By the way, meant to tell you about this days ago...apologies, this vacation is slowing me down! So if you care, the Kate Moss collection for Topshop at Barneys has been replenished and new pieces are in as well.
Get it here.
Yawn.
Whew! What a day.
Soooo, in spite of waking up super early to get into Barneys for their 10am opening time....I didn't end up making it there until 20 minutes after 10...I am not so good at mornings. Things were pretty calm when I entered the store, there were a few reporters out front asking questions of shoppers who had already been in and out...I heard some talk of hype and exorbitant pricing...cashing in, etc.
When the elevator opened on the 7th floor, there was definitely a pronounceable din...and an energy buzz. The Kate Moss collection was clustered around a small space in the middle of the room comprised (at this point at least) of 7 or so racks that were being attacked in a gently chaotic manner. Certainly things were quite civil and not at all madness. Having arrived just a tad too late...I missed out on nearly all the dresses, 'cept for that particular one I was hoping to get (alas I didn't like the way it hung after all) and a chiffon number (see below) that at 200$ was so way overpriced and just not my thing.
The Chiffon 'Tatoo" Dress 
The Cowl Neck 'Dress' as terribly photographed by Moi in the dressing room. Hmm looking at it here, I kinda like it....at the time I thought, not worth 115$ and truthfully its not...tho it is cute. Anyway, too late.
The only vest option (and another majorly crummy pic by moi) they had...I snagged one when it was returned to the rack after someone deferred. A button popped off before I even got to try it on, at that price, I was like 'forget it'...plus it was made in China, not such a great indicator of quality workmanship...passed on this one too.
Other than those 2 dresses there was little else in the way of variety, a large number of the 'beater' tanks in white, khaki, pink and black, some short-shorts, a couple of patterned T's, a beaded shirt/dress that no one seemed to be going for (though I thought was cute but pricey and heavy), a few pairs of black skinny jeans and even fewer pairs of blue denim cropped jeans. It really was slim pickings. People seemed to keep hovering around the same 6 racks filled with redundant pieces, waiting for the rare occurrence when someone would return a piece after nixing it. By the time I left the 7 or so racks were down to 4 measly barren racks.
In essence, a rather disappointing affair that fell short in both variety and quantity. The pieces just weren't that interesting or 'new'. I left with a pair of the black skinny jeans but truthfully I already have another black pair from Topshop and I am not so sure these are too different, so they may end up going back. The highlight was probably just seeing all the great outfits that everyone at the turnout was wearing. Certainly they were far better dressed than any of these pieces could ever hope to aspire to.
A very New York event, no one ever looked like they cared too much, just enough to get the goods. Calm aloof mayhem. "Did you want this? Oh no, you take it...." Who me, care? Certainly not. Brilliant, perfectly New York.
For those of you wanting to cash in on a little of the action in farther off places, the following items are still available online at Barneys Coop.
P.S.
The front display windows had live models with Kate Moss masquerade-type masks over their face, making subtle references to being coy. Maybe that should have been my first indication that like their masks, this event was not quite the real thing.
Cowl Neck Dress. My goal.
Off I go. Wish me luck girls.
TTFN.
Gosh, so much to talk about. Last nights MET Costume Institute Gala....and the dresses!!! And then coming up tomorrow, Kate Moss at Barney's. OMG, it's too much. Starting today there is an ongoing witty commentary by Simon Doonan on the Barneys website. An excerpt below:
"Is she here yet? Is she bringing Pete? Is she going to clamber into the window like she did at the UK launch?...Can I come to the Party and bring my extended family? Oy Veh!!!!!
I have been at Barneys for twenty years and nothing-no store event or opening-has rivaled the insane, frenzied, build-up to the arrival of Kate and her Topshop line. I would put it right up there with the Invasion of the Faukland Islands, and the first episode of AbFab, or at least the launch of the DVD of Abfab."
Geez people, have we forgotten about the other huge, major Brit on the scene, hello: The Queen!!!
Right but anyway, yes back to important things like Topshop. Argh, I can't believe I am actually willingly going to subject myself to the madness that will be tomorrow.
And, my fave five pics from last nights gala:
Cam D. Love how she always contrast colors. Love the turquoise accents with the bright fuchsia.
Scarlett Johanson
Jessica Stam
Mary Kate Olsen
Ashley Olsen
Liv Tyler
And some of the more interesting and creative dresses:
Margherita Missoni
NY Socialites Tinsley Mortimer and Zani Gugelman
Kirsten Dunst
and Miss Anna herself.
TaTa dahlings, have to run.
xo, BG
From Fashion Week Daily:
"...outside crowds stood six deep and snaked around three full blocks, while photographers and press were relegated to standing on ladders to get their photo ops and stories...Only 200 guests were allowed in at any one time, and each shopper was limited to five pieces. Moss’ face was splashed across the covers of nearly every British paper and news and entertainment television program. Needless to say, the reaction to Part II of the Kate Moss Topshop launch—next Tuesday night at Barneys New York in Manhattan—will be of intense scrutiny..."
One week girls. One week.
O.K., so I admit I am almost hesitant to post anything more about the Kate Moss for Topshop collection coming to barneys in less than 2 weeks, for fear of an even more chaotic madhouse than I already anticipate it will be.
But anyway...
Check out the countdown.
Needless to say, I am SO excited!!!
Who doesn't love fresh flowers in your home, and what a wonderful gift on your way to a dinner party for your hostess.
Now you can buy flowers and know that they come from a sustainable, organic, earth friendly source at Organic Bouquet, check them out online.
Get your hair cut and colored in a much more environmentally and health friendly fashion. Check out John Masters Salon and Products. If you are in NYC then this is a cinch, his beautiful, light-filled salon is in Soho on Sullivan Street (number 77, between Spring and Broome).
Get your nails done in a safe, clean AND environmentally friendly environment at Sweet Lily Nail Spa in TriBeCa.
Sweet Lily™ Natural Nail Spa & Boutique
222 West Broadway NYC 10013
(Between North Moore and Franklin Street)
Phone: 212.925.5441
Try Stella McCartney's new 100% organic cosmetic line: Care! The line was formulated to be wonderful for your skin, body and the environment without sacrificing results. This is a luxury skincare line. All of the ingredients are certified organic. There are no genetically modified ingredients, no endangered plant species are used, and formulas are not tested on animals. There are no animal-derived ingredients, no silicones, no petrochemicals, no chemical preservatives, and no parabens.
Get it here.
Read up!
Get informed and aware at Treehugger a great online resource for all things green and sustainable.
Read about style and green lifestyle at the always hip 'Style Will Save Us'.
Eco-Threads!
Buy Eco-friendly clothing without sacrificing style from: Edun.
Barney's "Don't Panic, It's Organic" section.
Buy Vintage. This is one of the most earth-friendly shopping options there is. Re-using!!! Try one of my favorite vintage spots (or your local thrift store/Sally Ann/Goodwill if you have a keen eye), some of my faves below:
Some Odd Rubies (NYC, LA)
Don the Verb (NYC)
A Second Chance (NYC)
Decades(LA, UK)
Circa Vintage (UK)
Rellik(UK)
Free 'P' Star (Paris)
And remember; 'Green is the new Black'.
Reminiscent of Twiggy and Barbarella, the runway was filled with images of the 'pale lip'. Sometimes paired with a strong eye, preferably smoky and sometimes alone, it is always a powerful statement. If you can pull it off with your colouring, do try, its fun. I have a British friend who regularly sports this look, and I am so envious of her care-free attitude towards it.
Oscar de la Renta, NYC, F07.
Vera Wang, NYC, F07.
Marni, Paris F07.
Christopher Kane, London F07.
To get this look, try:
Light Muted Pink from the "Barbie loves MAC" collection,
Barbarella or Belle de Jour from Nars,
Dahlila Flesh (a peachy beige shimmer) from Vincent Longo,
and of course the cult "pale lip" from Lancome (also available at Bloomies).
For a detailed 'how-to', check out this guide from Manchester, England (how appropriate!).
Coming out in April is a compilation of photographs David Bailey, one of England's most famous photographers, and arguably one of the worlds most famous commercial photographers shot of Jean Shrimpton. The photos were shot in January of 1962 in New York City by David who was at the time her lover (their love affair would span four years). NY JS DB 62, due out in late April was Bailey's first time in New York and at the time he was just starting his career as a successful photographer at British Vogue.
The idea behind the shoot was 'au natural', Bailey didn't want this to be a big 'to do', more of a 'girl on the street' take on things. It was a bitterly cold day and Shrimpton is photographed throughout carrying a teddy bear. Organically shot around NYC in freezing weather, she did her own hair and styling to further add to the authenticity. The first shot is a rather iconic one, I find it especially inspiring.
Speaking about her now, Bailey refers to Joan Shrimpton as a natural type of beauty with whom he has seen only one rival, Kate Moss. A natural relateable type of beauty, that is real.
For her part Jean Shrimpton was a supermodel before there was such a title, really the first. She graced the covers of (amongst many others) Vogue, Elle, and Glamour, made the cover of both Life and Newsweek and was written up in many magazines from Esquire to Ladies Home Journal, and McCall's. She is particularly known for having made waves when in 1965 , she arrived at the Derby Races (for a commercial job) in Melbourne wearing a miniskirt length dress with no gloves, no hat and no stockings. For the fashion conservative Melbourne women this was a huge faux pas and she was dealt harsh criticism and disapproval, the story reached national news. The weather being upwards of 90 degrees, Jean dressed for that, this being the mid-60's though, fashion was at a real turning point, and skirt lengths were VERY controversial. Coming from more liberal England, Shrimpton didn't even anticipate the swift reaction, and upon having to dress "more appropriately" the following day by orders of her sponsors she said: "I think you should dress to please yourself,". Admitting that she had been disciplined by her sponsors, she ruefully observed: "I feel Melbourne isn't ready for me yet. It seems years behind London."
Soon after the incident, mini-skirts became all the rage world-wide.
The controversial dress.
Below, shots of Shrimpton throughout her modeling career:
Candid shots:
