…what held the ss2013 collections together!
other notable details:
Diana Vreeland immortalized by Andy Warhol
See the film!
Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel
The new documentary, Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has To Travel, by Lisa Immordino Vreeland, is a must see for anyone remotely intrigued by style, and the history of fashion. I caught the film at LACMA, where it’s second stop in a tour of premieres around the globe. It screened for a fashionable set and was followed by a discussion bewteen LA Times fashion critic, Booth Moore, and the film’s creator, Lisa Immordino Vreeland (who is married to the legendary Vreeland’s grandson, Alexander.) Diana Vreeland was THE original Fashion Editor, creating awe inspiring, gasp-inducing stories for Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue. A trail-blazer for so many with her inherent style, she had no fear in expressing her vision, which is a true inspiration for everyone today!
In theatres in Los Angeles & New York September 21
Vreeland is a lesson in how the small things can have an impact on the big picture:
signature jewelry…
a signature hair style….
posture
Not all sale-d out yet?? Well, Kirna Zabete, one of my fave NY shops has just taken an extra 20% off the remaining sale merch. I know, most people think by now it’s all picked over… but, I beg to differ. Below I have chosen 4 fab pieces (3 of them under $200!) that would be great additions to any wardrobe! They tend toward minimalistic – which can also be read as classic, hence passing the test of time. Check them out…and keep in mind that last 20% is taken off at checkout!
This Lanvin can be worn any season – under jackets, or alone – the shoulder detail gives a subtle silhouette enhancing balance!
I love Rick Owens – his pieces are always versatile & timeless… you can wear them again & again and they never lose their edge!
These Alexander Wang pants are perfect for Olympic fever! Wear them with an asymmetric tank and tech wedges for that sport trend that is oh so now!
Nastassja Kinski with Serpent – Richard Avedon
The serpent – with its sinuous and graceful manner, has long provoked sexy and dangerous imagery, and certainly heightened to the superlative degree by Richard Avedon’s cult status photo of Nastassja Kinski. From a fashion standpoint, I love a snake…whether coiled on the wrist, the upper arm, neck, or in this case, the foot, they add a little edgy glamour to 70s inspired styling. And, as one can see, the symbol is quite timeless – almost a classic!
Three weeks ago I posted a great pair of metallic flat sandals from Nine West. Since they are having a “buy one, get the second pair at half off,” I’ve got to share this slinky pair!
I pulled them in gold for someone to wear with a fab 70s maxi with a chiffon overlay. Add some great cuffs/chains and you’ve got a chic & easy look for a summer evening soiree. And, with years of experience shopping ornamentation and hardware for shoes, these snakes feel remarkably solid for the price. Get them before they slither away!
Vogue 1989
With temps up and down, a light easy jacket is key for these pre-summer days. My early summer replacement to spring’s pale leather biker jacket (which was the perfect bit of tough to contrast a sugary full skirt,) is the lightweight tweed jacket. This traditionally conservative item, is perfectly offset with something super casual. It’s a bit late 80s, reminding me of the Vogue cover with Michaela Bercu sporting a couture Lacroix jacket and jeans. But, I have to say …a great frayed tweed looks fab with jeans and shorts… it’s like the perfectly rumpled up do – effortless cool. And, for less than $90, Zara has the perfect version to go with faded denim and white. Pick one up before they’re all gone!
zara jacket $89.90
zara tropical trouser $79.90
The spring-summer 2012 collections offered up a plethora of tropical prints, bursting with color and pattern. And, with boutiques resembling botanical gardens, there is something at every price. Though prints look fab when mixed with reckless abandon, they also look right paired with something clean. Enter the leafy print pant from Zara… With their mini tuxedo waistband, the trousers have got the perfect tailored edge that looks great with a blazer & crisp white shirt (worn most currently buttoned up, with a choker for polish.) And for under $100, they make a fun alternative to the ubiquitous colored jean. And, to give them a little more kick, take them up an inch or so, and wear them with flats… that should put a little spring in your step!
Valentino Spring/Summer 2012
I know today is Thrifty Thursday, but I must preface my pick of the week with a reference of something on the opposite end of the spectrum…Valentino. I can only say one word – divine. The collection this spring is SO, SO beautiful, delicate, and perfectly channels the femme aspect of the late 60s/early 70s (one of my fave fashion times)… I cannot say enough. Since seeing the entire collection up close at the opening party of the boutique’s Beverly Hills flagship a couple months ago, I have since been on the verge of obsessing over it. Anyway, if you can’t help having one, and have no budget left over for shoes, here is the perfect pair of sandals for an extreme high-low mix!
Nine West $69
Tip – Because these dresses (even on sale) will be out of the majority’s price range , one can be inspired (as have I.) My quest for the original vintage beauties, which may have inspired the collection, has been quite successful. My advice is to search for that perfect sleeve – just billowy enough, brought in with elegant covered buttons; the perfect bodice – trim yet not fitted; and an airy fabric, whether a gauzy cotton, eyelet – or better yet… lace.
Ps – keep your eye on Nine West for designer collaborations!
Rio swimsuit $68 TOPSHOP
With summer rapidly approaching, my urge to pick up cheap and cheerful supplements for my summer closet seems to grow. The great thing about this season is the facility with which one can make a significant change in the sartorial arsenal without breaking the bank. This is the time to indulge in trends, which will give you that immediate update, but will not leave you guilty if they are discarded after Labor Day.
So, I have decided to introduce Thrifty Thursdays, where, each week I will highlight one item that won’t leave you in the red! If you haven’t yet accustomed yourself with the high-low mix, I suggest now as the perfect time to give it a whirl… And, with that note, I give you my first thrifty treat of the summer: The perfect swimsuit, just in time for the long weekend, and just $54!
With hyper prints being all the rage, this suit is spot on! And, the cut is fab, too - dive in!
Hot Tip: You can catch The Runaway Runway Truck on Abbott Kinney tonight from 7-11 PM, next to the Other Room (1121 Abbott Kinney) .
As the full brigade of food trucks lined up for lunch time today on Wilshire Blvd, across the street from LACMA, one truck, in particular stood out – the only fashion truck on the block!
Not since the arrival of the Pressed Juicery truck at the Malibu Lumber Yard have I been so excited by the sight of one of these mobile units.
The Runaway Runway truck is the brainchild of Gayle Shea, a Kate Spade alum and former designer of the lines McGinn & Madison Brown. Of late, the designer had been doing the circuit of home trunk shows for a couple years, until she and her husband decided to launch the next best thing since …well, the fusion taco truck! The Runaway Runway truck carries a revolving collection of lines, today no less than 17 of them!
The real innovator of the fashion truck concept was Amen Wardy, who was decades ahead of the curve with his travelling trove of top of the line designer duds. In the last couple years, there have been sightings of mobile shops by William B and Cynthia Rowley, among others. But, now seems the right place and the right time for the concept to take off. So, I can only look forward to the infestation that is sure to follow!
..and keep your browser ready to hit http://www.ShopRunaway.com – the couple intends to launch the site tomorrow!
The scene outside LACMA at lunch time
Hobe Bracelet
One of my favorite vintage jewelry dealers, MDVII, is coming to LA! If you are a fan of fabulous Chanel, YSL and KJL gems (who isn’t??) – make your way over to the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica . Added bonus : Raven Kauffman handbags – exquisite little works of art. Wednesday & Thursday 11-8
