Unpublished Work © 2012 Cristina Carlino

BE THE FASHIONISTA OF YOUR OWN STORY

My dear butterflies:  The Fashionista is an archetype we can all put on but it doesn’t always fit who we are.   That is until we allow ourselves to “slip into something more comfortable.”   Like a larger definition of what beauty and fashion is for each of us as individuals.

Enter the great fashion icon, Coco Chanel who was visionary when she said, “ fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky… ”

So before we look down to admire our Jimmy Choos or running shoes; let’s look up to where the fashion lives in the sky.  And tell me – what trend has held our attention longer on this planet than the mysterious glamour of the butterfly?

Talk about reversible; genius of colors; ease of grace; forever flirty rapture that mesmerizes us.  The unique beauty perhaps we recognize in ourselves from long ago.  The beauty we aspire to be and wish to own.  What if we already are that beautiful?

I never like seeing women a slave to anything, especially fashion. I think there is no substitute for clothes that fit and compliment. My rules are simple. Make up your own rules.  I have to absolutely love the item. It must fit me and hopefully be flattering.  That’s not always the case but I try. I like a clean understated closet so I have an empty canvas in my mind to imagine where my fashion may come from next.  Even if I wear some of the same uniforms (and I have) for decades.   With that said, I can promise you at any given time I still need to be pruning my closet.

After all, when it comes down to it, whether or not we ever walk the red carpet or have a one of a kind dress specially made for us by a top designer;  we are each a hautre coutre of our Creator.  None of us has ever been or will ever be exactly the same again.

So in this year of the butterfly, I’m wondering what are you wearing and carrying with you on your personal runway to transformation?   Is there:

A smile in your eyes?

Open toe stilettos

And an open mind?

A raspberry beret

A Fedora that’s covering a head filled with self pity?

The spirit of forgiveness

The perfect lipstick?

Are you lining your lips first with a prayer

that only words of kindness come from them?

Are you wearing ease and gratitude?

I thought so!  They look fabulous on you!

Will you tell me more?    I’d love to hear about your fashion favorites.

With grace and gratitude,

Cristina