Lavender is my grey. It’s a calming color that can be perceived as pretty and feminine. It exudes a warmth where grey can be more cold and can range from amethyst to lilac. We had the pleasure of designing a large office for a client who wanted the room to be her own space. Everything in that room is purple, from the walls and upholstery to the window treatments. She says it is one of the happiest spaces in her home, and she loves it. It works because the shades of purple can be pushed to either end of the spectrum, toward blues or toward rose and pink. Everybody looks good in purple. A man wearing purple just exudes confidence. What do you think of this color?
The 1930s and 1940s were perhaps the most glamorous years in Hollywood history, creating an iconic style that is still recognizable today.
For a limited time, the Museum of Fine Art in Boston is running an exhibit titled Hollywood Glamour: Fashion and Jewelry from the Silver Screen. The 1930s and 1940s were perhaps the most glamorous years in Hollywood history, creating an iconic style that is still recognizable today. The exhibit showcases gowns and accessories worn both on and off screen by famous starlets of the era. To round out the exhibit, film stills and clips showcase the pieces on display and give visitors a glimpse of this golden age of Hollywood.
A 1926 Coco Chanel evening dress worn by Ina Claire.Verger Freres jewels worn by Joan Crawford.Travis Banton’s costume design for Marlene Dietrich in Desire (1936).The finished gown worn by Marlene Dietrich in Desire, by Travis Banton.Dress designed for Mae West by Elisa Schiaparelli and worn in the 1938 film Every Day’s a Holiday.High style jewels by Trabert & Hoeffer-Mauboussin.Blouse and skirt designed by Irene and worn by Greer Garson in Julia Misbehaves (1948).Suite of 1940’s jewels owned by Ginger Rogers.
The Hollywood Glamour Exhibit will be on display until March 8, 2015. To plan a visit or learn more, visit the MFA website.
Olive is one of those hues I tend to gravitate toward.
When I think of Olive, it reminds me of army colors. It is one of those hues I tend to gravitate toward. Olive is an earth-oriented shade, not something that pops with jolts of color. It has a more serene presence. Although part of the green color family, Olive has a brown under hue and works well with a gray or neutral based palette. It’s also a very specific color. When you say green, people visualize a whole spectrum of possibilities. Say Olive, and everyone understands exactly what color that is.
Whether your New Year’s Eve plans include a romantic night in or an exciting night out, it’s a great excuse to wear something special.
Whether your New Year’s Eve plans include a romantic night in or an exciting night out, it’s a great excuse to wear something special. New Year’s Eve is about looking ahead, celebrating the future, and enjoying a good party. This is one night of the year when extra sparkle is always a good idea! Consider a daring pop of color, accessories that take your dress to another level, or materials you don’t include in your everyday wardrobe.
You can never go wrong with the classic little black dress, while a statement piece of jewelry will make the look extra special for New Year’s Eve. A killer pair of shoes will have the same effect. Or, stand out from the crowd by wearing a pretty pastel shade. A New Year’s Eve party is the perfect time to take a risk and step out of your comfort zone.
Here are some of my favorite fashion ideas for New Year’s Eve. What will you be wearing?
Hervé Léger: Daga sequined bandage dressTamara Mellon: SmockingJimmy Choo: CamileRafe: Maryanne Faceted Shell Minaudiere, Ivory MultiHervé Léger: Ari metallic bandage mini dressChristian Louboutin: Debout Glitter & PVC Red Sole Pump, GoldAlexander McQueen: Python Hexagon Frame Clutch BagAlice + Olivia: Princess layered tulle mini dressJimmy Choo: Legia elaphe and metallic leather sandalsAlexander McQueen: Snakeskin Oval Knuckle Clutch Bag
Navy and plum make a deep, sultry combo. What I love about them is how they are such a saturated. So many people want blue or navy for their interiors which is so typical to see paired with white or red — things that are basic. I want to be able to counteract with something else, and plum does that. It doesn’t create a high contrast, but the two colors pair well because they are on the same level of saturation. Part of my obsession is my serious desire to get away from what everyone else is doing. Yes, an interior is an investment, and some people are braver than others. I see so much similarity and safeness as a designer, so when I am working on projects with repetitive palettes, it is nice to jump outside the box. With a color like blue that everyone loves, I like the idea of being original and pairing it with something that isn’t the norm. Add a little spice!
I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw.
I stumbled across Lema J jewelry while browsing online and instantly loved what I saw. These handmade shagreen cuffs are simply gorgeous and make such an impact with a pop of color.
Lema J was founded by sisters Jenny Benscher and Jill Becker in 2013. The cuffs are made from stingray leather and lined with lambskin, available in custom combinations of amazing colors and patterns. The texture of the shagreen is so striking, and the cuffs have wonderful scale. They can be worn with a casual look or something more dressy. For work or an evening out, a Lema J cuff would make a great statement.
This jewelry doesn’t just look good; it supports a fantastic cause. When owner Jill Becker’s daughter Cara passed away from leukemia in 2012, her family started a foundation called Karma for Cara with the goals of engaging youth, awarding unsung heroes, and tangibly helping patients with leukemia. All profits from jewelry sales go to Karma for Cara, so you can feel good about buying something handmade by a small business which supports a worthwhile cause.
To learn more about Lema J or see their full line of cuffs, visit their website. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Here are some of my favorite luxuriously cozy winter scarves to help inspire your winter wardrobe!
I love wearing scarves for most of the year, but during the chilly months of winter a scarf is a must-have accessory. Scarves are such a versatile way to dress up your look. With a variety of materials to choose from, a scarf adds texture and interest to your outfit. I love to wrap up in a great scarf and always have one with me when I leave the house. Fashion for me, this year, is all about gray, black, taupe, and white. Here are some of my favorite luxuriously cozy winter scarves to help inspire your winter wardrobe!
When I think of Currant, I think of a deep, sultry color.
When I think of Currant, I think of a deep, sultry color. I became inspired by it as a change from the trend of black, white, and neutral interiors. I recently pitched this color for a library as a cohesive palette to pair well with and balance rich wood tones — think walnut and wine. It’s definitely more dramatic, being so deep and saturated and just a more grounded color. A hue like this is about taking chances and steering away from the path everyone else is walking.
The fashion world lost a true icon with the recent passing of Oscar de la Renta.
The fashion world lost a true icon with the recent passing of Oscar de la Renta. Since first becoming internationally known for dressing Jackie Kennedy in the 1960s, the Dominican born designer has dressed the famous and the elite.
Jackie Kennedy in Oscar de la RentaMichelle Obama wore an Oscar de la Renta dress at a Fashion Education Workshop event.
Oscar de la Renta began his education in Spain, studying painting. To earn extra income, he sketched clothing for fashion houses and newspapers, which led to his first commission designing a gown. That gown graced the cover of Life magazine and launched de la Renta’s distinguished career. He went on to dress First Ladies, and his fashions were always a part of any red carpet event. One of his most recent fashion accomplishments was the design of the dress worn by Amal Alamuddin when she married George Clooney.
Jessica Alba wears Oscar de la RentaEmma Watson looks stunning on the red carpet, wearing Oscar de la Renta.Amal Alamuddin wearing Oscar de la Renta at her wedding.
In fashion, Oscar de la Renta was known for his glamorous designs. His goal was to make women look and feel beautiful, with lush, feminine clothing that conveyed both youth and polish. He made dresses that women actually bought, having an instinctive knowledge of the difference between the runway and fashion. Oscar de la Renta’s fashions became legendary, a hallmark of sophistication.
Oscar de la Renta on the runway.Another Oscar de la Renta runway look.
His personal life was as full of vitality and glamor as his designs. Whether relaxing at one of his homes in the Dominican Republic or rubbing shoulders with celebrities at a gala event, Oscar de la Renta embodied the idea of living a good life, full of love and enjoyment. He was known for being at ease everywhere he went, feeling a passionate and enduring love for both of his wives (the first died in 1983), and never hesitating to speak his mind.
An Oscar de la Renta sketch.His appreciate for feminine beauty is clear.I love this glimpse at the design process.
When I think about Oscar de la Renta, I think about my own business and how fashion and interior design are parallel worlds — especially for me, as someone who is very aware of fashion. Oscar de la Renta had an approach to fashion design that mirrors what we do with interiors. His whole mantra was to make women feel beautiful. His designs weren’t about himself. What we do is similar; we make interiors beautiful through details, tailoring, and custom touches. De la Renta was, first and foremost, a fashion designer, but he also happened to have an interior line, as well as furniture and fabric. Like his fashions, his interiors were well developed and well lived — impeccable.
Oscar de la Renta’s home in Punta Cana.At the Kent, CT, home of Oscar de la Renta
I admire Oscar de la Renta for more than his talent with fashion design. He had a fearless, generous approach to life. He seemed to be so approachable and kind, full of charisma. I look at what he’s done in the course of his lifetime and an have so much admiration for him. He was super involved in his life, his business, and his charities. Life is short, but Oscar de la Renta embraced it and lived it, and the whole world watched him do it. It really puts life into perspective. During his lifetime, he conquered so much and left behind an impressive legacy. I hope that when I am 82 years old, I can inspire that spark in someone just as Oscar de la Renta did in me.
Celosia Orange is a great color for this time of year.
One of the best things about spring is the opportunity to embrace the brightness of the season. Celosia Orange is a great color for this time of year. It’s a crisp, saturated, uplifting hue that can add a bit of fun to a space or provide a boost with a dramatic splash of color. Use it to spice up a neutral palette or add zest to a modern interior. Bold and eye-catching, Celosia Orange is one of my favorite shades.
