Dolce divas at Cayen

Some of our favourite 'pick-ups'

2012-01-05T23:05:00.000-08:00


This indigo thai silk dress was made to wear to a winter wedding in the UK (so needed sleeves) . The wide shoulders are good to balance wider hips and the ruched waist detail emphasises a small waist. We made this one shorter - above knee - because our client had great legs . You could make it longer and add a can can petticoat underneath for a perfect 50s vintage dress.


This cool and comfy butterfly sleeve top is made in sheer polyester chiffon and has a separate bias cut cami underneath - all washable - and the cami can be used on its own or under other tops. Client has already ordered another one in a different colour and print. Very versatile and best worn with pants.

Refreshing aqua blue stretch cotton false wrap shirt with cystal Swarovski decorative buttons. One of our best sellers! Hides the tum and is as suitable for the boardroom with tailored pants or pencil skirt as it is with denim or white jeans.

More of our fave pick ups soon !

Greeting 2012 with great new fabrics, colours and designs

2011-12-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

Time for a new look for the New Year ? Well, Cayen has lots to inspire you. As 2012 begins we are kicking off with 12 great tops and shirts, in a new sateen cotton that comes in 22 gorgeous colours (the top group on the swatch board at the bottom of this email). This cotton is soft with a smooth finish and is perfect for these cool, comfortable shirts and tops.

Pretty in pink! This pale pink classic shawl collar is perfect for business and smart casual wear….

…as is this pin tuck bib detail shirt in deep rose pink

This cream sateen cotton shirt with bustier detail and contrast top stitching is my personal favourite.Just love it!

The double collar shirt and contrast trim works so well in the peacock green and electric blue cotton. A great design for playing with colours too.

So cute ! Raspberry cotton sleeveless top with matching polka dot cotton centre panel

Purple shell top with waist peplum detail is playful and will look so cute with jeans.

This false wrap shirt with trim detail works well in many colours but this taupe and tan stretch cotton combo is perfect to co-ordinate with chocolate earth tones.

This cap sleeve jacket top in two shades of teal meets so many wardrobe needs

Go with the ruffle trend with this eggplant top with ruffle sleeves and sweetheart neckline

Aqua blue stretch cotton cap sleeve top with mandarin collar and keyhole neckline is another versatile winner!

Red sleeveless top with front pin tuck detail. This flattering top that will work under a jacket for work, with casual skirt or pants for shopping, barbecues and much more.

Emerald green cap sleeve top with an empire seam, darted neckline and open V detail. This is a fabulous colour that we rarely find. You can, of course, choose any of these fabulous colours for these designs to fit in with your wardrobe.

We also have a lot of stretch cotton in different weights. The lighter weight (the middle of the swatch board) is perfect for shirts, tops and dresses. Our popular wrap shirts and dresses look just great in this fabric.

Then there are the new mid weight stretch cottons (the bottom set on the swatch board) in 10 colours that are just right for pants and skirts to co-ordinate with the shirts and tops.

All set for some great cotton outfits now!

Some great Cayen Sample Sale bargains

2011-12-12T21:11:00.000-08:00

The Cayen Sample Sale is still on and we have a lot of great bargains left to be snapped up .

Here are some of them As these are samples, mostly made for fashions shows or used as shop samples, they are one-off pieces made in one size only. We have lots more designs in the sale in various sizes - workwear, lovely day dresses, evening wear and smart casual pieces. All of the pieces are beautifully made in high quality fabrics.

Black crepe dress with piping detail Bust 38"(96 cms) Waist 30" (76 cms) Hip 41"(104 cms)
Sale price $100

Black crepe fit and flare dress Bust 34" (86 cms) Waist 26" (66 cms) Hip 37" (94 cms) Sale price $100

Pink embroidered silk cheongsam dress Bust 32”(81 cms) Waist 24”(61cms), Hip 35”(89 cms)

Sale price $200

Navy blue crepe skirt suit Bust 32” (81 cms) Waist 24”(61cms) Hip 35”(89 cms) Sale price $300

Red stretch cotton shirt Bust 33"(84 cms) Waist 25”(63cms) Sale price $80
One of our customers has 9 of these shirts in different colours because she loves them so much

Pink cotton pique zip top Bust 31"(79 cms) Waist 24” (61 cms) Sale price $50

Top - Navy blue French lace with red silk lining Bust 34” (86 cms) Waist 26”(66cms), Sale price $50

Soft silk print dress with shrug Bust 32” (81 cms) Waist 24”(61cms) Hip 35”(89 cms) Sale price $250 for both pieces

Beige/rust stretch cotton dress Bust 38"(96 cms) Waist 30"(76cms), Hip 41"( 104cms) Sale Price $50

Chinese silk brocade strapless gown Bust 35" (88 cms) Waist 27”(68cms), Hip 38”(96 cms) Sale price $400

Blue Thai silk mermaid evening gown with can can petticoat and embellished neckline
Bust 30"(76 cms) Waist 22" (56 cms) Hips 33"(84 cms) Sale Price $480

Rose pink Thai silk dress Bust 39"(99 cms) Waist 32"(81 cms) Hip 39"(99 cms) Sale Price $200

Red crepe gown with high slit and crystal embellishment Bust 34"(86 cms) Waist 26"(66 cms) Hips 36"(91 cms)
Sale price $450

Blue Thai silk dress with lilac and blue soft silk strap detail Bust 40"(101 cms) Waist 32" (81 cms) Hips 40" (101 cms) Sale price $250

African waxed cotton print strapless gown with chiffon detail Bust 37" (94 cms) Waist 28"(71 cms) Hips 39"(99 cms) Sale price $50

Prints; a must have Spring Summer 2012 trend

2011-11-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

We were inspired by the strong trend for dramatic and colourful prints on the Spring /Summer 2012 runways. Prints of all kinds were featured so we put together a small collection of designs using some of our extensive range of gorgeous printed fabrics to inspire you to get on trend.

Yes, animal prints are still hitting the top trends but we are seeing some more unusual prints like this hidden leopard face and floral thai silk. We used it in a simple straight cut dress with a black waist belt and front ruffle. This is a show stopper – wear it to make an entrance and get noticed.

This black based fabric with red and white abstract floral patterns creates a super slimming central panel in a soft silhouette with black crepe.

This top uses the same central panel idea in a red seersucker silk checker print. When teamed with a black pencil skirt you have a smart, sassy and flattering look just perfect for the office.

This flirty bright outfit has an emerald green soft silk top and full skirt, also soft silk, with a striking print with emerald green and white roses on a black background. Cinch it with a black belt, wear with flats or sexy heels, and you have the perfect feminine look for so many different occasions.

Yes, the spots, dots and circles are still with us. The stripes create a flattering waist feature when combined with the polka dots; all in black and turquoise sandwashed silk to create this super chic look.

This geometric stretch silk mix fabric in muted greens and airforce blue works very well in this asymmetric panel dress with waist detail. So different but without too much drama it is a great dress for work.

And last but not least is a dress in a bright, vintage floral print jacquard silk embellished with toning purple strips. We love this one – especially worn in a shorter length – it is just so on trend for the coming season and with just a hint of playful 60’s retro too.

So whether you like your prints subtle, bright and bold or just plain outrageous, come and and check out our fabulous fabrics and designs. Just call me, Carol, on 9735 8736 to arrange an appointment.

Another look at the modern cheongsam

2011-09-29T16:19:00.000-07:00

We had so much interest in our previous blog post about modern cheongsams that we thought it was about time that we updated our thoughts and gave you some fresh inspiration. Many of our clients like to have an oriental influence in their clothes designs but don’t want to feel uncomfortable and look as though they are attending a costume party.

So, we have taken the oriental essence of the cheongsam and created versatile designs for work, special occasions and smart casual wear. The resulting collection is a wearable feminine fusion of East and West.

The cheongsam is a traditional Chinese dress. Typically, it has a high stand or mandarin collar with fastenings across the bodice, decorated with piping and Chinese style fastenings. It has a close fitting cut and high side slits to allow movement. The brocade fabric often used to make them is stiff and has no stretch or drape. All of these features can make it unforgiving if you are not slim and straight with perfectly toned and cellulite free legs.

Business wear

Our first designs are perfect for work, whether you are in a formal or slightly more relaxed business environment.

This purple crepe dress was inspired by Victoria Beckham and the cheongsam. It has a silver zip detail at the side of the skirt and silver piping around the stand collar and open keyhole neckline. A tapered cut gives it a modern body conscious and sassy edge.

A favourite with our clients, our second design is a classic straight cut dress with asymmetric fastening with piping and Chinese buttons in a ‘corporate’ fabric. The chocolate crepe with beige pin stripe gives a perfect fusion of traditional femininity and corporate wear. This design works well with a three quarter length or cap sleeves.

This black crepe dress has a centre panel and neckline detail in grey, black and white linen mix. It is smart, elegant and very flattering. The centre panel creates an optical illusion that slims the silhouette and the black mandarin collar and feminine neckline draw attention to the face.

The first of our pants outfits is this grey and light blue fleck lightweight wool suit with asymmetric fastening and mandarin collar. The fabric and slim pants give it a smart corporate feel but it is also feminine with a subtle Eastern flavor.

The last design in this set is one of my favourites. It is such a simple, elegant dress in colours that will suit most skin tones. The turquoise crepe works well with these unusual electric blue decorative Chinese fastenings. This dress is smart enough for the office but will serve well for special occasions too.

Pants with everything

The next two pants outfits have a soft flattering silhouette and are so comfortable to wear. The typical high collar of the cheongsam isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and so we have given the first ‘cheongsam’ tunic a neckline that is open and comfortable to wear. The asymmetric neckline is decorated with beautiful Chinese style woven fastenings and trim using the reverse side of the mauve and pale blue jacquard print silk gives extra emphasis. This can be worn longer, as a dress, but we like it teamed with slim leg navy crepe pants. It flatters all body shapes and is a perfect outfit for bigger girls and lovely to travel in.

Our second tunic, with mandarin collar and asymmetric fastening, in a turquoise and silver jacquard print silk, works well with silver grey slim pants in either crepe or silk. Choose a darker colourway with pants in the same colour and you have an outfit that will make you look kilos lighter.

Smart casual

This next group of smart casual designs can be dressed up and down to suit your mood and the occasion. Wear them on casual Friday, lunch or dinner with the girls, Sunday brunch and so much more.

This simple but dramatic animal print stretch cotton dress is perfect for a fun night out with the girls or a hot date. The stretch in the fabric allows you to enjoy wearing a straighter cut but still be comfortable. The cut-in shoulders and mandarin collar finish the look.

Dots, circles and spots have been on trend for several seasons now. Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney have used this classic motif extensively in both clothes and accessories. We have some lovely cotton in stock in great colours with varying sizes and combinations of polka dots. In this dress we use a navy and cream large dot print and add a waist feature of smaller polka dots in the reverse colourway. One of the benefits of bespoke tailoring is that the dress can be made with the feature either under the bust or at the natural waist, whichever will best flatter your body shape. The stand collar and open keyhole neckline give the feel of the oriental making it a unique blend of ethnic and on trend that will never date.

This gold and brown abstract animal print soft silk tunic has side slits for great fit, comfort and wearability. The mandarin collar adds a subtle touch of the orient. We teamed this with a pair of slim cut three –quarter length pants in brown stretch lightweight needle cord with a gold zip feature at the ankle.

Our last design gives the cheongsam a Mad Men twist with a full skirt combined with a classic cheongsam neckline. Made in a black and cream floral cotton this design combines east and West in a pretty feminine style that is very wearable.

Three of the best

No modern cheongsam collection would be complete without at least one dress designed for a very special occasion so our final set is one dress in three versions, all special in their own way. The traditional cheongsam neckline used in these dresses is usually reserved for formal evening cheongsams.

The black crepe dress with black and silver floral brocade bodice detail is a sophisticated cocktail look.

The same design in teal green crepe dress with multi colour check Thai silk bodice is perfect for that special presentation or important work function.

And last but not least we step up the glam factor with this full length dress with front slit in red crepe with a shining gold, red and black brocade bodice. This gorgeous formal dress will be just perfect for all those Shanghai theme occasions or when you just want to look fabulous.

We hope you are inspired to explore the possibilities of our East/West fusion styles.

Call me, Carol on 9735 8736 to make an appointment .

We love Mad Men styles

2011-09-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

The drama series Mad Men, about an ad agency in New York in the early 1960's, has captured the imagination of the fashion industry. And we are no exception. We just love the styles because they are so absolutely feminine and look fabulous on girls with curves.

The three key ladies in the drama are Peggy, Joan and Betty (pictured above) and each has their own style. So, inspired by these gorgeous girls we have come up with our own Mad Men collection.

First, one for Peggy, the sweet practical girl with hidden depths, a chic black crepe dress with Thai silk check collar trim and buttons with an empire waist. I just love this - one of my personal favourites.

Then a super-sassy dress for the voluptuous and fiery red head, Joan . This magenta peplum dress will make you look all woman and is perfect to give balance to wide shoulders. You could also make this style as a top and skirt if you prefer to give added versatility. We have given it a modern edge with the silver zip detail.

Betty is a neurotic cigarette puffing housewife - blonde and always so pretty in pastels so we have designed her a sweet day dress in pale blue and white polka dots that will be perfect for so many casual to semi-formal occasions. Great for casual Fridays too.

And we just couldn't resist copying Peggy's little floral chiffon dress . But this time in a white opel silk chiffon with pale pink cherry blossom. To keep the look fresh and not too sugary , we have lined it with a mint green - pretty as a picture. To take the chiffon look from day to night we have used a black and red version of the same fabric as a layer over a black satin crepe. The skirt opens in the front to give movement.

The next dress is a great style for both curvy and straight girls . This is another crepe dress, this time with a silk sash feature at the waist.

Our final dress is a classic straight cut in gorgeous pink open lace lined with a silver blue Thai silk. I can just see Betty at a cocktail party in this one.

Lace is such a feminine fabric and this Normandy lace with rich red poppies is just perfect to embellish a simple Thai silk top that will work for you in so many different ways as you can see it here teamed with a simple pencil skirt, full silk skirt and black cigarette three quarter length pants.

Our final outfit is one that will give even the straightest girl those wonderful Mad Man curves. Long flared pants made of a soft silk satin that has a stunning bubbles border print in black and champagne. Team with a black Thai silk bustier for a glamorous, sexy look .

Call me, Carol on 9735 8736 to design your perfect Mad Men dress.

The 'wear it with trousers' trend keeps going!

2011-09-07T17:03:00.000-07:00

The last two seasons' runways have been full of outfits where skirts. dresses and tunics have been teamed with pants. This is a very versatile look and can look chic,elegant and casual like the Armani one above that we just love. This will work in so many colourways, like the eggplant and cream crepe one in the illustration below, and black of course. It creates a long lean fluid silhouette that will work for all body shapes and sizes. It will also work for any occasion and be so comfortable to wear.

The fabrics you choose for the pants really depends on the silhouette you are after. The slim tapered 'cigarette pants' are great in cottons and silks and crepes give a softer more fluid drapey look.

The blue/grey one above with dark rose pleat detail is also a wrap style that will flatter many figures.

Want to show off your great legs ? Well , get one that you can wear them as a dress as well. The two below- the grey, black and white linen mix and the winter white cotton with large blue polka dots will be just as versatile as a dress and we love pieces that can be worn different ways to add maximum value to your wardrobe and reduce 'trend fatigue' .Perfect additions to any buisiness or casual wardrobe.

Our gorgeous silk butterfly dresses can also be worn shorter as tops over pants for a cool comfortable look that is easy to wear. The 'fairy garden' chiffon dress below has a nude coloured bias cut long cami/slip, itself a really useful item to have in your wardrobe . The polka dot sandwashed silk would look great teamed with thai silk cigarette pants for an outfit or worn alone as a comfortable but cute shorter length dress.

Washable capsules too !

2011-08-31T22:42:00.000-07:00

In a climate like Singapore, it is always good to have some wardrobe items that are washable. We thought we would put together two capsule ideas containing only washable items and also showcasing some of our new fabrics.

The first capsule collection is the perennial favourite colour way - black based. The foundation pieces for this capsule are a black stretch cotton pencil skirt and simple jacket. The pants are washable crepe.

The two dresses are both new fabrics in stock – a fabulous black and white zebra print stretch cotton and a cute large black and white polka dot with reverse smaller dot trim. This fabric comes in lots of great colours too so you can take advantage of the current spots and circles trend. Both dresses are very versatile – wear with or without the jacket for work or play.

And spots again ! The butterfly tunic top is made of a beautifully soft washable polyester chiffon – black with random spots in white and shades of grey, worn here over a little camisole top. This works so well with pants and dresses up and down very easily. This is a great piece to travel with. Weighs virtually nothing, it won’t crush and you can wash and dry it very easily.

We used a poly chiffon for the little shell top as well – this time a pink tinged soft animal print – again a really wearable piece.

We included two of our most popular designs that are also washable – the mandarin collar blouse in satin back crepe – we did it here in an elegant winter white but it is available in lots of gorgeous colours. And the wrap shirt in stretch cotton – also available in lots of great new colours including this aqua blue.

And last but not least a little shell top in a red stretch cotton with pink rosebud print.

But it doesn’t only have to be black! A lovely rich burgundy colour stretch cotton jacket and skirt make the foundation of our other capsule. In fact all of the pieces in this capsule are made in various types of cotton – stretch and non-stretch.

Call Carol on 9735 8736 to arrange your consultation.

An unbelievable deal to celebrate our Seventh Anniversary!

2011-08-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

Cayen has been making clothes now for seven years and we wanted to do something very special to mark this milestone. So, we are offering a truly unbelievable deal to 20 lucky ladies.

For only $999 you can have this 5 piece crepe custom tailored business capsule of jacket, pants, skirt, dress and shirt, instead of the usual price of $1750! The designs we have chosen are our clients’ favourites and will work for all body shapes.

We have illustrated the capsule in black with some great accent colours but, as always at Cayen, you can choose the colours that work best for you.

As I said, this is such a great deal that we have to limit it to 20 capsules. So please do make sure you are one of the lucky ones and don’t forget to tell your friends about it too!

Call me, Carol on 9735 8736 to book your appointment.

Making the most of an apple shape

2011-08-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

Women come in all shapes and sizes but can be categorized according to weight distribution and silhouette. A few weeks ago we looked at designs for pear shaped women and now we are looking at the apple shaped ladies.

Apple shaped women have slightly broader shoulders compared to their hips. They also tend to have slim legs/thighs, while the midsection (abdomen) can look out of proportion compared to the rest of the body. When apples gain weight it tends to be predominantly in the abdomen, chest, and face.

It is the larger abdomen that is the biggest challenge when dressing this body shape. The simple rule of dressing any body shape that does not have perfect proportion is to create balance in the silhouette. For the apple, we are looking to camouflage the mid section by drawing attention away from this area.

Generally we use designs that draw attention to the bust and legs with fabrics that skim over the mid section. It is best to avoid tight and clingy fabrics that will settle around the tummy area.

For tops, designs that end at the hip line work well. The top we have chosen is a simple semi- fit top in a chiffon with a continuous pattern that distracts the eye without adding volume. Avoid baggy or straight designs as these will add volume. The V neckline elongates the body and is a good choice for apples.

Empire line dresses can work well, the seam under the bust but avoid too much gathering at this seam as this can look like a maternity style.

We chose another chiffon, this time printed in a three colour swirl, for our ‘apple’ dress as it is a fabric that does not cling but just skims beautifully over any problem areas. If you have good legs, and many apple shapes women do, go for a shorter length too.

When choosing jackets try to choose something that is a longer length. Definitely avoid short boxy jackets as these will emphasise the mid section. Our jacket is a long hip length with a seam under the bust to add shape. We have used a purple and black thin stripe fabric for the top half of the jacket and a black matte crepe with a good weight and drape for the lower portion of the jacket. Teaming with a straight cut pair of pants in the same black crepe elongates the body and creates a leaner and longer silhouette.

Generally the rule is to use the same colour for the bottom half as this elongates the body, which is something most women are trying to achieve, and apples will benefit more than most. If you are taller you can team with a straight simple skirt in a different colour to add some variety to your outfits. Wear your skirt shorter if you can to show off those lovely legs.

Some wrap styles can work well for apples as the wrap design deceives the eye. We find that many of our apple ladies love this wrap shirt for a number of reasons. It is made in a stretch cotton that is very comfortable to wear and it is a false wrap with a zip at the back. This prevents gaping at the front of the shirt and makes it a very easy shirt to wear. It is a smart alternative to a jacket for business wear too. It is difficult to achieve this with a garment bought off the rack as to look its best this shirt needs to be carefully fitted.

Of course, tailored clothes have the advantage of being able to fit the individual much better than something bought off the rack so you can also get the perfect length to your tops that covers the tummy but does not overwhelm the figure and make the legs look shorter. This is particularly important for shorter apples.

If you would like to have quality clothes designed and tailored to fit and flatter your body shape just call me, Carol on 9735 8736 to make an appointment for your free consultation.

Inspired by the Rising Sun

2011-07-13T04:03:00.000-07:00

We don’t often see natural disasters having an influence on the fashion world but the earthquake brought Japan into focus for many designers. We have noticed many of these influences coming through in last week’s Paris Couture shows, in designs that have been both elegant and edgy.

The Giorgio Armani Prive collection was absolutely beautiful and completely Japan inspired. And oh so feminine!

Chris and I were inspired to put together some Japanese influenced designs for you that are beautiful and also wonderfully wearable, even for those of us who aren’t fragile porcelain skinned waifs. All will stand the test of time but worn in the Autumn/ Winter 2011 season will show that you are fashion aware.

This structured silk jacket in two colours of Thai, Indian or Chinese silks are perfect to dress up a pair of crepe pants (which we have on promotion this month by the way). We chose bronze and burnt orange to lift the chocolate brown beautifully and the lavender blue and lilac embroidered silks to work with the navy. It will be just as fabulous in other colourways and can be worn with a sassy pencil skirt to make a business outfit with real style and impact. It is a look that is very appropriate for that important presentation or anywhere you want to be noticed for the right reason. You can even create formal chic with a long straight skirt.

Pants are so popular these days in Singapore with many business women choosing them for work so we designed two pants suits with a Japanese touch.The first is in two shades of soft green crepe, the pants slightly darker than the top, which has a Japanese floral motif silk brocade feature flash in a toning soft pink and green. The pants are a slim cut; these can be difficult to wear on their own, especially if you have a larger bottom half. However, by combining them with a longer top (another strong trend on the runways for next season) it creates a leaner and longer silhouette that is it much easier to wear.

We combined a black satin crepe with a Japanese floral print to create this fabulous long jacket top with a very strong Japanese flavour. The obi belt worn with this outfit is quintessentially Japanese and the ultimate in femininity. Wear it without the obi and the influence is not so strong, which you may prefer. If you are short-waisted, i.e. you don’t have much distance between your bust and waistline we can just make the obi belt narrower or it can also be worn with a narrow belt or sash.

If you don’t get anything else Japanese for this season, get a belt like our print silk and black obi and wear it to transform a tired little black dress. Or look for some Japanese paper fan ear-rings to wear with jeans, white cotton tank top or crisp white shirt and killer heels for a simple but stunning look.

Combining the trend for feature prints we chose a silk with a fan print in delicious muted shades on a pale butter cream base with a contrast soft silk sash to make a dress that can also be worn as a top over pants or jeans too. This versatile and easy-to-wear design will become a firm wardrobe favourite.

The colours of this pale salmon pink top with a vibrant peacock green fan pleat detail are picked out of the coral-based print on the long silk skirt. Worn together, this is a unique and elegant formal outfit. Worn separately, the top will be very useful for work or going out, look spectacular with navy or grey skirts and pants, or even blue denim or white jeans. Team the skirt with a simple cotton tank for relaxing at home with friends or out for a special dinner.

This last outfit is perhaps the least Japanese in influence but the top in purple, magenta and orange printed Thai silk with magenta silk stand collar works so well with a simple toning pencil skirt. The wide collar appears to widen the shoulders and so balances wide hips, so good for us pear shaped girls. Wear this to work, out to dinner or even for a summer special occasion. Just add a cute Japanese style fascinator and you have your Melbourne Cup lunch outfit sorted too!

We hope we have inspired you to add a touch of Japanese femininity and style to your wardrobe and look forward to seeing you soon.

Call me, Carol, on 9735 8736 for more inspiration or to make an appointment.

Designing business wear for pear shaped girls

2011-07-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

Body shape is a very important consideration when we are designing our business wear capsules for clients. For this Inspiration article we thought we would share some of our ideas for smart but feminine looks for the pears among you.


The pear - wider hips than shoulders

If you are a pear shape you will know the challenges that come with it. Women who are pear shaped have wider hips than shoulders and carry their weight on their hips, bottoms and thighs. They have smaller midsections and often quite a small waist. I am a pear and even at my skinniest I always had this imbalance of appearance.Having clothes made to measure is a godsend as it enables you to cope better with the fact that your body will often be a size larger on the bottom half than it is on top.

The goal to looking good when you are this shape is to achieve balance and to focus on your best assets. One way of doing this is to draw attention to the upper half of the body. There are many ways to achieve this and you will see in our illustration that we have used flattering necklines and used trims and accessories to keep the attention at this point.

Colour is also important. It is best to wear darker colours in plain colours on the bottom half and light or bright vibrant colours and prints on the top half - again to draw attention upwards and create the illusion of balance.

Another little tip is to make sure that you are wearing a good bra that keeps your breasts well supported and makes the most of them.

Pear shaped women often struggle to buy pants off the rack that fit them. They often gape at the waist, especially at the back. Made to measure pants get over that problem of course and, for a smart business look we recommend a straight cut in a draping fabric like crepe for the best result. Avoid a tapered cut at all times as this will emphasise the hips.

Dark colour pants, light colour shirt with bright contrast shoulder detail create balance

Shoulder details are great for pears as they create the illusion of wider shoulders which balances the hips. This shirt has a contrast trim on the cuffs, collar and epaulets - a touch of the safari look that is in this season.

We love our must have pencil skirts for our pears and a vertical hem detail like the pleats we have on this skirt can make a nice change from a simple skirt. You are going for a long lean silhouette so bear this in mind. When we are making a straight skirt for a client we usually give it a very slight taper to improve the silhouette. Many style books recommend an A-line skirt for pear shapes but I remain unconvinced about this and they are not exactly current either.The danger is that you will look frumpy.

This purple silk top has a lovely neckline, just perfect for a necklace, and some sleeve detail

Your jacket should be neither too long nor too short - the hip bone is a good guide. You need to avoid having a jacket that ends at your widest point. This red jacket has a wide neck opening, slightly wider lapels and a very slight gather on the shoulder seam. All of these features will create the illusion of wider shoulders and balance your hips. If you shoulders slope down it is best to have a small shoulder pad too. We are not talking Dynasty here but just a subtle pad that will enhance the look of the jacket.

This red crepe jacket is designed to widen the shoulders

Dresses can be a huge problem for pear shapes. If you are buying off the rack you are usually limited to a fit and flare, like the ones in the illustration below, or an empire line. Having a dress made for you means that you can have a straight cut dress but we have chosen two styles that we find work very well for our clients. At the fitting stage we often take out some fullness at the sides of the skirt as too much volume can add width.

This purple dress is perfect for pears, especially those that have a small waist to show off. Made in a draping crepe, it has four pleats in the skirt front and back , partially stitched down at the back down to the to prevent them opening over the bottom. These give lovely movement and shape. The neckline and sleeves give the necessary balance.

The black and white soft cotton dress has a simple 6 panel design with the flare starting at the bottom of the ribs to skim over the hips.The print we have chosen has a medium size, continuous pattern that works well to divert the eye away from the bodies outline. We have belted ours to create the focal point of the waist. This is a great casual Friday look and is easy to dress up and down with accessories.

You need to experiment with belts to see what works best for you. A belt of a similar colour adds focus without creating too much contrast, which can make the hips look wider. The width of belt that will look best on you will largely depend on how long or short waisted you are. If you are short waisted , i.e a short distance from bust to waist, a narrower belt is best. If you have a long waist you can go for a medium to wide belt but do avoid too much of a cinch effect. Remember that you are trying to achieve a longer, leaner silhouette.

It isn't just about the shape, colour and design of the clothes you choose. Fabric is a critical element. You should choose a fabric that drapes to flatter your curves. Avoid anything clingy, shiny, stiff or bulky, especially on the bottom half. We have chosen crepe and cottons for our capsule.the larger you are the more you should choose fabrics that have a good weight too as the lighter the fabric is the more it will cling to lumps and bumps.

So there you have it - a smart business wear capsule that will flatter your pear shaped figure and give you lots to mix and match.

Call me, Carol on 9735 8736 for more information about our business wear capsules and to make an appointment for a free consultation.

New designs for you, inspired by three first ladies of style

2011-06-05T22:34:00.000-07:00

Our new designs for this Inspiration article for June were inspired by three amazing first ladies.

Grace Kelly – elegant and very feminine – came back into the fashion spotlight as the reported inspiration for Kate Middleton’s wedding dress . She wore some stunning outfits - the dress below is a personal favourite of mine – so we had lots to inspire us.

Michelle Obama is constantly in the fashion news and has developed quite a following. When she isn’t causing controversies with her bare arms she is appearing on the covers of style and fashion magazines.

Jackie Kennedy, with her hats, pearls and sunglasses has many disciples. Indeed Michelle Obama, Victoria Beckham and the late Princess Diana are or were, in their own very different ways, among countless imitators of her flawless style. She combined traditional and avant garde to create a look that encompassed so many facets of woman.

We had a lot of fun taking the essence of these three style icons to come up with eight fabulous outfits to inspire you.

We start with two cocktail dresses . The full skirt dress, in duchesse satin, is similar to a dress worn by Michelle Obama on the cover of Glamour magazine. The sunshine yellow was inspired by Michelle’s love of, and the current trend for, bold bright colours.

The wide open V neckline, almost off the shoulders, of the other dress, is a signature Grace Kelly look. Together with the tulip skirt this dress is chic and elegant with drama and vavavoom created by the purple/red shot Thai silk.

The first of our day dresses is a wearable and versatile dress in a warm burnt orange crepe inspired by Michelle Obama’s love of belts at or just below the empire line with a simple jewel neck that works so well with pearls, a favourite accessory of all three of our ladies.

The false wrap dress, in soft forest green stretch cotton, has Grace’s softness and feminity but will work hard for you for work or to relax in. We continue the wrap theme in the last day dress with this cream and soft green crepe dress with wrap top and pencil silhouette. The waistband gives the dress the look of two pieces and would be perfect for work or even a special occasion worn with or without a jacket.

The last three outfits are all inspired by coat, jacket and dress combinations worn by Michelle Obama and Jackie Kennedy.

The pink stretch cotton dress with navy trim teams with a navy cotton pique jacket with pink collar trim and pocket flaps. Inspired by a pink suit that was worn often by Jackie we felt that reversing the colours is a more wearable way to wear this colour combination.

We took Michelle’s unusual signature look of coat and dress,worn with a wide belt over both, as the theme for our heather fleck lightweight wool dress. Singapore is not the climate for a coat and dress so we incorporated both into a cool 'look-like' dress that has an insert and belt in toning heather wool.

Our last outfit is a lilac check lightweight wool shift dress with feature buttons and pockets that was based on the design of Jackie Kennedy’s famous ‘campaign coat’. This on trend retro style can be worn for business or just for when you want to look chic and maybe set your own style trends.

We hope that you like our interpretation of First Lady style. If you would like more information or would like to come and get one of these fabulous dresses made for yourself then please do call me on 9735 8736.

June Must Have Mini Capsule Promotion

2011-06-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

The quintessential little black dress and black pencil skirt teamed with a long sleeved red crepe shirt with triangle collar is the perfect starter capsule

Our June promotion gives you the opportunity to buy three classic made to measure Cayen must- have business wear pieces for only $788 instead of the usual price of $960.

The first piece in this great value mini capsule is a dress; a choice of a sleeveless straight cut dress or A-line shift dress with either V, scoop or jewel necklines.

This rich brown and turquoise combination is fresh and different and lovely for the girls who look great in Autumn shades

The A line shift dress is perfect a little shorter and the tie shirt has contrast tie and cuffs

The second piece is the classic pencil skirt, smart and sassy partner that works with most tops.

Teaming perfectly with the skirt is our crepe shirt. We have designed the shirt neckline options to give you a shirt that does not need to be worn under a jacket. The tie neckline, mandarin collar (pictured in the photo below) or triangle collar all look chic and professional in their own right. They can have long sleeves or be sleeveless.Washable too!

We are using crepe, the business woman’s friend, for all of these pieces. It does not crease or crumple and has a beautiful drape and weight so is flattering for any shape and size. It is also available in so many gorgeous colours, including the dark neutrals that make great foundation capsule pieces. The dress and skirt will both be silk-lined.

Just call Carol on 9735 8736 for more information or to make your appointment.

Strategic Business Wardrobes show for Women in Business

2011-05-16T23:16:00.000-07:00

Cream lightweight wool skirt suit starts our show

The evening of the 11^th May saw us doing a presentation and fashion show which we called “Strategic Business Wardrobes” at the inaugural event of the Women in Business network. This is a group of senior business women brought together by Cayen and international law firm, Blake Dawson, who generously hosted this event.

We presented 25 outfits to demonstrate how Cayen business capsules are put together and what the key issues are of a well organised business wardrobe.

Classic black crepe pencil skirt suit


Our must have wrap shirt

Add colour and comfort with this soft silk top


Silk chiffon pintuck detail top and stretch cotton zip top


Cream jacket matched with chocolate brown pants for very different look

..and the pants also look great with this stone crepe mandarin collar blouse


A simple zip top in a gorgeous silk brocade


Beautiful and oh so versatile too


Great if you can use pieces for work and play too!


Navy crepe dress and peacock green Thai silk false wrap dress


And of course, the little black dress to dress up and down

And then an elegant look for Friday


This cotton dress is also perfect for Friday and many other things

Ladies do like to get up close

These fashion shows are hungry work for model Claire and Cayen designer Chris!

Cool new cottons

2011-05-13T23:24:00.000-07:00

We have just taken delivery of some fabulous new cottons. Now we all love cotton, especially when it is as hot as it has been just lately. Being made of a natural fibre they are cooler and more absorbent than synthetics and are washable too; also a plus right?

Cotton comes in so many guises and we have a great new selection for you.

First we have some great new stretch cottons, perfect for our ever popular sundress, tops and skirts.

The abstract floral on the left comes in three colour ways; red, purple and green. The pretty feminine floral in soft muted colours comes in two colour ways and the multi coloured splash print also comes in three stunning colour ways.

Wear the sundress with a black cropped stretch cotton jacket to turn a fun sundress for sightseeing on vacation into a funky outfit for Friday.

Then we have a beautiful floral jacquard cotton voile in three gorgeous colour ways – black with bright multi colour, dark brown with muted pastels and a biscuit base with warm earth tones. All of the colours will make it so simple to accessorize the garments you make with it and to match with other items in your wardrobe.

This fabric is just perfect for dresses and skirts, like the ones we have here but also for shirts and tops. I just love all three of these designs – the shift with the shorter lining that shows the semi sheer fabric off perfectly. The flippy dress is another simple yet effective design with the fabric being very much the hero. I think my favourite outfit is the black multi colour skirt teamed with a simple black top. This skirt would become a solid favourite in anyone’s wardrobe – cool and comfortable as well as versatile. Make it short and cute, knee length chic or long and elegant. Just choose the colour-way to mix and match with your existing wardrobe.

Then we found you some soft light Swiss cottons in 15 solid colours including some bright colours that we think you will just love – turquoise, two different pinks, peacock green, orange, electric blue and more. We also discovered some eyelet cottons with a scalloped border in six classic colours. Lining the eyelet fabric with contrast or toning colours gives some very interesting combinations. Use the fabrics alone or together to make some feminine tops and dresses that are comfortable will be equally at home at work or play.

Call Carol on 9735 8736 for more information or to make an appointment .

May Magic Capsule promotion

2011-05-04T04:26:00.000-07:00

This month, Cayen is offering some great deals on our business wear capsules.

Order items worth $1500 or more and get a free cotton shell top, worth $180.

Order items worth $2500 or more and get a free crepe skirt, worth $220

Order items worth $3500 or more and get a free crepe dress, worth $420

If that seems like a lot of money –well it is, yet you will see that it is a good investment once you understand the magic of the capsule.

We work with our clients to make their business wardrobes more effective, better value and more wearable by organizing their wardrobe in capsules. So we thought we would just take a little time to illustrate the power, the magic even, of a well thought-through capsule based business wardrobe.

Let’s start our capsule with an investment of $1560. This gives you your starter pieces, the foundation on which to build your business wardrobe. We have chosen a starter capsule in black crepe as it is the most popular choice among our clients.

Your five starter pieces - jacket, pants, skirt and dress, together with your free top, in turquoise Swiss cotton, give you six classic outfits.

For an investment of $2600 we added another crepe dress and two more tops to the starter capsule (the pencil skirt comes free in the promotion). The tops are a cream crepe tie shirt and fuschia pink cotton shirt.

We have added another dress because the right dress for you will be an item that you wear and wear, giving you a low Price Per Wear (PPW). PPW is a concept that we recommend that you keep in mind when planning your wardrobe. It is the price you paid for a garment divided by the number of times you will wear it. The goal is to minimize the PPW of all of your wardrobe items.

Dresses are easy too; once you have the accessories sorted you don’t have to think about what you wear with it. And talking of accessorizing, remember that you can change the look of dresses with a great belt, scarf, shoes or jewellery to give you many different looks. The three quarter sleeves on this dress give it a professional look without needing a jacket. This particular dress has a pleated design that makes it perfect for girls with bigger hips.

So our first eight pieces give us 15 different outfits.

So lets see what happens if you invest a total of $3620, and get an additional pair of pants, classic navy this time and three more tops – the burgundy and gold floral silk chiffon top, plum and cream soft silk shirt and red and gold silk brocade shell top. With the promotion the black dress will be free.

We have designed these pieces to integrate so well with the existing pieces that the 12 pieces together give you 33 different outfit choices.

Once your capsule reaches this size, assuming it has been conceived well, adding a small number of equally well thought through items makes a huge difference. This is when your investment really starts to pay dividends.

Still skeptical? Well let’s add just two more pieces and see what happens; our selection is a chocolate brown frill hem crepe skirt and a cream lightweight wool collarless jacket. We have chosen not just different colours but also different silhouettes that, while still working well with the earlier pieces, give you even more variety.

Just by adding these two pieces we get a staggering 58 different outfits, with just 14 garments and a total investment of $4520. The result is a business wardrobe that will meet every conceivable need and that can be dressed up and down to give you even more different looks. And it doesn't stop there, as you will be able to wear many of these pieces with your existing wardrobe items for work and play.

This is the power, the magic, of a capsule business wardrobe. It will take the hassle out of packing for your business trips because you can travel lighter and still ring the changes. Having this wardrobe means that dressing for work will not be the first headache of the day! Having your clothes made to measure also means that you can wear all of the pieces with confidence.

So, if you would like to see how the magic of a Cayen capsule wardrobe could transform your look just call Carol on 9735 8736 and arrange a free no obligation consultation. We will design a unique wardrobe for you and if you order in May you can take advantage of our May Magic Capsule capsule promotion to get even better value for your investment. Just to clarify that you don’t have to order the pieces we have illustrated here to enjoy the promotion savings, you can choose anything from our business wear range.

Buying your Cayen capsule may be the smartest career move you made in a while!

Learn how to be stylish and feel confident at our Transform workshops

2011-04-17T03:55:00.000-07:00

Are you bored with how you look? Feel like you are stuck in a style rut? Want to know how you can go from frumpy to foxy ?

I am working with Sharon Connolly of Maximise Group to bring you a series of workshops designed to help you to transform the way you look, and the way you feel about yourself.

So why not sign up for one or more of the sessions below. The price is inclusive of light refreshments and supporting materials.

You don’t have to attend all of the sessions, one is fine. However we would recommend that you attend the colour and body shape sessions if you can as they give you a great foundation on which to build. Also, if you sign up for any three sessions, you will get another session absolutely free which you can either use yourself or give to a friend if you like.

If you would like to come on one of the workshops but the proposed date doesn’t work for you, then please do let us know when would be good for you. If there is sufficient demand, we will run additional sessions.

Please also note that we may change this programme according to demand. So do book early or we cannot guarantee that you will get onto the session you want to attend.

Call me, Carol on 9735 8736 for more information and to book your place.

Title	What you will learn	Dates ,times	Price
Colour Magic	The importance of colour What colours suit you? What is your season? How to work with colours	Wed 18^th May, 7-9pm	$95
Shaping Up	Understanding your body shape Achieving balance Optimizing your silhouette Camouflage and illusion Self belief and confidence	Tues 24^th May, 7-9 pm	$95
Be your own Stylist	Discover your style personality? Looking current not fashion victim Putting it all together Accessories	Wed , 1^st June	$95
Make-up and grooming	What you need – make-up and tools Find a day look right for you and your lifestyle Transforming quickly into night time Managing your hair Styling tips and techniques	Tues,7^th June,7-9pm	$95
Dressing for Success	Smart business wardrobes Travelling light Current business wear trends Grooming and finishing touches	Wed, 15^th June, 7-9 pm	$95
The Knowledge	What do you need in Singapore? Wardrobe clear-out Wardrobe organisation Where to shop? Looking after your clothes Contacts for your Style black book	Tues, 21^st June, 7-9 pm	$95

... and while we are doing colour, choose your rainbow dress.

2011-04-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

Its Singapore, its tropical so make the most of the bright colour trend and pick your rainbow dress -in crepe or silks or stretch cottons. Pick your favourite colour and then decorate with trims, pipings, contrast panels, waist features or ties in contrast colours and you are have a look that is current and wearable. Wear it and lift your mood.

Go on, get happy !!

Bold! Bright and so Beautiful

2011-04-16T05:13:00.000-07:00

One of the great trends for Summer 2011, and one of our favourites, is lots of bright bold colours. The trend is all about being brave and wearing bright and bold colours in shocking contrasts and with lots of colour blocking. We think this is a trend you have to try. So Chris and I have come up with some colourful ideas to inspire you.

This is a simple but stunning dress in an electric blue soft silk satin with purple silk shoulder panels and sash. Great for you ladies who can wear 'winter' colours.

When worn together, these Thai silk bright red pants and fuchsia pink halter top make the most fabulous party outfit but the top will go with so many things like jeans, skirts and pants in black,navy and grey and so much more.

You may not feel comfortable doing bright colours top to toe so why not team a bright vibrant piece with something a little more subtle. Like this lime stretch cotton skirt which we have teamed with a simple shell top in fun floral stretch cotton with lime softened by some blues, white and olive green.

The rich burnt orange soft silk top has pin tuck details teamed with simple chocolate brown crepe pants. Great combination. Why not add a cream jacket for a super chic business or smart casual outfit.

Why not soften this bright emerald green camisole top with a black full skirt in black sand-washed silk with emerald green polka dots.

This bright multi coloured primary 'pucci ' look long top looks great worn with white jeans or soft linen pants. Or you layer it with a lilac sheer silk georgette top for a softer look altogether. Wear the emerald green top with your white pants too ! This is a great look for you straighter girls who maybe worry about their arms.

Why not wear it with a long black cardigan and black pants for a chic casual take on brights.