“Inspiration comes from love, which brings beauty to our
lives. I strive to deliver nothing less.â€
Indeed, the worldly Tamara Pogosian does design with a distinct passion. Tamara’s sophisticated, finely constructed garments
reflect both her international upbringing (she was born in Armenia, brought up
in Russia, and schooled at Parsons and FIT in New York) and her innate design
talent, recognized by Fashion Group International as they nominated her for
their Rising Star award two years in a row.
Read on to learn more about Tamara’s design influences, her take on
Spring 2007 trends, and how she keeps her line fresh season after season.
Omiru: You’re a world traveler, having lived in Russia and Armenia before moving to the US. How have your travels influenced your work?
Tamara: It is almost impossible for me not to connect to my past. I’m proud of my Armenian heritage, growing up in Moscow, and pursuing my goals in NYC. I find influences and inspirations from anything I experience, which I then transform into my designs. There are subtle touches of details in every piece.
O: What makes your clothing line unique?
T: I can never design the same piece twice. There are certain details, which evolve into new ideas, but they are never the same. Through my technique and style of draping, along with my vision and background, I am able to deliver a unique collection every season. I don’t necessarily follow the trends, but I utilize them in my own way to keep my collections timeless and fresh.
O: Describe a typical day for you.
T: There is no such thing. Every day is a different challenge.
O: How would you like people to describe your Spring 2007 collection?
T: I hope that people will understand and appreciate the art behind my collection. I aim to express the individual wearing my pieces. I am not saying that I judge a person by how they are dressed, because you can’t judge a book by its cover. But great clothes can affect how the individual feels about themselves regardless of how much they spent on the look.
O: What trends do you think will be huge for Spring?
T: For women, I believe there will be a lot of volume, flirty dresses and color. For men, I see a rebirth of a personal style by mixing the old with the new tailored pieces. I think the emphases on the waistline (for men and women) will remain essential. However, trends don’t always work for everyone. Designers present their vision, editors pick the trends, buyers merchandise the stores, but the customer decides on what they want to wear. It’s the circle of Fashion Life.
O: What trends do you wish would just go away?
T: Empire waistlines and pleated pants because they don’t work for everyone.
O: What are your current obsessions, fashion or otherwise?
T: I love comfort, style and practicality: sweater dresses with great boots, a belt, and a beautifully cut coat.
O: How about your Best Fashion Tip?
T: Personal style is a must. Paying attention to your body and proportions because “trends†don’t always work for everyone. Concentrating on a part of your body you want to “show†without compromising comfort, style and confidence.
O: Little known fact about you?
T: I drape every piece in my collection and design with a passion rather than a calculation. Inspiration comes from love, which brings beauty to our lives. I strive to deliver nothing less.
O: What can we expect next from you?
T: Long-term future plans include a collection of handbags and shoes because I love accessories as much as the clothes. I want to be able to offer a complete look for my customers.
O: Last Words
T: I would like to thank my family, friends, colleagues and everyone that has supported me in expressing my vision. I am eternally grateful to those who have believed in me. Thank you!
Can’t get enough Tamara? Check out Omiru’s review of Tamara’s Spring 2007 Collection.
Posted by Trisha on October 12th, 2006 in Designer Profiles, Features |
Take your short sleeve polo shirt from Summer to Autumn by layering it over a long sleeved shirt.
Fashion Formula = Polo + Long Sleeved Shirt + Trousers + Sport Sneakers.
Baldface Mountain Polo Shirt | $49.50 at Abercrombie & Fitch
Sueded Heathered Crew | $29.50 at Banana Republic
Broken-in Chino Cargo Pants | $68 at J Crew
Casual Day Sneakers | $175 at Kenneth Cole
Posted by Trisha on October 11th, 2006 in Men, Ready Made Outfits |
Most girls are sporting leggings with tunics and short denim skirts (just say no!), but if you want a more sophisticated option, pair yours with an eclectic cardigan and equally unique flats for a classically trendy look.
"Oh La Leggings" Fashion Formula = Long Cardigan + White Tank + Black Leggings + Peep-Toe Flats.
Jones New York Signature Long Wool Blend Cardigan | $129 at Nordstrom
Posted by Melody on October 10th, 2006 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
We asked: Are Dresses with Pockets In or Out?
You said:They’re In! 72% of you voted these functional fashions In, and only 20% voted them Out. The remaining 8% voted Dresses with Pockets On the Way Out.
Omiru’s take: Dresses are The Hot Silhouette for Fall, so it pleases us that you appreciate the combination of fashion and function as much as we do. This trend has been floating around for awhile; we first reported on Dresses with Pockets back in February. But though the trend has been in circulation for months, it’s far from falling from favor. Wear Dresses with Pockets to work, paired with a blouse (pictured). Or wear the trend to your next evening Gala. Amy Adams and Maggie Gyllenhall, and Sandra Bullock all sported pocketed styles at the Emmys! What could be chicer?
Next Question: As Summer fades into Fall, we’re switching out our sandals for boots. Tall boots. But what do you
think? Tell us, are Tall Boots In, or are they Out? Cast your
vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Nanette Lepore ‘Party Time’ Jumper | $260 at Nordstrom.
Posted by Trisha on October 9th, 2006 in Trend, Trend Predictives, What's In and What's Out, Women |
Issue No. 59 of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a weekly compilation of the
cutest and coolest stuff Omiru’s Style Intelligence Report saw out there this
week.
This
week, we’re spotlighting Cocktail Party Chic
items to take you right from work to your next soiree. We present to you a patterned pintucked dress for women and a cotton/cashmere corduroy blazer for men.
Mara Hoffman Pin Tuck Front Dress | $379 at Shopbop
Gorgeous shape and lovely pattern combine to make one knockout dress!
Cotton/Cashmere Two-Button Corduroy Blazer | $298 at Banana RepublicFitted shape for style, corduroy for comfort.
Posted by Trisha on October 6th, 2006 in Friday Fashion Hotlist, Men, Trend, Women |
Gear up to fight the cold in a military jacket, layered smartly over a henley and tee.
Fashion Formula = Military Jacket + Henley + T-shirt + Jeans + Rugged Boots.
Obey Iggy Pop Jacket | $116 at 80’s Purple
Waffle Henley | $12.99 (sale) at Gap
No Tag Fitted Cotton Crew | $16.50 at Banana Republic
Kilburn Low Rise Bootcut Jeans | $69.50 at Abercrombie
Mount St. Helen Boot | $335 at Kenneth Cole
Posted by Trisha on October 5th, 2006 in Men, Ready Made Outfits |
Even if you’re not enrolled in school, you can still look like a fashionable school-girl with the right outfit. Since you’d rather look like you’re heading to lunch than the library, pair your mini plaid jumper with chunky pumps instead of flats. And if you want to avoid looking like Britney Spears in her "Baby One More Time" video, stay far away from tummy-revealing tops by choosing a turtleneck instead. Soon, you’ll be the most stylish gal on campus - er, street.
Frenchi Puff Sleeve Turtleneck | $40 at Nordstrom
Michael Kors "Harness" Open Toe Pumps | $138.95 at Nordstrom
Posted by Melody on October 4th, 2006 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
Key Takeaways: Designer Dragana Ognjenovic showed an intellectual collection in black and white filled with gorgeous constructions. Controlled volume featured prominently in Dragana’s tightly edited collection.
Color Palette: Neutrals: black and white, tempered with beige.
Silhouettes: Voluminous dresses and belted cape-style coats accompanied tulip skirts and straight legged pants. Flutter sleeves, shirring, ruching, pleating, and ruffles added to the controlled volume story.
Accessories Report: Thick belts and shawls finished off the intellectually minimalist looks coming down the runway.
What’s Wearable: A short sleeved white stand collared dress, and a tailored jacket and short skirt combination with buttons running down center front (pictured).
What’s Not Wearable: Some of the draped tops were on-target for the runway, but too theatrical for the streets.
Posted by Trisha on October 3rd, 2006 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Women |
Photo Credit: Tamara Pogosian
Key Takeaways: Tamara Pogosian loves dresses. Every article for women was a feminine (and sometimes bold) frock. The men on the runway exuded classically modern style with blazers worn over fitted tees and polo shirts.
Color Palette: For women: maroon, black, and olive green, with a punch of bright blue, lime green, light gold, teal, peach. Basics for men: grey, light blue, black, white, and beige.
Silhouettes: For women: Strapless styles, cinched waists, voluminous skirts, controlled volume, halter styles, and off-the-shoulder tops. For men: fitted polo shirts and tees, tailored blazers and trousers.
Accessories Report: For women: 3-tiered gold necklace, dangly delicate earrings, beaded teal necklace, long gold necklace. For men: medium width belts.
What’s Wearable: All of the men’s items were ultra wearable. All the women’s frocks can be easily translated onto the streets as well. Especially wearable is a Marilyn Monroe-esque white halter minidress.
What’s Not Wearable: The only dress that may be hard to wear because of its sheer nature is black with a chiffon bodice and silk bottom.
Posted by Melody on October 2nd, 2006 in Runway Reviews, Women |
