10 Fashion Questions: Alicia Morrison Jones

Alicia Morrison Jones

San Pedro, CA

1 – When did you first realize you loved fashion and clothes?

Late teens early twenties when I connected with Jan Reital with Tifarah Afghans.  She got me out of my long dresses and into suits!

2 – If you had all the money in the world which designer would you always buy?

How can a girl pick just one?  I keep up with one of my favorite stylists, Rachel Zoe

3 – What is your favorite piece of clothing or accessory?

I love dresses! A perfect fitting summer dress and a dress with a scarf during winter

4 – What is your biggest pet peeve about dog show fashion?

            Lack of Spanx under St. John Knits

            Hair in women’s faces

            Skirts that are too short (Sorry boys)

5 – Who always looks best at dog shows?

            Remy Lewis Smith

            Kimmy Pastella

            Amy Rutherford and her statement necklaces

            James Dalton

6 – Who is your go to designer or what is your go to store?

Norstrom – Anthroplogy – REI (Yep, everything I ever need from these three stores!)

7 – What time in history would you have liked to have been around for because of the fashion?

The roaring 20’s – first time we could show ankles and calves

8 – What does your “every day” consist of?

Athleta running pants, top and my bright & fancy Asics (current pair are teal and yellow).  The finishing touch is my Philosophy Hope in Jar BB Cream with 20 SPF

9 – What one thing do you think people at dog shows could improve on regarding fashion at dog shows?

Wearing clothes that actually fit and clothes that compliment your exhibit

10 – What was your favorite outfit you wore at a dog show?

The creamy white disco ball St. John at Westminster this past year. (It was my favorite of hers too:-)

Juniors, this focus is on you…I have had more requests to write on this topic than any other.

Junior Showmanship highlights the future of our sport. The Junior Ring was the starting point for many of our top handlers. Many of the Juniors who compete work for handlers,  while many others are entering this sport for the first time. This week, I would like to offer some opinions and suggestions on this very special and important element of our sport. 

Junior competition is different than conformation.  In Junior competition, the junior is the focus of the judging, not the dog.  With that being said, the overall look and appearance of the competitor should be a huge part of the judging critique.  From hair pulled out of faces, to appropriate clothes, to shined shoes, Juniors need to have their appearance spot on!

(http://www.ebay.com/itm/Little-Girls-Children-Teen-agers-CUSTOM-MADE-pageant-interview-suit-dress-gown-/221480789904)

There is an unwritten dress code for Junior girls that lies between looking age appropriate and not looking like they’re going to a dance club.  Clothes that are too tight, too low, and too short are not appropriate for dog shows.  Girls, you are not going out with your friends.  Think about wearing something that your grandparents would approve of wearing to a country club or church.  

The flip side of this is wearing age appropriate clothes.  There are many fashionable suits and dresses that Juniors look fantastic in because they are on trend with cut-outs, asymmetrical lines, and stud details.  Mature professional handlers often wear very expensive suits, like St. John, at big shows such as Eukanuba and Westminster.   St. John and other designers in that niche target ladies much older than 18 or younger.  It is my personal opinion that St. John, Chanel, and other expensive designer suits and dresses should be reserved for mature handlers and ladies.

In regards to hair, girls you are bending over and running around a ring with your dog.  Hair should be tied up and completely out of your face.  Again, you are not going out with your friends, you are competing in a very professional environment.  The messy, loose strand looks are in but so are clean, sleek, neat looks like buns.  Get that hair off your face so you can see what you’re doing and where you’re going!

Now, for the boy Junior Handlers. Please stick to suits and sport coats and pants.  Boys you will look very sharp by adding a well-tied tie (you can spice this up with interesting knots) and a pocket square for major shows.  I am a personal fan of fun and interesting socks, but others are not, so know your judge.  Please make sure your pants fit appropriately and wear a belt.  Sagging  pants are not appropriate or professional at a dog show.  

Boys and girls, please make sure your shoes are shinned.   Comfortable, yet classy shoes are not easy finds, especially in child sizes (I have first hand experience being a size 3 in girls) so take care of those shoes!  Boys, I know that it is on trend to wear sneakers, like Converse, with suits to dances, however it is not appropriate to do so while competing in the show ring.  Keep in mind my previous comment, you want to impress your grandparents with  your choice of clothing at dog shows.

Juniors, dress the part, you are the focus, you are being judged.  Pick colors and patterns that compliment your dog, not deter from it.  When choosing the perfect outfit for a major shows, think about complimenting that perfect picture of you and your dog for the judge.  From head to toe, make that picture as perfect as possible but still look like a child or teenager in these professional, conservative competitions.

Hair Up.....Hair Down.....???

Decisions, decisions.  Hair style and hair do’s in the show ring should help complete your overall look while handling your dog, or even judging.  With all ages competing in show rings and all the styles of hair choices are endless. But what’s appropriate?

Short Hair Styles

From chic pixie cuts to classy & elegant bobs.  These cuts can be very cute and professional in the ring because they almost always have to be styled daily to look best.  Short hair stays off the face or can stay off the face by tucking behind an ear or secured by a bobby pin. 

Medium Length Hair Styles

Shoulder length styles can be the most challenging for ring presence in my opinion.  It’s a battle between wanting your hair to be nicely styled and can actually tying it up in a pony tail.  Pulling back the top part or a portion of medium length hair also helps to keep it off your face and in the way while setting up dogs.

Long Hair Styles

New trend are ponytail buns, and I LOVE them!  Cannot wait for my hair to be long enough to rock that style again.  Sleek ponytails, whether high or low, look fantastic and are timeless.  French braids and other braids are also on trend, just avoid the messy look that allows for loose strands to get in your face or windblown.

Just remember you’re at a dog show and not going out.  Running, bending over and being exposed to different weather can have a impact on the tidiness of your hair and neat hair helps complete the overall look of presenting your dog.

10 Fashion Questions: Tara Martin Rowell

Tara Martin Rowell

Dallas, TX

1 - When did you first realize you loved fashion and clothes?

I don't think I ever "realized" it

When I was born my Grandmother already had a full wardrobe of dresses, shoes, frilly socks and hats for me! I don't think half of my clothes were ever worn before I grew out of them! 

2 - If you had all the money in the world which designer would you always buy?

Chanel

3 - What is your favorite piece of clothing or accessory

Tie between any of my Chanel purses or Louis Vuitton purses. A great handbag is a must investment for your wardrobe!

4 - What is your biggest pet peeve about dog show fashion

Dirty Shoes

5 - Who always looks the best at dog shows

I could make a list ! I think most of our ladies try very hard to look their best even in some of the conditions we have to show in!

6 - Who is your go to designer or what is you go to store?

Carlisle/Per Se

St. John

Tory Burch

DVF

Temperley London

I also love Chetta B from Neimans for dresses

7 - What time in history would you have liked to have been around for because of the fashion?

1920's!!!

8 - What is your “every day” look consist of?

At home just something simple - a nice dress or pants and a cute top with lots of accessories!

9 - What one thing do you think people could improve on regarding fashion at dog shows?

Just to be aware that you should disappear behind your dog - don't wear anything that distracts whether it be a fabulous designer outfit or clothing that doesn't fit well - if it distracts from the dog you probably should not wear it

10 - What was your favorite outfit you wore at a dog show?

When I won the breed with Tommy at the Garden in 2007 my client Martha Feltenstein took me to her designer at Runway in the Meat Packing District and they designed a beautiful suit for me with a Mink collar that I wore in the group that night

It was my favorite because it was a one-of-a-kind and a very generous gift to make us feel special and shine on TV!

Dresses of Summer

Showing dogs in dresses can be very flattering, professional and cool during hot summer months.  A great well-fitting dress can make any woman feel great!  However, an ill-fitting dress can emphasize a woman’s flaws.

Dresses can be a little more flamboyant than suits because of their prints and cuts.  Huge trends this year in dresses are cut-outs and geometric lines.  These fun details can go from cute and chic to raunchy and slutty very quickly.  If you’re shopping in the Junior’s section, stop.  Just stop.  They are just not going to be professional and classy enough.  Misses have great designers that are on trend and include classy cut-outs and geometric lines.  Plus, often the quality of clothes in the Misses department is far better than what may be found in Juniors.

If the cut-outs and geomantic lines are too much for you, then stick with a simple pencil dress or an A-line dress.  Pencil dresses are simple and timeless, they will often elongate a woman’s body and accentuate curves, just remember the Spanx!  A-line dresses look good on everyone because no matter your shape or size they are fitted on your chest and give you a waist. 

As for prints, I love them, but not all prints love me!  Prints come in all shapes and sizes (yes sizes) and not all are meant to be worn on every body.  If you have a larger area or not even, a larger print can emphasize that area.  For example, below I’m wearing a printed dress that has larger print right along my hips.  The larger print portion of the dress makes my hips and stomach look huge and bottom heavy (which is opposite of what I really am).  Large print will make you look larger, where smaller prints will make you look smaller. 

Stripes have also become a hot trend and knowing how and where stripes hit different parts of your body will make all the difference.  Horizontal stripes will always make you look larger, where vertical stripes are slimming.  Just be careful of black and white vertical stripes, they can look like a prison uniform.  Another trick is smaller stripes will make you look thiner while thicker, bolder stripes will make you look larger.

Please remember to go through the check list (Post December 27, 2013 - http://dress4bis.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=2) when buying a new dress.  While they may fit when standing still, dresses often will ride up while running, twisting, and bending.  Remember to twist, run, and bend over in the dressing room.

Best Dressed: Houston World Series of Dog Shows

It's been a while since I did a best dressed, but while in Texas I saw some amazing outfits!  These ladies and gentlemen really stepped it up in Houston!  I love it!  Keep up the good work!!!

Miss Kassy Mysliwiec wore the cutest black and white sweater (I just about took it from her), paired with a simple black skirt.

Clint Livingston rocked the three piece!  Love this plaid suit with the brown vest!

Erin Roberts Carlisle ensemble was set off by the electric blue shell!

Tiffany Knox looked very elegant and pretty in this Tahari number!

Tara Rowell looked lovely in this purple crop jacket with a wide collar.

Sydney Good was stunning in a sparkly navy St. John that was completed with an elegant navy scarf.

Andrew Peel was dashing in his purple shirt and bow tie.  I wish I got a photo of his socks!

Derby Hats, Dog Show Hats

In light of the Kentucky Derby this weekend I thought it would be a good opportunity to write about hats at dog shows.  Hats at the Kentucky Derby are talked, photographed, and written about almost as much as the horses themselves.  These famous “Derby Hats” can be simple to unbelievably over the top! 

Hats worn at dog shows and more specifically in the ring is up for debate.  I am completely for wearing hats when it’s raining to keep dry (or somewhat) and keep the water from running down faces of handlers while trying to show their dogs.  These “rain hats” are often baseball hats or whatever is available are worn completely for function.  However, hats worn at shows where weather is more than pleasant is up for question.  Sun hats and fashionable hats can be cumbersome and distracting while in the ring.  Baseball hats on men and women make expensive suits and outfits look sloppy.  Trust me I fully understand the benefits of wearing a hat for protection from the sun.  Wearing a can help protect your face from the sun, but is it appropriate in the ring?

I have seen time and time again judges trying to get the attention of a handler to move to the front of the class or group and a handler wearing a hat missing the signal because the hat is obstructing their view of the ring and judge.  Obstructing is the key word for me on why hats shouldn’t be worn in the show ring.  When setting up dogs they may hit a dog and scare the dog.  Sometimes just the sight of a hat can even scare a dog.   You do not have a clear view of the ring, the judge, your dog, and others in the ring when wearing a hat.  They can flop or even fly off when running or moving around the ring.  

There is one show where hats are not only expected but a tradition, and that is Morris and Essex.  Morris and Essex is held once every 5 years in October over the famous Montgomery County weekend.  According to their website,

Every five years, a very special dog show appears, and we are transported to a gentler time honoring the heritage of one of the dog show world’s most devoted benefactors and the Show’s founder, Mrs. Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge. (http://www.morrisandessexkc.com/heritage.html)

Exhibitors and spectators are asked to dressed to “the nines” and are encouraged to wear hats.  It was common for ladies and men to wear hats (beautiful and sometimes not very functional hats) at outdoor events during the roaring twenties when Morris and Essex Kennel Club formed.