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I was mesmerized when I spotted these banaynay Louis Vuitton platforms on Rachel Zoe at her jewelry auction to benefit OCNA at Decades Two last week. They are noooo joke!
You can read more about the event on Krystal's blog and shop Rachel's auction for a few more days on ebay.
Hopefully next time she auctions off some of her shoes!
PC. cobrasnake
Because it's fun! Espec. if you have some sort of dj program or a voicemail box that doesn't require a normal outgoing message.
click, click, click:
idaft . idaft . idaft . idaft . idaft . idaft.
PC. icanteachyouhowtodoit .
PC. TFS
When you’re headed to interview someone there are a lot of unknowns: First off, will the conversation flow? What questions will I have the opportunity to ask? And most importantly, will I get out of there with an interview, or am I about to experience the “Almost Famous effect”?
As I headed over to the London for a one-on-one interview with Stuart Weitzman I was filled with excitement and mildly intimidated. The interview was going to take place in his private Oscar gifting suite and his itinerary was jam packed. Since I’ve seen one too many “The Devil Wears Prada” type movies, I envisioned myself neurotically following Mr. Weitzman while he calmly and politely placed glass slippers on Natalie Portman’s little feet. Despite my jaded, media impacted idea of how the higher ups in fashion interact with the rest of the world, I really was expecting to meet a Karl Lagerfeld type - Stuart is a legend.
‘Weitzman’ shoes didn’t start with Stuart. His father Seymour started a shoe factory, Seymour Shoes, in Haverhill, Massachusetts in the late 1950’s. In 1958 Stuart graduated from High School, and at the age of 20 he surprised his father with a sample shoe the factory made from one of his sketches. His father proudly added it to the Seymour Shoes line and needless to say, it sold very well. It was clear that Stuart had inherited the shoe gene and in 1963 he coupled his talents with a strong business acumen by attending the Wharton School of Business.
When Seymour Weitzman passed away, Stuart took over the business with his older brother, Warren. They eventually sold the business to a company in Spain, however Stuart continued to design the shoes, and in 1994 he bought the business back. Today, Stuart is intimately involved in all aspects of production, and personally oversees the entire manufacturing process for over 300 new styles each year.
Upon arrival at the London, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Stuart was more like my Jewish grandfather than a Lagerfeld. Wearing a ‘Cirque du Soleil’ sweatshirt and grey slacks, Stuart is the kind of man around whom everyone wants to gather and listen - and that is exactly what I did. We sat at a table on the balcony, in perfect 75° weather, and engaged in conversation that flowed like Belvedere at The Box. Not wanting to slow the momentum, I chose not to reach for my tape recorder, or even scribble notes on my notepad.
Some of the highlights: We spent an hour discussing his wife’s shoe collection (infinite in size, yet lacking “that perfect black pair”), his source of inspiration (the ‘woman’ herself), shoe architecture (which he compared to Gaudi), the types of shoes he wears (everything really, it’s different for men) and the real reason women love shoes.
“Why do women love shoes?” asked Stuart. “I’ll tell you why. You’re brainwashed from day one…” He continued to explain that it all starts with Cinderella, which is about what else - The Glass Slipper! Then there’s ballet (the ballet slipper), “and who could forget THE WIZARD OF OZ!” I nodded my head - the ruby slipper. “…And so on and so forth until you get your first pair of high heels for your Sweet 16 – AND YOU’RE HOOKED!” Had it really taken 25 years for this epiphany? This man is a GENIUS!
As I sat researching Stuart earlier that day, trying to come up with interview tactics different from the generic 20 or so questions that often have no rhythm…it hit me – Stuart is well known for his shoe sketches, I am going to ask Mr.Weitzman to sketch a shoe for me.
45 minutes or so into the interview I mustered up the courage and asked, “One last question, and if you say no I fully understand. Would you PLEASE sketch a shoe for me?!? Any shoe, your choice.” “Of course,” he replied.
I wish I had a shot of the expression on my face!
I only had a pen and he needed a pencil. He excused himself, walked down the hall and returned with a thin sheet of glistening paper and a Dixon #2. For 30 minutes he sketched the “tipping point” of his business, as he shared the story behind it:
“Do you know the movie Mulholland Drive? Well, I came up with the idea for Laura Harring to wear a diamond-encrusted sandal to the 2002 Oscars and, for the first time ever, the media went crazy for shoes. You have to realize, up until that point it was all about the dress and the jewelry, never the shoes. So, can you imagine a 10-karat diamond hanging from a diamond-encrusted strap? There were hundreds of media outlets that covered this shoe,” and that was the birth of the Million Dollar Sandal and the household name, Stuart Weitzman.
I left with one unanswered question: where will I hang my sketch?
(DISCLAIMER: Please note that, as I chose to forego note-taking and/or recording of my conversation with Mr. Weitzman in an effort to establish a level of intimacy, all quotes included in this post have been recreated to the best of my immediate recollection. It is not my intention to misrepresent Mr. Weitzman in any way.)
PC. thecobrasnake
I've been so into street art that driving is becoming way too difficult. Eyes on the road is, you know, a necessity?
André aka Monsieur André is a rad French graffiti artist I rubber neck for. He's been on the graffiti scene since 1985, throooow back, and is married to one of my favs, Uffie. As one could imagine I was a jazzed up magooo when I saw that he was shot by my regular haunt, The Selby.
PC. The Selby
Photographer Terry Richardson shot himself for a watch editorial for Vogue Homme International entitled “Autoportraits.” Radness.
The focus is on the watches but but but in true Richardson style he injected the usual amount of skin which you can swoon over here.
Source and PC. broccolicity
The fall like mornings coupled with the spring like afternoons are the perfect duo for a warm vest over a light tank, never too warm nor too cold. It is also the perfect combination for a crisp morning hike followed by an afternoon poolside (both of which are recession friendly activities sans the swanky hotel pool drinks!).
Vest, Kate Moss for Topshop. Tank, T by Alexander Wang. Jeans, 7 For All Mankind. Cuff, Tory Burch. Bag, Zara. Shoes, Steven by Steve Madden.
Beautiful clashing patterns and 80s silhouettes are the focus of V Magazine's Spring 09 editorial, Pride and Glory, shot by Jean-François Campos.
If the 80s theme doesn't capture your heart perhaps the pretty amazing cast of models will: Catherine McNeil, Heidi Mount, Jourdan Dunn, Chanel Iman, Carmen Kass, Jessica Stam, Suvi Koponen & Hanne Gaby Odiele.
I'm convinced this song was on repeat during the shoot.
More pics rightoverhere.
Source and pc. cyanatrendland
PC. icanteachyouhowtodoit
Blackbook Mag is featuring Nicole Richie with a bright, textured, over accessorized, kick ass editorial for April. I know, I know, you want more, more.
PC. blackbook
Big fan of Mr. Brainwash who did this, the Jackson Pollock on La Brea and tons of recognizable street art.
LA is slowly turning into his gallery, the world his canvas. I can't get enough.
PC. icanteachyouhowtodoit
The air in LA is brisk and it feels like pop up pumpkin patches belong on street corners welcoming fall.
Just the thought of the season has me excited for things like butternut squash soup, fresh school supplies and of course, the idea of Proenza Schouler Fall 09 echoing throughout fashion.
PC. FashionSquad
Would love to see this Alexander Wang dress move to the beat live and in person.
PC. TFS
Correction, one of the few albino models in the world.
Source and PC. Vice
I heart simplicity.
PC. The Selby
I haven't done an outfit post in a hot minute and have heard about it from just about everyone including my adorable grandmother, hi non!
To be completely transparent, as much as others outfit blogs have been the perfect distraction from things like the slipping dow jones, high unemployment rates and the craziness going on, I haven't had it in me to discuss personal consumption. Yesterday, the stock market was up and the AIG twats (sorry non) are being put on blast on Capitol Hill. Raise your glasses!
Worn to Gen Art’s kick off for BOXeight’s LA Fashion week: Jumper, Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent exclusive for Barneys (satisfied my black silk jumper craving to the maximum). Studded Cuff, Tory Burch. Chained bracelet courtesy of Azature. Rings courtesy of Manu. Watch, Freelook.
Dazed & Confused April 2009
Saw quite a few shows this weekend while twittering/blogging away for Gen Art, fun times. Overall the looks were goth inspired and Elvira chic with a 90's band member vibe. By the third show the fall trends were pretty obvious, the leather jackets and minis you splurged on will remain wardrobe staples but new fabrics (think satins and velvets) and silhouettes will be introduced. Muted shades of black, grey, khaki and navy will make for a nice contrast with metallic accents and the fall foliage, especially for all of you fashion bloggers! Looser pants and leathers will take priority over skinny jeans, wide brim hits with oxford flats will define androgynous looks and that Prada turban you bought a few years ago may be ready for round two!
LA Fashion week is here so check the calendar and show some love!
I'll be covering shows, parties, backstage gos, interviews and the like for Gen Art on genart.org/pulse and here, obv.
If you're part of the twitterati you can get the play by play from Gen Arts twitter and from mine (more off the record type deallls).
See you this week!
ps - I think I'm going to break the no outfit posts streak and bring it back this week. Please, please, stop the applause, you're too kind. No, but for real, should be fun.
PC. icanteachyouhowtodoit
The hair team for Sophia Kokosalaki started with several braids and a hair straighter, ended with pretty wavy crimps. Seems easy enough!
And yes, I'm 0ooozing over all the draped mesh too.
PC. icanteachyouhowtodoit
PC. thecobrasnake
PC. The Selby
Ferrrrocious.
Don't you just want to nap on her feathered shoulder and squish your hands into that Maison Martin Margiela coat?
PC. Vogue Nippon April 2009 via TFS and coutorture
Just when one thought they've exhausted studding diy projects this picture surfaced on the internet. I'm so into the idea, it hurts, especially my thumbs.
I think I'm going to stud the inside pocket of a pair of itsy bitsy teeny weenie denim shorts that have been neglected since my everyday high waisteys and boyfriend cut offs stole my heart. Will be dreamy for Coachella. Mmm, yes.
PC. Style Sighting
If this were a bite, it would taste something like a refreshing Yogurtland blend of perfection.
PC. The Sartorialist
