What is Fashion Feng Shui?: Celebrity Edition

Before I go any further, I know that some of you are probably wondering what the heck this crazy Fashion Feng Shui® thing is that I keep talking about. I'll definitely be using the terminology a lot in this blog (eg. calling someone a Fire or a Wood), so I guess I'll start by filling you in. If you didn't stop me, I could go on and on about it - but I'll try (emphasis on "try") to spare you the lengthy textbook post and just start with the basics for now...In a nutsell (well, the shell of a larger sized nut): With Fashion Feng Shui, we recognize that each of us are wired differently, have different lives, different dreams, and therefore different inspirations for creating our personal style. When we get dressed, we should be doing it with the purpose of honoring 4 things:- Essence - who we are at the core- Intention - who we want to be (that day, or that year)- Appearance - we want to keep in mind our coloring and body shape- Environment - what our life demands of us (job, travels, activities, etc)

We all have things in our closet with the tags still on, or that we're not quite sure why we bought in the first place. Fashion Feng Shui helps us fix those faux paus, and avoid making shopping mistakes ever again. The reality is that each of us have pieces that will always be the perfect staples for us, and other design elements that will just never work no matter how hard we try (for me, that's the color orange). The goal is to always make the right decisions for YOU, and wear the things that will make you feel the most like yourself, while also giving off the perfect visual harmony to others - the "she nailed it" factor.

The tools we use to categorize the different energies and help us determine our essence are the five elements: Water, Wood, Earth, Fire, and Metal. Each element is represented by an archetype, which is what I'm going to show you using celebrities as examples. Technically, choosing celebrities to represent the elemental archetypes is a bit of an oxy moron, because we're talking about essence - the lens through which you see the world - and I have never met these people. So how am I supposed to know who they are at the core? I am merely using them as universal examples for how we know them to be, and how they are represented to us, so we can get a better idea of how the elements break out. If I really wanted to be accurate, I'd have to spend a few hours with each of them before I could determine their essence (unfortunately, I don't think my dinner at Katsuya a few tables away from Tom Hanks really counts). Nonetheless, here we go:Water – The Philosopher

Philosophers are the wise, intelligent, mysterious rebels of the bunch. They value creativity, spirituality, serenity, calmness, and freedom of expression above all else. They gain energy from alone time, and like to march to the beat of their own drum.Celeb examples: Tilda Swinton, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Natalie Portman

Wood – The Pioneer

Our wood friends are the Energizer bunnies of the world. They are always on the go, love to be outdoors, and can't ever seem to sit still. Pioneers are the happiest when they are accomplishing goals, tackling their to do lists, and moving around at warped speed - whether that's to the grocery store or halfway around the world.Celeb examples: Jessica Biel, Sheryl Crow, Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey

Earth – The Peacemaker

Peacemakers are the nurturers who fill our lives with warmth, chocolate chip cookies, and hugs. They have an "old school" quality about them that makes everyone around them feel comfortable. Earths tend to be homebodies, and don't always take well to big changes. They're happiest when keeping to their own life long traditions.Celeb Examples: Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Amy Adams, Zooey Deschanel

Fire – The Pleasure Seeker

Pleasure seekers make an entrance into every room and grace the "audience" with their captivating presence! These are people who love fun, drama, and attention. They value their relationships with people above all else, and desperately seek the approval of others. They carry a certain glow with them wherever they go, and tend to always be laughing.Celeb Examples: Cameron Diaz, Beyonce, Miley Cyrus, Jim CarreyMetal – The Perfectionist

For Metals, beauty truly is in the details. Perfectionists value elegance, order, luxury, and refinery. They are very meticulous and don't like things to be out of place. They're not the type to ever shop the sales, because they only want the best the world has to offer. The ooze grace and class wherever they go.Celeb Examples: Gwyneth Paltrow, George Clooney, Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett

Which one are you? If more than one jumped out at you, try taking this quiz to see if you can get a better idea. It's easier for some than others to narrow it down. It took me 3 days of debating before I finally decided which one I couldn't live without.

You're probably wondering - "OK fine, but what do I do with my wardrobe now?" I'll get into that soon. In the meantime, you could check out this clip of my Fashion Feng Shui fashion show on Twin Cities Live this past January. Coming up next, I'll post the wedding themed article I wrote for the Fashion Feng Shui Wardrobe WisdomMail about the 5 Elemental Brides. That will start to give an idea of how it all comes together, how you can honor your essence with your clothes, and work towards your own styled life!