Mixing Colours

Rock the Cloth, Jamaica Observer
Published: Saturday, February 12, 2011

We're continuing our feature of vibrant colours for Spring/Summer 2011, but this week we're showing you the very hot trend of contrasting your brightly coloured dresses with brightly coloured shoes. A pop of unexpected colour on your feet is a hot trend this year.

The beauty with rocking the cloth is that you can splurge on shoes and accessories you love and create your outfits around them with great fabrics, and that's just what we did this week.

Our models are dressed in silks and satins in vibrant colours, and then each dress was popped with bold contrasting footwear and accessories.

You can pair with a dress you already have, or you can simply Rock the Cloth and make a dress of your own as we did. The simplest being Thandiwe's and Latoya's, where you would simply:

Tips:

1. Make an A-line skirt with box pleats

2. Make a broad waistband

3. Make a strapless top

4. Join top and skirt to waistband

5. Insert zipper into the side

6. Hem and finish

Photos: Marc Evans | Models: Pulse | Make-up: Paul March

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/Mixing-colours_8344154#ixzz1Kl1jAxju

Signature Look Part II

Rock The Cloth, Jamaica Observer
Saturday, January 22, 2011

Continuing to look at developing a signature look we move from edgy to the softer style of the romantic, style personality. This more feminine style is largely achieved through colours, going for softer hues as well as the traditional feminine colours, such as pink. However the romantic look can be achieved with floral prints as well as the use of soft fabrics. This week we provide examples using a cotton blend print as well as a very soft cotton voile.

The design of the outfit contributes to the romantic look, which is often loose and flowing. Our floral dress is long with a tie and open hole in the back.

Floral maxi in a light cotton voil, Back view of maxi
Floral maxi in a light cotton voil, Back view of maxi


Steps: long dress

1. Cut (i) front and back pieces, (ii) facing for back "V" shape and (iii) band.

2. Join facing to the back (right sides together) then turn inside and topstitch.

3. Join front to back at sides

4. Join band to the top, closing edges by sewing the right sides together.

5. Hem

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/Signature-Look-Part-II_8306935#ixzz1JSVvdsUV

Signature Look Part I

Signature Look Part I

Rock the Cloth, Jamaica Observer
by Angelie Martin-Spencer and Arlene Martin
Published: Saturday, January 15, 2011


As you embrace a new you for 2011 consider a signature style. That's right zero in on those that remain classic and edgy while suiting your body type and personality.

Some people choose accessories and/or make-up to create their signature look as well. Rock The Cloth will for the next two weeks introduce offer style options.

Our focus this week is introducing an edgy appeal to your look, while working with basic colours -- black and white.

You can create yet another look for this simple shift with a bold cage belt and gold accessories.

Add dimension to a simple shift with layered black necklaces and bangles.

A simple floral tube accessorised with layers of black beads.

Black accessories give this white shirt dress a sharp contrast.

You can create yet another look for this simple shift with a bold cage belt and gold accessories.

Looks:

1. Edgy black dress

2. White shirt dress: a classic design that may be accessorised for an edgy appeal

3. Black and white print dress: almost girly in design, but with a bit of drama added with the tucks. Above the waistband.

Steps: Black dress

1. Cut front and back pieces, as well as neck facing

2. Join front to back at (i) shoulder and (ii) from the sleeve hem to skirt hem

3. Join front and back facings, then attach

4. Hem

Tip: for a closer fit, you may insert a back seam and zipper, or just insert a small zipper along the side seam from underarm to hip. Without the zippers in the simple design option presented it pulls over the head through the boatneck neckline.

1 A Simple floral tube accessorised with layers of black beads.

2 Black accessories give this white shirt dress a sharp contrast.

(Please place photos 3 and four beside each other)

3 You can create yet another look for this simple shift with a bold cage belt and gold accessories.

4 Add dimension to a simple shift with layered black necklaces and bangles.

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/Signature-Look-Part-I_8285803#ixzz1JSAUp4F2