July 2009
Lux Team Ladies Play Dress Up at Chaus
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Wed, 07/01/2009 - 20:00When you sign up to work in fashion, you soon learn that it is not quite the dress-me-up-in-Dior experience as seen in “The Devils Wears Prada.” You schlep. You babysit. You plead. You prod. And sometimes, you find yourself doing things that you dreamed about as a kid, but may find horrifying as an adult person. Like modeling—see blog re: Cynthia Steffe sample sale.
Thus, Lindsay and Dania found themselves at the mercy of Stacie and me yesterday in the Chaus showroom. Amongst the rows and racks of fall and holiday goodies, one could hear exclamations such as: “Get naked!” “Keep your shoulders down!” “Don’t look so awkward!” or “Where’s that metallic gold ‘Flashdance’ top? I love Jennifer Beals in that movie!”
The point? To bring a little depth to what is a truly fabulous collection that has some killer trend-forward pieces at a phenomenal value (Is that leather for under $200, you say?). So check out a few choice shots from our little fashion sesh with Little L and Little D. Hottie, hot, hot.
D and L pose in front of the Josephine Chaus logo in their metallic gold ‘Flashdance’-esque tops.
D sports a Lanvin-esque white silk charmeuse top from the August delivery (We love the exposed zipper up the back!) with a navy ponti pencil skirt featuring a killer rope belt with shiny gold hardware. Ahoy, matey!
I told Lindsay not to smile in all fairness to her! This classic heather gray tee comes with a removable gray pearl necklace. Two for one. What’s not to love?
The minute I laid eyes on this little number I thought Blake Lively in Rag and Bone! This tunic is the cutest little thing and so versatile—Dania kept her black jersey mini on underneath and it was adorbs. I, for one, want the tan leather utility belt it comes with.
Why so sad? Stacie just heard that this ivory leather jacket (that makes us think of the divine Mr. Rick Owens) didn’t go into production. Hotness, we will remember you always.
An Obsessive-Compulsive Quest For Skin Perfection
Submitted by Stacie Gillian on Mon, 07/06/2009 - 11:29
Thursday afternoon, after braving the rain and clouds I met with a lovely editor from WWD - Mayte Allende - who despite the horrid weather, looked so pulled together...and her skin was glowing flawlessly. Which lead me to think, I want to be that girl that always looks perfectly coiffed with impeccable skin! Very much influenced by my plastic surgeon father my born and raised in Manhattan Grandmother who was always in tune with what was happening in the world of fashion, I began my obsessive-compulsive quest for perfection. The journey is still very much on-going. All this has brought me back to an incident I had when I first started working at Sean John on the design team. In preparation for fashion week (after approx 3 months of almost 24 hour work days and being trapped at Industria studios helping to style the runway show) I decided to try and prepare by giving myself a medical grade chemical peel. Needless to say, I am no doctor and burned a good quarter of my face just before the fashion show. I could barely move my face because the burn was so bad, and had to go into the office (my boss would not let me work from home because he said that it would teach me a lesson) with a swine flu mask on my face to cover the burns! Please imagine try to imagine ME walking into the office to sit with a room full of designers, our stylist (who was Bill Mullen at the time), reps from KCD and Puffy....it makes me cringe to this day.
My skin obsession has lead me to the best products and doctors to die for, so here are the finds that I would love to share:
Lancaster Suncare (Vitalizing Age Defying Cream).
Obagi Skincare Systems (Blue Peel and a system created just for you).
L'Oreal Paris Dermo-Expertise Advanced Revitalift Anti-Aging Glycolic Mini Peel Kit
Dr. Andrew Kornstein (an amazing NYC Plastic Surgeon who has worked on many celebrities, and I was introduced to him by Sean Comb's team).
Source: stylelist.com, questmag.com
THE HAMPTONS: Traffic Jams, Revolution, Cannibalism and Murder (Ok, not really.)
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Tue, 07/07/2009 - 11:27
The one line plot summary of Godard’s 1967 film “Week-End” according to IMBD: A supposedly idyllic weekend trip to the countryside turns into a never-ending nightmare of traffic jams, revolution, cannibalism and murder as French bourgeois society starts to collapse under the weight of its own consumer preoccupation.
Funny, that this past weekend (my first trip to the Hamptons ever) would remind me of this film.
Friday morning, I picked up my cute Jetta ZipCar named Julianna in Manhattan. Picked up my cute co-worker Stacie in Brooklyn with some Hottie McDiamonds by Kwiat for the PYTs at the Social Life Magazine party Saturday night. Missed the Long Island Expressway (Stacie: Laura, don’t you need to take the L.I.E. to Long Island? Laura: What’s the L.I.E.?). Sat in traffic—when in Rome…Ate some tasty nachos at World Pie in Bridgehampton. Scored some much needed 
pool time. Checked out the charming little Surf Lodge in Montauk (You MUST order the Gin Blossom. I recommend drinking four before going into the Tracy Fieth boutique). The weekend had all the trappings of a lovely jaunt to the countryside, n’est pas?
I should have known that this idyllic weekend was too good to be true when Stacie and I rose early Saturday morning to head into East Hampton center for some breakfast at Babette’s. First off, the waitress spilled coffee all over the table. Then I walked in on a gentleman in the restroom who forgot to lock the door. And then Stacie tells me that she thought Marion Cotillard was sitting in the back before there was time for me to rush back and assault her. Nevertheless, we made it back to the pool for some sun worship—after I found a divine beaded Collette Dinnigan sarong at Collette Designer Consignment of course.
Tanned and happy we collected our jewels and ourselves and headed to Watermill to the Social Life Magazine Estate. We met my pal Kristian Laliberte who promptly took us on a tour of the spread. Upon surveying the pristine pool and pastoral back lawn, I promptly ran into a lounge chair gashing my leg and then brusquely rubbed up against a brick column in my all white chiffon Cynthia Steffe dress, which immediately created little ripples of pulls down the front. (So very uncool.)
The next few hours were a whirl of dressing up lovely ladies such as Bettina Prentice, Annalyne McCord, Cena Jackson, Kelly Bensimon and Sarah Basile in Kwiat Vintage and Legacy Collection sparklers to compliment their Great Gatsby-inspired ensembles. Fun and games. Then it was 11 p.m. and Stacie and I were faint with hunger. So we packed up the booty and headed to 
World Pie for Round II of those demon temptress nachos. The fact that Ivanka Trump was there looking all thin and ethereal did not stop us from shoving corn chips slathered in guac and cheese into our mouths. Oh, no.
Finally, it was time to head back to our mutual favorite location: BED. But, oh no! At 11:30 p.m. on Montauk Highway an errant child who chose to tailgate yours truly for nearly twenty minutes, rear-ended our car. All I have to say is that he was lucky we were well fed. After the whole rigmarole of shattered glass, flashing lights, police reports and sundry declarations that I would never go back to the Hamptons ever again, we were released.
I guess the only way to wrap up the story of my ‘week-end’ is to quote dear old Granddaddy Godard: A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end... but not necessarily in that order.
A Robert Graham shirt on a patron at Surf Lodge
Sarah Basile
Laura Modeling for Kwiat
Stacie Modeling for Kwiat
Cena Jackson at Social Life
This Post Does Not Promote Eating Disorders
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 10:41
Sample size four. Three words that haunt me in my sleep. I find myself quietly begrudging those woman who easily slip into the unmarked samples (Ahem, Lindsay!) as the rest of us scramble to grab the elusive size sixes and eights at sample sales.
Thus, the Lux Team decided that it was high time to stop the shenanigans (and by shenanigans I mean eating Chipotle) and get fit. We first looked into private pilates classes at the office, but the cost was ultimately unrealistic (in the perpetual shoes vs. fitness debate, shoes usually win). Our crafty Dania and Lindsay then finagled themselves a deal at Crunch on Union Square where they hot pilates, yoga and spin together. The buddy system works!
Stacie is now a faithful follower of the core fusion class at Exhale—which she raves about. I’ve gotten the scoop from a few hard-body sources that core fusion is the quickest way to get results—just look at Kelly Ripa’s arms gratis Physique 57. I’ve heard amazing things about Physique and apparently the classes are impossible to get in to so there must be something there.
And then there’s me. I’m kind of like the Daniel Boone of fitness. I’ve belonged to three gyms since I moved to New York three years ago—Equinox, Club H and even the dungeon-like gym in my building—but I can’t seem to glom on to this whole exercising indoors thing. So about three to four times a week, I rise at 6 a.m. to run on the path at Hudson River Park or I hop on the path to ride my bike to and from work. It’s 
glorious! I recently joined the Friends of the Hudson River Park because I am completely enamored with what they’ve done with the strip from Harlem all the way down to Battery Park. I highly recommend checking it out.
Source: thatsfit.com, downtownny.com, exhalespa.com
I Love When Paris Feigns Serious. It's Just Silly.
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Thu, 07/09/2009 - 10:05
To show couture might be considered vulgar in these times if it was staged any place other than Paris. But there's something so historic, so comforting and so right about frivolity of any manner in Paris. From coiffures in the prisons to the President marrying a controversial pop star. I, for one, love it.
But after some stunning presentations and collections for Resort 2009 preceded by nearly surreal couture collections in January, there was a hint of the somber to the couture shows so far--which is akin to saying that the Jacksons were demure at Michael's funeral. By their very essence, it's never really going to happen. Suffice to say, even dear old Uncle Karl seemed (gasp!) sensible at the house of Chanel with hemlines that hit the knee, sensible suiting options, and basic navy, red, gray, ivory and black. There were a few luscious fur trims, but not overtop fur as in past seasons. All very saleable pieces and, of course, all shown with black lace tights. Boop boopy do, woo!
Christian Lacroix's show reminded me of a beautiful funeral march. 
Those in the industry know that his former owners massacred the staff at Lacroix and his future is certainly iffy--a tragedy for someone who is arguably the master of couture right now. It was gorgeous although, as Style.com put it, restrained. But it felt right given that the only people paid to make the show happen were the models. Same as Chanel, we saw the one-shoulder gown again with goddess-like draping. I imagine that silhouette is now a constant classic in the fashion and red carpet lexicon, which makes it sure fire for sales. And at the end of the day, if we learn anything from Monsieur Lacroix, it all boils down to sales whether it's couture or a licensed perfume.
On a happy note, it seems that Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, Valentino's former accessory designers, have finally gotten off on the right foot with the legendary collection. In all fairness, Signore Valentino is no easy act to follow. Hello! He was Jackie O.'s faaaaaay-vorite! But the show 
featured all the signs of a very Valentino collection--lots of pretty, lots of lace, lots of bow-type ruffle things, lots of cocktail appropriate attire. And no red, which is fine. Black is very safe and, say it again with me, saleable! I look forward to seeing more from the duo.
Anyway. More couture tomorrow, chickens! We haven't touched Dior!
Oh, John Galliano. You Are The Reason For The Season.
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Fri, 07/10/2009 - 12:43
I honestly find Armani of any variety underwhelming. But if someone has Cate Blanchett’s attention, well then they have mine. I have no idea if he pays her to wear his gowns or attend his couture shows (I like to think she has more integrity than that), but she’s there so I suppose we all watch. Mr. Armani sent down his signature pantsuits…snoozers. But I did love a big puffy snow beast-like fur coat over a black beaded pencil skirt with a naughty little zipper up the front. Makes me want to drink bathtub gin and wear red lipstick. Rarrr.
Oh, John Galliano. You are the reason for the season. And even though you didn’t wow us with a light installation spectacular, your clothes and the way you arrange them still have me feeling faint. Galliano brought back Monsieur Dior’s wasp-waisted silhouette that defined the New Look back in the late 40s but dirtied it up like only he could by pairing lady-like jackets and skirts with snippets of lingerie, garter belts and other saucy little underpinnings. I mean, a ball gown with a bra. How divinely madcap is that?!
Everyone knows Givenchy, but poor Riccardo Tisci hasn’t become the name behind the brand in the way that say, Nicolas Ghesquière or even Olivier Theyskens has. I suppose it’s because he’s so steady and reliable in his work. That said there’s obviously an element of drama if Michael Jackson wore pieces from his women’s collections…But when it comes to the autumn/winter 2009 couture collection, it was good. It was fine. Nothing groundbreaking.
Sometimes I feel dislodged in time when I see a Jean Paul Gaultier show. “Have I seen this before?” It’s always inspired by legends of the silver screen. It always has a brash Hollywood Sunset Strip-ness about it. And there’s always a haute-trash kind of thing going on—which I think is why Madonna loves it all so much. All that said, the man can make clothes. It’s just all a bit overt for my taste. Although, I am feeling the homage to “Bladerunner.” Wish a $50,000 Halloween costume was in my budget.
Source: Armani_style.com, Dior_style.com, Gaultier_style.com, GettyImages
Welcome to the BBClub! Why? Because We Like You.
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Tue, 07/14/2009 - 11:10We've added a few new clients to the BBC family in the past few weeks and we couldn't be tickled (neon) pinker about it. All bring a little something special to the table that gets us excited to talk to writers and editors about, and each one has a limitless potential for growth as far as we see it. Stay tuned for news on all the amazing things that are sure to come!
Blank en Soela
Owner and designer Francoise Dissels has been a friend of BBC for quite a while. She's outfitted our mostly girly staff with some cute yet cool custom cocktail style dresses and blouses over the past couple of years causing many a friend and colleague to exclaim, "Where'd you get that adorable dress?" Music to our ears! So when Francoise left New York behind to start her own collection, Blank en
Soela, in her native Suriname we were delighted to help her conceive of her launch. The new collection will hit New York in October and you'll have to fight us off to get your orders in!
Every Monday Matters
Every Monday Matters came to us through our much loved client, charity: water. Founder Matthew Emerzian met Scott Harrison on the speaking circuit a few years ago and has been tracking the great work that charity and BBC have being doing for a while. Every Monday Matters, or EMM, was founded on the principle (and I paraphrase) that if everyone did one thing to help others or the planet each Monday, then the effects would be exponential. EMM is taking off at lightening speed with a second book deal in the can, a partnership with the holy grail of Oprah and a school program that is catching on like wildfire. We couldn't be happier to be on board!
Jessica Robinson Jewelry
Stacie Fierce (she's going to kill me for writing that!) was prancing into work with all this pierce-me-in-the-heart-it's-so-fine jewelry and, as you can imagine, the office couldn't help but notice! And in her Stacie-way she would casually reply, "It's my friend Jessica's jewelry." Suffice to say, with all this slamming jewelry staring us all in the face each day, we had to sign her on as a client. Viola! And we were right, the editors can't get enough of it either. That's what I call "les slams."
Robert Graham
A former client gave us a call a few months ago and told us that she was working with menswear bastion Robert Graham and that there were so many stories for the press she couldn't tell them all herself. Well, she wasn't kidding! From New York Yankee players to rare vintage car collectors, the mans can't get enough of Robert Graham. AND, now they have a women's line that is just as hot to trot plus they've branched out into cufflinks, belts, hosiery and there's more to come. Phew!
Untitled 11:11
Oh, Untitled...I must admit, the entire Lux Team is in love. You should just see how we handle the garments (as if we're about to break out into song in the manner of Eliza Doolittle at any moment). Not only are they song-inspiringly gorgeous, they are made so brilliantly that even our former director of production for Catherine Malandrino (that would be Stacie!) has the urge to weep upon inspection. We are so ready to get them the press and utter worship they deserve.
HOME, SWEET HOME
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Wed, 07/15/2009 - 13:38I’ve had home on the brain lately. I’m reaching a respectable age in which I’m realizing that my 600 plus square foot apartment in Hell’s Kitchen is my home for the foreseeable future. To this end, I’ve really begun cultivating a nice little lair for myself to retreat to after a long day’s work. And, I must say, it’s beginning to shape up nicely! So I thought it would be fun to ask the gals on the team—ranging from 23 to thirty-something (no need to define our outer limit here) where they go for something to spiff up their abodes.
DANIA
If I were to put something in my apartment other than its current, mattress and bookshelf—I think I would find myself purchasing from Anthropologie. Vintage look, vintage price (excluding random street finds) AND if I back out, decide mattress and bookshelf is the best furnishing my home is going to get... I can buy clothes!
LINDSAY
My apartment is far from being seen as a shining example of brilliant interior design. My roommate and I have yet to buy a couch, and have been there for over six months; we also have a papazan chair in the kitchen instead of a kitchen table.
This doesn’t mean, however, that I am completely devoid of interest in home décor. One of my favorite furniture lines is designed by Bart Bettencourt and Carlos Salgado, the team behind the Brooklyn-based company, Scrapile. They create beautifully simplistic pieces from scraps of wood discarded by the larger furniture warehouses — no two pieces are alike. I recruited them to participate in an eco-friendly design showcase and fell in love with these chairs...perhaps one day I’ll replace the papazan chair...
STACIE
As one of the lucky few that lives in a large condo in New York City - 3 bedrooms, 2 floors, 3 bathrooms...around 1500 sq ft - I have a lot of space (but not nearly enough time) to fill with beautiful things. My commitment-phobia has prohibited me from actually choosing any pieces to purchase.
One of my favorite things to do is shop for home furnishings, so lately I have been scouring online outlets for amazing art deco and vintage inspired pieces that I can incorporate with my existing items. My current design aesthetic is called "hand me down items from Grandma's house" - I like to 
think of it as eclectic. My new favorite picks are from the Suzan Fellman Showroom in LA (the SF collection and the Cecil Beaton collection), and Maison Gerard online. Suzan Fellman is a GENIUS at creating special items from vintage designer fabric, wall coverings, prints and scarves. Would anyone like to donate to the decorate Stacie's home fund?
Source: anthropologie.com, suzanfellman.com, scrapile.com
The Bicycle Is A Curious Vehicle. Its Passenger Is Its Engine.
Submitted by Laura Thomas on Mon, 07/20/2009 - 10:24
In a moment of self-clarity last August, I bought myself a bicycle. I had an epiphany of sorts that a bicycle was the answer to warding off the panic attacks, sidewalk rage and roommate abuse that I was suddenly experiencing. All in all, it’s been a great idea. There’s something to huffing and puffing your way down the Hudson River and dodging kamikaze cabs in the West Village that really puts it all into perspective. When I’m on my bicycle I at once feel six years old again as well as the master of my own destiny. It takes me out of the flow of city life, which can often feel like a tidal wave.
When we signed on Every Monday Matters as a client, I’ll admit it took me a bit to really understand what the organization’s co-founder Matt Emerzian had in mind. But as I somewhat begrudgingly climbed on my little blue bike last Monday, I experienced a second epiphany. By making a commitment to ride my bike to work at least twice per week (lightening permitting), I am making an actual difference in my life and the lives of others. I find that I am far more pleasant to be around when I commute via bike. And I generally feel refreshed and energized, albeit a little bit sweaty. 
So, I have a renewed commitment that if the weather cooperates I’m going to get on that bike every Monday. Because it matters.
Source: amazon.com, everymondaymatters.com
HEAVY METAL: Nothing Wrong With a Little Stud
Submitted by Stacie Gillian on Wed, 07/22/2009 - 13:05
I am a simple girl. You will rarely find me in pants because I am too lazy to find a top to pair them with and my closet is riddled with dresses—short, shorter, super mini, open back, deep v-front maxi dresses…basically ANYTHING that only requires me to put on one garment in the morning. I sleep until the very last second and throw my hair up into a bun EVERYDAY without fail. Makeup? Almost non-existent, except for my undying dedication to wearing eyeliner or mascara (I can’t leave the house without it). Some may consider it lack of style, but it makes my life so much easier. Plus, I always add a point of interest with accessories.
The one thing I live and die by at the moment is anything studded. In the morning when I wake up, the first thing I spy is a sea of beautiful studded shoes—Louis Vuitton with small grommets and kilties, Louboutin with bright gold conical studs, Gucci with large bulbous studs, Zanotti with open burnished silver and gold grommets and studs. You would be surprised at what a grommet, pyramid stud, ball embellishment or metal weaving can add to an outfit. My BBC team has taken to locating the newest and most fun studded accessories and emailing me images of them. The Elle team just cosigned my love of studs in the August issue with Miley Cyrus! Joe Zee, Kyle Anderson and I seem to be on the same wavelength. In their FOB coverage of ‘the’ Miley Cyrus, Elle showcased some amazing studded pieces, and one of Joe Zee’s must haves was a studded vest (that I could certainly toss over a mini dress). 
Check out our newest client, Jessica Robinson Jewelry, who has the hottest pyramid studded rings and cuffs!
Source: mantrajewelry.com, elle.com