A Style Masterclass with a difference from Directory 14!
Sunday, October 06, 2013
For many years now I have been lucky enough to attend numerous catwalk shows across Northern Ireland: from high end designer stores and local designers, to independent boutiques and high street names, and it was my pleasure to recently attend a new event: Directory 14!!
The concept behind Directory 14, is a great one: a series of events that concentrate on great style, not fashion led trends. So instead of seeing models showcasing the latest trends, we were invited to see a series of women, wearing outfits which worked perfectly for their bodies, showcasing their individual style, personalities and zest for life!!
The first event in the Directory 14 Calendar I attended was a special Masterclass in the stylish surroundings of The Ivory Restaurant, with award winning hairdresser Paul Stafford, and fashion designer Una Rodden, a woman who's been dressing Northern Ireland's most stylish ladies for many years!
The fantastic Paul Stafford and Una Rodden hosting the Directory 14 Masterclass.
The Masterclass give audience members the perfect opportunity to hear at first hand, from industry experts the logic and reasoning behind both hair and clothing choices. As each of the five models appeared, Paul explained in depth each hair style choice, and how the right hair cut/colour will enhance the natural attributes of your hair, and in turn your overall look! For him, hair is an adventure and you should never be afraid of pushing the boundaries to find the right cut/colour for you! Afterall we are happy to spend a fortune on an outfit we only wear to special occasions, yet the one thing that we wear EVERYDAY is our hair!! So special attention has to be given to it! Most of the models were actual clients of Paul, and it was intriguing to hear the individual stories of how each lady's hair styles had evolved into their individual looks!
Una Rodden is a firm favourite amongst Northern Irish fashionista's, with her distinctive approach to her designs, she is a consummate professional when it comes to understanding a woman's body and how best to showcase it! Whether you are a size 8 or 18, if a piece of clothing is cut to suit your shape, you will look and feel fabulous!! On the night she showcased styles that retained a fashion edge, whilst remaining timeless. Investment pieces that could be styled in a multitude of ways, showing how to make clothes work for you and for your lifestyle! I especially loved the longer length skater style skirt with leather band and the super cute cropped jackets worn with it! All those pieces I could see perfectly fitting into my wardrobe, especially the jackets as they could work with so many different looks!
The night as a whole was extremely informative, giving ladies tips and hints on how to go about discovering looks that work for them. For once the focus wasn't on trends, but rather on personal style, and having the confidence to wear what you look and feel great in!
The Masterclass was a great introduction to what Directory 14 is all about, and the perfect opportunity to "demystify" the concept of great style and fashion for many ladies who want a style overhaul, but aren't really sure how to go about it!
The intention is to turn Directory 14 into an annual event and I hope they continue their masterclasses, as it was a hugely enjoyable and informative evening, which both audience members, models and industry experts alike enjoyed!!
