LIVING LIFE WITH PASSION AND STYLE™

My Examiner.com post: Stretching your style dollars when you lose your job

Stephanie Style — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 08:39:59 +0000

Please check out my Examiner.com post here. Thanks!

Tagged: dollars, examiner.com, lose job, stephanie matsumoto, style

My Examiner.com post: Inexpensive Ways to Feel Like A Million and Perk Up Your Style

Stephanie Style — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 02:18:17 +0000

Check out my post on the Examiner.com as Honolulu Women’s Style Examiner here.

Ode to Hawaii: Hawaii Girls in the National Spotlight (Part 1)

Stephanie Style — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 09:58:17 +0000

Like how we like to claim Barack Obama as our own, it’s natural for every town, city, or country, to feel kinship and pride of any of their countrymen or women achieving great success. Hawaii is no different. Indeed, the obstacles appear far greater as Hawaii is an island in the Pacific Ocean, the 50th state of the USA, and culturally diverse where stereotypes and generalities can emerge. Yet, professional athletes, actors, models, businesspeople, musicians, and scores of others have reached national and international success. I want to celebrate it. I also want to share the paradise I live in. And nothing seems more appropriate than to celebrate Maui girl, model (she is also the face of Billabong, too), and surfer Tori Praver, who has a featured photo spread in this month’s Marie Claire magazine. The layout captures the ethereal, yet active energy of our lifestyle; the fashion what we should all aspire to. And thanks to Marie Claire for setting an example of authenticity from the inside out. Now, that’s style.

-Stephanie

Photographed by Matt Jones; Styled by Isabel Dupre in Alexander Wang, Burberry, Mango and others.

Tagged: alexander wang, barack obama, burberry, Hawaii, isabel dupre, mango, marie claire, matt jones, maui, stephanie matsumoto style, style, tori praver

Living Life by Will Smith

Stephanie Style — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:21:41 +0000

Thanks, Chris Barreto (www.chrisbarreto.com) for the post! Still love and wear my Chris Barreto dress!

-Stephanie

SM road trip: Milano

Stephanie Style — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:45:47 +0000

Milano is a business city; business first, fantasy second. It was our first stop after two red eyes from Honolulu, but jet lag could not curb the excitement to spend a day in beautiful Italy. Rather, it would hit me later like a falling 20 ton concrete slab. Well, we just had 24 hours before traveling again so we walked about even if the Winter Olympics were just underway! Walking from our hotel, the air was crisp, but not overbearing as sunlight swathe the city with pockets of warmth. The last time I was here was during late summer and groups of tourists populated the city centre, eateries, and streets with cameras, shopping bags, and tour guides. In winter, there are more locals and the cold weather wears on people. Yet, the duomo, the city’s prominent symbol, still stood majestically as people congregated in the city centre, roasted castagnias (chestnuts) filled the air and the feeding of the birds still ranked as an easy money-making opportunity.

Duomo in Milano

The birds scattered away. Of course, I did not have any feed in hand, yet.

Two birds pecking at my hand with the feed. Honestly, I love animals but I am not such a fan of birds. (Sorry, bird lovers). Pretty much, only the tourists do stuff like this. Well, we got the photos.

Scenes around the duomo in Milano:

Gelato! But it’s cold outside.

Like New York, black is a predominant color of choice.

In the Galleria with the Louis Vuitton store in the background.

Sunlight through the glass ceiling.

Milano style!

-Stephanie

Tagged: duomo, italy, milan, stephanie matsumoto style

SM Style: My favorites and misses of the Oscar fashions 2010

Stephanie Style — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:02:11 +0000

Check out my post on the Honolulu Advertiser’s fashion forum blog about my favorites and misses of the Oscar fashions 2010.

-Stephanie

Tagged: oscar fashions 2010, stephanie matsumoto style

Surfing and Hawaii does not get better than this…Here’s the day before the Eddie

Stephanie Style — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:19:51 +0000

I never tire of watching this. Rev it up without even getting off the couch. Some days you just need that extra kick. My friend posted it on his wall and even if the event is more than a month old, it is one of those events to reminisce for awhile. Thirty thousand were on hand at the North Shore, crammed along the highway and beach, to watch the Eddie Aikau contest and millions watched the live stream on the Internet. Just a natural wonder that man is trying to conquer.

-Stephanie

Tagged: eddie aikau, massive monday, stephanie matsumoto style, waimea bay

SKIER LINDSEY VONN ON THE “CONTROVERSIAL” SPORTS ILLUSTRATED COVER

Stephanie Style — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:13:55 +0000

Well, this isn’t the most flattering pose of cute skier Lindsey Vonn. However, neither is it the worst. But people are talking about it because sites like WomenTalkSports believe the cover objectifies women. Listen in:

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“Vonn is first a GREAT athlete, but she also represents norm of feminine attractiveness. The combination of athleticism and attractiveness make Vonn the likely poster girl of the US Olympic Team, and the media hasn’t disappointed in constructed her as such.

Not to be left out, Sports Illustrated is featuring Vonn on their Feb. 8, 2010 cover. For those of you who follow SI Covers, know that female athletes are RARELY featured on the cover.

Over the last 60 years researchers have shown that about 4% of all SI covers have portrayed women.

When females are featured on the cover of SI, they are more likely than not to be in sexualized poses and not in action-and the most recent Vonn cover is no exception.”

________________________________________________

As I call it, let’s look at the facts. Lindsey Vonn is a downhill skier. She skies downhill, crouched, poles tucked under her arms, tush in the air, right? Arguably, she’s not doing anything out of the ordinary. She’s a superior athlete, cute (great makeup, hair and ski suit!) and marketable, so why would anyone want to hide her face behind goggles in an action shot. (See a male skier cover.) Very cool shot, but we can’t really see his face.

Does it hurt her credibility? Not really. Sport Illustrated crowns her in boldface type “America’s Best Woman Skier Ever.” Please, this is not an example of mockery or sarcasm like the Palin cover on Newsweek. Not by a long shot. Well, could SI have shot her straight forward? Yes, but it is SI’s call and that is what the ruckus is about. Is it also that SI shot her in a bikini for its Swimwear edition? (see below). And all covers are on newsstands within a span of a week.

They speak like SI held a gun to her head. Lindsey Vonn consented to be shot on the Olympic Preview cover and the Swimwear edition. C’mon, who wouldn’t pose for SI knowing it could catapult your career, your marketability, your bank account. It is not sleazy, sarcastic, or demeaning. You are included with the top athletes of the world. Yes, SI should be better about having more female athletes on covers. Yes, SI does show the female form in sexy ways, but a woman should never try to be a man. How confining! Be yourself. Obviously, Lindsey Vonn shows her smart, playful, girlish side that loves to dress up, feel pretty, but let her accomplishments speak for itself.

Will SI probably sell magazines with Lindsey Vonn on the cover? You bet.

-Stephanie

Tagged: lindsey vonn, olympics 2010, sports illustrated, stephanie matsumoto style, swimwear edition

THEY’RE BACK! Humpback whale season in Hawaii!

Stephanie Style — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 22:26:08 +0000

Photo courtesy of www.sailhawaii.com website

Spotted a couple of humpback whales at Diamond Head breaching and exuberantly playing with one another. What an absolute delight! It was not my first encounter as I also saw them (and a pod of dolphins, turtles, and fish) up close off the Waianae coast, where the waters are usually glassy. They’re massive and awe-inspiring creatures. It never gets old. Check this website for more info on whale watching tours in Hawaii! Enjoy!

-Stephanie

Tagged: Diamond Head, Hawaii, humpback whales, stephanie matsumoto style

Brilliant designer Ilan Delouis and Faith Connexion

Stephanie Style — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:34:25 +0000

Brilliant design. Brilliant photographs. Brilliant concept. FAITH CONNEXION. I want these clothes. Must-have dresses. Just brilliant. I am a broken record.

-Stephanie

Tagged: brilliant designer, faith connexion, Fashion, ilan delouis, stephanie matsumoto style