DAME EDNA AND STELLA TURNS LONDON ON!

STELLA McCARTNEY BOUTIQUE LONDON - BRUTON STREET HOLIDAYLIGHTSStella McCartney held her holiday lighting ceremony at her boutique on Bruton Street in London last night, and it didn't disappoint.   Stella has made the annual event the hippest and hottest place to light the lights by bringing her unique sense of humor and levity to the world of designer fashion.   This year the one and only Dame Edna Everadge was master of ceremonies.  DAME EDNA (BARRY HUMPHRIES) & STELLA McCARTNEY - BRUTON STREET HOLIDAY LIGHTING Created and performed by Australian comedian Barry Humphries, Dame Edna is legendary for her personality that is somewhere between the Queen herself and Mrs. Bucket from "Keeping Up Appearances".  STELLA McCARTNEY HOLIDAY LIGHTS - BRUTON STREET, LONDON - IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS! Dame Edna was so popular in the 80's and 90's that her network television holiday specials were tops in the ratings.   Humphries and Edna are currently on their farewell world tour -Eat, Pray, Laugh.  Currently in London.  

All the fashionable Brits were there - Dame Judy Dench, Sienna Miller, etc.   Also a few billionaire wives like Salma Hayek were in holiday spirits.  (Salma looks good - that skincare line of hers at CVS must work!)STELLA McCARTNEY WITH SALMA HAYEK IN LONDON

Of course, the Stella McCartney boutique is a destination for the famous, the fashion, and the fun every day of the year.. but even more so during the holiday season.   Still holiday shopping?  Get to the Stella McCartney boutique near you NOW.. they're all over the world now,you know?  #BRAVOSTELLA

BREAKING THE HEAT-WAVE, STELLA McCARTNEY TAKES THE PLUNGE

STELLA McCARTNEY FALL 2013 - PH: MERT & MARCUSIt's a hot Summer.. one of the hottest on record in fact.  In New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and cities across America, Europe, and in the U.K. as well.   Leave it to Stella McCartney to give us a fashion campaign that addresses this heat-wave head on.  Images from her Fall / Winter 2013 campaignSTELLA McCARTNEY in the WSJ - PH: MARY McCARTNEY have just been released.   The campaign was styled by Stella herself and photographed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott. STELLA McCARTNEY FALL 2013 The collaborative fashion duo known as Mert & Marcus - not to be confused with M/M Paris - the other fashion art director / photographers duo.   (Not easy getting any attention in the U.K. these days unless the story mentions the Royal Baby!) 

Stella McCartney expresses herself in her campaigns using strong, bold colors, and striking poses.  Her ads are always about more than one dress or one coat, but the overall image as art, and ultimately - the brand.   Stella is an island unto herself when it comes to - well so many things in the fashion world.   She is the only woman in her 40's running a global, namesake, fashion house.  She is the only global fashion designer that refuses to use leather in her collection.  She is the only major fashion designer to be developing organic skin care.  Stella McCartney is consistent and a class act - she is also cool.    Dive in for Fall.  Menswear tailoring and silhouette heavily influence key pieces in the collection - TREND ALERT.  While this trend is being felt across the industry - Stella has street cred when it comes to Menswear detailing - in fact she owns it.   From her first collections at CHLOE in the 90's, Stella has iced her collections with a masculine piece here and there.

Look for the campaign in print in the September issues! 

Click images to go for a swim!

IT FIGUE-ERS!!

Fashion insider and taste maker ( the girl that helped shape Tory Burch's Bohemian Rhapsody image) Stephanie von Watzdorf is finally out front, and in charge.  Her fabulous new collection - FIGUE is dreamy and exotic - never trendy.  It's easy to see why everyone loves Stephanie, and now loves FIGUE!   Seen in the latest fashion mags and available on her website - FIGUE is an excellent resource to visit again and again.  Start clicking -Summer is just around the corner!!  Click logo or image to learn more. STEPHANIE von WATZDORF - FOLLOW HER JOURNEY AT FIGUE.COM

MON JASMIN NOIR by BVLGARI

KIRSTEN DUNST FOR BVLGARIItalian Jeweler BVLGARI is known the world over as a symbol of luxury.   Beginning as a Silversmith in Rome in 1884, the family owned brand would move into fine jewels in the 20th century, cementing it's legacy in luxury.  Today, the brand is truly global with Hotels & Spas, Fragrances, Skin care, Sunglasses, Watches, and Leather Accessories.  Acquired by LVMH in 2011, Bulgari is now destined to be a growing presence in the world of accessories.HOTEL IMPERIAL - VIENNA

Once when I was on vacation in Vienna I had a chance to become familiar with the brands luxurious body lotion and skin care.  I was lucky enough to be a guest at the Hotel Imperial.  Once the residence of a king, it now hosts the rich and famous (and a fashion blogger like me!) as they visit this beautiful city.   Everything about the hotel says luxury.  From the marble stairs, to the fine silk curtains, and Bulgari products fully stocked in a most imperial bathroom suite.   The rich formulas of the products made such an impression on me, CLICK IMAGE TO SHOPI regularly look for it when I'm shopping abroad.   The products are beautifully packaged, expensive, and make you feel pampered.

The fragrances that represent the house are just as luxurious.   Hollywood starlet Kirsten Dunst is nothing short of breathtaking in the exclusive campaign for MON JASMIN NOIR.  The floral scent of Jasmine, with the intriguing depth of a spicy depth give this scent a sensual identity.    A perfect introduction to Spring, and the sultry nights that Summer can bring.   Click BVLGARI to shop the fragrance now.

LINE VAUTRIN - THE PARISIAN POETESS OF METAL

MIROIR SORCIER - LINE VAUTRINThe French Artisan Line Vautrin was that rare soul that lived to create.  Her sense of independence and unique sense of style were both assets and detriments in the 1930's Paris in which she began her career.   The privileged world of Paris society was a fortunate backdrop for the impressionableARTIST & DESIGNER - LINE VAUTRIN young artist, who gave up an internship with the Couturier Elsa Schiaparelli to work on her own.   This was not done at the time by anyone - let alone a woman.   It was the nerve that few in a generation possess - Coco Chanel being one other, just blocks away on the Rue Cambon.   Vautrin would make a name for herself by embellishing items other designers had not thought to decorate.  Shoe heels, Umbrella Handles, and hair combs were among her most notable pieces.   Items that would help a woman to recreate a wardrobe - without buying new clothes.   Accessories to upstage clothing - unheard of in this era of full skirts, big hats, and layers of fabric. Vautrin would create a school of artists to realize her visions, eventually creating jewelry - objet d'art, and concaveADAM & EVE NECKLACE IN BRONZE - LINE VAUTRINE metallic wall mirrors knownLINE VAUTRIN GLASS & BRONZE EARRINGS as Witches Mirrors or Miroir de Sorciere in French.   Her work was unmatched for decades, and collected by the most stylish women and men around the world.

In the 80's Vautrin retired, continuing to create one of a kind items as she desired.   British collector David Gill would connect with the artist soon after, convincing her to travel the world exhibiting her unique collections.  Vautrin died in 1997 at the age of 84, leaving an incredible body of work - and an amazing legacy. 

This month, two New York legends of their own unite to bring a capsule collection of Line Vautrin's work to passionate collectors of fashion jewelry and collectibles. Gallery Maison Gerard and on-line destination- 1st dibs both have a loyal following of taste makers and collectors.  Maison Gerard - a brick and mortar location, and 1st dibs - a website and a concept have coordinated this sale launching 12/12/12.   Bravo to Gerard Widdershoven  and Benoist Drut of Masion Gerard, and Michael Bruno of 1st dibs- for their continued vision of sophisticated design and limited luxury.   Preview this capsule collection - exclusively available at www.1stdibs.com