David Bowie Is

A pop icon, a trendsetter in fashion, design... The Victoria and Albert Museum in London has a comprehensive exhibit into the David Bowie archive to explore his creative process.  He may primarily be known as a musician, but his influence in style reaches far beyond that.

 In the 1970's and 1980's he was known for his androgynous, futuristic and avant-garde aesthetic.  His Ziggy Stardust bodysuits were designed by Freddie Buretti and gave direction to activewear.  Dramatic makeup looks were imitated by both men and women.  All are on display in the exhibit.  The rockstar's personal sketches, artwork for his albums, storyboards and intimate diary entries offer insight into his artistic process.

Yves Saint-Laurent, Jonathan Saunders Spring 2013 and Alexander McQueen's Resort 2013 collection were all clearly influenced by the Bowie's style. My first memory of his style was his role in 1986's Labyrinth.  His spiked hair, tights and ruffled shirt as the "Goblin King" was my first encounter with his Rock n' Roll style and the 11 year old me found it incredibly sexy.

The exhibit runs until August 11, 2013.

Photos by Frank W Ockenfels,Duffy Archive,John Robert Rowlands and V&A Museum

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Atlantis Style - Resort Merchandising

 

What is the difference in planning a vacation shopping experience and one in your regular city? Do people shop differently when they are near the beach?  I explored the glamorous Escape Boutique at The Cove at Atlantis to find out.

In chatting with Atlantis public relations manager Megan Marchesini, she expressed the luxury resort's major demographic guests were mostly from the Northeast of the United States.  Sounds like a bunch of New Yorkers to me.  When you factor in their restaurants mirror the top celeb chefs of NYC (they have an outpost of Mesa Grill and Nobu in the resort) you might be inclined to think that The Cove is Gotham South.

With that in mind, does the New York fashion sense travel to the islands as well?  Lots of black and tailored looks?  Absolutely not.  The more color the better.  While fashion designers known to New Yorkers like Kara Ross and Matthew Williamson are carried at the shop, what sells is anything bright, embellished and probably shiny.

Buyers for a luxury resort boutique know that guests are in a fantasy mind frame, so the merchandise must reflect that.  A fun cowboy hat or dancing shoes need to represent the indulgent experience that is a contrast to the every day routine of home (and the every day look of home).  Like the name chefs of the restaurants on property, there is the assurance of designer names on the products, but also co-branded with the Atlantis resorts name as well, as it is in itself a prestige name.  When you get the bright pink or coral necklace home, it is your souvenir of the fun you had and a calling card for you to return to the party that was.

So what fashion item did YOU buy on vacation?

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Glitterings Gatsby Jewels

A little eye candy for the weekend.  Were you inspired by the opulent style of The Great Gatsby?  Affordable jewelry company Glitterings certainly were.  They launched a pretty collection available now that is styled with intricate vintage patterns in a rosy gold or silver metal.  Like their name, tiny crystals have an antique pave look.  

While I love this style anyway, I admit I do get sucked into film fashion excitement (I bought a dalmatian print top after watching Glenn Close's fabulous turn as Cruella De Ville).  I checked out the showroom for Glitterings and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of their pieces considering their wallet friendly price point.  Rings were under $40, the elaborate pendant necklaces about $85. You can find them online.

Have you ever been inspired to add to your wardrobe from a movie's style?  Which movie and what look?

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Your Most Stylish NYC Summer Ever

Has winter finally left? As we inch towards Memorial Day weekend, I am lining up my plans for the months to come.  I had a crappy winter, so my resolution is to enjoy summer in my city in style.

I am looking forward to bunch of nights out with my girls.  The first one is courtesy of Smirnoff Sorbet next week.  I can’t imagine a better way to expose my toes in summer appropriate footwear than a pedicure and massage.  New York City has become an expert at offering up combo spa/lounge/nightlife destinations for the woman who wants the full package and has no time… TenOverTen is the one I’ll be checking out next week.  I’ll let you know how it measures up!  

I plan on chic weekends by the beach.  I have a few dates already set to head east to the end of Long Island. I start by shopping for pretty things along Main Street in East Hampton.  Catherine Malandrino, Tory Burch and Calypso are my go-to shops for colorful style.  My go-to lunch stops are Levain bakery and the Seafood shop in Wainscott.  I end the day curling up with Hubby and a bottle of wine on a quite beach in Amagansett to watch the sunset.

 In between weekends, there are of course the warm days in between.  Luckily, New York keeps the staycation vibe going with tons of free concerts, movies and cultural events.  Bryant Park is host to much of the fashion crowd with their film series on Monday nights.  It has become one big gourmet picnic for my colleagues and me over the years.

 If you need to chill, there are fashion related exhibits in the air conditioned buildings of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (check out Punk: Chaos to Couture) and the Museum at FIT (RetroSpective opens next Wednesday).   Don’t forget museum parties… The MOMA opens late on Thursdays with live music starting July, The Met has a martini bar on their rooftop garden and the Rubin Museum turns into the K2 lounge with tapas, culture and cocktails on Friday nights.

Ready to heat things up? What are YOUR favorite plans in the city?

The deliciously light taste of sorbet now comes in a bottle.  Introducing Smirnoff Sorbet Light. PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY.  Made With Smirnoff Vodka Infused With Natural Flavors. 30% Alc/Vol. ©2013 The Smirnoff" Co., Norwalk, CT.  Per 1.5oz serving: Calories 78, Carbohydrates 1.3g, Fat 0g, Protein 0g.
* 25% FEWER CALORIES THAN THE LEADING DESSERT-INSPIRED VODKA.


Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Smirnoff via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Smirnoff.

Bryant park photo by Eddy

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Design for Fab.com and Michael Bastian

Design talents! Two new opportunities for you. First, super design-savvy marketplace Fab.com is on a hunt for great new designers.  They have a jury seeing people at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.  Bring your samples, your portfolio, your plans or ideas for this competition.  You need to impress judges like Fab's founder and chief design officer Bradford Shellhammer or Dan Rubinstein, editor in chief of Surface magazine among others.  They want to see things that are "high quality and be a functional object made through handcrafted, high-tech and/or experimental processes." 

To register,  send your name and country to designforus@fab.com.  Then show up at the ICFF show at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Center  (must be registered to attend) on May 21st, 1 PM to 3 PM.   If you register for the show today, you can skip the $60 fee.  

BOFFO is a project that brings fashion designers, architects, artists and other disciplines together for pop-up collaborations.  The latest a competition to design and produce a retail installation in collaboration with fashion designer Michael Bastian.  Your base is a shipping container on Pier 57 near the Hudson River.  

Enter the competition here.

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