Last Sunday, situated among a lavish backdrop of flowers at the Capitol Rose Garden in downtown Sacramento an eclectic assembly of photographers, models, hair-stylists, and make-up artists gathered for a special photo-shoot. The theme for the shoot was “Day of the Dead”. The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a Mexican holiday where family and friends pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. The celebration takes place November 1st and 2nd to coincide with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day (November 1) and All Souls Day (November 2). In many American communities with Mexican residents, Day of the Dead celebrations are held that are very similar to those

Q: Have you ever seen someone walk into a room that you can tell has it all together, is happy with what they wear, how they look and their personality? They may not be perfect, but they are okay with how they are. I am not that person. I hate my body, I don't think I am funny and I never know what to say in groups. I always feel like the clothes I wear don't fit in with the clothes my co-workers wear. I know it sounds silly and immature, but I have self-confidence issues and I don't know how to fix them. A: I don't think it sounds silly and immature at all. I think a lot of people are dealing with the exact same feeling and I think that everyone deals with those feelings at some point

Summer is a great chance to rock new looks as the season’s fashion trends hit stores with full force. This means choices, and The Sacramento Press had to ask: Does Sacramento have its own sense of style? A variety of responses shows just how diverse Sacramento really is. Matt Roper, 27, KlickNation employee and resident of Sacramento, compared the city to a melting pot. “Totally. There’s such a mixture of different style, it’s like a (melting) pot,” Roper said. “There’s hipsters and rockers and hippies. There are a ton of different styles.” Roper said a blend of fashion gives Sacramento its edge, defining the city as representative of all looks. However, not everyone thinks Sacrament

Lily Ann Lam grew up in two worlds. Her Chinese parents instilled traditional Eastern values in her, while her upbringing in Sacramento exposed her to American culture. She said the mix comes together in her Midtown salon – Hanami, which opened March 1. Hanami (HAH-nah-me) is a Japanese word that describes the beauty of cherry blossoms, and Lam said it was a natural fit for a salon. “The cherry blossoms are the result of a process,” she said. “They’re beautiful for two weeks ... and that’s like hair. It goes through a process, and then it’s beautiful for a couple of weeks.” Hanami is the first salon for Lam, who has been styling hair professionally for three years. Before that, she put

Smart phones. E-readers. Netbooks. Mama sure does a lot of reading these days, but not too much of the paper-and-ink kind. Enter: Kidaround. It was as appealing in a tired mother’s hand as a latte and as likely to induce a welcome perk. Yes, you read that last line correctly, it was. Barbara Hennelly announced on Facebook last month that the November/December 2010 issue of Kidaround would be her last. After publishing the bimonthly magazine for five years, Hennelly decided that the financial stress finally was too much. The magazine was profitable, but cash flowed too slowly. Delays in collecting advertising revenues meant Hennelly scrambled to pay her print bills each issue. “I think

My name is Aaron Myers, I am the Sacramento area director of an arts organization called RAW:natural born artists. RAW showcases emerging/underground artists in film, fashion, music, art performing art, hair, makeup, photography and performing art. We do this on a local level through monthly multi-faceted arts showcases that showcase all of these forms of art together in one event. I'm writing to introduce myself and RAW to you! RAW is based in Southern California, but we currently operate in 6 cities across California and are launching in Sacramento for the first time in February! We are launching nationwide to an additional 21 cities as well. We'll be hosting our monthly showcases a

Sacramentans were given a taste of glamor and high fashion rarely seen in our city on Friday night. The 2009 Capital Fashion Awards were held at The Park Ultra Lounge, where the nightclub was transformed into a runway showing off fall collections for Sacramento's top designers. "There are so many other events for different genres but not any for fashion ... so we decided to do something different," said Richard Hallmarq, a local designer who coordinated the event along with six others from the local beauty and fashion industries. The group got together and chose 13 judges that work in the local fashion, beauty and media industries. The judges were given paper ballots with each category

  A dozen salons will compete in a six-week hair adventure which commences this Thursday and runs weekly through Sept. 3. Sactown Magazine and 100.5 The Zone present "Hair Wars: 2009," at The Park Ultra Lounge at 15th and L Streets. Each week, one of Sacramento's top salons will be competing on the runway. During last year's "Hair Wars: 2008," salon Rowena and Takashi reigned as champions. They will have an appearance during this year's Hair Wars on August 27. On July 30, the opening night, there will be a special appearance by Salon 701 with exclusive product gifts provided by PHYTO. Salon 701 will be competing with Taki Salon on the runway. The party will start at 9 p.m. with a runwa

Monette Flores, 27 Childcare worker Elk Grove resident Outside the All American Tattoo Festival, Monette Flores shows off her style, which she says is called "just plain me." Influenced by Suicide Girls, an online community celebrating alternative beauty and culture, Flores likes to dress in a style that is "crazy and colorful." She accessorizes herself with a "Living Dead Dolls" T-shirt, purple zebra-print pants, rhinestone-encrusted leather boots, a Kool-Aid purse, pink hair dye, pink glasses and pink body jewelry. "I got the rings as gifts," she said of her 10 colorful finger accessories. She has been collecting them since grade school. Flores scours thrift stores for vintage st

Avanni Briggs, 20 Starbucks employee Choreographer, dancer, singer South Sacramento resident When he's not dancing, Avanni Briggs shows his rebel style. This Sacramento dancer was recently in New York for a taping of BET's Wild Out Wednesday, a talent show for young people. "I don't like to look like anybody else," he said when asked where he gets his style. "I use my own imagination," he added. Briggs shops at Getta Clue in Downtown Plaza. "I get the clippers and get to work. Doing your own hair takes hours," he said of his unique hairstyle, which has an artistic design etched into each side. Briggs accessorizes himself in a white tank top, red-and-brown-embroidered Christian Dior b

Jenn Walker, 22 Sac State Student Sacramento Press Intern Natomas Resident Jenn Walker knows her vintage style. "I guess it would be from working in a clothing boutique for over four years," she replied when asked where she got her style. "I kind of just like recreating old looks and putting my own twist to it," she added. Walker accessorizes herself in Big Star jeans, a t-shirt from Crossroads Trading Co. at 2935 Arden Way, a tan leather vest, matching pumps, aviator-style sunglasses with brown tint, bracelets and a necklace. Brown highlights in Walker's hair complete her unique look.  

On a very exciting Sacramento night, Autumn Smith represented the city's style to the fullest – high-waist sailor shorts over the opaque black tights with a barely there tear that made it her own. Of course, the essential black boot with the necessary pea coat are excellent choices. The vintage floral top and the all-round headband make her one of the best-dressed.

Many of Sacramento's residents believe that they have few options when it comes to nightlife. The "sneak peek" fashion show this Saturday at the Distillery is an event to add to that list of things to do. Saturday, Feb. 7 will be a chance to see the latest pieces from four local designers' spring collections. The show was organized mainly by Chuck Taylor of L!fe crew and Noel C. Tavares of Faedrah clothing company. Both are Sacramento natives and current residents, and they have teamed up to bring a night of local designers. The list includes Agape, Martini Kisses and Amy Lola Marchiando. The show will also feature DJs spinning soulful hip-hop and a tribute to the late producer J Dilla,

The sun shine's down on a very well put together Stephanie Casteneda. It would be hard not to take notice of this charming plaid shirt. The bronze scarf adds a little extra without taking away from the perfect boots. What would be a good outfit without a perfect pair of sunglasses.  

Simple but sincere Jac Hipp sports a casual pair of cowboy boots that serve as the focal point for her pleasant outfit. A bright green coat add color to break up the calmness of her black dress.

 The dainty Vicky Phan pieced together an outstanding earthy ensemble. The tan leather belt goes perfect over her deep blue embroidered tunic. The ash grey denim leads smoothly into her sage colored ankle boots. 

       There are those who believe that taking an interest in fashion is essentially unethical. They feel it leads to such vices as vanity and materialism, and that it breaks society into classes, the fashionable and the unfashionable. Although I do agree that if the fashionable are not careful such undesirable effects might occur, it does not seem accurate to suggest that they must. Indeed, if it is used wisely, I believe fashion can bring many positive things to our lives as well. The question is, how do we use fashion wisely?        People tend to look up to those with a sense of style. The fashionable are often perceived as successful, popular, and even intelligent, placing them in a p