When Kate Moss, one of my favourite style icons, designs a signature capsule collection for Equipment, which just happens to be my favourite silk shirt brand…
It’s a match made in fashion heaven.
I especially love their silk button-down blouses. Because you know…there are your everyday button-downs, and then there’s Equipment.
Kate’s Inspiration when asked about the collection: “it is representative of my everyday style. A little 90’s, a little rock ‘n roll, a bit of an edge with a subtle nod to Bowie.”
My newfound love for light comfort with a hint of cool.
White Sneakers are making a comeback…again.
Something to slip into while walking the dog, getting groceries, out for coffee, walking to work, (walking to work is on the rise with the migration to urban living) or performing a concert (a la Kanye West)….to be worn with a variety of looks as you can see from these photos.
Then it makes putting on a pair of heels more special for dinner or an evening out.
They’re just an easy alternative to regular flats to go with almost anything.
Whenever you get a label that reads “made in Italy” you immediately feel an element of understated elegance, refinement and quality.
photo: Colleen Kohse. Colleen just visited their store location in *Capri, off the Amalfi Coast. She is killing me with her enviable photos.
The clothing is usually a cut (excuse the pun) above the rest. Mostly you feel an attention to detail, design and fit. And I gravitate towards a cut that is simple and sensual.
The Flavio Castellani label is a reflection of the “made in Italy” style of sophistication mixed with a fun look for the feminine and modern woman. The brand is the outcome of the combined creative spirit of fashion designer Rita Ricci and the management skills of Flavio Castellani.
La moda e’ eleganza e raffinatezza.
La moda e’ arte e questa e’ la mia passione.
Fashion is elegance and refinement . Fashion is art and this is my passion. Flavio Castellani
An Important Italian History Lesson:
One of my favourite kind of pants to wear once the weather starts to warm up is capris. Thanks to a designer by the name of Sonja de Lennart who invented *Capri pants in 1948. The pants’ name derives from the Italian isle of Capri, where they rose to popularity in the late 1950s and early ’60s.Grace Kelly was among the first movie stars to wear capris on the island. There have been many more since. Audrey Hepburn immediately comes to mind. To me they are the perfect pant – comfy casual with flats and a Tee but can be dressed up with heels and a nice shirt.
How about you? Do you believe the “made in Italy” label is more special?
photo: Colleen Kohse – Limoncello Coccinelle bags to brighten up your day
If there’s anything the Chanel Resort Collection 2017 spectacle taught us aside from how to throw the ultimate party, it’s that accessories like pearl-studded berets, floral-trim fedoras and spectator shoes (aka the oxford or two-toned brogue) look mighty cool worn with almost anything – especially a killer attitude.
Claire Danes lit up the Met Gala in an illuminated Zac Posen ball gown that was part princess, part futuristic.
GOWNS and GLAMOUR fit for a King
Manus x Machina (fashion in the age of technology – think handmade couture vs machine made)added up to a mix of futurism with sparkling silver and gold form-fitting creations on the red carpet. The Met Gala is the occasion to pull out all the stops and in my opinion these 12 stunners nailed it!
Zoe Saldana in Dolce & GabbanaA Perfect Statue: Cindy Crawford in BalmainModel Karolina Kurkova in Marchesa
Kendall Jenner’s Atelier Versace gown plays with laser-cut velvet and blue Swarovski crystals for a body-hugging statement. Joan Smalls (behind her) wears Balmain.
Emma Stone melds Old Hollywood elegance with high fashion in a corset detail dress by Prada.Lara Stone in Tom Ford – channels Brigitte BardotZendaya keeps it simple yet impactful in a gilded one-shoulder Michael Kors gown with a train and turtleneck detail.Sienna Miller in GucciBlake Lively in BurberryBeyoncé comes off her Lemonade launch in a pink-hued, form-fitting dress with floral embellishment by Givenchy. What about the Bod?
I’ve walked by this nicely laid out store on many occasions stopping to admire what appeals to me…. clothing that looks attractively simple, functional and well made. Clothing you must try on to experience the fit. I’ve seen their glossy ads in high fashion magazines and out of curiosity I went in yesterday to have a good look around. There was a familiarity about the store. Now I understand why.
Kit and Ace is a Canadian apparel brand founded in 2014 by the former lead designer of Lululemon Athletica Inc. Shannon Wilson and her stepson JJ Wilson. Shannon brings her aesthetic to the line. So the philosophy is similar to Lululemon even though the clothing is more elegantly casual everyday wear.
For men & women
I was interested to see lightweight technical cashmere that you can put right into the washing machine and not worry about it piillng or stretching. Apparently it does not. They also feature washable silk and many fabrics have 4-way stretch for comfort. The tees come with a guarantee that they won’t shrink or warp even after being washed and put in the dryer. So no dry cleaning necessary.
Their STORY
Your time is precious and your comfort is paramount.
We create designs that look good and feel amazing, so you can
forget the small stuff and get on with the big stuff.
The Art Wall is a nice touch:
Art is the opportunity to inspire and perhaps start a conversation.
The wall showcases beautiful art created in Vancouver. They change it every 3 months to feature a new local artist.
Italy High Fashion 1945 – 1968. Okay, if you must know…this to me is emozionante.
A new exhibit offers an up-close look at dresses, handbags, and jewelry from some of Italy’s most iconic fashion houses. How can I not find this exciting?
Photo by Steven Brooke Jewelry from Bulgari is shown alongside elegant gowns.Photo by Steven Brooke Italian design gets the front row in Fort Lauderdale.
Didn’t make it to Milan for Fashion Week? Good news: “Bellissima,” an exhibit focusing on Italian style, will make its sole American appearance at the NSU Art Museum in Fort Lauderdale. Bellissima highlights looks from the 1945–1968 period of groundbreaking Italian design and features pieces from houses like Pucci, Fendi, Valentino, and Simonetta. And the big names aren’t only represented on labels: one of the exhibit’s curators is W magazine editor Stefano Tonchi, and the whole project is a partnership with Maxxi, the buzzy Rome contemporary art museum designed by Zaha Hadid. Of the 230 garments on display, many were custom pieces handmade for movie stars like Ingrid Bergman and Ava Gardner. And because no Italian fashion exhibit would be complete without them, there will also be handbags and leather goods in the show, plus plenty of jewels from corporate sponsor Bulgari. (It’s not just necklaces and earrings—be on the lookout for a gem-encrusted cigarette case.) Many of the looks will be displayed alongside film clips, fashion magazine spreads, or gorgeous black-and-white photos of Elizabeth Taylor to give a sense of context.
“This moment in history laid the foundation for Italy’s future ready-to-wear fashion, and the exhibition traces its beginnings within the social and cultural context,” Tonchi said in a statement. “The high fashion of that time was grounded in a strong sense of reality: They were luxury creations, but nonetheless practical; precious, embroidered textiles that had a certain simplicity; short cocktail dresses that allowed for movement; and warm, roomy coats accompanied by oversized handbags. This awareness of reality created an opportunity for a fashion system that truly served its patrons, with garments designed for the life of the modern woman.” The post-World War II period was crucial in Italy, as the country built its economy back up largely by encouraging manufacturing, especially for textiles—which gave the country’s emerging design stars plenty of local goods to work with.
Relive the era of Alta Moda at NSU Art Museum, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida until June 5th.
Tonight (April 25th) join me at the fun annual Arts Club California Wine Fair taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Rounding out the rich array of 400 premium wines is an extensive silent auction featuring premium California wines, luxury goods, and entertainment and travel packages.
As the Arts Club’s signature spring fundraiser, all proceeds from event ticket sales and auction packages go toward the development of new Canadian plays and staging world-class theatre created by Vancouver artists.
A few tickets are still available. Price: $90 To purchase please visit: http://artsclub.com
Acclaimed former interior and graphic designer Eileen Fisher launched her self-named collection in 1984 making her mark withclean lines, simple shapes, and a timeless, functional style.And she designs clothes with a conscious.What does that mean?
Just as farm-to-table is changing the way we think about our food and where it comes from, farm-to-closet will change the way we think about clothing. Because clothes are an agricultural act. An odd way to think about garments maybe, but true when they’re made of natural fibers.
I love wearing my Eileen Fisher silk shells but this season her key ingredient is organic linen. The company uses flax grown by farmers who rely on age-old practices and modern insights to control weeds and pests naturally. It’s harder than spraying a field with synthetic chemicals, but worth the effort.
By supporting organic farming, you’re helping to protect the soil that sustains what we eat – and what we wear. So you can feel even better about what you’re wearing.
A great meal is only as good as its ingredients, and a great look is only as good as the materials it’s made from.
A few favourites taken from the website:
Organic Linen Long Tunic – USD 228.00
Eileen Fisher tunic in lightweight, breathable handkerchief linen.
Available in your choice of color.
Ballet neckline.
Long, dropped sleeves.
Loose fit.
High-low hem hits mid-thigh.
Pullover style.
Organic linen; machine wash.
Imported of Italian material.
Long Organic Linen Jacket USD 248.00
Eileen Fisher organic handkerchief linen jacket—available in your choice of color.
Mini mandarin collar; button front.
Their vision: for an industry where human rights and sustainability are not the effect of a particular initiative, but the cause of a business well run. Where social and environmental injustices are not unfortunate outcomes, but reasons to do things differently.
“Wide brimmed and narrow, some tall, some not, some fancy, some colorful, some plaid, some plain. She doted on changing hats at every opportunity. When she met the Prince, she was wearing one hat, when he asked her for a stroll, she excused herself, shortly to return wearing another, equally flattering.” – William Goldman, The Princess Bride (loved that movie).Hats are radical; only people that wear hats understand that. Philip Treacy (Irish milliner/designer based in London).
“Take off your hat,” the Girl King said to the Mad Hatter.
“It isn’t mine,” said the Hatter.
“Stolen!” the King exclaimed, turning to the jury, who instantly made a memorandum of the fact.
“I keep them to sell,” the Hatter added as an explanation; “I’ve none of my own. I’m a hatter.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass The Wide Brimmed Stetson, a Personal Style Favourite (last 4 photos)
From practicality to provocation, one of our most everyday objects tends to attract interest, debate and sometimes controversy.
Every fashion maven knows there is an art to well-made undies. And for those of us who appreciate them a new exhibit (CN Traveler Magazine calls it one of the ten best fashion exhibits) at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London from 16 April 2016 – 12 March 2017.
This exhibition will address the practicalities of underwear and its role in the fashionable wardrobe whilst highlighting its sensual, sexual appeal. The exhibition will explore dress reformers and designers who argued for the beauty of the natural body, as well as entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators who have played a critical role in the development of increasingly more effective and *comfortable underwear.
jesus fernandez lingerie – the line I represented and sold in Canada after meeting my match in a Buenos Aires shoppe window
Undressed:
A Brief History of Underwear will display more than 200 examples of men’s and women’s underwear from about 1750 to the present day. In particular, it will investigate how underwear design combines the practical and personal with the sensory and fashionable, in the process both protecting and enhancing the body. The exhibition will map developments in underwear design and explore the ways in which fashion designers have transformed underwear into outerwear.Curating an exhibition is a process built on collaboration, between conservators, researchers, designers and other specialists.
The exhibition, Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear, will be on display at the V&A from 16th April 2016 to 12th March 2017. V&A Museum: Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom
Sponsored by Agent Provocateur and Revlon – two brands who aim to celebrate and empower women.
Agent Provocateuris delighted to partner with the V&A to be the leading lingerie sponsor for the Undressed Exhibition. Founded in 1994 Agent Provocateur’s unique brand image is renowned for being provocative while empowering women.
Revlon: With over 80 years’ experience revolutionizing the beauty industry and allowing women to express their most glamorous selves, Revlon are thrilled to be a sponsor of the exhibition Undressed: A Brief History of Underwear.
A word from an undergarment connoisseur know-it-all:*Like most women I love a “no show” so I say hurrah for the invisible comfortable seamless pretty and practical (no VPL) every day wear brands like Commando and Cosabella . Then there’s all the others………….let’s face it, G-strings and some bustiers are not the most comfortable undergarments. But like high heels they make you feel sexier and in my opinion, necessary options to the fashionable woman’s wardrobe.
I especially love their silk button-down blouses. Because you know…there are your everyday button-downs, and then there’s Equipment.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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