To Thy Own Style Be True by Emmy Award Winning Designer Shelley Komarov
To Thy Own Style Be True
by Emmy Award Winning Designer Shelley Komarov
During my years in Hollywood and in the fashion business, I’ve always heard women complain about their bodies. It is critical to remember: There is no such thing as the "ideal" woman or the woman that looks perfect in everything. We all have parts of ourselves that we wish were different. We each have styles, colors, shades, and tones that are not right for us.
Look in the mirror. That’s where all of your efforts should begin. Look in mirror and find yourself. Others can make suggestions, but no-one else can absolutely tell you what is right for you. That’s the trick, so pay attention. It has nothing to do with what is in season. It doesn’t matter what the neckline of the moment is.
If “V” necks are in and you have a round face and large breasts, go for it! But, if your face is thin and long, a scoop neck may be much better. If your shoulders are small, thin slip straps can be great on you. If they are wide, you may want to go with a bit more sleeve and some décolletage. If you are sensitive about cleavage or lack thereof, you may want to opt for something else entirely.
Find what’s right for the season of your life. For you. And no matter what neckline you are wearing, practice good posture and wear it with a confident smile and you will carry it off beautifully.
Be willing to take a good long, validating look at yourself and acknowledge your body size, shape and skin tones. What is going to be right for you can only be determined by realizing what unique gifts you have to work with:
What height are you? If you are very tall, why not go with a lower heel. If shorter, perhaps a higher heel is best. Are you even comfortable in heels? If not, don’t wear them. There are plenty of gorgeous shoes that will be comfortable for you.
Are you large breasted or small? If you are self-conscious about small breasts, try a top with ruching. Or self-conscious about large breasts, you may want to stay away from fabric that clings.
Do you have narrow or broad shoulders? Décolletage works beautifully on a wider chest.
Is your neck a bit long or shorter? Either way a silk scarf can be gorgeous if draped properly.
Are you a hat person? Add a few to your wardrobe.
Are your legs lean or thick? Find a length in pants or skirts that feels most comfortable and works best for you. There are always flattering options.
Is your waist slim or large? Will a belt be flattering? If so, select the right width one for you.
Do you have curves or straight lines? If you are trying to look a bit slimmer, skin tight probably is not the best choice. Try a looser fit.
Sometimes you may be tempted to get caught up in trends. Don’t get caught in thinking that because this season’s latest fad is being touted as the only way to go, that’s is the way for you. there are options for every fashion season and always have been, but often we don’t notice because we are not open-minded.
Good luck in getting the best look for you.
HISTORY
Shelley Komarov is the founder and Creative Director of Komarov Enterprises, Inc. Hailing from St. Petersburg, Russia, Shelley immigrated with her husband Boris and small son Dimitri to the United States in 1977. Having had experience making costumes for the Kirov Ballet in Russia, she sought a career in costume design for film and television when she landed in Los Angeles in 1978.
During her 25 years as a costume designer, Shelley was honored with four Emmy awards for her work on Peter the Great, The Kennedy’s of Massachusetts, Frank Sinatra and Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. She was charged with the responsibility of costuming over forty productions from feature films to miniseries. Needless to say, after fitting thousands of cast members, including Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry, Matthew McConaughey, Jack Lemmon and George Clooney to name a few, Mrs. Komarov understands how clothing should fit.
Being that her work required a great deal of travel, she became personally frustrated with the lack of style, fit and availability in garments that travel well. Such was the impetus for creating KOMAROV, a beautiful line of women’s sportswear and dresses. Reflecting Shelley’s love of architecture and art, all of the garments are pleated using both modern methods and the age-old artistry of hand pleating. Each piece is hand made at their Los Angeles studio.
KOMAROV was established in 1997 with Shelley Komarov, Dimitri Komarov (Shelley’s Son) and Dmitry Liberman at the helm. Shelley has now bid the film business goodbye in order to dedicate all of her attention to the demands of her busy clothing company and the love of her life, her granddaughter, Ava.
PHILOSOPHY
“As a Costume designer, I often travel the world and live out of a suitcase. From my own experience, I know how difficult it can be to maintain clothes. As the world is getting smaller and we spend more time traveling, working, etc., we have less time for ironing, alterations, and maintenance. We just want to stuff our clothes into the bag and go. The line sets itself apart with its signature pleating that produces a unique surface texture while enabling each piece to naturally conform to the wearer's body shape. Manufactured in Los Angeles, Komarov utilizes a special heat process that permanently bends natural and man-made fibers resulting in the kind of luxurious fabrics that recall the works of Mario Fortuny and Issey Miyake. My dream has always been to create clothes that have a 21st century vibe. I feel that I have accomplished this with the Komarov collection”.
FABRIC
Komarov utilizes the finest natural and man-made fabric blends, most of which are from meticulously selected yarns and created specifically for Komarov before undergoing the line's special pleating process. Each piece is hand printed so no two are exactly the same.
FIT
Each Komarov piece conforms or expands to fit the body so the fit is uniquely your own. Komarov has made pleating relevant to modern lifestyles with fabrications that provide unbeatable fit. Though strict quality control is imposed for manufacturing consistency, the process itself produces slight variations that make each garment almost one of a kind.
EASY TO CARE FOR
The collection is hand or machine washable, wrinkle-free and lightweight. Ideal for the busy business or leisure traveler who wants to look chic at a moment's notice without the need for dry cleaning.
Website: https://komarov.com/