SUNSET OVER THE HUDSON RIVERNew York City used to be referred to as the concrete jungle, but anyone who has visited the Big Apple in the last five years knows that moniker is O-L-D.   The NYC of 2010 is a green, pedestrian friendly place with parks and public spaces friendly to tourists and residents.    So friendly in fact that for the first time in 50 years, couples having babies are NOT moving to the suburbs once that bundle of joy arrives.    No surprise considering that living in Manhattan puts everything at your fingertips - nature now included!PARK IN FULL BLOOM

The latest addition to Hudson River Park , just unveiled, as part of the staggering gentrification project happening under Mayor Bloomberg's leadership is Pier 62 & Pier 63 in Chelsea.   Breathtaking lawns, landscaped gardens and piers abound.  ACRES OF LAWNJust North of Chelsea Piers, the park unfolds out onto two newly created piers.  A carousel honoring animals found in the Hudson Valley region is one of the crown jewels of the park.  Think Hawks, Bears, & Trout -OH MY ( not the usual BEAR talked about in Chelsea mind you!).   Also on top of the list for many teens is the largest skate park in NYC, or any major city for that matter.   

While the space is overflowing with amenities like running paths, marinas, restaurants, etc - the true star of the Park is the Hudson river, and the amazing trees, shrubs, and flowers painstakingly planted for over a year before the park opened.   I'm sure one day it will be as big a tourist destination as Central Park itself.    CAROUSEL CRITTERS

If visiting for the first time, a great entrance point is 14th Street at 11th Avenue.    Walking North or South are equally enjoyable.ROLLING HILLS WITH CITY SKYLINE    In fact, the entire Westside from Battery Park to above 125th Street is now seamlessly connected.   As an avid long distance runner I can wholeheartedly confirm that! If you are looking for a true NY experience, walk the length of the Westside parks.   You will see the true meaning of the term "melting pot" as you cross from neighborhood to neighborhood.  ENDLESS LANDSCAPING FILLS THE PARK

TREES TREES TREESBravo to Mayor Bloomberg for his commitment to parks and public spaces and also his staggering Million Tree Project that has and will transform NYC for decades to come.

See you on the river!   To see additional photos and full size of photos shown above - click  PARK PICS.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO - 1938"Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery", or so the saying goes.  Actually, an English cleric and writer - Charles Caleb Colton, known for his eccentricities, coined the phrase in the early 1800's.   While the sentiment of the expression still rings true, you have to ask yourself - when does flattery cross the line to copying?  

Some designers have made their fortune by "borrowing" ideas from others.   Jackie O. made Oleg Cassini world famous after her savvy move to bring her designer tastes state side.   Jackie loved Givenchy in Paris, and Mr. Cassini "interpreted" many a look from the French fashion house.  Ironic because Cassini was French born - but based in U.S. - so they were "American designs".   MURKUDIS & "HIS" FLIP FLOP - MARCH ELLE 2010

American designers have been notorious in the past for tweaking their own collections before fashion week, after seeing what was on the runway in Milan & Paris.  This all changed when New York started showing before the Europeans.   (Thank Helmut Lang for that move).   While the move does ruin many a fashion employees last weekends of summer, it did force designers to take a stand, trends of Europe be damned!

Coco Chanel never minded copycats.  She famously quoted Mr. Colton when asked about her feelings on the matter.   Chanel's key rival - Elsa Schiaparelli  (excellent website!) took Coco's opinion as an opportunity to flatter her own creations.     When the press asked Schiaparelli how she felt about copies compared to Coco Chanel's opinion, Schiaparelli replied - "my designs are inimitable".   Which really was a mouthful - considering how intricate and colorful her designs were.  It was an obvious slap at Chanel. 

The whole matter is on my mind because of a shoe design I saw when thumbing through the latest edition of one of my favorite magazines.   I did a double take when I saw a Berlin based designer who "created" a colorful platform sandal.    Kostas Murkudis says this "flip flop" was inspired by "Chinese Imperial boots" from the 19th century.   Hmmm.   strange because to me they look like they were inspired by Salvatore Ferragamo's mulit-colored platform sandals from 1938.    

Even in Mr. Murkudis was inspired by the Chinese, once someone as famous as Ferragamo has created a shoe before you and has been known globally for it - you just shouldn't go there.   To me, that would be like creating a dance song today about voguing.   Madonna didn't invent voguing, but she damn well did put it on the map globally -so why would you ever go there?

So why would you Mr. Murkudis?  

NINA WARTHEN FOR MICHAEL DAWKINSOne of the hottest commercial and print models in NYC is also one of the nicest!

Nina Warthen is beautiful, but you know that part just from looking at her.  What you can't tell is what a sweet person she is.   We caught up with each other while shooting the 2010 Campaign for Michael Dawkins.   Nina shined wearing Michael's gorgeous jewelry.   The shoot was a blast and Nina made the day so much fun!   I've worked with Nina at some of the biggest fashion houses in the business like Valentino and Missoni - no shock there - she is a knockout!

Who's Hotter Than...

NINA WARTHEN

To book Nina:

Print - IMAGES MANAGEMENT - 212-228-0300

Commercial -CESD TALENT - 212-477-3838

ST. JOHN COLLECTION - FEATURING KAREN ELSONST. JOHN is legendary in the American fashion and textile industry.   As the leading Knitwear company in the world, you'd be hard pressed to find another American brand as involved in the production of their collection as St. John.   Every detail is precise.  Their patented Santana knit, created by spinning the finest wool with rayon,  has a global following of women who appreciate the comfort and elegance of a St. John wardrobe. 

The company was founded in 1962 by the husband and wife team Robert and Marie  Gray.   Inspired by a knitting machine, the SJK story reads like those you hear all the time from Italy or France.   The DNA of fashion's most iconic houses like Chanel or Missoni are not so ST. JOHN - EXCLUSIVE ABSTRACT PRINT JACKET - $1,295.00different from that of St. John's.   Based in Southern California, the story is one that reminds you of good old American know how.   The company incubated at a time when "Made In America" was a symbol of quality around the world.   The Grays took that concept and watched their dream grow.   ( I only wish more fashion companies would have invested in America and kept production state side as well).

It is hard not to think of CHANEL when you see the formula that the Grays followed.   The attention to details, the quality of raw materials, the innovation of new technology.  The concept of staple pieces in a wardrobe is also a common theme to both collections, making them timeless.   The decision to produce their own fabrics to increase quality control and delivery timing also made those fabrics exclusive to the company.

ST. JOHN - ICONIC IN BLACK & WHITEAmazingly,  50 years later  the company is more dynamic than ever.   Reacting to the global downturn, changing the way they do business, continuing the quest for innovation, and basically - evolving the brand.   That might seem like a basic concept, but beleive me - it is no small task to keep a brand relevant and reactive to the changing tide of the fashion industry.   Every major fashion house has ebbs and flows of popularity.   The real challenge is to know how to navigate through the slower periods, and how not to bastardize the brand during the boom times.

The business that St. John carved out in American Sportswear puts them on a very short list.   For several decades, the collection has been a staple and a cash cow for major department stores like Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus.   The genius of the knitwear items that are timeless and season-less - and most importantly : are of the highest quality, are aspirational, and can fit women well outside the ever shrinking "sample size" of most runway ideals.   ( I can remember being in Saks 5th Avenue stores around the country in the mid 90's and literally seeing rooms full of St. John options).ST. JOHN - LITTLE BLACK -GOWN - $1,595.00

For 2010, the brand continues to evolve.   The latest ad campaign features exotic beauty Karen Elson.  Her Crimson hair and ivory skin are captivating.   Elson looks like she walked out of a Victorian dream.   Several shots from the campaign feature Elson in black evening options that are stunning!  The ads are impossible to miss, as they are sensual and chic.  The art direction feels like a cross between Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" and a red carpet event.   The colors are that rich.   GORGEOUS!

TIM BURTON'S QUEEN OF HEARTSThe use of black could be a nod to the company's recently launched Caviar Collection.   The concept was to dedicate a newly formulated dye to achieve a true black standard as a core reference for the collection.    The items are a must for any international travelers wardrobe.    With St. John now distributed in 45 countries, the brand is about as international as it gets!

Browse the newly re-launched website and read more about the legacy of ST. JOHN - and shop the new ad campaign.