Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Essensuals London Hair Salon: Get a bit Mod for Spring


Imagine if you will, a salon that is decorated like an urban loft with retro 1960s touches of natural wood, glass and white leather with a dash of  stainless steel.  A chic mid-century modern sensibility makes the space spare yet comfortable.  When you walk in the receptionists are actually friendly, offering you a glass of lemon water or green tea while you sink into the luxurious leather banquette to await your appointment.  But, that's just the beginning.

The staff has been trained by the Toni and Guy team that started in London and is a worldwide powerhouse in hair design.  The stylists at ESSENSUALS LONDON are  led by  Jason Townsend, Salon Director.  Anival  Morales, Hair Colorist,  Kristin Kirkland and the rest of the crew are well versed in their chosen specialties making the entire experience relaxing and effortless.

The salon has been open for just under a year,  but already 'young Hollywood' is knocking on their doors.  We get it:  they're  looking for a sense of chic, top quality services and that blessed thing called "relaxation" while they are getting glam.

The haircut we received wasn't a shock when it was done.   It was a perfect re-tweak of an old cut that we had liked, once upon a time. The blow-outs are fast and efficient drawing from an array of top products that are time tested.    Our blonde highlights were hand painted and came out like butter from the very painterly technique called "Baliage" which takes a true artist to pull off.

We confess we're feeling very Red Carpet, right about now, and we know you will too.



ESSENSUALS LONDON HAIR SALON  is next to FRED SEGAL near Crescent Heights and Melrose.  www.essensualslondon.com      Ask for:   Jason,  Salon Director  

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Fashion Icon and Beyond: Elizabeth Taylor

Its not everyday that one personality, one actress, seems to have broken all the rules, and gone her own way, like Elizabeth Taylor.  Her life was a reflection of an era, a century, in which women who were beautiful, wilful, talented and extraordinary, had to fight their way to freedom.  Elizabeth had many lives, many incarnations.  But, in watching her on CLEOPATRA, it was clear that this film and it two stars, were unique on the planet at that moment in time.  Her portrayal of Cleopatra was more than just a women with a plan. No one, could hold a candle to Liz. She and Burton literally, played out their relationship on the screen like two great comets, they collided in a fiery and passionate  explosion.  Elizabeth had over 65 costumes changes,
designed by our favorite film designer of that period, Irene Sharaff, who was a master at it.  For the first time, the portrayal of a strong women, a historical character was aligned with the emerging roles of women in the 1960s.  We see her as an icon in a different way from Audrey or Grace, both of whom were more delicate in their approach.  Liz was elegant, warm and had an earthy sense of humor that belied her earth shattering beauty.  When dressed in her jewels she could play the part as well as anyone and so Fashion Icon doesn't really describe how she influenced a generation of women.  In the final speech in Cleopatra,  nearing her death, tells her servants to dress her in gold, so that she can be seen from far away, by Antony, who will recognize her as she enters the kingdom of the afterlife.  Indeed, she is there, now, dressed in that extraordinary gold gown that astonished the world and keeps her in our memory, forever.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Los Angeles FASHION WEEK: Its Raining Men

The Los Angeles Fashion Week end at the Gower Studios was a wonderful mix of brands, fashion and artists from LA's urban landscape.

The men's fashion was our favorite, and, we adored the companies "Z-BRAND" and "CIVIL SOCIETY" which paraded down the runway just the type of men we adore:  stylish, masculine, utilitarian but with a dash of luxury in the fabrics and cuts.

We saw period inspired clothes that were mixed up with great shirts, t-shirts and pulls.  Also, the sheer number of pants styles was mind boggling making the "weekend guy" quite happy.  They were finished off with work boots  making them very appealing to the man who likes both style and comfort.

This "new man" for the season it effortlessly put together without much fuss and bother.  He  knows how to mix the fabrics, shapes and colors.   So,  with a few purchases, this look was easily achieved.  Clearly, the mind behind the clothes had thought of everything which was evident in the studied casualness of the outfits.

I am looking forward to more from these men's lines, which really put the sportswear vibe back into the California fashion scene which has been a bit anemic of late.  The women's lines, though entertaining to the eye,  were not that original nor surprising.


STYLIST PRIVEE  Confessions of a BOHEMIAN shopper.



CIVIL SOCIETY look below. Don't look now, but, your boyfriend just became Brad Pitt.


Friday, March 4, 2011

DEL RIO SANDALS - THE LUXURY SANDAL THAT IS ECO FRIENDLY




Its not every day we can talk about luxury in the same breath as  eco-friendly . This is the exception to the rule, as this sandal is not only designed  with hand-made quality and  luxury materials its also planet friendly.  The Del Rio London Sandal, is, in fact, an interesting mixture of chic, luxe and ECO sensitive attributes that make it perfect for now.

Linda Del Rio, the designer, has thought of everything.  Its a luxury brand  because the sandal, itself, goes back centuries to ancient Spain.  The artisans make each sandal  by hand. The materials are re-cycled leathers, and, get this:  the soles are made of re-cycled rubber tires.  Yup. you heard it right, tires.  How does this all hang together?
At STYLIST PRIVEE we are always on the look-out for a shoe that is not only chic but comfortable. It comes with the  job, as we're on our feet for hours and hours.  Imagine our delight when we discovered a sandal that not only had a comfort factor, but, was such a simple concept done in a LUXE style that we were thrilled.  These sandals are not available in the US quite yet, so if you want to see them in person, you'll have a wait a bit.  We're happy to play our part for the good of the planet, our feet, and, in the name of  STYLE, so, we're spreading the news about the DEL RIO LONDON SANDAL right here, right now.   You'll thank us later.

STYLIST PRIVEE

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Galliano: The end of a Mad Genius



It i
Officially,  STYLIST PRIVEE will no longer report on John Galliano,  formerly at Christian Dior, due to his regretful and offensive commentary that has recently been reported in the media.

Therefore, we will not be reporting on the recent collections due to be released this week.


STYLIST PRIVEE