LA Style: Allison Dickson
Founder of The A-List (www.Thea-list.com)
Allison Dickson has over 13 years experience in the fashion, accessories, style, design, and still and television production. Ad campaigns, catalog work and editorials are like second nature to her and she's been profiled on ‘Videofashion” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show”. Founder of www. thea-list.com, this A lister can tell you what's hot or not in the matter of seconds. Her impeccable style is very of-the-moment, without an ounce of trying-too-hard vibe.
Factio Magazine: What are your style tips for holiday dressing?
Allison Dickson: Sparkle! This is literally your time to shine!
With all the holiday parties at work and with family, it's a great time to focus on looking your best. I love rhinestones or crystal accessories such as those from Tarina Tarantino's line (www.tarinatarantino.com).
Adding these types of accessories can kick any outfit up a notch and the eye-catching effects of a sparkley pair of earrings or a great necklace really highlight your eyes. Plus accessories are a better purchase as you can wear them again and again.
The key here - as I always say - is 'Pick your poison!'
If you've got a great pair of rhinestone hoops or chandelier earrings on, then nix the necklace and opt for a great bracelet to help balance the effect! Just remember....You're going for 'Holiday Princess' not 'Vegas Showgirl'!
FM: What key fashion pieces do you have your eye on this season?
AD: I love all the little shrugs that are out. I think these are good buys. They are perfect for cooler evenings in both winter and summer months. You can find them in any price range. I've bought 4 this season and paid from around $95.00 to $14.00.
FM: What’s your biggest fashion vice…What do you have to have every season?
AD: I've been known to spend an obscene amount of money on handbags.
FM: What’s a fashion no-no, when attending special events, galas, and more?
AD: Getting sloppy drunk. No amount of Dior couture can make that look good!
FM: What’s your signature style?
AD: Jet-Set Bohemian.
I like 'World Couture' - cool items I pick up in my travels from markets, bazaars and shops.
FM: Define the style in your city.
AD: I'm in L.A. and SKIN IS IN! Even in our 'winter' (we freak if it goes below 70 degrees) we wear strappy tops by day and strappy sandals by night. Oh...and lots of cleavage!
FM: Which ladies from which city worldwide do you think have or had the most impeccable style?
AD: Europeans - especially the French and the Italians have an effortless style...an everyday glamour. I just love it when Italian women wear their gold jewelry at the beach and on the Riviera. So chic...only they can pull it off! I also LOVE how wealthy women from the interiors of Mexico dress. Sporting great jewels with their everyday looks!
FM: How long or how fast can you get ready for an event?
AD: I take as much time as I have. If I have 20 minutes or 2 hours...I'll take it.
It's the same as a photo shoot - sometimes you have a lot of time and sometimes you're racing against the sun. Either way you get it done!
FM: What would people be most surprised to know about you?
AD: Being a stylist, people think I have a ton of clothes and that my closet must be huge but it's actually not. For one thing I'm very tall so clothes aren't that easy to find. I rarely just buy off the rack.
Plus, after working with or writing about clothes all day - the last thing I want to do is go shopping! I like a well edited closet and I generally only buy things that I 'love' - worrying less about price etc. (I 'LOVE' my new $24 chocolate brown shrug as much as I 'LOVE' my four-figure costing, beige, quilted patent-leather Chanel handbag). It's something I teach my clients as well. That way when you get dressed, you'll 'LOVE' the way you look and it won't take as long!
(I suppose if there's one thing I do have a lot of, it's accessories. 'Accessories always fit!' I keep them all very tidy in organized bins and hanging accessory bags.)
Oh...and I'm an identical twin!
NEXT: LA Style: Serene Cicora, President of HSM PR
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