Clothing that Makes the Actress
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| Photographs by Ann Watt Viva Bhogaita at the Carlisle Collection showroom on East 52nd Street can handle almost any challenge. Businesswomen, housewives, even college girls turn to her for help in creating and building their wardrobes. But, when Alexis Fedor made an appointment, seeking help, Viva faced a new challenge. Alexis is a New York actress with several auditions each week for her “type,” wholesome, post-college woman. This time, she needed three outfits for back-to-back auditions, which required her to have three distinct identities: a high-styled business executive, a conservative banker, and a hip, young socialite. She needed to create these looks within hours on a limited budget.
Alexis confessed she was concerned that the cost might be beyond her budget. But after a friend told her what an incredible experience she had at the showroom without spending more than she had on her last trip to Bloomingdales, Alexis made the appointment. “I was relieved the moment I walked in and met Viva,” Alexis said. “She asked just the right questions during our consultation to make me realize how intuitive she is when it comes to styling her clients. She understood immediately what looks I needed, which shows an incredible gift for being a personal stylist, especially since I was playing characters, not myself.” Viva dressed Alexis in several looks, all of which fit each character, and were completely interchangeable. “I was really excited about being able to use the same pieces to create such drastically different looks,” Alexis commented. “It just takes a few good items and imagination to build different outfits for different occasions. And that makes me feel not only confident in my wardrobe but also extremely organized!” The best tip of the experience was to build a “column” and then design a look around it. A column is created by wearing one solid color, as in a camisole and pants or skirt, and then adding pieces to it, like a scarf, a blouse, a blazer, all of which allow you to mix and match. |
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| Alexis in a black Carlisle Silk Doupioni Suit for her first look as a “Conservative Young Banker.” This look was the perfect “column” from which to build several other looks. |
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| Above, left: By adding the Carlisle Treble Reversible Sweater and the Per Se Striped Patent Leather Contour Belt, Alexis becomes an “Upscale Business Executive,” an easy transition from the conservative young banker look. Above, right: Change the top, lose the jacket, add a perky scarf and Alexis becomes a “secretary.” |
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| The “Young, Hip Social Girl-On-The-Town” with either one of two jackets. Either, the Carlisle Black Cannon Silk Doupioni Jacket, which gives an amazing look for evening or the Per Se Blue Jazzy Ruched Front Leather Jacket, which gives a more casual day look. Alexis decided to keep the blue day look for herself, and use the black one for her character! |
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| On the Per Se side of the showroom, Viva played with a black and white palate giving it a splash of pink as another choice for the “Young, Hip Girl-On-The-Town.” Fabulous in every way! The pink Carnation Laminated Linen Zip-Front Jacket added just the right zip to the retro look of the Pop Pique Maxi-Dot Cotton Skirt and the Sateen Maxi-Floral Print Sleeveless Blouse. |
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This look could work for the “Upscale Business Executive” the “Conservative Banker” and the “Young, Hip Social Girl-On-The-Town,” as anyone could wear this stunning Carlisle “Dreamgirl” Cocktail Dress made of silk faille with an embroidered cutout design that gives it such a sophisticated yet playful impression. The beautiful color brings out the best in almost every skin tone. At the end of her visit, Alexis was pleased. “I’m truly so grateful to have had this opportunity. The clothes were beautiful, well made and practical. It has been such a lesson in how to shop smartly, and style ‘my selves’ with confidence.” |
| Visit the Carlisle Showroom and experience personalized wardrobing: |
| 16 East 52nd Street 16th Floor New York, NY 10022 212.751.6490 |
Twitter: ShoppingDiary |
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