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subscribe to style file blog via RSSFrom Rags To Riches
November 6, 2009 5:55 pm
They may have earned their New York cred—and become, in the process, Yanks fans to boot—but Rag & Bone’s David Neville and Marcus Wainwright are English boys at heart. “There is a kind of anonymity being here that I really relish,” says Neville, who described his childhood as “classic English boarding school” at a dinner on native soil last night. “When we first landed in America, we wound up in the Midwest, where people would ask us to speak just so they could hear our accents. We certainly don’t get that here in London.”
The duo was in town to celebrate the line’s being picked up by Liberty of London, whose head buyer, Ed Burstell, called it an emblem of “downtown cool.” Guests like Poppy Delevingne and Liberty’s CEO, Geoffroy de la Bourdonnaye, listened intently as Neville described the odyssey of the brand, including an explanation of how they arrived at their name. ” ‘Rag and Bone’ basically means a peddler selling odds and ends,” says Neville, who often has to explain it in the U.S., where the expression isn’t much used. “We felt that pretty much described us in the beginning.”
No one would accuse them of being rag peddlers now. Toasted by Liberty with a sumptuous five-course dinner—complete with fine wines and liveried waiters—the boys were feeling flush, too. Guests left with the mother of all goody bags: a scented candle (lovely), a cashmere snood, and a Rag gift certificate for a whopping £500. If word of that generosity gets out, they won’t stay anonymous on this side of the Atlantic for long.
tags: David Neville, Marcus Wainwright, Poppy Delevingne, Rag & Bone
The Fashion Set Fêtes Precious
November 6, 2009 1:09 pm
This year’s little movie that could is shaping up to be Precious, the inspirational tale of a supremely disadvantaged teenager in eighties Harlem. The curious crowd that dropped by last night’s Cinema Society screening for a preview included Donna Karan, Agyness Deyn, and Tommy Hilfiger, the evening’s sponsor.
Sure, it’s a big deal now. But before the game-changer known as Oprah, who signed on as executive producer after the indie film’s Sundance triumph, the fate of Precious was less than certain. “I didn’t know if it would just end up on Netflix, with us having the premiere at my mother’s house,” cast member Paula Patton said before the screening, which took place at the Crosby Street Hotel. She was in a buoyant mood, despite a dress that looked just about ready to pop. “It’s too tight to find out, but we’re pretty sure it’s Tadashi Shoji,” Patton joked.
Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, and (in a bravura turn that’s surprised just about everyone) Mo’Nique round out the cast. Although none of them came by last night, the film’s breakout star, Gabby Sidibe, cruised through the after-party, and Colin Powell (not exactly a regular at movie premieres) made a surprise visit. What does it mean when a little movie comes with so many big names? “It means the movie better show and prove,” offered Terrence Howard. Judging from the responsive audience last night, this one is doing both.
tags: Agyness Deyn, and Tommy Hilfiger, Colin Powell, Donna Karan, Gabby Sidibe, Lenny Kravitz, Mariah Carey, Oprah, Tadashi Shoji
Quoted And Noted: Alexander Wang On His Upcoming Address Change
November 6, 2009 12:01 pm
“I’m moving to Soho. I’m sick of everyone being like, ‘Oh, you’re Lower East Side—of course.’ Why of course? I’m going to prove them wrong. Besides, it was time for an upgrade.”
—Alexander Wang, who expects to complete his move to Soho in early 2010.
tags: Alexander Wang
Waris And Co. Send Their Love
November 5, 2009 5:38 pm
“That’s my favorite thing, to be inappropriate. That’s my MO for 2010. I’m starting now,” Waris Ahluwalia told us last night at the party for his new book To India With Love. And, yes, he’d just told two lovely young admirers—officers of an organization that promotes South Asian women in business—that he loves South Asian women. But that revelation aside, there were few improprieties. Fans and friends were gathered to celebrate the Assouline-published book (the proceeds of which go to the victims of the brutal November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks) at a tony ballroom at the Pierre, after all.
The book grew out of an idea Ahluwalia and co-editors Tina Bhojwani and Mortimer Singer had to support Mumbai’s victims of terrorism as they felt they’d been supported, as New Yorkers, following 9/11. A few well-placed phone calls to friends filled out the contributors list, which includes Wes Anderson, Natalie Portman, and Rachel Roy. It was, to hear him tell it, a no-brainer. “From my end, it wasn’t so much a request as a demand,” Ahluwalia says of his outreach. “I’ve been to India with a lot of these people. I said, ‘I know you were there. I’ve got photos of you—want me to use those? No, you don’t want me to use those.’ ” The strategy worked. Submissions—photos, drawings, reminiscences—came pouring in, including his favorite, a shot of Cynthia Rowley and Bill Powers in front of the Taj Mahal just minutes after Powers had proposed.
It also happened to be the guy’s birthday. Any big plans? “Just this,” Ahluwalia promised, “and an intimate dinner.” Sounds like the scene of some improprieties, but no: “My mom will be there. She’s the inspiration behind everything I do. She’s a fabulous, strong, incredible woman—she’s who I make my jewelry for.” Honoring thy mother? Looks like the 2010 MO can wait just one more night.
tags: Add new tag, Mortimer Singer, Tina Bhojwani, Waris Ahluwalia
Stella McCartney’s Mommy-And-Me Styles
November 5, 2009 11:40 am
No surprise, the Los Angeles launch of Stella McCartney’s collection for Gap Kids drew fans both big and small. (And, for the record, so did last week’s New York launch, held, appropriately enough, at the downtown private school Little Red School House.) “I’ve already picked up one of everything for my son,” said L.A. hostess Liv Tyler, sorting through racks of cashmere knits. “But now I want them for myself.” (She wound up with the leopard sweater tunic and tipped cashmere leggings in a children’s size 14.) Meanwhile, fellow shoppers and new moms Sasha Alexander and Jessica Capshaw went straight for the soft tulle ballerina skirts and shirtdresses, and the Sergeant Pepper-ish wool band jacket caught Amber Valletta’s eye as soon as she walked into the Robertson Boulevard pop-up shop (open through November 28). “I definitely want one of these,” she said. “But this is the first thing I even saw, so I am sure there are going to be a few others.”
tags: Gap Kids, Jessica Capshaw, Liv Tyler, Sasha Alexander, Stella McCartney
Calvin Klein’s Zucchelli ♥ NY, Rag & Bone’s Neville ♥ the Yankees, and More
November 4, 2009 11:49 am
Random designer news from last night’s CFDA party at the Ace Hotel for the organization’s new Assouline-published book, American Fashion Menswear: Italo Zucchelli confirmed that, after last winter’s successful experiment, he will again be showing his Fall Calvin Klein menswear in New York in February (Milan remains his venue of choice for his Spring collections). The famously organized Zucchelli (”I learned that at Jil Sander”) has already designed the whole Fall range—so there, slackers. Rag & Bone’s Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, meanwhile, are off to London, where Liberty is holding a dinner for them on Thursday night (stay tuned for our coverage). The only downside for Neville? The die-hard Yankees fan (well, as die-hard as anyone born in the U.K. could be) would miss Game 7 of the World Series, should the Bronx Bombers fail to close tonight. And, finally, Jeff Halmos and Sam Shipley can’t get over how quickly their stuff sold out on Gilt Man, the online retailer that was a co-host of the party.
Photo: NEIL RASMUS/PatrickMcMullan.com
tags: Calvin Klein, David Neville, Italo Zucchelli, Jeff Halmos, Jil Sander, Marcus Wainwright, Sam Shipley
A Man’s World
November 4, 2009 11:46 am
Menswear has long lived in the shadow of its more flamboyant sister, but if retail numbers are to be believed, the guys are catching up—and now they’ve got a new CFDA-approved guidebook, too. At the Ace Hotel last night, Assouline and the CFDA toasted American Fashion Menswear, a comprehensive history edited by former New York Times Magazine men’s fashion director Robert E. Bryan. The tome covers everything from early denim workwear to contemporary sportswear, though Bryan, wearing an immaculate thirties double-breasted suit, does seem to have a soft spot for the tailored stuff. “Menswear started with only suits,” he explained. “Sportswear can be great, but it bothers me today when I see this nonchalance. It’s more affected when you pretend you don’t care.”
There were plenty of designers on hand, including Phillip Lim, Jeff Halmos, Sam Shipley, and Calvin Klein’s Italo Zucchelli, who might argue that, sportswear or not, the guys care plenty. “These days, men are actually sophisticated shoppers,” said Richard Chai. “They know what they want.” And, added Rag & Bone’s David Neville, they stick around once they get it. “Men are such a different customer. If you win them, they will be committed to your entire message.”
Photo: NEIL RASMUS/PatrickMcMullan.com
tags: Calvin Klein, David Neville, Italo Zucchelli, Jeff Halmos, Phillip Lim, Richard Chai, Sam Shipley
Liz Hurley, Farmer? Actress Launches Organic Jerky And More
November 4, 2009 11:31 am
“How do you like being a farmer?” was a question that cropped up more than once during Elizabeth Hurley’s personal appearance in Harrods Food Hall at noon yesterday. It’s true, she did give up London for country life some time ago—and her farm is a working farm—but she’s not exactly slopping the hogs or milking the cows. She has “people” for that. But beef raised chez Hurley has found its way into the jerky that is part of the range of organic snacks she launched yesterday. (The other new products were oat bars and fruit bars.)
The concept is low-cal and low-fat. As a longtime victim of futile fad diets, Hurley spoke with the voice of experience when she acknowledged, “It’s compulsory portion control. I’ve never been able to chop a Jaffa Cake in half and just eat one piece.” But the emphasis is equally on convenience. Subsequent products like soups and ready meals will be “ambient,” i.e., no refrigeration or heating necessary. There was certainly no need for heat in Harrods, where an outlandishly gorgeous Hurley met fans (some had come from as far afield as Belgium and Spain) in a strapless red dress by Carlos Miele. And her product labels depict her in an L.B.D. and hot pink
Wellies. We’ve come a long way from Green Acres, baby.
tags: Carlos Miele, Elizabeth Hurley
Let the Games Begin
November 3, 2009 12:27 pm
“I haven’t done a puzzle since I was 13,” Jason Wu confessed last night at Shiseido’s RxArt party for Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama’s jigsaw puzzle and its own new Future Solution LX skincare line. “I’m definitely going to buy one. But knowing me, I’ll toss everything else aside until I finish it!” At least the missed work day will be for a good cause. Sales of the 200-piece puzzle, which features Kusama’s Self-Portrait (2008), will benefit RxArt’s program to engage hospital patients with contemporary art. (Aptly, the 80-year-old artist currently lives—by choice—in a Tokyo mental institution.) Kusama skipped the party, but quite a crowd turned up at the airy West Village space to celebrate, including Lauren Santo Domingo, Olivier Zahm and André Saraiva, Terry Richardson, and the party perennials of the downtown cool set, Sophomore’s Chrissie Miller, Jen Brill, and Nate Lowman, who split DJ duties with Leo Fitzpatrick for the night.
The rub with puzzles, of course, is finding the time to complete them. Vena Cava’s Lisa Mayock, who recently moved the line’s offices from Brooklyn to Manhattan, was glad the party’s nearby location gave her a few minutes to admire Kusama’s self-portrait. Daphne Guinness professed to being a fan, too, but the heiress/designer/muse may be a little busy for puzzling: “I live in New York now, but I’m basically flying all the time for work.” But with cold weather coming, a good puzzle may be just the rationale a party girl needs for a night at home. Opening Ceremony’s Carol Lim agreed. “I’m going to take up puzzles again,” she said. “It’s the perfect excuse for staying in.”
tags: Chrissie Miller, Jason Wu, Jen Brill, Lauren Santo Domingo, Nate Lowman, Olivier Zahm, Shiseido, Yayoi Kusama
Christian Cota Reminds You to Read Your Invitations Carefully
November 2, 2009 4:20 pm
All indications to the contrary, El Museo del Barrio’s Friday night Día de los Muertos gala—the first at the museum’s newly renovated galleries—wasn’t a costume party. Looks like Christian Cota missed that memo. The designer turned up in full Day of the Dead makeup and skull necklaces that could have passed runway muster for Alexander McQueen. Well, no harm done. Halloween is Cota’s favorite holiday, and he assured us he was still going to dress up. (His costume? “I plan on wearing less clothing than usual.”) Other attendees took the cocktail dress code more literally. The ultra-coiffed trio of Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez, Miss USA Kristen Dalton, and Miss Teen USA Stormi Bree Henley wore pageant-worthy gowns with jeweled accoutrements (including a set of crystal-encrusted horns for Henley). Those no doubt caught the eye of the cameramen present; three different crews were on site, including one filming attendee Tinsley Mortimer’s reality show. “It’s about life in New York,” Mortimer said. Or afterlife in New York, perhaps? No word on whether any muertos rose for their chance at cameo stardom, but a troupe of samba dancers did kick up their heels for a mid-party performance.
