CELINE OF SAMOTHRACE - BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS 2017

CELINE DION PERFORMS AT THE 2017 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS - GOWN- STEPHANE ROLLANDOf all the notable acts and moments at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards - no one stole the show like Celine Dion.   The 49 year old diva performed in the most dramatic staging to sing her iconic ballad My Heart Will Go On, beneath a towering chandelier (ala David Rockwell's design at the Cosmopolitan Hotel nearby in Las Vegas. WINGED NIKE OF SAMOTHRACE

The spectacular Stephane Rolland Gown referenced the Winged Nike of Samothrace.  The masterpiece sculpture is THE pinnacle of a visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris for millions of people around the world.   Rolland's dramatic design and Celine's breathtaking talent would be hard for any performer to top.   She is in a class of her own.   If you missed the show, watch the performance below: 

To learn more about this talented designer - click Stephane Rolland.

** The evening could not be mentioned without talking about CHER.  The legend performed HER iconic hits in her ICONIC costume from over 20 years ago.  The 71 year old rocked the crowd and danced across the stage in the Bob Mackie costume. 

In a year when the world needs a reminder of the strenght and talent of women - what an amazing evening to prove it's not only the ladies in the their 20's that gets the worlds attention!  Age is just a number!

CHER ROCKS BOB MACKIE DESIGNS AT 71 AT THE 2017 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS

WINGED NIKE OF SAMOTHRACE AT THE LOUVRE MUSEUM

THE YEAR FOR PINK - 2017 - EMPOWERING THE FEMININE MYSTIQUE AGAIN!

CELINE PINK JERSEY CAPELET DRESSSALVATORE FERRAGAMO PINK SLEEVELESS CREPE TUNICThe color PINK as a trend for Spring collections is a constant with designers around the world.   In 2017 however, the color pink also has a strong political symbol as a reaction to the November 16 US elections, and as a rebuke to Donald Trump and his misogynistic actions and attitudes. 

Of course fashion designers are the fastest artists to get showcase their expression of the times we live in.  Social and political attitudes are often seen first on fashion runways before they can be seen in artwork or films which take must longer to become public. 

Whatever your reason for wearing pink in 2017 - choose that shade that best flatters your skin tone and hair color.  There is sure to be options from your favorite fashion designers.  

Two runway looks that stole the show from Salvatore Ferragamo and Celine.   Of course, accessories abound. 

For any young ladies that need a refresher on all things FEMINISM - the The Feminine Mystique started a revolution in the 60's.  This time it's televised! WHY WE MARCH - SIGNS OF PROTEST AND HOPE - ARTISAN BOOKS- CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFO MAKE A DONATION TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD BY PURCHASING A PINK PUSSY HAT ON ETSY - CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFO

                                SHOP CELINE

                        SHOP FERRAGAMO

PUSSY HAT PROJECT

FLORAL EMBROIDERED FERRAGAMO "GINNY" BAG - $1,250.00KARIN PALE PINK MINI BUCKET BAG - $525.00

FENDI 2 JOURS - CHIC AND UNDERSTATED - EVERY DAY AND EVERYDAY!

FENDI SPRING 17 RUNWAY - COLOR BLOCK EXPLOSIONIt's so exciting to see FENDI shine in all it's fashion glory this past three years.   For YEARS the brand was an afterthought.  Overshadowed (in my opinion) by the GIANT personality of Karl Lagerfeld and his affiliation with this storied house, but more so by his GINORMOUS affiliation and success with CHANEL.  In fact, Lagerfeld has been affiliated with FENDI for longer than he has been twirling tweed at Chanel.  Karl is a font of creativity yes, but for too many seasons FENDI could almost be called CHANEL LITE.  FENDI PEACOCK BLUE 2 JOURS BAG - $2,350.00 - CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE INFO / COLORS IF Chanel had wide belts, Fendi had wide belts.   If Chanel had a bag in a bag, next season Fendi - bag in a bag... and on and on and on.

Lately however, the whimsical creativity Karl has unleashed in anime and cartoon like Technicolor has caused the brand to explode with interest.   All types of shapes and sizes of accessories, and of course those famous furs!   Even Karl's likeness on a FUR key chain or bag ornament became an "IT" things.  There haven't been this many FENDI bags on the street since the companies famous #BaguetteBag helped create the concept of the "it" bag in the 90's.

Smaller brands like TULESTE took the fur pompoms and RAN with it... and now those items are "IT"s.  Love those TULESTE girls!! 

Having said all that.. the FENDI bag I'm enamored with lately is one of the most classic, conservative, and safe handbags they make.   The 2 Jour (play on words for tourjours or tous jour) - meaning everyday and always.  The bag is fantastic.  It's the perfect size (there are several), and it's just formal enough for business uptown, and just cool enough for having fun downtown.   The calfskin leather is durable enough to take a beating and honestly, it starts to look better when it's worn in.  This navy version is my friends go-to bag. FENDI 2 JOURS BAG IN NAVY - HANGING AROUND THE FRENCH RIVIERA She is cool and chic and lives in the South of France.  The bag has bopped between NYC and The French Riviera for a year now - and just gets better!    Click images to shop the latest color.   FENDI NAVY 2 JOURS BAG - GETTING SOME SUN ON THE COTE D'AZUR

DID YOU SHOP SMALL ON SMALL BIZ SATURDAY?

If you were out shopping this holiday weekend, I hope you were able to #ShopSmall and support small businesses in your community.  When your shopping for things on your holiday list, remember that even if things cost a few more dollars are small boutiques, dollars spent at independent stores are shown to stay in your community much more than those spent at big box stores. 

There are great shops in every town and city that are run by hard working men and women - living their dream by creating that one of a kind shopping experience you can only find right there!  

Every category from Chocolate to Chukka boots are usually just around the corner.  If you don't live in a town with much retail happening - then let your fingers do the walking on-line, as many small shops have BIG online stores. American Express created the program to support their clients that accept Amex and have a great search tool on the website - SHOP SMALL (click to search your town).

Don't think you missed it if Saturday came and went and you didn't #SHOPSMALL - keep these stores in mind this entire holiday season - or actually ALL THE TIME.