Black Swan Evening

I've been hearing good things about this film for song long now (even before Ms. Portman started collecting awards for her performance), and I finally got to see it last night.  I admit, I was kind of "off the bandwagon" for a bit after Portman's acceptance speech upon receiving the Golden Globe for Best Actress.  She is such a talented actor -- I've always been a fan of her work and have always appreciated that she tends to fly under the radar unlike most Hollywood starlets.  Unfortunately, her "Golden moment," or prenatal, hormonal, turrets-like outburst exclaiming, "He TOTALLY wants to sleep with me," kind of swayed me.  I cringed.  Let's take a look at that again, shall we??

Portman's speech -- okay, so it's obviously been embellished, but it's still fun!

Anyway, after a bit of time passed, I have forgiven Natalie (rumor has it, she's relieved!).  She was incredible in the role and it was clear how much she prepared, trained and disciplined herself.  Impressive.  I wish a little bit of that would rub off on me!  Perhaps it has -- It didn't hit me until later that evening that I had worn my old Moschino T-shirt that reads "VOULEZ VOUS COUCHER AVEC MOI?"  Ironic?  Subliminal?  Perhaps!  But, I can guarantee that I won't be going on National television to announce who does!

close up from 2009

wearing the shirt last night... hitting on a giant rabbit

hey... a lady doesn't kiss and tell!

Gaga for March Vogue... Sort Of, But Not So Much!

Ah, March magazine time is here!  I can remember when I first discovered Vogue.  I could not wait to dive into those pages and get lost in the world inside.  I had a ritual.  I am not patient, so I had to do a quick flip-through to get a peek at some of the content so that I knew what I was in store for the next hour.  Then, I settled into a comfy position on my bed and turned the magazine over and started with the back cover.  All of the fashion spreads are at the back of the magazines anyway.  And years ago, fashion magazines chose fashion models, not actresses to grace their covers -- imagine that!

*Alexa Singer

 looks pretty and she's not polluted with captions

I particularly love the grocery sticker on the upper corner... $2.84! 

But, perhaps the best part is the back cover -- a cigarette ad!

Choosing to feature Lady Gaga on the cover of the March issue of Vogue is a nice break from an actress.  I'm sick to death of the same faces month after month on my favorite fashion magazines.  I swear, if they had put Kate Hudson on the cover, I think I may have boycotted American Vogue forever.  And by forever, I mean a few months because after all, it's VOGUE and I am loyal to the end.  Anyway, I buy the March and September issues without fail, but this time I was especially drawn in by the cover.  Gaga's soft and drapey ivory dress, ivory skin and powdery pink, sharply bobbed wig sits so beautifully atop the minty green-grey textured ground -- kind of Tamara de Lempicka meets Marie Antoinette.  Sublime.

March Vogue's beautiful cover shot by Mario Testino

Okay, so far so good, right?  Well, unfortunately for me, that's pretty much where the goodness ended.  First of all, the huge caption on the cover, "574 Pages of Showstopping Spring Fashion" is a lie (or a clever ploy to sell a magazine).  The entire issue is 574 pages -- the "showstopping fashion" starts on page 469!  So, we have to get through 468 pages of advertisements, fragrance inserts, a few articles nobody takes the time to read, more advertisements, a few pages of celebrity pix, more advertisements... Perhaps the worst offender is Tommy Hilfiger who purchases huge real estate in every magazine in the world.  This issue contains six full pages of Tommy's preppy country clubbers on a tennis court, by a pool, on the golf course.  And he paid for the extra thick, crispy pages so that the magazine keeps automatically popping open to that spot.  Annoying!  I usually rip them out and throw them away along with the subscription cards that fall out like confetti.

Christy Turlington looking divine in Louis Dell'Olio for Anne Klein - Vogue, March 1986

I managed to flip through the first 468 pages at lightening speed anxious to get to the "showstopping fashion."  Let's just say, March Vogue did not blow me away.  Have I just become too jaded after years and years of reading countless magazines?  Am I expecting too much?  I don't know, but I was truly disappointed to see a spread with Amber Valletta dressed like a glam Italian housewife with big hair posing like a statue... if I've seen it once, I've seen it a hundred times.  I didn't really notice the clothes, although, the photography and colors were quite pretty.  On to the "Punk'd" section.  Not bad.  It is what it is.  Freja Behar in Givenchy... perfection.  Next up, Karen Elson in the woods.  Again, I feel like I've seen this type of shoot over and over again.  Some of the clothes were nice.  Lovely photography.  The baby goats were cute.  The last section, "Rebel Rebel" was, at least, a nice selection of pieces photographed simply to showcase the garments. 

Left: Freja Behar in Givenchy as featured in March 2011 Vogue

Right: Gorgeous Christy Turlington on the pages of March Vogue, 1986

Finally, that brings us to page 513 which marks the end of the showstopping fashion.  Gaga's article starts on page 514, followed by Burberry's, Christopher Bailey and a few more articles.  Oh, then there is a tiny section at the end featuring some printed spring dresses.  I almost didn't notice it.  I suppose if I would have started at the back of the book, like I used to, I would have been much better off!!

*5.19.10 -- correction the cover model is Alexa Singer, not Isabella Rossellini as I previously thought.  Thank you Marc for bringing it to my attention!

Fall 2011

As Fall 2011 Fashion Week winds down in NYC, I am smack in the middle of my collection.  This season, I chose to show a bit later (end of March) rather than compete with the hundreds of other shows during Fashion Week.  There are literally ten shows every hour for one solid week all over the city and new labels and designers can easily get lost amongst the big guns and the hyped up-and-comers.  Though I am a veteran designer, I am still considered a newbie in terms of my own label, STACY LOMMAN : NEW YORK, which just launched last September.

sample in progress

So, I will keep my taffetadarlings updated over the next few weeks and perhaps even give you a glimpse of the new line.  I'm very excited to be working on my fall collection.  This season, I'm branching out a bit and you will see, of course, dresses as well as separates.  And I am LOVING my fabrics!  They are top shelf in quality, but they are innovate and subtle at the same time.  Have I piqued your interest??

Happy VD

Okay, so Valentine's Day is nothing but a "Hallmark Holiday," but it still gives a girl an excuse to request gifts!  These are a few of my favs that would be perfect for this occasion...

Wendy Brands "Diana Ring" with diamonds

$6250

Agent Provacateur Purse Spray

$55

Alexander McQueen red patent clutch with skull knuckles (for the AP spray!)

at Saks for $1785

Cesare Paciotti black spikes with lace printed soles

Valentino one-shoulder black lace dress

available at Bergdorf Goodman for $3990

luxurious cashmere wrap by Loro Piana

available at Neiman Marcus for $625

Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Brut Champagne

at various locations for around $80

And... anything from La Maison Du Chocolat!!

I've Got Spirit! How About You?

A couple of days ago, I attended the annual meeting for the Fashion Group International.  During these meetings, President, Margaret Hayes recaps the year, committee chairs speak and we sip wine and socialize.  To my surprise, I was the recipient of the "Spirit Of Volunteerism" Award!  FGI is a wonderful association and I am happy to donate my time and my writing skills to their Publications Committee, plus I get to attend really interesting and informative events.  And fashionable ones too!

If you're not familiar with the Fashion Group, it's a non-profit organization aiming to help its members become more effective in their careers.  Membership has its perks and I would encourage anyone with an interest in fashion to join.

Goals of the organization as listed on their website are:

• To advance professionalism in fashion and its related lifestyle industries.
• To provide a public forum for examination of important, contemporary issues in the business of fashion.
• To present timely information regarding national and global trends that have an effect on the fashion industries.
• To attain greater recognition of men’s and women’s achievements in business.
• To encourage men and women to seek career opportunities in fashion and related industries.
• To provide activities and programs which enhance networking skills and encourage interpersonal contacts so as to further the professional, social and personal development of members.

In The Trenches

The trench coat is a fashion staple, a classic piece that never goes out of style.  I like to see how designers update this piece every season to keep it fresh and to give the customer a reason to buy another trench coat!  These are some of my favorite trenches of the moment...

Belstaff's hooded trench with zip

 

Burberry's updated classic

Céline's modified trench

 

Ann Demeulemeester's cape/trench

MaxMara's military trench in a fresh looking grey

Balmain's cheetah trench

 

my favorite, Dsquared² leather and fabric trench

Beautiful Things

Recently, my beautiful friend Muriel, who has impeccable taste, introduced me to a beautiful line of handmade pottery.  Sara Goldhawk, of Goldhawk Pottery, is the artist behind these subtle, pretty creations.

Goldhawk's perfect heart!  Perfect for Valentine's Day.

Order through Etsy

Goldhawk, who is based out of Rochester, New York, writes in her Etsy profile that her vision is to create pieces for everyday use that are unique and well designed. All of her pottery is handmade using white stoneware clay with her initials and year at the bottom. Each pot is wheel thrown and fired twice - once in a bisque fire and then glaze fired in a kiln. Therefore, each piece takes at least two weeks from start to finish.

Turquoise White Stoneware Beach Tumbler

Goldhawk Pottery, available on Etsy

All pieces are dishwasher, oven and microwave safe!  How beautiful is that?  And do you know what else is beautiful?  The prices.  Goldhawk's pieces are incredibly affordable considering the time and the workmanship involved.

To learn more about Goldhawk, visit her blog, Clay and Ginger.  And visit her shop on Etsy to make a purchase!