Ladies Who Lunch: 65th Cannes Film Festival!

Melita Toscan du Plantier in Basil Soda

The 65th Cannes Film Festival kicked off last night with its opening reception and as would be expected, it was a star studded event!  As the films begin rolling, the coveted Palme d'or winners are announced and the parties go on into the wee hours of the night, the Cannes Festival is the place to see and be seen!

I attended the Festival in 1999 and it was everything you could imagine it to be and more!  So much so that I look forward to attending again as soon as I get the chance!

One of the biggest focal points of the Cannes Festival is Fashion with a capital F!  With so many red carpet events, all of the major stars of the world will be trying to outdo each other with the most photographed look!  Melita Toscan du Plantier, wife of the late renowned French film producer Daniel Toscan du Plantier, capture the spirit of the Cannes Festival on opening night a gown by designer BASIL SODA.  The strapless gown of blue crepe with silk embroideries embodies the glamour, elegance and sophistication of the Festival and was truly one of the opening night winners!

As the Festival continues over the next week, all eyes will be on Cannes and the best that fashion has to offer!

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Ladies Who Lunch: THEIA Fall 2012 on the Runway!

Reaching a gigantic milestone, THEIA presented its first runway show ever for the Fall 2012 Collection.  Designed by Don O’Neill, the line has been gathering momentum with numerous red carpet spottings, including Oprah Winfrey at the Academy Awards.  We spoke to all of the key players that made the show come together, so kick back and enjoy the gorgeous show and the fantastic interviews!

For THEIA Fall 2012, Don O’Neill took his inspiration from the Goddess Athena as a symbol of strength for all women.  Keeping on theme, the silhouettes in the collection had an emphasis on strong shoulder shapes or of strongly accenting the shoulders.  Shapes ranged from sleek and sexy to ball gowns that will bring the princess out in anyone.

As usual, Mr. O’Neill embellished the gowns with exquisite beadwork and sequins, each gown a jeweled work of art accented by jeweled headpieces/helmuts that symbolized Athena’s power and “the warrior within” each woman.

Dramatically different from past collections that were overflowing with vibrant colors, THEIA Fall 2012 is dominated by black.  While there are a few amethyst pieces, three multi-colored prints and a number of silver outfits, black rules this collection and does so to dramatic effect.  With each gown gorgeously cut and the perfect amount of embellishment, Mr. O’Neill takes black to a whole new level.

THEIA Fall 2012 presented beautifully on the runway and proved that the line is up to the challenge of stepping into the ring with the big players!  I am already looking forward to their next runway show for Spring 2012 in September.

Video Photography Mariana Leung

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Ladies Who Lunch: Zang Toi Fall 2012!

If you looked up the word "luxury' in the dictionary, it would not surprise me to find the name Zang Toi as one of the definition entries!  Zang Toi took us on an exotic trip to Morocco for his Spring 2012 Collection, so I looked forward with great anticipation as to what would be this super talented designer's vision for Fall 2012.

Zang Toi's inspiration for Fall 2012 was Gstaad and the collection reflected that brilliantly.  For daywear, the color palette was refreshingly Winter White and Black with luxurious wools, cashmeres and laces creating a line that is truly jet setter chic.  With a hint of a glamorous 60's vibe, clean lines and micro-minis were accentuated with elaborate upswept hairdos reminiscent of the days of Verushka!

Zang Toi's evening pieces were show stoppers, adding a dramatic ruby red to the collection's color palette!  A beautiful Ratti print was introduced into the evening group as well, giving an already perfect collection that extra punch of dimension.

As stunning as the collection was on the runway, the attention to detail  in Zang Toi's Collection is impeccable.  From tone-on-tone embroideries and lace linings, to couture level craftsmanship, Zang Toi's Fall 2012 collection is a refreshing breath of fresh air that makes me long for a retreat in Gstaad!


Video Photography David TW Leung


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Ladies Who Lunch: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

For various reasons I am in California this May, so unfortunately I was not able to attend the opening of the new fashion exhibit at the Met this week.  However, I am lucky to be in collaboration with the divine Mariana Leung of MsFABulous.com and she went to the press preview to report on the opening for us!  As a big fan of both Schaiparelli and Prada, it is an exhibit that I can't wait to see as soon as I get back to New York!  So with no further ado, here is the report on the exhibit!

"One of my biggest pleasures as a fashion reporter is the privilege of being able to preview the retrospectives of my fashion heroes.  In this case, it was the gorgeous exhibit of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. 

The Metropolitan Museum show is a celebration of two powerhouse women.  Baz Luhrman and Catherine Martin (the team behind movies like Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Moulin Rouge) put together a series of stylish interviews imagining conversations between the fashion pioneers.  Throughout the exhibit, you can watch the designers discuss their experiences, their muse and the world around them throughout their careers."

"Much like the MOMA’s exhibit of Picasso and Matisse a few years back, the show her presents both designer’s work side by side to show how similar influences were translated into clothing, or how Schiaparelli might have influenced Prada. 

At the same time, the exhibit also compares how the different eras influenced the designers differently.  For Elsa, her time period was all about focusing excitement from the waist up.  Her most noteworthy accessories included hats and wigs, elaborate fur/feather collars, jackets with heavy embellishment on the chest.  For Miuccia, she focused from the waist down, with graphic prints on skirts and amazing footwear."

"Elsa Schiaparelli was an artist’s designer.  She was known for bringing surrealism into her work.  She was famous for her “shocking pink”, fanciful circus motifs and trompe l’oeil effects like printed rips.  Salvador Dali and Jean Cocteau were an influence.  Cocteau’s lip illustration became embroidery on a Schiaparelli gown, and a pocket detail on another.  The lips motif also inspired Miuccia Prada’s collection in silk prints." 

This is a show not to be missed!

The exhibit will run from May 10, 2012 - August 19th, 2012 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art 

Photographed & Reported by Mariana Leung at MsFABulous.com

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Ladies Who Lunch: Stephen Burrows Fall 2012 w/ Carol Alt & Pat Cleveland!

I first became aware of fashion designer Stephen Burrows when I was a student at Parsons School of Design.  I was drawn to him as a designer for his innovative collections, his bold use of color and his incredible drapes.  However, the most remarkable thing about Stephen Burrows is how prolific he is. 


We spoke to Stephen Burrows about his Fall 2012 Collection!  We also had the extra bonus of speaking with Super Models Pat Cleveland and Carol Alt for their insight into the collection and learned about Ms. Alt’s new book Easy Sexy Raw: 130 Raw Food Recipes, Tools, and Tips to Make You Feel Gorgeous and Satisfied.

Graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1966, Stephen Burrows began making clothing for a New York boutique and when his designs were displayed in the windows, they literally stopped traffic.  With the orders pouring in, Mr. Burrows launched his first ready to wear collection for Bonwit Teller in 1969 and he rapidly stepped into the limelight.

In 1973, Stephen Burrows was chosen to represent the United States at a Versailles Fashion Show as part of a French American fashion collaboration that included notable designers from both countries including: Pierre Cardin, Givenchy Yves Saint Laurent, Bill Blass, Oscar de La Renta and Halston.

In a career that has spanned almost 5 decades, Stephen Burrows has consistently presented collections that are not only on target for the trends of the period, but are also timeless!  Stephen Burrows Fall 2012 Collection is no exception!

Video Photography by Cassandra Past

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Ladies Who Lunch: My Style for Brit Week!

As I reported earlier this week, we are now at the tail end of Brit Week in LA!  What I didn't report on was what I wore to the event at Polkadots & Moonbeams that I attended.

In honor of Brit Week, I dressed head to toe in one of my favorite designers from the UK, Ted Baker!  Yep, I wore a jacket from my Ted Baker Pashion Suit with a Ted Baker Global Shirt, Ted Baker Denim and even Ted Baker Shoes!

I love that Ted Baker has great style that can go all the way dressed up or can go more LA dressy like I am wearing it here!  And of course I love all of the details that only I know are there, like beautiful linings and under collars :)

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Ladies Who Lunch: Brit Week 2012 Los Angeles!

Last night, I went to my first ever Brit Week event in Los Angeles!  Honestly, I had never even heard of Brit Week until a British friend told me about it last Tuesday and invited me to the event!  But, just what is Brit Week?  I immediately had to go online and research it!

Brit Week actually began in 2007 and was the idea of British television producer Nigel Lythgoe (American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance).  The concept behind Brit Week is to promote the British American connection in California!  Believe it or not, the Brits are the biggest foreign investors in California, contributing greatly to the economy and to the rich culture of California.  The 2 week long Brit Week showcases events in Los Angeles, Orange County and San Francisco every year in late April and early May!

Polkadots & Moonbeams

Wendy! The Polkadots & Moonbeams Guru!

So for my first Brit Week Event, I ended up in a convergence of people and places that I already knew and it was a nice reunion for me.  The event took place at my fave LA boutique Polkadots & Moonbeams, where I got to see all of the latest cool fashions that owner Wendy Freedman has stocked for Spring!  Wendy has an amazing fashion sense and Polkadots & Moonbeams always carries the ultimate looks to make a girl LA Chic.  I was also completely surprised and in love with the new espadrille wedge from TOMS that Wendy is now carrying in the store!

The focus of the Brit Week Cocktail Event at Polkadots & Moonbeams was how using fashion as a tool, you can catch your very own Prince Charming!  The famed Beverly Hills Psychiatrist Dr. Carol Lieberman, author of Bad Girls: Why Men Love Them & How Good Girls Can Learn Their Secrets, in the spirit of Brit Week spoke about how Kate Middleton managed to catch her Prince using some of the Bad Girls secrets.

Dr. Carole at Polkadots & Moonbeams

Employing one of the Bad Girls secrets, Kate Middleton first garnered Prince William’s attention as a love interest after he saw her in an extremely revealing dress at their college’s charity fashion show!  As the American Ambassador to the replica of the famous dress, you can get your own copy of the dress to entice your own Prince at Dr. Carole’s Website.

Dr. Carole w/ actress Niki Simone wearing the Charlotte Todd replica of the Kate Middleton Dress

Although I hit Brit Week during its last week, I hear rumour that there is still another event coming up this week to be held at Ted Baker on Robertson!  And since for my own personal style I adore Ted Baker, I think you can guess where I will be in a few days!  And now that I am aware of Brit Week, I am already putting it on my calendar for next year!

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