Ultra Suede: In Search Of Halston

 This fashion documentary covers the bejeweled era of the 70's and one of it's top designers,  Roy "Halston" Frowick.  We also get to hear from Vogue's very own Andre' Leon Talley, and his recollections of that time.  Halston was definitely larger than life, and his sleek draped designs still remain amongst the best designs of that period and even today.  Halston is one of my favorite American designers.  I remember studying about Halston designing Jackie O's pillbox hat in the 1960's.  Which then made Halston hats a woman's staple.  Unfortunately, like many greats in fashion, his jaw-dropping talent was only matched by his ferocious appetite for fame and all the bad things that came with it. The demise of his empire seems to have started when he decided to sell his name to JC Penney.   Today joining a huge brand like JC Penney as a designer would mean more revenue and more opportunities for other income levels to enjoy and wear his designs.  Unfortunately, Halston was a pioneer of that movement at a time when the increased pressures of having a Ready to Wear, Made to Order and Haute Couture lines just became to much to take on for one person.  It's been said that JC Penney demanded 8 collections + accessories a year.  Halston was known as a perfectionist.  He would therefore not allow any Junior designers to design any licensed products bearing his name. Sadly, the corporate monster pushed him out and the rest is history!  

For theaters with a listing near you go to: Fandango

2012 Color of the year goes to.......TANGERINE TANGO

Yesterday Pantone announced that THE color of the year will now be "Tangerine Tango" This color officially known as Pantone 17-463 to the fashion and design community. Tangerine Tango is described by the color authority company to be "a vivacious, enticing hue", "a provocative go-getter", "that's a bit exotic but in a friendly non threatning way".., "a spirited redish- orange that can be sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive."  Now, with the colors latest recognition we can count on seeing Tangerine Tango sprinkled in all sorts of products.  Here are a few things I found inspired by our new STAR color....   Let's Tango!

For more information about the world of colors go to: Pantone

My Current Obsession... "Cassiane' Sandal"

I know it's a bit early to start fantasizing about anything Spring but it helps me get through the Winter.  Have you ever seen a shoe that just exudes sexy?!  Well, here it is B Brian Atwood has out done himself for Spring 2012....  This sandal he named the "Cassiane" is so HOT that they made a video just for the pair!  They are available for pre-order at Nordstrom now.  Now, let's go out there and dance like nobody is watching! :-)

ilove YOJITA.. MARKET SALE in NYC!!!!!

It is with great pleasure that I write about this friend and fellow artist named Johanna Cabrera, aka "Yojita".  Johanna designs and produces IloveYOJITA handbags and small accessories in her studio in New York.  She is self taught, as well as a graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NY.  She has trained alongside some of the best handbag designers in the industry and has mastered the art of handbag construction as well as material technology.

Today you can find different inspirations in her own handbag designs, like the casual ease of the tropics in her patterns, that she draws from her native land Puert Rico. As well as the functionability and detailed construction you expect to find in a great handbag.  The vintage inspired prints and whimsical aesthetic is an extension of this designer's infectious personality.  Johanna Cabrera's hopes are to influence her customers to take a second look at pieces that are not mass- produced and in doing so will wear accessories that identify their style in a more unique way. 

 

The Yojita icon is the designer herself with wings, signifying her belief in self-love and an ever evolving freedom of expression.   

So if you are looking for a unique holiday gift made with a whole lot of love, or just a gift for yourself (we all know how good you've been this year..), then IloveYOJITA is your bag baby! :-)  Johanna will be selling her NEW collection for Holiday 2011 on December 18 and 24th ONLY!!!!
Come by and check it out!   Details below......

For more info. on this event go to: The Market NYC

SHOP WITH LOVE!!!! 

11 Fab Fashion Books to Gift this Holiday Season........

This book is like a diary for DIY-ers, this workbook provides space to sketch, plan projects, log inspiration, and file away fabrics, all alongside vintage illustrations and smart suggestions from vintage Workbasket articles

This book by William Packer. Packer studies the illustrations found in vintage issues of Vogue, exploring their relevance to the time period and artistic movements in which they appeared. Filled with vivid images of models and muses. 

This gorgeous book features original sketches and beautiful photos of Valentino's work over the years.

By Jérôme Gautier
Fashion historian Gautier traces the life and career of Gabrielle Bonheur (Coco) Chanel, guiding spirit of the most influential fashion house of the 20th century. This elegant, beautifully designed volume features hundreds of photographs, both classic and contemporary, often shot by photographers who are themselves legendary, including such artists as Man Ray, Cecil Beaton and Annie Leibovitz.

Avedon Fashion, 1944-2000

By Carol Squires, Vincent Aletti, Phillipe Garner, and Willis Hartshorn; 

Though released in 2009, this coffee table star remains one of the most inspiring fashion books of recent memory. Richard Avedon's timeless images feel just right — always.

250 pages of magazine tear sheets, covers, and advertising campaigns that illuminate the Roitfeld aesthetic.

150 Years of Couturiers, Designers, Labels 

Charlotte Seeling (Author)

This book is for major Tom Ford fans, showing a complete chronicle of the designer's time at Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. - LOVE!

This book looks at male trendsetters of the past century, brings together fifty well-known and occasionally surprising figures who have made their mark on the world.

No one takes better street-style photos than The Sartorialist, aka Scott Schuman. Even if you're familiar with his blog, which receives 125,000 hits a day, it's still a fascinating book to flick through, and an inspiration to dress more creatively. :-) 

 The 50 Most Influential Fashion Designers of All Time (Icons of Culture) 

Bonnie English (Author)

The books featured in this blurb can be found at www.amazon.com

hOHOhoHO Holiday Gift Idea for Him... 2011

Here is a gift that will demonstrate great taste and style not to mention great bang factor for your buck!!!! 

For more from the fabulous Aksel line go to :  http://akselparis.com

Canyons "Live For Snow" shoot.... B.T.S.

Recently, I had the pleasure of styling and collaborating with a great group of people, including the talented photographer Thomas H. Shelby, on the"LIVE FOR SNOW" campaign for The Canyons Resort & Waldorf Astoria hotel in Park City, Utah. 

I had stumbled upon one of the many ads running for this campaign in Travel + Leisure magazine's November issue. The ad reminding me of some of the challenging elements we faced during this shoot.  For one, we had to work mostly outdoors everyday during a week long snow storm, The shoot included 16 models, including children, all of who had to be dressed at the same time at every location. This meant we had to pack "back-up" clothing options for every model and every possible shot before getting up on the mountain and setting up each location. Traveling in the snow on Bobcats, loading and unloading travel kits and wardrobe on and off sleds and making sure all our models looked fresh and clean with the snow making the clothes, hair and make-up wet all along. 

In the end, our talented & dedicated crew proved that we can get the job done, and the campaign looking great!  Here's some behind the scenes pics from the shoot that demonstrate how much is REALLY involved in getting the money shots for this campaign.  As tough as this job was, these vacation spots are super cool and just beautiful. To see more of what I'm talking about, check out: www.canyonsresort.com  and for The Waldorf Astoria, Park City go to: www.waldorfastoria.com 

The full page ad of our work.........

We begin with setting up the clothes and accessories..........

 

wardobe room neatly organized for the upcoming shoot days 

Lots to choose from.... :-) !

Trying to decide what hats would go for the looks.....

Our smallest model of the shoot....

This is the morning of the first day of shooting...Snowing, Not good! 

Trying to figure out where the sets will be from this chart...... 

All bundled up and heading up the mountain to first set-up of the day......

The very cool looking and heated gondola rides at The Canyons.......

The view from the gondola of the photographer and producer trying to get action ski shots..........

Crew unloading equipment at top of moutain.........

At the top of the mountain, standing by to do Last Looks on this shot...... Cold but Fun!!!!

Photog: T. Shelby framing this "money shot" on top of this mountain :-).........

Models working The Canyons Resort Ski Beach area........

Models taking direction from dog sled trainer.......

Patient pooches wait for their cue........

Me sneaking in a little love to our model doggie........

 Moving on to the hot tub shot at the Waldorf Astoria, P.C.

and yes, it's 30 below outside and they are half naked!.......

Models setting up for the lobby shots.........

 

Setting up a shot at one of the Waldorf Astoria, P.C. Dining areas........

 Model staying connected while she waits for her turn to shine!.......

These hot coca's waiting for us at the end of our long shoot day 

PRICELESS!.......

For more of my styling work please go to my website:

www.Pia-malatesta.com