St. Valentine’s Day is upon us. For a single sister not planning to even think about dressing up for Valentines day, karma dealt me a hand of jokers with more ladies than I can count requesting personal shopping for dia del amor. The questions came rolling in – do I wear red or white, sexy or classy, cleavage or legs, or both?

For all those still at a loss for what special little number to pull out for the day, here’s a little guidance based on the type of night you are your beau are planning.

The Casual Date - Leave the skinny jeans, spaghetti strap tank and flip flops at home. Even if you and your beau are keeping it low key a-la a movie or drinks at a casual bar, show him a little love by putting a little extra thought into your look...

Sure it’s associated with hippies and arts and crafts “crunchy” types, but the art of tie dying fabric was established long before the late 1960‘s and early 1970’s -  the decade most associated with this textile dying process made popular by celebrities such as Janis Joplin.

Fast forward to today where fashion forecasters are predicting a modern spin on this age old textile design will be all the rage in 2010. 

Tie dye has appeared on spring and fall runways for several years - from Prada in 2004 to Balmain in 2007, but the trend has never fully taken off. From contemporary designers to high fashion houses, designers are giving it a shot again. 

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Truer words have never been spoken. For fashion enthusiasts who know the value of a dollar, or for those in search of clothes with a little more character than today’s mass produced department store fill, vintage and second hand stores are a godsend.

Vintage shopping is one of my favorite pastimes. When abroad with hours to kill on a lazy Sunday afternoon, browsing vintage stores and the rush of uncovering the perfect find provides the ultimate sense of accomplishment only a true shopper would understand.

Over the years I have scored fabulous finds during my vintage shopping escapades from vintage Versace belts in Rome, Italy to perfectly broken-in Armani riding boots in New York City. But, where to go in Nassau for a uniquely aged piece at a great price?

It seems as if I blinked and suddenly December is just a week away. With the holidays on everyone’s mind, it’s time to start prepping your closet for all the holiday festivities.

With everything that’s piled on your plate during this festive season, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Your wardrobe doesn’t have to be a source of stress. Throw away outdated fashion taboos and add a little sparkle to your look for effortless holiday chic for any festivity that’s thrown your way. Below are a couple holiday trends to get you started on your fabulous festive wardrobe.

Day three - It’s a Wrap: My cell phone won’t stop ringing - Harry first then Kristina - everyone’s exhausted and yearning for an extra minute or two of sleep. I oblige - I could use a few extra minutes myself. By 10:30 am we’re on the road and at the venue in no time. Let the fun begin!

The final day of Islands of the World Fashion Week (IWFW) was definitely the busiest and most hectic for us in the shoe styling department. There is a mixture of eagerness and exhaustion in the air that makes everyone a little anxious - especially us. 

At the final hour every designer needs shoes, and the requests are very specific: “silver 4 inch heels with one strap across the toes and a very thin ankle strap with no buckle,” even with a great selection...

Fashion is my life and I truly could not contemplate working in another industry. Though it is unbelievably fun and at times glamorous - I’ve found that not many people understand the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to style something as small as a photo shoot or large-scale as a fashion week.

At this year’s Islands of the World Fashion Week (IWFW,) I had the opportunity to work as the official shoe stylist. It was an honor to add the finishing touch to the months of work behind the fabulous collections from designers hailing from island nations around the globe.  

This year, over two hundred and fifty pairs of shoes were sourced from Bani Shoe Warehouse, the largest shoe retailer in the region. Here’s a bird’s eye view of IWFW from the stylist’s perspective...

It seems like everyone crawls out of the woodwork for the International Cultural Fair. It’s one of the events I look forward to every year largely because it is one of the few events where all Bahamians despite their nationality or cultural background come out to partake in the festivities. A welcome opportunity to witness just how diverse we are and marvel at the myriad of nationalities who make their home on our beautiful shores.

This year, I was even more eager to attend given that the festivities included the UNESCO Designer Fashion Show. Coordinated by Mode Îlse Ltd, organizers of the Islands of the World Fashion Week – all those hungry for a little local fashion escaped the rainy weather under the UNESCO Pavilion.

Five designers showed under the tent, including four Bahamian designers, along with the featured international designer from Indonesia...

The calendar says we are smack dab in the middle of fall, while the weather tells a different tale. As our neighbors to the north are dusting off their winter coats and boots, our consistent 90 degree forecast makes one feel that the warm, lazy days of summer are lingering on.

While our balmy weather still permits lying on the beach on a Sunday afternoon in a sizzling hot bikini, check out the new Imani line from Aura Amore designed by local swimwear designer Nicki Hastings.

At 22, Nicki is one of the Bahamas’ young designers to watch. Although she made the decision to pursue fashion design over four years ago, it was not until recently that Nicki manifested her dreams and took the plunge...

We all get stuck in a fashion rut at some point. However, when dated, washed out, non-flattering pieces make up the majority of your wardrobe it’s time for an intervention.

As mothers, care givers and the matriarchs of the home it’s sometimes easy to get caught up catering to the seemingly more urgent needs of your family and letting your clothes and appearance take a back seat. Wrong. 

Our outward appearance directly affects our confidence and how we present ourselves to others. True, confidence comes from within but the power of a great fitting pair of trousers with a great tailored white button down and pumps to make you feel polished...

Many of us have visited New York City at some point, but you have not truly seen the city abuzz until you’ve visited during Fashion Week. Luxury cars lining the streets for blocks, superstars dressed in all black shaded by over sized designer sunglasses, and gobs of marvelous, breathtaking fashion. As a devoted fashionista, I made the pilgrimage to the fashion mecca last month to witness the festivities in person, arriving just in time for Fashion’s Night Out held on September 10, 2009.

The brainchild of Anna Wintour - editor-in-chief of American Vogue, NYC & Company, the City of New York, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America , Fashion’s Night Out was orchestrated to celebrate Fashion’s Global Impact and encourage shopping in New York’s struggling retail industry. Supported by hundreds of stores across the five boroughs and internationally, the one night only event heightened the excitement leading into the first day of Fashion Week...