I was strolling down Madison Ave(NYC) with my husband this saturday (a good time to be there as many of upper east side residents tend to flee on summer weekends...and most tourists cluster around 5th ave) when all of a sudden I became the shy little girl again that I was when I first fell in “love” with Paul McCartney. And there he was, right behind us (and able to stroll as we did---while remaining relatively incognito and unnoticed). I immediately urged my husband to discreetly turn around.
Paul was with his new dark haired, tall and ultra thin girlfriend.I’ve seen him in live performances, and on TV , but it’s startling when you see him in person--not seemingly as tall, as I thought...and very thin . His hair is dyed an odd reddish hue that many men of his age make the mistake of doing, He wore a white baggy t-shirt tucked into old baggy unstylish 80’s type jeans that pooled at the top of his sneakers. Not the look of a man that has been certainly exposed to the most stylish folks on the planet...interesting how that still happens.For a second I fantasized about giving him my card-and offering a free consultation to one of the wealthiest men on the planet....but of course, didn’t…
Nevertheless, I was still completely “in the moment” because Paul to me,is not just a mere celebrity.I imagined running up to him and informing him of all the portraits I had done of him in my teens.I know he’s heard it up the “ying-yang” but I wanted to tell him how amazing he was and still is...from my heart.
But,I didn’t. As always,I felt he had a right to his private time, with a woman he enjoyed being with…
Maybe, at another time,another place,I’ll get my chance---and seize it!
Rita Wilson was her joyful self and looking GREAT…
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
...on the Today Show this morning. Having worked with Rita on a shoot that Alan Arkin directed many years ago (she JUST married Tom Hanks at that time), I can happily see that she is as ebullient and joyful as she was then. Styling Rita I remember how receptive she was to all the duds I offered ...especially “stacking” a substantial amount of silver bracelets up one wrist.
Today she produces movies and I’m certain that “Mama Mia” will be as successful as “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”.
She is truly blessed, and was a pleasure to have dressed.
Will I ever say “fabulous” or “awesome” in describing style or fashion?
Monday, July 14, 2008
Probably not!
I have a “thing” about words.
For all the many reasons I LOVE “cool” and decided it was the perfect word for my book’s title “Forever Cool”...I equally decided that “fabulous” and “awesome” were totally off as adjectives go---for me, my style, my descriptive vocabulary.
It may seem odd to many, if I told the visions that these words I avoid bring to my mind. Especially as they are so ubiquitous.
AND-you might argue that “cool” is also a ubiquitous word.
I’m glad it is!
I think the word is a pure classic--timeless, ageless and hip...and that’s the style I love.
In a WSJ story “Figure This”, 06/23, Ray Smith talks about Levi’s incredible quest for the perfect jeans. So the story recounts the arduous tale of trying jeans on groups ,and more groups of women.
Although part of this journey included fabric challenges (especially at a very competitive price)…
I couldn’t help but think they should have just called me…
Why?
I could have supplied them with ALL the fitting issues they needed to address within 5 minutes (I’ve seen and addressed it all!).
Anyhow now the Totally Slimming jeans are finally available at 3.200 Wal-Mart stores.
I saved my March 2008 issue of J Crew not only because I’m a devoted customer (for myself, for my clients, and lots of their clothes in my book(s) The cover expressed everything I profess to adore-style wise.
A natural looking beautiful “older” woman with a long blond pony-tail,is wearing blue jeans and a simple white shirt as she hugs a little girl (in “Crew-Cuts, children line). They are by a swimming pool on a summer’s day.
I learned later the model is 58 years old and named Pia Gronnig…
Older models are definitely “in”.
Don’t talk to me until you’re over fifty...I’m not impressed by models still modeling in their late 30s.
Yet,
I still prefer to work with real women, because that’s reality and that’s what challenges me (and I wish more good designers would feel likewise...)
The good news is that the market place is SLOWLY but surely taking some notice...even if it’s only with gorgeous over-50 models.
I encourage everyone to reassess their style and closet contents often....therefore I assume that I must certainly “do as I say”. Since I move often, that too brings up the constant question “Is this something I’ll regret giving away later?”
In trying to pare down, and am pretty good at it, but I sometimes do wish I still had this or that.
Hardest for me is to evaluate if my Ralph Lauren, Matsuda and Issey Miyake items, or unique hand knits from the late 70’s-early 80’s will be eventually coveted along with vintage Dior etc...
So I hold on to a mini “museum”...and wonder if the Met will one day do a retrospective including these style treasures.
As a little girl I actually wanted glasses,long hair and pierced ears. The only thing I actually had gotten early were the pierced ears, which due to allergies are now closed. Long after I finally grew my hair and at 40 (on the dot!) I felt a bit myopic.
I went for glasses immediately and by wearing them incessantly solidified my dependance on them. Nevertheless, with the exception that, for black tie, only a tuxedo really mixes with my specs...I like wearing them. Naturally I felt they were an important accessory, and the first thing people see on my face (or your’s if you wear them)…
In “Forever Cool” and my new book “Steal This Style (due spring,’09) I discuss glasses, what’s cool, and of course what isn’t…
So recently Ms Korky Vann’s (who interviewed me for Courant as well) article “Face it Boomers: It’s Specs in the city” I thought was right on..
..is an incredibly interesting article about boomers, and it echoes many of my thoughts about aging and the lack of real attention from the fashion world.
The only thing that I don’t totally agree with, was “if your daughter wears it...” (sometimes you can, it all depends...and my new book will examine all this)
To gray or not to gray, is the dilemma of many women (and some men!). I just read a good article in the Contra Costa Times, that points out why some do and others don’t. As for me-a beautiful head of gray hair is what makes me turn around and smile with admiration.
I forgot what it was like to melt from the heat ...but this weekend in NYC was a quick reminder.Yes, it was hot in AZ too but somehow this heat takes the “style” right out of you. The humidity (in contrast to dry heat) seems to make every person look disheveled, greasy and sweaty...the city too looks somewhat more seedy.What a challenge to walk miles in NYC, be comfortable and still look good.
