Fashion week is beyond busy for W magazine’s online director, Christina Caldwell — remember, internet deadlines are constant. Plus, she’s not only dealing with editors but the photographers and videographers who cover the shows, too. So how does she survive it all? Find out.
I’ll unwind with…
Physique 57 and lots of sleep.
In this photo I’m wearing…
Derek Lam top, Zara pants, Chloé shoes and a Clare Vivier pouch.
A little Alaïa, a white shirtdress and some chocolate — these are what get Sarah Rutson through New York Fashion Week. The Fashion Director of Lane Crawford, one of the most-photographed women (on or off the runways) takes us through a day in her stylish life.
What would Emily Post have made of fashion week? We’ll never know, but at least we have Very Classy’s Derek Blasberg to give us a primer on how to navigate Fashion Week…and life in general.
It’s Day One of New York Fashion Week and the street-style photographers are already out in full force. Our favorite shot today? Tulip Louise stylist Anna E. Cottrell, who’s the poster girl for rock-and-roll elegance — cool white blazer over the new LBD (Long Black Dress) and our Robinson Double Zip Tote. The silhouettes are clean and simple but, with that tousled hair and side slit, the look is effortlessly sexy, too.
Anthony Souza is a photographer in London; his brother Sean, a yoga instructor in Alto Paraíso, Brazil. But together? The sons of jewelry designer and longtime Valentino VP Carlos Souza are also known as DJs Brotherspin. Last night, they manned the turntables at the Valentino FNO party in New York and, on September 20, will be playing at New York City Ballet’s fall gala. Hear what they have to say music and more.
Ashley Madekwe wears many hats — Revenge‘s assistant-on-the-rise Ashley Davenport, fashion blogger Ring My Bell and…host of our Fashion’s Night Out party in L.A tonight. Straight from the set of Revenge, the actress stopped by for some questions and showed us how to wear fall’s biggest trend: prints.
All together now… dance! DJ Cassidy is spinning our party tonight at our Meatpacking boutique. “I love FNO because New York City becomes electric with fashion, flavor and music!” he says. “The streets come alive.” Here’s a teaser of what he plans to play.
Make some room on your bookshelves (or coffee table) because there’s a new magazine in town: Document Journal, founded by Nick Vogelson and James Valeri. See Anna Dello Russo through Maurizio Cattelan’s provocative lens. Read Charles Renfro’s interview with architects from the Cuban Revolution. Or check the watercolors by Jack Pierson. The rest of the roster in this luxe cocktail of art, culture and fashion is equally impressive; contributors include Francesco Vezzoli, René Ricard, Laurie Simmons and Erwin Blumenfeld.
To celebrate the launch, there’s a party at Bookmarc tomorrow night, with window installations by Rachel Feinstein and Ricky Clifton. Maripol will be on hand shooting Polaroids. Meanwhile the after-party, at No. 8, will bring out another New York icon (and Document subject): Joey Arias is expected to perform.
Are you ready? We’re celebrating Fashion’s Night Out tomorrow with a worldwide shopping party, including delicious snacks (like gourmet takeaway, courtesy of Street Kitchen Airstream, in London) and a special limited-edition gift for the tech lovers out there.
In New York, DJ Cassidy will be taking over our Meatpacking District boutique while our Madison Avenue flagship will feature Instagram star Liz Eswein — plus an Instagram printer. L.A. revelers, you’re getting face time with Revenge actress and Ring My Bell blogger Ashley Madekwe. Join us! And join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram: #TBFNO
P.S. Shop the official 2012 FNO t-shirt now. Tory customized hers for the Vogue shoot (right). How are you going to personalize yours?
Sisters-in-law Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard (we reiterate: what are the odds?) are hosting their first presentation for their eponymous collection today at the Gramercy Park Hotel. The designers, working moms and entrepreneurs gave us a bird’s-eye view of what went into it in the days leading up. They covered fittings, model castings, Alejandro Ingelmo shoes, breakfast for seven (7!) kids and a surprise new pet.
Fall’s cooler temps inspire a turn toward a more layered, tactile approach to dressing — and has us especially drawn to tweeds. We love using this traditional fabric to anchor an ensemble of opposites, juxtaposing the nubby weave of a ladylike jacket against a menswear-inspired pajama top and jeans. The key? Keeping everything in the same color family. As long as you stick with like shades — in this case, sugarplum, cabernet and sangria — you can layer to your heart’s content.
Shop the look: Violet Femme: Tweed & Purples.
Liu Wen has come a long way from her early years in Hunan. She’s now one of the world’s most famous Chinese models — not to mention the first to walk in a Victoria’s Secret show and the first Asian face of Estée Lauder. Learn how she plans on surviving fashion week.
Number of shows I’m walking in…
I don’t know how many, but I will try to do less. Usually I’m doing a lot of shows and it just drives me crazy. I love it, but every season I get sick!
Pattern plays aren’t just for your wardrobe, this fall. It’s a great tabletop look, too. There’s just one rule: Don’t be afraid to channel your inner magpie and mix things up. You can layer one floral print atop another, like Tory did with these antique plates and D. Porthault place mats and linens. You can even get playful with your glassware and pair it with, for example, these textured wicker cozies Tory found during her travels.
As with fashion, sticking to a common color scheme ties it all together. Tory’s a big fan of blue, and even picked periwinkle hydrangeas for the finishing touch — she loves how “busy and full-looking” they are. Note: There’s no tablecloth. That gives the setting a casual, end-of-summer feel.
During a re-energizing visit to Isabelle de Borchgrave’s “Prêt-à-Papier” exhibit at the Hillwood Estate, Dr. Samantha Boardman was reminded of how powerful plain old paper can be — whether written on or used to create the most unbelievable dresses, as de Borchgrave does. Here, she her written thanks to an artist who got the good doctor to set aside her smartphone, text and Twitter for a moment to just enjoy the…moment.
Citing Billy Baldwin and David Hicks as his greatest inspirations, interior and architectural designer Tom Scheerer has mastered the balance between refinement and all-American ease. Scheerer, who is regularly named as one of America’s Top 100 designers, splits his time between New York and the Bahamas, where he has recently updated the beautiful Lyford Cay Club. In between trips, he talked about where he shops, dream clients and easy ways to update a room.
We’re thrilled to announce the relaunch of the Tory Burch Foundation web site. We’re committed to empowering women and their families through microfinance and mentorship. The new site offers a single destination for women entrepreneurs and small business owners who need information about applying for loans, getting advice and inspiration. We will regularly highlight women entrepreneurs with great ideas around the world, as well as feature invaluable advice from experts in various fields. The site will also spotlight the great work and companies of women who have received a loan through the Tory Burch Foundation.
On her way to buy in-season squash blossoms for a late summer dinner with friends, singer Eleanor Friedberger stopped for some questions about new music discoveries, style and cooking at home. One half of The Fiery Furnaces, she’s currently recording demos at home for her next solo album (stay tuned in 2013).
Describe your sound…
Deeply rooted in 1970s rock ‘n roll, with a voice that, I’ve been told, sounds like someone arguing over the phone — not a cell phone of course, but a black rotary phone, like the one that sits beside my bed.
Ariel Foxman, Managing Editor of InStyle, sent us his travel dispatch from the quiet town of Bellport, New York, which has long been a haven for creative and fashion types — from S.I. Newhouse and Bruce Weber to Angela Westwater. In fact, when Foxman first started renting a cottage there, his landlord was none other than Isabella Rossellini. Here’s how the editor and judge of Lifetime’s Project Accessory passes the time there.
Summer’s not over yet! Close out the season with the perfect in-season tomato salad, courtesy of chef Dana Minuta. It’s great as a first course — “with good crusty bread to mop up the juices,” she says — as well as a side dish for simple grilled fish, meats or mozzarella. Get the recipe here.
Fall is moody…in a good way. It’s all about the lady. She’s pulled-together and sophisticated in car coats, smoky jewel tones (especially green) and dresses that skim and move in flattering ways. There’s an undercurrent of something cool in the way all the dressed-up looks can be worn day to evening or with tomboy staples, like leather pants and skinny jeans. The swing of a frame bag or statement earring and the staccato accent of a pointy-toe only add to the look we love.
Shop the looks: Soft Rock and Must-Have Malachite.
We’re not quite ready to say so long to summer. To that end, we asked The Darby for a cocktail that would keep us thinking warm thoughts. Try this recipe for Labor Day….
Music supervisor Randall Poster learned as much from his intern Georgie Koepke as the Johns Hopkins student did from Poster. “My interns always give me a window into the emerging world and help me un-set my ways,” says Poster.
John Robshaw sent us a love letter to Martha’s Vineyard and the cast of friends, farmers markets and shops he visits. It’s a trip that the textile designer, who’s famous for his journeys to India, makes every summer.
Behold the leather pant: a staple of rock stars since, well, forever; an upgrade to the everyday skinny jean, and a perfect foil for the season’s polished and proper looks. Whether you go ladylike with bow-tied blouses, peplums and heels or tomboy with a striped t-shirt and combat boots, it’s always effortlessly, timelessly cool: Shop the looks.