Idiosyncratic Style

Toronto Costume Designer, Melissa Stewart, recently blogged for IdStyle’s NYE post and I thought you would definitly want to know a little more about her.

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

What are some highlights from your work this year?
It’s been a busy year. In September, I designed Running Mates an indie feature starring Henry Winkler, DJ Qualls and Graham Greene. I also designed another feature in December - a sci-fi thriller where I got to built an alien costume using foam, poly urethane, a gas mask, wet suit - It’s great to get your hands dirty.

Describe your Idiosyncratic Style?
Urban Confusion! My style suits the moment and my mood.

Your signature scent?
Gaultier Le Classique & Madame.

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

Your fashion icon?
David Bowie - He can pull off so many looks & just keeps getting better with age.

Your favorite childhood game?
Making sock puppets.

Name the most influential artist on your work/life?
Chanel, Balenciaga, Terry Gilliam, Wes Anderson, Zombies & Zombie Fighters.

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

The worst fashion crime you ever committed?
My ginormous raver pants. I made them myself because I didn’t think the store-bought ones flared enough. My mother said I was sweeping the floors with them.

Your ‘old faithful’ - most worn piece of clothing?
Probably my Hunter rain boots - practical and fashionable.

What celebrity would you most want to work with?
I’d love to design a film with Cohen Brothers or Wes Anderson and of course, Terry Gilliam. In terms of actors - Penelope Cruise. It would probably be really fun or total hell - either way I’d love work with her - she’s such a brilliant actress. I’m also a huge Jeff Bridges fan - I’d love to dress him!

Photographed by Robert Barton-Taylor

Your worst guilty pleasure?
Meat!

Your favorite pair of shoes?
My Tom’s wrap boots.

What’s next?
In addition to film gigs, I’m designing & sewing a mini-collection of blouses and dresses with a 50’s twist - hoping to get the ball rolling in the off-season to have a collection ready for Spring ‘10. Stay tuned for more info…

Photographeb by Robert Barton-Taylor

I think there are two kinds of people in the world, those that party for NYE and those that don’t. I tend to be someone who celebrates NYE in a small way, so I asked “it” girl and costume designer, Melissa Stewart to write this post, since she is the kind of person that goes all out for New Years Eve parties.

Ten Ways to Shine on New Year’s Eve
by: Melissa Stewart

I love New Year’s Eve, it’s the year’s biggest excuse to go all out and by far the best party of the year. NYE, however poses two pressing questions: where to party and what to wear? While I can’t help with the best party (that depends on where you live and what your party style is), but I will share my 10 tips for looking fabulous while kissing goodbye to an entire decade and ringing in 2010 in style.

Photographed by: Robert Barton-Taylor

1. Go Big or Go Home
Forget the dress code - this is the time to pull out all the show stoppers - exaggerated heels, evening gloves, vintage hats, false lashes, red lipstick - don’t worry about standing out - it’s NYE!

2. Rely on the Classics
Make a statement by going old-school, really old school - think Marilyn, Elizabeth and Audrey. Little black dress, strands of pearls, oversized statement jewelry or even a feather boa. Picking a theme for your outfit makes it easier to pull the look together and vintage is a failsafe, so dust off your cigarette extender.

3. Get a ‘do
Every great outfit must be complimented by a great hairstyle. Look up a blow-dry lounge in your area and go in for an up do or even just a wash n’ style - why do all the hard work yourself?

4. Wrap It Up
Don’t forget a stylish cover-up if you want to step outside for some fresh air from time to time. A delicate shawl, vintage fur stole or a fancy cardi will do perfectly.

5. Coat-Check Extra Shoes
If you’re like me, you leave the house in your latest pair of 4-inch heels and by the middle of the night you’re dancing in your pantyhose - ew! Try checking a pair of comfortable dancing shoes to grab from coat check when your feet start to ache and you really feel like gettin’ down.

Photographed by: Robert Barton-Taylor

6. Bring Wacky New Years Specs
The wackier the better - you’ll be a hit for the 15 minutes you have them on & looking like a fool is the idea.

7. Shine On You Crazy Diamond
NYE is notoriously the time to bring out your razzle dazzle with sequins, metallics and any shinies. I’ve seen many sequined mini-dresses in the stores this season, so there’s no exuse not to go for the shine.

8. Dynamic Duos
Although your significant other may be reluctant at first, you’ll have a blast if you synchronize your look with your beau’s! If you’re not going full out on a themed ensemble - colour complimenting your outfits in subtle ways is always festive.

9. Single? Poor? Want to Travel?
Spanish tradition says wearing red underwear on New Years brings good luck.
In Venezuela it gets a little more specific: wear red underwear on NYE to bring love, yellow underwear to bring happiness. Those who want money must have a bill of high value when toasting and those who want to travel must go out while carrying some luggage.

10. Don’t Chase the Fun Horizon
So many are disappointed on NYE - the build up is so high,  it’s easy to be let down. Make sure you get the most out of your fabulous ensemble and don’t just chase the fun horizon all night! Plan carefully - pick the best party in your city, bring all your friends and dance ‘til dawn! I’ve been going to the same New Year’s party for years and celebrating with friends I’ve only met & see on NYE each year!

Photographed by: Robert Barton-Taylor

This week’s IFB links edited by Retrochick

• The Coveted– Versace Pre-Fall returns to vibrant color
• La Société de Mode – An interview with stylist Brett Bailey
• Idiosyncratic Style – Wham GLAM Thank You Ma’am
• Previously Owned – Previously Owned GIVEAWAY: Royal Blue Hobo
• Alice in Stilettos – Don’t Be Victimized By Fashion
• Style on a String – Harem Pants: Yay or Nay? Tips on buying and wearing them
• Sugar and spice and all things nice – …FANTASY SHOPPING
• sweetarchivia – Review of the Rodarte for Target line by the Mulleavy sisters
• Jewelry Whore – HUGE Roundup of DIY Present Ideas
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS – Your own one-of-a-kind piece from SHOWstudio
• DailyDivaDish – New Year’s Eve: Make an entrance without breaking the bank
• Fashion X K8 – Bringing attention to an essay of literary criticism
• Fasshonaburu – Liu Wen, first Asian model to walk for Victoria’s Secret
• Little Miss Makeup – Bold lips: This season’s hottest makeup trend
• M.I.S.S. – Simple yet attractive necklace by Pandora from Acessory Source
• Retro Chick – Vintage Hair Styling with Flamingo Amy
• The Demoiselles – Wing Tips: Your First Time…at the Tailor
• The Fashion Planner – Announcing The Fashion Planner’s Guide
• The Style PA – I review the comfy Cable Cosy by Isabella Oliver
• The Working Wardrobe – Fashionable office appropriate layering

It seems as though stars are just wild about leopard spotted coats…

top ( left to right) - Alexa Chung, Blake Lively, Lily Allen, Paris Hilton | bottom (left to right) - Mary-Kate Olsen, Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue

But who’s look is really ’spot on’ when it comes to sporting the spots? You say…

This week’s IFB links post was edited by Dramatis Personae

• La Société de Mode - Combat boots are stomping back into style
• Friend in Fashion - Sugar and spice and all things nice…
• i’m the it girl - Hermes Love Affair & the Great Debate: Kelly or Birkin?
• tick tick heart - A focus on the fashion of quirky leading ladies in film
• 39thandbroadway.com - How Brands Get Burned By Celebs
• The Coveted - Love it or Leave it : Rodarte for Target
• Idiosyncratic Style - 12 Great Holiday DIY Projects
• Sway Sway Away! - Caitie’s bitching about the worst trends of the 00’s
• kaKofonie Of si(gh)lenS -  Denim Therapy restores your jeans. Seriously
• Wicked Whimsy - Closet Confidential: A Review
• Brunette and Pink - Makeup: Leighton Meester’s Winged-out Smoky Eye
• Pursed Lips - Thoughts on Lady Gaga as a powerful tool for designers
• Grit and Glamour - The Trend Conundrum
• A Typical Atypical - Suffering from Buyers Remorse: The Real Deal
• Style on a String - Gifts for the Stylish Geek who is kind of Girly too
• Styletastic - Looking back at the trends that will define this decade
• The Fashion Planner - How to make a jaunty beret
• The Working Wardrobe - “business casual” can be too casual for work
• DailyDivaDish - A Tarte Treasure Chest Giveaway!!!
• White Rabbit - Pros and Contras of Artificial Nails
• [the3st]  - Success & Getting There: Interview with Susan of ModCloth.com