Smart Fashion

  We all know that fashion influences how we feel about ourselves. But few of us realize just how deep that influence runs—especially for women. According to a study conducted at the Complutense University of Madrid, self-esteem and body image are profoundly shaped by how women perceive their physical appearance, often through the standards perpetuated by fashion and beauty media. This is something to think about: After 3,000 interview, most women interviewed in the study spoke about their bodies as if they were objects to be fixed, judged, or improved—rarely as integral parts of who they are. For many, feeling good in their skin had less to do with health or comfort, and more to do with how they appeared to others. This perception has serious consequences. Lower self-esteem in women has been directly linked to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and even social withdrawal. And what fuels this? A constant, subtle pressure to meet unrealistic standards. But here’s the goo...

  For several years I had the opportunity to attend a series of fashion conferences culminating in a powerful symposium at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) titled  “Sustainable Fashion”. Each year, this event has opened up deeper reflections on the meaning, purpose, and future of fashion. The first year focused on the  philosophy of beauty : What makes something beautiful? How do we define beauty philosophically? And how do we use clothing as a form of  non-verbal communication  to express our values, priorities, and identity? The second year explored  personal style —how to define it, how to build it, and why it matters. One of the speakers was  Patricia Herrera , daughter of the legendary Carolina Herrera, who shared her journey into the fashion world and how she has infused her distinct taste into the family brand. While her mother’s signature piece is the timeless white blouse, Patricia herself loves stripes—she wore a long black-and...

  Laughter echoes down the hallway. Songs float up the stairs. My kitchen buzzes with voices, giggles, and the clinking of spoons. Even though February and March are the coldest months in Austin, they are—paradoxically—the warmest in my home. That’s when my house fills with light, life, and the beautiful chaos of six young girls that come from different cities in South America (Guayaquil, Guadalajara, Lima, etc.) This year, it’s Sol, Dominique, Milena, Valeria, Nathalie, and Adriana—six bright and spirited girls who’ve come all the way from Guayaquil not just to practice their English, but to live an experience designed to help them grow—in confidence, in character, and in the deep understanding of their own worth. Welcome to our  Personal Growth Camp ! A Living Classroom of Love and Discovery 2014 is the third year of running this camp, that is more than just language immersion or travel. It’s a carefully designed experience that nurtures the  emotional, intell...