Who Chooses the Seasons Fashion Colors?

 If you look at fashion shows, or check out fashions at Old Navy, or Wal-Mart, you'll notice that only certain colors show up.  I prefer jewel tones and hate it  when the only colors I find are pastel.  I've always wondered who decided which colors will be seen each season.

In the United States, there is an association that makes the decision.  The Color Association of the United States or CAUS is responsible for influencing the shades in fashion each season.  They also influence the shades, hues, and tints found in home good stores and in makeup palettes.

The CAUS was founded in 1915 by several textile manufacturers.  At this time, department stores were just beginning and these people decided that there needed to be an association designed to guide trends so manufacturers would be able to create enough  cloth to meet the demands each season.  Over time, they now guide trends for women's clothing, men's wear, fashion for youth, interior decorating, and beauty.

The way it works is that the group begins deciding color trends two years before they are needed, so the colors you see on the runways in New York in 2020, were decided in 2018.  This two year lead time is needed so manufacturers have enough time to create all the material needed.

There are eight to ten experts who look at things from architecture to influencers to determine what the next trends will be.  They find colors that speak to them to share with others on the committee.  The colors might be from a rock they found on the ground, a flower, or anything with color.  Members meet, share their choices, and they choose five or six themes to develop further into 20 to 25 shades total.  They then work with dye companies to create the palette and color cards that will be available to members of the CAUS at least 1.5 years to 2 years in advance.

Then there is the international WGSN or World's Global Style Network, founded in 1998, which forecasts trends.  They have about 150 members who come together twice a year from all over the world to determine what colors they believe will be trending in about two years.  They look at what is happening in the world as influences for color choices.  They also look at trends in beauty, lifestyle, and decorations in addition to fashion.   As they get closer to the time, they use at new products being produced and pre collections from fashion houses for their trends.

Finally, there is Pantone Color Institute founded in 1963, which only looks at colors.  Since it's inception, the institute has created over 2000 shades.  They deal in color only because it can effect our psychology and well being. They also begin the process at least two years in advance and they've noticed that to images associated with certain colors have changed over time.  For instance, about 15 or 20 years ago, brown used to be associated with dirt, or earth.  Now, people think of coffee and chocolate or luxury.

Pantone is based in New Jersey and has ten people who meet twice a year in an all white room.  They develop colors that are later used in fashion and other places.  This is their only job, to select colors, make dyes and actually dye cloth to see how it works.  Their color system is also used in Latin America.

So the colors you see on fashion runways, in the store, or on the bolt has taken two years to get to you and could have been started by one of these three groups.  Let me now what you think, I'd love to hear you.  Have a great day.

Bestest Friends

Bestest Friends

Outside with Family

Spending time outside with family.

Graduation 2020 Style

 Due to school being closed back around spring break, the normal way of holding prom and graduation had to change.  It required a certain amount of creativity and I believe the district I work for did well.

The administration worked hard to come up with solutions.  I wrote about the virtual prom they held and there is going to be a second one this weekend when the biggest city in the area is having one via their radio station.

As for graduation which was held this past Wednesday evening.  The counselor got together with the seniors and designated speakers to have each and everyone record their portion of the normal graduation and one of the local people spliced it all together to make a video.

The school posted the video on the school facebook page so people could watch it during the 6 pm time slot.  It opened with the principal welcoming everyone to the ceremony, followed by an elder giving the Invocation, etc.  It ran just like the normal graduation ceremony.

The whole ceremony ran for just over an hour and included the section showing pictures of the graduating seniors from babies to now.  I realize that is not something normally done in other states but in the bush of Alaska where graduating classes are small, they usually create a movie over each student's life.  This year, there were a total of 9 students.

Since, the school couldn't host the usual party afterwards, they substituted a parade. Each student decorated a truck or four wheeler (ATV) towing a flat trailer with signs, pictures of themselves, streamers, balloons, etc.

At 8:00, the local radio station began playing "Pomp and Circumstance" so people could turn on the radios in their parked vehicles along the route.  Shortly after, the radio announcer broke in to tell everyone there was a 10 minute delay.  The radio announcer would know because his window looked over at the school and he could see the lineup.


 As he finished the announcement, he said, never mind, they started.  He went back to playing "Pomp and Circumstance".  We watched the parade down the street heading for the transfer station (garbage) so we saw it as it crossed Main.

Since there were only 9 graduates in 8 vehicles, it didn't take them long before they swung past all the parked boats on the Slough, down by the DOT and in a short time, they were passing by my spot.

Everyone cheered as the graduates passed by.  They turned onto Main and went all the way across the town, past the Post Office, to the Covenant Church, and down around to the road going by the beach before arriving at the school and the radio station.

This is the year that everyone will remember.  I've included some pictures of the floats in this so you can see them.  After the parade, many people complimented the counselor on how great this was.  I gather people liked the event so much, they wanted to know if they'd hold another parade next year.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.

Lip Liner

 I remember my sister telling me that one should always line your lips before you apply your lipstick because it prevents it from bleeding over.  I've seen video that say the lip line should be the same shade as your lip stick while other say it should be a shade or two darker to add a bit of depth.  Lip liners are also called lip sticks.

Women began using lip liner back in the 1920's when Clara Bow made it popular. She used liner to outline the lips to produce the small doll shaped lips she was famous for.  The bow shaped lips only used a part of her actual lips so the edges were never painted and nude.  Her bow shaped lips gave her the ability to create a larger than life pout which the "It" girl was known for.

In the 1930's Marlene Dietrich used liner to overdraw her upper lips so the pointed parts were more defined.  She also lined the bottom of her bottom lip to make the overall shape appear larger.

In the 1940's Rita Hayworth used lip liner to flatten the pointedness of the upper lip so it looked more flattened.  She kept the full bottom lip so her lips appeared a bit more rounded.  This flattened upper lip was copied by others including Joan Crawford.  In the 1950's the two points on the top of the lips moved out a bit and the lines were extended a bit past the corners so the lips looked a bit more flared. By the 1980's women wore a lip liner that was darker than the lip stick so their lips automatically looked larger.  If the liner were down on the skin at the edge of the lips, on the skin, the lips looked more dimensional.

When you are outlining your top lip, start at the bow which is where the two points are and work from the middle out to the edges.  It makes it look much better and it is easier to make the arch.  Lip liners also help your lipstick last longer.  If you don't feel like using lipstick, you can cover your lip with lip liner giving your lips a matted finish.

Try to choose a lip liner that is about the same shade as your lipstick.  You can go one shade darker but not much more otherwise it looks weird.  If you are only going to only wear a lip liner, choose a shade close to your natural lip color.  It is important to keep the tip sharp if you want to draw a good line.

It is suggested that you put a lip balm on your lips 10 to 15 minutes before you put on your lip liner and lipstick so your lips are moisturized.  Use small strokes rather than a single long stroke for a better look while holding your lip liner at a 45 degree angle to the lips. When you've got the lip liner on,  move your chin to your chest, look at the coverage, before lifting your chin so you can see your neck.  By checking your lip liner from both perspectives, you can find any areas that need a bit more or better lines.

If you want, use a brush to smooth out the line so it looks more natural.  Do not overdraw the lip trying to make bigger lip area because it doesn't look right.  Draw an X at the bow to make the edges proper.  If you do not want to use a colored lip liner, choose a clear one to keep the lipstick from bleeding but does not stand out if the lipstick rubs off.

If your lip liner is not going on smoothly, warm the tip between your fingers and try again.  This bit of warming often makes the liner go one smoother.  Wipe the lip liner off between uses to keep it clean.  If you see white particles on your lip liner, throw it out because it indicates your lip liner might not be off.  Now you know why you should wear lip liner.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a good day.

History of Fake Eye Lashes

 Everyday, I read various news feeds and on one, I found an article listing among other things, some magnetic eye lashes.  I'd never heard of them but they sound a bit easier than trying to glue strips onto the eye.

I know some wear them all the time while others wear them occasionally but how did they become a part of people's beauty routine?  Where and when did they start?

In Ancient Rome, Pliny wrote that long lashes meant the woman was chaste.  This thought combined with the already established belief that as you aged, your lashes grew shorter.  Women of the time wanted to keep their lashes as long as possible.

By 1899, women improved their lashes by having lashes implanted onto the eye lid via a needle.  This common operation happened all over including in Paris.  Some women who didn't want to undergo the needle, tried glueing lashes without much success.  It is said that a Canadian woman patented fake eyelashes in 1911 when she created a crescent shaped fabric with implanted pieces of human hair. She designed them to attach to the upper lid with a bit of glue.

Then in 1915, Karl Nessler opened a hair salon in New York City.  In addition to his permanent waves, he also offered fake lashes to help protect the eye from the glare of electric eyes.  He hired chorus girls to wear them while batting their eyes at people to advertise this product.  However, fake lashes did not become popular until 1916 when movie director D.W. Griffith demanded that one of his actresses in the movie Intolerance, have lashes that were so big, they brushed her cheeks.  One of the wigmakers attached human hair to her eyes using spirit gum. It worked but she ended up with such an allergenic reaction, her eyes swelled closed.

Karl Nessler also known as Charles Nessler began marketing fake eyelash kits to women. He named his lashes "Nestolashes" which came with glue and directions so that every woman who desired could achieve the same Hollywood look.  Originally, fake eyelashes only lashed a few hours but as time passed, they became better and could last a lot longer.

The use of eye lashes gained popularity to the point, columnists were suggesting that young men carefully check women out because the long curling eyelashes they saw, might not be theirs through the 1920's and 30's.  Other columnists called any woman who wore false eye lashes "a temptress".  In fact, Vogue magazine featured adds for fake lashes topped with gold and platinum beads in the 1930's.  At this time, fake eye lashes were still being made of human hair and fabric.

Then in the 1940's and 50's eyelashes gained popularity because Hollywood stars wore them all the time.  These new fake lashes were made out of plastic rather than human hair and made the eyes of the stars larger and more eye catching.  It was all about glamour but in the 1960's fake lashes became more about innovation and youth.  The poster girl for the fake eyelashes during this decade was Twiggy.

Fake eye lashes fell out of favor in the 1970's and 80's before they came roaring back in the 1990's with the glamor look.  When the 2000's hit, it became popular for stars to wear fake eyelashes out of animal fur and diamonds. Now they are magnetic eyelashes which are much easier to apply.  You simply use a special magnetic eyeliner first.  Let it dry and then attach the lashes.  I'm told they work quite well.

I've never used eye lashes because I didn't want to use adhesive but this new type might make it worth using.  Let me know what you  think, I'd love to her.  Have a great day.

Just Us!

It's just us here for the next week!