Holiday Wishes: PEACE and LOVE Sixties Style at Barney's

On Sunday Barney’s unveiled their very Hippie Holiday windows! The thoroughly exuberant displays celebrate the era of PEACE and LOVE. Not ironically this year marks the anniversary of the PEACE sign, which prevailed as the window’s ornamental motif. This year creative director, Simon Doonan conjured up all the hallmarks of an era were carefree abandonment and counter culture inroads were the groove. It goes without saying that hippies didn’t have the resources or the interest in the mode du jour but this generation of free spirits revolutionized fashion and that is certainly something the fashion inclined can celebrate.

 

Maestro Doonan called upon some of Barney’s favorite vendor to conjure up looks that feature the peace sign.  Looks from Marni, Margiela, Lanvin, and Phillip Lim, to name a few, mingle with other sixties iconography like guitars, album covers, and album covers. And how can we reminisce on a fashion movement without paying tribute to the players of the time – and so it was most fitting that windows featured the iconoclasts and visionaries like Marsha Hunt, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell. Also making a shinning addition to the mix was a Volkswagen Beetle adorned with the peace signs, doves and groovy scribbles designed by John-Paul Philippe. Perhaps the most poignant display featured the rendition of the peace sign created by the students of East Harlem. (All the work is available for purchase with a portion of sales going to charity).

 

The sublime windows captured all the sepia toned splendor of a time very much like today – where is face of adversity a revolution of LOVE and PEACE emerged and flourished. Now that is a notion that is worth taking to heart this holiday season. So spread a little PEACE and LOVE. 

Marie Claire and Macy's Kensie Girl Fest

On Friday night –mag in the redo- Marie Claire joined with Macy’s to soft push Kensie Girl’s Holiday Collection.  A dj spun the latest tunes from Rhiana as waiters served sparkling pink lemonade, cupcakes and lollipop shaped sweets inscribed with the word Kensie Girl (let’s remember this is a contemporary brand definitely geared to the tween set).

 

And while there weren’t any notables on site there was no shortage of camera crews- we hear Nina Garcia has a new reality show- Running in Heels. Can we expect to see snippets from the tepid event?  Doubtful. What was noteworthy was the price point- in these recessionary-like times a girl has to use her noggin’. Kensie’s well-priced collection offers a wide variety of pieces at price point that ranges from $50 to a $135.

 

The savvy mini fashionista will wield this collection to great affect. The collection featured many of season’s must haves- including- autumnal hues, plaid, ruffles and of course the mini! Steadied by black the palette included piedmont (green), purple, pink, a tealy turquoise and a bolt of orange. Chunky knit cardigans paired with little plaid minis.  Standouts included a satin- racer back vest priced at $58, or a tri-colored- full skirted mini at $78 and little black dress with ruffles in purple and pink down the center also at $78. There was a healthy presence of plaid including a charming coat with portrait collar at the affordable price of $135.

 

Many of these glam girl pieces are sure to make their way on to the Wish Lists of teen girls everywhere.

Parisian Chocolate the new Wall St. Vodka Giblet?

Only the promise of decadent chocolate and a seemingly endless flow of champagne could bring discerning Manhattanites below Prince St. on a chilly mid-week evening (that or an event at Cipriani Wall St.). On Wednesday night La Maison du Chocolat celebrated their new home-nestled a-mix other luxury brands like Pink, Hermes and Tiffany’s on infamous Wall St.

 

 

The opening drew quite the crowd, in fact as I was ushered in the line of waiting guest continued to grow, inside the pristine shop was overrun with guest sipping on champagne and nibbling on all manner of chocolate concoctions. A chili pepper infused chocolate ganache was served with pistachio nuts. Truffles were served in champagne. Chilled chocolate macrons traveled overhead in basket carried by yellow clad waiters- who industriously served the giddy crowd.

 

The new out post is a sleek revamp of the Madison shop- trading deep cherry wood for the contemporary feel of bleach blonde wood.  The small boutique brims with cases of decadent enticements of the chocolate sort.

 

With the financial markets still influx and not looking good, could chocolate become the new vodka? Perhaps, chocolate won’t fix our financial woes but it certainly could make bad news good down a little easier especially if it’s laced with champagne or some other liquor.

 

The next time you are craving something a little sweet – treat yourself to chocolate at its best. Visit one of the Maison du Chocolat’s three shops.

 

I encourage you to the experience the magic of the Maison du Chocolat. For those true chocolate lovers consider the chocolatier’s tasting sessions (the Tamananco, or the Duo). They are sure to find their way onto my list of Best Holiday Gifts Under $200 (coming soon).

 

Call 212 265 9404 for Tasting Sessions schedule.

 

1018 Madison Avenue. New York, NY

212 744 7117

 

30 Rockfeller Center New York, NY

212 265 9404

Grandeur's Fashion Galore- Tatjana Sile

The next New York Fashion week is in February but great fashion can't wait... not even for nice weather. The heavens opened up as I made my way to 320 Studios on 37th St. but the runway was hot hot hot. Jocelyn from Grandeur Events put on a fabulous fashion production featuring 6 designers, top-shelf open bar and live DJ.

The first dress of Grandeur Fashion Galore was by Tatjana Sile from Latvia.

This beauty was a vivid lime green shift dress accented with a royal purple belt and matching purple clutch(bag designed by Khrisna Justo -see her collection) all styled with fierce black gladiator heels. The look was nothing less than stunning and foretold the bold designs to follow.

Next up was a silver sheath dress with bronze details on the back view.

Tatjana came to New York with a plan to become a professional designer and is studying at my alumni Parsons. Her impeccable detail and her love for Chanel and Armani shows in her collection of cocktail dresses. While she opened an urban design show in her NY debut...her dresses would also be very welcome in a couture show.

Get ready New York...Tatjana is on fire and hasn't even graduated yet.

Alicia "aka" Fashiona (right)

all photos by Divine Richards (left)

House of Berardi

Exclusve fashion show photos by Stevyn Llewellyn of the House of Berardi show in New York. Click here to view

Carline Hedeya

Please visit our website for more images of this exclusive fashion event in New York. Click here to see the Caroline Hedaya fashion show with photos by Stevyn Llewellyn.