Alexander McQueen – Rockin Red Dress!
Alexander McQueen Red Pleated Dress pre-fall 2011
British Order of the Garter, inspired Sarah Burton’s Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall 2011 collection. Vivid red wool crepe sleeveless dress with jewel neckline, back contoured seaming shapes bodice with golden buckle at natural waist. Cutout peplum showcases pleated A-line skirt with back zip on center seam. Made in Italy.
Alexander McQueen
Bergdorf Goodman has created window displays to complement the “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” exhibit which opens at the Costume Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art on Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Crimson coat and delicate empire-waist dress culminated a collection from 2008–9, inspired by the queens of England
Among his many achievements, Lee Alexander McQueen earned four British Designer of the Year awards. The skills he learned as an apprentice on Savile Row helped earn him a reputation in the fashion world as an expert in creating an impeccably tailored look. After his death, McQueen’s long-term assistant Sarah Burton was named as the new creative director.
Oscars 2011
Tuned in and totally enjoying the Oscars 2011! It’s showtime!
The Kings Speech… my favorite movie in 2010!
The Kings Speech - Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush
Halle Berry in Marchesa
Nicole Kidman in Dior
Reese Witherspoon in Armani Prive
Anne Hathaway wearing Valentino (archive)
Tysons Galleria
Tysons Galleria, McLean, Virginia
In my quest to master the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) convinced that I couldn’t possibly get lost again (and I certainly didn’t need a GPS) I headed out, sans Vinny, and discovered this really awesome shopping center called Tysons Corner Center – the largest shopping mall in the state and in the Baltimore-Washington area. Tysons Galleria (an upscale shopping mall) hosts shops such as Bottega Veneta, Burberry, Max Mara, Salvatore Ferragamo, and a fabulous restaurant called Maggiano’s Little Italy -great food! Tysons Corner offers many of the popular stores, dining, and entertainment facilities one would expect to find in these larger cities.
Alice and Olivia
Alice and Olivia Emory cape with embellished shoulders
I was browsing about in Nordstroms and discovered a new fashion label I hadn’t seen on the west coast before. Alice and Olivia (by Stacey Bendet) — a “sophisticated yet eclectic brand with a playful sensibility” and I fell in love with this cape… which, after considerable thought, I determined I must have.
I wish I could say my trip home was uneventful… such was not the case. I spent too much time thinking about the cape and not enough focus on the 495 and found myself in Woodbridge this time. What is it with these roads out here… there are NO easy exits to turn around and head back! I found an exit for highway 1 and discovered my crumb trail… markers back to George’s house — Mt Vernon which is exactly where I needed to be.
Atelier Massaro
An alchemy in which chic always keeps pace with comfort, and comfort is always paired with chic.
The atelier MASSARO was created in 1894 by the grand-father of Raymond MASSARO.
I was doing a bit of research on Karl Lagerfeld the other night and discovered an article on the bootmaker, Massaro, for Chanel. Luxury shoes with the added dash of soul that makes the hearts of connoisseurs of fine things beat a little faster.
I also discovered a new place I want to visit – Montmartre!
Alexandria and the GPS
So there really is a reason someone created that global positioning system… and there’s a reason one should remember to CARRY one’s cell phone when you are in new surroundings. You stand a very good chance of getting lost — well not really lost, I just couldn’t find the car. I knew where I was I just couldn’t recall where it was. After shooting for two hours my mind was wrapped around the town and visions of street names had long since left my thoughts. That photo album is now up on facebook.
Enter “B.J.” my new guardian angel. She was out walking her grand-kids (and the dog) when I stumbled upon her. She generously offered to drive me about till I located my wheels.
BJ helped me located my car when I got lost during my photo session earlier this morning.
Carolina Herrera
Carolina Herrera Spring 2010. Photos by: Peter Stigter and Jonas Gustavsson/For the Times
I have long admired Carolina Herrera’s apparel (more like art) for many years. Her exquisitely detailed, expertly crafted creations (impeccable suits, dresses and gowns) have been in demand by sophisticated women throughout the world. Her Spring Collection showcased recently and I love it!
Loro Piana
Loro Piana is an Italian clothing company known for its high-end, luxury cashmere and wool products.
Loro Piana Sloan Cape from the 2010 collection
Originally from Trivero, the Loro Piana family started as merchants of wool fabrics at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The company was established in 1924 by Pietro Loro Piana. In the post-war period his nephew Franco took over with the great capability of knowing how to transmit to the company the love for cashmere and the dedication to quality. visit the Loro Piana website
Achille Maramotti
Max Mara 2002 Ready to Wear
Achille Maramotti was born in 1927 in the town Reggio Emilia in Italy. At the age of 20, Maramotti, an Italian lawyer, began designing couture clothing and officially established the Max Mara House in 1951. From the onset Maramotti grasped the importance of creativity, calling on a raft of designers – Anne-Marie Beretta, Jean Charles de Castelbajac, Dolce & Gabbana, Emmanuelle Khanh, Franco Moschino, Guy Paulin and Luciano Soprani all worked anonymously with the company. Today they have many labels, catering to clients of all ages and sizes. Max Mara proved to be as astute in its attitude towards the importance of advertising its product as it was in the early production of fashionable ready-to-wear. [iht]
High fashion in the City
The weather was perfect in San Francisco yesterday. Lunch at the Waterfront Restaurant followed by a full 8-hours of shopping along Market and many of the shops and boutiques near Union Square. I discovered a beautiful Loro Piana cashmere cape and Piazza Sempione spring collection coat. No purchases were made …yet 
however, Britex Fabrics has a fantastic selection of high-end fabrics (and an excellent selection of cashmere) and I’ll create my own version. Max Mara has just remodeled and re-opened their store near Union Square and the 2009 collection is quite striking.
Taupe ivory. Spread collar; zip front. Tonal belt at natural waist. Patch pockets. Cashmere/silk. Made in Italy.
Loro Piana is the largest cashmere and baby cashmere manufacturers in the western world.
Yves Saint Laurent at De Young
From the 2001/2002 Collection of Yves Saint Laurent (photo credit: RZ-Online Magazine, Germany)
We attended the Yves Saint Laurent exhibit at the De Young Museum in San Francisco yesterday morning. A 40 year retrospective, the collection contained over 120 accessorized outfits belonging to the Foundation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent as well as Saint Laurent’s drawings, photographs and videos. It was absolutely fabulous! He was considered one of the greatest figures in French fashion in the 20th century. Shy, this young designer began to work for fashion legend Christian Dior and by the time he was 21 years old Saint Laurent was in charge of Dior’s empire. He quickly developed a unique style that combined Dior’s elegance and tradition with a more wearable, realistic style.
Additional Information about the designer:
