Q & A with Amber Szűcs

"Style is a personal thing, yet good taste with one's style is like having proper etiquette. It takes education and affects those around you in a positive and harmonious way."

-Amber Szűcs 

I've received a lot of questions lately about my thoughts on style. What is the best style? What trends should I avoid? How do I create chic looks on a budget? How can I look consistently well put together traveling to different countries? As a person that has studied the socioeconomics of fashion and style for almost 30 years, with a Master's degree in International Relations, I am happy to give my advice!

For me, the foundation of great style is good taste. However, the tricky part of having good taste is this -- you're either born with it or you cultivate it with proper education. Most people need to cultivate it. Good taste, throughout history has been the social armor of the aristocrat. Those with the oldest money. However, today, where the less cultivated masses have trumped those with these family backgrounds (in the media and in popular culture at least), you have to merge the two worlds to some degree to look up to date. 

The Simple Life

"Edit your life frequently and ruthlessly. It's your masterpiece after all." 

-Nathan W. Morris

Many people mistakenly believe, in order to be, appear or feel successful in this life one must accumulate and mass consume. Especially today, everyone wants to go bigger and have more. Discipline and moderation in one's consumption is not de rigueur. Gluttony reigns supreme, especially in the Unites States. More clothes, shoes and accessories, bigger homes to display, uber-luxury cars, weekly exotic vacations, A-list events, the highest end restaurants, etc. is now the ultimate desire. Social media, of course, has played an instrumental role in creating these upscale desires. According to inc.com, "companies are shelling out approximately $255 million a month investing in Instagram influencer-sponsored posts per month."

Style & Beauty Tips for a Chic 2022.

Photo by George Mayer

"It is important to be chic."

- Roberto Cavalli
 

1. Eyelashes Au Naturel. The resurgence of faux eyelashes in the past five years, once used by women with minimal and scant eyelashes to imitate naturally long ones (and in fashion and entertainment for the purpose of art and exaggeration) -- has grown to unnatural proportions in the real world. It is understandable if you are amongst the meagre of lash to naturally enhance what was not God-given. However, if your eyelashes are normal in length, volume and quantity, there is no reason to cause permanent damage by getting eyelash extensions. I speak from experience. For one year, I regularly had professional eyelash extensions. After every appointment I was dizzy and nauseous from the chemical glue used in the applications. Shedding faux eyelashes also became an annoyance for myself and my husband. They were everywhere. After removing them (or letting them fall out naturally) I was shocked to find my once normal lashes half their previous appearance. Two years later, they are still only 80% of what they used to be. Luckily, I stopped when I did. If you look at chic women with a truly cultivated style, rarely a faux eyelash will you find. Beauty and style icon Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy was known for not enhancing her pale eyelashes, creating a classic almost Renaissance era look. She was the quintessential representation of "less is more." 

UPG EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Jennifer Creel. Contemporary Jewelry Designer for the Jet Set.

"I like to mix it up. 

Create an authentic New York City style that symbolizes the coming together of uptown and downtown." 

-Jennifer Creel

Artists come in many forms and in many trades. One of the most exclusive jewelry designers in Manhattan comes in the form of an elegant Upper East Side doyenne. A classic beauty with rare elegance and a long-held reputation for being the best dressed on the island. For Jennifer Creel, jewelry design was a natural development from hobby to occupation. This love affair burgeoned in her teen years and followed through her careers in entertainment, modeling and fashion. Mentored by a gemologist, her eye for novelty, self-expression and quality flourished.  "Jewelry is tribal," is her mantra.