Sky Wellness
CBD is celebrated by many as being a life-changing addition to their daily regimen. But how is one to begin when the whole category can seem so overwhelming. One thing for sure, there’s no better CBD company to explore than Sky Wellness. The company tests its products so thoroughly that they borderline on medicinal, but no such claims are made here… only claims of purity! There are over 100 options in the Sky Wellness range of products, but pictured here is the perfect gift that special person on your list started on the path to CBD enlightenment… the Sky Wellness Beauty Bundle (Facial Spa Oil, Eye Cream Triple Action Renewal, Regenerative Sculpting Cream & Body Glow Butter) for the special price of $99.99 ($137.96 if bought separately).
CBD Skincare Routine Bundle– $99.99
Lisa F Pliner
Fashion designer, muse & podcast host, Lisa F Pliner creates jewel encrusted sculptural creations that are part collectible part fine art. Her teddy bears & skulls are becoming the “it” collectible in her Hollywood VIP circle & if you have the appetite for a statement, she stands at the ready to let you take one of her creations home for the holidays. Most of her works are custom commissions, but she does have a few pieces in stock for immediate sending. Pictured below is a silver encrusted creation of 100% Swarovski crystals.
Lisa F Pliner Swarovski Teddy Bear– $2,500
nuhü division
Known for their zero plastic, sustainable sourcing & of course… COLOR!!!… every nuhü division garment has the color code of the fabric emblazoned on the body as part of the graphic design. But with their collection of jacquard terry items, the color code is woven right into the body of the garment… or in this case the bag! The Pink Jacquard Terry tote is proving to be one of the company’s best sellers for the season. Available in Williamsburg Bridge Pink, Brooklyn Bridge Taupe, or Jackie Kennedy Reservoir Blue, the wearer will be sure to be all the talk wherever they go. Large enough for a day at the beach, a shopping trip about town, or even a quick weekend get away…
nuhü division Jacquard Terry Tote– $148.00
Thalé Blanc
Designer Deborah Sawaf was inspired by fashion icon Audrey Hepburn when she created her first Audrey Bag. Now, the legendary bag, the mainstay of the Thalé Blanc collection has been reimagined in micro scale with the Audrey Micro Crossbody Satchel. Available in a range of colors & finishes, pictured here is the White croc-embossed leather with Lipstick Red signature tassel, as well as a Taupe convertible to a crossbody with the detachable strap. The Audrey Micro has just enough interior space to carry the essentials… perfect for the woman who demands both style and functionality!
Audrey Micro Crossbody Satchel– $795.00
Shaun Leon Bath & Body
Lower the lights, turn on the music & light a candle to get the mood just right. Everybody has just the light & the perfect music, but not everyone has the perfect candle. Shaun Leon Bath & Body to the rescue! Their Moods & Vibrations Scented Candle is the perfect solution. Their hand poured, soy wax candles are crafted to bring a seductive element of design and, ambiance to home fragrance. The perfect gift for a fellow candle lover, or yourself! The lead-free wick makes for a toxic free burn of up to 90 hours & they come in 4 custom scents. Each candle is artisanally made by the mother & daughter owned company in their native Brooklyn. Buy local… save the planet!
Moods & Vibrations Candle– $45.00
Remo Tulliani
It’s no secret that boots are once again a major fashion story this season! Yet, ask any girl her biggest frustration with boots & the answer will be: SOCKS! Remo to the rescue! Remo Tulliani, known the world over for his hand-made leather belts & Italian made sunglasses, has also set about rethinking the sock. In typical Remo fashion, his “Utlimate Boot Socks” are domestically made of 100% recycled materials & are 100% recyclable once you are done with them… mother earth will have no idea they even existed! Cut high enough on the calf to not get swallowed up by the boot, but not so high they feel like a legging, the Remo Tulliani Boot Socks are sure to quickly become the wearer’s favorites for the season. Guys… Remo has you covered too.
Remo Tulliani Ultimate Boot Sock– $19.00
Rory Worby
There are few items of couture quality in fashion that are truly accessible in price. A Rory Worby scarf is just such an item, however. Each piece Rory creates is hand painted, hand finished & hand sewn in the designer’s studio. No two pieces are the same. If you want a true one-of-a-kind creation, of the level of the great couture houses of Paris, yet made right her on our shores, look no further. Rory Worby creates Scarves, Caftans, Robes & Pillows of pure silk, all 100% artisanally made from her studio in upstate New York. They need to be seen to be believed… Pictured here, a Chinoiserie Blue Floral scarf in 100% silk.
Rory Worby Blue Chinoiserie Scarf– $395.00
Remo Tulliani
Every guy needs a belt & even if he doesn’t know it, a belt makes the outfit (well… completes the outfit at least). With the Remo Tulliani Rye Camo belt, he’ll feel equal parts outdoorsy & fashionable. Remo make each belt one by one by hand in his studio in Scotsdale, Arizona from Italian sourced leather & hardware. Remo says, “If I can’t make it better, I don’t make it.” And in this case, your guy (or gal… Remo makes women’s belts too!) will have worn the best there is. Hard to believe the best can be gotten for only $95.00… but it’s true! (Sizing note: Buy two sizes up from your pant size… in other words, if he wears a 32 pant, order a 36 belt).
Remo Tulliani Rye Camo Belt– $95.00
Giving Back To Mother Earth
Want to make a real lasting impression this holiday for the planet? Instead of gifts, give Mother Earth some of your time by joining a local clean-up crew. Marisa Butler, the current titleholder of the Miss Earth USA pageant – a beauty pageant dedicated to raising awareness for environmental issues and sustainability – runs a local clean-up every weekend in the San Diego area called We Clean Trails. The team of volunteers ranges from 4-year-olds to grandparents and with each trip they gather between 400-1,000 lbs. of litter. The goal of the group is to clean up public spaces through community involvement and also to get those in underserved communities access to outdoor spaces like hiking trails and beaches. This is surely to be one of the greatest gifts this season.
For more information visit We Clean Trails– Free
As you can see, there are a myriad of options that still allow you to give the gift that makes a real impression this holiday season. Shopping already done? Then why not pick one or two or more for yourself? Go ahead… nobody is watching…
Happy holidays!
]]>Given all the “gaga” over the House of Gucci, let’s start there!
The list of Hollywood icons that were obsessed with Gucci reads like a Beverly Hills phonebook, but two of the most iconic celebrity fanatics of the interlocked G’s are Sophia Loren & Liz Taylor, both of whom were seen in the Italian fashion house’s collection nearly daily.
For a true fashion collector, the ultimate Gucci bag is any style with a bamboo handle, which was the trademark of the house for decades & is a sign of a discriminating collector. Here, Vivian recommends a bag currently for sale on TheRealReal, a Bamboo Shopper Boston Bag, for $925.00. But, there are many, many Gucci bags for sale on the site from baguettes to hobo bags… Vivian adds, “Pick any! How can you go wrong with a Gucci bag?”
Actress turned Princess, Grace Kelly, was the very embodiment of Hollywood & real-life royalty. Her style is synonymous with classic & one of her most iconic style go-to looks is the scarf, both on & off the silver screen. Pictured below is Miss Grace getting ready to dash off in a convertible roadster with her hair kept perfectly coiffed with a headscarf wrapped seemingly effortlessly as only she can.
The other Miss Kelly in this story, Vivian Kelly, says that it’s not only Grace Kelly who can look so stylish in a scarf worn in a variety of ways, but you can too. Her current favorite scarf designer is Rory Worby of Rory Worby Studio, who hand paints & finishes every scarf, Caftan, Kimono & Pillow in her collection & the outcome is something akin to fine art. Choose any one of the pieces from the Rory Worby collection to give as a gift that will never be forgotten. Pictured below is the “Lemon Tossed Floral” scarf from Rory Worby, $375.00.
From Grace Kelly, Vivian turns to Audrey Hepburn, arguably the most iconic Hollywood style icons to ever grace the stratosphere. Audrey Hepburn continues to allure & intrigue as much today as the day she first appeared on the silver screen in 1948’s “Dutch in Seven Lessons”. Her allure & intrigue is the very thing that inspired designer Deborah Sawaf of Thalé Blanc to create her Audrey Bag. Deborah, who is friends with Audrey Hepburn’s son, was staying in the Hollywood legend’s Italian villa & felt an overwhelming presence, which lead her to wake up in the morning & sketch a bag. She showed the sketch to Sean, Audrey’s son, who said his mom would be honored & suggested that Deborah name the bag for his late mother. Thus, the Audrey Bag was born.
Vivian suggests going classic with the Audrey Satchel in Matte Black, but says there’s a wide variety to options available in colors & details on the Thalé Blanc site: www.thaleblanc.com
Jennifer Beals made silver screen history in the 1983 film “Flashdance” when she danced her way into America’s collective heart. Perhaps one of the most memorable Hollywood outfits to ever grace the silver screen was the sweatshirt, worn slightly off the shoulder of the starlet herself… “Oh what a feeling” it gave us all.
Vivian chose an updated version of the iconic sweatshirt from nuhü division, which sustainably sources their collection from organic cottons, dyed with earth-friendly dyes & has a zero plastic policy company wide. Get your own version of Jennifer Beals’ famous wardrobe, perhaps in a bright color, or stick to the true to scene gray at www.nuhudivision.com, with the Cross Body Back Sweatshirt, available in 8 colors for $175.00.
Men aren’t immune to being bitten by the Hollywood glamour bug either. Vivian called out Hugh Heffner as being the quintessential king of Hollywood glam & as the gatekeeper of the guestlist to the Playboy mansion, he arguably the ruler of the most sought after “mancave” on the planet! The “Heff” was rarely seen not wearing his maroon silk velvet smoking jacket, over his black silk pajamas & his velvet slippers.
Vivian picks a pair of bespoke slippers from the legendary custom atelier Stubbs & Wootton to get the look… & you can still get them in time for the holidays.
Want a more economical way to embrace Heffner’s mancave vibe? How about this scented candle “Mancave” by Black-owned, mother-daughter business, Shaun Leon Bath & Body.
Finally, when Richard Gere graced the screen, it was always a fashion moment! From Officer & A Gentleman to Pretty Woman & every title in between, he was always dressed to impress. Add to the mix his then wife, Cindy Crawford, & there simply were no words… vintage fashion guru Vivian Kelly believes, like so many other women, a man’s shoes are a looking glass into a man’s personal story. Gere became nearly synonymous with the Tod’s Driving Shoe, which the legendary Italian design house has been producing for more years than even Vivian’s vintage knowledge can recall.
Here, is the classic “Gommino Driving Shoe” in Brown leather for $745.00 that will ultimately prove worth every penny in both style points & comfort. There are versions for men & women on their site… but be warned, these, as Vivian says, “will be the start of a lifetime love affair with style & comfort.”
Happy Holidays to all (but especially those chic fashionistas amongst us!
]]>It may still be called loungewear but the collection from nuhu …]]>
It may still be called loungewear but the collection from nuhu division is all about luxury living whether you are at home or out and about. For this season the brand designed some killer ensembles in high quality organic cottons all for your comfort. Pick any of their colorful pieces for a nice treat is perfect for work from home or brunch with your besties.
Our obsession with luxury comfort doesn’t end there. We also love these incredibly comfortable socks from Remo Tulliani. Made of the finest Italian yarns, these socks will keep you warm through the coldest weeks. They also come in a variety of fun prints and colors to brighten up the gloomiest of days.
Another lux loungewear brand perfect for this Fall is Rory Worby who does hand-painted, one-of-a-kind-silk pieces. This collection is really made for the dreamer in all of us, the person that appreciates artistry and craftsmanship, and really wants something so special that literally only one of it exists in the world. No doubt this will be a winner in anyone’s closet. Your biggest problem will be deciding which print is right for you.
If you’re looking to get dressy for one of the many fabulous Fall events that are happening, the In Earnest collection by designer Byron Lars might be a great fit. This is the same designer that created the cult Carissima dress that Anthropologie has been carrying for the past ten years. Clearly the designer knows something about timeless dressing. For his newest collection, check out designs like the 30’s Sequined Cocktail Dress and the Lace Bustier Dress. Both would work for a variety of holiday events and outings.
For accessories, we are loving the handbags from Thale Blanc. Made from the finest leathers and hardware, the collection of accessories from this LA based brand is more than enough to make any outfit a hit. Our favorites for the season are the Mia clutch which is the perfect little day to evening bag, and the Audrey satchel which is a classic for any day, anytime.
With the new season it’s also important to take some time to care for yourself from the inside out. If you are looking for ways to improve your daily health and wellness routine, we recommend looking into some alternative medicines like CBD for support. One of the top brands on the market is Sky Wellness and they have products that benefit everything from sleep to focus and our favorite, relaxation. A little goes a long way in easing daily stress and helping you get back on track to your best self.
And of course we can’t forget our favorite practice, self-care. Nothing better than the luxury bath and beauty collection from Shaun Leon. From the body oils to the scrubs and seriously the best body butter ever, this collection has the ultimate treat yourself products on the market. All are made in small batches and of all natural ingredients. The products come in scents such as Oatmeal Spice and Earthy Musk which are perfect for those crisp Fall days.All these are just some of our recommendations to get you ready for the days ahead. Whether you will be fireside at home or out celebrating with your loved ones, we wish you the best Fall and Holiday season in 2021.
]]>Fashion writer & vintage fashion impresario Vivian Kelly(@thefashionhistorian) confirms that animal prints & camouflage have long been an obsession of designers:
Who can forget iconic scenes like a leopard clad Mrs. Robinson in ‘The Graduate’ or Jayne Mansfield in the 1950s in one of her signature leopard print bikinis, or Jackie Kennedy in 1962 on her way to India & Pakistan wearing an Oleg Cassini Ocelot coat? Animal prints have been a part of our design vernacular since fashion began. In fact, there are paintings of leopard dresses in the Egyptian tombs. Today, with modern technology, the look can be achieved in a sustainable manner with injections of color & finishings to create pumped up versions of nature’s wonders. Nature inspired prints are here to stay… a new neutral of sorts.
Vivian Kelly
The trend is alive & well in fashion for the coming Fall season.
Fabric artist Rory Worby of Rory Worby Studio counts her Washed Leopard silk scarf as a best seller. Her hand-painted pieces are made one-by-one, so no two will ever be the same pattern, just like the animal itself.
Washed 100% silk charmeuse, $350.00 at RoryWorby.com
Thalé Blanc by Deborah Sawaf embraces the trend on a variety of pieces including her best-selling Chicago Coat from last year that she reinterpreted in Camo with Yellow hem panel this year.
100% Cotton Denim, $1,500.00 at ThaleBlanc.com
Here, the Thalé Blanc signature Audrey Bag inspired by a trip to Ms. Hepburn’s family home in Italy, is shown in a Hot Pink Embossed Crossbody Micro Bag with Python Printed pattern.
Made in Italy, leather with adjustable strap to wear on shoulder or cross-body, $695.00
Looking for a texture rather than a print? This is one of the most covetable bags of the season – a Silver Metallic Hair Calf racer-back bag with “maracon” handle that can be worn on or off the back, by Thalé Blanc. As designer Deborah Sawafputs it, “this is the perfect mix of city sleek & fashion chic.”
Made in Italy, leather, $1,495.00 at ThaleBlanc.com
Men are not left out of this trend either. Here, the Rye Camo Belt by Arizona based designer Remo Tulliani. Remo hand makes every belt on order with the finest leathers & hardware all sourced from Italy. Order a size or two larger than your pant size as Remo sizes his belts by the measurement, not the size of the wearer (For example: if you wear a 34 pant, order a 36 or 38 belt).
Made In USA of Italian calfskin with nubuck liner & Italian oiled brass buckle, width 35mm, $90.00 at Tulliani.com
Accessories designer Sheila Gray goes wild with her Feathered Fan Cowrie Shell necklace, shown here with Orange accents. Sheila is the official accessories designer for the iconic house of Byron Lars who chooses pieces from the Sheila Gray Collection for all of his runway & lookbook looks.
Black Feathers with Cowrie Shells and leather necklace strap closure with Orange accent beads and Knotted looped leather closure, $70.00 at SheilaGrayCollections.com
It seems tomorrow’s designers are just as obsessed with the trend as their working predecessors! On the runways of NYFW during the Albright College fashion show last month, alumni designers Josh Polk showed a swimsuit in an Orange Giraffe pattern & Jess D’Alessio chose a tropical leaf pattern for her resort looks that will leave the wearer blending fashionably into any scene the season brings.
]]>However, many of the other practices of the Haute Couture are alive and well all over the world, including right here in our American backyard. There is a whole roster of companies that incorporate hand-made, custom, one-of-a-kind elements into their design process. Many of them have found that doing so has given them the competitive edge needed to thrive in today’s challenging marketplace.
Vintage fashion historian and writer Vivian Kelly, shares her thoughts on this subject:
“Good fashion by definition is a near mirror image reflection of the times in which we live. The Haute Couture has been the highly protected, ultimate expression of this reflection in the French tradition. However, there are many aspects of the Haute Couture that can be borrowed and found on runways around the world in a more broadly available marketplace. There are many designers here in the U.S. who are borrowing and providing their fresh, far more accessible take on this ultimate expression.”
Los Angeles based Deborah Sawaf has a collection of handbags and sportswear that stand tall next to some of the heaviest hitting names in fashion. Sawaf founded the Thalé Blanc collection after spending years learning her craft in the couture divisions of legendary European houses Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano & Valentino. She brought many of the same techniques employed by these iconic labels to her own collection that is sold exclusively in the US. Her sportswear collection is made-to-order in Los Angeles which allows her to oversee the production of each piece as it is assembled.
Rory Worby is an a textile artist that personally paints each of her designs onto fabric she pretreated, stretched and prepared by hand. Once painted, she steams, washes and finishes each textile using ancient, organic techniques to achieve the finish that meets her liking. Once finished, she works with her seamstress to create her scarves, kimonos, caftans and pillows, many of which are completed via handstitched needle and thread.
Many of her works are commissions made specifically to each client’s measurements, or are based on inspiration suggested by the client. “Like the muses of the ancient couture houses, many of Rory’s creations are inspired by the final wearer who then feels an integral connection to the overall process,” says Vivian Kelly, a major fan of Worby’s work.
Another American practicing couture-like fashion is EPPERSON. He designs both up and down the supply cycle. Garments are created “down” from his own pure vision and also “up” from found materials that he customizes into one-of-a-kind, upcycled masterpieces. His upcycled pieces have grown to define his overall collection in many ways and his collections often have a hand-sewn quality where he utilizes patches, lattice detailing, raw edges, along with mixed fabrics to create his original runway designs.
Finally, enter Remo Tulliani. Remo is passionate about belts in ways that are almost unnatural. He personally selects most of the leathers for his collection in Italy and custom designs the bulk of the hardware he plans to use. The “couture” magic however, happens when he assembles his final creations together from the finest materials in the world.
All belts are cut to size, then assembled and stitched one-by-one. Each belt is rolled just so and placed in a black velvet bag and box that is fit like a glove. When the final customer gets the package, the unboxing is rivaled only by the experience of opening an Apple product. A Remo Tulliani accessory is an experience from creation to customer.
There are many lessons learned from the experience of the Haute Couture that can be found alive and well in the fashion business on the shores of America. If you truly want to experience fashion that is not mass produced, but rather created in a purposeful, tradition-based, artistic expression of the designer, we encourage you to look at these brands and the countless others that are defining a new way of fashion. You won’t be disappointed and you’ll never shop off the rack the same way again.
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