Monthly Archives: May 2011

THE HUNT – the FE’s Farmington Finds

Text, Vivian Kelly

This past Memorial Day Weekend, I took THE HUNT to the Farmington, CT. area. I ended up, kind of predictably, at the West Farms Mall in Farmington, in search of a prom dress.[oops, sorry, Middleschool graduation dance dress]. That was “a fail”, the best find being a white lace-covered cocktail dress that looked to white and too cheap, at Forever 21. The distressed denim overall shorts were adorable and cute in that Daisy Duke like way but we passed as we were on a mission, and it wasn’t for overalls this time around.

The two shopping trips to Westfarms though, were not a total loss though, and here’s why.

Louis Vuitton anyone? The Louis V. store at the Westfarm Malls was closed, but the Sweet Factory was not. It was there that I found a mini LV monogram attaché case $2.99 – mints included.  I snagged the last one.

Speaking of LV, there were a lot of Louis out and the denim Louis was the most popular followed by the standard issue original monogram. Both models were large sized, as were the taupe leather beauties in the window. Total LV’s spotted on 2 trips to the mall – 6.

The HUNT requires energy, ie: food and as a life-long diner aficionado, I insisted we go find one BEFORE shopping. Found – the New Britain diner, winner for “Best Breakfast”  award 2 years running. For under $25, we left with 2 enormous omelets with home fries, 1 giant muffin, 3 tire size pancakes and a side order of scrambled eggs and 3 free 16 oz. juices as a thank you for trying them out.

Done with breakfast, it was time to hit Westfarms again, along with everyone else who decided they’d rather shop than water ski that holiday weekend. Some other trends we spotted at the mall – buzz around the MAC Surf Limited Edition collection. While I didn’t buy the orchid color that had drawn me to the counter in the first place, I did  leave with a tube of VIVA GLAM IV – the perfect neutral shade of daytime red.

As far as the looming spectre of Father’s Day, the score was zip, but I have the email from Levi over at MIN New York to fall back on for that difficult shopping situation.

Don’t You Dare To Miss the Bus! “Discover Shiseido” – bus hopping nationwide beauty tour – Rolling in at a City Near YOU

Text, Vivian Kelly

The bus tour that’s the subject of this post is called “Discover Shiseido” . The multi-city bus tour is the luxury cosmetics’ company’s 1st ever such endeavor.

Still though, “A bus?” you say. “Really?”

Yes, really. THIS is not the yucky downtown bound M1, not by a longshot.

This bus is a goodie-laden vehicle that any beauty lover needs to clear her calendar for if she’s anywhere near one of the key cities the Shiseido mobile  will be hitting.

Just what ARE “major cities?” you may ask.

On the list this time: NYC, DC,  Miami, Houston, LA, San Fran, Seattle, Chicago, Boston.

Ever since I snuck to the TV room, way past my bedtime to watch the late-late-late show “Moon Over Miami”,  [no volume] I’ve been besotted over this glamorous beach City. Many Mercedes-Benz Miami Fashion Weeks later, the luster is still there. This time, the glamour comes courtesy of the Shiseido bus stopping by.

Here’s what’s in store if you can get there, and it’s all FREE.

  • Complimentary Japanese facial massage services
  • Gift certificates for a complete facial treatment at participating Macy’s locations
  • Samples of Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum.  As part of Shiseido’s worldwide best-selling skincare line, this serum regenerates aging cells to help reveal timeless skin in just one day.When the sample arrived, I tried it and I swear, my dry face felt less craggy the next morning. You really do see change in a day. That’s due to the potion’s hylaluronic acid doing its magic.  According to Company studies, an astonishing 97% of women see a reduction of deep wrinkles after using it for 3 weeks. Hopefully, I’ll be one of those lucky ladies.
  • Shiseido is giving away 100,000 samples through-out the course of the bus promo, so there’s more than enough to go around to try it for yourself and to give to some of your BFF’s.
  • Early bird special – the first person to check in at the trailer each day will receive a courtesy full-size bottle of the serum, valued at $80.

If you can’t make the bus, you still have another chance to be a winner by visiting Shiseido USA’s official Facebook page to enter to win a full collection of Shiseido Bio-Performance products (approximate retail value $1,000).

Again, that address is: www.facebook.com/shiseido

MORE FUN WITH SHISEIDO, via your laptop

The 3 brand ambassadors are documenting their experience including Aminat Ayinde, the runner up in ANTM –Aminat is posting daily on her Facebook page and on Shiseido’s Facebook page.

All things though must come to an end. This Shiseido initiative ends in mid-June. 

* I’ll be reporting on the results of using Shiseido’s Bio-Performance Super Corrective Serum at the end of June, here!

Below, a little bit of Shiseido history. After reading this, you’ll agree that Shiseido is one of those rare “venerable brands”.

Shiseido History Lesson

Shiseido stepped into the world of cosmetics in 1897 with the introduction of Eudermine. As its formula was based on the research of Dr. Nagayoshi Nagai of Tokyo Imperial University, who had studied at Berlin University, Shiseido aimed to use scientific methods to develop high-quality cosmetic products just as it had done with pharmaceuticals.

Although other cosmetics on the market at the time used Japanese names, Eudermine was made from the Greek eu, meaning good, and derma, meaning skin. It came in a beautiful glass bottle, and it was affectionately nicknamed “Shiseido’s Red Water” because of the lotion’s vivid color reminiscent of red wine.
Although Eudermine’s formula has been improved with scientific advances and its package redesigned numerous times, it is a long-selling product that is still a favorite among many people since its introduction over one-hundred years ago.
In 1997—the product’s 100th anniversary—Eudermine Global, a symbol of the aesthetic beauty that Shiseido has continuously developed, was introduced simultaneously both in Japan and overseas for the first time in collaboration with the French image maker Serge Lutens.
The lotion’s formula has evolved to “maintain moisture and prevent dry skin” and “regulate your skin’s regeneration.”

Luello Big Giveaway contest – calling all William Rast and J. Brand lovers

Text, Vivian Kelly

Luello is currently hosting a contest that I think would be of interest to you, my readers.

The Contest 411: 

WHAT: Participants can enter to win a $5000 shopping spree on Luello.com.

WHEN: Contest closes on May 31st readers

WHY: The opportunity to win a significantly large prize!

WHERE & HOW: HERE is the link to Luello’s contest:

http://www.luello.com/shop/contest.php

Stars on Luello’s site are William Rast and J Brand. Both boast must-have items that make the cut on any fashionista’s core wardrobe.

A few years ago, as I sat in the audience and watched Erin Wasson model some of the William Rast collection during NY Fashion Week. Prior to that, I’d dismissed it as “just another celebrity brand”. After that show, that’s when I came to a number of conclusions about Rast.

  1. Okay, yes, it does have a celebrity designer – Justin Timberlake. Here’s the “but” part of the equation; Justin is smart enough to have seasoned designers on board to help him realize his vision for the brand.  As such, Rast is not a joke, and deserves to be taken seriously. The film he showed which stared Justin himself and supermodel Erin Wasson did the trick. All of a sudden, jeans looked glamorous.
  2. By the time Rast came into being I was thoroughly sick of “designer jeans”. SO over. The culmination of this feeling was a trip to Neiman’s around three years ago when my Interior Designer gal pal, D, tried on a pair of torn up jeans and wondered if she should get them. They were, I think, Zac Posens, and the price tag read in the high $300’s. My answer then and now, is “no, no, and no.”
  3. Earlier this year, I went to Tarjay and tried on a pair of William Rast for Target jeans and almost bought them. I was impressed by the fit and cut but the fabric stopped me.

Now that I’ve experienced them in their diluted incarnation, I’m quite confident I would fall madly in love with the designer originals. Hopefully, I’ll get to pick up around 10 pair if I’m the lucky winner.

Good Luck!

Pippa Middleton – the New Accidental Celebrity: Pondering Celeb Privacy and Examining her Style

Text, Vivian Kelly

We’re all weary of THE ROYAL WEDDING. Yes, Kate Middleton looked fantastic in Sarah Burton’s Grace Kelly inspired gown. Yes, the wedding was everything and more than we’d anticipated. Yes, I got up at 3:30a.m. and watched it live. As a die hard fashionista, how could I not?

So far, no surprises here.

What WAS surprising was the furor over Kate’s baby sister, Pippa. One of my BFF’s Theadora Brack, Paris Editor for EuroCheapo did not like the dress. The problem? The crease in the back.

We all did agree that the hair was nice and suitable and natural for a woman her age.


I liked her hair at the Wedding and below, Kevin Manuso gives the 1-2-3 of how to do this style at home.

She looks nice by day,her clothing style,  is young and casual – DVF, and I think, Ralph Lauren for the jeans and pink blazer as seen in images I found on The Fashion Spot.  When it comes to choosing between her and her older sis, I’d go with the Duchess, style-wise.

Once we turned -off the TV mid-way through the wedding, I didn’t really think about Pippa anymore other than to ask new friend, actor/director Jonny Elkes, how you pronounced her name and what he, an Englishman, thought of the whole Royal Wedding hysteria. After that, I took a break from Royal anything until I read an email of a post one of my favorite sites, Scallywag and Vagabond regarding the topless shots of Pippa taken on vacation.

It sound ridiculous, but I actually mulled this around in my mind for a while.

Two leading questions persisted:

1. She’s enjoying the benes of being “a public figure”. As such, does she have any rights regarding her “privacy”? Most US-based celebs have resigned to the answer being, “NO”. As such, they take pains (for the most part) to fly under the radar.

Jackie O famously fought off her most famous “stalker” – Paparazzi, Ron Galella and actually took him to court over it. She was photographed buck naked, which is something to get upset about. Jackie, rode it out, fabulously, cool as a cucumber.

Brava!

Pippa’s suing but really – in these shots she’s in  an ocean and they were taken BEFORE Kate was for sure going to marry Wills and become Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

So, does she get to keep her privacy while in a public space or does Pippa now belong to the public?

What do you think? I’d like to know!

ENDNOTES & STYLING INFO

**If you’d like to have a go at Pippa’s hairstyle as she wore it to The Royal Wedding, here is the 1-2-3 how-to, courtesy of star stylist Kevin Manucso.

An email from PR dynamo, Kate Deponte [below] tells you just how star stylist Kevin Mancuso styles this look. It’s a good one for long-haired girls.

STYLE 1-2-3:

  • Apply a volumizer like Nexxus Mousse Plus to damp hair
  • Part hair slightly to one side and blow dry with a large round brush.
  • Once dry, wrap small sections of hair around a 1 inch barrel curing iron.
  • Tease hair slightly at the crown with a fine tooth comb to create added height and texture that will help hold a decorative a barrette or fresh flowers (added later).
  • Pull sides of hair back and secure with a hair tie, leaving the rest flowing and free.
  • Gently pin up small sections of the hair around the base of the crown, arrange curls neatly before securing with bobby pins
  • Spray hair with a strong hold hairspray, Nexxus Maxximum 
    • Add a decorative barrette or fresh flowers and bobby pins to the back of the crown. Done!

Hippie Dippy Prints and Floral Dressing, Marrakech Style – Mara Hoffman

Text and Video, Vivian Kelly

Since receiving an email from Assouline’s Press Office about a book on- La Mamounia - the legendary hotel, located in where else – Marrakech.

“Embark on a sensuous journey celebrating the refined Moroccan lifestyle—from lush gardens to luxurious hammams—at Marrakech’s famed hotel, whose complete renovation in 2009 has re-affirmed its world-class status.”

Since reading that blurb, I’ve been obsessed with Marrakech inspired designs. I call my new focus “Rock the Kasbah”.  Hopefully, this won’t be perceived as “a hideously politically incorrect statement”.  The saleslady at the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store laughed when I described the black and white Waverly print as such. I custom ordered  two yards with the notion that I’d have curtains made up for The Fashion Examiner’s office.

You’ll be seeing the matching wallpaper in The Fashion E’s weekly “Cutting Edge” video [black and white background].

Fashion and Home Decor are soul sisters. I came to this conclusion after a few trips with my s.s. “D” , a talented interior designer. On a trip to Nantucket, we discovered that we liked all of the same things. Fashion, like Home Decor, is about having the courage to “be yourself” and to allow how you dress/decorate your home to reflect who you really ARE. I’m slowly building up my Tracy Reese Home collection of Marrakech inspired towels, named “Spice Market” and Oggi”. My go-to sites for her luscious towels are Overstock and Smart Bargains.

Clothing-wise, I’m on the hunt for mummus in these same paisly/oriental prints and patterns. Thus far, the only one I’ve purchased is the vintage cobalt floor length one from Another Man’s Treasure. Clearly, It’s time to go back to Jersey City and pay them another visit!

One high end designer who is making just such items that are much more accessible is Mara Hoffman. She has  been a favorite of mine since I started attending her shows three or so years ago. This shows the power of Fashion PR companies. I went because Mara’s show was a Kelly Cutrone/Peoples’ Revolution production. I don’t love everything I see, but I DID love Mara Hoffman’s psychedelic designs. SO Seventies. So groovy.

In our FE video, Mara talks about what inspired her when she created her latest collection. I was impressed by Mara. She has been doing “rich hippie chic” all along, whether or not it happened to be trendy. She was just being herself.

The prints reminded me of the Parador Hotels [former Castles and Monastaries] I stayed at back then while vacationing with my parents in the South of Spain as a young teen. At one of the Paradores, I could glimpse the coast of Marrakech. We did not make it but I was hooked, and resolved to get there – some day.

I didn’t know it back then, but the most well-known example of “hippie chic” is Patrick Lichfield’s 1969 photo of Talitha Getty, shot on the rooftop of the couple’s 19th-century Le Palais du Zahir, also known as “the Pleasure Palace”.  

This image has inspired countless fashion designers long after her death and maybe even the great fashion write-up by Erica M. Blumenthal, “Pajamas Make a Break for It”, which ran in the May 12th edition of The New York Times. The easy slouchy pants in by Rachel Comey and Suo are Marrakech ready.

This is a bold trend to embrace but think about the pay-off when you prepare to take a step on the wild side. Marrakech Chic will add  color and texture into your wardrobe and or home. Ease into it- get a pillow and a mummu. Maybe, you’ll find yourself head over heels as stylist Rachel Zoe is about this fashion era and aesthetic.

Hillbilly Chic – the Overall – a Must-wear spring Staple

Hillbilly Chic- love them overalls!

Text, Vivian Kelly

Maybe it was that I was spending the week in the Blue Ridge Mountains, or that I still love jeans. I was on the lookout for something new –  comfort without resorting to rapper jeans hanging way below my navel and six sizes too big.

The solution – the old fashioned overall. The idea came to me after reading the following post by Alyssia on Luello’s blog.

The closest town to  Camp Rockmont  was the tiny town of Black Mountain. We hit Ms. Divine,  a consignment shop on the main drag, to have a look. I’d given-up and was walking out when T.  held up a pair of washed lightweight denim overalls! Make? Gloria Vanderbilt. Condition? Brand new. Price? $18. They looked cute with the gray Tom’s espadrilles I was wearing.

Sold.

Now the styling challenge began. I went for the casual look for the plane trip back to New York: Navy Lacoste cap, gold rubber Okabashi flip flops, a purple Ralph Lauren polo and a black poncho.

That’s just one look. There are so many different options such as the one on Luello’s site and the ones in Elle Magazine. [you can see the Elle looks on Luello].

l kicked it up a notch and wore them  with my Prada spring green thong wedges from The Fashion Exchange,  J. Crew plaid shirt, and Lacoste baseball cap.

I’m eagerly awaiting my ideal pair of overalls- by Ralph Lauren, due to arrive via UPS, courtesy of E-Bay sometime this week.

Who makes the best overalls? What’s your favorite overall outfit?

DeBeers – the commitment to perfection continues; aided by an interactive new website

Text, Vivian Kelly

“Sometimes, it’s all about the little ring.”

I read this somewhere and it stuck in my head. What I DO remember is that Vera Wang said it. She may have been referring to the tiny faux sapphire and diamond rings she designs for her Simply Vera jewelry collection that’s sold at Kohls.

Vera can certainly afford the big ring, but sometimes, smaller is better. I’d been doing a lot of reading about the late Elizabeth Taylor and her incomparable jewelry collection. It seems, though, that even  Liz liked small diamonds. That was a surprise, as Liz and major league bling go together like peanut butter and jelly, right?

Not always. She and Richard Burton bought “Ping Pong diamond rings” in Gstaad as the result of a bet.

Question: Richard Burton had already gifted her the Krupp [diamond], and  the  infamous Taylor-Burton 69.42-carat pear-shaped diamond. Oof. How do you top that?

Answer: You switch gears and find the SMALLEST diamond ring possible. In her case, the ping pong was a mere 0.42 carats.

It’s about at that time that I fell in love with the little ring.

That evening, I drove into NYC to attend the DeBeers Jewelers relaunch of their website. The relaunched  website is impressively interactive. You can buy anything on the site with the exception of a diamond engagement ring. Although you can’t buy it by clicking your mouse, you can arrange for viewings and speak with a knowledgeable DeBeers expert who will answer any and all questions you have about your potential purchase.

Back to the event. Once there, after viewing the space age machine which showed how symmetrical a DeBeers diamond must be, I moved on to the back of the 2nd floor, which housed the famous DeBeers diamonds – the big rocks. I say ‘famous’ because only a very small percentage of the diamonds that come in for inspection are selected and all are conflict free. No blood diamonds here.

A natty DB diamond expert was holding court, presiding over a sparkling glass case. He was surrounded by a cluster of beautiful women. The attraction? Giant diamond rings the size of Domino sugar cubes, set in platinum – nothing under 5 carats.

Stunning, but not for me. I wanted the tiny round or emerald cut diamond, set in 14k gold and wandered over to a side case to admire my little rings.

For the next few days, I couldn’t stop thinking about perfect diamonds. I did more than think, I acted. Two days later, I was conferring with Paul Tyson, my go-to jeweler. We chose one of the small loose diamonds I’d collected, which would be  set into a plain 14K band, just like the DeBeers rings. A few weeks later, here I am, in a hotel room, with my very own ping pong diamond on my left hand.

WEBSITE 411

  • De Beers Diamond Jewellers new website debeers.com launched Thursday April 14th.
  • It is available in five different languages worldwide.
  • It’s one of the definitive references for diamond jewelry.
  • engaging and inspiring content
  • stunning imagery
  • exclusive behind the scenes footage that offers an insight into the creations and craftsmanship of De Beers
  • advice from De Beers diamond experts and interesting articles written by style setters in all areas of the arts.

Calling all history buffs! Here’s something for you;  a tidbit on the site about the origins of the first engagement ring.

“The diamond ring continued to symbolize love when, in 1477, Archduke Maximilian gave what is thought to be the first recorded engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy to mark their betrothal, with hogback diamonds forming the letter ‘M’ in celebration of their union. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the engagement ring became increasingly flamboyant and sentimental, with intertwined hearts, bows, love knots and messages spelled in gems. It wasn’t until early in the twentieth century that the single-stone setting was popularized.”

After spending some time playing on the DeBeers site, I dream of owning a DeBeers ping pong, complete with its own passport and DeBeers mark on it and a piece of their “peerless heritage”.

Prom is the Bomb!

Text, Vivian Kelly


Twenty years ago, dressing as if it were one’s wedding day for one’s High School Prom was not even imaginable. Back then, prom was a rather SILLY EVENT WHERE IT WAS OKAY TO WEAR A LITTLE COCKTAIL DRESS that was probably purchased at a bridal boutique, and most likely an ugly shade of pink or teal.

Take the 1986 John Hughes classic, “Pretty in Pink”.

Remember? In it, ‘Andie’ slashes the beautiful vintage dress her alternative friend, Annie Potts, ‘Iona’ gives her and combines it with the ugly pink one Dad gifts her. The result = the most memorable prom dress ever. At the time, the reworked dress was unique and daring. Most girls, lamentably attended prom in candy confections like the pink creampuff Andie ripped-up.

The stakes for promwear have gone up, aided and abetted by such seminal events as the Wills-Kate wedding. The R.W. contributed to prom fever, but prom as pre-wedding has been a reality for quite a while.

A few weeks ago, I wandered into **VINTAGE!, an upscale vintage and consignment boutique in Bedford Hills, NY to find some sunglasses, and walked out in a state of shock, and the concept for this post.

The newsflash: Well-to-do private school girls were dropping a couple of $$thou on vintage Oscar de la Renta. Vintage! gets its clothes and accessories from Hollywood  – namely celebrities and film sets.  For prom? Was the owner joking?

Not at all. From January – June, Laura Herlihy, a former Oscar de la Renta staffer, is booked solid [sometimes even double-booked] Monday – Friday for “prom appointments”.  I dawdled, in hopes of witnessing the appointment, prolonging my debate between the rectangular blue D&Gs or the red ovals. [I left with the D&Gs but am returning for the reds as they’re right on trend now.]

The two girls arrived, on time, for their appointment.

Question: Since when do privileged American teens arrive on time for anything?

Answer: When it matters to them. Prom, I concluded, mattered.

Both girls sported short shorts, long starlet hair and bodies and designer handbags. They each needed 2 gowns for prom – 1 for the actual prom, the other for the after-party. Cocktail dresses were not an option. The jewelry seemed to be fairly understated, perhaps a pair of the Carolee* faux diamond clip-ons for that vintage Cartier-Old Hollywood look that’s so popular on the Red Carpet now. The shoes would be Red Carpet worthy: Louboutin, Manolos, or Choos.

Not everyone though, can spend on this level though.

A few days later – down South – Fifi’s  Designer Consignment Shop, Durham, NC.  Although prom is “huge” here too, the girls here wear cocktail dresses, according to the Manager.  My candidate and theirs’ – ***a champagne ombre BCBG cocktail dress with some sparkly paillette work on the front – no extra bling needed. This little dress reminded me of Hailee Steinfeld, in her Marchesa dress at the Oscars. The girl who wears the BCBG to her prom will look elegant but “her age”.

Last stop, The Fashion Exchange, in Newtown, CT, on the Northernmost reaches of Fairfield County. Here, the look was gowns as well, two on average, for the big night. The choices were less elevated, think BCBG rather than Oscar. The owner, Janet, emphasized the importance of “blingy accessories”. The case and wall next to the register was as dazzling as the Caribbean noontime sun. The most in demand pieces were hair ornaments to decorate updos, big cocktail rings and Harry Winston-like bracelets of faux ice. Although the F.E. is an upscale shop, a dress can run in a reasonable  $100 price range, topping out around $600.

One big resemblance with a first wedding, Janet notes, is that the Mother is often the more excited of the two. This was eerily similar to big first weddings, in which Mom typically takes over and inflates a “small wedding” to a huge spectacle with a cast of hundreds and a final price tag bordering on 6 figures.

Janet and I ended our conversation, talking about what else – the Royal Wedding. Kate, did it right, and used her long-time stylist James Pryce of the Richard Ward Salon, and allegedly did her own makeup.

She took it up a notch by applying makeup that was just a shade darker, for the biggest [at least, public] day of her life. How many girls do you know who would do that? Love it!

“She looked like herself,” said Janet. THAT girls, is the key. Fine to book an appointment with your favorite hair and makeup team, but if you don’t usually wear an up do in your day-to-day, better to stick with a more polished version of your usual look, as Kate did.

Lastly, take a cue from one of fashion’s most legendary icons, Coco Chanel

Before you go out, look at yourself – hard – in the mirror. If something looks ‘too much’ take it off. Maybe even take one more thing off.

To think of it, the only jewelry Kate, a real live Duchess and Queen to be, wore was the nature-inspired Robinson Pelham earrings, the Lady Di Sapphire ring, and the diamond Cartier “Halo” tiara, borrowed from the Queen. Bling like this is acceptable for her one and only wedding.

Tiaras for the prom – NO. Reserve that thrill for your wedding.

END NOTES

*Did you participate in the Carolee Prom earring give-away? If not, I’ve still got 1 pair left to gift.

HINT: These, BTW, make for a spectacular Mother’s Day gift if you haven’t gotten one for Maman yet.

**At this time, Vintage! does not have a website. It is a division of the Antiques Marketplace, Inc.

Tel: 914-242-9846.

***This is not the BCBG dress at Fifi’s as no photographs are allowed, but it’s similar.