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.