Is Two Years Long Enough For A Trend To Come Back?

The Nineties are back but it has been 20 years. Lip Prints? Some of you might recall that I had a blog on lip prints just two years ago. But seriously, they are back again! I guess you could ask if they ever really went away. Does it matter? The fashion world, specifically the fashion magazine world, is OBSESSED with this YSL lip print dress. Too dear for you at $3490.00? Scroll down for some great high/low outfit options. 

The Fantasy

Saint Laurent Lip Print Silk Dress, $3490

The Reality

Look #1

Diane Von Furstenberg Vint Printed Crepe Blazer, $134.10

M Missoni Cotton-Blend Straight-Leg Pants, $144.70

Target Layering Tank, $12

Topshop Golden Mid Heel Court Shoes, $95

Look #2

Alice and Olivia Pout Cardigan, $368

H&M Pleated Skirt, $29.95

Black Druzy Quartz Stud Earrings, $78

DV by Dolce Vita Hana Smoking Slipper, $78.95

Look #3

H&M Jersey Top, $12.95

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel All Over Lip Trouser, $440

Jeweliq Sky Mosaic Drops, $20

Topshop Hula Cross Over Sandals, $35

Look #4

Mossimo Collared Vest, $27.99

Joie Alicia Top in New Moon, $148

M Missoni Jersey Wide-Leg Pants, $146.36

J.Crew Maren Cross-Strap Sandals, $110

Love what you see? If you'd like to purchase any of my featured items, simply click on your favorite picture. This will link you directly to my Pinterest page, where you can click on the picture again to reach the store's website. Happy shopping!

Only 3 Days Left To Get To New York! Hurry!

I have been determined to see the latest Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Exhibit, "Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversation" in person. Despite at least half a dozen work trips to New York between May, when the exhibit opened, and now, the LAST week of the exhibit, I just couldn't seem to make it. Every time I tried to carve some time out of my "impossibly" busy client schedule or tack an extra day onto a trip, something would come up. Just as I was pondering making a special day trip this week, a client called last minute to ask for an emergency shopping trip on Madison Avenue, right around the corner from the Met.

I had everything perfectly scheduled: an hour left at the end of my solo pre-shopping day to run through the exhibit. I knew better than to try to see anything else at the museum, as painful as that was once I was already in the building. I arrived at 5:10pm on Tuesday, only 10 minutes off schedule. Here is a transcript of my conversation with the guard on duty near the unmanned ticket booth.

Lani: Is there anyone here to take my money?

Guard: You can come in for free, we close in 15 minutes.

Lani: But I thought you closed at 6pm on Tuesdays?

Guard: Not today.

Lani: Where is the Costume Exhibit?

Guard: That’s closed already.

Lani: Oy…not again….

Luckily, my Wednesday client had an afternoon meeting with her architect to make, giving me just enough time to run through the exhibit, and buy myself a few treats from the shop before making a run for Amtrak. This poster will be the centerpiece of my dream closet one day....I know, I know, I just got a new closet but I'm talking about the converted-bedroom size closet I hope at some point before I die. A girl has to have dreams, right?

The concept of the exhibit, exploring the “striking affinities” between Elsa Schiaparelli (1890-1973) and Miuccia Prada (b. 1949), both Italian fashion designers and revolutionaries of their time, was inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair in the 1930s. In addition to the seven sections of the exhibit which compare and contrast the designers’ clothing by common theme, there are 8 video shorts of simulated conversations between Schiaparelli and Prada, as directed by Baz Luhrmann. Judy Davis, the Australian actress who won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Judy Garland, plays the role of Schiaparelli. The combination of the stunning displays of the designers’ artistry up close and personal, along with the artfully crafted, intellectually intriguing video element, is what put this exhibit over the top for me.  Most of the Schiaparelli pieces are from the late 30’s, when she collaborated with such art luminaries as Salvador Dali, while most of the Prada pieces are from the 90’s on. 

My two favorite sections of the exhibit are Waist Up/Waist Down and Neck up/Knees Down. Schiaparelli designed her clothes to be decorative mostly from the waist up, because that is what was most visible in the time of Cafe Society, when women were mostly seated behind restaurant tables. Prada believes in putting decoration mostly below the waist, as that is where the most important things happen, like sex and giving birth. And yes, she really does say this in one of the exhibition videos.

Schiaparelli believed in whimsical, decorative hats both as a way of adding beauty to the wearer and a form of self-expression, while Prada believes in using shoes for the same purposes. The floor to ceiling exhibit juxtaposing Schiaparelli's outrageous hats with Prada's equally outrageous shoes was quite a show stopper! Unfortunately, no photography was allowed so I can't show it to you here, dear readers.

See Schiaparelli's "shoe hat" and the lip theme on both the Schiaparelli jacket and Prada skirt. Read more about "lip fashion" in a previous blog post.

For a good read and more information on Elsa Schiaparelli, read "Shocking Life," her autobiography.

"Shocking Life" by Elsa Schiaparelli from Amazon,  $9.00

Hope you make it to the Met before August 19th! If not, you can always console yourself with the exhibition book.

 

Sugar, Spice, and Something Nice: 5 Items Your Closet Can't Live Without

As pointed out to me by a client this week, I am a preacher of proactive shopping. Why? Because those last minute shopping jaunts are almost never successful and definitely not worth the stress factor. Which came first, the fabulous cocktail party to which you are invited, or the perfect dress you have hanging in your closet, ready to go at the last minute? Does it really matter? If you have to go shopping before saying yes to a fabulous invitation, you are definitely going to miss out on some of the finer moments in life.

Here are 5 items you should have ready to go in your closet at all times, lest a fabulous opportunity pass you by because you didn't have the right outfit. And for those of you who don't think that happens, I've heard many stories from clients and friends alike...

1. What's your Spice?

We should all have a go-to piece of Spice in our closet. What do I mean by "Spice"? I mean a piece that makes you feel and look special and sparkly! Speaking of sparkly, my favorite spicy piece right now is a sequined jacket. It doesn't have to be all gold and blingy or expensive either; mine is vintage with tiny ivory iridescent sequins. I bought it so long ago (probably in college) that I can't even remember where or when I bought it! Good thing this sort of thing never goes out of style. Your spicy piece could be a statement necklace that makes an all-black outfit chic and powerful instead of safe and boring, or a pair of shoes so fantastic that is almost doesn't matter what else you are wearing. The point is, if someone were to call you for a last minute dinner date or tickets to an awesome concert, could you be out the door, looking and feeling special and spicy, in 5 minutes?

Fabrizia Sequin Jacket from Nonoo, $495.00
As seen on Karen Elson in the most recent issue of Lucky Magazine

2. The Perfect Cocktail Dress

And no, it doesn't have to be black, but it could be. The purpose of this dress is that you know it fits, flatters and makes you feel good. This dress can be "dressed" up or down with shoes and accessories. Dressed up? Door-knocker earrings and metallic heels. Dressed down? Diamond studs, a blazer and a pair of leather pumps.

Vera Wang Lavender Draped Cocktail Dress from Neiman Marcus, $395.00
Why not try an inky navy instead of the usual black?

3. The 3 Ingredient Makeup bag

I feel like I always get stuck on a conference call or feeding the baby until 5 minutes before I need to run out the door, at which point I suddenly remember that I haven't put any makeup on. For these situations, you only need 3 steps in your makeup routine.

Step 1: Treat, moisturize, protect your skin from the sun, and provide coverage in one step with one of the new BB Creams. I can't wait to try the one from Dr. Brandt.

Dr. Brandt Flexitone BB Cream from Sephora, $39.00

Step 2: Curl your eyelashes. I use a basic Tweezerman model. 

Tweezerman Pro Curl Eyelash Curler from Sephora,  $20.00

Step 3: Do you have the perfect bright lipstick? I'm partial to red or orange right now. The new color "balms" provide impactful color and moisture without looking too "made-up". You can (and should) put a little on your finger as a quick cream blush!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Candy Apple from Drugstore.com, $8.00
My current obsession!

4. Jeans That Work Now

Jeans that will work well in 5 lbs do not count here. You must have a pair that fit you EXACTLY WHERE YOU ARE RIGHT NOW. The structure of the jeans will actually make you feel more confident than anything else, I promise. The best part about a good pair of jeans? No Spanx required! Wear a cute cropped pair in the summer. Pair with a basic tank and your Spicy sequined jacket and run out the door!

The Stilt Crop: 17 Years Soft from AG Jeans, $188.00

5.  Essential Accessories

Heels you can walk in and a leather bag that works day or night. Don't argue, just buy them if you don't have them.

Carma Open Toe Air Sling from Cole Haan, $140.00
 and
 Lauren Merkin Iris Snake-Embossed Clutch from Neiman Marcus, $395.00
These Cole Haan shoes have Nike Air technology and this Lauren Merkin bag goes with everything.

Lip Service

Lips, lips, lips...Lips are ubiquitous this spring. For those of you who remember the original Prada lip print, you'll be happy to know you can now satisfy your lip print craving at a much lower price point! Why not try a Marc by Marc Jacobs watch or iPhone case for $125 and $21 respectively? And if you are still regretting not buying that Prada lip print the first time around, I heard a rumor that they've reissued it.

Solange Azagury-Partridge ring, Net-a-Porter $1,500

Prada lip shoulder bag, Bergdorf Goodman $1,670

Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress, Net-a-Porter $365

Marc by Marc Jacobs lip print watch, Net-a-Poter  $125

Marc by Marc Jacobs iPhone case, Net-a-Porter $21

Marc by Marc Jacobs laptop case, Net-a-Porter $40