Leisure Lifestyle: March 2017

This year's runways are filled with fun and flirty sleeves. This trend is not only for spring/summer, but fall/winter. The sleeve trend seen on runways, top red carpets during award season, and in your personal closet.

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The shawl with sleeves, bell sleeves, sheer, opened shoulder, sleeves flowing past the hands, puff sleeves,voluminous bracelet sleeves, textured and hanging sleeves are just a few of this trend. This play with sleeves brings flirty, tempting, romantic, and fun. These statement sleeves brings a personality to your personal style.

Beautiful girl on the background of spring bush

Phoenix Fashion Week holds it annual Spring Into Style event at Jokake Inn at The Phoenician. This styling event takes 6 top stylist to style the top trends this season. Style Stalkers' focused style is "Statement Sleeves." Ketonya Bankston from Style Stalkers gives a little insight to the trend, Style Stalkers, and how she faces each day for success.

4Chion Lifestyle

"What are the current sleeves trending?"

Ketonya Bankston

"The current style in sleeves are bell sleeves or very full/puffy sleeves."

4Chion Lifestyle

"What do sleeves bring to the finished look?"

Ketonya Bankston

"Sleeves add emphasis to your personal style. Statement Sleeves may be the current fashion trend, however it's the actual style that helps to personalize it for your own personal style and liking. Some people are more zealous with their style and therefore choose outgoing bold styles. Others may be a bit more modest and subtle and choose a style that is less dramatic."

4Chion Lifestyle

"What is the statement sleeve we can look forward to at Spring Into Style?"

Ketonya Bankston

"Honestly this question is too narrow as we've chosen more than one style of sleeve that will be shown on the runway. We're using a custom designer out of Houston, TX and her designs are FABULOUS and more than one dimensional. She's actually a Phoenix Fashion Week Alumni, which makes this event even more special."

4Chion Lifestyle

"What are the difference in sleeves from spring/summer to fall/winter?"

Ketonya Bankston

"The obvious difference would be the fabric used and length. There's not too much more difference that I've noticed. Of course prints and colors change from season to season."

4Chion Lifestyle

"What is one styling tip for spring/summer 2017 that you recommend for making a statement?"

Ketonya Bankston

"Always stay true to who you are in fashion. Otherwise, if you don't, your look tends to look forced and unrealistic. When you dress in what pleases you and NOT by what's in by popular demand, you'll always stand out in a positive manner. Fashion/Style is also about having a particular attitude, personality and self-confidence. If you're confident enough you can make a sack cloth look trendy..... Personality goes a long way!"

4Chion Lifestyle

"What is one thing you do each day to make it successful?"

Ketonya Bankston

"PRAY!"

4Chion Lifestyle

"How did you get to the styling path?"

Ketonya Bankston

"I've always had a love and passion for the beauty, fashion and entertainment industry. As a professional model, it's important for me to KNOW makeup, fashion/style and beauty. This industry isn't a hobby; it's one of my passions. Therefore, I earned a degree and Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Advertising and I'm blessed to do what I love doing!"

We are looking forward to the complete styling of this hot fashion trend. You can purchase ticket here, download the Phoenix Fashion Week app to nominate your favorite styling trend from the runway, or stay tuned on 4Chion Lifestyle social media for exclusives from this exciting runway.

Connect with Style Stalkers Here:

Telephone: 602.909.8452

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stylestalkersllc/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stylestalkersaz/

Our Journey in Europe included a stop in the capital city of Italy, Rome. With its unique blend of culture, architecture and history, it’s no wonder why this city is often referred to as the Eternal City or the ‘Navel’ of the World. Rome, Italy is home to the Coliseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps overlooking Via Veneto, the infamous Quattro Fontane (four magnificent Baroque fountains at four corners), and the Vatican. We would recommend that if you visit, you book a hotel near Via Veneto or the Coliseum, which will put you in the center and within walking distance to all the sights this beautiful city has to offer.

Our time in Rome began with a rooftop breakfast on top of our hotel, the Mecente Palace, which gave us spectacular views of the ancient city and views of Basilica Square. After our authentic Italian breakfast, we took a short walk to the Coliseum. Of course, no visit to Rome, Italy could be complete without a tour of the Coliseum and Forum.

The Roman Coliseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, was commissioned in 72 AD, as a place where spectators, who were seated according to rank, gathered to watch deadly combats of gladiators and wild animals fight to the death. The gladiators were usually slaves, prisoners of war or condemned criminals.

Walking through the Royal Entrance, and once we were inside the Coliseum, it was as if we were brought back in time to the day of the gladiator games; you could hear the roar of the spectators and the rumble of their hungry appetite as the gates opened for the lions to enter and the prisoners to defend their lives.

Standing inside the mighty Coliseum leaves you in awe of who designed this and how this was built in ancient times. After we spent the morning exploring the Coliseum, we continued our adventure on to the great Forum, directly across the street.

: Basilicas, Rome Italy

The forum was once the center of political, commercial and judicial life in ancient Rome.
The largest buildings were the basilicas, where legal cases were heard. We spent the rest of the afternoon touring this incredible sight.

Inside the Forum, was a Mecca of ancient ruins, cobblestone lined stairs lined with massive marble statues, meticulous gardens, fruit trees and the remains of what was once a thriving city. At the very end of the Forum, you will find the grand mansion, once called home by Mussolini, filled with ornate paintings and excavated artifacts, has now been turned into a museum for all to enjoy.

While on the walk to the museum, at the top of the hill, overlooking years of excavation below, we came across a group of orange trees filled with fruit. Our guide explained to us that it was often told that if you can reach the fruit, it would be yours for the taking. Of course, Pol’ always up for a challenge, had to have a bite of the ‘forbidden fruit’, and used every means possible to get it. His reward was a delicious afternoon snack of a very juicy orange, from a tree that had been there for over 300 years!

Our time in Rome finished with a quick visit to the Quattro Fontane. These four fountains are a group of four Late Renaissance fountains located at the intersection of Via delle Quattro Fontane and Via del Quirinale in Rome. The figures of the four fountains represent the River Tiber (the symbol of Rome); the River Arno the symbol of Florence; the Goddess Diana; the symbol of Chastity; and the Goddess Juno, the symbol of Strength.

: Rome Italy

: Trevi Fountain

Our last two stops were the Trevi Fountain, arguably one of the most beautiful fountains we have ever seen. It is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.

It stands 85.3 feet high and 65.6 feet wide, and people from all over the world come here to throw a coin into the fountain to

make a wish. Legend has it that if visitors throw a coin into the fountain, they are ensured a return to Rome. Another is that it is lucky to throw three coins with one’s right hand over one’s left shoulder into the fountain, and of course we did as well.

We ended the evening passing through Via Veneto, commonly referred to as the ‘Rodeo Drive’ of Italy, with a walk up the Spanish Steps. Pol’ recalled when he was invited to the famous fashion designer, Valentino’s fashion show many years ago. Rich in history, the Spanish Steps were designed in 1723 and are 138 steps joining the Piazza di Spanga and the Trinita dei Monti church. Once we got to the top of the steps we took in the final breathtaking views of the city. It was from here that we were able to walk back to our hotel all the while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this marvelous and unique city that has withstood the sands of time.

Our days in Rome, Italy took us back to moment of history where we lived through the eyes of the Romans and we reminisced about what it would have been like to live in such a modern city in such ancient times. Since, we both tossed coins into the Trevi Fountain, we hope our wish comes true and we return to the romantic city of Rome, Italy and bring you an insight into the Vatican in the future.