2013-05-23T16:32:48-04:00 Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/author/index.php?author=carin-king Copyright 2008, HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. HuffingtonPost Blogger Feed for Carin King Good old fashioned elbow grease. tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1231148 2012-01-25T12:13:55-05:00 2012-03-26T05:12:01-04:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
I'm not only thinking about the results of a recent Mintel survey which suggested that almost a quarter of British men don't change their underwear every day.

Over many years of working in the fashion and presentation industries, I've come to accept that, in a man's wardrobe, underwear - pants and socks - are the underdogs. I want to halt all talk of hosiery for now, though, and concentrate instead on underpants.

Men may take a lot of time and spend a lot of money choosing the right suits, shirts, ties and shoes for a range of occasions but, when it comes to underpants, very few men give anything like the same thought that women do in making a purchase.

It's not as though the fact that, because they're out of sight for much of the time, they should be out of mind. Flick through any glossy men's monthly magazine and there'll be advertising images of toned Dolce and Gabbana models in your face whilst, after his ultimate undie-clad role for Armani, David Beckham's current range of figure-hugging briefs for H&M stands out over our heads on billboards across the country.

Their prominence isn't only a new development either. The 'boxer short' was originally developed as an undergarment for boxers, surprisingly enough, in the 1920s while the Jockey short (which wasn't only intended for those riding horses) were available early in the following decade.

This year also sees the 30th anniversary of the first pair of Calvin Klein men's underwear going on sale. Appearances in promotional campaigns for that brand, of course, helped Mark Wahlberg's transformation from the rapper Marky Mark into the film star we know him as today.

So essential was underwear considered that, going even further back in history, 150 loin-cloths were among the less celebrated items removed from King Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 by archaeologist Howard Carter.

And, in these times of recession, can we overlook the counsel of Alan Greenspan, the former Chairman of America's Federal Reserve? He is one of many who subscribe to the theory that sales of men's underwear are an indicator as to our broader economic fortunes.

I know that few men feel comfortable talking about their underpants. Such considerations didn't bother Winston Churchill, though, whose taste for expensive pink, silk boxer shorts would have caused eyebrows to be raised had he not been celebrated as Britain's wartime leader.

One of Churchill's successors as prime minister, John Major, had the misfortune not only to have his blue Y-fronts feature in Edwina Currie's account of their adulterous affair but be derided as an MP so dull that he tucked his shirt tails into them.

One of the questions asked of the current PM, David Cameron, when he was battling to become leader of the Conservative Party was whether he followed Major's underwear example or entrusted his very personal majority to boxer shorts. (He chose the latter, if you must know).

That tongue-in-cheek teaser is more typical of the under-estimation of under garments. They are more likely to be found in the comedy routines of Billy Connolly or 'Monty Python' star John Cleese than discussed in earnest by males together or with their partners.

When Jeremy Paxman accused that staple stockist of the British underwear draw, Marks & Spencer, for taking its eye off the ball when it came to giving men's boxers and briefs proper support, he became a figure of fun. Yet 'Paxo' had a point. Men should take greater interest in what they wear beneath their suits.

I always advise men never to buy underwear that's too fancy or fussy and novelty pants should be absolutely avoided - unless you are six years old (And believe me, even then your purchase might not be regarded as 'being cool' by the little wearer with sense for style!). Sheer pants and wacky colour schemes are also a no-no.

The safest option is to play it safe with simple cuts in black, white, grey or blue. Whether you opt for pants by Polo Ralph Lauren, Armani, Sunspel or the Swiss company Zimmerle (known as makers of "the world's best underwear"), make sure that you have more than enough pairs to last you a week and that they're all in good condition. Many men's reputations have been undermined by having underwear full of holes.

It's not as though men will ever truly be able to aspire to the heights of sophistication and the positive, sexy psychological effect that some well known ladies' lingerie brands - La Perla, Rigby and Peller or Agent Provocateur - have had on their wearers.

However, I believe that men owe it to themselves to consider any outfit, on any occasion or in any conditions quite literally from the bottom to the top. After all, the German playwright Bertholt Brecht had it right when he said that "from the cradle to the coffin, underwear comes first"!]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1215568 2012-01-19T07:42:24-05:00 2012-03-20T05:12:01-04:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
The experience caused me to reflect on one of the most notable quotes attributed to the celebrated American author and humorist Mark Twain. He once remarked that "clothes make the man" and, as often, he was correct.

We tend to ascribe to individuals who dress in a certain way particular characteristics, be they positive or negative. If we don't agree with what we're told by someone wearing a uniform that implies knowledge or status, it is not uncommon for us to feel a little inhibited, intimidated and unable to answer back as we would to others.

The fact is that society tends to regard those individuals who, say, work in fast food restaurants in an entirely different manner to those who form part of our emergency services or military. That isn't necessarily a reflection of their actual abilities. The respect - or lack of it - which they command is largely down to what they wear.

As a noun, 'uniform', means a distinctive style of clothing but as an adjective can be taken to imply consistency. Whenever we are confronted with uniforms worn by medical staff, police or fire service personnel or barristers, most of us - rightly or wrongly - believe that they all have authority and knowledge. In short, they have our trust.

More than merely creating a strong first impression, it is incredible to think that something as straightforward as apparel can condition our behaviour too. No matter how confident people may be in their private or professional lives, such is the psychological impact of some uniforms that they can be left feeling slightly awestruck and even inferior.

In some cases, it is only a short step from admiration to different types of emotion. The slushy Hollywood fantasies created by Tom Cruise, Richard Gere and others have fuelled a surge in dating websites for uniform wearers and their admirers. The big-screen has also played its part in reminding us that uniforms - whether donned by actual historical villains or their histrionic, fictional counterparts - can inspire real fear too.

Uniforms don't only affect the observer but those wearing them too. They signify a common bond or purpose, something as obvious from battlegrounds or sports grounds as from airline staff or traffic wardens. They can indicate rank or status and seniority, making instantly clear those who have succeeded in their given career.

However, there are those individuals - such as the doctor I had to speak to - who regard their uniform as not only deserving respect but as meaning they are above criticism.
Organisations are constantly trying to balance the benefits of tone, consistency and style of appearance with function. They recognise the customer relations potential which the right cut can have on perceptions of how they operate.

Police have swapped their helmets for baseball caps to appear more contemporary and judges have removed their wigs to seem less intimidating (and more up-to-date). Even the Brownies and McDonalds employees have had makeovers at the hands of the designers Jeff Banks and Bruce Oldfield.

It's not something which is necessarily a new phenomenon (even the Third Reich had its uniforms made by Hugo Boss) but in these brand and image-conscious days, companies are increasingly eager to find something visual to give them an edge over their competitors, build a personality and reinforce their being professional.

But is it right that we might allow one person's abilities to be subsumed in corporate colours or that we could overlook an individual's poor standards because of what they wear?

If clothes really do make the man, the combination of a person's function and behaviour towards others is certainly more important than their uniform alone.

Thankfully for myself and my father, I saw through the 'God in White' effect as merely a facade - one of the benefits of looking beyond a person's outward appearance for my job.

However, as I left the hospital, I wondered how many others might have not accepted an unreasonable viewpoint merely because of being confronted with a starched, white uniform.
]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1200948 2012-01-12T01:07:28-05:00 2012-03-12T05:12:01-04:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
We will join gyms and start diets, brush up our CVs or maybe learn a language and book an exotic holiday. All in the spirit of making a fresh start and a difference.

Depending on where you live, what your goal is and how committed you are to reaching it, your efforts may set you back a considerable amount of money. However, given the number of January's good intentions which fall by the wayside before February has begun, the price could be just as great for your self-esteem as your wallet.

So, how would you feel if I promised to be able to make a lasting change to your life for little or no money in the space of just two minutes? You'd probably regard me with a degree of suspicion and mild amusement.

However, it is true. I believe that in just two minutes we can all make ourselves look more attractive, stylish and confident regardless of our respective wealth - or lack of it - or circumstances.

All such a process requires is a little bit of thought. I asked the same of an audience at the TEDx Danubia event in Budapest last March. They too were sceptical at the start. Even so, they gradually understood not only how style doesn't have to mean relying on designer labels and guidance from glossy fashion magazines but can have far more significant consequences than for your wardrobe.

Whether in a professional or social context, it is possible to make the right - or very wrong - impression in milliseconds. Scientists far more knowledgeable about biology or psychology than I will ever be have produced a wealth of evidence to show how the brain is conditioned to respond in certain positive or negative fashions when presented with particular stimuli.

Regardless of what someone might do or say thereafter, the tone of their relationship with a new acquaintance can be determined by that initial meeting. Yes, first impressions really do count.

Therefore, a little bit of preparation can get you off on the correct footing. Considering where you're going, who you're meeting, the perception that you want to create and even what the weather is can quickly guide you to the right outfit.

If you know that you're wearing the right clothes for the occasion, so it follows that you'll be more relaxed and, if you're more relaxed, you'll help put the other person at ease too, creating the right atmosphere for a productive meeting, whatever your objective is.

Of course, to truly develop a personal style means applying a bit more thought - opening up your imagination, in fact - and even confronting insecurities about the way you see yourself as well as your likes and dislikes.

Having taken such an important step, though, armed with your new-found ability to make quick, considered judgements to benefit your appearance, you are more capable of moving forward and curating a 'look' which is an authentic representation of who you are and how you want to be perceived.

Rather than "making the best of a bad job", you realise the "job" - you - isn't so bad after all. It is a subtle shift but one which can feed into facets of your life outside the sartorial. Cuisine, culture, choreography even - all can be affected by your applying just a little thought, a process which starts with that initial two minutes.

Instead of starting 2012 with hope and resolutions, it is far better, in my opinion, to begin the New Year with firm resolve, confidence and the awareness that the ability to make the changes you really want is within your grasp and your timeframe.

And if you really want more ideas about what to do exactly in order to stimulate your imagination and your wardrobe, why not watch my TEDx talk in full (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfEUwTxPQWE).
]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2012:/theblog//3.1185539 2012-01-06T19:00:00-05:00 2012-03-07T05:12:01-05:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
The acrid smoke of cigarettes, their dangerously negative health effects and the malodorous imprint which nicotine leaves even on the clothes of those who don't deliberately choose to inhale are all cited as reasons why smoking is no longer cool or clever.

Worldwide cigarette sales continue to climb with sales in the UK alone in 2010 put at £12.8 billion ($19.8 billion). However, ever-tightening restrictions on how they're marketed and where they can be smoked suggest that the golden age of cigarettes is now just an ash-filled distant memory.

There is one tobacco product, though, which retains its allure. The perfumed smoke wafting from a cigar is, for many people, almost as much a part of the Christmas tradition as turkey and carols even though they possess a year-'round appeal for some individuals too.

As a non-smoker and someone who considers herself a student of presentation, I have found myself wondering why cigars continue to elicit almost a romantic response and cigarettes do not; why one butt not the other, if you will.

The answer, I believe, lies in what the respective tobacco-filled tubes say about the person smoking them.

Cigarettes are the nicotine equivalent of a burger - consumed quickly, with the remnants discarded on our city streets, and irritatingly more-ish to those addicted to them even though they are bad for their health.

Cigars, on the other hand, inspire the ritual, recognition and appreciation also found among connoisseurs of fine wine or whisky. Cigar afficionados are intimately familiar with the characteristics of shape, smell and taste of the different wrappers, fillers and binders that make up their 'smoke'.

They know that smoking involves a degree of storage and preparation which borders on the religious, in the same way as those who savour their burgundy or single malts.

They understand something else, though, something perhaps explained by the actor Jack Nicholson who, when explaining his decision to swap cigarettes for cigars, stated: " The only way to break a bad habit was to replace it with a better habit".

Cigars signify status and success. In sport, business, entertainment and politics. Through the ages, more stars than Nicholson have fallen under their spell, regardless of their cost and the complications they cause. One, his fellow American, the late President John F Kennedy, imposed a trade embargo against Fidel Castro's Communist regime in 1962, but only after he'd received a stock of 1,200 petit coronas from Cuba, a country whose reputation is permanently linked to the wisps of smoke from the tens of millions of cigars it produces each year.

It was perhaps fitting that one of many CIA attempts to assassinate Castro involved trying to get him to smoke one of their exploding cigars, the sort of escapade which only added to the mystery and intrigue which they suggest.

The roll-call of famous current cigar lovers includes Tom Cruise and Leonardo di Caprio, Arnold Schwarzenegger and David Beckham while previous generations have numbered Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. I'm naturally interested, though, in women who opt for cigars and why they do so.

Demi Moore, for instance, declared breathlessly: "There's something about smoking a cigar that feels like a celebration".

For me, there are two types of female cigar smokers. The first, like Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg and Jennifer Lopez, seem entirely comfortable with the process and the protocol. For them, wielding a Montecristo or Romeo y Julieta is certainly not unnatural but, if anything, chic and stylish.

There are others, though, for whom a cigar is nothing but a prop, something frivolous with which to make a statement not of status but sexuality, playing on a slightly tired fantasy for some men. By being seen as undermining the cult of the cigar, whether intentionally or not, they not only annoy devotees but can succeed in making themselves look somehow cheap.

Whenever I'm asked about what smoking can do to how someone presents themselves, I always stress that it's better not to smoke at all. However, clients who need their nicotine fix acknowledge my advice that cigars are certainly considered more stylish than cigarettes whether one is at sitting in the boardroom or comfortably at home.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1157338 2011-12-19T06:15:37-05:00 2012-02-18T05:12:02-05:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
The traditional idea of Christmas and the New Year is to spend time with those dearest to you and to use the holidays as an opportunity to relax and draw breath. But this idea seems to be flooded by a tidal wave of books, magazine articles and television programmes that tell us how to be a domestic deity or a true party animal.

I sometimes feel like calling a time-out in an attempt to get people to realise what I believe to be the error of their ways. That is certainly not because I don't love this time of year. From my childhood days in Austria, Christmas has always held a special magic and silent nights are somehow 'holy' for us, not only because this globally-known Christmas song was written in 1859 in my home country, not far from where I was born.

Given that I spend my time helping develop others' ability to present themselves better in social and professional situations, the idea of creating a good image is not a factor in my mind either.
I simply believe that the best Christmas parties involve a mood of celebration and moderation - celebration of both friendship and love and moderation both in our pace and behaviour in the final weeks of the year.

We are bombarded with media messages urging us to be extreme and have the brightest decorations, the most expensive or fashionable gifts, the biggest turkey. Yet I think that if we are to match up to the ideal spirit of the season, described in traditional carols as "comfort and joy", we need to slow down and scale down our festivities.

Being a host does not have to mean putting on a show. You shouldn't feel under pressure to impress. You should not have to get everything right, bright and alight. True effort coming from the heart will be noticed. Whatever you do to just show off will be perceived as such, no matter how many golden baubles you will use or how many sparkling bottles you open.

It starts with the guest list. For me, Christmas is not the best time to invite your boss, 'important people', a potential business contact or 'so-so' friends to your home. Gather around you those who you can relax with and who can relax in your company too.

Put yourself in their shoes. Would you rather have a good time and conversation, unfussy food and the chance to enjoy yourself or be on edge because your host was stressed?

It's not about how much things costs or whether everything in your house is perfect but putting some thought into how to make your guests feel right at home in your home. For instance, do any of them come from cultures which have different ways of celebrating Christmas and, if so, how can you bring a taste of that into what you organise?

As a guest, you also need to think about your host and the fact that they're possibly going to be very busy preparing to cater for a house full of people.

If you have any special dietary requirements, let them know in advance. Well in advance. There are few worse things as a host than being caught unawares and having only microwaved vegetarian sausages to offer someone who omitted to tell you that they don't eat meat while their fellow guests tuck into a large, hearty meal. Offer to bring something to the party which will help relieve some of the time and stress involved with preparation for the host.

It is not unusual for people to eat a lot at Christmas but try not to eat or drink too much. No matter how close you are to your hosts, the consequences of over-indulgence can betray a lack of respect. On the other hand, not eating at all and fussily forking around and leaving most on your plate without enjoying your food does not show any appreciation either.

Likewise, even if there is no stated dress code, the ideal should be smart casual so as not to look as though you are neither trying too hard or too little.

Show genuine appreciation for your host's efforts. I find it very useful to think of three things which I really liked and comment favourably on those. That shows sincerity and that I was paying attention, and they are better-received than a mumbled "Umm...great, thanks".

Finally, courtesy does not have to stop as you bid your hosts goodnight. We live in a digital age when the art of letter writing unfortunately seems to have gone out of fashion. For some hosts it will be totally fine to send an e-mail expressing your gratitude. If you opt for something even more up-to-date, better still, use a great iPhone app which I came across that allows you to take a picture of your party and convert it into a card (with touching greeting) that is sent to your hosts within a couple of days.

At Christmas - the perfect time of year for taking good care of ourselves and our relationships - a little, honest thank you can mean so much.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1148498 2011-12-14T12:14:51-05:00 2012-02-13T05:12:01-05:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
The records which tumbled during a sale of her jewellery at Christie's in New York were almost as numerous as her husbands.

The largest sum - $116m (£74.9m) - ever generated for a single collection. The most expensive pearl ever sold at auction. The highest price paid for an Indian jewel. The per-carat record for a ruby. The biggest successful bid for a tiara.

Overall, the auction raised almost six times as much as the pre-auction estimate. The outcome was perhaps fitting for someone who described herself as having three loves in her life - former husbands Michael Todd and Richard Burton, and jewellery - and for a woman once described by TIME magazine as "a jewel of great price ".

And, lest we forget, this was just the first of nine such sales - in New York, London and online - of the jewels, art, couture, film memorabilia and furniture amassed before Taylor died aged 79 in March.

How much of the money paid for all those items reflects their genuine value and how much can be put down to who owned them is open to interpretation. Certainly, there have been few stars as notorious and impossibly glamorous as Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, someone whose private life was more familiar around the globe than almost any other in the seemingly innocent, pre-internet days.

I wonder, though, whether the sums exchanged at Christie's provide perhaps an extreme example of behaviour typical during periods of financial instability.

Conspicuous wealth is seldom more so than during an economic downturn. More than at any other time, flaunting a wardrobe of expensive clothes or a garage stocked with sports cars while others are struggling to get by screams success.

Whilst some individuals are more muted in their style, others simply love showing off but whatever degree they choose to go to, people believe that presenting themselves well during a recession can be more than merely a cosmetic act.

They feel that a strong, confident appearance - whether dressing for a vital job interview or even a date - can help attract good fortune.

It is also true that there are individuals who look for safe investments as share prices yo-yo, property prices remain depressed and interest rates are negligible. For them, the opportunity to invest in luxurious alternative commodities is a welcome distraction. In recent years, there has been a move away from trends in art, jewellery and wine auctions towards selective purchases likely to appreciate in value.

Those lucky enough to be the new owners of Elizabeth Taylor's jewels, clothes by Dior and Yves Saint Laurent or art works by van Gogh and Warhol are probably justified in considering their money well spent, no matter how large the sums paid. Her aura will be sufficient to keep them accumulating worth long into the future.

Those of us who can only dream of lavishing eight figures on a necklace need not despair, though. Spending time cultivating one's image and dressing well is an investment in itself and something which, in this chilly economic climate, is a skill worth acquired.
]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1092066 2011-12-08T19:00:00-05:00 2012-02-07T05:12:01-05:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
It is perhaps ironic that in an age of 'now', when everything is supposed to take a little bit less time, festive preparations resemble a marathon with a seemingly endless round of events to attend from November onwards.

In addition, rather than proving a distraction from the economic gloom, some Christmas parties this year have the air of tense sales meetings, as businessmen and women seek to exploit the potential value of even mince pies in securing extra trade in a financial climate even chillier than the temperatures.

However, whether professional and cagey or private and casual, it is possible to get through the party season with one's reputation intact. As with any marathon, the key is preparation.

The possibility of incurring the wrath of bosses in such unstable times has meant that work parties have lost some of the edge and naughtiness for which they used to be renowned.

However, that certainly doesn't mean that they should be dull affairs.

On the contrary, whereas a close encounter with a colleague or the office photocopier might have earned you a Christmas card containing a P45, setting the right tone at a work party can actually enhance one's career prospects.

It doesn't necessarily mean a lot of expense or excess. In fact, whether you are male or female it may even come down to spending just two minutes before you leave home to consider the occasion and the outfit to fit.

It is amazing how many people forget that the only garish costume and big red noses that we're meant to see at this time of year belong to Santa and Rudolph. Take my advice: ease up on the alcoholic Christmas spirit and skip anything which might make you look like a fairy or elf.

Instead, keep it simple. Remember, you want to make the right impression both in how you look and how you act.

It doesn't matter if the party's formal or not. Uncomplicated dresses in single colours and high quality dark tights are the rule for women because less is more. Less leg, less cleavage and less hair (in volume and styling) suggest 'class' instead of 'crass', even if a soiree is more swish and demands a dark-coloured cocktail dress and more attention to glamorous shoes, jewellery and clutch.

Men, meanwhile, can't go far wrong in dark trousers, a white (perfectly ironed) shirt with a good collar and smart jacket for casual events (velvet springs to mind) or dark suit and silk scarf for talking about the year gone by and the bright future ahead with your employer, banker or possible new client.

Ties should be muted and those covered in snowmen or burlesque artists be left at home. If you want to be thought of as a future member of the board and not a corporate clown, ditch the musical bow-ties too.

That's not to say that you can't do what people are meant to do at Christmas - have fun and enjoy the party. Be charming, witty and personable. Never forget, though, in these days when we are always merely several clicks or seconds away from social media and employment legislation, don't say or do anything that you wouldn't be comfortable having repeated, possibly by your boss or in millions of tweets.

If, after reading this, you feel that you still can't attend a festive fiesta without doing to your reputation what might already have been done to the turkey that will be on your Christmas dinner plate, you can always stay at home with your Santa pyjamas, some chocolates and watch a popular Christmas movie on DVD. Home Alone would suit the occasion perfectly.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1122559 2011-12-01T19:00:00-05:00 2012-01-31T05:12:02-05:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
For a man who had dedicated his life to family, friends and making wonderful clothes, he met a bloody and brutally unnecessary end, shot dead outside his Florida home just over 14 years ago.

I had the pleasure of not only knowing him but working with him. I would like to think that, had he still been alive, the pace of his life would not have slowed at an age when many are thinking only of retirement and relaxation.

He would have kept working with the same eye for detail, sheer love of his work and little sense of mischief. To think of his not being here, there is not only the personal loss from the death of someone I knew both as a professional and a private individual but a real sense of what the world of fashion lost when he died.

As I consider the anniversary of his birth, I believe that comparison with another Italian currently being garlanded with praise - Leonardo da Vinci - is in order.

Like da Vinci, Gianni Versace was a true visionary who was well ahead of his time. Even though he came from more humble beginnings than Leonardo and they were born almost the full length of the Italian mainland and nearly 500 years apart, both were brimming with ideas - and not just in those disciplines for which they ultimately became best-known.

Gianni Versace had, in my opinion, an almost unique approach to women's fashion. He told me that, as a boy, he had dreamt not of designing clothes but designing buildings. I don't think that understanding of perspective, of form and of structure ever left him. He was a sartorial architect, constructing beautiful, balanced garments in a way which few stylists have ever been able to match.

Leonardo, although arguably most familiar around the world for his painting, was also accomplished in architecture and design, something which the journals he left behind spell out clearly. Just like da Vinci, I never saw Versace without a notebook, constantly jotting down his thoughts on composition, not just of the glamorous costumes which he created but the ways in which they were to be given a platform.

On one occasion, I recall him - the perfectionist that he was - personally overseeing the construction of a new stage set the day before a show in Munich. His architectural sensibilities appreciated how the addition of a single extra step for his models to walk down would heighten the drama when combined with the right blend of light, music and couture.

He knew how to mix the right models with the right outfits, going to great lengths and great expense to secure the services of Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Yasmeen Ghauri and others. Partly thanks to his patronage, at the very least, the 'model' became the 'supermodel'.

As well as the elements of staging a show to complement his outfits, Gianni Versace also recognised the value of photography in creating the correct image. He loved working with true giants behind the lens like Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Steven Meisel and Richard Avedon. I remember him talking an assistant through the fine detail behind the composition of one print - the light, the facial expressions, the clothes, the aura, the props. The captured moment. Nothing escaped his attention.

Although hugely successful, he was not a commodity or a brand but an artist, composing sensuous, striking outfits using the female form as his canvas.

With all due respect to great fashion designers past and present, Gianni Versace maintained a personal involvement in generating collections and cultivating relationships with his customers in a way that is sometimes hard to relate to today but would have been familiar to the great Renaissance artists like da Vinci, Michelangelo or Raphael. He was focused and ambitious but he wasn't insular, intense or blinkered in the same way that some other designers are regarded.

Just as Leonardo and Raphael became painters at the court of the rich and powerful in 15th and 16th-century Europe, it is still amazing how so many famous people paid court to Gianni Versace. The appearance by his friend, Diana, the Princess of Wales, at Gianni's funeral in late July 1997 was one of the last times she was seen in public before her own death the following month.

I believe that the secret was not only that Gianni Versace was fabulous fun to be around and truly inspiring, in much the way that Leonardo da Vinci was to his peers. Even though he had his own menswear label, Gianni Versace was a designer who principally had the ability to make women appear truly glamorous, sexy, but never vulgar. I recall that he used to love the smell of patchouli mingling with the warm, natural scent of female skin. It used to fire his imagination, he said, inspiring him to more audacious flights of fashionable fantasy.

His family name, of course, lives on in the designs of his sister, Donatella, whose collection caused such a sensation recently when it arrived in H&M stores around the world. That news caused me to think back to Gianni's Spring/Summer collection in 1991 and designs which were so modern and vibrant then that they might easily go on sale now without looking at all out of place.

It is another reason why I believe there may be other great designers but we will sadly never see Gianni Versace's like again.]]> tag:www.huffingtonpost.com,2011:/theblog//3.1113169 2011-11-27T13:12:39-05:00 2012-01-27T05:12:02-05:00

Carin King http://www.huffingtonpost.com/carin-king/
People were fascinated with the idea of preserving life and looks long before the current age of celebrity. For some, however, recent technological innovations have made the desire to avoid the physical toll associated with advancing years even more of a compulsion.

Neither the Ancient Greek historian Herodotus nor even Hungarian countess, Elizabeth Bathory - infamous for having killed hundreds of young virgins for their blood in order to keep her wrinkles at bay - had to contend with mobile phones capable of displaying their laugh-lines and grey hair to millions around the world in an instant.

Cosmetic surgery has, of course, become fairly democratic with nips, tucks and enlargements no longer the preserve of Hollywood's elite but relatively routine.

For others, though, it is not the cut of the skin but the cut of the cloth which is important to retaining a true appearance of youth.

So, it was with some interest that I read recent comments from Joanna Lumley encouraging middle-aged women not to dress their age. Instead, she advised the over-40s to embrace the so-called "mutton dressed as lamb" look.

For someone who has built up such affection with British audiences, it is possible to get away with saying almost anything. Being a glamorous former model, popular TV actress and campaigner for numerous charities in her mid-sixties can't exactly be a hindrance either.

She may have felt "fabulous" (or even 'Absolutely Fabulous') wearing an old pair of Jean Muir shorts but many people reading her comments would be ill-advised to follow her lead. One person's svelte, daring sexagenarian is a sight for sore eyes to most others.

It is true that we seem unable to accept the idea of youth and vitality slipping away from us. The eternal adolescents who surround us may feel wonderful in clothes intended for their children but can look frankly ridiculous.

Whether in or out of the office, the results can be catastrophic. Even in those creative industries where more casual and - dare I say it - trendy clothes are the norm, there comes a point at which growing old gracefully can be done with more panache and earn more respect than clinging to studded or ripped jeans, hi-top baseball boots, crop tops and dangerously short hemlines.

The older that we get, the more we should understand the importance of place. Whereas younger people can be excused the odd fashion faux pas as the result of exuberance or inexperience, as we age, there is less margin for error.

Possessing a number of good quality items which fit well and flatter one's figure speak of style far more than mere mimicry of the latest season's trends. I am not vouching for anything that makes you look old or unflattering. On the contrary, it is scientifically proven that wearing 'younger clothes' and being involved in our children's teenage activities does keep us physically and mentally younger as well. The key is knowing what to wear - and where and when - to making the right impression and feeling at ease in any social or professional occasion.

It is the sort of skill which only comes with experience and, sadly, the passing of years. However, learning to be comfortable in one's clothes and one's surroundings is surely something that no plastic surgeon - or Joanna Lumley, for that matter - can provide.]]>