Chic Wearable Art for the Everyday Woman at Any Age

Owner/Designer, Naida Begeta modeling her asymmetrical ribbon-made dress/tunic

Among the boutique-heavy thoroughfare of Beverly Boulevard, an inventive little gem of a shop sits at 7227 Beverly Boulevard, evoking the independent but innovative spirit of the owner/designer and namesake.

Naida Begeta named her new-found boutique after her cinematic idols, Kao Pao Shu, a Hong Kong marital arts actress who became one of the women pioneers to direct Kung Fu movies. To honor her hero's fierce intelligence and drive, Naida named her brand new shop after her.

The fan of the Kung Fu actress, Naida Begeta, has her own compelling story that is reflective in her equally intriguing design collection.

Naida modeling the back of the ribbon-constructed dress/tunic

When the Bosian War broke out twice in 1992 and 1995, she fled to the more stable environs of Olympia, Washington, spent her teenage years at Olympia High School participating in the Fellowship of Reconciliation Project. Two years later, she returned to Sarajevo then enrolled in the University of Sarajevo, Academy of Fine Arts in the Product Design Department. This is where her design aesthetics took off.

A faux-pleated, ribbon-constructed strapless dress

In between classes and studies, she started twiddling with twill-woven ribbons and strips, instinctively learning the nature of how the ribbons would twist and turn while she sews each strip of ribbons together into a cloth. Starting out with handbags that are easier to control, Naida launched her first fashion endeavor, "STRIPE UP YOURSELF," a handbag line, in addition to her college studies and existing part-time job as an assistant curator at the Sarajevo Center for Contemporary Arts (SCCA).

A Ric Owensque Outfit with matching Tote Bag

She further finessed her eye for fashion when she segued into fashion styling for editorial shoots and films in Sarajevo. She recuited two friends, Irma Saje and Vanja Ciraj, to help her start and manage the clothing collection that would evolve into Kao Pao Shu.

Ribbon-Constructed Halter Dress

As soon she graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts, Naida and her knowledge of ribbon structure really took off when she landed in Milan, Italy. Figuring why not expand into apparel, she pleasantly discovered that her twill-woven ribbons constructed at 45 degrees, bend, twist, and conform around a woman's bodily curves comfortably without being constrictly tight.

Ribbon-constructed bags, scarf, and wrap dress

By sewing the ribbons together into a garment, she discovered her cloth of ribbons give this trompe l' oeil effect of fooling the viewer in thinking that garment is pleated or themally-pressed when it is not. This caught the eyes of buyers in Milan and Tokyo.

After establishing her brand there then getting married to Italian, Marco Schillaci, a commercial director, the young couple decided to expand their horizon and she, her market by moving to Los Angeles.

The brand, Kao Pao Shu, finally nested at 7227 Beverly Boulevard.

Ribbon-constructed Mini Wrap Skirt, goes great with a black turtleneck

Playing around and trying on the garments, Naida noted that, due to the bias-weaved nature of the ribbons, one same outfit looks uniquely different on numerous people because the ribbons take on and adapt to that person's individual curves. This offers the specialty of tailoring without the stiffness and fit of Lycra without the tight stretch.

With Naida's avant-garde art background and cosmopolitan upbringing, her collection put forward an intellectual urbanity and sculptured construction that a trendy but sharp Baby Boomer woman is searching for, a fashion-forward but sophisicated clothes, evolving with her figure and life but puts her ahead of the fashion pack.

If you want to see more of Naida's handiwork, you go to http://www.kaopaoshu.it or drop by for a visit at 7227 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036, the next time you are visiting the neighborhood of West Hollywood. You can even give her a call at (323) 937-0081.

Investing in a Kao Pao Shu piece is like investing in a piece of art, because it is.

James Aguiar's Full Focus on New York Fashion Week Spring 09

James Aguiar, the vivacious but deeply knowledgeable host of VOOM Ultra HD TV Network's "Full Frontal Fashion," "Behind The Label," and "Where D'Ya Get That?" and recurring personality to the Style Network's "The Look For Less."

Don't be fooled by his bubbly persona. This man knows the fashion industry cold due to his years as Bergdorf Goodman's fashion director then overhauling Paris fashion house, Nina Ricci.

After interviewing him for the past two fashion seasons, he is now my go-to expert on fashion and most significantly, the business of fashion.

As usual, I always ask him what are his favorites during a particular fashion week. Then, we launch into an intellectual discussion into the concepts and themes dominating the shows.

Marc Jacobs

He immediately inject Marc Jacobs. Aguiar was not afraid to highlight that the show started on time, a big change from Marc's previous tardiness. Leaving A-List rap stars, Jay-Z and Kanye West, standing up with the general public.

Marc Jacobs

Mr. Aguiar called Mr. Jacobs' current collection, "eclectic, a mash-up, a mix-up of "Mad Men," "Eliza Doolittle," and "Belle Epoque."

Marc Jacobs

I agree with Mr. Aguiar's sharp observation. I noticed a toss up of Orientalism of the big, wide Obi Belt which is more mature yet more fashion forward than the Eighties repeat of the big elastic belt and quasi-Mandarian shirt with colorful butterflies. Then, Mr. Jacobs mixes in the Fifties Primness and Forties Severity.

Marc Jacobs

Mr. Aguiar carefully stated that it takes the caliber of Mr. Jacobs to pull off this ability to take such diverse eras and time periods then to mix them together into a very out-of-box collection shows how experienced and how confident Mr. Jacobs is. Whereas, a younger designer would trip.

Marc Jacobs

This is an exhibit of a designer at his peak.

Although Mr. Aguiar added New York is still very much a business town, the designer has the goal and the responsiblity to present outfits in a fresh different angle. He emphasized how designers need to break the limits in order to push fashion forward. The designer needs to be both artistic and business savy.

Narciso Rodriguez

If Marc Jacobs is the wild card, then Narciso Rodriguez is the slow but steady reliable. "Slow, steady, subtle changes," Mr. Aguiar commented, "Mr. Rodriguez is true and pure."

Narciso Rodriguez

This doesn't mean dull. He is refreshingly classical.

Narciso Rodriguez

By being steady and subtle, Mr. Rodriguez developed a definite style that is unmistakably his. With these soft touches, these are black and white wardrobe investments to keep for years.

Narciso Rodriguez

Contrasting both Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Rodriguez are good case studies of two designers at the peak of their skills and creativity.

BCBG Max Azria

I asked Mr. Aguiar what is his opinion of the Max Azria show. He calls him a trend-setter.

BCBG Max Azria

Mr. Aguiar said Mr. Azria is very aware to changing ideas and concepts. He has his finger on the pulse.

Michael Kors

It was interesting that Mr. Aguiar hinted that Michael Kors added metallic platform high heels to spice his classic Middle-Class Americana.

Overall, Mr. Aguiar found this recent New York Fashion Week Spring 2009 to be very optimistic and very positive.

Hot, French, Jazzy Swimwear

By Laura Medina
September 19, 2008

Gottex’s designer, Israeli Gideon Oberson, knows what real women want. Something elegant to wear on the beach. Something elegant enough to wear at the beachside café and restaurant without feeling overdressed or underdressed.

For Mr. Oberson, it was not about trying too hard to be sexy in order to look beautiful, it was about building confidence about portion and exposure. He knew if he offered enough coverage in the right area while exposing the certain areas for heat relief and comfort. He can make any woman at any age feel sexy.

Mr. Oberson was about portion, covering up while exposing another. For example, the bikini top with long, flowing sailor pants turned long skirt with the slit right under the knee.

Most of the swimsuits were topped with big, floppy sun hats shielding the face from the UV rays.
He gave women plenty of options in coverage and sun protection that were “Chanel Chic.”

The fail-safe black and while color palette were influenced by Chanel and the French Riviera.

The French nautical theme was hammered into further refinement by the anchor insignia, cheekily embroidered on a breast cup in gold thread.

The French sailor bib was cute.

The bikini bottoms were almost boyshort cut, not high-cut. They showed just enough peek of the butt without exposing too much cheek. The waistline hits just under the navel, not too high waisted to be faddish. The bottoms look comfortable to move and play in.

The collection became more increasingly elegant with clever concealment.

A woman who exercises normally, not extreme, and has yet to have a painful tummy tuck can option for this Old Hollywood Glamour of a bikini doubling as a shawl turned hood with a high-waisted bowed bottom in cream.

For a more modern, sporty but ingenious twist, taking a full-body caftan in a fuchsia Pucci-like motif then spooling It into a long scarf.

Gideon Oberson has an uncanny knack of knowing what women really want. Cute swimsuit, adorable to feel young yet exposing and concealing the right areas to be practical.

Sugary Spring & Summer

The fun-loving Betsey Johnson does it again-and most importantly, consistently without failure.
Her Spring/Summer 2009 Collection was a confectionary swirl of cotton and chiffon in icing white fondant or in licorice black in sweet but clean tiers, ruffles, petticoats, and crinolines.

Instead of the regulatory VIP front row for celebs, she very sweetly and politely set up tables and folding chairs, stocked with cupcakes, macaroons, and candies to a vintage Seasame Street soundtrack.

The general theme was a childhood dream of fairies and pirates. To the astute observer, it was clear she was influenced by Tokyo’s Harajuku District’s Gothic and Sweet Lolitas, petticoat and pinafore teenaged girls obsessed with West European Rocco, Victorian, and Edwardian fashion.

As soon as Betsey cart wheeled down the runway as her official kickoff, a sugary parade of wearable ruffles, light cotton knickerbockers shorts, petticoat dresses reminiscing of the Eighties’ Christian Lacroix’s pouf skirt, and billowy cotton blouses in the Japanese Sweet Lolita’s candy pastels, bows and ribbons hop and skimp down the runway.

Betsey’s imagination is our entertainment. To further push the childhood dream theme, she invited “Pirates of Caribbean”’s Captain Jack Sparrow to strut and cart wheel down the runway as the lone groom tossing toy gold coins into the rapturous crowd.

Him strutting was the transition into the more edgy Gothic Lolita, the moody but more elegant of the Sweet Lolitas.

Still, the visions of cotton voile crinolines and pinafores but in more modern rompers, crop blazers, skull & crossbones t-shirt, accented with “Clockwork Orange” bowler hats in licorice black.

The black and white knickerbockers suit was downright Edwardian dapper.

The other pieces deviating from the fondant white and licorice black palette were more vintage. Seventies paisley with Rocco tailoring like the pannier dress with pockets.

Betsey Johnson infallible skills to make clothes that are so fashion-forward that they are immediately wearable right off the runway yet avant-garde enough to make them vintage investment pieces.

The jaunty styling of long sheer sweater over ruffle bloomer shorts...

or the continuation of the simple yet adorable polka dot babydoll dress/tunic the sweet but startlingly elegant ruffle white gown are commercial enough to wear as is, without alterations or moderations.

In reality, the majority of outfits can be bought and worn at the moment, as is, or be saved for the following Spring and Summer for a bunch of locations and events. The ensembles can be broken down into wearable pieces.

Licorice black or icing white, the pouf white jumper can be worn for daily errands,

the black romper for beach to bar,

and the tiered gown for the Summer soirees. Regardless of tailoring, they are terrific to wear in the sticky humidity in the city or the swelter of the beach because the majority of the collection is made out of practical cotton. With, some jersey knit and satin tossed in.

The show’s theme maybe childhood fantasy but there is not fantastical about these approachable clothes. Amusingly, this current collection is modestly cute, following the Japanese Lolita’s fashion symbolism expressing traditional Japanese traits of demureness and graciousness.

As in any runway show traditional, it ends with a bride and groom. With Betsey’s youth-driven spirit, it was the prom king and queen, with the queen wearing a dress so edgy that it’s innocent. An outfit that any tween can proudly wear to the junior high dance.

Halcyon Fashion for Indian Summer and Fall Equinox

Bordeaux Smock Long Sleeve Drape Front

By Laura Medina

August 29, 2008

Even in the waning days of Summer, we girls, whether it be sunny California or balmy Charleston,SC, are still simmering in the heat of an Indian Summer that lingers until mid to late October, right before the leaves turn orange just in time for Halloween.
The quandary conflicting us is this, we desire a crisp, new wardrobe celebrating the changing of the seasons but the reality of regional heat and humid defeats the practicality of a heavy, wool jacket or coat. Women want to celebrate autumn with the signal of new clothes without suffocating in them.

With these arriving transitional collections from Bordeaux and Miss Me’s MM Couture’s upcoming Holiday/Resort collection, these soft feminine pieces are surprisingly sturdy investments year around.

Bordeaux Haltered Cowl

Numerous times I repeated the mantra of “Corporate to Club” concept but these clothes traverse seasons without skipping a beat or a dent to your wallet because of the soft Modal fabric, the chiffon/satin texture, and the airy tailoring. These are fashion pieces that you can sweat in relief yet keep you warm when the temperature does drop. With the draping construction and fabrication, again, these make good travel pieces for your glamorous but hectic life, whether you’re a jet-setter or a career soccer mom.

As active Baby Boomers and maturing Gen-Xers prove the naysayers, just because a woman reaches a certain age doesn’t mean she abandons trendy, sporty fashion. In fact, the sportier the clothes, the more they fit their busy lifestyles. A growing number of designers, Los Angeles or Manhattan based, are those women themselves and want to solve growing figure issues without sacrificing style or comfort. Trendy fashion isn’t exclusively for Size 0 toothpicks anymore.

Bordeaux Long Sleeve V Neck with Pleated A-Line Skirt

Ardy Raminfar, a ten-year garment veteran and Bordeaux’s founder and CEO, recognized that active career women need flexible but light undergarments that move with the body, not against it. He removed corset stabbing underwires, ditch the cumbersome wired, padded bra, and incorporated the camisole’s bust line into a shapely but ruched wireless bra insert, inserted breathable mesh control panels to slenderize the bulges and the pudges along the waistline. He sold his shapewear as SkinnyZs and they were a hit.

Until, women told him it was a hassle to slip on the SkinnyZs then slip the outerwear over them. It hits him that if he sews the shapewear into the tops and the blouses themselves, more women would buy them for the sheer convenience. This is when SkinnyZs became Bordeaux.

These soft, feminine but flexible career tops and blouses can carry a on- the- go woman from office to occasion without the hassle of driving home or awkwardly changing into a second outfit in the restroom.

With these two-in-one tops in wrinkle-free knits, an in-demand business woman can pack her whole wardrobe into a carry-on without packing in additional, separate bras and camisoles, making room for more stuff, as in evening pumps and jewelry.

With his expertise in knitwear and woven construction, Ardy (a play on the word, “ardent,” describing his drive for fashion perfection) can take usual mundane utilitarian pieces and make them sexier, more elegant. Items that a sophisticated woman of a certain age can wear with ease and confidence, they’re career, “power pieces.”

Bordeaux Multi Pleat Long Sleeve Mock Neck Dress

The stiff, straight edges derived from men suits have been puffed up then deflated into languid curves, bell sleeves and flowing cowl necks. Unyielding navy pinstripe woolens are replaced by the luxurious supple but body-retaining, durable Modal, emanating that Seventies’ sexy career woman vibe, best exemplified by Faye Dunaway in “Network.” Powerful but soft, that’s Bordeaux.

If you still desire something a bit more special that you can wear now in the heat of an Indian Summer that you can still wear right through the holiday bashes without wrecking your wallet.
Miss Me’s more upscale line, MM Couture’s Holiday/Resort line, hits the spot.

Miss Me's MM Couture Cream Ruffle Sleeveless Blouse

The satin cream ruffle sleeveless blouse can be tucked in a blazer for both office and cocktail. Alone, it’s great for tapas bar-hopping with a great pair of black trousers. Cosmo girls will love this.

Miss Me's MM Couture Deep Ruffle V-Neck Halter Blouse

The plunging satin halter top with ruffled neckline also offers a sophisticated option, sexy but chic.

If subtle satin blouses fail to strike your fancy, you can’t go wrong with these young- at- heart sequin pieces.

Miss Me's MM Couture Sequin Bodice Empire Camisole

If you want a sporty, springy, separate, this empire waist camisole with sequin bust in a pouf gauze tulle completes a velvet or satin trouser or dress up a pair of jeans.

Miss Me's MM Couture Sequin Dress with Tiered Skirt

The airy cocktail dress with the spangled bodice and tiered skirt vibrates that youthful flip and frippery.

You can get ready for the tricky weather by checking out Bordeaux at Online Retailerswww.urbanminx.comwww.shopintuition.comwww.krenee.com

Or get prepped with Miss Me at Goga and Jojo’s in Downtown Charleston or Mt. Pleasant’s Blush .

Http://store.missme.com/ will carry their upscale MM Couture later on their website.

With this bountiful crop of fashion, you can’t trip with your get-up crossing an Indian Summer into an Autumn Equinox.

Sophisticated Surfwear

Whether you’re on Folly Beach or Manhattan Beach, surfing is a lifestyle and a state of mind that nobody out grows.
Unfortunately, most surfwear apparel companies assume the opposite. They over concentrate and over saturate the apparel market for tweens and teens then immediately stop when their customers either go away to college or segue into the real world.
As any surfer knows, she or he will be riding those waves until sunset. In fact, Joie Rucker, the founder of Joie Jeans and Rich & Skinny Jeans is a devoted surf girl and she’s well more experienced than the usual teen.
What should a surf girl do when she out grows those teeny-bopper tees and minis and need decent stuff for that cocktail party at the beach cottage or a supper in a proper bistro or a simple run into the supermarket for more wine and cheese? The premier French sportswear company, Oxbow, is swimming to the rescue. After twenty years of sponsoring and nurturing surfers and extreme athletes well into their thirties and forties, Oxbow realized these mature jocks need a more stylish wardrobe than the loud, floral Hawaiian shirt.
Using the French tradition of better textile and tailoring, Oxbow International General Manager, Eric Bonnem , spearheaded a team of designers in evaluating activewear into contemporary sportwear that can transition a surfer woman or a surfer gentleman from sand to soiree without skipping a beat.
To paraphrase, Oxbow’s US CEO, Gary Hunt, “We’re here to carry the surfer from the surf to Skybar.”
He’s reflecting on what it means to be a surfer today and how real surfers live. They’re not in the waves all the time and few abandon the sport after age 18. These educated wave-riders need casual clothes and cover-ups that can double as a pretty dress or a breezy tunic topping off a pair of jeans.

Today’s surfer girl lives multiple lives. As in Gabrielle Reece, they’re fit moms who run immediately from the beach to the babysitter then to the market for groceries. Or, she’s a busy designer like Joie who only needs a simple chic top or a pull on a trouser or a kicky skirt to take her back to the office or studio.

As what Gabrielle’s husband, Laird Hamilton, said, “We’re surfers. We know who we are. We work hard.” The surfing couples, parents or not, want easy but elegant attire for a Summer White Party or hip outfits for that post-beach bar-hopping with friends. These outfits better share multiple lives as the wearer.

In fact, Oxbow would be great collegiate wear for the university surfer girl. This dressy ensemble fits right in campus with a simple sweater and a wrap mini. The professor will never know you went surfing right before class or the night before.
Think of Oxbow as the smarter big sister to all those American surf apparel companies still catering to the kid sister.

Shizue lands in the States

London-based bag designer, Shizue Nobuta, launches her stateside debut in Beverly Hills. She already has a cult-following for her vivid, luxurious bags and purses in exotic skins and fabric among British celebrities.

Some British notables, such as Lady Victoria Hervey, showed up for support. But, Shizue is quickly gaining a following in America.

Makes perfect sense to start in Beverly Hills.

There's a humanity flip side to all these glitz and glamour. The debut party was also an on-site pet adoption from the Amanda Foundation. Adorable canines in all shapes and sizes mingle among the celebrity heavy throng.

People crowd inside the frilly and glitzy gallery as three story boutique. The windows were festooned with butterflies. Each room is decked as a jewel box turn disco. The candy-hued purses are displayed in their own jewel box like bonbons and ribbon candy.

Candance Cameron

Local celebrities show their support by posing with their favorite Shizue bags.

Alli Sims

What could be perfect moment to achieve that everyday causal Hollywood look: a big, beautiful purse and a cute little doggie, from the Amanda Fountain, to trot around.