Today’s 40+Style star is Wendra. She is an artist and created a fashion accessory for women that is both beautiful AND functional: a magnifying glass necklace that sparkles and shines with crystals. I wanted to find out more about this idea and her bohemian chic style. Enjoy!

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself?

I love being an artist. I work in various mediums to create emotional narratives. I tell stories. I set the scene for stories. I make art and I create experiences that inspire happier, healthier and more productive lives.
My background is in art direction for television commercials .
I enjoy traveling. I have worked all over the world designing scenery for hundreds of television commercial campaigns
I also paint with water colors and I love to teach others how to paint and how to relax and enjoy while painting with water colors.
To me painting is a form of meditation.

As a point of reference which age group do you belong to or perhaps you are willing to share your age?

I was born in the summer of 1961 – so I must be 53. Because I feel so young I often forget my age, so I can’t blame forgetting on old age 🙂

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Can you tell us a bit more about your business The Looking Glass necklace and why you created it?

I created the Looking Glass Necklace when I could not hold the things I wanted to read far enough away for me to see clearly.
I needed something that looked pretty to me and was pretty to wear. I  now wear The Looking Glass Necklace while shopping and dining out.

Everyone is surprised that my pretty necklace is also a magnifying glass and they often ask to look through it. – It’s become a fun conversation piece. I have always been fascinated by crystals and all kinds of stones and sea shells. I feel like a little girl in a candy store when I shop for the crystals and beads for my necklaces.

How do you see women wearing and using this special necklace?

I see other women using the Looking Glass Necklace as a fashion accessory that also has a purpose – similar to scarves. It’s a fashion statement that says “I want to see and appreciate all the wonderful details of life. I take care of my needs and I am proud of my age.

How would you describe your style?

My style is creative. I dress to express my mood, I choose colors and textures that reflect my surroundings, and my feelings for each day or evening.
My personality is very fluid, I teach and practice yoga and I like to dance.
So I am drawn to clothing and accessories that have color and movement. Because I have a small build and soft features I prefer smaller patterns and soft earth toned colors.

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What would you consider the most important components of your style?

The most important components of my style are my jewelry and my scarves.
I love how jewelry adds sparkle, and how the color of the stones I choose compliments my personal energy. I also love how scarves add texture and color while keeping me warm in the winter and protect my skin from too much sun in the summer.

Where do you live and how does that influence your style?

I live in Seattle. It is cold and grey most of the winter so I wear many layers. I make sure my layers carry a theme with colors and textures so I can take off or put on as I go from a walk out doors to an in office meeting and then to dinner out with friends.

Do you take things like color profiling or body type into account when you dress?

Yes I definitely take color profiling and my body type into account when I dress. I see my body type as the size and shape of my blank canvas and my color choices as my palette. I am absolutely an Autumn color profile – this is the foundation of my wardrobe.

Has your style changed at all after turning 40?

My style did change after turning forty. I felt more established and secure in myself – and I began to spend more money on timeless pieces and accessories.

Do you believe in dressing ‘age appropriately’ and what does it mean to you?

Yes I believe in dressing age appropriately because as my grandmother said “Every age and every stage has its compensation” – meaning there are benefits at every age. I like to accent and differentiate the benefits of my age in the way I dress. While my teenage daughter and I share many of our casual clothes – I do not want to wear her mini shorts and she does not want to wear what we call my “Mom Fabulous” clothing.

Would you say that at this stage of your life you are now more, or less interested in fashion, style and the way you look?

I have been interested in fashion all of my life. I loved my patent leather go go boots when I was seven and my mini skirts when I was seventeen. “I grew up in a lingerie shop”. It is not just the title of one of my writing projects. – My family owned a chain of stores called “Sabrina Shops”. This is where I spent my afternoons and weekends with my grandparents amongst lavender, lace and peignoir sets while pondering what it meant to be feminine. I am just as interested in fashion now as I have ever been, and even more so with the advent of so many new types of printed fabrics and accessories and the wider range of global styles for women to choose from.

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Why is the way you look important to you?

The way I look is important to me as it is another way of creative self expression -it is a reflection of my inner spirit. I am inspired by others who are vibrant and I hope to inspire others by taking care of my self as well.

Do you follow trends? And if yes, which trends excite you at the moment?

I follow trends because I like to know what is “state of the art” and to feel culturally connected. However I don’t always follow the trends – I choose the ones that best compliment my style and budget.
Currently I am excited about Pantone’s choice of “Marsala” as the color of the year – it ’s a warm rich color that resonates well with my Autumn color profile.

Do you have any fashion and style tips for women over 40?

My fashion tip for women over 40 is not to underestimate how much we are able to redefine what is beautiful – We can be bold and confident in our style that comes with maturity. Just like the color of the year “Marsala” we are like good wine blossoming with age.

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What are your plans for your company and how do you see it develop over the coming years?

I plan to offer new variations of the necklace every season – to compliment various styles from casual to formal, and at various price points.
I also see the company growing and being able to improve the lives of others through employment and through giving back to charities that support women, vision, and the environment.

Wendra was kind enough to send me one of her necklaces too and it’s gorgeous. If you like to order one, be sure to contact her through her contact page and mention 40+Style. You will be entered in a raffle to win a free necklace and will receive $5 discount to any purchase within the next six months. For more details visit her website.

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A style interview with Wendra | 40plusstyle.com

Sylvia

Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.

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