Stlyenspire: dress revival

A few months back, I had the opportunity to design and style for a Charity 'Murder Mystery Dinner' event sponsored by Honor Without End, Inc - a not-for-profit organization. 

I was offered to showcase some of my bespoke designs and have recently decided to share how I styled them with you.

As is my norm when it comes to designing, the traditional Nigerian/African fabrics were infused with Western elements of fashion to create the style art I wanted. My models were 'girl-next-door' young ladies and it was such a joy to work with them on this night. They each had their unique personality, owned each style and brought to life the mantra "there is no passion to be found playing small…" Enjoy!

 

Yours truly... 

Outfit deets: Elie Tahari Teal Zip-Back Jacket // LaROK Cropped Sequin Jacket // Express Mesh Tank Tops (teal and maroon) // BCBG Maxazria Satin Peplum Jacket // Shoes (each model's own) // Everything else designed by me with Swiss Voile Lace/Ankara/Batik/Mesh/Satin Fabrics

Photos: joyfully by Renita Hills

Models: Jocelyn + Celina + Amanda + Cassaundra + T'Amara  

Style Artist: Self

Stylenspire: week ender

There was something about this morning as I walked from the parking lot to my office that just surrounded me with calm. I feel relaxed & at peace. I'm not thinking about the day ahead, the challenges that may come, or the promises of God that I am waiting on. & in this calm, somehow, I feel beautiful! Yes, beautiful! The beauty of the peace of this early part of the day is not in my looks, nor about what I am wearing. Fact is, the weekend's here & my style choice is a casual spin. 

My thoughts led me to the question about how & when people feel beautiful. The beauty of ourselves & our lives should always transcend how you feel, how you look, what you are wearing, & even what you may be going through. Outside of all that, the beauty of you is in you. I'm even enlightened in the story that my outfit tells with its dots on circles. 

I totally know that it is His perfect love that envelopes me this morning with the serenity that allows me to feed on inner beauty on the outside. Christ is the perfect circle & we are the dots that fill it up. & with the nature of a sphere, His love surrounds us all sides in continuous harmony. 

I hope that as you enjoy stylenspiration from the pictures below, you will look within yourself & reflect on the beauty of Whose you are. 

Outfit deets: DIY Swiss Voile Lace Skirt (bespoke tailoring by me) + Polka dot+lace top + Bag by Cromia + Vera Wang Lavender Label black flats + Prada Sunglasses + rings + bracelets are all maxxinista fab finds from TJ Maxx // Sleeveless demin jacket from Levi Jeans // Watch Armani Exchange // DIY Necklce (by yours truly)

Stylenspiration: "Sometimes, the beauty of your style is not in what you are wearing, it is in how you feel about yourself & the world around you. You are fearfully, beautifully, & wonderfully made in the image of God & for a purpose too."

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V. Dodge

*moment of truth: "In retrospect, I really needed to feel God's Presence overcome me with His peace. It is not because I am ever without Him, but that the frail nature of my human self needs to feel His revealed presence every now & then. & I am ever so grateful for today's kiss from His throne of grace."

I pray that whoever you are, wherever you may be, God sends you an intimate show of  love from His throne of grace.

Stylenspire: peaches & cream

There is no rhythm to how I dress or how my outfit is styled. Each outfit of the day is an expression of that day itself & it always start out with the question "what does this day hold?" For me, the start of each day gets a jumpstart via intimacy with God. First thought process whenever I awake into consciousness is steeped with thankfulness & a wonder of what God has in store for me for that day. From there, the promise of the day starts to take shape as I get ready for work or play. 

Once I decide on a piece of clothing - top, skirt, pants or dress, just one item, everything else falls into place. Today, I thought to wear a skirt (as my legs still had that clean shave from yesterday) & once I decided on the skirt I let the style, color, & my feelings gear me towards selecting the rest of the pieces. 

Since the skirt was my first pick, I allowed myself to be influenced by the color palette. I wanted to keep the femininity of the of the pencil skirt while bearing in mind it was going to be a hot summer day. The peach of the lace also attracted me, so I chose a tank with a richer shade of coral that popped. The white blazer offset the peaches & cream, while bold statement jewelry were a must to add the extra oomph. 

All this decision making happened seamlessly in the span of about fifteen minutes. Considering that I have a catalogued memory of my wardrobe, getting dressed usually falls into place quick enough (whenever there is no battle with indecision). I enjoyed my day with my outfit of choice & got a lot of compliments too. 

I hope you're stylenspired & get the idea of how to shop from your closet starting with one piece of clothing & then to be influenced in the rest of your choices from the color palette, fabric, pattern, or simply with the knowledge of what your day is going to be like.

Enjoy!

My skirt today is another one of my creations. It is made from swiss voile lace fabric.

Outfit details: Theory Blazer from Nordstrom // DIY Skirt (designed & made by me) swiss voile lace fabric from Middlesex Textiles // Shoes Paris Hilton // NineWest tank top, Salvatore Ferragamo Bag & jewelry are my fab maxxinista finds from TJ Maxx 

Stylenspiration: Color complement or color combine; create your own palette with an outfit that screams your while stylenspiring others.

Y.S

Photo credit: joyfully by V.Dodge