Monday, July 28, 2008

Makeover

I have been friends with Jarra from Jamjar since primary school. We even went to high school together for a while (I left the school after year 7) We didn't stay in contact after that, but then we bumped into each other at RMIT University one day in 2004 and our friendship returned. At the time she was beginning studies at the Fashion course at RMIT and I was still at VCA studying fine art photography. I was at RMIT that day as Henry had just started his 1st year of his interior design course and I was visiting for lunch. He is the only one who continued with his studies, but for him it was his 2nd degree so he knew he wanted to do it.

Anyway Jarra has kinda lost her fashion mojo and we were talking to her mum today about giving her a makeover. I knew what shapes I thought would suit her and we were going to go shopping soon but then I remembered I have all these old skirts and tops that I don't want anymore and they would totally suit Jarra. So this is the 1st step in Jarra's makeover, we still need to buy her some new shoes (mine are too small for her), new tights or leggings and more tops, but she walked away from my house with 7 new skirts and 3 new tops. I was so happy to have the space in my wardrobe back!

Before:Would you believe Jarra is skinnier than me? You can't tell when she wears this boxy jacket and unflattering pants. The scarf was a nice hint of colour but the whole look was a bit haphazard and boring. Jarra never wears skirts or dresses.


After:
This is a casual look, something she can wear to the local store or for a walk in the park. The top was from Savers and the skirt was from Hunter Gatherer if I remember correctly. I don't think I've worn either for 3 or more years so I was happy to give them away. The a-line skirt is very flattering on us larger women and the mis matched polka dot patterns are very cool, this is a modern 1950's look. The shoes were borrowed just for the shoot, but she is thinking of buying her own.

This is maybe my favourite look, so frenchy chic. I don't remember where I got the top but the skirt is from a shop in the Australia on Collins mall. The shoes were borrowed for the shoot. I think horizontal stripes are very flattering on larger women, and they make big breasts look amazing. This look really shows of Jarra's amazing figure that she always hides away under layers and layers of bulky clothes. I also gave her my old Chanel New York Red lipstick as I no longer wear it. It really works with this look. The neck tie which I also gave her pulls the whole look together. Amazing transformation isn't it?


Chic and sophisticated in black. The skirt is one I bought at Portmans bargain basement years and years ago. The tops is Jarra's own and the belt is one I bought at Portmans which I gave to her (I also gave her my old black one too). Pulling your waist in with a belt is one of my tips for larger women, it really works wonders.

What do you think? The colour red seems to really work with Jarra's skin tone and a-line skirts look amazing on her. I think she just needed a push into the right direction because she is just so shy, she needed a confidence boost. I can't wait till her mum sees her, she will be stunned! Oh and her brother...lol

Oh and check out MelbourneStreetFashion.com for some new shots, there will be more tomorrow too. Yay!

33 comments:

  1. *Blushes*

    Thank you again and again.

    Can't wait to go shopping.

    I'll let you know when I can, really need to clean house and wardrobe first.

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  2. i love the last outfit the most. Very nice on her.

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  3. Woah, that IS a huge transformation! She looks HOT!! Well done.
    You're right - red totally is her colour.
    Now I really want a short red scarf!

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  4. Great styling work Hayley - Jarra looks so good. I always feel a bit weird about makeovers where they just wipe out the person's natural personality - but I think you've actually highlighted it here instead. Was she happy with your magic too?

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  5. Way to go Haley, she looks fabulous!

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  6. Wow she looks great! Well done! I love the black and white skirt.

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  7. nice job! i really like the skirt in the second picture

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  8. the third and last outfit is the best. Jarra, if you are reading this, you definitely look hot!

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  9. this is great, you can even tell in the photos she has already got that confidence back! :)

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  10. Totally love that last look especially, very stylish! I like the dark colour on top and the empahsis on the waist with a standout colour, very effective :)

    On a random note, I saw a pair of floral docs the same as the ones you got online at retrostar for 80 bucks I think, looking for docs in vintage stores are killing me, never my size! I may give up and visit general pants.

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  11. I was about to get my despot on until I thought better of it and doubled back to re read...lucky! You now what I'm talking about...lol

    What a heaven makeover, I LOVE IT!!! She looks so sad in the first picture and then SURPRISE! she's a total glamour girl!!!!

    I've got some tights (don't ask) in wild colours that i thought you might want. Never been worn (promise) from a photos hoot I did ages ago...ya want?

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  12. wow, she looks absolutely fabulous!
    Red definately looks great on her - good job!

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  13. Wow, great styling work! She looks gorgeous. I especially love the frenchy look.
    What a sweet thing to do for your friend :)

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  14. The last two outfits are so good for her! I love it and I love her for being so fabulous and willing to try new things! (I have a couple friends I wouldn't mind trying this on, but I may be met with a blow to the back of the head..!)

    This is my first time scoping out your blog, but I really like what I see! I'm going to add it to my list of favorite blogs on my blog! :)

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  15. Last outfit is FABULOUS!
    Great work dear :)

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  16. Well done, Hayley! She looks awesome!
    You should start a business pimping peoples fashion out! I totally need it.

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  17. Much better to show her figure than to bury her in baggy layers.

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  18. Wow Hayley, well done! And Jarra, what an impressive model!
    I agree with Imdela, you can see the transformation in the pictures. I particularly love the last pictures with the black and red outfit.
    LM

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  19. very nice job! the outfits you chose make her look very fun & flirty. I also want to add that you're blog always makes me so happy. I love how you prove bigger girls can be fabulous, fashionble and beautiful!

    ~staar~

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  20. smokin!!! makes me wanna put on some red lippy :)

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  21. hey! just wanted to tell you that the 'Jogger' shoes by Zoe Wittner are now on 70% sale! i got a navy pair at $39. loved them and was quite happy when i saw your post on her shoes! (:

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  22. Hayley - where are you?! I'm missing you like a mofo. Also, I have an 80s check blouse which is the wrong size for me, but might work for you. I know you don't usually go for a button up - but this one buttons assymetrically which might make a difference. Just a thought anyway.

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  23. I just want to thank everyone for their really lovely comments. It's really a boost to the confidence.

    And thanks Hayley again, sorry I can't help but thank you a million times.

    Even with my ideas and knowledge of fashion I really needed someone too lead me in the right place. And also show me that what I imagine would work for me actually does.

    It's like I was in the dark and you flicked the light switch.

    LOL, I've had an energy drink so I'm kind of blubbering.

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  24. You've nailed it Hayley, and Jarra is just glowing. My favorite of the three is the Frenchy look. It has polish, style and punch. I'll be on the look out for this smokin sister on the streets of Melbourne.

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  25. I love this makeover Hayley! She looks amazing now! The last two outfits are very french-chic :)

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  26. Hi there! I fell upon your blog just this evening (while I undoubtedly should have been doing homework) and felt compelled to leave you a comment. I've been going through your archives and fell in LOVE with the post about you being a 'fat girl'. I too am a fat girl, living in Australia, who's interested in fashion. You've truly inspired me to be more confident in myself. Even if I'm not yet comfortable in my body, and at my size (not dissimiliar to your own) I'm not sure if I ever will be, but in the meantime it's wonderful to know that there are other girls out there who love fashion and are not afraid to wear bright colours and experiment with trends, despite (or perhaps not even considering, in a good way) their size.
    Honestly, I would still love to get skinny, and I'm trying the best I can, but it's people like you that make me stop for a moment and question WHY, considering the fact that I am already quite healthy (I eat healthy, vegetarian, well-portioned meals- like you actually!). This comment is getting rather ridiculous in length, so thankyou once more!
    xx.
    elisabeth

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  27. hayley where are you???? missing your posts!!!

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  28. Where are you Hayley?

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  29. I hope you are ok, please come back soon. By the way Jarra is so Hot! What a babe, you made her look hotter. LoL good job. Is she singel???

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  30. H...do I need to make 'Where's Hayley?' tee's??? What the GO????

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  31. I love the last 2 looks so much! You're right about those stripes too. What a fun post!

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