These boots are made for walking - in style!

I've quickly learned that NYC Winter style is all about the boots! Style aside, there is a safety element involved as well, as I learned after taking a bruising sidewalk dive in my 4 inch stiletto'd Escada's after the recent blizzard. (Ouch!) The search for the perfect boot is not an easy one as there are so many looks, and many are limiting when it comes to style versatility. As a budget style seeker, I found the perfect solution with my Calvin Klein Mayson boots:

They're made of a soft napa leather and are really two boots in one! (Which is great for my budget and my closet - both small!!) You can wear them over-the-knee or fold the top half down for a more traditional everyday boot. I happen to love them over-the-knee with black skinny jeans and my vintage fox fur coat, finished with a matte red lip and simple black knitted hat. They can look Ralph Lauren cool with my indian poncho and black leggings or with black tights and a silky mini dress for going out. Did I mention they have a rubber sole and are uber-comfortable? This NY newbie will not be sidewalk diving anymore!

Happy 2010!!

Elaine was in town from Newport Beach for the week, and as we were getting ready to meet friends out on NYE, I remembered the little wooden box that was once my grandmother's:

Her third husband made it for her and I cherish its contents:

Lots of happy photos, like these:

My Grandmother and her friends doing God only knows what. (But they're having fun!)

Looking French chic with a cute beau:

Wishing you a successful 2010 filled with lots of happy picture ops!

I ran across this article published in the Seattle Times in 1995!

Teen Wins Fashion-Design Competition

By Mary Elizabeth Cronin

Grunge may have put Seattle style on the map, but the designers at the Local Brilliance apparel design contest in the Pike Place Market Cinema last night showed Seattle has a full design repertoire.

The winning ensemble was a black wool gabardine criss-cross back knee-length dress and waist-length '60s-style cape, lined with silver. The outfit was selected from 36 entries submitted by 20 designers.

"I'm so impressed with the level of quality and just the love that went into all the designs," said Renata Tatman, who owns Local Brilliance. The contest celebrated the shop's 10th anniversary as an outlet for locally designed apparel.

Even more impressive was the winning designer. Christine Lindebak is a self-taught 17-year-old Auburn High School student. She plans to enroll in an apparel-design program after she graduates next year.

The five judges scored the clothes based on four criteria: fit; choice of materials; construction quality; and creativity and originality.

Second place went to Tseza Matsiyevskaya for a classic floor-length satiny purple gown with a plunging V-neck, tiny beading across the shoulders and cap sleeves, and a shoulder-to-waist back cutout. Valentina Vasilevskaya took third place for a bridal gown with a sweetheart neckline, beaded mutton sleeves and a ruffled skirt and full train.

Jeannette Sellers' clingy knit ankle-length dress, flared at the knee in large blocks of gold, purple and a colorful floral print with matching cropped jacket, drew a loud "oooh," from some of the 40 or so people who attended the judging. But it didn't win the People's Choice award, which was a tie between Lydia Voiland's brown satin sheath with sheer waist inset, and Angela Hocking's creative beige lace halter dress with a asymmetrical hem, described as "constructed from Grandmother's doilies."

A beige sleeveless jumpsuit and matching cropped jacket by Gwendolyn Jackson was eye-catching because of the simple yet flattering fit.

Also attractive were a pair of pantsuits, one for men, one for women, both designed by Makini Howell. The man's suit was maroon three-button double-breasted with wide lapels and a nubby texture. The women's suit was hunter green with a four-button double-breasted jacket and contrasting maroon square-neck collar framing the collar bones.

The winning entries will be displayed at Local Brilliance, 1535 First Ave. Call 343-5864 for information about buying any of the outfits.

Copyright (c) 1995 Seattle Times Company, All Rights Reserved.

John Galliano

John Galliano has claimed his place as one of the most influential designers of our time as he carries the essence of Christian Dior forward.

As with many of the people I admire greatly, it is not always their current success that draws me in, but instead, it is their journey that captivates me most. John Galliano is no exception. His early years in Gibraltar and Spain exposed him to a world of Mediterranean color and textures and upon moving to South London he sometimes felt out of sorts. It was London, where he discovered the arts and true kinship.

Upon graduating from St. Martin's School of Arts in 1984, his first collection, Les Incroyables, was bought and sold in entirety in Browns. Based in London he began his own collection, and in 1988, among fledgling financial backing, moved his operations to Paris.

By 1993, with the help of Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Talley, Galliano developed partnerships that helped him gain strong financial backing and credibility among the social elite. Much like Christian Dior in 1947, Galliano brought life to Paris and had what some describe as a "fashion moment". In 1995, he became the first British designer to head the LVMH fashion house, Givenchy.

Less than two years later, Galliano was appointed as the designer for Christian Dior, and his first haute couture show coincided with the label's 50th anniversary.

Through the years, Galliano has stayed true to his wild child passions, and similar to Christian Dior, never feels the need to apologize for his big dreams. In 2000, he became inspired on his morning jog along the Seine River. The ensuing collection, inspired by the homeless people along the river, created the largest stir. He remarked to WWD about the uproar, "better to be talked about than not."

Galliano loves theater and femininity and feels it is his job to seduce. And seduce he does...Each and every look from the Christian Dior Fall 2009 Haute Couture show takes my breath away.

Vive, John Galliano!

Style Icon: Kate Lanphear

As US Style Director at Elle, Kate Lanphear is poised to lead the fashion troops with her distinct, edgy, feminine style. Her look inspired my latest hairstyle, which has been very fun to wear in New York!

Photos from Vogue and StyleSpot.

Miuccia Prada

I have recently become quite fascinated with Miuccia Prada, or Mrs Prada as her staff calls her, or Miu Miu, her nickname. One of the things that I find the most interesting is the overall evolution of her career. She was born in Milan, the granddaughter of Prada founder, Mario Prada. But work in the family's luggage shop she would not, at least not until after her Political Science PhD, mime study, and communist party rallies (dressed in Yves St Laurent; an early display of her affection for contraries!). In 1978, she reluctantly took the reigns of Prada with her husband, Patrizio Bertelli, and has grown the brand into an international fashion leader by injecting her particular and unusual aesthetic into the veins of the brand. In 1992, she founded Miu Miu, the edgier, younger extension of the Miuccia Prada aesthetic, which shows in Paris, unlike Prada, which shows in Milan. The evolution continues with the establishment of the Prada Foundation, her non-profit organization dedicated to bringing an audience to contemporary art. I love that Mrs Prada finds progress in doing things differently; going against the obvious to innovate. It is said that she will pick a fabric in a color she hates and relishes in the joy of creating something beautiful from it.

One of my favorite looks from Prada S/S 10 shown yesterday in Milan (I love, love, love the red lips):

Origin Assured

Even though I live in LA, where it can be 80 degrees in the middle of winter, I do love my fur! I don't know if it was my great grandmother's sable collars or the first vintage chocolate mink shrug I bought, but I think there is something so fabulously glamorous about a beautifully done fur. On the other hand, my first day-after-Thanksgiving working at Escada in Seattle was spent in lock down due to the PETA protests lining 5th Avenue. A happy medium? I'm not sure there is one as far as the PETA camp is concerned, but ethical minded fur consumers can now shop easily. You've probably seen the great ads shot by Raymond Meier in Vogue but just what is the Origin Assured initiative? Basically the International Fur Trade Federation partnered with the top 4 fur auction houses (the majority of fur is sold through auction houses - who knew?) to monitor the national regulations ensuring openness and transperency in the way fur is produced and assurance in the humane treatment of the critters. The monitoring is done by an independent trade inspection company based out of Switzerland. Look out for these labels:

It's no surprise that four of our favorites are leading the way; Oscar de la Renta, John Galliano, Roberto Cavalli, and Uncle Karl have all put their stamp on the campaign.

It's Good to be King

With just 12 individually designed loft units, 123 King Boutique Residences are an oasis for the couture homeowner seeking a jolt of cool. Located in the prime lifestyle neighborhood at the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and Third Street, King offers it’s residents a refreshing take on urban living from the outside in. Internationally celebrated Pugh+Scarpa Architects conceptualized the modern exterior that will compliment the historical landscape for years to come. With 20 foot ceilings, height is used as a dramatic element of luxury, unique in each unit. Cascading light filters through a myriad of sources from floor to ceiling.

Shying away from traditional loft elements, King is more state of the art modern than industrial tech.

Interior designers, Abitar Dentro, have thought of everything on your need and want lists. Terazzo ground aggregate floors and fully integrated kitchens with hand polished white lacquer define understated luxury at its best. FireOrb floating fireplaces are poised in 4 of the units and strategic lighting sets the mood for any occasion. Need to get some work done? The mezzanine office is the perfect light-filled place, and King is turnkey wired for all your audio/visual obsessions. Would you expect any less? The oversized Master baths are fit for a king (and his queen) with separate spa tub and rain showers draped in sensual design elements and unexpected details. The climactic glories at King are the rooftop terraces, with show enhancing views of Santa Monica, Hollywood Hills, and Downtown.

You may never want to leave, but when you do, you’ve got convenience as your sidekick. And not the get in your car and drive there type of convenience. This is roll out of bed, walk a few blocks and you’re there type of convenience. A bad case of bed head? No worries. Your coffee and eggs Benedict from hotspot Kings Road Café can be delivered right to your rooftop terrace. And your dry-cleaning? Don’t worry, that’s delivered too. Mainstream fashion at The Beverly Center and one of a kind boutique shopping along Third is a car free excursion. A hot night at Sushi Roku or leisurely dinner with friends at Ortolan is just blocks away. By the time your friends get their cars out of valet, you’re already home. The dense amenities in this hood are more plentiful and unique than in any other area in Los Angeles. Just about anything you can think of is right around the corner - and in your living room. Yes, it’s good to be King.

My Fall DVR picks!

Although it's been fun watching Sex and The City reruns and Chelsea Lately all summer long, my DVR is ready for some new action! So, after I tuck away my St. Tropez caftans and bring out my favorite cashmere, I'll be setting my DVR with these picks:

Monday

Accidentally on Purpose CBS 8:30 Jenna Elfman and Grant Show (remember Jake on the original Melrose? Thought so...) star in this comedy about a career woman in entertainment journalism who finds herself impregnated by an unsuccessful slacker. Sounds very similar to Knocked Up if you ask me, but is actually based on the real life memoir of Time critic Mary Pols.

Gossip Girl CW 9:00 The third season of this style infused drama continues the scandal by promising some guy-on-guy action with Ed Westwick's character, Chuck Bass.

Tuesday

Dancing With The Stars ABC 9:00 I'll be watching Season 9, starring Mya, Kelly Osbourne, and Kathy Ireland if for no other reason than to understand Chelsea Handler's comments later!

Melrose Place CW 9:00 I am crossing my finger's that this retro remake is better than the round two of 90210!

Wednesday

Modern Family ABC 9:00 I have high hopes for this laugh-out-loud comedy starring Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

ANTM CW 8:00 For its 13th season, contestants are all 5'7" and under and are bunking up in Los Angeles.

The Beautiful Life CW 9:00 If this Kutcher produced drama featuring Mischa Barton and Elle MacPherson is a flop I'll switch to Courtney Cox's Cougartown ABC 9:30.

Thursday

FlashForward ABC 8:00 What happens when the entire world population blacks out and has clairvoyant episodes showing them their futures?

Parks and Recreation NBC 8:30 I love this mockumentary following the Parks and Rec department of Pawnee, Indiana!

The Office NBC 9:00 No explanation needed here!

The Dress, finally!

To me, there's nothing better than wearing a one of a kind piece, whether it's custom or vintage couture. Every once in awhile, I get inspired to pull out my creative gene and use my skills to bring my creative vision to reality. I was inspired to create a dress with a high neck in the front and an open back with a lot of structure and body in the back drape. Open back dresses first came in fashion in the early 1930's, when it first became socially exceptable for women to show their back in public. So considering we've brought the depression back, why not the style?!

I found a fabulous medium weight black linen at Michael Levine in downtown LA. It's weight is perfect for the drape and the texture of the fabric gives the dress a subtle high summer safari look. I wore the dress to dinner at Babbo while I was in New York a few weeks ago and got a lot of compliments!