Thursday Evening

My Personal Photo

In the midst of a busy autumn, this little invitation arrived on my desk. Over the past month, there have been few moments where I’ve been able to untether myself from work. The launch party for Vogue’s The Editor’s Eye was the perfect excuse to throw on one of my Yves Saint Laurent cocktail dresses, a Chanel accessory or two and a great pair of heels. 

The Editor’s Eye is a wonderful tribute to Vogue’s 120-year history, and the fashion editors or visionaries who conceptualize a story from start to finish. Selecting models, locations, photographers, and clothing to create those arresting images. I can’t wait to spend more time with this book and to share a few fashion tomes that I love. The evening was a lovely celebration of Vogue’s women of today, Grace Coddington, Tonne Goodman, Phyllis Posnick and Camilla Nickerson and those from the past who paved the way- Carlyne Cerf de Dudzeele, Jade Hobson, Polly Mellen and Babs Simpson, who never cease to inspire. And of course, the night was a heartfelt toast to the woman who brings out excellence in everyone. 

Such a lovely evening indeed…

"You'll Be Fine"

SC for Louis Vuitton Via Habitually Chic

“Style begins with the people passing through one’s life, the harbingers we push against and the style makers we want to clone. Some are famous, some not. Style grows from admiration, from longing, from discrimination– and, yes, from love. It’s all the places you’ve been to and the people and the moments you’ve known: The parts you’ve adopted, to keep forever, and transformed. We wear our history in our hearts and on our backs.” – Christopher Wool’s Notes on Style

Recently, I had one of those meetings that you can’t stop thinking about. Amidst the shuffle, it’s hard to take the time to informally meet up with colleagues. For longer than I care to mention, a tentative lunch had been scheduled with a woman whose career I admire. A career so distinguished that she was called out of retirement to head up a new initiative. 

In a word this woman is fearless. Before we could sit down she mentioned how funny it was that she was here at her age doing something she loves. “Everyone is six feet tall, slim, and then there’s me. But, everyone couldn’t be kinder” she said laughing. From her humor and graciousness to her spot on tomboy style, she proves that style is ageless.   

We instantly bonded over a love of our careers, travel and jewelry. Before you know it, we were exchanging our favorite city haunts. Upon discovering that she lived in the West Village, I declared that she must stop by Lori McLean- one of my favorite little shops in the city. 

I’m not someone that shares or even talks about myself very much, so it came as a surprise that she managed to get me talking. In my experience, it’s rare that people take the time to understand what has shaped you or why you think the way that you do.

She was quick to tell me that despite all of her success she never had a plan. I make meticulous plans, so I prompted her on this. For her, it was about constantly challenging oneself. More than once, she mentioned just how lucky she was to do what she does. There’s something about seeing someone so passionate, that’s contagious. 

Perhaps what stuck with me most was the certainty and confidence with which she told me “you’ll be fine… you’re already in such a good place.” Who doesn’t want to hear that?

Have you had any inspiring moments lately? 

House of Mirth

My Personal Photos

“Summertime is a good time to reexamine New York and to receive again the gift of privacy, the jewel of loneliness. In summer the city contains (except for tourists) only die-hards and authentic characters. No casual, spotty dwellers are around, only the real article. And the town has a somewhat relaxed air…”

- E.B. White from Here is New York

For those of you who celebrated the fourth, I hope you had a safe and relaxing holiday. My favorite days are the holidays where everyone heads out of the city. An empty city affords the luxury of being able to steal a few peaceful moments alone.

Being alone with ones thoughts is the ultimate small luxury. There’s something inherently elegant in taking pleasure in your own company. I find nothing more peaceful than a beautiful gilded age garden (straight out of the likes of Henry James or Edith Wharton.)

This secret garden, with its shaded nooks is perfect for those quiet moments of respite that are essential for recharging, reading a book, or a picnic for two. Rarely do I feel that spark when I visit a space, but this space, along with the Frick and Alder Manor* make me feel that little stroke of genius.  How beautiful would an editorial featuring Fall 2012 couture here be?

Do you have any spaces that inspire you or small luxuries?

* Who could forget that wonderful Grace Coddington line in The September Issue? Pure brilliance.

Talking Fashion With Dries Van Noten

Courtesy of FIAF

``I’m more inspired by things which I don’t like…. Nothing is so boring as something beautiful. I prefer ugly things, which are surprising… You force yourself to ask yourself questions. ” 

Those of you who follow me on twitter heard my dilemma; whatever do you wear to an evening with Sir Dries Van Noten? Dries Van Noten is a designer I admire for his aesthetic, as well as the manner in which he runs his business. I’m very methodical when it comes to shopping, so it’s rare that I regret leaving an item behind in the store. The few exceptions have been Dries Van Noten pieces (a pair of shorts of all things), that I continually dream about.

I’m drawn to the subtlety that’s inherent in Dries Van Noten’s designs. His aesthetic is informed by color, fabric, print and texture, but done in such a subtle and composed way that’s unique. It was a pleasure to attend the French Institute Alliance Francaise’s third and final Fashion Talk of 2012 with Mr. Noten a few weeks ago. It was such an honor to hear the designer, who shuns promotional talks, speak so candidly about his process. 

It has often been asked if Mr. Noten is shy. He is not. In an hour he touched on so many facets of the complicated fashion industry with great generosity. Mr. Noten is unassuming, quiet and orderly. Much like his beautiful garden in Lier, Belgium. After each of Pamela Goblin’s questions, Mr. Noten would take the time to carefully consider what was being asked and to reply in a precise, articulate manner. My friend and I left that evening feeling as though, Mr. Noten had said everything he could possibly say, which is quite a feat for someone whose work truly speaks for itself. 

When asked about his approach to fashion, he mentioned that the only way to make the clothes he wanted to make was to start his own company. Dries Van Noten reaffirmed his contentment as an independent designer by stating “I like my independence, the possibility that I can do whatever I want. My design style is a natural thing. You put colors together. It’s me asking myself a lot of questions.” He repeatedly extolled the value of being able to follow his own rhythm as a designer. For Mr. Noten, this means foregoing pre-collections (the complexities of his fabric creations and the time involved renders this impossible). It also means prioritizing designing clothing over more lucrative accessories. It’s clear that he relishes being able to grow at his own pace.

Dries Van Noten's charming garden in Lier Via Vogue. Scans by me.

It was invaluable to hear about Mr. Noten’s unique business approach.  He stated that  when designing, "It’s a story. It’s not a person. I don’t have a muse. [Then] you have to choose a model. Then people will say, that is the only kind of person to wear the clothes and that is not for me.” There was a sheer joy when Mr. Noten spoke of the possibilities of playing with color, considering fabrics and choosing which style of garment to work with. I really appreciate the careful way that Dries Van Noten balances feminine and masculine textures, patterns, colors and shapes. It was beautiful to see his desire to create new volumes and proportions for every body type each season. This shouldn’t be a novelty, but sadly many designers refuse to acknowledge this. 

Mr. Noten cited that the greatest compliment as a designer was having people wear his clothes. When you don’t advertise, people purchase the clothes for the clothes, and not  for the brand, which is what Mr. Noten strives for. As both Creative Director and CEO of the brand, I enjoyed hearing his position on fashion shows. “Fashion shows are really my way of communication. I don’t go on Twitter. I don’t go to parties. I don’t often do fashion talks like this. So for me, it’s really what I want to communicate. It’s the end of the story… So the venue, the light, the location, the sound, the hair, the makeup, all makes it for me. You have ten minutes to explain to your audience what you are doing, what you want to tell. So everything has to be perfect.” As you know, I find such inspiration in considering all of the factors that go into a good fashion show. 

The perfect trench to wear when tending to that beautiful garden Via FirstView

I also loved hearing how special and personal the Paris store is to him. In keeping with the organic manner in which he runs his business, he was searching for a showroom, when he fell in love with the space. The Paris and Hong Kong boutiques are two of my favorite retail spaces- such beautiful environments that are truly expressive of the brand. Although what stood out most from the evening was the wonderful advice and reminder to "take your time..."

Inspiration- Standing Tall

Via JackandJil

One of the most delightful aspects of writing this blog is when lovely readers understand exactly what I’m attempting to say. Here’s to that sense of shared camaraderie that blogs inspire. Don’t we all just want to be heard and understood? When I wrote about this dress being one of my go-to smart dresses (for feeling instantly confident), the lovely, intelligent and talented Alice Olive commented “You walk taller in a dress like this, right?” That’s exactly it and I couldn’t have said it better. There are some garments that exude CONFIDENCE. I adore designers who design with this in mind. 

As soon as I read Alice Olive’s comment, I thought of this Tommy Ton photograph of Shala Monroque. This is the perfect example of wearing a garment with élan. Shala stands out in my mind for having an innate elegance, while remaining modern and insouciant. Perhaps it starts with a great smart dress, but here it’s really about poise, comportment- standing tall. Every woman deserves a dress that makes her look and feel this good. 

PS- I can’t begin to entertain the idea of wearing white shoes, much less the idea of white shoes in the Tuileries. I always wind up falling victim to the dust and debris. Yet, something about this is spot on. 

Return To Order

Courtesy of Into the Gloss

"Simplicity, good taste and grooming are the three fundamentals of good dressing…" Christian Dior 

It's impossible to have a conversation about personal style without talking about grooming. Nothing makes me feel instantly pulled together quite like being well-groomed. For me, this means having my hair done often (some things are best left to professionals), the perfect manicure and pedicure, flawless/glowing skin and natural makeup. Let it be known that I firmly believe that beauty comes from within, but sometimes we all need a little help. 

I'm the daughter of a beauty girl, which has informed my style immensely. Skincare takes precedence for my mother. Likewise, my biggest luxuries are moisturizers and spa worthy products that force me to take a few minutes to relax. 

Courtesy of Into the Gloss

We've all fallen under the spell of Into the Gloss for beauty related frivolity. The voyeur in me; loves hearing about the products that accomplished and beautiful women keep on their top shelves. Truth be told, I rely on my mother's opinions before diving into new products or altering my routine. I relish Into the Gloss for organization ideas. 

I like my beauty products, closet, desks and life neatly organized. I crave having all of my products in their rightful places. It's about simplicity and order. I can tell I've stumbled upon a top shelf that I'm going to love, when beauty products are meticulously arranged. It's comforting to know that even with my eyes closed I can find all of the items I need in an instant. Yes, I'm completely Type A. 

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. 

Bookmarked

That Collar 

The bobby pin as a barrette

The requisite bouclé piece- Moschino Dress and Celine Kitten Heels

LANVIN (SIGH)

The Peter Pan Collar- Louis Vuitton

Via Self Service No. 35- More images here

Since we're on the subject of inspiration and so many of you have been sharing what inspires you (keep them coming, I love reading them), I had to share this shoot from Self Service Issue No. 35. Full disclosure- one of my childhood friends holds a very fancy title at the magazine, so perhaps I'm partial. There's just something about this editorial that I keep coming back to. It's all very subtle, but there are so many little things that I find utterly charming. The bobby pin as a barrette. The heavy eyeliner. The windswept hair. The requisite bouclé piece to guard against autumn's chill. The peter pan collar. The diaphanous sleeves. The sculptural and voluminously shaped coats, suits and dresses. I could go on and on.

This shoot evokes the melancholy and mystery of long autumn afternoons. While crossing Central Park en route to the "Wonder of Age" exhibit at the Met* I was instantly reminded of my love for this shoot. While this editorial includes several of my favorite designers of late (Celine, Chanel, Lanvin, and Miu Miu to name a few), it's the spirit of the shoot that speaks to me. Can't you just imagine everyone having too much fun on set? I usually find nostalgic shoots to be a bit too staid, but this one hits the mark.

* I highly recommend "Wonder of the Age." It's such a treat to see so many superb masters in one exhibition and to finally dispel the long held western notions that these great works were made by unknown artisans. 

Inspiration On A Weekend

Via Lachlan Bailey for Vogue UK

It's the unofficial last weekend of summer and I'm loving every minute of it. I have been looking forward to this three day weekend for quite some time. A weekend spent in K Jacques and lightweight breezy little dresses. Labor Day weekend is always a nice little calm before the storm. Even though it's hot and I'm counting on at least a few more weeks of summer weather; slowly my mind is drifting to autumn.

When I saw this shoot in Vogue UK weeks ago I filed it away under autumn inspiration. Lachlan Bailey captured the elegant ladylike style that feels authentically me. I can imagine myself navigating the city in these looks. There's a quiet assurance and a confidence to these "grown up" looks. The ever enchanting Arizona Muse makes this editorial all the more stunning. Don't you just love her?

It's nice to come across an editorial that instantly makes you feel at home. Ladylike style is having a moment right now, but truthfully I'll take these looks anytime. Give me a crisp breezy day, a skirt in a subtle length and a drapey blouse to ease into fall.  

How's your weekend so far?

PS- I know a lot of people are shy about embracing this skirt length. A tad shorter would be more suitable for me, but I enjoy wearing a variety of skirt lengths with the exception of the maxi skirt. The maxi skirt looks fabulous on others, but just doesn't work for me.

Ethereal

Via Style.com

Via Style.com

Via Style.com

I’m not in the habit of posting runway images, but the Elie Saab Fall 2011 couture collection is simply divine.  It’s sure to be a source of inspiration for the upcoming Fall benefit season. Unlike Spring benefits; Fall benefits call for long gowns that command the red carpet. In a word this collection is ETHEREAL. Couture is a dying art, but these gowns are light, airy and modern. At the heart of this collection is the universal truth that sometimes a girl just wants to look pretty.

Each dress manages to be seductive without revealing too much. These dresses strike the perfect balance. They skim the body, but they don’t cling. What’s shown is just as important as what’s left to the imagination. I adore a designer who thinks about evening outside of the predictable strapless silhouette. There’s something refreshing about stepping out in something unexpected. Perhaps it’s a sign of true confidence.

Now we only have to wait for the Fall benefits to commence.

* You can view the complete collection HERE. 

Little Happy List #2

My Personal Photo

It has been a while since I posted a Little Happy List. We're overdue for a dose of happy, aren't we? Here's to happiness.

1) The High Line

My Personal Photo

My Personal Photo

My Personal Photo

I enjoy walking the High Line. Rarely does an idea come to fruition and end up being better than you ever imagined. The High Line is exactly that. A New York City park built on an elevated freight rail structure. It's the perfect place for practicing my photography, reading, enjoying amazing horticulture and people watching.  Oh the people watching. I love the balance between the industrial settling and the sophisticated landscape filled with flowers and trees. I hope this summer provides many opportunities to enjoy this great outdoor space.

2) Silk Shirts 

Via Quiet is the New Loud 

A couple of cool days presented the perfect opportunity for wearing the silk shirts I had made in Hong Kong. Such a wonderful addition to my wardrobe. I'm considering ordering another shirt in a blush color. Blush is quickly becoming on of my favorite summer colors.

3) Wimbledon



Via Matchbook



Via This is Glamorous

There is nothing like tennis whites at the most prestigious of tennis tournaments. Thirteen days of tennis is heaven.

4) Ladurée 

Via Classy in the City

I'm anxiously awaiting the opening of Ladurée in New York. Macaroons are always too sweet and dense here. Ladurée won't replace a trip to Paris, but I'm sure it will become a tea spot for my mom and I after a museum day.

5) Dashing Men's Accessories



My Personal Photo

I had the opportunity to attend the Cole Haan & Les Toiles du Soleil Limited Edition Collaboration launch party How apropos on the eve of Pitti Uomo and Milan Men's Fashion Week. I was smitten by this colorful bow tie. I have a weakness for dapper men's accessories. Tell me this bow tie doesn't make you smile.



 The month of June flew by. What's making you terribly happy these days?





Summer Love

Via Sun Kissed Love

Summer may only be a couple days in, but I can tell it's going to be a good one. Warm weather makes me feel better. There's something hopeful about the possibility of  being able to leave work with a little daylight left. (I'll be honest, I'm a work in progress when it comes to leaving work at a reasonable hour.) Yesterday my colleague and I took a fifteen minute break to enjoy a beautiful day and we both felt energized. 

Via All Things Elegant

Via All Things Elegant

My Personal Photo

Summer is all about enjoying every precious moment of being outside. It's about lightness and taking it easy. Summer is...

* Crisp blouses in natural fabrics

* Ladylike dresses and skirts

* Fabrics that move with the breeze

* White denim 

* Sunnies 

* Cool nights that call for a Breton shirt (Truth be told I wear stripy shirts year round.)

* Impromptu trips to Cooper's Beach and Surf Lodge (I love being near the sea.)

My list could go on and on. I take pleasure in little luxuries like sun and in season produce. My only complaint is air conditioning. I'm perpetually cold and don't do well with air conditioning. I find myself doing the fashion thing of wearing my jackets and blazers draped over my shoulders. 

What are your favorite things about Summer?