Idiosyncratic Style

“You’d be amazed by the colors that go together. Take pink and gold. You might not think to wear pink socks with gold stretch pants, and then add a gold turtleneck under a pink sweater. But that’s what I did yesterday, and then I added blue jewelry. It was great! I looked like a human sunset. The outfit made me very happy.”

Claudia Kishi
#71 Claudia and the Perfect Boy

Claudia Kishi is the Vice President of the Babysitter’s Club, the black sheep of her conservative family, a dedicated artist and is most well known for her idiosyncratic style. Claudia experiments with fashion and never plays it safe. She uses her artistic tendencies when getting dressed by approaching it the same way she would a blank canvas, as an amazing opportunity to create a wonderful work of art.

Duro Olowu Spring 2010

5 Ways to Channel Claudia’s Artistic Aesthetic

Artistic Inspiration - Begin with artwork that inspires you for the basis for your outfit
Technicolor Palette - Use eye-catching colors in exciting combinations
Tactile Layers - Experiment with tiers of various textures like silk, velvet or lace
Decoration - Create depth with interesting accessories or statement pieces
One of a Kind - Artistic DIYs are the best way to create individualized personal style

Brooke - Fashion Void that is DC | Rachel - Lookbook.nu | Diana - Hot Chocolate & Mint

Kishi devotees read What Claudia Wore - a blog dedicated to her fashion choices.

Three make-up artists give us their best tips for flawless skin this Spring.

TINTED MOISTURIZER
Kristin Wayne

Proper skin care is essential to achieving a fresh-faced natural look, but in terms of makeup it all starts with a great foundation. I love tinted moisturizers because they provide a light, sheer coverage while moisturizing and protecting your skin throughout the day. Plus, they offer a hint of color which is enough to even out your complexion while still letting your skin’s natural radiance shine through.

If you find that some areas (under eyes, blemishes) require heavier coverage just pair your tinted moisturizer with a matching concealer. To finish, dusting on a little bronzer, dress up your cheekbones with blush and you’re ready to go.

10$ Budget - Try Marcelle’s Sheer Tint Fluid Moisturizer with SPF 15.
The hypo-allergenic formula gives your skin a luminous natural-looking glow.
$40 Budget - Go for Laura Mercier’s Tinted Moistuirzer with SPF 20.
It’s long-lasting hydration will leave you with a natural, dewy finish all day.

Make Up by Kristin Wayne

SALICYLIC ACID
Vivian Orgill

Try using a solution of salicylic acid or AHA, it gently releases dead skin cells and reveals the new skin underneath. Good choices are Neutrogena RAPID CLEAR® 2-in-1 Fight & Fade Gel, Clinique’s Mild Clarifying Lotion, or MAC’s Oil Control Lotion. Just remember to always wear a UVA protecting sunscreen to take care of that newly exposed skin.

Make Up by Vivian Orgill

A 5 STEP REGIME
Larissa Palaszczuk

1. Use face moisturizer, foundation and chapstick with SPF.
2. Drink lots of water to avoid dryness and dehydration in the skin.
3. Wash your face at least twice a day to avoid clogged pores. Sunscreen, sweat, dirt, and pool chlorine adhere more to your skin in the heat.
4. Wear sunglasses in the sun. Less squinting equals less crows feet.
5. Last but not least, lower your stress level. Problem skin isn’t only caused by exterior elements. Hormonal imbalances and reactions to stress are also to blame. So take a break, go outside and enjoy the sunshine for a few minutes.

Make Up by Larissa Palaszczuk

What are your best secrets for great skin all summer?

1. Vintage Inspired Under-things
Monochromatic dressing gives this trend a polished look and pairing lingerie with more structured pieces will help you avoid looking un-dressed.

Bottega Veneta S10 | Christian Dior S10

2. Leather Tee
The choice of leather as a textile immediately elevates t-shirts and tanks to another level,  giving us something completely new and unexpected.

3.1 Phillip Lim S10 | Celine S10

3. Copper and Grey
Anchoring shiny metallics with neutral tones is nothing new, but the color combination of copper and grey is a fresh way to approach the trend.

Carolina Herrera S10

4. Sheer Maxi Skirts
The length is elegant but the transparency is risqué and it’s that duality that makes it stunning. What you choose to wear underneath will be the determining factor.

Costume National S10 | Chanel S10

5. Granny Stockings
Nude hues allow you to play more freely with thigh-high stockings without the risk of looking too cheap and pair them with nude heels for maximum leg length.

A.F. Vandevorst S10 | Albini S10

What runway trends are making your knees weak this season?

This week’s IFB links selection edited by Fashion Pulse Daily

• For Those About to Shop - Breeyn McCarney finds beauty in despair
• Maple Sucre - Women x Women Ex: Inspiring Women to get Behind the Lens
• Fashion Pulse Daily - A new way to think via ‘The Thoughtful Dresser’
• Retro Chick - Video Tutorial: Vintage style victory roll fringe bangs
• Idiosyncratic Style - Recycled Style Project: A DIY paperclip necklace
• Tweet - Simon Ekrelius: Chalk, Mirrors and Confessions
• The Coveted - March Springs, April Showers…. Floral Umbrella for Spring
• 39th and Broadway - The person who determines how your clothes fit
• Fasshonaburu - Wedding palettes can be inspiring color combinations
• M.I.S.S. - The Rag Trade: Wear it Now or Wear it Later
• Chic Steals - What happens to clothing once it’s donated to a charity?
• Dedicated Follower of Fashion - The spring collection from Stylesmith
• Denim Debutante - 3 things you probably didn’t know about your jeans
• Evoluer - I came across a mint vintage Chanel at the local thrift stores
• House in Tillford - An interview with 2 big blogs: how to grow your own blog
• Independent Fashion Bloggers - Microsoft’s KIN : The Social Media Phone
• Oranges and Apples - Two different ways to wear your vintage
• Some Kind of Style - Meet Mr. Sartorialist while he’s in town…
• Style Eyes - Couture: What is really the point of it?
• TheWellAppointedCatwalk - Suneri on Newbury Street
• TheWorkingWardrobe - 25 blazers for 25 different styles and body types
• TrueQueen - Trend Watching - Can Sweat Pants be Sexy?
• Widespread - A new SF store who gathers inspiration from the world

The character that makes you tune in to Glee every week… You Say???