DIOR CRUISES TO SHANGHAI THIS HOLIDAY

JESSICA ALBA IN DAZZLING DIOR - ELLE DEC. 2010Santa's workshop has nothing on the Atelier elves at Christian Dior.   When things get busy at the North pole, that means holiday and resort collections are on the way to a designer boutique near you.  

This year the French power house that redefined the fashion industry over 60 years ago traveled to Shanghai, China to debut its Cruise Ready To Wear collection and celebrate the brilliant renovation of the Christian Dior Boutique.DIOR KNIT LACE DRESS - CRUISE 10/11  Ultra-Luxe Architect Peter Marino was the man behind the face-lift that doubled the size of this fashion destination. 

The mainstream press referred to the show as a Couture event - but it was so much more.   To celebrate this very special occasion, John Galliano sprinkled true Couture pieces within the Cruise collection show.   The mixing of the two collections had never been done before - and truly highlighted the incredible savoir-faire of Christian Dior Ready-To-Wear.   I can't think of another designer collection whose Ready-To-Wear gowns could share a stage with true Couture - and still shine!  Amazing!

ANDROGYNOUS CHIC - DIOR CRUISE 10/11The Cruise collection was inspired by two iconic symbols of French Culture that are flip sides of the same coin.   First, the ultimate blond bombshell who put St. Tropez on the map - Brigitte Bardot.  No woman has inspired more fashion designers since her larger than life debut on film in God Created Woman in 1956!   Bardot's gourmand attitude and vivacious curves and sex appeal captivated the world in film after film.   Who better to serve as muse for John Galliano to re-invent and rebirth the Dior Bar Jacket and iconic silhouettes from the priceless Dior archives.   Perfectly paired back to playful separates like cropped pants and stretch skirts - this was truly modern styling for a resort / holiday collection.   On the flip side and just as captivating - Galliano chose actress Jean Seberg for inspiration.   Seberg was the poster girl for the era of French Cinema known as "Nouvelle Vague" or New Wave of the 60's.   Seberg starred alongside bad boy - Jean-Paul Belmondo in  Jean-Luc Godard's -"Breathless".   Audiences were shocked to see Seberg's androgynous styling and short cropped hair.  (Mia Farrow wouldn't appear in Rosemary's Baby with a similar cut until 1968).   DIOR COUTURE - SPRING 2011

The strength of this cruise collection is that it highlights the iconic codes of the House of Dior and presents them as wonderful separates a modern woman can fold into her wardrobe.  A great way to revitalize pieces you already love, add in a new classic.  These are investment pieces and any Dior jacket, skirt, or dress you buy today - will be just as relevant 10 years from now.DIOR RTW CHIFFON GOWN - CRUISE 2010/11

Special Note:  If you are looking for a cocktail dress or gown for any event coming up this holiday season or for Spring 2011 - get yourself to a Dior boutique asap.   No other fashion house has a greater selection of cocktail and evening gowns.   Beyond Dior RTW?  You would have to go to Paris for actual Couture - That is a fact.  

The Cruise Collection is in Stores now - to locate a boutique near you - click - DIOR.

PEE WEE TAKES BROADWAY

PAUL REUBENS AS PEE WEE HERMANPaul Reubens aka Pee Wee Herman is baaaack.  The nerdy ringmaster of the cult classic stage show, the HBO series, and blockbuster movies from the 80's has resurfaced.  Pee Wee's Playhouse captivated a generation of kids, teens, & twenty something hipsters.  Chairry, Jambi the Genie, Miss Yvonne, & the whole gang are all on Broadway - for a limited time!  PEE WEE'S FAMOUS LOOK 

The Playhouse is a place where kids and adults can forget their troubles and just laugh.   Silly, wacky, & anything but serious - Reubens is funny.  Pee Wee is the Peter Pan of the 21st century.  After all, "I know you are but what am I?" never gets old - so why should Pee Wee?   The Pee Wee website is not to be missed! I challenge anyone to Click around the site and NOT smile once!

DESIGNER THOM BROWNEWith 2010 eyes, I can't help but think that fashion designer Thom Browne must have been influenced by Pee Wee's iconic styling!   Browne's extreme style has been the most influential trend in menswear collections in recent memory.  While the look is anything but commercial, designers from New York to Milan has taken notice of the look.  Browne was also chosen to design the Black Fleece collection for Brooks Brothers.

To visit Pee Wee's playhouse this holiday season, visit BROADWAY.COM  and get your tickets now!

WORTH NOTING - DRIES VAN NOTEN F10

DRIES VAN NOTEN - F2010 - PH. MARCIO MADEIRAFashion designer Dries Van Noten celebrates a new shop-in-shop in New York's Bergdorf Goodman this fall.  The eclectic furnishings and avant-garde decor are a true reflection of the clothes they display.   Mr. Van Noten has made his career on creating fashion that is described just that way - eclectic, avant-garde, and luxe.   Van Noten has a unique point of view, with his hometown of Antwerp, Belgium present in everything he does.   Van Noten burst on the fashion scene in 1980 in a group showcase presented in London - "The Antwerp 6 Collective" in 1980.    The show featured the talent of 6 recent graduates of Antwerp's Royal Academy of Fine Arts.   Ann Demeulemeester and Dirk Bikkembergs are two other notable members of The Antwerp 6 as they became known in the press.   Van Noten started as a Menswear designer and now has a loyal following of Women for his collection shown twice a year.  (4 full collections yearly - 2 Menswear, 2 Womenswear -Spring & Fall).

While Dries Van Noten has built a following around the world, his designs remain intimate and personal as if from a very small atelier.   The designer only shows clothes that will be sold in stores, is self-financed, and is surprisingly affordable.   Don't get me wrong,  the price-point is designer and of course, expensive. DRIES VAN NOTEN - FALL 2010 - PH: MARCIO MADEIRA However to be able to buy a jacket NOT made in China that has the fabric, and fit of a Van Noten for around $1,500.00 - is impressive.   What a novelty also to wear something that says made in Belgium.  I recently compared piece after beautiful piece in the Bergdorf Goodman boutique of Dries that were so well priced in comparison to other fashion on the floor, for the look and tailoring.   A certain start up collection of two former child stars drove the point home.   I couldn't help but ask myself -wouldn't a woman rather have a suit or dress from Dries Van Noten for the same price or less than from The Row? 

For Fall, Dries showcased rich & wearable prints that feel like Far East Chinoiserie meets a medieval Antwerp -shown back to casual sweat shirting.  A combination that really shows an understanding of a modern sense of dressing, and a comfort level in dressing that modern woman.  His mens collection also hits a high note for Fall 2010.  Fashion for the guy who doesn't want to look like he stars in a reality show!

Shop the Dries Van Noten collection now and discover his talent for yourself. 

SEMPE & ST. TROPEZ - FOREVER

ST. TROPEZ - ARRIVING BY BOATSt. Tropez is like a dream.   The infamous destination on the French Riviera is the hottest summer "see & be seen" spot - hands down.   The quaint village on the sea has some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world.   There is an ironic competition however between natural and manmade attractions.   While the beauty of the mountains, the color of the deep blue sea, and the overall landscape are breathtaking... it's the manmade creations that might have you gasping for breath.   Yachts, Breasts, & Lips - all get bigger season after season!BOTERO ON THE SQUARE - ST. TROPEZ

While it is the glitz, glam, and vulgarity of some of the tourists that make St. Tropez a guilty pleasure for people watching, somehow the excess is diffused by the spirit of the village. SUPER COOL YACHT IN ST. TROPEZ  It's the charm of the shops -tailored for this  "at the beach" experience.    The farmers market and antique fair on Sunday is not to be missed.   Where else can you buy Hermes & Heirloom tomatoes while in flip flops, and take a boat ride back home??

If you can - arrive by boat.   Traffic on wheels is insane.   I go on a friend's boat whenever I visit, but there are public ferries from a few nearby towns as well.   We make a day of it by arriving early and having breakfast on the harbour.  Then a little shopping around, maybe an ice-cream & we are out.  I never stick around long enough to make it to Les Caves du Roy at the Byblos hotel, but I'll leave that to Paris Hilton and whoever she is working for  that summer!  If you plan it well you can have lunch at one of the chic beach clubs West of the village.    This year we found a great alternative to Club 55.    Cabane Bambou is beautiful and breezy.   They have a super friendly staff and a clientele that is a bit less saturated with Americans than 55.   I love Club 55, but sometimes you want low key.  Of course there are so many options... New Coco,  Nikki Beach, Tahiti, etc.   If you have kept to your bikini diet all year, then hit the nude beach that is just next to Cabane Bambou - what's more exotic than being naked on the French Riviera?ST. TROPEZ FARMER'S MARKET - SUNDAYS

This year I was also so happy to see two amazing art exhibitions in St. Tropez.   The Botero sculptures are large and dominating - which is typical of the artist's work.   There is an overt sexuality to Botero's sculptures that is somehow able to be shock and sooth at the same time.    A perfect choice for St. Tropez!

At the Louis Vuitton boutique, the French fashion house hosted a showcase of an artist known for his witty cartoons of society and scenery.   Jean-Jacques Sempe and his creations are -oh- so French.  JASON AT LV BOUTIQUE IN ST. TROPEZYou probably recognize his unmistakable style from his numerous covers of The New Yorker.   Sempe (as he is usually referred to) always has an ironic twist on a situation.  Usually his aim is to make you laugh - which he achieves time and time again.   Many times, we are laughing at ourselves as we recognize the silly hypocrisies we all live with day to day.   Never mean spirited, Sempe's observations are more a pat on the head, than a slap in the face.JEAN-JACQUES SEMPE - HIS VISION OF ST. TROPEZ    Also a perfect artist to be shown in St. Tropez!   In fact, the artist has referenced this playground of the rich and famous many times over the years.    For a closer look at some of his work, and to learn more about Sempe - click LOOK.