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!

What’s Your Sign? Leo

Find out what this month, the sun sign of Leo (July 22 – August 22), has in store for you. Astrology expert Susie Cox tells all….

Leo
Happy birthday to the regal sign of Leo! Mercury is in retrograde for you until August 8th, so it’s time to rethink your responsibilities and possibly delegate some to others.

Tory’s Playlist: Summer Getaway

Escape the everyday with some old friends and some new. Music to ground you and transport you, from Bob Marley and Eric Clapton to Billy Bragg & Wilco….

Summer Getaway: ‪Ece Sükan‬

Ece Sükan‬, the Editor-at-Large for Vogue Turkey tells us all about her getaway to sunny, seaside Bozburun.

What I’m packing… Swimsuits, flat sandals, lots of sunscreen, my camera, books, ethnic bijoux, authentic tops and caftans, my “captain” hat and a selection of my vintage sunglasses.

During the day I will… Swim, sunbath, sail and wakeboard.

At night I will… Have dinner at Bozburun Yacht Club (great home food, local meze and fish) or go to Symi Island and have a Sirtaki night at Mano’s Fish Restaurant.

Spotlight On: Laura Cunningham

You know that old adage, behind every great man there’s a great woman? When it comes to superstar chef Thomas Keller, that woman is Laura Cunningham, Director of Operations at his famed restaurant enterprise. The Napa native oversees everything from décor to guest lists at his eateries on both coasts, including French Laundry, Bouchon Bakery and Per Se. Along the way Cunningham nabbed an Outstanding Service Award from the James Beard Foundation in 2011. Here, her tips for entertaining at home — whether that’s Napa or New York.

The secret to a great dinner party in Napa is…
Holding it outdoors under the stars and BYOB. Bring your own wine in Napa — it’s great sharing and trying different vineyards and varietals.

Insider’s Guide: Olga Iserlis’ Singapore

Olga Iserlis knows Singapore, inside and out. Not only has the Russian-born American lived there for nearly two decades, but, as head of event planning company Twise, she’s organized major events for clients such as Audemars Piguet and Valentino. Which means she’s as well-versed in local luxury shopping as she is in hunting down the best roti prata pancake. Here, the expat tells us all.

Singapore is… An efficient melting pot.

Best shopping? Orchard Road and the Marina Bay Sands resort [known for its roof-top pool] for major international brands. Arab Street and Haji Lane have stores selling the most fabulous fabrics as well as quirky boutiques stocking new designers.

Spotlight On: Marie Louise Sciò

Designer Marie Louise Sciò’s childhood reads a lot like Eloise-meets-La Dolce Vita. Her parents owned Tuscany’s storied Il Pellicano hotel, which played host to everyone from the Casiraghis to the Fendis and Missonis (and it’s one of Tory’s favorites). Now a Rome-based architect and interior designer, Sciò has put her own stamp on the place: She revamped the rooms and published a book on the hotel. Here, she gives us an insider view.

My fondest childhood memory of Il Pellicano is…The gala dinners my parents organized around the candle-lit swimming pool overlooking the sea. Everyone was so chic, men wore seersucker suits and women wore long beautiful gowns and turbans. I was too young to attend so my brother Roberto we use to hide in the bushes and spy on these magical evenings!

First Tory Daily App Exclusive: Limited-Edition Runway Earrings

For our first Tory Daily Exclusive, we picked the most coveted earrings from our Fall 2012 runway. We handcrafted 25 pairs in NYC to offer them to our app users first — simply download the app for exclusive access.

Other perks of Tory Daily? Curated content, easy shopping on the go — and free standard shipping anywhere in the U.S. on every single purchase. Download the App.

Spotlight On: David Benjamin Sherry

It’s easy to get lost in one of David Benjamin Sherry’s images. The photographer zooms in on landscapes and either ramps up the color in his dark room or dusts the image with fine white sand. The special effects are mesmerizing.

Sand viii (Seafoam, California), 2012, courtesy of Salon 94

Playlist: Mia Moretti

We asked DJ Mia Moretti to give us her best beats for starting a summer party. She whipped up this playlist with a little help from DJs Equal, Lucas Walters, J-Patt and Samuel.

Tastemakers On: First Concert

First concert memories stay with you. Tory’s was The Grateful Dead in high school. Here, everyone from Randall Poster, Liya Kebede and Lisa Phillips to Waris Ahluwalia, Virginie Mouzat, Mellon and Geoffrey Zakarian get nostalgic about their first taste of live music, and it runs the gamut: The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, The Kinks, Spice Girls, Phil Collins, New Edition. And there were two shout-outs for Captain & Tennille….

Spotlight On: Tennis

Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley are married and Tennis partners. We mean the band. The duo’s second album Young & Old has them touring this summer. After that, they’ll be sailing. Here, Alaina gets into how she fell for Patrick and what song changed their lives.

We fell in love over… Animal Collective’s Strawberry Jam. Patrick had somehow obtained a leaked copy (which was a feat all those years ago).

Our songs are inspired by… Lived experiences; some shared, others intensely private.

Spotlight On: Bebel Gilberto

Think Bebel Gilberto and you automatically hear the cool jazz beats of the bossa nova. The singer has built her career on the bossa — something she learned from her parents, the great João Gilberto and singer Miucha. We caught up with Bebel, who’s playing NYC’s SummerStage as part of the Brasil Summerfest (July 21-28) to talk about her parents, music and Brazilian beaches….

Best advice your parents gave you… Sing and play, all the time. By age seven I was already recording commercials and performing on the Mickey Mouse Club in Brasil.