Seven is North Vancouver fashionista Samantha Dempster’s lucky number for hitting the style jackpot.
She swears that seven versatile wardrobe essentials can take anyone from the school run, to brunch to the boardroom, to date night and anywhere in between. Because who has time to go home and change, especially with all that North Shore traffic these days?
Dempster, a certified image consultant and style blogger, gave a Seven Pieces Seven Ways styling seminar at Kiss and Makeup in Ambleside Thursday night.
She starts with a basic fashion foundation: a pair of denim, “to cover the bases as far as the bottoms are concerned.” A classic white button-down sweater is another solid staple piece that’s highly versatile.
The easiest way to change the look is through accessorizing, says Dempster, by simply swapping out your bag or changing your shoes to elevate the look from day to night.
Look for clothing material that can be dressed up or down, some kind of cotton mix that has a bit of silk in it, to give it a dressier esthetic, suggests Dempster.
She discovered a gorgeous, soft long-sleeve “glorified T-shirt” with chiffon under lace at Kiss and Makeup. This piece can be easily paired with a pencil skirt during the day or tucked into jeans at night, she says.
Being comfortable in your clothes and keeping warm in the cooler weather doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style.
Kiss and Makeup owner Heather Huntingford says she loves this time of the year because “it’s sweater weather” and she’s looking to get cosy. She hopes attendees of the seminar will come away with practical style pointers.
“People are busy, our clients are moms, everyone is on the go these days so you want (fashion) you don’t want to think too hard about but you want to feel good,” says Huntingford.
Kiss and Makeup is celebrating two months in their new location at 1545 Marine Dr. Huntingford says they are happy to be back in West Vancouver. Kiss and Makeup’s original flagship was at Park Royal Village.
The new store is twice the size of their old Lonsdale location and the biggest space they have had so far. The first 1,000 square feet is cosmetics, while the back 1,000 square feet is dedicated to fashion.
“It really bright and open,” says Huntingford of the store’s esthetic.
Huntingford is happy Kiss and Makeup now has the space to carry their in-house brand of mineral makeup, Sip Beauty. The pressed mineral powders and natural lip glosses are made from quality ingredients, explains Huntingford.
“We’re trying to go for affordable luxury,” she says.
