There is something very exciting about the first Monday in May.
The Met Gala takes place and if you don’t know what that is shame on you – it’s the Superbowl of social fashion events. Bar none! By special invitation.
A splashy fundraiser featuring costumes, couture, socialites, A-listers, icons and influential people in fashion, film, art and music.
The First Monday in May is a new documentary film directed by Andrew Rossi. It follows the creation of The Metropolitan Museum of Art‘s most attended fashion exhibition in history, “China: Through The Looking Glass,” an exploration of Chinese-inspired Western fashions by Costume Institute curator Andrew Bolton. With unprecedented access, filmmaker Andrew Rossi captures the collusion of high fashion and celebrity at the Met Gala, one of the biggest global fashion events chaired every year by Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.
NEW YORK, NY : A view of atmosphere at “China: Through The Looking Glass” Costume Institute Benefit Gala – Press Preview at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 4, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)
The movie dives into the debate about whether fashion should be viewed as art.
As Karl Lagerfeld describes, “it is applied art”
Rihanna
Art or not, The First Monday in May is worthwhile seeing if you’re into fashion, glamour, culture and……style. Yes please!
magnolia pictures (in Vancouver – playing at Cineplex Odeon Cinemas)
What will I wear????
The theme for this year’s Met Gala is Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology. Sounds like we’re going to be seeing some cutting edge fashion this year!
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.
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)
When transitioning into Spring I begin to obsess about making changes to my wardrobe bit by bit. Spring cleaning on a whole other level.
Photo: d. king
I start to put away my heavy sweaters, wool clothing and switch my hefty luxury cotton bathrobe for a lighter waffle cotton, but not before making sure everything is stored away clean. Which brings me to some products to help in the process.
I am one who takes care of her belongings in every possible sense. I’ve been using Wolford wash for delicates like good nylons (namely Wolford) and undies for ages and Mrs. Meyers Lemon Verbena concentrated laundry detergent which is gentle on fabrics as well as the earth. I take all of that into consideration as a lifestyle choice. Also I prefer natural clean products with a delicate scent.
Which brings me to something that recently caught my eye when I walked into Hill’s Dry Goods Clothing Store on 4th (in Vancouver). Aside from noticing the obvious clothing labels I discovered a new cleaning product for clothing. It’s called The Laundress. I looked into the product further and thought I’d share some tips from the people over there that might help benefit you when springing into Spring:
FRESHEN FAIR WEATHER FAVORITES POST-STORAGE:
Our spring wardrobes are in full bloom with this much welcomed warm weather, but are they really ready to be worn? If your garments were in storage throughout the winter, chances are they’ll need a bit of freshening up! Here’s how to rejuvenate your pieces:
Be on team “steam” Steaming has MANY benefits and we love treating stored garments to a quick session before adding them back to our daily outfit rotation. The process removes wrinkles and kills most germs and bacteria, which helps eliminate odours. Add a capful of The Laundress Ironing Water, scented in our Classic scent, to steamer’s water tank for fragrance.
Spritz to achieve the ultimate “clean laundry” smell Banish musty odours and freshen garments by spritzing one of our fabric sprays – Fabric Fresh Classic is perfect for this task! It’s scented in a unique blend of lily of the valley, jasmine, sweet musk and sandalwood with a touch of citrus. Added bonus: it’s allergen-free so it’s appropriate for even the most sensitive of noses.
“Yikes” moment? Here’s how to conquer yellowing…
On Cotton, Linen & Durable Synthetics
Treating very yellowed items Presoak the item in a basin of hot water mixed with 1 capful of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternative. Then wash as normal.
Treating moderately yellowed items Add 2 capfuls of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternativeto a wash load (without detergent). Then wash again (using detergent) as normal.
Treating mildly yellowed items Add 2 capfuls of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternativeto the wash load along with detergent.
On Silks and Delicate Synthetics
Treating very or moderately yellowed items Presoak the item in a basin of tepid/lukewarm water mixed with ¼ cup white vinegar. We use The Laundress Scented Vinegar. Then wash as normal. For extra stain fighting when treating synthetics, add 1 capful of The Laundress All-Purpose Bleach Alternative to the basin of warm water. Do not use on silk or wool.
Treating mildly yellowed items Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to the wash load or handwashing basin along with detergent. Wash as normal.
The Laundress Product of Perfection Even if everything looks clean, your nose can sense when things are going sour. Spray stubborn smells away with our nontoxic formula that freshens items by eliminating odor-causing organisms. It’s free of allergens and skin-irritating sodium phosphate typically associated with fabric fresheners.
TRANSITION FROM WINTER TO SPRING WITH THESE TIPS:
We love our winter woolies and wish to keep wearing them for months (and years) to come! That’s why we at The Laundress take storing, both long term and short term, seriously.
Improper storage can result in the deterioration and yellowing of fabrics or prompt the growth of mold and mildew. As we can’t imagine our sweaters enduring discoloration and more (and know that you can’t either!), we’ve perfected the art of prepping and packing away seasonal wardrobes. Learn the start to finish process and the products we recommend for best results!
Wash garments before storing long term Washing before storing prevents mystery stains from appearing over time – even if no stains are visible we recommend including these pieces in your laundry load! Perfume, body products, body oil, food, and dirt can show up after some time and they are much harder to remove. Storing clothes clean also decreases the likelihood of a bug or moth attack.
When washing woolens and down, we suggest using The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo. For cotton, linen, and durable synthetics, The Laundress Signature Detergent is ideal. Always wash items that are starched before storing – moths love starch!
Pack items in a breathable, cotton bag When storing wool, cashmere, and all fabrics to be stored folded, it is best to pack in a breathable fabric, such as cotton or linen, with a zip closure. We opt against plastic bins as this material can cause textiles to discolor over time. The Laundress Large Zip Storage & Laundry Bag and All-Purpose Storage Bag will work to protect the fabric’s integrity by shielding dust and critters. Did you know that moths can’t eat through cotton?
Delicate pieces and those prone to wrinkling are best stored folded with acid-free tissue. This practice is ideal for long term storage. Do not hang knits, silks, or synthetics as this will alter the pieces’ shape.
Fur, leather, and outerwear are best stored hung. Improper storage of such pieces can result in their drying out which causes the loss of natural oils. We recommend. The Laundress Hanging Storage & Garment Bag – it fits up to 6 jackets – over traditional, plastic garment bags as they can cause yellowing and prompt mold growth.
Store in rooms that are clean, cool, dark, and dry Avoid storing in attics or basements as humid areas are optimal environments for moth breeding, mold, and mildew. Areas that experience extreme temperatures or direct sunlight are not ideal as both will lead to the deterioration of fabrics. It is best opt for rooms that are clean, cool, dark, and dry.
Prepare for silverfish, moth, and bug issues before they happen Take preventative measures against critters by storing clothing with The Laundress Cedar Drawer Sheet or Lavender Pouch. Both cedar and lavender are scents that naturally repel bugs and moths. Spritzing garments with The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Spray, our nontoxic, allergen-free fabric spray, is helpful as well! Avoid using moth balls as they are toxic, deadly, and have a noxious odour (which is nearly impossible to remove). We do not recommend cedar blocks/chips as their oil can transfer to fabric and create stains.
If your closet has been attacked by critters, you’ll need to quarantine the scene.
Treat mold and mildew growth on garments If mold or mildew becomes an issue, worry not as such pieces can often be salvaged. The Laundress Stain Solution, Stain Brush, and Scented Vinegar are our go-to for mold removal.
Reorganize closets and drawers each season Clean drawers, closets, and clothes with each season to freshen items and ensure the absence of critters! Remove clothing and accessories from storage and launder as normal. While waiting on the wash cycles, vacuum and wipe down drawers. We use The Laundress Surface Cleaner and Lint-Free Cleaning Cloth to lift dust and lint. The Surface Cleaner is safe for all surfaces throughout your home, and is made with natural ingredients so it won’t harm fabrics!
Everyone knows I love a surprise just as much as the next gal.
Not a scary surprise like someone jumping at you from out of nowhere and gives you a mild heart attack – just a fun pleasant kind of surprise. So you can imagine how happy I was to receive a…………..
Mystery girly Gift Boxto celebrate Spring from the people over at the Zoe Report. The Zoe Report (if you don’t already know) is an online style destination curated by none other than designer, celebrity stylist, editor and all-around business woman extraordinaire, Rachel Zoe.
Of course I’m going to share with you all the goodies inside the beautifully wrapped box that everything came in. Even the tissue paper (above) is stylish. So adorably cute!
photo: d. king
First I should tell you that anyone can order (up to a limited amount as they sell out) the set (s) online although the Spring Box of Style (shown above) is now sold out. The boxes will cost anywhere from $100USD for a one-time only gift box or $350USD for an annual set for each season (that’s 4 boxes). What you get inside is worth more than what you would pay for everything retail. Everything is chicand useful and the retail value of the contents are revealed as prices and links to websites are provided. The box I received was valued at $344 USD (before taxes) not including a deluxe size sample of La Mer Skin Concentrate (I’ll review this later on the beauty post). You can also get additional discounts (anywhere from 15 to 30%) off further orders on most items for a limited time should you desire.
When I first heard about this I thought “what a fabulous, fun idea” and I knew that it would be geared to fashion forward “women in the know.” So now to share:
In Photo above:
I can now cross this one off my “bucket bag” list
“The Sidekick” Leather Bucket Bag designed and made in L.A. Gorgeous custom go-with-anything caramel leather with suede lining. The best thing is that it’s super light, just big enough to carry all essentials and I love that I can wear it cross-body (especially good for dog walking). Cross body is my latest obsession. I know I’ll get so much wear out of this simple bag all Spring/Summer long.
Jouer Crème Eyeshadow Crayon – sultry with a little shimmer, perfect for evening.
Delicate Pave and Stone Cuff gold plated bracelet by Jules Smith – chic enough to stand on its own or layer with other jewelry. In other words, simply perfect.
Chic pair of great sound headphones by LSTN Sound Co – Wembley Earbuds.
A hair saviour dry shampoo by Klorane – discovered by RZ in Paris during fashion week. The one she recommends as “the one.” Who am I to argue?
Something to blot that midday all day shine with – Hollywood oil blotting tissues for a photo-ready look.
And if that wasn’t enough, a deluxe size sample (luckily a little goes a very long way) of the very expensive but effective miracle broth known as La Mer Concentrate. Ooh la la
Obsessed already?
Summer Box of Style will be shipped out in June. To Order:
Left: Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci (men’s). Middle: Joseph Altuzarra. Right: Dries Van Noten
Never has the classic black leather jacket looked so good in so many different interpretations – 23 to be exact.
Barneys has collaborated with some of today’s top designers and most noted artists to create their own versions of the quintessential black leather jacket. The jackets were being auctioned off by International auction house Christie’s with proceeds from the sales going to benefit two art institutions (*White Columns and **The Centre).
The project pays homage to an iconic 1986 event in the original downtown NYC store location entitled Decorated Denim—in which customized denim jackets designed by prominent designers and artists were auctioned off to benefit an AIDS organization.
Artist Rob Pruitt emblazoned his interpretation, 91 Notables Wearing Biker Jackets, with hand-drawn likenesses of those know for sporting the style, ranging from Marlon Brando and James Dean to Drake and Bart Simpson.
For the occasion, Barneys partnered with *White Columns, New York’s oldest non-profit art space specializing in emerging artists, as well as with **The Center, New York City’s LGBT community center, for an art-meets-fashion collaboration.
Designers including Alexander Wang and Isabel Marant, along with artists like Helmut Lang, Marilyn Minter, and Rob Pruitt, have all put their own spin on the wardrobe staple, some for men and others for women, and each with phenomenal results. From the edgy to the refined, from wild to elegant, each of these jackets is a true expression of its creator’s vision.
The Los Angeles-based artist Sterling Ruby has been quoted as saying, “I like to think about art as being similar to poetry. It can’t be proven. It just exists, and there’s an aura about it.”
There is definitely an aura about the leather jacket. I love a slightly tough but sleek black leather jacket that shouts SEXY, CHIC, COOL, EDGY and always in style!
A STYLISH LINE of comfortable, functional athletic/lifestyle wear that I think you should know aboutif you don’t already since it’s been getting press in magazines such as Elle, Vogue, Redbook and Shape. I’ve basically been living in my Garbe Luxe basic, seam and moto leggings and not just for going to the gym. For evening you can find me in the Luca pant – a little too often.
Cambridge Jacket, Henley T, Heidi Sweatpant
Garbe Luxe is not only well made, the clothing fits beautifully (which let’s be honest, is our main objective) and looks good in all the right places. I wear the short & long bra tops for yoga or running and in the summer I love the various tanks and t-shirts. No doubt that they’re current and fashionable because they’re designed by my unfussy stylish friend Natalia MacLeod who is originally from Montreal and now makes her home in Los Angeles where everything is made. As soon as I found out that she was creating an athletic wear line I wanted it – whatever she wears I want because I always admired her simple, elegant style. She’s also exotically beautiful.
Ruby V Neck, Pocket Sweaty
ABOUT:
GARBE LUXE is a contemporary collection of sporty edge styles perfect to take you from your workout and into your day. The collection is all about helping your athletic wear gracefully make the transition to the world beyond the exercise studio (très L.A.). Whether heading to a morning meeting, dropping off the kids or joining friends for lunch, GARBE LUXE has you covered so you always feel polished, confident and comfortable.
Paired back minimalism, luxurious fabrics, and mix-and-match options create sophisticated options for your on-the-go life.
Some of my go-to’s:
Low-Back TankLuca PantSeam LeggingLong Bra TopChloe Cardigan
That can be due to a recent much needed facelift. It happens as we become more tired looking over time. However the Coach bags that I own have remained in very good shape over the years with no signs of diminishing. Almost like new. Of course it helps that I look after my stuff with kid gloves but mostly it has to do with the overall craftmanship. I always thought Coach never got the credit it deserves. Similar to another brand that makes beautifully well-made leather bags, Furla.
Photo: Garance Dore
Coach is more widely known than Furla though, and loved by many. Most of us are familiar with the Coach logo(although I’ve never loved their bags with the highly recognizable logo written all over them – I prefer the hidden logo) and the attractive leather handbags are readily found in almost every city. Even though they’re well made using high quality leather and come in many colours and price points they never quite reached the “tops” in the designer bag category. They were considered a “starter” bag which sounds kind of snobby but I think it’s because you can find them everywhere and they have so many outlets. Also younger women can more afford them and if that’s the case and they’re made so readily available to the masses they are not deemed so ‘exclusive’. But that may change now as the brand becomes more upscale. It will be interesting to see what happens. They never had a problem selling but now they may become more sought after and appeal to a different demographic – a more sophisticated crowd.
COACH VINTAGE Circa-1973 British Tan Leather Rip & Repair Small Dinky Bag – $695 USD
Not all about the BAG
They make more than bags you know and they have Stuart Vevers. Entering his third year as creative director for the brand, Stuart Vevers has revamped an American Classic into a brand every girl wants to wear again. A major feat. He is in charge of all creative aspects of the Coach brand, including Women’s and Men’s product design, brand imagery, and store environments. Since his takeover we can expect to see mini skirts and mod square-toed boots with a hint of bohemia & rock n’ roll details (studs, metallic, floral prints and leather – lots of it). It helps that cool girl Dree Hemingway is a model for them.
The ultimate nod is that they’re re-introducing some popular styles from the past – available exclusively at the exclusive department store Barneys no less.
COACH VINTAGE Circa-1972 Black Leather Fringed Stewardess Bag – $1,195 USD
On the occasion of celebrating 75 years in the leather biz, the brand is taking a look back by launching three customized iconic vintage bags. The Dinky, Stewardess and Duffle were selected for the “Coach Vintage Collection,” sourced from collections all over the world, but originally created in NYC in the 1970s and 80s. Over 18 months, the bags underwent authentication and restoration processes before each was given one of three hand-applied motifs—Fringe, an homage to the American West, Rip and Repair, a nod to the baseball mitts that inspired the original founders of Coach and Vintage Stripe, a reference to classic Ivy League style. “This feels like the perfect way to honor our 75th anniversary by bringing together our heritage with something new in one project, “Vevers explains, “It was lots of fun creating these one of a kind pieces for Barneys.”
The limited-edition collection retails for $595-$1,195 and will be available exclusively at Barneys New York locations on Madison Avenue and Beverly Hills, as well as barneys.com.
THE BOOT: BANDITChelseaby Coach
Coach Bandit Chelsea Boot
Traditional Americana goes downtown in a cropped cowboy boot (always loved the cropped cowboy – maybe I’m a cowgirl at heart) colorblocked in black and oxblood leathers with a saddle leather gore and exotic embossing on the heel. This statement limited edition is finished with a low heel for all-day ease. Niiiice!
And it’s such a drip….figuratively speaking, because I’m talking about Jackson Pollock in this post.
Photographed by Cecil Beaton, Vogue, March 1951
A survey of Pollock’s works is at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) covering early experiments with primal themes and loosely figurative forms from the years 1934 to 1954. The exhibition also features the highly recognizable drip paintings which made him famous the world over.
These drippings have caught on with fashion designers big time who have been inspired by them and have incorporated Pollock-print paint splatterings on everything from sneakers to ball gowns.
While designers have referenced many artists over the years, there are few so synonymous with Pollock’s style.
Maison Margiela’s popular “Pollock” sneaker Photo: Courtesy of Maison Margiela
Perhaps the first fashion world adoption of Pollock’s art came in a 1951 issue of Vogue (in photo above), where a model showed off the season’s chicest gowns standing in front of a Pollock painting on view at the Betty Parsons Gallery.
Since then, his signature splashes have infiltrated the runways in many forms. The most unmatched tribute to Pollock’s art, however, came courtesy of Alexander McQueen, who positioned model Shalom Harlow in the center of paint-shooting robots that streaked her ivory gown black and acid green as she rotated on a platform.
Alexander McQueen Spring 1999 Photo: Courtesy of Alexander McQueen
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