My First Participation in the Asia Model Festival | October 31, 2024

 

Dear Readers,

There's been a lot going on in my 'Fashion Journey' and I'm due for an update! The most exciting new is that I participated in the Asia Model Festival 10 days ago. It was my first big stage and one that was international. And I'm so grateful for my runway walking class, my supermodel teacher, and the CEO, as well as my wonderful colleagues in the class who are senior models. 

I'm currently categorized as a 'young senior model' as I'm 3 years shy of being 50 years old... But in 3 years' time, I will be a senior model according to Korean industry standards. I have had the pleasure of taking a 1 year of runway walking back in 2019 at 50 Plus, a senior learning center. So it was so wonderful to return to my childhood dream of learning how to catwalk! 

I have always had a love for beauty pageants and Miss Koreas as a young girl. But when I told my Mom about it, she immediately told me that were I to pursue that dream, I would bring total shame to the whole family and relatives. And bring ruin to our family's social standing and reputation. I think my Mom who was raised Roman Catholic was afraid of me exposing myself being presented in swimsuits which in Confucianist Korean culture and customs back then, indeed was something to be 'ashamed of.' I think she also feared my interest in admiration for the alluring world of fashion and beauty pageants might make me very 'vain' as well. All in all though, what she said or how she said those, left me feeling shut down and feeling totally unworthy.

Luckily for me, in 2018, I was first introduced to my Goddess, my Higher Power, Goddess Hekate. And very shortly after I set up an altar at the foot of my bed and began praying to her first thing every morning, a miracle occurred. Someone I knew from the 50 Plus community told me about the Runway Class. I immediately enrolled even though it was a fierce competition to secure a spot, and felt so grateful I was accepted into that class. That was right before Covid. And I was able to enjoy and complete the 2 semesters. 

During Covid, my Fashion Coaching course was shut down right before the 6th and final class, where I was planning to have my students do a runway walk in their Adler type based outfits and take lots of promotional photos. And I had to do a business pivot during that time, as group coaching face to face was not an option during the lockdown. 

Then, as Covid tailed off, my Mom passed away May 16th, 2022. Then 2 years later, my Dad passed away, this May 31st, 2024. Illness, caregiving, and some other crazy issues unfolded in the past couple of years. As some of you may have watched on YouTube, my business pivot for Hepburn School was to do astrology readings online, and for my clients mostly on Zoom. And I met a lot of wonderful clients who could benefit fron their Natal Chart readings. 

Finally, as I recovered from many traumas within my family and relatives, I took a shared office in Dongdaemun fashion & shopping district last November 1st, 2023. And I've slowly worked on rebuilding my Fashion Coaching pratice. I've educated myself on business models and worked on commercializing and upgrading my contents for Adler Fashion Coaching. I'm hoping to create a video content for it, and to realign this blog to renewed Visions for writing about my adventures in Fashion and Spirituality. 

I've updated my Instagram account feed with my modeling related photos. And hope to recommit to blogging about my experiences, strengths, and hope regarding Shopping Addiction and Dressing Addiction which are two things I'm passionate about and committed to recovering from. In time, I hope this blog serves as a placeholder for my Style Evolution, and a place to nurture friendships with likeminded Solvent Fashionistas who also crave to share their journeys with me. 

Respectfully & joyfully yours,

XOXO

Noemi Foxx in Seoul

Balloon Style Faux Leather Jackets for Spring 2024

Fun Street Style Inspirations

Spring is upon us in Seoul. Flowers are blooming… and people can’t wait to put away their winter coats. No more of the heaviness, please!

While the classic Chanel Tweed Jackets and Trenchcoats are two of the most searched for items, I think for readers like me, who live in casual clothes, those won’t do… We need more FUN PIECES!

So, here are some on trend, currently ‘In’ jacket items and silhouettes to go for this Spring! Comment which one you’d go for!

ASOS DESIGN Scuba Biker Jacket in Balloon Style

I think this is the most sophisticated-casual jacket for Balloon style jackets. It’s smart and urban. It looks a little more dressed up than casual, and structured enough. The color and buckle details make it wearable and minimalist, even a little elegant. This jacket would go well with all bottoms; pants, jeans, skirts, and shorts.

Loewe Leather Balloon Jacket

For those of you who want to err on the side of luxury, go with this one! Loewe has made a whole collection of these in various colors. This one’s a dark green one which on my screen looks almost black… I think despite its fun shape, this tailoring makes it a classic that you could wear after the fad has died down. I love the diagonally positioned pockets which is slimming and balances well the slight broadness one might get from the 6 double-jacket type buttons in the front.

Classic Faux Leather Jacket with Balloon Sleeves

So this one looks very much a Korean street style jacket that’s current. Depending on how short or long your torso is and where your waistline falls, I think this jacket style would fit very differently. It doesn’t have much material in the front side though, so I wouldn’t recommend this for women over 35. (Most of us, me included, we tend to have a pooch belly… especially after Winter!) The details are current and not exaggerated. And there’s something so Korean about it. I guess because it looks a little bit preppy? And clean-lined?

Goldsmith Black Leather Bomber Jacket

Here’s a rather large oversized bomber jacket with rounded balloon style lines! For everyone who likes all things oversized, this is IT! It’s such a great size for those who like to wear leggings or jeggings or skinny jeans. And it’s quite forgiving too to hide some Winter belly fat…

So, what jacket mood are you in for April? Would you wear any of the balloon styles above? How would you like to match a balloon jacket? Comment below!

xoxo

Noemi,
Dressing Addict in Seoul

Chanel Style Tweed Jacket

The hottest trending fashion keyword in Korea this week is 'Tweed Jacket.' As the Spring weather is approaching us, women are wanting to do away with their heavier coats.

Above image is a great look for a Spring Type personality. Or Pleasing & Pleasure Seeking Type in my fashion profiling system based on Adlerian Psychology.

In this post, I'll showcase 4 tweed jacket styles, one for each major fashion archetype and I'll mention some tips on what to watch out for when buying your first Chanel Style Tweed Jacket. 

Here are a lilac and mauve colored Tweed jacket, perfect for the Summer Type. In my system this type is called the Comfort Seeking Type. 

Next up, here's an Autum set. And they're known as the Superiority Seeking Type.

Finally, the stark contrasting black and white are the classic Winter Type. Which in my fashion Profiling system is known as the Management Seeking Type.

Checklist For Your First Tweed Jacket:

Q1. What is the best color to get? 

I recommend the color based on your hair color and to go for a dark neutral color. This will get a lot more wear throughout the year and give you a slimming effect. And it's great for work. Less dry cleaning too, so it'll save you money!

Q2. What style of jacket or silhouette is best? 

Whatever the jacket you wear the most often, try to stay in that range. Unless you purposely want to keep it a very formal or very trendy jacket. If it's your first one, for Spring Types a blazer is good. For Summers, a collar less jacket that allows for scarf styling works well. Autumn types can do boxy styling. While Winter types might like the fitted style with a cinched waist. 

Q3. Why is it important to try a Tweed jacket on before I buy it? 

The Tweed fabric is actually quite bulky and the texture creates more visual weight. So when you see one in a store on a mannequin it most likely will look great because most mannequins are much skinnier than real life humans. 

Q4. What about the embellishments?

If it's your first tweed jacket, get clear on your lifestyle needs. And the level of refinement you're most comfortable with. 

I recommend my clients to have at least 3 broad categories in order to feel like they always have something to wear in their wardrobe. Those 3 levels are Daily Polished Look, Feminine and Elegant Look, and Dressy and Dramatic Look. Think about which level of refinement you'd need the jacket to cover the most. And while you're at it, think about your cost per wear formula too. 

If you're into accessorizing with necklaces, brooches, and belts etc, then you might want the embellishments to be kept to a minimum or none at all. If you tend to go minimal on your accessorizing, you might opt for a tweed that has a sheen but not piping. Piping details and trims tend to date the item very easily in general. So keeping it a solid color makes it easier to mix and match outfits.

Final note on embellishments is to choose the correct metal color or button color. Springs are recommended brighter golds, Summers do well with pewter or dark chromes, Autumns look great in brass and bronze, and Winters are stylish in high shine silvers or crystals. Of course depending on the trends, buttons might be covered in fabric to match the tweed or be a color that matches the jacket. 

I've noticed that when I put on weight during Winter and Fall, if I buy a Spring Tweed jacket that fits too well, I look terrible in it when I gain weight on my belly. Or worse still, when I bulk up on my arms and shoulders. Either I can't get into my jacket or I wear it but I look like Charlie Chaplin! 😆🫠🫠🫠 

So if you have fluctuating weight be mindful and choose a slightly bigger size. Most Tweed unless they're a cardigan type do not have stretchy elasticity. So it might be wasted money if you only get to wear it this season and not be able to wear it in the fall. 

Chanel style tweed jackets have amazing upsides too though. 

1. They come in such a variety that there are bound to be many styles that are perfect for you. 

2. They instantly add chic to your wardrobe real estate. Especially if you buy a Chanel skirt suit or a three piece set. A matching tweed suit looks instantly formal and elegant, and it takes a pearl necklace or other jewelry to create instant dressiness! 

3. Chanel style tweed jackets are wearable in 3 seasons. Except for hot summer days, the medium weight tweed jacket can be worn in Spring, Fall, and Winter. So it has great value.

4. A tweed jacket pairs very easily with pant suits, skirts, and denim jeans. So it greatly maximizes your outfit options. 

So there you have it. I hope you got something out of this article! Make sure you plan out your wardrobe so you don't buy an overly elegant tweed jacket you wear just once a year! Know your own numbers! Do you want a tweed jacket you'll wear 5 times a year or 15 times a year? Are you going to keep this jacket for 5 years or 20 years? There are no set answers but it's smart fo do this fashion math for something you won't wear everyday...

OK. That's a wrap! *^^* 

Stay stylish till next time! 

Xoxo 

Jessica in Seoul