Book of the Week: Une Passion Marocaine

Yves Saint Laurent’s love affair with all things Morocco was legendary. Not only did the designer mine the country for inspiration throughout his career, but he ultimately bought the famous Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech — and carved out another, more peaceful life there, away from the bustle of Paris, with partner Pierre Bergé, Talitha Getty, Loulou de La Falaise and friends.

For an intimate, no-holds-barred look back, see Yves Saint Laurent: Une Passion Marocaine. It gives a front-row vantage point to life chez Saint Laurent. Handwritten by Bergé, the book has all the makings of a cozy diary and scrapbook. Even if you can’t read the text (it’s all in French), the photos tell the story: the designer ambling through a souk, Andy Warhol visiting, lazy afternoons outdoors with Betty Catroux — no posturing here, just unfiltered fun. It’s what makes this book, which also includes sketches and illustrations, such a gem.

Tory Entertains: Le Marocain Lunch

Tory left Marrakech with more than great memories and inspirations. Here are three recipes for dishes that, served together, create a traditional Moroccan salad platter. They’re courtesy of Le Marocain, the restaurant at the legendary La Mamounia hotel. Add a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc, and you have the makings of a great late summer-early fall weekend lunch with friends.

Inspiration: Mad for Morocco

The mecca of beau monde locales has always been Morocco. It drew Sixties style icons Talitha Getty and Marisa Berenson, who went on to epitomize its bohemian glamour. Diana Vreeland loved it (her son Frederick became its U.S. ambassador); Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz was born there, and the ever-chic Ginevra Elkann exchanged vows at her grandmother Marella Agnelli’s Marrakech estate. And, of course, there’s Yves Saint Laurent, who is virtually synonymous with the country. To this day, Morocco’s impact on style endures.

But its gravitational pull goes beyond fashion. Did you know that… Alfred Hitchcock is said to have been inspired to write The Birds after seeing La Mamounia’s bird-filled balconies. He was there shooting The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Berenson photo by Henry Clark for Vogue, from A Life in Pictures

Tory On: Morocco

“Morocco, the gateway to Africa, means different things to different people. The history, architecture, textiles, spices and, most importantly, the people and artisans there have inspired many. I visited Morocco a few years ago, but when an opportunity to return recently came up, I jumped. This was where my parents Buddy and Reva honeymooned, and where they returned often.

The Financial Times invited me to its Luxury Summit in Marrakech, and while there, the Tory Burch Foundation team and I took the opportunity to meet with local women entrepreneurs and small business owners. Friends, family and the design team came, too — we kept to a morning-to-night schedule of visiting souks and artisans. A friend once said to always look up when you’re in Marrakech — from the minarets to the doorways, you will see something remarkable. It’s true.” — Tory

Here, Tory is in Yves Saint Laurent’s famous Majorelle Garden. For more pictures from Tory’s trip to Morocco, see our Pinterest page.

Fall 2012: Accessories Lookbook

As the free-spirited, sandal-and-tote-bag season comes to an end, one can always seek solace in fall’s accessories, where a quick hit can transform any outfit. T-shirt and jeans? Add bold jewelry and a bright bag. Tweeds and plaids? They’re practically begging to be toughened up by a pair of booties.

This year, it’s about polished and pulled-together sophistication. Boxy frame bags and structured silhouettes were major runway motifs, from New York to Paris, while the popular pointy-toe shoe offered a confident and flattering look that elongates the leg. There’s also a mini trend of all things country — as in English countryside, from equestrian boots and belts with fox-shaped hardware to pops of forest green everywhere.

Not so rustic? The tech accessories that also made their way into the spotlight. Fall is as much about dressing you as it is your phones, iPads and laptops. So, yes, even your accessories have accessories. Shop the Guide Now

To Do: Rineke Dijkstra at the Guggenheim

New York’s Guggenheim Museum is hosting a mid-career retrospective of Rineke Dijkstra‘s photography, fascinating in its take on the conventional portrait. The Dutch artist somehow manages to draw out the raw emotion — and subtlety — of her subjects, which range from teens at the park to Portuguese bullfighters fresh from the ring. Her own self-portrait, taken poolside, reveals her own fatigue after swimming a rough 30 laps. Rineke’s exhibit, which runs till Oct. 8, is pure emotion, unfiltered.

Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal, May 8, 1994; courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery, New York and Paris;
© Rineke Dijkstra

Spotlight On: Raina Kumra

We can only imagine what Raina Kumra’s calendar looks like. Which is why she says she can’t live without her iPhone alarm. The former documentary filmmaker and tech and social media maven runs her own branding company, Agency for Holistic Branding. And she is a contractor for the Broadcasting Board of Governors. And she helped bring solar power to Malawi via her launch of Light Up Malawi, which was recently acquired by BuildOn. Phew!

Here, Kumra shares her thoughts on the future of social media, great advice and how she maintains a sense of balance in an ultra busy life that, quite frankly, leaves us in awe.

Best advice you ever received… My dad once told me he didn’t figure out what he was doing until he was 45 and that as long as I did something in the between time, I didn’t have to figure it out right then and there either.

Best Dressed: Eve Thomas

It’s the perfect British brew — Eve Thomas, wearing Alexander McQueen, standing in front of the London Bridge. We asked THE OUTNET.COM’s Senior Fashion Editor how she wears peplum, one of the season’s biggest trends. She styled Tory’s Madeline Peplum sweater with a pair of skinny McQueen pants — the trick is balancing the flare of a peplum top with something skinny, she says. And because we’ve all got our eyes on London this week with the Olympics, we asked her about her favorite local haunts and why Brits have such a distinct sense of style (hint: humor).

The key to wearing a peplum silhouette is…
To keep the rest of your look clean, and wear it with slim-fit pants or a pencil skirt.

Photographed by Vanessa Jackman

Spotlight On: Marigay McKee

The Olympic beat continues this week! Here, we talked to one of our favorite Brits, Marigay McKee, who is Harrods Chief Merchant. Get her take on British design and find out how she went from teaching in Spain to heading up one of London’s most storied department stores.

My story is… After studying history and modern languages in London, I moved to Spain, where I became a teacher. I quickly returned to my inherent love of fashion and beauty and went to work for Clinique in Madrid, where I developed a passion for retail. Then I came back to the UK, got married and eventually joined the Harrods family. I am now the Chief Merchant of the store. I have two wonderful children who always keep my feet firmly on the ground — even after my 30th 16-hour day during fashion weeks!

Insiders’ Guide: Josh Olins’ London

Josh Olins knows fashion. The photographer has shot for a roster of impressively cool clients — Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, V, i-D, Love and numerous international Vogues. He also knows his home base London inside and out. Here, he gave us his favorite places to go.

London is…
Constantly raining and grey, but for some reason, that seems to lead to creativity.

Best nightlife scene…
Dalston and Hackney, but you just need to know the right places. Friends of mine just opened a bar in Dalston with a basement club called Birthdays.

If I only had one night in London…
I’d do dinner at the Peruvian Ceviche and drinks at Tom Dixon’s Paramount Bar, all in the West End. If I wanted to stay in East London: an early dinner outside at Towpath on the Regent’s Canal followed by a few Old Fashioneds at Nightjar.

Blair Eadie On: Fall Essentials

As we launch our Fall Essentials — all the things we love for the new season — we wanted to find out what was on other peoples’ essentials list. Blair Eadie, also known by her nom-de-blog Atlantic-Pacific, offered up her seasonal musts, from her fashion staples (our Bernadine peacoat makes her list) to her favorite snack.

My essential fall look…
I personally love layering a great collared top under a full-skirted dress, then topping that off with a belted jacket. I love incorporating classic pieces, like the Bernadine peacoat, but like to keep the look interesting with bold colors and prints. Here, the peacoat ties back nicely to wardrobe staples, such as skinnies, flats and a button-up, but the mixed polka-dot prints add a fun twist!

Favorite print…
Deep, more muted florals. I think most people would associate florals with spring and summer, which is what makes them so unexpected and refreshing for fall. I’d wear a floral dress with a utility jacket for a feminine yet casual look.

Spotlight On: Alyse Archer-Coité

Alyse Archer-Coité is the Editor-in-Chief of the new quarterly art publication MAKER Magazine, which takes an in-depth look at the inspiration and creative process of contemporary artists, like painter José Parlá and actress/photographer Nora Zehetner, and asks them to use the pages of the magazine as they would a blank canvas to with what they want. Here, more from Archer-Coité about MAKER.

Spotlight On: Ann Packer & the 1964 Olympics

We dug up this fun bit of fun Olympics trivia: At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Ann Packer was thisclose to missing out on her gold medal for the 800-meter race. The reason? She was going shopping.

Ann, then a PE teacher, was a favorite going into the 400 a few days earlier, but nabbed the silver. Disheartened, she planned to skip the 800 in favor of some retail therapy. But when her fiancé, Robbie Brightwell, placed fourth in his own races, she felt motivated to compete…and win.

Spotlight On: Marina and the Diamonds

To kick off the Olympics today in London, we enlisted UK singer Marina and the Diamonds — aka Marina Diamandis — to come up with a summer games soundtrack, both inspiring and energizing. She pulled her favorite tracks from her new album Electra Heart for us, and talked about her favorite Brit bands and what’s inspiring her now.

Describe your sound and style…
My sound is dark bubblegum pop. I’d describe my style as girlie, coquettish and tongue-in-cheek, with a serving of mischief!

Favorite Brit musician of all time…
Garbage!

Day in the Life: Punch Hutton

Punch Hutton is a Renaissance woman. Not only is she raising a family in New York City, but she’s also the Deputy Editor at Vanity Fair and has her own fashion label, Punch Shifts, which features charming dresses that easily transition from day to night. The idea was inspired by one of those pivotal moments in her own beyond-busy schedule — she had to go straight from mom duty at the Central Park Zoo to a dinner party and couldn’t find the right outfit. Enter Punch Shifts.

So what’s a day like for this modern-day Renaissance woman? It starts with an iced coffee and then…

Bette Franke On: The Plaid Jean

“I love plaid jeans — they’re not over-the-top. You can wear them with flats or heels.” — Bette Franke, model.

Cool, wearable, versatile? Check, check and check. Our Connor Super Skinny Jean captures the essence of the season — ladylike, with a dose of irony. Otherwise stated: it’s prim and proper, with personality. Printed pants are (almost) becoming a basic, and this unique pattern is a hand-painted take on classic plaid. Wear it with bare ankles and lightweight layers when the weather is warm, and come cooler temps, slip on a thin sock to solve the shoe-pant dressing dilemma that cold-weather presents.

Added bonus: Plaid is a nod to Brit style — we like to think how punks in the Seventies made traditional tartan into an anti-establishment statement — and done in a color palette of red, white and lots of blue, this look is the perfect ode to the Olympics.

Tory’s Playlist: Oh, Britannia

For those of you who couldn’t make it to London for the Olympics, we thought we’d gather some of raucous English songs to transport you. Hit play, close eyes, you’re there with The Clash, David Bowie, Blur and the Arctic Monkeys.

Ask Tory: The London Olympics

Q: I’m heading to London for the Olympics this week but I’m hoping to get a little culture in, too. What are some of your favorite places to go? — Lily, New York City

A: I can’t wait for the Olympics! My boys and I are big fans — we like the track and field events, tennis and soccer. There must be an amazing energy in London right now — it’s one of my favorite cities. It has incredible museums and galleries — what could be more British than Damien Hirst’s show right now at the Tate Modern or cooler than Herzog & de Meuron’s outdoor exhibit at the Serpentine? If you want to shop, Rei Kawakubo’s Dover Street Market has so many great designers in one place…which might offer a little calm from the Olympic crowds. There are so many places to eat no matter what you like (I love the sushi at Yauatcha and oysters at J. Sheekey). Have fun! — Tory

See more on where to stay, eat, shop and what to see in Tory’s London City Guides.

Fall 2012: Lookbook & Style Tips

Plaid on plaid. Sequins and sheath dresses. Ladylike looks mixed with leather. Fall brings an element of the polished and refined, with just a soupçon of the subversive. What that means: You can dress full-on feminine (think peplums and pencil skirts) or balance the sophisticated mood by mixing in jeans and a T-shirt. The season’s statement accessories work a similar vibe, from the frame bags and jeweled earrings to the pointy-toed spectator heels.

How to pull off this urbane take on ladylike dressing? Click through for style tips and a closer look at the collection: See the Lookbook.

Most Wanted: The 797

Here’s a new fashion-editor favorite: The 797 Pouch. What’s not to like? Crafted from beautifully textured leather, in a range of fall-friendly colors, the bag flaunts a ladylike polish with an undercurrent of cool. There’s a clean, structured edge to it, which adds to the utilitarian appeal, while the detachable cross-body strap means you can wear this messenger-style, too. (We love options!) Plus, it’s the ideal go-with-everything bag, from lean tailoring and dressier looks to everything in between. See the full 797 collection here.

Book of the Week: The Mansion of Happiness

The subtitle to Jill Lepore’s new book The Mansion of Happiness: A History of Life and Death says it all. As heavy as that sounds from this Harvard scholar, it’s an entertaining summer read. Lepore talks about how Americans’ view of baby-hood, those volatile teenaged years, middle and old age — have shifted through the years. To wit: E.B. White’s Stuart Little pops up as a case-in-point to show how attitudes have changed about childhood. Back in the Forties, that talking mouse was almost banned in libraries. Bad for kids, the critics said, because reality and fantasy were too tightly intertwined.

As for the main title itself, The Mansion of Happiness. It stems from a similarly named 19th-century English board game, where players race through the different stages of life. Today, you know it as Milton Bradley’s Game of Life.

Video: Fall 2012

For Fall 2012, we set the scene — a classic New York hotel,  the Plaza Athénée, a soundtrack of Donora’s I Think I Like You and a cast of characters that includes Dree Hemingway, Tao Okamoto, Bette Franke. The clothing and accessories are polished but sexy; the mood is confident…and there is something in the air. Rounding out the crew: filmmaker Max Nova, stylist Brian Molloy and designer Waris Ahluwalia, who makes a cameo appearance.

Fall 2012: Inspiration

“For Fall 2012, we were inspired by the idea of a prim girl who’s under the spell of the wrong kind of guy. She’s an innocent, unaware of her own sex appeal. The setting? The hotel where they meet. The looks are polished and proper, but with subversive undertones: fitted silhouettes; dresses with nipped waists, and a lot of leather. We watched movies like Wong Kar Wai’s In the Mood for Love, and played off the mood and cinematography — saturated colors, especially rich berry and crimson, and classic prints and patterns like wallpaper florals, tweed and chevron. It’s a modern kind of ladylike dressing.” — Tory

Insider’s Guide: Rena Sindi’s Beirut

Rena Sindi, the London-based author and co-founder of interiors company Dalani Home, is known for throwing legendary theme parties (Arabian Nights, Moulin Rouge, Southampton Luau). Some are even chronicled in her book Be My Guest: Theme Party Savoir-Faire. When it came to her own recent nuptials to Lebanese financier Makram Abboud, she married in London but opted for a five-day party in Beirut (where Tory is opening a store this fall). Clearly, there’s magic in the city. We got the scoop from Rena on the best places to stay, eat, shop and dance.

Beirut is… The Paris of the Middle East. It’s rich with culture; the food is amazing, and you can go from the mountains to the sea in just an hour. The nightlife is notorious, the people are gorgeous and glamorous, so it’s the ideal place to host a party!