Style / Insights

SAG Awards Trend: Black and White

Black and white dresses ruled the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium.

January 30, 2012

SAG Awards fashion marked a return to black and white glamour. The timeless colors set off a mix of designs ranging from sexy and sophisticated to fun and flirty.

Back to Black
Black was anything but basic for Angelina Jolie and Amber Heard. Jolie wore a slinky, backless Jenny Packham gown while Heard wore an edgy cut-out Zac Posen gown. Looking lovely in lace were Stacy Keibler in an off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown, Emma Stone in a flirty Alexander McQueen cocktail dress and Jayma Mays in a Reem Acra sequined number with a sheer back. 

Winning White
On the lighter side, a fashionable Zoe Saldana wore Givenchy couture straight from the Paris runway. Also a vision in white, Rose Byrne wore a heavily embellished Elie Saab jumpsuit. Judy Greer chose a feminine Collette Dinnigan dress while the newly engaged Katrina Bowden wore a glittering strapless design by Amsale. White was also a winning color for Viola Davis, who took home the best female actor in a leading role wearing a Grecian-inspired Marchesa gown.

—Michelle Ward

 

A Guide to Luxury Lingerie

Find the most ladylike lingerie in Manhattan.

January 26, 2012

Agent Provocateur
Subtlety is not Agent Provocateur’s specialty. Eroticism, and in the best of ways, however, is the British label’s forte. With a full line that ranges from silk kimono robes to playful nightwear and accessories, Agent Provocateur offers a selection beyond traditional notions of lingerie. 675 Madison Ave., 212-840- 2436; agentprovocateur.com

Cosabella
The family-owned Italian lingerie brand recently opened its first New York flagship, right in the heart of Soho. Cosabella is primarily known for its sheer mesh underwear, which was perhaps the first thong style to reach trend status among women; the style is available in more than 30 vibrant hues. 220 Lafayette St., 212-405-1190; cosabella.com

Eres
Designer Valérie Delafosse brings her innate knowledge of the body to her designs. The beloved French bathing suit label first debuted lingerie in 1998 and since has developed a loyal clientele who turn to the brand for its superior fit and airy fabrications. Barneys New York, 660 Madison Ave., 212-826-8900; barneys.com

{Intimacy}
{Intimacy} provides an education with professional instruction on caring for bras, wearing them appropriately, and finding that perfect fit (the shop carries more than 90 sizes). With a penchant for style as well as functionality, {Intimacy} focuses on designer European labels such as Chantelle and Empreinte. 1252 Madison Ave., 212-860- 8366; myintimacy.com

Journelle
From edgy to ethereal, Journelle’s diverse collection of unmentionables are carefully selected by founder and expert lingerie curator Claire Chambers and her staff. In line with the store’s name, which is derived from journellement, meaning “daily,” its wide range of designers—including Bordelle, Eberjey, and Zinke—are meant to be worn every day. 125 Mercer St., 212-255-7803; journelle.com

Kiki de Montparnasse
Not for the faint of heart, Kiki de Montparnasse unapologetically encourages clients to explore passions and fantasies without sacrificing luxury. The Soho shop’s scandalous lingerie is made from the finest French laces and silks. On special occasions, live models are known to replace the mannequins in Kiki’s storefront windows. 79 Greene St., 212-965-8150; kikidm.com

La Perla
The ultimate purveyor of luxury underpinnings, La Perla is a one-stop shop for elegant bridal lingerie, negligées, swimwear, and loungewear utilizing three unique fabrics: delicate leaver’s lace, silken soutache, and antique-styled frastaglio. For the perfect bridal shower, request a private luncheon or shopping session at the Madison Avenue boutique. 803 Madison Ave., 212-570-0050; laperla.com

La Petite Coquette
This playful multibrand shop charms with its girlie Victorian décor, complete with fringe lamps. Its true appeal, however, lies in the boutique’s expert bra fittings. At La Petite Coquette, sizing you up does not involve a tape measure but instead a genuine knowledge of fit and a system of trial and error. 51 University Pl., 212-473-2478; thelittleflirt.com

Victoria’s Secret
Victoria’s Secret is the world’s most renowned lingerie brand for a reason—and not just for its stunning Angels. Its enormous selection has something for every woman and every occasion—from sheer baby-doll dresses and seductive lace bustiers to silky camisole sets and animal print slips. 1328 Broadway, 212-356-8380; victoriassecret.com

Wolford
Many know Wolford as the leader in hosiery, but the Austrian label’s lingerie and shapewear collections also stand out among the industry’s finest. Wolford’s intimates have a classic cool with traditional hues and a plethora of understated polka-dot styles. 93 Greene St., 212-343-0808; wolfordshop.com

—AMANDA WEINER

 

Brooks Brothers Fashion

Brooks Brothers returns to its original New York outpost from 1884.

January 16, 2012

 
  A spring look from Brooks Brothers

History tends to repeat itself, and trends cycle in and out of our wardrobes with ease. Recently the idea of bringing back heritage styles has consumed the marketplace, as evidenced by the proliferation of wingtips and bow ties on Manhattan men. In New York, drawing fashion inspiration from the past comes naturally, and Brooks Brothers is doing just that.

After nearly a century, the venerable house of prep style has returned to the Flatiron district, where it set up shop from 1884 to 1915. It was there that America was introduced to the polo button-down. To honor its heritage, the store is suited in typical Brooks Brothers fashion with exposed brick walls, curtains created from signature striped tie prints, and refurbished antique furniture. Claudio Del Vecchio, chairman and CEO, looks back at Brooks Brothers’ sense of history and embraces its forward movement. “To think that 96 years later we would be returning to within a few blocks of one of our original locations with The Flatiron Shop is a testament to the brand’s incredible staying power.” The seventh Manhattan location offers men’s and women’s apparel plus accessories for both classic and contemporary customers. 901 Broadway, 212-228-3508


 

Ferragamo Resort Wear at Duke Mansion

Salvatore Ferragamo presents a collection at Manhattan’s historic Duke Mansion.

December 14, 2011


Karolina Kurkova modeling the finale gown at the Resort collection sho

For the first ever Salvatore Ferragamo Resort show in New York, the fashion flock gathered at the grandiose James B. Duke Mansion, once a private residence that had previously never been open to the public. The show marked a bold move for the Italian fashion label, which decided to stray from its traditional presentation in Milan.

The collection itself—a parade of retro Hollywood glamour and 1930s decadence—appears to have dictated the move to the home of one of America’s most renowned heiresses of the time, Doris Duke. One could just as readily imagine any one of Manhattan’s tastemakers sitting front row (Eva Mendes, Ashley Greene, and Olivia Chantecaille) wearing the swirling, silver- beaded gown for a red carpet fête as a starlet of Ferragamo’s era.

Humphrey Bogart’s rich voice boomed, “Here’s looking at you, kid,” from Casablanca over the show’s soundtrack as models paraded pieces that signaled a distinctly aristocratic air. Perfectly suited for traveling to Morocco for the season or standing out in the winter wonderland of Manhattan, Salvatore Ferragamo’s landmark Resort collection hits stores just in time for a holiday season full of enchanted expeditions. 655 Fifth Ave., 212-759-3822

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN & CORINA LECCA


 

Gorgeous Lalique Jewelry

Lalique returns to its heritage with a renewed focus on fine jewelry, premiering in Manhattan.

December 07, 2011

 

French glassmaker René Lalique is remembered as one of the premier masters of the medium, but he was first and foremost a jeweler. Drawing on the fascination with Eastern art at the turn of the 19th century, Lalique took inspiration from nature and the landscapes around him, carving entire relief scenes into glass and creating painted, wearable sculptures of enamel and mother-of-pearl. A major contributor to the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements, Lalique created pieces both naturalistic and symbolic, drawing upon the iconography of the time that lauded both nature and the female form. Today some of his pieces are housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

While such distinctive style has remained central to Lalique, this season marks a return to the house’s focus on fine jewelry, with a new collection arriving in stores in time for the holidays. Eau Sensuelle presents a contemporary interpretation of the René Lalique style with water as the inspiration for spherical-cut crystals and sparkling cognac diamonds.

The fine jewelry collection will be sold exclusively in Lalique stores around the globe, with select one-of-akind pieces debuting at Basel in the spring. Until then, these classic gold bands accented with amber crystal and champagne diamonds are perfectly celebratory for the season—timeless treasures to cherish from a landmark debut collection. Petillante rings in yellow gold, amber crystal, champagne pavé diamonds, and pavé cabachons, Lalique ($2,340–$5,840). 609 Madison Ave., 212-355-6500

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN KLUTCH

—amanda weiner

 

Class Slipper

Valentino’s Timestrings collection embraces the art of the handmade.

November 09, 2011

Valentino’s new capsule collection makes its grand entrance this month in the designer’s singular New York boutique on Madison Avenue. Reflecting creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli’s commitment to Valentino’s signature aesthetic and remaining at the pinnacle of Italian couture, the Timestrings collection celebrates the luxury of time as it invites the privilege of creativity. Forty hours, 49 minutes, and 18 seconds elapsed from the time the artisans at the Valentino workshop in Tuscany began crafting these red capretto leather and green ayers snakeskin pumps. Each sumptuous leather petal, painted Valentino red, unfolds one after the next, surrendering, ultimately, to create a bud, the symbol of romance and femininity. As rare as the perfect red rose, only 15 pairs are available in the US, each time stamped and numbered accordingly. Rose pump, Valentino ($1,175). 747 Madison Ave., 212-772-6969

PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN KLUTCH

—AMANDA WEINER

 

The Omega Speedmaster

A deeper look at the first and only watch ever to be worn on the moon.

October 25, 2011


Omega
has long been involved in the conquest of space, and has been a part of all six lunar landings.

On March 1, 1965, Omega's Speedmaster chronograph was "flight-qualified by NASA for all manned space missions." That is because the Omega Speedmaster withstood all of the U.S. space agency's severe tests under conditions of zero gravity and magnetic fields, extreme shocks, vibrations and temperatures ranging from -18 to +93 degrees Celsius. It is, to date, the only NASA flight-qualified watch.

Since 1965, Omega Speedmasters have been onboard Gemini missions, Apollo missions and even Skylab. Many recall one of the most significant moments in space history when, on July 21, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster recorded man’s first steps on the Moon during the Apollo 11 missions. Omega’s Speedmaster is the first and only watch to be worn on the moon. Hence, it has been nicknamed the Moonwatch.

Another significant moment in Omega Speedmaster space timing came in April 1970 with the Apollo 13 mission, when the watch was used to time the reentry and divert potential disaster when certain instruments malfunctioned. The Omega Speedmaster earned the Snoopy Award, the highest distinction awarded by NASA astronauts for that mission.

The Speedmaster was worn on the wrists of both the American astronaut Tom Stafford and the Russian cosmonaut Alexei Leonov during the historic Apollo-Soyuz space rendezvous. This was the first time the cosmonauts also wore the OMEGA Speedmaster. Ever since, the Speedmaster has been the official chronograph of all Russian manned space missions.

Today, Omega continues to be involved in space exploration and discovery. In fact it recently released its new Apollo 15 watch that celebrates the 40th anniversary of that mission, the first in which the Moon Rover was used. The three red, white and blue rings on the dial echo the design of the Apollo 15 Official Mission patch. The 42mm cased chronometer chronograph is created in a limited edition of 1971 pieces (the year of the Apollo 15 mission), and retails for $6,800.

Read more about watches from our timepiece editor Roberta Naas at atimelyperspective.com.

—Roberta Naas

 

Staff Pick: Sniff Pet Candles

We love these luxe candles that are pup- and eco-friendly.

October 21, 2011


Sniff Pet Candles A Day In The Hamptons candle

From gourmet food to outrageous outfits and plush bedding, we love to extend the joys of the senses to our canine companions. Sniff Pet Candles (from $32) appeal to a dog’s sense of smell with aromas that promote therapeutic benefits such as positive mood, energy and an overall sense of health and wellbeing. Because dogs experience the world mostly through their noses, creating a desirable-smelling environment is paramount. In addition to being all-natural, 100-percent green and eco-friendly, a portion of profits from each Sniff candle sale benefits animal rights groups and shelters across the country. Available in a variety of scents, such as A Day In The Hamptons and Splendor in the Grass, Sniff candles are pleasing to human and dog noses alike. And they’re an especially sweet breath of fresh air for city dogs that spend a lot of time indoors.

—steve hagendorn

 

Privacy, Please

Michael Reslan opens a discreet new shop on Madison Avenue.

October 07, 2011

Michael Reslan among his bespoke creations

Suiting sensation Michael Reslan entered the world of men’s fashion from a retail background, working his way up from salesman to founder of his own label over 25 years. Reslan had most recently served as executive vice president and director of retail at Brioni, where he played an integral role in the Italian label’s expansion to America, before he opened his bespoke tailoring showroom in a penthouse on Fifth Avenue. Building on the true meaning of luxury—personal service, impeccable quality and a unique product—Reslan redefined the modern-day shopping experience for his customers. “Our attitude is measured by our altitude,” he says, a motto that carries through all aspects of his business. The goods are all exclusive to Reslan, who sources his fabrics from the finest Italian manufacturers. This month, less than a year after debuting his first showroom, Reslan is opening a new retail space on Madison Avenue, in a discreet second-floor location, which speaks to his continued dedication to his clients. 667 Madison Ave., 212-207-9207

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN LEI


 

Great Escape

Louis Vuitton introduces the ultimate weekend essential.

September 30, 2011

Super-soft calfskin with checkered embossing defines Louis Vuitton’s new Damier Infini line. A subtle style evolution from prior collections, this latest launch stays true to the brand’s tradition and includes duffels, briefcases, belts, wallets and more. Current colorways include jet-black onyx, cherry-red fusion and off-white arctic, and additional options will be added each season. Just in time for autumn weekend getaways, this keepall is sure to become a most trusted travel companion.

Damier Infini keep-all 45, Louis Vuitton ($2,550 each). 1 E. 57th St.

By rebecca malinsky

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