Violet Eyes

Liz is gone… another icon from the era of the big Hollywood studios has died. I suppose to many succeeding generations this will mean little and go unnoticed . I for one grieve for the loss, I remember well the influence that these megastars exerted on the culture of the 50s and 60s. It was not only her beauty that made her renown, it was also her blatant casting off of husband after husband. Elizabeth’s two stormy marriages to Richard Burton were fodder for the tabloids for decades. A woman with her own mind.

My mother was married in 1952 two years after the “The Father of the Bride” with Spencer Tracy was released. The film had an immense impact on the style of weddings. I recall years later once telling my mom how her wedding dress looked just like the one Liz wore, she replied, “Of course it did we all wanted to look like Liz” Despite the 50’s mania for blonds, Liz made brunettes just as “de’riquer” a fact that my Mom reveled in.

I suppose most of you know that Ms. Taylor also had a thing for men of a certain persuasion . Her long relationship with Montgomery Clift is legendary, as well as her long friendship with Rock Hudson. It seems to me that she found a bond in her ties to gay men that she could never find with her husbands.[although she did score the Big diamond] Taylor’s advocacy of the fight against AIDS at a time when no public personalities would dare “speak the word” is proof of her self-less understanding of the magnitude of the AIDS epidemic.

As another icon of my life passes from the scene I say,Good for you Liz…. thanks for sharing a life well lived …. we will miss you.

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American; The New French

Moi

As hundreds of Philadelphians crowd this years flower show,"Springtime in Paris" Paris is embracing all things American. I will freely admit that I am an old school Francophile, I have always loved all things french, as do a great many others here in Philadelphia. I see the reason for this has to do with our three hundred year history,all the way back to Ben Franklin's special relationship with the court of Louis and his popularity with the Parisian ladies. The second reason has to be our mutual support through our respective revolutions. The final reason may well be a shared mistrust of the British, [although Phila has plenty of Anglophiles as well, the frustrated loyalists] The French have always had a passion for our American frontier,cowboys,Indian chiefs and DENIM Americas greatest fashion contribution besides jazz music. Rue St.Honore the most venerated all fashion retailing districts has of late become home to many American designers. Michael Kors,Ralph Lauren [which is strange considering he is such an Anglophile] and of course Abercrombie and all the rest of the teenage temples of fleeting style and novelty.

Preppy is back in a big way with the French. An ironic twist considering our dependence on looking to France our fashion cues du jour. Oui Oui they say to madras shorts and ribbon belts [the uniform of Philas mainline] The following article from the NY Times will fill you in on all the details...VIVE LA PREP!New York Times

The Mighty Will Fall

Dior had no choice but to fire John Galliano. His drunken attack on an innocent bystander was inexcusable. He exposed an ugly side of the fashion industry that still exists [sad to say]. You don't bite the hand that feeds you. His comments have put an end to his career, I doubt that he will regain his place among the elite of fashion. In his defence I will only say that the highly competitve design fields exert a level of pressure unknown to mere mortals. It's ironic that those who achieve the highest level of recognition are at times the ones who are least able to handle the realities of the business. It is clear to me that Mr. Galliano thought himself infallible, [which comes from believing others praise of his talents]. It is very difficult for the creative persona to remain grounded in the face of fame and immense success. His thoughtless comments just cost him his career and fashion has lost a great talent.

Read more in the New York times

Don't worry the coffee table book will survive

Books...All this talk of books becoming obsolete is simply not true. Nothing can replace the thrill of high quality reproductions on beautiful expensive paper. I prize my library beyond most of my other possessions. All the electronic pads that Apple is flooding the markets with will never replace the feeling of sitting down with a favorite book and absorbing  each plate for detail that one might have missed in a previous session. Publishers simply must rethink their marketing strategies. I have been cross merchandising books into clients displays for years.Perfect example, the success of relating a book on the subject of the Japanese tea ceremony is a sure sale when displayed with the tea pot itself. There are endless possibilities to this method of selling REAL books. the following article relates the rise in this marketing trend. Don't despair all you bibliophiles out there, real books will not become obsolete any time soon.
  here's the link     The New York Times

LOVE

I normally stay away from politics in my blog, but recent events have made it impossible for me to keep my mouth shut. I'm hearing from various sources that Obama's decision to not support D.O.M.A. is nothing more than a distraction...to shift the media attention from the " bigger issues''' at hand, perhaps this is so, but at this point any I will gladly welcome any move that is positive and affects a "change". We are so bogged down in partisan motives both Dem. and Rep. that it seems NOTHING is moving forward. Maybe, just maybe this time we will see a change that means something to thousands of Americans who have been denied their equal rights under the law. The choice of marriage, partnership, mutual bonding and whom we love cannot be an issue put up to a vote and decided by majority rule. It is a personal right. Our choice is a matter of the heart, the same God given heart we ALL have in common. Thank you Mr. President, whatever the motives may be for upholding the promise of our constitution..."certain inalienable rights and the pursuit of happiness" which includes, as I see it, whom we choose to love.

Mad Men really opened the gates

I've been a devotee of vintage ever since I can remember. Seeking out choice pieces in thrift and resale shops is my greatest delight. When I started searching back in the 70s shops were full of beautiful pieces from the 40s and 50s, alas those days are gone. Today the best one can find are "Dynasty" era confections padded to death or really unappealing synthetic menwear. I've mentioned before the influence that 'Mad Men' has been exerting on the revival of popular interest in beautiful tailored,form fitting clothing. The trend is growing. The following article from the New York Times is proof positive.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/03/fashion/03REPRO.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha210

Another sign of the times

I know its been awhile since I posted. Things have been very complicated of late,and rather than bore my readers with my bitching I decided to remain quiet. I saw this in this mornings New York Times and decided to pass it along. Martha has not faded from the scene, [except from K Mart which she pulled out of ] Good move Martha. She has taken up residence in Home Depot the bastion of male oriented products. Good move Depot! Lowes was kicking your ass as far as women shoppers. Now we have the battle of the titans waging retail war for the female shoppers buck. I've always known that women are where  the the money is. Women are always on the hunt for the latest, while men on the whole are clueless, except when it comes to power tools. It looks like were in for a kinder gentler Depot.Here's the link  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/29/business/29home.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha25