the queen of cool returns
I can still remember the first time I saw Sade it was a late night in London I was 16 or seventeen, It was the Video for Smooth Operator, I ran out the next day and bought the single. Her sleek cool beauty and her soulful voice was a stark contrast to the over processed heartless commercialism of Whitney Houston, who was popular at that time.
Sade and her bands music has stood the test of time and it would be difficult to pick a favorite song, there are so many good ones. I eagerly anticipate the release of her new album.
In the mood for love and more
If you are a Wong Kar Wai devotee such as myself, one of the highlights of visiting H.K. is doing an informal tour of some of the iconic locations from his films. On my first night I walked bye Cafe Goldfinch which was in both In The Mood For Love and 2046. Later that week i ate there, granted the food it not great, but what do I care, it was like traveling back in time. It was perfect that the terminus for Happy Valley Mini Bus is right in front.
One day I ventured into Kowloon to the Chunk King House, it is anything but a “de Luxe Hotel” but as I wandered through the vendors stalls I felt like i was in the movie. One evening we went to the Central Escalator that was also in Chung King Express, it was so cool, traveling up just like Tony Leung did.
hong kong, all is not lost
I recently visited Hong Kong, the city can be overwhelming that is sure. Louis Vuitton and Chanel shops litter the street and compete with Starbucks for sheer volume. All though Hong Kong seems to be obsessed with the acquisition of status symbols (Porsche 911′s appear to outnumber taxicabs) there still is a bit of culture and beauty that has escaped the wrecking ball.
I was walking the streets of Happy Valley early on my post jet lag day, I came across some rare examples of early architecture, later that day I ventured to some traditional markets. I even journeyed to the Big Buddha.
Yes, Honk Kong is a Mecca for shopping but there is so much more to see if you just look around.
Mad about plaid
When Susie Sheffman and I were in Milan last spring, we went to the “re-see” of the Prada collection for fall 2009, the first thing that came out of Susie’s mouth was “the girls guide to Hunting and Fishing”. to be honest I never read the book, but it seemed to be a perfect description of Miucca’s look for this fall. Sometimes one designers collection can influence a fashion story, then the fashion editor finds looks from other designers to round out the shoot.
The first job at hand was finding the perfect location, with the help of the Ontario Tourist Board we found this wonderful resort, The Killarney Lodge in Algonquin Park. The fashion team starts their work, countless hours of scouring look books and a zillion calls, some frustration and the clothes arrive at the magazine. We pack up our team and off we go to Algonquin, arriving in a rag tag menagerie of station wagons and white rental panel vans instead of a fleet of Black Suburbans.
The work begins the night before the shoot, we go through the looks, finalize the make-up inspiration and then we get a little down time, the adventurous go for a dip in the frigid water and then we hang out for a bit on the porch of one our cabins. We start early the next day, make-up takes a while and I want to catch the early morning light. We are pumped by the excitement and shoot till late in the day. The shoot takes two days, there is hard work, it’s not easy balancing on rocks in platform shoes, particularly when one of the islands is covered in little gifts from the birds. It may not be glamorous behind the scene’s but it sure is fun. Check out the story in the October issue of Fashion Magazine,
fanny packs
fanny pack at D&G
I’ve had this uneasy feeling for a while, that questionable accessories of the late 80′s and early 90′s the Fanny Pack is on it’s way back.
I must be honest, I do look at them with mixed emotions. In our modern world we possess so many accoutrements, not just iphones, black berries and if your like me and technologically incompetent, also an IPod (I haven’t figured out how to transfer my music on to my IPhone). On top of that our wallets are packed with loyalty cards, one for your pharmacy, a different one for every airline you fly, electronics stores and authenticity cards from you wallets specific manufacturer.
When I was in Paris I was looking for a murse, you know ’cause of the Velibe. I had to carry my phone, mints, keys, wallet, etc. and alas my pockets were jammed. I saw a nice leather fanny pack at Prada in Galleries Lafayette …. but all I could think of was male strippers wearing hammer pants and loose sport back tank tops. When I went to the Prada on Avenue Montaigne, I asked the nice salesman if they were dubious or not, his answer was “If Mrs. Prada makes it it must be in fashion”
It seems that designers have the same issues as I do, Style.com announced their presence at Marc Jacobs and D&G and my friend Susie Sheffman from Fashion Magazine has been seeing them all over Milan Fashion Week.
tom ford does it again
Tom Ford is just so infuriating, he is handsome, creative and successful. Everything this man touches turns to gold. I went into the tiff screening of “A Single Man” with the secret desire that the film would suck. Mr Ford pulled it off again, the film hit me on so many levels, from the stunning visuals to the amazing performances of the actors. He was able to conjure up the best of Wong Kar Wai, Ang Lee and Gattica yet make it all his own. His attention to detail is brilliant, every visual nuance is used to bring you into the characters persona and move the plot forward. Colin Firth is brilliant as is Julianne Moore. Keep an eye out for it when it will be shown to the general public.
it’s raining chic
When the spring weather turns from sunny to rain, the Parisians don their trenches, even when riding the Vélib (my favorite form of transportation) they still manage to pull it off with Parisian flair. Even though a newbie, I can’t help but be influenced.
Disco returns to Paris (did it ever leave?)
Friday night seems to be the night when the 70′s come to Paris.
Maxim’s hosts a great night with a nonstop sound track of Gloria Gaynor and her chums. The champagne flows and the beats throb, whilst the young and not so young fashionistos crowd the dance floor. The art deco splendor is a dream and the friendly bartenders make it a night to remember.
bonjour from gay Paris
O.K. I’ve been here a week, and I’ve been so busy doing nothing that I haven’t had time to blog. Of course the first thing I did after getting of the plane was go to a cafe, I haven’t stopped since.
I really have to admire the Parisian’s for for there love of leisure. I plan to explore that life of leisure for the next few months (though, of course not being born into wealth I will be working on occasion)
Style guys
I’ve been travelling a lot lately, on and off planes and taxis etc. Now with modern travel you have to spend so much time in airports and you can’t help but observe people and I’ve come to the conclusion that people are slobs. I miss the days when people made an effort. That got me to thinking about relaxed style and the guys that set the bar for it. It’s not particular outfits or particular items, it’s just that they always seemed cool and relaxed, even when wearing a tuxedo.
Cary Grant did not come from a world of privilege, he actually came from humble origins, yet he was able to epitomize a confident elegance. Steve McQueen always seemed like we wasn’t trying, on or off screen he was always put together. The original Thomas Crown Affair ranks as the most stylish movie of all time. Even on the plains of Africa Peter Beard looked cool and collected, even when he was in the jaws of a crocodile,
So people: let’s make airports sweatpants, pajamas-as-daywear and Crocs free zones, there is no excuse.
