Bowery Hotel + Dominic Louis = Modern Medieval Luxe

Text, Vivian Kelly and Laura Wood

This was the last show of the evening and we almost didn’t go but thanks to the ridiculous self-created chaos at Milk Studio we scrapped our plans to stay for Erickson Beamon, M. Patmos, and John Bartlett. Lucky for us, we’d gotten our interview with John early on – [thanks Ross from the Deborah Hughes team!].

We heard later from Tracy E. Hopkins of Everythingshewants.net that the only way she and her friends were able to stay inside until the 9:00p.m. doors open time was by convincing the security guys who were manning the Libertine show was to let them stay in the building thus avoiding the Studio54-esque lines that extended way past Jeffrey’s.

A cab ride later we entered one of our favorite venues, the ski lodge like atmosphere of the Bowery Hotel’s private party space complete with roaring fire, medieval tapestries, and moroccan tiled floor. The only fly in the ointment was that it was a cash bar but that was offset by the complimentary bobble water bottles.We even posed for them and the bobble is in our bags now at all times.

As far as the clothes – a pleasant surprise; the more we looked the more we liked.  The first impression is how wonderfully the clothes fit with the atmosphere of the venue ie: a perfect presentation. On the way back to the Club, we reflected how these wonderfully constructed clothes would not have have fared as well on a traditional runway. These clothes needed to be examined close-up in order to fully appreciate the detail.

My Contributor, Laura Wood, and Ellen Sears, AAU Online Director of the Fashion School all loved and agreed we would wear the black knit sweater dress. This dress takes into account the idea of season-less dressing which is particularly relevant these days as the weather is so unpredictable. Paired with a a long sleeve top and with a coat, its good to go for a cold 30F day like today. It works just as well in 40-60 degree weather worn on its own with little ballet flats or high sandals.

There were several pieces with hoods for men and women that had were reminiscent of the hooded cloaks worn in Medieval times. A cloak seems like a fresh alternative to a coat. The most spectacular piece was two piece ensemble combined hard and soft. The breast plate-like shell top was intricately worked leather. The more you looked the more of the design you noticed, just as you would a finely carved sword handle. It may be highly “editorial” [translation - not for everyday] but we wanted it anyhow.

Last but not least, we stopped on the way out to admire the art house photogpraphs, especially the one of the fierce guy wearing a ball-gown skirt.

Note to Designers for next season – we’ll go to see anyone who shows here!

Christian Siriano and Mena Suvari’s Fashionable Shortie Film

Text, Vivian Kelly

The count-down to New York Fashion Week is on but what I call “the pre-show” is more interesting this time around. Usually, I get previews in my in-box which are helpful but a bit boring. This season, though, publicists and designers are taking a more creative approach to generating interest for their clients’ collections that will be revealed next week in New York. Christian Siriano is one of these designers.

A few days ago, I got a beautiful video clip from Slate PR of NY Fashion Designer darling, Christian Siriano‘s Spring/Summer 2012 video campaign that was shot exclusively at the Soho Grand Hotel in New York City. It stars Mena Suvari, with music by Brad Walsh. and edited by Brian Hicks and Alicia Solombrino.

I didn’t need the film to be convinced that the spring 2012 collection was Christian’s strongest one to date, but it DID make me appreciate it all the more.  This is certainly not Mena’s first foray into the fashion and beauty worlds, but this film lacks the canned quality of the l’Oreal videos she’s done. The Siriano film is editorial in nature and as thus, much more interesting to watch. I’ve railed in the past about how actors have replaced supermodels on fashion magazine covers, but when it comes to doing a promotional film of this nature, you need an actor rather than a model. Watch it and see whether or not you agree that red and orange are still Mena’s best colors.  Enjoy!

A Quick Refresher About Mena Suvari

You’re probably most familiar with actress Mena Suvari as the lucsious “Angela” in her 1999 break-out film, American Beauty.American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam Mendes. In it, Kevin Spacey stars as office worker Lester Burnham, who experiences a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with Angela, his teenage daughter’s best friend. It’s hard to forget the image of Mena laying in a field’s worth of American Beauty Roses with that knowing look on her face.

Eric Daman for DKNY Hosiery

Text, Vivian Kelly & Laura Wood

Reported by Laura Wood, Contributing Writer

I went to the 4 month old Dream Hotel’s Electric Room to report on Eric Daman’s new hosiery collection for DKNY.  As soon as walked in, I was immediately impressed by this hotel. It had a great vibe, like stepping into a hidden oasis.Out of all the events I’ve been to this fall in New York, the Dream Hotel was spot on with their cool comfort food. I loved picking up the teensy grilled cheese sandwich in tomato soup dipping sauce.

Inside the cozy venue, there were models perched on the edge of the sofas instead of posed stiffly on podiums. They seemed as if they were part of the party, but all of them happened to be  unusually tall and good looking. I was immediately attracted to the hosiery and went over and found Eric to compliment him on his designs. I found out later, that Eric Daman is the stylist for the hit TV Show, Gossip Girls. We talked about how the inspiration for his designs is New York. Some of his most winning designs were inspired by menswear fabrics. The  floral lace was a nod to the flowers at the delis you find on every street in Manhattan’s  residential neighborhoods. The florals were interesting, but the main story is  his use of pattern and texture. After chatting with Eric, the atmosphere was so great that I decided to stick around and met Cathleen Moxham, from the Hanes Brands. We had a drink at the bar and an entertaining conversation about how tights have gone in-and-out of style since the Eighties, when we all wore solid black tights to no tights – ever – in the Nineties. It seems that tights are now back.

And, there’s more…

As the temperature continues to drop, we can transition into DKNY  Super Opaque hose, a thicker, completely opaque black tight. Donna Karan has also launched the Luxe Layers which are completely fleece lined and incredibly comfortable and warm.

Note to Self: Pick up a few pair of the Luxe Layers and Eric’s Over the Knee Highs – ASAP!

The Dream Downtown is located at 355 West 16th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues)

The Lumete EyeWear Collection – Glasses as Unique as Fine Jewelry

Text, Vivian Kelly

Right after NYFW, there are the trade shows, the big ones at the Piers and Javitz and the smaller Capsule show, staged in an art gallery in the West Twenties. I made the trek with new fashion friend, LA based Nathaniel Smith. We’d met at the BING Lounge in the sumptuous Mandarin Oriental Hotel, after I admired his unique custom handbag on display there. His new label is called Tradesrogue, an artisan leather house.

That Saturday at Capsule, we talked with and saw a few dozen vendors and their collections. One of our outstanding finds was the Lumete EyeWear line. There was a swirl of activity around their table so we went to investigate.

Lumete is an interesting name so is their mission statement.

“Lumete (prounounced “lou-met”) is derived from the words lumen and amulet. The Renaissance alchemical concept of Lumen Naturae refers to the light hidden in all matter, which alchemists believed could be released and transformed through their work. An amulet is an object used for protection and luck. Eyeglasses are beautiful amulets that adorn your face, protect your eyes, and help you see clearly. Metaphorically, they connect your inner vision and your perception of the world.” 

The two -woman team [Clara Herrera and Barbara Warren] we met, combine two key elements – art and commerce. Clara [the creative's ] resume includes working as Creative Director and product designer for The Sarut Group, and photography editor for MTV Networks and The New York Sun.

Barbara [the business brains], worked as a hedge fund attorney for Wall Street law firms Fried Frank and White & Case. The two happened to be  neighbors, and decided to collaborate on something they were both passionate about.

A few questions we got answered were: How Do you know a pair of frames are really handmade?

Answer: Look for a core wire in the stems. If you see the wire, you know that they are handmade.

This is important because you’d THINK that if you pay upwards of $350 for a pair of designer frames, that of COURSE they are handmade. Wrong, they are not, and buyer beware. Some big names who license out to eyewear conglomerates don’t always deliver the quality you’d expect at the prices they charge.

Although Clara and Barbara seem low key, they’ve made impressive progress with their fledgling line. At the time of the show, their innovative but practical frames are available in 18 doors, thanks to support from some blogging heavy hitters such as The Cherry blossom girl, Gala Darling and support from style maker Dita Von Teese and a following of  indie bands, who like to wear their Lumets while performing.

These frames are not for you if you tend to toss your glasses carelessly on the counter or the floor of your car. Buy a pair of these and as the Lumete girls said, “you’ll come to consider them to be like jewelry”.

Lumete Eyewear Co Contact info:

tel:  212 477 8066

119 Mott St., Ste. 4, New York, NY 10013

Assouline’s spirit of St. Barth’s – THE exclusive contest!

Text, Vivian Kelly

Contest Details and images from book, courtesy of Mimi Crume, Assouline Publishing

I have never been to St. Barth’s [Saint Barthelemy].

As a nearly 20-year fashion veteran, that is downright embarrassing, and I’ve gotten used to the incredulous looks other fashionistas give me when I confess. Thing is, I’m definitely not the only one. Fortunately, Assouline Publishing may help to correct this travel deficiency.

TODAY, Assouline is launching a contest to win a trip to this stylish island, and the opportunity to stay at the best place on it – LE SERENO.

Le Sereno was designed by Parisian designer Christian Liaigre, and is “the reincarnation of the iconic Sereno Beach Hotel –  an intimate, elegant sanctuary.”

Ahhh, are you packed yet?

ASSOULINE’s first foray into social media contests with the promotion of In the Spirit of St. Barths by Pamela Fiori. Inside, you’ll discover that she’s done a wonderful job of  sharing the history of the island and unearthing its best secrets. The book is the newest title from the travel series that I started collecting a few years back when I bought A Privileged Life, when author Susanna Salk was promoting it at a PA at J.Crew in New Canaan. Most recently, I added Gypset Style to the collection, after Assouline’s CEO, Robert S. Mitchell told me about it at a party at the Plaza. I got the 411 at the Assouline Blogger Party, last night, from Mimi and Luis F. Contreras, who’s from Le Sereno.

Cover of Pamela Fiori's In the Spirit of St Barths

Getting back to the contest and the book. Ms. Fiori’s book is gorgeous and if you’re not dying to go to St. Barths by the time you’ve finished flipping through In the Spirit of St. Barths, you’re immune to temptation and fun. After all, who doesn’t love a contest, especially when the prizes are this good?

The contest is easy and fun. All that’s required from you to enter is a creative response, five minutes on Assouline’s Facebook page, and a little bit of luck.

To get in on this online competition, go to  ASSOULINE’s   Facebook page, and answer the question: “What are your three essential getaway pieces?”

NO, the “pieces” don’t HAVE to be clothes. It could be the guitar you take to entertain your friends around a beach bonfire, a photograph of your Mother and Father on THEIR honeymoon in Acapulco, your favorite plush teddy bear, Penhaligon‘s “Blue Bell” talcum powder, a pair of your favorite Tod’s, broken-in to slipper-like comfort. Anything goes. Just don’t dither too much because you’ve only got until April 4th to enter.

*****CONTEST DETAILS:

CLICK HERE - the direct link to the Assouline Facebook Page Contest

WHO: ASSOULINE, Pamela Fiori, Le Sereno, Vivre.com
WHAT: SPIRIT OF ST. BARTHS CONTEST
First Prize: A trip to St. Barths; round-trip airfare and ferry travel from St. Maarten for two; a three-night stay at Le Sereno, including breakfast for the duration of the stay and dinner for two guests; and a complimentary Mini Cooper for use throughout the vacation. In short, everything, all-inclusive!

Second Prize: The Ultimate Getaway Bag from Vivre.com

Third Prize: A collection of ASSOULINE’s In the Spirit of series
WHERE: Contest lives on ASSOULINE’s Facebook page and will be promoted through Twitter@AssoulinePub, Tumblr at http://www.assoulinepublishing.tumblr.com and all retail locations
WHEN: Contest will launch Tuesday, March 22, 2011, 7:00pm and last through Monday, April 4, 2011, 12:00pm
Winners will be announced on Monday, April 11, 2011!

If you don’t win, you can still lose yourself in the pages of Pamela Fiori’s Book, as I did last night before drifting off to sleep dreaming of turquoise water and sunny skies.

I’ve spent the morning thinking about what 3 items I’d take. Problem is, I’ve got 4: Jeremy Scott‘s Ltd Edition Swatch Watch, straw shoes, a Lilly octopus print purse and BlueBell talc. The editing continues!

>And a Toast – To “the Family”!

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TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
I’m a veteran of the fashion industry, and proud of it. It really struck me just HOW LONG I’ve been in this business while hanging out with “the Family” [no, not the Cosa Nostra/Soprano one]. The family I’m referring to is the loosely linked group of mostly New York-based editors and photographers who cover fashion in New York and cities such as Miami, LA, Toronto, and Europe.
Here’s the thing, it’s not easy to break into the family, and some never do. Once you’re in though, you know you’ll be taken care of. Over the years, thanks to them, I’ve been able to gain access to shows and backstage I was confirmed for and yet denied access once I arrived. As chaos at the door is a given, there’s nothing that beats the feeling when a friend steps up for you and says to the overwhelmed PR’s “ She’s with me”. Runway photo King and Queen, Dan and Cory Lecca, have done their stuff for me more times than I can count on two hands over the years. We met while I was PR at Michael Kors, back in the days of “Minimalism”, and we’ve followed one another’s family milestones, the births of children, and grandchildren, ie: the really big stuff.
EDWARD JAMES of FASHION WATCH-TV and my long-time collaborator, Richard Spiegel, [now the Editor of THE FASHION TRIBUNE.com], have both many times used their bulk to propel me forward ahead of rude editors and TV crews trying to cut in front of me for my long-scheduled designer interview– most recently at CUSTO BARCELONA. Ed Kavische, of FASHION WIRE PRESS, and I bonded in the press lounge of a long ago Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, when he offered to help me, a total stranger, figure out a tech problem with my laptop.
Last night, while packing and eating a midnight dinner of Cuban takeout in the room at the Shelborne, with Richard and Edward, Ed remarked, “Vivian, whether you like it or not, we’re family.”
I don’t mind it at all; in fact, I like it – a lot. Thanks guys, and the rest of you, you know who you are. See you in September.

Weight-in on this post! It is:

amusing

informative

snarky

Makes me want to buy it

>THE SPA AT THE STANDARD – ANYTHING BUT STANDARD AN OASIS OF TRANQUILITY ON BELLE ISLE

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WHERE & WHEN: The Standard Hotel and Spa, Belle Isle, Miami
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, mid-July, 2009

Text, Vivian G. Kelly

With over 15 years in the fashion business, we’ve experienced and written about a lot of beauty treatments, more than we can remember. Some standouts: the DDH Facial at the Delano Spa, pedicures by Billy at the Shore Club in Miami, and massage at the Carapan Spa in New York City.
We’ve got a new addition to the list – the spa at the Standard, Miami. The treatments we experienced there during Mercedes-Benz Miami Swim Week catapulted the Standard to the top of our list. This spa has the winning combination of excellent treatment [a given], customer service, and a cool yet friendly ambiance. It’s not often you find all of these in one package.

THE STANDARD’S PHILOSOPHY -
Is inspired by global bathing cultures, self-teaching and healing.
While there, you’ll be encouraged to discover and indulge in the communal, shared rituals of ancient bathing traditions with a Turkish-style Hamam, Roman waterfall, Aroma Steam Room, Finnish Sauna and Mud Baths.

A GRACIOUS AMBIANCE

The Spa’s Director, MINA GOUGH,gets our vote for “Most gracious Spa Director”. She had the best manner of all the spa directors we’ve met over the years. She took us on a tour of the grounds, pointing out the mud bath area by the pool, the stainless steel tubs inside and the porcelain ones on the decks of the rooms.

Why all these baths? Said Mina, “The Standard, is based on the concept of bathing and water therapy.”
WHAT THAT MEANS: you can experience Tub Therapy in the privacy of your room after sweating out toxins in an Ashtanga class.

THE VIBE: Friendly and organic. The Standard is an oasis of tranquility on Island Avenue, just a shot down the cause way on 17th street from the Raleigh, on Belle Isle. There’s nothing remotely stuffy or uptight here, some of the guests’ dogs were lounging contentedly on the lobby couches. We mentally slowed down as we took in the vast expanses of pale aqua and white and the tall green boxwood hedges borderingth the property. The tour was so enjoyable that we got a late start on our facial and pedicure.

THE STANDARD FACIAL
The facial we experienced at the Standard was above and beyond. Admittedly, we have trouble relaxing and run around like a wind-up toy from 6:30a.m. until well after 10p.m. [much later during show weeks].
Not much after laying down on the table and Kathy starting our facial, we were in a deeply relaxing ¾ sleep, similar to what you experience after an especially good Ashtanga Yoga class or 5 mile run. Although it’s technically a facial, we’re going to call it a facial/massage appointment.
PHASE I:
Kathy started with a light pressure point massage on our legs and then on our face and shoulders.

PHASE II:
The actual facial with the ASTARA SKIN CARE LINE w/ the exception of the DDF SPF30 sunblock – [Astara doesn’t currently make one]
Our facial included:
CLEANSING with Botanical Cleansing Gele

EXFOLIATION with Daily refining Scrub

EXTRACTION – it never tickles but is necessary if you want beautiful clear skin”
MASK – using the Activated Sea Mineral Mask, which gave us a glow, we don’t normally possess unless we’ve just been exercising.

MOISTURIZING – Astara Anti-oxidant Moisturizer on face, Astara Botanical Eye Treatment around the eyes.

SUNSCREEN – DDF’s organic sun protection

PHASE III.

ABOUT ASTARA SKINCARE
Astara’s claim is that it is “RAW NOURISHMENT FOR THE SKIN”
These products are synergistically formulated to diverse the damage incurred by ageing, environment and lifestyle.

RESULTS
That evening, at the CIA MARITIMA swimshow, the makeup artist at the MAKEUP FOREVER cabana pronounced our skin “glowing and fresh looking”.
It felt more hydrated than it had after months of dryness maybe due to the RETIN-A we apply nightly in our ongoing anti-wrinkle campaign.
Three days later, back home, our skin STILL felt hydrated. ASTARA is definitely a line worth looking into and trying.

TAKE-AWAY: A complete Astara Travel kit is available for $86 in a clear zip carrying case. KATHY assured us that the products last a long time as they are very pure and need to be diluted with water prior to application.

To read more about Astara, visit www.astaraskincare.com

THE STANDARD PEDICURE WITH ALEJANDRA
The pampering continued with an extremely thorough pedicure by ALEJANDRA who removed the dead skin and calluses our daily runs cause without resorting to the dreaded razor. She used a mixture of acid on pads [it didn’t hurt] and a lot of elbow grease buffing away the unsightly dead skin.
Perhaps the best part was that she had our damaged toes looking just about perfect – an optical illusion that we’re grateful for while we’re waiting for our blue runner’s nails to grow back in sometime later this year.

PRODUCT SUGGESTIONS FROM THE PROS

In between treatments, we browsed the gift shop and asked Kathy what she’d personally tried and would recommend.
FOR THE BODY: It’s PURE FIJI’s Coconut Sugar Scrub, which smells good enough to eat.

FOR THE FACE: Even if you’re currently devoted to another skin treatment line, pick up DDH’s organic Sun Protection in SPF30 for daily out and about use.

AESTHETICIAN TIP: If you’re a runner or engage in sports that have you sweating, put on some 70 sunblock as it is much thicker and you won’t have to reapply as often.

THE STANDARD MIAMI’s Features and Amenities – just a partial listing!

• Indoor Baths: Hamam, Aroma Steam Room, Scrub Room, Cedar Sauna and Wall of Sound Shower
• Outdoor baths: Roman Waterfall Hot Tub, Arctic Plunge Pool, Falling Water Column, “Sound” pool with underwater music installation and high
pressure jet streams.
• Mud Lounge with water-side sun loungers
• Fully programmed yoga center with waterfront yoga lawns, guided retreats and workshops
• 7 spa treatment rooms
• Natural Beauty Skincare Clinic
• Fully equipped gymnasium with personal trainers, Pilates and Gyrotonics
• “Do-It-Yourself” menu of hydrotherapy treatments
•Naturopathic, Nutritional Counseling and Acupuncture

The Spa is very discreet, but if you want complete privacy, that’s also available. • In-room holistic spa services including massage therapies, Chinese herbal baths, aromatherapy and reflexology are all available in-room.

LAST WORDS: FOR NEXT TIME
We’re on board for the poolside mud bath that’s available in a variety of fun colors. After getting cleaned-up, we’ll be heading over for some classic BINGO. This old game is now cool again and a great way to spend Sunday night.

Like us, if you’re the sort who doesn’t mind not being in the eye of Miami’s social hurricane taking place on Collins Avenue, a stay at the Standard is for you. It offers: peace, quiet, luxury, pampering – all in one of Miami’s most gorgeous properties. It’s not a hard choice to make.

Address: 40 Island Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Phone: 305 673 1717
Fax: 305 673 8181
E-mail: Miami@standardhotel.com
Website: www.standardhotel.com

Photo Credits
Images, courtesy of Lucy McIntyre, The Standard Hotel and Nadine Johnson Public Relations
Image of front entrance and boutique, VGK

Weight-in on this post! It is:

amusing

informative

snarky

Makes me want to buy it