Nothing creates more aspiration than the glamour of Hollywood and brands use A list celebrities, paying them a small fortune to help us into the stores recommended by our favourites. A designer can pay between $60,000 to $100,000 to a celebrity just for them to wear a gown on the red carpet. And believe it or not after the outing the gown is then valued depending on the amount of traction the images got on the internet. Remember the famous green Versace dress, worn by J Lo, the dress that broke the internet, one image credited with the launch of Google Images.
As celebrities like Pamela Anderson give up their Instagram and Facebook accounts in favour of being Free, Pam's words it seems I am not the only one concerned about what we are being brainwashed into buying and our mental health long term.
For me after everything, losing all the money, being really sick and almost dying, having a genuine fashion need is my only purpose for a shopping fix these days. And that usually means buying for the show.
I get lots of people asking me what is the Hollywood Look For Less Show and why I created it.
Creating a live styling show was actually a win win for me, I get to shop for all the bargains and then let my audience enjoy all my finds on a budget straight away by shopping off the styled runway.
As you may know from time to time I do venture onto the UK High Street and was horrified recently by the sheer volume of cheap disposable clothing, slashed in price sure, if you can be bothered to search through piled high, end of season garments, you would not be seen dead in. Not that dissimiliar from Kantamanto Market, Accra, Guana, I have long been spotlighting the global problems caused by over consumption of fashion in the global north and my show is another way to communicate that message and recycle and repurpose amazing clothes at the same time.
I am off back to LA on Thursday for work where the wall to wall sun shines, so waxing is essential, a pedicure a must and a well-fitting designer bikini that fits me like a glove, to be sourced in 48 hours before my flight leaves. You'd imagine I'd be better off buying a bikini once I land but even though I know the City of Angels like the back of my hand a bikini is never something I'd leave to chance, especially on a older body where a great fit is essential.
Having lived there I understand all about getting ready to travel, major restoration needed in the land of the perfect when you've been hidden under woolley jumpers and thick socks for as long as you can remember. Doing the grooming ahead of time will improve your confidence when you arrive particularly if it's somewhere new to you. I give a lot of my tips and tricks in the Hollywood Look For Less Live Show.
I headed straight for a huge UK department store in search of the perfect bikini, more choice when time is limited, before a trip to a small salon for a Brazilian wax and an embarrassing visit to the nail shop to get my tired, neglected feet some much needed attention, poor person landed with that job!
The bikini bit was quite smooth finding a Jets By Jessika Allen teal blue two piece in the sale, and an odd top in black, great for mixing up the styling, 70% off, perfect in size and shape, a halter top to pull off some budget style confidently with a smile. I always size up in a bikini and a solid colour is always preferable for styling on a short trip when you are only packing one of anything.
The waxing as always leaves me feeling smooth and fresh, my top tip for instantly looking younger and more LA, body hair and unwanted whiskers don't go down very well in LA LA Land. The pedicure was cheap and my poor feet are now paying the price after having my dead dry skin sliced off by a junior with a sharp blade, ouch!
So all in all the personal grooming and need for a new bikini had its highs and lows resulting in me being almost ready to breeze through West Hollywood looking like a local. California here I come.
At the Hollywood Look For Less show you'll always find a way to do something you thought impossible on a budget.
Hope to see you at one of my shopping and styling show very soon.
Photo by: Brandi Ibrao Unsplash