Ode to Mary Quant

These photos I’ve posted are from a book called Vintage Fashion: Collecting and Wearing Designer Classics, 1900- 1990. I recently read an article by Indigo Clarke entitled “Why Aren’t We All living In the 60s-- or At Least Dressing like We Do?”, a realized version of thoughts I, too, have been feeling lately.  Indigo discusses how fashion of our time has lost exuberance and meaning. She attributes it to the 60's being the first decade in which youth had such a powerful voice in music, art, politics, and fashion.

I’m in full agreement. The 60's brought Space Age, Mod, Hippie, Eastern influences; such sharp contrasts from decades previous. It was a decade that fostered Andy Warhol and his circle of friends in The Factory, many of whom continue to be muses for our time.  But arguably the most influential person in the fashion industry during 1960's was Mary Quant, who opened the Bazaar on Kings Road in London where she sold her outlandish designs. Just some of Quant's designs sold in-store were her go-go boots, plastic raincoats, miniskirts and dresses---all of which were soon ubiquitous worldwide. Maybe it’s reflective of the economy or the state of our environment, but there’s just a certain starkness to fashion lately. That is not to say there aren’t many current designers  who aren’t inspiring or influential (see: Christopher Kane, Luella Bartley, Sonia Rykiel, Charles Anastase), but there will never be another decade that has such an appreciation of culture as  during the 60's.

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Macaron Gems

For years, speculation stirred that the Parisian pastry and cake shop, Ladurée would open up shop in NYC. Ladurée, the bakery that brought the macaron to its present fame, made plans to open in the Plaza Hotel (where Demel is now?) but they fell through. Later in 2009, it was said they would open on Madison Avenue.  As of now, the store keeps its branches exclusive to Asia and Europe; I suppose to keep the glamour and magic of Ladurée alive. While it seems Ladurée won’t be crossing the Atlantic anytime soon, I’ve found one very delicious store in particular, paying homage to the craft of making macarons, right here in the Big Apple. Case in point, the Macaron Café.

The Macaron Café currently has two outposts, 625 Madison Avenue (entrance actually on 59^th street) and 485 7^th Avenue. The atmosphere feels like a whimsical play on classic Parisian cafés and the employees dress in French maid-y outfits. The plethora of flavors that change seasonally are displayed in glass casings, making the macarons look like little gems.

Vintage men's letterman sweater and plaid shirt, Target leggings.

(Flavors from left to right: raspberry, lychee rose, grapefruit, chocolate coconut, wedding almond, and honey lavender.)

It’s always so difficult choosing which to purchase-- each of their macarons are all always so true to their name-sake flavors! Lychee is a hard flavor to replicate but their’s was so spot-on. For more on The Macaron Café click here. For prior posts mentioning my obsession with macarons click here.

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Chloe Sevigny x Opening Ceremony Debut

Being a longtime fan of Chloë Sevigny, I was so excited to get to go to the Meet and Greet, inaugurating her latest collection for Opening Ceremony this past Saturday. Guests included Spike Jonze, Jenn Brill, and Humberto and Carol, the proprietors and creators behind OC’s worldwide franchises.

Chloë’s Spring/Summer 2011 Collection is comprised of crop tops and tees with iconic Robert Mapplethorpe photographs superimposed onto them, silky baseball jackets, an assortment of swoon-worthy chunky boots (ranging from pointy-toed cowboy boots to chunky 90s lace-ups), and pastel, rounded sunglasses. While the dresses were attractive, I didn’t find them particularly distinctive. There are 5 silhouettes, each named after one of Ms. Sevigny’s friends like sassy cool-girl Leslie Arfin and singer Lissie Trullie. Each style comes in the same five pattern options: leopard, floral, gingham, paisley, and polka-dot. Of course, I wouldn’t object if someone gifted me one, I just don’t feel as if shelling out $400 for one would be worth it.

Scarf from India, H&M elbow-patch sweater, velvet Opening Ceremony skirt, button earrings.  

I recently purchased this sweater at H&M because I’ve been searching for an elbow-patched top. It makes me think of vintage menswear—how they used to sew-up men’s suit holes with patches (now they do it on purpose at places like Paul Smith and charge you thousands). But I just thought this particular one was a casual and unconventional spin on the look. I’m also wearing my favorite Opening Ceremony piece (which ironically, I found on sale at Barney’s). It's a supple and mysterious navy blue velvet.

To check out more from Chloë Sevigny's collection for Opening Ceremony click here.

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Svpply

I advise you to check out Svpply.com. Based on the products and stores that you add to your page, Svpply creates a continous feed of products that you might like. The purpose is to bring the items to the viewer and to create a virtual boutique of your favorite items, like a public wishlist but more organized. The founding purpose of the site is quite similar to that of Google’s recently launched Boutiques.com, but I’ve found that Svpply’s version sources products of greater interest and also has introduced me to new stores I hadn’t yet heard of. What I love most about the site is the way it displays the items I’ve curated in a catalogue-style. I can easily organize my items by price, type, and gender specificity when applicable. Currently I’m using it as a mood board, to compile my favorite items that I’m not necessarily buying. You can even follow other members to find new interiors, shoes, accessories, and clothing, and Svpply will compile the latest from your favorites.


Check out my Svpply page here. While you’re at, if aren’t already, come follow my Tumblr and Twitter pages. 

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Cookie Time

One of my resolutions for 2011 was to become a master of the “trilogy”: cooking, baking, and crafting. So far, I’ve been keeping up with it (hehehe it’s been only 10 days); I’ve made apricot and lychee ice creams from scratch and have been doing a lot more collaging.

This past weekend my friends and I, using Smitten Kitchen’s recipe, set out to make spicy gingerbread cookies. Initially our intention was to make Christmas-themed cookies because time didn’t allot for it during the holidays. However, we got quickly distracted by all of the other shapes in the box (I obviously opted for the snowmen/cats /elephants) and ended up making batches of cookies of whatever shapes looked the most appealing.

Tiki tablecloths for winter, oh yes.

Okay, so clearly my icing skills are subpar; with the green teddy bear I was going for a “Green with Envy” vibe.  Note: there is also a wonderful blue Cyclops and pink cat! Regardless, the cookies were sweet and crunchy with a spicy kick (thanks to the secret ingredient of pepper), and overall delish. 

I don’t think I could ever have too many socks-- These are uber cozy!

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Sepia Tones

(collage I made with cutouts using ads/editorials from Teen Vogue, Nylon, Glamour, and Vogue.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S!

So many people seem to be cynical about New Year’s. They argue that making resolutions is rather silly because New Year’s is "just a holiday” and nothing really changes when the clock strikes twelve. While I get that, to me their cynicism defeats the point of New Year’s Eve—I mean other than an excuse to have a party. It’s not to say that in the New Year there’s a guarantee for change, but more so a time to reflect on the past and see what you can make a conscientious decision to do differently in the coming months. To be honest though, I’m not too about great actually keeping my resolutions. Last year’s resolution to exercise more (or to start, really) never really took place nor did my momentary mind-lapse when I thought, per chance, I could go a year without caffeine (let’s just say that was broken quickly). I think my 2011 goals are bit more realistic and probably more fun to try to attain: 

1.      To use my free time as an opportunity to read more novels of substance

2.      Write more frequently

3.      Do more watercolors

4.      Channel my inner Martha Stewart by cooking and baking with all of those recipes I’ve had bookmarked from Smitten Kitchen and past issues of (now defunct) Gourmet magazine.

Okay so maybe New Year’s resolutions are a bit silly. But even so, it’s part of that holiday magic! So why not? 2011, can’t wait to see what you have in store.

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