1. 25 Nov



    French Twist

    (photo: tellmewherethisis.com)

    How’s this for an ironic twist? Here I am in Paris, where among other things I plan to visit the Isabel Marant store—the very one that started my obsession back in 2009. And while I am going to see the collection of covet-worthy clothing, I have to admit, I had a fantasy that Ms. Marant herself would just happen to be in the store the day I visit. Turns out she’s not even in Paris, but in Los Angeles. And it just so happens my good friend Clare Vivier spotted and spoke to her in a cafe there. C’est la Vie. 

    from see vivier.com

    Sunday, November 20, 2011

    Isabel - en vrai

    Yesterday, I had probably the best celebrity sighting of the year, and we have a lot of sightings here in LA. But this one beat them all: Isabel Marant, herself, the person, en vrai, as they say. 
    I couldn’t believe this famous Parisian was here, in LA and in our neighborhood, at LAMill cafe!
    (Photo: Terry Richardson for Russh)
    Here’s the thing. I’m really not one for idolatry. Nor am I starstruck, but I did think it was cool to see her, because she’s a rad designer, has crazy good style and she’s wildly successful in the industry within which I work.  Here’s what she says the Isabel girl is in an interview with the Australian magazine Russh:
    “think it’s just a woman who wants to have a strong personality but without being totally dressed up, who wants to be different but in a discreet way. And she’s usually a rather active, entrepreneurial woman, who needs to feel good in her clothes without trying too hard.”
    Precisely.
    (Photo: Backyard Bill for Elle.uk)
    Bref, je l’adore. I love her.
    So I geeked out. Kind of how I geeked out when I saw Charlotte in Paris.
    Here’s how my geekiness manifested this time:
    I spotted her and her awesome grey hair and killer leather jacket, outside at a table with her friend. There was an open table next to her, I sat down. In French, I said, excuse me, are you Isabel Marant? She said, Oui, in a shy? Embarrassed? Annoyed? Shy-friendly-way?
    I have no idea, but it was enough of slightly questionable response for me to call off the millions of questions I wanted to ask her: What was she doing in LA? How long would she be here? Would she come by my studio/store because it wasn’t far? Did she want to be my best friend? Come to my house for dinner at least? Geek. Instead I said, “I’m a big fan of your work.” And then quickly turned my head and buried my head in my iPhone. And that was it until she left her table with her friend, she turned and said “au revoir.” And I said, au revoir, Isabel. Marant.
    So I didn’t find out why she’s in California but I did read here that she may stay for a while. So if I see her again, I’ll update. :)
     

  2. 18 Nov



    Marannabe Me

    In a classic case of chic minds thinking alike, I was set to kick off the weekend with a post about this very subject. Well, same subject, different boot. I was happy to see that Clare, a bellwether of fashion for sure—I’ve followed in her footsteps more than once by purchasing the exact shoes I saw her wearing—had done the work for me.

    These are my Marannabe boots, which do not take inspiration from the Dicker but from the Cleane, this season’s unattainable Isabel shoe—at least unattainable for me as they were sold out in my size and, yes, had less friendly digits on the price tag. I am happy with my Marannabes and often get asked if they are the real deal. Especially when I’m otherwise dressed head to ankle in authentic Isabel. Which is often.

    from Clare Vivier:

    Thursday, November 17, 2011

    Marannabes™

    Marannabes is not really trademarked, but my good friend Karen coined the genius term, so using it here I had to give her props at the start. It means those items of clothing or accessories which either copy or perhaps took their inspiration from the insta-cred designer Isabel Marant.  Read the excerpt from Lucky editor Marlien Rentmeester’s new must-read blog from her new style website Le Catch.
    See, Marlien called it: It’s true - I loved Marant’s Dicker boot, but with it’s utter simplicity, I found it hard to justify the $$$ price tag. When one night at a dinner party, Simone Le Blanc mentioned the Barneys Co-Op boots with glitter on the back, a la Miu Miu, that was it. Two of my favorite shoes of the season - combined. Sold.
    So the other night, it was funny to be at my friend Greta’s house and see Greta and Jeana both wearing the Dicker. 
    While I was wearing the glitter version.

     

     

  3. 13 Nov



    Special Delivery

    The other day I received an unexpected package. While I have been guilty of late night wine induced click and sends at some of my favorite shopping sites, I always shamefully knew what was coming when the UPS man rang my bell. But an unexpected package delivery  was something I hadn’t experienced in a criminally long amount of time—after all, a girl could use a good surprise more than once in a blue moon. My curiosity was full throttle as I called the elevator up and when the door opened I saw a small box with a return label of an unknown address in Los Angeles. It turns out it was a gift from my good friend Greta. And, it turned out that good things do come in small packages. 

    Greta had recently traveled to Machu Picchu and had picked up some local treasures for me and my daughter. My daughter’s goods included an indigenous doll key chain and a cloth bracelet adorned with hearts—dream gifts for an eight year old. My present was this colorful sac embellished with sequins and a beaded strap. It looks like something you might find under a glass case at a cool downtown boutique or a covet worthy piece from a resort 2012 collection. I am saving it for our tropical Christmas holiday as it will be the perfect companion to chic bikinis, slip dresses, and cover ups. Until then it will hang in my closet where I can get an instant pick me up whenever I walk in. Because every time I look at it this gem of a bag it puts a smile on my face. Proving once again that little things can make big days. Especially those little things you didn’t see coming.

     

  4. 3 Nov



    farpitzs.: the clare vivier spring 2012 collection preview

    thanks, sara! so happy you could make the preview.

    sarazucker:

    yesterday morning, i woke up early as if to go to the gym before work, but instead scurried to tribeca to stop by steven alan. i was invited to preview clare vivier’s spring collection, which had me all sorts of excited because i’ve become a huge fan of hers over…

     

  5. 24 Oct



    Taylor Made

    A couple of weeks ago I went  to the Rebecca Taylor showroom for a re-see of the Spring 2012 collection. I do have a soft spot for the line and its urban girlie gestalt—not to mention the fact that leopard is a recurring theme in the collection—and am always lusting for something each season. But this time was different. Seems Ms. Taylor has been seduced a little more by the dark side and has created some covet-worthy pieces that while still flirty, have a definite edge. There was a black leather and silk bustier top (and a frock of a similar design), a stunning midi dress featuring sexy suede eyelet, and tuxedo pants and shorts with shimmering sequins lining the sides. And while these were all worthy of a heady style swoon, what really got me haute was this snake print leather bomber jacket.

    Everything seemed perfect about this cropped cover up from the subtle snake print in a muted gray and cream to the knitted ribbed trim at the cuffs and hem. I couldn’t resist slipping it on, and was indulged by the lovely Antonella, Rebecca’s PR Director. It truly  fit like a glove and seemed to be the jacket that I was meant to own. But the best part about this little piece of lust-worthy luxury with the right amount of rock-n-roll edge, was the price. Astonishingly it comes in under $1000. And so, as I reluctantly shed this second skin and carefully hung it back on the rack amongst the rest of the collection, I made a mental note of the ship date so I could to hightail it to the Meatpacking boutique as soon as it hits the floor.  But for now, this picture will have to be worth a thousand wears.

     

  6. 18 Oct


    This past Spring I splurged on a pair of sneakers. And I have to say, in all my fashion conscious life, I never dreamed I would actually splurge on a sneaker. Two hundred-plus dollar denim is child’s play compared to what you have to lay down to get your hands on these kicks.  But I just couldn’t resist Isabel Marant’s suede high-tops, not only because they looked super cool but because they have a hidden wedge which meant I could be  little taller—but not teetering— and still totally street chic. Needless to say, I have comfortably pounded the pavement in these shoes over and over and over again, so the cost per wear has already reached a reasonable ratio. But there’s an even better return on my investment. The lift I get literally, from the heel, and figuratively, from the slew of compliments heralded at me by stylish women on the streets of New York City.

    This past Spring I splurged on a pair of sneakers. And I have to say, in all my fashion conscious life, I never dreamed I would actually splurge on a sneaker. Two hundred-plus dollar denim is child’s play compared to what you have to lay down to get your hands on these kicks.  But I just couldn’t resist Isabel Marant’s suede high-tops, not only because they looked super cool but because they have a hidden wedge which meant I could be  little taller—but not teetering— and still totally street chic. Needless to say, I have comfortably pounded the pavement in these shoes over and over and over again, so the cost per wear has already reached a reasonable ratio. But there’s an even better return on my investment. The lift I get literally, from the heel, and figuratively, from the slew of compliments heralded at me by stylish women on the streets of New York City.

     

  7. 11 Oct


    Sock it to Me Like most girls my love affair with ankle socks and fancy shoes began with a shiny pair of black patent Mary Janes and white lace trimmed socks. In my twenties I rekindled this romance by sporting colorful ankle socks with pointy pumps. And just last Fall I lusted after the look of these gray suede wedges and a similar toned slouchy sock, and am ready for a repeat performance this season. While you might say my relationship with these kind of sock and shoe match ups is on again, off again, it is definitely hot and heavy at the moment. Perhaps in part due to the presence of some similar variations of the theme I saw on the Spring 2012 runways of Marni and Jean Paul Gaultier.  Of course, a sock extends the lifespan of open toe shoes from one, maybe two to all four seasons. Which is why as we transition from Indian Summer to Fall, I have been on the hunt for new blood in the the chic sock and shoe combination. I am happy to report I have found more than a few to put my best dressed foot forward. Click here to read more.

    Sock it to Me

    Like most girls my love affair with ankle socks and fancy shoes began with a shiny pair of black patent Mary Janes and white lace trimmed socks. In my twenties I rekindled this romance by sporting colorful ankle socks with pointy pumps. And just last Fall I lusted after the look of these gray suede wedges and a similar toned slouchy sock, and am ready for a repeat performance this season. While you might say my relationship with these kind of sock and shoe match ups is on again, off again, it is definitely hot and heavy at the moment. Perhaps in part due to the presence of some similar variations of the theme I saw on the Spring 2012 runways of Marni and Jean Paul Gaultier. 

    Of course, a sock extends the lifespan of open toe shoes from one, maybe two to all four seasons. Which is why as we transition from Indian Summer to Fall, I have been on the hunt for new blood in the the chic sock and shoe combination. I am happy to report I have found more than a few to put my best dressed foot forward. Click here to read more.

     

  8. 10 Oct


    Pardonnez-Moi, But Your Marant Is Showing As fashion savvy as I like to think I am, the perfection of my painstakingly—as in too much time spent — well-thought out daily ensembles is often foiled by some small oversight. Often there’s a tiny hole in my brand new but perfectly well worn looking T-shirt,  a spot the back of a jacket, or a missed  belt loop.  But lately  the most consistent fashion faux pas I have been committing has been the rogue tag that spills out from the back of my shirt.  Specifically the labels on my Isabel Marant T-shirts, sweaters, tank tops and blouses.  For some reason these oversize tags have the annoying habit of hanging out instead of in. While the logical thing to do would be to remove the tag altogether,  I can’t bring myself to make that cut. Which made me wonder if sub-fashion-consciously I feared removing the tag would mean snipping off the status? A Marant without the label is still a Marant, after all. Or is it?  Perhaps I’m afraid to answer that question. But just the other day I was walking in Soho and I passed the Isabel Marant store that sits so seductively on Green and Broome streets. As I stood at the window looking in, I caught my reflection and realized I was dressed head to toe in Marant: A cotton chambray shirt, black denim skinny jeans and the black suede high top sneakers. Suddenly I felt silly walking into the store as such a blatant groupie. So I turned on my high heeled  high tops and headed home.  As I walked I reached behind my neck —as I have gotten into the habit of doing—to check if my label was on display. Turns out my Marant wasn’t showing. But then again, maybe it was.

    Pardonnez-Moi, But Your Marant Is Showing

    As fashion savvy as I like to think I am, the perfection of my painstakingly—as in too much time spent — well-thought out daily ensembles is often foiled by some small oversight. Often there’s a tiny hole in my brand new but perfectly well worn looking T-shirt,  a spot the back of a jacket, or a missed  belt loop.  But lately  the most consistent fashion faux pas I have been committing has been the rogue tag that spills out from the back of my shirt.  Specifically the labels on my Isabel Marant T-shirts, sweaters, tank tops and blouses.  For some reason these oversize tags have the annoying habit of hanging out instead of in.

    While the logical thing to do would be to remove the tag altogether,  I can’t bring myself to make that cut. Which made me wonder if sub-fashion-consciously I feared removing the tag would mean snipping off the status? A Marant without the label is still a Marant, after all. Or is it?  Perhaps I’m afraid to answer that question. But just the other day I was walking in Soho and I passed the Isabel Marant store that sits so seductively on Green and Broome streets. As I stood at the window looking in, I caught my reflection and realized I was dressed head to toe in Marant: A cotton chambray shirt, black denim skinny jeans and the black suede high top sneakers. Suddenly I felt silly walking into the store as such a blatant groupie. So I turned on my high heeled  high tops and headed home.  As I walked I reached behind my neck —as I have gotten into the habit of doing—to check if my label was on display. Turns out my Marant wasn’t showing. But then again, maybe it was.

     

  9. 14 Sep


    Yesterday, thanks to my friend Danielle who is the executive editor at Lucky, I got to meet with a higher up in HR at Conde Nast—home to such slick glossies as  Vogue, Allure, Self, GQ, Vanity Fair, W, Glamour, Teen Vogue, and of course the aforementioned Lucky. It goes without saying that I had to think hard about what I was going to wear. Not only for my meeting with the lovely Meg Gruppo, but for any unscheduled encounters in the storied elevators of 4 Times Square. It is Fashion Week in New York City so I knew those editrixes would be turning up the chic volume even more than usual. The dressing Gods must have been smiling on me, as I somehow managed to pull a look together without coming apart at the seams.

    Yesterday, thanks to my friend Danielle who is the executive editor at Lucky, I got to meet with a higher up in HR at Conde Nast—home to such slick glossies as  Vogue, Allure, Self, GQ, Vanity Fair, W, Glamour, Teen Vogue, and of course the aforementioned Lucky. It goes without saying that I had to think hard about what I was going to wear. Not only for my meeting with the lovely Meg Gruppo, but for any unscheduled encounters in the storied elevators of 4 Times Square. It is Fashion Week in New York City so I knew those editrixes would be turning up the chic volume even more than usual. The dressing Gods must have been smiling on me, as I somehow managed to pull a look together without coming apart at the seams.

     

  10. 14 Sep


    I slipped into a 2011 late summer find, my Alexander Wang black sleeveless silk shirt dress—I’m still shocked I bought a midi— and after a brief footwear deliberation, settled on last Fall’s Proenza Schouler lace up booties. I kept my jewelry to the minimum as well: my silver Isabel Marant heavy silver chain bracelet and my charming and literally child like (I bought it in a kid’s section of a soho boutique) necklace featuring a neon pink plastic Eiffel Tower and a white plastic flower.

    I slipped into a 2011 late summer find, my Alexander Wang black sleeveless silk shirt dress—I’m still shocked I bought a midi— and after a brief footwear deliberation, settled on last Fall’s Proenza Schouler lace up booties. I kept my jewelry to the minimum as well: my silver Isabel Marant heavy silver chain bracelet and my charming and literally child like (I bought it in a kid’s section of a soho boutique) necklace featuring a neon pink plastic Eiffel Tower and a white plastic flower.

     

  11. 14 Sep


    After my meeting which I felt went well—and if it didn’t I certainly can’t blame it on my outfit—I left the building feeling light on my feet despite my five inch heels. It’s been a while since I got all chic and heeled up during the day, so I thought I should take advantage and wander around the city.  I could have hit the stores on Madison and Fifth Avenues, strolled through the MoMA, peeked into galleries in Chelsea, or gone for a proper (complete with a glass of wine) lunch in the Meatpacking district. But while I was all dressed up with plenty of places to go, without even clicking my heels I landed back home. After all there was milk and coffee to be purchased, dirty clothes to be washed, and a three o’clock school pick up. Unfortunately none of that requires five-inch heels and chic designer dresses.

    After my meeting which I felt went well—and if it didn’t I certainly can’t blame it on my outfit—I left the building feeling light on my feet despite my five inch heels. It’s been a while since I got all chic and heeled up during the day, so I thought I should take advantage and wander around the city.  I could have hit the stores on Madison and Fifth Avenues, strolled through the MoMA, peeked into galleries in Chelsea, or gone for a proper (complete with a glass of wine) lunch in the Meatpacking district. But while I was all dressed up with plenty of places to go, without even clicking my heels I landed back home. After all there was milk and coffee to be purchased, dirty clothes to be washed, and a three o’clock school pick up. Unfortunately none of that requires five-inch heels and chic designer dresses.

     

  12. 9 Sep


    Yesterday I interviewed a babysitter and after I told her what I did for a living she asked what shows I was attending during Fashion Week. I had to pause and catch my breath before I could answer her: “One.” I realized I had placed this fact in cold storage to thaw out and digest at another time in life. This is the third season since I left my Magazine Fashion Director post and while the first and second still yielded a respectful amount of invites, The well significantly dried up this third time around. But don’t cry for me, fashionistas. I was neither surprised nor did I feel shunned by this lack of requests for my presence at so and so’s spring 2012 collection. I am still very much involved in the game of fashion—and I’m not just talking about shopping—but you might say I’m not part of the major leagues at the moment. And with the seats at shows being filled by celebrities and celebrity fashion bloggers, in addition to the fashion editors and buyers, there’s only so much room at the Inn. And I am completely content to pull up a front row seat at my big screen computer and watch all the shows.  Even if it’s slightly after the fact. photo: Tara Bradford

    Yesterday I interviewed a babysitter and after I told her what I did for a living she asked what shows I was attending during Fashion Week. I had to pause and catch my breath before I could answer her: “One.” I realized I had placed this fact in cold storage to thaw out and digest at another time in life. This is the third season since I left my Magazine Fashion Director post and while the first and second still yielded a respectful amount of invites, The well significantly dried up this third time around.

    But don’t cry for me, fashionistas. I was neither surprised nor did I feel shunned by this lack of requests for my presence at so and so’s spring 2012 collection. I am still very much involved in the game of fashion—and I’m not just talking about shopping—but you might say I’m not part of the major leagues at the moment. And with the seats at shows being filled by celebrities and celebrity fashion bloggers, in addition to the fashion editors and buyers, there’s only so much room at the Inn. And I am completely content to pull up a front row seat at my big screen computer and watch all the shows.  Even if it’s slightly after the fact.

    photo: Tara Bradford

     

  13. 8 Sep


    tellmewherethisis: Theory Jacket #1, 2010 Last year, Karen Kozlowski and I took one Theory jacket around on fashion night out and took various portraits of woman wearing the piece…  I thought since tomorrow night is fashion night out here in NYC, I would share a few of them here.

    tellmewherethisis:

    Theory Jacket #1, 2010

    Last year, Karen Kozlowski and I took one Theory jacket around on fashion night out and took various portraits of woman wearing the piece…  I thought since tomorrow night is fashion night out here in NYC, I would share a few of them here.

     

  14. 8 Sep


    tellmewherethisis: Theory Jacket #2, 2010 Last year, Karen Kozlowski and I took one Theory jacket around on fashion night out and took various portraits of woman wearing the piece…  I thought since tomorrow night is fashion night out here in NYC, I would share a few of them here.

    tellmewherethisis:

    Theory Jacket #2, 2010

    Last year, Karen Kozlowski and I took one Theory jacket around on fashion night out and took various portraits of woman wearing the piece…  I thought since tomorrow night is fashion night out here in NYC, I would share a few of them here.

     

  15. 8 Sep


    tellmewherethisis: Theory Jacket #3, 2010 Last year, Karen Kozlowski and I took one Theory jacket around on fashion night out and took various portraits of woman wearing the piece…  I thought since tomorrow night is fashion night out here in NYC, I would share a few of them here.

    tellmewherethisis:

    Theory Jacket #3, 2010

    Last year, Karen Kozlowski and I took one Theory jacket around on fashion night out and took various portraits of woman wearing the piece…  I thought since tomorrow night is fashion night out here in NYC, I would share a few of them here.