Blog

MAC Isabel and Ruben Toledo Mini Haul

Isabel and Ruben Toledo are a formidable creative fashion and design duo that I have been following for years ever since I first saw Isabel’s fashions and Ruben’s illustrations in Paper Magazine back in the 90s.

Now they have their own collaboration with MAC cosmetics, MAC Isabel and Ruben Toledo and it is a good one especially for a lipstick fiend like me who can never have enough reds.

Starting with the packaging, the white case with the black and red graphics is so cool that it can be displayed on its own.

The first color, Opera, is a strong dark red matte. Although it’s matte, the formulation is not drying and it looks really good with my coloring.

The second color, Sin, is a sinfully gorgeous matte deep dark blood-red. If you are going to wear a dark lip color, you need one like this.

Although this lighting is a little on the bright side, you can still see that these colors work well with my yellow-base skin tone.

Unfortunately, Sin is sold out but you can still get Opera, for now.

February 4, 2015
Horlogerie Love: Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie

Last month the 25th edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie took place in Geneva (SIHH 2015) featuring sixteen of the finest luxury Watch Maisons in the world. As I was raised in a house with a father that believed that a well-dressed gentleman should always have a great watch, or two, or three, it is no wonder why I have a fascination with complications!

As their press release states:

“SIHH 2015 was indeed a showcase for the unique expertise of these sixteen Fine Watch Maisons; it also paid tribute to their unfailing support of an event which has established itself as an international reference within the profession, as once again demonstrated by the collections on display. After the exuberance witnessed in previous years, watchmakers have returned to more classical but nonetheless masterful interpretations of time. Skeletonised movements rival with astronomical indications and calendars; the métiers d’art lend their beauty; grandes complications capture the quintessence of time measurement.”

Looking at Monocle Magazine’s Top Ten Watches of SIHH 2015, I was not surprised to see familiar names like Cartier, Audermars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre but was pleasantly surprised to see Ralph Lauren in the mix.

I don’t wanted to “put time in a bottle”, I just want to wear on my wrist!

February 3, 2015
Jedidiah Dore in Hang Together: collaborative work + process at Pratt Institute Library

I have always loved art and I believe that my soul is the soul of an artist. However, the cold truth is that other than making the odd geometric shape or stick figure doodle, or maybe finger-painting, I am no artist… So, I count myself as very lucky when I am able view great pieces of art and most fortunate when I am able to actually meet and talk to the actual artist.

Jedidiah Dore, super-powered illustrator of the award winning art studio Ink & Sword is one of the artists I had the great fortune of meeting last year when I attended the NASASocial celebrating the the 50th Anniversary of the Deep Space Network and from February 2nd – March 30th, a collection of his workings will be on display as a part of the Hang Together – collaborative work + progress exhibit at the Pratt Institute Library, 200 Willoughby Ave. Brooklyn, NY.

One look at the pic above of his recent drawing of the Pratt Library should convince you to check this exhibit out if you are in the area.

See more about the amazing Ink & Sword Art Studio here!

January 30, 2015
Coolest Academy Awards Greenroom: Architectural Digest X Commune Design

I love mid-century design, especially the cool architecture and design of California Modernism ,as celebrated by the annual Modernism Week event in Palm Springs.

So when I heard that for their 13th year at their Academy Awards, Architectural Digest had announced that super-cool Commune Design will create the signature Architectural Digest Greenroom at the Academy Awards®, I was elated!

Margaret Russell, Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest, said, “The AD Greenroom that Commune has conjured is an amazing mix mid-century chic and California cool. The space will bring the beauty of the outdoors inside, giving nominees and presenters a gorgeous, inviting place in which to relax and refresh on Oscar night.”

“For this year’s AD Greenroom, we wanted something that felt personal and very casual—a place for entertaining, California style. We wanted a room that is glamorous whether you are wearing a bikini or a gown,” Alonso said. “We were inspired by the greats who worked here—from Frank Lloyd Wright to Billy Haines. It’s not about Old Hollywood—it’s about insider Hollywood. It’s as if Joan Didion is having you over for drinks on your way to the Oscars” says Commune co-founder Roman Alonso.

To add even more coolness to the mix, Commune will consult with Academy Award nominated actress Julianne Moore, a friend of the design collective, on the AD Greenroom’s look and feel. Moore’s Greenwich Village garden was featured in the March 2012 issue of Architectural Digest.

Incorporated into the 2015 Architectural Digest Greenroom design are products by AD’s partners:

BERNARDAUD | CAESARSTONE | CLARENCE HOUSE | EMTEK | HOLLY HUNT | PERENNIALS | REMAINS LIGHTING | SHERWIN-WILLIAMS | STARK | SUTHERLAND | WALKER ZANGER

About Commune

Commune is a Los Angeles-based design studio founded in 2004 with a reputation for working holistically across the fields of architecture, interior design, graphic design, product design, and brand management. The firm, best known for its design of Ace Hotels in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, has designed residential, commercial, and hospitality projects worldwide, a wide array of home and lifestyle products, as well as graphic and branding concepts for the fashion, arts, and entertainment industries.

The studio values the strength of the collective mind, believing that authentic creativity and innovation come from collaboration. The true virtuosity of their work comes from their collaborations with each other, as well as with other members of the community. Since its inception, Commune has worked with countless artists and craftsmen from around the world.

Make sure you check out their online shop!

About Architectural Digest

Architectural Digest is the international authority on design and architecture. AD provides exclusive access to the world’s most beautiful homes and the fascinating people who live in them, bringing its audience a wealth of information on architecture and interior design, art and antiques, travel destinations, and extraordinary products; its AD100 list of top architects and designers is one of the industry’s most relied-upon indexes of talent. Every day Architectural Digest inspires millions of affluent readers to redesign and refresh their lives through a multiplatform presence that includes print and digital editions, social media, signature events, and the magazine’s website, archdigest.com.

January 29, 2015
Haute Couture SS15: Valentino

Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli closed the SS15 Haute Couture collections with a Valentino show offering a multitude of dazzling dreamy silhouettes in tulle, silver lamé, brushed velvet in dark and subtle tones and detailed embroideries that harken to more ancients times.

There is no doubt that they love what they do as messages of love were also included in this floating collection.

February 1, 2015
Haute Couture SS15: Giorgio Armani Privé

With Anna Wintour, Robin Wright, Juliette Binoche, Kristin Scott Thomas and numerous other stars, celebrities, and media personalities in the audience, Giorgio Armani presented his haute couture collection, Armani Privé to his loyal followers.

In his bamboo garden in the Palais de Tokyo, Armani’s Privé collection included sumptuous sequin embroidered bamboo prints, hakama-style trousers and surprisingly gorgeous black and neon blue creations for the haute couture samurai.

February 1, 2015
Haute Couture SS15: Chanel

The Chanel Haute Couture SS15 collection took place in a Karl Lagerfeld imagined couture “Garden of Eden” full of beautiful animated flowers with design-related elements that made them look as if they came straight out of Design Miami installation.

Daywear included suits with smart décolletage, modern silhouettes in cool shades of green, blue, pink and red and midi length skirts both narrow with sexy slits and full with floral appliqués. Eveningwear is the hallmark of haute couture and Chanel did not disappoint with 3D floral embroidery and a wedding dress that the haute couture aficionado would die for, as Lagerfeld says:

..For example, my god, for the train on the wedding dress, it took 15 girls 1 month to create just one train. There was a girl from the Middle East who came with her mother to order it, 10 minutes ago and I’m telling you it’s not cheap…

February 1, 2015