A Love Letter to New York
March 19th, 2012 § 3 Comments
Designer Tory Burch talks about her life in the Big Apple, taking the viewer to some of her favorite places (one of my own favorites, the Frick, gets a mention!) and describes what it was like to move to New York from Pennsylvania over some rather beautiful shots of the city I have come to call my home as well.
It got me thinking of what my own love letter to New York might look like, and what places I would share, that make me feel most like a New Yorker and how “my New York” has changed since moving here from Los Angeles almost five years ago. We’d definitely spend some time in Grand Central Terminal, and stroll the quiet evening streets of Tribeca. Perhaps a bike ride up the west side at sunset or maybe a subway ride to Brooklyn for cozy cocktails with friends. It would have to include the noise of steam heat, doormen that know just a little too much, never being able to get a cab when you need one and bacon, egg and cheese on a roll, delivered to your front door. Oh, and losing your metrocard, buying a new one, and then finding the first one almost immediately. Definitely that one.
What does your love letter to New York look like?
Or better yet, what does your love letter to your home city look like?
Perhaps like Woody Allen’s to Paris? Or Steve Martin’s to Los Angeles?
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Tea with The Cambridge Satchel Company
February 15th, 2012 § 7 Comments
In the midst of the hustle and bustle that is New York Fashion Week, I was fortunate to spend a few hours over tea and scones at Alice’s Tea Cup on the Upper East Side with the lovely folks behind the ubiquitous Cambridge Satchel to learn a little more about the story behind the brand and their plans for the coming season.
Founder Julie Deane.
Probably like you, I initially noticed the Cambridge Satchel as it started appearing on the arms of celebrities and making the rounds on style blogs. As a girl who has a thing for businesslike bags, I was immediately intrigued, but when I realized the amazing range of colors that were available, I fell in love. When I had the chance to chat with Julie Deane, co-founder of the company, that love was sealed.
With just £600 of Deane’s money, and headquartered in the kitchen of the Deane family home, the Cambridge Satchel Company was founded so that the family could have supplemental income to send the children, Emily and Max, to a pricey private school because Emily was being bullied at school and was unhappy. With no background in how to run a leather goods company, what started out as 3 bags a week in 2008 has since grown to an outfit of almost 50 people in 2012, but has managed to retain the feeling of family at the foundation. Case in point: at tea I was very pleased to meet the entire family!
Mr. and Mrs. Deane, Emily and Max.
Domestic production is also very important to Deane. She initially started with a local British manufacturer, but after production difficulties surfaced, Deane decided that she could do it better. So she opened up her own factory. Done! Similarly, when her embosser got backed up with embossing orders for last Christmas, she found an identical antique machine and pitched in herself.
I’m reasonably convinced that there isn’t anything Deane can’t do. She is simply a wonderful lady: ambitious, gracious, optimistic and charming. As we spoke, the word “unsinkable” kept leaping to mind, as she talked about obstacles she had encountered and how she had worked hard to overcome them. She is truly an inspiration for entrepreneurs and businesswomen everywhere.
It was especially lovely to meet Max, Deane’s son, who sported his own personalized satchel, which carried his mother’s business cards and some sort of portable video game system…which he used to show pictures of all of the different bags. He even had his grandmother’s favorite satchel memorized. It was like the second coming of Alex P. Keaton, but way better.
Max’s bag. Which I need desperately (with my own initials, natch).
But aside from the color discussions and cups of tea, the best part of the evening was simply spending a few hours with a completely lovely bunch of people who were excited to share their story and be in New York for Fashion Week. It almost felt like we had all been magically transported back to Deane’s own kitchen.
Be sure to visit the Cambridge Satchel Company.
I’ve got my eye on the music bags to use as a briefcase.
What color should I get?
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Ghosts of Train Stations Past: New York Pennsylvania Station
February 7th, 2012 § 5 Comments
I promise a train and train station moratorium after this post.
Maaaaaaaaaybe.
Images of the old New York Penn Station (1910 – 1963), designed by the architectural powerhouse McKim, Mead & White. Every time I have to pass through the wretch that is the new Penn Station — dark, subterranean and horribly bland — I catch myself wishing earnestly that it had survived the 1960s. Wishing that what is now the busiest train station in North America was something beautiful to look at. Wishing that it rivaled the glory that is my beloved Grand Central. But alas, it is not…
Henry Crane had the right idea.
(Sidenote: Mad Men! March 24! Finally!)
For more pictures of Penn, be sure to check out my earlier post Farewell at Penn Station, poignant moments captured by LIFE photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt of WWII soldiers shipping out.
Images via the Library of Congress and the NYPL
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The Arteries of New York City, 1941
January 26th, 2012 § 1 Comment
“Manhattan acts like a heart”
A lovely documentary by Encyclopedia Britannica Films on the myriad of transportation options to and from Manhattan available to the New Yorkers and New Jerseyans of 1941. Great images of commuters, the subway, trains, buses, Grand Central, the New Jersey ferry system and — the very best part — my office building on Fifth Avenue at the 5.27 mark.
As a native Californian, mass transit is still a relatively new development in my life, but come next rush hour I will definitely be thinking of the generations of Manhattan strap hangers that have come before me. I only wish the commuters of today looked just as stylish.
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Commuting Through Time: New York
January 26th, 2012 § 1 Comment
A few places I pass by every day on my daily commute…
Grand Central Terminal
Fifth Avenue.
The “hidden” City Hall stop…
Courtesy of the Library of Congress.
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On the Docket Tonight: 69°South at BAM
November 2nd, 2011 § Leave a Comment
In 1914 famed explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton embarked on a grand expedition to traverse the desolate wilderness of Antarctica. He called it his Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, but today it is most frequently referred to as the Endurance Expedition. Seemingly not just because Endurance was the name of the ship carrying Shackleton and crew, but also for the amazing story of survival that resulted.
The Endurance, trapped in ice.
By early 1915, the Endurance found herself completely trapped within an ice floe and the crew had no choice but to wait it out until the spring thaw with the hopes that she would be able to free herself and sail on. This was not to be. By late October, the ice would claim the Endurance and the men were thus faced with the grim proposition of surviving without her. Camping on moving ice floes and sailing in a tiny twenty-foot life vessels across dangerous waters, the men somehow continued to survive and move toward civilization slowly, yet surely, concluding with the eventual rescue of the all of the members of the expedition in August of 1916. Yes, through it all, no men were lost from the Endurance crew. Tough. As. Nails.
Sir Ernest Shackleton (2nd from left), with members of the Nimrod expedition party (1907)
Tonight, I’m very excited to attend the opening of 69°South, a completely original interpretation of Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition, at BAM. Named for the latitude where the Endurance ultimately sunk, the Phantom Limb production features amazing marionettes designed by Erik Sanko, set design by Jessica Grindstaff, live performances by Skeleton Key and a score by Kronos Quartet. Running through this Saturday, November 5, I’d recommend you check it out, even before I’ve had the chance to see it. It looks that good. Find out about tickets here.
To learn more about the Endurance Expedition, head here.
BAM
Harvey Theatre
651 Fulton Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Image 1 via BAM || Image 2 via. || Image 3 via. || Image 4 – 7 via.
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On the Docket Tonight: Bklyn Dry Goods x In God We Trust Opening
October 6th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Fotos: Wooden Sleepers x Goose Barnacle at Atlantic Antic
October 4th, 2011 § 2 Comments
Just a few photos from the Atlantic Antic over the weekend. It was my first time at the mile-long street fair, now in its 37th year, and it was a perfect fall afternoon spent wandering among vendors of all sorts, plenty of live music and all kinds of street food. At the top of my Antic to-do list was a visit of the Wooden Sleepers pop-up at Goose Barnacle.
Wooden Sleepers, a collection of vintage men’s clothing, accessories and curiosities, is the brainchild and passion of Mr. Brian Davis, a self-professed vintage addict. An eagle-eyed collector, Brian somehow manages to part with many of his amazing finds (although I’m convinced he must be sitting on treasure trove) through his online store and at pop-ups. Brian’s partnering with Goose Barnacle, David Alperin’s lovely shop, made perfect sense. With a similarly discerning eye, Alperin stocks his diminutive store with a choice selection of stylish, high quality menswear, accessories and other particulars.
David Alperin (left) and Brian Davis
David and the lovely Marisa.
I’m rather obsessed with the stingy brimmed cap that David has on…
It’s his own design, and he assures me that he will be stocking them in the future.
Visit Goose Barnacle at:
91 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11201
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Field Notes: (capsule) womens
September 20th, 2011 § 2 Comments
Dropped by (capsule) womens this weekend and was pleased to get an early look at what S/S 2012 has in store for the ladies. While it does feel slightly strange to be looking at shorts when it’s just getting to be sweater weather, I’m definitely not complaining. Let’s get real. As always, (capsule) provided the opportunity to catch up with familiar brands (and faces) and make a few new discoveries as well.
Penfield. Love the color and clasp.
Species by the Thousands. Magnified chic.
Wm. J. Mills & Co. Lovely ladylike options.
Vintage Mills labels.
Made Me: Schott Perfecto x Liberty London lining
In God We Trust. Lady bowties, cufflinks.
Cheeky hand-inscribed flask.
Bridge and Burn. Through the menswear blogs, I was already aware of Bridge and Burn, but I didn’t know they also designed for women. Display a distinct menswear influence, factor in a very well-placed use of contrast (linings, waistbands, zippers) and copiously use navy, red, stripes and plaid, and I’m pretty much sold. I want it all. Was also very pleased to chat up owner/designer Erik Prowell.
Bliss Lau. The Fathom. In. Love.
The Fathom is a double ring that can be worn together or separately.
That gorgeous purple stone is a gem called “Viking’s Compass.”
Worn by designer Bliss Lau herself. Can we talk about that amaze manicure?
Just When I Thought I Was Out… {Ralph Lauren Collection Spring 2012}
September 16th, 2011 § 2 Comments
…they keep pulling me back in.” — Michael Corleone
I suppose I should have never doubted that Ralph Lauren would be my favorite from NYFW. We go way, way back. And this time around I flirted with the idea of another man, but the indomitable Mr. Lauren didn’t care. He waited. He reclinated. He knew that when he would drop his glittering collection on my head, I’d come running right back to his side. He knew that I wouldn’t ever be able to say no to him…
The man was right.
For spring 2012, while most other collections showed influences of the 1930s and 40s, Mr. Lauren reached back even further to a decade he is most comfortable with — the 1920s. And why not? His costumes for Jack Clayton’s Gatsby are constantly referenced by fashion and costume designers. Why not seize upon spring’s nostalgia, ratchet up the glamour and hit his own sweet spot? Textbook really. These are clothes for both Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker, and you probably already know I tend to like Jordan a bit more… If you were looking for 1920s with an edge, for the ironic jazz age, you won’t find it here, because that is not what Mr. Lauren does. You need to go talk to Thom Browne if that’s what you want, because that’s what he showed this week. Mr. Lauren is unfailingly earnest, and you will either find this boring, or love it to death as I do. Ralph Lauren is not an iconoclast — he is an icon. And it is a dying breed at that…
Mr. Lauren’s spring 2012 is iridescent, feathered, and jeweled. It is club-collared, double-breasted and cuffed. The palazzo pant is making a return. You better learn how to tie a tie and how to wear a cloche hat. And above all, get thyself to a fabulous ball because these gorgeous silk gowns, they are screaming to be worn.
Now, I had to restrain myself here. Of course I wanted to post it all down to the last drop, but if you really want to see every outfit, you can head over to Vogue for that. And I highly recommend you do because photographer Marcio Madeira had a field day. His shots are A.Maz.Ing. What I wanted to share with you, were some of my favorite looks, coupled with some of my favorite detail shots (Madeira blew my mind with these — I have yet to see any other runway detail shots that are this lavish, this indulgent).
Ready? Let’s Charleston…
“Let’s, let’s stay together
Loving you whether, whether
Times are good or bad, happy or sad…”
Well done, sir.
All images via Vogue.
