We are happy to announce Not the Norm was able to make significant household donations to Basic Necessities this past summer (2009).  This is a local charity we have endorsed and supported since the inception of our company.  Basic Necessities is a non-profit charitable organization, headquartered in Livermore, California.  Their mission is to provide resources to people in need, particularly those in transitional or crisis situations, who are trying to improve their lives.

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!

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]

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.

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:

Fashion.Informant

Fashion Model Directory

SFLUX

Good Shepherd’s Emergency Assistance program
www.gs-cc.org/
“love as Christ loves and serve as Christ serves”
8710 Mount Vernon Hwy
Alexandria, VA 22309
(703) 780-4055

Recent economic events have affected us all. Good Shepherd’s Emergency Assistance budget allows the program to help 25 families a month through temporary financial crisis. The numbers are growing and, each month,  the parish has to turn away many more in need. These families will potentially lose their housing, be without heat, or go hungry. Funds collected from this Christmas Support Program will go directly toward assisting individuals and families with rent so they can stay in their home, utilities so they will be warm this winter, and medical expenses so they will avoid health emergencies.

Many thanks to all of you who have shopped “Not The Norm” — proceeds from your purchases are helping to make a difference in other peoples lives.

Merry Christmas – wishing you all a blessed and safe holiday
Warmest Regards
— Norm

Livermore Community Thanksgiving Dinner
http://www.lctd.org/aboutus.html
“for the community by the community”
Livermore, CA 2466 8th St,
Livermore, CA 94550-4604
(925) 455-9782

The Livermore Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Bothwell Center in Livermore, California

We recently made a donation to the “The Livermore Community Thanksgiving Dinner” which is celebrating its 26^th year of providing a free hot meal on Thanksgiving Day. Their guests include seniors, singles, shut-ins, families and veterans. This is a free community dinner held at the Bothwell Center and all are welcome.  They also deliver to hundreds more to those unable to come to the center.

We want to wish ALL a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving Day!

— Norm

Claire Pettibone Boutique

Beverly Hills, CA

Luxury lingerie by Claire Pettibone

Her desire to create “exquisite femmine clothing with a vintage feeling and modern style” is certainly apparent as you browse through her collections – so very elegant.

Team Joe raised over $1,700 in the recent "2008 Walk Now For Autism". Over 4,500 people came together at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento on September 28, 2008.

We recently made a donation to the organization Autism Speaks. Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

We helped support — a cause that is very near and dear to our heart — Team Joe for the 2008 Walk Now For Autism. Over 4,500 people came together at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute in Sacramento on September 28, 2008, and raised over $355,000 and counting. Team Joe raised over $1,700! Please consider supporting this worthy cause – you can help make a difference.

Janine Scott - taking a moment to pause and reflect

The bridal shower for Janine Scott took place on Saturday October 4^th at 4 p.m. in the afternoon. We had just enough rain to clear the air for blue skies and perfect weather that afternoon. It was a lovely event enjoyed by all. A slide-show has been created for veiwing some of the highpoints of the event.

Enjoy!

Norm