Dressing a Femme Fatale, She Must be in Versace

As promised onto a little lesson in Versace....

Elizabeth Hurley in Versace's "Safety Pin" dress 1994

I mentioned earlier that it was Elizabeth Hurley's daring choice of the Versace safety pin dress in 1994 that had the legendary designer brand a common household name but, of course there was quite a bit more to it.  In fact was Gianni Versace's incredible marketing and approach to the importance of fashion in the public eye that landed the designer house in fashion industry. 

Gianni Versace

What Andy Warhol did for the art world in the pop culture phenomenon, Gianni did for fashion.  In fact, it's him we can thank (or detest, whichever way you want to look at it) for our obsession with America's Next Top Model or Scouted. Of course famous and incredibly influential models had been around for decades, but it was when Gianni hired all of the worlds top print models to walk in his runway shows the idea of the "Super Model" was born.  In his fall/winter 1991 collection Versace sent Cindy Crawford, Naomi Cambpell, Christy Turlington, and Linda Evangelista sauntering down the runway in his wares... need I say more?

Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington
Versace Fall/Winter 1991 Runway

Ever since the designer has been known for his drop dead gorgeous red carpet looks.  The signature designs of Versace arent  necessarily avant garde or out to change the fashion game, they are intended to clothe a femme fatale or at least make you look like one.  Since Donatella has taken over the reigns as creative director after Gianni's untimely murder outside of his South Beach mansion few would dispute anyone does it better.  (Hence my choice of the leopard printed Versace number for my special date night).

Donatella Versace

In fact, that idea of the catering to that red hot vixen is actually embedded in the very logo of the company.  Rooted in mythology the company sports the head of Medusa designed by Gianni Versace himself as the emblem of choice.

Versace Logo

I myself was a little confused about this at first. Why on earth would you chose the depiction of your brand to be a woman who is so ugly she turns people to stone?!? This is where a little academics comes in handy.  In the SUPER condensed version of the myth Medusa was in fact a babe, one of the prettiest girls around in fact, pretty enough to attract the attention of the god Poseidon, and the jealousy of Athena. Athena decided to take that jealousy out on Medusa by cutting off her hair (said to be one of her prettiest traits) and replacing it with snakes. From then on Medusa would captivate every man who laid eyes upon her rendering them incapable of looking away, and unfortunately for them, turning them into stone.  Translating that into relevant terms for Versace, they create designs that when worn are intended to stop men in their tracks. When you think about it that way, it makes quite a bit more sense, and when you look at some of the great red carpet moments of the brand I would say the have the market cornered. 

January Jones in Versace at 2011 Golden Globes

Angelina Jolie in Versace at the 2011 Golden Globes

Jennifer Hudson in Versace at the 2011 Oscars

and how could I not include one of the most famous red (well, techinically blue) carpet dresses of all time... none other than Jennifer Lopez's plunging jungle inspired ensemble at the Grammy's in 2000.

Jennifer Lopez in Versace at the 2000 Grammy's

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope you all enjoy the holiday season!

I love this time of year, mostly because I know I'll get to be with my family. I've been blessed with a great one, doubly blessed because in 8 (rapidly approaching) months I'll get to officially be a part of another great family. I have been extraordinarily blessed this year, for a lot of different reasons. I don't know how I got to be so lucky... but I do know I'm incredibly grateful. 

Va Va Versace

There are a few times when a girl (me included) wants to be taken out for a night on the town, dinner and drinks at a swanky restaurant with a killer view... and I don't just mean the view of her general surroundings... she herself wants to be part of that killer view.  Where you look just as confident on the outside as you are feeling on the inside, like that night is yours to own.

While I know the saying goes, "clothes don't make the the man" they certainly HELP the woman achieve that feeling.  When you slip into a dress that fits like a glove, and accentuates all of your best features very little can stop you from feeling fabulous.  Whether it be an amazing  dinner on top of the Eiffel Tower ( even the little one in Vegas) and an exciting show on the strip, or a candlelit dinner in the middle of a basilica and cocktails on a roof deck 57 stories above Marina Bay, its the type of dress that makes you feel just as special as the place you are wearing it.

For me, "that" dress was this Versace number. (Now if I was only as confident finding "THE" dress for another big day in my life.... I digress though, that's a whole other post in itself). For me, this was a dress that I didn't think "Where am I going to wear this??" it was more "Now I need to figure out where I should be taken so I can wear it." I knew the perfect occasion would arise eventually or I would eventually make an occasion happen... either or.

It's the perfect just above the knee length, and made of silk that has just enough stretch to hug you in all the right places.  What looks to be leopard print is actually overlapping images of fabric swatches- a little detail that makes it not your average animal print dress. It still has that "look at me" quality that is let's face it- unavoidable in anything that looks remotely close to animal print, but in definitely a more sophisticated polished way. My favorite detail however, is in the straps.  The straps on the V neck actually wrap around the front, crossing in the back to mimic the subtle V shape and then meet again in the front with a simple architectural black bow. Perfection.

If you are familiar with the rest of Versace's collections, it's fitting that the "WOW!" dress of my wardrobe would be from the atelier.  If anyone gets that va va va voom factor, its Versace. It is what the design house has come to epitomize in the couture world, and is responsible for making it a household name.  While the label (formally Gianni Versace) has been around since 1978, it didn't become a common name on the lips of fashionistas until 1994, thanks to Elizabeth Hurley and this "I have absolutely nothing to hide" black dress by the label.

As early as last Saturday, the label launched its collaboration with H&M... the brand is all a buzz in the fashion world yet again.  Clearly, the active house has had a lot going on for it since 1978, enough so, that I think its history deserves its own post.... and I'm sure Donatella would agree.

Nomadic Style with Nanette Lepore

I haven't quite settled back into life after my excursion around the world. For the most part, it's gone back to normal, aside from all of the additional planning that still has me running all over New England. There is nothing worse for me than coming back from vacation.  Don't get me wrong, I love home. I love being home, and being with every that comes with. But I hate leaving a places that are so inspiring, that you planned for so long to get to, and then in a few short days they fly right by.  Be it the Grand Canyon, Bali, or even Buffalo, I hate saying goodbye.

So, this week I thought I'd talk about a designer whose love for travel has inspired her unique style- Nanette Lepore.  I have often been referred to as "bohemian" in my style, and I would agree, there is definitely that influence there. Nanette on the other hand takes that to a whole new level, to a place where the free spirit meets luxury, where design meets art.  

Nanette Lepore with her daughter Violet
at the end of a runway show.

The stylistic direction in which Lepore has taken her company can be seen in her past.  Raised by an abstract painter father, and super-stylish mother in Youngstown Ohio, she spent her summers traversing Route 66. Having tasted a nomadic life so early on, her free spirit and taste for travel only grew stronger.  After attending Youngstown University, relocating to New York to attend FIT, numerous hours in others studios, and a $5k loan from her father, Nanette Lepore finally set up shop on her own in 1992.

Nanette Lepore Fall 2011  image from Style.com

Nanette Lepore Resort 2012  image from Style.com

Nanette Lepore Spring 2012  image from Style.com

Ever since that bohemian spirit and sense of nostalgia has been infused into her clothes and designs making her prints, silhouettes, and intricate embellishments instantly recognizable. Her widespread availability and contemporary price points make it easily attainable to boot. 

Nanette Lepore "Loveable Spots" blouse

This "Lovable Spots" blouse by the brand from my own wardrobe is a great example of her fun, flirty style that is remarkably feminine, without taking yourself too seriously.  It has a great 1940's pin up feel too it while still being modern.  The unique wrap of the top is flattering and functional all at the same time, it makes the blouse fit your body perfectly. The nicest thing about this top though, is the silk.  It's remarkably soft and luxurious, and so easy to move around in.  It lets my so called "free spirit" be free.

Nanette Lepore "Loveable Spots" blouse

3.1 on 11.3

As promised from last week I thought I'd introduce you to the world of 3.1 Philip Lim.

I was so excited when I got this top... not only because I got a killer deal on it, but because it was perfect for my Singapore/Bali vacation.  Light, and breezy with handcrafted embroidery details  it was the perfect wardrobe choice for the craftsman oriented island.

Embroidered detail on 3.1 Philip Lip top

It's no surprise that Philip Lim was the perfect choice for a trip to Southeast Asia... it's the designers homeland.  Philip Lim was actually born in Cambodia, and came to the United States (Southern California to be exact) in 1973 when his family fled from Cambodia's Civil War.

Philip Lim worked for Barney's before deciding he wanted to make fashion of his own (How fitting that Barney's is now one of the many major department stores to carry his line).  After this realization, he set himself up with an internship with Katayone Adeli, even with no formal training or portfolio.  By pure tenacity and talent, Philip eventually ended up on the design team.  It wasn't until 2005 that Philip (aged 31) along with his business partner Wen Zhou traversed the country and set up shop in SoHo, New York to launch his own collection 3.1 Philip Lim.  Now, the brand produces both men's and women's ready-to-wear, shoes, and handbags. In the 5 short years the company has been in business, Lim has managed to become one of the most successful contemporary designers in the world, even earning himself a CFDA Swarovski Award in 2007 for women's wear.

3.1 Philip Lim Fall 2011 from Style.com

3.1 Philip Lim Resort 2012 from Style.com

3.1 Philip Lim Spring 2012 from Style.com

Its no surprise he's done so well. His vision on fashion is one that is simple and genius all at the same time.  He states it best in that his clothes are meant to "refine, not define" the wearer.  Refine is the perfect word. Pieces from his collection instantly make any look pulled together, fresh, and sleek with just enough detail to give it that "designer" look in a completely effortless way. The use of high quality fabrications, and unique embellishments all combine to  form a so unidentifiable that it's identifiable high fashion style.  That almost couture detailing is what also puts this contemporary line at almost couture prices.  With the timeless quality of his designs though, 3.1 Phillip Lim is worth the investment.

Back from the Other Side

I should first off apologize, I dropped off the face of the earth for a while. Actually, I just went to the other side of it. Literally. 26 hours of traveling later, I went from Boston to Singapore. I have to say, it was unreal. Not only is it culturally diverse with some of the most amazing architecture and exotic scenery in the world... it's also a designer junkie's Mecca! Orchard Rd., Singapore's main shopping district, puts Newbury St. to shame. It was seriously fashion paradise.... aside from the 30% markup on everything!

After romping around Malaysia, surrounding myself  with orchids at the Botanic Gardens, visiting Holland Village, Chinatown, Little India, and Marina Bay it was off to Bali for a few days. (ugh life is so hard!)

I don't even know where to start with Bali.... there's a reason it's one of the worlds most visited tourist destinations. The tiny little island that's no bigger than the state of Delaware is a world all its own. The amazing beaches with their rolling surfs, the electric green rice paddies, the amazingly cordial people and the not so cordial but highly entertaining monkeys all help make this island well worth visiting (and the perfect place to break in my new favorite Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses).

This little guy was in the market for glasses too....  He's got good taste, he went right for Joe's Armani pair! 

Bali for me, might have well been cloud 9. I was surrounded by gorgeous scenery, and in one of Southeast Asia's largest artisan communities.  From woodworking, to silver, weaving to batik, Bali is home to it all.  In particular, I was excited to be in an area that is considered one of the originators of the batik art form.... one that I am actually trained in.  I studied textile and surface design in college... I chose to concentrate on batik and screen printing, and how you can combine the two. 

What is batik you ask? It's a decorative process in which hot wax is applied to a surface to act as a resist, then the surface is dyed, when the wax is removed from the surface, the waxed area that has been protected from absorbing the dye leaves you with the design you created.

Here are a few of the Batiks I picked up while I was there....

And here are a few I've done on my own....

As you can see, its a medium that allows for several variations in style.  A lot of this comes from the tools you use. Most of us use paint brushes and tjauntings (they are like little pens that allow you to draw with the hot wax) but another traditional tool used in many Indonesian batiks is what is known as a tjap.  These are basically metal stamps, often made of copper or brass that allow the artist to repeat a consistent motif  over and over again.  I was lucky enough to fin an antique one while I was in Ubud.  It's the pride and joy of my studio now.  I couldn't have been any more excited. 

I picked up a few more things in Bali as well... I couldn't pass up these embroidered slippers... the retro shape with that narrow "v" opening at the top is so Chanel Fall 2011. I wonder if they know how on trend they are in their little island.

I also adore this necklace Joe so graciously haggled over for me. This came from a silversmith in Celuk who was nice enough to show us her workshop. It's very John Hardy-esque (Who actually lives in Ubud, Bali).

The best thing I happened to pick up while I was there though, wasn't from Bali at all. In fact, it had traveled just like, me all the way from the United States......

Yup! We're engaged! I... We.... couldn't be happier, and I cant possibly think of a more romantic place to set the scene for our engagement story.  It was breathtaking, and perfect, and by far the most beautiful moment of my life. 

The Samara Villas in Ubud, not only did we stay here, this is where the magical moment took place!

And the ring... it is amazing! Joe designed it himself, using a family heirloom stone for the center of the setting.  It looks new and vintage all at the same time, and has wonderful sentiment built right in. He knows me all too well. Try to ignore my non-manicured hands in these pictures.

He also knows how much I love to multi task,so that top I'm wearing in those first pictures of as as fiances  is of course, one that I will be talking about a little later on.  How fitting that it's Phillip Lim, one of Southeast Asia's very own.

So now that you've seen what's been distracting me lately, hopefully you'll cut me a little slack. We'll get back to somewhat normal very soon... I say somewhat normal because I'm sure from here on out I'll need to throw out wedding planning interruptions every now and then.  I can't wait for this whole new chapter!