VeryVeryChic

Collage

 

                                                      photos courtesy of Lola Dupré/theworkmag.com

 

"I spend gallons of coffee and hundreds of cigarettes on each piece,"

said Lola Dupré in an interview with Work magazine on her insane collage creations. Sounds like most creative projects I know! The artist prints out and utlizes multiple images which are pieced together in an often painstaking and monotonous process. The result? These incredible artsy collages. What inspires the artist?  Color and shape, fashion and sex, in work and life.

For the full interview check TheWorkMag.

 

Handbag

 

Thank you PaperMag for turning me on to this chic "handbag" by Inés Figaredo! Loving the Spanish designer's provocative designs in which she has a single mission: to explore the bag as an art form. Good news is that Figaredo offers her highly collectible handcrafted bags online and selectively launches new styles throughout the year. 


 

Cocktail Culture: Cocktail Hour as An Art Form

 

1958 "Blowing a Kiss" photo of actress/model Barbara Mullen by photographer, Lillian Bassman

 

An exhibition that focuses on the social rituals of cocktail hour?  Highballs and high art.

Count me in.

The upcoming exhibition "Cocktail Culture" at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach is one of the first exhibitions to explore the cocktail hour as an art form - and an American phenomenon. The exhibiton debuts on Dec. 15 - just in time for the holiday party season. I wish I were in West Palm Beach to see this exhibition which features more than 150 objets d' art. But I will just have to visualize (and hope that others capture and blog) all of the chic fashion and art on display. "Cocktail Culture" will feature everything from clothing and accessories to decorative arts, illustrations and photography from the 1920s to the present. And it relates it to modern culture by highlighting iconic moments on the big screen such as the Audrey Hepburn's party du jour on 'Breakfast at Tiffanys,' and the cocktail hour as popularized by 'Sex and the City' and most recently 'Mad Men.' Recall my Chic Style Tips Q&A with Janie Bryant? With clothing by legendary designers such as Cristobal Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Jeanne Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent, Tiffany & Co. Norman Norell, Valentino, Elsa Schiaparelli, Christian Dior and Van Cleef & Arpel it will most certainly be a fashionable affair. Think Tiffany’s sterling silver cocktail sets and cigarette cases. And cocktail hour fashion that ranges from 1920's sequin flapper dresses to ethnic chic caftans and hostess pajamas of the '70s, Christian Lacroix’s '80s pouf skirts and minimalist looks of the early '90s. For more info, SunSentinel.com has a great indepth article or check the museum's site Norton.org

 

“Cocktail Culture”

 Norton Museum of Art

West Palm Beach, Florida

 Dec. 15, 2011 - March 11, 2012

Norton.org.

 

1925-30 Tiffany's cosmetic set with cigarette case

1964 fashion illustration by Fred Greenhill for Saks Fifth Avenue

1925-28 sterling silver cocktail set by Erik Magnussen for Gorham Manufacturing Company

1961 fashion illustration by Larry Salk titled "Summer Cocktail Party with English Butler."

 

Israeli. Pottery. Is. So. Chic.

 

 

 
When it comes to purchasing a memorable item on my travels, I generally find myself hunting housewares. Crystal in Prague, blankets in Cozumel, art in Fiji and now, pottery in Tel Aviv. Here are my chic finds at the Nachlat Benyamin Market. I fell in love with this teapot and matching mugs by artist Ramon Mendesono.  Now, when I drink a cup of tea in the morning, I will think of Tel Aviv..... 

Tel Aviv: Chic Finds at Nachlat Benyamin Market

 

 

 

 

What do you do with a free day in Tel Aviv? Go shopping of course. My new friend Sara, the lovely and talented Fashion Editor of Elle Mexico, and I headed to the Nachlat Benyamin Street. The local market or shuk, which is held there every Tuesday and Friday along with the Carmel Shuk, was the perfect place to shop for arts and crafts, jewelry, clothes, furniture, housewares and souvenirs. Here are some of the colorfully chic items I spotted.

 

Jerusalem: A Pictorial

 

 

 

 

Jerusalem. 11.24.2011

The only way to describe Jerusalem is to see the city.

While visiting Israel for Tel Aviv Fashion Week, I had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem along with the other international journalists invited there to cover the event. It's an area of the world that always seemed fascinating, but hadn't topped my list of places to visit - until now. And on Thanksgiving Day in America, it seemed almost surreal and an incredibly fitting day to be there. What I found was a city steeped in history, yet poised for modernity with its architecure, spiritual views and yes, fashion. While walking through its ancient streets, I discovered its treasures. Here are images from the day including views of the Jerusalem rooftops, the Arab shuk, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Jewish Quarter, the Wailing Wall and the Mamilla Hotel and Shopping Center. More images after the break.

I hope you enjoy it. 

 

XOXO

                            - Norma Jayne

 

 

 

More, more, more images after the break.

Hedi Slimane's 'California Song' at MOCA

 

Hedi Slimane x California

Hedi Slimane has an almost cult-like following in the fashion world. The renowned photographer and former designer for Dior Homme is one of the most influential designers in menswear design (think shrunken silhouettes and androgynous models). And his raw, black-and-white imagery is now iconic. "Calfornia Song" opened at the Museum Contemporary of Art on Friday night and marks the first West Coast solo museum exhibition of Slimane's work. And LA’s art and fashion set turned out in full force to celebrate. Celebs including Kirsten Dunst and Tilda Swinton made an appearance to fête the landmark occasion. The exhibition spans his “California period” which began in July 2007 and traces his exploration of urban youth culture and creative communities including music, art and fashion. Think tattoos, surfers and rock stars. I first blogged about the Hedi Slimane Diary after being inspired by his fashion photography and shortly after about "Hedi Slimane's Cali" following his trip to the Coachella Music Festival in 2009. It was exciting to see his California imagery transformed into an exhibition. His work is viewed in a two-part layout at the MOCA Pacific Design Center. Black-and-white print photos are featured on the ground level and a towering multi-projection installation rotates photos in a repetitive sequence on the second floor. Indie rock band No Age performed live at the opening event. The museum debut adds to Slimane’s growing list of publications and exhibitions which include “Berlin Project” (1999-2002) and “The London Years” (2003-2007). 

 

“Hedi Slimane: California Song”

Nov. 12 - Jan. 22

MOCA Pacific Design Center

 www.moca.org

Red, Red Designer Wine (by Karl Lagerfeld)

 

                                                                                        photos courtesy of WWD

 

 

Beautiful clothes, designer labels......designer wines.

Karl Lagerfeld toasts the 350th anniversary of the Chateau Rauzan-Ségla vineyard by designing a new label for the Chanel-owned winery.  Wine is as much a part of the French landscape as couture, so it's not too surprising that the House of Chanel acquired the prized winery in 1994. The colorful sketch is the castle in Margaux appellation of Bordeaux, France.

PARIS Fashion Week Highlights......

 

Louis Vuitton, photo courtesy of Ed Kavishe/FashionWirePress.com

 

 

 

It's been a whirlwind covering Paris Fashion Week. From fashion shows, to trade shows and parties I've been snapping photos, editing, editing and editing and choosing the best of the best to show you. I've had a bit of a delay getting these up with freelance deadlines looming, but nevertheless, there is much coverage on the way. This season was exciting as I attended multiple shows as well as presentations and showrooms. The ultimate experience? Being invited to attend the Louis Vuitton show and witness all the magicalness. Here are a few highlights from the week...I'll be detailing them more in depth including the Hussein Chalayan "Fashion Narratives" exhibition and A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival which is taking place in Paris this weekend.  

Enjoy!

 

Anna Dello Russo

Jacques Le Corre

Issey Miyake

The scene outside Christian Dior

Limi Feu, photo courtesy of Style.com

 

Hussein Chalayan "Fashion Narratives" exhibition at Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Supermodel, Martha Streck

 Grazia catwalk at Chanel

 

Manish Arora
 

 
A Shaded View on Fashion Film cocktail soiree

 

Steffie Christiaens' killer cut out boots

 

LATEST OBSESSIONS: SOME/THINGS Chapter005 & Rick Owens' New Book

 

                                                                          photo courtesy of SOME/THINGS

 

 

In my pursuit of all things uber cool and French this week, I'm coveting the new issue of SOME/THINGS MAGAZINE and the soon-to-be-released Rick Owens book. A first look at the mag just popped up on the SOME/THINGS website and it is beautiful....! SOME/THINGS Chapter005/She Has No Strings Apollo comes in an embossed graphite-color box and is wrapped in one of five different kinds of Rick Owens cashmere scented with his soon-to-be-released perfume  - Mmmmmm lovely!! Need I say more?!!!!  A limited-edtiion DVD and a first-ever interview with Paul Harnden is also included. And equally as beautiful, the site posted a few preview images of Rick Owens new book published by Rizzoli. The book features photos by SOME/THINGS Creative Director Monika Bielskyte and was shot inside the Rick Owens Atelier and office and the Olmar & Mirta Factory for SOME/THINGS Chapter004/The Wings of a Locust.

Chapter005 is available for pre-order online at the SOME/THINGS online boutique and go here a look at more images of the Rick Owens book.

 

Cover of the new Rick Owens book published by Rizzoli

Spring/Summer 2011 Rick Owens show in Paris photographed by Asha Mines

 

Back Endpaper/Rick Owens team by Monika Bielskyte for Some/things Magazine Chapter004, 2010

Kembra Pfahler & Rick Owens by Annie Leibovitz for US Vogue, 2002

CARINE Roitfeld by KARL Lagerfeld

 

                                                          photo by Karl Lagerfeld courtesy of Interview

 

 

"French Vogue is now "so Carine" in its aesthetic that it's hard to believe she only took up the reigns 10 years ago. Her departure in January carries with it the knowledge that, though it might well retain its influence, French Vogue will never be the same...." 

                                                                                                                - Interview magazine

I'm not one to repost stories, but this one is toooooo good. Karl Lagerfeld interviewed Roitfeld for Interview magazine and it gives a great back story on Roitfeld's legendary career as well as life after French Vogue. Karl Lagerfeld, a long-time friend and collaborator, spoke with Roitfeld in late July in Paris and shot a few pics. Here is the Q&A, for the full article go here.

 

 
                                                      photo: Stephane Feugere, courtesy of Interview

 

KARL LAGERFELD: How far can you take an image?

CARINE ROITFELD: I think that when you're taking pictures with my principles, you can try anything. Dare to do a lot of things—dare with sexuality, dare to break taboos as long as it remains photogenic. As long as I find an elegance and beauty in it, I am not afraid to tackle anything.

LAGERFELD: I think it was Marlow who said, "There is no beauty without some strangeness in the proportions."

ROITFELD: Exactly. I think that something needs to be weird in order to have a real beauty. Beauty can be quite boring, especially if you're talking about beauty that doesn't last. And what lasts is exactly the thing that maybe wasn't pretty at first—it comes over time to be beautiful or interesting or exciting—

LAGERFELD: For example, during the golden age of movie stars, there were plenty of actresses who were deemed unattractive at the start of their careers, but struggled and finally appeared more beautiful and more iconic. Sometimes that idea of being truly iconic has something to do with not necessarily being beautiful and thus trying harder.

 

                                                                                     David Sims for Vogue Paris, March 2006
 

All Over Prints

                                                                   Photo: Gregory Harris/V Magazine.com

 

 

Chic.

Styling Ultraviolet Sound's "Girl Talk" Video

 

 

 

From pom poms to latex gloves, here's a sneak peek at Ultraviolet Sound's much anticipated "Girl Talk" video! It's no surprise the electro pop group's new single is topping the charts and hitting the dance floor. So, of course I was excited to be asked to style the shoot and give a very, very chic spin to their colorful on-stage look. It was a full-on week of preparation from costume houses to designer studios and everywhere inbetween!! We scoured L.A. to find the stylish yet distinctly unique clothes that capture the Ultraviolet Sound fashion-meets-street sense of style. Can you say Stephen Sprouse orange sequin pants?!! And of course some of the pieces were made especially for the shoot - more on that soon! Here are a few of the behind-the-scenes shots of Sarah, Sami and Joel. 

Stay tuned for the video!

 

"In Bloom" Dazed & Confused July 2011

 

                                                                            photos courtesy of Dazed Digital

 

 

LOVE-ing this eye popping technicolor editorial in the July 2011 issue of Dazed & Confused. Shot by Viviane Sassen and styled by Katie Shillingford it puts a new spin on color and femininity. I love how the model transforms the clothing into flowers to almost become part of the background. It makes me wonder what the inspiration was for this shoot. Could it have been from the fallen genius John Galliano's Fall 2010 Couture collection for Christian Dior?  Whatever the case may be, it is beautiful!

Enjoy!!

Today's Inspiration

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Red hair. White palette. Dramatic. Chic.

More on the subject at hand......very, very soon!!