Everything Old Is New Again

Anne Hathaway photographed by Mario Testino for Vogue

I'm rather loving this photo of Anne Hathaway a la Holly Golightly in Vogue, and not so much for the jewelry.  I'm rather enamored of the updo.  It's a such a clean classic look and particularly flattering if you want to emphasize your clothes, your jewelry or your swan like neck....on second thought maybe this look needs to be reserved for those under 30.
Still, I would love to get all dressed up this weekend with big blingy brooch in my hair.

like this Mid-Century Chaumet Diamond Brooch in Platinum
You don't think that the diamond hair ornament would be over the top for a Saturday night soiree, do you?

Is Luxe Shopping Over?

Is Luxe out?
From New York Magazine
Kelly Cutrone: ‘Fashion Luxury, Forget It. It’s Over.’

Here is her quote...do you agree?

Here is what I think is the future: Street life and
life style. Style is in; fashion luxury, forget it. It's over. Gucci, Vuitton,
Hermes ... all those places are really great, go for it. That business exists in
a city called Paris, France. That's where that is. Those businesses will
continue. Retail business, pretty much over. I think people who sell to retail
companies are people who can't afford their own stores. The poor boys — Old
Navy, J.Crew, Gap ... they already knew that and aren't wholesaling. Editorial,
magazine, we are going to say buh-bye to them as we know them. They will still
exist but everything is on the internet.

Meanwhile over at 24/7 wall street we've got an article on 10 brands that will disappear. The demise of Zales has been predicted for years but Moodys?

Will luxe brands be next?

(and why do I have problems with the block quote function)

Strict, Sotto Voce or Just Plain Anti Diva Armor

Considering the Duchesse's post today on "Sotto Voce" style and her previous post on "Strict" style, I thought that I would show you what shoes I am wearing today. Purchased at Barney's many years ago these Italian fatta a mano shoes are a little bit beat up... but they are finally worn in and comfortable. I also have matching pairs in camel and black suede.

I don't know if these fall into the "Sotto Voce" or the "Strict" category in terms of style.

But I will say that my environment is fraught with Divas and I don't deal well with the whole Diva thing. So I just consider these shoes as part of my "Anti-Diva Don't F**k With Me" style.

Someday we can have a further discussion on the semiotics of shoes...

Savvy Shopping - Bring On The Retro Brooches

Staying quiet and cool in the air conditioning yesterday I finally got around to reading the new September issue of Vogue with the cover photo of Charlize Theron looking just a t'wee bit alien-ish.
The multi page Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue ads left me uninspired.


But the editorial featuring the 1940s inspired looks photographed by Steven Meisel was simply brilliant. I particularly loved the black and white photo of the two models (Karen and Liya, if you must know) in the Thomas Maier for Bottega Veneta dresses. That photo was museum worthy.

What I just don't get it this.
Vogue's website Style.com, the Forties Trend featured Ben-Amun costume jewelry.
So the print magazine encourages its readers to buy outfits in the $2500-$3500 range, with $1000 shoes and $2000-$3000 handbags, but the website promotes $98 costume jewelry.

Hey, if anybody gets the whole 'look for less thing" it's moi.
But $2500 dresses and $100 brooches....in terms of intrinsic value makes absolutely no sense.
Flat out, the better investment in terms of long term value is, of course, estate jewelry.

Vintage Tiffany Retro Aquamarine Brooch from Beladora.com




Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Retro Ruby and Diamond Brooch from Beladora.com

I love big bold Retro brooches. These two just happen to be signed so definitely more on the pricey side. But there are lots of magnificent un-signed Retro brooches on Beladora.com that are perfect for a lifetime, and not just for this year's Forties trend.

Getting My Summer Swag On - Beladora Style

The subject of necklace's and how to wear them have been popular this month in the blogs. Duchesse wrote a great post this week about layering necklaces
and gave us some great tips

Mixing strands of beads, say a strand of turquoise with a strand of deep amethyst, or a tiger-eye strand and a citrine strand, is a refined, elegant look.

Mix pieces of substance with airier ones; too many thick necklaces will kill the charm. Play with mixing beads with other beads, chains of varying weight, or an assortment of chains and pendants.

Start with a two-layer composition. Aim for some sort of harmony, so you don't look like a kid throwing on the contents of your mother's jewelry box. I like pieces with some heft, though you do have to watch out for too much weight on your neck. Assembling many bitsy chains and pendants looks jeune fille no matter how many you layer on.

Well layering is one thing, but this Givenchy multi chain necklace worn by Madonna is another.
Seriously, is there anything that Madonna won't wear?



I don't need that much swag in my sautoir
so this is how I layer it on.

90 inch multi-gemstone by the yard style necklace in 18K

from Beladora...bien sûr

Savvy Shopping - Totally Turquoise

Great minds seem to be thinking alike this week about how the scale and proportion of jewelry can affect you overall look.

First blogger and image consultant, Imogen Lamport, just posted

How a large necklace can make your bust look smaller

(not that I think that anyone should try to make their bust look smaller...my philosophy is that if you've got it going in that department...flaunt it!)

Then today my favorite client stopped by my office today and very thoughtfully gifted me this fascinating book which explains how the right piece of jewelry is as important to an overall look as the right hairstyle.

Jewelry Savvy From Amazon.com

For me style has been just an intuitive thing. I've always tended to know what specific jewelry looks flattering on my clients in terms of scale, style, color and texture, but I've never really sat down and analysed why certain pieces fit certain clients.

Well this book explains it all in terms of very specific criteria such as facial shape, neck length, body type and cut of clothes. Plus it is full of all kinds of general info on jewelry and savvy tips. So I can't wait to read it!

And...here's my own savvy tip for you.

Buy this vintage turquoise necklace in sterling silver from Beladora2.com for 20% off with this discount code

BHB123

and wear it with a sexy vee neckline!

Vintage Turquoise Necklace in Sterling Silver from Beladora2.com

Seeking Style By The Book

Christina Binkley in this week's Wall Street Journal

Of Birkins and BlackBerrys: Essential Reading on Style

explores the latest books on style

Style books can be more than “how to wear this, how not to embarrass yourself in that.” If you define style broadly, there is nary a corner of our lives unaffected by style, from the cars we drive to how we text.

One book on Ms. Binkley's list is this book due to be released in August

“How Not to Act Old: 185 Ways to Pass for Phat, Sick, Hot, Dope, Awesome, or at Least Not Totally Lame,” by Pamela Redmond Satran (HarperCollins, $14.99).

Here's her take on it

Until I read this book, which is due out in August, I hadn’t actually realized that texting with one’s index finger is a sign of age. It also hadn’t dawned on me that it was possible to “Facebook old” (or even to use Facebook as a verb). Ms. Satran’s take on the latest generation gap is as insightful as it is entertaining—a comic blend of advice and anthropology that skewers both young and old.

The book is arranged as a series of rules, such as “#54 Don’t Fear Rap,” in which Ms. Satran offers nine “easy listenin’” songs, including Soulja Boy’s “Crank Dat Dance” and Ludacris’s “Midnight Train.” In a section called “15 Cool Dead Famous People,” Ms. Satran suggests it is OK to name-drop Abraham Lincoln, Coco Chanel and Kurt Cobain in the same sentence.

By the way, your Birkenstocks are OK again: Rule #183 lists eight items of hipster gear that even oldies can wear, including

Ray-Bans with prescription lenses and, yes, orthopedic sandals from Germany.

In our youth obsessed culture this looks sure to be a best seller.

But now that I know that it's OK for me to wear my Birkenstock sandals...I don't need to buy the book!

Another book on Ms. Binkley's list

“Style Evolution, How to Create Ageless Personal Style in Your 40s and Beyond,” by Kendall Farr (Penguin Group, $22.50)

Author and stylist Ms. Farr picks up where “How Not to Act Old” leaves off—without the humor. “What does it mean to have reached middle age in a time of celebrity adulation, youth obsession, stripper culture and the Real Housewives franchise?” she asks.

This is a dual pep talk and primer for those of us whose style hasn’t evolved since our first full-time job. As with any fashion book—and fashion itself—the trend-conscious elements of this one will have a shelf life of only a few years. But the classic parts will remain. For instance, when buying a scarf, be sure the exposed ends are nicely finished.

I've been wondering about the personal style, fashion sense and taste. Can you learn any of this from a book?

If you've reached middle age and your personal style is say, matronly or frumpy, can you become even become more stylish?

Doesn't the fact that you are already dressing this way mean that your personal taste in terms of fashion is actually matronly or frumpy?

And I ask these questions fully admitting that I have some seriously frumpy taste myself when it comes to comfortable footwear.

Personally, if I wanted to sharpen up my look I'd probably work with an image consultant such as Karen Karlsen or Imogen Lamport (with a trip to Australia attached....).

If you wanted to sharpen your look would you buy these books, hire an image consultant or both?

Fashion Blast From The Past

Every so often I just have to check out what Todd is up to at The Fashioniste because I love the way that he shows the influence of the past, through iconic images, on today's style.
No less than brilliant.
Example, Hedy Lamarr to Tori Amos.
If you enjoy film, fashion and art history you should take a look at his blog.
Also, you can become a fan of The Fashioniste on Facebook.

Maybe I Don't Drink Enough Champagne

From the AP
ROME – Rita Levi Montalcini, a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, said Saturday that even though she is about to turn 100, her mind is sharper than it was she when she was 20.
Levi Montalcini, who also serves as a senator for life in Italy, celebrates her 100th birthday on Wednesday, and she spoke at a ceremony held in her honor by the European Brain Research Institute.
She shared the 1986 Nobel Prize for Medicine with American Stanley Cohen for discovering mechanisms that regulate the growth of cells and organs.
"At 100, I have a mind that is superior — thanks to experience — than when I was 20," she told the party, complete with a large cake for her.


Wow...a brilliant woman with such a sense of style.

Check out the big bracelet....and the booze!

Love it!

and God do I wish that I could say that I am as sharp as I was at age 20....

Quote of the Day - "Women Get So Ripped Off!"

Burberry Prorsum Dress at Net a Porter $2995

Yesterday, I was surfing the shopping sites with my main man...

no not my bf...the estate jewelry buyer extraordinaire that I learned all my tricks from.

He and I were checking out what was available online in terms of designer fashions and

we came upon this dress.

His comment "Three Thousand Dollars....Sheesh, women get so ripped off!"

I'd have to say that most of the men that I know would have said the exact same thing.

What do you think. Is this dress...at this price...a ripoff or not?

What would your main man say about this dress?

Would he think that $3000 was a reasonable price?

For Those Of Us Not Shopping At Brioni

First Lady Fashion For The Inauguration - Fugly

Uh Oh...I'm going to get myself in trouble for this...

Every article that I've read today has just gushed about our First Lady's Inaugural style.

Well, I'm just not drinking the Kool-Aid.

I think that Michelle Obama is a very formidable woman.
Her personal style is extremely modern and chic.

She knows how to choose the right outfit for the occasion.

She dresses up well without looking like she put too much effort into it.

She knows how to wear clothes that flatter her figure.

She looks spectacular in vibrant colors and she's not afraid to wear them.

So what I want to know is what the hell happened today?????

I'm sorry but I think that this ensemble is outright F-U-G-L-Y.

Neither the fit nor the color is flattering.


And, hate me if you must...but I think that her inaugural gown is another miss.

With all of the potential designs, colors and fabrics available for the big night

Why did the First Lady choose this outfit?

President Obama, on the other hand looked positively debonair.

Going forward...the change that I am hoping for is that she goes back to the style that suited her so well during the campaign.

Miuccia For The Men - Lighten Up Already!

Suzy Menkes in the International Herald Tribune brings us
Prada's strong, sinister menswear show

And the news isn't good
Unless you like your men dressed like this...

Miuccia Prada's take on the autumn/winter 2009/10 menswear season was strong, striking and sinister. Who were these men who soon appeared peppered with studs, first on their tough shoes, then on the back of the long, straight coats and finally close to the chest, set inside the stripes of a tailored shirt?

"It is about being strong and about Europe - what we have to do to keep holding on to history - and the enclosed space because of feeling the pressure of everything we have to deal with," said the enigmatic Prada backstage.

What is it about Prada that sets her light years ahead of the rest?
It is the thought process - the way she appears to embrace the current world, so that the mind's eye sees the new President Barack Obama in the long slim silhouette and the Russian oil mongers in the studded boots, although there is never an overt suggestion of these realities.
The shows, therefore, become intensely political, yet, when broken down to a sweater, a shirt or a tough-man bag, are just offering enticing modern fashion. When it comes to ideas, Prada is certainly not running on empty.

Miuccia Prada is certainly not running on empty

but I don't want to go to wherever her vision is leading us.

Guy Stuff - Turning It Up In The Cold

The Ask Teri Q&A in the Wall Street Journal addresses the question of turned up collars for men.

Is it foppish or fabulous?

Here's her response

Most guys are comfortable turning up the collars of their top coats only in the winter, when they want to ward off gusty winds. But don't forget that some of the most macho role models in history wore upturned collars with panache: James Dean and Marlon Brando in their tough-guy leather jackets, as well as Humphrey Bogart in his trench coats.

Also, René Lacoste, who wore the stiff cotton knit collars of his signature tops turned up to keep the sun off his neck, was a legendary French Grand Slam tennis champ known as Le Crocodile.

So guys, there's nothing foppish about turning up the collar on leather jackets, coats and some shirts.

I like the look but it definitely has a Euro vibe, non?

Here's some Euro guys with the turned up style.

Photo by The Sartorialist - Florence

And can someone tell me what is up with the white jeans and white tights in winter?????

Is that an Italian thing?

Francois Truffaut

Marcello Mastroianni

Now that we have Global Cooling the turned up look is more than a just a sartorial statement.

Spring 2009 Collections - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good

Even with the tablecloth fabric, Michael Kors nails it with this dress $2695

The Bad

Stay away from moving objects with this Jill Sander freak of fringe $4175

The Ugly

Incredibly bad remake of the worst of the 1980's by Etro for about $4000

According to Harper's Bazaar online these looks are some of the best of the Spring 2009 Collections...

About this I can only remark that Thank God no one will be able to afford these clothes because they are pretty hideous.

Please Don't Feed The Models

The Correctly Sized Model

The Oh So Hefty Miss England - Laura Coleman

The Daily Star...where I get all of my important news and Plumcake are all over this story.

Apparently the very lovely Laura Coleman, the current Miss England, has delved a little too deeply in the peaches and cream and been deemed to be too fat to become a model.

Maybe she'll never model but somewhere out there I can just imagine a world of men saying to themselves "I could hit that".

And from Plumcake, one of the best lines written in the fashion blogosphere

"Oh England, you bunch of green and pleasant nutjobs, do me a favor and put down ye merry olde cracke pype..."

Savvy Shopping or $2037 of Thakoon Trash

Last week Saks in Beverly Hills had a sale with prices as much as 70% off.
Do you ever wonder what their markup must be if they can discount
by 70% and still make a profit?

Do you ever wonder if their Open To Buy includes the directive to find
the ugliest clothes available if they are designed by the hip designer du jour?

Take this outfit for example. Even on sale for the low amount of $984 for the
dress, and $1053 for the jacket....and don't even get me started on the shoes...
I'd invest in Ford stock before investing $2037 in this outfit. And you know how I
feel about Ford.

From Saksfifthavenue.com complete abortion of an outfit by media darling Thakoon

For Those With More Money Than Taste

And just when you start to mourn for the demise of the retail sector you see something like this.

Marc Jacobs Channeling Stephen Sprouse

Marc Jacobs Homage to Sprouse for Louis Vuitton

And you think to yourself, LVMH deserves to lose money for bringing this overpriced nonsense to the market.

If you like the day-glo look you can read about this new line in WWD.

How About A Hat?

Murder in Mumbai
Tyranny in Thailand
Riots in Reykjavik

Let's chat about hats!

What did women do to improve their complexions before micro dermabrasion, fractal laser facials, botox injections, face lifts and a multibillion dollar cosmetics industry?
They wore hats, of course, the natural sunscreen!
Not that I'm suggesting that you cover your head....
We wouldn't want to put those Bedford Drive and Madison Avenue plastic surgeons out of business, would we? The unemployment rate is high enough.

For your reading pleasure, the always clever Miss Cavendish has a little Thanksgiving tale about a hat.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Here's a Vintage 1960's Turkey Feather Toque!

Celebrity Style Silliness - Divorce Settlement Style

I guess that Madonna didn't get the memo that Halloween is over

I don't even know what to say about this outfit except
woodland elf meets lost boy from peter pan

No wonder Guy couldn't take her for long