In the hunt.

I have been trying to tell you all for a long time about my new project but I haven't quite find the time to do it so today is the day. 

One of the good thing that came along the Stylist & Image Consultant course I took last year was the chance that it gave me of meeting new people, now colleagues. I love meeting people. At the beginning of last spring I received the invitation from one of girls to became part of a new project she had in mind, to start a new blog with other colleagues in which I will talk about men fashion. I did not think twice and I said yes, of course! 

Between meetings and coffees, laughs and really good conversations about the world of fashion that new fashion blog was taking form and I can't forget the amazing photo shoot by one of the best Portuguese photographer, Carlos Ramos. 

So today I'm so proud to introduce you all this new project: The Fashion Hunters, where you'll find information about fashion and beauty. I hope you like it and became a follower also on Facebook.

Politics are out of fashion but, is there fashion in politics?

I'm not into politics. I never have been and I think I never will. But I'm not here today to talk about politics, I'm here to talk about a politician who has become a role model. Politics are out of fashion but, is there fashion in politics?  Kirsten Gillibrand started her lawyer career back in 1991 in a law firm in Manhattan where she became a senior associate. In 1999 she went to work Hilary Clinton's Senate campaign and in 2001 she became partner of another Manhattan law firm which left in 2005 to begin her 2006 campaign for Congress. Kirsten won her first bid for election in 2008.  After President Obama announced his choice of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State, Governor Paterson appointed Kirsten to fill Hillary Clinton's vacant Senate seat. She was sworn in on 26January 2009. At the age of 42, she entered the chamber as the youngest senator in the 111th Congress.  During the 111th Congress she scored two substantial legislative victories: the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the passage of the 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. 

As you can see even though politics and politicians are out of fashion, Kirsten Gillibrand is a role model as a politician and as a mother. I remember when I met her back in 2005 when she visited us. At that time she was preparing her first run for Congress and she spent most of her holidays working, studying and reading piles of folders but always with a smile on her face and always with time to spend with her little son Theo who was only 2 at the time. In 2008 she gave birth to her second son Henry becoming only the sixth woman to have a child while serving as a member of Congress. She continued to work until the day Henry was born and received a standing ovation from her colleagues in the House of Representatives for this! In November 2012 Kirsten won a full 6-year Senate term in her own right with a record 72% of the vote. 

Among all the other good work she does, Kirsten is also a big supporter of New York’s fashion industry and, in turn, has received support from leading figures in fashion such as Anna Wintour who hosted a fundraiser for her. The Senator was also seen dancing in Saks 5^th Avenue on NY Fashion Night Out and in the front row at Carolina Herrera's NY show supporting one of the city’s greatest designers.  

In 2010 Kirsten was featured in Vogue Magazine US under the title "In Hillary's Footsteps". Here are some pictures that prove that there's still some fashion in politics.

Kirsten with her sons Henry (left) & Theo (right) 

For the sake of full disclosure, Kirsten is my sister-in-law and I’m very proud of her!






Pictures: Vogue US, Getty Images. 

Because is important to know what you are writing about, my choice was ATELIER STYLING PROJECT

Being a fashion addict, a fashionista, or a person with a passion for fashion is not easy. I simply like fashion. I know what clothes look good on me and the colours that suit me. People say I have my own style and I think they're right but when they ask me for advice on what should they wear... What should I do? Here's when Pedro Crispim and the Atelier Styling Project come in.

I knew Pedro Crispim from the TV and from the work he does as stylist with celebrities and as a trainer all over Portugal. I searched on the Internet about him and his experience in the fashion world and I found his atelier and the courses it has. After having a first meeting with him when he explained the course's main points and we exchanged some personal opinions about fashion, I decided to join the Stylist & Image Consulting Course. If fashion is my passion I should learn more and  have a broader knowledge about it so I could use it to help people who need it. 

The Stylist & Image Consulting Course at the Atelier Styling Project gave me all of that. It  covers all the important points any stylist needs to know about fashion. From financial and management aspects to ways of empowerment, personal marketing and a prêt à porter and tailoring class with Paulo Mateus at the Ermenegildo Zegna shop. Makeup is also important in any fashion production or even if your client just needs some help and that's why the atelier gave us more knowledge with the help of the Atelier Room B and its founder, the makeup artist Sandra Almeida who also has great experience in makeup. We also visited some showrooms and they told us about what they do with the collections when they arrive and how they manage them. We also went to shops where we had lessons and practice exercises in which we were able to apply all the information we had  learnt. We were always guided by Pedro and his team of professionals.

Now that I have a stronger opinion and knowledge not only in fashion but also in image consulting and styling, I can talk and advise about fashion.

There are other courses and others ateliers in Portugal but none of them are as good as this one. That was my choice. 

Practice Exercise in TRUSSARDI

H&M Showroom

Prêt à Porter & Tailoring Class at the Ermenegildo Zegna Shop

Globalpress Showroom

Globalpress Showroom

Globalpress Showroom

Hello World!

DAY 1

I've been thinking a lot about creating my own blog. To be honest I'm not a blog person but right now I need to have one. I felt the sensation of having one to express myself, to express how I feel and see fashion.

But what is it? What is fashion? To me fashion is a state of mind, it's a way of expression. Fashion is what we all want to be. We try to fit in by using fashion, we dress according to fashion and even if you are part of one of those groups that don't believe in fashion, whatever you are wearing today has been designed according to the rules of fashion. Look at yourself at the mirror. The colour of you dress, your jacket, your trousers or even your shoes have all been created by the world of fashion. We receive too much information in fashion shows and sometimes we don't know how we are going to use those clothes the next season and, being realistic, there are people who can't afford them. Expensive clothes, bags, shoes, etc. We dream about having it all. Money is a big issue. So after looking at fashion magazines you realize you don't know how to pay for the look you want. The best thing: go to affordable shops and look for the "trend". Zara, H&M, Massimo Dutti... they all have it at affordable prices. And it doesn't matter if you are a woman or a man. So, what's your problem now? You don't know how to create a look? No worries, that's why I am here. To help you with fashion. To be "The Fashion Guide".

Follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/justoruizthefashionguide