fashion – Legally FAB

May

StyleFab: White All Year Long

Most of us have heard the rule (“no white after Labor Day,” etc.), and best time to wear white is the start of the summer which is traditionally marked by Memorial Day which is this weekend.

However, we are here to show you how to embrace wearing fresh whites at any point during the year.

We love how layering different shades of white and eggshell make for a fresh combo, no matter which dates our calendars display.

Spring/Summer

White Lace Dresses are never a bad idea!

Try white tanks with khakis or jeans (Photo: Style Stalker)

Our “Lily white” skirt is fun example of a white bottom for the summer.

Fall/Winter

A pop of white with neutral tones for Fall (Photo: Style Stalker).

With skinny jeans or pants with a layered pea coat.

With Boots, Cost and Hat (Photo: Sydne Style)

READY to try a pop of white, shop our Fab Shop White Collar collection!

Apr

StyleFab: Spring into Color

Yellow is a must have color for Spring! It’s a sunny, eye-catching and not so difficult to combine color, so you can boldly add it to your existing wardrobe.

Many celebrities and fashion bloggers wear color pop pieces of clothing and combine them with various styled dresses, skirts and pants, so how about you?

First, choose a right type of blazer (long or a crop, a fitted or a loose, with buttons or a zipper one). Second, pick out a perfect yellow (or other pop color) shade (canary, mustard, lemon, golden and others). Lastly, mix your existing wardrobe and accessories with your color jacket!

Ready to try out this fashion tip and shop a color pop jacket? Click here for our beautiful “”Law in Color” jacket!

And look below for some ideas on what to match it with!

May

CareerFab: Attorney and Designer Cheslie Kryst

What do you get when you mix a fashionista, entrepreneur and a lawyer? You get super attorney and fashion designer Cheslie Kryst! Read on to learn about her life as attorney and how she can help you take the “work” out of work wear with her website WhiteCollarGlam.com !

1. Why did you choose your profession?

I was always negotiating on behalf of my siblings when we grew up. If we broke a window in the house or got in trouble, I was always the one who would make the call to mom to explain what happened and to discuss punishment. I considered other careers while I was growing up, but being an attorney is the one that feels most natural to me.

2. What is the favorite part of your job?

Winning. I like advocating for our clients and getting them the outcome that they need.

3. What is the most difficult part of your job?

Anxiety and fear of failure or mistakes. It’s my job to represent and advocate for others. I don’t want to mess that up for someone who put their faith and trust in me.

4. Who is your mentor (if any)?

I have several, but my mom is the one I talk to the most. She owns her own human resources consulting firm that she built from the ground up. I remember watching her spend long nights in our home office and it was inspiring and motivating. I trust and rely on her advice.

5. Best piece of advice for someone pursuing your field?

Make sure you love it. Being an attorney isn’t for people who just want to make money. You have to go through too much school and endure too much stress to be in this profession just for the money. There has to be something about it that you love.

6. If you have not chosen this profession would have you chosen instead?

Director of Marketing for a company. I loved earning my MBA at Wake Forest and it opened my eyes to the possibility of careers other than being an attorney. I enjoyed learning about marketing and always looked forward to my marketing classes.

7. Favorite designer?

Christian Siriano. He makes fantastic clothing for women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and races.

8. Favorite makeup brand?

MAC. I used to compete in pageants and fell in love with the brand because of the excellent choices they had for stage makeup.

9. Favorite hair care?

Shea Moisture. They have a lot of different lines of shampoo, conditioner, and leave-in conditioner and I love everything I’ve tried!

10. Favorite skin brand?

I only use Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Cream Cleanser. I don’t use any other face washes or creams.

11. If you could only choose 5 items to put in your purse everyday, what would they be?

Wallet, business card holder, chapstick, notebook, and pen.

12. Free plug:)– Anything you would like our readers to know that you are supporting, selling or creating?

I run WhiteCollarGlam.com, a fashion blog for workwear. I’m planning a guide on where to find the perfect suit and I’ll be publishing it for free for all my readers in the next few weeks!

Education (Schools Attended) BSBA – Honors College at the University of South Carolina; JD – Wake Forest University School of Law; MBA – Wake Forest University School of Business

Certifications or Licenses? Licensed to practice law in North Carolina

Mar

CareerFab: Attorney and Music Manager Sandi B.

What do you get when you mix music, politics and the law? You get Sandi Gollen Balendra! Sandi is an Entertainment Lawyer, Music Manager, London College of Fashion Professor and Founder of VMM Invest! Read below on how she got her start and how she balances it all!

1) Why did you choose your profession?

I think it came from having learned to be independent and persuasive at a very young age as I attended boarding school from the age of 8 years old. As I got older I was always surrounded by lawyers and regularly assisted at a family law firm during high school. My mother later introduced me into the world of politics and I was lucky to be mentored by an incredibly inspiring Trade Union Lawyer and politician who was also a Member of Parliament where I worked for a very long time before and after graduating from Law. It was here that I was truly inspired as I was based at the heart of Law making and Policies, having worked as a Campaigner and Researcher at the UK Houses Of Parliament.

2) What is the favorite part of your job?

I would say, now more than ever the favourite part of my job is the fact that it is so versatile and varied. I also think that having the freedom to truly enjoy my work is deeply empowering as I can pretty much cherry pick the clients and brands I work with and I’m incredibly grateful to be working with some of the most talented creative artists, academics, fashion designers and musician’s in the industry. The job has also enabled me to travel which is always a good thing!. My firm’s focus is on Music, Fashion, Technology and Art and my career has allowed me to work with exceptional character’s supporting philanthropic causes within the remit of eco consciousness, sustainable and ethical sourcing as well as sponsoring rising talent. It has also been incredibly enriching being an Advisory Panel Trustee at the London College of Fashion’s fund raising committee where I lecture and conduct mentor programmes in Business and Enterprise to Post Grad students looking to start up their own line and label or aspire to work for top designers. This career lifestyle enabled me to wear several hats as a Lawyer (Solicitor as we say in the U.K) but also as an entrepreneur and business woman.

3) What is the most difficult part of your job?

There’s a saying that Lawyers are the one profession in which pessimists outperform the optimists. This rings true especially when dealing with matters relating to a side of this job where I also act as Publicist as well as a Lawyer. A proportion of my client’s are high profile and I do take pride in the fact that I can ‘tell it how it is’ to even the most well known of artists/celebrities I work with, and thankfully this has only worked to enhance the effectiveness of my work, but saying that, it’s still a tough thing to do, especially when you develop a friendship for most of the people you work with, its not always easy thing to do but part of the job and always appreciated with the desired results in the end.

4) Who is your mentor (if any)?

I have many mentors, the first and most important one is my mother, a truly exceptional lady. She is my rock beyond any, she taught me the value of thinking evolved, beyond barriers and at all times with curiosity, logic and creativity and always with a touch of fabulousness!

Throughout the years I have been mentored by a handful of amazing people, one of them being Andrew Dismore Greater London Assembly Member and former Member of Parliament, who still inspires me to this day!

5) Best piece of advice for someone pursuing your field?

I would definitely say, try not to stick to one area of law throughout the early stages of your career as some may suggest. Sometimes, it takes time for you to really find your niche. I started in Litigation and Criminal Law and then Commercial and Technology Law and eventually found my true calling within Media & Entertainment Law. Take your time to find out what really makes you tick because that passion and drive is what will carry you towards progress.

6) If you have not chosen this profession would have you chosen instead?

Most probably a writer or journalist/news presenter. The world of Creatives, Art and Communications have always been a passion of mine!

7) Favorite designer?

Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen and Moschino

8) Favorite makeup brand?

Chanel, M.A.C and Benefit

9) Favorite hair care?

My GHD Straighteners!

10) Favorite skin brand?

Lancôme, LaRoche Posay and The Body Shop

11) If you could only choose 5 items to put in your purse everyday, what would they be?

1) My Deep Red Armani Matte Lipstick

2) Anti-Bac Handwipes

3) Of course my phone!

4) My Car & House keys

5) My favourite Eau De Parfum of either Gucci Bamboo or Armani Si (or both!)

12) Free plug:)– Anything you would like our readers to know that you are supporting, selling or creating?

Most of my activities at VMM Invest are updated on our Instagram Page at vmm_lawyermusicfashioninvest and www.vmmmusicandfashion.com

We will soon be expanding our offices in the City to be close to our tech and finance Partners as well as remain West End bound where all the glitz and glamour takes place, and also incredibly excited to be having more staff join us as part of VMM’s expansion!

My next big project is with Patti Stanger and her Team, the star of Millionaire Matchmaker so watch this space! I’m also creating my own Smart Contract’s to manage artists on the Blockchain – You can find out more at www.vmmblockchain.com

Last but certainly not least, want to big up and congratulate my sister on her new organic luxury food line and soon to be restaurateur! check out her Instagram Page: @simply_organica

Oct

StyleFab: Pleats Pretty Please!

WHY WE LOVE IT

Of all the trends we’ve seen on the runways into the mainstream, it’s clear that pleats are making a dent on Fall fashion not just Spring. This article will discuss specifically pleated skirts. Whether they have knife, accordion, or superfine crystal pleats, these precisely folded skirts create a sophistication that goes beyond the pleats on your typical private school uniforms. Such detail will add the necessary femininity to your wardrobe. Plus, pleated skirts look good in any length and almost in any material.

HOW TO WEAR IT

Pleats add volume without bulk, so figure issues are minimized. Since in pleated skirts the focus is on movement, pair with loose separates and keep hair simple. Pair it with a pump for more professional look and pointy toe or open toe heel for a more evening or going out look. And yes, ironing will not be easy, so factor in dry cleaning.