Goodwill Fashion Expert—Bjorn Nasett

Eunice Walker Johnson, director and producer of Ebony Fashion Fair

I was thrilled when I heard the Milwaukee Art Museum was hosting an exhibit honoring the contributions of Ebony Fashion Fair brought not only to the world of design, but to the general public as well! Being able to see couture garments up close and personal is a rare treat for any fashion lover, and it’s a terrific learning experience in the art of fashion design for the uninitiated. The following is a press release detailing the exhibit, and the photographs are a representation of what the show has in store for the viewer. Thanks to the Milwaukee Art Museum for giving us this springtime gift, just when we need it most!

The Milwaukee Art Museum brings haute couture to the city in Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair. Open now through May 3, it is a story of vision, innovation and power told through the prism of iconic fashion from Oscar de la Renta, Givenchy, Valentino, Dior, Pierre Cardin, Yves Saint-Laurent, Patrick Kelly and Emanuel Ungaro, among others.

For some of us the holidays are a hectic and sometimes stressful time of year. There are so many parties, celebrations, get-togethers and evenings out and about! Dressing up to attend any and all of these events can be a little challenging on many levels. Carving out time in our busy schedules and trying to fit it all in can leave even the most hardy holiday partier wondering what to wear to which occasion! Keeping your wardrobe simple, chic and festive throughout the endless parade of soirees shouldn’t be that hard at all. If you stick to a few of my simple tricks, you’ll always look party perfect in no time.  

There’s a rule in fashion that is never, ever, wrong … Accessories can make, or break, an outfit! There you have it. I’m not talking about jewelry or shoes here, but rather things we can’t do without during the cold-weather season. When it comes to wintertime fashion, there’s a lot of accessory choices that can help ward off the chilly temperatures while looking stylish at the same time. I keep all of my winter accessories in the coat closet by my front door, and I actually installed my closet pole about eight-inches higher than normal. This allowed me to also install some simple shelving underneath where my coats hang. On that shelving I have bins containing everything I might need as I head outdoors to start my day (or evening). I also store some cleaning supplies there as well. To get closet in order, you may want to start first by going through all of your gloves, scarves, hats and even sunglasses and pare them down to the ones you really love to wear on a daily basis. Then take the rest (if they’re in good condition) and donate them to Goodwill so that someone else might enjoy the warmth and style they provide. This will also help you understand what you might want to look for to fill in the gaps in your accessory arsenal. Here’s the top five items you should have in order to keep you toasty warm, and smoking hot fashion-wise, this fall and winter. 

That old black magic has me in its spell, that old black magic that you weave so well,”… and so the famous song goes. There is simply nothing as chic as black when it comes to fashion so, of course, the lyrics get it exactly right. I know there are those that say “I can’t wear black,” and though it’s somewhat of a cliché, I understand where they’re coming from. Not every single person in the world looks good in head-to-toe black, however, when the right thing comes along, this no-color neutral can be the epitome of classy-and-cool style. Let’s take a look at some of the runway looks I saw at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week that really took the monochromatic dark side to new levels of high fashion.  There are elements in each of the following looks that can be translated to everyday wear for ALL of us …  

There is no easier way to do a scary Halloween costume than using make up to turn yourself, or your child, into a creature of the night! All things ghoulish are the way to go for a haunted Halloween. My friend Jonathan Carthell recently posted a photo of himself done up in a simple skeleton make up that is very effective and easy to do. He allowed me to use his picture so that I could show you just how fast and fun it would be to do your own version of this classic and creepy, might I add, transformation!  

Rich reds. Robust burgundies. Merlot. So many wonderful wines. Though I’m not truly a connoisseur of the grape as it pertains to the alcohol, I can tell you that as a tone, color, or hue, this traditional shade is making strides on the runways of fashion week for the fall and winter ahead. I spied the deep notes of autumn wines in numerous offerings by designers at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week last February. This brownish-red tone has traveled from sportswear to evening wear without even batting an eyelash … so let’s take a look at the shades and shapes that will make for an intoxicating fall-fashion season!

When the leaves start to fall it’s time to review what we have in our closets for the autumn and winter seasons to come. Yes, that means you too, men! As a guy who works in the fashion business I have a pretty good eye for what works for the average man, as well as what he might actually wear. Of course, I dress up a little more frequently than most guys do because of my job but, at the end of the day, every male needs to be in the loop about fashion and style for fall. I’m going to dispense some tips about the looks that are easy to emulate - and those that can be achieved by any man, boy, guy or dude who wants to put a little style spin on his everyday wardrobe this fall and winter.

There’s one thing for certain in the world of fashion and that is its ability to change with the times, as well as the tastes of the people who wear it. Whenever I’m asked, "What’s in style?" I most often answer with, “Whatever looks best on you!” I realize people want me to tell them what’s trending, but in reality we should all wear what’s best for our lifestyle and body type. That being said, the age old question of skirt length is open to discussion, primarily because it’s gone up and down like a flagpole over the last 100 years or so. This reflects changes in society as well as the whims of fashion design. So, let’s take a look at the greatest hits of "the skirt" shall we?

Are there rules to follow when dressing for a trip to the theatre to see a play or musical? You bet there are! Just like so many situations we have in life, what we wear depends entirely on what we’re doing, and where we’re going. I look at it like this - would you wear the same outfit you go grocery shopping in to attend a theatrical production? The obvious answer is of course, no!  Although many people would beg to differ I’m sure. Now is your chance to dress up using my practical tips AND save money on theatre tickets, too! Our neighbors at the Milwaukee Chamber Theatre are offering $10 off the ticket price exclusively to Goodwill and Retique shoppers for any performance during the run of their production of the comedy “Things Being What They Are” from November 20^th to December 15th, 2013. To get your $10 off, just mention “GOODWILL” when ordering at the box office or by phone at 414-291-7800, or you may also purchase tickets online at www.milwaukeechambertheatre.com with the coupon code: GOODWILL (restrictions apply). The play will be held at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 North Broadway in Milwaukee’s chic and Historic Third Ward. 

Classic is never out of style. Take for instance that age-old marriage of inky black and milky white. These polar color opposites are always interpreted and re-interpreted each fashion season. Why? The simple answer, of course, is because they can work their stylish magic on everyone. Given the long history of this dynamic duo, which can encompass everything from a white skull and cross bones on a pirate flag, to a chic Chanel-inspired ensemble from the 1920’s, the combination has definite staying power when it comes to classic wardrobe building. While the “tuxedo look” can often feel stark and cold, I’ll show you some easy ways to warm up to this fall trend.