Every thing OLD is NEW again

In this lilac number I could see myself being a bit serious, a bit sassy, and running across a cobblestone street in London for a lunch date with the girls.

I find inspiration in a lot of things. Music people play, poems people write, paintings people paint, movies people make, and most any other form of art. I love watching my sister as a make-up artist--it really is so amazing how versatile each of our faces can be, and what we can convey through the subtle use of color. Recently, I have taken to wearing really red, matte lipstick. I never did this before, never wanted to call attention to a mouth that seems much too small for the fashion of our time, but this past year has seen a lot of change in me, and one of the ways I have marked that change is red lipstick.

There is something so simply beautiful about the lines and waves of this gown. I'd wear it with some gloves (if women still did that) and my hair in a tight chignon.

For me fashion is another outlet in creativity. I have shied away from admitting this to many people because it somehow seems vain to want something really elegant (and therefore, really expensive sometimes) and beautiful and unique and completely artistic to wear. I have found, as I search, that I never seem to love the things that are completely in fashion at the time. For me, right now, my ideal is always found in the vintage pieces that have a bit of history. 

In a world of low-rise jeans and velour track suits with the word "juicy" written on the butt, I really wish we still enjoyed how much a beautiful hat adds to an outfit and helps express your mood. As a sidenote, this model's neck is entirely too long.

I get great pleasure out of browsing these vintage pieces, letting my imagination take me to a time and place where I could wear them and delight in them and pretend they are mine. I started designing outfits when I was young, and sewing a few of these creations without patterns or know how. They may not have turned out exactly as I pictured, but I always felt great pride in wearing something I had made, or put together just so. Something unique, that reflected my style, that made me feel different and special.
This one is the perfect little cocktail dress. Hair up or down, lipstick red or nude, you'll stand out in a crowd of tight fitting and low cut dresses (blech!) in this flowing number.

For some reason, people think you are vain or selfish or have your sights set on things "of this world" if you subscribe to Vogue. When mentioning how much I love fashion to some people, they think it frivolous and wasteful...ridiculous even. I can't tell you how many people have told me that they believe reading such magazines is a waste of time. They would rather be doing some volunteer work, or saving the world from AIDS. I'd like to do both of those things too, but if I could do it in some Dior couture, I'd be happier.
The original bronze color, short skirt, and detailed bodice make me want to wear this dress while out with the girls for drinks and gossip.

When I lived in New York I became a personal assistant to a woman who rivaled Meryl Streep's version of The Devil in The Devil Wears Prada film. No joke. That's a whole other great entry. But during the hard knocks of that job, I found myself dashing back and forth from Versace to Tiffany to Dior to Chanel. I saw what went on behind the scenes, I got to see bits and pieces of fashion before the rest of the world, yes I had to deal with the snobbery of the salesmen as I was in my Gap jeans and t-shirt, but I didn't care about the people on these occasions. I cared about the art. To me the great designers are not something to mock or scorn or say "who would wear that"-- to me, they are artists, expressing themselves and helping us see our bodies and our beauty in different ways.

While I am thankful that the dress and pearl days while baking a la June Cleaver are over. I admit that attending a neighbor's barbeque in this little strawberry delight makes me happy.


If you're curious, one of the best places to browse and let your imagination go wild is The Frock

The layered silver dress is such a thing of supreme beauty that I may have to quit my job and become a full time fashion designer.
The orange one (scroll down to the third dress) would be perfect for the opera, or when I win that Oscar for best screenplay
The wedding gown on this page may be one of the most beautiful things I have EVER seen.

ALSO, my adorable friend Jenn just did her own amazing post on Fashion. I think you should all check it out and give this girl some props!!