VeryVeryChic

'60s Party Chic!

 

Pour the Veuve and put on your '60s best.

Those were the two requirements for Laury Smith's ever so chic '60s themed birthday party. The stylist extraordinare held her party last night in a beautiful modern home in the Hollywood hills. It was a  "Breakfast at Tiffany's" meets "Mad Men" worthy party scene ala an industry crowd of photographers, musicians, models, editors and beauty gurus. What did I wear? All vintage of course. A green graphic print dress that I bought in New York, my favorite fur coat and a Pierre Balmain turban that I found while shopping the Clignancourt Market in Paris. Here are some shots of Laury's chic guests and a few fun party pics from the evening. 

 

Happy Birthday Laury!! 

XOXOXO

 

More images after the break. 

Laury Smith and James Ngoy

Laura Duncan, Gitte Meldgaard and N. Jayne Seward

N. Jayne Seward in vintage Balmain turban, fur coat and dress

Karolina Kurkova is Very, Very Chic at The Met Gala

 

 

 

Stunning.

Karolina Kurkova is a pillar of golden beauty in this chic gold sequin gown by Rachel Zoe. Who said stylists can't be designers?  From what I've read the gown was custom made for Kurkova and that's the kind of eye needed to create a look so perfectly suited for the woman and the occasion. Put this one in the Met Gala history books as iconic.  

 

Styling the Michael Antonio Holiday Lookbook

LLOYD KLEIN COUTURE silk jersey gown. GLYNNETH B earrings. WESTERN FASHION rhinestone bracelets.

 

 

How do you get dressed up for the Holidays? With the right shoes of course.

Recently, I was asked to style the Michael Antonio Holiday lookbook featuring 'It Girl' Caroline D'Amore. The concept was to shoot Caroline celebrity paparazzi style in Los Angeles. Photographer Mike Rosenthal was brought in to capture the Hollywood glam-meets-lifestyle look. From the chic loft to shopping in downtown and to the club for the party, here are key looks from Michael Antonio's Paparazzi Holiday collection. The collection is available online and if you're in Los Angeles, you're in luck. The Michael Antonio Pop-Up Store is open until Dec. 22 at 517 W. 7th St in downtown LA. Get your shoes and boots for the holidays. And the clothing? It's all available. Click, click the links to get the look. A special thank you to everyone who helped with this shoot.

Happy Holidays!

 

LLOYD KLEIN COUTURE tux blazer and dress. GLYNNETH B necklace. 

 

On him: ANTHONY FRANCO blue suit jacket. MATIAS t-shirt. FALLING WHISTLES brushed-metal necklace. KASIL WORKSHOP “Davidson” jean. On her: KILL CITY knit cardigan, cowl-back tee and leather shorts. DARA ETTINGER amethyst necklace. LIZ LARIOS pyrite cuff. SEREFINA wrap bracelet. BRYNA “Nido” fringe clutch.

 

LLOYD KLEIN COUTURE camel blazer. KASIL WORKSHOP “Benatar” jean. SUSANA MONACO black tank. BRYNA “Serrano” hobo bag. URBAN POSH stack rings.

On her: STRETTA red “Carla” dress. GLYNNETH B bracelet. HEATHER HAWKINS clutch.On him: ANTHONY FRANCO studded leather jacket. KILL CITY waxed tee. KASIL WORKSHOP “Bowie” jean. 

 

 

 

Beck X Autumn De Wilde Book Launch: A Pictorial

 

 

 

 

What do Rodarte and Beck have in common? Autumn De Wilde.

Both are frequent subjects of the talented photographer, and now, De Wilde has published a new book of photographs dedicated to Beck, a longtime friend and muse. It also features a behind-the-scenes Q&A between the pair to boot. I stopped by Bookmarc in Los Angeles to check out the action at the signing and release party. The photos say it best.

 

 

Me and Dear Creatures designer Bianca Benitez, photo courtesy of Papermag.com

 

 

G-Star RAW Opens on Rodeo - Chic Crowd Included

 

Mark Ronson

 

 

 

A very chic crowd turned out to celebrate G-Star's opening of its first "Raw" denim store on Rodeo Dr.  With mega-producer Mark Ronson spinning tunes and French actress and G-Star's new campaign model, Clemence Poesy, on the red carpet, the party made Rodeo Dr. history with its uber-cool factor. We stopped by to check out the action at the filled to capacity store and, yes, what they were wearing. G-Star denim, of course. Anton Corbijn, Joel McHale, Mischa Barton, Zelda Wiliams and True Blood's Ryan Kwanten were just a few of the guests in attendance. For more photos, check SocialiteLife.com

 

Clemence Poesy, photo courtesy of Vogue.com.au

Crowded house 

Mischa Barton, photo courtesy of SocialieLife.com

G-Star on display 

The Lookbook's Rhonda Richford and N. Jayne Seward, photo by J. Everette Perry

 

 

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."

 

Tel Aviv Fashion Week

 

Ishtar

 

 I've just returned from Tel Aviv....

I was there covering its first ever fashion week - or at least the first in over 30 years. As Fashion Editor for Apparel News, I was invited to cover this historic occasion along with journalists from around the world including England, Italy, Russia, Mexico and the US. It was an international event and that's exactly what was on the runway. Like the city of Tel Aviv, its fashion was not only modern, but infused with culture. Organizers brought in the big-guns - that is Roberto Cavalli - to create a high profile fashion debut. The Italian designer showed his Spring 2012 collection to help kick start the Nov. 21 to 23 run of the event at HaTachana, Tel Aviv's historic train station. Israeli designers ranged from established names such as Gideon Oberson of Gottex fame to upcoming talents from the renowned Shenkar College of Engineering and Design whose alumnae include the one-and-only Alber Elbaz. Top names on the runway included Sasson Kedem, Yaniv Persy, Yossef, Alembika, Dorit Bar Or, Ishtar, Israel Ohayon and Project Runway Israel's Alon Livne. Here are a couple of highlights from the week. For more, go to my home base at ApparelNews.net.....I'll be posting coverage throughout the week.

 

 

Israel Ohayon

 

Ido Recanati

Gideon and Karen Oberson, photo by Avi Valdman

a
Alon Livne

 
Alembika

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

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

 

DIESEL: KILLIN' it in PARIS

 

 

Diesel + The Kills

VIP Room

Paris

 

10-01-11

 

 

Get Ready to Shop At A Current Affair Next Week!

 Vintage lovers are you ready?

Another edition of A Current Affair is set to debut next weekend. Over 25 top vintage collectors including Scout, Tavin, Mercy Vintage, Siren Vintage and New/Found will set up shop in the Penthouse of the Cooper Design Space.  Wren's Melissa Coker will host and Edith Abeyta will create a special art installation. Sept. 24 and 25. Vintage clothing. Art. Music. Drinks. Don't miss it!

For more information go to itsacurrentaffair.com.

 

Covering Fashion's Night Out in LA

 

 

Smashbox Studios & Ron Herman presented a Pop Up Fashion Photo Studio at Fred Segal Melrose
 

 

From Christian Louboutin and Philip Lim on Robertson Blvd. to Kill City and Fred Segal on Melrose, I braved the crowds to cover Fashion's Night Out for Apparel News. For the third year in a row, the style set around the globe has joined forces on one night to celebrate fashion. The shopping extravaganza organized by Vogue and the Council of Fashion Designers of America was originally created to help stimulate the economy - and it’s become a whole lot of fun. Retailers, designers and editors joined celebs and the general public in a multitude of events throughout the evening. Think bands, games, one-of-kind products, food trucks and more! There were plenty of people out in LA. Finding parking was the most challenging aspect of party hopping across town, but it was worth the effort. Here are some fashionable pics of the night.

Enough said.

 

La la Love Louboutins!

Philip Lim VIP Room

 

Color block. Check. Philip Lim. Check. Check.

 

 

Rock n' roll chic 

c

Color block

Photographer Dirk Mai and model Katrina Hunter Cope

 

 

Natalia Nazarova 

Paper Mag's J Everette Perry and yours truly. The dress? Vintage. Leggings? Brian Lichtenberg

 

 

Fashion's Night Out's Finest

 

Anna Dello Russo, Hamish Bowles, and Karolina Kurkova at Macy's in New York, courtesy of Fashionologie

 

 

Fashion's Night Out was a fashionable night indeed. Celebs, editors and designers converged for one night in a massive shopping party. Why? To celebrate fashion of course. I was in LA covering the scene (more on that soon), but here is a look at some of the chicest looks as featured in Fashionologie. My favorite look of the night? The beautiful Prabal Gurung leather dress pictured below worn by Sarah Jessica Parker. More images from FNO around the world here.

 

Sarah Jessica Parker in Prabal Gurung at Fred Leighton in New York, photo: Getty/Fashionologie

 

It's Fashion's Night Out. Where Will You Celebrate?

 

 

 

Vogue's Fashion's Night Out is being celebrated around the world tonight. Where will you be? 

I'll be out and about covering events in LA. Question is, just how much can I possibly fit in? The hot indie band Cults is playing at Philip Lim, a multitude of events are being staged at Fred Segal, "The Salt.Orialist" event is at Gogosha Optique and what about the stores on Melrose with all kinds of chicness?!! It's sure to be a fun night with giveaways, designer meet and greets - and yes, happily the grilled cheese truck!!! My night might go something like this: Collect a key at Alexander McQueen, stop by Arcade to get shoes autographed by Jerome Rousseau and then shop the special Moschino collection at Resurrection. Philip Lim and Fred Segal are a "must" and then after-party at the Mondrian. Yes, it will be chic night out with tons of street fashion to be seen! The challenge will be planning it out. Luckily Racked has mapped out the night from ferris wheel rides at FNO in the 90210 to the Beverly Center down Melrose and to the La Brea Block Party. To plan your night, check the map here.

 

Alexander McQueen FNO 2011 from Alexander McQueen on Vimeo.

 

At Alexander McQueen flagship stores in New York, Los Angeles, London and Milan collect a limited number of FNO2011 keys which will contain a special code. The prize? The chance to win the iconic Folk tote. You can also purchase a limited-edition crystal skull ring (pictured below).  

 

 

 

RACKED LA's FNO Guide!!

                                                                                                  

                                                                                                    photo courtesy of Racked

 

 

FNO Heats Up With The Lanvin Dance-Off!!

 

  

 

Fashion's Night Out is almost here.. And what better way to celebrate than the Lanvin dance-off??!!!  Last year the French house converted its store on Madison Avenue into a game night venue. This year guests can get their groove on. The contest is inspired by the dance moves in its Fall 2011 campaign video featuring Karen Elson and Raquel Zimmerman. You know its uber cool since it was directed by Steven Meisel - think couture clothes, and some serious fun!! Elson and Zimmerman will serve as judges for the contest - all the details on Vogue Daily. If you plan to join the FNO festivities and are seeking inspiration - be sure to practice the moves in the Fall campaign video. And just for fun, have a look at the Spring 2011 video below  - love, love the kitsch and the drama!!