SHOP SIMPLE STATEMENTS!

Kelly Wearsler’s design creativity knows no bounds. Besides her amazing interior design creations her contemporary fashion line at Bergdorf Goodman looks amazing on 5F (you cannot miss because you feel like you are in the middle of her living room) very sexy and alluring. Her prints are remarkable, I refer to them as non-print prints because they possess  refined drama without looking busy.  Best to show you exactly what I mean!!

Accessories just as simply wonderful — Simple Statements in grandeur!!! Enjoy,  Brandastyle.

STYLE TRANSITIONS

Ok I am certainly the last person looking to shop Fall when it is 103 degrees but was so excited to find exciting reasons to update your Fall wardrobe with 3 classically modern new interesting offerings!

Rag & Bone Cape Deep Tan $535-the cape/jacket twist adds polish and sophistication.

VPL Opposites Mink Poncho $295 – the color/ sheerness/& boxy shape is a great layering piece!

Vince Prep School Shirt $210 – The closure at the bottom gives the shirt a great shape. Don’t let the Prep fool you, it is a Sexy shirt!!! All found at BARNEYS NEW YORK CO-OP.  Brandastyle.

BRANDAsTYLE BuZZ

Leave the city and spend a wonderful summer day checking out  Piermont Ave. in Piermont New York.  I enjoyed lunch at Freelance Cafe and then leisurely checked out both the R-T-W & Home Furnishing Stores on the avenue.

Ki Designs — definitely my favorite, Ki C. Park a welcoming and fun owner, displays  original clothing for women –sleek, modern, & interesting shapes the like of Oska, Sarah Pacini, Iconoclast, Crea,  & Skifo brands.  Jewelry/Handbags/ Belts/Shoes — one stop shopping.

Abigail Rose—comfortable & natural fabrics of good quality. Easy Dressing & Accessories… scarfs, handbags, and scarfs.  Bonnie Chapin, the owner is very accommodating.

Ned Kelly & Company —- Ned stages his store beautifully to express the concept “living well at home”.  Great giftables, floral arrangements, home furnishings,  jewelry and more.

Finally Abercorn Place — Interesting designs (their card suggests a place to discover new designers) if you have the patience to weed thru their overstocked space and not so helpful owner.

Until next time, Brandastyle.

CULTURE IN THE CITY

Must see: One of the design exhibitions currently on view at the Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum in NYC is  Color Moves: Art and Fashion by Sonia Delaunay the  20^th century abstract painter and colorist who created amazing graphics for interiors, fashion, film, textiles and theatre. So modern and so colorful — a great segue to Spring/Summer!  

 the other is Set in Style The Jewelry by Van Cleef & Arpels encompassing 350 + jewels, timepieces, and object d’art that represent extraordinary innovation.Both on until June 5^th

Also be on the lookout for the Musical Chairs Chamber Ensemble, Inc. (MCCE) a local Staten Island organization dedicated to presenting classical and contemporary chamber music in welcoming and relaxed venues to encourage appreciation headed by Tamara Keshecki (flute player in photo).  Here in Dr. and Mrs. Romano’s  SI residence for Sunday Brunch, how wonderful !

 The Other major attraction was the film about Bill Cunningham - The NY Times’ bicycle riding fashion photographer – at the FILM FORUM at 209 W Houston Street ending today.   “The best fashion show is always on the street.” – Bill Cunningham   —

“MORE” STYLE

February’s “MORE” magazine spoke to me in a very personal way.  The article “Declaration of Reinvention” so perfectly stated its proclamation on the power of IMAGE & SIGNATURE STYLE.  As an image consultant/strategist I believe that self expression is our voice.  Change internally and externally frees us to be our best selves.  “More” speaks to the woman who has developed the confidence within and embraces the synergistic power of  transformation . 

  It is stated that “the hair, the shoes, the nail color send the world a consistent message about who we are. But a life of engagement and accomplishment brings inner change that we may not think to OUTWARDLY express”. 

 Consequently the invention comes inside-out expressed so perfectly by  “SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW”.  Brandastyle.

PROFOUND BEAUTY & STYLE

I want to introduce you to Daniele Doctorow, my neighbor, my client, my friend.    We had  breakfast this summer and as women do we exchanged tidbits about our lives. I learnt that she performed  as Miss Prism in “The Importance of Being Earnest” in Hunter NY on weekends.  She was a concert booking agent for Chamber music recitals and was extremely active in determining grant awards for the Doctoral Foundation for the Arts.  She mentioned her upcoming trip to South Carolina with lifetime  friends and  grew so excited about her October canal trip to France with her wonderful sister Suzi. She shared her on-line dating stories and we laughed.   We said our goodbyes and a few days later she requested  my styling assist for her perspective date.  We laughed,  dressed,  did makeup and wardrobe and she left transformed. 

 She travelled to SC and France as she intended and last Thursday I got the call that my style makeup assistance was required again, however this time for her plane trip back to Utah with her sister Suzi.  Did I mention that Daniele had breast cancer and was undergoing chemo every week for the last year. 

 I was so saddened to hear that Daniele died last Sunday. Her life is a testimony to living in the moment and squeezing every breath out of life with love, courage, determination and laughter.  I will never forget Daniele.  Her  beauty & style  touched my life in a profound way.  Thank you Daniele.  Brandastyle.

DESTINATION WEDDING SEMI-FORMAL BEACH STYLE

 

                                                                            

Wedding Destination: Hilton Head, South Carolina — the Dunes House at Palmetto Dunes 

  

Bagpipes on the Beach

  

Semi-formal wedding attire  loosely translated into comfortable elegant casual!   Nicole Miller’s strapless taffeta molded gown for the bride,  Coren Moore’s silk shantung  strapless/sashed dresses for the bridemaids, & J Crew linen suits with vests &  open collar shirts for the groom and groomsmen.

 

The beach theme was  woven thruout with original accessory details:  the boutaniere’s were shells wrapped in raffia  and the bride’s Mignon Faget  moonsnail necklace of white and cream freshwater pearls accentuated her glowing face.

 

Mother of the bride wore a strapless pleated  black & white floral gown  from Lord & Taylor with an African Anthropology necklace,  Father of the bride wore a grey window pane plaid light- weight wool suit with a grey silk paisley tie,  all from Norstrom.  He swears his Egyption Cotton shirt kept him cool (quite the secret!!) Grandmother of the bride wore a black tasteful knit.

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C7 commercial string lights were strung thruout which created a festive yet alluring lighting effect & for the finale a pyramid of lucious butter cream cup cakes delighted all—– UMMMMM  UMMMM Good!! 

 Simple & Tres Sweet!!! Brandastyle

 

FALL MENSWEAR – STYLE PICKS

Vince's Thermal Sweater $135

Vince’s Plated V Neck Cashmere for $245

Vince’s Best Selling Peacoat Sweater for $325

  Vince – 3 great sporty looks for casual friday, weekend or campus wear!  

 Tahari’s pinwale cords have a real soft comfy fit and great value at $188 combined with Outstanding Outerwear — a navy fine twill (stonewash/ sueded  hand)  jacket in 100% cotton for $548 and an amazing 100% poly jacket with detachable vest – snap and zipper hardware for $498.   D&G had a wonderful grey (green cast) sports jacket $775 and a brushed grey plaid jacket for $795 , definitely stylish investments .  John Varvatos’s chevron architectural cable shawl collar cardigan with  toogle button and leather pockets – heaven!!     Billy Reid’s plaid grey sports jacket with suede patches for $695 amazing and applause for the best plaid( blue/green/brown) sports shirt I have ever seen.  Zegna’s trendy outerwear boxy quited jackets with the PERFECT RUSTIC RED jean -Check out Canali and Hugo Boss for elegant dressier options — Red Label slimmer and Black label fuller cuts.   Brandastyle.com      

AICI – INDUCTION – VP of Membership Development

On June 22nd AICI (Association of Image Consultants International) New York-Tri State Chapter had their Induction event for 2010/2011 at the Union League Club at 38 East 37th Street between Park and Madison Avenue (many of our meetings were held there this year, quite the stately venue !) 

 I was honored to receive  a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of outstanding contribution and participation to the AICI New York/Tri-State Chapter as Co VP of Membership-Development for the 2009-2010 Board Term  and was inducted to continue my role for the 2010-2011 term. Jacqueline Peros our newly inducted president bestowed the honors.  

Our speaker Judith Ann Graham, a former Miss New York State in the Miss America Organization, is a personal wardrobe stylist and hair/makeup expert focusing on women over 40 who has acting, commercial, and leading daytime drama credits to her name including appearances on all leading networks as a Style expert and Corporate Speaker.

Her focus was on the latest in successful communication strategies, “The Platinum Rule” developed by Tony Allessandra – “Treat Others as They Wish to be Treated”.  By observing and identifying behaviour styles in yourself and others you are able to communicate  more effectively. It was a fun interactive evening where first we identified our own behavioral style then figured out how to approach others with different styles. Looking forward to put into practice immediately and will keep you informed as always.

SPRING IS IN THE YEAR (ALMOST)

Ok, officially it is Spring but yes still chilly—- are you as hungry as I to shed the layers and go shopping ???? I have gone to all the stores , read the magazines, seen the Runway presentations and want to make purchasing easy for you. I have identified 5 major trends because of how they flatter UNIVERSAL STYLE—- the envelope please :

SLOUCHY — EASY — SOFT—-FEMININE — Sheaths/Shifts , Softly Draped Pantsuits, Unconstructed Jackets.  See Max Mara, Rogan, Armani, Rachel Comey, Eileen Fisher, RL, Celine, Pauw, Michael Kors, Rebecca Taylor, Richard Chai, Phillip Lim, Philosphy di Alberta Ferretti. Lots of fabric manipulation by way of pleating, shirring, folding, & ruffling.

GREY – GREY – &  MORE GREY — ALL SHADES in pants, jeans, suits , tops, shoes, handbags, knits, & let us not forget belts! Lida Badey  does the most gorgeous printed grey swirl draped dress.  See Gucci, Prada, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, & of course the master at subtle color none other then Calvin Klein. Neutrals are here to stay!

PRINTS FOR EVERYONE —- Abstract, Painterly, Liberty, Ikat ( Pucci and Gucci ads are everywhere),  Neo Primitive, Black & White, Animal, Brushstroke, Splash,  & Travel  — If ever a time to spring for a print go for it !! Piazza Sempione, Gucci, St. John, Missoni, Escada, and least we forget Liberty for Target.

MILITARY/SAFARI/TREKKER CHIC — Ok, there back — the Khaki’s, Fatigue Greens, & Denim  by way of shorts,  jackets, trench coats, dresses, shirts & vests, from Burberry Prosum to Macy’s Alfani.  Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang,  Rag & Bone,  Marc Jacobs,  RL,  Lauren, Banana Republic, Club Monaco, & Reiss.

ACCESSORIES – OK, I admit my favorite category— Bindya & Yarnz scarves– soooo buttery soft in silk/ cashmere blends,  trend-right prints, versatile oversized oblongs at great values!!  Next is Bling especially those statment necklaces & CLEAR is key – RJ Graziano’s  double strand lucite drop necklace , ABS’s lucite bead necklace with crystal accents,  Oscar de la Renta ‘s oversize links necklace in shades of grey, Alexis Bittar’s amazing lucite bubble necklace  —Burberry’s lucite bangles & Michael Kors’s Lucite cuff,  Next – stacked heels, yes the platform is back – Coach, Donald Pliner,  APC,  Marc Fisher , Charles David ,  RL,  Fiorentini + Baker  and of course Gucci!!! Last but surely not least is the ever important category of HANDBAGS — Prada’s Brushed Hemp Clear bag, Calvin Klein’s Light Grey Vicuna Hobo,  Max Mara’s ladylike Geranio, and YSL’s across-the-body bag with shoulder chain  to name but a few of my favorites.

Looking forward to working with you very soon!!!