Sunday, April 27, 2008

The "New" Jackie?





Dressed by the French House of Dior, by English designer John Galliano, Bruni-Sarkozy is femenine, polished and quietly sexy in well-tailored conservative ensembles.


So, anytime someone hails something as "The New" whatever,( e.g "Orange is the new black!") I am skeptical. When France's presidential couple, Nicolas and Carla-Bruni Sarkozy made their way to London several weeks ago to forge friendships and gain the hearts of the English people, the newly anointed Mrs. Sarkozy garnered just such a label for her stylish Dior ensembles; "The New Jackie." For those unfamiliar with Carla Bruni she is a former supermodel and most recently had turned singer-songwriter to some success (yes, I have her CDs). I personally think she is a stunning beauty, obviously since the modeling background, and a talented singer, but it is difficult for me to make the jump that she is the NEW Jackie. I mean, the same week that she was in London they were auctioning off nude photo's of her at Christie's. What page of "What Would Jackie Do?" is that on? Headlines read, "Carla Bruni, French President Nicolas Sarkozy's Wife, Channels Jackie Onassis During State Visit To Britain"; and my personal favorite "Carla gets a make-O-ver." Fashion wise I have to agree she is light years ahead of any woman in the American political landscape, however, wasn't Jackie more than just a fashion plate? Jacqueline Kennedy is for most a beloved icon that continues to inspire women of all ages not only because of her classic looks and good taste, but she also continues to inspire by her attitude and actions. I am anxious to see how the Bruni's public persona as the First Lady of France develops. I really hope she does disprove my skepticism and turn out to be just as poised, elegant, graceful and benevolent as Jackie. The world could use a return to style and grace.


For comparison....

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Well-scripted scents...

For the book-addicted out there, a lovely new reference(?) book has just hit the shelves. Perfumes: The Guide, by Luca Turin and Tania Sanchez, is an in depth chronicling of over 1200 different fragrances. The scientist and perfume critic (respectively) give the reader a description for each fragrance, offering historical anecdote, the notes contained in the fragrance, and finally a review. The introduction reads somewhat like a beginner’s guide to fragrance F.A.Q, answering burning questions like the difference between eau de toilette and eau de parfum, when does a perfume expire, perfume seasonality etc. However, even if you are a self-styled fragrance expert I’m sure you will find something interesting that you did not know before. Big bonus points, this book has a delicious and snarky sense of humour at points.
Lalique Anemone Perfume Bottle, available through Vivre

This book would be a great gift for the avid perfume collector or even for someone interested in beauty and style (Early reminder, Mother’s Day is May 11). Perhaps you could package a lovely perfume bottle with it or a favorite fragrance. My personal fragrance suggestions are:
For Ladies:
Burberry Touch For Men- I know this is a men’s fragrance but every time I wear it both men and women almost immediately compliment me. Likewise it smells absolutely fabulous on both.
Creed Virgin Island Water- This is an excellent for summer. To often I find that limited edition summer scents smell like a variant of either sunscreen or one of those fruity tropical drinks served in a gigantic glass with umbrellas and whatnot. This smells exactly like its name, crisp, cool and tropical. It is such a beautiful smell.
Narciso Rodriquez For Her: I love this smell, and apparently so does everyone else because almost every time I try to purchase this it is sold out ( I guess we are all running out at the same time). This fragrance is for sexy nights out. Wear with caution, it also garners "compliments," of the unsolicited amorous variety.

For Men:
Creed Green Irish Tweed- This is what a man should smell like. Period.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

India Indeed So Sublime

This weekend I had the pleasure of viewing the Rhythms of India exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art. While it focused mostly on the artist Nandalal Bose it also featured beautiful pieces by the artist Rabindranath Tagore. For India these artists represented something akin to our arts and crafts artists, as they sought to get back to the roots of Indian art and bringing back traditional schools, or ashrams, for the study of art. This was at the time in India right before the country gained it's independence and much of their art reflects the struggle under British colonial rule. They were contemporaries of, as well as aquaintances with a most notable individual, Mahatma Gandhi.
This exhibit inspired me to really explore (via my home unfortunately) more of India. To go on this journey yourself you will need the following:

Books:
Since Courteny over at StyleCourt has introduced everyone to Mughal Decoration and Rajasthan, I will suggest two new titles.
India Sublime: Princely Palace Hotels of Rajasthan. Another beautiful thick glossy collection from the publisher Rizzoli. It has all the things you love, deeply saturated jewel tone colors, and intensely visually engaging patterns and motifs in their design.
The Sari by Lynda Lynton, from Thames & Hudson. A look at the shockingly colorful and ornate as well as simple textiles of this unique country. Makes me want to get one and wear it myself.
Films:
Satyajit Ray'sThe Apu Trilogy:
Considered by most critics to be the best movie to come out of India and is on TIME magazines 100 best of all time or whatever list. Film-maker Satyajit Ray makes films that are simply beautiful in every since of the word. Beautiful visually , and beautiful in an emotional way, perhaps poetic is the right word. The trilogy chronicles the life of Apu and is like most great movies, a coming of age story. If all the acclaim isn't enough to pull you in maybe an orginal score composed by Ravi Shankar will. See this film!
The Darjeeling Limited:
I don't know how you feel about Wes Anderson films, I personally would like to pack up my things and go live in one. Wes' ever whimsical take on the broken family is no less stunning in his most recent film effort. Rent this movie and watch the featurette first, in which they discuss the hundreds of artisans that hand-painted the interiors and exteriors of the train as well as china for the dining car, hand-blocked fabric, and carved custom screens for the interiors. Even if you watch the actual film on mute (which you shouldn't because the music and dialogue are worth listening too) you need to see it because of Anderson's ability to make such well-edited and visually stunning scenes and sets. Did I forget to say stunning? (Sidenote: this film was heavily inspired by the first mentioned film-maker)
Jean-Auguste Renoir's The River:
I cannot even begin to describe this to you except to say both of the first to film-makers were inspired by this film.(Sidenote: if you are in San Diego or surrounding areas there will be a screening of this during the Indian Film festival being held in conjunction with the SDMA's Rhythms of India exhibit on May 21 at the Joan and Irwin Jacobs Theater in Balboa Park)

Other things to Inspire:
I know some of you out there are Anthony Bourdain fans, make sure to see episodes 5 and 6 (Rajasthan and Kolkata/Bombay) from season 2 of his wildly addictive show No Reservations. During just one of the episodes Tony is cooked for by a Maharana, gives us a slice of Bollywood, has a martini at The Lake Palace hotel just like Roger Moore in Octopussy, gets to stay at the luxe Devi Gahr , shops for vividly coloured spices and veg at a streetside vending stand, visits a modern and high tech guru, drinks hallucinogenic drinks, watches a camel race and a beauty contest judged by how much hair one has on their face (don't worry it was for men). Can you even handle both episodes???
Once you are done watching this, or while you are you may be tempted to indulge in some Indian cuisine, my suggestion is lamb vindaloo and if you are really getting into it some chai (not that stuff from that ubiquitous coffee chain though. yeah, you know who I mean), but iced just to help with the spice of the vindaloo.

Friday, April 11, 2008

Rough Point Revisited

I constantly find myself intrigued by fellow Sagittarian Doris Duke, as I'm sure many of you are. I think many of us are swept away by the entire idea of her painfully beautiful life. Known by most as a wanderlust stricken heiress, many design lovers know her for sense of style and prolific and diverse collections and her patronage of the arts. Doris' left behind her ecclectic legacy, in part, by her many homes. Her summer home in Newport boasts Frederick Law Olmsted (Central Park, Biltmore Estate) lawns and gardens and beautiful promontories looking out over the ocean. Doris spent her summers there, occaisonally in the company of exotic animals such as camels.
Rough Point, was originally built by Frederick Vanderbilt and later purchased by Doris' father in the early 20's. The home is now in the hands of the Newport Restoration Society. Doris herself founded the Newport Restoration Society in 1968.
Now ( I hope I'm not behind on this) Pindler & Pindler, like so many of us, have drawn on one of those homes, Rough Point, as the inspiration for a series of fabric in their Newport Mansions line. Here are Pindler & PIndler's descriptions of the fabrics:
Duquette-"...was inspired by a Chinese silk satin embroidered wall hanging which originally belonged to Doris Duke’s mother Nanoline; then later carefully installed as a bed canopy in Miss Duke’s bedroom. Duquette is an exquisite and elegant rendition holding true to the original document with careful attention to every subtle detail. Duquette is embroidered on a 100% silk satin ground which allows for a sumptuous, alluring, yet quiet elegance. Duquette is offered in two colorways and is shown in Seville" (left, in photo above)

Valencia- "Valencia was inspired by an 18th century hand-painted silk wall-covering found in Doris Duke’s Music Room at Rough Point. Valencia is woven with a 100% silk face on a wire loom incorporating both a cut velvet texture and, in certain areas, left uncut for an interesting epingle that complements the velvet. Both textures are offset by the Egyptian mercerized cotton satin ground, which is a smooth, sleek contrast to the luxurious two textures. Valencia is constructed by the use of the very best silk weaving looms and silk velvet yarns. This three color fabric is achieved by weaving on triple beams which is a very costly and time consuming technique. Valencia is offered in five colorways and is shown in Seville."(right, in photo above)

So what do you think of the fabrics? Do they strike you as decidely Doris?

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

The Magazine Annex

So... today I turned in a journal for my color theory class which all of you probably wouldn't even need to have been assigned, and would have already had it completed. Our assignment was to fill a 3" binder, till fear of busting, with photos of interiors that we loved and to basically put in an index (we also had to do research on specific painters and color theorists but that accounted for maybe 20% of the binders actual content). This was an easy task for me in that I had untold resources, you see friends, I have a condition, I hoard magazines. I even have a room for only magazines (well a storage closet that is 5'X5'), a magazine annex. It is out of control there are neatly organized, categorized filled shelves but to the floor spills mayhem and chaos, a veritable riot of periodicals...and they have begun to take over the guest bedroom closets also. I just can't seem to part with them. So the difficulty for me in this assignment was having to actually cut out of the magazine (HORROR!!!). I tried to explain to my classmates why this was such a bad thing, ("but how will you source things later?") but they didn't seem to relate. So what do you do? Do you cut out your inspiration photos-or- are you a periodical piler?