To Do: AFTER at R20th Century

Where does inspiration end and appropriation begin? Find out at Kelly Behun’s new AFTER exhibit at New York’s R20th Century gallery. “The show is about acknowledging reference,” says Kelly. “All the pieces represent methods of sampling, appropriation and deconstruction.”

Not only did the interior designer, with associate Alex P. White, curate selections from other artists, but she also introduced a small collection of her own art-meets-furniture designs. There’s a macassar ebony and ceramic table inspired by Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx and — our favorite — a faceted mirror featuring Charlotte Rampling’s image, up close and personal.

What’s the Word: Zhoosh

Everyone zhooshes — that’s fashion speak for smartening up a look. We all know how to say it —
/ˈZHo͝oSH/ — but it’s anyone’s guess on spelling it. According to the Oxford dictionary, it’s zhoosh. But both Architectural Digest and The Independent go with zhuzh. Carson Kressley, who brought that term into popular parlance on Queer Eye nearly a decade ago, says tszuj. It can also be spelled as zhooj, soozh, tsuz, jhoosh and joozj. Or the French jeuge and Russian czuzh. (Thanks, Google!) Sure, you could go with words like primp or tweak or spruce or finesse, but zhoosh — however you spell it — just has that certain…je ne sais quoi.

Spotlight On: Brazil

Olá! This week, Tory and the design team are in Brazil — land of the samba, cachaça and beautiful Oscar Niemeyer architecture (right). They’re celebrating our new store in São Paulo and are even re-staging our recent Spring 2013 runway show. Stay tuned for all the details in our special Brazil issue later this month.

Teatro Nacional Cláudio Santoro, Brasilia, by Oscar Niemeyer

Spotlight On: Edible Selby

If you’ve ever been to TheSelby.com and fallen in love with the fantastic interiors — and the creative brains behind them — then get ready for this: photographer Todd Selby is releasing a new book Edible Selby, which turns his lens on the culinary set. You’ll go inside the kitchens of the world’s coolest chefs, restaurateurs, coffee-makers and chocolatiers. Here, Todd takes us behind-the-scenes and divulges all his foodie favorites.

Tastemakers On: Best Books to Give

When it comes to giving gifts, you can’t go wrong with a book. But it has to be the right book. Tastemakers near and far named the books they give. The takeaway: It’s not about the most impressive authors in literature’s cannon. It’s about getting personal and giving them something they’ll remember you by. Download this list, print it, bookmark it. Everyone from Suzy Menkes to Alex Kuczynski, Lauren Bush to Laura Moriarty, Nathan Turner to Dree Hemingway (yes, as in that Hemingway) weighed in.

Book of the Week: Muses

So much of fashion is about inspiration, especially muses. For Tory, it’s her mother Reva (right) and her perennial style. Givenchy had Audrey Hepburn; photographer David Bailey loved Jean Shrimpton, and Yves Saint Laurent adored Loulou de la Falaise and Betty Catroux. A new book, Muses: Women Who Inspire spotlights more ladies who inspired artists, filmmakers and novelists alike.

To Do: Peter Doig at Michael Werner

Things aren’t always as they seem. It’s a statement that applies to artist Peter Doig in more ways than one. For starters, although he was born in Edinburgh and went to school at London’s famed Central Saint Martins, you can’t exactly brand him a UK artist; he grew up in Trinidad and Canada, and now calls the former home. His artwork is similarly hard to pin down and reads part dreamscape, part photo and film scene. Judge for yourself at his new solo exhibit at Michael Werner’s London gallery, which is open through December 22nd.

Style Tip: Great Coats

Don’t think of a coat as just outerwear. We came to see some of this season’s great ladylike styles as outfit-makers unto themselves. We took our shearling India Coat, cinched it with our skinny leather kissing fox belt, and suddenly it made the whole look.

Far from being an afterthought before heading out the door, a classic coat — or cape — has the amazing ability to make whatever you’re wearing look polished and pulled-together. You can wear your yoga leggings, run some errands, and still look stylish. What’s underneath is almost beside the point. Shop All Jackets & Outerwear

Tory On: Breast Cancer Research

In their lifetime, one in eight U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer, according to the latest statistics from the American Cancer Society. It’s a number that has to change. In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 15% of proceeds from the sales of our limited-edition pink iPhone case and studded wrap bracelet will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. And throughout October, The Tory Blog will highlight the work of doctors and scientists, champions of the fight against cancer. Here, Tory speaks about why the cause is so important to her.

Best Dressed: Yuri Ebihara

What’s the secret to mixing prints? Take a page from Japanese model and actress Yuri Ebihara’s book — it’s all about sticking to a similar palette. Here, she layers the Brady Cardigan over the Cecilia Dress — and even accessorizes with our floral Robinson tote — for a look that’s as elegant as it is pulled-together pretty. We did a brief Q&A with the actress backstage at Tory’s spring runway.

Spotlight On: Millard Drexler

“I’ve known Millard for a long time, and I hang on every word,” Tory said in her introduction of Millard Drexler, Chairman and CEO of J. Crew, at a recent Tory Burch Foundation mentoring event. The women entrepreneurs asked questions, and Drexler answered. Here, some of the wisest Millard-isms from the morning.

Word of Mouth: Cat Power

It’s been more than six years since Cat Power’s last original album. But her latest, Sun was worth the wait. On it, Power — aka Chan Marshall — gave up her moody, broody guitar for the more optimistic thump of the synthesizer. And we love the Iggy Pop cameo.

Street Style: Downtown Calling

Who says peplums have to be all about ladylike appeal? By pairing our Madeline Sweater with our Ally Leather Pant, both in black, New York-based photographer Bibi Cornejo Borthwick pushes the look into downtown, rock-and-roll terrain. Of course, it helps that Bibi — who happens to be the daughter of artist Mark Borthwick and designer Maria Cornejo — has the cool sunglasses and attitude-packed stance to pull it off, too.

Photographed by Hanuk Hanuk

Word of Mouth: Radio Garage

No matter if you can’t make it to Paris Fashion Week — you can hear it with Radio Garage, courtesy of Dasha Zhukova’s Garage Magazine. The broadcast, recorded live from French boutique Colette, takes place every day from 9AM to noon EDT till October 3rd. Expect fashion week commentary from an impressive roster of guests, including industry insiders Olivier Zahm of Purple magazine, designer Anthony Vaccarello and Style.com’s Tim Blanks.

Best Dressed: Lucia Liu

Lucia Liu is a name you need to know. She’s a stylist and the Style Director of Harper’s Bazaar China. Earlier this year, when Business of Fashion named its Top 20 Movers, Shakers and Decision-Makers in the People’s Republic, Liu made the list. Here, she talks shop with us.

Beijing style is…
A mix of influences, from European street style as well as Japan and South Korea.

Tory Daily App Exclusive: Fall 2012 Runway Bag

Just for Tory Daily app users — our limited-edition Flora bag as seen on the Tory Burch Fall 2012 runway. Its clear plastic flowers combine two of the season’s big trends: ladylike dressing and statement accessories. It’s an around-the-clock kind of style. Wear it with polished cocktail looks (à la models Codie Young and Nadja Bender on the runway) or carried like a clutch with your weekend jeans and t-shirts.

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