May 31, 2013

The Key to Fashion Success is Self Confidence

Meral Tabakoğlu, Brand Manager for Buse Terim
T-Shirt: Asli Filinta
Jeans: Mango
Ballet Pumps: Valentino
Clutch: Balenciaga
I met Meral at the Facehunter book presentation in Istanbul. There were many beautiful women, but only a few who emitted self confidence and calm. I opened our conversation with the words: "You look exactly like yourself, that's why I want you to become part of Imprimoloco." And Meral's answer left a lasting impression on me: "Let me tell you a secret. The self-confidence to dress like yourself comes with age." Wow, what an inspiring food for thought! How do self-confidence and style belong together? 
Self-confidence is in all of us, but given with different measures. Some have more and some have less. Others have more (when they should have less) and some have less (when they should have more). Self-confidence can also be seen in what we wear because what we wear can give us a boost in our own self-image. The clothes are the superficial portion that gives the uplifting and encouragement. What we know and feel is important, what brings joy and happiness, and what brings content and peace, should also translate to what we view ourselves from the outside looking in. No need for façade, and no hiding behind expensive designer anything. Our mentality is of confidence and security, not attitude and arrogance, and that should translate in how we showcase ourselves through our clothes wherever we go.
There are, obviously, many spiritually and psychologically negative concepts associated with fashion. People often think that if they aren’t ‘thin enough’ or ‘rich enough’ then they never have a chance of looking good in clothes, just to name one of many examples. The older you get, the more you just feel what suits you, regardless of what others may think.



Meral's Balenciaga clutch is from 2007. Her style secret: Invest in a few quality pieces!

May 24, 2013

Just Be...and then maybe in Love, Inspired and Beautiful

Bahar, Creative Director of Blank Mag
Sunglasses: Ray Ban
Blouse: H&M
Metallic Shorts: Topshop
Lace-Ups: DR.Martens Made in England
Bahar's shoes were enough to know that I want her to become part of Imprimoloco. A pair of Dr.Martens Elisabeth shoes, crafted in England - together with metallic shorts, white blouse and a black blazer vest. You don't need to be in to fashion and trends to know that only people with a style gene (or a personal stylist) are able to dress like this. We chatted and Bahar told me about her online magazine: Blank Mag, an imaginative and lovingly created online magazine about style, beauty, art culture and lifestyle. I like the clear design and the expressive photographs of the magazine. What impressed me most was the headline: Just be...and then maybe in Love, Inspired and beautiful. 
For further information on made in England Dr.Martens take a look at their international online shop: Dr.Martens made in England.
Bahar's necklace with her mother's golden wedding ring means a lot to her, in fact it is the most important piece of her outfit, a memory of a loved one.

I feel a warmth around me
like your presence is so near,
And I close my eyes to visualize
your face when you were here,
I endure the times we spent together
and they are locked inside my heart,
For as long as I have those memories
we will never be apart

by Louise Bailey

May 17, 2013

Style is an Important Part of Your Personal Expression

Aslı, Political Science Student
Sunglasses: Roberto Cavalli
Jacket: Zara
Shirt: Zara
Skirt: Zara
Wedge Sneakers: River Island
Bag: Louis Vuitton
Watch: Marc By Marc Jacobs
Bracelet: Antonio Ben Chimol
I think fashion is art. Fashion inspires and fashion tells stories. Designer translate influences of art, culture and society into their collections. Depending on the combination of different pieces and the presentation - the result is fashion. In the form of clothes fashion reflects social, cultural and spiritual trends. Fashion is not necessarily equivalent with style. Style is the mirror of your personality. Style is often a very personal expression of attitude towards life and current mood based on dreams and visions. In other words, clothes are a daily role-play. Aslı told me that she is always choosing her outfits depending on the mood. She is about to finish her political science studies in Moscow. Asli misses Istanbul's climate and it's friendly people. I asked Asli to become of Imprimoloco because she seemed relaxed and of course I loved her feminine and sportive outfit. It turned out that she chose especially that combination because she felt positive and easygoing in the morning. The perfect opportunity for me to think about the context of fashion, style and mood.
What I learned from my blog experience so far is, that there are not many people who are photogenic from frontal and profile - Asli definitely is!
What Asli likes about wedge sneakers is the sportive touch. Every outfit gets a casual twist together with wedge sneakers. For more inspiration on wedge sneakers check out ShopStyle.

May 14, 2013

Heavy Metal is Back!

Aische, Loves to travel
Sunglasses: Ray Ban
Shirt: Souvenir from England
Trousers: Souvenir from China
Flats: Nine West
Bag: fabrika
What I love about every new season is that it unveils new fashion trends and breathes freshness and liveliness into our wardrobes. Mirrors foils, statement metal prints, sparkling materials and holographic finishes made a big splash at the Spring / Summer 2013 catwalks. Being spotted in nearly each show of the Fashion Week Fall 2013, the metallic offers a fresh way to bring luxurious touch to an outfit replacing colorful neon and pastel trends. Leading Fashion Houses like Mulberry, Alexander Wang and Burberry Porsum stacked on the metallic trend in their spring summer 2013 collections and didn't lose. No matter the style is minimalistic bold, metallic color turned every piece into a dazzling style statement. Metallic Super flats or kitten heels and shining bags seem to be a definite must. Since I live close to a Burberry Shop I decided to start my metallic research there. The whole spring / summer collection is intensely metallic, bags, trench coats and even skirts and shirts. They call the metallic runway. During my metallic trend research I stumbled upon Aische. Her outfit is the perfect street translation of this trend: Silver shining shoulder bag together with golden and bronze super flats. The perfect futuristic twist!
Topshop has a great gold metallic dress. Zara is playing safe with only a few pair of shoes with metal, including this lovely pair of metallic ballerinas and otherwise metal only on necklaces and bags. Mango is more daring with a golden top and a very nice oversize bronze bag amongst many other metallic items.

May 10, 2013

The Thrill of the Chase

Sinem, Art Gallery Director
Sun Glasses: Ray Ban
Leather Jacket: Zara
Shirt: Mango
Trousers: Zara
Ankle Boots: Chloé
Sinem's office is in Beşiktaş. She works as a Gallery Director for artON Istanbul. Her red ankle boots caught my eyes and I and paused for a few seconds in front of the huge shop window behind which Sinem and her colleagues were working. I pointed at her boots and turned my thumb up. She smiled and went outside immediately. With pride Sinem told me the story of her red colored Chloé ankle boots. She bought this amazing pair of shoes at eBay UK. The parcel arrived three days ago. She had been looking for this pair of boots more than two years until she finally managed to close the auction and to make a good deal. After this story, it was only natural asking her to become part of Imprimoloco. For me, people with style value their clothes. Certain pieces are special because of the story behind. Sinem betrays to me that she loves the chase. Her next object of desire will be a vintage Mullberry bag. She said, laughed and admitted that it will probably take another two years to have good fortune on that eBay auction. I wish her very good luck! I like Sinem's attitude: It's all about the thrill of the chase!
What I love about eBay is the fact that within 10 minutes I can have access to a marketplace that is phenomenally huge and covers the entire globe (give or take a little bit). I have sellers fighting to get at my items and I can do this all from the comfort of my own home. It's a business within a box.
If you are infected with the idea of buying designer clothes at online auctions  - check out the 11 Top Online Auction Sites on thebudgetfashionista.com.

May 7, 2013

Hairstyles may come and go, but Some really make a Splash!

Begüm, Communication & Design Student
Sunglasses: Tory Burch
Necklace: Fendi
Shirt: Bershka
Cardigan: Bershka
Jeans: Zara
Shoes: Toms
Watch: Michael Kors
Bracelet: Massimo Dutti / Tory Burch
Bag: Fendi
Hairstyles may come and go, but some really make a splash and leave a mark. In my case, half shaved hairstyles. Some people go through a phase where they have a strong urge to shave off portions of their hair. At a stage only a brave few go on to the next stage where the actual shaving takes place. Cheers to them! I was deeply impressed by Begüm's shaved patch together with the braided hair. What a hairstyle! These hairstyles are meant for them who want to look completely different from the crowd. Baldness is something that was hidden with wigs at one time. Today, it is sported as a style statement by men as well as women. I think, shaved hairstyles have been inspired by rock stars for a long time. Having a full mane was routine, so some musicians went to full or half shaved hairstyles to make them look different from the rest of the crowd. Now these hairdos even conquered the red carpet and have been adopted by some brave people on the street, like Begüm. There are different ways to wear half shaved hairstyles. Some shave both sides of the head and leave a thick fringe of hair in the center. Others shave the front part of the hair and leave the part behind in the form of a short blunt cut or medium length. Shaving one side of the head and leaving the other side long is very common among women. I definitely like this sophisticated and slightly edgy look!
You can find further inspiration for amazing half shaved hairstyles on slodive.com

May 6, 2013

Black is Black and Nothing can Compare to It!

Derya, Beauty Specialist
Sunglasses: Tom Ford
Necklace: SIX
Jumper: from her Mother
Trousers: Batik
Shoes: Lacoste
Ring: SIX
I wasn't surprised when Derya told me that she works as a beauty specialist. I like her clean and puristic chic. And it didn't surprise me at all when I learned that most of her outfits are based on the color black. It's been said that woman who wear black lead colorful lives. Although it sounds like a paradox, it seems to be true. Coco Chanel or Audrey Hepburn for example. Although their lives were exiting and busy (colorful), they wore dominantly black clothes. Most women's wardrobes are full of black clothes, from little black dresses to black lingerie. What makes this color so popular? I think, the simple reason is that black goes with everything! It doesn't matter what your personal style is, you can look elegant, conservative, edgy, gothic ... and anything else. Black is black and nothing can compare to it. Black is always "in" and always classy and always timeless. By wearing black, you are already making a statement that you are strong and respectable. "Black is modest and arrogant at the same time. Black is lazy and easy - but mysterious. But above all black says this: I don't bother you - don't bother me", Yohji Yamamoto.
Derya combines black clothes with golden jewelry. A perfect match. 
The German / French label Augustin Teboul is known for it's luxurious and clear-black designs. It is definitely worth to check their collection to get some inspiration for black styles.