CARLEEN ROBINSON
Fashion is worldwide cultural art. Fashion is poetry. Fashion is rhythm. Fashion is individual. Fashion is never wrong. Always right. Fashion is uplifting. Fashion is inspirational. Fashion breathes life. My life. My world. My space. My story.
I do consider myself to be a bit of a fashion style setter. I wear what I love! I absolutely love colour and am known for my vibrant, thought provoking out-of-the box ensembles. Even my home is full of bright colours. There is nothing more personal than beautiful colours in all shades of the spectrum. Colour adds an element of dramatic personality. As a child and growing up to the woman I am today, I always had a nose and sixth sense for fashion. I'm always open to discovering new brands and I’m inquisitive and experimental when it comes to mixing patterns, shapes, colours and textures. I have a love for quality, timeless designs. I own pieces that I’ve had for 20 plus years. I also have a love for nostalgic vintage great deals, mixing them effortlessly with my high fashion. I have fun when I get dressed in the morning, which should always be your focus in fashion. If you're not having FASHfun, it's not FASHION.
I'm known for my highly individual way of dressing. I absolutely love to mix traditional, classic garments with modern pieces. I have a naturally trained eye for style where I can bounce from minimal and comfortable, street style, casual chic, jeans and a button down shirt, layered with a blazer or sweater and then vamp things up to maximum high fashion in a Dolce and Gabbana maxi gown, fabulous purse and killer heels with little effort. In fashion, you have to be uncomfortable to be comfortable. I encourage you not to be afraid to combine colours, mix textures and patterns and hemlines.
I was always extremely interested in fashion though magazines from as far back as I can remember. I spent most of my idle time reading InStyle, Vogue, Glamour etc. from cover to cover and then from cover to cover again. Every Sunday I would gather at the television and watch Fashion Television with host Jeanne Beker and Fashion Files with Host Tim Blanks. These programs were my go-to staples for keeping current. I also stay up-to-date through on-line articles on various websites, books, attending fashion shows pre Covid pandemic of course, tapping into documentaries aired on television and people watching.
I collect great art from places I’ve travelled to around the world, fashion coffee table books and gourmet cookbooks. I love them as inspirational reference pieces. I find inspiration in all things art whether it's fashion, photography or culinary. I notice what people wear and restyle them in my head offering the Carleen twist. There are models, actresses, and the like that I look up to and draw inspiration from. It’s wonderful just to be inspired by things, people and objects that are all around you.!
To stay focused I make sure that I set realistic expectations on myself. Eliminate distraction and time wasters such as T.V. and I silence my phone and focus on what I need to get done. I also allow myself to take breaks when I need to. I would sometimes take a brisk walk, stretch or do whatever that creates peace for a moment. I also set up my day the night before. By making some basic decisions about what I will be doing the next day, such as what I’ll wear, what I’ll eat and even the route that I’d drive to to get where I’m going.
Clothing does not make the person and is not always the be-all and end-all, meaning that in this unpredictable World we now live in, there are way more important things in life. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a great pair of shoes or a fabulous bag to run around the city in but don’t make those things your inner core. Take risks and bet on yourself. Take bold moves by putting aside what doesn’t bring you joy sooner than later and follow your passion.
I want women to know that it’s totally okay to have an abundance of interests as mine are fashion, culinary, visual/fine arts, fitness, drama - you can totally love fashion, music, sports and even politics and it's also totally okay to allow your platform to see all of your different angles. Additionally, sometimes how you look on the outside can bring internal confidence. Wear what makes you feel confident as if you are about to walk into a boardroom filled with people in boring power suits. If you can see it, you can be it. Lastly, career wise, although it may be difficult to get into some parts of the fashion industry, don’t let those odds discourage you. Continue to push through and go after what you want and pave your own golden path. Continue to believe in yourself wholeheartedly.
Follow Carleen: Instagram
