LISA CRAMPTON: THE STYLE COMPANY

Issue 53:

Glitz & Glamour as Yorkshire professionals celebrate model employees, featuring our very own Mr City Dweller – Paul Mattison

Professionals Fashion Show Ball featuring Model Employee Awards a night to remember!

Business professionals from across Yorkshire gathered to recognise and celebrate individuals of outstanding achievement and success. Raising over £3,000 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Once Upon A Child. Business leaders involved and attending were Barclays Corporate, Addleshaw Goddard, PWC, Gordon’s, Irwin Mitchell, Lloyds Banking Group, Walker Morris, Yorkshire Bank, Cobbetts, Garbutt & Elliott, DWF, GVA Grimly, Ernst & Young, BWC, RSM Tennon, Bakertilly, Ford Campbell, Begbies Traynor. Event Partners, TheBusinessDesk.com, Welcome to Yorkshire, City Dweller, IOD, PM forum, ICAEW, Law Society, LCASS, Professionals 100 Club and Aspire.

The sell-out annual black-tie fundraising awards dinner and fashion show at Saviles Hall, on Friday 13th May saw 53 aspiring models put on a spectacular catwalk show modeling the latest trends from Harvey Nichols, French Connection, Reiss, Seasons, Hawes & Curtis, Coast, Firetrap and Aqua in front of a 480 strong audience. Hair by Saks and make-up by Boots. We had our very own Paul Mattison Mr City Dweller himself strut his stuff down the catwalk, welcomed with roaring cheers of support from the crowd; we have live DVD coverage of the event and hundreds of pictures so he can’t escape!

Organised and Hosted by Lisa Crampton, Eventium and David Parkin, TheBusinessDesk.com the atmosphere was electric and celebrations were high as the winners collected their awards:
• Banker of the Year – Ben Andrews,, Barclays Corporate
• Accountant of the Year – Matthew Callaghan, PWC
• Solicitor of the Year – Sarah Leyland, Cohen Cramer
• Networker of the Year – Damian Connelly, Barclays Corporate
• PA of the Year – Lucinda Wood, Sewell Moorhouse
• Marketer of the Year – Jane Richardson, Gordons LLP
• Outstanding Achievement – Welcome to Yorkshire Gary Verity & Team
• Yorkshire Ambassador and personality of the Year – David Parkin, TheBusinessDesk.com

Next year Friday 11th May 2012, Saviles Hall, Leeds, with many firms/professionals already wishing to be involved and pre-booking for next year preparations are already on the way. Don’t miss out, contact: lisa@eventium.co.uk

Issue 52:

From high street to glitzy catwalk - Fashion for Real People ....

Move over Gok Wan and make way for the real make-over of Spring/Summer 2011. The renowned Professionals Fashion Show Ball is back taking place on Friday 13th May at the Royal Armouries, Leeds.

This spectacular black-tie charity event will see hundreds of professionals attend and take part in celebrating all that is good about Yorkshire, highly supported by Yorkshire’s leading businesses and fashion brands. The catwalk will feature real people showcasing the latest trends from Harvey Nichols, French Connection, Reiss, Aqua, Coast, Hawes & Curtis and Firetrap with hair styled by Saks and cosmetics by Max Factor, Benefit, Chanel to name a few.

The Spring/Summer collections are amazing with quality exuding in style, colour and fabrics. With attention to detail and influences by leading catwalk designers we are in for a real treat!

Forget the model stereotype as fashion is all about real people and styling for you, moving away from size but building true style and glamour. Men and women can explore these collections with fun and dare trying new looks and transforming yourself for summer!

Key colours for this season include nude, coral, tan, pink, peach, white and black, with an explosion of vibrant hot pinks, yellows and blues. Key fabrics are silk, cotton, lace with over sized shimmery shirts and tailor fitting suits. Hats, belts and brightly coloured shoes are cutting edge accessories that can excel your look.

The fashion show promotes real people wearing the latest fashion proving that anyone can transform their image and create a brand new you. Step out this season with a sexy attitude knowing what to wear and sprinkle a little glitz and glamour into your life. Come and join us for an enjoyable evening of style, celebration and damn good fun!

I hope to see you there let’s mix business with fashion. I would LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU so drop me a line for good advice and hot fashion tips.

Thanks Lisa

Lisa Crampton, The Style Company
lisa@the-style-company.co.uk

Issue 51:

CALLING ALL MEN

New Year, New Style – BRAND NEW YOU!

A couple of months into 2011. How are you looking
/feeling? Fabulous, focused and keeping your New Year Resolutions? I think I know your answer, so let’s get you back on track to the BRAND NEW YOU, just in time for Spring/Summer.

1. The Big Clear Out
Time to trim the fat! Wardrobe detox - time to finally start looking through the clothes you’ve accumulated over the last two years and decide whether you still need them or not. The two rules I’m going by are – have you worn it in the last 6-9 months? And does it still fit me? If the item does not fit within these requirements it’s gone!

2. Invest, Invest, Invest
With every new item you purchase make sure that it is a versatile piece and you can use it with plenty of other items in your wardrobe, classic and stylish to last for a couple of years. Don’t just stick with trends and fashion invest in style!

3. Get a Great Rack
This one should really be top of the list because it’s something that you really do need. Yes I’m talking about storage, a place for shoes, ties, & jumpers that you leave around the house, pleasing your partner at the same time! Bonus!

4. Buy Some Bling
Male jewellery doesn’t really fit in with the male ethos of masculine? Well it’s time to change your mind. Keep it classic with a Bling watch that makes a real statement.

5. Tux up
A decade of wearing your same old tux? It’s time to invest in a new one, and one that fits you properly. Your only decision is to go for a classic old-Hollywood black, grosgrain shawl collar or go a bit more out there with something more modern worn with a white-tie and even a little sparkle?

So guys, what are your New Year’s Resolutions in terms of fashion and becoming an overall better man with style? I would LOVE TO HEAR THEM because it may just inspire other people to do the same.

Lisa Crampton, The Style Company - lisa@the-style-company.co.uk

Issue 47:

The Military Look for Autumn/Winter 2010

Hair trends
As we finally wave goodbye to summer it’s time for that seasonal shift which is a great time to reinvent yourself and build your own personal brand. Getting ‘the Look’ isn’t just about clothing, having the right hair style changes everything! You may say guys don’t have much to play with, especially when we only have short back and sides, but you boys need to pay more attention, starting from the top and working down. With a vintage twist on this season’s hair style, it’s out with the new and back in with the old. Men's hair styles will fall into two distinct categories: school boy and rocker. To achieve this look go for the classic part or the fringe, which adds a youthful quality to the look. I'd recommend choosing which best suits your facial shape and hair.

For King and Country
The military trend in men’s fashion was popularised in the 1980’s by the flamboyant style of Adam Ant but in 2010 military style is set to evolve. A new decade calls for a new swatch that focuses on subtlety and quality rather than pistols, gold stitching and eye liner. But if inspiration no longer comes from the 1980s, then when? Hopefully the Second World War, an era of rationing, clean cuts, functionality and of course, the dapper gentleman off to fight for King and Country.

Boots
Every stylish chap should have a shiny pair of boots to finish off the military look. You could go for a classic pair of leather ankle boots or push the fashion stakes out with a modern, edgy pair with buckles and longer length.

Other trends to wear it with
One of the great things about this trend is that it is made to be functional; after all, it comes from an era when there was a war on! Thus, the trend can be worn with toned down pieces, particularly darker colours. In the trouser department, look for solid, coloured pants or darker denim. For a touch of flair, look for shiny trousers.

Lisa Crampton x

The Style Company
lisa@ the-style-company.co.uk

Issue 46:

Autumn/Winter Fashion & Colour Trends 2010

We’re already half way through 2010 and in the fashion industry our eyes are always firmly on the future. In this case that means looking past the Spring/Summer 2010 collections towards the Autumn/Winter 2010 colour and fashion trends. Madness I know, but with summer slowly fading away and holidays becoming a distant memory we look forward to the coming cooler weather, the fashion it will bring and the impact it will have on the year ahead. Yes, Autumn/Winter 2010 fashion trends are on the horizon.

With a new season comes a lot of new looks and a new take on established fashion trends. This Autumn we are to see a season of mixed colours that fuse practically with a sense of travel and adventure.

Fashion Trends
With the cooler weather comes extra clothing which is never something to complain about. The additional layering allows you to work those extra details into your wardrobe which add refinement.

Men's fashion moves slower than women's, but that doesn't mean this season hasn’t a distinct look or that there aren't overarching themes from the year that can be worked into a wardrobe. After all, fashion is a constant evolution.

This season is all about refinement and what better way to embellish that than with the right detailing, colouring and styling to direct men’s fashion down a more classical route.

So many textile elements come together each year to put together season's fashion trends; there are the cuts, the individual details, the fabrics, and, the often forgotten colour trends.

Colour Trends
They say that red and green should never be seen but new styles can be created by mixing colours and contrasting them in a way that hasn’t been done before.

Everyone has their own unique and distinctive colour pallet that suits their skin tone, hair and over all style. Colour can either enhance your look or destroy it so getting the colours right for you is so important and the key to you looking your best!

As a stylist the first thing I do is identify the colour pallet of my client then the styling and fashion trends build from there, but colour is the first point of action. What colours suit you most?

The colour preferences, general fashion considerations and styling directions can be divided up into three categories: Chic, Classic and Casual. See colour palettes are below:

This season why not mix it up and try something new.

Lisa Crampton - The style company xx

Issue 45:

Calling all men...

Summer holidays; Now of course we have the basics; short sleeved shirts, a couple of good pairs of jeans, printed vests, flip-flops etc. Not much to consider when throwing items into your suitcase? Or so you may think!

Hot on the catwalk this session is a blast from the past with the traditional school boy look, known as preppy. I personally find this look quite sexy and charming! I would suggest you follow this theme when packing your holiday essentials. Replace plain and unfitted shorts with tailored, checked ones which are a perfect choice. Couple this with a brilliant white polo shirt and fabric pumps. To finish off the preppy look you can add a v-neck lightweight cotton jumper or cardigan.

Jeans are always a winner. Worn with a blue and white strip cotton shirt, this look can be dressed down to incorporate layering by adding t-shirts, fabric hats and funky belts which is another strong look for this season. Keep it classic by adding a dark blue tailored blazer and brown leather loafers.

Swim wear really does matter and can make or break any man. No one wants to see Gary’s tight fitting speedos on the beach and around the pool. Look out for edgy and patterned shorts, keeping them loose and modern. If you have a real body to show off you can put yourself out there in tight black shorts, modelling yourself on Christiano Ronaldo...we wish!

No, I have not forgotten about the World Cup, how could I? However, this is not your opportunity or excuse to pack your England kit in your suitcase and spend your entire holiday dressed as one of the England squad. You need to restrain yourself from looking like a true Brit abroad - you can do better than that. There is a time and place for your England kit, watching the match and that’s it guys.

I thought the look of the England team boarding their plane to South Africa was a pleasant surprise. Our Lions looked sexy, sophisticated and on trend, in a light grey three-piece blazer suit, matched with a light grey shirt and a dark tie with the Three Lions badge on the blazer. Resulting in an overall very preppy look.

A summer holiday, even in the height of football World Cup fever, is a true opportunity to relax your look and be chilled out. Try a new style abroad and take time out to experiment and have some fun!

Lisa Crampton - The style company xx

Issue 44:

Hot tips for Spring/Summer 2010!

Be a winner at the races this season, stand out from the crowd as a firm favourite and dress to impress!

Calling all men! Never has the phrase “the clothes make the man” been more important than when dressing to impress. And I don’t care if it’s a first date, a job interview or a special occasion, I’ll help you put together the right outfit.

What to wear, or should I say what not to wear, for those all important occasions is such a stress factor. Today men have a bigger role to play in the fashion stakes and it’s not as difficult as you may think. You don’t have to rely purely on designer brands to ensure you get the ‘look’- high street fashion for men is amazing, if not better as it doesn’t carry a huge price tag! Highly fashionable and on trend stores like Reiss preview the latest in fashion with all the design flair.

Every occasion is an opportunity to experiment with your look to dress for your personality, so why go into autopilot? For example, a day at the races is great fun, but race-goers worry about what to wear, this being the hot topic for the ladies, but what about the men? No longer is it just ladies day but men too want to look fabulous and be noticed.

With image taking centre stage reaching for one of your dull work suits or dusting off your old wedding suit just won’t suffice anymore, much more is now expected. With sexy, stylish and on trend male examples like David Beckham out there, giving the ladies a run for their money.

Whilst race-goers spend their day sipping on countless glasses of champagne pointing out the worst dressed women, crazy hats and self tan that has gone wrong, don’t be misguided that you guys have been forgotten. The women have just as much fun picking out your loud and dated ties and suits that don’t fit with half mast trousers and unflattering boxed jackets.

To create your winning look for the races stay on-trend and go for a tailored cotton suit, in striking pastel colours, cool shades of grey, sky blue, urban beige and the catwalk classic monochrome combination. Not every guy needs a cotton suit, but it’s such a great piece to have for summer. As well as the races, wear it to work, weddings or just out on the town with retro trainers and a tee. It is one of my top picks for a Spring/Summer ensemble.

Spring/Summer is a good time to refresh your shirt and tie duo - it’s a fun and casual way to incorporate this seasonal must in your work/lifestyle wardrobe. Pink is such a spring statement and also a very flattering colour for most skin tones. If pink is not for you then I personally think you can’t beat a crisp white shirt, looks sexy against a summer tan! Keep ties simple in plain natural metallic tones or bold marine stripe for the wow factor.

Keep your look free and easy yet impeccable, the races tend to be formal attire but you can allow your personality to shine through in a stylish fashion of course.

Brogue wingtips are becoming very popular again, but this traditional British shoe has become less traditional in its new life, shown on the catwalk with tailored and casual trousers, look out for them. Male grooming is vital, take time to rid yourself of those unwanted facial hairs, get a hair cut and to finish your look invest in a superior pair of sunglasses. Good luck!

Lisa Crampton - The style company xx