ERIN by Erin Fetherston Resort and Holiday 2013

Erin Fetherston burst onto the fashion scene in 2007 when she inked a deal with Target to design a designer collection for the quirky mass retailer. America fell in love with her femininely quirky designs.

At first glance, a high-low partnerships seems like a great deal for an emerging fashion designer. They get name brand recognition and a check that enables them to fund their eponymous collection; that’s the sweet end of the deal.

Now that we’ve had five years worth of these collaborations to look back on, we can reflect on the other outcomes of the deal. True, the designer is now “a name” but the customers who bought Erin Fetherston at Target were happy to do so – at Target prices. The real sales pitch comes in convincing them to buy Erin Fetherston at Contemporary Designer price-points at retails specialty stores such as Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Bracelet Sleeve Bird Print Dress

The problem young designers face is that Americans dig fast fashion and possess the attention span of a gnat. And, why wouldn’t they? You can blame technology for this one; it has made everything fast, faster, fastest, when it comes to getting new merchandise on the floor. Designers have to produce at a dizzying pace and some fall off the carousel. Some never get back on, but some, like Erin Fetherston, regroup and come back stronger than they were in that first flush of popularity.

I hadn’t seen Erin’s designs in quite a few seasons so I entered the downtown showroom with Scott French of The Fashion List, not knowing what to expect.

Empire Waist Evening Dress

Both Resort and Holiday hung on the racks. There were festive colors – popsicle pink orange and blue for daywear. For night, there was a black and nude bird print dress, a sweet melon A-line dress with a lace overlay, and my favorite, an empire waist sheath dress with metallic pussycat bow, placed in the center of the empire seam.

I was smitten with the color, the metallics and the girly enthusiasm that these clothes gave-off. It was easy to imagine a group of young girls giggling and chattering excitedly, dolled up in the flirty dresses accessorized with funky tiara-headbands and dark rimmed eyes dressed in ERIN, walking en masse into a party.

ERIN by Erin Fetherston is just the thing for young girls who want to put on a dress that will make them feel pretty, but a tiny bit edgy, at the same time.

After seeing Resort, I can’t wait to see the spring 2014 collection this September at NYFW.

- Vivian Kelly

*Images courtesy of LaForce & Stevens

Lisa Perry: The Bi-Annual Sample Sale

I first visited Lisa Perry’s store in September during Fashion’s Night Out; it was love at first sight. Lisa’s Madison Avenue store is a like a very cool apartment you want to spend the day in so you can look at all the coffee table books, study the Roy Lichtenstein prints on the wall and try on each and every one of the colorful Sixties’ style dresses hanging on the fixtures.

The Interior of Lisa Perry’s Madison Avenue Store

I chatted with Lisa Perry herself about the Limited Edition PanAm bags she’d designed for FNO and communed about our shared love for this legendary time in history, when flying was a glamorous experience.

Here’s your chance to catch a bit of that Sixties’ magic Lisa Perry serves up. She’s having an incredible sample sale that you can’t afford to miss out on.

Below, the details and a few images to tantalize you. See you there!

- Vivian Kelly

BI-ANNUAL SUMMER SAMPLE SALE

up to 75% off

Original Samples and Past Season Merchandise

Including Little Girls Dresses and Accessories

Wednesday June 27^th – Tuesday July 10^th

988 Madison Avenue @77^th street

: Above, Lisa Perry Jump Tunic, Sale Price, $298

Piazza Sempione – Fall/Winter 2012-13

Text, Vivian Kelly

Piazza Sempione – Empowered Dressing For The Busy Woman

Look 34- Satin Douchesse Dress and leather envelope clutch

On the way to a self-imposed writing sabbatical in Punta de Mita, Mexico, I found myself sitting next to a tall redheaded woman who was intently hunched over her laptop- our AA flight had wifi. The first thing I looked at was her clothes and over the course of a short conversation, she divulged that she was partial to Tahari. The teal shift dress she was wearing was nice, but someone of her stature would look incredible in Piazza Sempione. Here’s a woman who lives in Manhattan, takes a taxi to LaGuardia for a two hour meeting in Dallas and gets back on a plane right afterwards to log in a few more hours at the office, and then finishes the day with a business dinner.

Wow. This is just a typical day in her weekly schedule. As we talked I blurted out, “Have you ever heard of Piazza Sempione?” She said she had not and I tried to explain that this company made exquisitely tailored clothes with women just like her in mind. Piazza’s Communications Director, Cristina Cavatore, is another such woman. She is the perfect spokeswoman for this impeccable Italian womenswear brand. She’s sleek, polished and impeccable.

Look 33 - Silk Satin Deco Printed Dress

In the video below, she talks about the fall/winter 2012-13 collection and the brand’s roots. Most importantly though, she explains how wearing the right dress or outfit can empower busy women and serve as a tool to get them through their busy day knowing that they look their very best. I’m not completely in agreement with the saying “The clothes make the man/woman”, but knowing that you are well put together sends out a powerful message and is in itself empowering.

Last Thoughts – for Next Time: Writing this post got me thinking of Wallis Simpson who ALWAYS looked impeccable and put together. I’m on the hunt to watch Madonna’s film, W.E. to put Douglas Hannant’s “Gentry” fall 2012 collection into proper context for a post next week.

Reem Acra Bridal & Nina Catrina Design Studio

Text and Video, Vivian Kelly

Reem Acra Bridal Gown from the Spring 2013 Collection Show

What in the h–l does one of fashion’s must luxurious fashion lines [Reem Acra] have to do with Nina Catarina,[an artisanal Mexican clothing and accessories collection]?

Answer: They’re Both All About Women, strong women.

I’ve been thinking a lot about strong women lately. It started as I stood on my chair at the exclusive Reem Acra spring 2013 bridal show at her plush Fifth Avenue showroom/offices shooting the video shown in this post. The end of the show was a surprise which the designer explained as “redefining the way modern women reveal their strength” in her program notes. In one of these gowns, a woman becomes transformed into an other-worldly being, an auspicious way to start a new segment of her life.

A week later, on the Riviera Nayarit, in Punta de Mita, I met with Mexican artist/fashion designer, Ana Pena . She was setting up her new studio in the Pasha Bazar space where I found the Baixada python bags in an earlier post.

Detail - Hand Sewn Birds on Nina Catrina Wrap Skirt

I loved Ana’s work with these local women artisans, which came about when she branched out after years of non-profit work on behalf of women in need. She creates a sketch of a design concept and gives it to local women she works with. The results are beautiful handstitched one of a kind pieces such as the tee she wore or a wrap skirt with birds embroidered on it.

I spotted a fellow traveler wearing a pair she’d bought during her stay at the nearby Four Seasons Resort. With Ana’s support, this local woman artist is finally experiencing some success at retail.

Nina Catrina Leather and Suede Hobo Bag

: Nina Catrina Straw Bag

On the surface, Ana’s wrap skirts and Reem’s bridal gowns are very different. On a deeper level, they serve a similar purpose – to give women a sense of pride, and that’s a powerful gift that lasts far beyond the day you create or wear the dress.

To Contact Ana about her curated collection: bonitabythesea@gmail.com//cell: 044 322 160 98 30

I’m waiting for Half the Sky to arrive, a book Ana said was a “must read”, which delves further into women and their place in the world.

Making the Case For Lace – A Wearable Trend

Text, Vivian Kelly

After viewing Louis Vuitton’s spring 2012 runway show on style.com, I decided I’d try to make the Case for Lace ie: WHY we should be wearing it now.

The Louis Vuitton spring 2012 Ad That Makes a Strong Case for Lace

Friend and fashion powerhouse, Sofia Bak-Shershunovich [@So_BFM], fellow blogger and Vogue Italia Contributor, is responsible for getting me to give lace a serious look. In a tweet she mentioned how funny it was that Zara had clothes that were nearly identical to Marc Jacobs’ LV one. This, I had to see.

I hit the sparkling new Zara flagship on 5th Avenue and 53rd Street and waited until the sales associate produced the blush pink dress I had to have, complete with a frothy lace overlay. A few hours later, my acting coach, Susan Grace Cohen, had me try it on and pronounced it perfect. It IS but it is also delicate so watch where you sit as it snags almost as easily as fine Warhoal stockings. Cost – $50, on sale.

The HUNT was ON.

Next, I shopped my closet and rediscovered a gorgeous cotton cream tunic – my first piece from my Michael Kors PR days, from the spring or resort 1992 collections. Cost – priceless, it has history.

Vintage Michael Kors Lace Tunic From 1992

Earlier in the week, on the way to a White by Vera Wang press preview, I stopped into The Thrifty Hog, on 11 West 25th Street. This is the chicest thrift shop I’ve ever stepped into – and I’ve been in a LOT of these! There, on a rack, was an adorable XII cotton lace dress, that only needs to be hemmed at the tailor. Cost – $15. Even better, the proceeds go to the Hearts of Gold Foundation.

Thrift Shop Dress

The above are day looks. Lace though, really shines in the bridal arena. My first reminder of this was at the White by Vera Wang press preview mentioned earlier in this piece. Unbelievably, the gowns retail [not wholesale!] from $600 – 1400 at David’s Bridal. DB Public Relations Manager, Christy Robil, took me through the sunny showroom pointing out the salient details of each gown. She remarked, “Some of our brides prefer to spend their money on a beautiful ring and less for their dress. This collection gives them designer style for a very reasonable price.”

A Frothy Inspiration From White By Vera Wang

After viewing the collection, I couldn’t agree more. If you’re in the market for a stupendous ring, visit Andrew and John at the Persian Shop located at 534 Madison Avenue. If the ring of your dreams isn’t there, they will work with you to create it. I recently “traded-up” to a 2 carat sapphire ring in a stunning blue shade. While I love the ring, the white glove friendly service has made me “a friend of the store” for life.

NEXT UP: NY Bridal Coverage of the best designer dresses in store this fall.

A Style Lesson From Yann Varin & The 84th Academy Awards: How To Achieve A Perfectly Balanced Look

Text, Vivian Kelly

Michelle-Williams-wearing-Fred-Leighton-for-Forevermark-Jewelry and a Louis Vuitton Gown at-the-84th-Academy-Awards

Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting celebrity stylist, Yann Varin, at his Madison Avenue Salon, located in the what recession? part of Manhattan -the Upper East Side.

Yann Varin, backstage with a model at the Emilio Cavallini Fall 2012 Show

This was thanks to long-time publicist friend, Melanie Seymour of The Project-NY who arranged an introduction with Yann and Philippe Huillet shortly after NYFW.

Yann Varin's Doorknob Updo for the Emilio Cavallini Fall 2012 Show, NYFW

I had a few things in mind as I walked up to the minimalist yet elegant second floor salon. Top of the list – the Oscars. We started our chat discussing updos and Yann’s innovative “doorknob” bun he’d created for the Emilio Cavallini show during NYFW. This brought us to a discussion about how hair is ONE of the components of a successful “total look”. He went on to say that the European women whose hair he has styled at the Cannes Film Festival [Monica Bellucci] have a different approach to most of the Hollywood actresses who walk the Red Carpet.

Monica Bellucci, Stunning At Cannes

The big difference is that European women do not flaunt ALL their assets and thus show far less skin than their American counterparts. This is not to mean that European stars at Cannes wear puritanical dresses on that Red Carpet, only that they tend to make a decision about which of their assets to highlight which results an image that is about THEM, not their dress or a giant piece of expensive jewelry.

Granted, there WERE a lot of major baubles at the Oscars on A-list arms, throats, wrists, and ears, but for the most part, they served to enhance rather than to dominate the looks. Maria Menounos was wearing a lot of Jacob & Co Jewelry, from the Palladium Jewelry collection, but paired with her solid pastel Grecian gown and updo, it worked. In case you’re wondering, her Cocktail Ring comes in at $22,350, the Vintage Chandelier Pear Shaped Stone Earrings at $400,000and the Square Emerald Cut Tennis Bracelet, at $125,000, [$547,350 in total]

Last night, as I stared avidly at ABC’s Red Carpet Arrivals Coverage, I recalled Yann’s words as I tweeted back and forth with Anthony Palermo, another very talented hair stylist.

Angelina Jolie in a stunning Atelier Versace gown, showing off one of her many assets. Photo from OTRC.com

A-lister, Angelina Jolie, did what Anthony and I had hoped – she wore Atelier Versace again, and the result was hot enough to inspire its own Twitter page! [Twitter friend, @rosagraziano, sent me a tweet about this which I had to read twice to see if I'd misread it].

All that was needed here was a matching shoe, a bright red lip and A-list attitude.

Yann was right. The stars who shone – Michelle Williams – presented a picture-perfect image because nothing tried to over-power anything else. True, Michelle was wearing a very bright Louis Vuitton coral-red dress, but it was in no way garish. Neither were her diamonds, a Brilliant Cut Fred Leighton Forevermark Diamond Necklace. The dress was the focal point and she matched a red lip to it and kept the hair simple and side-parted. No headband and dowdy velvet dress this time, thank you!

So back to “real life”. We all have events to attend that are own personal Red Carpet of sorts and Yann’s advice applies. When you’re choosing your look, try this check-list.

1. Think hard about how you want to look. Do you want to be: a siren? Look polished? A Greek Goddess for the evening?

Whatever it is, decide and stick with THAT look.

2. Choose your dress.

3. Decide on the accessories: the shoe, the bag, the jewelry.

At this point, ask yourself where you will place the accent. That could be a fabulous piece of jewelry [Maria Menounos] or a red lip [Angelina Jolie]. You can only have ONE, so choose carefully.

4. When doing your hair and makeup, they must compliment the look. If your gown is revealing, says Yann, be very careful that your accessories, hair and makeup are very polished. Likewise, if your dress is demure, you can amp up your hair, makeup and bag as Angelina did with a strong lip and teased mane.

Do all of the above, and the result will be “Wow, YOU look great” before “Wow, what an amazing dress” and YOU will be the focus of attention.

Enjoy the party and the attention!

Images from Emilio Cavallini fall 2012 Show, spicycandydc.com

Image of Monica Bellucci at Cannes, from Just Jared

Hal Rubenstein and his 100 Unforgettable Dresses- Spotlight on Elizabeth Hurley in Gianni Versace’s Safety Pin Dress

Text and Video, Vivian Kelly

I’m still reading 100 Unforgettable Dresses and using it as a “time out treat” from grading and teaching. The section that kicks-off the book is one of the best written and informative pieces of fashion history I’ve read in a really long time.

In the video below, author Hal Rubenstein talks to The Fashion Examiner about Elizabeth Hurley, Gianni Versace and the magic they created together with the infamous “safety pin dress”. In the book, Hal dissects the WHY part of the magic these dresses imparted on the women who wore them. The closest most women get to that “magic feeling” is when they step into their wedding dress and are transformed.

Lyn Devon’s Spring 2012 Collection – Luxe and Classic With a Twist

Reported by Laura Wood

Text, Laura Wood and Vivian Kelly

Viv and I agreed that although we have very different body types [I'm petite and curvy, she's lean and fine-boned],we have the same personal taste when it comes to clothing construction; simple shapes cut in beautiful fabrics. It makes sense that she pulls inspiration from icons such as: Audrey Hepburn, Claire McCardell and Geoffrey Beene.

Lyn Devon is the kind of designer who has what I’m looking for. My favorite dress from her spring 2012 collection was a modern take on a Forties’s dress – a gray tweed sleeveless with a plunging V-neck trimmed in yellow -an unexpected twist. It’s fresh, but not overdone. There are polka dresses too, that are fun and have a nostalgic twist that make them more than just a grouping of cute picnic dresses.

I spoke with Lyn at the presentation, and was immediately floored by the beautiful fabrics which the house has specially designed for them. The fabrics are beautiful and substantial feeling. Below, some of our favorites, but you need to get to a retailer that carries Lyn Devon and try a few on to see for yourself!

*Shopping: Neiman Marcus online, ShopBop.com, Louis – Boston, Lyn Devon Studio – NYC and more.

For a complete listing, visit Lyn Devon.com

Fresh New Talent at NYFW – Samantha Pleet’s s/s2012 Collection

Samantha Pleet – a Brooklyn Family Affair- one to watch

Text, Laura Wood & Vivian Kelly

“When you put it [a SP dress] on, it drapes and conforms to your body. It’s all about the designs conforming to peoples’ bodies and working with their figures.”

- Designer Samantha Pleet -

We obtained the above quote after Laura attended Ms. Pleet’s s/s2012 NYFW event; a cross between a show and a presentation in a loft space. The models came out and posed on cubes for a while to be replaced by a new group for the crowd to study and snap some pics.

From a human-interest angle, we loved the “family affair” aspect of this collection. The designer’s Father enthusiastically greeted guests. It was obvious that this young designer has her Dad’s unconditional support. That, paired with the flowing champagne gave the whole thing a fun, bubbly upbeat vibe, which suits the clothes we saw to a T. The family theme goes further. Samantha’s husband designed the fabrics, all of these original prints are exclusive to the Samantha Pleet line. Our favorites were pieces that used the unique prints with traditional silhouettes.

The trompe d’oeil prints made the already small model’s waist look as if it were two inches wide in the “feather suit” – a stylish one piece maillot. Other favorite were the sleeveless fly away dress, immortal dress, shadow cape and the chronical blazer and novel shorts. The overall effect was eye-catching without being costume-y.

Shortly after NYFW, we walked the Capsule Trade Show and got to meet Samantha, who was showing the collection to an enthusiastic crowd of buyers. Despite the non-stop pace she’s been keeping over the past few months, she took some time out to talk to us one on one about her design aesthetic and unique fashions.

Click on the Video below to hear our interview.

For more information on this exciting new designer and her designs, visit her stylishly indie website, Samantha Pleet.

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!