VeryVeryChic

"Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel"

 

 

 

 

Earlier this week I was honored to be invited to watch a screening of "Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel" and cover the event for Apparel News. The screening was the opening event for the Costume Council at LACMA's year long schedule of unique fashion programming. And I felt I really must share! It's one of those life changing inspiring moments when you get to watch the life and career of a fashion legend unfold before your eyes on the big screen. Directed and produced by Lisa Immordino Vreeland (the wife of Diana's grandson Alexander), the documentary is incredibly detailed and candid. It includes live interviews with Vreeland (whose words are to be devoured and savored!) - as well as the who's who of the fashion set. Richard Avedon, Manolo Blahnik, Angelica Huston are just a few poeple who shared their thoughts on the former Fashion Editor of Harper's Bazaar and Editor of Vogue magazine. Truly, she is the original and the "empress of fashion." As a fashion editor and creative director, I am incredibly inspired by the film which portrays Vreeland's very chic life and the vision that she had. After all, it isn't every day you get to watch the woman who literally created the idea of fashion editorial and the intersection of lifestyle, celebrity and fashion as we know it today! Who else could discover Twiggy and Lauren Bacall, feature Barbra Streisand and Mick Jagger and be a special consultant to Jackie O?

I found myself later comparing the film to "The September Issue," which I saw at the Sundance Film Festival when it debuted. Both are inspiring, but in different ways. While "The September Issue" gives a look at the careers and lives of Anna Wintour and Grace Coddington and Vogue's powerful role in the fashion world today. This documentary, gives a look into Vreeland's career and how she literally changed the face of fashion during her reign from 1937 to the early '70s. Her final legacy was to create the notion of "fashion as high art." As special consultant to the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, she revitalized the department and created dramatic fashion exhibitions, which paved the way for exhibitions as we know them today. Think "Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty." 

"Diand Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel" debuted at the Venice International Film Festival and the Telluride Film Festival and will soon be released to the public on September 21. Watch the trailer for a sneak peek. And for more about the documentary and a Q&A with the director, check the Apparel News blog. Get inspired. Enjoy!!

XOXO 

 

 

                                                                    photos courtesy of DianaVreeland.com

 

 

A Blonde, Blonde World

 


 

 

The world has gone blonde.

Or at least the fashion world, that is. Have you noticed all of the blonde imagery recently? And it's not just blonde, it's doppelganger blonde. Most of the imagery is based on a carbon copy effect. I'm not sure what the underlying meaning is, but it's feeling a little sci-fi. First there's H&M's glam factory video with Donatella Versace and her multiple, lookalike blondies, then there's W Magazine's December cover featuring sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning and finally, Numéro's androgynous shoot with Ginta Lapina and Andrej Peji. Yep, it's official, blonde is decidedly in.

 

 

 

Ginta Lapina & Andrej Peji for Numéro #128

Editorial Obsession: Ginta Lapina & Andrej Pejic for Numéro #128

                                                   photos courtesy of Numéro via fashiongonerogue

 

 

The terms doppelganger and androgyny have reached a whole new level.

I'm currently obsessed with "Les Gémeaux," the latest editorial out in Numéro (my fashion Bible!)  It features lookalike models Ginta Lapina and Andrej Pejic. Sebastian Kim shot the ultra glossy images for issue #128 with the sleek blonde duo - it's so well done it's somewhat surreal and at the same time awe inspiring! And the fashion? Ultra chic. Some of the best looks for Fall by Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Ralph Luaren, Louis Vuitton and more. 

Join the conversation. What are your thoughts on the shoot? 

 

 

 

Anna Dello Russo - Bedecked in BOWS

 

 

 

 

 

If you need an indication that fashion is taking a feminine turn, take a look at Anna Dello Russo bedecked in bows at Paris Fashion Week. Lace, sequins and some serious shades required.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VeryVeryChic LOVES: CAFÉ GRATITUDE

 

                                                                                                    photos courtesy of Cafe Gratitude

 

 

"I Am Dazzling" "I am Connected," "I am Courageous" "I am Grateful" may seem like a Jack Handy kind of validation list, but it's actually the menu for the delectable Vegan restaurant Café Gratitude. The Woody Harrelson-endorsed cafe opened earlier this year on Larchmont Avenue in Los Angeles and has become a mecca for Larchmont's chic entertainment scene. Everyone from actors to producers, studio execs and  yoga Moms frequent the hot spot located just south of Hollywood Blvd. Originally founded in the Missiom District of San Francisco, it has six locations in the Bay area and a farm in Vacaville, Calif. where all of its produce is grown. After an extremely busy summer (and dare I say toxic diet), it's my latest happy discovery. I went there recently to have lunch with and upon the suggestion of the lovely Elissa Kravetz of Kravetz PR. The menu, made from 100% organic raw and cooked food, is indeed transformational. Think beyond fresh juices and the requisite wheatgrass shot to the "I Am Calm" pot of chamonmile tea infused with lemongrass, lemon myrtle, and spearmint; the "I Am Fulfilled" salad with mixed greens, carrots, beets, tomatoes, sprouts, avocado and teriyaki almonds; and the "I Am Extraordinary" BLT sandwich with sautéed maple coconut, romaine lettuce, sliced tomato and avocado served with chipotle aioli on toasted Panini bread. Hungry yet?!! And then there is the "I Am Grateful." It's a community supported grain bowl (shredded kale, quinoa, black beans and garlic-tahini sauce) created to allow for those in financial need to have access to organic vegan food. Payment is by donation and no one is turned away. Promoting consciousness and sustainability as well as health and well being for all including the planet? Awesome. And it couldn't be more chic. 

 

 

Café Gratitude

639 N. Larchmont Blvd. 

Los Angeles, CA 90004

(323) 580-6383

 

There are Three Kates in London (and they all got married this year)

 

Kate Moss for Agent Provocateur bridal, photo: Fashionista

 

Make that three. Kate, Katie, Katherine......

From the Royal nuptials to the wedding of fashion royalty, this has been the year of romance. There are three Kates in London and the world knows all about their biggest day. The couture gowns alone conjure up visions of fairytales - Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, Gareth Pugh and John Galliano. Need I say more? And then there are the flowers, the hats, the cakes and star studded guest lists. It's simply the year for the glamorous occasion. (I suspect the wedding business is very, very good right now with all this chicness to live up to!) The highly televised wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William captured the attention of millions igniting the fairtytale imaginations of women and girls worldwide. We can't seem to get enough of the Duchess of Cambridge's style. And, yes, the Princess Catherine and Prince William dolls were released just yesterday. The fashionista wedding of Dazed & Confused's Fashion Editor Katie Shillingford (best friend of Gareth Pugh) to Alex Dromgoole - lesser known to the masses, was highly blogged and covered in fashion circles. And now Vogue has featured an elaborate photo spread by Mario Testino in its highly anticipated September issue - dubbing Kate Moss' nuptuals to Jamie Hince the most romantic wedding of the year. Perhaps there is only one Kate in London....

For more on each wedding...click the links...

 

THE ROYALS

photos courtesy of People

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

The Royal procession

The Dress. The $400,000 dress that is by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen set to go on display at Buckingham Palace this summer, photo courtesy of Stylecaster

 

photos courtesy of lbtimes.com

 

Dolls

 

KATIE SHILLINGFORD & ALEX DROMGOOLE

Photos courtesy of Amy Gwatkin/AnotherMag

Hairdresser Alex Brownsell fixing Stephen Jones' veil on Shillingford

Katie Shillingford and Gareth Pugh

First dance

 

KATE MOSS and JAMIE HINCE

Photos courtesy of Vogue

Kate Moss and Jamie Hince as featured in Vogue

Moss and co.

Moss and daughter Lila Grace

ROCK STARS: Hince and Moss channeling a modern-day Mick & Bianca Jagger recreating their 1971 backseat wedding portrait


Vogue's September issue

SEXY + CHIC

 

Recent work.....


Photography: Ben Cope/BENCOPE.NET

Styling: N. Jayne Seward/NORMAJAYNE.COM

 

 

PARIS STREET CHIC: Models, Models, Models

Freja Beha

Models.

They make everything look good and the photographers at Paris Fashion Week know it. Following the many shows taking place during the week, camera crews would linger to shoot the models in paparazzi style fashion on their way to the next event. Here is some of the action I caught following a few of the shows. And yes, there are some trés chic looks to be seen! Everything from fur coats to leather jeans and jackets, combat boots, trench coats, hats and the requisite long dress. 

(More images after the break!!)

 

 

 

Loving Another Mag's Loves....

 

Andy Warhol portrait of Elizabeth Taylor circa 1963
  




    I'm loving AnotherMag's Loves blog. The magazine has a global network of contributors that handpicks exquisite luxury items. Think a vintage Cartier evening bag 1961, a sketch of Karl Lagerfeld by Karl Lagerfeld, a Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal bow tie and a rare Liz Taylor portrait by Andy Warhol set to go on sale at Christie's. They love to share these unique finds, so now I'm sharing them with you. Here are a few of my favorites. For more tune in to AnotherMag.com.

 



Bespoke Chanel No 5 by Squint 

   

Chau Har Lee shoes
 

 
When You Travel in Iceland You See a Lot of Water, A travel book by Roman Signer and Tumi Magnússon 
 

 

Boudicca pleated print top

 

Paula Selby Avellaneda "Clean Up Nicely" graduate collection from the Antwerp Academy 
 

 

Stolen Girlfriends Club cable knit shorts

June Newton was as much a provocateur as her late husband Helmut Newton. A photo exhibition featuring her prolific body of work recently opened at the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin.
 
 


Givenchy suede over-the-knee boots   

  

Quote of the Day

 "I'm selfish, impatient 

                           and a little insecure. 

I make mistakes....

              

 I am out of control 

and 

at times hard to handle.

But if you can't handle me at my 

worst, 

                        

then 

you 

sure 

as 

hell 

     

don't deserve 

me 

at my best." 

                                                              

                                                          - Marilyn Monroe

 

Chateau. Marmont. Chocolate. Plate.

   A highlight of Fashion Week.....An evening at the Chateau Marmont and this delectable chocolate plate. No. Words. To. Describe. Except. Very, Very Delish!!!

    

 
 

   

Tribal Dance

 

photos courtesy of 160grams.com

  This may be one of the coolest if not slightly bizarre editorials I've seen on an online mag. 160 G does it again with this Summer fashion feature. Shot by Pamela Reed and Matthew Rader, the shoot is part modern-day amazon and part rag doll. The tribal theme is all over the runways for Fall 2010 and this editorial captures the mood with a wild bohemian flair. It's easy to see why online mags are the wave of the future. LOVE!!!

For the full story, click here.
 

 
 

Furrrrrry Headdresses!!!

  

                                                photos: Marcio Madeira/Firstview.com via Style.com

 Maison Martin Margiela does it again. I heart!!!!! 

These are sure to be a "must have" for Fall 2010.

   

 
 

  

Hair Coooat!!

 

 

   Margiela hair coat??!!!! 

It was a chic scene at the Band of Outsiders presentation at Milk Studios in New York last weekend. This is just one of the fabulous fashionistas in attendance. More street chic and NY coverage on the way soon.....To read my coverage of the Band of Outsiders presentation go to ApparelNews.

  
    

Sleep Suit

                                                                                  photo: Blogitecture

  
 Need more personal space, a mid-day power snooze or just a temporary escape?

The "Sleep Suit" may be the answer. Designed by Columbia University GSAPP, the "Sleep Suit" was created to challenge the idea of personal space in relationship to the human body and its surrounding environment. According to Blogitecture, the suit is inspired by Buckminster Fuller's practice of Dymaxion Sleeping, which involves four 30-minute naps over a period of 24 hours, and the material requirements to meet the conditions. The unique structural pleated technique used to create the suit is a vehicle for creating feelings of connected and disconnectedness. It also provides varying levels of support for different parts of the body. Personal space? Yes. Comfortable? That remains to be seen. Chic? It's couture sleepwear in a "Snuggie" sort of way. Clearly the "Sleep Suit" puts the "Snuggie" to fashion shame. For a more indepth read and a study on the construction of the suit go to Blogitecture.com.