Preface,by Vivian Kelly

I’ve always admired  gorgeous women with long blonde locks since I was 5 years old, starting with Goldilocks and  later, Princess Aurora, Farrah Fawcett Majors, Marilyn Monroe and more recently, Blake Lively and Maria Sharapova. Family friend, William, then a Dutch University Student, and now a KLM pilot, jokingly showed me an image of Maria Sharapova on his iphone, casually calling her “my girlfriend” and then laughing when I believed him – for a second.

Apparently, we weren’t the only ones to think Maria was something really special.

This season, at NYFW, Maria was front row at some of New York’s biggest shows. Below, Anthony Palermo, tells us how his ALS partner, Leonard Zagami, created some fresh looks for the gorgeous tennis star. I’ve featured the one she sported at the Marc Jacobs show.

And, now… here’s Anthony!

“Mercedes Benz Fashion week is always filled with fabulous people. These Fall RTW 2012 collections were more about the who’s who in the front row. One of our all time favorites , Maria Sharapova , knows how to make an entrance and cause a frenzy on the court, but the real commotion starts when she is spotted at all the hottest shows!  Celebrity make up artist  and  friend of the AnthonyLeonard Salon ,  Andie Markoe -Byrne, teamed up with  Leonard Zagami, Creative Director of ALS,  to complete Maria ’s looks for the shows.

Read on as Leonard explains look 1 of the 3 looks he gave the grand slammer for this very fashionable NYC Week!

AT Marc Jacobs:

Maria , seen here with famed photographer  Patrick Demarchelier and his wife Mia , had a slightly pinned back side part . “I used Super Shine Cream by Oribe   to get a sleek look with out it being too overdone” says Zagami. ” I also used a Kent Brush ( for fine hair) to help smooth down fly-aways”. Maria usually  parts her hair in the middle so this was a great change for her!

Topic- Daphne Daphne Daphne!

Genghis Khan Collection / Premiere Screening of “The Legend of Lady White Snake”

I’m obsessed. Daphne Guinness is the subject of this latest fashion obsession.  I “went there” and asked friend, Anthony Palermo, of the Anthony Leonard Salon to dye my hair as blonde as it would go. After two bleaching blasts in the past 12 weeks, I’m there, with the exception of the black skunk stripes Daphne sports. I’m not ready for that as such a couture look requires wearing 5 inch heels and vintage McQueen couture, which would be fun but just not within my reach just yet.

In the meantime, I’m buying up pieces of Daphne’s capsule collection created for MAC Cosmetics. Thus far, I carry the following around in my Volvo [while in the Country] or in my leather Birkin-esque satchel [while in NYC]: “Fling” Eye Brow Pencil – THE perfect shade for you platinum blondes out there who don’t want to mess about with powders and brushes

- Cremesheen LipGlass in “Richly Reserved”

Next to buy between shows are:

Pro Longwear LipCreme in “Approaching Storm”- I struck out at the Grand Central station location – they sold the 6 tube they’d been allotted.

“Red Dwarf” [a maybe]

Blush Ombre in “Azalea Blossom”.

Thankfully, in NYC there are ample opportunities to snatch up some MAC Cosmetics – almost as many as getting my frozen mocha frappe fix at MACDonalds.

Once I’ve scooped up the remaining Daphne pieces, I’ll be ready to attend one of my top 3 events of this NYFW – The screening of THE LEGEND OF LADY WHITE SNAKE, starring Daphne, co-written by the white hot Neil Gaiman and Bernard Henri Levy and directed by Indrani.

The premiere is Sunday night at 10p.m. with a write-up and more images to follow post-event.

Last Thoughts: FIT did what I heard was a wonderful exhibit of Daphne’s clothes. I’ve posted a few images here. Which one is YOUR favorite?

The morning after the 69th Annual Golden Globes, our winners for “best-dressed/most beautiful”  were: Charlize Theron, Madonna, and of course, Angelina Jolie, who managed to look even more beautiful than ever in her cream Atelier Versace gown. The woman is unnaturally gorgeous, almost cartoon like in perfection and always a reliable glamour fix even if we get our dose from afar.

The Always Gorgeous Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace at the 69th Annual Golden Globes

The above women are so stunning that they may not be as relatable as another actor, Jodie Foster. She’s Hollywood Royalty and has been since her big screen debut as “Nina”  a teenage prostitute in  Martin Scorcese’s Taxi Driver in 1976. This star has “class” and gamely smiled [and actually appeared relaxed] when Globes’ host, Ricky Gervais, took a few verbal cracks at her. Maybe having a perfectly made-up face, thanks to Carol Shaw, helped her keep her cool.

I’m an eleventh hour shopper and d–n proud of it. Gal Pal, Demi Schimenti and I agreed that one of the funnest parts of the Holidays is that Christmas Eve visit to the Mall to grab stocking stuffers. I do it every year but  this year, I’ve got a list prepared before-hand.

THe Stocking – One of Lady Gaga‘s “Gaga’s Workshop” alternative stockings, currently on the 5th Floor at Barneys NY.

Price: $45

For the Beauty Addicts in your life: Shiseido’s Honey Cake Translucent Soap. They come in my two favorite colors – Lilly Pulitzer pink and green. Available exclusively during the holiday season,  for a limited time only at www.shiseido.com .  A cult classic since its launch in 1956, these luxurious French-milled soaps are made from honey . $7.50

Grab a few at Lord & Taylor.

Nicole Lynn Cardillo, the company’s Executive Director of Public Relations told me that it ‘s also a good shampoo. Perfect – for those of us who like to travel light.

Stay at Lord & Taylor or hit Sephora and splurge on some NARS eyeshadow duos. Last night, I picked up Kalahari – a color that goes with everything, chosen and demoed for me by Courtney Ferris, who used to work for NARS. She’s currently the Laura Mercier Counter Manager, but as the NARS rep was gone for the day,  she obliged, and we bonded over her iphone pic of her prize possessions – a pair of   Louboutin peep-toes, that only come out for really big occassions.

Hop over to the Accessories counter at L&T and pick up one of Carolee’s limited edition icon pins – the Wallis or Elizabeth Taylor ones give a swank touch to the standard issue black sweater. If you can’t spring for Cartier, this one is the solution, at $75.

At Sephora – Warning- DO NOT dawdle! Get a couple of  sets of FRESH’s brown sugar exfoliator and lip balm stick. The set is on special for $22.50 and both are unisex. Sign your special someone up for the Sephora rewards program starting with the points you get for this purchase.

Techie lovers – Jog over to Brookstone. I picked up the video spy pen for the James Bond wanna be in my life for $79.99, mostly because I’m dying to try it out too.

For the foodies, it’s off to Williams -Sonoma. Their red velvet cupcake mix is THE best out there for the Cake Boss fans on your list. If you have time, get them one from Crumbs or Junior’s so they have a model to emulate.

IF you have time  and can order online:

Alexis Studio Design’s Asian Moonlight Earrings $45

Wear these in good company; they’re going in the Golden Globe Gift Bags.

Coffee hounds – you’re going to LOVE Organo Gold - coffees which are  really healthy because of the Ganoderma herb they are infused with*.My favorite is the latte, it’s just sweet enough. Fashion Publicist-Friend, Dana Bethune, turned me on to it and like a true addict, I’m Jonesing for the next shipment of the latte packets to come in!

Accessories – IMAN Global Chic. Here’s bling without going bust. The Holiday Glam Crystal and Pave  Knockout Ring is perfect for cocktail parties when you want to show off your holiday mani.

HSN is on it when it comes to deliveries.

Go to my favorite apothecary, MIN New York and pick up  Acqua Di Parma’s Blue Mediterraneo Shower Cream or Shower Gel. After one too many rounds of battling for possession, I gave up and bought the “Mandorlo Di Sicilia” scented one so there’s one for each shower in the house.

And lastly for the bookish person on your list, Rizzoli’s MM-Personal, From The Private Archives of Marilyn Monroe

ENDNOTES

**About Ganoderma – that key ingredient in Organo coffee

Ganoderma an ancient Chinese herb revered for over 5,000 years as the world’s ‘superior’ herb. 100% ORGANIC GANODERMA LUCIDUM is also scientifically proven worldwide as one of nature’s most potent health boosters. It is associated with longevity, youthfulness, and vitality. “Often used as an immune stimulant by people with cancer (as well as HIV), Ganoderma has been shown to strengthen immunity as well as combat cancer-cell proliferation.”

Last week, I was the “plus one” for a swank event co-sponsored by Town & Country and Shiseido. Contributor Laura Wood and I were there for a veritable laundry list of reasons:

- to chat with her friend, Connor Raus, a digital strategist ad the Creative Director of Digitature and to watch him in action, filming host and stylist, Luciene Salomone

- to check out the decorated apartment

- to watch the Shiseido presentation of the Future Solution LX line, of which I was already a fan. [ Kaplow PR had gifted me Bio- Performance Advanced Super Revitalizing Cream which feels insanely rich and luxurious, even at 6:30 in the morning when I've only got one eye lid open. A few colleagues have told me how "rested" I looked recently.]

The event invite promised ” a lip touch-up” which sealed the deal as I can’t ever pass up an opportunity to find a new shade of lipstick, never mind the 30+ tubes of lipsticks and glosses piled behind me on the FE home office shelf.

An added bonus to the affair was to wander about the lovely apartment and to peruse the gorgeous Rizzoli coffee table books. I’ve got MM Personal: From the Private Archive of Marilyn Monroe on its way to me for some much anticipated holiday reading.

Below, a video of host, Luciene Salome discussing the events of the evening.

Anne Garside’s coffee table book, Camelot at Dawn delivered a sorely needed fashion moment in the midst of the disheartening 8 day power outage. The photos shot by Orlando Suero, were ones I’d never seen before.

Most of the photos we see of Jacqueline Kennedy are of her as as the First Lady or in her later incarnation as the mysterious “Jackie O”, dodging paparazzo  Ron Gallela.

The images of  Jacqueline Kennedy and her husband, shot in May 1954, in Georgetown, have that “easy” American style that put US fashion designers on the map. I related to Jackie’s khaki capris, striped shirt and flats, because that’s my daily uniform, but that hair! The short wavy haircut she had combined with bubblegum pearl necklaces and large gold clip earrings got my heart racing.  Like turned to love when I got to the image of her lighting the candles for her first formal dinner party. The white strapless evening gown was stunning combined with the famous three strand pearl necklace and the haircut. I could get the necklace at Carolee but the hair – not so easy.

Jackie, before her first formal dinner party, Georgetown, 1954. Photo by Orlando Suero.

The only two guys who would really “get” this obsession were Anthony Palermo and Leonard Zagami. Off to New York I went to go show them the book and hopefully to walk out with a modern day version of this cut. If you’re not familiar with their work, have a look at their blog, and you’ll see what I mean by “editorial”.

While sitting in Leonard’s chair, getting my so-so short coupe transformed into a modern day version of Jackie Kennedy’s 1954 cut, Anthony [Leonard] came by to chat in between a barrage of color clients. I come to A-L for the outstanding hair services but even more so for their company; we share a mutual passion for hair that can transform you and can make you feel like your favorite fashion icon.

and Leonard [right], my go-to editorial hair gurus”]

Anthony [left

A Salvatore Zagami Sculpture, photographed by Anthony Palermo.

Considering my hair is finer than Jackie’s the cut I walked out with was as close as I could get. Leonard suggested playing with a strong mousse, such as Nexxus Mouse Plus Volumizing Styler. The key was to scrunch my hair to create the waves I wanted. Perfect, AND easy.

Leonard's modern version of Jackie Kennedy's 1954 Hairdo

Hair is like fashion. As with fashion, as soon as a collection is done, the question  ”what’s next?” arises. As I got up, I asked Anthony about “the next step. Maybe the Lady Diana cut?” His eyes lit up and he said, “and maybe blonde too?”

Princess Diana's Short Haircut

Over the Holidays, we’re going to Foxwoods. While the others at the poker tables, I’ll be at the Lady Diana Retrospective, studying her hair and style. On a world tour, the exhibition “Diana, A Celebration” stops Sept. 16 through Jan. 15 at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket. Graeme Murtonand Nick Grossmark, art handlers for the Althorp Estate in England,  installed the iconic gown worn by Diana at her 1981 wedding to Charles, Prince of Wales.

Art handlers Nick Grossmark (black gloves) and Graeme Murton (white gloves) travel to each tour stop for "Diana, A Celebration," responsible for setting up the exhibition (wearing gloves to prevent damage). The duo are standing next to Diana's iconic ivory silk and lace wedding gown.

After that experience, I’ll undoubtedly have  a Lady Di moment and head back to the A-L Salon to make my vision a reality, with a lot of help from my friends there.

October is Breast Cancer Month and it’s still not too late to contribute to this very worthy cause. Last year, I bought a set of pink mixing bowls and an ice cream scoop but the prospect of buying cosmetics is far more interesting. I found-out about Shiseido’s “Iron Maiden” lipstick in an email sent to me by Kaplow PR. Terrific! Here is a way for those of you who haven’t contributed yet to do so in a fun and easy way.

For the fifth consecutive year, Shiseido Cosmetics America is partnering with Cosmetic Executive Women (CEW) to support their philanthropic arm, Cancer and Careers, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer and Careers is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting working women living with cancer.

Shiseido will donate $5 to Cancer and Careers for every unit of Shiseido Makeup Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden (RS308) sold throughout the month of October.

The Shimmering Rouge Lipstick in Iron Maiden (RS308) retails for $25 and is available for purchase at http://www.shiseido.com.

While you’re shopping, also take a minute and check-out my favorite new eyeshadows- Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eyecolor, created by makeup master, Dick Page. Click on his name to link to Shiseido’s YouTube Video in which Dick demos how to use PK302 – “Magnolia” in a pretty and completely wearable way.

My picks areL PK 302- Magnolia, VI305- Purple Dawn and BR709 – Sable – the one in the pic below, I applied with my fingers, which Dick told me was okay to do. They glide on and unlike the old cream shadows, stay put on your lid – no ugly creasing- all day long.

Bridal has never been our favorite market to cover but because that’s the case, we view it as a “bring it on” type of challenge. It IS harder to write about something you’re not madly in love with, but here’s a market that continues to thrive despite the prolonged economic downturn. That in itself, sparked our interest and was responsible for our devoting our Sunday to covering the lastest NY Bridal Week.

Here is our Round-up of the fall 2012 Couture and bridal collections we saw on Sunday, October 16.

Text, Vivian Kelly & Laura Wood

9:00a.m. Ines di Santo

This one was a close call – a race-walk from the Cornell Club on East 44th Street to the Jeremiah Essex House, on West 59th Street, across Central Park.

I’d just plopped down on the gilt salon chair when the lights went down and smiling models hit the catwalk in white confections and a lot more beading and sequins than I remembered seeing two years ago [my most recent bridal show].

What seemed clear by the end of the show was that strapless is still the #1 neckline and that bodices are lean [almost tubular] and extend down to the hip. The effect is slimming and flattering – thumbs up on this one. It looked good, regardless if the skirt portion was a  bias cut skirt, or of a pouffy ballgown one.

The show opened with  a pale pink gown, which is a pretty alternative to the bright white gowns that start looking awfully similar after my 4th show that day.

Later in the lineup, there was a one shoulder gown with beautiful draping the Fashion List writers and I both liked because it was so minimalist. Its  only ornamentation was the draping;  not a bead or sequin in sight. Another interesting piece was a sheer tulle capelet which had a nostalgic Fifties’ feeling to it. Despite being liberally sprinkled with Swarovski crystals, it didn’t look overdone or weighed down.

The dress that most closely matched the RTW trends was “Lissome”, a retro Alencon lace dress which had Grace Kelly written all over it. The last few looks played with the concept of transparent bodices, which are probably too daring for the 1st time bride who tends to favor a more demure fairy tale princess look.

After lunch, Laura joined me and we met up with The Fashion List’s Scott French and PaulaRosine Long [a fellow Duke alumn!].

2:00p.m. Rita Vinieris, RIVINI Bridal Show

“Understated elegance” summarized the first segment of the show. True, there were sequins aplenty but these pastel colored evening gowns that opened the show had a very Thirties Hollywood glamour feeling about them.

The looks that followed were strictly bridal.  We concluded that a big skirt and strapless bodice continue to be the most popular choice with brides to be, but there were also some options like a 3/4 off the shoulder sleeve and a tastefully executed 1 shoulder gown for variety.

In the accessory department, there were tiny diamond tiaras and colored waist sashes to give the bride a wasp waist. Our favorite design was the goddess gown in silk chiffon with a plunging neck line and tasteful beaded accents at the top of the straps.

Post show, we spoke backstage with Rita and she told us that the first “Hollywood Glamour” gowns we loved were actually the debut of her new eveningwear line. She confirmed that yes, she was indeed inspired by Thirties Hollywood Glamour.

We left the Alvin Ailey Dance Studio, happy to see  sophisticated designs coming from a bridal designer.

3:00p.m. -Badgley Mischka, Pier 94

After the initial distraction of a tulle head piece which covered the models’ faces, we got down to examining the clothes. The big difference with what we’d seen so far was a very fitted silhouette especially through the bodice and hardly any strapless gowns in the collection.There was a drape front neckline, a sleeveless gown with a square neckline, and a gold v front evening gown with marabou at the shoulders and a fitted bondage ?! style gown.  Both were shown in a pretty tea stain color, rather than the usual blinding white. There was also a  v front flared gown with fawn flowers embroidered on the sheer outer layer. This design duo rose to fame in the nineties and are known for their skillful beading and embroidery which is always tasteful and never heavyhanded. This last gown was probably the most representative of their work in the RTW market.

4:00p.m. – Anne Bowen

We jumped into this show, not really thinking we’d make it to the Gansevoort ParkAvenue Penthouse Bar space, but we managed to catch the show midstream. We were SO glad we forged ahead, despite the lack of taxis, buses or subways.

Face it there’s no good way other than a private car to make it from the Piers to Park Ave. Once settled in though, we had an attitude adjustment, which began when Laura accepted the champagne flute served with 3 fresh blueberries and what appeared to be a mini orchid. We didn’t need the champagne incentive however, to be immediately impressed with what we saw. The Jean Harlow dress has become commonplace, but this is the best version we’ve seen yet. The Black model looked regal in “Amaryllis” a bias chiffon cut flutter sleeve gown. It’s not exactly Harlow, but it is Harlow inspired. The other big stunner was “Trinity”, hands-down the best use of beading we saw all day. Making with our “Queenly” theme, this one immediately made Laura think of Cleopatra. The next day, after reviewing all of the shots we got, thanks to excellent seats, we were in complete agreement that Anne Bowen was the best collection of the day, no question.

5:00p.m. – Anna Maier – Ulla Maija Bridal Show

Here was the Jean Harlow dress again, but it looked great here too, in shiny satin as opposed to chiffon at Anne Bowen. There was also a streamlined satin strap gown with a bias skirt and Swarovski crystal straps. It was our favorite, and it also  happened to be one of the least expensive gowns on the line. Go figure.  

6:00p.m. – Sarah Jassir

Hurrah! A pantsuit! The model who kicked off the show could have been YSL muse Betty Catroux, vogueing Yves’ slinky suits. As per Wikipedia, “Catroux is famed for her long white-blonde hair, lanky body, gaunt features, and androgynous appearance. Catroux and Saint Laurent met, according to her, in a “very, very gay” nightclub in Paris, Regine’s in the 1960s and have had a friendly relationship ever since.”

Okay, that’s one option. Taking it in an entirely different direction,  if you’re more the Katherine Hepburn sort of woman who’s an equestrian, you’d probably prefer the palazzo pants which has us all nodding in approval.

If you’re bent on walking down the aisle in a gown, this designer offered a train, affixed with a low riding bow as well as dresses with some interesting gold handpainting. We only wish there had been more pant options as there are plenty of horsey women who just don’t wear skirts or big dresses, for that matter, ever.

7:00 p.m. - Simone Carvalli

This was our last collection of the evening and the Asia Society on Park and 70th was a beautiful spot to end it. After an elegant cocktail party downstairs, we were whooshed upstairs for the show. The highlight of the show was when “Trisha” came down the runway. It incorporated the RTW lace trend and a pleasing minimalism. It’s a practical gown as well, thanks to a sweetheart neckline and the black satin belt adorned with a big Swarovski brooch that gave the curvy model a wasp waist. Speaking of a slim waist, we noticed that the models were a bit more full figured than the ones we’d seen at Anne Bowen, Badgley Mischka, etc. After flipping through the program notes, we realized why.

The Company’s VP of Sales, Terry Brumley said, “Our unique construction and patent pending ‘Magic Fit’ that reduces between two to four inches off a bride’s waist, miraculously gives our brides a coveted hour-glass figure.”

The fit angle aside, the other notable detail was the designer’s liberal use of feathers, most notably on a silk taffeta strapless drop waist gown with a skirt embellished with Ostrich feathers.

Honorable Mention – St. Pucchi

We didn’t make it to the press show the following day, but fortunately, I snapped a few pics of this beautiful bodice, while dashing out of the Jeremiah Essex House to my next show. 

Hair Trend Notes: a deep side part pulled into a loose chignon which looks natural and pretty. Last week, I saw a bride at my church in Greenwich, Christ Church, posing on the steps in exactly this same hair do. She looked beautiful and utterly unaffected. Genius!

One of the stars of the spring summer 2012 NYFW was Shiseido. There’s too much to report on in one post, so this one is dedicated to one of their new MUST OWN tools – the Foundation Brush.

We were able to catch the lead artist backstage and video’d her demoing the brush on a model she was busy applying foundation on. [BTW -The model loves the brush, as it isn't scratchy like some of the others]. I was particularly interested as I’ve come to appreciate the value of a good foundation such as Shiseido’s Perfect Refining Foundation SPF 16, which I dab on my t-zone area every day and carry in my purse.

Watch the video, below, to learn more about this great tool.

Brush and Foundation, available for $30 at Shiseido.com