Veronica's back! World-renowned supermodel Veronica Webb will be making it work along with Tim Gunn as co-host of his new Bravo show, Tim Gunn's Guide to Style. Beginning Thursday, September 6, Tim and Veronica will be helping hapless fashion victims find their own personal fabulosity.In that same vein, Ms. Webb has contributed her "Ten Tips for Being Well Dressed" to September's fashion issue of Ebony Magazine. Which, by the way, is one fabulous and informative issue; required reading for fashionistas everywhere! So look and learn, my lovelies...
1. Step Up and Stand Out
Who are you to be fierce, fabulous and flawless? Well (with homage to Nelson Mandela and Marianne Williamson), who are you not to be? This is the live-and-die credo of every self-respecting fashionista. The best kept secret in the business is don't let your hair make you fat! Being a slave to a hairstyle to the point where fitness gets blown-off for a blow-dry can also ruin your skin. Read Hair Rules by New York City hair stylist, Dickie Anthony; it delivered me from beauty shop bondage. A fit body is a fierce body and that's what makes fashion look fabulous.
2. Sing a Swan Song for the Thong Song
Low-rise jeans have hit the dust. Sophisticated pencil skirts and high-waisted jeans are the new essentials. Levi's 501s or wide-leg 18th Amendment jeans are IT.
3. The All-Day Scarf
Scarves work for a girl 24 hours a day, so don't treat this staple like a bald-headed stepchild. Match or contrast the predominate colors in your wardrobe. Big silk squares in dramatic prints work if tied bandana-style with the ends long and flowing down the neck. Gold hoops, a cute 16-inch Gucci link chain with Ray-Ban aviators add up to the look of a jet setter with a flick of the wrist.
4. Everybody Loves a Remix
Puff Daddy is a master at teasing 110 percent out of all he touches. You can too. Hair accessories are a smart way to extend hairstyles. Hairdressers can show you how to use them to make your hair a hit.
5. It's About the Skin
Celebrities can inject more wonder drugs into their faces than they stock at the drugstore, but without a skin-care regime--kiss those movie-star looks goodbye! Dirty faces look old and weathered because fine lines and pores become accentuated by grime. Clean it up with Biore pore strips and a deep-cleansing mask. My Park Avenue dentist saved me a mint with the hint, "Crest Premium White Strips for a million-dollar smile."
6. Water, Water Everywhere
Why do you think French women drink designer water? To fit into designer clothes! Models drink water on schedule. It's the No. 1 diet trick to be svelte, sleek and chic. Polish off a liter bottle of water while getting dressed in the morning and another liter in the evening before bed.
7. Get Ready
The antidote to fashion agony is preparation. Instantly organize your closet with a matching set of hangers. Prepare five great outfits in advance. Accessorize a little black dress and a great fitting pair of jeans for day and night. Make sure to have a fat-day outfit down pat, a wrap dress from Diane Von Furstenberg (www.dvf.com) and Isaac Mizrahi for Target can do the trick.
8. A Dash of Color
Bright color makes a wardrobe spicy like hot sauce wakes up scrambled eggs. Add color a dash at a time. American Apparel (www.americanapparel.net) is a marvelous playground to find a shocking new shade for a fabulous underpinning that's perfect for you and not a shock to your pocketbook.
9. Train the Legs
If you can't walk in heels, wear them around the house until it's second nature. Dance when you're alone. Make your body language elegant. Reward yourself with flirty stockings by Tracy Reese for Hue (www.tracyreese.com).
10. Look Good and Give Back
From lipstick to luggage, your dollars can make a difference in the fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa. Buy Viva Glam, the luxurious lipstick from MAC cosmetics, an iPod or an Armani wristwatch from (Product)Red, whose proceeds help save lives. Luggage maker Tumi makes suitcases for savvy travelers and sponsors www.buildaschool.org, which constructs two schools a week in central Africa.
Preach!
Image via The NY Times
