season five

prada flagship opens in san francisco

San Francisco's Prada flagship store opened Tuesday night, beginning with a glitzy party attended by the city's social elite including Vanessa Getty and Tatiana Sorokko. Ms. Sorokko looked gorgeous in a cape just outside the event. This reminds me of a funny story.  I met an aspiring socialite shortly after moving to San Francisco who relayed to me she once met Ms. Sorokko and described her as not all that with a very upturned nose. Why is this funny? Because Ms. Sorokko is a gorgeous, former high fashion model with a great job. Until recently she was editor-at-large for Russian Vogue and now serves as an editor for Harpers Bazaar. Oh, and she owns, with her husband, one the city's most successful art galleries. You know, not all that. (Meow).  Source: Style.com.

when your pedicurist is a fish

The International Herald Tribune ran an AP story in Fashion & Style yesterday about Yvonne Hair and Nails salon in Alexandria, VA, which offers a foot bath of nibbling fish to smooth out the rough edges of your feet. One of the things I loved about getting pedicures in VA salons is that technicians used razors to remove dead skin. Apparently this practice has fallen out of favor forcing the owners of this salon to get creative.  More than 5000 people have signed up for the treatment which involves immersing feet into a bowl of hot water while 100 "doctor" fish feed off whatever food sources are available - in this case dead, flaking skin.  They leave live skin alone because, without teeth, they can't bite it off. I loved this story.  I am reminded of clients lamenting about not getting the ink they feel they deserve.  My response in my head only is if you want to be in the news do something newsworthy! Hey, if a teeny-tiny salon in a DC suburb can make the front page of the Fashion & Style section of The Tribune so can you. Be unique! Give me feet feeding fish!

does this cross the (news) line?

By now we all know if we see an actor drink a coke on television or in the movies it is because Coca Cola paid for them to do it. But what about the news? The New York Times reports today that anchors on the Fox affiliate in Las Vegas, KVVU, sit with cups of McDonalds iced coffee on their desks during part of the morning news show. The anchors rarely touch the cups. Executives at the station say the six-month promotion is meant to shore up advertising revenue and, as they told the news staff, will not influence content. Let's hope the anchors never have to report on the link between fast food and the nation's obesity epidemic. That would be awkward.

on my radar: a leather jacket for fall

I read an interview with Anna Sui once, where she advised the most important investment a woman can make in her wardrobe is the outer layer. During the cooler months it gets the most play - so it makes sense. I traveled in Russia for a few weeks last fall with two pairs of jeans, half a dozen james perse tee's, a hat, gloves, scarf and one fabulous coat. ( I came home with a bit more but that is another story). I know Anna Sui's words to be true. It is all about the coat or jacket. This season I am investing in a leather jacket. I will wear it with jeans or tailored pants during the day and cocktail dresses at night. My picks: See by Chloe, Ya Ya Aflalo and Rick Owens.

on my radar: motorcycle boots

Every woman needs a pair of tough, flat boots in her closet. They go with everything - from jeans to dresses and can be worn year round. If you make an investment in a good pair they will only look better as they get beaten up with age. At first glance, I was not crazy about these Miu Miu boots because I thought there were to bling-y to wear all the time. However, I changed my mind when I realized you can remove the buckle harness for occasions you would rather sport a classic riding boot. How practical! At Miu Miu. Photo source: Style.com.

on my radar: leggings for fall

Jezebel comments today that Lindsay Lohan has found her calling: purveyor of last year's trends. According to reports, Lilo's leggings have sold out at Intuition in LA and the wait list grows longer by the day. I have seen the legwear and it not lovely - and, in some cases, bizarre - and not in an artistically creative way. As for leggings, I think they are on their way in again. I know, I know - let me explain. Each Paris trip I observe the trends of the season because inevitably what starts on the streets there, ends up here. Last winter leggings were out full force. They were not worn in place of pants, ala Lohan, rather they were paired with semi-sheer or Gucci-esque dresses that were slightly longer than a tunic and knee high boots. The key to the look is that they must be totally opaque ( LnA makes a great pair) - not like last year's Wolfords. Photo source: Style.com

paris in the summer

I'd rather be in Paris which is a newsflash to no one who knows me.  Even in July, when it is humid and sticky and there are few air conditioned retreats, I wish I were there. After all, one does not go to Paris for the weather. Here are a few exhibits I would like to check out this summer.

Camille Cladel
Musée Rodin
Until July 20

This exhibition presents 80 sculptures along with sketches and engravings from the woman said to be Rodin's mistress and an artist arguably as talented as Rodin.

The Grace Kelly Years : Princess of Monaco"
Salle Saint-Jean at the Paris City Hall
Until August 16
Following its success in Monaco, with a record 135,00 visits, this exhibit features the Princess's correspondence with her friends in Hollywood and some of the great names of the world, her personal belongings, her wardrobe, her jewelery and accessories such as the famous Hermès bag. This exhibit also features extracts of her most popular films and footage from family movies taken by the Princess herself.

Karl Lagerfeld Photo Exhibit
Versailles
Until September 7

The designer is exhibiting 40 large-scale black-and-white photos he took of the legendary French chateau in the apartments of Madame de Maintenon.

Valentino: Themes and Variations
Musée de la Mode et du Textile
Until September 21

The first parisian retrospective, comprising some 200 Haute Couture Designs, retraces Valentino's exceptional career since 1959 paying tribute to the designer who in January 2008 presented his final collection.

Richard Avedon: Photographs 1946 - 2004
Jeu de Paume
Until September 28
This exhibition brings together 270 works spanning Avedon's great career covering fashion, politics, literature, the arts and show business. Shown here a shot of Suzy Parker and Robin Tattersall roller skating  through Place de la Concorde.

overheard (and understated) at barneys

Associate to customer: Do you live in San Francisco or just visiting? Customer: Visiting. Sales Associate: Are you here for work or vacation? Customer: My band is playing here. Sales Associate: Oh really? What band? Customer: The Police. It was Andy Summers. The Police is performing at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Montain View, CA tonight (Monday) with Elvis Costello. Photo source.

carla bruni is smoking

My guy I roll him up and I smoke him, so says Ms. Carla Bruni-Sarkozy about her husband in her new album Comme si de rien n'était" ("As if nothing had happened"). Not what you would expect from a first lady, but hey, that is why we like her. WWD reports Bruni-Sarkozy's passion for Christian Dior, whose clothes she wore for many UK public appearances on an official visit last spring, extends to the men's wear department as well.  According to a European source, the tuxedo the French first lady wears in promotional images for her new album, which came out in France last Friday, is by Dior Homme. She looks great - N'est-ce pas ? Source: WWD

boots go thigh high for fall

The most modern way to wear a boot this fall is over-the-knee, reports British Vogue. Capes and over-the-knee boots are two of my favorite cold weather items (in or not) so this season's look from Halston really makes me swoon. Source: British Vogue.

no monogramouflage for me

The new Monogramouflage from Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami hit stores on July 1st, while I was at the beach and not thinking about designer goods (or at least did not have access to shopping for them anyway). Although I am not a fan of logos, I love camouflage and wanted to get my hands on a stoll. But no, according to a company representative they were sold out before they even hit the floors. There is also a waiting list which I am sure is miles long although the rep would not disclose numbers.

what is sensuous? starts with the letter t

The four faces of Estée Lauder's new Sensuous women's fragrance gathered at Bloomindales Manhattan flagship last night to promote the scent. When asked if their sense of what's sensuous changed after their children arrived Elizabeth Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow were quoted.

Hurley: "Being in constant contact with a child is a very sensuous thing. They're gorgeous and fresh and unspoiled. It's a very relaxing thing to be around a child. Except, obviously, when they're going demented."

Paltrow: "The skin, the little hands, how affectionate they are — my children are both very tactile. They like to have their feet rubbed and their hair is so fine and soft — it's like an exercise in sensuality."

Hmm.. I think all young children are tactile which would explain why play dough is such a runaway hit.  I liked Hurley's quote and think she would be more fun to hang out with.

Source: WWD

stella's sustainable fashion show

The vertical garden that served as a backdrop for Stella McCartney's show last October is now part of a housing project for 278 disadvantaged residents in Boulogne-Billancourt outside Paris. The vertical garden, created by esteemed French botanist Patrick Blanc, features 30 plant species. Blanc has created some 200 vertical gardens, including his first in the U.K., and in Germany this year, where Berlin's Galeries Lafayette is adorned with his green façade. "The intention from the start was for the wall to have a life after the show, because there is something really depressing about a 20-minute fashion show and the decor is all thrown away," said McCartney, via e-mail to WWD. This is a great idea - I hope it starts a trend in the design world. What kid, for example, would not want to play on the Carousel that served as the backdrop for Chanel's Automne-Hiver 2008/9 show at the Palais Royal? Source: WWD.

current obsession: LnA deep v tee

I organize for sport and am Type-A. Instead of going to a shrink to work through it, I go to The Container Store. In times of stress -- I organize my drawers. I have one drawer for tank tops and another for tee's. 98.8 percent of them are black - each slightly different in the sleeve, neckline, length or silhouette. I love wearing basic black tee's with jeans, tailored pants and especially dressy skirts - pencil, lace and sequined. James Perse is my favorite but on my recent trip to DC I  picked up this black deep V tee from LnA and it is PERFECT.  It is the right length to wear over something or tucked in, it is slightly sheer and has a V-neck that is more wide than deep so it is sexy without trying to hard. I may need to stock up. At Saks.

on my radar: bandage skirt

I have not yet abandoned my trapeze-ish dresses but I want something new for fall. This fall season I am all about a slim, body conscious silhouette. One of my favorite pieces is this Alexander Wang bandage skirt. I'll wear it with an American Apparel off-the shoulder tee in heather gray, an LNA Deep V tee, a slim white tank and oversized v-neck cardigan or an army jacket. It will great with a pair or classic stilettos, my beaten-up biker boots or pretty ballet flats (or flip-flops - I do live in California!) Photo source: style.com.

colette x gap = more of the same

WWD reports that Parisian concept boutique Colette is teaming up with Gap to create a pop-up store in Gap's Manhattan store adjacent to its 54th Street and Fifth Avenue flagship. The store, to be called Colette x Gap, will remain open for a month from September 6 to October 5 and will feature exclusive Colette merchandise as well as those ubiquitous limited edition Gap T-shirts printed with work from artists.  The article also mentions that Colette was robbed last week when thieves crashed a car through the store's main door early in the morning. This, in my opinion, was the most interesting part of the story. I love Colette. But honestly, who won't Gap do a deal with? And do we really need more limited edition t-shirts?

airbrushing - not new, still startling

Marie Claire's July Issue had four different covers each featuring one of the four stars of Sex and The City. The pictures are bizarre - the women look great, don't get me wrong - but they do not look real. They have been airbrushed within an inch of their life. In the middle of the magazine, Cynthia Nixon appears in a spot as part of her role as ambassador for the Susan Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In this picture she barely resembles the cover shot. She looks good, just different - the contrast was a jarring reminder of the false images put forth by fashion magazines and the beauty biz. Photo Source: Miami Herald, Marie Claire.

san francisco wedding windows

The 38th Annual San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration takes place this weekend in San Francisco. City officials are expecting a massive turnout (upwards of 1.25 million) for this year's festivities because of last month's California Supreme Court ruling that same-sex couples have the right to marry in this state. Since the ruling, the city has been in a celebratory mood, as reflected in these shop windows.

the brand called cindy and beyond

Years ago, a decade actually, when Cindy Crawford was still doing bikini shots, I did not like her because of the annoying way she referred to herself as the brand Cindy. Well, I am big enough of a woman to give props when it is due. The New York Times business section had a story today on the whole celebrity as brand phenomena and Cindy - you were ahead of your time.  She was/is a smart businessperson who recognized her job, in an industry of very young things, had an expiration date.  She is still relevant (and gorgeous!) and more power to her. But Rihanna, with all her current youth, beauty and talent, what is her rational? In order to make it these days you must have all of the above AND a gazillion product endorsements. I get it - but please, when you go this route, do not refer to yourself as a creative artist. You are so much more - and I am not sure that is a good thing.

the perfect going out outfit

Stella and Gwyneth model what I think is the perfect "going out" outfit. A short dress, black heels and a black menswear blazer (especially with the sleeves pushed up). You can never have to many of any of these things! Photo source: just jared

the perfect tank

I read an interview with Kate Spade years ago and her style advice included: buy new tanks and t's every season. I agree with this. I am all about buying special pieces, wearing them season- after-season, and pairing them with a fresh, new tank or t. This season I dropped into American Apparel after a meeting and found this tank. The colors are great - I picked up black and a deep eggplant - and the fit is amazing. The neckline is low, the rib is small (so it does not add extra weight), it has a long silhouette and it costs $22 - very nice! At American Apparel.

online sample sales

I hate sample sales. I'd rather go without or pay the extra bucks to not have to elbow my way through bargain- hunting crowds. Standing in line for hours? I've done it and it is not very civilized. According to WWD, online sample sales are the new retail trend and the companies who facilitate them have some major VC bucks behind them. I recommend HauteLook - they send a link every weekday morning with deep discounts on designer clothing.

current obsession: cork sandals by martin margiela

The designer made a pump and boot out of the same material. Very cute! At Barneys.

posh and becks by the bay

News has it that Becks bought his wife Posh a multimillion dollar vineyard in nearby Napa Valley for her 34th birthday. According to MSNBC he thinks the routine of the vineyard will distract her from shopping and parties. Hey, we all need hobbies. The same article also commented that Posh did not have many girlfriends in LA. Posh - contact me! We should hang out  We have so much in common - both in the wine business and we both love shopping and parties! Last night, a giant image of a briefs-baring Becks was unveiled at Macy's Union Square in San Francisco as part of the newest Emporio Armani underwear campaign featuring the soccer sex object. As you might imagine - it drew a crowd.

on my radar: leather leggings

I've had my eye on leather leggings for some time. Kate Moss and young hollywood stars like Mischa Barton and Ashley Olsen tapped into this trend last season. Recently I have seen them on Heidi Klum, Sarah Jessica Parker and  Anne Hathaway. On the face of it they seem a little out there but I think there are many ways you can wear them, like with an oversize cashmere sweater and tall black boots, for example. American Apparel, Kova & T and The Row all have versions. Photo Source: Splash