sue stemp

New York Fashion Week part 2

2009-02-21T04:57:00.001-08:00

Sunday 15th - Thursday 19th February 2009

And the rest of my week....

Benicio Del Toro reciting "Candidate" by Joy Division at the G Star Raw show at Hammerstein Ballroom on Tuesday night.

The sensational stylist extraordinaire Catherine Baba, who flew in from Paris with the Club Sandwich kids.

Publicist Nicole Brown looking superchic in my Silky Sportif jumpsuit.

James Iha and Massimo Cuviello.

Stylists Jay Masscaret and Alister Mackie at Club Sandwich.

Me, James Gardner and Brooke Geahan at Soho House before heading to Club Sandwich at the Norwood.

The V Man party at Chelsea Piers ice rink on Thursday night; I couldn't think of a better way to end the week. Here's Hamish Bowles' valient first time on ice!

Paul Sevigny ( who was a surprisingly impressive skater) with his girlfriend Sophie.

Stylist Keegan Singh managing to hold a pose!

And the show! Pro-figure skater Johnny Weir whipped the crowd into a frenzy...

At Matthew Williamson's new W 14th St store opening on Sunday, here's Zelda, aged 92.The oldest swinger in town is looking as fantastic as ever.

Prim Chuensumran and Fay Cantor-Stephens looking knockout in her YSL jumpsuit.

Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld curated a photography show on Tuesday which I didn't make it to, but lovely Theodora Richards did and here she is wearing one of my dresses.

Girls Behind the Lens

2009-02-17T12:06:00.000-08:00

4th - 17th February 2009

Over the last couple of weeks three gifted girl friends of mine have premiered their films in New York.

The first being Chiara Clemente's debut documentary "Our City Dreams" shown at Film Forum , which is a love letter to New York and strings together the self -told narratives of five women artist based here, ranging from ages 30 - 80. I'm a particular fan of the immensely talented Swoon , who is the youngest featured artist . It was really interesting to me to see her creating her wood block prints and paper cut- outs on what looked like her kitchen floor and then pasting them up around the streets of the city. I was also curious to see what she looked actually looks like ( she has always remained anonymous.)

A Swoon installation from 2006, the Blackfloor Gallery , Philadelphia.
Photo : Tod Seelie.

Arden Wohl screened her new film "Two Other Dreams" on February 7th at APF LAB on Wooster Street. The film stars Leelee Sobieski and Azura Skye and is a dark love story between two women with a bizarre sense of romance, masochism and the supernatural. The film is visually beautiful, created with a restricted colour palette of purples, lavenders, corals and blushes. After the film was over you could get blessed ( I opted out!) before heading off to the Soho Grand for an afterparty.

Leelee Sobieski in "Two Other Dreams"

Photographer KT Auleta premiered her first film "Runaround" on Tuesday 17th at the Anthologly Film Archives. It's a narrative short that explores the sexual maturation of Jay (age 15), a promiscuous, small town American girl, and her 2 best friends, Jean-Marie and Kim as they spend the summer pursuing a golden tan and the opposite sex. See the trailer here.

New York Fashion Week part 1

2009-02-17T06:06:00.001-08:00

Thursday 12th - Sunday 15th February 2009

New York fashion week kicked off last Thursday, to what everyone knew was going to be a very different season than usual. I had decided not to hold a show, so I had a bit more time to get out and about ....

Kanye West, who was everywhere you turned this week, with Fay Cantor - Stephens at the Preen show on Sunday morning.

I spotted these two girls from upstate NY outside Preen.

At the Italian Vogue /BMW cocktail party, here's A Small World's glamourous editor Sabine Heller, British export TV presenter Louise Roe and Darrell Hartman who was blogging for Style.com.

Kate Schelter

DJ -ing at the Vogue Italia party, Donna D'Cruz who was the disco herself wearing an amazing multicoloured crystal robe.

At Jonathan Saunders who showed some great long tube dresses on Sunday.

The CFDA's Steven Kolb and Rachel Schectman backstage at the tents.

The homage to Barbie's 50th birthday in Bryant Park.

Rebecca Guinness and her cousin Mary take a quick break from fittings working with stylist Tina Chai at Thakoon, pop to the Prada store party last Friday.

The Prada party" The Iconoclasts", was the first celebrating four iconic fashion editors to be held here, in London, Milan and Paris. The New York store being remixed and styled by Alex White. Here's Fay obsessing over python printed leggings and some killer heels .

Stylist Susan Joy and me at Lisa Salzer's "Lulu Frost" jewellery line party .

Who's gold gherkin?!

Style.com's Maya Singer.

The Topman party at Bungalow 8. Here's Marc by Marc Jacob's accessory designer Katie Hillier and dapper as ever Patrick Grant from Norton and Sons, Saville Row.

Valentina

2009-02-13T07:18:00.000-08:00

Thursday 12th February 2009

The new exhibition at the Harlem based Museum of the City of New York , "Valentina: American Couture and the Cult of Celebrity" opened on the eve of New York Fashion Week. Valentina ( 1899-1989) dressed Greta Garbo, Katherine Hepburn and the Duchess of Windsor amongst others, was a pioneer of American couture and a glamourous celebrity in her own right.
I went along with my friend Mark Palmen to take a look...

Mary McFadden, fashion legend, who used to be a friend of Valentina's. Her ex-husband Kohle Yohannan wrote the book that accompanied the exhibition.

Publisist Mark Palmen , feeling right at home!

An award wining design of Valentina's, a sort of forerunner to a "Skort" ...

This divine evening snood with a jeweled propellor on the top from 1950 is called a "Gorget", would you believe.

I particularly like this grey dress with it's wrap details.

I really loved all the hats on display. This fur hood was designed for Garbo in the '40's.

The hats weren't just contained to the exhibition, everyone was wearing one!

Shop online !

2009-02-10T11:50:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 10th February 2009

My spring 09 collection is now available to shop online ! ( There is more to come...)

Halterneck Ruff Dress in Make-Up colour silk

( Photo: Mark Squires)

The Biba Blonde

2009-01-30T07:49:00.001-08:00

Thursday 29th January 2009

On Thursday I was thrilled to meet the legend behind the original Biba, designer Barbara Hulanicki. The iconic Biba department store defined fashionable London in the Swinging Sixties and louche Seventies. The vast emporium which sold everything from accessible fashion, to make-up and pet food was an Art Deco / Art Nouveau / Victoriana influenced rock'n'roll disco palm tree filled fantasy. Plus there was a roof garden with flamingos.The details! Everyone hung out there from Bowie, Twiggy and the Stones to the fashion conscious girl-next-door. What an inspiration...
Barbara now lives in Miami where she designs interiors and has just completed a new line of clothes for Topshop which launches in April.

Still super chic, Barbara Hulanicki with me at the Rainbow Room ballroom where we had attended the Fashion Group International's Rising Star Awards , for which I had been nominated.

I love this photo. Barbara then; on the roof garden of Biba on Kensington High Street in 1973 with the infamous flamingos.

( Photo Desmond O'Neill )

Obama Makes History

2009-01-25T10:38:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 20th January 2009

Barack Obama's inauguration. Unfortunately it wasn't an option for me to take a trip down to Washington to be part of this monumental event, so sneaking out of work at lunchtime to watch it on the big screens in Times Square had to do...

Yes we can! Seeing Barry on this scale looming above Times Square crowd was pretty sensational. There wasn't a dry eye in sight. Oddly there was no sound broadcast though...?!

Obama taking his oath from all angles.

Paud Roche and me freezing in Times Square.

More from the White House.

This day the whole of New York was celebrating. It was all about Obama and finally change. Here are some very happy kids on the subway going home ( break dancing to Kanye ).

Olivia Wilde about my Dress!

2009-01-15T05:15:00.000-08:00

Tuesday January 13th 2009

Here's the lovely actress Olivia Wilde looking divine in one of my hand screen printed silk Zandy dresses from my spring 09 collection at the Fox Winter All-Starparty in Hollywood last Tuesday night...

Photos courtesy of Startrax photos.

Amir's Big Birthday

2009-01-12T12:09:00.000-08:00

Friday January 9th 2009

I kicked off this year for real with my dear friend Amir Zia's birthday party. It was his big four oh! All New Years resolutions went out the window and we had a good old fashioned raging house party....

Lindsay Thompson working a great blazer look.

Amir Zia, man of the night, looking fabulous at forty.

Me, Brooke Geahan, James Gardner and Natasha Royt. Blondes having more and more fun...James loose the gloves!

Saira Zia, Amir's gorgeous sister and buyer for Saks online, pacing herself!

Julie Krauss and Jihae Kim having a dance- off.

Stylist Priscilla Polley ( in an enviable Hussein Chalayan print dress) and Jen Talbott the PR director for Intermix.

The Henry, sparkling in his novelty sweater.

Blogging queen Susan Kirschbaum with Parker Argote

Patrick O'Leary and Paud Roche.

Drew Cramer and Carole Ramer looking sensational in one of her signature hat and waistcoat looks.

Designers Whitney Pozgay and Lauren Felton, looking like they're up to something...

The Twelve Days Before Christmas

2008-12-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday 13th December 2008 and on...

The run up to the Holidays was for me the usual last minute frenzied panic of shopping ,finishing off work and trying to squeeze in some real New York traditional Christmassy things that remind me of why I still love living here...

Pipilotti Rist's "Pour Your Body Out" at MoMA. (I got a bit side tracked from the 5th Avenue sales by this amazing dreamlike video installation)

Kitty ( doing her best Ugly Betty impression) and Paud in the MOMA cafeteria.

James Gardner and me having a Christmas nibble at the Rainbow Room.

James and artist Drew Cramer morphing into a '80's synth duo album cover.

The first day of Hanukkah; the Empire State Building and view of the Big Apple from Rainbow Room.

In a vampire obsessed season, here's the big beaming December full moon over the Bowery.

This was new to me! We ran into 300 tubas about to play their Christmas Concert at the Rockefeller ice-rink...who knew?

Kitty and the Rockefeller tree.

Amidst all this, here are the paparazzi and a harsh reality check I'm faced with every morning...living opposite Ponzi scheme rotter Bernie Madoff.

The Mother Land

2008-12-11T05:32:00.000-08:00

Friday 5th - Monday 8th December 2008

Whilst half of New York descended on Miami for Art Basel I decided to take a last minute flying visit home to England to see my friends and family with a few work meetings squeezed in.
The night I arrived in London I met up with a bunch of friends at Guy Ritchie's pub The Punchbowl. A lovely little old Mayfair pub, it was packed ( mostly with investment bankers when we arrived but they soon cleared out off to the Home Counties)...

Serena Rees and Paul Simenon at The Punchbowl

My mate Ben Copperwheat, who also happened to be over from NY,here looking more London than London, with Mark Spye who designs at Vivienne Westwood and Olivier Vandervelde behind him.

One of my old flatmates, Louise McKinney who's now the Director of Development at the Serpentine Gallery with Rob Hartle.

PR Alex Barlow and Ris Fatah who's the Managing Director of posh sex emporium Coco de Mer and spends his days hawking dildos.

Serena and my dear friend Chris DiPietro looking glamourous after the pub...

Angels (and Bermans)probably the oldest and most famous TV and film costumiers in the UK had a big vintage sale on the Saturday morning. Thinking it was a good idea at the time I trecked up to a North Wembley warehouse for a rummage, but by the time I'd arrived all that was left were a few old army uniforms and a lot of silver spandex.The crowd however were a lot more interesting.

I stayed with my friend hairstylist James Brown, here he is loitering in Clifton Hill!

My mum and dad in Trafalgar Square.

I went Christmas shopping with my parents. Credit crunch or not, it was difficult to move for shoppers ( and sales) in the West End. Here are the Harrods' slightly dubious James Bond themed Christmas windows

That's better, in the Harrods food hall. Gorgeous fishy nibbles!

Zoe Kuipers who's now the communications director of Browns, took me for a lovely lunch.

Carnaby Street looking festive.

Vogue stylist and new mum Bay Garnett and me having a divine Sunday Roast around hers...

The Sky Is Falling

2008-11-23T16:59:00.001-08:00

Friday November 21st 2008

This was the theme of Jen Ramey's birthday drinks party! Jen, who's a booker at IMG models and looks after Kate and Daria to name a few, invited us down to Circa Tabac for cocktails ( a Soho cigar bar where you're allowed to smoke if you want) which was inevitably followed by a night at the Beatrice...

Mark Palmen and birthday girl Jen Ramey

Jen's genius invite.

Jen's posse at Beatrice; Daria Werbowy, Jen and Massimo Cuviello

Jack Flanagan and Amir Zia.

Kyle Hagler from IMG all wrapped up.

Massimo and Mark.

Vogue TV Holiday Dinner

2008-11-23T11:53:00.001-08:00

Friday 21st November 2008

I was asked by Vogue TV to host a holiday dinner for a few friends . It was held in the penthouse of the Gramercy Park Hotel , we had a roaring fire, all the girls wore my clothes and Kate Schelter bejewelled us in House of Lavande vintage couture baubles, I brought English crackers from Myers of Keswick ( the type that go bang and have non-jokes in ) and chef Melissa Petitto cooked a lovely lunch for us . It was a great start to the season to be jolly....

Kate Schelter and James Gardner

Sabine Heller the editor of the soon to launch online magazine from A Small World.

Me and James

Poppy DeVillneuve

Ben Pundole, the director of entertainment for all the Morgans hotels, for a moment in serious mode.

The table ( that's more like it Ben)

Bob's Your Uncle

2008-11-14T10:42:00.001-08:00

Saturday 8th - Thursday 13th November 2008

I've now got a bob! My hairstylist and friend Ashley Javier chopped it off ( when I really only expected to get my roots done), and I'm loving it.

Ashley had a birthday party rooftop fire-pit extravaganza at his penthouse parlor soon after. The week that followed was another seemingly never ending series of fun after-work cocktail events ( I've since had a quiet weekend...)

Chloe Sevigny and me ( we share the same hairdresser!) at Ashley's birthday.

Lovely English make-up artist Angie Parker and Humberto Leon, the genius behind "Opening Ceremony".

Mwoahz!Gabi from Three As Four.

Nails done? Stylist Frances Tulk- Hart

Mark Palmen and Susan Kirschbaum.

Adrian, one of the designers from the Pleasure Principle..

..and here's Diva ( real name) his lovely other half.

The day after, my old friend James Brown was over from London, here working his magic on Kitty's bunches.

Cator Sparks and Fay Cantor-Stephens at the Gay Men's Health Crisis benefit, Fashion Forward . I donated some of my dresses to be auctioned at the event last Monday at Skylight studios , which also had a runway show and was hosted by Tim Gunn.

On Thursday 13th it was the Hugo Boss Art Prize party at the Guggenheim. Here I am with designer Kai Kuhne.

The party view at the Gugge...

Nicole Brown, Massimo Cuviello and Olivier Vandervelde oustide.

Me and my PR friend Fay at the Fashion Forward event. This photo was by David McIntyre from the groundbreaking online glossy Zoozoom, who always takes a good photo!

Election Hallowe'en Whirlwind Marathon

2008-11-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

Tuesday October 21st - Tuesday November 4th 2008

The last month here has been a total whirlwind of real edge of seat nailbiting events and dancing on seat celebrations. Here are just a few things that went on, from my daughter Kitty's 2nd Hallowe'en birthday and our first trick or treating experience to Obama's historic election triumph, with a few bits in between...

Woohoo! The moment in history when Obama won, here on the TV at Norwood. What more can I say except thank you America, finally.

I watched the election at Norwood ( we did toy with the idea at going to Harlem but didn't quite get there) with my boyfriend Paud Roche, Fay Cantor-Stephens and her boyfriend Deepak.

Breaking News, New York went nuts at this point, John McCain conceeds.

Hallowe'en and novice trick or treating on the LES with my friend Deanne Cheuk, her daughter Lake and Kitty.There are somethings that money can't buy..

Lake, her friend and Kitty smeared in chocolate. Priceless.

Kate Schelter rocks. Her she is on Oct 21st at the Mobile Art Chanel Contemporary Art Container in Central Park, looking divine in a white silk jumpsuit I made for her. (Photo Wireimage).

On Sunday Nov 4th we hoofed it over to Central Park to watch fellow Brit Paula Radcliffe storm home to victory in the New York City Marathon. She was too fast for me to manage to even get a shot of her, but this is the men's winner, Brazilian Marilson Gomes dos Santos charging to the finish.

Here's Kitty at the 26 mile mark.

I really liked this blurry girl kiss image on the wall somewhere I think on either Bond Street or the Bowery that I saw recently.

My Birthday Party

2008-10-13T16:08:00.001-07:00

Saturday October 11th 2008

I decided to have some of my close friends over to our apartment on Saturday night to celebrate my birthday which was on the 7th. Despite the fact it was the night of Diesel's 30th birthday and most of NY seemed to be flocking over to Brooklyn, everyone turned up, we all had bubbles and there were no fag burns in the rug.Come midnight we finished the evening off at the Beatrice... it would have been rude not to.

Stylist Frances Tulk-Hart monopolising the polar bear.

Mark Palmen, James Gardner and me.

Annabel Tollman looking super svelte with my man Paud.

David Gruning, Kate Schelter and Christian Langbein, all gorgeous and lounging.

Nicole Brown and Florent Belda in my bedroom.

Kelly Ryerson and Susan Joy. I do love a blonde!

Macky Dugan and Drew Elliot.

Erich Conrad pushing around Olivia King.

Natasha Royt and Paud in the kitchen.

Roderick Angle , Crystal Slattery and Brianna Espitalier.

Kristen Alexander-King showing a bit of leg and Patrick O'Leary.

Armand Limnander and Jonathan de Busk ( thanks for the moonshine, not yet dared to open it yet!)

Frances, Angie Parker and Susan swarming around the bubbles..

Here we are at the Beatrice...Fay Cantor-Stephens and Ben Copperwheat.

Natasha and Ashley Javier on the dancefloor.

Patrick McGrath, Nicole and Mark on the banquette. Trouble!

Lee Carter from Hintmag and Armand from T magazine, comparing notes.

Me and Fay closing down the B...

CFDA New Members Party

2008-10-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 8th October 2008

This year I was accepted to become a member of the CFDA, which I am thrilled about. Last night, along with the other 27 new members, we were thrown a cocktail party in our honour at the home of Elie and Rory Tahari in Soho. The house, which used to belong to Rupert Murdoch, was beyond gorgeous, I was particularly envious of the split level rooftop where I spent most of the evening chatting to the other designers (I somehow missed Martha Stewart and Leighton Meester who were both there too)...

The new members group photo set against the NY downtown skyline, with the CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg looking glamourous as ever in the centre.

It also happened to my my birthday as well as other new member Rachel Comey's, here we are toasting ourselves...

Swimwear designer Malia Mills, her sister and menswear designer Eunice Lee from Unis.

Richard Chai and Paud Roche

The lovable bears, Robert Tagliapietra and Jeffrey Costello.

Jewellery designer Robert Lee Morris, who was super friendly.

Erica Davies and Amy Chan

Kikka and Vicky Bartlett both from VPL and me.

Dinner with Kim Hastreiter plus a month of Libras

2008-10-01T20:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday 27th - Tuesday 30th September 2008

On Monday I was delighted to be invited to a small dinner at Il Buco by Paper's co-founder Kim Hasreiter and Rado the watchmakers.This is that funny week when I always feel that everyone in fashion is in Paris for the shows and only a skeletal crew are left behind...however this was not the case!

Kim Hastreiter herself downstairs in the wine cellar at Il Buco.

Top Girl Kate Schelter and me.

Drew Elliot from Paper and another Top Girl,Fay Cantor-Stephens at the Paper dinner.

Lynn Yaeger from the Village Voice and Faran Krentcil from Nylon.com and page Six Magazine.

This whole month for me is Libra birthday hell ( myself included)! I literally have a birthday-a-day until the end of October. Anyway I went to textile designer friend of mine Ben Copperwheat's birthday dinner at Bacaro on Tuesday, which I wouldn't have missed for the world. This is Ben and his boyfriend Zander.

Stylist Grant Woolhead and Karen from Jed Root.

It was also my boyfriend Paud's birthday at the weekend, and we spent it with family in Connecticut. This is "The Place" near Guildford, where we went on Saturday night.Unchanged since 1971 ,this is a really rare sight in New England; a BYOB ramshackle BBQ. I loved it!

Paud dying to get his hands on the BBQ lobster and clams...

A Small World and Net-A-Porter

2008-09-26T20:55:00.001-07:00

Wednesday 24th September 2008

A Small World ( the private online community who are about to relaunch their online magazine) and it's gorgeous editor-in-chief Sabine Heller hosted a Fall 08 trunk show for Net-a-Porter along with Vogue's Valerie Boster, Jessica Joffe, Ferabee Bishop Taube and Coralie Charriol Paul on W 14th Street.I went along to see the girls and the schmutter with Tanya Jensen-Hawver...

Sabine Heller and the lovely English stylist Frances Tulk-Hart

Jessica Joffe

Tangie Silva from The Daily / Fashion Mini with writer Tanya Jensen-Hawver.

The Net-a-Porter girls.

"Migration" and More

2008-09-26T20:54:00.001-07:00

Saturday 20th Sept 2008

Doug Aitkin's new show at the 303 Galleries in Chelsea ( both the new and the existing one) was my first stop tonight.

I then had to run over to Plumm on W14th Street for the wrap party of "Inseam". This is a new documentary series for web TV (www.inseamshow.com) backed by Cotton Inc., and hosted by Eric Villency that focuses on the work and experiences of 3 women designers; myself, Nicole Romano and a bridal designer Lara Helene that has been filmed over the last 6 weeks.

With a bit more filming over and I was dying to find my friend Amir Zia and his sister Saira who were at a friend's loft birthday party on Canal Street...I wanted a dance!

STAR , by Doug Aitkin. I really loved this tweaked view over LA.

A shot of Doug Aitkin's video installation. A Reindeer in a motel room upstate somewhere.The imagery was quite beautiful.

Lara Helene, Eric Villency, Nicole Romano and me at the "Inseam" party

I loved working with film director James Merendino, who filmed the documentary with his sister Lisa.

Amir Zia later that night with Nat Hays from Plus One Music.

Saira Zia who is now a buyer for Saks, with part of someone's Robert Downey Jr outfit...I'd forgotten (as had most people) that it was fancy dress.

This was that morning on my doorstep ...lederhosen!

The Rest of my NY Fashion Week

2008-09-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

Monday 8th - Saturday 13th September 2008

The rest of my fashion week started on Monday with Marc Jacobs show and finished the following Saturday with Lifetime Television's biopic on Coco Chanel, staring Shirley MacLaine. I really didn't manage to go to half the events I'd planned to, I was still so knackered from work, but I did manage to catch some of the fun ...

One of my icon's, Kim Gordon backstage at Marc Jacob's.

J Lo and Victoria Beckham, holding hands.

Yet another pathetic attempt of mine to capture the genius of Marc's show. The mirrored set was stunning.

Catherine Baba, James Gardner and myself at the Marc party.

Rachel Zoe stopping traffic looking for her limo.

Maestro British milliner Stephen Jones.

James was still milking his birthday, so we squeezed in a celebratory curry before the evening really started, with Heifara Rutgers and Drew Cramer.

Cute! At the Marc Jacob's afterparty at the new Greenwich Street Hotel.

The kids at Marc's

Photographer Gavin Bond and his girl

Being a British but NY based designer I was roped into flying the flag and joining the Marchesa girls and menswear designer Keanan Dufty at the" Britannia Rules" event hosted by OK ! Magazine and Gen Art on Weds 10th.
Here's actress Leven Rambin wearing my emerald satin drape dress to the OK! event.
(Photo Wireimage)

A model wearing my taffeta bow dress from spring at the British Invasion party.

Me with the glamourous Marchesa girls, Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig.

Mick Rock concentrating on DJ-ing, here at the OK party ( he was in demand that night).

Next stop was the City Magazine re-launch party at the New Museum on the Bowery.
Here's the lovely Leigh Lezark on the balcony of the New Museum, with the night skyline of the East Village in the background.

Stylish Julie Ragolia, the new fashion editor of City Magazine.

Elise Overland and blogger Susan Kirschbaum at the New Museum.

Finally a bit of normality.My parents had come over from England to give me a bit of a hand with Kitty during and leading up to fashion week. Unfortunately I hardly saw them but here we are at the Russian tearooms which was a real treat.
My dad, me, Kitty, Paud and my mum having a much needed fashion break.

The extraordinary glass juggling bear fish tank. Kitty's eyes were on stalks!

Then just what I needed to finish off the week, Saturday night home in front of the TV watching Shirley MacLaine as an aging Coco Chanel with Malcolm MacDowell in the foreground on Lifetime TV's biopic...bliss!

Club Sandwich hits NYC

2008-09-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

Sunday 7th September 2008

After the exhaustion from the endless weeks of non-stop work put into getting my collection together, and the having to get up and sell it the following day at 9 am, I didn't manage to do anything fashiony until Sunday, the day of my dear friend James Gardner's birthday extravaganza. The legendary Club Sandwich kids from Paris flew over to host his disco spectacular at the Norwood. I don't think the Norwood has ever seen anything quite like it.....

The sensational Catherine Baba, James Gardner and me leaving Soho House where we started the evening with dinner by the pool, before making an entrance...!

Fay Cantor-Stephens plus headdress .(I have no recollection where this headdress appeared from but it's in half my photos.)

My boyfriend Paud Roche, plus that headdress.

Vogue's Hamish Bowles, anxiously texting on the disco dancefloor.

Yassa Khan and Joanne Furnace, looking knockout.

Catherine showing a bit of flesh and another old friend from Europe, Thomas Jibogan,( who is also my casting director.)

Alister Mackie, who just can't ever keep his clothes on either , having a shimmy.

My mates the boys from Parsons, who all really gave me a helping hand during the past week, Aaron Bakalar, Pat McGrath and Jordan Bach.

Grant Woolhead, the new fashion editor of Out..grr!!

T Magazine's Armand Limnander

Elle's Joe Zee.

Nicole Brown looking hot in one of my dresses.

Ben Copperwheat, Chris Apple and Lee Copperwheat.

Me with Ben Pundole

Casey Spooner on the right with the lovely locks.

What a finale. Mademoiselle Mercedes, cabaret star of the night, with James.

My Spring 09 collection

2008-09-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

Thursday September 4th 2008

My Spring 09 collection is an ultra-feminine take on modern romance, with a high-gloss, sporty edge.

I held a focused presentation of 18 looks on the kick-off day of New York fashion week this season. Thankfully it was glorious hot weather as I held it on the rooftop of a building on W14th Street overlooking the river at sunset, so the light turned out to be divine. Downstairs we had a cocktail party hosted by the ever lovely Arden Wohl and The Supper Club NY.

Initial inspirations were the beautiful and infamous pictures of teenage girls by early seventies photographer David Hamilton, John Singer Sargent’s portraits and the restrictive sexiness of Edwardiana...and Spandau Ballet. This loosely set the mood for the collection, which is dreamy and romantic in colour and execution but young and glamourous in feel.

Highlights of the collection include softly embroidered Broderie Anglaise and polka dot cotton tulle dresses, draped skirts and high -necked ruffle shirts, silk satin and taffeta colour blocked party dresses, shorts and jumpsuits, slouchy tailored tuxedo sportswear, a beautiful watercolour “Blushing Rose” print by artist Deanne Cheuk as well as my signature hand - screen prints, with a colour palette of black, ivory, neutrals and make-up colors with accents of violet, hyacinth and peony....

Diana Moldovan in dress of clear sequins over Deanne Cheuk's "Blushing Roses" watercolour print with a backdrop of the NY skyline. You can't get much more romantic than that.

The fantastic 2 Mandy DJ's rocked the evening and looked amazing in my clothes too.

Arden Wohl in the Starlight dress from my Fall collection.

Vogue's Meredith Melling-Burke and stylist Susan Joy.

Tamsin Lonsdale from the Supper Club and me

Here's Fay Cantor-Stephens doing a final bit of hair straightening before she thankfully helped me out on the door along with Drew Elliot from Paper Magazine.True troopers.

Hair super-stylist Ashley Javier doing his magic with a modern take-on Gibson girl hair and a satin headband. It worked!

I was really thrilled with the strong turnout I received at the start of another hectic and exhausting fashion week.Maya Singer who writes for style.com told me that she had rsvp'd for 94 events in the coming week!I was feeling lucky that one my sponsors was Skyn Iceland again, who gave me some much needed pick-me-up facial products in my gift bags. My beyond stressed out skin was hauled back from the edge just in time with their hydro - cool firming eye gels that actually work. I glowed again!

Anyway here is someone who never looks exhausted,the eternally effervescent Mickey Boardman from Paper and the charming Julia Frakes ( who does have a bit of a Bubbles / Jane Horrocks lookylikeiness going on, but only in looks might I add..)

Gisella Lemos covering for Brazilian Vogue.com looking a stunner in my matching printed silk jersey dress and leggings. One of my favourite ensembles ever!

Crystal Slattery and Roderick Angle

Bayo and Jody. My old friends from London the vogueing twins.

One of my favourite dresses from Spring, a violet silk taffeta and tulle dress on Alexandra.

"Blushing Roses' digital watercolour printed silk shorts and a hand-screened silk corsage top on Angelika.

Natasha wearing a black tulle and silk feather bias -cut dress.

Alexandra in a colour-bocked taffeta Bow dress.

Danielle in my top favourite dress of the season, the make-up colour silk ruff backless dress. This was the very last thing I designed.

I always do a jumpsuit...and it turned out this season so did everyone and his wife too! Here's my silky sportif version on Nika in make-up pink.

Jill wearing the hand-screen printed corsage printed top in cream with tuxedo suiting peg-top shorts.

Angelika in the first look, the hand-screen printed corsage batwing dress in cream.

Natasha in a semi-sheer black Swiss dotty voile ruffle shirt and tuxedo suiting peg-top shorts.

Nika in a black striped cotton tulle ribbon top with a tuxedo suiting draped pencil skirt.

Dei wearing a hand-embroidered cream tulle ruffle dress

Jennifer in the cream tuxedo jacket, cummerbund ( I went a bit cummerbund crazy!) and tuxedo peg-top pants.

A few days before my presentation ( literally the day after labour day..it was hell getting all this organised when basically everyone's still on a beach )we shot our spring lookbook. My amazing talented friend , photographer Mark Squires shot it on the gorgeous Sheila from One Models.Here she is on set at my studio....

Mark Squires

Here's my intern Taryn with Katie Toker hard at work getting the collection together.

Macky Dugan, who shares my studio, getting roped into helping me!

Another of my hard working interns, Feride.

One of Mark Squires campaign photos that he shot, this one of the jumpsuit

Another of Mark's beautiful photos...

...and another, this is the ruffle skirt and hand silk-screened corsage top.Dreamy!

Last post before Fashion Week!

2008-09-02T05:53:00.001-07:00

Monday 1st September 2008

For the past month I've been slaving over my new collection which I'm showing here at a rooftop presentation during New York fashion week this Thursday coming, so my blogs have been a bit this on the ground. But I had to include these two..inspiration on my doorstep!

I'm also guest blogging for Paper magazine starting this week, so check it out!

I just loved these French twins outside Lord and Taylor.

Beatrice by the Sea

2008-07-28T19:40:00.000-07:00

Friday 25th - Sunday 27th July 2008

Paul Sevigny and Matt Abramcyk, the co-owners of the Beatrice Inn, are launching a new bar. Taking over the Fifth floor at the newly opened boutique hotel in Atlantic City , The Chelsea, last weekend saw it's launch. Half of the cool kid Beatrice regulars and a few close friends of theirs were happily shipped down to the New Jersey shore for a weekend of fun and games...

Paul Sevigny and his girl Sophie ( in an enviable vintage Sonia Rykiel sweatshirt E-bay purchase).

On the drive down with Paud Roche, Mark Palmen and Kitty,we decided to take a quick look at the infamous Jersey beach town Asbury Park.

Writer and blogger Susan Kirschbaum with me at the Bortaga; the chicest and most Vegas-like hotel / casino in Atlantic City.

Mark Palmen couldn't resist his Wild Cherry!

A nice guy on the door of the Aretha Franklin show at the Bortaga let us in for the last ten minutes. Here's the legend in full swing of "Freeway of Love"...( and yet another pitiful concert photo of mine)

Paud and his roulette winnings with designer Alvin Valley.

For rent?

Back at he Chelsea, in the penthouse bathroom..

A Beatrice babe

And more...

On Saturday night we went down the shore to Margate for Mark's birthday dinner and some fishy nibbles. Here's Susan,Mark and me.

The Chelsea Hotel by day. Situated on the boardwalk it also has a spa with a saltwater swimming pool and a free rolling-chair service ( like a pedicab, but you get pushed along).

The beach. Atlantic City felt like the weird bastard child of Coney Island, South Beach and Vegas...and I loved it!

Kitty content with her Trump Ice water.

A bit rough around the edges.A local funnel cake store. Get her in the Sexy t-shirt!

There was also a lot of this local flavour going on along the boardwalk...( believe me the back view was better!)