Carolyn Braden says "Tarina for Paul"

I am a Tarina Tarantino super fan so when I saw she partnered up with Paul Mitchell, I was so happy. Her line consists of product gift sets for different hair types and a beautiful flat iron and hair dryer. What a great holiday gift idea for the hair guru in your life!


Picture taken from my latest Vogue! I am loving the November issue. I foresee lots of romantic floral connections in the upcoming spring fashion.

Carolyn J. Braden
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Carolyn Braden's Jewel Animal Clasp

Here's my vintage green satin evening bag I found in my purse collection recently. I'd forgotten about it but when I saw the clasp, it stood out big time to me. Then I was reading my latest Vogue and there was a similar jeweled animal on a necklace in an ad. What goes around truly comes around in the fashion world.


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Carolyn Braden's Early Fall Report 2011

I just finished reading Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. I've had it on hold to read for a while and it seems ironic I saved it for this summer. As I read it, the 20's fashions popped into my head as the next big style influence.When I got home from vacation yesterday and flipped open my Vogue waiting for me in my pile of mail, I saw I am right on target for this "vintage" style influence. You will see many finger woven hairstyles, beaded necklaces, fringed skirts, shimmering fabrics, cloches, and more from the 20's, 30's, and 40's fashion ideas. Read Kinsella's book to get inspiration for the upcoming fashion season.

Also, jeweled animals, double heart locket rings, paddle style (sorority shaped) neon necklaces with vintage animal faces, and a car necklace all stood out to me either in vintage pieces I already own or in a recent dream I had. Somehow those ideas will all show up in some way in the fashion world in the near future.

Carolyn Braden Says "New Fall Trend Update!"

Fashion, fashion, everywhere. There are so many trends that are born every day.  Now, the thing that we all must wonder now is "What generation are these "new" trends from"?  Every new trend seems to just be a repeat from the past.  I was reading in InStyle magazine yesterday about Julianne Moore.  There was a picture from a dance she went to in high school and her dress had spaghetti straps.  She made a comment how spaghetti straps are such a 1970's trend.  
So my question is, are there any truly new trends that are yet to be discovered?  


I do see lots and lots of ruffles and billowing draping happening for this upcoming fall style.  I see fabric being pushed, pulled, tucked, and pinned to make an old style shirt seem like a new style shirt.  The pleated skirt will be hot this fall.  Length of skirts and dresses are going to be longer and the heels are just going to keep getting taller.  (Good thing for me since I am super vertically challenged and the only way I can wear some of these long dress/skirt styles without having to pay money for alterations is to wear the super high heel).  The heels are going from leather with studs to soft and buttery suede.  I found my Mary Jane heels on Friday at Von Maur.  They are platform black heels with an elastic band that adorns a HUGE bow across it to form the strap.  I love the shoe!  I've wanted Mary Janes for so long now, but I wanted some that were a little different.  These fit the bill. Bracelets are the new necklaces for fall.  Patterns and prints in every color and style are going to be mixed in ways you never thought possible and yet, they will look good. I saw a small polka dotted blouse with a floral skirt yesterday in a magazine and thought they actually worked well together.   I'm still dead set on goth style being integrated into fall and winter style.  Spiders will show up somehow. 


So, what do you think?  Are the new trends I listed above repeats of the past.  Yes, I do believe they are. Is there any new trend waiting to be discovered?  I really hope so.  Oh, by the way, celebs that are wearing their dresses backwards is not a new trend to follow. That came in style with KrisKross (remember them) and went out very quickly.  :) Cher is going to be back out in the spotlight again in full force soon.  Talk about a trend from the past. 
Can't wait! :)

Carolyn Braden Says "Make Your Own Tie Dye Fashions Instead of Buying Them!"

I was looking through the latest Vogue issue and on one of the pages there was a white tote bag that had been tie dyed.  The design looked just like some of the shibori designs I've done in the past.  This bag was over $300.00!  I figured you could make the bag yourself and save some cash.  Here's my video on how to do shibori (Japanese tie dye).  I would buy a white canvas bag and try to dye it yourself!  Pinch up small areas of the bag, wrap rubberbands tightly around the areas where you want the ring design, and dye it following directions for dying on the box of dye you choose (if you choose to use a cheaper dye like RIT, which is found in many grocery stores).  You could save around $270.00 by doing it yourself!  Score!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs2OSHxlc7s