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26 — Wednesday, July 12, 1995 — North Shore News

HAVE YOU ever wondered why some designs look stylish on fashion models. but not on

“you?

OR ee Sew right By Kian Sarnet

In the fashion world. everyone wants to emulate the models and mannequins in a favorite magazine or clothing store. The problem is that you probably don’t have the same proportions as the models who show off the latest styles.to such advan- tage.

My philosophy is that there is a

right style for every shape and size.

’ The challenge is to follow. fashion

trends selectively by picking up the elements that work with your figure and personal image. rather. than adopting every trend from head to toe.

While clothing trends come and go. dressing stylishly is always in fashion. Oliver Lapidus. a well- known haute couture designer. explained it perfectly when he said. “L hate fashion but [ love beautiful clothes.”

When selecting the pattern and. fabric for your, next garment, - the

biost important element to keep in

_ mind. is. the’ garment’s basic line, especially if you want to accentuate

or camouflage different features. All ofa garment’s’ lines are either

. Straight or curved and have the power - to produce visual effects. ©

For example, th ne triangular shape of a flared skirt is defined by a slant-

. ing line and a circular ‘skirt; a bell “sleeve is defined by a curved line.

You'll need to evaluate the effect of .

these lines.on your figure to deter- imine which designs are most suited “to your. body shape.: *."-

The following { tips will help you

“choose. the design elements that are™-

~ best. for you. 7 -@ Start by, studying your fig igure from

all angles in a full-length mirror and

"deciding which featuresto empha- size or conceal. |. ¢ To look taller and slimmer, choose

wea

straight lines to keep the eye moving vertically, ‘

To minimize broad shoulders, avoid shoulder pads and choose pat- terns with V-shaped necklines - or lapels. Set-in or raglan sleeves will help by introducing a fine between the neck and the outside point of the shoulder. ® To downplay, a large bustline. styles that are leose-fitting over the Upper torso — itn A-line or princess- line dress. or cardigan jacket, for example. — are your best choice, Shawl collars, narrow collars, or col- lar attachments such as a placket will help to visually divide this area and make it appear smaller. Avoid details such as pockets around the bust area. @ When you don’t want to empha- size your waist. try @ loose-fiuing or

princess-seamed dress. Omit the belt... narrow belt in- the -

or wear a very n same color as the garment.

® For wide or heavy hips. easy-fit- .

ting styles will keep attention away from the problem area. Some exam- ples are an A-line dress. softly gath-

ered skirt, or:a tong tunic top worn '

over pants or a skint. Using shoulder pads to balance the torso js Sulso help- tal.

@ Heavy thighs: are best camou- flaged by A-line dresses or skirts and softly gathered or draped skirts. Any

: design that does not hug the problem’

area and includes. some form of straight line, opening or pleat te visu- ally divide the front of the garment is appropriate.

Other good choices are tops that

‘are long enough to cover the heavy

part of the ‘thigh, or classic tailored pants with two pleats at the front.

Most people want to create the illusion of being taller and slimmer. If you want to downplay your height,

however, use the same principle of, making lines work for you by using. designs: that incorporate horizontal

lines. In general. darker colors, softer

” fabric or fabric with a smaller pattem

will make you. appear. slimmer and brighter colors, or fabric with a large

_pattera, will draw more attention to _ an area and make it appear larger. Haute

Kian Samet teaches.

~ Selected Items ‘e Luggage

+ Briefcases ° Handbags * Wallets

‘Sale Starts : july 14 July 23

Couture Sewing for Capilano College Extension Pragrams. She has her own design studio, special ising in evening clothes and wed- ding gowna, and is currently work- wg in the movie production indus- try. She will answer your questions in this calunut as space allows — write to Kian c/a North Shore News. 1139 Lonsdale Ave., North Van, V7M 2H4.

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