The Power of a Brand: Discount Couture

While're we're fans of most couture displays, aspiring to the luxe experience, we're not opposed to a great fashion bargain..and we've discovered that some "Brand Name" fashion girls, like JLO, and others, have taken to the fashion mass market scene just like TARGET, H&M, and now KOHL's has featured J LO,  an interesting way to bring to the street, her now ultimate chic. We perused the pages and were happy to see that she has done what ISAAC MIZRAHI could not pull off at TARGET: really chic, and, well thought out pieces that you need to fill in your closet in a pinch.  We think its a stellar debut...and worth a look as she rolls out her collections for the season.  Stylist PRIVEE  

Emmy Report: Let the Season Begin!

Let's hear it for the Boys: The Men of Entourage 

Who can Blame me?  After acres of gowns, flashbulbs popping and cleavage everywhere, not to mention the chorus of girls who haven't eaten for a week, it was a total relief when the ENTOURAGE dudes took the stage and showed us how to do menswear.  Sleek, chic, retro, futuristic, they did it all and don't forget the witty repartee.  The Awards season is about the girls...the men do their best to sidestep the ladies while the flashbulbs pop and the "Glam Cam" and "Stilletto 360s"  show off their wares.  Everyone is getting into "AWARDS fever" and fashion plays an important role in making it the second biggest American Pastime...but let's get back to basics: Sheer star power on the Red Carpet and a personal brand, make or break a red carpet appearance.  We'll look at the "do's and Don'ts"  coming up in the next few weeks, but, until then, 

Let's hear it for the Boys...who did a great job of spiffing up for the occasion. 

We're glad they did! 

STYLISTE PRIVEE

When Art and Commerce Meet: Fall 2011 BOTTEGA VENETA

Here is the beauty and the beast, where ads and art, meet and its the new "luxe" in luxury advertising campaigns that have us all in a twist. Where should we begin?

First of all, we love a good photo and a good movie. Here's both. Mystery, beauty, a plot line? Only you can guess and that's what makes the new luxury couture campaign so interesting. A couple, or...not.  Is he her brother? Is she about to tell him that she loves him in that great coat? Perhaps they've just decided to start an affair, even though she's the daughter of an aging Italian despot who'd kill him if he knew...or, perhaps he's just her personal trainer.  Hmmm. Stories about beautiful young people in gorgeous clothes is so, well, "aspirational".  We can't help ourselves. We simply must know the story of this photo that has a sense of mystery, luxury, tension, and, expresses the beauty of art and fashion.

Commerce when combined with art,  is luxury content at its best. We see it as an interesting trend, we fear for the state of art, itself. When artists cross over to the dark side of commerce, who wins and who loses?

STYLIST PRIVEE

Richard Tyler: Missing You!

Hello, call us crazy but we were thinking bout our own LA designer, Richard Tyler the other day, as having now looked at the Fall 2011 Collections...its clear that he was ahead of his time....here's some things form 2001-3.  Ok, isn't that practically the stone age in Fashion-speak? Sure, but these pieces are still good: sexy, wearable, black, (*we can add other accents to them now in jewel tones) and they still pack a punch.  Can Richard be far away? Rumor has it he's still in business in South Pasadena, where his showroom is and he's turning out bridal gowns for his loyal fans.  But, hey, Richard, when are you showing a new collection again?

Bohemian Shoppers want to know...

STYLIST PRIVEE

Dreamy Superbe Chanel Show: Fall /Winter 2011

The Chanel Show is An interesting extension of a beautiful idea:  A walk in the evening through the Place Vendome with the sparkle of lights and lamposts. Black, white, creme, leather, feathers and a bird-like dreamscape made this showing a unique display of Karl's expert hand.  Some of the jackets difficult, the fabrics stiff, but with the right mix of high and low, or just a simple glittering suit; its all in this combination and how its worn. We don't suggest wearing the suits all together, they're too serious and done up.  Break them up, with other luxe separates or you'll be looking like Morticia and the Adam's family...just a bit too goth for a West Coast lifestyle.

STYLIST privee

Jean Paul Gaultier Retrospective at Montreal Museum: Genius Revealed

The Enfant Terrible, always controversial, ready to expand the envelope of fashion from trendy to visionary, Jean Paul Gaultier is always a surprise.  We saw his exhibit in Paris of theatrical costumes that were part of his long love affair with the theater at the Decortive Arts Museum.  His playful and always irreverent exploration of his viewpoint of the female figure  along with witty "tweaks" of storied fashion cliches is legendary. With red carpet moments that have always set Hollywood into a Tilt-n-Twirl the gowns of Jean Paul Gaultier are always fodder for the fashion press. We think with this retrospective, people will see the length, depth, breadth of the work of this unique artist who continues to inspire young fashion designers today.  His perfumes, some of the most successful in the world have a unique client list and continue to inspire even though they are mass market fragrances,  his brand is true in each product he produces.  (shown here below)  We're fans, and, wish this exhibit would arrive here in the states.

"I wanted to create an exhibition on Jean Paul Gaultier more than any other couturier because of his great humanity," explained Nathalie Bondil, Director and Chief Curator of the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. "Beyond the technical virtuosity resulting from exceptional expertise in the various skills involved in haute couture, an unbridled imagination and ground-breaking artistic collaborations, he offers an open-minded vision of society, a crazy, sensitive, funny, sassy world in which everyone can assert his or her own identity, a world without discrimination, a unique 'fusion couture.' Beneath Jean Paul Gaultier's wit and irreverence lie a true generosity of spirit and a very powerful message for society. His humanist aesthetic touches me deeply." 

STYLIST PRIVEE

Hugh Hefner is a Trendsetter: The Bedroom Slipper goes Out and About

The Bedroom Slipper for Men is all the rage; we love the way they look with Jeans, so, Guys, we're ok with this if you can sport it like some of the guys we've seen around town...You know who you are!  Keep it casual with jeans, Jacket  and casual elegance. Taking a bit of the Old School and make it new again. 

Editors at Stylist Privee