Happy President’s Day

Julie,

It’s been almost a decade since our last ski trip to Vail over President’s Day weekend.

It was such a fun time – skiing and soaking up the mountain sunshine.  Of course, we would discuss our clothing options in great detail before we arrived, ensuring we looked snazzy on the slopes.  I know that we felt that we looked like this:

When, in reality, we looked more like this:

But, I don’t think the model above had skied as many black diamonds as we did.  Nor, did she enjoy apres-ski on the deck at Garfinkel’s bar as much as we did.

It’s time to go back.  Next year.

Ann

Top two photos: Gorsuch

Montreal Fashion Week 2012: Que C’est Chic!

Ann,

Great Guccis!  I’d save the spiky heels for show and wear the flats for actual walking.  I love them both!

As you know, Fall 2012 Fashion Week is wrapping up today in New York.  My chief of marketing & communications at Julia Farr — and sister —  Mary Joyce hit some of the Fall ’12 runway shows this week and covered the full gamut of shows last week in Montreal, where they presented Spring 2012 collections. Below is Mary Joyce’s wrap up on on the her experience tres canadien. Voila!

Chere Julie & Ann,

I recently returned from Fashion Week in Montreal. It was a fabulous experience and different that of New York’s Fashion week. I was accompanied by my dear friend and trend spotter, Alison.

To embrace our Montreal visit we enjoyed dinner our first night in an igloo in the renowned Snow Village. Everything is created out of snow and ice. It reinforces the reason that Canada is in the top three countries for the fur trade. The tables and seating were carved out of ice. Fur blankets covered the chairs and the igloo glowed with the reflection of the lighting. The hostess greeted us with a cup of broth as we were seated. It gave new meaning to the phrase “room temperature”!

The next morning we were welcomed at a breakfast by the Fashion commissioner of Montreal! We were supplied with a dossier of appointments and sent on our way. Montreal is a sprawling city. We quickly found out that while many designers have retail stores, their offices, showrooms and workrooms are in the same space. Talk about feeling the creative juices flowing!! Here are some images from the studios of Iris Setlakwe.

We went directly from our showroom appointments to the runway shows. They were held in the Marche Bonsecours in Old Montreal. The shows were held back-to-back each evening. The atmosphere was that of a night club. There was a party room that was filled with models, designers, fashionistas, D.J.’s playing pounding music, strobe lights swirling around the room, champagne flowing. The whole atmosphere made me feel younger, thinner, taller, groovier and cooler! We learned that platform shoes are not just for women!  And now to the main event – The Runway Shows!

Fashionistas Abounded!

at the Montreal Marche Bonsecours

We were invited to 9 shows. They were all amazing and one bordered on a Tim Burton movie it was so dramatic! Check out this video of the DUY show for Spring 12. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVxwZjvPpa8&feature=related

Melissa Neptun Spring 2012 Runway

Iris Setlakwe Spring 2012 Runway

Martin Lim 2012 Spring Runway

Other runway trends that captured our attention were the ever-present exposed zipper,  feather embellishments, fabric panels and ruffles on a bib-like top.  Also going strong are tunic tops with slim leg pants and an uneven hemline is on the horizon. Don’t forget the fur! Fur coats, jackets, sweaters, vest and trim for scarves, boots and gloves — even in Spring. It is Montreal, after all!

It was incredibly interesting and educational as well as fun to participate in another country’s fashion week. We felt tres international!  A bien tot! Mille bisous – Mary Joyce

Obsessed

Julie,

I’m not really shoe crazy, but every once in a while, there is a shoe that captures my eye because it is so beautiful, it’s like a work of art.  Last summer, it was Yves Saint Laurent’s sculptural wedge. This season, Gucci has given us two gorgeous shoes to drool over.  This exquisite gold and black suede heel would be perfect for all your formal occasions (and who cares what you wear on top – everyone will be staring at your shoes):

The shiny, spiked heel, the peep-toe and the delicate gold ankle strap – all so elegant and feminine.

Even the name of the shoe is pretty – the Delphine.

Or this sporty flat sandal.

It wouldn’t matter where I wore them (most likely to a parent/teacher conference or a swim meet), I know that, in my mind, those shoes and I would be lounging on the island of Corfu, in the shade of the Bougainvillea, gin and tonic firmly in hand.

And that’s the power of a good pair of shoes.

Ann

Images: Gucci

Abu Dhabi

Julie,

I loved seeing all the fabulous skirts you have in your store for spring.  You know how much I love to wear skirts – I think they’re more comfortable than jeans.

I have one last fun photo from the Middle East that provides the perfect segue from travel back to fashion.  Tyler and I spent one night at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi.  This hotel is so opulent and over the top, we felt like royalty.

It turns out I was channeling a fashion maven.

Same beach, same camel, same bedouin, but, unlike Ms. Herrera, we didn’t get to have tea with Sheikh Zayed.  Maybe next time.

Ann

Bottom Image: Vogue

Skirting the Issue

Ann,

From your photos, I see your skirt lengths have dropped precipitously — I like your all covered up look!  Too bad you had to stay in neutrals — I know they’re not your go-to  shades.  But it’s nice when you can both respect cultural standards and embrace a trend!

I’m back with a wrap-up on the skirts we’re seeing this early spring season at Julia Farr.  As I wrote in my last post on the subject, you just can’t get this trend wrong.  I chose a little of everything when buying last September for the spring months.  Here are some of the several styles and lengths that are hanging in the store now.  Call me if your interested in raising your hemline now that you are back in the states.  Here we go:

For the below the knee — either midi or maxi — knife pleated skirt, I found fabulous designs from Milly and Lafayette 148 New York:

Milly’s Sunburst Pleat Skirt, $445 (now 30% reduced at Julia Farr)

Equinox Crinkle Knife Pleat Skirt $698 (30% reduced at Julia Farr)

As you know, Ann, pencils skirts are also ALL the rage.  As you see below, Tibi and Lafayette 148 New York have captured the pencil design:

Sacha Lace Pencil Skirt by Tibi, $450

And from Lafayette 148 New York, two great and different options:

Modern Felted Jersey High-Waisted Slim Skirt, $298 at Julia Farr

Heirloom Embellished Modern Slim Skirt, Lafayette 148 New York, $598 (30% reduced at Julia Farr)

And for a casual, resort inspired look — here’s nautical-meets-pencil-skirt:

Horatio Striped Skirt by Tibi, $270 at Julia Farr

On the other end of the spectrum, short skirts still have their place for either a more petite woman or one who doesn’t mind a much higher hemline:

Tibi Cheetah Stretch skirt, $260 at Julia Farr (cute with a black tee and ballet flats)

And here’s a quick amateur shot (meaning I took it, of course) of a great Sachin + Babi cotton and canvas short skirt:

Sachin + Babi McGee Skirt, $286 at Julia Farr. Perfect for Spring Break anywhere!

Notice the color-blocking?  The trend continues, as we see here in both long and short form:

Sachin + Babi’s Taylor Skirt, $374 at Julia Farr

and this one would have been just the thing for Abu Dhabi–

Alice + Olivia’s Colorblock Skirt, $187 at — you guessed it — Julia Farr

Next week, Ann: Montreal Fall 2012 Fashion Week featuring dinner in an igloo.  Just you wait!

Abayas and Shaylas

Julie,

I was fascinated by the traditional dress of the Qataris and Emiratis.

Men wear a thobe, which is essentially like a white oxford shirt, but it goes to the ground.  On their head they wear the ghutra, a white or red and white cloth, held in place by a black ogaal.

Women wear an abaya, which is essentially a long, black robe.  It’s different from the formless sack shape of the all-enveloping burqa, and some women decorate the sleeves of their abaya.  Women must cover their hair, and they do so with a shayla. Many of the Qatari women also wore the niqab, a face veil covering all but the eyes.

Lest you think these women all look the same, they do not.  Just like we used to find even the smallest details to distinguish ourselves in our high school uniforms, Qatari and Emirati women have many different ways to show their style.

First and foremost, the handbag.  Every women carries a beautiful, designer handbag.  It seemed to me that the most popular were Chanel and Louis Vuitton bags.

Next, is sunglasses. Again, designer, of course.

When the sunglasses are off, even though you can only see their eyes, it’s clear that make-up is very important, as every women’s eyes are gorgeously made up, usually with dramatic black eyeliner, or kohl.

It was hard for me not to stare at the Qatari and Emirati women.  I thought they looked so exotic and mysterious.  Keep in mind too, they wear regular clothes underneath their abaya, so every once in a while, you catch a glimpse of blue jeans, marking a stark contrast between the traditional and the modern.

Beyond the clothing though, I noticed how these women moved in their long gowns.  They swayed gently, side to side, as they walked, in a manner that revealed their femininity, even under the concealment of their black robe.

I had the chance to experience what it was like to wear an abaya at the Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi.  Every female must wear both an abaya and a shayla in order to enter the grounds of this spectacular mosque, the third largest in the world.

What do you think?

Probably not…

Ann

What to Wear to the Middle East Part II

Julie,

My husband, Tyler, and I had an amazing trip to the Middle East.  We travelled to Doha, Qatar to visit our dear friends who live there, then on to Jordan, and finally to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.  We loved this part of the world and feel so lucky to have had an opportunity to visit.

Doha Skyline

Before I left, I wrote about what I packed for the trip, using the helpful information provided by our Doha friends.  I mainly brought pants and long-sleeved shirts, plus a couple of maxi skirts, in order to be as covered as possible while wandering through the Arab world.  I wanted to follow up on that post and tell you what I actually wore while strolling in the footsteps of Sheiks, Moses and, of course, camels.

Petra, Jordan

First of all, it’s COLD in the desert in the wintertime!  Doha experienced a cold snap while we were there, it got down into the 40s at night.  It was snowing in the upper elevations when we landed in Amman,  Jordan.   I’d checked the weather before we left, so I had packed cashmere sweaters and scarves, to layer on and off throughout the day.

Bedouin Children in Petra

The cooler weather meant that I mainly wore pants and sweaters.  Even when the temperatures rose, I didn’t put on my short-sleeved tops.

We each wore our shorts only one time, and that’s when we went “dune bashing” out in the Qatari desert with our friends and most of the time was spent in our 4-wheel drive vehicle, hanging on for dear life while we soared over huge sand dunes – FUN!

On top of a Qatari Sand Dune

I asked Tyler if he thought he might have worn shorts more often if it had been hotter, and he replied, “No.  It just seemed so out of place when you saw the rare person walking around in shorts.  They really stood out.”

Keep in mind that we were not travelling in a group.  It was just the two of us roaming through the mountains of Jordan, or stalking the Dubai souks.  Perhaps if we were surrounded by other westerners wearing more casual clothing, we might have dressed differently, but I doubt it.  We wanted to show our respect for Arabic customs, and Islam prescribes modest dress in public places for both men and women, which involves covering the legs, arms and head for men. Women do the same, but also cover their hair and neck.

The Grand Mosque, Abu Dhabi

Next time, I’ll tell you about the traditional Qatari and Emirati dress, especially for women.

Ann

Chasing Skirts

Ann,

For Spring ’12, go buy a skirt.  What kind you ask?  Honestly, any shape, size, design, length, or material you want.  The skirt is IN in a very big way.  Here’s the list of options: pencil, pleated, floral, metallic, colored pastel leather (or white — ooh, so chic!), lace, chiffon, flouncy, a mini, a midi, a maxi, a layered one.

You really could trip and fall on this trend and get it right.  I can’t really think of a style of skirt that is not IN except maybe those worn by Vivian Leigh in that great antebellum film.

Scarlet O’Hara wearing a skirt made from velvet curtains in Gone with the Wind: (Not in style.)

Many of us who have relied heavily on The Dress to solve all getting-dressed-in-the-morning concerns may resist the rising tide of the skirt.  But here’s the beauty of the skirt: it is a statement unto itself.  All the other pieces are mere background to this harmony of fabric and design. Even a khaki pleated midi skirt can breathe new life into the wardrobe staple for this Spring.  I imagine your skirt length has dropped considerably during your travels in the Middle East. Dying for more photos…but until then, I will write back with the truly fun and fabulous skirt designs for Spring 2012 at Julia Farr.  More soon.

Julie

Spring is in the Air with Lafayette 148 New York

Ann,

I hope your travels are awe-inspiring.  Still in DC, we’ve been hosting a trunk show this week for the Spring 2012 Collection of Lafayette 148 New York.  The weather has been responding — with two sunny, temperate days in a row where Spring clothing doesn’t look so outrageous out on the showroom floor.    And I think the bright colors have improved my state of mind, too!  The boutique is filled with cypress greens, glam pinks, sunset corals and several shades of blue that are not navy.  I understand that Lafayette 148 designer Edward Wilkerson’s Spring12 collection was inspired by his voyage to Istanbul, Turkey. He has incorporated the mosaic artwork, ancient history in a cosmopolitan city and the mixture of Asian & western influences into this Collection. “I have revealed all in gorgeous fashion” says Wilkerson.  He certainly has!  Here are few photos of beautiful pieces in my showroom: we’ll have the entire collection through February 4th so tell all your friends to seize the Spring-like  moment and come in to see the show!

The collection has Chanel-inspired jackets, a plethora of skirts, great looking neutrual sweaters and pants in every material and design you can imagine.  Makes late January seem like a Spring-y walk-in-the-park!

If you want to see the show (even from the Middle East), please call 202-364-3277 or email julia@juliafarrdc.com.   Safe travels, Ann!

Julie

Know When To Hold ‘Em: The Closet Edit Revisited

Ann,

While you’ve been riding camels in Doha (with just the right wardrobe, I must say)…

I’ve been doing the work of a wardrobe consultant in Washington, D.C. — editing wardrobes.  This past week, I had the real joy of combing through the closet of one of the most chic, well-presented women I know.  Her collection of exquisite dresses, jackets, fabulous shoes and knits is not only stunning but really well curated and edited.  Every piece has a purpose.  If I weren’t following the high moral code of all wardrobe consultants worldwide (we really haven’t formed as a group, but I can see it coming), several of my client’s things would have somehow made their way to a give-away pile with me as the beneficiary.

My purpose there was less of a “slash and burn” mission and more of a consideration of her overall wardrobe and how it could be put together in a more meaningful way for her professional and social life.  She had told me that she didn’t hold on to anything she wasn’t wearing or didn’t need — and her closet was a clear reflection of this approach.  About mid-review, I found a GORGEOUS long jacket/sweater/robe-like-coat in her closet for which I would give my right arm.  When I asked her about it, she said she found it through a trunk show a few years ago — a Pamella Roland design — had loved it but hadn’t worn it much recently because she didn’t know if it was still in vogue with its unstructured design and below-the-knee length.  Also, she hadn’t found the right occasions for it, as it presented a sort of “boudoir” appeal which isn’t so D.C.  We considered the coat for some time: whether to cut it shorter…or even, gasp, get rid of it if it didn’t serve a purpose.  I took a photo of her in it for my files:

Client wearing Pamella Roland cashmere/wool robe coat

We both knew it was a keeper, but didn’t know what look she would be going for when wearing it.  The answer was not long in coming. The next day when reading my WWD, I was hit with the front page photo of a model wearing pieces from the Pre-Fall 2012 Collection from Nina Ricci.  There it was — a long-ish unstructured leopard “robe coat” that was described as having being “lingerie-inspired.”  You just don’t see “robe coats”  two days in a row and not take notice.

Peter Copping for Nina Ricci Pre-Fall 2012 Collection

And if that weren’t enough of a sign from heaven, two days later I saw this, again reading WWD, from Maison Marten Margiela for Pre-Fall 2012:

Maison Marten Margiela Oversized Coat for Pre-Fall 2012

Made from satin-trimmed wool blankets, this luxurious looking coat lacks that all-buttoned-up feel.  Of course, I could think only of the oatmeal Pamella Roland that is just itching to come out into the light for next September.  My client and I agreed: hold it, don’t fold it.  So now our new objective is to find the right dress or pieces for next Fall that will keep the robe coat looking more like a coat than a robe.

Here’s the closet editorial tip:  For those pieces in your wardrobe that were great at the start but have perhaps lost their edge or purpose along the way, hold on to them.  Try them on once a year to check the fit and whether they are still becoming on you.  Then watch the trends ebb and flow to see if you can wear the piece in a new way a few years later. If it was a significant investment piece and still looks good on you, hold it as long as you have a place in your closet for it.

Back to you, Ann, on the camel.

(Photos courtesy of Tyler Prochnow, Julia Farr and Dominique Maitre)