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.