Eye on Style

Oct. 5, 2005

There is good news on the fashion front: the muffin top is out; not that it was ever really in. After Britney Spears decided several years ago that showing one’s midriff was the hot fashion statement, someone else with a little extra tummy roll decided, why not let that show? Hence, the muffin top was born. The bottom-line is that the days of showing one’s midriff is out. So, exactly what is the new style that is hot in London, Paris, New York, LA and Northern Michigan?
“Definitely a more lady-like look is in fashion today,” said Mary Bowden, artistic director at Imprés Salon in Traverse City. “Today’s look are designs inspired from the 1920s to the 1940s with a Bohemian touch added to it.”
Bowden, along with fellow staff members at Imprés, will be hosting the Global Collection 2005 on Tuesday, October 25 at the Park Place Dome. The runway hair and fashion show will benefit The Good Will Inn homeless shelter in Traverse City and give attendees a look at the hot fashions available from local boutiques as well as what Bowden feels will be popular hair designs for the future.

GOING WILD
“This show is our opportunity to go wild,” said Bowden. “Our designers will take their inspirations and create hair styles that you definitely won’t see on the streets of Traverse City today, but we hope that they will become fashionable in a few years. What we normally see is a conservative modification of some of these styles popping up within a year.”
Tamara Vomastek, along with her sister Sandra, founded Imprés 15 years ago, and sees Northern Michigan in tune with what is hot in the major fashion cities of the world.
“Sure, at one time it was said that we were five years behind the rest of the world when it came to fashions and hair designs,” said Vomastek. “But that has all changed with people like my sister, Lori Wildman of le Fetiche, and other boutique owners in the area who constantly travel to the hot fashion regions and keep up with the trends.”
So, exactly how are fashion trends created?
“It is a lot like other creative areas (auto designs, music, furniture) where a few people get an inspiration and seemingly everyone else has similar inspirations, so a certain look is developed,” said Bowden. “As for specific influences, popular and underground pop culture both play a major role. I think we can add Joel Heady from le Fetiche to that list as a person who has tremendous fashion sense and is really in tune with what is hot in the underground music circles.”
Both women see fashion magazines such as “W,” along with the music culture and celebrities playing a major role in impacting fashion trends.
“Music plays such a major role,” said Bowden. “Especially with the younger generation. There is an underground/alternative scene that has a tremendous impact on our culture. But at the end of the day it all connects together and what we have ended up with right now is this lady-like fashion that is popular with young and old alike.”

ROMANTIC LOCKS
As for what is hot in the world of hair:
“Hairstyles should be moving and romantic,” said Vomastek. “Not big like we had in the 1980s.”
“The trend is to not have a fussy or uptight look; your hair shouldn’t look too done,” said Bowden.
Both agree that regardless of hair length women have flexibility in their look.
“One of the advantages women have over men is that they can change their look daily,” said Vomastek. “Not only with their fashions but with their hair. Your hairstyle is as important as your outfit.”
“Even women who wear their hair short have a lot of flexibility in how they wear it,” said Bowden. “It really is important to consult with your stylist before making a decision on your style. Not every style is for every woman, so a good stylist should work with you on helping you select what will look best. Often it comes down to a variation of the style that you wanted.”
Vomastek believes that the women of Northern Michigan really have it good when it comes to fashion expectations.
“We really are afforded the best of both worlds here,” said Vomastek. “There is much more fashion pressure on women in the larger cities in the work environment. We are able to be more creative and more casual in our dress. Life is more casual here. It is why we chose to live here.”

GETTING IT RIGHT
While a more casual approach is acceptable, that doesn’t eliminate the daily routine of choosing an outfit and getting the hair to work right.
“Often, I start planning what I am going to wear the next day the night before,” said Kelly Perrin, salon director. “But my mood might change in the morning, so I might look at a couple of outfits before I decide. Then there is the shoe selection process.”
Ah yes, the morning ritual that all women seem to go through, selecting the right shoes for the outfit.
“I think it is the same in most households,” said Vomastek. “Men have three pairs of shoes and five sets of golf clubs and several fly rods. Women have several pairs of shoes and usually three to five options to choose from for every outfit.”
All the women agree that while the ladies of the area have a diverse fashion sense, the Northern Michigan male has pretty much maintained the same fashion look for the last 20 years.
“It seems that khakis and a golf shirt has been the style for men around here for several years,” chuckles Vomastek. “For the most part it really is a reflection of the casual lifestyle up here. As for hair, short is in for a variety of reasons, mostly because it is the accepted business look.”
“I think the culture up here and in general around the country doesn’t give men the fashion flexibility that women have,” said Bowden. “It really is a shame because women are given an opportunity to express themselves artistically and essentially reveal themselves through their fashions and hair styles. Men are not given that opportunity because of societal expectations.”

THE SAME SWEATER...
So what about that fear of showing up to an event and seeing another woman in the same outfit?
“It seldom happens,” said Perrin. “Though recently I met a friend for dinner and we both had the same sweater on. It was a little embarrassing.”
Anyways, at the end of the day it really gets down to how great your hair looks and those shoes.
“Don’t forget about the purse,” said Vomastek. “The purse is just as important. Really fashion is all about having fun.”
Fun will be the focus on October 25 when Imprés Salon presents The Global Collection 2005 at the Park Place Dome. All proceeds will benefit The Goodwill Inn, a shelter for the area homeless. For additional information about the show visit www.impressalon.com or call (231) 941-9094 for advance tickets.