THROUGH THE SHARP EYE OF PAMELA BERKOVIC - GALLERY EXHIBIT

CACHAREL - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC On a warm evening in May, a select group of NY's fashion and design crowd gathered on the Upper East Side to celebrate the opening of Pamela Berkovic's collection of photographs.  This exhibit : Pamela Berkovic - A Woman's Eye did not disappoint

Known for her ability to pinpoint striking moments in the somewhat chaotic scene of fashion shows, Berkovic works from a vantage point that most people never have access to.  Some of the fashion worlds most celebrated and successful fashion designers invite her backstage during what is probably the most stressful few hours of their year.  They do so because they know her talent, and trust her vision to capture the most beautiful shots of this environment they create just a few times a year.  This is no small achievement.  Considering designers spend hundreds of thousands of dollars, for a roughly 20 minute fashion show, to say the day can be a landmine of stressful situations is an understatement.   While "backstage" has become a popular genre for designers and photogs, it's true to say that Pamela Berkovic helped make it so.  She was one of the first (the first?) of her generation to be taking a different view of "fashion" and "beauty".  ZAC POSEN PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC

This exhibit included some of Berkovics favorite shots from recent years, not limited to fashion.  IN BLOOM : PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC Her use of lighting and her focus can take you by surprise, and command your attention.  She is easily one of the strongest photographers to work in the fashion industry in the last decade. 

It's no surprise that the exhibit was such a success.  Within a short time, many prints were sold. LANVIN - PH: PAMELA BERKOVIC

I'm excited to see where Ms. Berkovic will focus her eye next.  Inevitably, talented photographers are recruited for large commercial projects.  Some of the shots in this exhibit from campaigns were among her strongest.  With a portfolio that is so sophisticated, any campaign or project from the studio of Pamela Berkovic would be a first class affair.   Is film next?

For more information click on images.   Additionally, visit PAMELA BERKOVIC. 

PHOTOGRAPHER PAMELA BERKOVIC: DRESS:SACAI / SHOES: SAINT LAURENT

MGM CITY CENTER DRAWS LINE IN THE SAND

CITY CENTER FACADE - CRYSTALS SHOPPING COMPLEXWOW!…  What else can you say when you look at the future.. or experience it?   That is exactly what City Center, the largest and most dramatic urban complex ever to bow in Las Vegas feels like.   The latest project from the MGM Mirage Group, City Center is a work of art on a scale that mere mortals rarely accomplish.    Already dubbed “Dubai West” due to its size and opulence,  City Center sparkles, dazzles, and redraws a line in the sand – separating it from any other property in this already glamorous city.    I was thrilled to get an advanced looked at the complex early this week. JASON IN THE MIDDLE OF RETAIL HEAVEN It didn’t take much to get me on the plane to Vegas to be one of the first people to experience City Center!  Also, how often do you get to look at 8.5 Billion dollars?  That staggering budget won't be topped anytime soon.CRYSTALS INTERIOR - 500,000 SQUARE FEET

Despite the worst economic environment in 75 years, MGM pushed ahead with the uber project that broke ground back in 2007.   Bravo!   The company should be applauded for recognizing that when the economy recovers during 2010 and 2011, this property will be the luxury destination in Sin City, if not the world.     It will take years or at least a decade for any other future project to outdo this work of art.    Not to mention that since the credit crackdown of 2009 – who will ever be able to line up funding like this anytime soon?    

Crystals is the luxury retail complex that features astonishing boutiques from the biggest names in fashion.   Of course Louis Vuitton took the center by storm by opening  their largest boutique in the U.S.-  3 levels of open air design displaying the latest LV collection, as well as custom made products for Vegas like a traveling  roulette wheel in your own LV trunk!  Don't ask the price!     Tom Ford opens his second boutique in the US that will no doubt host the unveiling of the designers women's collection in 2011.    French “it” collection Lanvin also chose City Center to unveil it’s second state side boutique after Bal Harbour– opening early 2010.   Fellow French fashion house and luxury benchmark –Hermes- will also be a part of the massive atrium.

The real star of the Crystals shopping complex is the building itself.  There is over 500,000 square feet of luxury retail shopping destinations!   At the center of the building sits a three story wooden tree house designed by NYC based architect David Rockwell.  DAVID ROCKWELL'S TREEHOUSE The curved lines of this wooden Café / lounge in the sky makes me think of Star Wars – a futuristic image of a minimalist cantina.   At the same time, the shape and position of the tree house looks like an abstract heart, pulsating life to all corners of the Crystals.   Rockwell is known for breaking boundaries and taking projects to the next level.   He is a prolific talent - in the past year alone working on such diverse projects as the state of the art Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco, the set of the 81st Annual Academy Awards, and this out of this world retail environment in Las Vegas. (And this is just his projects happening in North America).   Rockwell gave the building smooth lines that soften and calm the feeling created by Fellow Architect and dreamer, Daniel Libeskind, who designed the facade and outer building of Crystals.   Jagged edges of steel and glass envelop Rockwell's world of smooth wood and filtered light.  SMOOTH LINES AND CALM LIGHTING IN THE CRYSTALSThe overall effect is like some futuristic bio-dome where only luxury goods and those who can afford them have survived.   The Crystals and City Center are about as unlike any other structure in Las Vegas you can imagine.    City Center and Wynn are not only at opposite ends of the strip in Vegas, they are polar opposites when it comes to aesthetics.   

Amazingly, the 8 billion dollar City Center has only one gaming property – Aria.  The stunning hotel and casino has 4,000 guestrooms!  The lobby is unlike any casino - hotel you have ever seen.   Calm and serene with live trees everywhere you look.   To help Aria take shape, the powers that be enlisted another rock star of design, NYC architect Peter Marino to contribute to the casino itself.   Marino is the darling of the fashion world,  creating some of the biggest and most luxurious Fashion boutiques in the world for global brands like Chanel and  Christian Dior. CITY CENTER DRIVEWAY -VERY BLADE RUNNER   For City Center Marino created the VIP gaming area of Aria.   The inspiration was the curves and natural flow of the Grand Canyon.  HIGH ROLLER GAMING ROOMS BY PETER MARINO AT ARIA Marino outdid himself with this visually  stunning  space.   He was able to create a sense of calm for those who will be risking large sums of money on every hand!   Not only visually stunning, Aria is proud to have received LEED GOLD certification for the property – another first for a project this size.

The talent of the MGM management is that they are able to present this ultra luxurious property- while at the same time offering enough options for those on a more limited budget.   Case in point,TERRENE BOUTIQUE two of the retails stores owned and operated by the MGM management offers a range of price points that give the same look as the luxury designs for sale in the Crystals complex.    Terrene for Women and Viceroy  for  Men,  both stores off the lobby in Aria. 

I can’t even go into the restaurants here and do them justice.   There are 16 in Aria alone!   More to come on the eating options, but just be warned – don’t eat for a week before you go.  I'll be writing about this for days, as there are so many details to cover!   Oh, did I forget to mention, Elvis is in the building?   That's right, Cirque du Soleil has created another show for Las Vegas.   This time, honoring the King of Rock & Roll himself.   The theater at Aria houses the show and also has the only official Elvis store in Las Vegas.  

After you rock City Center, pop across the strip one night to Planet Hollywood to take in the former “Girls Next Door” star Holly Madison  in her new burlesque production - PEEPSHOW.  Holly went from being one of Hef's harem to being the hottest tease on the strip.. or something like that.  Hef who?   HOLLY MADISON OF PEEP SHOW

Bottom line, Get yourself to Las Vegas  in 2010!   With all the incentives being offered, there has never been a better time to go.   You are guaranteed have a great time.   There are so many great deals on airfare and many of the major hotels are offering packages with steep discounts.   Some are even giving casino dollars to spend on the property.   Jet Blue also has direct flights from the new terminal at JFK.  Good Luck!



CAMPAIGN WATCH II - FALL 2009

For round two of our Fall Campaign watch I thought it was only appropriate to choose Lanvin - since I referenced the disturbingly gorgeous Kristen McMenamy in our first round.    Alber Elbaz is a favorite of aLIFEofSTYLE as regular readers know.   His Fall collection for Lanvin is Parisian chic at it's best.   The design is superb and the execution by the house of Lanvin is exquisite.  ALBER ELBAZ  Elbaz chose master photog Steven Meisel to bring this collection to life.   As if Mcmenamy was not alarming enough with her severe look - enter a black cat or two to really get your attention.   They say it is bad luck for a black cat to cross your path - but I guess your not worried about luck once you let one climb on your face.   After all, who would be worried about luck when you look like this and can dress like that!    The look is unmistakably French, crossed with an uber chic Lilly Munster goes to Paris vibe.  Brilliant!

To shop the collection, visit Net-a-Porter.com now. 

Elbaz Bets On Black -LANVIN Fall 2009

Alber Elbaz kept his stride with yet another beautiful collection for Lanvin.   The debut of his fall 2009 collection in Paris received rave reviews, something that is becoming a staple each season.   Here's why:

Elbaz has managed to resurrect the spirit of Lanvin while making it feel modern in three ways.

First -he has continually utilized typically French detailing such as rouching, pleating, and imaginative draping. 

Second - Elbaz gives his customers color that they can wear - not colors that wear them.    

Third and perhaps most important - Alber continues to inject newness in each collection - giving his customers a reason to buy something from each new offering.   This is key especially in the times in which we are living.

What a pleasure to watch a creative designer continue to grow and develop his relationship at a  fashion house.   This season Elbaz made a statement by showing mostly black on the runway.   Something he had not done for the first few seasons with Lanvin.   It is a natural progression.   After all the bold statements in print and color - he could tackle the more challenging task of making black look new and exciting.   There were a few shots of color - but the overall statement was sexy - yet somber - which was spot on.

Bravo for Elbaz and for Lanvin!   Fashion Houses take note - this is how it's done!  It takes patience and trust for a house to achieve success with a new creative director/ designer.   Too often - it doesn't work.   For this reason the powers that be at Krizia must be kicking themselves.  Readers might remember - Elbaz designed one of the most beautiful collections in recent memory for the house that received rave reviews back in the fall of 2000.   However, due to the micro managing the long suffering house is known for the relationship ended after only a few months.   Unbelievable since that one collection was the only positive press that Krizia has received in possibly a decade .  Even the naming of the collection Krizia "Top" - left you thinking - where is Krizia "bottom"?   I was at that show in Milan and it took my breath away.   The collection had an African theme brought to life with the sophistication of YSL himself. 

During a time when few are excited about the fashion industry - Alber Elbaz leaves us wanting more.