BONJOUR DIOR BEVERLY HILLS

FASHION SPY IN DIORMy trip last week to sunny California for Dior was a dream come true for this pale and grumpy New Yorker.  From the moment the plane landed, I was in LA LA land.  (Incidentally I sat next to Andy Cohen from Bravo on my flight -very nice.  I'm sure he cherished the down time away from the ladies of the Real Housewives!).   There is something about L.A. that is unlike any other place.   Of course it's the sunshine, the palm trees, and the Hollywood effect.  The movie industry has the whole city in a permanent trance.  If you turn heads in other places, you get stares in Los Angeles.   People in L.A. do a unique double take to everyone they pass on the street.   You get that extra moment of glance and you can almost hear the thoughts "who is that?", "is he famous?"   VIA RODEO  For this reason alone - how can you not like spending a few days in L.A?

Then, for a die hard New Yorker like myself to have the chance to drive a brand new rental car ( trying to get the most gas efficient model available!) gives me flashbacks to high school.   Those first months when you could drive by yourself and have total control of your destination.   Of course this doesn't last long in L.A. as after 10 minutes of euphoria I am in bumper to bumper traffic on the 405!   But still happy - as I have 45 minutes all to myself to listen to every new top 40 song I didn't know existed!   Hi Eminem, hi Usher - I remember you guys!

RODEO DRIVE -SUNDAY MORNINGRodeo drive continues to dazzle and captivate tourists from every corner of the globe.   The level of quality craftsmanship that you see from boutique to boutique is staggering.   There truly is no other place on earth that has such opulent and luxurious fashion one shop after another.    There are also more exotic sports cars than you have ever seen in a 5 block radius!

Dior has an impressive location on Rodeo.  All product categories from Fine Jewelry to Accessories, to RTW, to Shoes are all here.  The Dior Fall collection - beautiful.   Really, John Galliano is on a level that few can ever reach.   The vision and story he is able to bring to one of the most prestigious fashion ateliers in the world is amazing.   Keep in Mind that Dior and Chanel are the only two major fashion houses with Couture roots.   Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, & Hermes are all beautiful, but do not originate from a couture collection.   This gives a quality and savoir-faire to collections like Dior and Chanel that cannot be duplicated.   

MISS DIOR FLOATS ON A CLOUDThe really great news is that designer houses have become very considerate of the fact that women are thinking twice about price points when they invest in these RTW pieces. DIOR WOOL KNIT W/ HAND LACED RIBBON - $2,600.00  Also keep in mind that designer handbag prices have increased steadily for the last 10 years.   That means if you are buying designer handbags today, you can afford designer RTW.  Case in point at Dior.   There are amazing knitwear and classically tailored jackets shown on the runway that retail in the $2,600.00 - $3,000.00 range.  Galliano's vision of Miss Dior for Fall is full of equestrian detailing of the classics and romantic shapes for those Libertines at heart! 

CLASSIC DIOR JACKET - $3,000.00Of course, these pieces are very expensive.  However, for a designer garment hand crafted in France or Italy - there is great value in those price points.   These pieces are made from the finest raw materials on Earth and manufactured by skilled Artisans who have the finest working conditions and labor regulations in the world.   There is no finer product outside of true French Couture.  In addition, these items will be relevant for life.

Preview the Dior Fall collection now!  Click - Dior for Sure.

CAUSE FOR SHOPPING IN BEVERLY HILLS

I was recently in Beverly Hills, which never disappoints!  I learned about a great reason for you to shop till you drop for a good cause on October 12th.   

I spent a few days on Rodeo Drive and the boutiques have never looked better.   The fall collections are strong and wearable and full of investment pieces.   After the economic fallout of the past year, designers have been wise to offer more value for your money in a wide range of products.   

I was at Salvatore Ferragamo, hosting a preview of the resort & pre-spring collections.   There are some amazing metallics in the collection that you will want to add to your permanent collection.    While there, I met Judith Rubins, a super stylish VIP client who was previewing the collection, and also working for her charitableJASON JOBSON & JUDITH RUBINS cause, Lupus LA.
LupusLA.org  is bringing together the hottest boutiques in Beverly Hills for a fun filled day of shopping.  Visit Fendi, Versace, Ferragamo, YSL, Bottega and so many more- where every purchase will raise money for the charity.   Judith was rocking an amazing ochre colored ostrich bag by who else- Ferragamo!  Take note of her whole outfit - that is how you wear color!

Start the day on October 12th at 10am with breakfast at Versace on Via Rodeo, there you will pick up your Passport to shop.  (passports are available all day at Versace).   10% of your purchases will help raise money to find the cure for Lupus.   Your passport will list all the boutiques participating, and where to enter drawings for prizes and gifts valued up to $5,000.00!  

At Noon Join the Mayor of Beverly Hills, Nancy Krasne at Bottega Veneta as she proclaims October 12 " Hollywood Bag Ladies Day".   The Bottega collection will have your jaw dropping  with the pale earth tones Tomas Maier dreamt up for fall!.

At 2pm - Fendi will announce the winner of a $5,000 drawing of clothing and accessories.   (entries accepted at Fendi until 2pm).

Cafe Rodeo at the Luxe Hotel is a great place to grab lunch to recharge your batteries and plot the rest of your shopping scrimmage!   The cafe will also donate a portion of your bill to LupusLA.org.

Don't forget to end your day at Italian Mega Brand - Ferragamo.  Dropping off your shopping passport will enter you in a drawing for some fabulous prizes.

Call Lupus LA at 310-657-5667 or visit www.LupusLA.org to reserve your complimentary "shopping passport".

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that affects more than 5 million people worldwide.   The disease can attack the body in many different ways.   Skin, joints, and/ or organs can be damaged by the disease.

The disease got national attention last week with the sad passing of Lucy Vodden in England.   Lucy was the childhood friend of John Lennon's son Julian.   Julian can home from school one day at the age of 4 with a drawing.   He told his father, "that's Lucy in the sky with Diamonds".   The song that John Lennon wrote inspired by his son would become one of the most iconic Beatles songs.     Vodden died at the age of 46 from Lupus.    She had battled the chronic disease for years.KAREN SARTI & JASON JOBSON IN FERRAGAMO

Coincidentally, another VIP client in the boutique the next day is also touched by Lupus.   Karen Sarti has so much energy and such a positive attitude, it is hard to believe that she suffers from this silent but painful disease.   Karen has a great sense of style and is willing to try new things and take chances- which is always the sign of someone who has great style!    Karen was excited to hear about the Hollywood Bag Ladies shopping event for Lupus LA on October 12th!   Both karen and I were headed to LAX that night.   I was taking the red eye back to NYC and Karen was heading South to Guadalajara, Mexico.  A home away from home for Ms. Sarti.  Hope to see her again soon!  

Save the date - October 12th.   A great cause and a great way to start your week.

If you can't make it to Beverly Hills on the October 12th, save the date for November 18th for the annual Hollywood Bag Ladies Luncheon.   More information  on the website.  Click - Hollywood Bag Ladies 

FERRAGAMO and a LIFE of STYLE

Salvatore Ferragamo Spring 2009a LIFE of STYLE is very pleased to announce that Fashion Expert and a LIFE of STYLE Editor In Chief, Jason Jobson will be hosting in-store Fall 2009 previews at select Salvatore Ferragamo boutiques around the country.   This is the first collaboration between Jobson and the legendary fashion house.    Known as the original master of footwear design, Salvatore Ferragamo is the man that started it all.   His legacy is responsible for every designer shoe collection we see today from Manolo Blahnik to Christian Louboutin.   Unbelievably, Ferragamo was creating shoes in Hollywood in the 1920's.   His shoe designs saw every young studio actress blossom into major movie Cinderella's.   If you can think of a famous actress in Hollywood, Salvatore designed shoes for her.   The house has shod every leading lady from Audrey Hepburn to Nicole Kidman.Salvatore Ferragamo with Audrey Hepburn

What began as a shoe collection had grown into a complete luxury design house by as early as the 1960's.   Family owned and controlled, the Florence based house has developed category after category.   RTW, Eye wear, Timepieces, Fragrance,  Menswear, etc.  Salvatore Ferragamo Fall 2009

Jobson will host legacy presentations for VIP clients and spend the day meeting customers,  giving them advice on style as well as previewing the Fall 2009 colllections.  

JASON JOBSON"I'm thrilled to be collaborating with Salvatore Ferragamo.   Few companies have the legacy and the fashion future that Ferragamo has.   I'm really looking forward to the events".  - Jason Jobson

The first event will take place in Beverly Hills on Friday, March 20th.  

To see the full schedule of events and RSVP - click -Ferragamo