VOGUE'S 'LADY DAY' photoshoot - SILVER HAIR=Edgy + Modern

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
It's 8:15a.m., Memorial Day and I've got a low-level headache but I am totally inspired. The cause of the headache? No, it's not the 1 glass of BIG WHITE 2007 CHARDONNAY from SouthEast Africa I had last night. The headache's from staying up too late grading my Academy of Art University Final Exams with Disc 2 of Season 3 of 'Mad Men' running on a continuous loop on the TV in my office until 1a.m.
Steven Meisel's 'LADY DAY' photoshoot, gets the credit for my high spirits.

I finally cracked the MAY 2010 VOGUE issue open yesterday a.m. on the way back from my hubby's soccer tournament, and automatically turned to see what my favorite stylist, GRACE CODDINGTON, had dreamed-up for May. There was AMBER VALLETTA, dressed up as [gasp!] as an OLDER woman and looking absolutely fabulous.
THE BOYS I OWE MY INSPIRED state to: Photographer Steven Meisel and GUIDO, Redken's Creative Consultant for "aging" AMBER, and making me WANT to go gray -like, NOW.
I stayed inspired throughout the evening, mucking-around with bleach and ash color, sneaking a look at 'Roger Sterling's' [his hair is that very shade], on the TV.
Gray/silver is a trend in the making. One of my students, Maria Puglisi, wrote about in her final exam.
Maria suggested that silver is the new "cool" color". I was instantly on-board. After all, Babe Paley let her dark hair go silver.
Maria's image of socialite/model PIXIE GELDORF, sealed the deal.


While the result was not what I envisioned as I started the process last night, it's a step in the right direction and there's a beach party to go to now.
The solution or I should say, satisfaction, is only 1 1/2 months away, That's when I'll be covering Mercedes-Benz Miami Beach Swim, and I'll drop into the Oribe Salon and they'll make my vision a reality. In the meantime, I've got Amber's pic tacked-up to my office wall in front of me, reminding me that a woman CAN have gray hair AND look, not "old", but gorgeous and sophisticated.

To read more enthusiastic reviews about Steven and Grace Coddington's 'LADY DAY' shoot, go to www.chungkitblog.wordpress.com

For information regarding Oribe and the Oribe Salon, visit www.oribesalon.com

An Ode to "Easy Rider" - Dennis Hopper R.I.P. and the Boys on Bikes

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

It was a shock to hear last night to hear that one of our acting legends, DENNIS HOPPER, passed-away. He wasn't one of my favorite actors [I hated 'Blue Velvet'], but there was no denying that he was a great one. A few films he's appeared in include: Giant, Rebel Without a Cause, Gunfight at the OK Corral. His acting has a blazing authenticity to it because he actually lived the life he acted. In 1969, Hopper wrote EASY RIDER - a "counterculture road movie script" he produced with just $400,000. Hopper directed it himself, and starred it it alongside Peter Fonda, Hopper and Jack Nicholson. The film did amazingly well at box-office because it hit a nerve with the nation's youth, by appealing to the anti-establishment youth culture of the times. It is widely regarded as the first anti-establishment film. Many other me-too films followed, produced by major studios, which featured hippies, bikers, draft dodgers and pot smokers. There's only one EASY RIDER, and one Dennis Hopper. If you haven't seen this movie, you owe it to yourself to do so.
Dennis, we salute you.

CRUMPLER BAGS - Putting FASHION and Comfort Back into the Frumpy Backpack

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
Back in early April, I was in downtown, NYC with two European girlfriends. They were on a mission - to hit the Crumpler store to buy a camera bag and a backpack. It sounded boring, but I gamely tagged-along, thinking I could sneak out and check-out the jewelry on the tables outside when they were shopping. All thoughts of that alternative went out the window once I crossed the threshold of this shop that's seriously not much bigger than my bathroom and walk-in closet.
Although we were in NYC, the shop, and salesgirl had a distinct Cali -surfer vibe to it. No wonder, CRUMPLER is originally from Down Under/Australia, and also has a shop in San Francisco.
While Florence and Sandra debated the merits of the sage green vs the pewter colored backpacks, I examined the goodies by the register. Being a hard core pink and green Lilly Pulitzer girl, I bought the pink phone case to try this brand out in a small way. This little experiment cost me under $15, as the cases happened to be on sale that day.

I'd previously associated people who run around with their cellphones clipped to their jeans to be hopelessly nerdy and in need of a fashion 411, yet there I was a month later, wearing my Crumpler velcroed to my Varvatos-Converse jeans, at a gymnastics meet in New Hampshire. No one looked at me strangely, or suggested I try out for a part as an extra in the remake of 'Revenge of the Nerds'.
My next purchase from Crumpler will be a backpack with padding in all the right places that I'll wear during New York Fashion Week in September. Hopefully, it comes in pink.

To view the full range of the collection, visit www.crumplerbags.com
If you're in NYC, visit the store at 45 Spring St (between Mott St & Mulberry St)
Tel: (212) 334-9391
*Images by Susan S.'s review for www.yelp.com

"BIG" - the big Kahuna 'Carrie' finally caught, wears JOHN LOBB

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
Images of Chris Noth and Staveley Lobbs, courtesy of Simone Pioggi, Atelier Public Relations

I've always had a crush on actor, CHRIS NOTH, from the first time he appeared on Law & Order and helped me get through miles of training runs on the USA channel, TNT. True, he was a bit of a thug, but he was without question, the cutest boy in the NYPD. I challenge any woman out there to say with a straight face, that she hasn't fallen at least once for a bad-boy Chris Noth type.

While I liked him in Law & Order, I was HEAD-OVER-HEELS for him in Sex and the City. "Big" was THE BIG ONE - the proverbial "one who got away". For me, he was a ringer of the ridiculously handsome DJ/skier boyfriend I had in my mid-twenties who made me my first "serious" money by advising me to short Toys R' Us, right before they filed for Chapter 11.

As much as I love watching Chris, whether on the tube or live and in person, front row, with SJP at a Marc Jacobs show, I'm actually more interested in watching his evolution from a J.C. Penny suit-clad detective to a sharply tailored guy with JOHN LOBB shoes on his feet.

I couldn't get to 'Sex and the City II opening night, but I did hear, courtesy of Atelier PR, that Chris is getting some serious fashion know-how. Mr. BIG looked refined all right, in his STAVELY Lobbs while attending the premiere of Sex and of the City 2 earlier this week. The Staveley is a classic oxford with a modern squared toe that featured a mock toe cap with three rows of stitching. Maybe, it was Carrie/SJP who speeded-up the process, but Chris Noth has definitely gotten the moves down to fit the bill as Carrie's forever consort. After all, the first wardrobe item a woman looks at on a man is his shoes. Bases on his LOBBS, BIG and Carrie will be together for a very long time.

*I'll be hitting the movie theater at some point this weekend. If you're remotely interested in fashion, you should too to see what stylist PAT FIELDS has done this time. www.sexandthecitymovie.com

To view more items from John Lobb, visit www.johnlobb.com
Sometimes, you can get lucky, and find a pair on one of my new favorite sites, www.giltman.com

Happy Birthday Marilyn! GO SEE THE MARILYN MONROE and JFK AND Bobby Kennedy photo at the Photographic Center, LA

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
I'm obsessed with fashion icons: Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Edie Sedgewick, Little Eddie from "Gray Gardens", Jackie O, all Hitchcock heroines, the list goes on.

AT this time though, I'm having "a Marilyn moment" - Marilyn Monroe, not Manson.

I've replaced the Vogue print at my guest-door entrance with a huge happy one of Marilyn smiling from ear to ear bundled in a red jersey dress. But, it's only a print. When we received the email from Jenn Latsky and the Visionaire PR Group, we flipped.
The release reads:

For Immediate Release

The Original Secret Photo of Marilyn Monroe and President John F. Kennedy shot by Cecil Stoughton is being unveiled on June 1, 2010 at Art & Artifact: The Photographic Art Center in Los Angeles, CA

I promptly entered the date in my Lilly Pulitzer datebook and got rid of everything else. Yesterday, reality hit and I realized that the opening WAS IN LA - NOT downtown New York, where I'd rather snobbishly assumed any important art would be shown. Shame on me.
Unfortunately, I won't be going to LA as I'm working in my CT office all week.
THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE IN LA, or CAN get to the The Photographic Art Center and Keya
Gallery - do it.
On Tuesday, the first of June, they will unveil the only photograph ever known
of President John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe to the public. Better still, this shot was taken only a few hours after Marilyn so notably stumbled-about on stage at the Garden in that legendary painted-on white dress singing "Happy Birthday" to JFK, who'd by then, sadly dumped her and passed her on to brother Bobby. Says Keya Morgan, owner of the Keya Gallery, “This is the only existing photo of Marilyn Monroe with either Kennedy Brother, since the
others were confiscated by the Secret Service and the FBI.”


The photograph was taken by JFK’s personal photographer, Cecil Stoughton, on May 19, 1962 at the home of Arthur and Matilda Krim on 33 East 69th Street, New York, NY, just a few hours after Marilyn’s legendary performance of
“Happy Birthday Mr. President” at Madison Square Garden.


ABOUT KEYA MORGAN

Keya Morgan is the owner of the Keya Morgan Art Gallery, located in NYC. Mr. Morgan is a noted scholar, historian, and entrepreneur. He regularly advises prestigious institutions, including the White House, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Louvre Museum in Paris.
You've probably seen him some point on TV. He's been on: CNN, FOX NEWS, MSNBC, The Today Show, The Early Show, ABC, NBC, CBS, and has been quoted in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New York Post, New York Daily News, USA Today, LA Times, etc.

THE LA OPENING INFO

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 6:30 - 9:30pm
410 N. La Cienega Blvd
Los Angeles, Ca 90048

6:30 pm - TAKE IN THE VIEW

The Secret Photo is unveiled to the public
Photographer: Cecil Stoughton
30 x 30, Hand Signed, Silver Gelatin Fiber Print, Limited Edition of 10


*NOTE TO YOU COLLECTORS: A single edition of The Secret Photograph was presented as a personal gift from Keya Morgan to Michael Jackson, leaving only 9 from the limited edition of 10, 30x30, photographs remaining
To view the gallery, visit www.keyagallery.com
To arrange media coverage/press passes/more info
jenn@redlightpromotions.com
213.321.5886

SARAH JESSICA PARKER & the MET COSTUME INSTITUTE's "American Woman" Exhibit

TEXT, JULIETTE KELLY
Edited by Vivian Kelly

SJP - where to begin? I feel that her whole story cannot be contained in a single article, but as always I will do my best. She started her movie career off young start at 15 or 16 in her debut movie ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’. This movie shows off what a great dancer and gymnast she was in her earlier years. She could do impressive cheerleading flips and layouts to the point where it was pretty breath taking, and the dancing was also pretty extravagant.
In her later years' SJP became the character and face of famous author Candace Bushnell’s Carrie Bradshaw from the hit series Sex and the City, which to have not know that you must be living under a rock. Once the series ended, there was the movie and I am talking about some five years later which trust me is an anxious wait for all us die-hard fans. In my opinion I thought it was an excellent movie and I loved the entire plot. I will always love the way Samantha is so selfish, but is so hilarious nobody cares, Charlotte and her adorable giggle, and Miranda, for standing on her own two feet. She is one of the smartest women I have ever seen and I find it very important that a woman can support herself. Lastly Carrie, how I love Carrie, how can you not love Carrie? She is sweet and smart and you have to, HAVE TO, love the gorgeous pieces of clothing she wears if you don’t than I am pretty sure that it is a crime against nature. A big "love you" to stylist PAT FIELDS.

The last item on the agenda I want to talk about is how cultured SJP is. I never really knew until I really looked into the matter. I recently saw a commercial on TV about how this organization is taking celebrities and teaching them, trying to help them uncover their deceased family, so like an extreme form of genealogy. Guess whom I saw on that commercial? Bingo. I never got around to seeing the show but would have liked to see what Sarah Jessica uncovered.

My mom, my grandmother, and I went to the press preview at the Metropolitan Museum of Art to look at the extravagant dresses throughout the ages [American Woman: Fashioning A National Identity]. I was surprised to find out that it was SJP's voice on the walkman that led you around the exhibit. Being part of the younger generation many might have thought I would not know who she was but I was the one who actually told my mom when I saw the sign with her picture on it. She's MY pick for a modern-day American icon. So that’s what I found out about Sarah Jessica Parker, so far at least. Until next time! Au Revoir!

P.S. -

I'll be first in line to see 'Sex and the City II' when it opens this weekend. See you there!
Visit the exhibit at the MET, in NYC. It runs through August 15, 2010. For more info, visit www.metmuseum.org

FATHER'S DAY GIFTING - 'DO THE LIMBO' EYEBOB EYEGLASSES

TEXT: VIVIAN KELLY

My Father has got to be the hardest person to buy anything for. Unless he needs it, he doesn't want it. "Don't spend the money" is the refrain we've heard for 30+ years.
He IS however, a willing recipient if he happens to actually NEED something at that particular time.
EYEGLASSES and sunglasses would fall under that category. If you have to wear glasses, get the most flattering ones you can afford. Sure, there ARE some amazing frames by the likes of CHANEL, FENDI, and VERSACE, but plunking-down $300+ just for the frames gives me pause.


FOUND: the perfect "practical" gift - EYEBOB READERS
Their motto is "Eyewear for the Irreverent and Slightly Jaded". Check, that would me me!
If you're looking to pick Dad up a pair of reader sunnies for beach reading, there's several models available for $65.

I perked-up when I received an email from Ann Magnin Inc, with a pic of some cool reading glasses that reminded me of Tom Ford's much more expensive models. The nerdy-retro look was just as cool here as chez Tom's. The "Do the Limbo" plastic and bamboo readers retail for $75. Powers are available in hard to find quarter strength increments (1.00, 1.25, 1.50…). And, if you use a 2.75, 3.00, or more for special close up project, email them, as they stock a limited amount of these magnifications. If you need a stronger script, your optician can put the lenses into your Eyebobs in place of the weaker lenses they come with.

While you're at it, girls, I'm loving this pair of Italian plastic cat-eye with magnifying lens on a satin cord. They're perfect for a quick read of a menu written in too-tiny font. For $45.00, these are a cute and stylish year-round accessory.



EYEBOB READERS AND SUNGLASSES AVAILABLE AT www.eyebobs.com
Tel: 866-393-2627
866-393-EYEBOBS

*IF you want to splurge, do some shopping on www.tomford.com

Blake Lively Is Our Modern-Day Grace Kelly!

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

I have a long-standing obsession with GRACE KELLY and the brilliant feature by LAURA JACOBS in VANITY FAIR, just fueled the fire more. While I love her in her "off duty" prim Kelly bag, cashmere sweater and slim skirt look, I'm searching-around for a modern day alternative to her. WHAT, would Grace look like if she were born @ 50 years later?

After examining the image of Blake as 'Serena' and Mario Testino's photo editorial of her and surfer God, ROB MACHADO, in Cali of her in June Vogue, we're sold on Blake. A less imaginative stylist than ERIC DAMAN, would have had her wear a Chanel 2.55, but the edgy Be&D bag gives her otherwise Uptown look a modern twist.

So, when it came to deciding "who wore it better" [we're back to the Be&D survey] our answer is "Blake!"

ON WHITNEY
Whitney, has a great , and does a good job sharing her career experiences on 'The City', and gives the Woodstock Hobo a great downtown cool-girl vibe. Her show is far more palatable to watch than 'The Hills' which has degenerated from the interesting reality show it was in Season 1 to its vacuous form where the highlight of the show is to see what idiotic thing Spencer Pratt has to say.

Follow Be&D Creative Director, STEVE DUMAIN's Inspiration blog "Persuaded By Life": www.beandd.tumblr.com

Images of Blake Lively and Whitney Port, carrying Be&D Woodstock Hobo' bags, courtesy of Courtney Forrest
Image of Steve Dumain in grey tee, from the official Be&D website, www.beandd.com

IMAN Wins CFDA "Fashion Icon" Award

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY
Image of Iman Abdulmajad at Barneys luncheon, by Patrick McMullan, courtesy of Alissa Heumann

When this image of Iman wearing one of Victoria Beckham's dresses dropped into my inbox, I jumped at the chance to post it, and my tribute to this extraordinary woman.
IMAN is fashion icon and Victoria Beckham [another personal favorite] is on her way to attaining icon status. It was fitting that IMAN chose to wear a dress from VB's winter 2010 collection, to a luncheon at Barneys to celebrate her CFDA Fashion Icon Award. True, the other Iman, [Chanel Iman] is one of the strongest models in the new generation, but to us "Iman" will always mean Iman Abdulmajad, wife of rock star, David Bowie.

ABOUT - WHY IMAN IS AN ICON
Iman Abdulmajid was recruited as a model in 1975 by American photographer Peter Beard and relocated to the United States. Her first modeling assignment was for Vogue in 1976.
Yves Saint-Laurent once said, "My dream woman is Iman." She served as YSL's house model for his African Queen couture collection.

As many "supermodels," Iman has had and continues to have a multi-faceted career. Like fellow Super Cindy Crawford, referred to as "Cindy Inc.," Iman has proven to be a shrewd businesswoman as she continues to branch out in other directions such as film roles, TV appearances on industry related shows, and starting her own company. She's written two books: I Am Iman, an autobiography, and The Beauty of Color: The Ultimate Beauty Guide for Skin of Color!
Iman's played a shape-shifter named 'Martia' in the 1991 hit film Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, and appeared in the Oscar-winning film 'Out of Africa', which featured Robert Redford and Meryl Streep, and a Michael Jackson Video directed by Michael Singleton. TV credits include an episode of Bravo's TV show 'Project Runway', and an episode of 'America's Next Top Mode'l as one of the weekly mentors. She’s also hosted 'Project Runway Canada' on the Slice network.
In May 2007 Iman launched IMAN Global Chic on HSN. She is also the CEO of IMAN Cosmetics, Skincare & Fragrances, a line that markets its products towards women of color. I'm hard-pressed to think of anything she HASN'T yet done.

THE BUY
You don't have to be a fashion icon to own 'Look 56', a raglan drape skirt dress in black dense rib jersey/wool
twill, but you'll feel like one in it.
To shop Victoria Beckham, visit www.victoriabeckham.com
To shop Iman's collection, visit www.HSN.com

Oribe In Las Vegas - THE SHOW - 'Donna Arp' Glamour!

TEXT: VIVIAN GALTIER KELLY-VAN ZUTPHEN
Video of ORIBE in Las Vegas- the show, courtesy of Zaki Amin, Oribe

"I don't want to be a craftsman, that's boring. I want to be an artist....Donna Arp -it's made-up but the idea isn't. I want to reinvent glamour."
-ORIBE CANALES -

The show in this video clip is a must-see if you love any of the following: glamour, hair, John Waters, Vegas Glitz, Oribe.

I've always longed to sport the beehive bouffants shown in this video and shut my eyes and pretend I'm Kim Novak on the set of 'Vertigo'. When I'm in Miami this July for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim, I'm going to make my annual pilgrimage to the Oribe salon off Lincoln Road and let the crew there give me a wonderful hair cut and a beehive set. MAYBE, just maybe, I'll be able to duplicate it back at home with a combination of Oribe's NEW PRODUCTS.
THE PRODUCTS
1. Soft Lacquer
2. Super Fine Strong
3. Dry

Note to Oribe - Not to worry! You've been the Glamour God of hair from your 'Chrome Hearts' Days of the nineties to today in your "cleaned-up" version.

For more information on the products and Oribe salons, visit www.oribe.com or call 1-800-ORIBE-99
The Miami Beach Salon is located at 1627 Euclid Avenue
Tel:(305) 538-8006

Kenneth Jay Lane's Iconic Jewelry for QVC = KJL

TEXT, VIVIAN GALTIER KELLY-VAN ZUTPHEN
Images, from www.QVC.com

"Don't be afraid of costume. Six strands of real pearls is showing off, but simulated jewelry -- it's fashion."*
-KENNETH JAY LANE -
One of my prized possessions is my KENNETH J LANE Serpent Bracelet. Its rich bronze scales are accented with topaz and amber rhinestones in a coiled gold head. The larger topazes are clearly the eyes and the snake - although only made of stones and metal, manages to look chicly arrogant. It invariably gets remarked-on whenever I wear it.
The piece is distinctly a Kenneth Jane Lane. While it's not made of 18K gold or precious stones, it's achieved collectible status. I flipped when I received the KLJ "Neptune Ring" from QVC, and so did the women and teens I showed it to. While it's less of a "collectible" than my snake bracelet, I love it just as much.

Famous women have loved and collected Kenny's pieces. Just a few icons include: Jackie Onassis, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana Vreeland. Kenny had a handle on the fashion business as he'd previously been the art director at Vogue. He also had some retail know-how after collaborating on shoe collections for Delman and Dior. He also designed jeweled shoes for Arnold Scaasi, and jeweled buttons, earrings and bracelets to match the shoes. Creating his own jewelry line was the next logical step to take.
Many of his most famous pieces are available at the PLAZA SHOPS, located on the ground floor of NYC's legendary Plaza Hotel.
You will be surprised that many of the very collectible brooches, rings, and bracelets ring in at the register for under $300. If you're in the under $150 price range, my Neptune Ring is all of $53.50!
For you coffee table book lovers, Shamelessly, Jewelry from Kenneth Jay Lane and Kenneth J Lane: Faking It, are both must-haves to add to the collection. Both are available on www.amazon.com


So whether you want some Kenneth J. Lane, also available at www.net-a-porter.com or some KJL from QVC, you can be assured that there's plenty of his designs to choose from.

ENDNOTES
The KJL quote is from an interview that appeared in www.accessorysource.blogspot.com

FUN AND FASHION IN CANNES - The Cannes Fashion Lounge

TEXT, VIVIAN GALTIER -VAN ZUTPHEN
Images, courtesy of Wire Image Press

WHAT: the best fashion at the Cannes Film Festival
WHERE: the Cannes Fashion Lounge
WHY: because the fashion's the best part!

I've been receiving nearly daily missives from PR companies about the fun that's going-on in Cannes, at the legendary annual Film Festival. While I'd love to be there, this year, I'm content to live vicariously through these media blasts.
Much like watching a baseball game, it's SO much better to sit in the comfort of my pink and green office looking out over my lawn and gardens rather than being crushed nose-to-nose with other bloggers dying to get a look at Eva Longoria at the ROBIN HOOD Film Premiere. The only way to go to the Cannes Film Festival is first class, by private jet, and to stay at the Palatial InterContinental Carlton Cannes in one of the new suites on the 7th floor. [Each one if named after a famous movie star]. The palace has evolved throughout the year, but it's always stayed a World Class hotel, strategically located on the famous Croisette, close to the Cannes Palais des Festivals with a killer view of the Mediterranean Sea. A few years ago, I did enjoy a cocktail there, off season and sat with a group avidly speculating on the deeply tanned man in a white suit and his considerably younger, very blonde companion.

THE FASHION
Cannes presents a wonderful opportunity for the biggest luxury brands to lure the stars to try and hopefully, model their wares. Among those represented: Pucci, Gucci, Givenchy, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Swarovski. A photo such as this one of Eva Longoria wearing Pucci to the 'Robin Hood" premiere is worth it's weight in gold. While I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that this white gown was Pucci, Eva looked amazing - no question about that. She also looked wonderful wearing jewellery by de Grisogono while attending the "On Tour" Premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 63rd Annual Cannes Film Festival.
Note to stylist: Robert Verdi, you're doing a fabulous job!

For more information on the Intercontinental, visit www.intercontinental.com