Fashion Jones

The Fruits of the Baekeland family...

2008-07-16T23:07:00.001-07:00

To say that the Tom Kalin film Savage Grace (based on the book by Natalie Robbins and Steven M.L. Aronson) is harrowing would be an understatement. Not exactly sure what compelled me to see a film about mother-son incest and timeless decadence last night but the one good thing that came out of this film about the true story of Barbara Daly Baekeland and her social climbing ways is that I got into a bit of a Bakelite searching frenzy. This material created by Leo Baekeland made his family rich but this fortune ultimately ruined the third generation Baekelands (Barbara was the wife of Brooks Baekeland, grandson of Leo...). I think I'll ignore the incest, murder, depression, adultery and suicide and concentrate on the shiny plastic accessories unearthed on eBay and Etsy...

Still, Savage Grace is a superb film even if it does at times make you feel so uneasy you need to look away. Everything is visually lush and it goes without saying that there's some fine clothes in it too, though probably more interesting from a menswear perspective...

Plaid Jumper From TopShop

2008-07-16T11:06:00.001-07:00

Plaid, plaid, plaid. I love plaid. Through out my trip in Europe I have picked up no less than four items covered in plaid.

In Belfast I wandered into thrift shops and cheap trendy stores and found a plaid dress with a voluminous skirt, a thick plaid fitted button-down and a plaid vintage corset soon to be worn with jeans. I also purchased an overpriced plaid romper from TopShop in London.

To veer away from plaid for the moment, I was not impressed with TopShop. Quality is lacking in 80% of the merchandised but priced retarded high. $300 for a thin hounds tooth coat with buttons hanging off it? I think not.

Also, the Kate Moss section of the shop had very little to offer and the price point averaged 130 pounds ($260). Obscene I tell you. Mostly because it is supposed to be an inexpensive store. The only thing I saw there that was cheap were the seams.

On a positive note, there were a few cute pieces for sure and some of the leather jackets were quite lovely.

Back to plaid, I love it! The only warning I would say is no short girly plaid skirts: too outdated. If you want a plaid skirt, veer towards a high-waist pencil skirt. Chic!

High Drama!

2008-07-15T23:06:00.001-07:00

A look from Bill Blass’ Fall 2008 ready-to-wear collection

Chanel Iman (in 3.1 Philip Lim), Eve (in Emanuel Ungaro) and Eva Longoria (in Marchesa) stop traffic in their dramatic outfits.

It’s not enough to just walk into a room looking fabulous. Nowadays your outfit has to shout it from the rooftops! The classic black dress is all good and well but when you really want to make a show, opt for something theatrical. Many of the Fall/Winter 2008 collections during New York Fashion Week were filled with high-neck collars, fanciful frills and dreamy chiffon ruffles. Bill Blass’ collection, for example, is the epitome of dramatic flair though if you’re not too sure you can get away with such an exuberant entrance look to Victoria Beckham and Charlize Theron who took this look to the streets. Try this Sheer Ruffle top by Wetseal.com. For those of you who love the attention, take a leaf out of Chanel Iman, Eva Longoria and Eve’s style books. They definitely know how to put on a show.

Sarah Mann Jewelry

2008-07-15T11:06:00.001-07:00

Jewelry Designer and Metalsmith

Sarah Mann is fascinated by the creative and technical challenges of transforming sterling silver into objects of adornment. She is proud to carry on a family tradition in the crafts, and pleased that this enables her to exercise her talent no matter where she lives. She creates clean straightforward designs that often incorporate kinetics.

'Astral' Sterling Silver Ring

A dreamy band of brushed sterling silver punctuated with otherworldly designs.

$130

Sarah was introduced to metalsmithing at the University of Wisconsin in her hometown of Milwaukee. She furthered her interest under the expert guidance of Heikki Seppa at Washington University in St. Louis, and the craftspeople at Fuji Studio in Florence.

Collapsible Ring

Brushed sterling silver ring with unique design. Movement and flexibility makes for a comfortable fit. Narrow ring has one bar instead of two.

$150

Sarah then lived in New Orleans, where she worked amid its thriving community of metalsmiths and honed her skills in preparation for a transition to New York City. The dynamic nature of the city inspired the strong form and kinetic design of her pieces.

Jester Cuff Links

Sterling silver cuff links with a patina enhanced surface texture.

$105

Sarah Mann has recently returned to her roots in the Midwest and continues her silversmithing there, creating bold yet elegant jewelry with unique surface treatments. The jewelry that she designs and handcrafts skillfully merges geometric and organic elements to create a style that is recognizably her own.

Mann realizes fully the broad potential of sterling silver. She crafts her jewelry with torch and tools - saws, files, pliers, nippers, drills, hammers, dapping blocks, and a rolling mill - then gives it with a range of hues through delicately controlled oxidation. The combined effect of patina on texture is a signature characteristic of all Sarah Mann jewelry.

Sarah introduces a new jewelry collection - earrings, necklaces, pins, bracelets, and rings - about every ten months. She carefully crafts each piece, and presents it as one of a limited edition. "Raw sterling silver cries out to me, begs me to convert it into bold jewelry with subtle finishes. Of course, I must obey."

See full article.

Related Entries:

Jewelry Career Resources - 08 August 2006

Native American Inlay Jewelry - 14 January 2008

Caroline Ballou Jewelry - 26 May 2008

Stephen LeBlanc Art Jewelry - 27 May 2008

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Baltimore Gets Beautified!

2008-07-14T23:06:00.001-07:00

Beauty Night Out (BNO) is an exclusive beauty event hosted by SinPR that offers savvy women an evening of spectacular shopping, out pampering, cocktails, and product samples. Indulge and splurge on spa treatments, massages, mini-manicures, boutique shopping - all in a fun, upscale and carefree atmosphere. This is only the second BNO event in Baltimore so be on of the first to join the movement. See the details below or click here to visit the official site.

When: Saturday, July 19th 2008
Time: 6pm -9pm
Where: Maserati of Baltimore, 1628 York Road Townson, MD
Cost: $15 in advance/$25 at the door

Dear Daddy Likey: Don't Make Me Pull A Kim Kardashian

2008-07-14T11:06:00.001-07:00

Dear Daddy Likey,

I'm so happy that you've found a swimsuit that you love, and that flatters a part of your body you're not thrilled with. But I have a different problem altogether. My waist measurement is a 26 but my hips are a 42, meaning that I don't mind wearing bikinis because my stomach is okay, but my hips and thighs are all wobbly and squishy and dimply. (Cute, I know.) And there is NO swimsuit for that problem! I hate having to wear a sarong until the second I get into the water, and I don't want to go all Kim Kardashian and actually TAKE A TOWEL INTO THE WATER WITH ME, but I don't know what else to do!

Please help me! Are there any creative solutions? I can't think of ANYTHING!

Signed,
Stacy Sa-Wrong

Dear Stacy,

I'll be honest. My response to your query started out along the lines of, "Own it, girlfriend! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about your squishyness! Woo! Girl Power!" But then I realized that if I asked someone for advice about swimwear that camouflaged my stomach, and they said, "Wear a bikini! Own it, girlfriend! Don't let anyone make you feel bad about your Jack Black-sized gut! Woo! Girl Power!" I would have to track them down and strangle them with a conservative one piece.

So, with that in mind, I came up with a couple more realistic, less annoying suggestions for you.

Swim Skirts and Swim Dresses

For many of us, the term "swim skirt" triggers traumatizing visions of frumpy grandma suits, but a couple weeks ago, my friend Jess bought this swimsuit and showed me the light:

It's even cuter in real life, seriously. The gold details around the bust and the ruching at the waist really stand out.
Black Gold Stud Halter Swimsuit, ON SALE for $39, torrid.com

When she came over to show me and take a dip in the pool (which, because it's located in a condo complex with a large retiree population, has seen its share of scary swim skirts), I was blown away: it was glamorous, flattering, unique, sexy, and SKIRTED. And here's the thing, it wasn't glamorous, flattering, unique and sexy in spite of the skirt, but the skirt actually contributed to all of those things. Paradigm. Shifted.

My beautiful plus size readers can enjoy Jess' lovely swimsuit above and the equally chic skirted suit below:

Hot-Pink Star Print Halter Swimsuit, also ON SALE for $39, torrid.com

This one is so cute I want to wear it everyday, not just to cover up a little extra junk in the trunk:

How cute would it be with a simple black bikini top?
Coral Floral Flirt Skirt, $28, venus.com

Adjustable Gottex Skirted Bikini Bottoms, $74, nordstrom.com

If you like the look of the skirt above, but prefer not to spend so much, this two piece set is only $18:

Going Dotty Swimwear, Target.com

How freakin' amazing is this swimdress? You could wear it to the Oscars, and then go for a dip in the pool, and then wear it to the Grammys. SO chic.
Anne Cole Swimwear Shirred One Piece, $112, nordstrom.com

Also check out this amazing DKNY swimdress, which is kind of cuter than any of the regular dresses I own, on sale at Macy's.

Board Shorts

These can be a little tougher to work into your swim wardrobe unless you already prefer a more athletic look, but with a million different cool prints and varied lengths, you're sure to find one that fits your style.

Board shorts are a much better option than wearing a towel into the water, if just for the simple fact that you won't be clinging to a giant waterlogged piece of cotton while sinking to your death and shrieking "Don't look at my thighs!!" Pair them with a bikini top or slip them over a one-piece, and you've got yourself a hip-covering and functional swim ensemble.

Here are two bright and crazy options (my personal favorite), but just google "boardshorts" for about seven billion different options, including solid colors, designer, and knee-length styles.

Billabong Flower Child Board Short, $38, swell.com

Roxy Polka Party Boardshort, $37, amazon.com

Feel free to share your suggestions for Stacy in the comments!

Fight the Powder? Not Anymore.

2008-07-13T23:06:00.001-07:00

I don't know why I bought Clinique's Almost Powder Makeup. Well, that's a huge lie. I do know why: I bought it because the salesgirl was wearing a lab coat which made me believe anything she said, and she said that buying this powder would change my life. She also waved a free gift in front of my face and said it could be mine if I pre-ordered the powder (it has been documented here before that I have the willpower of a particularly impulsive Jack Russell Terrier).

And so, despite the fact that I have never bought or liked powder makeup, I became the owner of an allegedly life-changing compact full of it.

This poor impulse purchase languished in my makeup drawer for quite sometime until a couple weeks ago I realized that my usual tinted moisturizer was not doing so well in the summer heat.
The color didn't match my darker skin tone and the liquid formula was routinely transforming into a sweaty sludge.

Panicked at the prospect of choosing between no skin protection in the searing heat and spending another $30 on makeup, my mind flashed to the lonely green compact. It wasn't liquid, and it was already paid for. Perfect.

I brushed some on over my sunscreen and while it didn't save the polar bears, it kind of did change my life: it was light and flattering and evened my skin tone beautifully. It didn't turn into sweaty sludge on contact. It didn't clog my pores. It didn't make me look like Sean Patrick Flanery in Powder, which was a huge plus. (In other news, I just realized that Sean Patrick Flanery's initials are SPF--coincidence? no. way.)

Perhaps it's only so great because it's Almost Powder Makeup rather than Powder Makeup, but whatever the reason, I've been wearing it almost every day (heh, heh, see what I did there?). I'm pretty sure I'll go back to tinted moisturizer in the winter (the idea of scraping powder onto my ashen January skin is enough to give me nightmares), but for now, I'm quite happy with my excellent, impulse-purchased complexion.

Patently totable

2008-07-13T11:06:00.001-07:00

I know many people have a knee jerk reaction to Coach, and consider them to be the epitome of bourgeois, but this is just such a versatile and likable tote, that it really requires thinking outside preconceptions.
The Bleeker Tote in patent leather, shinier in person than in the photo is one of those bags that happily reminds me that I am capable of keeping an open mind.

It reminds me of a vintage bag you might find at a weekend flea market, with simple lines, and brass rivets. There really is nothing truly modern here, save the patent leather, and the bag is quietly understated, with simple lines, and those big brass rivets that look as if they really do hold the handle in place. Even the embossed logo doesn't bother me, as it is small and unobtrusive.
A side view of the bag reveals it is a bit more bucket than tote, with a squared bottom that Coach does very well.

A bag like this is perfect for taking to work during the week, as there is room for everything...a sweater for chilly offices, a book for commuting, a change of shoes, and even a laptop. It's a great weekend tote for similar reasons...minus the laptop, of course, you can easily fit all the necessities for a day into evening trip.
It's always great to see a company harking back to it's roots, which is really what i think this bag is an attempt at on the part of Coach.
That said, signs that they are not giving up on what has become their core customer is obvious in a second, larger, version of the same tote.

A glaring example of how a lovely simple tote can be made into what amounts to a shiny walking billboard.
The Bleeker Tote, in patent leather is $398 (it is also available in plain leather for $358 or metallic leather for $498). The larger size is $498, with a giant logo free leather version for $458...the Large Bleeker in tan is especially nice.
All are from Coach directly.

HOWTO: Packing

2008-07-12T23:06:00.001-07:00

Whoa. Hi there! Nice to see you again. Sorry I missed a couple days ... I've been traveling a LOT, like, three-cities-in-three-days-lot, which accounts for my recent absence. (And for this post, a packing how-to.)

First off, a disclaimer. There is, of course, more than one way to pack for a trip, and more than one kind of trip. These instructions will be of no use to you if you are planning a six-month scientific expedition to the Arctic or the Amazon, have to attend four black-tie balls in five days, or have a lady's maid or valet. (if you have a lady's maid and are packing your own suitcase/valise/trunk ... why do you have a lady's maid?). These instructions are really only good for fairly boring businessy-type trips, or short vacationy-type trips. But, that said:

1. The first rule of packing is to know your own strength. If you are planning to carry on a bag and cannot lift it above your head, you should not be carrying on that particular bag. (Obviously, if you are disabled and know you will have help in any case, this doesn't apply to you.) But packing more than you can lift is a recipe for disaster and will cause irritation to all your fellow travelers. In a similar vein, if you cannot drag your suitcase without it toppling over, you might want to rethink that eighth pair of shoes. Not only will your transit to the check-in line be wobbly and fairly ridiculous, the airline WILL charge you for the overweight.

2. The second rule of packing is to know your own style. This, of course, is something you should know for your whole life, not just for traveling, but you should especially know it for traveling. I hate and despise those traveling clothes that strip every last ounce of your personality from you in the service of being "easy to pack". (That dress in the link doesn't even have pockets! How is that travel-friendly?) When you travel, you should look like a concentrated version of yourself, in that your clothes are the ones in which you feel most like you. You'll be out of your natural element, so you can't rely on environmental clues to give folks an idea of what you're like.

For me, this means I usually pack a lot of dresses (duh), bright cardigans to wear over them, and, for the airport, A-line skirts with pockets.

Wearing the same thing every day (and/or washing things in hotel bathrooms) is not worth it. If you wash something, it never dries (and who wants to spend their time doing laundry on a trip?), and if you plan to wear something every day someone spills something sticky or stinky on you. Better to just pack an extra dress.

3. In my opinion, jeans are overrated. Unless this conflicts with Rule 2 for you (in that jeans are the clothing in which you feel most like yourself), ditch the jeans. First off, jeans are boring. I don't care how designery they are, or what unique combo of leg width-wash-waist level you've chosen, they are, in the end (and on your end), just a pair of jeans. My other beef with jeans is that they often act as an (overused) safety net. How often do people pack a week's worth of clothes but then end up wearing jeans every day? Travel should be broadening! (And, I hate to say this, but if you're going to a major metropolitan area, wearing something OTHER than jeans and sneakers will help you not look like a tourist, if that is a goal for you.)

4. Check the weather. Seriously. You'd be surprised how many people just assume the weather where they are going is just like the weather where they are. (You can't assume, for instance, that San Francisco in June is going to be warm.) There's this thing called the Internet, and a large part of it is just weather forecasts. I also understand there is an entire cable television channel devoted to the weather. Don't just check the forecast -- check the average highs and average lows, too. And, on top of that, bring a sweater. Just in case.

5. Make a list. In fact, make several lists. I like to print out a calendar page (you can do this from Google Calendar pretty easily) and write down, for each day, what I'm planning to do, which then guides what I'm going to wear. A day spent in meetings will have a different wardrobe than a day spent traveling, sightseeing, or working in a hotel room. Pack the list! If you're traveling for more than a few days it's easy to forget what you were planning to wear when. Make the list very detailed, right down to your underwear. If the dress needs a slip, write "slip" on the list.

Make another list of things that you need that aren't clothes. I like to bring my vitamins (in an old-lady case), Emergen-C, a stretchy exercise band (to help me counteract bad office chairs), a little sewing kit, etc. If you travel a lot save your "extras" list and print out a new copy for every trip. Why remember more than you have to?

Do the same thing for toiletries -- there's no percentage in taking up mental space remembering whether you packed a toothbrush or not. Make a list and check "toothbrush" off it. If you travel more than once a month, keep a toiletry set all packed and ready to go. (When you come home from a trip, replenish it right away.) I like to keep two sets packed: one in a quart ziplock bag for carry-ons, and a larger one for when I check baggage.

If it's a work trip, you should also have a work checklist: laptop power supply, charger for phone, ethernet cable, etc., etc.

6. Use packing cubes. I know they seem gimmicky, but they are so useful. First of all, they make life easier for the TSA, and you really don't want to piss them off. Which would you rather have a stranger do: pick up your nicely-packed cube and peer under it, or rummage through a suitcase full of loose clothes, possibly dumping them on the floor? I've seen that happen, and it's ugly.

7. Shoes. Here's my rule for shoes: For any trip longer than three days, you need two pairs of shoes, but no more than three. (Four, maybe, if you have to bring a pair of fancy shoes for a party.) Two pairs is so that if your shoes get wet, or cause a blister (which they shouldn't because you have also packed an anti-blister stick to use on your feet), you have a pair to switch off to.

Also, if you bring the bare minimum of shoes and develop a sudden need for another pair, you now have an excuse to go shoe-shopping.

I don't have to say again that you shouldn't be wearing flip-flops in the airport, right?

You should not be bringing more handbags than you bring pairs of shoes, unless you are Judith Leiber.

8. Miscellaneous suggestions:

-- if you haven't worn the thing you are going to pack in more than a month, try it on before it goes in the suitcase.

-- always bring one more pair of underwear and socks than you think you will need.

-- don't stress about wrinkles. Most hotels have fairly decent irons and ironing boards, and it takes less time to press something than it does to worry about what's going to wrinkle and what's not. I can usually iron everything I've packed in less than half an hour, while watching the hotel television (and there's always an episode of Law and Order playing in every hotel room, everywhere, at every hour of the day or night).

-- shoe bags are nice. I'm just saying.

-- special travel pillows, special travel alarm clocks, special travel hair dryers -- all overrated. Unless you have a serious princess-and-the-pea sensitivity, you'll get along just fine with whatever's at your destination. (I don't get travel candles at all. Raise your hand if you think it's a good idea to light small smelly fires in a hotel room.)

-- think: what would be the most inconvenient and irritating thing to have find in the city where you're going, on the trip you're planning? ("sanitary" supplies? A spare power supply for your laptop? Your special moisturizer? ) Bring extra of that.

-- if there's any chance that you will be getting in late, make sure your toothbrush, face wash, and pajamas are the easiest things to find in your suitcase.

My suitcase from trip before last:

I know I haven't said anything about rolling vs. folding, or how to cram your socks into your shoes to save space, compression bags, etc. I find I rarely need to do any of that stuff. I put the clothes in the cubes, put the cubes in the bag, take one last look at my lists, and go to sleep early enough that I can wake up in time to make my flight in the morning.

Have a good trip! Send me a postcard.

evintage blog tag - Swingtown

2008-07-12T11:06:00.001-07:00

Its Blog Tag Wednesday at the eVintage Society!. Fans of the 70s, rejoice!! Last week CBS premiered a new series called SWING TOWN. Set in 1976, the show features 3 couples and their families…..a childless couple with loads of money, toys and an open marriage….a young couple with a teenage boy trying to define their relationship….and a more conservative couple facing a changing world. It also features some fab 70s clothes and music! Lets talk 70s!

1) Show us your favorite 70s piece in your inventory, mens, womens, dress, lingerie…..whatever you LOVE!

Well, I don't exactly Love it, but I think it's a pretty cool print. Maxi Jersey Gown by La Mendola -

2) Define disco wear as YOU see it.

When I was a kid, I was in the 'Disco Sucks' crowd. Now I have a better appreciation of the music, but not so much with the clothing. When I think of Disco, I think of desperate people trying to get into Studio 54, bra-less girls in halter tops, men in platform shoes and polyester pants, blue eyeshadow, cocaine, Liza Minelli, Bianca Jagger etc.

3) What was your favorite look of the 70s? The maxi dress? Bell bottoms? Culottes? Do tell.

Well, I was wearing culottes in the 1970s, but only because I was about 10, and didn't know any better. My aunt had a ton of super tight pants with bell bottoms. She had to put them on when they were still damp and lay on the bed and use a hook to pull up the zipper. She also had a great collection of super high platforms - Mary Janes and a pair of really cool carved wooden ones still stand out in my mind. She drove a Camaro too. I thought she was very cool. If I were an adult in the 70s, I'd probably be wearing gauzey, clingy jersey dresses, with a scarf ties around my head and big sunglasses.

4) Your neighbors invite you to a wild party where there may be disco music. Do you go?

I don't go to any parties, and I call the police if the music is too loud (unless it's something that I really like)

5) Grant Show. Sexy then? Sexy now? No idea?

No idea who he is. Was he the guy who played Miles on Murphy Brown?

6) Romantic Gunne Sax Prairie/Renn Queen or Disco Diva? Whats your style?

Choose or die? I guess I would go with the Romantic look because disco is a little too skin-flashy polyester-sweaty for me.

Check out the eVintage Blog Tag every Wednesday. Follow the links to read the posts from all of the participating blogs. I was tagged by Vintage Joy and now I'm tagging Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict

Michele Watches

2008-07-10T23:05:00.001-07:00

Maurice Barouh taught his son Jack the essentials of watch making - patience and a dedication to quality. It was an education in both the business and the craft of the industry, a lesson that Jack combined with his own interest in design. Jack's knowledge of the mechanics involved in watch production gave him the tools to focus on both construction and style.

Garden Party Collection

Inspired by the beauty and simplicity of nature, a unique series of three different enamel dials capture the scenes of an enchanted garden. This whimsical interpretation is further adorned with diamonds amongst the brightly colored enamel, as well as larger diamonds around the case.

Bumble Bee Royal Blue Alligator

Stainless Steel.

White lacquer dial.

White diamonds.

Sapphire crystal.

$1325

Jack and his wife Rita, who grew up in Geneva, Switzerland, moved to Panama in the 1970s to help run the family business as well as to begin their own family. While there, Jack's watches garnered great attention from the Latin American market because of their innovative designs.

After several years in Panama, Jack and Rita moved their two young children, Jeremy and Michele, to Miami, where they started Michele Watches, named for their daughter. The very first Michele Watch, the CSX Diamond, was just the beginning of many more collections to come.

CSX Collection

Michele succeeded in revolutionizing the industry with its first designer timepiece known as the CSX. A globe-shaped case illustrates its universal appeal. Pioneering a trend of luxury without limitation, CSX performance timepieces are specially designed for those devoted to living increasingly stylish lives.

Stainless Steel Gold Patent Leather

White Mother-of-Pearl dial.

Sapphire crystal.

$445

The lessons of the past have not been lost on the third generation of watchmakers in the Barouh family. Both Michele and Jeremy credit the brand's success to their parents' enthusiasm and perseverance. Michele believes that the company must stay up-to-date in terms of fashion, so they can maintain the competitive edge that sets them apart from other brands in the industry.

Deco Collection

A brilliant celebration of the history of Art Deco design. Modern mechanics and aesthetics are brilliantly fused together to capture the magnetism and wonderment of an unforgotten era. The distinguished rectangular case reflects the geometric shapes identified with Art Deco architecture.

Deco Dark Purple Alligator

White Diamonds.

Mother-of-Pearl dial.

$1875

Michele's eye for trends has been one of the assets that differentiates Michele Watches. She is largely responsible for moving the brand's design aesthetic forward, and also for capitalizing on the trends of the moment with the interchangeable watch bands she designs that are made in several skins, from crocodile to stingray, lizard to leather.

One of the Barouh Family's biggest sources of inspiration comes from their yearly travels to exotic locales. "We were always fortunate enough to travel to see different cultures," said Jeremy, who, like the rest of his family, speaks French, Spanish, and English.

According to Jack Barouh, the best part about working with his children is seeing how each brings a different experience to the table. "After watching them grow up, go through college, declare their independence, and travel, they've returned as complete individuals who have a great deal to offer the company," he said.

Michele Watches' third generation has mixed a love of fashion with a love of travel and design to create a truly unique product. Michele and Jeremy understand that, unlike a great shoe or bag, a watch is a living device, one that encompasses both a history of craftsmanship and the potential for becoming a family heirloom.

Today, Michele Watches is a $50 million business that has become part of Fossil, a global leader in the fashion watch market with a proven track record of attracting and expanding brands. Jack Barouh made the decision in 2004 to merge his company with Fossil in order to give Michele Watches an even greater position of strength in the global watch industry. But Michele Watches still operates as a family business, with the design and business decisions made by the Barouh family in partnership with Fossil.

Pretty pricey, but we girls have to have something to dream about.

See full article.

Related Entries:

Time for Watches to Be Big Business - 08 March 2006

Anne Koplik Jewelry & Watches - 25 August 2006

Too Hot Jewelry - 08 February 2007

Talking Japanese Watches - 12 April 2008

It's Getting Haute In Here

2008-07-10T11:05:00.001-07:00

What? You weren't at the Paris Couture shows last week? Well, of course, neither was the DCGF. You see, haute couture is really only for a tiny portion of the population who are themselves quite tiny, from what I can tell of the clothes. Sure, the tailoring is impeccable, the fabrics to die for, but it's so very unapproachable for the average human being, I almost find myself turned off by the whole thing. Almost.

What's amazing is that new designers are dropping their hats into the ring of this rarefied world. Alexis Mabille, previously known best for his bowties (including those gorgeous little sequined ditties at right) has now shown his second collection during couture week. What I find appealing about his collection for Fall 2008 is the amount of men's clothing, something one usually doesn't see much of in couture.

Now certainly there was a spectrum of wearability in the looks for men. For example, I love the suit on the left, below. The narrow cut of the jacket is perfectly offset by the fullness of the trousers. And the navy and white tuxedo stripe down the side is just fantastic. The yellow look on the right, however, leaves...um...er...something to be desired. I mean, it's the exact same model wearing both outfits, be he seems a bit broken in the second one, don't you think? I'll say this much: I like his gold shoes.

Speaking of shoes, there were some great ones on the runways. Chanel's signature tweed was transformed into a chic pump with a Lucite degrade heel by Karl Lagerfeld, Jean Paul Gaultier made the most of the monochromatic pairing of patent leather shoes and opaque hosiery, Christian Lacroix showed sumptuous satin shoes with an exaggeratedly wide heel, Givenchy had some seriously fierce striped boots that flared toward the ankle as they reached up to the knee. They're hard to describe, I guess, but probably even much harder to wear.

My favorite footwear by far, though, was at the Christian Dior show. Check out those magenta chain-mail platform beauties at right! Probably I won't be snagging a pair in a size 42 any time soon, but a girl can dream, right?

All of the shoes shown in John Galliano's collection for Dior were kind of like Dyeables on steroids: they matched perfectly the dresses on display and were aggressively high with lots of metal hardware. If I ever have to be a bridesmaid, I want to wear a pair of these.

But I don't want to wear any of the headgear on display at any of the shows. Tweed exoskeletons, leather trigonometry, and Seussian curlicues adorned the noggins of otherwise beautiful women. One's bangs should frame the face...not an actual frame. At least that's the opinion of this fashionista.

One designer left the head alone for the most part, opting for a disheveled Gibson Girl look that altogether complimented his gorgeous gowns. Elie Saab's collection was nothing short of breathtaking in the best way possible. I could barely choose just one gown to show you, dear readers. I settled on the strapless one at left for a couple of reasons.

First, the color and ombre pattern still seem very fresh to me, although the trend has been around for a minute now. Eggplant is not a color one sees much on the couture runways, but there was a lot of color in this show, which was really exciting. Second, I love the length. Most of Saab's gowns in this collection are very long - which is great and they're beautiful - but this length is for a modern woman who doesn't have the time or ability to run around in a floor-grazing gown. Yeah, this dress costs more than my annual rent, but at least there's the perception that it might have a practical application to my life.

And maybe that's what haute couture is about. The vast majority of us will never even see this clothing, let alone wear or own it. But maybe, just maybe one day we'll by chance stumble upon a piece at a resale or consignment store. Then it won't be so unattainable after all...

Manolo for the Men in the Guardian

2008-07-07T23:05:00.001-07:00

Manolo says, our own Isidore Gallant is praised mightily in the Guardian for his amusing work at the Manolo for the Men Blog.

On the catwalk, designers have tended to show several clashing patterns on one model, a look that has the same disconcerting effect on the eyeballs as glueing your face to a Bridget Riley painting. In the unlikely event that you feel bound to copy this serving suggestion, may I direct you towards Manolo For The Men, a splendid American fashion blog that appears to be written by Niles off Frasier. It bandies the word flâneur about with impunity, disdains American Apparel as “a smutty Gap” and spontaneously combusts when it spots John Travolta wearing a pre-tied bow tie. “Are you a child?” it squawks. “Why not just wear sweatpants?”

Many thanks to the Manolo's internet friend Linda Grant for alerting the Manolo to this.

Bargain Hunting at its Best!

2008-07-07T11:05:00.001-07:00

I’ll be the first to admit that I hate outlet shopping. Sales at my favorite chain store are exciting. Vintage shopping exhilarating. But outlet shopping I just find exhausting and I rarely get rewarded for my efforts. This all changed Memorial weekend however as my mom dragged me into our local Marshalls. Typically, I avoid this particular store like the plague because the clothes are literally thrown anywhere and the checkout lines are RIDICULOUS! So you can imagine my glee when I found dresses by DKNY, Laundry by Shelli Segal/Design and London Times all priced at a quarter or less of their original prices. I spent close to $200 but I walked out of the store with 4 designer dresses! I have a new found respect for women who spend hours trawling through rails of disorganized clothing in the search for that one precious jewel (be warned that it can become addictive). I encourage all of you still in doubt to try and outlet store at least once. Need more encouragement? The dress pictured is still selling for $395 at Bloomingdales. I bought it for $60 this weekend. I am such a believer!

Elle MacPherson Intimates Evoke Thong

2008-07-06T23:05:00.001-07:00

We often talk about the imagery that a certain piece of lingerie evokes when we feature a product here at the Intimate Guide. For instance, last week's DKNY Classic Curves thong evoked imagery of the “chalice” symbol - which is good because the chalice symbol represents femininity.

So, we're not exactly sure why they call this thong the “evoke” thong (our calls to Elle MacPherson Intimates were not returned), but it does have an initial appearance of academia. The black and gold - sorry, “jet” and “biscotti” - color scheme coupled with tassels on the front brings to mind the pomp and circumstance of graduation. Since most academic regalia comes from medieval times when those who wore it were considered wizards, we can only assume that the designers use the word “evoke” here to refer to some type of conjuring. Indeed, we can envision Harry Potter's Hermione Granger wearing this thong underneath her dress robes to the Hogwart's Prom.

The thong is styled with a semi-sheer spot design featuring lace embellishments that curve to form the appearance of a Peter Pan collar. This faux collar is neatly tied with a delicate ribbon capped with golden tassels. The spot pattern continues to the rear where coverage is, of course, minimal. Everything comes together for a sophisticated, elegant look in the end - pun intended.

DKNY Classic Curves Thong

2008-07-06T11:05:00.001-07:00

If you've ever read (or seen) The Davinci Code, you'll probably remember some basic symbology. The blade (a triangle pointing upward) represents the penis and the chalice (a triangle pointing downward) represents the vagina. In the book, the chalice points the way to the Holy Grail. That seems to be true in the case of the DKNY Classic Curves thong as well.

The official DKNY literature will tell you that this thong has a “sensual, feminine vibe” because of its lace side panels and tiny ribbons. Those of us who read into things a little too much know, however, that its true femininity lies in the well framed chalice symbol centered on the front panel. The thong is made from comfortable stretch fabric and like any thong offers minimal coverage in the rear. It comes in nude and black. It's feminine on so many different levels. How can you resist?

The results are in . . . .

2008-07-05T23:05:00.001-07:00

Lulu asked her blog readers to vote for their favorite vintage websites. And the winners are...

Dorothea's Closet Vintage
Sweet Cherry Vintage
Dandelion Vintage
Vintage-a-Peel
Denisebrain
Daisy Fairbanks
Damn Good Vintage
Vintage Secret
Fast Eddie's Retro Rags
Sydneys Vintage Clothing

'Old School' vintage rocks!
Thank you to everyone who voted for Dandelion Vintage. There are some great sites on the list.

Names and songs

2008-07-05T11:05:00.001-07:00

Do you ever hear a name, and have a song pop into your mind? Or am I just a dork?
Last week I shipped out a package to 'Hey, Hey, Paula' Today I have a package going out to 'Sweet Loretta Martin' and on Monday I shipped a package to 'There's Jan, calling from the rooftops'

Wow. Watching that video, it's 1983, I'm 16 and totally in love with Michael Hutchence. I thought he was the most beautiful thing on the planet back then.

Two birds with one stone.

2008-07-03T23:05:00.001-07:00

Today's post incorporates both of my current projects. Project one: the three R's.

Voila, one man's pants is another gal's purse. This handy little tote was a pair of Dean's vintage corduroys in it's past life, now it's been reconstructed into my new favorite bag. It's the perfect size for all the odds and ends I need to carry and it's wide strap is super-comfy on my shoulder. My favorite aspect is the two perfect pockets for my cell phone and keys and such. I added a lining from some vintage scrap fabric that I believe used to be a blanket, and one of my antique buttons.

Here's said satchel in a daily ensemble, which takes care of project numero dos, my W.E.I.O. post for today:

vintage floral sundress: thrifted
vintage cowboy boots: thrifted
crocheted slouchy beret: Wal-Mart
reconstructed corduroy bag: handmade by moi
vintage wayfarers: Spence's Bazaar

Woot for efficiency. :]

walk this way

2008-07-03T11:05:00.001-07:00

Desperately needing a historical fashion hit before work, I stopped by Sonia Bata's shoe museum to see a few treasures from her archives. Here are the highlights...

The first time I saw a pair of chopines was on Catherine McCormack in her portrayal of 16th century courtesan Veronica Franco (a film which, along with La Reine Margot, occupied pretty much all of my 11th year) . Well preserved fashions from before the 1700s are so rare that I had never hoped to see a pair of chopines with original embellishments intact, but I lucked into this silk and velvet pair from 1580-1620. I particularly like the studs decorating the base.

Chopines were very popular in Venice and Spain during the Renaissance, but it is difficult to get a glimpse of them in paintings because legs and feet were forbidden from sight. The women wearing them simply look very tall - for example, this Genoese Noblewoman is wearing chopines. A “scandalous” engraving with moveable skirt from a 16th century fashion book gives a better idea of what chopines looked like in a regular ensemble:

Some chopines were highly impractical, reaching heights of over twenty inches (at which point, similar to Chinese women who underwent footbinding, an attendant was required to help them move), but others were lower, and patrician women (as well as the “cortigiana onesta”, or intellectual courtesans) spent hours learning to walk and dance in them gracefully.

Next, slap-soled shoes belonging to Frances Walsingham, lady in waiting to Elizabeth I, and daughter of her spymaster, Francis Walsingham. Though the shoes belong to a Canadian collector, they are considered so important to British history that they have to be returned to England soon.

In 17th century Europe, tulips were an exotic, luxury item that indicated high status. Variegated tulips (the kind embroidered here) were the most valuable, with a single bulb costing more than the average person made in 5 years. These mules would have been worn by a young, very rich fashionista.

Silk, embroidered shoes from the mid 1700s - England and France.

Printed leather was all the rage for women's footwear at the end of the 18th century. This pair was made in London in the 1790s- without seeing the label, I would never have guessed that they were so old! I like the polka dots and ribbon detail.

Ornate kilm silk flats with silk tassels. England, c. 1860.

Black satin boots with a "Louis heel", embroidered with typically fashionable Victorian subjects – botanicals and peacocks. Designed by Meliès, c. 1880-1885.

Pink silk shoes with straight soles owned by the first wife of Count Walewski (Napoleon's son). They were made by famed French cordonnier Melnotte in 1830.

Shoes with ribbon appliqué worn by Queen Victoria in 1840.

I love Adelaides. As a devout bootist, I like to imagine that my name is derived from this grandmother of the go-go. Adelaides were brought into fashion to preserve the modesty of ladies whose crinolines were jostled and swayed up to reveal a bit of leg. This beautifully embellished pair, however, was meant to attract attention. France, c. 1855.

More photos can be found on my flickr.

evintage blog tag - Halters

2008-07-02T11:05:00.001-07:00

Its Blog Tag Wednesday at the eVintage Society!.
Temperatures are rising and its time to show some skin! The halter neckline is a great way to leave a little to the imagination while exposing enough to stay cool and stylish. Lets talk halters!

1) Show us your favorite halter dress or top in your inventory
For an evening out on the town, I have this Black Velvet Halter Dress with Rhinestones

2)Marilyn rocked the halter bodice back in the 50s, but it came back big in the 70s…..which is your favorite era for the halter?
Def the 1950s, glamorous and sexy! The 70s make me think of hippies with saggy titties and hairy underarms! (just kidding hippie girls) Although 1970s Disco halters were pretty hot.

3)Bare backs are vulnerable, what’s your suggestion for protecting skin from the sun?
A little shawl that you could let slip off your shoulder now and then. A pretty parasol if you are outside most of the day. Or yummy coconut smelling sun tan lotion.

4)Halter as top or dress, whats your preference?
I like the look of both. I've always had a hard time wearing a halter though. One because I refuse to go without a bra and also because I have a big squishy mole on my back.

5)A bra can be a challenge…..best suggestion for support?
A challenge indeed. I never go out without a bra, so this has always been hard for me. Strapless bras uusally leave me pulling them up all day. I bought one of those bras with clear plastic straps from Victoria's Secret a few years ago. But the plastic is shiny and very obvious looking, so I never wore the bra. I need a halter that has built in support that doesn't move around. I bought a halter bathing suit top from Old Navy that does have cup support and I actually wore that out in the yard this weekend, leaving me with a halter strap tanline!

Check out the eVintage Blog Tag every Wednesday. Follow the links to read the posts from all of the participating blogs. I was tagged by Vintage Joy and now I'm tagging Diary of a Mad Vintage Addict

Summer Stones, Winter Jewels

2008-07-01T23:05:00.001-07:00

When I mix gemstones for bracelets, I mix because of a paradigm that I've adhered to for quite a while. I see many gemstones in terms of season. That may sound stupid, but I simply can't help it, and if you look at many of the jewelry pieces that I design, you can see this particular mind-set of mine at work. First, let me say that I wear all gemstones at almost any time of the year - this is something that happens when I'm creating. And, let me add that the precious gemstones that I use: ruby, sapphire, and emerald seem to me to be seasonless - that is, they can be for the hottest day of summer or the coldest of winter, but with certain other coloured stones, I have a definite prejudice!
Above you see one example: a citrine bracelet with two strands of citrine and silver; now, that is definitely a summer bracelet as is the aquamarine bracelet that you see below:Of course, the link is easy, you think: sea and sun! But if you look at the rainbow moonstone bracelet below because of the white (beneath the blue flash) most people would think of summer. Not I! Rainbow moonstone is a winter stone; I have the same idea about labradorite jewelry. I attribute it to the blue flashes that they have that always remind me of the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights and conjure up visions of snow, reindeer in Lapland, the icy lands of Norway and Finland.
Sunstone is one of those stones that reminds me of hot summers - and also, hot days of Autumn, before that first chill sets in. It truly is a warm stone. And as one might think, when I mix pastel colours largely for one of my unique bracelets, it usually turns out to be a summer bracelet.
So what season is the peacock blue apatite and sunstone bracelet? The addition of the dark peacock blue makes it seasonless, adding the cool tones of winter to that hot summer sun. I've also de-seasoned a bracelet with labradorite as well - adding some aquamarine for summer and balancing the two stones with amethyst (which I think of as Fall and Spring)and a couple of dichroic beads for extra sparkle. To make the top citrine bracelet Fall-worthy, I would probably add some ocean jasper to it.
I know that some designers prefer to consult a colour wheel, but we all design in our own way - and sometimes in a way that perhaps makes sense only to one person.

Above is a "seasonless" emerald bracelet.

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Look Book - Carl

2008-07-01T11:05:00.001-07:00

Thanks to SJ+Hat we were introduced to Melbourne-based fashion designer Carl , whose clothing line recently has been snapped up by American Neiman Marcus. In Sydney, his items are stocked at Duck Egg Blue.

His spring/summer 07/08 collection presents clean lines in silk and satin, and complements his super minimalistic website.

Check out the complete look book in pdf-file here.

It's that time of year again . . .

2008-06-30T23:05:00.001-07:00

Time for the rhododendruns to bloom. And time to drag Boris out there and try to get him to pose in front of them for a photo. There he is, Little Doggie, feeling perfectly fine now, no breathing trouble at all. Super engergetic and rarin' to go! My Dad had to sit next to him to keep him still long enough for a photo.

Dust Ho!

2008-06-30T11:05:00.001-07:00

Whenever I need a good shot of righteous indignation, I like to search through Google Books on keywords like 'ridiculous dress' or 'ludicrous gown', because I'm never disappointed. I can always find some man who has decided that the only thing wrong with the world is women's dress, and that of course he, being far above the vagaries of fashion (and who is, of course, wearing that completely rational item of dress, the necktie) is ideally suited to pass criticism upon it.

This example is wonderful -- it's not that the streets of London are filthy, or that men should perhaps not throw their cigar butts in the gutter -- no, women's dresses are too long. (Why can't both things be true, I wonder?)

SOCIAL CATECHISM.
Q. WHAT is the dirtiest creature you know?
A. The English fine lady.
Q. What are your reasons for saying this ?
A. Her habits.
Q. Explain yourself more fully.
A. When she walks she drags behind her a receptacle for dust and dirt of every kind.
Q. What is this called?
A. A long dress, or train.
Q. What is its action?
A. It sweeps the ground, collects mud, dust, cigar-stumps, straws, leaves, and every other impurity.
Q. What happens next?
A. This accumulation rubs off to a certain extent upon other portions of her dress, or upon the legs of any person who may walk beside her, and when she gets into her carriage, the objectionable matter spoils the lining ; besides that, the dust is most offensive.
Q. Why does she wear such a ridiculous dress?
A. For one of two reasons. Either because she aims at a servile imitation of certain great folks, or because she owes money to her milliner, and dares not order any kind of dress except that which this tyrant sends home to her.
Q. Why does she not raise, or loop up her dress to keep it from the ground?
A. Because, being a lazy person, she has thick ancles [sic], or being a scraggy person, she has skinny ones, which her vanity forbids her to exhibit.
Q. Is there any other reason?
A. Yes; she has probably ugly feet, disfigured by corns or bunions caused by wearing tight boots.
Q. Is there any cure for such habits?
There is none, until her husband has been nearly ruined by her extravagance, when she is compelled by economical reasons to dress like a rational being, and at once becomes clean and charming as the British female was intended to be.
Q. What sensation is caused to man by the sight of these dresses ?
A. Contemptuous pity for the woman, and pity, without contempt, for her unfortunate husband.
Q. Does she know this ?
A. Yes, but as she dresses less to please men than to vex women, the knowledge has no effect upon her dirty habits.
Q. Where can the animal be seen?
A. At the Zoological Gardens on Sunday afternoons, in the Park and Kensington Gardens, and in most places where fine clothes can be successfully exhibited.
Q. What lesson should you deduce from this ?
A. That of thankfulness to Providence that, (if married at all) you are married to a sensible woman and not to a fine lady.
Q. What will you take to drink ?
A. Anything you like to put a name to.