The WACOAL Event: Gorgeous Retro Bra and Panty Sets With a MadMen Twist

TEXT, VIVIAN KELLY

WACOAL's CLASSY RETRO GLAM
Here’s a company with an appreciation for retro glam. If this brings-up visions of ‘Joan Holloway’ in ‘Madman’, you're on the right track. Actress Christina Hendricks has eclipsed many of the stars in the hit AMC Series for her killer body and superb acting skills. Her May 2010 Esquire cover put her on a par with the late Marilyn Monroe after Esquire's readers voted her "hottest woman around".
The crack shot PR team at La Force+Stevens were on the case way before me.
Ms. Hendricks has already been the lucky recipient of several of the lacy Wacoal lacy retro bra and panty sets. I can’t think of any other actress working who would be a better poster girl for these sexy yet elegant scraps of lace.
The Retro Chic Full Figure Underwire retails for $58.00 and scored an impressive 5/5 customer rating. A customer on www.macys.com raves, “
"An outstanding bra. Great shape and support for full coverage needs. You won't be disappointed, and this is a beautiful bra without looking industrial!"


*The event LaForce+Stevens held was to introduce the new lines at Wacoal and I got a chance to have a one-to-one fitting with an experienced fitter. As there weren't any small sizes, I met up with her at Bloomingdales' in the enormous lingerie department later that afternoon. If the fitter hadn't been there to hold my hand, I would have bolted, as the selection was simply overwhelming. The bra due to hit my doorstep in a week or so and I'll be reporting on the fit and comfort factors then. Stay tuned!

To view the entire collection Wacoal offers, visit their extensive website at www.wacoal-america.com

Images of bra and panty sets, courtesy of LaForce+Stevens

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