Tag Archives: Fashion

The design and fashion blogosphere is buzzing this week about the debut of DOMAINE Magazine.

This online publication was created by the same women, Katherine Power and Hillary Kerr, behind another favorite, WHO, WHAT, WHERE.

Sara Ruffin Costello’s, former creative director at DOMINO, living room.

This site is fantastic. There are articles about home décor, fashion, and yes, even recipes (bacon mac and cheese).

Plus, it’s interactive. You can leave comments. Love it.

I enjoyed the article about interior designers Jeffrey Alan Marks and Ross Cassidy. I’ve never met Jeffrey but Ross is a sweetheart. I’m not saying that just because he complimented my skirt in L.A. last year. Ross was very kind to pose in his red pants so I could Tweet the photo to my friend, Erica, a noted Red Pants Pathologist.

Looking forward to checking out the rest of DOMAINE.

Buon Weekend!

Il Tennis

April 30, 2013

Design, Fashion, Film, Me Myself and I

2 Comments

It’s time to hit the courts.

There are a lot of things I enjoy about playing tennis. It’s fun, it’s outdoors, it’s a sport you can play for life, and the clothes.

I’m dead serious. From a very young age, I’ve LOVED tennis outfits. I like to keep my clothes simple, no lace or crazy patterns. I’m there to play a sport not to go clubbing.

Below are some of my favorite old school photos. It’s interesting, you could wear any of these clothes now (perhaps not the headbands) and they would look contemporary even though they are from the 70′s and the 80′s. Classic.

Hubbell! “The Way We Were” 1973

The late great Arthur Ashe.

Carrie Fisher in “Shampoo” 1975

Frenchman, Yannick Noah. Big crush on him back in the early ’80s.

Bjorn Borg, from Sweden, my other big crush.

Steffi Graf, in the 80′s.

John McEnroe in ’79 looking salty. As usual.

Photo: Guardian UK

Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Good friends off the courts but had one of the best sports rivalries in history.

Photo: World In Sport.com

Other photos: Google

Weekend Inspiration – Audrey Hepburn In Rome

April 5, 2013

Fashion, I Libri/Books, Italy

4 Comments

Audrey Hepburn’s son, Luca Dotti, has edited a book about his famous mother.

“Audrey In Rome” has over two hundred photographs, many of them never published before, taken during the time Ms. Hepburn lived in the Eternal City.

Ms. Hepburn was a resident in Rome for over twenty years after marrying, Dr. Andrea Dotti, an Italian psychiatrist.

I cannot wait to buy this book filled with photos of Rome and of fashion from the ’50s to the ’70s. The release date is April 16th.

Hope you have a stylish and fantastic weekend.

Book Cover: Audrey In Rome

Weekend Inspiration – Helmut Newton Exhibit At Palazzo delle Esposizioni

March 22, 2013

Art, Fashion, Me Myself and I, Rome

3 Comments

Last week my friend Courtney and I went to see the new Helmut Newton exhibit at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni.

There are two hundred photos covering three legendary books by Newton. This blockbuster show runs until July 21st.

Newton forever changed fashion photography and is considered one of the most influential photographers of the modern era. Many copy his style, but few have his talent.

It was incredible to see all these iconic photographs in person. This one was shot for VOGUE in 1975.

Le Smoking

Photo: Vogue.com

My friend and I left the show very inspired. Newton was passionate about life and his work. He was shooting until the day he died at age 84.

His first book of photography wasn’t published until he was 56 years old. By Hollywood standards that’s close to 100.

I’ve worked for years in culture that was/is obsessed with age and making it. I had friends in L.A. who started getting Botox in their 20′s and I’m not talking only about actresses.

It’s hard to be in that world and not lose your sanity. Once I moved to Rome, it was a little easier. However, there were times I still woke up in the middle of the night in a panic because I haven’t “made it” yet and time is running out. I thought, “I’m done. It’s a wrap.”

Last week I walked out of that exhibit thinking,”later for that nonsense, I’m just getting started.”

Buon weekend!

Thinking About Orange.

March 20, 2013

Fashion, Home Décor, Me Myself and I

9 Comments

I’m seeing a lot of orange for Spring.

I do like the color but I don’t have any of it in my home and very little of it my wardrobe. I went to Syracuse University. Trust me, I have worn my share of orange in the past.

SU!

Photo: Syracuse.com

Every time I jog past the Hermès store on Via Condotti, I sigh. One day.

It’s time to bring some orange back into my life. For my home, I’m thinking pillows with a pop of orange. Like this Moroccan style one from D.L. Rhein.

D.L. Rhein Mocorran Pillow

Photo: D.L. Rhein

I like how subtle the orange is in this room. I will buy some fresh orange flowers to help brighten up these rainy, cloudy, March days.

Modern Orange

Photo: Martha Stewart.com

For my closet, a pair of Repetto Ballerinas would be perfect. I’m trying to add more color to my wardrobe.

Orange Repetto

Photo: Repetto

I did see an orange wrap dress in a store window the other day. Hmmmm, that might be too big of an orange commitment for me!

J.Crew – “Shiny Ponies” and Italy.

March 13, 2013

Design, Designers, Fashion, Italy

8 Comments

I saw this short clip about Jenna Lyons and her shoe collection and had to write about it.

Jenna is the President and Executive Creative Director of J.Crew. She has been with the company for twenty years.

Her aesthetic is deeply embedded in the company’s DNA.

They do take fashion risks but haven’t forgotten their core customers who love J. Crew for its cool take on classic style. It’s the only American store where I can find jeans that fit my body. J.Crew does have killer sales, which is great for some of their pricier items.

In the film, Jenna briefly explains how their shoes evolve from a drawing to the store. The shoes are hand-made in Italy.

Yes, you could buy knock-offs of these shoes at Zara for a fraction of the cost.

While the CEO of Zara is worth 57 BILLION (the third richest man in the world) how much does Zara pay the people who make their shoes? How long would the shoes last?

I doubt they are paid anything close to what the workers in Pisa, Italy are making for J. Crew. The manufacturing sector in Italy, along with other Western countries, is facing serious challenges in a global economy.

However, one advantage Italy has is her artisans. There’s a reason why companies from all over world chose to have certain items, like shoes, made in Italy.

Fast fashion is here to stay, but I’m glad there are companies like J. Crew who care about quality and profits.

Stylish Simplicity – Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour – Ballerina

March 11, 2013

Fashion, Me Myself and I

4 Comments

We had some sunny and warm weather here in Rome on Saturday (only to get slammed with more rain yesterday, today, and apparently for the next three days).

On Saturday all the outdoor cafes were packed. Everyone was rocking their sunnies and most of the heavy winter coats were packed away. Of course, some Signore insisted in wearing their furs as it’s only mid-March.

During the Winter I give my nails a break. With the change in weather, it’s time for a professional mani/pedi.

Bella Ballerina

Photo: Chanel

My favorite neutral is Chanel’s Ballerina.

This color looks great on almost any skin tone. That’s one reason why so many manicurists and beauty editors rave about it. Another reason is the quality. Yes, it’s more expensive than the drugstore brands, but the polish doesn’t streak, lasts a long time, and is formaldehyde-free, toluene-free, and DBP-free.

One coat is very sheer. Two coats gives you a little more pink, but not too pink. It’s a sophisticated, yet fun color.

I know many people like to wear outrageous colors on their hands. For me, it’s not practical. On my hands, I like to keep it simple and stylish. Ballerina is everything.

THE DOOR by Ava DuVernay – Film, Dècor, and Fashion.

February 12, 2013

Design, Fashion, Film, Home Décor, Uncategorized

6 Comments

In 2011 the Italian fashion label Miu Miu started Women’s Tales, a series of short films about women directed by female directors from all over the world.

Their most recent short was directed by Ava DuVernay. Ava won the best director award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Here is more information about Ava’s short from Miu Miu:

The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change. The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness. “In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.” Clothing is also a symbol of renewal, each change of costume charting our heroine’s emergence from a chrysalis of sadness. In the final scenes, she takes off her ring, pulls on long, black leather gloves, and walks, transformed by the emotive power of the clothing, through the door.

Not a word was spoken, but Ava told a beautiful story. For some reason, I didn’t recognize Gabrielle Union at first!

The Door combines three things I’m passionate about, dècor, film, and fashion. Several of the pieces in the short need to be in my closet and hello, that house!

I’ve seen many films with “a glass house in L.A.” set design but this one really captured that L.A. loneliness vibe. I loved it.