She Is Woman- The iWalk Series

Transparency, neons, prints, pastel colours and the re-invention of the little black dress. These are the trends that will set the backdrop for spring/summer '12. What interested me is that the above mentioned trends not only described a trend in fashion but also described characteristics that women should aspire to have. The Love Being A Woman event hosted annually by Elle magazine celebrates women in search of something bigger than themselves, women who want to be a formidable force by creating a strong network through sisterhood  and women who strive for a society that is all embracing of diversity, divinity and the anomalies that give us all an individual beauty.

 This is my second year attending and it only gets better because I get to bare witness not only to the ideas of changing women's mindsets but also to the action and tracking of the progress that is propelled by those ideologies. Elle, in my eyes, refuses to just think about it, they work very hard to be about it and it is refreshing to find a magazine that talks to women from all walks of life to find out what it is that ails them and how to remedy the situation. It is through initiatives such as the Love Being a Woman event that I realize that no matter what background we come from, many women share the same concerns and that although we may shop differently, internally we are driven by the same instinct to have the world become a better place to those we will eventually leave it behind to.

 Going back to the comparison between this year's trends and women, I will begin with transparency. Transparency allows a woman to always be herself because she has no reason to hide when in an environment that is conducive to the celebration of her womanhood and this makes it easier for other women to relate and open up to her. Neons highlight the personality of a woman, her adventurous spirit to enjoy being the centre of attention and not mind having others showering her with adoration every once in a while. Prints showcase just how multidimensional a woman is, the power she has to interchange between her emotions, the delicate balance between her strengths and weakness and the tough shell of a backbone she has to think independently and create her own success. Pastel colours, for me at least, are the maternal side that all women have. The soft but striking combination of colour remind me of a mother who is beautiful, comforting but will not think twice about smacking your behind. I love pastels for their deception, the impression of a poised woman who does not wear her  ambitious traits on her sleeves but is a power house and a gift that keeps giving to whatever she touches. The little black dress embraces the elegance and drama that is a woman. She is a silhouette of sexy and exudes the prowess of a tigress as she stalks what she wants, goes for it and does not take no for an answer. She does this without losing her integrity or hurting others to get what she wants. She is beautiful in every aspect and that is her birthright as Elizabeth Arden believes.

I am inspired by Elle magazine for their genuine interest in women and I too want to walk in the footsteps of the graceful women who have taken their time to get to know the women who read the magazine. Live love laugh!