Which is more important to you “less wrinkles” or “glowing skin”?
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I personally try not to obsess about wrinkles. Especially since my health was always more important to me than taking or doing anything that might prove detrimental, or I deem as “taking chance"s, like certain estrogen replacement as well as more invasive cosmetic procedures may entail. I do my best to keep my minimal make-up regime, hair style, and my clothing looking modern, timeless and always with my personal twist. I try to inspire and teach my clients the same and individualize everything so that they are indeed unique.
I was glad when I met with certainly a “kindred spirit” the other day for coffee/tea...and she made certain observations, that I (like any woman) enjoyed hearing as a compliment. She said my skin glowed. Like the holistic viewpoint “We try to provide answers to problems of everyday life, to make the customer more comfortable with herself, with the aging process"professed by the d’Ornano ( once Lancome, today is Orlane, and Sisley ) family members recently interviewed by Daphne Merkin for the NY Times Style Magazine...I follow a similar mantra. Ms Merkin also noted that “glowing skin is part of the well considered life rather than an arena of female obsession and anxiety”..is also part of their more European sensibility.
I told my friend that part of my secret was, coincidentally enough, a Sisley bronzing powder...which I wear strategically to mimimic a healthy sun-kissed effect-and glow.
So I offer a very American “high-five” to the d’Ornano family for their excellent “unglossy” yet glowing philosophy.
This morning Kathy Lee Gifford made her “debut” on the the Today Show as a regular host. It’s the best I’ve seen her look ever. Why? Because she wasn’t trying so hard to look so sexy anymore. She looked more attractive and stylish this first day than I ever saw her dressed on the Regis and Kathy Show. She wore a simple black turtleneck sweater dress to her knee, belted with a well proportioned “hoop” chain . Her bright yellow raincoat , again, was simple and sleek, and provided the “zing” and colorful cheer for her first day.Her hoop earrings were youthful and her black (I think patent) pumps were not too lady-like...just right.This new look may be the result of a stylist’s good advice or her own new more mature and informed selection.Times ‘they are a-changin’ and slowly but surely baby boomers may be getting a new understanding of how attractive they can be (better than ever even) with this modern take on great, hip and appropriate style.
Kudos to Kathy!
I hope you caught it. Oprah’s shows often show great transformations and achieved with a higher standard --head to toe.
Today I caught the haircuts that made such a hugh difference (along with a few extensions too) on women who longed for a difference. The show also provide good make-up and great outfits because they are all part of the total look...each component affects the other.
Last Friday I went to one of those concerts whose main attraction and featured performer used to have a hugely successful band and string of hits in the 60’s. Now he tours on his own with a new and much younger drummer and 2 guitarists.
If I happen to see these old acts ( and frequently for public television fund raising ) what always strikes me is that these rockers almost always wear the same incredibly harsh and unflattering uniform. The color of choice is always black (maybe some burgundy thrown in). The uniform consists of a hat of some sort (so no one would guess you’re bald...or balding-right?) then small sunglasses, the better to look cool ), a black t-shirt is a must (or you may not be perceived as an “artist") and then layered by the ill fitting sport-jacket, along with the ultra tight, clinging black jeans or light blue jeans, finished off with some black boot (with a heel for extra height) or black sneakers. Even the younger guys in the band had only their better physiques going for them...they were already on the fast road to this ubiquitous style. Too bad...if only they were as good to look at as listen to (The star still actually had his unique sound).
Most of the audience looked just as horrendous (and that’s out east where there’s SUPPOSED to be some better style because of proximity to NYC). There isn’t! The crowd enjoyed the music though..dancing in the aisles and trying to get on stage...later perhaps ready to jump on their Harleys?.....and utterly unaware (I’d wager that only my eyes hurt, but no one else’s)… that style -wise they need a long hard look in the mirror.Even with the book’s positive title, I wondered what it would take for these folks to consider reading “Forever Cool” with an open attitude and mind.
I remember how hard it was to get"Forever Cool” looked at, and to be even considered for publication. The topic of style for boomers and older, was viewed as having no potential readership.
Now that it was published, revealing much interest--other books are filling the shelves that have had an easier time no doubt.
But I still feel “Forever Cool” is unique in so many ways. First of all it doesn’t presume that women, as they age, are ONLY concerned about looking sexy. I also brought men into the conversation. Although they persist to be generally ignored...I believe women would prefer their men looked better. When your husband or date doesn’t look great… neither do you.
My approach is classic yet totally modern (Even certain colors are at issue!).
As in Pilates, I like to hone the inner aesthetic core, before I get more detailed (my next book will be even more layered).
So I still feel, it’s an uphill battle, even as I contrast with other books, that supposedly are on the very same subject.
This media message was just released..
AARP has launched AARP TV, a franchise to create original lifestyle and news programming for boomers and persons 50+. AARP TV’s first syndicated half-hour television shows, Inside E Street and My Generation will premiere on Retirement Living Television (RLTV). Inside E Street is a consumer affairs program hosted by Sheilah Kast, and launching March 10 at at 3p on Mondays and Fridays. My Generation is a lifestyle magazine show featuring experts on a variety of topics such as health, money, relationships, entertainment and volunteering. With hosts Greg Williams and Cynthia Steele, My Generation will air Tuesdays through Thursdays at 3p as of March 11. In addition to airing on RLTV, both shows will be distributed via http://www.AARP.org in complete form as well as edited into segments.
I read about this in 2006 in the Wall St Journal...which lead to my appearance (2X) on RLTV (a wonderful group).
I hope that this venture grows to be successful. My vision for it would be as hip and modern as possible....not only in content but in VISUALS. The sets, graphics, and of course the look of their hosts and guests.
Predictably, every year, the red carpet looks are analyzed and dissected mostly as entertainment. Within a day --on come the dresses that are touted as the $50.00 dollar version of the $5,000 dollar dress (and that’s on the low end!). “Trickle Down Style” is great (and I tout it in Forever Cool) but unless you’re copying a very simple black evening gown-- dressy/glamorous and extremely expensive dresses are the HARDEST item to replicate (less dressy styles and accessories can be more successfully imitated).Once you lose the exquisite fabric, and the intricate design , what’s left (reality bites!) is a cheap looking “wannabe”.
I eagerly opened the magazine (my weekend copy comes early on Saturday) in hope that my fashion outlook would get an optimistic boost from its pages.
But, instead I saw a page by page confirm of what I feel is going to be a difficult season for someone like me who dresses people for stylish effect to be sure, but also encourages them to invest in enduring style.
Apart from interesting fashion articles (wonderful exposure too for Chloe Sevigny and her new line)...I was underwhelmed by the fashions that strive to be so avant ,but are barely (double entendre) wearable at best, and expensive for the privilege as usual.
As one caption read “Tu-tu much?” Yup, it says it all!
Last week I met clients in NYC to do some shopping and find some key pieces.
I ran into a personal shopper that I’ve known for years and used her services in my styling/costume design days (we were required to funnel all selections through “studio services").
We talked about what’s currently on the “racks” and shook our heads in unison with dismay. How are the retailers going to successfully sell all these “deconstructed” looks that few women can wear...especially with such high prices of imports because of the devalued dollar?
Also to my amazement most of my favorite designers , have almost universally produced boring, ho-hum designs this season.
I understand that it’s very hard to turn out great collections every season...but I hope that real inspiration will prevail in the next go around. In the meantime everyone will undoubtedly blame the recession for lack-luster sales.
Anna Wintaur in her “Letter From The Editor” (Vogue, Feb 2007 issue) expressed amazement and chagrin over Hillary Clinton’s reluctance to appear on Vogue’s pages “for fear of looking too feminine”.
After all, she has been photographed by Annie Liebovitz for a 2003 issue and truly looked stylish and professional....
But Anna, I do understand.
Believe me- I’m all for every woman, and indeed every man (while we’re at it), to look her or his best in the political arena.
However you miss the message she sends between the lines.
Let me attempt to explain.
Society tends to focus intently on women (it’s their joy or burden to carry) and judge them not only by their looks, but also fixate on what they wear because (you guessed it?)---they are women!
Senator Clinton walks a thin political line, simultaneously trying to inspire the empathy and win the kinship vote from her own sex, while she tries to deflect from being female at all, as she rubs shoulders in a men’s club.
Magazines whose focus (and whose “raison d’etre") is women’s fashion serve a real purpose and are terrific (I tout “Vogue” in my “Get Inspired!” section of “Forever Cool") but they do underline the huge role women"s looks plays in the game of life.
I believe it would behoove Hillary to quietly seek out good (and I do mean “good") style and wardrobe consultation...but having said that...I totally agree with her decision not to pose for a photo shoot at this all important time. Doing so may most certainly be perceived as lacking a certain seriousness on this woman’s part (what could be more serious than the office she aspires to?)...and at the day’s end...too much of the defining “womanly” thing to do.
Naomi Judd was just on The Today Show, with an important message about health. Aside from her fine work in helping women unite against Hepatitis B and Breast Cancer, she also emphasized the importance of supportive friendships…
She also said that’s what contributes to her good (youthful?) looks.
Friends are invaluable in our lives, but I wondered why Naomi who announced her age proudly (I approve), intermittently decided to focus on her looks. It is obvious that Naomi, (who was blessed naturally with pretty features), has had some serious work on her face.
There are many well known who have. Jamie Lee Curtis has bravely tried to shed honesty on this subject.
Although its obvious,and often excessive only a few own up to it.
Like Joan Rivers, I think Naomi would be well served by a more natural look and more youthful/modern reassessment AND do it HEALTHFULLY and honestly through personal style.
