"Morange"

Yes, it's more orange!  Maybe next week I'll move onto something in the green family.  Color of the week?  Might be fun.


I guess I've been feeling this color for a while and it's not just a sudden or fleeting affair.  I realized that I have had a few storage boxes for magazines and miscellaneous items in pumpkin orange for several years now.  I really love how this color works with grey or white interiors.

Bigso of Sweden: available at Sam Flax

Then, I remembered the orange lip color that I envisioned for my first collection (Spring 2011) and after searching high and low, I found the perfect shade at M.A.C.  They cleverly called the lipstick, "Morange."

M.A.C. lipstick in "Morange" color. 

model, Cynthia Kirchner in my Spring 2011 show wearing "Morange" M.A.C. lip color

And then there is my silk double knit dress with shell shoulder detail.  It wasn't just the buttery softness of the fabric that appealed to me, but also the color.

my spun silk double knit draped dress

Last but not least, let us not forget Alexander McQueen -- ever.  I adore the simplicity of this piece.  It works perfectly without fuss or muss.  A color blocking masterpiece.

Alexander McQueen, Resort 2009

Photo: Style.com via Marcio Madeira

Okay, now that I have written two posts about pumpkin orange, I'm over it!  Hahaha.  I'm so jaded.  Hmmm, jade, now that's a nice color...

Stay tuned.

UPDATE: I just came across this amazing kitchen designed for the one and only, BETTE MIDLER!!  I had to ask interior designer, Mary Douglas Drysdale if I could post it and she graciously allowed it.  Thanks Mary!  Visit her web site to check out more of her beautiful work.

"A Little More Orange Kitchen!"

Mary Douglas Drysdale, Interior Designer

Orange Ya Glad To See Some Color?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "I'm a neutral girl."  Not neutral like Switzerland, rather, I'm partial to a neutral palette when it comes to my clothes.  It's a New York thing.  But, I certainly appreciate color and I go through little phases of loving a particular hue that speaks to me until I get bored with it and move on.  Story of my life!

I snapped this pic. of these cool vintage shades available at VEDA on the Lower East Side

Bottega Veneta's Montaigne bag, Spring 2011

Right now, I'm feeling orange.  Not fluorescent, safety orange, but something a little more sophisticated, a little softer and slightly more yellow than red.  Pumpkin... but a little more intense/saturated.  On one hand, it's a bit retro and on the other, it looks fresh.  Damn, I wish I had kept that leather skirt from high school... it would have been the perfect time to recycle it!

Jil Sander's Raf Simons used orange as one of the staple colors for Spring 2011

Photos: Style.com via Monica Feudi / GoRunway.com

So I'm A Snob... Sue Me!

Ever since I can remember, I had to be different.  I don't know why, but I decided at a very early age that normal was boring and it seemed so unfulfilling to just blend in with the crowd, to play it safe, to be unoriginal.  I guess I wanted to establish an identity, think for myself and not behave like a clone.  I didn't want to follow, I wanted to lead.  But, I didn't really want anyone to follow me!  Well, not that closely!

Growing up in a small town in Pennsylvania with one mall (and well before Internet shopping) made it difficult to stand apart.  I did my very best to seek out places and things that were off the beaten path.  In kindergarten, I still remember my favorite buckle shoes, my black velvet vest and my shiny jacket that I wore with pride because nobody else had anything like them.  In second grade, none of my classmates had the same Converse sneakers as me.  By the fifth grade, I used to lie to my friends about where and when I was going back to school shopping.  Weird?  A bit obsessive?  Maybe.  But, I was trying to keep my choices a secret because more than once, a girl from my class saw what I was wearing and managed to track down the same things.  Bitches!  LOL. 

Image: By MJParadaC on flickr

This behavior only got worse as the years went by.  I started "sewing" my own clothes in High School (suffice to say, I refined those skills later on!).  And in recent years, I've had a lot of travel opportunities and I must confess, I get a certain sense of satisfaction in being able to answer, "I got it in London," or "I got in in Antwerp," when asked about something I'm wearing.  And it's not that I'm trying to brag about my travels (they're not so vast!), it's just that that I'm secretly happy it's impossible for the person to obtain the items they're inquiring about and, therefore, I cannot be copied.  But, perhaps the best response I have is, "It's mine, I'm a designer."  Since it's highly unlikely that the interrogator can copy it, they might want to purchase it instead!  Sold!

All of this leads me to the point of this post (finally!).  While on one hand I'm happy to see some of my favorite European stores popping up in my city, I'm torn because on the other hand, I'm annoyed that other people will discover them.  Snobby?  Elitist?  Maybe.  I can't help myself!

On the list of recent imports is a shop from Paris called Metal Pointus.  I used to buy some funky pieces there for myself and as gifts because they're unique and affordable.  I didn't really know anything in the States quite like them.  Until now.  Strolling down Elizabeth Street in NoHo the other day, I happened upon a Metal Pointus shop (which just opened in June).  Again, I had mixed emotions.  I was excited to see it (and more excited to have the opportunity to replacie a ring I lost), but I was also kind of irritated that my ring is not going to be so special anymore since New Yorkers and tourists alike can now easily purchase the same thing.

jewelry from Metal Pointus

All Saints is another example of a European retailer crossing the pond.  The London apparel chain used to be one of my favorite places to shop in Covent Garden and now, I can pick up some of their edgy casual pieces downtown.  Or, if I lived in Las Vegas or even Seattle (like THAT would ever happen!).  In May, the mega-brand, American Apparel purchased All Saints.  I fear they're going to turn into the next Banana Republic (once the styling is watered down and the fabrics are replaced with cheaper goods).

AllSaints apparel

photo

I also got an unsettling feeling years ago when I saw Belstaff hanging in Bloomindales. "Weird," I thought.  But, the sleek and expensive brand didn't last in Bloomies and apart from a few discreet boutiques in New York, Belstaff is still contained in Europe. Comptoir Des Cotonniers is a cute little label I used to pick up in Paris.  Now, I don't have to go all the way to Paris, all I have to do is head downtown to Spring Street (just off West Broadway) and I'm all set.  That said, I haven't purchased an item in three years.

go ahead France... eat up!

photo

I could go on.  The list of stores is extensive and I've begun to worry that all cities across the globe are going to start resembling one another... the lines blurred.  I hope not.  How sad would that be?  Will anything remain unique?  I bet the French felt the same way when McDonald's reared it's ugly head on the Champs-Élysées!  Okay, maybe not (since I know a lot of French peeps who think Micky D's is "magnifique").

Shorts: Stacy's Style List

It's time!  There's no place for shyness in ninety-five degree temperatures, so get over it!  Show those legs!  Shave 'em, wax 'em, tan and moisturize and you'll be all set for my picks for summer...

Long & Lean

Top:  Sportmax, Resort 2012

Bottom (left to right): ADAM, Resort 2012 / 3.1 Phillip Lim, Resort 2012

Feminine & Flirty

Left: Carven, Spring 2011 / Right: Chanel, Resort 2012

Hot Pants!

Top: Louis Vuitton, Resort 2012

Bottom (left to right): Barbara Bui, Spring 2011 / Daryl K, Spring 2011

One-Piece

Left: Costume National, Spring 2011 / Right: Akris, Spring 2011

BILL

I finally had a chance to see the documentary (Bill Cunningham New York) on the incomparable, Bill Cunningham!  While I've always admired Bill and knew him to be a sweet man, I left the theatre with a whole new level of respect for him.  What an incredible human being.  Humble as can be, anybody else in Cunningham's shoes would have taken advantage of the position of power and influence that he is in and used it and abused it to propel themselves to fame and fortune.  Not Bill.  He isn't interested in any of that, he is only interested in the clothes.  And he doesn't care about celebrities unless they are wearing something fabulous that is worthy of being photographed.  In fact, he doesn't really watch TV and isn't aware of many of the "celebrities" out there today.

Though Cunningham has been a fashion photographer and columnist for the New York Times for over three decades, people know very little about the living legend who pedals around New York City in his utilitarian workers smock with camera in tow.  However, the film does reveal that Cunningham has never been involved in a romantic relationship -- "There's simply no time," he says.  We learn that he attends Church every Sunday, served in the military and up until this year when the last remaining residents of Carnegie Hall were forced out, he lived there in a tiny apartment jam-packed with filing cabinets holding thousands of precious photographs.

Bill's love for his work is so apparent and the level of his dedication and passion is incredibly rare.  He is the ultimate professional and never accepts so much as a glass of water while photographing an event.  Cunningham is a simple man who prefers a simple life.  But, for him, simple means cycling through the dangerous streets of New York City every day and standing outside for hours in all kinds of weather in order to capture the street fashion.  So long as he has his black plastic poncho he's fine.  And if it tears, he patches it with black duct tape.  He points out the irony.

My most favorite part of the film was when Bill was standing outside, waiting to get into a Chanel show in Paris.  He was patiently dealing with the pushy people behind him while he showed his credentials to a woman -- one of the "gatekeepers," if you will.  She was skeptical and hesitant.  Bill didn't rant and rave like most would, instead he remained calm.  Gentle.  A few seconds later, a man came out, pushed the gatekeeper aside and said, "Don't you know who this is?  He's the most important person on the planet."  Then, he escorted Cunningham into the show.  I got a lump in my throat.

Please go see this film.  I don't care if you're "not into fashion" or if you basically live for fashion, either way, you will be moved and enlightened by the story of this genuine, passionate, unique and talented man.

Dollars For Scents

Summer fragrance -- the smell of fresh cut grass, flowers, the sea air -- exquisite.  Then, there's car exhaust, rotting garbage and sweaty strangers packed together in a subway car slipping against one another as the train jostles them around.  Okay, that wasn't meant to sound like a Danielle Steel novel, but if you want to picture Fabio, go ahead. 

heehee...

I'm not a fan of "The Fab," but there's never anyone even remotely romance "novelesque" squished up against me in that subway car!  Murphy's Law, I always get stuck with the smelly guy -- the one who needs to take a shower or the one who smells like he showered in Hai Karate or bathed in Drakkar Noir.  If you ever needed an excuse to start wearing perfume, summer in the city is a good one.  Just don't overdo it!  And don't wear the cheap stuff, spend a little more cash on something refined and subtle.

I particularly like Prada for everyday since I find it to be light and soft.  I wish it lasted a bit longer, but that could just be my personal body chemistry.  Speaking of that, I once had a guy tell me that I should bottle my scent because I'd make millions.  If anyone can help me figure out how to package and market it, I'd be more than willing to share the wealth!

Prada--blend of: mandarin, vanilla, rose absolute, labdanum, bergamont, tonka bean, bitter orange, and sandalwood

I also love Agent Provacateur, but I tend to wear it in the evenings as I find it a bit stronger than the Prada. The packaging is fab and their lingerie is even more fab, so how can you go wrong?  But, perhaps I'm just partial to it because Jospeh Corré (the founder) is the son of British designer, Vivienne Westwood and the late Malcolm McLaren.

AP purse spray

And since I'm a packaging whore fanatic, I still keep a couple of bottles of Bulgari around even though I don't love the scent (for me).  But, that doesn't mean they aren't sublime for someone else.

Bulgari Black and Bulgari Blue

(Bulgari "Bitch Slap" not pictured)

What are some of your favorite fragrances?  Men, you can play too!  I'm dying to hear from my amazing, beauty editor pal, Candice Sabatini.  Candice regularly attends Sniffapalooza and she has quite the nose! 

Bye for now taffetadarlings!  Smell ya later!  LOL