Good Morning everyone from wonderful Toronto! Lovely to have you join me in my latest style post. This is a special style post as it is showcasing some of the beautiful scarves given to me by some lovely people (people that I really care for). I have styled each scarf in a different way and this post is meant to inspire you to use scarves to look beautifully chic while enhancing your inner beauty. In addition to this I get to showcase some styles geared towards the oncoming warmer months. Isn’t it exciting that spring is almost here in Toronto? I have a great feeling about this year’s spring! So check out the post below and get inspired!
With this post I wanted to share a little bit more of what is important to me in my life and what things have helped me . One of the persons who has significantly impacted my life in a positive way is my Sifu Emiko Hsuen. She is someone that has changed and contributed to the lives of so many people for the better. One of my favourite quotes by her is the following: “Through training the body and the mind, one learns to harness and move in harmony with the Flow that is ever-present in and around us “ Sifu Emiko Hsuen".
First up is this first scarf was given to me by Karimah’s (the Katia in Toronto Blog’s photographer) Mother. I styled this scarf in a style known as the “muffler”. It is a simple style that looks just a bit more complicated to wrap than it actually is. I am wearing my sequined Stuart Weitzman Tap dance shoes with this outfit.
This Flow is limitless and infinite. www.joyandfreedom.com/ Thank you Sifu for all your precious teachings.
Next up is a beachy casual look that one can still rock in an urban setting. This scarf was gifted to me by my lovely sister SIlvia. It is quite long and so for this look I wore it like a skirt and held it in place with a leather belt. I accessorized this look with this earthy toned rattan hand bag from Yaya Women. Add in a simple necklace with a green gem stone and that gave the outfit that little bit of a pop needed to complete the look.
This pashmina scarf was given to me by dear friend Gretel Lutz. She gifted it to me when we both (along with her husband and some mutual friends) visited the amazing Aga Khan Museum. I love that I can simply drape it over my arms and it just looks comfortably chic. The colour and patterns are also stunningly beautiful. To check out my previous blog post on the Aga Khan Musem then Click HERE!
I loved the hues of this two toned scarf the minute I saw it. Of all of the scarves this one has the most special meaning to me as it was gifted to me by my beautiful daughter and best friend Carolina. We have had so many adventures together and we have learnt so much from each other throughout the years. The relationship between mother and daughter is priceless. I definitely think it is something every woman should do their best to cultivate. Children are our best teachers., they teach us the meaning of true unconditional love. I would like to thank Caro for continuously being an inspiration in my life. Her strength and noble heart has taught me that what you thought was impossible to achieve is actually possible.
The neutral gray colors of this scarf with the vibrant red definitely gives off a cool vibe.
This silk square scarf by Carolina Herrera was gifted to me by lovely team at KMA Design Costa Rica. I styled this scarf in two different ways. The first image is “The cape wrap” and the second was a Reverse “Double wrap French knot”. These vibrant colours are a pure reflection of the amazing people that are a part of my team. Their unique creativity, talent and determination to contribute with fantastic designs has been a valuable asset to my firm.
This next look features pants that are almost architecturally inspired. The shape of the pants is beautiful and paired with a black top. It is super cool. These pants were bought in Japan and designed by the famous designer Issey Miyake.
I accented the look above with a beautiful gold necklace. I originally bought the turquoise gem in Cappadocia, Turkey and then I hired a local Costa Rican designer in San Jose, Daniella Baltodano, to design something special for me. She utilized some of my old gold pieces by melting them to create a new shape resulting in the creation of an original piece. A long gold chain makes the piece look casual but elegant at the same time. The gold in the chain was originally bought in Thailand at a Gold Market. To see more of Daniella’s Jewelry design work you can visit her instagram at the following link: https://www.instagram.com/elhajoyeria/
Next up we have this beautiful dress by French Designer Jacques Molko. I decided to pair it with the bright yellow bag to create a colour blocking effect. I bought this dress around 15 years ago and am happy to say it is just as timeless as ever. I really love this colour because it is feminine and refreshing as well as sophisticated. It also can awaken the creativity of those who behold it.
This beautiful dress below is from Brian Bailey, and is the perfect dress for an elegant evening out. Paired with the two toned shawl I am wearing, it really makes for a bold look. The two toned shawl is my own creation! I found two different coloured (black and purple) pieces of fabric I liked and had them stitched together! There is a little fashion tip for you! To complete this look I put on my lovely black pair of Prada Shoes. The necklace i donned with this look is from Tiffany’s. It is a drop of crystal with little diamonds inside.
Love the movement one can achieve with this scarf! When it comes to red carpet fashion for events such as Gala’s and weddings. I would highly suggest that you always go for something comfortable that makes you feel confident and beautiful both inside and outside.
This wide brimmed hat by Eric Javits is excellent for a Sunny day out! It’s just so fun and sure to put tons of smiles on your face! Perfect for the beach, it can also be worn to go daytime shopping. I am definitely a Hat Woman! Since I was a young kid my mother ensured I was protected from the hot Costa Rican sun by giving me a wide brimmed hat and tons of sunscreen in order not to get sun burnt. This family tradition has grown on me, making me fall in love with hats and the various designs that are available. When it comes to hats, The bigger, the better as it creates a huge shade that protects me especially when I take long walks at the beach.
The style below utilizes another Pashmina scarf which can just simply be thrown over an outfit to add that extra bit of warmth. This particular scarf was given to me by my lovely daughter in law Fio and my son. They picked it up during their travels to India and I am happy to have been the recipient of such a beautiful piece of cloth!
Orange is such an amazing color to compliment the positive vibes that the Spring months bring! With this outfit below I paired the orange top by THEORY with black basics and shoes from Prada to give that fabulous urban look!
The white top I am wearing below is another stunning creation by Japanese designer Issey Miyake. I paired it with some black basics and it just looks like a very polished look but is comfortable at the same time. I bought the top in one of my many travels to Japan. Japan has a special place in my heart as it is where I have studied the martial arts and have made some wonderful lifelong friendships. Through my travels I have come to appreciate the amazing design thinking that the Japanese have cultivated. There is so much thought put into everything they design and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to visit the amazing country.
The scarf below is from Amet and Ladoue and is one that I loved so much when I first saw it, that I just had to gift it to myself!
More Fashion Vendors from my looks above:
Black T-shirt: Majestic Filatures Paris
Black Shoes: https://www.prada.com/ca/en
To end off this blog post I will once more quote my Sifu. She says it is important “To strive big in order to significantly contribute to others peoples lives”. Most People are focused on always improving themselves professionally but they forget that the most precious git in life is to improve yourself as a human being and that is something I will always prioritize.
The best style advice I could give you as a woman is to always strive to become the best version of yourself, and then you will be able to shine from the inside and give the best of yourself to humanity.
Okay so I hope you enjoyed this style post and found some inspiration for your own wardrobe! Until next time friends love and light always!
-Katia.
-Katia