not want these items. But how would you know? Well unless shopping is a hobby of yours, like it is mine, you wouldn't.

I like to thank God for my photographic memory. I walk through stores literally taking inventory of their new items. I know I don't need them now, nor do my clients. It's 100 degrees right now, who needs boots, coats and sweaters?? BUT we will want them by mid to late October, and then will be frantically looking for them in November. So I take stock now, in my mind. Same goes with the sale summer items, I know what is fairly new and what's been sitting there.

Back to the sale. Some of the summer merchandise was shipped in only a few weeks ago, it's new merchandise, this excites me! Right now they are slashing prices. I love a bargain. But be careful. Do not buy it because it's a good price, buy it because you need it, will use it, and have more than one or two uses for it. For example: at Banana Republic, they have a high end line, they are copying high end designers and charging a high price for these items. I found a hot pink, silk, designer copy, jacket, it was so adorable, would look great at work, and would definitely dress up my work clothes, which I do need. It was $57.00 - cheap! I asked myself this question, "how often will I be able to wear this?" the answer is maybe 4 times a year. If it were black, I wouldn't have thought twice about it, but it was shocking pink, and would stand out so much, that everyone would remember it. I put it back. Instead I bought a sweater which I know I will get a lot of use out of ($19.99) and a dress which I can wear in summer with sandals or winter with leggings and boots ($34.99). Great buys and more than a few uses.

I hope this helps you during your shopping excursions.