By Jessica Thomas
Another summer is over. Vacations have ended, school is back in session and jobs are also kicking back into high gear. So it’s time to loose the bathing suit and the suntan oil for a new look and start fall off with a bang.
Stylists and fashionistas say now is the time for a more “pulled together look” in contrast to summer’s more relaxed, casual styles. Provi Fulp-Ramphal, owner of Five Star Quality Inc., a company that specializes in celebrity styling and wardrobe consulting, said, “Retro glamour with loose hair and silk, satin and brocade bring elegant 1950’s opulence for the cooler fall weather.” She also predicted that bright reds and pinks would be fashionable colors this fall. “The variation on that end of the rainbow was prevalent on the couture runways and will translate down [to us] this season,” Fulp-Ramphal said.
Continuing with the bright color palette, grape, rouge and marigold will also be popular hues this fall, said Melissa Murdock, owner of Sandpiper Boutique in Vinings and Sandy Springs. Murdock noted that dresses will continue to have a strong presence and jeans will continue to be skinny and distressed and should be worn with long sweaters and boots. Fur, exposed zippers and sequins round out the fall must-haves.
She also noted that tweed and velvet would be big in the fabric department, which goes along with the 1980’s look that is coming back once again.
Fulp-Ramphal agreed: “Exaggerated shoulders and nipped-in waists are the way to go, and the power suit will resurrect once again.”
With that trend, there will be a lot of purple eye shadow and liner, said Adriene Hall, a make-up artist at Dragonfly Salon in West Midtown. Jennifer Barry, a make-up artist at Vivid Salon in Morningside, agreed that purple will be an important color, but also said to not discount metallic, shimmery make-up left over from summer because it will complement fall’s look of soft, wavy hair.
Putting away styling tools for the season will help restore hair’s vitality and health after a summer of damage and stress. Stylists are saying put away the flat iron because body, volume and texture are keys for the season. “A romantic look with a lot of body and a long fringe that can be worn down or swept to the side is in for fall,” said Jim Crawford, the owner of ColorBar Salon in Buckhead. Mimi Lee, a stylist at LUX, The Salon in Grant Park agreed.
Lee suggested simply washing and conditioning your hair, applying mousse or cream to it, and then braiding it or just twirling with your fingers while letting it air dry. “The hair may already be in poor condition from the sun, chlorinated pool water and using a flat iron throughout the summer, so the continued use of heat styling tools will just stress and aggravate the hair more,” Crawford said, recommending intensive conditioning and shine treatments once a week to get hair looking healthy again.