Leave It To My Friends...

Cartier LOVE bracelet $2,000

 Upon seeing Vogues Holiday Gift Guide, I thought to myself, "What would I put on that list if it were mine?". I asked a few of my favorite stylish friends as well, and after the cliched "world peace" and "feeding the hungry", I got to the decadent meat of the matter at hand! Here are my friends ridiculously stylish Christmas Dreams! (Disclaimer, I did ask my friends to consider being extremely selfish, and pretend money was not an issue!).

Let's start off with Me! I know everyone here is expecting me to say the albino crocodile Birkin with pave diamond padlock, but I am gonna go with a set of 8 Cartier Love bracelets! I love the idea of stacking a bunch on my right arm, so I figure 7 is a nice round number... And obviously the 8th would be for the person giving the gift! So, the person who loves me enough to give me this dream gift is gonna be able to spend a cool $20,000 for all 8 of them. Ah, The gift of "Love".

Cierra Salzano (Model at San Diego Model Management)- HEAD Ski's

Head Ski's $899

In typical California girl style, Cierra Salzano is wishing for an active, sporty Christmas! Her Christmas would be spent on the slopes, with a new set of Head brand ski's. I went all out for her and priced the best set, with all the accoutrement's! Her's was so simple, I threw in all the vital pieces... After all, she didn't ask for an Hermes ski set... At $900 for the ski's themselves, and $600 for a good pair of Head brand boots, Cierra's request should be easy to achieve.

Louis Vuitton Trunk $22,000

Jose Covarrubias (Booker and Scout, Wilhelmina Models)- Full set of Louis Vuitton Monogram luggage. Including a steamer trunk!
For Jose's gift I included a duffel, a classic hard sided suitcase, a rolling case, 2 carry ons (one hard sided, and the other a soft shell...), a passport holder and cosmetic case in the scenario. The price of the vintage steamer trunk doubled Jose's Wish price to $40,375! To be fair he travels a lot for work, so this gift would actually be considered quite practical.

Necker Island $371,000 for a Week

Elgin Wright (Stylist, Saks Fifth Ave Studio Services Consultant,  Fashion Blogger, )- 10 day vacation on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
Necker Island is privately owned by Virgin Air owner Richard Branson. It is fully staffed with basic service, trainer, yoga instructor, chefs, guides, and a helicopter pilot. "There is nothing more indulgent than luxury travel, and sharing it with close friends, creating a perfect memory in every moment... Oh, and who doesn't love a do everything butler?" I had better be included in that group of friends!

Chanel White J12 Watch $5,000

Katie O'Connell (Director of E-commerce at Elie Tahari)- Chanel J12 in white enamel.
Katie is a classic girl, with an incredible sense of style, that mixes her fondness for street culture with designer goods from Chloe, Alexander Wang, and Isabelle Marant. Well with this post she wants to introduce some Chanel into her wardrobe, with the classic masculine watch! The white heat tempered ceramic watch is practically indestructible, and always looks great on! In fact one of the biggest trends in fashion for the last decade is a large mariner style watch on a petite frame, and who better to supply that watch than Chanel... The size Katie is looking at starts right near $5,000... Dream Big!

Hermes Birkin Starting $6,00

Silvia Hermanny (Personal Shopper, Stylist, Owner of Fashion House by Silvia Hermanny )- Canary Yellow Hermes Birkin.
A classic bag in an exciting color would be this San Diego based fashionsta's dream! The Birkin's classic nature is offset by the fabulous Canary yellow! The bright yellow is a brave choice, but Silvia is nothing if not brave!  The Birkin starting price is now right around $6,000, and with the bright color, and depending on hardware, the cost will go up from there! I would typically be asking for the same thing, probably the classic Hermes Orange color, but Silvia came with her answer first!

Chanel Bike $17,000

Jeffrey Parish (Owner Junc Boutique, Clothing Designer)- Chanel Bicycle, to ride to private cooking lessons in Provence.
The collectors edition Chanel Bicycle was all over fashion weeks, a couple seasons ago. Agnyss Dean rode it to shows in Paris, and Jeffrey put it on his X-mas wish list as well! Specifically for transportation for the cooking classes at Hotel Le Pigonnet. Having eaten at the Parish compound more than once, I don't think the classes are necessary, for Jeffrey, the experience alone would be the reason to traipse around the French countryside! The bicycle runs a mild $17,000, with the classes running $2000 for a week long visit!

Hermes Cuff $1,000 Each

Brigette O'Donovan (Public Relations Expert atBaby Bird Communications)- Hermes, Collier De Chien Cuffs.
Hermes is a popular dream gift this season. Brigette, a local favorite of mine, is wishing for the classic black and gold Hermes cuff. I personally think she deserves 2! The cuff adds a touch of tough chic to a cocktail dress, and still manages to class up jeans and a sweater. The cuffs start at around $1,000, and end up close to $70,000 for the gold one (a secret holiday wish of mine...) But as Brigette just wants the leather piece, we'll say $1,000! For the look at right, we'd better go with $2,000!

Heidsiek Diamante Bleu $250,000

Jose Rivera (Lead MU Artist at Sephora Pro)- Heidsiek Diamante Bleu Vintage 1907.
Well, a VERY impressive choice! This is the highest price ever to be put on a bottle of bubbly! With good reason, they were sunk at the beginning of WW1 and sat at the bottom of the Gulf of Finland! Sold at auction, after being discovered on board the shipwreck of the Swedish freighter Jonkoping in 1998, the bottles tend to sell upward of $200,000, with the highest going for $275,000! Of course they normally sell as historic novelty items, I certainly wouldn't turn down a glass when Jose offers, after all, they were preserved in the frigid waters!

Billy Kirk Satchel $325

Tyrone Spencer (Menswear Bloggist, Style Consultant)- Billy Kirk NO.95 Satchel
Tyrone says of his choice "I don't ask for much really, just something that has a bit of substance. The weight and meaning behind this hand-stitched shoulder satchel only comes with something 100% handmade and stitched together, each one taking several hours to complete. Think about it: It's few and far between that you come across this kind of artisan craftsmanship, with built in heirloom quality out of the gate." I totlly agree, and am so looking into other pieces from these guys! Check out the entire collection at BILLYKIRK.com

Cavalli Dress $10,000

Mimi Abrahams (Personal Stylist)- Gulf Stream 6, Vacation in a Moroccan Riad, and Cavalli Gown.
Ms. Abrahams is definitely not your typical young mother, she is a diva all the way! Mimi is wishing for a flight to Morocco, to stay at a Gorgeous Riad (a classic Moroccan palace!), and hosting a star studded party at the palace! With a lot of specifics! Flying to the north African country in her private G6, and departing the plane wearing her Cavalli gown! With a guest list including Valentino Garavani, Karl Lagerfeld, and Anna Wintour, this Christmas list is the most fashionable (read expensive!) and definitely would blow the Vogue list out of the water! At 8 hrs, for the flight, at $14,500 per hour, a flight to Morocco is $116,000, double that for Mimi to get home. Renting the Riad would be about 16,00 for a week... The party is set to be extravagant, so figure another $70,000 for that event, and the Cavalli dress? Well, add another $10,000...So with all added up, Mimi gets the grand total of $328,000... God, I am set to have some great vacations this year, with some really great people!

 This was a really fun post! Thanks to everyone who helped with it! You guys are some of the most fabulous people I could know! Happy holidays, no matter what you're doing!

Everything's Hotter Under The Water! (or Under The Sea, Continued)

Givenchy's Glam Fins
Photo from Style.com

So my last post started as a trend story on the oceanic themes from many of last month's shows, but was derailed by the "On The Street" post! So here it is! Next spring is all about Ariel, The Little Mermaid! I know, it sounds trite, but the amazing feats designers pulled to express the trend, are so beautiful, it doesn't come across as cheesy at all!

Chanel's Conch Clutch
Photo from Style.com

 See the conch shell clutches at Chanel, especially the sea foam pink version covered in pearls. The shoes with coral stem heels, were fun, and a little frivolous with a miniskirt, but could be worn as seriously fierce heels with long bias cut dress! 

 I know I have already ranted about the brilliance of Riccardo Tisci, and his spring collection at Givenchy, but here we go again! The shark tooth necklaces, and fins coming off the beautifully tailored suits, were amazing. The shark teeth reference was repeated on shoes as the clasps. So clever and understated. And again lets mention how sharp the edges were on the suits! They were clean and crisp lines accentuated by brilliant, seemingly alive flounces. 

McQueen's Coral Wedge
Photo from Style.com

 Sara Burton at Alexander McQueen, went in a less literal direction, using coral to cover shoes, and even a dress, but most of her sea live was represented through organic shapes on garments. The leather belts over day suits were shaped like waves, and there were beautiful little baby dolls that appeared to move in a ocean current when the model walked! 

Versace Starfish Gown
Photo from Style.com

 While most designers stayed away from prints next season, Donatella Versace, never one to understate, used sea stars, and clams, on her crisp pastel laden collection. It was a definite Versace moment using the classic printing technique, on little shorts, suits and corset tops. Lucite wedges had Sea horses appliqued onto them, and the finale dress plastered with jewel encrusted star fish!

 Designers escapism was showing through, or maybe a hint that they feel like things are picking up, and the brief dark, and minimal period is over, and we need some bright and sunny... Or maybe they just need a vacation!

Out In The Dark!

 I ran into my friend Charlene (from CharleneEileen.com) last night at Starbucks, and she mentioned that she hadn't seen any new posts... FACT! I have been super busy! I had a new internship opportunity come my way, in which I was working directly with Neiman Marcus to coordinate their Fashion's Night Out event! They had an amazing idea for the event, they were gonna show a group of local designers, prior to their Fall 2012 trend show! The best part was, I was gonna style the event, using NEIMAN MARCUS ACCESSORIES! Yes, I had access to the entire store (minus Chanel, and Precious Gems...) in which to dress the girls!
 Well afternoon of the event, my friend Jeffrey Parish, one of the designers that was selected to show, and myself, were walking in to Neimans, and the power went out... We assumed it was due to overloading caused by a HUGE amount of air conditioning... It was literally 1000 degrees outside, and 98% humidity. Well, it turned out the power was out all over southern CA, and would not be turned back on for 12 hours in most places... Leaving myself, and the designers, who by the way had created entire collections for this event, out in the... wait for it... Out In The Dark...
My friend Chantal over at NBC's "The Feast" covered the event... or lack there of for her website the next day! Here is her take on the situation (FNO Cancelled!)... And a little more from me! Make sure to check out the link under my name for my take on visible socks!

fash·ion /ˈfaSHən/

Me Working!

  :the latest and most admired style in clothes and cosmetics and behavior

  I have kind of explained my emotional connection with fashion, and the relevance it took at a really early age. Now as I have grown up with it as my sole interest in life, I am faced with the question of why. I feel like those of you who have known me for a number of years, have seen many different Me's. There has been Gothic Ian, Raver Ian, Glam Ian, Prep Ian, and who even knows what some of those incarnations could be categorized as.

  From an early age, I wanted nothing more than to be accepted. I wanted to be liked by the cool kids. Very rarely did that work out, for any length of time anyway. But as I tried, I would find ways of making them think I was one of them for a while, and I discovered that clothing was a great way to do it. It was a costume for me. If I wanted to hang out with the Gothic Kids, I would find outfits that were dark and flowy, if I was going to a rave with some Club Kids, I could easily do my makeup, and have stacks made. The only things I really ever had in common with MOST of these people were my clothes. 

  As I grew, and experienced all of these aspects of life, I took from each group the music, the garments, and accessories, the ideals, and mostly the people, that made me comfortable, happy, or dance, or laugh, and helped to create this person I am now! I equate each of theses era's with the costume I wore for each of them. In tights, and Doc Martin Boots, or Blinged out crosses, and gold tooth caps I went there, and did it full throttle.

  I know this sounds mostly like a sad story, but now, as an adult who can identify the number of holes a pair of Doc's has from a distance, or whether someones bell bottoms are vintage or replica's (there was a DeeLight phase in there somewhere...), and tell you in 1 heartbeat whether your Chanel bag is rel, or faux, I am only comfortable with just being me, and the people that I still have in my life from each of the era's know me for who I am, and have been. Just Me. 

She Is Doing A Lot Of Freelace...

  As word spread back in January, that Carine Roitfeld was free of her post at Paris Vogue, people immediately started speculating on what she would do next. Well, so far she will have worked with Tom Ford on his eponymous line, she will have started her own magazine, and also opened a branch of Harper's Bazaar in Paris, she HAS actually consulted with Barney's NY on their fall campaign, (the only one of the above that is true...) among many, many other stories. Now Mme. Roitfeld is going to be launching her own clothing line... This is actually the one I have been expecting, and actually hoping for!
  According to the pic tweeted by an Amber Atherton, she has already produced garments with "Carine Roitfeld" labels! Now, this is the ONLY anyone in the industry has seen, and 1 tweet, does not a true story make. However, if this is true... Let's all pray there is a menswear line!!! Please, let there be a menswear line!!! PLEASE!

Bad Madge & Co. (I am Part Of Co. People!)

  As many of you know, I am the assistant to Tanya McAnear of Bad Madge Productions... Well Tanya has taken the next step in her attempt of San Diego Fashion Industry Domination, by opening her own shop Bad Madge & Co. in San Diego's next great shopping neighborhood South Park. If that sounds familiar, I just reviewed Junc Boutique, just 2 doors down from Bad Madge. Tanya has lovingly, and carefully brought in very well select vintage, and designer clothes, and lifestyle accouterments and put them all under one really well decorated roof!
  There are pieces from the 30's (a loved antique wedding dress, and croquet set) to 80's, and some locally designed pieces from Jennafer Grace, Teresa Craven, and other of her designer friends. My favorite pieces, are the pieces from the 70's and 80's. It has been a wonderful experience working with Tanya as her assistant buyer, going to estate sales, and private collector sales! Reworking the empty space, and creating the window displays are great fun as well... I have some early pics for you guys, the Grand Opening is tomorrow, Saturday March 26, for the South Park Walkabout! Stop by and meet us tomorrow from 6-10 pm!

Bad Madge & Co.
619.203.4944
2205 Fern St
San Diego, CA
92104

Ladies And Gentlemen, May I Present Persia!

  In My new feature, I am going to be stopping stylish, creative, or beautifully dressed people on the street, harassing them until they let me take their picture, and asking them some questions! My First Victim fits all three categories! Inevitably noticed around major, San Francisco events, and night clubs, Persia, has the Legs, the Style, and the Smarts to become one of the important upcoming personalities in the explosive San Fran scene! Here are my 10 Questions With Persia!
1: What Is Your Profession?

  Part Time SF MoMA Art Store associate, and full time drag Queen!

Persia, Waiting For Her Turn

2: Do You Drink Coffee or Tea?
  Tea, have you had Yerba Mate? It's like liquid crack! So delish, and rich in antioxidants!
3: What Is Your Favorite Movie!?
  Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice!
4: Who Are You Wearing?
  Pink thigh high boots, AKA hooker boots from Pleaser, gold chain necklace, that I made myself, belt from Goodwill, H&M dress, and vintage fur stole!
5: Is This Look Planned Or Just Pulled Together? 
  Most of my looks are last minute, I like to drive myself crazy! No matter what, I always wear something Whorish, with something Classy, and always keep it flirty! I call it WCF (Whore, Class, Flirty)!
6: What Is Your Go-To Label?
  I wouldn't say I have one... More like a Go-To store, it's called Ross
7: What Is Your Favorite Store?
  I love Betsy Johnson! I'm glad they don't cater to big girls like me, otherwise I would be in more debt!
8: Who Is Your Favorite Designer?
  The Blonds, I love everything they make! Just thinking about them makes me happy! Ok, EXCITED!
9: Who Is Your Fashion Icon?
  Two words, Marilyn Monroe! Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) is a close second!
10: Most Importantly, Are You Single?
  I am married, and the proud parent of a spoiled cat!