Ladies, it's time to get those spring pedicures and new heels for the annual "Stiletto Strut" at Neiman Marcus Willow Bend and just in case you've got a budget badger, remind him that those new stilettos are for charity.
Shoe-lovers of Collin County are counting the days until the April 14 Neiman Marcus Willow Bend Stiletto Strut benefitting Star Children's Charity.Ê The annual event boasts big names and large donations for the children's charity that donates funds to several Collin County children's charities.
"We are strutting for the children of Collin County," Jan Richey, co-chair and Star member, said. "Each day the demand grows for services to meet the safety, health and well being of our children.Ê Neiman Marcus Willow Bend and Star have partnered to create a fun event to raise much needed money to support the nonprofits of Collin County who serve children.Ê It is an honor to chair the Stiletto Strut with my dear friend, Maureen Steitle."
The evening is dedicated to raising funds for the children of Collin County through Star Children's Charity, which provides significant financial support to improve services for medical, education, enrichment and safety through children-serving, nonprofit organizations in the county.
Beneficiaries of Star Children's Charity include Boys and Girls Club of Collin County, Children's Medical Center at Legacy, CITY House, Plano Children's Medical Clinic, The Samaritan Inn and Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. Sponsorships and ticket reservations for the Stiletto Strut are available at www.StarChildrens.com or by calling 972-943-3344.ÊÊ
Get a pair of summer shades that fit perfectly at the sunglass fit event, or grab a snazzy sketch to take home by the stiletto sketch artist. A party photo booth will also be on hand to capture new looks after the Chanel makeovers and participants will have a chance to win $1,800 worth of designer shoes from Neiman Marcus during the designer shoe raffle.
A runway workshop will also take place to help obtain the perfect strut and swagger, not to mention the celebrity shoe auction featuring shoes from Magic and Cookie Johnson, Victoria Snee and others.
Participants will have a chance to mingle with celebrity co-chairs Victoria Snee of 102.9 and The Beauty Buzz with husband, Jeff Crilley as well as Lev Glazman, founder and creator of FRESH in Cosmetics.
Beauty experts and authors Sandy Linder and Lois Joy Johnson will be on hand at the Lancome counter in cosmetics where guests can receive a complimentary copy of their book, "The Make Up Wake Up" with any $100 Lancome purchase.
This year, men are also welcome to hang out in a special lounge while the women enjoy a little pampering and a lot of high fashion. Men can relax in the "Loafer's Lounge," which includes casino tables, a sports viewing center, cigar rolling, a Robert Graham Men's Fashion presentation, and complimentary men's facials in The Man's Store.
"Neiman Marcus Willow Bend is excited to partner with Star Children's Charity on our second annual Stiletto Strut event," Marcus Wyss, Vice President and General Manager for Neiman Marcus Willow Bend said in a release. "We know women in Collin County love designer shoes and we have the best selection from vendors like Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, Christian Louboutin, Prada, Gucci and more. ÊThe event will be an evening of fashion and fun while raising money for seven Collin County non-profit agencies.
2011年4月7日星期四
The lowdown on high heels
After teetering on vertiginous stilettos, women may get some relief as designers have lowered their heights for their 2011 Fall/Winter collections.
Spiky heels and stilettos haven't disappeared from the catwalk, but designers showing their newest lines at New York Fashion Week featured plenty of lower, stacked, chunky heels, wedges, booties and coloured socks.
“They're quirkier. I think they're more wearable and cooler,” said Dana Schwartz, the director of communications for Jill Stuart about the shoes and the look.
“It goes with the current trend of longer hemlines, blouses and more done-up, sophisticated silhouettes. The shoes counter that to bring it back.”
New York designer Stuart paired bold, abstract animal prints, strong colours in rusts, red, oranges, black and aubergine and below-the-knee skirts in a collection inspired by the forest and a dark, wintry fairytale with wedges, booties and socks crumpled around or above the ankles.
The chunky shoes offset the feminine looks and gave the collection a quirky touch.
“It adds playfulness to the overall look,” Schwartz added.
Dark coloured socks were an added touch and accompanied nearly every outfit, including tapered trousers, elongated skirts, as well as softer shifts and feminine dresses.
Adam Lippes, the founder and creative director of ADAM, also featured socks in his fall collection, but instead of sturdier shoes he matched them with Manolo Blahnik high heels for a funky yet feminine look.
White, brown and black socks worn with strappy ankle-tie stilettos added the finishing touch to a button-topped pleated skirt, silk printed dresses, a strapless black lace gown and a gold embroidered dress in the collection inspired by a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan.
“It (the sock) really draws a lot of attention to the shoes,” said Erin Conroy, a spokesman for Italian shoemaker Via Spiga.
Wedged booties, stacked heels and combat boots also completed New York-based English fashion designer Charlotte Ronson's sombre grunge, outdoorsy look that featured chunky sweaters, military jackets, wide-leg trousers and maxi and miniskirts.
“Part of it is the comfort factor,” Conroy said. “For women who are seeking comfort, the wedge is a great solution because you don't have to give up the height to be comfortable.”
For Emmanuelle Alt, the new editor-in-chief of French Vogue, who will be presiding over the Paris shows, shoes are the most important element of an outfit.
“You can wear just about anything as long as you have beautiful shoes, but you can't do the opposite,” she told Elle Decoration in 1977.
Fans of super-high platforms weren't disappointed by designer Christian Siriano, of Project Runway fame. He opted for drama with shoes not for the faint-hearted. His towering clunky designs included snakeskin, studs and buckles.
But Siriano's shoes were a bit too challenging for one model, who tumbled on the runway during his New York show.
Spiky heels and stilettos haven't disappeared from the catwalk, but designers showing their newest lines at New York Fashion Week featured plenty of lower, stacked, chunky heels, wedges, booties and coloured socks.
“They're quirkier. I think they're more wearable and cooler,” said Dana Schwartz, the director of communications for Jill Stuart about the shoes and the look.
“It goes with the current trend of longer hemlines, blouses and more done-up, sophisticated silhouettes. The shoes counter that to bring it back.”
New York designer Stuart paired bold, abstract animal prints, strong colours in rusts, red, oranges, black and aubergine and below-the-knee skirts in a collection inspired by the forest and a dark, wintry fairytale with wedges, booties and socks crumpled around or above the ankles.
The chunky shoes offset the feminine looks and gave the collection a quirky touch.
“It adds playfulness to the overall look,” Schwartz added.
Dark coloured socks were an added touch and accompanied nearly every outfit, including tapered trousers, elongated skirts, as well as softer shifts and feminine dresses.
Adam Lippes, the founder and creative director of ADAM, also featured socks in his fall collection, but instead of sturdier shoes he matched them with Manolo Blahnik high heels for a funky yet feminine look.
White, brown and black socks worn with strappy ankle-tie stilettos added the finishing touch to a button-topped pleated skirt, silk printed dresses, a strapless black lace gown and a gold embroidered dress in the collection inspired by a visit to the National Museum of the American Indian in Manhattan.
“It (the sock) really draws a lot of attention to the shoes,” said Erin Conroy, a spokesman for Italian shoemaker Via Spiga.
Wedged booties, stacked heels and combat boots also completed New York-based English fashion designer Charlotte Ronson's sombre grunge, outdoorsy look that featured chunky sweaters, military jackets, wide-leg trousers and maxi and miniskirts.
“Part of it is the comfort factor,” Conroy said. “For women who are seeking comfort, the wedge is a great solution because you don't have to give up the height to be comfortable.”
For Emmanuelle Alt, the new editor-in-chief of French Vogue, who will be presiding over the Paris shows, shoes are the most important element of an outfit.
“You can wear just about anything as long as you have beautiful shoes, but you can't do the opposite,” she told Elle Decoration in 1977.
Fans of super-high platforms weren't disappointed by designer Christian Siriano, of Project Runway fame. He opted for drama with shoes not for the faint-hearted. His towering clunky designs included snakeskin, studs and buckles.
But Siriano's shoes were a bit too challenging for one model, who tumbled on the runway during his New York show.
2011年4月5日星期二
Manolo Blahniks vs. Cheaper Heels
When it comes to high-heeled shoes, most women are willing to tolerate pain for for fashion.
But does paying top dollars for high heels make a difference on comfort?
Consumer Reports ShopSmart tested basic heels ranging from $30 a pair all the way up to $575 a pair to find out.
The shoes on display at the Manolo Blahnik boutique are top of the line and you can easily spend a small fortune there. Anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars.
To find out if high-end, expensive shoes are worth the high price, Consumer Reports ShopSmart rounded up more than a dozen testers to try out three different pairs.
"We covered up all the labels so the women couldn't tell which were the less expensive pairs of shoes and which were the expensive ones," says Mandy Walker of Consumer Reports ShopSmart.
The shoes included a $30 pair of Mossimo's from Target, $69 heels from Nine West, and a $575 pair from Manolo Blahnik.
The women walked a defined course twice a day for a week in each pair of shoes. They filled out a ballot each time.
Most of the women thought two pairs looked and felt pretty good, but not the $30 pair from Target.
"I was holding onto the wall when I was walking around the building testing them," says Cathy Cotters, a Consumer Reports tester.
"These shoes were the most uncomfortable of the ones that we tested," says Lisa Gill, another Consumer Reports tester.
To size up how well each shoe was made, ShopSmart went extreme by cutting the shoes in half.
"Overall the Manolos were a better-made shoe," says Walker. "The materials they were made of were superior, and many of the women liked the styling, too."
However, in the blind tests more women thought the $69 Nine West shoes were more comfortable.
ShopSmart says the smart money move with high heels is to make fit the deciding factor.
"Determine the style you want, what your budget is, and if they feel good when you walk around in them, buy them," says Walker.
Consumer Reports ShopSmart says good leather heels need special care. It's best not to wear them two days in a row. That gives the shoes time to dry out. And avoid wearing them in bad weather. Step in a puddle with oil, gas, or road salt, and you can ruin them.
But does paying top dollars for high heels make a difference on comfort?
Consumer Reports ShopSmart tested basic heels ranging from $30 a pair all the way up to $575 a pair to find out.
The shoes on display at the Manolo Blahnik boutique are top of the line and you can easily spend a small fortune there. Anywhere from several hundred to thousands of dollars.
To find out if high-end, expensive shoes are worth the high price, Consumer Reports ShopSmart rounded up more than a dozen testers to try out three different pairs.
"We covered up all the labels so the women couldn't tell which were the less expensive pairs of shoes and which were the expensive ones," says Mandy Walker of Consumer Reports ShopSmart.
The shoes included a $30 pair of Mossimo's from Target, $69 heels from Nine West, and a $575 pair from Manolo Blahnik.
The women walked a defined course twice a day for a week in each pair of shoes. They filled out a ballot each time.
Most of the women thought two pairs looked and felt pretty good, but not the $30 pair from Target.
"I was holding onto the wall when I was walking around the building testing them," says Cathy Cotters, a Consumer Reports tester.
"These shoes were the most uncomfortable of the ones that we tested," says Lisa Gill, another Consumer Reports tester.
To size up how well each shoe was made, ShopSmart went extreme by cutting the shoes in half.
"Overall the Manolos were a better-made shoe," says Walker. "The materials they were made of were superior, and many of the women liked the styling, too."
However, in the blind tests more women thought the $69 Nine West shoes were more comfortable.
ShopSmart says the smart money move with high heels is to make fit the deciding factor.
"Determine the style you want, what your budget is, and if they feel good when you walk around in them, buy them," says Walker.
Consumer Reports ShopSmart says good leather heels need special care. It's best not to wear them two days in a row. That gives the shoes time to dry out. And avoid wearing them in bad weather. Step in a puddle with oil, gas, or road salt, and you can ruin them.
2011年3月29日星期二
She's bringing the '60s back
If the '60s are making a modern-day comeback, it's thanks in large part to Janie Bryant, the renowned costume designer behind the popular television series Mad Men.
Since 2008, she has been the force behind a revolution in the fashion world, bringing vintage back and inspiring designers such as Prada along the way.
Bryant is doing with 1960s style exactly what stylist Patricia Field did a decade ago with Sex and the City (the Manolo Blahnik craze, gold jewelery and vintage dresses).
You can see traces of Bryant all over the place; at retailers selling "nerd" glasses on Broadway, in the aisles of Forever 21, recent Michael Kors shows, in Halloween costumes and even on invitations to themed events. Even Brooks Brothers started selling a three-piece "Mad Men Edition" suit.
It is not often that a television show becomes so successful because of its clothing choices.
"I was not expecting this at all," Bryant says. "I see it everywhere, on the catwalk, in the street. The first time it really hit me was when (show creator) Matt Weiner called me at the beginning of season two to tell me he saw guys dressed up as Don Draper on the street."
I meet the Tennessee-born Bryant at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where she is getting ready to present a conference for fashion students. A "lady" to her core (she doesn't own a single pair of flat shoes), Bryant proudly shows me her handbag, a piece from her new collection of clothing for American chain QVC.
With the success of Mad Men, Bryant has slowly built an empire consisting of items such as vintage nail polish, a book on one's quest for personal style (The Fashion File) and clothing for women. She is now planning to step into the world of men's clothing, lingerie, wedding dresses and even bedding, all faithful to her passion for vintage.
Bryant is obsessed with antique clothing. She picks every piece of material for the show in Los Angeles second-hand stores with the same discerning eye as a museum curator. Good thing too, as Reiner is known for being a stickler for details. For example, he demands that his actresses stop working out so that they don't have muscled arms.
Each episode uses between 75 and 200 costumes, a massive task for which Bryant counts on a team of nine to help. She makes the majority of the costumes herself.
"Let's just say that the budget is really tight, we have to be really creative," Bryant says.
After studying fashion design in California, New York and Paris, Bryant then transitioned into the world of costume design. She earned an Emmy Award for her work on the show Deadwood in 2005, but it was Mad Men that really put her on the map in 2007.
Bryant says she draws inspiration from stylish early-1960s films such as The Apartment, The Days of Wine, Madison Avenue and Les Bonnes Femmes, which she studies religiously. Production for the fourth series of Mad Men wrapped in September and Bryant is still waiting to find out when filming for season five will begin.
Bryant also works with Montreal actress Jessica Pare, who play's Don Draper's fiancée Megan, on the show.
"I love Jessica so much," Bryant says. "That character was all about the new life for Don Draper, about showing what was going on in fashion at that time. It is still office wear, but we still have glimpses of mini dresses, boots; she's the modern young girl."
As for the character of Betty Draper (January Jones), Bryant said she draws inspiration from both her grandmother and Grace Kelly. Bryant has also been credited with the rediscovered appreciation for women with curves on the small screen, such as Christina Hendricks.
And what is she most proud of?
"That people are starting to dress up more," she says.
Since 2008, she has been the force behind a revolution in the fashion world, bringing vintage back and inspiring designers such as Prada along the way.
Bryant is doing with 1960s style exactly what stylist Patricia Field did a decade ago with Sex and the City (the Manolo Blahnik craze, gold jewelery and vintage dresses).
You can see traces of Bryant all over the place; at retailers selling "nerd" glasses on Broadway, in the aisles of Forever 21, recent Michael Kors shows, in Halloween costumes and even on invitations to themed events. Even Brooks Brothers started selling a three-piece "Mad Men Edition" suit.
It is not often that a television show becomes so successful because of its clothing choices.
"I was not expecting this at all," Bryant says. "I see it everywhere, on the catwalk, in the street. The first time it really hit me was when (show creator) Matt Weiner called me at the beginning of season two to tell me he saw guys dressed up as Don Draper on the street."
I meet the Tennessee-born Bryant at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where she is getting ready to present a conference for fashion students. A "lady" to her core (she doesn't own a single pair of flat shoes), Bryant proudly shows me her handbag, a piece from her new collection of clothing for American chain QVC.
With the success of Mad Men, Bryant has slowly built an empire consisting of items such as vintage nail polish, a book on one's quest for personal style (The Fashion File) and clothing for women. She is now planning to step into the world of men's clothing, lingerie, wedding dresses and even bedding, all faithful to her passion for vintage.
Bryant is obsessed with antique clothing. She picks every piece of material for the show in Los Angeles second-hand stores with the same discerning eye as a museum curator. Good thing too, as Reiner is known for being a stickler for details. For example, he demands that his actresses stop working out so that they don't have muscled arms.
Each episode uses between 75 and 200 costumes, a massive task for which Bryant counts on a team of nine to help. She makes the majority of the costumes herself.
"Let's just say that the budget is really tight, we have to be really creative," Bryant says.
After studying fashion design in California, New York and Paris, Bryant then transitioned into the world of costume design. She earned an Emmy Award for her work on the show Deadwood in 2005, but it was Mad Men that really put her on the map in 2007.
Bryant says she draws inspiration from stylish early-1960s films such as The Apartment, The Days of Wine, Madison Avenue and Les Bonnes Femmes, which she studies religiously. Production for the fourth series of Mad Men wrapped in September and Bryant is still waiting to find out when filming for season five will begin.
Bryant also works with Montreal actress Jessica Pare, who play's Don Draper's fiancée Megan, on the show.
"I love Jessica so much," Bryant says. "That character was all about the new life for Don Draper, about showing what was going on in fashion at that time. It is still office wear, but we still have glimpses of mini dresses, boots; she's the modern young girl."
As for the character of Betty Draper (January Jones), Bryant said she draws inspiration from both her grandmother and Grace Kelly. Bryant has also been credited with the rediscovered appreciation for women with curves on the small screen, such as Christina Hendricks.
And what is she most proud of?
"That people are starting to dress up more," she says.
2011年3月20日星期日
The heart and sole of Jimmy Choo
Jimmy Choo's heart and soul — and sole, too — belongs to a woman. Tamara Mellon is growing the luxury brand that has built its reputation on towering high heels into a full-fledged fashion house.
She works on it every single day, she says, and she lives it, too.
She is jet-setter, with her stylish leather luggage (and the wet wipes tucked in her weekender — as she's also a bit of a germophobe); she is business executive, recently named a business ambassador by British Prime Minister David Cameron; she's an eager creative sponge, one season becoming an expert on the life and times of Blondie's Deborah Harry, who was her inspiration; and she's a single mother who wears Uggs or Wellies, depending on the weather, to the park to play with her 8-year-old daughter.
However, as a can-do person, Mellon tackled that whole comfort-mom wardrobe thing head-on, working with both Uggs and Hunter to develop Jimmy Choo cross-branded products that would meet her own style standards.
Her shoes, wardrobe, hair and makeup — each time she walks out the door — can't be an afterthought, says Mellon. She's wearing a leopard-print sheath and pointy-toe patent pumps on this day for an interview in a plush private room at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship on Fifth Avenue before a public appearance to promote the new Choo fragrance.
"I do have to think about how I look — and it's really in you or it isn't if you care — but I have to be the brand," she says. It's not all black tie and red carpet, mind you, she says, although those are the photos people will see. But when she goes to the office, the outfit will still be chic, fashion-forward and "on the right side of sexy" — complemented with her biker boots.
Anamaria Wilson, fashion news director for Harper's Bazaar, says Mellon's stamp is all over every piece. "The collection is chic and refined, but with a sexy sensibility — much like Tamara herself."
If she wouldn't wear something, there's really no point in offering it to other women, right? Mellon wonders aloud. "If you think you can rely on some sort of science for all this, you will make a mistake. Fashion is about emotion. It's about, ‘What do I want?' and ‘What do women want?'"
Considering the number of shoppers lined up to speak to Mellon on Saks' first floor — definitely dozens — it seems Mellon hears regularly from customers. They want fashion advice, style tips and even guidance on what shoes to wear for their wedding day.
Her answer — to all of them: "My favorite thing to tell people is, ‘Dare to do it and don't be afraid.'"
Mellon was accessories editor at British Vogue back in 1996 when she sensed the opening for a new collection of luxury-label shoes to rival the likes of Manolo Blahnik. Jimmy Choo, the man, had a reputation of craftsmanship for his small couture-level business based in East London.
They launched the brand together, moving production to Italy and courting retailers as well as opening their own boutique. Equinox Luxury Holdings bought him out of his share in 2001, and in 2007, a private equity firm bought a majority of shares, although Mellon retains creative control.
She knew she had a success on her hands, er, feet, when, in 1998, a flood of boxes arrived at the Motcomb Street store and she was surrounded by what she felt were little works of wearable art. "That's when my vision came to life," Mellon says. "I can still get that excited — you know, when you get that rush, when you feel you've got it right."
Mellon says it took years to develop the fragrance because it had to be the perfect blend, one that she thinks she and her customers will want to wear on a daily basis for years to come. She wanted it "sensual — and not weak in any way," she explains, ultimately settling on a scent dominated by orchid and patchouli notes.
She'll spray it on every time she's about to disembark a plane to her next destination, hoping it'll become part of the signature style that is Tamara Mellon — and Jimmy Choo.
She works on it every single day, she says, and she lives it, too.
She is jet-setter, with her stylish leather luggage (and the wet wipes tucked in her weekender — as she's also a bit of a germophobe); she is business executive, recently named a business ambassador by British Prime Minister David Cameron; she's an eager creative sponge, one season becoming an expert on the life and times of Blondie's Deborah Harry, who was her inspiration; and she's a single mother who wears Uggs or Wellies, depending on the weather, to the park to play with her 8-year-old daughter.
However, as a can-do person, Mellon tackled that whole comfort-mom wardrobe thing head-on, working with both Uggs and Hunter to develop Jimmy Choo cross-branded products that would meet her own style standards.
Her shoes, wardrobe, hair and makeup — each time she walks out the door — can't be an afterthought, says Mellon. She's wearing a leopard-print sheath and pointy-toe patent pumps on this day for an interview in a plush private room at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship on Fifth Avenue before a public appearance to promote the new Choo fragrance.
"I do have to think about how I look — and it's really in you or it isn't if you care — but I have to be the brand," she says. It's not all black tie and red carpet, mind you, she says, although those are the photos people will see. But when she goes to the office, the outfit will still be chic, fashion-forward and "on the right side of sexy" — complemented with her biker boots.
Anamaria Wilson, fashion news director for Harper's Bazaar, says Mellon's stamp is all over every piece. "The collection is chic and refined, but with a sexy sensibility — much like Tamara herself."
If she wouldn't wear something, there's really no point in offering it to other women, right? Mellon wonders aloud. "If you think you can rely on some sort of science for all this, you will make a mistake. Fashion is about emotion. It's about, ‘What do I want?' and ‘What do women want?'"
Considering the number of shoppers lined up to speak to Mellon on Saks' first floor — definitely dozens — it seems Mellon hears regularly from customers. They want fashion advice, style tips and even guidance on what shoes to wear for their wedding day.
Her answer — to all of them: "My favorite thing to tell people is, ‘Dare to do it and don't be afraid.'"
Mellon was accessories editor at British Vogue back in 1996 when she sensed the opening for a new collection of luxury-label shoes to rival the likes of Manolo Blahnik. Jimmy Choo, the man, had a reputation of craftsmanship for his small couture-level business based in East London.
They launched the brand together, moving production to Italy and courting retailers as well as opening their own boutique. Equinox Luxury Holdings bought him out of his share in 2001, and in 2007, a private equity firm bought a majority of shares, although Mellon retains creative control.
She knew she had a success on her hands, er, feet, when, in 1998, a flood of boxes arrived at the Motcomb Street store and she was surrounded by what she felt were little works of wearable art. "That's when my vision came to life," Mellon says. "I can still get that excited — you know, when you get that rush, when you feel you've got it right."
Mellon says it took years to develop the fragrance because it had to be the perfect blend, one that she thinks she and her customers will want to wear on a daily basis for years to come. She wanted it "sensual — and not weak in any way," she explains, ultimately settling on a scent dominated by orchid and patchouli notes.
She'll spray it on every time she's about to disembark a plane to her next destination, hoping it'll become part of the signature style that is Tamara Mellon — and Jimmy Choo.
2011年3月15日星期二
Grace Coddington Once Buried Manolo Blahnik In The Sand
Admit it — you didn't know who Grace Coddington was until you saw The September Issue. But that's OK. Since the movie came out she's been making up for decades of denying that she's a celebrity and doing things like an interesting profile in Intelligent Life, a supplement to The Economist.
The profile, penned by former Coddington assistant Julie Kavanagh (who's now the London editor of Vanity Fair), details Coddington's decades in fashion, and explains how she's transformed from one the most quietly influential people in the industry to one of its stars. A lot of it comes from hard work, and some of it comes from working in the industry for so long, both as a model and as a fashion editor. But mostly, it's from her looking at fashion as something magical and fun rather than as a business. Below, some of our favorite bits of the piece, including the time she did a beach shoot with Manolo Blahnik, the time she quit working for Anna Wintour and why she needs to slow down — just a little bit.
On playing on the beach with Manolo Blahnik.
For a cover, she got David Bailey to shoot the actress Anjelica Huston enfolded in the arms of the shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, in a kitschy pose against a Corsican coastal sunset. Grace bursts out laughing when I remind her. "It was pretty ridiculous—there's no one more camp than Manolo. He brought his own clothes and took far more of my time discussing what he was going to wear than Anjelica did. To shut him up we buried him in the sand, with only his head and spotted handkerchief showing."
That time she quit working for Anna.
At British Vogue, Grace creates a startling series of "sprawling, National Geographic-style photo essays—more than 20 pages long—in which the clothes were so smoothly integrated they barely registered as fashion photographs at all", as the fashion writer Michael Roberts put it. In March 1986, Anna Wintour becomes editor-in-chief. Grace resigns in December: "Anna was much more into ‘sexy' than I was." (Coddington rejoined Wintour at American Vogue in 1988.)
On getting older.
"I got really sick last time in Paris, and I was on antibiotics for two months. I push my body too hard, and do have to stop myself now from jumping on a plane. It used to be me who got sent to Russia and China while the older editors like Sheila Whetton stayed behind: but I'm one of those older ones now."
The profile, penned by former Coddington assistant Julie Kavanagh (who's now the London editor of Vanity Fair), details Coddington's decades in fashion, and explains how she's transformed from one the most quietly influential people in the industry to one of its stars. A lot of it comes from hard work, and some of it comes from working in the industry for so long, both as a model and as a fashion editor. But mostly, it's from her looking at fashion as something magical and fun rather than as a business. Below, some of our favorite bits of the piece, including the time she did a beach shoot with Manolo Blahnik, the time she quit working for Anna Wintour and why she needs to slow down — just a little bit.
On playing on the beach with Manolo Blahnik.
For a cover, she got David Bailey to shoot the actress Anjelica Huston enfolded in the arms of the shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, in a kitschy pose against a Corsican coastal sunset. Grace bursts out laughing when I remind her. "It was pretty ridiculous—there's no one more camp than Manolo. He brought his own clothes and took far more of my time discussing what he was going to wear than Anjelica did. To shut him up we buried him in the sand, with only his head and spotted handkerchief showing."
That time she quit working for Anna.
At British Vogue, Grace creates a startling series of "sprawling, National Geographic-style photo essays—more than 20 pages long—in which the clothes were so smoothly integrated they barely registered as fashion photographs at all", as the fashion writer Michael Roberts put it. In March 1986, Anna Wintour becomes editor-in-chief. Grace resigns in December: "Anna was much more into ‘sexy' than I was." (Coddington rejoined Wintour at American Vogue in 1988.)
On getting older.
"I got really sick last time in Paris, and I was on antibiotics for two months. I push my body too hard, and do have to stop myself now from jumping on a plane. It used to be me who got sent to Russia and China while the older editors like Sheila Whetton stayed behind: but I'm one of those older ones now."
2011年3月13日星期日
Tamara Mellon is at the heart and sole of Jimmy Choo
Jimmy Choo's heart and soul - and sole, too - belongs to a woman. Tamara Mellon is growing the luxury brand that has built its reputation on towering high heels into a full-fledged fashion house.
She works on it every single day, she says, and she lives it, too.
She is jet-setter, with her stylish leather luggage (and the wet wipes tucked in her weekender - as she's also a bit of a germophobe); she is business executive, recently being named a business ambassador by British Prime Minister David Cameron; she's eager creative sponge, one season becoming an expert on the life and times of Blondie's Deborah Harry, who was her inspiration; and she's single mother, who wears Uggs or Wellies, depending on the weather, to the park to play with her 8-year-old daughter.
However, as a can-do person, Mellon tackled that whole comfort-mom wardrobe thing head-on, working with both Uggs and Hunter to develop Jimmy Choo-cross branded products that would meet her own style standards.
Her shoes, wardrobe, hair and makeup each time she walks out the door can't be an afterthought, says Mellon. She's wearing a leopard-print sheath and pointy-toe patent pumps on this day for an interview in a plush private room at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship on Fifth Avenue before a public appearance to promote the new Choo fragrance.
"I do have to think about how I look - and it's really in you or it isn't if you care - but I have to be the brand," she says. It's not all black tie and red carpet, mind you, she says, although those are the photos people will see. But when she goes to the office, the outfit will still be chic, fashion-forward and "on the right side of sexy" - complemented with her biker boots.
Anamaria Wilson, fashion news director for Harper's Bazaar, says Mellon's stamp is all over every piece. "The collection is chic and refined, but with a sexy sensibility - much like Tamara herself."
If she wouldn't wear something, there's really no point in offering it to other women, right? Mellon wonders aloud. "If you think you can rely on some sort of science for all this, you will make a mistake. Fashion is about emotion. It's about, 'What do I want?' and 'What do women want?'"
Considering the number of shoppers lined up to speak to Mellon on Saks' first floor - definitely dozens - it seems Mellon hears regularly from customers. They want fashion advice, style tips and even guidance on what shoes to wear for their wedding day.
Her answer - to all of them: "My favorite thing to tell people is, 'Dare to do it and don't be afraid.'"
Mellon was accessories editor at British Vogue back in 1996 when she sensed the opening for a new collection of luxury-label shoes to rival the likes of Manolo Blahnik. Jimmy Choo, the man, had a reputation of craftsmanship for his small couture-level business based in East London.
They launched the brand together, moving production to Italy and courting retailers as well as opening their own boutique. Equinox Luxury Holdings bought him out of his share in 2001, and in 2007, a private equity firm bought a majority of shares, although Mellon retains creative control.
She knew she had a success on her hands, er, feet, when, in 1998, a flood of boxes arrived at the Motcomb Street store and she was surrounded by what she felt were little works of wearable art. "That's when my vision came to life," Mellon says. "I can still get that excited - you know when you get that rush when you feel you've got it right."
Mellon says it took years to develop the fragrance because it had to be the perfect blend, one that she thinks she and her customers will want to wear on a daily basis for years to come. She wanted it "sensual - and not weak in any way," she explains, ultimately settling on a scent dominated by orchid and patchouli notes.
She'll spray it on every time she's about to disembark a plane to her next destination, hoping it'll become part of the signature style that is Tamara Mellon - and Jimmy Choo.
She works on it every single day, she says, and she lives it, too.
She is jet-setter, with her stylish leather luggage (and the wet wipes tucked in her weekender - as she's also a bit of a germophobe); she is business executive, recently being named a business ambassador by British Prime Minister David Cameron; she's eager creative sponge, one season becoming an expert on the life and times of Blondie's Deborah Harry, who was her inspiration; and she's single mother, who wears Uggs or Wellies, depending on the weather, to the park to play with her 8-year-old daughter.
However, as a can-do person, Mellon tackled that whole comfort-mom wardrobe thing head-on, working with both Uggs and Hunter to develop Jimmy Choo-cross branded products that would meet her own style standards.
Her shoes, wardrobe, hair and makeup each time she walks out the door can't be an afterthought, says Mellon. She's wearing a leopard-print sheath and pointy-toe patent pumps on this day for an interview in a plush private room at the Saks Fifth Avenue flagship on Fifth Avenue before a public appearance to promote the new Choo fragrance.
"I do have to think about how I look - and it's really in you or it isn't if you care - but I have to be the brand," she says. It's not all black tie and red carpet, mind you, she says, although those are the photos people will see. But when she goes to the office, the outfit will still be chic, fashion-forward and "on the right side of sexy" - complemented with her biker boots.
Anamaria Wilson, fashion news director for Harper's Bazaar, says Mellon's stamp is all over every piece. "The collection is chic and refined, but with a sexy sensibility - much like Tamara herself."
If she wouldn't wear something, there's really no point in offering it to other women, right? Mellon wonders aloud. "If you think you can rely on some sort of science for all this, you will make a mistake. Fashion is about emotion. It's about, 'What do I want?' and 'What do women want?'"
Considering the number of shoppers lined up to speak to Mellon on Saks' first floor - definitely dozens - it seems Mellon hears regularly from customers. They want fashion advice, style tips and even guidance on what shoes to wear for their wedding day.
Her answer - to all of them: "My favorite thing to tell people is, 'Dare to do it and don't be afraid.'"
Mellon was accessories editor at British Vogue back in 1996 when she sensed the opening for a new collection of luxury-label shoes to rival the likes of Manolo Blahnik. Jimmy Choo, the man, had a reputation of craftsmanship for his small couture-level business based in East London.
They launched the brand together, moving production to Italy and courting retailers as well as opening their own boutique. Equinox Luxury Holdings bought him out of his share in 2001, and in 2007, a private equity firm bought a majority of shares, although Mellon retains creative control.
She knew she had a success on her hands, er, feet, when, in 1998, a flood of boxes arrived at the Motcomb Street store and she was surrounded by what she felt were little works of wearable art. "That's when my vision came to life," Mellon says. "I can still get that excited - you know when you get that rush when you feel you've got it right."
Mellon says it took years to develop the fragrance because it had to be the perfect blend, one that she thinks she and her customers will want to wear on a daily basis for years to come. She wanted it "sensual - and not weak in any way," she explains, ultimately settling on a scent dominated by orchid and patchouli notes.
She'll spray it on every time she's about to disembark a plane to her next destination, hoping it'll become part of the signature style that is Tamara Mellon - and Jimmy Choo.
2011年3月8日星期二
Manolo Blahnik for TOUS: The Campari Shoe as Jewelry
Designed in 1994, the Campari shoe from Manolo Blahnik—made famous by Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw—is now available in jewelry form, thanks to a new partnership between the shoemaker and the jeweler TOUS.
The Manolo Blahnik for TOUS Campari shoe pendant necklace is available in sterling silver, vermeil, and 18k gold, with suggested retail prices starting at just $155. Moving forward, Manolo Blahnik boutiques and will also carry the piece.
TOUS announced the collaboration in January, but is just now releasing photos of the jewelry, which went on sale this month in 300 TOUS boutiques worldwide, including in Mexico and the United States.
Designed in 1994, the Campari shoe from Manolo Blahnik—made famous by Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw—is now available in jewelry form, thanks to a new partnership between the shoemaker and the jeweler TOUS.
Manolo Blahnik Campari shoes
The Manolo Blahnik for TOUS Campari shoe pendant necklace is available in sterling silver, vermeil, and 18k gold, with suggested retail prices starting at just $155. Moving forward, Manolo Blahnik boutiques and will also carry the piece.
TOUS announced the collaboration in January, but is just now releasing photos of the jewelry, which went on sale this month in 300 TOUS boutiques worldwide, including in Mexico and the United States.
There are three different sizes of sterling shoe pendants, priced at $155, $249, and $279.
There are three different sizes of vermeil (18k gold over sterling) shoe pendants, priced $279, $409, and $499. An 18k gold shoe pendant with a diamond accent on the strap is also available for $1,449.
New Yorkers and theatre goers may be interested to know that the small $155 silver necklace is being sold at Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical at the Palace Theater on Broadway. A full 100 percent of the proceeds benefits Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reclaiming and restoring New York City parks, community gardens, and open space. Midler is one of the show's producers, and Manolo is one of the show's opening-night sponsors. Yet another fun tie-in: Manolo unveiled an official stiletto—a silver, patent-leather Priscilla Mary Jane—for the production; a portion of sale proceeds also benefit Midler's charity.
The Manolo Blahnik for TOUS Campari shoe pendant necklace is available in sterling silver, vermeil, and 18k gold, with suggested retail prices starting at just $155. Moving forward, Manolo Blahnik boutiques and will also carry the piece.
TOUS announced the collaboration in January, but is just now releasing photos of the jewelry, which went on sale this month in 300 TOUS boutiques worldwide, including in Mexico and the United States.
Designed in 1994, the Campari shoe from Manolo Blahnik—made famous by Sex and the City character Carrie Bradshaw—is now available in jewelry form, thanks to a new partnership between the shoemaker and the jeweler TOUS.
Manolo Blahnik Campari shoes
The Manolo Blahnik for TOUS Campari shoe pendant necklace is available in sterling silver, vermeil, and 18k gold, with suggested retail prices starting at just $155. Moving forward, Manolo Blahnik boutiques and will also carry the piece.
TOUS announced the collaboration in January, but is just now releasing photos of the jewelry, which went on sale this month in 300 TOUS boutiques worldwide, including in Mexico and the United States.
There are three different sizes of sterling shoe pendants, priced at $155, $249, and $279.
There are three different sizes of vermeil (18k gold over sterling) shoe pendants, priced $279, $409, and $499. An 18k gold shoe pendant with a diamond accent on the strap is also available for $1,449.
New Yorkers and theatre goers may be interested to know that the small $155 silver necklace is being sold at Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical at the Palace Theater on Broadway. A full 100 percent of the proceeds benefits Bette Midler's New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reclaiming and restoring New York City parks, community gardens, and open space. Midler is one of the show's producers, and Manolo is one of the show's opening-night sponsors. Yet another fun tie-in: Manolo unveiled an official stiletto—a silver, patent-leather Priscilla Mary Jane—for the production; a portion of sale proceeds also benefit Midler's charity.
2011年3月6日星期日
MARCHING INTO SPRING
This spring, wearing camouflage won't help anyone stay under the radar. With designers such as Manolo Blahnik, Prada and Michael Kors creating high-end pieces and popular outlets such as Target and Payless Shoes offering budget-friendly examples, the green-and-brown print is attracting lots of attention.
"Camo is coming to a more mainstream market now; I think we will start to see it more and more," says Debbie Feehan of Madison, chief creative officer of Huckle and Gatsby, a Jersey-based clothing line for women.
Traditionally worn by hunters and members of the military, camouflage prints have been popping up on pop stars such as Beyonce, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian. Even comedian-turned-fashion-policewoman Joan Rivers is hawking her own design of camouflage pumps on the QVC home shopping network.
Wearing camouflage no longer necessarily translates to a tough look. This season, the print can be found on feminine items such as high heels, fitted skirts and silky blouses.
Victoria's Secret even offers a camouflage ruched corset, and there's a large selection of camouflage-inspired wedding dresses available at camoformal.com, a website that caters to women who embrace the trend.
Feehan explains that camouflage prints can be dressed up or down, depending on the material used.
"I think the pattern is really changed by what it is printed on," she says. "If it is silk, it is going to look very feminine, while cargo pants are going to look more masculine. It depends on what you are making out of it."
Joy Cutrone, a representative for the upcoming New Jersey Fashion Week in October, says she loves the look and thinks it can be very feminine when appearing on straight skirts, fitted shirts, shoes and bags.
She warns that the busy design isn't always flattering, however.
"I think a camouflage print really accentuates whatever part of the body it's on," says Cutrone, a Woodbridge resident who wears the crown of Mrs. Middlesex County. "So you don't want to wear it across any area you are trying to disguise."
"Camo is coming to a more mainstream market now; I think we will start to see it more and more," says Debbie Feehan of Madison, chief creative officer of Huckle and Gatsby, a Jersey-based clothing line for women.
Traditionally worn by hunters and members of the military, camouflage prints have been popping up on pop stars such as Beyonce, Rihanna and Kim Kardashian. Even comedian-turned-fashion-policewoman Joan Rivers is hawking her own design of camouflage pumps on the QVC home shopping network.
Wearing camouflage no longer necessarily translates to a tough look. This season, the print can be found on feminine items such as high heels, fitted skirts and silky blouses.
Victoria's Secret even offers a camouflage ruched corset, and there's a large selection of camouflage-inspired wedding dresses available at camoformal.com, a website that caters to women who embrace the trend.
Feehan explains that camouflage prints can be dressed up or down, depending on the material used.
"I think the pattern is really changed by what it is printed on," she says. "If it is silk, it is going to look very feminine, while cargo pants are going to look more masculine. It depends on what you are making out of it."
Joy Cutrone, a representative for the upcoming New Jersey Fashion Week in October, says she loves the look and thinks it can be very feminine when appearing on straight skirts, fitted shirts, shoes and bags.
She warns that the busy design isn't always flattering, however.
"I think a camouflage print really accentuates whatever part of the body it's on," says Cutrone, a Woodbridge resident who wears the crown of Mrs. Middlesex County. "So you don't want to wear it across any area you are trying to disguise."
2011年2月24日星期四
Singapore Has a Manolo Blahnik Crisis
Singapore. Shoe lovers may not be able to get their hands on a pair of Manolo Blahniks in Singapore for a while due to the fallout from a divorce.
Permanent liquidators have been named to wind up the only company that sold them here. It means that until another company buys the exclusive franchise, shoppers who want a pair will have to travel abroad to places such as Hong Kong.
The shoes are named after Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik - who is famous for his stiletto heels - and they can cost up to S$1,000 a pair.
They were sold at two shops, at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Hilton Hotel, owned by Cloud 9 Lifestyle.
The firm is run by Jamie Chua, 36, who is locked in a bitter divorce suit with businessman Nurdian Cuaca, 46. Cloud 9's majority shareholder is a firm called D'League, which is substantially owned by Cuaca.
Chua had appointed temporary liquidators to wind up Cloud 9 Lifestyle. But D'League voted last week at a creditors' meeting to replace them with permanent liquidators Chia Soo Hien and Leow Quek Shiong from international audit firm BDO.
The shoes have been removed from the rented space in the two outlets and warehoused.
Chua's lawyer, Salem Ibrahim, said the franchise comes to an end the moment the company is put into liquidation.
The Singapore franchise was obtained from Hong Kong-based Manolo Blahnik supplier Larry Fong, 55, who also helps the brand's London head office find new franchisees in the region.
Fong, who owns and has run the Manolo Blahnik outlets in Hong Kong for more than 20 years, described the turn of events here as "unfortunate and embarrassing."
This is the second time a Manolo Blahnik outlet in Asia has closed. The first happened last October in Jakarta. Mr Fong said he is in talks with several companies which are keen to buy and run the franchise in Singapore.
"Customers can definitely look forward to a new outlet with a new franchisee and a new supply of shoes as soon as possible," he said.
"For the time being, they could go to Hong Kong or some other place." He said the date that the outlets reopen here will depend on how quickly the choice of a franchisee and the legal terms of operation are settled.
Cloud 9 Lifestyle owes more than $1.6 million to D'League alone, official company records show. Other creditors include landlords MBS and Hilton Hotel for the shop space as well as staff who are owed wages.
Contacted yesterday, Ms Chua said: "All my hard work has gone to waste and I am very disappointed."
Permanent liquidators have been named to wind up the only company that sold them here. It means that until another company buys the exclusive franchise, shoppers who want a pair will have to travel abroad to places such as Hong Kong.
The shoes are named after Spanish designer Manolo Blahnik - who is famous for his stiletto heels - and they can cost up to S$1,000 a pair.
They were sold at two shops, at Marina Bay Sands (MBS) and Hilton Hotel, owned by Cloud 9 Lifestyle.
The firm is run by Jamie Chua, 36, who is locked in a bitter divorce suit with businessman Nurdian Cuaca, 46. Cloud 9's majority shareholder is a firm called D'League, which is substantially owned by Cuaca.
Chua had appointed temporary liquidators to wind up Cloud 9 Lifestyle. But D'League voted last week at a creditors' meeting to replace them with permanent liquidators Chia Soo Hien and Leow Quek Shiong from international audit firm BDO.
The shoes have been removed from the rented space in the two outlets and warehoused.
Chua's lawyer, Salem Ibrahim, said the franchise comes to an end the moment the company is put into liquidation.
The Singapore franchise was obtained from Hong Kong-based Manolo Blahnik supplier Larry Fong, 55, who also helps the brand's London head office find new franchisees in the region.
Fong, who owns and has run the Manolo Blahnik outlets in Hong Kong for more than 20 years, described the turn of events here as "unfortunate and embarrassing."
This is the second time a Manolo Blahnik outlet in Asia has closed. The first happened last October in Jakarta. Mr Fong said he is in talks with several companies which are keen to buy and run the franchise in Singapore.
"Customers can definitely look forward to a new outlet with a new franchisee and a new supply of shoes as soon as possible," he said.
"For the time being, they could go to Hong Kong or some other place." He said the date that the outlets reopen here will depend on how quickly the choice of a franchisee and the legal terms of operation are settled.
Cloud 9 Lifestyle owes more than $1.6 million to D'League alone, official company records show. Other creditors include landlords MBS and Hilton Hotel for the shop space as well as staff who are owed wages.
Contacted yesterday, Ms Chua said: "All my hard work has gone to waste and I am very disappointed."
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