Figuring-Out Transitional Dressing with some help from Iman, Loulou, Gwen, and Other Star Designers

Text, Vivian Kelly

At times, I hate April.

To me, April Fools’ Day means to me is that I’m going to have to figure out how to transition from winter bear-mode dressing to something lighter but not overdo it and end up being cold because I’ve underdressed.

The obvious solution is “layer dressing” and you’ve read and heard this “fashion tip” a bazillion times.

What changes is THE PIECES you need to accomplish this and the trick in looking current is to decide just what these pieces are.

Before I had time to think about it too hard, an email from Lily Salembier of Paul Wilmot Communications hit my mailbox and took care of my problem.

It was chock full with of the moment items from some of my favorite ladies in the fashion biz: Iman, Gwen Stefani, Loulou de la Falaise, Donna Karan.

Updating your Transitional Wardrobe with the items we feature here does not involve a major financial investment if you’ve already got some key pieces such as the perfect trench in your closet and ballet flats or the of the moment loafers, or wedges you can actually walk in. What’s the point of being blessed with good weather if your feet hurt so much that you can’t possibly handle taking a walk in the Park to enjoy it?

The updated items I’m loving are as follows:

A jacket from IMAN Global Chic

Patterned hosiery from DKNY

Edgy sweaters from L.A.M.B.

Fun scarves from Improvd

Wedges from Loulou de la Falaise for HSN

Bright colors on your nails from butter London

THE PIECES, broken-down

IMAN’s Global Chic Spring Safari Jacket is ideal for April’s typically rainy weather. Drawstring details, its light weight and neutral color make it a spring wardrobe staple.

Here’s a color tip – choose a neutral that enhances your complexion. Before purchasing one of these jackets, printout the swatch of the colors you’re thinking about and hold them up to your face. You’ll know which one to buy, right away. The wrong neutral can actually make you look sallow, with ugly yellow or green undertones. The right one makes you look polished and sophisticated and who doesn’t want some of THAT?

IMAN Global Chic Spring Safari Jacket, $89.95, HSN.com

Next, trade in bulky winter sweaters for funky lightweight knits. I like mine handmade – my Mother is a genius knitter, but there are other cool options. If you don’t have time for knitting, Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. oversized pointelle top is comfortable and fashion-forward, layered over a casual top. I’m loath to part with my cherished Michael Kors 3-ply cashmere oversize turtlenecks, but when it’s time, it’s time. The L.A.M.B. sweater has a cute shape and you’ll feel as if you lost weight after losing all those bulky layers and scarves.

Last but not least, get a new scarf, but something lighter-weight, maybe viscose instead of cashmere. I’ve always found that having a scarf around my neck keeps me warm after the sun goes down, and the temperature takes a dive.

At the fall 2011 Libertine show, the CFDA’s Associate Executive Director, Lisa Smilor, told me about a new line she loves called Improvd. After some searching, I found quite a few on Tobi.com. They’re well priced at well under $50 and add that Gypset edge to your transitional dressing.

**SO, what transition pieces are you wearing to get you through the weeks until Memorial Day? I’d like to know. Leave a comment and share your resources!

Jeremy Scott’s Pop Culture Excess- the fall2011 Show and Swatch Watches

“….excuse me?

Yes? I’m on the list.

The list? ??There. Is no0000 guest list tonight!”

Text, Vivian Kelly

I found this opening “statement” from Jeremy Scott’s latest show soundtrack particularly meaningful.

SURE… there was “no guest list”. That’s why the line at MILK Studios snaked around and around the downstairs holding pen, cum. art gallery and into the street. “No tickie no laundry”, for sure on this one. We bumped into The Daily Beast’s Robin Givhan, who decided she just didn’t have the time to wait. Maybe it was Vanessa Hudgens‘ presence at the show that was partially responsible for the delay.

So far, not so good, but a good fashion show is always late.

Jeremy and Kelly Cutrone and the gang at Peoples Revolution always put on a good show. He’s not a designer to slave over the Pantone color chart and I love him for being an indie rebel designer at heart, even though he’s no longer “a young designer” or “emerging”.

He has not happily, “grown-up” and abandoned his fun aesthetic in order to make “saleable” clothes. He’s found another way – which we’ll talk about a little bit later in this post.

Hint: A good collaboration does wonders for one’s bottom line and coffers.

As far as the actual show, can you say fun and logo or maybe brand mania are the words I’m looking for? If you love Coke [“The Real Thing”], Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, this is it for you.

There’s some college girl wear here kicking back to the Eighties wear of my youth- big chunky sweaters t wear on cold days that are vaguely Fair Isle as well as striped sweaters and scarves.

For evening the vibe’s a bit Spanish Matador. My favorite is the finale Wonder Woman blue sparkly dress that was reminiscent of the invitation to the MET superhero exhibit a few years back.

There was also a reference to Gregg Araki’s film, “Nowhere”, [his 1997cult film]which had the LA slacker vibe and Valley Girl plasticity, which makes it perfectly acceptable to wear a red plastic miniskirt and a poofy angora sweater in bubble gum pink. I couldn’t tell if the girls were chewing Double Bubble gum, but it would have been a nice touch.

This time, he’s brought-in a commercial aspect – a collaboration with Swatch Watches. Collaborations don’t always work, but this one did. There are 3 fun watches to choose from – Lighting Flash, Winged Swatch, and Swatch Opulence. For $70 per, you get to participate in a little of pop culture excess –in a more understated way. Since scooping up the last Lightning Flash one at the Swatch store in Grand Central Terminal, I’ve indulged my inner Valley Girl and worn it every day.

Carolee Contest: WIN Perfect Prom Jewelry and A Few Prom Looks to Consider

Text, Vivian Kelly

The Carolee earrings below are called “Make My Day or Night“, and they would make my day AND night.

Carolee is a terrific resource for jewelry. I was amazed at how good the prom options look and had trouble deciding which ones we are GIVING AWAY HERE in TheFE’s first-annual PROM GIVE-AWAY Contest.

Keep reading, the details on how to enter and win these beauties, below.

Last year, I realized just how big a deal prom is. I was sitting in my local Aveda [Shine] Salon and happy to have scored a color appointment. The colorist, hair stylists, aestheticians, and nail techs were booked solid with Prom Appointments.

At first, I thought they were kidding.Not at all. Prom is big business. The average high school girl, my stylist told me will get a facial, waxing, mani/pedi, highlights, makeup application, and an appointment for an updo. It’s kind of become like the rehearsal for one’s wedding day preparation.

And that’s just the beauty part. By the time you’ve sat in the salon, you’ve nailed your perfect outfit, which is completely possible without totally blowing what you’ve budgeted for the the dress, shoes, bag, and the jewelry.

No, you cannot skimp on the accessories because it is the details that make or break an outfit, as we see year after year at the Academy Awards.

Most teens can’t afford Van Cleef & Arpels, or serious Tiffany Jewelry, but there ARE some really great well-priced options out there that you won’t chuck or try to return the morning after.

**Here, as promised, are the details -

Style Name: Make My Day or Night Button Clip Earrings

Retail Price: $38

**TO WIN, all you have to do is to send us a comment, at TheFE telling us which dress YOU would wear with these earrings.

You don’t even have to be a prom goer to enter. I see myself wearing these from desk to dinner, and my prom was many many years ago.

We are only giving 5 pairs away so enter right away before you forget.

Contest Starts: March 26th

ENDS: April 2nd.

Winners will be announced in a full-on post HERE on Monday, April 4th.

Getting back to the rest of your outfit, don’t turn your nose up at lower-end retailers as go-to places to shop.

For shoes, I suggest Payless [particularly Lela Rose designs].

For the dress, J. Crew makes some classically beautiful gowns in their bridal collection.

For some really stylish options, whip out your Teen Vogue Prom Supplement.

We’re head over heels with their “Prom Queen” page. The White by Vera Wang Dress really DOES “channel your inner Cinderella”.

Those Carolee earrings would look amazing with it.

Good Luck ladies!

Shopping Info

Make my Day or Night earrings, available at Macy’s

Assouline’s spirit of St. Barth’s – THE exclusive contest!

Text, Vivian Kelly

Contest Details and images from book, courtesy of Mimi Crume, Assouline Publishing

I have never been to St. Barth’s [Saint Barthelemy].

As a nearly 20-year fashion veteran, that is downright embarrassing, and I’ve gotten used to the incredulous looks other fashionistas give me when I confess. Thing is, I’m definitely not the only one. Fortunately, Assouline Publishing may help to correct this travel deficiency.

TODAY, Assouline is launching a contest to win a trip to this stylish island, and the opportunity to stay at the best place on it – LE SERENO.

Le Sereno was designed by Parisian designer Christian Liaigre, and is “the reincarnation of the iconic Sereno Beach Hotel – an intimate, elegant sanctuary.”

Ahhh, are you packed yet?

ASSOULINE’s first foray into social media contests with the promotion of In the Spirit of St. Barths by Pamela Fiori. Inside, you’ll discover that she’s done a wonderful job of sharing the history of the island and unearthing its best secrets. The book is the newest title from the travel series that I started collecting a few years back when I bought A Privileged Life, when author Susanna Salk was promoting it at a PA at J.Crew in New Canaan. Most recently, I added Gypset Style to the collection, after Assouline’s CEO, Robert S. Mitchell told me about it at a party at the Plaza. I got the 411 at the Assouline Blogger Party, last night, from Mimi and Luis F. Contreras, who’s from Le Sereno.

Cover of Pamela Fiori's In the Spirit of St Barths

Getting back to the contest and the book. Ms. Fiori’s book is gorgeous and if you’re not dying to go to St. Barths by the time you’ve finished flipping through In the Spirit of St. Barths, you’re immune to temptation and fun. After all, who doesn’t love a contest, especially when the prizes are this good?

The contest is easy and fun. All that’s required from you to enter is a creative response, five minutes on Assouline’s Facebook page, and a little bit of luck.

To get in on this online competition, go to ASSOULINE’s Facebook page, and answer the question: “What are your three essential getaway pieces?”

NO, the “pieces” don’t HAVE to be clothes. It could be the guitar you take to entertain your friends around a beach bonfire, a photograph of your Mother and Father on THEIR honeymoon in Acapulco, your favorite plush teddy bear, Penhaligon‘s “Blue Bell” talcum powder, a pair of your favorite Tod’s, broken-in to slipper-like comfort. Anything goes. Just don’t dither too much because you’ve only got until April 4th to enter.

*****CONTEST DETAILS:

CLICK HERE - the direct link to the Assouline Facebook Page Contest

WHO: ASSOULINE, Pamela Fiori, Le Sereno, Vivre.com
WHAT: SPIRIT OF ST. BARTHS CONTEST
First Prize: A trip to St. Barths; round-trip airfare and ferry travel from St. Maarten for two; a three-night stay at Le Sereno, including breakfast for the duration of the stay and dinner for two guests; and a complimentary Mini Cooper for use throughout the vacation. In short, everything, all-inclusive!

Second Prize: The Ultimate Getaway Bag from Vivre.com

Third Prize: A collection of ASSOULINE’s In the Spirit of series
WHERE: Contest lives on ASSOULINE’s Facebook page and will be promoted through Twitter@AssoulinePub, Tumblr at http://www.assoulinepublishing.tumblr.com and all retail locations
WHEN: Contest will launch Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7:00pm and last through Monday, April 4, 2011, 12:00pm
Winners will be announced on Monday, April 11, 2011!

If you don’t win, you can still lose yourself in the pages of Pamela Fiori’s Book, as I did last night before drifting off to sleep dreaming of turquoise water and sunny skies.

I’ve spent the morning thinking about what 3 items I’d take. Problem is, I’ve got 4: Jeremy Scott‘s Ltd Edition Swatch Watch, straw shoes, a Lilly octopus print purse and BlueBell talc. The editing continues!

Early March – Things of Note, Fashion Patchwork Pictorial

Text, Vivian Kelly

In case you’re wondering, just what in the bleep is a “fashion patchwork pictorial?”, here’s my attempt at an explanation.

I think of it as a colorful brainstorming bazaar.

Dannijo's great collage of gypset style- inspiring!

By the end of the week, I’m a bit overwhelmed with all of the fashion, and style I’ve seen and experienced and need to begin the editing process for the following week.

NYFW is over and I’ve not even gotten close to giving all of the things I attended and the videos I shot the 100% attention they deserve, but fashion never stops, and there’s always something and someone new to report on. One of my BFFs, Theadora Brack, Paris Editor of
Eurocheapo suggested I put up end of week fashion patchwork pictorials to give you readers an idea of what’s out there that’s stylish and noteworthy. Not everything on the pictorial will eventually make it into a full-blown post, but each picture is precious to me because it “sparked something” – as another BFF, Interiors Decorator, Demi Schimenti, likes to say.

*IN THIS WEEK’S PICTORIAL: THE LIMITED, CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, ANOTHER MAN’S TREASURE, BONNIE YOUNG, CALLULA LILLIBELLE, the perfect red lip by makeup artist JENNI SHAW, the “Spectacular Spec Styling Event” at VISION EXPO, and my first-ever INTRAceuticals Oxygen Facial with Tarin Graham. She’s only 23, but she’s got her Mother, Michelle Peck’s magic fingers. Ms. Peck is INTRAceuticals’ spokesperson. She and Tarin both give the REAL Oxygen Facial at the Mzia Shiman Spa on Fifth Ave. A-list celebs such as Naomi Campbell, Rachel Zoe, Katy Perry, and Fergie, have glowing testimonials on the INTRAceutical site and are fans of the Mother-Daughter team. That’s just the beginning though, some of the biggest celebs aren’t on the official list, but I’m sworn to secrecy on that one. The oxygen, by the way, felt fantastic, and the plumped-out effect lasted through the weekend. Below, a pic BEFORE Tarin when to work on me, showing-off Jenni’s custom red lip for spring.

Last but not least, was the jaunt to Hoboken, NJ last Sunday to pick-up some canollis from CARLOS’ BAKERY and a visit TO nearby Jersey City with FE friend and contributor Liza Mulvenna who introduced me to Another Man’s Treasure Vintage Store in Jersey City. It was there that I fell madly in love with the window display – a long plaid Burberry skirt I’m mentally recovering a Queen Anne chair I picked-up at McGeorgie’s Antiques a few years ago. If I do get the skirt [I'm second in line for it], I’ll be calling Kostas, from Kostas Upholstery to make it a reality.

Kostas' Gorgeous Leather Chair and Ottoman

Going back to two weeks ago, Friday, Deborah Hughes’s team got me a one-to-one with chidren’s wear designer, Bonnie Young, whose show I had missed during NYFW. Children’s wear at NYFW? Really? YES, as this is not poncy pretentious stuff, like the former Mrs. Hilfigger used to design for her store, Best&Co. The former Greenwich Avenue shop catered to hedge funders who wanted to look as if their children had grown up on Long Island’s North Shore, and their “Mum” was C.Z. Guest. While the pristine white shirts were gorgeous, having had two children, it seemed absurd to spend 3 $ digits on a white peter pan collared shirt for a toddler who will invevitably soil it with carrot mush on the first or second wearing. Let kids be kids. What’s wrong with tee shirts, jeans and sneakers? If you want to dress them, then go full throttle and have a look at what Bonnie is designing.

Bonnie Young does not design those kinds of items. She designs children’s couture, which is a completely different proposition.

After an invigorating conversation with Bonnie who kindly gave me lots of time even though she was on her way to the country, I met back with Deborah Hughes’ gang at their beautiful new showroom in an historic building on the West Side. There, I fell in love with couturier, William Calvert’s Calulla Lilibelle’s “desk to dinner” line. Deb and I had some fun trying on the clothes, including an Edwardian style tomato red coat I didn’t want to take off.

last Thursday, a visit on a very rainy afternoon to Industria Superstudio in Meatpacking reminded me how great “mass market” fashion can be if it’s done right. Designer Elliot Staples, the congenial Sr. VP of Design of The Limited talked to me about how he and his team and powerhouse Paul Wilmot Communications, are slowly but steadily turning what used to be a very average brand into clothes the Corporate working woman and the suburban soccer mom would be happy to wear. His last collection was good, [the green sheath dress was the #1 item] but this one knocks it out of the box. My favorite item was the camel outfit, such as you’d see the chicly understated women in Milan wearing. Fancy? No. Impeccable? Yes. What drew me to this was that this outfit had STAYING POWER. No embarrassment whatsoever in wearing this a year from now. The solution to “updating it” is simply to change-up the accessories. With luck, Elliot and his team will be giving us some options in the all-important shoe category soon.‘

Sofia Bak’s London Fashion Week fall2011 Picks: Burberry and More

London Fashion Week Coverage, courtesy of Sofia Bak, Founder, of Frolic72.

Edited by Vivian Kelly,with a few comment in pink itals

Thank God for friends. A girl can’t be everywhere and I’m thrilled to have fellow journo, the gorgeous Sofia Bak to rely on for some great London Fashion Week Coverage. We met years ago, at LA Fashion Week, before she moved to the U.K. back when she was doing PR. These days, she’s a journalist/fashion photoshoot producer whose work has been published in international media like Harper’s BAZAAR Russia, Beverly Hills People, London-INFO, 944, IdealBite.com, Beauty Handbook, Item, Glitterati, The Fashion Examiner, etc.

I can always count on her to spot any celebrity in the room [and there were seemingly MORE of them at LFW than at NYFW!]. Just goes to show that New York has been deemed “too commercial” for many of them to bother with NYFW, with the exception of the Marc Jacobs evening show.

I agree 100% with her “. R.I.P. Trends” statement, below. Don’t you?

“We know trends are only there to make the consumer feel the need for certain “must-have” items. But they’re also there to inspire. London fashion however is there to inspire unconformity. Between New York, Paris and Milan, London is a city that represents edge and produces designers that march to the beat of their own drum. This fashion week the designers seemed to say “enough” to the marketing industry and showed us the way to take risks and have fun with our outfits. And by the sour faces front row, I’d say we need a bit of fun. Isn’t it why we’re in the fashion industry in the first place? Because we chose to do what we love? Even though for years we’re forced to work with no pay, live on an occasional canapé, shove our blistered feet in high heels and forget sleep, rest or relationships.”

Keep on reading! Below, a few of the highlights, as reported by Sofia.

On the list, some names you may not yet be familiar with [Kinder Aggugini, Corrie Nielsen] and some that are fashion legend [Burberry, Vivienne Westwood].

Kinder Surprise at the Kinder Aggugini Show

Speaking of flowers, Kinder Aggugini charmed the front row by placing kinder orchids with care instructions on our seats. Some didn’t want theirs so I saved the poor flowers by pinning them to my coat and took them home. Since the hair does have a very distinct trend in a shape of a ponytail this season, Kinder’s models were cone-headed and had their tresses pinned into orchid-like ponytails. The atmosphere was beautiful until the show started and the photographers started yelling at the models to walk away faster so they can shoot the next girl (due to the shape of the runway). This made me laugh at first but then I felt sorry for the models and angry at the photographers. I know it’s their job to do anything to get the picture taken, but there’s no need to be so rude

Newcomer Corrie Nielsen

Corrie Nielsen was someone we saw for the first time and fell in love with at the finale. The models did an incredible job at creating an illusion of a gothic scene, moving like ghosts down the runway to captivating choir music, reminding us of Queen Elizabeth I and her powerful presence.

I’d like to add that although I can only see the back of this gown, it would make a h—l of a wedding dress for Kate Middleton’s April wedding.

Vivienne Westwood

Vivienne Westwood continued with some of the gender swap theme and was appropriately attended by Boy George. Westwood is a trustee of Liberty and continues to use the medium of her shows to talk about culture and politics, more specifically about the urgent need to act against climate change, which makes me love and respect the lady even more. Her rag-doll/scarecrow make-up excited the media, which pictured gold paper-faced model for days to come. As distorted as her models were on the catwalk, Vivienne herself came out as elegant as I’ve ever seen her. Her hair was pinned back in an elegant sea-shell and she wore a stunning blue dress which made her dameness appear very blue blooded indeed.

Burberry – Oy Vey…Oh Yay!

Burberry Prorsum fall 2011, image from catwalking.com

Linn almost had a breakdown on the way to Burberry. Fashion Bus (the press bus) was stuck in traffic and we were reading tweets saying the show was about to start. When we were finally there we ran for the doors and were the last one’s in, some of the other journos from the bus didn’t make it. Running (late) for once paid off for me because I ended up getting a better seat right opposite Kate Bosworth, Rachel Bilson, Ellie Goulding and Mario Testino. But I was a bit disappointed with the show at first. After Bailey’s S/S10 work he can’t seem to exceed my expectations. However, I did enjoy the second leg of the show. Elegant white coats and jackets tied up like presents with black string-belts were very chic.

*I later got the scoop from my BFM agent at Burberry and found out that the clear rain protectors that were used to save the designs from the fake snow at the end are selling like hot cakes. I also have some inside info on Burberry Bespoke…but will not reveal it just yet.

I for one, can’t wait to see what Sofia’s got re: Burberry Bespoke!

To read the full report, go to frolic72.

Costume Jewelry Lover Alert – Chelsea Taylor Sixties and Seventies Inspired Designs

Text, Vivian Kelly

I came across Chelsea Taylor Jewelry while visiting Robert Verdi‘s Luxe Laboratory during the most recent NYFW. Robert is a celebrity stylist/lifestyle guru/taste maven – really, and he’s actually nice and had a great droll sense of humour.

While there, Chelsea Taylor’s rep, Amanda Breault, showed me some truly stunning cocktail rings that are a great addition to any fashion loving girl’s spring wardrobe.

This color-driven line uses Swarovski Elements [a new product band for Swarovski Crystal] and having never taken gemology classes, I’ll be da—d if I can tell the difference. Since consolidating my fine jewelry collection down to a few key pieces, with my jeweler, Paul Tyson‘s guidance, I’m ready for some fun inexpensive pieces I don’t have to insure.

Chelsea Taylor is well priced and offers an impressive number of colored Swarovski crystal hues you can choose from. It falls into the “I’ll have one in every color category” minus the guilt of a possible overdraft on your account because you’ve just succumbed to an indulgence. Each piece is made of sterling silver and rhodium plated. The stones are not all the same, there’s graduation of color which makes it seem more “real” and you can choose from 19 different colors and even work with them to custom design your own piece.

Like everyone else on Earth, you watched at least SOME of the Academy Award Red Carpet arrivals and noticed some of the stunning ice on the A-listers’ ears, necks and wrists, accompanied by heavy duty armed security guys just out of the camera’s lens range.

Chelsea Taylor’s got some pieces you can pick up to get the look for less that are close but not an obnoxious A.B.S. style knock-off and I really like them for that.

Here are some great pieces that bear a flattering RESEMBLANCE to the real deal , Michelle Williams, and Anne Hathaway rocked at the Oscars. *Michelle’s new platinum blonde do, the work of my friends Anthony Palermo and Leonard Zagami, really served to show-off her spectacular earrings. Just last week, I happened to see a pic of her tacked-up in the Salon’s bathroom. If you have short hair, you need earrings like these.

Be patient though, items are custom made and some require up to a 6-8 week wait, but there’s a convenience factor attached. After you’ve completed your design, you can type-in your zip code and pick it up at a store location near you. Love that! These days, convenience is king and the old saw, “Good things are worth waiting for” definitely applies.

Tonight, to relax, I’m going to start designing my own Chelsea Taylor ring, which I’ll show you sometime this spring. I’m thinking “emeralds” for a big honking cocktail ring, but then again, the ruby is my birthstone…

Any suggestions? Please send me a comment!

ESSIE [Weingarten] on Natural Nails – Why They’re The Best

JavaScript required to play Essie Weingarten Talks About Natural Nails and spring's hottest shades.

Text, Vivian Kelly

I love the AAU [Academy or Art University] show as it gives me a chance to see some of the talented students’ designs at the school I’m proud to be an online instructor for.

The show’s always one of the highlights [a full-on post on the latest AAU show coming – later this week].

This time though, I got two shows in one because I finally got my interview with nail Deity, Essie Weingarten, across the runway, front row, with her adorable young friend, Claire, who of course is an Essie fan.

Essie’s “a natural nail girl” – always has been, always will be. Although she sold her company to L’Oreal, she maintains an active role and her enthusiasm for natural nails hasn’t waned the tiniest bit since I met her years ago, backstage at a Ralph Rucci show I was covering as Lucire’s Beauty Editor.

Essie talks about why a mani and pedi can be a girl’s best friend and way cheaper than the other one [diamonds] and advised me on which colors to wear for a warm weather getaway.

On tomorrow’s agenda – a stop by my local nail salon to pick up the 2 shades for my Mexican get-away in April. Ole!

TheFE Loves the Natural Look -MiN New York’s ProEnzyme Microdermabrasion Facial Scrub and Lumene Finland’s Time Freeze Eye Perfecting Treatment

Text, Vivian Kelly

Lately, I’ve been on a kick about “going natural”. This does NOT mean that I’m advocating a no-grooming approach to beauty – not by any means. After attending a swanky launch party for Douglas Hannant at the Payne Whitney on Fifth Ave., I have to agree with my friend, Debby DeMontford’s assessment. Debby is one of the most outspoken and funniest writers I know and you should read her on her site, Crap and Couture. Talk about saying it like it is! I love her for this.

Watch the short video clip of her take on Botox, and Fillers from the party to see what she means.

‘The faces are mostly crap and the clothes are mostly couture.”

I laughed, but she got me thinking very seriously about whether I wanted to continue to march down that road OR if I’d just do what my inner compass kept nagging me to do – “age gracefully and naturally”.

Grace Kelly would have looked ridiculous and desperate if she’d tried to hold on to the youthful beauty she possessed which was immortalized in “To Catch a Thief” and her other Hitchcock flicks. Thank goodness she allowed herself to mature from a Hollywood Starlet to an older but still beautiful International Jet Setter and Princess.

This post is just the beginning, of the conversation I’ve started with you readers trying to answer the question – “natural, or ….not?”. As I keep talking to beauty and fashion folk, I’m simultaneously trying out products that hold potential of delivering some real results. So far, I’ve found a few products that really work – without scary side effects.

For some at-home microdermabrasion, rather than a session at the dermatologist’s, there’s MiN New York‘s ProEnzyme Trio AntiAging Facial Scrub. As Levi Pharaoh promised when he put some samples in my bag, “you will love this”. I do, and use it daily. After rinsing, the L’Oreal Youth Code Day Lotion w/ 30 SPF actually feels as if it’s penetrating my skin. Once the tube runs out, I may just splurge and see if the FOUND Cosmetics SARPA serum MiN carries for $225 a jar really does erase wrinkles. The description is certainly intriguing. “FOUND Sarpa Wrinkle Reducing Serum is a beneficial potion formulated with a peptide that imitates the venom of the Viper of the Temple of the Azure Cloud or Tropidolaemus wagleri.Swiss scientists studied this snake and produced biotechnologically one of the most precious peptides of all time. This peptide is safe and won’t bite you.” IMITATES is the key here. A Botox injection IS actually venom ie: poison and a few $100 more to boot. The cream’s looking like a value from this perspective.

Ditto for Lumene’s Time Freeze which actually does banish undereye puffiness. The potent combo of heather, Metabiotics, Resveratrol and plant proteins feels cool – but no sting.

Lumene Finland's Time Freeze

Another area that causes much anxiety in my household is break-outs. Because my skin is thin and prone to rosacea, I’m terrified when the occasional blemish turns-up on my face. Not dealing with it is not an option and neither is covering it with concealer. Happily, MenScience Androceuticals has a genius zit zapper called Acne Spot Repair. It doesn’t sting or leave the area with an ugly whitish residue like some of the harsher alternatives [like Pro-Active] do. It’s also good for those nasty little blackheads that tend to lodge on the side of your nose no matter how diligent you are with your daily skincare regimen.

Menscience Androceuticals Acne Spot Repair, $21

The fourth product I’m crazy about is a lipstick, and it’s cheap! Maybelline‘s “Moon Beam” #950 is Limited Edition and is one of the top shades for spring. This one’s meant for a day you want to wear the sheerest beige but don’t want goopy gloss. This lipstick is moist and much more attractive than dabbing Vaseline on your lips. Hurry and get it though, because the mini-display at my local Walgreens featuring Christy Turlington was already half empty.

Next up, Nail Queen, Essie Weingarten talks to us about why natural nails are the best way to go and what colors to wear when the weather heats up.

Any guesses on what her personal shades are?

Kate and Naomi Rock the Louis Vuitton fall2011 “Night Porter” Show

Naomi's Bag at the fall2011 Louis Vuitton Show - the bag of the season

Text, Vivian Kelly & Anthony Palermo

Kate Moss Walks the Louis Vuitton fall2011 Show

I went to see my friend, Anthony Palermo, to vamp up my hair. There’s nothing wrong with it but it needed a strong creative eye and if he said, “go silver” I’d do it in a flash. Why? Not because I’m wishy-washy, but because Anthony is blessed with an editorial eye. I’ve been privvy to sneak peaks for wigs he’s created that run in Vogue Italia and V Magazine.

He did not tell me to do anything radical. We decided on a high impact gloss to make my hair look super shiny and healthy.

Most importantly, we talked about the latest Louis Vuitton show. There we were, in MidTown Manhattan, at the Anthony Leonard Salon, gazing at what had just transpired in Paris at the Louis Vuitton show . Anthony whipped out his ipad and showed me the money shots – Kate [Moss] insolently walking down the runway, holding a cigarette in miniscule black hotpants and Naomi [Campbell] in a riding outfit, complete with a jumbo bag that’s sure to blast-off at the counters – if it doesn’t sell out before it hits the LV stores.

Naomi Campbell Walks the fall2011 Louis Vuitton Show

These two supers looked fabulous – for their age, no strike that – for any age.

Harper’s Bazaar dedicates a monthly column to “fabulous at every age” and I love them for it. A highly placed staffer once told me that she dreaded them because it was hard to find someone fabulous who was over 50. Really? ?

The problem is our perception of what “fabulous” means.

At what point did we decide that women had to be frozen in time at an age in which they looked not a day over 25 to look beautiful?

Looking back at my vintage Life Magazine covers, I beg to disagree with this assessment. Jackie O was at least 40 on her cover and her teeth weren’t bleached to Regis Philbin white. Isabella Rosellini’s hair was “too long for her age” and she had wrinkles. No matter.

Maybe Marc Jacobs had similar thoughts running through his head when he decided to have Kate and Naomi walk the end of the Louis Vuitton show – arguably the most important one of the Paris show season.

Says Anthony, gesturing at Kate and Naomi on his Ipad -

“Kate and Naomi at Vuitton, it’s genius, it’s amazing. I love the idea of bringing a woman of that age to the runway because those are the women who are actually wearing the clothes and they can afford them. They’re showing everyone that they’re still relevant, and recognizable. By doing this show, they’re simultaneously elevating themselves and the brand they’re walking for – Louis Vuitton.”

This was Kate’s 1^st appearance on the catwalk in years; she’s too busy designing for TopShop and Longchamps and becoming a mogul in her own right. Naomi’s a celebrity, not a mere faceless model.

Kate channeled Charlotte Rampling in “The Night Porter”, complete withthe ciggy in her hand. We loved the “I can do whatever I want” expression on her face.

Charlotte Rampling in "The Night Porter"

Continued Anthony, “Bringing them back as a surprise element was great, it was back to KNOWING WHO the model on the runway is.

Kate is recognizable, she’s 40, and she can still rock the hotpants and it makes world news. Putting those two models in the LV show is the ultimate publicity stunt – and they only got 1 look each.”

We talked about going to the Paris shows together in the future. Sure, I religiously attend NYFW, but like Anthony, I’m in serious need of a high-octane injection of undiluted glamour, like what went down at Louis Vuitton.

Only in Paris.

Walking to his next appointment, Anthony said, “New York needs to step it up. There’s no element of surprise or glamour;it’s very commercial. Why not just do it at Jacob Javitz? Why put up tents? NYFW is now a trade show in New York.”

The next Paris Fashion Week is in just under 6 months. Time to start planning!