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New book about developing a signature style

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

This is a book by Rachel Nachmias. She's a stylist in Philadelphia (I think). She just published it yesterday in Kindle format, with hard copy publication to follow sometime next year. I'm sharing because she has an interesting approach to style development, and the ebook is free until tomorrow, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRX3OI8/

It is aimed mostly at women who run their own businesses, but applicable to anyone, really. I'm working through the exercises in it. You can see my Desires board below. I'll have to come back to it tomorrow with fresh eyes because right now I see mostly dresses, sunglasses, and bent elbows

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Dressing

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Anonymous

LOL at seeing bent elbows. Thank you for the heads up.

Staysfit

Veteran

Thanks for the tip. I see piped or trimmed edges, crisp contrast, crisp geometric bold large patterns; boxy, or swingy and maybe even fitted crop tops. The swingy tops come in the form of capes, ponchos and loose scarves or draping. I also see the sunglasses. Elbows! LOL!

Sheila

Veteran

Kibbe philosophy - but different names.

I read it... it is great and like Kibbe is about self- acceptance and dressing for your body type.

How tall are you Alexandra ? I see a bit of Dramatic Gamine going on there.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Staysfit, thank you for the help!

Sheila, I'm 5'5.5". Dramatic Gamine sounds right. Rachel typed me as YangG, the Pixie archetype.

Here's my analysis of the collage:
1. ladylike, dresses
2. high contrast, B/W, bright color, bold
3. scarves, draped fabric, abbreviated drama
4. sunglasses, contrast trim
5. comfortable, cheerful

Now I just need to figure out how to adjust my more boring work outfits to bring them closer to this vision.

April

Veteran

Just a word of advice from an experienced Kindle user -- unless you have one of those Fire versions with a snazzy color screen, don't get a highly illustrated book in its Kindle edition. The black and white illustrations will just not give the same effect.

Anonymous

Thanks for the tip. I downloaded the book just now. I'll start reading it this evening.

Traci

Veteran

I see Jackie O! Is she a style icon of yours?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I just downloaded it. As someone who runs my own business, I'm finding it especially pertinent. I'm having a hard time typing myself, though. Also had trouble with Kibbe. I'm just not good at stepping back and looking objectively.

lpr200

Veteran

Thanks! I just downloaded it too

El Cee

Veteran

Just like Traci -- I see Jackie O. in that "Desires Board". Fabulous style icon!

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

April, good to know, thank you! This book has very minimal illustrations so it's not an issue, but I've downloaded some before where the formatting was really crazy. Since then, I've paid a lot of attention to the reviews because often people will mention if there's a problem.

Traci and El Cee, thank you for the suggestion. I'll take a closer look at Jackie O. I like some of the 60's styles so that could work.

jenanded

Veteran

Thanks Alexandra. I just downloaded and read p1 of the introduction. It is already resonating... I don't have my own business but work at a University. That has been my reflection this year... I need to be video ready most days it seems... So I look forward to reading this!

Beth Ann

Veteran

Thanks, Alexandra! I'll have something fresh and easy to read on my long drive to visit the in-laws!

Lisa

Veteran

Interesting, thanks for the book recommendation.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the tip. We are about to launch a business that will have me in the public eye on a daily basis for the first time in 10 years. How to represent myself and the business has been on my mind for a while.

Isabel

Veteran

Awesome, thank you.

LOVING the descriptor : dramatic gamine.

Anonymous

I don't have a Kindle, so I'll have to buy the book I guess. Is it a lot easier to understand than Kibbe? If not, I'll pass. Thanks.

Anonymous

I read the book (thanks Alexandra!) and I think it's easier to understand than Kibbe. Mind you, the section on your "archetype" is no easier to understand, so if you couldn't figure out your type in Kibbe, you'll be no further ahead with this book.

However, I really like the section in using Pinterest to hone your style, and the book is laid out as a few exercises which are good...if you actually take the time to do them.

The section on colours sort of leaves you hanging. Basically tells you to go get a professional opinion about your colours. But if you already know your colours (which i think you do, BC) then you can ignore this chapter.

I had a day off the other day and really felt like I made some progress around where I want to go with my style in 2017 thanks to this book.

There's an emphasis on pictures at first, to give you a visual idea of what you like. It then tells you to find parallels between your pictures and write them down. These are you "desires". It's basically what you really like.

It also talks about your goals (ie: what activities and events do you need clothes for and also, what impression you want to give while doing those activities).

And it then asks you to try and marry your activities with some of your desire words AND your archetype. This part is a bit tricky because sometimes your desire words don't line up with your activities or archetype, and so you might need to adapt your desire words or throw them out.

I like that the book was task-oriented.

As Beth Ann says, a nice light read if you don't do the exercises.

Anonymous

I just got the kindle app for my iPhone (free) and then got the book (also free). Not sure if it's still free though.

Alexandra

(website)

Veteran

Smittie, thank you for the review. You said much better what I had in my head when I wrote the original post.

BC, you don't need a Kindle. Just the free Kindle app. There's a version for just about any platform/device. Look here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/help.....=200783640

Anonymous

Thanks! It's a tiny screen on my iPhone, but at least it's free.